So having just seen another early Top Ten go up on this site I thought I would throw my hat into the fray to analyze what the top twenty-five of the next year should look like to begin the season.
All this is done, of course, without actually knowing which players are going to go to the NFL and which are going to stay. Which coaches may be hired and which may go at the last second.
I am not going to lie when I say that this top twenty-five might have some surprises in it and I only put these surprises in there because I think these teams have a chance to surprise a lot of people.
The hard part about making this sort of list, other than not knowing which players might return, is that at the end of every season, half of the bowl teams have a strong reason for optimism going into the next season, either because of bowl wins or because of new coaches.
Then there are teams like Notre Dame who probably have optimism, but I am having a hard time figure out where they belong. Yes, they had an awful year. Yes, I cannot stand Notre Dame. But you cannot deny that amount of talent and you cannot deny that Charlie Weis, god bless his front-butt ass, will do everything he can to improve his coaching this next season.
Without further ado, I give you a shitty top 25 that can be blasted from here to eternity:
#25 - Mississippi State: Why? Because I find it hard not to believe in Sylvester Croom. This is a man who knows his football, and more importantly, the kids believe in him. I believe this is a team ready to take the next step and cause havoc in the SEC, especially in a season in which LSU and Auburn will have new starting quarterbacks.
#24 - Notre Dame: I have no idea why I have them ranked. Something just tells me that they pull out some tough wins to get to eight wins on the season.
#23 - BYU: Because they are religious and they will pray to their god....Mitt Romney.
Today's Must Reads
#22 - Alabama: Yes, they lose to Croom again. It's called penance. But I think they also finally beat Auburn.
#21 - Florida State: I think this may have been the most impressive victory of the Bowl Season so far...and they lost! If they don't face massive sanctions I think they have a chance to claim their division.
#20 - UCF: Mr. Smith returns. Mr. O'Leary returns. UCF learns how to pass a little.
#19 - UCLA: How does Rick Neuheisel avoid a NCAA Tourney pool with that basketball team?!? Oh, and he is a good coach.
#18 - Tennessee: The Great Pumpkin is a good coach and people in Orange Nation should be happy with what they have.
#17 - Auburn: They are going to try the spread next year with a new quarterback named Burns. They will do just that to a lot of defenses.
#16 - Illinois: I meant to put them here, and then I put Wisconsin here. To be honest I am going to end up being way wrong either way.
#15 - Clemson: Honestly, I think a darkhorse to run the table. But it's Clemson and they are always a darkhorse, and they always disappoint.
#14 - Michigan: I think Lloyd Carr did his last great coaching move in the bowl game and unleashed the team for R-Rod. Another school that should have been happier with their coach.
#13 - Texas Tech: Another darkhorse. Mike Leach is a lawyer. Enough said.
#12 - Kansas: I think this team is a lot better than people give them credit for and I think they are going to start proving it.
#11 - Texas: I know Charles is leaving, but that was an impressive win in the bowl game. They also have Colt McCoy coming back, and he doesn't look like that other Colt after the Sugar Bowl.
#10 - LSU: Ryan Perilloux gets his time. But they lose Glenn Dorsey.
#9 - Oregon: I think they found a new quarterback. Now, if they could only get rid of those old plain uniforms.....
#8 - Virginia Tech: I had a friend that called the LSU-VT game earlier this year "The Tragedy Bowl" and that is reason enough to place them this high.
#7 - Arizona State: They have one heck of a coach. They weren't even supposed to be good this year. I think they unleash the devil. And their cheerleaders are hot.
#6 - Ohio State: All they do is win. Except when playing the SEC. Shoot me if I ever wear a sweater vest.
#5 - Oklahoma: Yes, I forgot about them. Yes, I had to make two number fives to put them in. Yes, I can count. Yes, this makes about as much sense as the BCS. Yes, unlike most people, I will admit to drinking the Kool-Aid.
