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wscsuperfan
Posts:218
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| 08/03/2007 10:26 AM |
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| A preseason ranking of all 119 teams in Division I-A. I've included a breakdown of the all the Big 12 teams, USC, and Iowa. |
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wscsuperfan
Posts:218
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| 08/03/2007 10:30 AM |
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Preseason rankings of 1-119 by CollegeFootballNews.com. A breakdown is included for the Big 12 teams and for No. 1 USC.
119. Army
118. Temple
117. Buffalo
116. Utah State
115. Eastern Michigan
114. Florida International
113. North Texas
112. Louisiana-Lafayette
111. Idaho
110. Florida Atlantic
109. Middle Tennessee State
108. Arkansas State
107. Louisiana-Monroe
106. Alabama-Birmingham
105. Tulane
104. Louisiana Tech
103. Rice
102. Troy
101. Ball State
100. Kent State
99. Akron
98. Air Force
97. Texas-El Paso
96. Miami (OH)
95. Ohio
94. San Diego State
93. UNLV
92. Navy
91. East Carolina
90. Central Florida
89. Marshall
88. Toledo
87. Bowling Green
86. Northern Illinois
85. Memphis
84. New Mexico State
83. Southern Methodist
82. Tulsa
81. Houston
80. San Jose State
79. Duke
78. Baylor
The ranking is too low because....the wide-open, Texas Tech-like passing game has had a year to work, and it has a good bomber in Michael Machen, the leader in the quarterback derby to replace Shawn Bell. The offensive line won't be all that bad and should give the new starting quarterback time to operate, while the defense should be a little better if the linebacking corps plays as expected. The ranking is too high because....this is probably the worst team in the Big 12 and it might not even be close. Despite talk of adding some semblance of a running game, the backs just aren't there, while the defense that was so awful last season won't be appreciably better up front and won't generate much of a pass rush.
Relative Strengths: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
Relative Weaknesses: Running Back, Defensive Line
77. Connecticut
76. North Carolina
75. Fresno State
74. Wyoming
73. Western Michigan
72. Indiana
71. Iowa State
The ranking is too low because....the coaching change will be eased with the return of Bret Meyer at quarterback. One of the league's best all-around signal callers, he should make everyone around him shine if he gets a little bit of time to work. Todd Blythe is a star receiver to combine with Meyer to get the Cyclones air attack going on a more consistent basis. Defensively, having a head coach like Gene Chizik should make a world of difference. The ranking is too high because....the offensive line has to be far, far better than it was last year for the team to have any hope of improving. There's no depth whatsoever up front and four new starters trying to figure out what they're doing. Defensively, the secondary will be a big problem without a top-flight number one corner to rely on.
Relative Strengths: Quarterback, Special Teams
Relative Weaknesses: Defensinve Line, Secondary
70. Stanford
69. Nevada
68. Minnesota
67. Kansas
The ranking is too low because....the team appears to be just good enough to throw a wrench into the Big 12 North. No, KU isn't going to challenge for the title, but it'll have a bit of pop on offense with a good receiving corps and nice quarterback situation, even if the starter hasn't been named yet. The defense isn't as bad as last year's stats might have made it appear. The ranking is too high because....there are gigantic question marks all over the place. Losing ultra-productive runner Jon Cornish is a killer, the O-line isn't anything special, the secondary has to make huge improvements just to be mediocre, and the linebacking corps is ridiculously small, even if the idea is to go light and quick.
Relative Strengths: Quarterback, Wide Receive
Relative Weaknesses: Running Back, Secondary
66. Syracuse
65. Cincinnati
64. Colorado State
63. Southern Mississippi
62. Mississippi State
61. Northwestern
60. Mississippi
59. Central Michigan
58. Pittsburgh
57. New Mexico
56. Michigan State
55. Kansas State
The ranking is too low because....there's more than enough experience on defense to come up with a big year. Al-American Ian Campbell will be used partly as an outside linebacker and partly as an end in a mixed 3-4, and he should wreak havoc in opposing backfields, while safety Marcus Watts leads a good secondary that should be the team's strength. On offense, the rushing tandem of Leon Patton and James Johnson should be devastating. The ranking is too high because...Josh Freeman still isn't ready for primetime. The rising star quarterback still needs a lot of work to do before he's the type of consistent playmaker who'll be counted on game in and game out. While his talent is undeniable, he's not going to make the average receiving corps better, at least over the first half of the season. The offensive line has more than enough depth to come up with a good rotation, but there's not much in the way of talent.
Relative Strengths: Defensive Line, Secondary
Relative Weaknesses: Wide Receiver, Offensive Line
54. Vanderbilt
53. North Carolina State
52. Illinois
51. Washington
50. Wake Forest
49. Hawaii
48. Utah
47. Kentucky
46. Washington State
45. Notre Dame
44. Virginia
43. Colorado
The ranking is too low because....the defense will once again be excellent. A strong defensive season was swept under the rug thanks to a horrendous offense, and now Jordon Dizon and the linebacking corps, and All-America caliber corner Terrence Washington, will lead the way to a big year. The offense can't and won't, by any worse. Dan Hawkins is too good a coach to let that happen again. Hugh Charles is a nice running back to carry things until the right quarterback can be found. The ranking is too high because....the offensive line isn't up to snuff thank to injury issues. The receiving corps has the potential to shine, but the new quarterback, Cody Hawkins or Nick Nelson, will have to be consistent without any real experience to fall back on. As good as the defense should be, it needs to find a consistent pass rush.
