from collegefootbanews.com:
1. USC
Find the weakness. USC has a Heisman winning quarterback returning (Matt Leinart), a Heisman finalist running back (Reggie Bush) and top workhorse in the backfield (LenDale White), one of the nation's best 1-2 receiving punches in Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, and a line that has six players with starting experience returning. There's only one thing missing: Norm Chow. The star offensive coordinator left for the Tennessee Titans meaning Lane Kiffin and former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian will be in a no-win situation. If the offense is the best in the country, everyone will say it's because of the talent. If it slips, the coaches will get the blame. Don't expect any problems with good backups everywhere in case injuries strike.
2. LSU
Every offensive starter, whatever the depth chart turns out to be, will be on an NFL roster, or at least be in NFL camp. Not only that, every second teamer, whatever the depth chart turns out to be, will likely be on an NFL roster, or at least be in an NFL camp. That's how loaded the LSU offense is with talent. Now it all has to come together and produce more than the 28.67 points and 396 yards per game it chalked up last year. With few exceptions, this was an inconsistent attack hurt most by average quarterback production. Now there's a three man race between JaMarcus Russell, Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux for the right to direct all the stars. If one of those three isn't sharp, the offense will be one of the nation's most disappointing considering all the elite players it boasts. If one of the quarterbacks shines with a huge season, it could be on to Pasadena.
3. Tennessee
The Tennessee offense was impressive last year considering the concerns at quarterback and the question marks at receiver. The freshmen quarterbacks came through with huge seasons, the receiving corps grew into a strength, and the offense got better and more explosive as the year went on. Now the attack should be downright nasty with one of the best groups of receivers the Vols have ever had, a burgeoning star quarterback in Erik Ainge, another great quarterback option in Rick Clausen, and a back in Gerald Riggs Jr. who will put up huge numbers. The line is a concern if injuries hit, but the starting five should be strong.
4. Florida
Urban Meyer has always produced big-time offenses, but the NFL isn't exactly stocked with former Utah Utes (other than Alex Smith) and Bowling Green Falcons. Now he has some big-time talents to work with and the results are expected to be nothing less than incredible. QB Chris Leak appears to be ready to handle the responsibility of leading the new spread attack, even if he's not the perfect fit for it. The receiving corps should explode with Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell and Chad Jackson all explosive home run hitters. If RB DeShawn Wynn can play up to his talent level, the backfield will be a strength. The starting five on the line will be great.
5. Michigan
On straight talent, it'll be hard to beat the Wolverines if QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart improve at all on their fantastic freshman years. The loss of all-everything receiver Braylon Edwards will hurt worse than many will you have you believe. However, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston are very, very good. The line will have three All-Big Ten performers in guard Matt Lentz and tackles Adam Stenavich and Jake Long; now the pass protection has to be better.
6. Minnesota
If all the parts stay healthy and QB Bryan Cupito improves on his consistency and accuracy, the offense will be one of the top ten in America. The left side of the line, along with center Greg Eslinger, will dominate. The receiving corps looks like an NBA backcourt with size, speed and athleticism. Of course, the star of the show will be junior Laurence Maroney who should by a lock for at least 1,500 yards.
7. Georgia
For all of last year's talent, Georgia's offense wasn't nearly as dominant as it should've been. That should change this year with an interesting mix of players. The running game will be one of the nation's best as long as the passing attack can be merely adequate. D.J. Shockley takes over the quarterbacking job providing experience and plenty of mobility and excitement. What he doesn't have is Fred Gibson or Reggie Brown to throw to as the receiving corps was less than stellar in spring ball. Fortunately, the backfield is five-deep in great runners while the line, led by Max Jean-Gilles, will be among the nation's best.
8. Louisville
Talk about reloading. Louisville loses all-star quarterback Stefan LeFors, NFL-caliber, 20-touchdown running back Eric Shelton, and 73-catch receiver J.R. Russell, but should be just as strong as the offense that was the nation's best last year. There's plenty of talent returning and several great options among the reserves to keep the party rolling. QB Brian Brohm will instantly become one of the nation's top quarterbacks now that he's the full-time starter. The Cards are loaded with talented running backs and receivers and blessed with one of the nation's deepest and most athletic lines. However, the party could crash if Brohm gets hurt with no experience behind him.
9. Virginia Tech
The offense was efficient last year, but it didn't move the ball much averaging almost 31 points per game despite only averaging 366 yards. Now this should be a devastating attack as long as Marcus Vick plays like he's supposed to. There are two great quarterback prospects (Sean Glennon and Cory Holt) also in the mix, but Vick is the type of player who can make this loaded attack special. There's too much talent at running back and receiver for one football, and the line is big and will be fine in time. Expect big, explosive numbers, but the question is whether or not someone can pick up the leadership slack left by Bryan Randall.
10. Texas
All of the focus is one Vince Young's passing abilities as everyone is looking for him to take another step in his development to become more than just a superstar runner. While improving the air attack is nice, don't look for too much of a change from a rushing offense that averaged close to 300 yards per game and finished number two in the nation. There isn't a Cedric Benson, but Selvin Young, Ramonce Taylor and Chris Ogbonnaya will be more than fine running behind one of the nation's best offensive lines. Limas Sweed and Nate Jones are talented young receivers who have to come through in a big way to take the heat off Young and the ground game.
