College Football: My Preseason Top 25, Part 3

Defensively, the Volunteers also look to be in good shape.  They return six starters, including Demonte’ Bolden and Dan Williams, who are impressive at the DT position.  They also return almost the entire secondary, which was ranked 73rd in pass defense last year.  Look for improvement in this unit.

The linebackers as a whole are undersized, but they still should be able to make a solid impact.  The defense was actually ranked 70th in total defense and 61st in scoring defense.

Is this the defense that stops the likes of Knowshon Moreno, Tim Tebow, and Percy Harvin?  I doubt it.  I think John Chavis and Phil Fulmer are hoping their defense will keep them in the game while they try to outgun the SEC.  This is probably not Tennessee’s year.

Opponents: I have good news and bad news for UT.  While LSU is not on the schedule this year, and they get Florida at Neyland Stadium, they travel to Georgia and Auburn.  They are playing Florida and Georgia when they are both having good years.  It will be crowded atop the SEC East.

Fortunately for my friends in Knoxville, they are masters of their own destiny.  If they can beat Georgia and Florida…well…Fulmer would be a pretty happy guy, and the Vols would probably go to a BCS game.  While I hope they prove me wrong, my good sense tells me that the Volunteers will lose to Florida, Auburn, and Georgia.

However, I believe they will travel to the Rose Bowl and beat UCLA to kick off the season on September 1.  I also think they will have revenge on Alabama for the thrashing they received in Tuscaloosa last year.

After their October 11 game with Georgia, the Vols look to run the table and win their last six games.  Unfortunately, they will probably be out of the race for an SEC title by then.

Prediction: 9-3

15. Kansas (Athlon No. 13, Phil Steele No. 30, SI No. 15, ESPN No. 17)

Overall: Going from 6-6 to 12-1 in one year is fantastic.  Kansas was a great Cinderella story last year, culminating with a big win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.  Mark Mangino proved that he can rebuild a team or two.

I happen to think he will be able to maintain and keep Kansas in the national picture.  On the other hand, Mr. Mangino does not pull a creampuff schedule again.  Additionally, he only returns six starters on offense.

Todd Reesing is one of the best QBs in the country (3,486 yards, 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions) and has a plethora of fantastic no-name running backs, more than enough to replace Brandon McAnderson.

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