College Football’s 2008 Preseason Rankings? Why Not!
College Football January 9th. 2008, 12:27pm
You know how we were going to wait on next season’s college football rankings? Decided against it. After scanning a dozen teams, it didn’t appear that the loss of any one player could significantly impact next year’s prognostications. (It’s not like Ray Rice and Rutgers were in contention.) Before you wade into the comments pool, you may want to check out Mark Schlabach’s Top 25 – even though we totally disagree with Texas at No. 7, the guy has saved everyone the time of scouring the schedules, and we applaud him for that. Yahoo seems to think USC is the top team next year, but we’d shove the Trojans sixth because they lost so many starters.
1. Georgia. Been saying this for weeks, and now that the school’s president is all for an 8-team playoff, we’re all for the Bulldogs to run the table.
2. Florida. SEC heavy at the top, but the Gators defense can’t be that bad again next year. Right?
3. Ohio State. The bashing of the sweater vest will continue, and it is all warranted. But between returning starters and a weak schedule (plus a heavily-diminished Michigan team), and this is a recipe for a BCS trip. The visit to Wisconsin will be the Big 10 game of the year.
4. Oklahoma. Would have had Texas Tech here (yes, really) since the Red Raiders return many key players, but they must travel to Norman, and we often get crazy with our picks … but there’s no way we’re picking that upset. Bigger postseason choker, Stoops or Sweater Vest?
5. West Virginia. Because the Big East blows. The Mountaineers lose that crazy FB and their top WR, plus many seniors on defense. But the offense should have enough to beat up on that weak league.
Honorable mention: BYU. People (rather, emailers) keep telling us the Cougars are going to be next year’s Hawaii (or Boise State, or Utah). So we probably should show them some love.
66 Responses to “College Football’s 2008 Preseason Rankings? Why Not!”
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January 9th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
TBL loves them some Florida.
Oklahoma is the bigger choker, all of the big games they have lost they were expected to win. At least sweater vest wasn’t expected to win this year.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
SURPRISE! Florida is two!
I personally, think Oklahoma should be dos. However, Florida number two isn’t that bad of a selection.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
You mean you’re not bowing down to the greatness that is USC.
It’s funny. All these USC people in the media bitch that the only reason they didn’t win it all this year was because Booty was hurt and Sanchez didn’t come through. Now Sanchez will have to lead them for an entire season, and they’re 1 or 2 almost everywhere I’ve looked. I don’t get it. Is he going to have an epiphany or something?
January 9th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I don’t know how SC is going to do under Sanchez. I wasn’t overly impressed with his play this year. Then again, it was the first real action the kid saw. If he fails, they always have Mitch Mustain to fall back on. Hang on, WTF?!
SC also has the Arkansas WR transfer eligible to play next year too (I can’t think of his name), that might solve their WR needs. If not, they always have Reggie Bush 2.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I think it will be a down year for USC. They are going lose an absolute TON from that great defense.
I can’t think West Virginia is going to be all that great with the new coach. It could be interesting.
While LSU’s defense won’t be nearly as good, their offense could be absolutely explosive next year.
I like Clemson as a sleeper and BYU to crash the BCS.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
USC makes more sense being Top 5 then Ohio St. Being that the Buckeyes have to play USC and more then likely get hammered
January 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
agreed. georgia no. 1. not sure about florida. i’d say no. 2 is usc.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
your love for florida is beyond disturbing.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Looks like Mallet is transferring from Michigan. Didn’t fit the new coach’s system anyways.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
As a fan, I think putting LSU on the bottom half of the top ten is about right. Sure, they lose a ton, espeically on defense. But they have had outstanding recruiting classes, and they are as loaded with reserves on defense as USC is at running back. Perrilloux replacing Flynn will not be a huge loss, provided Perrilloux can stay out of trouble. But when you have to play Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas, you’re bound to lose at least two of them. And they probably won’t be as lucky as they were this year with everybody ahead of them losing.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
A better top 5:
