The CFN Preseason Top 25
USC comes into the 2004 season with the nation's best team, but Oklahoma isn't far behind. The Trojans have everything from QB Matt Leinart on offense to DL Shaun Cody on defense to punter Tom Malone leading the outstanding special teams.
1. USC (projected record: 12-0) USC Preview | Off | Def | Trojan Inside Scoop
The Trojans don't have any major weakness getting even stronger with the maturity of the young running backs, like Reggie Bush, and with the nation's top recruiting class. The receiving corps is still loaded with or without Mike Williams; if he returns there won't be any stopping the offense. With as breezy a schedule as a top team can have, the Trojans won't face a team that, on paper, can come within 21 points of them.
Relative strength: Offensive backfield Relative Weakness: Receiver experience
Star of the team: Junior QB Matt Leinart Key game: October 30th at Washington State
2. Oklahoma (projected record: 12-0)
Oklahoma Preview | Off | Def | Sooner Inside Scoop
As hard as it may seem to fathom, the offense should be better than ever with ten starters back from the juggernaut that averaged 42.9 points per game. The running game will be even better with star recruit Adrian Peterson joining the mix, while the passing attack is injury-proof with three great backups behind Heisman winning quarterback Jason White and too many talented receivers to use. The defense might be without major award winners Tommie Harris, Teddy Lehman and Derrick Strait, but this is Oklahoma; reloading isn't a problem.
Relative strength: Wide receiver
Relative Weakness: Linebacker
Star of the team: Senior WR Mark Clayton
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Texas
3. Michigan (projected record: 10-1) Michigan Preview | Off | Def | UM Inside Scoop
Most take a passing glance at the 2004 Wolverines and notice there's no Chris Perry, no John Navarre and most of the defensive line needs to be replaced. Upon closer inspection, there are several good, experienced players ready to step in and fill the holes. The defensive line looks to be as good as ever with the emergence of junior tackles Larry Harrison and Gabe Watson along with star-in-the-making pass rusher LaMarr Woodley. The running-back-by-committee approach will work just well enough to take the heat off the passing game, and either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard will walk into a dream situation for a quarterback with the best receiving corps in America to throw to and a nasty line to provide the time.
Relative strength: Wide receiver Relative Weakness: Offensive backfield experience
Star of the team: Senior WR Braylon Edwards Key game: Nov. 20 at Ohio State
4. Texas (projected record: 10-1)
Texas Preview | Off | Def | Longhorn Inside Scoop
A loss to Oklahoma would make this another disappointing season no matter what else happens. There's no one else on the schedule that, theoretically, can come within two touchdowns of the Longhorns with the best lines Mack Brown has had yet and superstars like RB Cedric Benson and LB Derrick Johnson. If Texas can focus on each step and play up to its capability week-in-and-week-out, this is a one game season. The pressure is always there in Austin, so there's no reason to expect anything less than a national title run from a program due for a few big breaks.
Relative strength: Running back
Relative Weakness: Wide Receiver
Star of the team: Senior RB Cedric Benson
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Oklahoma
5. Georgia (projected record: 10-1)
Georgia Preview | Off | Def | Dawg Inside Scoop
The Dawgs are due to take the next step and get to the national title game. Enough experience returns on both sides of the ball to be ranked among the top three in the nation if the offense is more consistent. The schedule is always scary in the SEC, but great teams can get through a slate like this. The bar is set high now, and this could be the Georgia team that leaps over it on its way to Miami in early January.
Relative strength: Defensive line Relative Weakness: Running backs
Star of the team: Senior DE David Pollack Key game: Oct. 30 vs. Florida
6. LSU (projected record: 9-2)
LSU Preview | Off | Def | Tiger Inside Scoop
This team has warp speed everywhere. The Tigers will try and repeat as national champions with the athleticism and talent to beat anyone in the country and the attitude that it can win every game. It won't be easy with several key personnel losses and a brutal SEC schedule to go along with the bull's-eye that a national title brings. No matter what happens, this program should be here to stay among the elite
Relative strength: Secondary Relative Weakness: Quarterback
Star of the team: Senior CB Corey Webster Key game: September 18 at Auburn
7. Florida State (projected record: 9-2) Florida State Preview | Off | Def | Nole Inside Scoop
No longer can the Noles simply blow teams away with their athleticism as there are too many good players spread out in the ACC and Miami will always be at least FSU's talent equal. Even so, they'll win more than their share of league titles over the next several years, and should be the favorites this season, with almost all the key parts returning to a very good offense and more talented prospects taking over for the lost stars on defense.
