2004 Top 25

[Master Capper]

The National Title Contenders
The teams that can come into the year shooting for the national title

1. USC 2003 Record: 12-1
How loaded is USC? The Trojans get back most of the offensive superstars and almost all of the great defensive line, while LB Matt Grootegoed will be back from an injury plagued season to solidify the defense. As if the Trojans needed more help, several of the top JUCO players in the nation will be coming to L.A. Yes, there are some major losses along the offensive line, but USC had far bigger problems going into 2003 and still won a share of the national title.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Jacob Rogers Biggest defensive loss: DE Kenechi Udeze


2. Oklahoma 2003 Record: 12-2
Boo-hoo. Oklahoma lost its last two games of the year, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops is off to Arizona, and the there isn?t quite the aura of invincibility anymore around the program with the way things ended. Please. Heisman Trophy winner Jason White returns to an offense that not only gets everyone back, but also welcomes super-recruits QB Rhett Bomar and RB Adrian Peterson. The defense should be able to reload even after the loss of Tommie Harris, Derrick Strait and Teddy Lehman.
Biggest offensive loss: TE Lance Donley Biggest defensive loss: DT Tommie Harris

3. LSU 2003 Record: 13-1
The only real concern is over the early departures of QB Matt Mauck and WR Michael Clayton, but the defense comes back loaded for another national title run. Marcus Spears, Marquise Hill and Corey Webster could?ve gone off to the NFL, yet decided to stay for another year. The top returnee is head coach Nick Saban who spurned the Chicago Bears, among others, realizing he has it pretty good in Baton Rouge.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Michael Clayton Biggest defensive loss: DT Chad Lavalais

4. Georgia 2003 Record: 11-3
Loaded, loaded, loaded, loaded, loaded. The return of DE David Pollack secures what should be one of the nation?s best defensive front sevens, now the talk in the off-season will be about how the secondary can be replaced. QB David Greene should have a huge season thanks to the return of WR Fred Gibson along with the entire offensive line.
Biggest offensive loss: TE Ben Watson Biggest defensive loss: S Sean Jones

5. Miami 2003 Record: 11-2
Few teams will be more scrutinized than Miami this spring. There could be a sensational three-way quarterback battle between Brock Berlin, Derrick Crudup, and super-recruit of 2003 Kyle Wright. All the problems with inexperience on offense should be gone, while the defense should reload once again after the loss of NFL-superstars-to-be Vince Wilfolk, Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams.
Biggest offensive loss: TE Kellen Winslow Biggest defensive loss: FS Sean Taylor

6. Texas 2003 Record: 10-3
Yes, another year, another way-too-talented team, and another year of high expectations. Will this finally be the year this spectacular disappointment of a program finally comes through? If the receiving corps can somehow find a way to produce to take the heat off of Cedric Benson, Vince Young and the running game, then yes, this might finally be the year.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Roy Williams Biggest defensive loss: CB Nathan Vasher

7. Ohio State 2003 Record: 11-2
Will he be back or won?t he? Maurice Clarett will cast a very big shadow over the Buckeye program for another off-season possibly being a distraction to what should be another great team. There?s no reason to think OSU won?t be a main player in the Big Ten again, but the offensive and defensive lines might take too big a hit for a national title run.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Craig Krenzel Biggest defensive loss: DE Will Smith

8. Auburn 2003 Record: 8-5
Let?s try this again. After Auburn?s puzzling disappointment of a 2003 season it?ll be hard to convince too many people that the Tigers will be an SEC title-level team this year. The defensive front seven needs to replace a ton of talent, but the secondary could turn out to be the strongest in the conference thanks to the return of CB Carlos Rogers. Almost all the key players return to the offense including running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to give Auburn the nation?s best 1-2 rushing punch.
Biggest offensive loss: FB Brandon Johnson Biggest defensive loss: DE Reggie Torbor

