USC-Ohio State and Michigan-Notre Dame Preview

#4 USC vs. #8 Ohio State

Last season, USC embarrassed the Buckeyes in the Coliseum, 35-3. They had no answer for the Trojan offense and couldn’t seem to get anything going when they had the ball. This season, it’s all about redemption, with Terrelle Pryor leading a determined OSU team against a freshman led USC team in the Horse Shoe, where few get out alive. Ohio State’s fans all remember last year, and they won’t let Matt Barkley forget this one. The noise will be deafening as he starts his first career road game. Luckily for him, he has a stable of running backs, and the best offensive line in the country to rely on. Ohio State showed some weaknesses against the run when Navy was in town, so they better get that cleaned up before the Trojans get to Columbus. The Buckeyes on the other hand, will be leaning on Pryor to provide a spark on offense. He will use his new found throwing ability to get the ball to his play makers, however, his biggest gains will come from broken plays where he uses his legs.

USC will win if…They can contain Terrelle Pryor and keep that run game going. Even though Barkley is a great freshman at quarterback, the 19 year old will have a tough time if he’s forced to throw too much. USC will have to beat the Big 10 in it’s own game: Pounding the football. Ohio State’s defensive line should be a strength this season, so the USC offensive line will have their full.

Ohio State will win if…Terrelle Pryor goes Vince Young on the Trojans. I’m sure Pete Carroll still has nightmares about that National Title game where Young ran wild on the Trojan defense. Similarly, Jim Tressell is envisioning a game like that for Pryor. He’s not the only weapon on the Ohio State offense, but he’ll need help to get by USC’s speedy linebackers…and Taylor Mays.

The Pick: USC wins…big

#18 Notre Dame vs. Michigan

The pas two meetings have been lopsided affairs for each side. In 2007, Michigan rocked the Irish 38-0 and sacked Jimmy Clausen 8 times. Then last season, it was Notre Dame who got the last laugh, beating the Wolverines 35-17. This seasons showdown in the Big House is more about the coaches then it is the players; Rich Rodriguez vs. Charlie Weis. This is a much win game for both coaches, as a loss would send both team’s seasons downhill, fast. Weis is BCS or bust this season and a loss to Michigan would make it extremely difficult to reach a BCS bowl game this year. Both teams seemed to have turned the corner, so a loss would devastate morale on both sides. Michigan will look towards its secondary to take Michael Floyd and Golden Tate, the nations most dynamic receiving duo, out of the game. While Notre Dame will try and rattle the young Wolverine quarterbacks.

Michigan will win if…They can pressure Jimmy Clausen. If he’s worried about getting his jersey dirty all afternoon, he’ll have a bad day. He’s always struggled on the road and if Michigan’s Brandon Graham, a pass rush specialist, can rattle him, it’ll be a long day in the Big House.

Notre Dame will win if…It shuts down Michigan’s run game and forces their quarterbacks to throw. Denard Robinson is too a raw a passer to really be trusted throwing the football, but if he’s forced too, it won’t be pretty. Notre Dame’s defense loves to blitz, so look for them to be sending linebackers all afternoon, and forcing the young Wolverine quarterbacks into mistakes. If Michigan’s offensive line can’t hold up, t hen Notre Dame will come away with a W.

The Pick: It’s an extremely close game, but Michigan is a different team in the friendly confines of the Big House, where they will narrowly beat the Irish.

Pac-10 Week One: What We Learned

1. The Huskies are for real: LSU rolled into Seattle with a bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic football team, however, the Huskies put up better offensive numbers in all categories than the Tigers. Freshman running back Chris Polk had 90 yards on the ground, totaling 157 yards for the team. For the first time in years, other players besides Jake Locker made big offensive plays, and the defense looked pretty solid, minus the secondary. If the Huskies learn to convert better in the red zone, and eliminate some easy mistakes, they will be an exponentially improved Pac 10 team that will surely make the next up in the Pac 10 and have some upsets.

2. Cal’s passing game may have turned the corner: There was much apprehension (including this writer’s) this season about Cal being able to have a balanced offensive attack. Most, if not all doubts about the Bear’s quarterback play and ability of the receivers was erased Saturday evening when Kevin Riley completed 65% of his passes for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. Heisman hopeful Jahvid Best had a stellar day with 137 yards and two scores. The Bear defense was solid as well, holding the Terrapins to just 13 points. The Bears might just have enough to take down the mighty men of Troy this season, and if not, give them a run for their money.

3. Oregon is hurting: The Pac-10’s reputation was hurt sorely when Oregon was man handled by Boise St. on the blue turf on Thursday night. It was a messy affair for the Ducks who’s new head coach, Chip Kelley, couldn’t seem to get it going. Arguably their best player, Legarette Blount, is out for the season after taking a swing a Boise St. player who was trash talking him after the game. It seems as if the substantial losses on both lines are going to hurt even more than expected, making it hard on Jeremiah Masoli to pick up where he left off from last years stellar Holiday Bowl performance.

