2008 Spring Football: Emerging Teams

. Brinkley, along with DT Nathan Pepper, and WR Kenny McKinley all must get healthy by August, as each serve pivotal roles on the USC football team.

 

 

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last year: 9-4 (4-4)
Key games in 2008: Nebraska (10/11), at Kansas (10/25), Texas (11/1), at Oklahoma (11/22)

In his third season as the starting quarterback for Texas Tech, record-setting senior Graham Harrell will have ample opportunities to showcase his talents in this pass-happy offense.  Harrell’s primary receiver (2007 Biletnikoff award winner Michael Crabtree) returns and his offensive line looks like it has enough depth.

The Red Raiders, who have been known for their weak non-conference schedule, are maintaining that reputation by scheduling two teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (Eastern Washington and Massachusetts). 

It would not be unreasonable to predict Texas Tech to win its first seven games. If Texas Tech can get by Nebraska and Texas A&M—who are both rebuilding under new coaching regimes—they will be looking at a late October date with Mark Mangino’s Kansas Jayhawks.  This game and the subsequent matchups against Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will determine the fate of the Red Raiders. 

Sure, Texas Tech will put up a lot of points, but this needs to happen in the games that matter.  It is especially important that the defense led by coordinator Ruffin McNeill shows up as well.

 

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Last year: 7-6 (5-3)
Key Games in 2008: at Auburn (9/6), Boise State (10/11), at UCF (11/8)

Although the Golden Eagles chose to make a transition with new head coach Larry Fedora, their schedule is favorable for a Conference USA Championship in 2008.  Although Southern Miss will be tested by Auburn and Boise State out of conference, they will not have to play either Tulsa or Houston—teams which could potentially be the best in the conference.

 

Honorable mentions:

Bowling Green Falcons
After an 8-5 record in the MAC last year, the Falcons will look to build momentum into 2008.

Florida Atlantic Owls
Junior quarterback Rusty Smith has a chance to lead his team to the top of the Sun Belt once again.

Fresno State Bulldogs
With potentially a down year in the Western Athletic Conference, Pat Hill’s Bulldogs may be the class of the WAC—ahead of both Boise State and Hawai’i.

Houston Cougars
Despite the departure of Art Briles to Baylor, new Head Coach Kevin Sumlin has brought excitement to the Houston Cougar program.  Sumlin, the former offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma will bring his high-powered offensive scheme to South Texas.

SMU Mustangs
New Head Coach June Jones is bringing about a winning attitude to the program after taking Hawai’i to the Sugar Bowl in January.

Washington Huskies
With one year under his belt, Jake Locker will look to step forward as one of the elite quarterbacks in the Pac-10.  Ty Willingham will need to make more positive strides for the Huskies in ’08 because his time is running up.

 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?