cnn/si college football writer's pre-season top teams...

[AR182]

i thought this was an interesting article....& would open discussion....

Ohio State No. 1 after spring, but field is wide open

Posted: Tuesday April 25, 2006 10:43AM; Updated: Tuesday April 25, 2006 1:01PM

Trying to pick an early No. 1 team for 2006 is a lot like trying to find a decent lunch at the food court in your local mall: None of the choices are particularly appetizing, so you might as well just pick something and go with it.

Do you go with one of last year's standbys, Texas and USC, even though both must replace franchise players? Do you take a chance on offensive juggernaut Ohio State despite all those unfamiliar faces on defense? Are you willing to overlook that Fiesta Bowl meltdown amidst all the tempting star power of Notre Dame? Was that West Virginia Sugar Bowl show a fluke or a sign of things to come? And, oh yeah, what about Oklahoma, which has a healthy Adrian Peterson?

After much debate, I decided to go with the Buckeyes -- for now. Perhaps I drank too much of the Kool-Aid during my recent trip to Columbus, but no one there seems particularly worried about the young defense, particularly with stud freshman running back Chris Wells joining an already loaded offense. We'll find out plenty about OSU quickly enough: The Buckeyes are at Texas on Sept. 9.

NCAA Football Power Rankings
Rank LW School

1 -- Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)
Key returnees: QB Troy Smith, WR Ted Ginn Jr., RB Antonio Pittman, DT Quinn Pitcock
Spring star: LB Ross Homan. The true freshman turned heads, drawing comparisons to a young A.J. Hawk.

Lowdown: The offense, which in addition to Smith, Ginn and Pittman welcomed top-rated high school RB Chris Wells during the spring, should be nothing short of powerful. The question is how quickly the Buckeyes' nine new defensive starters -- most of them highly touted, but untested -- jell.

2 -- Texas Longhorns (13-0)
Key returnees: RB Jamaal Charles, T Justin Blalock, DT Frank Okam, S Michael Griffin
Spring star: TE Jermichael Finley. The pass-catching redshirt freshman could be a more athletic version of departed star David Thomas.

Lowdown: Replacing QB Vince Young with a pair of freshmen, Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead, might seem like a recipe for disaster, but the 'Horns are so loaded at the skill positions and on defense that it's apparent they'll still be able to win without the quarterbacks running for 200 yards.

3 -- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-3)
Key returnees: QB Brady Quinn, WR Jeff Samardzija, RB Darius Waker, S Tom Zbikowski
Spring star: QB Jimmy Clausen (H.S. junior). The prep star's much-anticipated announcement on Saturday that he was committing to the Irish upstaged ND's spring game.

Lowdown: With four veteran starters on the line to go with Quinn and the skill guys, coach Charlie Weis' offense, 10th in the country last season, figures to be even more potent. Nine starters return on defense, but the key will be developing a better pass rush and more consistent cornerbacks.

4 -- West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1)
Key returnees: QB Pat White, RB Steve Slaton, C Dan Mozes, LB Kevin McClee
Spring star: DB Quinton Andrews. The hard-hitting redshirt freshman is pushing for a starting spot in WVU's 3-3-5 stack.

Lowdown: The Mountaineers spent the spring cultivating a more productive passing game to go with the already powerful running combo of Slaton and White. The defense, which played a valuable but unsung role last season, will need several youngsters to step up in the secondary.

5 -- LSU Tigers (11-2)
Key returnees: QB JaMarcus Russell, WR Dwayne Bowe, FS LaRon Landry, LB Ali Highsmith
Spring star: DT Glenn Dorsey. LSU coach Les Miles says Dorsey is just as talented as departed stars Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten.

Lowdown: With Russell sitting out spring, backups Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux made their push for playing time. The Tigers shouldn't have a problem reloading on defense, but running back (Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent are both coming off torn ACLs) and offensive line remain question marks.

6 -- Oklahoma Sooners (8-4)
Key returnees: RB Adrian Peterson, LB Rufus Alexander, DE Carl Thibodeaux, DE C.J. Ah You
Spring star: CB Reggie Smith. The heralded sophomore, who moved from safety to corner, has the looks of a big-time playmaker.

Lowdown: With eight returning starters, the Sooners will likely trot out their best defense in several years, and a healthy Peterson is obviously a major luxury. The season will turn on how well the young offensive line can protect QB Rhett Bomar, who himself needs to develop.