4. Young Quarterbacks make their names heard: Matt Barkley at USC, Matt Scott at Arizona, Andrew Luck at Stanford, and Kevin Prince at UCLA all made their collegiate quarterback debuts, and had all around solid days. The true freshman, sophomore, and two redshirt freshmen together completed 63% of their passes, but only for 3 touchdowns, and getting picked off 3 times. These young signal callers still made some mistakes, but all appeared to have impressive outings during Week 1. They all appear to have bright futures ahead them in what is traditionally a pass oriented conference.

5. Oregon State’s rebuilt secondary might be just that…rebuilt: Even though the Beavers won decisively against Portland State 34-7, they were still gashed for 274 passing yards. The same Portland State team that lost to Washington State last season 48-9, had a very impressive day throwing the ball against a rebuilt Oregon State defensive backfield. The Beavers had better get their secondary Pac 10 ready before conference play starts or else teams are going to have easy times through the air against the Beavers.

By Jeff Gorman

Scouting The Sports Contributor

College Football: Surprises and Disapointments

Surprise Teams

1. Arkansas:

Michigan transfer Ryan Mallet lines up under center for the Razorbacks, and is a natural fit in Coach Bobby Petrino’s offense. If he outplays his inexperience, he could be a real star in college. He’s a prototypical NFL quarterback, and a good pocket passer. Michael Smith is a great running back who ran for 1,100 yards last season, including 630 in four games against Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn and Kentucky. DJ Williams is a top tight end, and London Crawford is a pretty good receiver. I think that new defensive coordinator Willy Robinson will whip the defense into shape, and really shock some people. Petrino is a great coach, and I look for Arkansas to finish the season at least 7-5, and make some noise in the SEC West.

2. Baylor:

New head coach Art Brile’s has brought a winning attitude and good coaching with him from Houston. Last season, the Bears went 0-3 in games decided by a touchdown or less, if they won those games, a 7 win season would have happened. The Bears have reason to be optimistic because of Sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin, who threw for 15 touchdowns and rushed for another 13…all with only 3 picks. Defensively, linebacker Joe Pawelek was the only player last season to rank in the top 10 nationally in tackles and interceptions. If they beat Wake Forest and Connecticut and start 2-0, the Bears will win at least 7.

3. Michigan:

Rich Rod’s teams always improve in year two; see Tulane and West Virginia. I am not using that as my only basis as to why Michigan will improve, but it only makes sense that his explosive, yet complicated offense takes at least a year to set in. They have good receivers and one of the Big 10’s best backs in Brandon Minor. Kevin Koger is also a star in the making at TE. The offensive line returns all 5 starters, which is good, but also unsettling because they struggled with new complicated and more “athletic” blocking schemes. Some position changes (Like Steve Schilling’s move to his natural position at guard) and a year of conditioning will make this a solid group. The line backers on defense are very good, and the secondary will look to Donavon Warren for leadership. The defensive line has to break in 3 new starters, but potential All American end Brandon Graham will disrupt backfields all season.

4. Clemson:

Clemson’s defense is stacked with experienced players who know how to play great defense. The linebackers are great, with Brandon Maye holding down the middle, with Scotty Cooper and Kavell Connor on his flanks. The defensive line is very strong, with Da’Quan Bowers emerging as the ACC’s best past rusher. Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler give the Tigers arguably the best cornerback tandem in the country, and DeAndre McDaniel is a real playmaker at safety. Offensively, CJ Spiller gives them a running back who is a legit All American candidate, running behind a veteran offensive line. Even though the line was blamed for most of Clemson’s struggles last season, G Thomas Austin is one the best in the ACC and will open up plenty of holes for Spiller. They do need someone who can throw the ball, and receivers who can catch. Even if the passing game isn’t top notch, a fantastic defense, and strong running game could propel them into the ACC Championship game. That is, if they can get by Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

5. Rutgers:

This could be the season for Rutgers. They have a strong offensive line, a good go-to receiver, and four running backs who combined for 1,500 yards, all of which should help settle in new quarterback Domenic Natale. Left tackle Anthony Davis is one of the best in the country and will protect Natale’s blind side, along with the four other returning starters on the line. The defense is stout as well, with good linebackers leading the way. Even though two new tackles need to be broken in, the ends are strong, led by Alex Silvestro. With a wide open Big East, and a favorable schedule, I look for the Scarlet Knights to be a dark horse in the Big East race.

Disappointments

1. Cal:

Don’t get me wrong, the Golden Bears will go bowling this season, but they won’t get 2nd place in the Pac 10, like the media has tabbed them. Too much is put on running back Javhid Best, who is the best back in the country, but has durability issues; he’s never been fully healthy a whole season in Berkley. Cal won’t stay #12 in the country without a pass game, either. Quarterback Kevin Riley is spotty, at best, and so are the receivers. Additionally, the offensive line could take a large step back without Alex Mack at center, as many teams do when the line’s anchor leaves. Replacing Zach Follet and the rest of the linebackers won’t be easy, either. I’m picking Cal 4th in the Pac 10, behind the Ducks and Beavers, and to finish the season not in the top 20, or possibly not in the top 25 at all.