1. Georgia – too much talent.
2. Oklahoma – talent and a quarterback.
3. USC – talent and a potentially promising QB in Sanchez.
4. Missouri – a quarterback, and a lot of key returners from a 12-2 squad.
5. Florida – Tebow with a running back, and Major Wright for a full year in the secondary.
Common theme? quarterback. Georgia’s going to lose to Florida.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
i really dont think all the osu bashing is warranted this time…last yr yes but people forget that everyone picked osu to be 3rd or 4th on the b10 this yr. just the way cfb shook out we made it in. the game was not a blowout (14 pts). and things could have gone very differently if it werent for that roughing call…however
i think the only was osu makes it to the bcs is they have to either go undefeated, including beating usc (@usc) handily and the rest of the b10 needs to show up…wisky psu illi and um have to play well. it sucks because i thought the buckeyes would be ready to contend this coming season and thats still the case but losing back to back doesnt help
January 9th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I know I’m a homer, but PSU should have something to say about the Big 10 outcome as well, with 18 of 22 starters back. To top it off, our biggest problem (Morelli) is one of the 4 leaving.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Not that rankings during the season are meaningless enough, but rankings 8 months before the new season starts? Yech.
On with College Basketball already, TBL! Conference season is upon us.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I don’t get why there’s no love for Florida. They started 8 freshmen and sophomores on defense this year, and if they improve even a little, their offense should carry them enough.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
What no Syracuse? I’m in shock.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
USC makes more sense being Top 5 then Ohio St. Being that the Buckeyes have to play USC and more then likely get hammered
I agree, but I also believe that Ohio State is more likely to run the table after USC, than USC is to go undefeated.
And that is only becacause nobody in the Big Ten can compete with them.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
The best OSU can hope for next year is a rematch with USC at the Rosebowl.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
no way YYSA thats 3 usc games in 2 yrs for those teams…i will pass
January 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
That OSU-USC game is early in the season, and OSU returns more than USC does, thus the OSU pick.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
buckeyes back to the fiesta bowl
January 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
KC – Two college hoops posts coming.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
despite graduation at the two positions, penn state doesn’t lose their top qb or top running back. with a depleted michigan at home penn state could be a sleeper.
will the lions FINALLY break that michigan curse???
January 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I actually think people are a bit high on Georgia. Granted they ended the season on a strong note, but I think their talent is far overstated. Yeah, Moreno is a stud, and he’ll be great, but Stafford has been extremely inconsistent (although he did improve this year), and they don’t exactly have playmakers at receiver. I think a lot of people are salivating over them based on the fact they destroyed a vastly overmatched Hawaii team, where just about any other upper tier SEC team would have done the same (Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Auburn, etc.). They are going to be solid, but I really don’t see them being that much better than most of the other perennial SEC teams. It’ll be a tough SEC season like always. I know that this season leads into next season, so I totally understand the rankings, I just don’t think they are amazingly talented like everyone else thinks.
Oh, and I hear Mallett is transferring with his QB coach to TN. Go vols.s
January 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I love it. Oklahoma and Ohio State in position once again to embarass themselves in a BCS championship game. How quickly we forget.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
How quickly we forget.
I don’t think it’s that we forget. It’s that we look at their schedules and realize that they’re going 11-1 again next year. As long as we have the system we have, they’ll be back near the top.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Don’t forget Georgia has to come to Tempe…..christ, we’re going to get rolled….I mean they better watch out.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Weak Schedule for OSU next season? The second game of the year OSU is at USC
January 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
OSU bashing was totally warranted this year, it was a rebuilding year after all. but next year, its fucking on.
/delusion
January 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Good games next year:
OSU @ USC
Auburn @ West Virginia
Florida vs. Georgia
Georgia @ Arizona St.
Texas @ Arkansas
Missouri vs. Illinos
Virginia Tech @ Nebraska
Clemson vs. Alabama
Penn St. vs. Oregon St.
Oklahoma only plays Cincinnati and @ Washington, so they might be the favorite to run the table.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Can’t you just put the same ten teams into a hat every year (Florida, USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, etc.) and draw to decide a pre-season Top Ten?