Relative strength: Offensive firepower Relative Weakness: Defensive line experience
Star of the team: Senior OT Alex Barron Key game: September 6th at Miami
8. Miami (projected record: 9-2) Miami Preview | Off | Def | Hurricane Inside Scoop
Yeah, Miami lost a ton of NFL talent from the defense and still needs work on offense, but there are still few teams in America that can match the all-around talent and athleticism. The clich? applies here; Miami has reloaded. The defense will still dominate despite losing an Pro Bowl's worth of players led by a dominant front line and CB Antrel Rolle in the secondary. However, there has to be better all-around play from the quarterbacks.
Relative strength: Defensive line Relative Weakness: Defensive back seven experience
Star of the team: Senior CB Antrel Rolle Key game: September 6th vs. Florida State
9. North Carolina State (projected record: 9-2) NC State Preview | Off | Def | State Inside Scoop
This is the best team Chuck Amato has ever had with as much depth and overall talent as anyone in the country. The offensive line is loaded with five All-ACC caliber players, RB T.A. McLendon returns to the backfield, and nine starters return on a defense that should be much better this year after looking tremendous all spring. This is an ACC-title caliber team that needs to find someone to replace The Franchise, Philip Rivers. If Jay Davis and/or Marcus Stone becomes better than average at quarterback, look out for the Wolfpack
Relative strength: Running backs Relative Weakness: Quarterback experience
Star of the team: Senior S Andre Maddox Key game: Oct. 30 at Clemson
10. Virginia (projected record: 9-2) Virginia Preview | Off | Def | Cav Inside Scoop
The defense boasts a linebacking corps that ranks among the best in the nation. With players like Ahmad Brooks, Darryl Blackstock and Kai Parham forming the nucleus of a devastating young D, and DE Chris Canty leading a great unsung line, many other issues, like the young secondary and the potential inconsistency on offense, can be forgotten about for a while. But for the Cavaliers to take a step up, quarterback Marques Hagans has to shine. He might not be Matt Schaub, but his running ability and knowledge of the offense are strong enough to add a new dimension to the attack..
Relative strength: Linebacker Relative Weakness: Wide receiver
Star of the team: Junior TE Heath Miller Key game: Nov. 6 vs. Maryland
USC comes into the 2004 season with the nation's best team, but Oklahoma isn't far behind. The Trojans have everything from QB Matt Leinart on offense to DL Shaun Cody on defense to punter Tom Malone leading the outstanding special teams.
1. USC (projected record: 12-0) USC Preview | Off | Def | Trojan Inside Scoop
The Trojans don't have any major weakness getting even stronger with the maturity of the young running backs, like Reggie Bush, and with the nation's top recruiting class. The receiving corps is still loaded with or without Mike Williams; if he returns there won't be any stopping the offense. With as breezy a schedule as a top team can have, the Trojans won't face a team that, on paper, can come within 21 points of them.
Relative strength: Offensive backfield Relative Weakness: Receiver experience
Star of the team: Junior QB Matt Leinart Key game: October 30th at Washington State
2. Oklahoma (projected record: 12-0)
Oklahoma Preview | Off | Def | Sooner Inside Scoop
As hard as it may seem to fathom, the offense should be better than ever with ten starters back from the juggernaut that averaged 42.9 points per game. The running game will be even better with star recruit Adrian Peterson joining the mix, while the passing attack is injury-proof with three great backups behind Heisman winning quarterback Jason White and too many talented receivers to use. The defense might be without major award winners Tommie Harris, Teddy Lehman and Derrick Strait, but this is Oklahoma; reloading isn't a problem.
Relative strength: Wide receiver
Relative Weakness: Linebacker
Star of the team: Senior WR Mark Clayton
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Texas
3. Michigan (projected record: 10-1) Michigan Preview | Off | Def | UM Inside Scoop
Most take a passing glance at the 2004 Wolverines and notice there's no Chris Perry, no John Navarre and most of the defensive line needs to be replaced. Upon closer inspection, there are several good, experienced players ready to step in and fill the holes. The defensive line looks to be as good as ever with the emergence of junior tackles Larry Harrison and Gabe Watson along with star-in-the-making pass rusher LaMarr Woodley. The running-back-by-committee approach will work just well enough to take the heat off the passing game, and either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard will walk into a dream situation for a quarterback with the best receiving corps in America to throw to and a nasty line to provide the time.