2. Nebraska:

Even though I have high hopes for the Cornhuskers, there’s also plenty of reason to worry about them. I think Bo Pelini will do a great job at Nebraska, but a return to prominence might be a year away. Losing their quarterback and top wide receivers will be problematic, and a tough road schedule against Colorado, Missouri, and Kansas isn’t helping. Not to mention they also play Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. Their mediocre defense has some building blocks to work with, but needs to improve if the Cornhuskers expect to stay ranked.

3. Texas Tech:

Even though the Red Raiders aren’t in my Top 25, they appear in many as a popular 20-25 pick. Losing Graham Harell and Michael Crabtree is a huge loss, and the offensive line graduated some great linemen. The schedule is daunting as well; at Texas, at Nebraska, at Oklahoma State, and at Houston, which is no gimme. The secondary is of concern as well, and that does not bode well for the Red Raiders in a pass happy Big 12. I’m saying 6-7 wins this year, which after a Cotton Bowl appearance is a big disappointment.

4. North Carolina:

North Carolina had an excellent season last year in Butch Davis’s 2nd season with the Heels. He’s a very good coach, and fields a strong defense, but the offense is in question. TJ Yates is a good quarterback, but he has unproven options to throw to. Last seasons success on offense had a lot to do with Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate, and Brooks Foster. Davis had recruited well at the wide receiver position, but they won’t duplicate last seasons success. Their defense will win them games, but last years 8-5 finish probably won’t happen again. The fact is, the rest of the ACC is improved this season, leaving the Tar Heels behind. With the expectations many have on UNC, I think 6 wins would be a big let down.

5. BYU:

The Cougars have a solid backfield of Harvey Unga, and Max Hall. Unga rushed for 1,100 yards last season and Hall threw for nearly 4,000. However, the offensive line returns just one starter, who is a sophomore. If the line cannot come together, then Max Hall and Harvey Unga won’t be able to showcase their talents. The defense also needs a lot of work in the secondary as last year they only had 9 interceptions. They should be okay upfront, however, depth at linebacker and defensive line is cause for concern. Their opener against Oklahoma at a neutral site will probably be their third straight loss, dating back to last season. A slow start like that is not going to help a BYU team looking for momentum going into the 2009 season.

By: Jeff Gorman

Contributor for Scouting The Sports

Heisman Trophy Watch List – Ten Guys Who Could Crash The Party

Has there ever been pre-season Heisman talk in recent memory that was so predictable? It’s like we’re subconsciously trained to hear the word Heisman and immediately spit out, “Tebow, Bradford, McCoy.” It’s the cool thing to do nowadays to pick one of those guys and pretend like you’re saying something no one else has thought of. These three guys have become the face of college football, and rightfully so, but they haven’t played a single football game in 2009, and yet society has deemed them locks for the most prestigious award in college football.

The thing that no one seems to be acknowledging, is that there is always someone who crashes the party. Just look back on the past five or six years.  In 2003 Jason White won the Heisman. Jason White!  In 2002, just one season earlier, White completed 20 passes. He threw more interceptions (2) than touchdowns (1). The next year he was the best player in college football.

Think of 2007, when Dennis Dixon was the front runner for the award barring an injury. Then he got injured. Dixon had just 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2006 in a year where he couldn’t even establish himself as the clear-cut starter.  Then 2007 happened, and he almost won the Heisman.

The point is that there are players out there who you haven’t heard about, who might be poised to make a run at the Heisman. Below are 10 players who just might crash the party, some playing on teams you didn’t even know existed.

For the purposes of this article, I have removed some players from consideration. Eric Berry and Taylor Mays are both phenomenal football players, but considering only 1 defensive player has won the award since 1950 (Charles Woodson), I don’t like their odds. I have also purposefully omitted Jahvid Best from my list as well, because although he hasn’t reached Tebow/Bradford/McCoy status, he’s definitely in that conversation, and I’m looking for players who may have flown under the radar thus far. That being said, here are my 10:

1) Dez Bryant (WR – Oklahoma St,) – Bryant begins 2009 as the hands-down favorite for the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s top WR. Bryant finished last season with an astonishing 1,480 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns, along with two kicks returned for touchdowns. Helping Bryant’s cause is the return of quarterback Zac Robinson for the Cowboys, who begin the season as a team many people think might surprise the nation because of Bryant’s emergence as a top flight threat. After Bryant’s 167 yard performance in last year’s Holiday Bowl, the proof is there that Bryant and Robinson are poised to put up some filthy numbers, numbers that just might earn him a spot in New York for the trophy presentation.

