Top 25
It is that time again when everyone tries to predict the outcome of the next year and put together their top 25. I think we all know that there is a good chance ( especially after seeing the chaos of last year) that over half of my top ten could be out of the top 25 come December, but that is why I have tried to incorporate there schedule and depth. Let’s just call this Davey’s pre season prediction of the final top 25. Just for a reference this was the preseason top 10 and the final rankings from last Year
It is that time again when everyone tries to predict the outcome of the next year and put together their top 25. I think we all know that there is a good chance ( especially after seeing the chaos of last year) that over half of my top ten could be out of the top 25 come December, but that is why I have tried to incorporate there schedule and depth. Let’s just call this Davey’s pre season prediction of the final top 25. Just for a reference this was the preseason top 10 and the final rankings from last Year
Pre season Final
1.USC LSU
1.USC LSU
2.LSU Georgia
3. Texas USC
4. Florida Missouri
5. Wisconsin Ohio State
6. Ohio State West Virginia
5. Wisconsin Ohio State
6. Ohio State West Virginia
7. Oklahoma Kansas
8. Arkansas Oklahoma
9. UCLA Virginia Tech
10. Michigan Texas
1. USC –Yes going against the grain a little by putting USC number 1. Who would have thought that putting USC in this day and age would be going against the grain. Their one question mark is going to be Sanchez, but with the recent track record of USC quarterbacks (Palmer, Leinart, Booty) I’ll trust Carroll he can do the job. If they can get by Ohio State in the Coliseum, then no one will stop them.
1. USC –Yes going against the grain a little by putting USC number 1. Who would have thought that putting USC in this day and age would be going against the grain. Their one question mark is going to be Sanchez, but with the recent track record of USC quarterbacks (Palmer, Leinart, Booty) I’ll trust Carroll he can do the job. If they can get by Ohio State in the Coliseum, then no one will stop them. 
2. West Virginia- Your right Go Mountaineers! I still remember what this team under there new coach with all the pressure of a BCS game did against Oklahoma. They do lose Steve Slaton this year but have you seen his replacement Noel Devine ( who runs a 4.3 40) He is the next big thing, watch out Moreno. Coupled with a weak Big East schedule and the entire offensive line returning look for White, Devine and Company to be atop the polls come Bowl time. 
3. Georgia- A national title contender yes, but there is a lot more than just having the talent and potential in this BCS world. They come off there 7 game winning streak that they ended last year on losing almost no one of importance. I would have no problem putting them in the number 1 spot except for there schedule. They play at South Carolina, at Arizona State, Florida at a Neutral site, at LSU and at Auburn, and then potentially in the SEC championship game. I don’t care if you have the better team if you have 2 losses come the end of the season then you aren’t going to play in the national Championship game. They will be fun to watch however, but I would be surprised if they can get through that schedule un scathed. 
4. Ohio St. -Two BCS blow outs, third times a Charm? With practically everyone returning except DE Gholston you can’t help but put them in the hunt. If they do get tripped up watch for it at USC, at Wisconsin and at Illinois.
5. Oklahoma- With this team people maybe talking about their QB Bradford but games are won in the trenches and with OG Duke Robinson, OT Phil Loadholt and the rest of the experienced linemen, look for Bradford to have all day in the pocket. With Texas Tech and Kansas at home look for another good year from Stoop’s boys. 
6. Florida- Percy Harvin, if you need another one Emmanuel Booty and yet another only Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. With a year of experience under their belts the defense should be able to keep up with the offense a little. They must improve on the worst pass defense in the SEC, but I feel confidant that with a little improvement a year of experience gives, they will ride the coat tails of the Tebow to Harvey train all the way to Jan first. 
7. Texas Tech- Defense wins championships right? Not in Lubbock. Graham Harrell and the number 2 offense in the country will return almost everyone except for WR Danny Amendola, so look for another repeat of that stat. All five Offensive lineman are returning as well which only adds to the threat. The game in Norman in on November 22nd should be for the Big 12 Championship, so mark it on your calendars. 
8. Missouri- This is a loaded team with 9 returning starters on defense and almost everyone back on offense as well look for them to build momentum from last season. We will find out soon if this team is for real or if they were one hit wonders when in week one they play Illinois in St. Louis. Put your money on Heisman finalist Chase Daniels as he is a proven winner (he played at Southlake Carroll in Texas you know) 
9. Auburn – All five starters are returning on the offensive line (are you noticing a trend?) They need the experience there, as they will be switching to a spread offense under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. They have a slew of great running backs, returning, and 6 of 7 in the defensive backfield. Look for a strong showing in the SEC and a top ten finish for Tommy Tuberville. 
10. Clemson- This should be their year Cullen Harper is a stud at QB and their tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller will dominate the ACC. If they can get past Alabama in week one look for the annual rival game against South Carolina to mean a lot this year come December. 
11. Wisconsin-Wisconsin is once again playing in a depleted Big Ten. Watch for the 4 returning starters from the line and P.J hill and company to run all over the Big ten this year. They have Ohio State and Penn State at home the 2 biggest contenders in the Big Ten this year, and Camp Randall is a tough place to play. They might just get both of those and at least one. They do need to be aware of a potential slip up the 3rd week of the season when they play at Fresno St, a Fresno State that Pat Hill will have ready to play. 
