College Football 2008 Preview: My Top 25

Out of all the SEC powers, Florida has the most favorable schedule. Miami at home and the road challenges are Tennessee and Florida State. Add to that the fact that they do not have back to back tough games and that's a recipe for getting to the SEC championship game. Beat Georgia and they're in. Don't think that the Gators have forgot how last season ended as well as how the cocktail party went in Jacksonville against the Bulldogs. This Florida team will be vastly improved on defense and will likely add a true running game in USC transfer Emmanuel Moody and frosh Chris Rainey. That will take a little bit of the pressure off Tebow. Florida is a very real threat.

#5 Georgia. Absolutely loaded on offense. But a murderer's row of a schedule. Central Michigan is no pushover at home. Immediately following that game, they're on the road against the fighting Spurriers, the Sundevils in Tempe, and then have tough home games against Bama and Tennessee before going away from Athens at LSU, in Jax against the Gators, and at Auburn before finishing at home against Georgia Tech. SEC or not, that schedule looks like at least two losses minimum. Plus, as good as a QB as Stafford is, UGA is still weak at wide receiver and their not exactly a program that has lived up to expectations in the past. I think they'll make a BCS game but not the title game.

#6 Clemson. If the offensive line steps up, this team could be in the national championship hunt come December. A senior QB in Cullen Harper, Davis and Spiller at RB, and an cake schedule makes Clemson a viable contender. The only question is, will Tommy Bowden choke it away as usual?

#7 Missouri. If Mizzou gets past Illinois on August 30th and Nebraska on October 4th, they could be looking at a showdown at Texas on October 18th. Loaded with juniors and seniors, Missouri is likely to build on its great 2007 season. Potential trap game at home against Colorado on October 25th but other than that and the finale against Kansas, this Mizzou team should have a real shot at getting another crack at Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game.

#8 Texas.Talent, talent, talent. Colt McCoy should be much improved and if they find a running back they could be dangerous. Opener at home against Florida Atlantic should be very interesting and could determine the Longhorn season. Adding former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp should translate into an improved Texas defense.

#9. Auburn.

You're currently logged into Facebook

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