Top 25
1. Georgia - They won't go undefeated but they have the most talent
2. Missouri- Chase Daniels and Jeremy Maclin are the two best players people don't talk about
3. USC - their good but how good will Mark Sanchez be
4. Florida- Tim Tebow is good
5. Ohio State- Can easily go undefeated in conference but at USC in their second game will give them 1 loss
6. Oklahoma- Sam Bradford and a stingy defense can propel the Sooners to a Big 12 --- title
7. West Virginia- Who needs Rich Rodriguez when you have Pat White and Noel Devine, besides USF a pretty easy Big East schedule
8. LSU- They did win the national championship last year and the loss of Periloux could be a blessing in disguise
9. Clemson- Best team in the ACC and an experienced offense ready to live up to expectations
10. Wisconsin- P.J Hill will carry this team on his back and make people think of Ron Dayne
11. Texas- Colt McCoy is still at QB and a tandem of RB's with my favorite Foswhitt "Fozzy" Whitaker will have people hookin their horns
12. Kansas- They play football in Kansas? Yes they do, and need to build off of last year’s success
13. Auburn- If their offense can hang they'll be good because their D is loaded with 1st day draft picks
14. Va Tech- Their D is always good and with Sr QB Sean Glennon leading the offense can jump up the rankings
15. Zona State- Rudy Carpenter will shine like the hot Arizona sun and give USC a run for the Pac 10 title, and maybe give Georgia its first loss
16. BYU- They aren’t in the BCS but their good and will bring the cougars back to the olden days and make a BCS game
17. Illinois- I like Juice Williams and Coach Ron Zook is doing a great job. Huge game first week against Missouri will set tone for the season
18. Texas Tech- These boys can score and they have the best receiver in college in Michael Crabtree. The question is their defense.
19. Oregon- No Dennis Dixon but they have a stellar D which is uncommon in the Pac 10.
20. Tennessee- New Offensive coordinator with a spread offense will at least make the VOLS games fun to watch
21. Wake Forest- This team has been a surprise the last few years and look for them to continue to play solid ball
22. South Florida- If Matt Grothe keeps his mo-hawk watch out for another great season from the green and gold
23. Michigan- I think it will take a year to grip Rich Rodriguez's new system but this is Michigan and 100,000 screaming fans will help any team
24. Utah- watch out for their QB Brian Johnson he is athletic and has a good arm which could give the Wolverines a tough match up in week one
25. Boise State- They still have Ian Johnson even if he is married now he alone can lead this team to a WAC title.

Why No One Should Want to Play the Trojans in 2008 - Defense - Part 2: Taylor Mays

All I can say is, if you're a wide receiver on an opposing team that wants to go across the middle of the field, make it good because that might be your last play of the night. Mays is to receivers and tight-ends as Everson Griffen is to quarterbacks. This guy is a predator on the field. When the USC strength coach (Chris Carlisle) was asked if he has ever see anything that big, move that fast he responded, "Maybe when I walked by the cheetah cage at the wildlife park."

Taylor Mays is 6'3", 230 lbs, 6% body fat, and runs the 40 in 4.32 seconds. That's not a made up or fabricated number folks. That was electronically timed. He's been timed in the past in the 4.2's.

Here's an interesting clip about him from an Oregon paper:

"UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano was fresh from Dennis Erickson's San Francisco 49ers staff when he first set eyes on Mays, then attending O'Dea High School.
"He looked like they do on Sunday when we recruited him," Lappano told reporters this week. "When he walked into this place two years ago and they said he was in high school -- we didn't have guys with the 49ers who looked like that.""

Take a look at this video. Remember, Craig Stevens is 6'5, 254 lbs.



Enjoy the 2008 season Trojans. For those who play the Trojans, enjoy every game but the one against the Trojans.

Why No One Should Want to Play the Trojans in 2008 - Defense - Part 1: Everson Griffen

It's cliche, but there's really no other way to say it. This guy is a quarterback's nightmare.

Not too many of USC's talented recruits get to play their freshman year, let alone make an impact. Griffen was one of those exceptional few last year, and he proved he was worthy. As a true freshman he played in all 13 games. In those 13 games, Griffen tallied 5.5 TFL's (all of them sacks), 2 FF, 1 FR, and 2 deflections. Here are some of the accolades decorating his Royal Badness after the 2007 season:

* 2007 Sporting News Freshman All-American first team
* Football Writers Freshman All-American first team
* Rivals.com Freshman All-American first team
* Scout.com Freshman All-American first team
* Collegefootballnews.com Freshman All-American second team
* Sporting News Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year
* All-Pac-10 honorable mention pick.

