crawfish
01-16-2008, 12:00 AM
Way too early for this stuff, but thought it was interesting that they put Oklahoma and Ohio State number 1 &2 and shocked at USC at #7. Also, thought it was surprising that they put Florida ahead of Georgia based on how everybody else seems to be on the Bulldawg's preseason #1 bandwagon. Three SEC teams in their top ten is not surprising.
Here's the Southern Pigskins's Pre Season Top 25 (http://www.southernpigskin.com/page.cfm?story=11609&cat=exclusives)
1. Oklahoma Quarterback Sam Bradford threw 36 touchdowns in his first season in Norman. He and tailback DeMarco Murray are a stellar one-two offensive threat in the backfield. The defense returns seven starters and should be typically strong.
2. Ohio State The back-to-back runner-ups return as much talent as any team in college football. Running back Chris Wells is the next superstar in Columbus and is ready to become a Heisman candidate. James Laurinaitis has decided to return to school at linebacker.
3. Florida Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow will be back for his junior season and he will have a new friend on offense: USC transfer Emmanuel Moody at running back. He could be the x-factor the helps take the Gator offense to the next level. The young defense should only improve.
4. Georgia After humbling Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, the Bulldogs are ready for bigger things in 2008. Tailback Knowshon Moreno will be the premier tailback in the SEC. He and quarterback Matt Stafford are an exiting young duo. The defense will be loaded with upperclassmen. The same goes for the offensive line.
5. West Virginia Bill Stewart takes over what will arguably be the fastest team in college football. Quarterback Pat White, running back Noel Devine and receiver Darius Reynaud provide an offensive triple-threat few teams can match. This team can flat out fly.
6. Missouri This team showed their worth in Cotton Bowl versus Arkansas. Back is Heisman trophy finalist Chase Daniel at quarterback, along with rising star Jeremy Maclin at receiver. Expect a lot of points and a lot of wins for the Tigers.
7. Southern Cal Some retooling must be done, but the Trojans have recruited as well as any team in the nation the last few years. Joe McKnight appears to be the next Reggie Bush and former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain will battle Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback spot.
8. LSU The defending national champions will need some new names to step up, but they certainly have the talent. Ryan Perrilloux takes over under center and he appears ready for big things. The defense will miss a handful of key leaders, including All-American Glenn Dorsey.
9. Clemson The most talented team in the ACC on paper, the Tigers have their sights set on the ACC Championship Game. Quarterback Cullen Harper and running back C.J. Spiller are proven talents and two of the leagues best on offense. The defense will be fast and athletic.
10. Texas The key will be replacing star tailback Jamaal Charles and his production. Quarterback Colt McCoy returns, as do many of his top receivers. The arrival of coordinator Will Muschamp should help the defense.
11. Texas Tech Often overlooked in the Big XII, the Red Raiders return almost entirely intact from 2007. Quarterback Graham Harrell and receiver Michael Crabtree are bound to put up huge numbers once again. A year older and wider, expect the defense to be improved.
12. Auburn Defensively, few teams will be better. The offense will undergo a major transition, but quarterback Kodi Burns looked impressive in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. If this team can overcome coordinator changes, it could be a big year.
13. Tennessee Replacing quarterback Erik Ainge is the obvious starting point for the SEC East champions. Jonathan Crompton is poised to step in and not miss a beat. The running game and defense should be strong points for this team.
14. Kansas The Orange Bowl champion Jayhawks hope to be back in the BCS mix in 2008. Quarterback Todd Reesing returns after throwing 33 touchdowns and the veteran defense could be much improved. The schedule does crank up a notch.
15. Illinois Ron Zook and company made major strides in 2007, earning a Rose Bowl bid and upsetting top-ranked Ohio State. Quarterback Juice Williams returns, but running back Rashad Mendenhall and many defensive stars must be replaced.
16. Virginia Tech The Hokies will experience a lot of defensive turnover and have some key players to replace on offense. Quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor provide a strong foundation, however, and you know this team will be strong on special teams.
17. Arizona State Quarterback Rudy Carpenter is back for his senior season after throwing 25 touchdowns in 2007. He is one of the top quarterbacks in the game. The offensive line and defense will need to step up. Georgia comes to town early.
18. Penn State Joe Paterno will have a veteran team that could finish much higher than this if his starters in the offensive backfield can be replaced. As usual, this team will play tough, hard-nosed defense.
19. Connecticut - The Huskies will be one of the most experienced teams in the Big East. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen is back for his senior season. This is a program on the rise nationally.
20. BYU The Cougars, who have won 22 games the past two years, will likely make a run at the BCS. Quarterback Max Hall and Harvey Unga will provide plenty of offensive production. The defense has some rebuilding to do.
21. Wisconsin Star running P.J. Hill should run all over most of the defenses he faces. If quarterback Tyler Donovan can be replaced, this team will make a run in the Big Ten. The schedule has a brutal stretch in the middle of the season.
22. Florida State The Seminoles will enter year two of the Jimbo Fisher era with a strong offensive core coming back. Academic suspensions from 2007 will continue through September. The home-heavy schedule is much friendlier than last season.
23. Wake Forest Considerable experience returns on both sides of the football. Quarterback Riley Skinner will have plenty to work with at both running back and wide receiver. Jim Grobes teams always play fundamentally sound and smart.
24. South Florida Quarterback Matt Grothe returns for the Bulls, headlining a team that will be very experienced on both sides of the football. USF will have to work on being more consistent after slipping some late last year.