1. USC
Find the weakness. USC has a Heisman winning quarterback returning (Matt Leinart), a Heisman finalist running back (Reggie Bush) and top workhorse in the backfield (LenDale White), one of the nation's best 1-2 receiving punches in Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, and a line that has six players with starting experience returning. There's only one thing missing: Norm Chow. The star offensive coordinator left for the Tennessee Titans meaning Lane Kiffin and former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian will be in a no-win situation. If the offense is the best in the country, everyone will say it's because of the talent. If it slips, the coaches will get the blame. Don't expect any problems with good backups everywhere in case injuries strike.
2. LSU
Every offensive starter, whatever the depth chart turns out to be, will be on an NFL roster, or at least be in NFL camp. Not only that, every second teamer, whatever the depth chart turns out to be, will likely be on an NFL roster, or at least be in an NFL camp. That's how loaded the LSU offense is with talent. Now it all has to come together and produce more than the 28.67 points and 396 yards per game it chalked up last year. With few exceptions, this was an inconsistent attack hurt most by average quarterback production. Now there's a three man race between JaMarcus Russell, Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux for the right to direct all the stars. If one of those three isn't sharp, the offense will be one of the nation's most disappointing considering all the elite players it boasts. If one of the quarterbacks shines with a huge season, it could be on to Pasadena.
3. Tennessee
The Tennessee offense was impressive last year considering the concerns at quarterback and the question marks at receiver. The freshmen quarterbacks came through with huge seasons, the receiving corps grew into a strength, and the offense got better and more explosive as the year went on. Now the attack should be downright nasty with one of the best groups of receivers the Vols have ever had, a burgeoning star quarterback in Erik Ainge, another great quarterback option in Rick Clausen, and a back in Gerald Riggs Jr. who will put up huge numbers. The line is a concern if injuries hit, but the starting five should be strong.
4. Florida
Urban Meyer has always produced big-time offenses, but the NFL isn't exactly stocked with former Utah Utes (other than Alex Smith) and Bowling Green Falcons. Now he has some big-time talents to work with and the results are expected to be nothing less than incredible. QB Chris Leak appears to be ready to handle the responsibility of leading the new spread attack, even if he's not the perfect fit for it. The receiving corps should explode with Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell and Chad Jackson all explosive home run hitters. If RB DeShawn Wynn can play up to his talent level, the backfield will be a strength. The starting five on the line will be great.
5. Michigan
On straight talent, it'll be hard to beat the Wolverines if QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart improve at all on their fantastic freshman years. The loss of all-everything receiver Braylon Edwards will hurt worse than many will you have you believe. However, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston are very, very good. The line will have three All-Big Ten performers in guard Matt Lentz and tackles Adam Stenavich and Jake Long; now the pass protection has to be better.
6. Minnesota
If all the parts stay healthy and QB Bryan Cupito improves on his consistency and accuracy, the offense will be one of the top ten in America. The left side of the line, along with center Greg Eslinger, will dominate. The receiving corps looks like an NBA backcourt with size, speed and athleticism. Of course, the star of the show will be junior Laurence Maroney who should by a lock for at least 1,500 yards.
7. Georgia
For all of last year's talent, Georgia's offense wasn't nearly as dominant as it should've been. That should change this year with an interesting mix of players. The running game will be one of the nation's best as long as the passing attack can be merely adequate. D.J. Shockley takes over the quarterbacking job providing experience and plenty of mobility and excitement. What he doesn't have is Fred Gibson or Reggie Brown to throw to as the receiving corps was less than stellar in spring ball. Fortunately, the backfield is five-deep in great runners while the line, led by Max Jean-Gilles, will be among the nation's best.
8. Louisville
Talk about reloading. Louisville loses all-star quarterback Stefan LeFors, NFL-caliber, 20-touchdown running back Eric Shelton, and 73-catch receiver J.R. Russell, but should be just as strong as the offense that was the nation's best last year. There's plenty of talent returning and several great options among the reserves to keep the party rolling. QB Brian Brohm will instantly become one of the nation's top quarterbacks now that he's the full-time starter. The Cards are loaded with talented running backs and receivers and blessed with one of the nation's deepest and most athletic lines. However, the party could crash if Brohm gets hurt with no experience behind him.
9. Virginia Tech
The offense was efficient last year, but it didn't move the ball much averaging almost 31 points per game despite only averaging 366 yards. Now this should be a devastating attack as long as Marcus Vick plays like he's supposed to. There are two great quarterback prospects (Sean Glennon and Cory Holt) also in the mix, but Vick is the type of player who can make this loaded attack special. There's too much talent at running back and receiver for one football, and the line is big and will be fine in time. Expect big, explosive numbers, but the question is whether or not someone can pick up the leadership slack left by Bryan Randall.
10. Texas
All of the focus is one Vince Young's passing abilities as everyone is looking for him to take another step in his development to become more than just a superstar runner. While improving the air attack is nice, don't look for too much of a change from a rushing offense that averaged close to 300 yards per game and finished number two in the nation. There isn't a Cedric Benson, but Selvin Young, Ramonce Taylor and Chris Ogbonnaya will be more than fine running behind one of the nation's best offensive lines. Limas Sweed and Nate Jones are talented young receivers who have to come through in a big way to take the heat off Young and the ground game.
