College Football Primer, Part II
It's been a while, much in part to the craziness of moving into college, but First and Five is back.
The preseason Top 25 concludes with counting down the Top Ten teams:
10. Oklahoma- And even this ranking is generous. The Rhett Bomar scandal diminishes this Sooner team tremendously, leaving the team with no experienced starter at quarterback. Adrian Peterson will star, but defenses will be able to key on the Heisman-contender running back almost every play without a proven threat in the passing game. I wouldn't be shocked if Peterson falls to injury again this season with defenses gunning for him every play.
9. Florida State- The Seminoles boast what may be the best and most athletic defense in the nation. Bobby Bowden returns much of a potent enough offense to make FSU a force to be reckoned with again.
8. West Virginia- Many experts have predicted this Mountaineer team to reach the Fiesta Bowl this year. With tremendous talent at QB and RB with Pat Smith and Steve Slaton, a brilliant head coach in Rich Rodriguez, and a very easy schedule, a BCS title game does seem a viable outcome. However preseason rankings are based upon the strength of a team, not how they might finish. If WVU can escape their tough matchup with Louisville, they'll make an exciting run at the Big East and National Championships.
7. USC- The talent is there, despite all the high-profile losses. The talent is also, however, mostly very young with little game-experience. I'm not a believer in John David Booty, however much practice and bench-riding time he may have had the past three years. I see this team struggling with UCLA, Cal, and Nebraska, and definitely losing its season finale against Notre Dame.
6. Florida- Against what may be the toughest schedule in the nation, Coach Urban Meyer leads his Gators in the second year of his ingenious offense. Meyer's QB's have all fared tremendously well in their second seasons of his system (see: 1st round pick Alex Smith), which should bode well for Chris Leak. If the secondary and running game can step it up, Florida may be headed to Glendale.
5. Louisville- The team is incredibly balanced from top to bottom, and features the best quarterback and running back combo in the nation in Brian Brohm and Michael Bush. The defense is slightly suspect and will miss national sack leader Elvis Dumervil, but I'm picking them to finish atop the Big East.
4. Texas- This Longhorn team excels on both the offensive and defensive lines, and returns a great core from its national championship team. Their matchup with Ohio State in Austin will be the game of the year. However, I'm not sold on the Longhorns as true title contenders. Sure I think they'll win the weak Big 12, but with a first year quarterback, a repeat will be overachieving. First year
starting QB's and rotations of two quarterbacks just don't fare well in college football (see last years preseason #'s 3 and 7, Tennesee and Oklahoma).
3. Auburn- I just love what Tommy Tuberville has been able to put together with this team. Kenny Irons will evolve into a national star, and the offensive and defensive balance is better than any other team in the nation. If they want to win it all, they must watch out for the huge rivalry games with Alabama and Florida.
2. Notre Dame- Contrary to what you might have expected, I'm not that much of a homer to rank my school #1. This offense is clearly loaded with standouts Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Darius Walker, and Charlie Weis calling the plays. The defense must improve on last years trouncing in
the Fiesta Bowl at the hands of Ohio State, but I expect them to do so. Tom Zbikowski should have an All-American caliber year.
1. Ohio State- As much as I hate doing it, I can't deny Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and the underrated Antonio Pittman. The linebacking corps are clearly the defense's weak point, but the offense should outscore almost anyone. Jim Tressel also has highly touted freshman bruiser Chris Wells waiting in the wings to carry some of the rushing load.
So that's it folks, enjoy this season of the greatest sport around. First and Five will have game summaries, on-site reports, and running diaries from some of the biggest games of the year, stay tuned and thanks for reading (and commenting!).
The preseason Top 25 concludes with counting down the Top Ten teams:
10. Oklahoma- And even this ranking is generous. The Rhett Bomar scandal diminishes this Sooner team tremendously, leaving the team with no experienced starter at quarterback. Adrian Peterson will star, but defenses will be able to key on the Heisman-contender running back almost every play without a proven threat in the passing game. I wouldn't be shocked if Peterson falls to injury again this season with defenses gunning for him every play.
9. Florida State- The Seminoles boast what may be the best and most athletic defense in the nation. Bobby Bowden returns much of a potent enough offense to make FSU a force to be reckoned with again.
8. West Virginia- Many experts have predicted this Mountaineer team to reach the Fiesta Bowl this year. With tremendous talent at QB and RB with Pat Smith and Steve Slaton, a brilliant head coach in Rich Rodriguez, and a very easy schedule, a BCS title game does seem a viable outcome. However preseason rankings are based upon the strength of a team, not how they might finish. If WVU can escape their tough matchup with Louisville, they'll make an exciting run at the Big East and National Championships.7. USC- The talent is there, despite all the high-profile losses. The talent is also, however, mostly very young with little game-experience. I'm not a believer in John David Booty, however much practice and bench-riding time he may have had the past three years. I see this team struggling with UCLA, Cal, and Nebraska, and definitely losing its season finale against Notre Dame.
6. Florida- Against what may be the toughest schedule in the nation, Coach Urban Meyer leads his Gators in the second year of his ingenious offense. Meyer's QB's have all fared tremendously well in their second seasons of his system (see: 1st round pick Alex Smith), which should bode well for Chris Leak. If the secondary and running game can step it up, Florida may be headed to Glendale.
5. Louisville- The team is incredibly balanced from top to bottom, and features the best quarterback and running back combo in the nation in Brian Brohm and Michael Bush. The defense is slightly suspect and will miss national sack leader Elvis Dumervil, but I'm picking them to finish atop the Big East.
4. Texas- This Longhorn team excels on both the offensive and defensive lines, and returns a great core from its national championship team. Their matchup with Ohio State in Austin will be the game of the year. However, I'm not sold on the Longhorns as true title contenders. Sure I think they'll win the weak Big 12, but with a first year quarterback, a repeat will be overachieving. First year
starting QB's and rotations of two quarterbacks just don't fare well in college football (see last years preseason #'s 3 and 7, Tennesee and Oklahoma).3. Auburn- I just love what Tommy Tuberville has been able to put together with this team. Kenny Irons will evolve into a national star, and the offensive and defensive balance is better than any other team in the nation. If they want to win it all, they must watch out for the huge rivalry games with Alabama and Florida.
2. Notre Dame- Contrary to what you might have expected, I'm not that much of a homer to rank my school #1. This offense is clearly loaded with standouts Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Darius Walker, and Charlie Weis calling the plays. The defense must improve on last years trouncing in
the Fiesta Bowl at the hands of Ohio State, but I expect them to do so. Tom Zbikowski should have an All-American caliber year.1. Ohio State- As much as I hate doing it, I can't deny Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and the underrated Antonio Pittman. The linebacking corps are clearly the defense's weak point, but the offense should outscore almost anyone. Jim Tressel also has highly touted freshman bruiser Chris Wells waiting in the wings to carry some of the rushing load.
So that's it folks, enjoy this season of the greatest sport around. First and Five will have game summaries, on-site reports, and running diaries from some of the biggest games of the year, stay tuned and thanks for reading (and commenting!).
posted by 1st and Five @ 7:24 PM
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