25 Big Questions Going Into The Season

Was last season rock-bottom at Notre Dame? Will Georgia's schedule be too tough? Is West Virginia still the class of the Big East? Can Missouri and Chase Daniel take another step and win the Big 12? These are just a few of the 25 biggest questions going into the 2008 season.

25 Big Questions

The big storylines and questions going into the season.

By Richard Cirminiello 

Is Georgia destined for a spot in the national championship game? Will Ohio State be waiting with something to prove? Can Tim Tebow join Archie Griffin in Heisman lore? Can anyone derail USC in the Pac-10? There are no shortage of juicy questions and sub plots on the minds of college football fans as the season quickly approaches. The following 25 queries will define the 2008 campaign and be fodder for debate until the opening kickoff at the end of August.   

25. Is Texas Tech poised to become more than just an aerial circus?
It has taken time, but head coach Mike Leach has the Red Raiders in a position to vie for more than just the nation’s passing title. Tech will again post gaudy numbers through the air, with Graham Harrell having all day to find receivers behind a gigantic. The difference this season is that the defense has the ingredients to be more than just the undercard, adding top JUCO recruits McKinner Dixon and Brandon SeSay to bolster the defensive line. Don’t be floored if the Nov. 22 trip to Norman decides the South Division champion.     

24. Was Kansas a one-hit wonder?
No, but that doesn’t mean the Jayhawks are locked and loaded for another 12-win season and BCS bowl victory, either. Mark Mangino has the program at a point where it could win eight or nine games and play in the postseason for at least the next few seasons. However, the early departures of LT Anthony Collins and CB Aqib Talib sting, and the 2008 schedule won’t be nearly as cushy. Last fall, Kansas missed Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech, and had a ridiculous non-conference slate. Now, the Sooners, ‘Horns, and Red Raiders are on the docket, and a Sept. 12 trip to South Florida will be its toughest non-league game this decade. 

23. Who’ll be this year’s Kansas?
Odds are that there won’t be a true Kansas, a school that blasts past preseason expectations to go 12-1 and get into the national championship discussion as late as November. There will, however, be schools that overachieve, contend for a league championship, and make plenty of pundits look foolish. Chief among them are Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Wake Forest.  

22. Can Illinois build on last season?
Winning nine games and getting to the Rose Bowl were monumental achievements for Ron Zook and the Illini. Keeping the momentum going, however, will be even more critical to the long-term success of the program. It’s a good thing for Illinois that many of the key parts to last year’s success return, including QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, CB Vontae Davis, and LB Martez Wilson. As long as Williams keeps maturing and Zook keeps recruiting, there’s no reason the Illini won’t remain among the favorites to dethrone Ohio State in the Big Ten.

21. Just how good is new Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp?
He’ll need to be really good to get the most out of a Longhorn defense that has struggled in pass defense over the last two seasons. Muschamp has been a winner everywhere he’s been, espousing a frenetic, aggressive style of defense that’s designed to create havoc, pressure, and turnovers. Texas wasn’t exceptional in any one of those areas a year ago, making the timing of the hire most opportune. The program is in danger of losing more ground to rival Oklahoma unless the running game quickly replaces Jamaal Charles and some newcomers step up in the receiving corps, but the defense is expected to be far better. Thank Muschamp for that.

20. Will uber-recruit Terrelle Pryor be a factor in Columbus in his first season?
Unless he’s shockingly slow at picking up the offense, there’s no good reason why Pryor won’t play a role. How much will depend on his overhaul development and comfort level. Todd Boeckman is the man under center, but Pryor brings a change-of-pace and athleticism that’s going to drive opposing defenses nuts. Plus, as the obvious heir apparent, any relevant reps he gets in 2008 will make for a smoother transition in 2009. Under-over on the number of times he gets compared to Tim Tebow circa 2006? 4,251.

19. What can Nebraska expect now that Bo Pelini is the new head coach?
At a minimum, the Huskers are going to be more intense and fundamentally sound on the defensive side of the ball. Pelini, one of the best defensive coaches in America, won’t have it any other way. He’s not a miracle worker, however, inheriting a defense that’s short on star power and reliable pass rushers. Figure Nebraska to take a step forward on defense, but still rely on a capable offense that’ll feature QB Joe Ganz, RB Marlon Lucky, and a Husker line that'll try to go old school and be strong for the ground game again.  

18. How good will UCLA be in Rick Neuheisel’s return to Westwood?
If you’re looking for immediate dividends from the new staff, you might be a little disappointed thanks to the ongoing injury nightmare at quarterback. The hiring of Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow might wind up being strokes of genius, but they have plenty to overcome now that Ben Olson is hurt once again and Patrick Cowan is out for the year. The defense was gutted by graduation and the offense is facing another power outage without a slight miracle at QB. This is a mid-level Pac-10 team that’ll spend much of 2008 setting the table for 2009 and beyond.    