7 -- USC Trojans (12-1)
Key returnees: WR Dwayne Jarrett, WR Steve Smith, C Ryan Kalil, DE Lawrence Jackson
Spring star: FB Ryan Powdrell. Pressed into tailback duties because of injuries, the 260-pounder showed surprising running ability.

Lowdown: The offense will remain a mystery until the fall, when QB John David Booty returns from back surgery and several freshmen arrive to replenish the depleted backfield. The Trojans' front seven should be strong, particularly at linebacker, but the secondary could be a weakness again.

8 -- California Golden Bears (8-4)
Key returnees: RB Marshawn Lynch, RB Justin Forsett, WR DeSean Jackson, CB Daymeion Hughes
Spring star: LB Worrell Williams. The athletic sophomore was a standout in practices and will likely earn a starting spot.

Lowdown: New offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar installed components of the spread offense, a scary thought considering Cal's plethora of weapons. The only question is which quarterback, Nate Longshore or Joe Ayoob, will run it. The defense, extremely young last year, should be improved.

9 -- Michigan Wolverines (7-5)
Key returnees: QB Chad Henne, WR Mario Manningham, RB Mike Hart, LB LaMarr Woodley
Spring star: LB Shawn Crable. With an impressive spring, the junior is on his way to bumping one of UM's returning starters.

Lowdown: With new coordinators on both offense (Mike DeBord, coordinator for the 1997 title team) and defense (Ron English), the Wolverines figure to be less predictable than past seasons. Much of the O-line and backfield have slimmed down in hopes of becoming a quicker running team.

10 -- Auburn Tigers (9-3)
Key returnees: RB Kenny Irons, QB Brandon Cox, DE Marquies Gunn, LB Will Herring
Spring star: LB Tray Blackmon. The hard-hitting redshirt freshman won the starting weakside linebacker job.

Lowdown: New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp (Nick Saban's former aide) spent much of spring tinkering with his personnel, including moving productive safety Herring to linebacker. Irons gives the Tigers a powerful runner, but some new receivers will need to emerge.

 

[AR182]

11 -- Florida Gators (9-3)
Key returnees: QB Chris Leak, WR Dallas Baker, LB Brandon Siler, DT Marcus Thomas
Spring star: WR Cornelius Ingram. The converted quarterback emerged as one of the Gators' top playmakers.

Lowdown: Leak, who will be a senior, looks more comfortable in Urban Meyer's offense, though heralded frosh Tim Tebow outplayed him in the spring game. The defense figures to be solid yet again. Last year's weaknesses -- the tailbacks and offensive line (which loses four starters) -- remain major question marks.

12 -- Florida State Seminoles (8-5)
Key returnees: QB Drew Weatherford, RB Lorenzo Booker, WR Greg Carr, LB Buster Davis
Spring star: LB Lawrence Timmons. Ernie Sims' hard-hitting successor was named most dominant defender of the spring.

Lowdown: Weatherford, who will be a second-year starter, made major strides this spring, throwing just one interception in scrimmages, and the defense, despite losing seven starters, looks solid again. The question is whether the offensive line will improve enough to bolster FSU's sagging running game.

13 -- Georgia Bulldogs (10-3)
Key returnees: RB Thomas Brown, T Daniel Inman, DE Quentin Moses, S Tra Battle
Spring star: DE Charles Jonnson. Coaches say the junior has emerged as a dominant force opposite Moses.

Lowdown: The Dawgs will likely rely on their dominant defense and deep backfield (Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin) early on as they break in a new quarterback. Senior Joe Tereshinski remained No. 1 after spring, but heralded freshman Matthew Stafford will be a factor.

14 -- Clemson Tigers (8-4)
Key returnees: RB James Davis, WR Chansi Stuckey, DE Gaines Adams, LB Anthony Waters
Spring star: WR/RB Rendrick Taylor. The electrifying sophomore caught four passes for 174 yards in the spring game.

Lowdown: QB Will Proctor, taking over full-time for departed Charlie Whitehurst, steps into what could be a loaded and balanced offense. The Tigers also return seven starters from a defense that ranked in the top 25 last season, though they'll miss DBs Tye Hill and Jamaal Fudge.

15 -- Louisville Cardinals (9-3)
Key returnees: QB Brian Brohm, RB Michael Bush, WR Mario Urrutia, WR Harry Douglas
Spring star: LB Lamar Myles. The sophomore may bump top returning tackler Nate Harris as the starting middle linebacker.

