The College Football Sideline Report: July Edition

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

My Preseason Top 35:

After much discussion, reading, and internal turmoil I have finally completed my 2009 Preseason Top 35, and will publish the Top 30 in my August edition of the College Football Sideline Report. Here are numbers 35-31 just to whet your appetite.

35. Texas Tech - The Red Raiders lost a lot of talent after last season, but with this prolific system in place Tech usually doesn't miss a beat. This season, however, they may struggle. I still expect the Raiders to get to a bowl game, but you can forget a top 10 appearance in '09.

34. Miami - The young talent at Miami is stout. They are ready to put the program back on the map. Too bad they'll have to wait until next year. How's this for an opening month; @ Florida State, vs. Georgia Tech, @ Virginia Tech, vs. Oklahoma. The 'Canes will make some progress, but expect a breakout in 2010.

33. Arkansas- This Razorbacks team is a year away as well. While they return 9 starters on defense, and 8 on offense they have to compete with a loaded SEC West. Not to mention those nine defensive starters started on the 72nd ranked defense in the nation last season. Ryan Mallett will put up grand numbers in '09, but it wont be nearly enough.

32. Cincinnati - I love what Brian Kelly has done with this program. But only one returning starter on defense will prove to be this team's downfall in '09. That's mainly because of the competition it will face. South Florida, Rutgers, and West Virginia will all be better in '09.

31. East Carolina- Skip Holtz has a large task. Becoming the hunted rather than the hunter usually brings with it some bumps and bruises. While East Carolina brings back a ton of talent, including QB Pinkney, it will struggle some in '09. Still, Holtz could parlay 08's partial success and any success he may gain in '09 into a big time coaching position elsewhere. My guess: South Carolina, after Spurrier steps down at the end of '09.

Next month's edition will feature my top thirty, bowl predictions, conference predictions, preseason All-American teams, and many more exciting features.

Stay tuned.

As of 8:58 on Saturday, June 27, 2009 there are sixty nine days, or 1671 hours, or 100,262 minutes, or 6,015,707 seconds until college football kicks off the 2009 season...I can't wait.

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