| NCAA Football Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
|
Team |
1 |
-- |
 |
The Trojans' offense will be one of the best the college game
has ever seen. Their defense will be a work in progress. Therefore,
expect some 45-35 victories early in the season before USC's
annual, midseason kick into overdrive.
First game: Saturday at Hawaii. |
2 |
-- |
 |
No more 16-13 wins for the Buckeyes. For one, they can't afford
close calls without clutch kicker Mike Nugent around;
secondly, such little offense would be a waste of Ted Ginn
Jr.'s abilities. Besides, OSU's veteran defense might not
give up 13 points.
First game: Saturday vs. Miami of Ohio. |
3 |
-- |
 |
I'll admit it: I don't have much faith in the Longhorns to actually
live up to this billing. On paper, it's hard not to like a team
that returns Vince Young and 15 other starters, but you also
can't understate the loss of Derrick Johnson.
First game: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Lafayette. |
4 |
-- |
 |
Ron Zook will always hold a notorious spot in Gators
lore, but fans should thank him for at least one thing: He
recruited nearly all the key components of a squad that Urban
Meyer will have contending for the national title within
two years.
First game: Saturday vs. Wyoming. |
5 |
-- |
 |
Erik Ainge? Rick Clausen? Does it really matter?
When you have as deep and talented a front seven as the Vols
do, you can expect Phillip Fulmer to play it close to
the vest on offense and hand off to Gerald Riggs Jr. an
awful lot.
First game: Saturday vs. UAB. |
6 |
-- |
 |
You know the history:
Rank Virginia Tech high in the preseason and the Hokies inevitably
choke. Take them lightly and they'll
sneak up and reach the Sugar Bowl. Can Marcus Vick help
this seemingly loaded squad break the cycle?
First game: Sunday at N.C. State. |
7 |
-- |
 |
Last year was disappointing, yet considering the injuries they
endured, it's impressive the 'Canes even won nine games. Many
of the same questions linger, but here's guessing both their
running game and run defense will improve mightily.
First game: Monday at Florida State. |
8 |
-- |
 |
The Wolverines have all the weapons you'd want on offense, from
solid QB Chad Henne, to
workhorse RB Mike Hart,
to game-breaking WR Steve Breaston.
Now let's see if UM's oft-maligned defense can live up to its
end of the bargain.
First game: Saturday vs. Northern Illinois. |
9 |
-- |
 |
After three straight seasons of finishing in
the top 10, the Hawkeyes finally start there thanks to QB Drew
Tate and
LBs Chad Greenway and
Abdul Hodge.
The new D-line will need to develop quickly, however, for Iowa
to stay among
the elite.
First game: Saturday vs. Ball State. |
10 |
-- |
 |
You can already see it
coming. QB Paul Thompson gets
the starting nod for now, but, after the Sooners struggle early
with
a young O-line and receiving corps, he becomes the scapegoat
and Rhett Bomar rides to the rescue.
First game: Saturday vs. TCU. |
11 |
-- |
 |
On pure talent alone,
this team would rank in the top five, but RB Alley Broussard's season-ending
injury wasn't a good sign. And, no disrespect to new coordinator
Bo Pelini,
but something tells me LSU's defense won't be as dominant without
its mastermind.
First game: Saturday vs. North Texas. |
12 |
-- |
 |
With Brian Brohm at
the helm, Bobby Petrino's offense
will light up more scoreboards, but those who think the Cards
will cruise through another season either aren't giving the Big
East enough credit, or are giving C-USA too much credit.
First game: Sunday at Kentucky. |
13 |
-- |
 |
The defense will be dominant
-- juco CB David Irons will
even ease the loss of star Carlos Rogers -- but it will
be interesting to see how coordinator Al Borges reworks
an offense whose strength is no longer its runners, but rather
its receivers.
First game: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech. |
14 |
-- |
 |
The Dawgs, 34-6 the past
three years, feel they're being overlooked, but it's hard to
imagine their defense won't slip a little after
losing renowned coordinator Brian VanGorder and
stars David
Pollack, Thomas Davis and
Odell Thurman.
First game: Saturday vs. Boise State. |
15 |
-- |
 |
The Broncos haven't fared well against SEC foes in the past (losing
32-13 at South Carolina in 2001 and 41-14 at Arkansas in '02),
but the talent level in the program has risen considerably. Enough
to beat Georgia? We'll find out.
Next game: Saturday at Georgia. |
16 |
-- |
 |
There's no question this
team has the pieces for a special season, but it's also a squad
whose once-projected starting tailback
is in jail on a murder charge. ASU's biggest question mark is
whether the Loren Wade fallout
will carry over onto the field.
First game: Thursday vs. Temple. |
17 |
-- |
 |
Raise your hand
if you, like me, are sick of hearing about Purdue's "lucky" schedule.
The Boilermakers beat both Ohio State and Michigan during
their 2000 Rose Bowl season -- and still lost four games. This
won't be a cakewalk.
First game: Sept. 10 vs. Akron. |
18 |
-- |
 |
Just how good is RB Marshawn Lynch?
Jeff Tedford has
instituted special media polices for the guy, and he hasn't even
started a game. Offense certainly won't be a problem for the
reloaded Bears. Defense? That could be another story.
First game: Saturday vs. Sacramento State. |
19 |
-- |
 |
The Bulldogs have not
one, not two, but three tailbacks (Bryson Sumlin,
Wendell Mathis and
Dwayne Wright)
who have gained at least 995 yards in a season. The coaches can't
even flip a coin to decide who should get the ball.
First game: Sept. 10 vs. Weber State. |
20 |
-- |
 |
QB Cody Hodges will
become the third straight fifth-year senior to take the reins
of Mike Leach's powerful
offense. He'll have no shortage of veteran receivers (Jarrett Hicks,
Cody Fuller,
Joel Filani)
at his disposal.
First game: Sept. 10 vs. Florida International. |
21 |
-- |
 |
It appears Drew
Weatherford has won the starting QB job
by default (Xavier Lee went
2-of-17 in a scrimmage and has been hampered by injuries). Look
for the 'Noles to hand off
to Leon Washington and
Lorenzo Booker early
and often.
First game: Monday vs. Miami. |
22 |
-- |
 |
The expectations surrounding Dennis Franchione's third
team seem awfully lofty, considering they lost four of their
last five games a year ago. Reggie McNeal is
poised for a huge year, but he's going to need some help from
the defense.
First game: Saturday at Clemson. |
23 |
-- |
 |
Poor Kansas State. The
Wildcats basically handed over Omar Jacobs to
then Falcons coach Urban Meyer when
the QB was a recruit. Four years later, BGSU is a top 25 team
almost
entirely because of Jacobs, while K-State sure could use him.
First game: Saturday at Wisconsin. |
24 |
-- |
 |
The atmosphere at Heinz
Field should be electric for Dave
Wannstedt's debut,
a prime-time showdown with Charlie
Weis and Notre Dame.
Pitt alums have been craving a return to the glory days; it should
feel
that way for at least
a night.
First game: Saturday vs. Notre Dame. |
25 |
-- |
 |
This one's a vote for
the offensive coordinator. Oregon has been an enigma the past
couple of years. There's little question the
Ducks have the talent, starting with QB Kellen Clemens.
Here's guessing Gary Crowton's spread
attack will better utilize it.
First game: Thursday at Houston. |