Lowdown: Brohm, recovering from a torn ACL, didn't participate in spring scrimmages, yet the offense was its usual, dominant self, with Urruita and Douglas taking their games to another level. The defense, which loses sack master Elvis Dumervil, struggled to sustain a pass rush.

16 -- Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-4)
Key returnees: QB Zac Taylor, WR Nate Swift, LB Corey McKeon, DE Adam Carriker
Spring star: RBs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn. The sleek sophomores combined for 182 yards in the spring game.

Lowdown: Taylor began showing command of coach Bill Callahan's West Coast offense late last season; the key now is developing a solid running game with Lucky and Glenn. The defense has the potential to be spectacular, particularly the front seven. Some new safeties need to emerge.

17 -- Oregon Ducks (10-2)
Key returnees: QB Dennis Dixon, RB Jonathan Stewart, WR James Finley, S Patrick Chung
Spring star: WR Derrick Jones. The former USC signee could be Oregon's top receiver -- if the NCAA clears him to play.

Lowdown: The Ducks' defense, despite losing DT Haloti Ngata and three veteran defensive backs, has been impressive in scrimmages. The offense, however, must replace weapons Terrence Whitehead and Demetrius Williams. TE Tim Day needs to develop more consistency.

18 -- Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5)
Key returnees: QB Drew Tate, RB Albert Young, DE Ken Iwebema, LB Edmond Miles
Spring star: C Rafael Eubanks. The redshirt freshman soared up the depth chart and might start come fall.

Lowdown: Tate and Young are All-Big Ten studs, but it's unclear who will step up in place of departed receivers Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon. A strong D-line, and safeties Miguel Merrick and Marcus Paschal, will anchor a defense that lost star LBs Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge.

19 -- Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1)
Key returnees: RB Tony Hunt, T Levi Brown, LB Paul Posluszny, DT Jay Alford
Spring star: QB Anthony Morelli. The junior looked sharp in his first spring game as a starter, completing 13 of 16 passes for 191 yards.

Lowdown: The Nittany Lions must replace 13 starters, including four fifths of the O-line, three fourths of the D-line and the entire secondary. Morelli, a better passer than predecessor Michael Robinson, will be called on to produce big plays with PSU's talented young receivers.

20 -- Miami Hurricanes (9-3)
Key returnees: QB Kyle Wright, TE Greg Olsen, S Brandon Merriweather, LB Jon Beason
Spring star: T Reggie Youngblood. The sophomore looks capable of filling Eric Winston's shoes at left tackle.

Lowdown: Despite an influx of six new assistants, not much has changed in Coral Gables if the spring game is any indication: The defense remains dominant while the offense is a work in progress. Wright and Kirby Freeman managed just 77 passing yards in the scrimmage.

 

[AR182]

21 -- TCU Horned Frogs (11-1)
Key returnees: QB Jeff Ballard, RB Robert Merrill, RB Aaron Brown, DE Chase Ortiz
Spring star: DT Lorenzo Jones. A heralded signee in 2005, the sophomore will likely play a big role this fall.

Lowdown: The Frogs return one of the nation's deepest backfields with Merrill, Brown and Lonta Hobbs, but their success will depend on how well four new O-line starters develop. A new playmaker needs to step in for the departed Cory Rodgers. Ortiz and DE Tommy Blake anchor a strong front seven.

22 -- Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1)
Key returnees: RB Kenneth Darby, WR D.J. Hall, T Kyle Tatum, LB Juwan Simpson
Spring star: QB John Parker Wilson. Brodie Croyle's successor made big plays, but also big mistakes throughout spring.

Lowdown: It's a year of transition for the Tide, which must replace nearly every key cog (LBs DeMeco Ryans and Fredie Roach, S Roman Harper, et al.) from last year's dominant defense. Four returning starters from the O-line, which allowed 37 sacks in 2005, have shown improvement.

23 -- Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5)
Key returnees: QBs Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter, WR Terry Richardson, TE Zach Miller
Spring star: LB Mike Nixon. The 22-year-old walk-on and former Triple A catcher has made a push for major playing time.

Lowdown: There's little question the offense will be explosive regardless of which QB starts. As for ASU's oft-maligned defense, transfers Michael Marquardt (BYU) and Loren Howard (Northwestern) figure to beef up the line, while speedy WR Rudy Burgess is also playing cornerback.