9. Tennessee 2003 Record: 10-3
It?s not that Tennessee has been horrible over the last two seasons, it?s that it hasn?t been quite as good as the other elite teams in the SEC. The Volunteers are loaded with experience and should challenge Georgia for the East if the offense can find more punch. The secondary will need some work.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Casey Clausen Biggest defensive loss: S Gibril Wilson

The BCS Game Contenders
The teams that can come into the year shooting for a BCS game

10. Florida State 2003 Record: 10-3
Well this should be fun. Florida State gets just about everyone back on offense, and loses just about everyone on defense. Will the loaded Nole offense be enough to get past Miami on September 6th? All the great defensive recruits over the last few years had better come through.
Biggest offensive loss: WR P.K. Sam Biggest defensive loss: DT Darnell Dockett

11. Michigan 2003 Record: 10-3
There are too many losses on both sides of the ball to win the national title, but that doesn?t mean the Wolverines won?t be in the hunt for a BCS game with the nation?s best receiving corps led by Braylon Edwards. The loss of RB Bruce Perry and, yes, QB John Navarre, could be too much to overcome. The defensive front seven needs several new players to come through.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Chris Perry Biggest defensive loss: CB Jeremy LeSueur

12. Clemson 2003 Record: 9-4
Can Clemson possibly keep the momentum going in 2004? Why not? QB Charlie Whitehurst leads a veteran offense that should shine even with the defection of Derrick Hamilton to the NFL. The defense has issues on the line, but the back seven, led by LB LeRoy Hill and CB Justin Miller, is fast and active.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Derrick Hamilton Biggest defensive loss: DT Donnell Washington

13. Florida 2003 Record: 8-5
With Mr. Spurrier looming, this had better be the year head coach Ron Zook?s star recruits step up and shine. Outside of wholesale changes in the secondary and a few losses on the offensive line, there isn?t much retooling to be redone. While the national title might be asking for too much, there?s no reason for this team to shoot for anything less than one of the BCS spots.
Biggest offensive loss: TE Ben Troupe Biggest defensive loss: CB Keiwan Ratliff

14. Virginia 2003 Record: 8-5
Few teams can lose a superstar QB like Matt Schaub and still be strong. Years of great recruiting classes should pay off with, potentially, the ACC?s most talented defense to go along with RB Wali Lundy and the strong offense. TE Heath Miller should be a pre-season All-America lock.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Matt Schaub Biggest defensive loss: CB Almondo Curry

15. West Virginia 2003 Record: 8-5
Just when it looks like West Virginia is about to take a major step forward, it goes out and clunks in yet another lousy bowl performance. The problems with early injuries and young starters in 2003 should help the Mountaineers in 2004 as there?s a ton of experience and several good players returning. The offense should be more explosive than ever.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Quincy Wilson Biggest defensive loss: LB Grant Wiley

16. Nebraska 2003 Record: 10-3 Top 25
New head coach Bill Callahan has some good players to work with, but he?ll have a wee bit of work to do to get the offense to produce more. The receivers aren?t all that bad by Nebraska standards, and now a Husker-like running back has to emerge. The defense should be a killer even though it loses a few playmakers along with coordinator Bo Pelini
Biggest offensive loss: QB Jammal Lord Biggest defensive loss: LB Demorrio Williams

 

[Master Capper]

17. Iowa 2003 Record: 10-3
Iowa overcame some major personnel losses from its 2002 season to have a tremendously successful ten-win 2003. Head coach Kirk Ferentz will have to work even more magic in 2004 with most of the offensive stars, including OT Robert Gallery, WR Maurice Brown and RB Fred Russell, gone. The defense will still be strong despite some big losses.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Robert Gallery Biggest defensive loss: S Bob Sanders


18. Oklahoma State 2003 Record: 9-4
This is a big year for Les Miles and the OSU program needing to keep the momentum of few strong years going. That?s not going to be easy in what might be the nastiest division in college football, but there aren?t that many holes to fill. If some of the top recruits of the last few years are ready to roll, there?s no reason to think the Cowboys will slip.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Rashaun Woods Biggest defensive loss: DE Greg Richmond