January 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I have to start working to get tickets to Nebraska at Virginia Tech in 09′
January 9th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Doesn’t that make Michigan #1.5? Sweet. Once Mallet transfers and Pryor becomes the next Maize & Blue QB phenom we will be all set.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Roethlishotdog, you stole my post before I could write it.
I’m shocked that UGA alum Schlabach picked them #1. I believe that is what the kids call homer.
UGA always blows it, only when they are under the radar are they good, expectations kill them. This amazing 7 game win streak included only 2 decent teams, FLA when TBoner was hurt and an average Auburn team. I know squeaking by Vandy and Troy and blowing out Hawaii is impressive though.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
osu returns the players who just got dickwhipped, and obviously the motivation card wasnt enough to overcome their lack of big time talent, why would it be any different next year. if laurinitis leaves theyre done
January 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Coop–when has UGA blown it? And the only time in recent history that I recall them having huge expectations and not living up to them was 2000.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
There are stories out there that suggest that that Pete Carroll and the Falcons are talking. I have two points:
1. Hey Pete, why don’t you just come out and say that you want USC to give you a raise instead of going through the whole dog-and-pony show?
2. Hey Arthur Blank, how many times do you need to be fucked over before you learn your lesson?
January 9th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
moleman…yea, because teams don’t change year to year.
this was a REBUILDING year for OSU, they were supposed to be the 4th best team in the big 10 not national champ contenders. its not their fault every other team choked away their chance.
fuck this shit annoys the crap out of me. LSU was healthy and it wouldve been hard for any team to matchup against them, not just OSU.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
if byu fans think being next years hawaii is a good thing (beat shit teams, get stomped by a good one), then theyre probably dumb enough to be mormon
wait it makes sense now
January 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
rebuilding started out ranked in the top ten. yeah okay.
if those players play against a team nearly as good as lsu next year (lets say uga for shits and giggles) they will lose.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
atlantasportsfan, when was the last time they won anything? Since 1985 UGA has lost 3+ almost every year.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
UGA won the SEC in 2002 and 2005.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Spencer, he does have a point. Look at the BCSNCG appearances:
Ohio State: 3
Florida State: 3
Oklahoma: 3
LSU: 2
USC: 2
Miami: 2
four teams (all elite programs from major conferences): 1
Sixteen potential spots have been taken up by 10 teams. There is a better than 50/50 chance that one of the two teams that gets there has been there before. This year both were. Those are pretty good odds.
In fact, there has only been one year outside of the first where neither team has been there before (Miami and Nebraska).
January 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
OSU started off ranked 12 behind Wis, Penn State, and Meeechigan.
awesome prediction there bro, youre full of some great insight.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Correction on the math: Five teams have been once, and eighteen potential spots. But the argument remains the same.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
jgp…i agree with all that. im just saying its fucking bullshit to say that OSU shouldnt be there by default. if they go through the course of the season and earn a spot there, they deserve to get in regardless of what has happened in the recent past.
im not predicting a NC appearance for OSU next year (if anything, i just hope we win a game) but moleman is an idiot and i took offense.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
no they didnt. they were ten and eleven in the polls (cannot remember which was which) to start the season and psu was 17 and 18.
bro
January 9th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Lots to cover . . .
Bob Stoops is such a choker. His defenses continually decline without his brother coaching them and his offense always lays a duck against a defense they should kick the crap out of. However, as much as I hate to admit, Demarco Murray could be the next Darren McFadden. The team went down when he tore his knee. But when he’s running the show next season, look out.
USC – I also wasn’t impressed with Sanchez but you have to look back at his game. His first road test was @ Oregon in what is probably the loudest stadium in college. He kept them in that game till he made that rookie interception trying to force the ball into double coverage. If push comes to shove, I’d take him over Mustain any day of the week. If they can keep Mualuaga (sp?) and Cushing, there defense should be just enough to get them back to a NC game.
Ohio State will dominate the Big 10 and won’t get elected to the NC game for the sheer fact they no one wants to see the Sweater Vest take a pie to the face for a third straight season. That would that happen . . .