24 -- Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2)
Key returnees: DE Chris Ellis, LB Vince Hall, LB Xavier Adibi, K Brandon Pace
Spring star: CB Victor Harris. After spending part of spring at tailback, the athletic sophomore leapt to first-string corner.

Lowdown: The Hokies should field one of the nation's stingiest defenses yet again. The offense, however, is in a state of flux, with sophomore Sean Glennon claiming a tenuous hold on the QB job, while graduation (Mike Imoh, Cedric Humes) and injuries (Branden Ore) have depleted the backfield.

25 -- Utah Utes (7-5)
Key returnees: QB Brett Ratliff, WR Brian Hernandez, CB Eric Weddle, S Casey Evans
Spring star: RB Daryl Poston. The oft-injured USC transfer has finally ascended to No. 1 tailback.

Lowdown: The Utes' offense took off at the end of last season after Ratliff took over for the injured Brian Johnson. He'll have the benefit of a deep receiving corps and veteran O-line. Eight starters return from an already solid defense, though DT Steve Fifita and LB Spencer Toone are big losses.


On the cusp: Fresno State, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Boise State, Boston College

 

[Sun Tzu]

Not sure how a team losing its entire starting defense can be ranked #1

 

[blgstocks]

This seems about right, I dont agree with the selections, but i figure this is a pretty general consensus on each of these teams. He had clemson higher than i thought and florida lower than i thought.
But my two sleepers for next year, ASU and VT he has way to low at 23 and 24.

With ASU, how can a team that was a top 25 for 10 weeks only get better at their power positions and then add quite a bit to their defense, and just barely make it into the top 25, and in a conference where only 1 team (cal) actually got better.

And VT was 3 most of the year with a pretty average offense and a great D. There D is only getting better, assuming they hardly lost anyone and the experience will make the returners better. So they lose a punk choker qb, and two slightly above avg RBs who got alot of numbers for the same reason Bronco rbs get alot of numbers.
Their offense hasnt suffered that much, their defense is only getting better, why drop for top 10 to squeaking top 25? Maybe ACC is harder?

Just my quick take on it

 

[gman2]

ohio state might have been the best team in the country at the end of last season.

.... but that doesn't mean they should be preseason #1 after losing, well .... everybody on defense. their offense is going to be incredible, especially with the addition of wells to go along with pittman in the backfield. but i just dont see how they can be ranked that high. this past season was their best chance for a title.

 

[AR182]

ohio state might have been the best team in the country at the end of last season.

imo, ohio state was the best team in the nation at the end of the year...it would have been a good game if osu played texas at the end of the year instead of in the beginning part of the year.....

i don't put much stock in these pre-season rankings...it's just good for discussion....

i haven't looked at w. virginia's out of conference schedule.....does anybody know if they are playing any out of conference quality teams ?

if they are...they could challenge...

 

[AR182]

i just checked fletcher's thread about w. virginia....

their 3 out of conference games are against.....maryland, miss. st., & e. wash.....

so forget my previous post about wv challenging for the title...they have no chance with that schedule......

 

[thom24ad]

Not sure how a team losing its entire starting defense can be ranked #1

look at the returning offense...a little shocked myself but defense has never been too big of an issue at OSU...this D-Line will be pretty good and OSU always pulls talent at LB...but I do believe your #1 until the team losses...

But Sun we should be happy this #1 and #2 can actually settle it on the field

 

[thom24ad]

I sort of like VT too...they'll finish top ten...Iowa could pretty good...but Okie gimme a fawking break...its a 7-5 season maybe 8-4...they'll end up top 20

 

[Sun Tzu]

Bomar is terrible. The O-line is worse. But a weak ass schedule helps. But OU isnt beating Texas, may not beat Oregon or texas Tech. But the record will be good because the conference will suck ass next year even more than this year.