Now, take a good look at him folks...
































Griffen is 6' 3.5", 270 lbs, and what do you think he should run the 40 in? 4.8, 4.7? 4.65 would be plenty quick, right? Dude runs the forty in 4.46! Forgive the crudeness, but that's enough to make the toughest quarterback's butt pucker!

This is what Coach Carrol had to say about him: "He's fast, really fast at getting to the quarterback."
-Notice how Pete corrects himself: "he's fast, REALLY FAST..."

So, we know he's a freakish combination of size, strength, and speed (incidentally, his nickname is "the freak"). That's intimidating in and of itself. Beyond this though, why should he be feared more than other (if there are any right now) freak-diculous D-ends?

Well, to be quite honest, some of his saturday religious-beliefs scare me a little bit too. Listen to one of the ways he thinks about heaven -when asked about making sacks:

"I don't know how to explain it, because it's the greatest feeling in the world. When you're coming off the edge and the quarterback doesn't see you, it's like a free shot to heaven."

"Oh... ye opposing quarterbacks of the 2008 Trojans, say thine prayers before we meeteth! For mine beastlyness hath been awakened, and thou standeth in the way of my 2008 National Championship ring!"
-Book of Griffen 1:1

Top Reasons Why No One Should want to play USC in 2008

REVENGE
In 2006 and 2007, USC was left out of the National Championship for losing two games (each season) that they should not have. -People might argue that Oregon was the exception. Well, if John David Booty was playing, and Brian Cushing wasn't sidelined, it would have been a whole different story.

The Trojans know that it was only their stupid mistakes that lost those games. When they are determined to win a game, they come as close to invincible as a college team can. The only caveat to that would be Vince Young. USC's got some demons to exercise in 2008, and frankly, I'm a little frightened for those who have to line up against them. For example, USC had a couple teams to get some revenge on in 2007: Oregon State and UCLA. The Trojans did a nice job beating up on both.

This 2008 season, the whole NCAAF should be shakin' in there spikes. And no SEC, you're no exception. Bring on Stafford and Moreno, or Tebow (he'd have a better chance). I don't think I need to remind you about Arkansas and highly touted McFadden, but I will anyway- 70-17 in the Colosseum, then 50-14 in Arkansas. Don't get me wrong though...I completely agree that the SEC is probably the toughest conference to play in. I will also agree that the PAC-10 is not the hardest (though it is tougher than most of the -ahem...- BCS conferences.



USC is just a dominant force. Even more disconcerting, now they're a dominant force with something to prove. Look out... Everybody! This article might ruffle a few feathers, but just be happy you're not getting your bell rung by a legion of ticked-off Trojans.

MICHIGAN STATE v CALIFORNIA

Two teams, two different conferences, two different paths, one record of 7-6. Cal was flying high at the beginning of last season as they were on the brink of a number 1 ranking. Then something happened, the bears went in hibernation as they fell down, down to the ground losing six of their last seven. Michigan St. on the other hand played well all season and were a few points short of a stellar season, losing some close games to good teams (Ohio St. 17-24, Michigan 24-28, Wisconsin 34-37, Iowa 27-34 OT). Head Coach Mark Dantonio in his first year led the Spartans to their first bowl game since 2003. Cal is better than their record was last year and now the expectations are down, which is when Jeff Tedford thrives. Mich. St. is on the rise and returns many of their key starters. This game will be close and I’m like a teeter totter with my pick so I’m going to break this game down position by position.



Quarterback
Mich. St. Brian Hoyer showed some moxie and promise with strong decision making as a starter in his first year. He’s only 6-2, so not your desired height out of a QB, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. Not a running QB but has good mobility and pocket presence.
Cal. For arguing purposes we’re going to assume Nate Longshore is the starter. Longshore a two year starter did not play well when Cal struggled, due to foot injuries or mental lapses he frankly played like crap. Longshore though is 6-5, has a good arm and has shown flashes of being a star. With showboat DeSean Jackson gone, Longshore needs to take control of the huddle and consistently make good passes.
Advantage: Mich ST

Running Back
Mich. St. The Spartans have a ringer in Javon Ringer. He’s a little guy only 5-9, but this kid can move and is a homerun waiting to happen. Sporting News has Ringer as a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten. Ringer is good but he will need a bigger back to come in for those short yards. A.J Jimmerson and Ashton Leggett are bigger bruisers and vying for that complimentary spot behind Ringer.
Cal. This is the game of little tailbacks as Cal’s Jahvid Best is only 5-10 but just as explosive as Ringer. Best is coming off a hip injury and we’ll have to wait and see how his health is, but when healthy this guy can run like the wind. With only spot duties last year for Justin Forsett it will be interesting and very fun to watch Best for what is becoming running back U.
Advantage: Mich St.

