College Football: My Preseason Top 25, Part 2

Whether LSU can solve their problems at quarterback and in the defensive secondary will decide whether or not they can defeat Auburn on September 20.

I believe the winner of this game will earn a trip to Atlanta in December.  The Auburn/LSU matchup has been thrilling the past few years and will have immense SEC implications, as it is beginning to have every year.

The other two big games on the slate are a trip to Florida on October 11 and a visit from Georgia on October 25.  LSU could quickly become a national title favorite if they can pull off wins in all three games.

Do I think the Tigers can do it?  Maybe.  I think they will drop one of the three games mentioned above.

My prediction is that they will lose to Florida, win the SEC West title, and lose to Georgia in Atlanta (after beating them in the regular season).  But hey, you never know—they might win it all again.

Prediction: 11-2, SEC West Champs, Sugar Bowl Berth

 

7. West Virginia (Athlon No. 7, Phil Steele No. 6, SI No. 14, ESPN No. 7)

Overview: Now that the whole Rich Rodriguez thing has finally died down, for the most part, Mountaineer fans can concentrate on what should be an exciting year.  As much as I like the Mountaineers, though, I think they will lose a game or two that they should win.

Bill Stewart led VMI to a career 8-25 record and was kicked off the team for using a racial slur.  While I do think the guy is talented, I do not think he will be able to lead this team as effectively as Rich Rod.  I think he will make costly decisions that will negatively affect his talented team.

However, the talent level in Morgantown is extremely high.  Pat White leads an offensive unit that returns nine starters, and he already has his Heisman website up and running.  He is my favorite to win it this year, provided Stewart does not give Noel Devine too many carries and steal the spotlight.

West Virginia has one of the best offensive lines in the nation, which will make the Mountaineers offense extremely powerful.  The weak link on offense is the receiving corps, which may have a bad day and cost WVU a ballgame.

Defensively, the Mountaineers return four starters.  Two of those returning, linebackers Reed Williams and Mortty Ivy, had the first and second-most tackles last year.  The defensive line will also be decent thanks to a transfer or two.

The big question mark is a secondary that returns one starter.  A talented receiving corps may be able to throw defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel into fits.

Opponents: Like I said before, this is a team that will lose a game that it should not because of mental mistakes and blown coverages.  Will it be in Morgantown against Rutgers on October 4?  Or against a UConn team that shared the Big East title last year on November 1?  Time will tell, but it will happen.

WVU’s big non-conference game against Auburn in Morgantown

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