15. Brigham Young Cougars
BYU is the best non-BCS team, and I fully expect them to be playing in a BCS Bowl game in January. Their schedule is set up perfectly for it, with only struggling UCLA and Washington in their non-conference schedule.
The Cougars averaged 30 points per game and 442 yards per game in 2007. The bad news for their opponents is that BYU returns eight starters on offense, including their quarterback Max Hall. Hall threw for over 3,800 yards last year with 26 touchdowns, while running back Harvey Unga ran for over 1,200 with 13 touchdowns.
However, on defense, BYU returns just three starters from a core that only gave up 18.5 points and 97 yards on the ground per game. If head coach Bronco Mendenhall can find quality players on defense, there is a legitimate chance that BYU can go 12-0. If they don’t go 12-0, they should still win at least 10 games.
BYU enters the season on a 10-game winning streak and a 16-game conference winning streak. The team’s motto this year is “quest for perfection,” and the Cougars definitely have a chance to reach it.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Every year I get fooled by Texas Tech. They start out the year ripping through their opponents, but then when they have to play a tough Big 12 team, they get stomped. Last year, however, the Red Raiders did beat Oklahoma, which might show they are getting over the hump of losing to top tier teams.
This team is stacked offensively. Quarterback Graham Harrell threw for 5,700 yards and 48 touchdowns, most of them to sophomore Michael Crabtree, who caught 22 of those touchdown passes and racked up 1,960 yards.
On defense they return eight starters, which is great news for Tech fans. In my opinion, if they do not allow opponents to score over 24 points, there is no reason why this team cannot challenge for the Big 12 South Title.
I think the Red Raiders should breeze through their first seven games (again), with maybe one speed bump along the way, but it will be the games at Kansas and home against Texas in consecutive weeks which will define the character of this team. Two wins there, and it is all set for a Nov. 22 matchup with Oklahoma for a chance to go to the Big 12 Title game.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies
The $100,000 question for the Hokies is, who will start at quarterback? From everything I have been reading, that question still does not have an answer. Both Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor have been inconsistent in camp, so it looks as if the Hokies will start the season with a two-quarterback system.
With Glennon, I believe Tech needs to have a better running game, and the two fighting for the running back position now that Branden Ore has been kicked off the team are Jahre Cheeseman and Kenny Lewis, Jr.
Taylor can be the answer to all the Hokie prayers if he develops some consistency. He has the athletic ability to put more fear in opposing defenses since players of the last name Vick. With Zach Luckett’s recent DUI, the receivers have to do a bit of shuffling too.
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