19. NC State 2003 Record: 8-5
It?s now on to life without Phil as program-changing QB Philip Rivers is gone meaning the rest of the offense has to play better. The Wolfpack might get a bit lost in the new ACC shuffle if the offense can?t get over the loss of No. 17, but this is still going to be a strong team thanks to the return of the top 11 tacklers to the defense.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Philip Rivers Biggest defensive loss: FS Victor Stephens

20. South Carolina 2003 Record: 5-7
If Lou Holtz is ever going to make South Carolina a challenger for the SEC title, this has to be the year with enough veteran talent returning on both sides of the ball to make a big run. There has to be more production out of the offense, and there should be with QB Dondrial Pinkins, the entire receiving corps, and a slew of great young running backs returning. The secondary could use a bit of help.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Travelle Wharton Biggest defensive loss: CB Dunta Robinson

21. Georgia Tech 2003 Record: 7-6
The Yellow Jackets could?ve gone in the tank after all the problems of last year, but instead they came through with a bowl winning season led by several good, young players. This might be the ACC?s sleeper team led by QB Reggie Ball and a defense loaded with everything but linebackers.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Jonathan Smith Biggest defensive loss: LB Kenyaron Fox

22. Minnesota 2003 Record: 10-3
Last year was a record-setting season with ten wins finally proving that Glen Mason can get the program to be scary in the Big Ten. The defense should be a wee bit better, but the offense needs to overcome the loss of QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq along with a few good receivers. If the quarterback situation can be figured out, this will be a strong team.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq Biggest defensive loss: LB Ben West

23. Kansas State 2003 Record: 11-4
Kansas State is known for being able to reload, and it?ll have to do more than ever after losing most of the top players on defense and QB Ell Roberson and WR James Terry from the offense. Things will revolve around RB Darren Sproles, who could make a run for the Big XII Player of the Year if the line can make up for the loss of C Nick Leckey.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Ell Roberson Biggest defensive loss: LB Josh Buhl

24. Wisconsin 2003 Record: 7-6
Somewhat quietly, Wisconsin has been a tremendous disappointment over the last few seasons. Inexplicable losses to UNLV and Northwestern helped ruin what should?ve been a big 2003, but there?s hope with RB Anthony Davis back to run behind possibly the Big Ten?s best line. The defense could be tremendous if some linebackers can be found.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Lee Evans Biggest defensive loss: LB Alex Lewis

25. Louisville 2003 Record: 9-4
The lousy performance in the GMAC Bowl and an ill-advised lunch date notwithstanding, head coach Bobby Petrino had a strong first year. The 2004 Cardinals are beyond loaded with the only issue, besides the loss of some key offensive linemen, being too much talent at quarterback. Stefan LeFors is the Conference USA Player of the Year, but Michael Bush, who played running back most of the season, might be UL?s most talented signal caller. Oh yeah, to cloud things further, Petrino landed hot-shot recruit Brian Brohm.
Biggest offensive loss: TE Ronnie Ghent Biggest defensive loss: LB Rod Day

26. Utah 2003 Record: 10-2
Utah head coach Urban Meyer?s 2003 Mountain West championship doesn?t have to do a whole bunch of rebuilding, but there are several big contributors that need to be replaced. The attack will be even more reliant on the talents of QB Alex Smith, while the defense should be just as stingy with a great group of players to build around.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Brandon Warfield Biggest defensive loss: SS Dave Revill

27. Maryland 2003 Record: 10-3
Maryland won?t fall back to its pre-Ralph Friedgen days, but it?ll have a hard time matching the success of the last few seasons with major replacements needed on both sides of the ball. Don?t be stunned if the Terps follow the pattern of the last few years starting slowly and becoming a power down the stretch.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Scott McBrien Biggest defensive loss: DT Randy Starks