17. Will this be the final season on the sidelines for Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden?
For different reasons, the clamoring for both to leave the sidelines has begun to grow louder. Neither Penn State nor Florida State has been lighting it up on the field and off-field problems have plagued both programs. There’s already a successor for Bowden, and Paterno is in the last year of his contract. If things continue to get more uncomfortable for either iconic coach, the calls will be louder to step aside following the 2008 season. If you’re keeping score at home, Bowden has a one-game edge, 373-372, in the race to be the sport’s all-time winningest coach, but Penn State should be far better than FSU this year. Don't be shocked if the Nittany Lions turn out to be stronger than expected.   

16. Who’s closer to returning to the glory days, Florida State or Miami?
Once proud, both schools have been mired in mediocrity for the past few seasons with no immediate end in sight. Sure, they’re loaded with former blue-chip high school talent, but that hasn’t prevented either school from losing at least three games in each the last four seasons. The ‘Canes have a little more to crow about, coming off a monster recruiting haul and not having to deal with an academic scandal or a lame duck head coach. Miami is actually getting close to turning the corner, depending on how quickly the kids mature. Florida State, on the other hand, is in a serious rut that isn’t likely to change this fall.    

15. How much better will ‘Bama be in Nick Saban’s second season?
In Saban’s second year at LSU, the Tigers improved by two games and won an SEC championship. While league supremacy will probably escape the Tide in 2008, steady improvement will not. Saban has recruited exceptionally well and another season on the sidelines provides a chance to put another stamp on the program. ‘Bama isn’t quite there yet. That day, however, is coming fast.   

14. Can Clemson finally get over the hump under Tommy Bowden?
No one in the league has more talent than the Tigers, but that alone might not get them their first ACC crown since 1991. Although Clemson has gotten close under Bowden, it’s also had a knack for gagging before closing the deal. See last November’s home loss to Boston College for an example. If the program can quickly retool the offensive line and navigate road games versus the Atlantic’s three toughest teams, Clemson will have no excuses for not rolling through a watered-down Atlantic Coast Conference. Yes, expect the Tigers to finally break through.  

13. Is West Virginia still the class of the Big East?
It sure is, but not because Bill Stewart is the new man on the sidelines. The Mountaineers will be the team to beat in the Big East as long as QB Pat White is healthy. Plus, the offensive line will be among the best in the country and while the defensive front should be nasty against the run. If West Virginia is going to feel the departure of Rich Rodriguez and his staff to Ann Arbor, don’t bet on it happening until 2009.

12. Can Missouri reach a new level and win the Big 12?
After winning the North Division and 12 games for the first time in school history, Mizzou shows no signs of resting on its laurels. With QB Chase Daniel and many of his favorite weapons back in Columbia, the Tigers should have few problems duplicating last year’s top finish in scoring and total offense. The defense will be fine, provided a really good corps of linebackers can stay healthy throughout the season. The favorite to once again cop the North, Missouri has its sights set on so much more, such as a first league championship since 1969 and a crack at a national championship.

11. Was last season rock-bottom at Notre Dame?
It would be hard to imagine the Irish reaching a new level of ineptitude after going 3-9 and delivering one of the worst seasons in school history. Unlike other programs coming off a train-wreck of a year, Notre Dame has talent. Lots of it. It’s just that most of those players, such as QB Jimmy Clausen, TE Mike Ragone, and WR Duval Kamara, are very young and not quite ready for stardom. With a little help from the offensive line, however, there’s no reason the Irish can’t begin building some momentum with six or seven wins and a minor bowl game. However, that's a huge, glaring if. 

10. Other than Ohio State, which programs can help the Big Ten’s sagging image?
The Big Ten is suffering from a severe shortage of national respect, taking hits from every direction. Although the league on a whole is down and only the Buckeyes begin the season as national title contenders, all is not doom and gloom in the Midwest. Illinois is for real. Wisconsin remains rock solid. Penn State is one consistent quarterback away from being a real nuisance. And Michigan State and Northwestern are trending upward. Once Michigan adapts to its new staff, the Big Ten will be just fine.     

9. Will Florida compete for a second national championship in three years?
As long as Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer are teaming up in Gainesville, Florida has to be taken seriously, at least on offense. Like everyone, the Gators have their issues, mostly on defense, but they appear poised to take another stab at a title run. The schedule has a predictable number of landmines, including trips to Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, and visits from Miami, LSU, and South Carolina. If Florida is going to erase last year’s four-loss season, it needs more support on offense for Tebow from the running game, while needing to get better play from a secondary that suffered through growing pains a year ago.