Wide Receiver
Both teams lost their main go to guys last year and now need receivers by committee until someone steps up and makes a name for themselves like Devin Thomas and DeSean Jackson did. There is no winner here until I get to see who steps up and makes some plays.

O-Line
Mich St. The Spartans lost four out of their five starters on the offensive line so it will be up to some new faces to block and hold their own in the trenches.
Cal. Alex Mack is one of the best Centers in the nation. He’s a big guy who could be a tackle at 6-5 316. This is an experienced line with four out of the five starters being seniors.
Advantage: Cal

D-Line
Mich St. Lost three of their four starters last year and look to DT Antonio Jeremiah (6-5 322) to be a beast and plug some running lanes. The ends are not big guys there more like tall linebackers, but they have the speed to get a good pass rush.
Cal. The Bears just switched to a 3-4 front to better soot their personal, so good line play is critical to let the linebackers run and do what they do best, hit somebody. Their DE’s are anchored by ex-marine Rulon Davis who showed star potential in six games of play getting 3 sacks. The main point of the three down line man is the nose tackle and 6-2 311 Mika Kane is gonna have to play big.
Advantage: Who ever steps up

Linebackers
Mich St. The three '07 opening day starters are gone but sophomores Eric Gordon, Greg Jones and Jon Misch were all plugged into the lineup at some point getting substantial playing time and playing well. A young group with experience and talent has the potential to be stars for the Spartans for some time if they stay healthy.
Cal. Zack Follett has one of the best football IQ’s and is a hell of an athlete. He reads and sees the plays like Zach Thomas of the dolphins. With Follett and speedy Mike Mohamed rushing off the end and Worrell Williams and Anthony Fielder holding down the middle this is a group not to be messed with.
Advantage: Cal

Secondary
Mich St. This could be the best secondary the Spartans have fielded in the last 10 years led by senior cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark. Sophomore Ross Weaver who got some time on the field last year is big for CB at 6-1 202lbs. With his size he brings good footwork and an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Cal. Thomas Decoud is gone after leaving for the NFL but the bears return key starters, CB Syd’Quan Thompson and FS Bernard Hicks. This will be a solid group for the bears, but will need to see good consistent play from new starter at cornerback 6-3 198lbs Chris Conte.
Advantage: Mich St

Coaches: Who knows how good Dantonio will be and Tedford Shines when there isn’t expectations so to me the better coach is who wins this game.



Prediction
Home field advantage will be huge and give the bears that little extra boost they need to win between these evenly matched teams at California Memorial Stadium.

Michigan St. Cal
34 37(OT)

Illinois Vs. Missouri

Wow! There is no better way to kick off the new college football season than with two highly touted National Championship contenders. Sure there’s 11,12, or 13 more games left after this, but the winners confidence will be higher than partiers at an
Amsterdam pot fest. You don’t win the season in this one game, but you do set the foundation. These two teams who battled at the start of last year in an epic Missouri 40-34 win will go to war again and not disappoint, behind the leadership of General Daniels and General Juice. The Surgeon general called with a warning and said don’t miss this game.



Keys for Illinois

It all starts with the man behind center, Juice Williams. We all know he is a gifted athlete who can take off at any time for a touchdown, but can he consistently make good decisions in the passing game. He ran for 755 yds and threw for only 1,743 yds ranking 109th in the nation. With Rashard Mendenhall leaving to the NFL draft after his junior year Juice is going to need to step his passing game up to continue off of last years success. Williams has a cannon for an arm, but the knack is his decision making. The good thing is that he can improve and reports show he is progressing, reading defenses and getting the ball out quicker. The Tigers will pack the box to stop the run so he will have favorably match ups with his receivers. He needs to find the man to man coverage and exploit it if the Fighting Illini are going to win.

