| RANK |
AP LAST RANK |
TEAM |
2007 RECORD |
| 1 |
2 |
Georgia |
11-2 |
| The Bulldogs ended the season playing arguably the best football in the country. The team returns virtually everyone, including starting QB Matthew Stafford and Heisman-hopeful Knowshon Moreno. It's never easy in the SEC, but if they stay healthy, the Bulldogs have a chance at the National Title. |
| 2 |
5 |
Ohio State |
11-2 |
| Jim Tressel was dancing for joy when his juniors, including James Laurinaitis, decided to return for their senior campaign. QB Todd Boeckman and RB "Beanie" Wells lead an outstanding offense. The defense returns Laurinaitis along with CB Malcolm Jenkins. The team will miss top pass rusher, Vernon Gholsten, but should be able to overcome his loss. OSU will try to make it to the BCS Title Game for an unprecedented 3rd straight time. |
| 3 |
8 |
Oklahoma |
11-3 |
| Heading into 2008, the Sooners look primed for another great season. Sam Bradford bust onto the scene in 2007, passing for 3121 yards and 36 TDs. And he was a true freshman. Bradford should be better in 2008 and has several good targets, even without Malcolm Kelly. The defense will retool under Stoops, and the team should battle Missouri for the Big 12 Title. |
| 4 |
13 |
Florida |
9-4 |
| Tim Tebow is the reason this team is in the top 5. He is not only the QB but also the team's biggest threat to run the ball. His favorite target, Percy Harvin, is also back and should have an even bigger impact in 2008. The defense must be better. Last season, 9 out of the 11 defensive starters were in that role for the first time. A year under their belts should serve them well. This team is loaded and should challenge for a shot at the title. |
| 5 |
3 |
USC |
11-2 |
| Yes, the Trojans have lost several key players, but has that ever been a problem for Pete Carroll before? The Booty's departure leaves a void at QB, but Mark Sanchez and transfer Mitch Mustain both have the ability to run the team and will battle for the starting job. Joe McKnight, the next Reggie Bush, looks ready to step in as a sophomore to provide some much needed explosion. Rey Malauga and Taylor Mays will lead another great USC defense. The Trojans will reload and be right back on track for the Pac-10 crown. |
| 6 |
4 |
Missouri |
12-2 |
| A couple things make us fall in love with a team in our preseason rankings: an experienced QB and a good defense. Chase Daniel returns for the Tigers and is set for another run at the Heisman. He should hook up often with WR Jeremy Maclin in 2008. Mizzou also returns 10 starters off a good defense, which should help slow down the likes of Oklahoma and Kansas. The Tigers may be the class of the Big 12. |
| 7 |
1 |
LSU |
12-2 |
| The defending champs have their work cut out for them this season. They lost their top QB, RB, and WR. Ryan Perrilloux has the talent to lead the Tiger offense, but will he make the strides to become an elite SEC QB? The defense took some big hits as well, losing their coordinator, Bo Pelini, along with Glenn Dorsey and Ali Highsmith. We have faith that Les Miles will be able to retool the defense and OC Gary Crowton will get enough out of the offense to make another run at an SEC title. |
| 8 |
24 |
Wisconsin |
9-4 |
| If transfer Allan Evridge can grasp the offense and start right away, the Badgers will be a dangerous team. PJ Hill is a Heisman candidate and if healthy will put up huge numbers in the running game. TE Travis Beckum is back and looking for a 3rd-straight 900+ yard receiving season. The defense needs to be solid for this team to compete with OSU in the Big 10. |
| 9 |
22 |
Texas Tech |
9-4 |
| We don't usually put teams that rely solely on their passing games in the top 10, but TTU is not just any pass-happy team. Graham Harrell is back and looking to throw for 6,000 yards this season. He will throw a bunch of those to sophomore standout Michael Crabtree who wants to surpass the 2,000-yard mark. Harrell and Crabtree are on our Heisman-hopeful list. The Red Raiders also return all 5 linemen from 2007; they only allowed 16 sacks all of last year. The defense should be okay as well, returning 8 starters from 2007. |
| 10 |
21 |
Clemson |
9-4 |
| The Tigers finished 2007 strong in the ACC, and it is time Tommy Bowden got some credit. Clemson returns most of its offense with the exception of the line, which needs to be retooled. The Tigers have enough to score points. The defense gets a lift from one of the top defensive prospects in the country, DT DeQuan Bowers, and the rest of a great recruiting class. This is the year Clemson surges to the front of the ACC. |
| 11 |
7 |
Kansas |
12-1 |
| The Jayhawks won't surprise anyone this year. QB Todd Reesing is back and looking to improve on a great season. He ran and passed his way to a one-loss season and will try to get his team into the BCS Title Game this year. The defense will look to help Reesing. It is returning 9 of 11 starters; unfortunately, one loss on "D" is all-world CB Aqib Talib. The Jayhawks still should be able to hold their own in the Big 12. |
| 12 |
15 |
Auburn |
9-4 |
| The Tigers return their top rushers, Ben Tate and Brad Lester, as well as standout receivers Roderigus Smith and Montez Billings. Sophomore QB Kodi Burns takes over the reigns of Auburn's new spread offense. As always, it will be the defense that propels this club. Look for another solid year out of the Tigers. |
| 13 |
10 |
Texas |
10-3 |
