With the calendar getting ready to flip into August, we’re beginning the process of previewing the upcoming NFL and NCAA football seasons. In the next week or two, we’ll be previewing conferences all over the country, as well as previewing an NFL team every day. Today, we start with my preseason top ten. Next week, I’ll jump into Heisman Trophy contenders.
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights. What a difference a few years make. This team has gone from national doormat to Big East title contenders. Greg Schiano simply knows what he’s doing. The quarterback scenario is a bit sketchy but running back Ray Rice, fresh off an 1800 yard performance with 20 touchdowns, is back. West Virginia will make a visit in late October before Rutgers finishes the season at Louisville.
9. Louisville Cardinals. There’s three potential teams that can run the table in the Big East. Louisville is one of those teams. Brian Brohm returns for his senior season and could wind up in New York City at the Heisman Trophy Presentation. Former coach Bobby Petrino is now attempting to right the ship in Atlanta but this team should be just fine without him. Like Rutgers or West Virginia, the Cardinals could finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Big East.
8. California Golden Bears. Is Cal good enough to win the Pac-10? That’s the question on many west coast fans’ minds. They’ll certainly have the offensive firepower to give it a run. Nate Longshore, Justin Forsett, and DeSean Jackson form one of the top QB-RB-WR trios in the entire country. I don’t expect Marshawn Lynch’s absence to be a major downfall to this team because we know what Forsett can bring to the table. USC comes to Berkeley on November 10th and like last year, that game could decide the conference.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies. Everybody’s pulling for ‘em. After the tragic shooting in April, the Hokies are everybody’s sentimental favorites. But regardless, this team is loaded. They return eight starters on both sides of the ball and have a favorable conference schedule, as they’ll host both Miami and Florida State. Circle September 8th on your calendars. The Hokies visit Death Valley and the dangerous LSU Tigers.
6. West Virginia Mountaineers. Simply put, this team is fun to watch. Quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton are two of the most electrifying players in sports entertainment the country. Rich Rodriguez turned down the job at Alabama because he thinks this team has championship potential. Louisville will make the trip to Morgantown. Win that one and the Mountaineers could finish undefeated.
5. Michigan Wolverines. I never like to rate Michigan very high in the preseason, mainly because Lloyd Carr is a piece of shit. Nevertheless, the Wolverines are looking like a good pick to win the Big Ten this year. Unlike Wisconsin and Ohio State, they’re returning their quarterback. Senior Chad Henne is back. Joining him is star running back Michael Hart and freakish receiver Mario Manningham. A veteran offense coinciding with a rebuilding year in Columbus. Sounds familiar.
4. Florida Gators. The defending national champions certainly suffered some losses in the offseason. But Urban Meyer is a genius. The big question is whether or not quarterback God Tim Tebow can live up to the hype as a starter. Unfortunately for everybody else, Meyer’s spread option offense fits Tebow perfectly. Auburn, Tennessee and Florida State all must come to the Swamp. The big road game? October 6th, when the Gators travel to LSU.
3. Texas Longhorns. I’m not going to be a jackass and say Colt McCoy made everyone in Austin forget about Vince Young. But he definitely did a nice job in his first year as a starter, leading the Horns to a win in the Cotton Bowl. Once again, the Big 12’s power lies with Texas and Oklahoma, who meet on October 6th in Dallas. McCoy, Jamaal Charles and Limas Sweed have the ability to put up more points than any team in the country.
2. LSU Tigers. JaMarcus Russell, Alley Broussard, Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and LaRon Landry are all gone. So how does this team have a shot to go all the way? Because the Tigers return tons of key contributers on both sides of the ball. Early Doucet is among the best receivers in the country and Matt Flynn of 2006 Peach Bowl fame should be able to handle the spotlight at quarterback. Plus, you have to love all the returning guys from last year’s top-rated defense.
1. USC Trojans. It’s just not fair to have this much talent. Aside from John David Booty, SC is again stacked at every single position. Last year, USC’s defense gave up less than 15 points a game. They return ten starters from that defensive unit, including the best linebacker in the country, Keith Rivers. Did I mention they have seven high school All-Americans at running back?
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I’d love nothing more than to see Rutgers have an awesome year. I always love cheering for teams who don’t generally win (see: Cleveland Browns)