There's
one very important distinction in the CFN preseason rankings: these
are based on how good the teams are going into the season and NOT
how they're going to finish. Some teams have easier
schedules than others, some get tougher road games and some will
need a little bit of time to jell meaning they might be better than
their final record might indicate. Going into the year, these are
how good the teams appear to be from No. 1 through 119.
The predicted finishes don't take into account possible bowl games
or conference championships.
No. 1 to No. 10
| No. 11 to
20 |
No. 21 to 29 |
No. 30 to
39 |
No. 40 to 49
No. 50 to
59 |
No. 60 to 69 |
No. 70 to
79 |
No. 80 to 89 |
No. 90 to
99
No. 100 to
109 |
No. 110 to 119
49.
Virginia
Predicted Finish:
7-5
2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005 Record: 7-5
Even though 13 starters and 32 lettermen return, this might be a season
where the program takes a step back to take a giant leap forward. This
is a young team with one senior on the projected defensive two-deep and
only one on the offensive line. The skill players are veterans who
should be able to generate more production than last year, but the top
talents are all young reserves waiting for a chance to shine.
Relative Strengths: receiver, secondary Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, quarterback
48. South
Carolina
Predicted Finish:
6-6
2005 Predicted Finish: 5-6 2005 Record: 7-5
This is a nice team with some next-level parts, but it's hardly a
complete one. Wide receiver Sidney Rice is among the best in America,
the 1-2 rushing punch of Mike Davis and Cory Boyd is tremendous, and
cornerback Fred Bennett could be the SEC's best cover man. Beyond that,
the Gamecocks are woefully undermanned compared to the LSUs, Auburns,
Floridas, and other top SEC teams. That's not to say Steve Spurrier
isn't going to win his share of games this season, but this isn't going
to be that contending year many are hoping for even with a relatively
easy schedule with an all-but-gift-wrapped six wins.
Relative Strengths: receiver, running back Relative
Weaknesses: offensive line, linebacker
47. Purdue
Predicted Finish:
7-6 2005
Predicted Finish: 9-2 2005 Record: 5-6
All the problems of last year allowed several young players to see time
and gain valuable experience coming into this season. The offensive line
should be among the Big Ten's best, the receiver combination of Dorien
Bryant and Kyle Ingraham (if he gets his grades back in order) should be
deadly, Kory Sheets is a great looking young running back, and
quarterback Curtis Painter appears ready to be the leader of the program
for the next few seasons after taking his lumps over the second half of
last year. Then again, that's what the Boilermakers were thinking about
2005's starting quarterback, Brandon Kirsch.
Relative Strengths: receiver, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, defensive line
46. UCLA
Predicted Finish:
5-7
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 10-2
UCLA survived last year by making several fourth quarter comebacks. The
team can’t play with fire again needing to replace the entire
linebacking corps, is still smallish up front for a national power
program, loses top playmakers Drew Olson, Maurice Drew and Marcedes
Lewis from the offense, and lacks proven playmakers on both sides of the
ball. Factor all that into a better Pac 10 and it'll be a stunner if
UCLA can even dream about double-digit wins.
Relative Strengths: running back, quarterback Relative
Weaknesses: linebacker, defensive line
45. Fresno
State
Predicted Finish:
7-5 2005
Predicted Finish: 9-3 2005 Record: 8-5
If a steady quarterback emerges from the three-way race between Tom
Brandstater, Sean Norton and Ryan Colburn, the passing game will be
explosive. The running game will be great with Dwayne Wright returning
from a knee injury to work behind a big and talented line. The receiving
corps is solid, the defense is the best in the WAC, and the special
teams are easily the best in the conference.
Relative Strengths: receiver, special teams Relative
Weaknesses: quarterback, linebacker
44. Texas
A&M
Predicted Finish:
8-4 2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005
Record: 5-6
The defense will switch to a 4-2-5 alignment to try to help the nation's
worst pass defense and be more productive against one-back offenses. The
offense should be humming as long as new starting quarterback Stephen
McGee is merely adequate. The line is among the best in the league, the
receiving corps has the potential to break out and have a big season,
and the running back trio of Courtney Lewis, Jorvorski Lane and Mike
Goodson should be terrific. This is a team that's about a year away from
potentially challenging for the South title, but that's what was said
last year. However, there's no need for head coach Dennnis Franchione to
polish up his résumé quite yet. There's enough talent to win several
games with, and there's a big boost thanks to an easy schedule.
Relative Strengths: running back, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, special teams
43. Pitt
Predicted Finish:
8-4 2005
Predicted Finish: 9-2 2005 Record: 5-6
QB Tyler Palko, LB H.B. Blades, CB Darrelle Revis and P Adam Graessle
are among the best players in the conference at their respective
positions. Young talent has to emerge at defensive tackle, wide receiver
and running back, but the positive is the athleticism; it's better than
what was there before. Getting off to a big start in conference play
will be vital with home showdowns with West Virginia and Louisville to
close out the year.
Relative Strengths: secondary, quarterback Relative
Weaknesses: running back, defensive line
42. NC
State
Predicted Finish:
6-6
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 7-5
It's possible that no one did less with more than Chuck Amato and his
staff over the last two seasons, but he has the type of team that can
quickly make amends. The running back tandem Andre Brown and Toney Baker
is good, but it's not good enough to lead the way to an ACC title. QB
Marcus Stone has to use his good receiving corps and better offensive
coordinator, Marc Trestman, to become a star. This team will go as he
goes. On defense, replacing the three first round draft picks (Mario
Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo) will get all the attention, but
don't be stunned if there's not a devastating drop-off in all-around
production.
Relative Strengths: secondary, special teams Relative
Weaknesses: quarterback, offensive line
41.
South Florida
Predicted Finish:
8-4
2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 6-6
The USF D will be the best in the Big East if the line is merely
adequate. This is a fast, fast, fast defense with just enough size
to hold up against the stronger power offenses. Stephen Nicholas,
Ben Moffitt, and Pat St. Louis form one of the nation's best
linebacking corps, while the return of safety Danny Verpaele from a
foot injury gives a big boost to an already strong secondary. The
offense has athletes and has experience at key positions, but will
it go anywhere without all-star back Andre Hall to carry the attack?
The receiving corps has the potential to be the second best in the
league behind Louisville's fantastic group, but someone has to
consistently get them the ball.
Relative Strengths: linebacker, secondary Relative
Weaknesses: running back, special teams
40. Oregon
State
Predicted Finish:
7-6
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 5-6
The 2006 Beavers are much improved with several things to get excited
about. The offensive line gets all five starters back and should be
dynamite. The backfield is loaded with JUCO transfer Clinton Polk
joining Yvenson Bernard. All-America caliber tight end Joe Newton is
back and healthy, and kicker Alexis Serna returns after winning the Lou
Groza Award as the nation's top kicker. However, the problems are way
too much to overcome in the hopes of competing for the Pac 10 title.
It's a relatively young team with most of the seniors backed up by
better prospects. There will be shootouts galore, only this year the
Beavers will end up on the right side of most of them.
Relative Strengths: running back, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, linebacker
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