12. Penn State- Everyone is back on the Oline and they return 9 starters on defense. The loss of Dan Conner will hurt, but they should still be a solid D. They have a bit of a QB competition but with three solid WRs of Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood who ever is throwing should be ok. They do play at Ohio State and at Wisconsin which should give them 2 losses but I don’t see anyone else on the schedule who should beat them. 
13. LSU just because Snoop dawg jumped on the LSU band wagon as the next big thing doesn’t mean I am. They lost to many people from their national championship team from a year ago ( Bo Pelini the defensive coordinator, Stud lineman Glenn Dorsey, outside linebackers Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders along with safety Craig Steltz and corner Chevis Jackson at defense, and WR Early Doucet, QB Matt Flynn, and big bruising RB Jacob Hester on offense) There are just too many questions to be in the SEC and succeed this year sorry Snoop, stick to the Trojans. 
14. BYU- The days of Lavell are back in Provo. Max Hall passed for more yards than any other sophomore in the NCAA last year. Unlike the teams of old they also had a top 15 Defense. They return the 4 of the 5 offensive linemen and freshmen phenom Harvey Unga will have another 1,000 yard season. They have a lot of holes on defense they lost Brian Kehl to the Draft and all 4 starters in the secondary. If there defense can hold up there offense looks only to improve on a stellar year. BCS? I think so. 
15. ASU- The Sun Devil offense gets QB Rudy Carpenter back, along with RBs Keegan Herring and Dimitri Nance. However their line performed poorly last year and they lose three starters from that squad. If they can give Carpenter time they should fare well this year. They do however have Georgia at home and have to go to the Coliseum this year that is at least 2 losses. 
16. Kansas- At Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech at home. Three teams they didn’t play last year, don’t expect only 1 loss this season again or you will be very disappointed. Reising is a solid QB but they will have to replace CB Aqib Talib and there #1 receiver. Look for a little bit of a let down from last season but still a trip to a nice bowl. 
17. Texas- They will struggle with having to replace all there DB’s but if new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has anything to say about this defense then they’ll return to those hard hitting Horns. Colt McCoy still just doesn’t cut it for me, he doesn’t seem to have the confidence I expect from a Mac Brown QB. They should still be strong however and be another tough team in the already tough Big 12. 
18. Tennessee- At Auburn, at Georgia, and at South Carolina welcome to the SEC this will be a good team this year, but they will have a tough time getting out of the SEC with less than 3 losses. They do have all their Oline returning along with the entire receiving core and secondary. They will have to find a QB to replace Erik Ainge, but if I had to predict a record for this team I would say 8-4 
19. Oregon- This Team was a one man squad last year being on the cusp of a number 1 ranking only to lose Denis Dixon and their hopes. They did finally find a leader in the their Bowl game when Justin Roper emerged as legitimate QB. They lost Jonathan Stewart, but have all of their receiving core back along with pass rusher extraordinar Nick Reed. They have some holes to fill in the defense but if Roper can play like he did in the Bowl game than expect some good things from this Oregon team. They do have to go to ASU and USC however, but the Pac-10 is a little weaker this year and so Oregon should benefit from that.
20. Virginia Tech- Beamer Ball will be in question as only 4 starter return from a defense that lead the ACC for the 3rd straight year. But this is Beamer Ball and they should be good regardless. Once again the ACC is weak this year and they have no one on there non conference schedule you can chalk up 9 wins right now just because of that. 
21. Florida State- Drew Weatherford to Greg Carr will become familiar to you by the end of the season. Look for that tandem to carry the Seminoles far this year. The defense hasn’t been the source of the moans in Tallahasse the last few years and look for that trend to continue as the defense gets back eight starters including S Myron Rolle and LB Derek Nicholson. 
22. Alabama- One thing Nick Saban is good at is recruiting, and that is why he isn’t a NFL guy anymore. He now has 2 recruiting classes under his belt including a stellar one from this year. Look for Bama to improve on it’s poor end to last season. (Finished 1-4)They also should have a great line this year to give John Parker Wilson some time and create some huge holes. Look for a 10 win season in Tuscaloosa Rolltide.
23. Michigan – Did you see this team beat Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators last year. This is a whole new team. Why? Here is one simple answer, I believe in Rich Rodriguez. 
24. South Carolina- Yes the SEC is loaded this year, and yes the Gamecocks fell apart at the end of the Year, and Yes they have to go to Death Valley at the end of the Year, but this is a good team. Spurrieris still the Coach, and with QB Chris Smelley, WR Kenny McKinley, and RB Mike Davis coming back they should be able to score some points, 4 of the 5 starters on the line will be back along with all the key players on defense. Look for the cocks to surprise a few people. Remember this team beat Georgia at home last year and this year they get them at Williams Brice. 
25. Illinois- Anybody want some Juice. A solid team all around and with Juice they are a legit threat to the rest of the Big Ten.