25. Virginia The running game should be superb with Mikell Simpson, Cedric Peerman and Andrew Pearman all back. Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich both return under center. Replacing Chris Long on the defensive front will be key.
Here's the Southern Pigskins's Pre Season Top 25 (http://www.southernpigskin.com/page.cfm?story=11609&cat=exclusives)
1. Oklahoma Quarterback Sam Bradford threw 36 touchdowns in his first season in Norman. He and tailback DeMarco Murray are a stellar one-two offensive threat in the backfield. The defense returns seven starters and should be typically strong.
2. Ohio State The back-to-back runner-ups return as much talent as any team in college football. Running back Chris Wells is the next superstar in Columbus and is ready to become a Heisman candidate. James Laurinaitis has decided to return to school at linebacker.
3. Florida Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow will be back for his junior season and he will have a new friend on offense: USC transfer Emmanuel Moody at running back. He could be the x-factor the helps take the Gator offense to the next level. The young defense should only improve.
4. Georgia After humbling Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, the Bulldogs are ready for bigger things in 2008. Tailback Knowshon Moreno will be the premier tailback in the SEC. He and quarterback Matt Stafford are an exiting young duo. The defense will be loaded with upperclassmen. The same goes for the offensive line.
5. West Virginia Bill Stewart takes over what will arguably be the fastest team in college football. Quarterback Pat White, running back Noel Devine and receiver Darius Reynaud provide an offensive triple-threat few teams can match. This team can flat out fly.
6. Missouri This team showed their worth in Cotton Bowl versus Arkansas. Back is Heisman trophy finalist Chase Daniel at quarterback, along with rising star Jeremy Maclin at receiver. Expect a lot of points and a lot of wins for the Tigers.
7. Southern Cal Some retooling must be done, but the Trojans have recruited as well as any team in the nation the last few years. Joe McKnight appears to be the next Reggie Bush and former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain will battle Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback spot.
8. LSU The defending national champions will need some new names to step up, but they certainly have the talent. Ryan Perrilloux takes over under center and he appears ready for big things. The defense will miss a handful of key leaders, including All-American Glenn Dorsey.
9. Clemson The most talented team in the ACC on paper, the Tigers have their sights set on the ACC Championship Game. Quarterback Cullen Harper and running back C.J. Spiller are proven talents and two of the leagues best on offense. The defense will be fast and athletic.
10. Texas The key will be replacing star tailback Jamaal Charles and his production. Quarterback Colt McCoy returns, as do many of his top receivers. The arrival of coordinator Will Muschamp should help the defense.
11. Texas Tech Often overlooked in the Big XII, the Red Raiders return almost entirely intact from 2007. Quarterback Graham Harrell and receiver Michael Crabtree are bound to put up huge numbers once again. A year older and wider, expect the defense to be improved.
12. Auburn Defensively, few teams will be better. The offense will undergo a major transition, but quarterback Kodi Burns looked impressive in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. If this team can overcome coordinator changes, it could be a big year.
13. Tennessee Replacing quarterback Erik Ainge is the obvious starting point for the SEC East champions. Jonathan Crompton is poised to step in and not miss a beat. The running game and defense should be strong points for this team.
14. Kansas The Orange Bowl champion Jayhawks hope to be back in the BCS mix in 2008. Quarterback Todd Reesing returns after throwing 33 touchdowns and the veteran defense could be much improved. The schedule does crank up a notch.
15. Illinois Ron Zook and company made major strides in 2007, earning a Rose Bowl bid and upsetting top-ranked Ohio State. Quarterback Juice Williams returns, but running back Rashad Mendenhall and many defensive stars must be replaced.
16. Virginia Tech The Hokies will experience a lot of defensive turnover and have some key players to replace on offense. Quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor provide a strong foundation, however, and you know this team will be strong on special teams.
17. Arizona State Quarterback Rudy Carpenter is back for his senior season after throwing 25 touchdowns in 2007. He is one of the top quarterbacks in the game. The offensive line and defense will need to step up. Georgia comes to town early.
18. Penn State Joe Paterno will have a veteran team that could finish much higher than this if his starters in the offensive backfield can be replaced. As usual, this team will play tough, hard-nosed defense.
19. Connecticut - The Huskies will be one of the most experienced teams in the Big East. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen is back for his senior season. This is a program on the rise nationally.
20. BYU The Cougars, who have won 22 games the past two years, will likely make a run at the BCS. Quarterback Max Hall and Harvey Unga will provide plenty of offensive production. The defense has some rebuilding to do.
21. Wisconsin Star running P.J. Hill should run all over most of the defenses he faces. If quarterback Tyler Donovan can be replaced, this team will make a run in the Big Ten. The schedule has a brutal stretch in the middle of the season.
22. Florida State The Seminoles will enter year two of the Jimbo Fisher era with a strong offensive core coming back. Academic suspensions from 2007 will continue through September. The home-heavy schedule is much friendlier than last season.
23. Wake Forest Considerable experience returns on both sides of the football. Quarterback Riley Skinner will have plenty to work with at both running back and wide receiver. Jim Grobes teams always play fundamentally sound and smart.
24. South Florida Quarterback Matt Grothe returns for the Bulls, headlining a team that will be very experienced on both sides of the football. USF will have to work on being more consistent after slipping some late last year.
25. Virginia The running game should be superb with Mikell Simpson, Cedric Peerman and Andrew Pearman all back. Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich both return under center. Replacing Chris Long on the defensive front will be key.