8. Will Tim Tebow win another Heisman Trophy?
He’ll be the favorite and, barring an injury, in the mix all year. Joining Archie Griffin as the only two-time winners, however, could take a Herculean effort. After putting up video game-like numbers, including 55 total touchdowns, some voters are going to want him to lasso the moon before anointing him for a second straight year. If Florida makes good on its promise to spread the ball around a little more, Tebow’s numbers will take a hit. If he accounts for, say, 42 touchdowns, he’ll have a hard time winning unless the Gators are contending for the national championship.

7. If not Tebow, who’ll take home the hardware?
As always, there are a slew of worthy contenders lining for the Heisman race. While you can bank on at least two players to come out of nowhere to get in the mix, Tebow’s stiffest competition will come from Ohio State’s Chris Wells, Missouri’s Chase Daniel, West Virginia’s Pat White, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell. Remember, big numbers plus a high ranking equals a sure-fire Heisman candidate.

6. Can anyone loosen USC’s stranglehold on the Pac-10?
Regardless of the hurdles they face or all-stars that need to be replaced, the Trojans show no signs of relinquishing their league dominance. Thanks to a seemingly bottomless pool of talent, USC is the heavy favorite to win a seventh straight Pac-10 crown. Although it might not be a vintage Pete Carroll team until 2009, there’s more than enough talent on both sides of the ball to navigate a conference lacking a bona fide threat. Arizona State, Oregon, and Cal are next in line, but all three have significant holes of their own, and must travel to the Coliseum this fall.

5. Will Oklahoma finally win another BCS bowl game?
The Sooners have been so good under Bob Stoops that they’re now being judged on how they perform in January. Fair or not, consecutive BCS bowl losses to LSU, USC, Boise State, and West Virginia have overshadowed nearly a decade of dominance in the Big 12 that’s included five conference championships. Oklahoma is the favorite to win a sixth league title in 2008, but if it closes another season with a loss in January, that’s all anyone will want to talk about during the offseason. However, it's not a given OU will get there with a loaded Big 12 to deal with and contenders in Texas Tech and Texas in the South.  

4. What will Michigan look like in Rich Rodriguez’s first season?
This is one of those Lyle Lovett-Julia Roberts marriages that looks odd on paper and will about as many headlines. A wiz kid in Morgantown, Rodriguez will need to produce relatively quickly at a program accustomed to success. The offensive talent level just isn’t there for his spread-option to hum right out of the gate, but given time and the right recruits, he holds the blueprint for a system that could drive Big Ten defenses batty in a couple of years. In the meantime, the Wolverines will be battling for something less than a Rose Bowl berth for a change, putting their weight on a solid defense and a deep stable of backs.  

3. Will LSU roll even though QB Ryan Perrilloux is playing for Jacksonville State?
At most any other program, losing a player the caliber of Perrilloux, a next level talent, would send it spiraling into rebuilding mode. Not at LSU. Of course, you don’t get better by replacing him with redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee or Andrew Hatch, a Harvard transfer. Although the passing game will surely suffer, the Tigers will compensate with gobs of talent everywhere else. If the new quarterback can’t deliver, the defense and running game will pick up the slack, making LSU a strong contender for the West Division. If the new quarterback exceeds expectations, it’ll be right back in the hunt for back-to-back national championships.

2. How will Georgia manage a nasty schedule and a year-long target on its chest?
As far back as last November, Georgia was being considered a presumptive favorite for the 2009 BCS Championship. Back then, the Dawgs were too young and having too much fun to think about expectations. This fall, they’re going to hear about it from the fans and media every single day. While there’s certainly enough talent to come through, the Bulldogs will have to prove they can handle an immense amount of pressure and scrutiny, while navigating a slate that includes trips to South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU, and Auburn, visits from Alabama and Tennessee, and one titanic game with Florida in Jacksonville.    

1. Is Ohio State really on target for a third straight shot at a national title?
Start getting used to the notion of the Buckeyes being favored to return to the BCS Championship game, looking for redemption after losing badly to Florida and LSU in back-to-back tries. Ohio State is absolutely loaded with talent and has a massive scarlet and gray chip on its shoulder. A consensus favorite in the Big Ten, the Bucks will get tested in the league, but gets their best chance to quiet critics with a Sept. 13 trip to USC. Without nitpicking, it’s hard to find a glaring weakness other than the national perception. Now all Ohio State has to do is get back to another title game and close the deal this time.