As much as Juice needs to become more of a passer, this is still a running team averaging 256.8 yards a game last year. Replacing Mendenhall will be tough, but someone has to do it and that someone is Daniel Dufrene. Dufrene showed flashes of stardom in spot duty last year and will look to help the Illinois lead the Big Ten in rushing for a third consecutive year. Dufrene has the potential to be very good but will need showcase is talents in this game. I saw his highlight tape and this (6-0, 240 lbs) freshman is big and fast. I know it was high school, but he was leaving DB’s who had an angle on him in the dust. LeShoure and Dufrene need to make people forget about Mendenhall right away or the Illini will start off 0-1.
The ingredients for a good receiver tandem is to have a deep threat for the home run ball and a possession receiver to go across the middle and make those tough yardage catches. The Illini have the peanut butter in Arrelious Benn (last years Big Ten freshman of the year) A great player and deep threat with good speed and hands and the Jelly in 6-5 247 lbs. Jeff Cumberland, the big target who can “go get it” for those tough third down plays. Put those two players with the leadership and sure hands of the bread of this group senior Kyle Hudson and you got a great receiver sandwich. Throw in a side salad of TE Michael Hoomanawanui and you got a great meal with some Juice. If they can get open and make plays after the catch they will take tremendous pressure off Juice and win this game.
The Defense for the Illinois will be one of the best in the Big Ten and it all starts up front with the experience and tenacity of the four starting seniors. End Will Davis will need to continue to cause quarterback nightmares. The key to this game will be up front and this unit getting pressure on Daniels and forcing him into a scrambling QB. Daniels two years ago didn’t have as much success because he tucked the ball and ran too much. Missouri has a new left tackle and that match up will has to be exploited. If Daniels has time he will pick apart this secondary other than whomever All American corner Vantae Davis is guarding.
The linebacker core is the weak point of this defense and will need to show some testicular fortitude and show the Tigers they can make plays and tackle.
Vantae Davis is a stud, ball hawk, shutdown corner, cover man, whatever name you have for a star cornerback he is just that. Davis is solid and will hold down his side in one on one coverage. So it is up to CB Dere Hicks and new Safeties Garret Edwards and Bo flowers to not get picked apart. This will be a challenge and measuring stick for the Illinois secondary going against one of the best passers in Daniels. This will test the young Illini secondary and that is why it is so key for the front seven to get pressure. If the defense can force a few turnovers and limit the Tigers offense to less than 28 points they will win this game.

Keys for the Tigers

The Tigers will go as far as QB Chase Daniels takes them, if he can continue off of last years stellar numbers, 4,306 passing yards and 33 TD with a 68.2 completion percentage they will be fine. The key for Daniels will be the continuation of scaling down his running. With a new center and (blindside) left tackle position being filled this year he will need composure and pocket presence to step up and get the ball to his playmakers. If Daniels’ line can give him time he will put the ball on a dime. If he reverts to his old ways of tucking the ball and running they will not win.
Good teams have game breaking players and Missouri has a hell of a player in Jeremy Maclin. How good is he? If he was a fruit he’d be a star fruit, 2,776 all purpose yards last year, the most by a freshman in NCAA history. The Illini know him very well as he returned a punt for a touchdown against them in his first colligate football game. The Tigers need to get the ball in his hands and let him “do what he do” if they want to win this game.
Jimmy Jackson the Tigers running back doesn’t need to put up huge numbers but he does need to bring a balance to this offense. With defenses keying on Daniels and Maclin, Jackson has a chance to surprise people with his swift moves and quickness. The key to this offense will be getting a consistent running game to balance this offense. If Jackson can average over 4 yards a carry they will put up huge numbers.
This Missouri defense will have there hands full keeping Juice Williams contained, but 9 of 11 starters returning will make it easier. The ends of Missouri have to be mentally focused and stay in their lanes, if they crash inside and don’t to cover the bootleg it will be a long day, they need to stay outside and funnel him into the big boys in the middle.
The Linebacker group is one of the most experienced in the Big Ten led by standout Sean Weatherspoon. Brock Christopher is the man to watch as he is most likely going to play most of the game in a QB spy. He needs to be aware of Juice and help the D-line contain him.
William Moore the All-American free safety is good, real good and anchors this secondary which returns both its starting cornerbacks. The Illini have a speed and size and will be a tough match up for this secondary. The key is to keep the receivers in front of them and take away the big plays. Moore has great instincts and will be critical in this game. I look forward to watching CB Castine Bridges go head to head with tall Illini receiver Jeff Cumberland.

This will be a tough, well coached, well played game and the team with the biggest plays and fewest mistakes will win.

Prediction
Missouri Illinois
30 27