College Football 2008 Preview: My Top 25

Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are back and this team has a healthy schedule. Could this be the year Texas Tech challenges for the Big 12 championship? Many think so and I agree. At Kansas, home against Texas and Oklahoma State, and at Oklahoma is as tough as it comes for a four game stretch but it is towards the end of the season and the Red Raider offense ought to be a hummin' by then.

#16 South Florida. What a job Jim Leavitt has done at this program. Having Matt Grothe back along with George Selvie, the Bulls will have some star power this year. A home friendly schedule should put them in the Big East Championship race.

#17 Utah.  This team is dangerous. The opener at Michigan will thrust Utah's name into the national scene. A senior dual threat QB in Brian Johnson and an underrated RB in Darrell Mack are going to put pressure on opposing defenses all season long. At Michigan and BYU at home in the season finale will determine Utah's BCS fate.

#18 Arizona State. Erickson year two is exciting for Sun Devil fans and rightfully so. The man is a terrific coach. Having 13 starters back should help ASU's chances as well. However, who is going to block for Carpenter and Herring? If the Sun Devils can find a suitable offensive line, they can challenge for #2 in the Pac 10. Forget about beating USC though Sun Devil fans. That game is already over.

#19 Pittsburgh. This is a hard one for me. Dave Wannstedt has proven to be a terrible in game coach. However, he has also proven to be a great recruiter. Landing LeSean McCoy was huge and he keeps bringing in more talent. Freshman Jonathan Baldwin is a highlight reel type of receiver. The schedule is very healthy and should give Pitt a chance to compete for the Big East title. This is all assuming that Pitt can field decent QB play this year.

#20 Wisconsin. This team could go either way. The Badgers have a brutal four game stretch in which they start at Fresno State, go to Michigan, have Ohio State the next wee at home, and then Penn State. Add in at Iowa and at Michigan State and this thing looks really tough. It's kind of ironic given the fact that Wisconsin is one of two Big 10 teams that usually skip out on playing all three of Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State (Iowa being the other). PJ Hill is a bruising back and Beilema should have the Badger back in Tampa or Orlando on New Year's Day.

#21 Rutgers. The defense is loaded this with juniors and seniors and has a chance to be very good. Mike Teel will steady the offensive attack for the Scarlet Knights and if they can find a running game, they might just join USF, Pitt, and WVU in the Big East championship race.

#22 Penn State. This may be it for Joe Paterno. Losing linbeacker Sean Lee was a big blow for Nittany Lions but Penn State is always loaded at linebacker. The offense has three very good receivers and if Daryll Clark performs and PSU gets anything out of the run game this could be a special offense. Add that to a less than difficult schedule and PSU should no worse than 8-4.

#23 Illinois.Can the Illini back up last year's strong season with a top 15 or better finish in 2008? Opening in St. Louis against Missouri should be a stiff test for the Illini defense. Juice Williams will start but split time with Eddie McGhee. Can Illinois find an adequate replacement for Rashard Mendenhall? They better if they hope to challenge for the Big 10. Back to back road games at Happy Valley and at Michigan are not going to be walks in the park.

#24 Florida State. This could very well be the end for another coaching legend: Bobby Bowden. The Noles are loaded on defense and assuming Weatherford can get it together this year, the Noles will have a shot at the ACC but it won't be easy. FSU draws Wake, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Florida at home this year but has to go on the road to hated Miami, NC State, and Georgia Tech.

#25 Michigan. I'm not buying the doom and gloom. Michigan is loaded on defense and there is plenty of talent on offense as well. Michigan will be inconsistent due to playing a freshman quarterback in a new system but Rich Rodriguez is pretty darn competitive. Following this program as closely as I do, I guess you could argue I am biased. But my friends would tell you differently and even label more of a pessimist when it comes to Michigan. This team will most likely end up 7-5 but an 8-4 season is not as unlikely as some would like to think.

Close but no cigar: Virgina Tech, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Miami, Boston College, Michigan State, Wake Forest, Florida Atlantic, South Carolina.

This list got very tough to order when choosing between #20-#25. A lot of this is just me reading the tea leaves.

I do like to predict the national championship game every year and this year is no different. This year I'm going with USC vs. Florida in Miami. I'm taking USC to win it all. Thanks for reading.  

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