2) Jonathan Dwyer (RB – GT) – Dwyer is coming off a season in which he recorded almost 1,400 yards rushing to go along with 12 touchdowns, but probably most impressive was his absurd 7.0 yards per carry. In a weak ACC conference, Dwyer could garner all of the conference attention and sneak into the Heisman conversation. Dwyer is a huge back at 6’1”, 235, but still has the ability to make people miss.  Last season, Dwyer was given the chance to prove himself against the Georgia Bulldogs’ imposing defense, and he exploded for 144 yards and two touchdowns on just twenty carries.  Given Bobby Johnson’s high-powered option offense, Dwyer will be the face of an exciting Yellow Jacket team, and should get plenty of national attention down in Atlanta.

3) Jerry Hughes (DE – TCU) – Given what I said about Taylor Mays and Eric Berry, I don’t like Hughes’ odds of winning this award, but considering his general anonymity, I felt his name was worth including. Hughes finished last season with 15 sacks, and even had two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown) while highlighting a TCU team with a defense ranked among the nations top units. Hughes’ 15 sacks led the nation, as did his six forced fumbles, which garnered him All-American honors as a junior, and cemented him as a player to watch in 2009.

4) Jeremiah Masoli (QB – Ore.) – Since Chip Kelly has taken over the Ducks offense two years ago, the offensive numbers put up across all positions has been absolutely mind boggling. That being said, Masoli is the first quarterback who will get more than one season of experience under Kelly’s schemes, which could translate into Heisman-esque numbers. Masoli is almost a west coast version of Tim Tebow, as a quarterback who can throw and run, but runs with as much power as he does speed (ask this Oklahoma St. defensive back). In his last three games last season after getting a few games under his belt as a starter, Masoli threw for 830 yards with 248 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns and only one interception. Dennis Dixon surprised a lot of people two seasons ago under Chip Kelly, and with running back LaGarette Blount, tight end Ed Dickson, and a talented core of receivers, Masoli is ready to burst onto the national scene in a big way.

5) Terrelle Pryor (QB – OSU) – The number one quarterback prospect of two years ago enters his second season with well-deserved high expectations after an exceptional freshman year. Pryor threw only 4 interceptions along with 12 touchdowns, while rushing for six more with over 600 yards on the ground. All this to say, his high school highlight videos weren’t a fluke. The big story surrounding Pryor at the moment is the report that he ran a 4.33 40 yard dash several months ago, and because his coaches and teammates seem willing to back up the story, defensive coordinators should be worried. This year may be another growing season for Pryor, but considering Bradford, Tebow, and McCoy all burst onto the scene in their sophomore seasons, look for Pryor to follow suit.

6) Noel Devine (RB – WVU) – Anyone who has seen Devine play can’t help but gawk at his speed and agility. Plain and simple, the guy makes people look stupid. At 5’8”, 175, Devine is nearly impossible for defenders to catch, as evidenced by his career yards per carry average of just under seven yards per attempt. One more year removed from the Rich Rodriguez fiasco, West Virginia’s program is in make or break territory, and with a relatively weak Big East conference, look for Devine to lead the Mountaineers back into contention for the conference title. Even if his numbers aren’t as spectacular as other backs, Devine will make America fall in love with him as soon as they get the chance to see this guy play.

7) Todd Reesing (QB – Kansas) – Reesing has had two consecutive stellar seasons as quarterback for the Jayhawks, and as Kansas returns one of the Big 12’s better offenses, 2009 should be no different. One advantage Reesing has (or maybe a disadvantage) is that he gets to face off with both Bradford and McCoy this season, and if he can make a big splash in both of those games, he will be impossible to ignore. Look for Reesing to put up Graham Harrell type numbers this season, and fill the void Harrell left as the conference’s third-best quarterback, which may seem like an insult until you consider who numbers one and two are.

8) Golden Tate (WR – ND) – I would probably give this guy the award simply for having the best name in sports. If Notre Dame is going to return to prominence, Jimmy Clausen is going to need a lot of help, and Tate might be the all-around player to fit the bill. Tate is a dynamic receiver and returner, who totaled over 1,700 all purpose yards last season with 11 touchdowns as only a sophomore. Given the game that Jimmy Clausen had in last season’s Hawaii Bowl, it looks like he has figured everything out, with only four incompletions all game (most of those being drops). Tate had 177 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in that game, a stat line that may become a common occurrence in 2009

9) Case Keenum (QB –UH) – This guy will benefit the most from the University of Hawaii syndrome, where a quarterback puts up ridiculous numbers in a small conference and gets himself in the national conversation. Although not a Hawaii product like Brennan and Timmy Chang, Keenum has put up some serious numbers down in Houston that are starting to turn some heads. In 2008, Keenum threw for over 5,000 yards with 44 touchdowns, and these numbers could actually improve with the return of numerous running backs and receivers to Houston this season. While his odds are small, and his numbers will always get discounted as coming against weak competition (rightfully so), numbers this big are hard to ignore.

10) MiQuale Lewis (RB – Ball St.) – Lewis just might be the running back version of Case Keenum this season. Running for Ball St. is a great way to rack up enormous numbers while attracting swarms of national doubters. Last season Lewis ran for over 1,700 yards with 22 touchdowns to go along with over 300 yards receiving. Lewis is built similarly to Noel Devine, coming in at 5’7”, causing many to wonder how he would fare against BCS conference talent, but if Lewis manages to put up close to 2,000 yards rushing this season, who knows what could happen.

