With another year of college football on the horizon, the time has come to start your preseason polls. With the AP poll coming out in a week, I think this is a good time to release my top five.
#1 USC Trojans
It’s a good time to be a Trojan in the college football world. They are absolutely LOADED on defense, and Coach Pete Carroll is in one good position this year.
If they can beat out Ohio State in this year's early season contest of college football powerhouses, you should see USC in Miami this January (providing Stanford doesn't show).
Strengths: Another year of strong recruiting (with one more on the way, USC landed QB Matt Barkley, considered by many the No. 1 recruit in the 2009 class) gave USC strong position for years to come. What is considered the best running back situation in the nation will give this team a huge boost. The defense is led by monsters Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing who could have up to four potential All-Americans. The defense will give offensive coordinators nightmares.
Weaknesses: Even tough Mark Sanchez has some game time experience from last year; they don't have a favorable position at the quarterback spot. Also, losing DT Sedrick Ellis and DE Lawrence Jackson will make the D-line a spot for offensive coordinators to look at when playing USC's tough Defense.
Overview: Look for USC to claim their seventh consecutive Pac-10 title this year. A victory against Ohio State in the Coliseum would make USC look like they were already national champs.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs
This team could bring a third consecutive national title to the SEC, if they can survive a rigorous schedule. RB Knowshon Moreno is good enough to easily be the second consecutive sophomore Heisman winner.
If the Dawgs can complete this schedule without a scratch mark, they can truly be called the best team in the land.
23 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
M. Black 11 months ago
very nice article! I like the to-the-point analysis.
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Hokanson 11 months ago
Very similar to my top 5. That's pretty much the consensus top 5 right there.
Any reason you have a picture of a Troy Trojan in your article and not a USC Trojan?
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Moeller 11 months ago
Well done. As a hater of both the Trojans and Buckeyes, I don't want to see either in the championship. Unfortunately for Georgia, they do not have a championship caliber schedule because of their huge roads games. They cannot make it through unscathed and Florida will lose as well, so no SEC team will play in the title game this year. I like Oklahoma and Sam Bradford. He is a young talented, smart quarterback with special talent at wide receiver. I see them in the national title against USC. I hate to say it, but USC is in the PAC-10 and will go through undefeated and undeservingly earn a spot in the national championship. Should be a fun year!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Ellsworth 11 months ago
Bradford is good, but underdeveloped at OU, in my opinion. OU, just like most BCS teams, hasn't put together a QB-friendly offense in years. Bradford will have a rocky, but good season because of coaching. I like Bob Stoops, and I hope he wins a bowl game soon.
Edit Comment Cancel
Edmon 11 months ago
You could make arguements for all five. All have overpowering strengths, and a few holes to fill. Georgia might be the most complete team, but that schedule will get to them. Can OSU shake off two season of being beat in the the National Championship? I have a feeling Coach Tressel will have them ready. The Big 12 is deep this year and any team that comes out of there with a loss or less could be looking at Miami. The BCS could implode this year with more than a few one loss teams. We'll be weighing losses and top wins like we are talking bubbles for March Madness. Maybe we'll get lucky and see two undefeated teams like in 05.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mitch Rowe 11 months ago
"Look for USC to claim their seventh consecutive Pac-10 title this year. A victory against Ohio State in the Coliseum would make USC look like they were already national champs."
The trojans looked like national champs all year last year, except for that Stanford game. It's not whether or not USC is good enough, it's whether they are able to get through their schedule with no slip ups. This year they have a much more favorable schedule with most of the tougher oppenents at home.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jack de Lowe 11 months ago
I think with so many new players on offense (especially the line), if USC's recruiting really did the job it needed to fill in the holes, this could be a great season for the Trojans. If not, even with the great defense they have, it will be a rebuilding year.
Edit Comment Cancel
BabyTate 11 months ago
Why do you think Georgia will be better than Ohio State? You state that Georgia's schedule is their weakness. Concerning Ohio St's weakness you state the BCS won't be forgiving to let a one loss Buckeye team in. Personally, I don't think that is a weakness for Ohio State. I think your excellent write up makes a solid case for Ohio State as the #1 team in the country, maybe without you even realizing it.
I like articles of this nature. You did good research and good work. Continue to write and we'll be all looking for your next story. Keep the faith.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Ellsworth 11 months ago
I read this as more of a power ranking than a poll ranking. Face it, OSU comes to the 2008 season with lots of baggage. If they pull off a win against USC, that mental hurdle for OSU as a #1 contender will vanish, but it's just too hard to believe or hope for that right now, after the last 2 years' debacles.
Edit Comment Cancel
Connor Schmenk 11 months ago
wow, i was trying to talk ohio state down a little bit because i am probably one of the biggest ohio state fans you could meet. i was trying not to be biased tho so i just went off what i researched and figured them at #3. i realize the schedule problem but georgia has a great team so you may be in for a surprise.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Copeland 11 months ago
Last year, or for that matter, the last two years, will not have any implications of OSU going to the BCS Title game this season. The computers don't have memories. If OSU goes 11-1 with its only loss to USC, it could easily be in the NT game again for the third straight year...
