Post by tigerbait99 on Aug 28, 2004 13:31:56 GMT -5
With kickoff only a few hours away, here is my final preseason top 25. Please feel encouraged to make any suggestions.
[glow=red,2,300]MY TOP 25[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]1. [/glow] Oklahoma- Oklahoma should finally have a decent running game. Their defense will continue to be dominant, and may be better than last years. White had a great seson last year, and should repeat those numbers with some great WRs, and a revived running game. Oklahoma will still heavily depend on the pass, that may not change for a while.
[glow=red,2,300]2. [/glow]USC- The offense should be just about the same as last year. The pass defense will need to improve, or a repeat might be difficult. Matt Leinart will be a serious contender for the heisman this year, and should put up numbers that easily surpass last years. The nations top recruiting class, should keep SC in the top 5 the next few years.
[glow=red,2,300]3. [/glow]LSU- Should continue to rely on defense. Offense may take somewhat of a hit with a semi-experienced QB. However a pair of great WR in this years recruiting class, should compete for starting spots. For the third straight year LSU has had a top 3 recruiting class, and 2005 should be their year to shine. Experience is needed at the skill positions, but that won't be as big a problem as people think.
[glow=red,2,300]4. [/glow]Georgia- David Greene must surpass or at least duplicate his sophmore season in order for Georgia to have a chance. UGA had an inexperienced line, last year and a lot of injuries. If the injuries can be cut back this year, Georgia could win SEC.
[glow=red,2,300]5. [/glow]Michigan- Michigan is by far the deepest team in the Big 10. If a good replacement for Navarre can be found, Michigan may again win the Big-10. Biggest obstacle will be winning a road game at Ohio State. Senior David Underwood is the likely replacement for Chris Perry, however he will not be nearly as succesful.
[glow=red,2,300]6. [/glow]Miami- Heavy losses, and a mediocre QB. If Miami can beat FSU, and the first few others an ACC title will become possible. FSU will be the biggest obstacle, however moving to the ACC could be difficult for the first few seasons.
[glow=red,2,300]7. [/glow]Texas- Texas really does have just a one game season. Beat OU, and Texas might go to the Orange bowl. Lose and your coach is gone. Texas has the talent, but must get it done in Dallas. The Texas defense must also improve over last year.
[glow=red,2,300]8. [/glow]Ohio State- Massive losses, and a tough schedule. Many of the games should again be close. A QB must emerge or a second, third, or even fourth place finish in the Big Ten might result. Defense will keep OSU alive.
[glow=red,2,300]9. [/glow]Florida State- ACC will be much stronger. If FSU can beat Miami out of the gate, another ACC title is almost a certainty. Chris Rix must improve over last season, and not make as many mental mistakes.
[glow=red,2,300]10. [/glow]Clemson- Finished great last season, but must get off to a good start or the conference title will be out of reach. Whitehurst is probably one of the best QBs in the nation, and is easily the best in the ACC.
[glow=red,2,300]11. [/glow]Florida- Florida has a great, but still young QB. He should be able to duplicate last years numbers, and an SEC championship is still a possibility. Zook is on the hot seat and must win SEC soon or he will be gone. A good replacment for Ratliff must be found.
[glow=red,2,300]12. [/glow]California- With USC a clear pick for the Orange Bowl, cal should be headed for the rose bowl. Cals offense will remain very good, but how much the defense improves is going to be the big question.
[glow=red,2,300]13. [/glow]Kansas State- Defense will be key for Kansas State this year. With a offense revolving around one man, one slip and K-State could finish 2nd or 3rd in the Big-12 north.
[glow=red,2,300]14. [/glow]Maryland- Maryland is a team that has done very well the last few years.. That will not change this year. If they play to their potential expect the terps to finish in the top 15 or 20. Best special teams in the land.
[glow=red,2,300]15. [/glow]West Virginia- Playing in the BCS Jr. conference will allow West Virginia run the table. W. VA. will win the Big East, but will fall far short when it comes to actually winning a BCS bowl.
[glow=red,2,300]16. [/glow]Auburn- Has an outside chance of going to SEC title game. Beating LSU will be very hard. If Auburn pulls it off, Tubberville will stay. Running game and defense will again carry the team.
[glow=red,2,300]17. [/glow]Missouri- The entire team is really built around one man. If anything happens to Smith, Missouri will be done for the year.
[glow=red,2,300]18. [/glow]Purdue- Kyle Orton is by far the best QB in the Big 10. If he has a good season, and the defense steps up, a Big 10 championship will be possible.
[glow=red,2,300]19. [/glow]Iowa- Will rely on defense like many other Big Ten schools. If it plays well, and wins its big conference games it might be able to pull off a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the Big 10.
[glow=red,2,300]20. [/glow]Utah- The MWC is already theirs. Play a decent season. Go to a bowl game.
[glow=red,2,300]21. [/glow]Virginia- Virginia should be good on both sides of the ball. If they are, they may be right in the middle of the conference championship race. Virginia can be considered a sleeper for the NC.
[glow=red,2,300]22. [/glow]Nebraska- West Coast in Nebraska, who would have thought it. If it works well Nebraska may compete in the BIG 12 north. If it doesn't, hard times are ahead. Defense will have to step up in order to give the offense time to develop.
[glow=red,2,300]23. [/glow]Tennessee- Don't expect any miracles. Young and inexperienced QB could spell problems for Tennessee in the SEC East where they could potentialy finish behind South Carolina.
[glow=red,2,300]24. [/glow]Wisconsin- Great RBs, along with strength and depth on both of the lines. Wisconsin should contend for the BIG 10 title, however must avoid some of the let downs of the 2003 season.
[glow=red,2,300]25. [/glow]Virginia Tech- This is really a rebuilding season for the Hokies. If they can just win the majority or even half of their conference games this will be a succesful season.