So there they are, 10 guys who may not be household names now, but are poised to burst out of their shell of anonymity.  While the odds may still be high that someone with the last name Tebow, Bradford, McCoy, or Best could walk away with hardware in New York, at the very least this article gave you 10 more chances at college football wisdom.  So bookmark this article, and 5 months from now, just turn back, scroll down, and admire.

By Jeff Spiegel

Scouting The Sports Contributor

PREVIEW: College Football Top 25 Power Rankings

#1 Florida: Florida comes into the season as the favorite to win the BCS title, with all 11 defensive starters returning on an absolutely outstanding unit, headlined by middle linebacker Brandon Spikes. The rest of the defense isn’t too shabby, either. The departures of Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy are a hit to the receiving corps, but tight end Aaron Hernandez is a star, and receivers Deonte Thompson and Riley Cooper should step up to the challenge. Quarterback Tim Tebow is a proven winner and phenomenal team leader and should bring the Gators to their 3rd National title in 4 years, if they can get by LSU at night in Death Valley.

#2 Texas: Colt McCoy leads the Longhorns into the season as National Championship contenders, having completed nearly %77 of his passes last season. With Jordan Shipley returning, a 1,000 yard receiver last year, the air attack should be one of the best in the country. The biggest question mark is at running back, because McCoy cannot lead the team in rushing again and expect to win a title. All eyes are on Vondrell McGee, who had a solid spring. On defense Sergio Kindle’s permanent move from outside linebacker to defensive end should help fill the void left by Brian Orakpo. Did I mention all five offensive linemen are returning?

#3 Oklahoma: Another Big 12 team, another great quarterback in Sam Bradford. The reigning Heisman trophy winner will have to play behind an offensive line with only 1 returning starter in Trent Williams, but will have Jermaine Gresham, the best tight end in the country, to throw to. Returning running backs DeMarco Murry and Chris Brown both rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and will help to carry over Oklahoma’s high powered offensive attack from last season. On defense, the whole line comes back, led by 1st Team All American Gerald McCoy. Linebackers Travis Lewis and Ryan Reynolds lead what should be an improved defense from last season.

#4 USC: Every year USC loses players to the NFL, and every year Pete Carroll reloads, not rebuilds. They have the best offensive line in the country with a potential All American guard, Jeff Buyers. Returning running backs include C.J. Gable, Joe McKnight, and Stafon Johnson, who combined for over 1,900 yards last season. Damien Williams is an all Pac 10 receiver who should contend for for All American this season. All of that should help take pressure off first year starter at quarter Aaron Corp. September 12th at Ohio State should be a real test for this young QB. On defense, the whole front seven is reloaded, but Chris Galippo is a star in the making at outside linebacker. Coaches are not worried, saying this years unit is going to faster that last years. The secondary returns Taylor Mays who is the best safety in the country, and is also the fastest, and most feared hitter on the Trojan defense.

#5 Alabama: The whole offense must be retooled, but sophomore-to-be Julio Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the country. He is going to relied upon much more heavily this season than last, lining up on the outside, as well as in the slot. Greg McElroy will have start his career behind an inexperienced line, but with Jones, and a good group of running backs, the Tide’s offense all rests squarely on the shoulders of the line and how quickly they can come together. The run stuffing Terrence Cody, the hard hitting Rolando McClain, and the exciting Javier Arenas are leaders on their respective strong levels of the defense. Rashad Johnson’s leadership (and interceptions for that matter) will be missed, but there are not many glaring weaknesses on the Tide’s defense. The opener against Virginia Tech will be a tough matchup, however the rest of the schedule is workable with the exception of the road game at Ole Miss, which could very well decide who wins the SEC West.

#6 Virginia Tech: The Hokies are Tyrod Taylor’s team now, and he’s good. His running ability is unquestioned, but he’s an unproved passer and has young receivers to throw to. The passing attack must improve if the Hokies are to be successful this season. Darren Evans, coming off a fabulous freshman season will be part a strong backfield with Taylor. Tech always has strong defenses led by coordinator Bud Foster. End Jason Worilds is one of the best pass rushers in the nation and Stephan Virgil is the leader in a good secondary. The linebackers aren’t bad, either, with Barquell Rivers anchoring the middle, and aiming for 100 tackles this season.

#7 Ohio State: Quarterbacked by one of the elite duel threats in the country, Terelle Pryor, the Buckeyes have their sights set on another Big 10 championship. The only true offensive weakness is the receiving corps. Pryor is said to have improved his passing, but won’t have anyone to throw to if a go to guy doesn’t emerge. Sophomore Devier Posey is the leading candidate. At running back, Dan Herron and Brandon Saine provide a good combination of speed and toughness. Losing Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis hurts, and there will be a learning curve with new linebackers Ross Homan and Tyler Moeller. The defensive line will be one of the best in the Big 10 as Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson are excellent pass rushers.

