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
29.
Arkansas
Predicted Finish:
9-3
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 4-7
While the addition of a top-shelf quarterback Mitch Mustain might do
wonders for the passing game, it's the ground attack that'll make
headlines. True sophomores Darren McFadden and Felix Jones form one of
the nation's best 1-2 rushing punches, and small, quick Michael Smith is
healthy and ready to be part of the mix. Add a fullback in Peyton Hillis
who led the team in catches last year and returns punts, and an
offensive line with, for all intents and purposes, five returning
starters, and the Hogs should run wild. The defense won't get a lot of
publicity, but it'll be strong led be undersized, but talented
linebacker Sam Olajabutu and with a strong line to work around. Chris
Houston and Matterral Richardson are talented corners who'll both see
time in an NFL camp, and the safeties are improved with speedy Michael
Grant taking over the free safety job.
Relative Strengths: running back, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: receiver, quarterback
28. Texas
Tech
Predicted Finish:
8-4
2005 Predicted Finish: 9-2 2005 Record: 9-3
For the first time under head coach Mike Leach, a quarterback has to be
developed to shine right away with sophomore Graham Harrell and redshirt
freshman Chris Todd battling it out for the honor of being one of the
nation's top statistical players. Also, for the first time under Leach,
he has potential NFL talents running his system with three marvelous
wide receivers in Jarrett Hicks, Joel Filani and Robert Johnson almost
certain to combine for over 200 catches. The line will provide plenty of
help the four starters returning. The defense won't be up to snuff like
last year when several veterans came through with big seasons, but the
linebacking corps should be solid and there's speed to burn in the
secondary.
Relative Strengths: receiver, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: running back, secondary
27.
Maryland
Predicted Finish:
6-6
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 5-6
Rarely do teams get a shot in the arm talent-wise the way Maryland gets
one this season. 2004's top rusher Josh Allen is back after missing all
of last year with a knee injury. One of the team's top offensive
tackles, Stephon Heyer, is back, as is rising linebacker Erin Henderson,
brother of former Terp star, E.J. Those three alone help an already good
foundation that might be bowling without them.
Relative Strengths: running back, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, quarterback
26.
Colorado
Predicted Finish:
8-4
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 7-6
There are holes to fill, especially on offense. The line has to get
healthy before Dan Hawkins and the new coaching staff can properly
figure out what it has to work with. The quarterbacks were inconsistent
this spring, partially because they were under pressure thanks to the
banged up line, and the running game has little to no proven power.
There is depth and talent in the backfield and at receiver with enough
options to play around with once the quarterback situation is settled.
The defense is much better than it'll likely be made out to be with
Thaddaeus Washington and Jordon Dizon leading a strong linebacking
corps, Terrence Wheatley returning at corner to join All-Big 12 talent
J.J. Billingsley in a deep secondary, and potential on the ends with
several good players to rotate.
Relative Strengths: special teams, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: quarterback, running back
25.
Missouri
Predicted Finish:
7-5
2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005 Record: 7-5
The defense had to rebuild last year, and all the inconsistencies should
pay off in a big way with a speedy, talented front seven that should
camp out in opposing backfield. The secondary has the most work to do,
but there are big, athletic prospects to expect big things out of
playing around star safety David Overstreet. QB Brad Smith might be
gone, but replacement Chase Daniel is a good young quarterback who'll do
just fine. Now the rest of the offensive playmakers will get more of a
shot to shine since the attack can't be more reliant on Smith, and
that's a good thing with four good, quick backs, a fast receiving corps,
and a tremendous tight end tandem of Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker to
catch everything in sight.
Relative Strengths: defensive line, offensive line
Relative Weaknesses: secondary, quarterback
24. Alabama
Predicted Finish:
7-5
2005 Predicted Finish: 8-3 2005 Record: 10-2
Now the real work begins for head coach Mike Shula as he needs to
replace seven fantastic starters from a defense that was among the best
in the game, has to find a steady starting quarterback, and needs to
quickly develop depth at just about every position. Meanwhile, the two
teams that tagged the Tide last year, LSU and Auburn, appear to be just
as good, if not better, while the tough early road trips are at
Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee. Bama is a year away from making an
honest run for the SEC title, but that doesn't mean this can't be
another successful season.
Relative Strengths: running back, receiver Relative
Weaknesses: quarterback, special teams
23. Georgia
Tech
Predicted Finish:
9-3
2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005 Record: 7-5
A few more big plays from the offense should mean a realistic shot at
the Coastal Division title, and they should come this season with nine
returning starters and one of the league's best offensive lines. QB
Reggie Ball doesn't have to be Vince Young, but it's not a stretch to
think the four-year starter can't be what Bryan Randall was to Virginia
Tech a few years ago. Defensively, help is needed in the secondary, but
the pass rush should ease the burden. Besides, few ACC teams can kill
you with a passing game. The front seven should be a rock against the
run led by a deep and talented line that'll get better and better as the
season goes on.
Relative Strengths: defensive line, offensive line
Relative Weaknesses: secondary, running back
22. Penn
State
Predicted Finish:
9-3
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 11-1
This isn't last year's team, but it's certainly not going to slip enough
to be lousy again. If everything can come together right away and all
the new starters can play like consistent veterans, things could get
interesting because of a not-that-bad schedule. New quarterback Anthony
Morelli will be fine. Tony Hunt is an unsung producer who should crank
out another 1,000-yard season even with Austin Scott getting a little
more work. Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood forms one
of the nation's best young receiving corps. The offensive line will be
an issue with only one returning starter. The D only returns four
starters, but the linebacking corps will be incredible.
Relative Strengths: linebacker, receiver Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, offensive line
21.
Iowa
Predicted Finish:
11-1 2005
Predicted Finish: 9-2 2005 Record: 7-5
The offense will have few problems moving the ball with Drew Tate
back to lead the attack for a third straight season and tailback
Albert Young a burgeoning superstar running behind a talented,
veteran line. The hole? The receiving corps. It's very fast and
should be great by the end of the year, but it'll need time to
develop. The defense has the same issues. The defensive line that
was a concern last season will be one of the Big Ten's best this
year, but the linebacking corps won't be nearly as good and will
need a few games to get rolling. The safeties are excellent, but the
corners are green. All the problems on both sides of the ball aren't
that big a deal and will all be fine; it's just going to take a few
games. By that time, Iowa could be out of the hunt yet again.
Relative Strengths: quarterback, running back Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, linebacker
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