Post-Bowl, Pre-Spring 2008 Preseason Top 25
It's pretty ridiculous to put out at Top 25 for 2008 considering LSU hasn't been crowned BCS champs for a full two weeks now. But at the same time, it's a fun process because the only thing that generates more banter and arguing when it comes to college football than a team's Top 25 ranking is talk of a playoff.
With all eligible players now having officially declared for the NFL Draft, we have an idea of what rosters are going to look like next fall -- barring unforeseen suspensions, transfers and injuries, of course. Don't forget that National Signing Day is still a few weeks away and the last-second talent some teams land could make a big difference.
So with that in mind, and for better or worse, this is who we feel are the best 25 teams in the country heading into 2008.
1. USC - The Trojans will insert a new quarterback, but considering Pete Carroll has an embarrassment of riches in Los Angeles, there's no reason why they're not in the top spot. Should carry a lot of momentum into the offseason with the way they finished 2007. Trojans showed that as long as they stay healthy they're going to be as good as anyone. 2007: 11-2, Rose Bowl.
2. Georgia - No other team -- aside from USC -- finished the season playing as well as the Bulldogs. Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford -- along with most of the offensive line -- are returning and there weren't any early defections to the NFL for Georgia. 2007: 11-2, Sugar Bowl.
3. Florida - Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will be back to lead the Florida offense with his go-to guy Percy Harvin there as well. The young defense that showed some vulnerability this season should be significantly better in 2008. Urban Meyer just continues to bring in talent by the boatload. And Tebow should have a running game next year with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody set to star in the backfield. 2007: 9-4, Capital One Bowl.
4. Oklahoma - They've got the running game and they're bringing back the leader in passing efficiency. There are some tough losses like Curtis Lofton and Malcolm Kelly, most notably, but Bob Stoops' Sooners are going to be loaded yet again. Now only if they could win a bowl game. 2007: 11-3, Fiesta Bowl.
5. Ohio State - The Buckeyes did not look as overmatched in this year's national title game compared to last year and they're still bringing back a ton of talent for 2008 in Todd Boeckman, Chris Wells and James Laurinaitis. There will be some losses on the offensive line, and Vernon Gholston's gone as well, but Tressel's bringing in more talent than he knows what to do with these days and he's still one of the best coaches in the country. Much to the chagrin of many fans around the country, the Buckeyes could easily find themselves playing for the national title yet again. 2007: 11-2, BCS Championship Game.
6. Missouri - Gary Pinkel had to have breathed a huge sigh of relief once Chase Daniel announced he was returning for his senior season. Missouri is bringing back 16 starters, including 10 on defense. And don't forget about Jeremy Maclin. He's only going to be a sophomore next season. 2007: 12-2, Cotton Bowl.
7. West Virginia - The offense is going to be just as dynamic as last year, if not even more dangerous with Pat White and Noel Devine back. No Owen Schmitt and Darius Reynaud hurts. You'd think not having Steve Slaton around would hurt as well, but then again, considering the way he disappeared down the stretch of the season is he really that big of a loss? Losses on defense, but this isn't a team whose success is predicated on defense. White's a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. 2007: 11-2, Fiesta Bowl.
8. Texas - Losing Jamaal Charles is a big blow to the Longhorns, but if Colt McCoy can revert to the player we saw during his freshman season then things should be alright in Austin. Losses at tight end and offensive line should not be overlooked. 2007: 10-3, Holiday Bowl.
9. Arizona State - Rudy Carpenter is back for the Sun Devils, who competed for the Rose Bowl in the Pac-10 this season when few thought they'd see that from first year coach Dennis Erickson. The Sun Devils lose a few on defense and some of the offensive line, but maybe that's a good thing because Carpenter was sacked four times a game this past year. 2007: 10-3, Holiday Bowl.
10. Auburn - That new offense Tony Franklin debuted seemed to work well for the Tigers and will now likely turn things over to quarterback Kodi Burns, who was very impressive in their Chick-fil-A Bowl victory New Year's Eve. Coach Tommy Tuberville seems to like Burns, who will enter spring as the Tigers starter. 2007: 9-4, Chick-fil-A Bowl.
11. Clemson - Tigers fans can say goodbye to "Thunder" after James Davis left for the NFL, but with "Lightning" C.J. Spiller returning along with Cullen Harper, now a seasoned veteran, there's no reason to think Clemson shouldn't contend in the ACC again. Tigers aren't losing that much on defense. 2007: 9-4, Chick-fil-A Bowl.