#8 LSU: Last season the Tiger’s defense severely underachieved, but this season there is reason to be optimistic; the hiring John Chavis as the sole defensive coordinator, as opposed to the co-coordinator system previously in place should send LSU back their old mean and nasty defense. The secondary and linebackers are both solid, but the defensive line lacks depth and has only real star, Rahim Alem. On offense there are fewer question marks with an impressive backfield of Jordon Jefferson and Charles Scott. Scott rushed for 1,100 yards last season and contends for All American honors this year. Jefferson, if nothing else, will provide stability to the quarterback position which gave the Tigers nothing but problems last year. His great performance last season in the Chick-fil-A Bowl provides hope for improved play this year, along with a strong offensive line. New comers QB Russell Shepard and WR Rueben Randle are so talented, they’ll find their way onto the field one way or another as the Bayou Bengals try to win a wide open SEC West.

#9 Penn State: Penn State will rely on it’s offensive backfield, and linebackers to carry them to a Big 10 title this season; that is, if they can fend off the Buckeyes. Running back Evan Royster combined with Quarterback Deryll Clark will create the best backfield in the conference. The offensive line lost three starters, but should be fine. Wide receiver is where the real question marks are. All three top receivers are gone and Clark needs receivers to to throw his accurate passes to. The Nittany Lion pressure defense features two of the top linebackers in the country in Sean Lee and Navarro Bowman. Lee missed last season with an injury but will be back to his old playmaking self when the season starts. The secondary is being retooled, but the front seven should take a lot of pressure off the young the DBs.

#10 Oklahoma State: Talk about offensive firepower! The Pokes have the most explosive receiver in the nation, Dez Bryant, and a great quarterback throwing to him, Zac Robinson. Not to mention Kendall Hunter, who ran for 1,500 yards last season. Together that’s a trio that combined for 6,000 yards 68 touchdowns. Mike Gundy is an offensive mastermind and it’s scary to think that this offensive juggernaut could actually get better. Now, the Cowboy’s offense gives them 8 wins instantly; just simply out scoring everyone will pay dividends. However, the opposite side of the ball is where the questions are. If they want to breach the 10 or even 11 win threshold, then new, aggressive, defensive coordinator Bill Young needs to turn this less than star-studded group into a formidable unit. If that can happen, then the Big 12 north could be there’s. If they can get past Oklahoma, then a home game against Texas could decide the fate of the Cowboys from Stillwater.

#11 Ole Miss: Quarterback Jevan Sneed is one of the best in the country; he can run, and throw accurately as well. They have a good offensive line, but no depth, so they need to pray for no injuries. Dexter McCluster is the most versatile weapon in the SEC and he rushed for over 600 yards and had over 6000 receiving yards. Shay Hodge at wide gives Sneed another weapon at his disposal. The Rebel defensive line is outstanding, led by Greg Hardy, who should rank at the top of the NCAA list for sacks by the end of the season. The only cause for concern on the defensive side is the secondary, which ranked 10th in the SEC in pass defense. The schedule isn’t terribly daunting either, with their biggest foes, LSU and Bama, both at home. If the secondary can come together, look for the Rebels to make their first trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.

#12 Boise State: Boise State nearly ran the table last year, and lost no one to the NFL, so most of their talent is returning. Kellen Moore had a fantastic freshman year, completing 69% of his passes. He’s got strong receivers, headlined by Austin Pettis. The key on offense is the line; last year they struggled finding the right mix, and even though 3 starters return, there are no seniors. They should improve this year, however, they still might be a weak point on offense. Sixteen interceptions set the tone for this group’s opportunistic secondary, led by the senior Kyle Wilson. Last season, the Broncos were 2nd in the nation in pass efficiency defense, but were gashed in the run game. Aaron Tevis and Hunter White need to step up at linebacker for this defense to truly excel. Even with an average defense,I look for the Broncos to go undefeated, if they can get by Oregon at home on the Smurf Turf.

#13 Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech made headlines last season by successfully implementing the triple option offense in college. The talent laden backfield rivals only that of Oklahoma, with quarterback Josh Nesbitt, and running back Jonathan Dywer. Other running backs Lucas Cox and Roddy Jones round out a deep and impressive running back corps. The line is solid, and does a good job of paving the way for an exceptional ground attack. To keep defenses honest however, they must establish some semblance of a passing attack, with Nesbitt only completing 43% of his passes. The Yellow Jackets run the 4-2-5 on defense to take advantage of a strong secondary, led by Morgan Burnett, who tied for the NCAA lead last season with 7 picks. He is also extremely effective against the run, giving him 93 tackles; 24 more than anyone other Tech player. They have solid linebackers, but need to rebuild their front four if they are going to have a decently formidable defense.