Relative Strengths: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
Relative Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Quarterback
42. Boise State
41. Brigham Young
40. Purdue
39. Texas Tech
The ranking is too low because....it's Texas Tech; the passing game will be there. Yeah, there's a big concern about the receiver experience, but the production will be there. Graham Harrell should take another step in his development now that he's a veteran triggerman with a nice resume of being able to lead the team to clutch comeback wins. The secondary might be the best unsung unit in the Big 12 thanks to the safety tandem of Darcel McBath and Joe Garcia along with corner Chris Parker. The ranking is too high because....there's bound to be a period of adjustment in the receiving corps with almost all the top pass catchers gone. The O line loses four starters, and there's the continued drama around RB Shannon Woods and the question of effort, at least in the eyes of the coaching staff. The defensive front seven, with only one starter returning up from and no depth whatsoever, will give up rushing yards in chunks.
Relative Strengths: Quarterback, Secondary
Relative Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Linebacker
38. South Carolina
37. Alabama
36. Arizona
35. Iowa
The ranking is too low because....the defensive line should be devastating. With the healthy return of Ken Iwebema, getting into the backfield won't be too much of a problem. The running backs are in place to ease new starting quarterback Jake Christensen into the job, while Dominique Douglas, Andy Brodell, and a few good prospects are causing some to call this the best receiving corps yet in the Kirk Ferentz era. This ranking is too high because....the offensive line could be a problem. Injuries were the issue last season, and now everyone has to show they can form a consistent unit. Iowa always seems to give up plenty of passing yards, and this year likely won't be any different with a secondary that'll be merely average. Overall, the defense needs to force more turnovers.
Relative Strengths - Defensive Line, Running Back
Relative Weaknesses - Offensive Line, Secondary
34. Oregon
33. South Florida
32. Arkansas
31. Arizona State
30. Georgia
29. Maryland
28. Auburn
27. Boston College
26. Texas Christian
25. Tennessee
24. West Virginia
23. Nebraska
The ranking is too low because....Zac Taylor was good, Sam Keller is better. The Huskers were able to get to the Big 12 championship with a good passer in Taylor, but Keller is an NFL caliber bomber with all the skills to make the offense shine exactly like it's supposed to for the first time since the old school offense was blown up. While it might not be saying much, the receiving corps could be the best in school history. The linebacking corps should be outstanding, while the secondary will be far better than it's been over the past few seasons, evev if it'll have its problems from time to time. The ranking is too high because....Keller isn't Taylor. Taylor had an even keel and a knack for maknig plays when he had to. Keller is still relatively unproven and needs to show he can get the job done for a full season. Also needing to prove himself is RB Marlon Lucky, an elite talent who hasn't lived up to his billing. The offensive line will be merely average unless the tackles are great out of the gate.
Relative Strengths: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
Relative Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Secondary
22. Florida State
21. Texas A&M
The ranking is too low because....the running game will be unstoppable. From the thunder of Jorvorskie Lane to the lightning of Mike Goodson, to the mobility of QB Stepehen McGee, to a line filled with potential all stars, it'll be a shock if the Aggies dont' finish in the nation's top ten in rushing. McGee can also throw, and while he won't be a 300-yard passing machine, he'll be efficient. Red Bryant is an All-America level defensive tackle to anchor the run defense around. The ranking is too high because....the defensive back seven is merely average. It's far better than it was a few years ago, but it's not nearly as good as several others in the conference. Overall, the defense has to show it's over getting blasted by Cal in the Holiday Bowl, but that game might be more indicative of what this year's group will be than the great performance against Texas. Outside of tight end Martellus Bennett and Joey Thomas, the pass catchers are nothing special.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Offensive Line
Relative Weaknesses: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
20. Penn State
19. Oklahoma State
The ranking is too low because....OSU might be the most athletic team in the Big 12. Of course, all the speed and quickness has to translate into football production, but this team can run with anyone in America. If everyone stays healthy on offense, the Cowboys are going to crank out a whuppnig or three on some of the big names. QB Bobby Reid started to live up to his hype last year, and he should be even better with WR Adarius Bowman choosing to come back to Stillwater for his senior year. Dantrell Savage and Keith Toston form one of the nation's fastest rushing tandems. The linebacking corps could be jaw-dropping good. The ranking is too high because....the offense might not be consistent if the line doesn't shine. It's a decent, veteran front five, but not a good enough one to beat up the better Big 12 defensive lines. Reid is one of the league's most dynamic players when healthy, but that's a huge if. He was banged up early in his career, and he has to show that last year wasn't a fluke. The defense will make plenty of big plays, but it'll also give them up just as quickly.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Linebacker
Relative Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Secondary
18. Clemson
17. Rutgers
16. Missouri
The ranking is too low because....the offense is stunningly loaded. There might not be any college football household names, but QB Chase Daniel, WR Will Franklin, and RB Tony Temple form the nucleus of a potentially unstoppable attack. The All-America tight end tandem of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman could be legendary. The defensive back seven is very fast and very athletic, while the tackle pair of Evander Hood and Lorenzo Williams will clog things up. The ranking is too high because....you've heard it all before. Missouri was supposed to be the Big 12's big sleeper when Brad Smith was running the show, and it never really happened. Last year's team had everything in place before melting down over the second half of the season and bottoming out in the bowl collapse to Oregon State. The defensive front seven will produce, but it should get run on by the better Big 12 ground games.
