Preseason Top 25
By Sportsbook.com
With the College Football season just about a month away, it’s time for Sportsbook.com to release their preseason Top 25.
1. FLORIDA - Along with one of the nation’s best coaches in Urban Meyer and one of college football’s all-time greats in Tim Tebow, the Gators have 18 starters back in the fold. Nagging questions: Will the Gators stay hungry? If you don’t come ready to play each and every Saturday in the SEC, then you’ll get your teeth knocked in because this conference is chock-full of future pros. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +200; Over/Under Wins 11
2. OKLAHOMA - With the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback (Sam Bradford), two tailbacks who rushed for a combined 2,222 yards and 34 scores (Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray) and a battle-tested defense that returns nine starters, the Sooners have the horses to return to the BCS title game. Bradford (4,720 yards, 50 TD’s) is as accurate a passer as there is in college. But with four new starters along the offensive line, there will be more pressure on him in ‘09. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +600; Over/Under Wins 10
3. TEXAS - Eight starters return on offense, paced by the pass-catch combo of Colt McCoy (3,859 passing yards, 34 touchdowns) and Jordan Shipley (88 receptions, 1,060 yards, 11 scores). Mack Brown has moved linebacker Sergio Kindle (10 sacks) to end to help ease the loss of Brian Orakpo to NFL riches. It’s worth the gamble because Kindle doesn’t need a GPS system to find his way into enemy backfields and the Longhorns’ linebacking corps still features an All-American candidate in Roddrick Muckelrot (team-best 112 tackles). Odds to win the National Championship: +400; Over/Under Wins 10.5
4. USC - Each year, head coach Pete Carroll (88-15 record at USC) loses truckloads of talent to the NFL, but continues to keep on winning. Sophomore Aaron Corp and true freshman Matt Barkley will compete to replace Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Look for Carroll to lean on his tailbacks (C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight) and his Taylor Mays led defense a little heavier in the early part of the season. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +700; Over/Under Wins 10
5. VIRGINIA TECH - Frank Beamer is one of the best X-and-O men in the college ranks, something he illustrated last fall by leading the young Hokies to 10 wins and their fourth ACC title in six years. With 16 starters back, most notably tailback Darren Evans and defensive playmakers Jason Worilds, Stephan Virgil and Kam Chancellor, the Hokies will once again be the class of the ACC. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +2500; Over/Under Wins 9
6. PENN STATE - Quarterback Daryll Clark can beat opposing defenses with his arm and feet, while tailback Evan Royster might be the most underrated player in the Big Ten. The healthy return of linebacker Sean Lee, who missed all of last season with a bum knee, gives “Linebacker U” one of those tough-as-a-$2 steak linebackers that all great Penn State teams have. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +3000; Over/Under Wins 9.5
7. ALABAMA - No college team in America has a better sideline boss than Nick Saban. His defense, a unit that returns nine starters and has a future pro at each level (tackle Terrance Cody, linebacker Roalndo McClain and cornerback Javier Arenas), should be lights out. Some feel the Tide should be ranked higher, but there will be new starters at quarterback and left tackle. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +2000; Over/Under Wins 9.5
8. OREGON - Thanks to the return of eight starters, including quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount, first-year head coach Chip Kelly has the makings of another explosive offense. The linebacking corps of Spencer Paysinger, Casey Matthews and Eddie Pleasant is also top shelf. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +10000; Over/Under Wins 7.5
9. OHIO STATE - Sure, a bevy of stars are gone, but sophomore signal-caller Terrelle Pryor is back to terrorize opposing Big Ten defenses with his feet and his arm. Speaking of terrors, the defensive line features two all-league caliber players in Cameron Heyward and Lawrence Wilson. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +1200; Over/Under Wins 9.5
10. OLE MISS - Surprised? Don’t be. Mississippi will be the chic accessory in everybody’s top 10—and with good reason. In Houston Nutt’s first season at the helm, the Rebels beat Florida and LSU during the regular season and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Jevan Snead doesn’t get a fraction of the ink that Tebow does, but he’s a big-time quarterback. Leading rusher Dexter McCluster returns, as does sackmaster Greg Hardy. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +1500; Over/Under Wins 9
11. OKLAHOMA STATE - The three-headed monster of quarterback Zac Robinson (3,064 yards, 25 touchdowns), wideout Dez Bryant (87 receptions, 1,480 yards, 19 scores) and tailback Kendall Hunter (119.6 yards rushing per game) ensures that scoring points won’t be a problem for the Cowboys. Bryant will be on most Heisman short lists entering the season. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +4000; Over/Under Wins 9
12. BOISE STATE - Quarterback Kellen Moore (3,486 yards, 25 touchdowns) is the nation’s best quarterback that you’ve never heard of. He’ll headline a potent offense, along with tailback Jeremy Avery (614 yards). The defense has a lock-down corner in first-team All-WAC player Kyle Wilson, a pass-rushing demon in Ryan Winterswyk and a hard-hitting safety in Jeron Johnson (98 tackles). Odds to win the BCS Championship: +10000; Over/Under Wins 11
13. LSU - Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson looked like a world-beater in the Tigers’ 38-3 rout of Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. If he’s a star-in-the-making and former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis can solidify LSU’s defense, then the 2007 National Champs could ascend back into the top 10. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +2500; Over/Under Wins 9
14. GEORGIA TECH - The Yellow Jackets return all 11 starters on offense, so they should be able to run Paul Johnson’s triple-option offensive attack with more aplomb in 2009. Tailback Jonathan Dwyer (1,395 yards, 12 scores) is one of the best runners in the country. Odds to win the BCS Championship: +7500; Over/Under Wins 8
15. EAST CAROLINA - Head coach Skip Holtz welcomes back 16 starters; eight on each side of the ball. He has a budding star under center in quarterback Patrick Pinkney. If Kentucky transfer Brandon Jackson can be an every-down back, the Pirates will score points. East Carolina’s defense features a proven playmaker at each tier: tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Nick Johnson and safety Van Eskridge. Can a Conference USA team be a BCS buster for the first time? To do so, East Carolina must negotiate two rugged road trips—West Virginia (Sept. 12) and Virginia Tech (Nov. 5).
THE REMAINING TOP 25
16. GEORGIA
17. IOWA
18. CALIFORNIA
19. BYU
20. MICHIGAN STATE
21. FLORIDA STATE
22. NEBRASKA
23. NOTRE DAME
24. CINCINNATI
25. UTAH