#14 Cal: Wherever Cal goes this season, it will be with Jahvid Best carrying them squarely on his shoulders. The talented running back ran for over 1,500 yards last season, and with his added muscle in the off season, he could hit the 2,000 yard mark this year. At quarterback, Kevin Riley is the starter, but is inconsistent and the departure of Cameron Morrah at TE to the League hurts the passing game even more. The Bears offense will be fine, but if they are to unseat USC as king of the Pac, then the pass game needs an upgrade. The Bear defense, however, is another story. Their secondary is arguably the best in the country and has a knack for forcing turn overs; they had 24 picks last season. The defensive line is headlined by Tyson Alualu, who is one of the best ends to play at Cal in over a decade. Three linebacker spots are open, but the coaches don’t seem concerned. Mike Mohamed and Eddie Young will be looked upon to replace the production from last years outstanding unit.

#15 Oregon: Mike Belotti is gone, and it’s Chip Kelly’s show now. His offensive scheme has been able to run up 38 points a game for the past two seasons, however this season that production could take a tip. LeGarrette Blount is a touchdown machine, and Jeremiah Masoli is one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac 10. The receivers are solid, led by the speedster Jamere Holland who can really stretch the field. But, the offensive line and defensive lines will need to be retooled, as most players from both units are off to the NFL. Football is won in the trenches, and if Oregon’s lines can’t pick up from where they left off last season, or least not drop off too much, then the Ducks won’t knock off USC.

#16 Georgia: Any apprehension about this season for the Bulldogs is understandable. They lost Stafford and Moreno, their offensive leaders, to the NFL. However, they return wideout AJ Green, the SEC Freshman of the Year. His numbers should improve this year, that is, if new quarterback Joe Cox can get him the ball. Having a strong and finally healthy offensive line should help the first year starter deliver the ball. At running back, the dogs are leaning on Caleb King to help provide a rushing attack that will most certainly dip after last year. King is highly regarded, but he’s no Moreno. The UGA defense is led by linebacker Ronnie Curren, who with 115 tackles was 2nd in the SEC in last season in that department. If this defense is to improve, they must be able to attack the quarterback. They had 24 sacks last season, which is 18 less than the previous season. If they can develop consistent pass defense both through the defensive ends and secondary, Georgia can possibley reach 10 wins next season.

#17 Kansas: The Jayhawks will again be led by a powerful offense quarterbacked by the little guy, Todd Reesing. He’ll have capable targets in tight end Tim Biere and quarterback-turned-receiver Kerry Meier. And let’s not forget potential All American Dezmon Briscoe, who blends a lethal combination size and speed. Jake Sharp is a bruiser at tailback, and a good one at that, but isn’t a break away threat, so defenses mostly focus on Kansas’s passing game. The line needs to gel quickly as well, as they are starting three redshirt freshman. Defensively they are led by stud strong safety Darrell Stuckey and over all pretty good secondary. However, if a consistent pass rush is not established, then the DBs will be stranded deep, all alone.

#18 TCU: Coach Gary Patterson says defense, and the Horned Frogs listen. Every year TCU’s defense leads them to victory, and this year should be more of the same. Defensive end Jerry Hughes was a high school running back, so he’s got the speed and moves, and excelled last year with 15 sacks. Even though he’s a freak at end, someone else on the line needs to step up, or else he won’t be as productive as last season. The Frogs are also solid at cornerback with two four year starters returning. On offense, TCU brings a powerful, balanced attack that averaged over 200 yards on the ground, and 200 through the air. Quarterback Andy Dalton will have the best wideout in the MWC to throw to, Jimmy Young, and Ryan Christian at running back to take some pressure off him. The only real concern is replacing center Blake Schueter, who besides being an excellent center, was a team leader and also responsible for calling the offensive line plays. If junior Jake Kirkpatrick can take over successfully for his predecessor, then the Frog offensive line should pick up where they left off last year.

#19 Iowa: Big time running back Shonn Greene is gone, and it’s Jewel Hampton’s time to carry the rock. While he lacks the bruising ability of Greene, he has has more speed, and big play ability. He rushed for almost 500 yards last season, and will be running behind a fantastic offensive line with Bryan Bulaga at tackle. Bulaga is seen as a lock to making the All Big 10 team. While running back should be solid, the wide receivers seem to be the strongest area on offense, as long as quarterback Ricky Stanzi can cut down on turnovers. The Iowa defense isn’t flashy, complicated or tricky in any way. The key to their solid defense is simply playing hard nosed, tough, mistake free football. They limit big plays and rarely blitz. The linebackers and secondary are great, but the loss of the best defensive tackle tandem in Iowa history will hurt. If the new guys can step up, then an improvement on last years 12th ranked defense is possible.