I will update this every other week.
[glow=red,2,300]MY TOP 25[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]1. [/glow] Oklahoma- Oklahoma should finally have a decent running game. Their defense will continue to be dominant, and may be better than last years. White had a great seson last year, and should repeat those numbers with some great WRs, and a revived running game. Oklahoma will still heavily depend on the pass, that may not change for a while.
[glow=red,2,300]2. [/glow]USC- The offense should be just about the same as last year. The pass defense will need to improve, or a repeat might be difficult. Matt Leinart will be a serious contender for the heisman this year, and should put up numbers that easily surpass last years. The nations top recruiting class, should keep SC in the top 5 the next few years.
[glow=red,2,300]3. [/glow]LSU- Should continue to rely on defense. Offense may take somewhat of a hit with a semi-experienced QB. However a pair of great WR in this years recruiting class, should compete for starting spots. For the third straight year LSU has had a top 3 recruiting class, and 2005 should be their year to shine. Experience is needed at the skill positions, but that won't be as big a problem as people think.
[glow=red,2,300]4. [/glow]Georgia- David Greene must surpass or at least duplicate his sophmore season in order for Georgia to have a chance. UGA had an inexperienced line, last year and a lot of injuries. If the injuries can be cut back this year, Georgia could win SEC.
[glow=red,2,300]5. [/glow]Michigan- Michigan is by far the deepest team in the Big 10. If a good replacement for Navarre can be found, Michigan may again win the Big-10. Biggest obstacle will be winning a road game at Ohio State. Senior David Underwood is the likely replacement for Chris Perry, however he will not be nearly as succesful.
[glow=red,2,300]6. [/glow]Miami- Heavy losses, and a mediocre QB. If Miami can beat FSU, and the first few others an ACC title will become possible. FSU will be the biggest obstacle, however moving to the ACC could be difficult for the first few seasons.
[glow=red,2,300]7. [/glow]Texas- Texas really does have just a one game season. Beat OU, and Texas might go to the Orange bowl. Lose and your coach is gone. Texas has the talent, but must get it done in Dallas. The Texas defense must also improve over last year.
[glow=red,2,300]8. [/glow]Ohio State- Massive losses, and a tough schedule. Many of the games should again be close. A QB must emerge or a second, third, or even fourth place finish in the Big Ten might result. Defense will keep OSU alive.
[glow=red,2,300]9. [/glow]Florida State- ACC will be much stronger. If FSU can beat Miami out of the gate, another ACC title is almost a certainty. Chris Rix must improve over last season, and not make as many mental mistakes.
[glow=red,2,300]10. [/glow]Clemson- Finished great last season, but must get off to a good start or the conference title will be out of reach. Whitehurst is probably one of the best QBs in the nation, and is easily the best in the ACC.
[glow=red,2,300]11. [/glow]Florida- Florida has a great, but still young QB. He should be able to duplicate last years numbers, and an SEC championship is still a possibility. Zook is on the hot seat and must win SEC soon or he will be gone. A good replacment for Ratliff must be found.
[glow=red,2,300]12. [/glow]California- With USC a clear pick for the Orange Bowl, cal should be headed for the rose bowl. Cals offense will remain very good, but how much the defense improves is going to be the big question.
[glow=red,2,300]13. [/glow]Kansas State- Defense will be key for Kansas State this year. With a offense revolving around one man, one slip and K-State could finish 2nd or 3rd in the Big-12 north.
[glow=red,2,300]14. [/glow]Maryland- Maryland is a team that has done very well the last few years.. That will not change this year. If they play to their potential expect the terps to finish in the top 15 or 20. Best special teams in the land.
[glow=red,2,300]15. [/glow]West Virginia- Playing in the BCS Jr. conference will allow West Virginia run the table. W. VA. will win the Big East, but will fall far short when it comes to actually winning a BCS bowl.
[glow=red,2,300]16. [/glow]Auburn- Has an outside chance of going to SEC title game. Beating LSU will be very hard. If Auburn pulls it off, Tubberville will stay. Running game and defense will again carry the team.
[glow=red,2,300]17. [/glow]Missouri- The entire team is really built around one man. If anything happens to Smith, Missouri will be done for the year.
[glow=red,2,300]18. [/glow]Purdue- Kyle Orton is by far the best QB in the Big 10. If he has a good season, and the defense steps up, a Big 10 championship will be possible.
[glow=red,2,300]19. [/glow]Iowa- Will rely on defense like many other Big Ten schools. If it plays well, and wins its big conference games it might be able to pull off a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the Big 10.
[glow=red,2,300]20. [/glow]Utah- The MWC is already theirs. Play a decent season. Go to a bowl game.
[glow=red,2,300]21. [/glow]Virginia- Virginia should be good on both sides of the ball. If they are, they may be right in the middle of the conference championship race. Virginia can be considered a sleeper for the NC.
[glow=red,2,300]22. [/glow]Nebraska- West Coast in Nebraska, who would have thought it. If it works well Nebraska may compete in the BIG 12 north. If it doesn't, hard times are ahead. Defense will have to step up in order to give the offense time to develop.
[glow=red,2,300]23. [/glow]Tennessee- Don't expect any miracles. Young and inexperienced QB could spell problems for Tennessee in the SEC East where they could potentialy finish behind South Carolina.
[glow=red,2,300]24. [/glow]Wisconsin- Great RBs, along with strength and depth on both of the lines. Wisconsin should contend for the BIG 10 title, however must avoid some of the let downs of the 2003 season.
[glow=red,2,300]25. [/glow]Virginia Tech- This is really a rebuilding season for the Hokies. If they can just win the majority or even half of their conference games this will be a succesful season.
I will update this every other week.