Relative strength: Wide receiver Relative Weakness: Offensive backfield experience
Star of the team: Senior WR Braylon Edwards Key game: Nov. 20 at Ohio State
4. Texas (projected record: 10-1)
Texas Preview | Off | Def | Longhorn Inside Scoop
A loss to Oklahoma would make this another disappointing season no matter what else happens. There's no one else on the schedule that, theoretically, can come within two touchdowns of the Longhorns with the best lines Mack Brown has had yet and superstars like RB Cedric Benson and LB Derrick Johnson. If Texas can focus on each step and play up to its capability week-in-and-week-out, this is a one game season. The pressure is always there in Austin, so there's no reason to expect anything less than a national title run from a program due for a few big breaks.
Relative strength: Running back
Relative Weakness: Wide Receiver
Star of the team: Senior RB Cedric Benson
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Oklahoma
5. Georgia (projected record: 10-1)
Georgia Preview | Off | Def | Dawg Inside Scoop
The Dawgs are due to take the next step and get to the national title game. Enough experience returns on both sides of the ball to be ranked among the top three in the nation if the offense is more consistent. The schedule is always scary in the SEC, but great teams can get through a slate like this. The bar is set high now, and this could be the Georgia team that leaps over it on its way to Miami in early January.
Relative strength: Defensive line Relative Weakness: Running backs
Star of the team: Senior DE David Pollack Key game: Oct. 30 vs. Florida
6. LSU (projected record: 9-2)
LSU Preview | Off | Def | Tiger Inside Scoop
This team has warp speed everywhere. The Tigers will try and repeat as national champions with the athleticism and talent to beat anyone in the country and the attitude that it can win every game. It won't be easy with several key personnel losses and a brutal SEC schedule to go along with the bull's-eye that a national title brings. No matter what happens, this program should be here to stay among the elite
Relative strength: Secondary Relative Weakness: Quarterback
Star of the team: Senior CB Corey Webster Key game: September 18 at Auburn
7. Florida State (projected record: 9-2) Florida State Preview | Off | Def | Nole Inside Scoop
No longer can the Noles simply blow teams away with their athleticism as there are too many good players spread out in the ACC and Miami will always be at least FSU's talent equal. Even so, they'll win more than their share of league titles over the next several years, and should be the favorites this season, with almost all the key parts returning to a very good offense and more talented prospects taking over for the lost stars on defense.
Relative strength: Offensive firepower Relative Weakness: Defensive line experience
Star of the team: Senior OT Alex Barron Key game: September 6th at Miami
8. Miami (projected record: 9-2) Miami Preview | Off | Def | Hurricane Inside Scoop
Yeah, Miami lost a ton of NFL talent from the defense and still needs work on offense, but there are still few teams in America that can match the all-around talent and athleticism. The clich? applies here; Miami has reloaded. The defense will still dominate despite losing an Pro Bowl's worth of players led by a dominant front line and CB Antrel Rolle in the secondary. However, there has to be better all-around play from the quarterbacks.
Relative strength: Defensive line Relative Weakness: Defensive back seven experience
Star of the team: Senior CB Antrel Rolle Key game: September 6th vs. Florida State
9. North Carolina State (projected record: 9-2) NC State Preview | Off | Def | State Inside Scoop
This is the best team Chuck Amato has ever had with as much depth and overall talent as anyone in the country. The offensive line is loaded with five All-ACC caliber players, RB T.A. McLendon returns to the backfield, and nine starters return on a defense that should be much better this year after looking tremendous all spring. This is an ACC-title caliber team that needs to find someone to replace The Franchise, Philip Rivers. If Jay Davis and/or Marcus Stone becomes better than average at quarterback, look out for the Wolfpack
Relative strength: Running backs Relative Weakness: Quarterback experience
Star of the team: Senior S Andre Maddox Key game: Oct. 30 at Clemson
10. Virginia (projected record: 9-2) Virginia Preview | Off | Def | Cav Inside Scoop
The defense boasts a linebacking corps that ranks among the best in the nation. With players like Ahmad Brooks, Darryl Blackstock and Kai Parham forming the nucleus of a devastating young D, and DE Chris Canty leading a great unsung line, many other issues, like the young secondary and the potential inconsistency on offense, can be forgotten about for a while. But for the Cavaliers to take a step up, quarterback Marques Hagans has to shine. He might not be Matt Schaub, but his running ability and knowledge of the offense are strong enough to add a new dimension to the attack..
Relative strength: Linebacker Relative Weakness: Wide receiver
Star of the team: Junior TE Heath Miller Key game: Nov. 6 vs. Maryland
