Preseason Top 35
This is our preseason top 35. This is a reflection of where I think that the teams
should finish in the polls. I’m a strong believer that no official rankings should come
out until after 3-4 weeks of play and we’ve had a chance to see teams play. Based on those statements, my
below rankings indicate I’m picking Oklahoma and Ohio State to play in the BCS National Championship game.
They are both extremely good teams and they both have easier roads to get there than some of the other teams. For more detailed analysis of each team, see
the conference previews. So, without further ado:
1. Oklahoma – Great defense, loaded on both sides of the ball.
Landry Jones got considerable experience with Bradford’s injury woes.
2. Ohio St - Terrelle Pryor gained valuable experience last year
and is primed for a big season, defense has reloaded as well.
3. Alabama – Great team, but second half schedule is too much
for any team to handle.
4. TCU – Whether or not they are undefeated will come down to
the matter of a couple plays, they have the talent and schedule to do so.
5. Boise St – No reason they shouldn’t end the regular season
undefeated.
6. Nebraska – Defense will be top notch and an improved offense
make them a national title contender.
7. Florida – Tons of talent on both sides of the ball
8. Virginia Tech – One of the best backfields in the country
should guide Hokies to another ACC title in a tough ACC division this year.
9. USC – Too much talent for Kiffin to screw it up too bad, but
could be the last year in the top 10 for a while.
10. Miami, FL – There’s a lot to like on both sides of the ball
here, especially if Harris can gain consistency.
11. Houston – Struggled with consistency and defense last year,
if either are improved, they should cruise though their easy schedule.
12. Texas - Very talented team, but the loss of Colt is too much
for the Longhorns to overcome this year.
13. Oregon – Would be ranked inside my top 5 if Masoli weren’t
such a troublemaker.
14. Iowa – Schedule sets up nice for Hawkeyes, but Stanzi’s
health is key. Without him, they are a 8-4 team.
15. Auburn – Huge improvement in just 2 years for Chizik, manageable
schedule and loads of talent.
16. Georgia Tech – Should be an amazing offense now in year 3
of scheme and defense should be improved with Groh, need a receiver to step up
though.
17. Arkansas – On the strength of Ryan Mallett and his set of
receivers in Petrino’s offense.
18. Penn St – Great team, but schedule is just too tough to
rank them much higher than here.
19. Georgia – Taking a little bit of a risk picking them this
high, but I think they have the defense to do it and Green and Green should put
up enough O.
20. Florida St – As long as Ponder stays healthy, they should
win their division in ACC. I have serious reservations about their defense though.
21. Notre Dame – Schedule sets up nicely and Brian Kelly has
overachieved everywhere he’s been.
22. West Virginia – My pick to win the Big East, loads of talent
on both sides of the ball.
23. South Carolina - Should be Steve Spurriers best team, great
defense, now if they can just get consistency on offense.
24. Wisconsin – Ranked here on strength of their defense
and schedule.
25. Arizona – Mike Stoops best team, he’ll need to finish this
high too to keep his job as Wildcat fans are getting impatient.
26. North Carolina - Amazing talent on def, 3-4 first round
draft picks. But both sides of the ball were way too inconsistent last year and
predict much of the same.
27. Oregon State – The Rodgers brothers and 7 returning starters
on defense.
28. LSU – Just 5 starters on offense and 4 on defense returning.
29. Connecticut - 8 starters on each side of the ball and get
all tough Big East games at home.
30. Boston College – Montel Harris in the backfield and a formible
defense. Manageable schedule as well, should get to 8-9 wins.
31. Pittsburgh – Dion Lewis is a great back, but I’m not believing
the hype that they will win the Big East.
32. Utah – Return 8 starters on a good offense, but only 5 on
defense and a tough schedule as well.
33. Clemson – No depth and lost a considerable amount of offense,
but play in a weak ACC division so should get to 7-8 wins.
34. Stanford – Love the job Harbaugh is doing here and offense
is great, but big question marks on defense.
35. Missouri - 17 returning starters from a team that went 8-4
in a weak division. But I have depth and consistency concerns.