Spread Offenses Dominate Preseason Top 10 Poll

Here is my first top 10 poll of the year.  I call it a preseason poll, but this is how I feel the teams will be ranked on that Monday after the conference championships (Dec. 8).  Isn't that how "preseason" polls should be?

1. USC

The Trojans have cured their jock itch, but an itch to return to the BCS Championship still burns.  If they dodge Ohio State on Sep. 13, the Trojans have relatively smooth sailing the rest of the way.

2. Georgia

Georgia will be able to navigate through their ridiculous schedule relatively unscathed.  They will be afforded a slip-up because of where they start and the teams they will beat along the way.

3. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are better than 11 of the 12 twelve teams they face, and the 12th is debatable.  If they come out of LA with a win, they have the easiest path to Miami.

4. Florida

The Gators' showdown with Georgia could mean the difference between playing in New Orleans or Miami.  Tebow's health will determine where Florida finishes.  Finishing this high means UF is almost a lock for a BCS Bowl.

5. Oklahoma

The Sooners are national title contenders themselves.  I think they win the Big 12, but they will have a loss or two on the way there.

6. Clemson

The Tigers will get a bump to No. 6 after their ACC Championship Game win.   They are equal to or better than everyone they play, but it is hard not to think they won't have a bad game somewhere keeping them from the national title.

7. West Virginia

The Mountaineers will look similar to how Miami did in Larry Coker's first year, but I think they may be in for a drop in '09 after Pat White leaves and Bill Stewart really gets his handle on the program.

8. Illinois

The Fighting Illini are my surprise team of '08.  They did get thumped in the Rose Bowl, but they got to a BCS game in only Ron Zook's third year.  They have Ohio State at home and could be looking for a second straight upset.

9. Missouri

Missouri takes a slight drop after a second consecutive Big 12 Championship Game loss to Oklahoma, but they don't get left out of the BCS two years in a row.

10. Auburn

A similar story to Missouri here, as Auburn will fall slightly after an SEC Championship loss.  By my count, Auburn makes five teams using the spread offense in my top 10.