Prediction: The SEC East may be just too strong for Tennessee to go on another conference title run, but a win in the season opener against UCLA could help them get over the black eye of losing to a PAC 10 team last year; a virtual sin in the SEC. While they may struggle to get on the road to Atlanta in 2008, you can bet that the Vol Navy already has a 2009 BCS title on its radar.
19. Illinois 9-4 422
Who would have thought we would be talking about Ron Zook so soon after being given a one way ticket out of Gainesville? Juice Williams and his Fighting Illini saw to that by having the audacity to knock off Ohio State last year and throw the whole BCS out of whack. Actually, at that point the BCS was already on system overload.
Williams is back after spending the off season trying to focus more on becoming a pocket passer. While he’ll have some talented receivers to go to, it remains to be seen how productive the offense will be without the first round draft pick tailback Rashard Mendenhall.
Ron Zook is a defensive minded coach, and he has been able to bring some depth to the unit during his short tenure at Illinois. The NFL prospect cornerback Vontae Davis will have to step up and give the Illini excellent pass coverage to get through their tough schedule.
Prediction: Playing the season opener against Big 12 North champs Missouri is probably not where Zook wanted to start, but it will get his squad ready for a schedule that includes Michigan, Penn State, and a rematch against reloaded Ohio State. Though unlikely this year, if Illinois can repeat their success in the Big 10 and have a few other factors go their way, they could earn another trip to the Rose Bowl.
20. Oregon 9-4 399
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