| The Longhorns season hinges on the play of Colt McCoy. If the junior QB can finally live up to the hype, he should lead this team to a top 10 finish; if he can't, another decent yet not spectacular year will be the fate of the Texas football team. McCoy will be good, just not as good as the hype. Look for the Longhorns to play in another Holiday Bowl. |
| 14 |
6 |
West Virginia |
11-2 |
| Three key losses prevent this team from making another run at the National Championship Game: RB Steve Slaton, WR Derious Reynaud, and FB Owen Schmitt. The Mountaineers will still be good as senior QB Pat White is back to lead the spread offense and the diminutive Noel Devine will make huge plays with his speed. The defense will also be solid. West Virginia should win the Big East, but we don't see a top 10 team here. |
| 15 |
14 |
BYU |
11-2 |
| If not for a couple of questions on defense, we would have the Cougars nearer the top 10. BYU returns QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga. Hall threw for 3800+ yards and 26 TDs in his first year as a starter, and Unga rushed for 1200+ and 13 TDs. Both should improve and need to carry this team due to losses on defense. The "D" sustained heavy losses in the secondary and linebacking core, but look for defensive guru Bronco Mendenhall to retool quickly. The BYU Cougars are the best non-BCS team and may make a run at a BCS Bowl. |
| 16 |
9 |
Virginia Tech |
11-3 |
| The always-tough Hokies are back for another run at the ACC Title and will do it with returning QB Shawn Glennon. Glennon had a good season in 2007 but looks to improve on those numbers. Look for RB Brendan Ore to carry a large part of the offensive load due to the loss of the top 4 VA Tech receivers. We also expect back-up QB Tyrod Taylor to see a lot of time at WR for the Hokies. The defense lost 6 starters, but that has never been a problem at Virginia Tech. Frank Beamer's teams always play great defense and special teams. |
| 17 |
16 |
Arizona State |
10-3 |
| Dennis Erickson did what he does best in 2007, turning an average team into a contender. Gritty QB Rudy Carpenter returns to lead the Devils offense. He will have all his receivers back as well as RB Keegan Herring. The big question will be whether this team is the team from the first 8 games of 2007 or the team that got whipped in the Holiday Bowl. |
| 18 |
- |
Penn State |
9-4 |
| - Paterno is back for his 332nd season as head coach and looks to coach for another 43. The good news is that outside of QB Anthony Morelli and LB Dan O'Connor almost everyone is back from the 2007 squad. The new starting QB will be Darryl Clark, and if he can improve on Morelli's 2-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio, the Nittany Lions should make a run at the Buckeyes and Badgers in the Big 10. |
| 19 |
12 |
Tennessee |
10-4 |
| Erik Ainge is gone, but Jonathan Crompton should be able to step in and run the team adequately. The RBs are back as is top WR Lucas Taylor. The Volunteers need to clean up some off-the-field issues if they want to challenge in the SEC. We have faith that Fulmer will get things in control and keep Tennessee in the SEC conversation. |
| 20 |
- |
Virginia |
9-4 |
| The Virginia defense was very good last year and only loses Chris Long. It should be able to continue the trend of holding teams to under 20 points. The offense was adequate in 2007 and returns most of its starters. The Cavaliers should have another solid season in 2008. |
| 21 |
20 |
Illinois |
9-4 |
| Rashard Mendenhall has bolted for the NFL, but QB "Juice" Williams returns for another season as does WR Arrelious Benn. Ron Zook will need to replace Mendenhall, but he has the talent if one of the youngsters can play early. The defense is returning 7 good players and has plenty of talent to fill the gaps. Illinois will be young but should be able to hang in the top half of the Big 10. |
| 22 |
- |
South Carolina |
6-6 |
| QB Chris Smelley gets first crack at the starting job for Spurrier and the Gamecocks this year. If he falters, the "Ol' Ball Coach" won't hesitate to give the ball to redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia. South Carolina will look to show the world that its 0-5 season was a fluke and it can compete for the SEC title. |
| 23 |
- |
South Florida |
9-4 |
| The Bulls return 9 starters on offense and 7 on defense. This team was #2 in the country at one time last year and should gain from their experience. A big game at home against Kansas could propel this time high in the rankings again next season. Games on the road at West Virginia, at Cincinnati and at Louisville will show if this team is a legit Big East champion contender. |
| 24 |
- |
Pittsburgh |
5-7 |
| Dave Wannstadt finally looks ready to put a winning team on the field. Heisman-hopeful LeSean McCoy returns after a 1300+ yard, 14 TD season. He, along with sophomore QB Pat Bostick, highlights a solid offense that returns 7 starters. DT Gus Mustakas and LB Scott McKillop will lead a solid defense. Pitt looks like a contender in 2008. |
| 25 |
- |
Fresno State |
9-4 |
| Pat Hill's club had a bounce-back year in 2007 and look to be on the right track for 2008. It returns 8 offensive starters, including sophomore RB Ryan Matthews and QB Tom Brandstater. The defense returns 7 starters and should be a good club. The Bulldogs may be able to make a run at a BCS bowl in 2008. |
Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com. 
