College Pre-Season Rankings

These are my college football pre-season rankings based on who I think are the best teams. So this isn't at all how I think they'll finish at the end of the season, because schedules have alot of say in how the team will do in a season, and I'll do some rankings later as for how I think they'll finish. But now, I'm just doing my Top 15 based on skill. Here it goes ladies....

1. USC

I almost always open up my season with USC at the top. You can never really have them out of the top five, because they are always somehow amazingly stacked. They always have a top notch recriuting class coming in, so they never have an off year. Plus, some of the players that sit on their bench could easily start on tons of other D-I teams. Plus, I really think Mark Sanchez is legit, and they probably have the best core of linebackers in college football with Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga.

2. Florida

They have eight starters returning on each side of the ball. They have a Heisman winner at quarterback, and one of the best coaches in college football. I was surprized they lost to my Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl last year, but I really think that was kind of a fluke... plus, Michigan was really motivated to send Lloyd Carr off with a win. Florida's schedule though is once again extremely tough, but they may be able to overcome it... or they may not.

3. Georiga

With 17 returning starters and a top-notch quarterback and runningback, I think Georiga is primed for a national championship game. Their schedule is of course amazingly tough, and the whole season may come down to that game with Florida. But hey, they did it last year... they just might be able to knock them off again.

4. Ohio State

I don't know what all this ruckus is about the Big Ten being weaker than all the other conferences and what not. Two years ago, Ohio State had the best team in the land, but got over confident and went into the game thinking they would own, and for that reason they got shut down by Florida's defense. That game always reminds me of the Pats vs Giants Super Bowl. And weren't they played in the same stadium too? Anyways, if Ohio State makes to the 'Ship again, they're absolutely not going to lose a third in a row. Beanie Wells is legit, and they have two good quarterback, in case the first one falters. And with 18 returning starters, they're pretty much a BCS lock.

5. Oklahoma

I'm sorry, but I just can't put Missouri in front of Oklahoma. I know the Mizzou is ultra-talented and what not, but it's one of those things, where you know the team that has always been legit is going to be better than the team that all of a sudden finds themselves succeeding. I relate it to the Cubs and Brewers. The Brewers are alot better now and many think they can challenge the Cubs... but they'll never be able to knock them off. Same goes for the Patriots and Chargers. Anyways, Sam Bradford is amazing, and should definitely be up for Heisman consideration. However, I am kind of concerned about the Sooner's defense. They can't keep relying on the offense to put up 30+ points a game in order to win. If Oklahoma wants to be in the national title game consideration, the defense is going to have to step it up.

6. West Virginia

They have probably the best quarterback in college football in Pat White, and an absolutely eletric runningback in Noel Devine. Though, their defense is about ten times shakier than Oklahoma's is. Their defense struggled last year against seemingly soft Big East opponents, and now they only have four starters returning. Plus the whole new head coach thing isn't exactly a plus. Though I think in the end, they'll be able to beat some easy opponents early in their schedule, then get in a groove. And Pat White might just win a Heisman some where in there. In the end though, it may all come down to the October 23rd showdown with Auburn, in regards to their BCS title hopes.

7. Missouri

Here they are. Chase Daniel is legit, and runningback Jermey Maclin was nothing short of amazing last year. I think that this is a really good team, and I do believe that they have the talent to get over the hump and maybe even into the BCS. Though I really don't see them getting into the national championship game. Plus, with ten returning starters on defense alone, they should be able to shut down just about all the teams on their schedule.

8. Clemson

In a pretty weak ACC, Tommy Bowden has to know that this is his chance to get into the BCS, because when you look at it, Clemson is pretty loaded. Cullen Harper seems ready to take the next step. One of those steps has to be beating Boston College, which has beaten Clemson three straight times since joining the ACC.

9. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have ten returning starters on offense, including two probable Heisman candidates. They are lucky enough to not play Missouri, but they do play Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Anyways, Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are going to have to step up and lead the offense in their first ten games. They then have to travel to Oklahoma, which may just decide their entire season. However, the Big 12 is extremely stacked this year. Just like the SEC. But yeah, in the end, I don't think Texas Tech can overcome Oklahoma.

10. Auburn

These Tigers are better than the other Tigers this year. Referring to the LSU Tigers, I think that Auburn will be able to put away LSU comfortably this year, after losing on a last second touchdown pass last year to the eventual national champs. And that's saying alot, because the winner the Tigers vs Tigers matchup had won the SEC West 6 out of the last 8 years.

11. Wisconsin

Bret Bielema is a legit head coach that could take Wisconsin into the BCS if one of two things happen. One, they beat Ohio State, or two, Ohio State goes to the national championship game once again. Wisconsin is good, but I don' think they're going to be good enough to knock off Ohio State on October 4th. although some history is on their side, they're going to need some luck as well. Though they are very talented, and could be looking at their first Rose Bowl in nine years.

12. Texas

They return only four starters on defense and only ten starters in all, and they have a very tough schedule, though, it's Texas. Colt McCoy is really underrated, and Mack Brown will have his boys ready to play. I don't really see a BCS bid i their future, but they should be able to compete with the other Big 12 teams.

13. Tennessee

They return a decent amount of starters (14), after going 10-4 (6-2) last year. I don' think they have enough to win the SEC, though they do could always pull a crazy upset. With the Vols, you honestly never know...

14. LSU

The defending champs don't look like they can repeat, especially when playing in such a tough division. Though they are of course still talented nd not to be taken lightly, though it would take a miracle for them to run the table in the SEC and get back to the national championship game.

15. Arizona State

They're not super-talented, but they are the second best team in the Pac-10. They have to play Georiga and USC, though they should be able to get into New Year's Day bowl game, or maybe even a Rose Bowl bid if USC makes the national title game.

and the rest...

16. Kansas

17. Virginia Tech

18. BYU

19. South Florida

20. Michigan

21. Wake Forest

22. Oregon

23. Penn State

24. Alabama

25. Illinois