For now, these rankings are based on how good the teams look following the 2007 season and who's coming back for 2008 and not necessarily where they'll end up. Don't forget that a great team can look lousy when playing a nasty schedule, while an average team might be overrated after playing a bunch of cream puffs. Before getting too excited or too ticked off, remember, recruiting hasn't finished up yet and spring practice is still several weeks away. This is just an early indicator of where the teams might be.
1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2
SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.
2. Georgia — 2007 Record: 11-2
The expectations are off the charts after a seven-game winning streak ended 2007 and almost all the top players coming back on both sides of the ball. The receiving corps could use an overall upgrade, and strong safety Kelin Johnson and end Marcus Howard will be missed, but that's nitpicking. The only other concern is the lack of a safety net behind Knowshon Moreno in the backfield, and Matthew Stafford has to become the NFL caliber quarterback he's expected to be, but this is a true national title contender from day one.
3. Oklahoma — 2007 Record: 11-3
This is a national title-caliber team if the offensive line plays up to its talent level. With OG Duke Robinson, OT Phil Loadholt and the rest of the starters back, this should be the nation's best front five to give QB Sam Bradford and RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown time and room to work. WR Malcolm Kelly is gone, but Juaquin Iglesias was the team's best receiver over the course of 2007. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Curtis Lofton and CB Reggie Smith left early, and some other big voids need to be filled in the secondary, but this should still be one of the league's best defenses.
4. Florida — 2007 Record: 9-4
2006 might have been Urban Meyer coaching Ron Zook's team and 2007 might have been about restocking the shelves. Now, 2008 will be all about Meyer's program getting back to a national title level. Top receiver Andre Caldwell is gone, two starters have to be replaced on the offensive line, and pass rushing star Derrick Harvey and strong safety Tony Joiner have to be replaced. That's about it. The running game will be better with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody expected to rock and roll right away, while Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin might just be the two best offensive players in America.
5. USC — 2007 Record: 11-2
Because of the brand name and the way the 2007 season ended, the Trojans will be in everyone's top three, if not No. 1. However, there are issues. The jury is still out on a receiving corps that underperformed, Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain have to prove worthy of running the show, three starters have to be replaced on the O line, and a few key parts are gone off the killer defense. Of course, this is USC, it reloads, but this isn't nearly as good a team as the one going into last year.
6. LSU — 2007 Record: 12-2
Alright Les, it's all your program now. With a national title and three years at the helm, Miles has to replace several key players on his "damn good football team" along with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Ricky Jean-Francois needs to be the new star on the D line and Tyson Jackson has to play up to his pro potential, while defensive back seven has to replace outside linebackers Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders along with safety Craig Steltz and corner Chevis Jackson. The offense loses WR Early Doucet, steady QB Matt Flynn and bruising RB Jacob Hester. Even though another national title will be a lot to ask for, the attack should keep rolling with Ryan Perrilloux at quarterback behind a great line.
Rest of Fox's Top 25
7. Wisconsin — 2007 Record: 9-4
8. Missouri — 2007 Record: 12-2
9. West Virginia — 2007 Record: 12-2
10. Texas Tech — 2007 Record: 9-4
11. Penn State — 2007 Record: 9-4
12. Tennessee — 2007 Record: 10-4
13. Kansas — 2007 Record: 12-1
14. Auburn — 2007 Record: 9-4
15. Texas — 2007 Record: 10-3
16. Oregon — 2007 Record: 9-4
17. Virginia Tech — 2007 Record: 11-3
18. Illinois — 2007 Record: 9-4
19. Boston College — 2007 Record: 12-2
20. Clemson — 2007 Record: 9-4
21. Michigan — 2007 Record: 9-4
22. BYU — 2007 Record: 11-2
23. South Carolina — 2007 Record: 6-6
24. Alabama — 2007 Record: 7-6
25. Wake Forest — 2007 Record: 9-4
Wow! Brace Yourself SEC, Ohio State is Fox's Preseason #1