 

[bbk]

Sun
You are one of the most biased people on this board especially when it comes to Texas; not saying Bomar is great; but I can guarantee you that is he better than any player starting for Texas that has never played a college down and with a healthy AD OU's backfield will be MUCH better than Texas and if you contradict that than you seriously need to take the homer glasses off; yes OU Oline needs help but two years ago and even last year they said OU would have problems and last time I checked OU will have two guys names Chester and Joseph that will come off the board in the first 2 rounds. Will OU's oline be great NO but will it be serviceable yes. Texas has huge problems on offense with no proven QB, WR or RB. Their Oline is a work in progress and they have alot of holes on defense. OU's defense wil be the one of the best they have had since Stoops has been there and their offense will be better than last year. For you to say OU wont be Texas is ridiculous when everyone knows that that game is a tossup almost every year OU is by the far the better team on paper and on the field and almost every postion from QB, RB, DLINE, LB, DT, CB, S and for you to say anything else is far fetched. Will Texas be a top ten team this year; it will all depend on QB and RB play. We all saw what happened to OU when they had bad QB play. They went 8-4. That could easlily happen to Texas not that will but its possible. I understand that Texas is your team but when you talk about your team you need to be objective.

 

[Sun Tzu]

Yeah my homer glasses..Ou people laughed at me last year when I said they would lose to TCU. This board is about cash, not homerism. You sound like the homer. I bash Texas historically more than anyone. But let's not let facts get in the way shall we.

As for Bomar - OU would be better off if they had me at quarterback.

Texas has no proven rb or wr? They have every single one back from last year. Problems on O-Line and defense? Geez you really are clueless arent you. Do you have any idea about the talent coming in, that played many minutes last year, to replace the handful of losses? The only potential defensive weakness is in the secondary - sorry but that wont be a concern against Bomar. It will be in the Ohio State and Tech games. Is your head in your ass? is that part of your objective analysis?

 

[ageecee]

Yeah my homer glasses..Ou people laughed at me last year when I said they would lose to TCU. This board is about cash, not homerism. You sound like the homer. I bash Texas historically more than anyone. But let's not let facts get in the way shall we.

As for Bomar - OU would be better off if they had me at quarterback.

Texas has no proven rb or wr? They have every single one back from last year. Problems on O-Line and defense? Geez you really are clueless arent you. Do you have any idea about the talent coming in, that played many minutes last year, to replace the handful of losses? The only potential defensive weakness is in the secondary - sorry but that wont be a concern against Bomar. It will be in the Ohio State and Tech games. Is your head in your ass? is that part of your objective analysis?

Are you a natural asshole or did you have to work on becoming an asshole?

 

[bbk]

Well that post just about summed it up as far as your homerism. Ageecee, if you dog out or disagree about Texas no matter what your facts are Sun falls out of his chair in disgust. I guess you will have to see for yourself whoever does emerge as the qb for Texas is going to have alot of growing pains which results in a few L's. Texas if it gets above average qb play will have at least 3 losses. This has nothing to do with being a homer its about being realistic. Look at any of the top programs with bad qb play or young qbs. They all struggle look at Miami last year that has an absolute stout defense and a qb in Kyle Wright who broke every record in Texas high school history, who broke the record for TD's at Miami; who had Devin Hester, Moss, Winston, and that doesnt count all the other guys that will go in the draft on defense or will eventually go on offense and he still had 3 losses. He has 2 years on the bench to sit and learn and he still sucked it up his first year. Texas will still have a decent year but they wont sniff the NC. Ohio State even with all the losses on defense and including 4 first rounders and Holmes they still have Smith and Ginn and last year Texas was VERY LUCKY to not face those guys the way they ended up playing at the end of the year. The Ohio State offense even without Holmes is scary. Huff and Griffin were the anchor to that defense and without them that is a huge void to fill. I have a friend at Sporting News :nono: and he told me that every big time program has talent coming in and players that have played lots of minutes. I will give you a quick news flash; those guys cant replace guys like VY or Thomas or Huff or Wright or Griffin. It aint happening. Will Texas be a very good team. Of course they will but will they have a few losses of course they will. Whenever these sportscasters do preseason top 25 I dont see how they can put anyone that does not have a returning starting qb in the top 5.
As far as your TCU comment that is one game; I have noticed you posting plays. You usually post the team with no anaylsis and hit around 50% not bad. If you want to talk about betting I am sure Texas will come out as a favorite in that Ohio State game i will give it to you as a pick. How much are we betting?
Also I am sure the OU team is really worrying about a high school qb that has never played a down in his life in college and will come into the game with 2 losses and in a must win scenario or the fair weather Texas fans will beat him to death.
Remember this year; Texas doesnt get a free pass and will have to play against a healthy AD. You are right now about not having to worry about Bomar he is the least of your worries. I dont bet on rivalry games too hard to handicap. :mj07: