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Colleges
Our top 25
By Brian Landman
Published August 31, 2007
The Times' preseason rankings by staff writer Brian Landman.
1. Southern California
QB John David Booty is a Heisman Trophy hopeful for what figures to be another high-powered offense, even without proven WRs and a stable of inconsistent and/or inexperienced backs. But the Trojans defense is loaded, especially at LB with Rey Maualuga, Keith Rivers and Brian Cushing.
KEY GAME: UCLA, Dec.1.
2. LSU
The Tigers defense, anchored by MLB Darry Beckwith and NT Glenn Dorsey, figures to be among the nation's stingiest again. It better be as the Tigers adapt to who isn't around - QB JaMarcus Russell, WRs Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis and coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
KEY GAME: Virginia Tech, Sept.8.
3. Florida
A veteran group found a way to win the close games last year as the Gators earned the national title, but now it's all about the new faces in the starting lineup - nine on defense and, of course, the biggie at QB, the much-heralded Tim Tebow. Can he throw it as well as he runs it? We'll see.
KEY GAME: at LSU, Oct.6.
4. Texas
QB Colt McCoy isn't Vince Young but he tied a national record for a freshman with 29 TDs (and had just seven INTs). He should put up gaudy numbers again and that will take pressure off a defense that is rebuilding what was a suspect secondary. The schedule is kind, too.
KEY GAME: Oklahoma in Dallas, Oct.6.
5. Michigan
Offensively, the Wolverines' Big Three all returned: QB Chad Henne, TB Mike Hart and WR Mario Manningham. Points won't be a problem. Giving up points (like they did in season-ending losses to Ohio State and USC) might be, with only four defensive starters back.
KEY GAME: Ohio State, Nov.17.
6. West Virginia
RB Steve Slaton (1,744 yards, 16 TDs) and QB Patrick White (1,655 yards passing, 13 TDs; 1,219 yards rushing, 18 TDs) give the Mountaineers a pair of Heisman Trophy candidates. Unless the defense, especially against the pass, doesn't get better, West Virginia won't survive a tough schedule.
KEY GAME: Louisville, Nov.8.
7. Virginia Tech
The Hokies defense has led the nation the past two years and this group might be even better, led by LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi and CB Brandon Flowers. RB Branden Ore must stay healthy and QB Sean Glennon must stay steady. After the campus shooting in April, folks will be pulling for the Hokies.
KEY GAME: Florida State, Nov.10.
8. Louisville
New coach Steve Kragthorpe performed miracles at Tulsa and inherits a loaded offense, led by QB Brian Brohm and WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia. The Cardinals' run to a second straight Big East title hinges on their last three games: at West Virginia, at USF and Rutgers.
KEY GAME:at West Virginia, Nov.8.
9. California
QB Nate Longshore is right up there with Booty and, now that he's trimmer, should be more mobile. WR DeSean Jackson is a big-time threat any time he touches the ball. Toughest games are at home (Oregon State, USC) but the opener could set the tone.
KEY GAME: Tennessee, Saturday.
10. Georgia
Sophomore QB Matthew Stafford should be significantly better (7 TDs and 13 INTs didn't cut it) and he has plenty of targets, including WRs Sean Bailey and Mohamed Massaquoi and TE Tripp Chandler. Mike Bobo will be calling all the plays for Mark Richt this year.
KEY GAME: Florida in Jacksonville, Oct.27.
11. Wisconsin
RB P.J. Hill led the Big Ten in rushing (1,569 yards, 15 TDs), but the Badgers need a QB - either Tyler Donovan or Allan Evridge - to emerge as a threat so opponents can't simply stack the box to slow Hill down. The schedule is kind leading up to a road trip to Penn State.
KEY GAME: At Penn State, Oct.13.
12. Tennessee
It's hard to believe the Volunteers haven't won the SEC since 1998, the year they also won the national title. Senior QB Erik Ainge was good last year (2,989 yards, 19 TDs) and he could be even better. Their first three games are tough: At California, Southern Miss and then the Gators.