Because I’m slurping the Georgia kool-aid too.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
whoa whoa whoa im not saying they should be precluded or anything, if they go through the season like they did in the past two years and are in the top two spots then yes they should be in the game, im just saying i dont think they will be. i wouldnt be shocked by a rose bowl appearance though, depending alot on what michigan and illinois do. osu is a good team and yes returning all those players is great, but i just think there is a rather large gap between them and the best teams in the country
January 9th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Coop–that’s not what I said…and it’s not what you said. You said “UGA always blows it…expectations kill them.” I’m just asking you to back it up. Unless, of course, you’re just another spineless internet commenter, making dumbfuck comments that you can’t back up.
Oh, and what, exactly, does UGA’s record in 1985 have to do with 2008?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
moleman…yea, sorry, youre right about PSU. and sorry for getting pissed, the last 2 days have really sucked major ass.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
understandable
if they lose to usc and go through the big ten unscathed i could maybe see that happening, but if they beat usc it wont matter even if the big ten has a down season. the writers love the big schools too much to keep a team like osu out of the title game if theyre in position for it
granted there was someone dumb enough to give hawaii a first place vote, so who knows
January 9th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Well I am all of those things, and thank you for bringing the conversation to booger eater level, please return to the espn message boards. I’m guessing at some point during the past 20 years they were expected to compete for a championship (’04 ranked #3 in preseason), I don’t see one.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
they didnt get a title in 04 but either did auburn and they went undefeated, did they blow it too?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
btw georgia has the number 2 recruiting class in the nation
January 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Once again, you’ve been spared the wrath of Percy Harvin.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Dude, I made an offhand comment that it seems to me that UGA has good years when they are supposed to be down (this year) and tends to lose a few games that they should win when they are supposed to be great. Now you’re breaking out recruiting class rankings, seriously, espn message boards miss you.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Coop–yeah, I probably took it too far. It’s just a pet peeve of mine when people say stuff on the internet that has no basis (yeah, I know that’s 99% of the internet). I’m a UGA grad and lifelong fan, so I’m over-sensitive. Sorry.
UGA has had maybe one or two years over the last 20 where they were expected to compete for a championship. That hardly qualifies as blowing it…that puts them in a group with about 50 other teams.
I like the Homer avatar.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
that wasnt in reference to what you said, just in regards to them being good in general
January 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
The other Arkansas transfer for USC is Damian Williams. If he comes back 100% from his shoulder surgery he will start next year.
I will also say Sanchez may start the season at QB for USC but Mustain will finish the season and will take them places. You have to remember Mustain is a winner, he has NEVER lost a college game as a starter and he had little to no QB coaching on the college level until he got to USC. Houston Nutt is just figuring out the whole idea of a forward pass…
January 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
No worries moleman/atl, I went to Penn State, I wish we had expectations to blow…
January 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
i feel you. as an appalachian alumni who goes to grad school at penn state i must say i really feel sorry for them not being able to beat michigan ever. not in the OMG WE BEAT THEM AND YOU CANT LOLOLOLZ sense, but in the fact that when asu beat them everyone there was certain it was their year to take them down. alas.
and is mitch mustain’s switch from arkansas to usc is anything like dave mustaine’s switch from metallica to megadeth, theyll be fine
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
moleman…megadeth rocks. rust in peace is in the top 10 albums of all time list fo sho.
lets just hope mitch mustain’s trip to USC doesnt end up like one of dave mustaine’s 16 trips to rehab.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I never thought I’d see a Dave Mustaine reference on here…wow–good one
January 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Damn it. I missed this post and now my comments are irrelevant. But I’m at work, so, I’m still typing them.
Yeah UGA and UF are going to be the show on paper. But guess what, they have to play each other…throw in LSU and Auburn and Tennessee, etc. and yikes those schedules are ridiculous. No way UGA runs the table. Every year that goes by, that 2004 Auburn team looks better and better.
January 10th, 2008 at 3:12 am
What Ohio State’s three superstar defensive junior players (DE Vernon Gholston, LB James Laurinaitis, and CB Malcolm Jenkins) opt to do on coming back or heading to the NFL should have a big impact on how high Ohio State will be ranked going into the 2008 season.