12. Wisconsin - P.J. Hill and Travis Beckum will be the two stalwarts of the Badgers offense that should be a pretty good unit in 2008. It'll be Allan Evridge's team to quarterback with Tyler Donovan graduating, but other than the quarterback position, there aren't very many question marks surrounding the offense. Defense needs to bounce back from last year's awful season. 2007: 9-4, Outback Bowl.
13. LSU - The defending champs are going to lose a lot -- Glenn Dorsey, Craig Steltz, Matt Flynn, Early Doucet and Jacob Hester to name just a few. But Ryan Perrilloux steps in to take over the offense and he's still going to have a lot of talent to work with. LSU will have Top 10 talent on its roster, just like Florida did this year. But plugging those defensive holes is not going to be easy. 2007: 12-2, BCS Championship Game.
14. Kansas - Offensively, the Jayhawks should be alright despite losing Brandon McAnderson and Anthony Collins with Todd Reesing back for his sophomore season. Aqib Talib, the best cover corner in the country, is gone, but the young defense should only improve considering nine starters are expected back for the fall. 2007: 12-1, Orange Bowl.
15. Texas Tech - Red Raiders will continue to score and score big with Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree back in Lubbock. Lot of momentum and confidence to build off of with the wins over Oklahoma and Virginia in the Gator Bowl. 2007: 9-4, Gator Bowl.
16. BYU - The team that finished No. 14 in the final poll could very well find itself in that same position at some point next fall. Bronco Mendenhall has proven himself to be one of the best non-BCS coaches in the country and his Cougars look to be a legitimately good team in 2008. It also helps having Max Hall and Harvey Unga around. Losses in the secondary, however, will hurt. 2007: 11-2, Las Vegas Bowl.
17. Illinois - Juice Williams now has two seasons under his cap and will have had another spring practice as well by the time the Illini take the field for real in August. He'll continue to improve and will have Arrelious Benn, Martez Wilson, Vontae Davis and many others. Rashard Mendenhall's a big loss, but Ron Zook's going to bring in another top-rated recruiting class -- already seven freshmen have enrolled and will be practicing this spring. 2007: 9-4, Rose Bowl.
18. Virginia Tech - The combo of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor are back for the Hokies, and if Frank Beamer decides to stick with the two-QB system, at least they know the deal by now. Defensively, the Hokies are going to lose some top talent. Macho Harris deciding to return helps. Hokies also need to find a consistent running game after it was non-existent last year. 2007: 11-3, Orange Bowl.
19. USF - The Bulls should be in the mix of things with Matt Grothe back for his junior season and few offensive defections to be found. George Selvie is back on defense, but the unit is going to take a number of hits -- most especially the secondary. 2007: 9-4, Sun Bowl.
20. Virginia - The Cavs saved Al Groh's job with their run at the ACC Coastal Division, and with QB Jameel Sewell and RB Mikell Simpson back, the offense should be in good shape, as long as several departures on the offensive line can be addressed. Losing Chris Long can't be understated enough. 2007: 9-4, Gator Bowl.
21. Tennessee - Erik Ainge is a big loss, but the Vols are going to return a lot of starters on offense -- running back Arian Foster being the most notable. Experienced defense should help any early season offensive struggles. 2007: 10-4, Outback Bowl.
22. Penn State - For many Nittany Lions fans, losing Anthony Morelli is a good thing. But as for who is going to replace him, that remains to be seen. With 18 starters expected back for 2008, Joe Paterno could challenge the Buckeyes for the Big Ten title depending on how Morelli's replacement plays. 2007: 9-4, Alamo Bowl.
23. Florida State - The Seminoles are returning some talent for 2008 with Drew Weatherford set to be firmly entrenched at quarterback. He'll have RB Antone Smith and WR Greg Carr to work with and another off-season under Jimbo Fisher's tutelage. If Weatherford can be consistent and take care of the ball like he did, the Seminoles have definitely shown glimpses of what they can be. Defense loses some big players. 2007: 7-6, Music City Bowl.
24. Pittsburgh - With their big upset over West Virginia carrying them into 2008, another losing season is not going to cut it for Dave Wannstedt this fall. Not with LeSean McCoy leading the charge along with Pat Bostick at quarterback. Defense should be strong. 2007: 5-7.
25. South Carolina - Steve Spurrier keeps talking about the talent he's brought to Columbia these past few off-seasons, so this could be the year it really shows. The good start spoiled by an awful finish should motivate Spurrier and his Gamecocks. They'll need consistent quarterback play and a defense that can stop the run. 2007: 6-6.
On The Cusp and In No Particular Order: Wake Forest, Alabama, Connecticut, Oregon, Mississippi State, Cincinnati and Boise State.
See more at www.cstv.com
