Quarterbacks |
Running Backs |
Receivers |
Offensive Lines
Defenses
|
Def. Lines
| Linebackers |
Secondaries
| Spec. Teams
1. Ohio State
Good-bye Tressel ball, and hello Tressel ball with a
kick. QB Troy Smith should make the spread offense sing making
big play after big play with his legs as well as his arm. The
receivers are big, fast, and talented with Ted Ginn Jr.
appearing to be ready to blossom into a superstar wideout. The
backfield is full of talent with star freshman Chris Wells ready
to push possible All-Big Ten runner Antonio Pittman. The line
might be the best in the Jim Tressel's six years in Columbus
with a world of talent, especially at tackle.
2. USC
This isn't going to be anywhere
near the 580-yard, 49 point-per-game juggernaut of last year
losing Matt Leinart, LenDale White, Winston Justice, Dominique
Byrd, Taitusi Lutui, and Reggie Bush, but there's hope for the
explosion to continue, albeit to a lesser degree, thanks to the
nation's best receiving corps, a good foundation on the
offensive line with tackle Sam Baker and center Ryan Kalil, and
more high school All-America prospects than one team should
have. However, there's an outside chance the wheels could come
flying off. Quarterback John David Booty is hardly a sure-thing
to last the season with his gimpy back, but Mark Sanchez is back
on the team after sexual assault charges against him were
dropped. The running back situation
is full of question marks with injuries, youth, and
ineligibility playing havoc with the corps. Even so, this will
be one of the nation's five best attacks if everyone stays
healthy.
3. Notre Dame
The
offense exploded last season finishing tenth in the nation
in total offense, eighth in scoring offense, and fourth in
passing offense. The potential is there for even more production
with QB Brady Quinn, RB Darius Walker, and receivers Jeff
Samardzija and Rhema McKnight returning with a year of
experience under Charlie Weis. There are concerns; the machine
could quickly fall apart if injuries strike. There's no number
two quarterback to rely on, the backup running backs are
average, there's no proven number three receiver, and there's no
depth on the line with right tackle situation still needing to
be settled. The incoming freshmen are tremendous and the 2007
class shapes up to be even better, but it'll take a while for
everyone to develop.
4. Arizona State
It'll be a major disappointment if this isn't one of the
nation's five most productive attacks with the addition of
coordinator Roy Wittke to work with the quarterbacks. The
passing game will be deadly with Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter
each able put up All-America numbers with a speedy receiving
corps to work with an a huge, experienced line to play behind.
The running game won't be neglected with Keegan Herring and
Shaun DeWitty sure to combine for around 1,500 yards. Zach
Miller is one of the nation's best tight ends leading a sleek,
fast group of receivers who'll all get plenty of work.
5. LSU
There's speed to burn in the receiving corps, live arms abound
among the quarterbacks, and NFL talent in the backfield and on
the line. Now it has to come together after an inconsistent and
slightly disappointing season. JaMarcus Russell is the number
one quarterback, but Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux are each in
the hunt for meaningful playing time. Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis
and Early Doucet will catch plenty of deep balls if the running
game improves enough to open things up. That could be an issue
with Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent each coming off torn
ACLs. The offensive line will be significantly worse than last
year, but it still should be among the best in the SEC if the
three new starters can be consistent.
6. Texas
The line loses All-Americans Jonathan Scott and Will Allen,
but has more than enough returning talent to be among the best front
walls in America thanks to the return of tackle Justin Blalock, center
Lyle Sendlein and guard Kasey Studdard. This is Texas we're talking
about, so there are more than enough talented players ready to fill in
the holes and provide strong depth. Can this group allow a mere 14 sacks
and pave the way for 275 rushing yards per game? No, but it's not going
to drop off too much, if at all.
7. Louisville
Rev up the engine again as the nation's No. 9 offense and
No. 3 scoring attack should be just as good again as long as
star quarterback Brian Brohm is fully healthy after tearing his
ACL late last year. Considering his mobility could be a problem
early on, it's not a positive that the Cards have to break in
two new tackles. Even so, the line should be fine with several
good options and two great returning starters to work around in
guard Kurt Quarterman and center Eric Wood. The backfield is one
of the best in the nation going three deep with pounder Michael
Bush coming back for his senior year and speedsters Kolby Smith
and George Stripling as good as any backups in the country.
Mario Urrutia leads a big, fast, and very talented receiving
corps.
8. West Virginia
Outside of an injury to quarterback Pat White, there's no reason
the offense should produce any fewer than the 389 yards and 32
points per game it came up with last season. The attack got
better as the year went on, and now it should hum on all
cylinders with White a better passer and an experienced
receiving corps to work with, one of the nation's best groups of
running backs, and a line that'll be more than fine even with
the loss of both starting tackles. Getting more out of the
passing game will be the top priority after finishing 117th in
the nation last year. This offense isn't going to turn it over
and should be ultra-efficient.
9. Auburn
The
offense averaged 32.3 points per game last year, but it wasn't
consistent and ended on a sour note with a surprising
stinker against Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Despite the
loss of top tackles Marcus McNeill and Troy Reddick along with
the top three receivers and starting tight end Cooper Wallace,
expect things to be even better. QB Brandon Cox knows what he's
doing, Kenny Irons leads a deep and talented backfield, and
there's more than enough explosion to go around among the
receivers. The problem is inexperience in the receiving corps
and depth on the offensive line, but neither should be a issue
unless there's a big injury problem early on.