KEY GAME: at Florida, Sept.15.
13. Nebraska
Sam Keller, a transfer from Arizona State, is an NFL-caliber QB. He's big, strong and can wing it. Just the kind of guy coach Bill Callahan needs. The Cornhuskers can return to national prominence in mid September, but they had better not look past Wake Forest in Week 2.
KEY GAME: USC, Sept.15.
14. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights were one of the feel-good stories of the year in '06. Now, can they show some staying power? TB Ray Rice (1,794 yards, 20 TDs), a Heisman candidate, is a good place to start. So is a defense led by All-America tackle Eric Foster.
KEY GAME: West Virginia, Oct.27.
15. Ohio State
Heisman winning QB Troy Smith is gone. So are RB Antonio Pittman and WRs Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez. But RB Chris Wells could have a huge year and LB James Laurinaitis will make plays. The Buckeyes youngsters should have time to mature thanks to a soft early schedule.
KEY GAME: at Penn State, Oct.27.
16. Oklahoma
The Sooners need something to cheer about after they were nailed by the NCAA. A run at the Big 12 and national titles would sure do the trick, but much will hinge on their new QB, heralded redshirt freshman Sam Bradford.
KEY GAME: Miami, Sept.8
17. Florida State
After falling to 7-6 last year, coach Bobby Bowden rebuilt his offensive staff, beginning with (OC/QB) Jimbo Fisher and (OL) Rick Trickett. If those two earn their pay, then the Seminoles have the ability to regain some swagger. A daunting schedule won't make that easy.
KEY GAME: at Boston College, Nov.3.
18. Boston College
New Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski, the former Green Bay Packers OC, has the most proven QB in the ACC, Matt Ryan. There are also good weapons with RBs L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender and WR Kevin Challenger. B.C. begins strangely enough with three league games.
KEY GAME: FSU, Nov.3.
19. Boise State
When we last saw the Broncos, they were stunning Oklahoma in one of the most thrilling bowl games ever, 43-42 in OT. They finished 13-0 and No. 5 in the AP poll. TB Ian Johnson (1,713 yards, 25 TDs) will have to carry the offense - and he can - with a new QB.
KEY GAME: at Hawaii, Nov.23.
20. UCLA
The Bruins return 20 starters, but can't afford a QB controversy between Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan. Those seldom end well. The schedule isn't kind with Pac-10 games at Oregon State and USC and tough home games against BYU, Notre Dame and Cal.
KEY GAME: at USC, Dec.1.
21. TCU
The Horned Frogs were second to Virginia Tech in total defense and return nine starters, beginning with big-play ends Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz. The offense is breaking in a new QB, likely Marcus Jackson, and he can help TCU stamp itself as a BCS contender in Week2.
KEY GAME: at Texas, Sept.8.
22. Auburn
For those scoring at home, the Times tabbed the Tigers as its preseason No.1 last year. It didn't quite turn out that way, but QB Brandon Cox is better than what he showed. In contrast to last year, the Tigers' toughest SEC games (Florida, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia) are on the road.
KEY GAME: at Florida, Sept.29.
23. Oregon State
The Beavers have one of the better backs most folks outside of the Corvallis and the Pac-10 haven't heard of 5-9 senior Yvenson Bernard. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons and has a stellar, mammoth OL to run behind.
KEY GAME: at USC, Nov.3.
24. Penn State
QB Anthony Morelli has shown flashes and has a standout group of WRs, including Deon Butler and Derrick Williams. The defense will again be solid, thanks to MLB Dan Connor and CB Justin King. Notre Dame and Michigan in September will set the tone.
KEY GAME: at Michigan, Sept.22.
25. Missouri
QB Chase Daniel thrived in the Tigers' spread offense (3,527 yards, 28 TDs; 379 yards rushing, 4 TDs). Around him is the league's leading rusher, Tony Temple, and a deep, talented group of WRs. They avoid Texas and have Nebraska and Texas A&M at home.
KEY GAME: Nebraska, Oct.6.
[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:00:18]
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