On defense, they have to replace most of their front seven. But with the injuries that took place last year, many of those starting this year got some quality playing time. In the secondary they are led by self-proclaimed Heisman candidate Victor Harris, who had five interceptions last season and will be an important part of the Hokie return game.
Virginia Tech should win their first three games, setting up a tough one at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are much improved and should put some pressure on the Hokies in the ACC Coastal Division.
12. Louisiana State Tigers
The defending BCS Champions have some holes to fill, but with strong past recruiting classes, the Tigers shouldn’t fall too far. The first hole is at quarterback, where Jarrett Lee should begin the season as the starter despite being held out of the last scrimmage due to back spasms.
With Jacob Hester graduating, Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, and Richard Murphy will see time in the backfield. On a positive note, the Tigers return four of five starters on the offensive line.
On defense, LSU will be adjusting to a new coordinator that has to replace seven starters. Ricky Jean-Francois, Tremaine Johnson, and Tyson Jackson all have played well in the fall and should help ease the pain from losing All-American Glenn Dorsey.
The Tigers start out at home in a much-anticipated game against the FCS Champions Appalachian State. I don’t expect the Tigers to take them lightly. On Sep. 20, they open SEC play against Auburn, which should be a great game.
The inexperienced Tigers must adapt quickly if they want to defend their SEC West title—with their schedule, there is little room for growing pains.
11. Wisconsin Badgers
Every February when you check out the latest recruiting rankings, rarely do you see Wisconsin in the Top 20—yet year after year they churn out quality teams in the Big Ten. This year will be no different for the Badgers, who return nine of 11 starters on offense, led by running back P.J. Hill Jr.
Hill ran for 1,200 yards last season and will benefit running behind an offensive line that that returns all starters from 2007. No talk of their offense would be complete without talking about tight end Travis Beckum, who caught 75 balls for 982 yards and six touchdowns.
The only problem facing Bret Bielema and the Badgers offense is that they have five quarterbacks on the roster with a combined zero starts as a Badger. However, Allan Evridge does have six starts under his belt from his time at Kansas State.
On defense, the backfield must make up for lost time, as many of them missed spring practice due to suspensions. Free safety Shane Carter had seven interceptions last year and hopes to improve the Badger defense.
Wisconsin starts out slow, but then travels to California to play Fresno State the third game of the year. They have a tough three-week stretch of Big Ten play, going to Michigan, then home against Ohio State and Penn State, all in consecutive weeks. Running the table there would almost guarantee them at least a share of the Big Ten Championship.
[ITB Preseason 16-20]
[ITB Preseason 21-25]
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