10. Florida State
There's way too much speed and way too much returning
talent to not be more consistent. It all stems from the
offensive line, which was never healthy last year but has just
about all the key parts returning. The receiving corps should be
fantastic if Greg Carr and De'Cody Fagg end up being consistent
home-run hitters while Chris Davis makes plays like a number one
target. Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith might be the fastest
backs in the country, but they need holes to run through. QB
Drew Weatherford had a tremendous freshman year and should be
even better now that he knows what he's doing.
|
11 |
Clemson |
ACC |
|
12 |
Iowa |
Big Ten |
|
13 |
California |
Pac 10 |
|
14 |
Tennessee |
SEC |
|
15 |
Texas Tech |
Big 12 |
|
16 |
Michigan |
Big Ten |
|
17 |
Florida |
SEC |
|
18 |
Oklahoma |
Big 12 |
|
19 |
Michigan State |
Big Ten |
|
20 |
Oregon |
Pac 10 |
|
21 |
Georgia |
SEC |
|
22 |
Alabama |
SEC |
|
23 |
Iowa State |
Big 12 |
|
24 |
Oregon State |
Pac 10 |
|
25 |
Arkansas |
SEC |
|
26 |
Miami |
ACC |
|
27 |
Virginia Tech |
ACC |
|
28 |
Maryland |
ACC |
|
29 |
Georgia Tech |
ACC |
|
30 |
Washington State |
Pac 10 |
|
31 |
Boise State |
WAC |
|
32 |
Missouri |
Big 12 |
|
33 |
Texas A&M |
Big 12 |
|
34 |
Penn State |
Big Ten |
|
35 |
Purdue |
Big Ten |
|
36 |
Northwestern |
Big Ten |
|
37 |
Nebraska |
Big 12 |
|
38 |
BYU |
M-West |
|
39 |
Hawaii |
WAC |
|
40 |
Colorado |
Big 12 |
|
41 |
Wisconsin |
Big Ten |
|
42 |
Minnesota |
Big Ten |
|
43 |
TCU |
M-West |
|
44 |
Utah |
M-West |
|
45 |
UCLA |
Pac 10 |
|
46 |
Boston College |
ACC |
|
47 |
Northern Illinois |
MAC |
|
48 |
South Carolina |
SEC |
|
49 |
Fresno State |
WAC |
|
50 |
Rutgers |
Big East |
|
51 |
Indiana |
Big Ten |
|
52 |
Arizona |
Pac 10 |
|
53 |
Virginia |
ACC |
|
54 |
Oklahoma State |
Big 12 |
|
55 |
Illinois |
Big Ten |
|
56 |
Nevada |
WAC |
|
57 |
Kansas |
Big 12 |
|
58 |
Kansas State |
Big 12 |
|
59 |
Pitt |
Big East |
|
60 |
Toledo |
MAC |
|
61 |
Kentucky |
SEC |
|
62 |
NC State |
ACC |
|
63 |
Wake Forest |
ACC |
|
64 |
UTEP |
CUSA |
|
65 |
East Carolina |
CUSA |
|
66 |
Southern Miss |
CUSA |
|
67 |
San Diego State |
M-West |
|
68 |
Stanford |
Pac 10 |
|
69 |
Washington |
Pac 10 |
|
70 |
North Carolina |
ACC |
|
71 |
Connecticut |
Big East |
|
72 |
South Florida |
Big East |
|
73 |
UCF |
CUSA |
|
74 |
Tulsa |
CUSA |
|
75 |
Houston |
CUSA |
|
76 |
Marshall |
CUSA |
|
77 |
Memphis |
CUSA |
|
78 |
New Mexico |
M-West |
|
79 |
Baylor |
Big 12 |
|
80 |
Navy |
Ind |
|
81 |
Wyoming |
M-West |
|
82 |
Vanderbilt |
SEC |
|
83 |
Colorado State |
M-West |
|
84 |
Syracuse |
Big East |
|
85 |
UAB |
CUSA |
|
86 |
Mississippi |
SEC |
|
87 |
Cincinnati |
Big East |
|
88 |
Tulane |
CUSA |
|
89 |
Miami Univ. |
MAC |
|
90 |
Central Michigan |
MAC |
|
91 |
Akron |
MAC |
|
92 |
Louisiana Tech |
WAC |
|
93 |
SMU |
CUSA |
|
94 |
UNLV |
M-West |
|
95 |
Air Force |
M-West |
|
96 |
Duke |
ACC |
|
97 |
Bowling Green |
MAC |
|
98 |
Mississippi State |
SEC |
|
99 |
UL Lafayette |
Sun Belt |
|
100 |
Western Michigan |
MAC |
|
101 |
Ball State |
MAC |
|
102 |
Eastern Michigan |
MAC |
|
103 |
Ohio |
MAC |
|
104 |
Kent State |
MAC |
|
105 |
North Texas |
Sun Belt |
|
106 |
MTSU |
Sun Belt |
|
107 |
San Jose State |
WAC |
|
108 |
Idaho |
WAC |
|
109 |
Rice |
CUSA |
|
110 |
Utah State |
WAC |
|
111 |
Army |
Ind |
|
112 |
Troy |
Sun Belt |
|
113 |
UL Monroe |
Sun Belt |
|
114 |
FIU |
Sun Belt |
|
115 |
Arkansas State |
Sun Belt |
|
116 |
New Mexico State |
WAC |
|
117 |
Temple |
Ind |
|
118 |
Florida Atlantic |
Sun Belt |
|
119 |
Buffalo |
MAC |