Edit Comment Cancel
Connor Schmenk 11 months ago
yes but the problem with the BCS is that only 1/3 of the talying comes from computers
Edit Comment Cancel
Thomas USC 11 months ago
WOW Nice Article Connor,
You are the FIRST national commentator that has correctly stated some of strengths of the USC Team,,
all the others have a CLEAR EAST COAST BIAS and don't even read up on the usc team , much less
get the real info on them.
QB Mark Sanchez will be WAY better than Booty was - Booty would just throw the ball away if he didn't see anyone open,,,
Sanchez will RUN and run with speed and desire if no one is open.
Our RB group is the best in the country and McKnight is the most dangerous RB in the country.
Our WR group is the most talented in the country.
The USC 'D' is the best in the country.
Our main weekness is our OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR,,
if the play-calling and gameplanning improve,, USC might just go on another LONG STREAK OF WINS..
beyond just winning the championship this year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jack de Lowe 11 months ago
I agree with everything you have written EXCEPT the comment about USC's offensive coordinator. USC's offensive line will be made up of largely new and/or inexperienced players (only one returning starter). This is where USC's season will rise or fall on.
Edit Comment Cancel
Reggie Garcia 11 months ago
This article was tremendous, I read it two times over
USC is the top dog
and all those SEC fans are just clammering at Georgia and Flo-rida
Ohio State could run the table, for the first 2 weeks
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 11 months ago
Good write up. But you are off on a few things:
One of USC's big unproven spots is its offensive line. Several new starters along that front.
Almost every team would be screwed if their starting QB goes down. Thus, Florida's weakness is its defense. Its offense and special teams are both top 3 nationally.
Edit Comment Cancel
Will Shelton 11 months ago
Here's my issue - when the first strength you list for USC is recruiting, that's problematic. Is that really the best running back situation in the nation? I think the boys at Clemson might have something to say about that, among others.
They've got the best linebackers in the country, no question, and one of the best defenses. But if we're talking about on paper who's the best team in the country right now? To me, that's not the Trojans. I don't agree with anyone who can look at both rosters and both records from last year and then put USC over Ohio State - even if you think the Trojans will win that game in LA, OSU just has too much and USC not enough coming back to put USC ahead of them in a preseason poll to me. And there are other teams who have more experience and fewer questions than the Trojans as well.
Still, to each his own, and your stuff is well written.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Ballay 11 months ago
I keep thinking that if OSU were to lose to USC, but finish the rest of the year undefeated they could still get into the title game. You really think the BCS wouldn't favor them because of the past 2 years? Just wondering.
Good article.
Edit Comment Cancel
Irish Chris 11 months ago
Jesus Thomas, give it a rest!
Are you dating a player?
The trojans are not the #1 team in the nation because of a couple simple facts.
#1 being that they have a new QB.
Before you all get excited, I live in L.A. and know this team well.
Dirty sanchez has been there for a long time, but this is still his first season as a starter.
#2 is the new O line and probable lack of chemistry.
You can't just plug in new 4 and 5 star guys on an O line and expect them to play well immediately (see Notre Dame).
On top of that, you have a pretty green QB playing behind an O line that has relatively no chemistry with him.
Now combine this with the fact that their is no clear cut #1 running back, and THEN, combine that with the fact that their is no clear cut #1 receiver.
Are you all following me?
All the talent in the world doesn't entitle anybody to anything if you don't get it done when it matters.
The one saving grace for the trojans is that the Pac 10 is pretty mediocre this year.
If they can beat OSU, they have a pretty good shot at winning out the season.
If this article were titled "Football End of Season Top 5",
I would have an easier time believing it.
And then of course usc would be #1 by default, as long as they go undefeated of course.
Then we could watch them play a true opponent (no doubt an SEC team).
I think they could have the #1 defense in the nation this year, and that's with some key losses to the NFL.
I just want to see what they do against a team that can put up some points, AND play defense.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jack de Lowe 11 months ago
For someone who thinks Babe Ruth was better than Willie Mays and that Bill Russell was not the most valuable player all time, you've certain got this situation with USC absolutely right.
The only thing I would add is IF this team were to somehow jell, it really has the potential to be awesome!
How about writing an article rather than just commenting!
Edit Comment Cancel
Brian Scott 11 months ago
Why does everyone insist on looking at the schedule of a team before ranking them preseason? The schedule affects the in season and post season rankings, but not the preseason. That's why UGA is #1, they are a better team than USC, but will probably lose more games so they may not stay #1.
Edit Comment Cancel
Connor Schmenk 11 months ago
that is true but i guess i wanted to get all the factors i could and add them into the process i overlooked that fact
Edit Comment Cancel
Mitch Rowe 11 months ago
This is why preseason rankings mean close to nothing, the first rankings should come out after the 3rd or 4th week
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.