2007
Preseason Rankings
Possible Conference
Contenders - No. 21 to No. 29
Dangerous players in the conference races
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.
21. Texas
A&M
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Texas A&M |
Offense Preview |
Defense
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Depth Chart
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 Stephen McGee, to a line filled with
potential all stars, it'll be a shock if the Aggies don't 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
22.
Florida State
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Florida State
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Offense |
Defense
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Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... Jimbo Fisher is the new
offensive coordinator. All of a sudden, Florida State fans will see that
running the ball isn't some myth talked about by other teams. Antone
Smith is a phenomenal talent who should flourish behind a line that'll
play better than its talent, thanks to the addition of former West
Virginia line coach Rick Trickett. Receivers Greg Carr and DeCody Fagg
will make big play after big play with Fisher wanting to bomb away deep.
The ranking is too high because ... the quarterback might not be
there to consistently get the ball where it needs to be. After all the
promise Drew Weatherford showed as a freshman, he regressed enough last
year to allow Xavier Lee to be in the hunt, but neither one has made
anyone forget about Charlie Ward or Chris Weinke. The linebacking corps
is undersized and lacking depth, while a second end has to emerge on the
other side of Everette Brown.
Relative Strengths: Secondary, Wide Receiver
Relative
Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Quarterback
23.
Nebraska
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Nebraska
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Offense Preview
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Defense
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Depth
Chart
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, even 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 making 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
24. West
Virginia
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West Virginia |
Offense
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Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... if Pat White and Steve Slaton
are Pat White and Steve Slaton for an entire, injury-free year, the
Mountaineers could be playing in New Orleans in early January. Slaton is
bigger and stronger this year to be able to handle more of a pounding,
while White has top target Darius Reynaud back to add a bit of pop to
the passing game. The secondary should be able to handle most passing
games if everyone plays up to their talent level.
The ranking is too high because ... the offensive line, while
potentially good, has to rebuild. White and Slaton can make plays on
their own, but if the front five isn't as productive as last year,
there's a ceiling on what the team can do. Losing players is one thing,
but the departure of line coach Rick Trickett really stings. The
defense, at best, is pedestrian with little pass rush to count on and
not enough veteran talent on the front six. Outside of Reynaud, there
aren't any other receivers to speak of.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Quarterback
Relative
Weaknesses:
Wide Receiver,
Linebacker
25.
Tennessee
- Tennessee Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the Tennessee-like athleticism
is still there. Just by showing up, this team can run past almost anyone
in America. The defense has a slew of high school All-Americans with all
the measureables, while the offense has enough speed at receiver to make
up for the inexperience. The backfield should be great, with QB Erik
Ainge almost certain to make the new receivers look good, and the trio
of Arian Foster, LaMarcus Coker and Montario Hardesty could give the
Vols the best ground game they've had in years.
The ranking is too high because ... everyone looks the part, but
can they play like it? The defense has plenty of filling in to do around
LB Jerod Mayo and FS Jonathan Hefney, and by the time it happens, the
Vols could be in a deep, deep hole after playing at California, Southern
Miss and at Florida to start the season. The offense loses its top three
receivers and the two best players up front.
Relative Strengths: Linebacker, Running Back
Relative
Weaknesses:
Wide Receiver,
Secondary
26. TCU
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TCU Preview
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Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the defense, with nine
returning starters, is the absolute, 100% real deal. Don't dismiss the
Horned Frogs, especially the D line, because they're in the Mountain
West; they can play with anyone this year. Ends Tommy Blake and Chase
Ortiz will be NFL starters in the very near future, the safeties are
terrific, and the corners have all-star potential. Aaron Brown is a
top-shelf running back who'll tear off yards in chunks behind a great
line.
The ranking is too high because ... the passing game won't be up
to BCS snuff. The receiving corps isn't awful, but it won't make QB
Marcus Jackson shine. Jackson will eventually be a good one, and more
than adequate to win a Mountain West title with, but if TCU wants to
dream big, and it has any hopes of beating Texas early on, the
quarterback play has to be stellar at times. To nitpick, the defense is
missing raw bulk on the inside.
Relative Strengths: Defensive Line, Linebacker
Relative
Weaknesses:
Wide Receiver,
Quarterback
27. Boston
College
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Boston College
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Offense |
Defense
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Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... of Matt Ryan. Because he has
the same body type and because he plays in Boston, the comparisons to
Tom Brady are going to come, and while Ryan isn't the nearly the talent
the Patriot star is, he's the same type of player at the collegiate
level. He'll make a decent receiving corps look great, while the veteran
rushing tandem of L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender will be good in the
new zone blocking scheme. The defensive front seven should be dominant
thanks to a deep and talented linebacking corps and a pair of NFL
tackles in B.J. Raji and Ron Brace.
The ranking is too high because ... there are a just enough
problems to potentially keep BC from being an elite team. The offensive
line, while good, isn't quite right for the new offense that puts a
premium on athleticism. The secondary has two All-ACC caliber stars in
FS Jamie Silva and CB DeJuan Tribble, but there isn't a second corner to
rely on and strong safety is a question mark. Of course, the big concern
is the loss of head coach Tom O'Brien, who made BC into a consistent
player. Jeff Jagodzinski has to prove he can handle leading an ACC title
caliber team.
Relative Strengths: Quarterback, Linebacker
Relative
Weaknesses: Wide Receiver, Secondary
28.
Auburn
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Auburn Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the defense has the potential
to be dominant. The return of star pass rusher Quentin Groves makes the
line dangerous, while the linebacking corps, as always for the Tigers,
is lightning quick. QB Brandon Cox appears ready to make the jump from
caretaker to playmaker, while the running backs are extremely talented
and should be able to carry the attack from time to time. Unfortunately
...
The ranking is too high because ... the offensive line only
returns one starter. The secondary is going to need a while to jell,
while the linebacking corps, while talented, will need to be ready from
the word go against Kansas State and South Florida in the first two
games. Rodgeriqus Smith is a nice receiver, but he's nothing special and
there isn't much in the way of proven talent to help him out. Basically,
going into the year, this is a good Auburn team, but it'll take a while
before it could an elite one.
Relative Strengths:
Running Back, Defensive Line
Relative
Weaknesses:
Wide Receiver,
Special Teams
29.
Maryland
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Maryland
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Offense
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Defense
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Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... everything is in place for
an ACC championship season, at least on offense. The line is
experienced and talented, the receiving corps is big and next-level
fast, and Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore can each run well. As long
there's steady quarterback play, all should be fine. Defensively,
the front seven should be good enough to win with. However ...
The ranking is too high because ... the secondary could be
the downfall against the better passing teams. The quarterback play
doesn't have to be spectacular, but it has to be steady, and that's
not a given. A pass rush has to magically emerge, and the D can't
always rely on coming up with the big play in the clutch. It has to
be far more consistent. Offensively, everyone has to play up to
their potential, and that hasn't happened for a while around the
program.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Wide Receiver
Relative
Weaknesses: Quarterback, Secondary