Relative Strengths: Wide Reciever, Quarterback
Relative Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Linebacker
15. California
14. Oregon State
13. Florida
12. Miami
11. UCLA
10. Georgia Tech
9. Ohio State
8. Louisville
7. Virginia Tech
6. Michigan
5. Wisconsin
4. Texas
Why Texas should be No .1.....Colt McCoy proved he could be a big-game, big-time quarterback, and he has Limas Sweed and a loaded receiving corps to work with. If Jamaal Charles is over his sophomore slump, there's enough talent and speed in the backfield to run on anyone keeping the safeties back to deal with the NFL-caliber receiving corps. The linebacking corps is deep and very, very good. Average teams can forget about running the ball on this group. Why Texas isn't No. 1.....Let's not mince words here; the secondary flat-out sucked, and that was with a slew of NFL talent and a Thorpe Award winner. Part of the problem was an aggressive scheme that left the DBs out in the cold, but that's not excuse considering the talent level. Now the secondary is in transition after losing three starters, but with a change in scheme that'll help out the pass defense, the defensive backs might not be the team's biggest concern. If injuries hit the offensive line, the whole machine might stall. There's stunningly little depth up front.
Relative Strengths: Wide Receiver, Linebacker
Relative Weaknesses: Secondary, depth at Offensive Line
3. Oklahoma
Why Oklahoma should be No. 1.....You've dismissed the defending Big 12 champions after they lost to Boise State and after all the off-season controversy and vacated wins. That's a big, big mistake. This is a national-title level Sooner team that has, arguably, the nation's best offensive line, the nation's best secondary, the country's best NFL receiver prospect in Malcolm Kelly, and great special teams that'll pull out at least one win. Losing Adrian Peterson isn't a plus, but three great running backs, highlighted by emerging superstar DeMarco Murray, will run wild behind the elite line. Why Oklahoma isn't No. 1.....The Sooners always seem to get by with mediocre talent at quarterback (Jason White included), but they're going to be pushing it early on. Sam Bradford can play and will eventually be terrific, and Joey Halzle can certainly lead the attack considering all the time he'll have to operate, but compared to other top teams, OU is woefully untested under center. To nitpick, the linebacking corps is relatively new and could use a little time to grow into a cohesive unit.
Relative Strengths: Offensive Line, Secondary
Relative Weaknesses: Quartebrakc, Linebacker
2. LSU
1. USC
Why USC is No. 1.....This is the best defense Pete Carroll has had at USC. The second-team linebacking unit would start at abotu 100 other places, while the starters from one to 11 are, at the very least, All-Pac 10 caliber. There are at least seven defenders worthy of All-America consideration, and enough talented depth to quickly step in if and when one of the future millionaires gets hurt. Offensively, John David Booty is now a crusty veteran after having been in the program, seemingly, since the John McKay days. The skill players might not be known names yet outside of recruiting circles, but if you're not a five-star running back or receiver prospect, you needn't apply for a spot on the two deep depth chart, and three deep in some cases. It's not a stretch by any means to consider this team the most talented, at least in terms of high school prospects, in the history of college football. At this point, around the country, other teams are comparing their star players by saying they likely could've played at USC. Why USC shouldn't be No. 1.....Fine, so everyone looks great if you listen to all the recruiting yahoos, and there's supposedly too much talent for any one team to field, but everyone still has to produce. Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton are supposed to be superstar receivers, and Chauncey Washington, C.J. Gable, Emmanuel Moody and others are supposed to run wild, but they haven't actually done it yet. Everyone's going to be kissing this team's butt for the next several months, and while the hype might not grow to the sickening proportions it did in 2005, the weekly pressure to not just be great, but to dominate, will be immense.
Relative Strengths: Linebacker, Secondary
Relative Weaknesses: Proven Wide Receiver, Running Back production
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Crit40
Posts:2338
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| 08/04/2007 2:37 PM |
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| Classic collegefootballnews.com stuff. Here's our list, but we're going to hedge our bet by giving why they should be ranked higher or lower. Those guys are the best at making themselves look like they know what the hell they're talking about. |
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Counting the Herd one hoof at a time. |
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Bugeater
Posts:971
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| 08/05/2007 12:07 AM |
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Taylor had an even keel and a knack for making plays when he had to
That right there tells me they don't know what they are talking about. He disappeared in every big game he ever played in. |
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