#20 Nebraska: Coach Bo Pelini quietly went 9-3 last season in his attempt to bring the Huskers back to prominence. This could be his year to make some noise in the Big 12 North, with it being a down year for Missouri. Offensive skill positions are not a problem with Roy Helu Jr at running back, and a solid group of receivers and tight ends. Zac Lee is the new quarterback, and it’s all up to him to deliver in place of the departed Joe Ganz. Lee is more athletic and mobile, but his productivity is in question. I think the offensive line which is replacing two starters on the right, will determine Lee’s quarterback play. In last years losses, the Huskers gave up nearly 47 points a game, but in wins only gave up 28. Twenty-eight points a game isn’t great either, but it’s not as bad as 47. Essentially, defense will determine a potential 10+ win season from a 6 or 7 win. They led up front by potential All American Ndamukong Suh, the unbelievably athletic tackle, who led the team in tackles last season. He can stuff the run as well as rush the passer, which is quite the combination for a big guy. The rest of the line is excellent, but the linebackers needs to excel for the Corn Huskers to win the Big 12.

#21 Utah: While the word “undefeated” is still ringing in every Utes ear, “rebuild” is ringing in mine. Replacing quarterback Brian Johnson is a tall order, and competing to do so are Terrence Cain and Jordan Wynn. A solid group of receivers returns round out the offense, and coaches think highly of redshirt freshman Luke Mathews. They’ll have help though, with a great offensive line and Matt Asiata at running back. Even though they have a lot of ground to make up, never count out coach Kyle Whittingham, who learned the from the best — Urban Meyer. Stevenson Sylvester leads the top linebacking corps in Mountain West. You might remember him from Sugar Bowl performance where he scooted around the Alabama for three sacks. Utah needs strong cornerback play with the absences of last years stars at that position.

#22 Florida State: Bobby Bowden enters his 33rd season as the Florida State head coach, now several wins behind Joe Paterno in the all time wins category, with the recent NCAA sanctions against his club. All that aside, the Noles have the best offensive line in the country and a solid quarterback in Christian Ponder, who made mistakes last season, but should improve dramatically behind an experienced line. Jermaine Thomas is the new running backs and as a freshman averaged 7 yards a carry, en route to almost 500 yards on the season. The only other FSU backs to average more than that as freshman were Sean Jackson and Warrick Dunn. Looks like Thomas could be headed towards something special. If someone besides Taiwan Easterling can catch the ball, the offense will be fine. The linebackers will be a good group this year and the secondary will be solid. The unit in question is the defensive line, which must replace Everett Brown. Super recruit Jacobbi McDaniel should get some immediate playing time and help the defensive front for the Noles.

#23 West Virginia: Pat White is gone. Enough said. It’s Noel Devine’s team now, who is a real slasher and game changer. With Jarrett Brown not being as skilled a runner as White, more of the ground game will go to Devine. Brown is a better passer than White, and will have a very good group of receivers to throw to. Wes Lyons and Alric Arnett are both good at catching the ball, and blocking too. However, the offensive line is just average, and that really hurt the Mountaineers on 3rd down all year. Quarterback play that doesn’t dip too much and a good offensive line could do wonders for this team. While the offensive is going through some changing, the defense is projecting as the best in the Big East. Linebacker Reed Williams was great in 2007, but missed most of last year with a shoulder injury. Every level of this defense is very strong, with linebackers being the best. This defense creates turnovers and excels in scoring defense, however it’s Achilles heel is on 3rd downs. Opponents converted 42% of their 3rd downs against WVU. They can really take their defense to the next level and be outstanding if that statistic improves

#24 Oregon State: Not enough can ever be said about Mike Riley and his staff. Each year they exceed expectations and perform well. This year could another one of those years. While James Rogers a good at running the fly sweep, and his catching ability improved last year and will continue to improve this year. Someone else needs to step up however, will Shane Morales and Sammie Stroughter gone. The line is solid and Jaquizz Rogers is well, the USC killer. He should continue to impress next year as long his injured shoulder comes through alright. Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao are both good options at quarterback. Defense should always be a strong point for the Beavers, with Mark Banker being the most underrated assistant in the country. The linebackers are great, with Keaton Kristick on the outside, flanked by Keith Pankey. The defensive line has some work to do, but has a good corner stone in defensive tackle Stephen Paea. The secondary replaces 4 starters, so that might be a big weakness. I’m going with media and picking a 3rd place Pac 10 finish for the men from Corvallis.

#25 South Florida: South Florida is the third team from the sunshine state that I have ranked. They are led by Matt Grothe, who when he limits his picks, is really special. The line has 4 new starters and could cause Grothe into some more mistakes. Hopes are high for JC transfer Carlos Savala to nail down a starting spot at tackle. The receivers however just might be the best in the Big East. There is no “go to guy,” but everyone is good in that corps, with each possessing talent to make 60 grabs this season. If Mike Ford finally lives up to his potential at running back, the offense should be very good. New defensive coordinator Joe Tresey likes an aggressive unit that forces turnovers, which could mean a lot of picks for the talented Bull’s secondary. However, there is no star at linebacker. Kion Wilson is an anchor in the middle, but he’ll flanked by two first time starters. Defensive George Selvie broke at a sophomore, but slumped as a junior, mostly because he encountered frequent double teams. If he can return to his 2nd year self, he’ll be an All American.

By Jeff Gorman

Contributor for Scouting The Sports

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