28. Miami University 2003 Record: 13-1
Without QB Ben Roethlisberger, Miami should just pack up its hopes and give up on the 2004 season. Whatever. The RedHawks were more than Big Ben and should be nasty again with most of the stars coming back on D and a good nucleus of players on offense to keep the putting up big numbers.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Ben Roethlisberger Biggest defensive loss: LB Terrell Jones

29. Texas A&M 2003 Record: 4-8
Dennis Franchione?s first season in College Station was a rocky one to say the least. The defense looked slow, while the offense was often frustrated and inefficient. It?s possible things will change quickly as last year?s young team is a veteran laden squad going into 2004. The offense can?t help but be better with RB Coutney Lewis and QB Reggie McNeal, while experience has to translate into production for the D.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Jamaar Taylor Biggest defensive loss: DE Linnis Smith

30. California 2003 Record: 8-6
Is there another team with more positive buzz right now than Cal? The Bears were the only team to beat USC and are coming off a thrilling bowl victory over Virginia Tech. QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Geoff McArthur might form the nation?s most dangerous pitch-catch combo.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Adimchinobe Echemandu Biggest defensive loss: CB James Bethea

31. Oregon 2003 Record: 8-5
This is an important year for Oregon football. After failing to capitalize on the momentum of the 2002 Fiesta Bowl win, the Ducks need to come up with a big season or risk permanently being considered among the Pac 10 also-rans. There isn?t the star power necessary to push for the league title, but enough good players on both sides of the ball return to expect a more consistent season.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Samie Parker Biggest defensive loss: DT Igor Olshansky

32. Missouri 2003 Record: 8-5
QB Brad Smith might be 2004?s single most talented college football player, but he could be running for his life behind a new offensive line. LB James Kinney leads a defense that?ll have to be far tougher and better against the top teams. The Big XII North should be down, so this has to be Mizzou?s year to take a major step up.
Biggest offensive loss: C A.J. Ricker Biggest defensive loss: CB Michael Harden

33. Boise State 2003 Record: 13-1
Boise State was supposed to take a step back last year after losing a ton of starters. It didn?t happen. Now the Broncos have to try and keep the machine rolling without star QB Ryan Dinwiddie along with a few key defensive players. Enough production returns to make another WAC title run as long as the quarterback situation turns out to be fine.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Ryan Dinwiddie Biggest defensive loss: FS Wes Nurse

34. Ole Miss 2003 Record: 10-3
Don?t expect too much of a drop-off even after the loss of QB Eli Manning with some solid talent returning on both sides of the ball. The rest of the team wasn?t all that bad and should be able to pick up a bit of the slack, but some new stars need to shine to take the place of Manning and WR Chris Collins.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Eli Manning Biggest defensive loss: S Travis Blanchard

35. Bowling Green 2003 Record: 11-2
Star QB Josh Harris might be gone, but the team might end up being just as good if Omar Jacobs can become the leader and playmaker Harris was. The offensive line will be a major concern going into camp, while the secondary needs retooling.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Josh Harris Biggest defensive loss: CB Janssen Patton

 

[jpblack34]

Thanks MC.....very interesting stuff here. Most surprising thing to me was Cal at 30. With QB/coach tandem that they have, thought they would be a little higher. Thanks again.

 

[Scott4USC]

jpblack34

I agree with you. CAL is going to be a top notch program under Tedford and their QB Rodgers will be one of the best in country next year. The question is........how long does Tedford stay at CAL???

 

[Blackman]

While I think that Cal should be a bit higher - I'm not shocked by their position either. This is completely opinionated - and I haven't looked up anything concrete, but it always seems to me that Cal and UCLA tend to lose tough Pac Ten games. I mean Cal has talent, but seeing them lose to USC, Wash St and Oregon next year wouldn't shock me either.

Exact reason why I have vowed to stop betting Pac Ten games - way too many upsets, and I tend to pick up the biggest ones of them all (My biggest two Pac Ten plays this year were USC vs Cal and UCLA vs Stanford - so I obviously have a jaded perspective.)

I don't know if it is the style of play or whatever, but besides of USC all of the teams in the Pac Ten seem very inconsistent within the conference.