GeauxTo
01-10-2007, 01:11 PM
Power teams return (from The Record of North Jersey)[/url] [url="javascript:popPrint('print.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2cW VlRUV5eTcwNTQ4NTImeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2');"] (javascript:popPrint('email.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2c WVlRUV5eTcwNTQ4NTImeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2'); ) In college football's fantasy world, there's a Boise State story every season.
In the real world, it doesn't work that way.
While recent history dictates that Florida probably won't repeat as national champion in 2007, you also can count on the same handful of high-profile programs to dominate the preseason speculation.
For every Boise State and Rutgers, there's Southern California, Michigan, Louisiana State, Florida, Texas and others.
Here's one Top 5 going into next season:
1. Southern Cal
Sure, the Trojans will have to come up with new receivers, but quarterback John David Booty should be better in his second season as a starter and USC has an overflowing cupboard of young talent, especially on defense.
The schedule is somewhat favorable, with non-conference games at Nebraska and Notre Dame. Now athletic director Mike Garrett has to keep NFL teams away from coach Pete Carroll.
2. Michigan
Michael Hart's decision to not turn pro early will help the Wolverines snap out of their post-Rose Bowl doldrums a lot faster than they would have. With Hart and QB Chad Henne, Michigan has the ability to light up the scoreboard.
But there's work to do defensively since tackle Alan Branch is leaving early. Michigan has only four road games, with Wisconsin the toughie, and Ohio State has to come to Ann Arbor.
3. Florida
As well as Chris Leak played Monday night in the domination of Ohio State, Gators coach Urban Meyer can't wait to turn over the quarterbacking keys to Tim Tebow, who was content to play a part-time role as a freshman.
Florida has some holes to fill defensively, and its toughest SEC game, LSU, is on the road. The odds against repeating as national champs, however, aren't as high as you might imagine.
4. LSU
Les Miles is beginning to recruit as well as Nick Saban did, and if the Tigers find a suitable replacement for QB JaMarcus Russell, a national title run is not out of the question.
LSU has loads of talent, especially defensively, and it helps that its most difficult games -- Auburn and Florida in the SEC and Virginia Tech out of conference -- are in Baton Rouge.
5. Texas
The Longhorns return a lot of offensive talent. From baby-faced QB Colt McCoy, who should be even better as a sophomore (if it's possible), and three of his top four receivers.
The question marks are on defense, especially in the secondary. Still, the schedule isn't very demanding, with the toughest road game being the last -- at Texas A&M.
What about Rutgers?
Coming off a school-best No. 12 ranking in the final AP poll, the Scarlet Knights' turnaround should continue. Expect them to be in the 12-to-16 range in the preseason rankings.
Replacing future NFLers Brian Leonard and Clark Harris won't be easy, but the biggest concern could be at linebacker. Greg Schiano's best recruiting class should help.
Eight home games certainly help, but Rutgers needs to somehow upgrade its future schedules if it wants to crack the Top 10 every preseason.
What about Notre Dame?
Now let's see how Charlie Weis does coaching his own players, not those he inherited in his first two seasons.
Weis has a lot of work to do, especially on offense, where QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija will be playing on Sundays in the fall, and most of their blockers have graduated. Factor in that the Irish play at Penn State, Michigan and UCLA, and Boston College and Southern Cal come to South Bend, and Weis might reconsider his commitment to South Bend.
Who are the leading Heisman candidates?
Start with the running backs: Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of Arkansas, Ray Rice of Rutgers and Steve Slaton of West Virginia. And don't forget the quarterbacks: Colt Brennan of Hawaii, McCoy of Texas and Patrick White of West Virginia
In the real world, it doesn't work that way.
While recent history dictates that Florida probably won't repeat as national champion in 2007, you also can count on the same handful of high-profile programs to dominate the preseason speculation.
For every Boise State and Rutgers, there's Southern California, Michigan, Louisiana State, Florida, Texas and others.
Here's one Top 5 going into next season:
1. Southern Cal
Sure, the Trojans will have to come up with new receivers, but quarterback John David Booty should be better in his second season as a starter and USC has an overflowing cupboard of young talent, especially on defense.
The schedule is somewhat favorable, with non-conference games at Nebraska and Notre Dame. Now athletic director Mike Garrett has to keep NFL teams away from coach Pete Carroll.
2. Michigan
Michael Hart's decision to not turn pro early will help the Wolverines snap out of their post-Rose Bowl doldrums a lot faster than they would have. With Hart and QB Chad Henne, Michigan has the ability to light up the scoreboard.
But there's work to do defensively since tackle Alan Branch is leaving early. Michigan has only four road games, with Wisconsin the toughie, and Ohio State has to come to Ann Arbor.
3. Florida
As well as Chris Leak played Monday night in the domination of Ohio State, Gators coach Urban Meyer can't wait to turn over the quarterbacking keys to Tim Tebow, who was content to play a part-time role as a freshman.
Florida has some holes to fill defensively, and its toughest SEC game, LSU, is on the road. The odds against repeating as national champs, however, aren't as high as you might imagine.
4. LSU
Les Miles is beginning to recruit as well as Nick Saban did, and if the Tigers find a suitable replacement for QB JaMarcus Russell, a national title run is not out of the question.
LSU has loads of talent, especially defensively, and it helps that its most difficult games -- Auburn and Florida in the SEC and Virginia Tech out of conference -- are in Baton Rouge.
5. Texas
The Longhorns return a lot of offensive talent. From baby-faced QB Colt McCoy, who should be even better as a sophomore (if it's possible), and three of his top four receivers.
The question marks are on defense, especially in the secondary. Still, the schedule isn't very demanding, with the toughest road game being the last -- at Texas A&M.
What about Rutgers?
Coming off a school-best No. 12 ranking in the final AP poll, the Scarlet Knights' turnaround should continue. Expect them to be in the 12-to-16 range in the preseason rankings.
Replacing future NFLers Brian Leonard and Clark Harris won't be easy, but the biggest concern could be at linebacker. Greg Schiano's best recruiting class should help.
Eight home games certainly help, but Rutgers needs to somehow upgrade its future schedules if it wants to crack the Top 10 every preseason.
What about Notre Dame?
Now let's see how Charlie Weis does coaching his own players, not those he inherited in his first two seasons.
Weis has a lot of work to do, especially on offense, where QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija will be playing on Sundays in the fall, and most of their blockers have graduated. Factor in that the Irish play at Penn State, Michigan and UCLA, and Boston College and Southern Cal come to South Bend, and Weis might reconsider his commitment to South Bend.
Who are the leading Heisman candidates?
Start with the running backs: Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of Arkansas, Ray Rice of Rutgers and Steve Slaton of West Virginia. And don't forget the quarterbacks: Colt Brennan of Hawaii, McCoy of Texas and Patrick White of West Virginia