Taking a look at the post spring top 25, I refuse to put Ohio State back at number one. As talented as the Buckeyes are, when you lose two straight championship games and get dominated in the process, I just can't justify giving you the number one ranking again.
The Dawgs look like a loaded team, but has a tough schedule to navigate through. Is this the year Richt puts it all together?
USC is also looking dominant again, with Sanchez at QB and Joe McKnight looking to make you forget about Reggie Bush.
Here's how my post spring rankings shake out.
1. Georgia- Great backfield of Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, athletes all over the field, especially in the secondary. Biggest hurdle facing the Dawgs is the brutal schedule with road games at Auburn, at LSU, and at Arizona State, not to mention Tennessee and Florida along the way. The Dawgs will face 9 bowl teams from last year. If they navigate that schedule they will no doubt be in the championship game. Even a loss with that schedule should put them in there considering what conference they play in.
2. USC- Mark Sanchez takes over the reigns at QB and should have plenty of receivers to throw to and Reggie Bush clone Joe McKnight looks like the next Trojan superstar. Everson Griffin leads a talented defense as well.
3. Ohio State- The Buckeyes might be the most talented team in the nation with 18 returning starters, but when you get embarrassed two years in a row in the BCS title game, you have to earn it this time. A September 13th trip to play mighty USC is exactly how you send a message early in the season.
4. Oklahoma- The Sooners return maybe the best OL in the nation led by Duke Robinson, and with Sam Bradford and their stable of running backs to lead the offense, look for the Sooners to be an explosive team again in '08.
5. Florida- Returning Heisman winner Tim Tebow doesn't hurt, and adding USC transfer RB Emmanuel Moody should help the run game and take pressure off of Tebow. Watch out for Chris Rainey, a Percy Harvin type player, the Gators should be tough to stop. Defense should be much improved as well.
6. Missouri- Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin return to lead a high powered Tiger team that also brings back 10 starters on defense. They also catch a break since they don't play Oklahoma or Texas Tech this year.
7. Clemson- Cullen Harper, James Davis, CJ Spiller, and Aaron Kelly all return to what should be an exciting Clemson offense. They need to replace some starters on defense but they have recruited well. Opener against Alabama in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta will set the tone. Lose that one and watch out.
8. Texas- Biggest offseason addition wasn't any player, it was bringing in defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn. This exciting young coach should energize a average defense and make the Longhorns a Big 12 title contender again. Having Colt McCoy doesn't hurt, need to find a replacement for Jamal Charles though.
9. Auburn- The Tigers are bringing in a new offensive and defensive coordinator. Paul Rhoads from Pitt on the defensive side and spread guru Tony Frankli
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