#5 - Florida: Don't Tase me Bro!!!
#4 - USC: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you this decade's Florida State, never out of the Top 4.
#3 - Georgia: This team is loaded. So is their schedule. No way they get through unscathed.
#2 - Missouri: This team brings back tons of talent and next year they have the experience to take it all the way. Too bad they don't have fans that travel.
#1 - West Virginia: I think this is a team on the cusp of greatness. Not to mention the weak conference they are in.
Teams I found hard to leave out: Pittsburgh, Washington, Georgia Tech, Miami, Wisconsin, California, Penn State, Cincinnati, South Carolina.
You can make fun of this all you want, because I put absolutely NO research into this. If you get all hot and bothered that your team was left out...well get a life, cause I just made this shit up.
And if you really want to know. If I just made this a true top-25, and got rid of the two #5 teams, Florida State would be the team out of luck. The Seminoles are probably facing stiff NCAA sanctions anyway.
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8 months ago
Not bashing, just wondering...is this your preseason top25 or prediction for how 2008 will end? It could be either with the way some of the statements are read, so I was just curious.
-R.H.
from 8 months ago
Hmmm...let's go with a preseason top 25....I mean its way too early for either, and I definitely just threw that together.
Basically, I just wanted to write "Don't Tase me Bro!"
from 7 months ago
Yea good call Ben! Georgia Tech is really sweet lol.....I think you need to sit back and watch WVU win a national title because they are the best team in the nation for 2008!
8 months ago
Leaving Georgia Tech out shouldn't have been too hard. I'd have a hard time putting them in my top 50.
I think West Virginia of 2008 could be Louisville of 2007.
from about 1 month ago
YES ! Exactly what I thought too ! Phenomenal QB, new coach and only 4 starters (i think) returning on defense.
8 months ago
Don't underestimate Paul Johnson, that team has enough talent year in and year out to win eight or nine games, but they always fall flat for a couple of games. West Virginia is a real toss-up. They could be great or they could be awful. Considering how bad the Big East projects to be next season I am going with the former....but hey their new coach does look like a male version of Camilla Parker Bowles....so what do I know.
from 8 months ago
I'm not underestimating Paul Johnson, but I'm also not underestimating Jon Tenuta, the ONLY reason this Tech team has even been competitive the last handful of years.
8 months ago
It's absurd not to have Penn State in the top 25. Once people who know what they're doing start compiling this lists, you'll see them routinely in the top 15. Penn State returns all starters (assuming junior CB Justin King doesn't enter the draft), except Dan Connor on defense and Anthony Morelli on offense. Obviously, losing an all-american like Connor hurts, but PSU has plenty of linebackers in the mill to put in there. And frankly, losing starting QB Morelli may be a blessing.
JoePa generally runs the program so that it can compete for the national championship every four or five years. Next year is the year everyone's been pointing to.
Since you left Penn State off this list, I assume you made other equally egregious mistakes, though I don't know. In any event, get your facts straight--you're killing the internet.
from 8 months ago
Those the same people that didn't have Kansas ranked to start the season, or Missouri? Those people who know what they are doing?
I think you missed the parts of this top 25 where I said I put NO RESEARCH, other than what I already knew, into it. (Such as knowing already that Connor and Morelli were gone.) It's meant to be funny and a cut at the current ranking systems because it's so subjective. But, apparently, people at Penn State have no sense of humor.
God forbid I leave your team out. Your team that was an average Big-10 team this year and is losing its best player and its starting quarterback and you want me to put them in the top 15? I am not saying they won't get there, but it's my damn half-assed list, if you want to make your own I suggest you get a name and make your own.
8 months ago
Ohio State - USC, week one 2008. Whoever wins that game will be sitting pretty. USC doesn't lose many starters, Ohio State is also bring back a majority of its starters next year.
8 months ago
I like the list, but in my opinion USC should be number 1. Bringing back Cushing and Maualuga coming back, a secondary led by Taylor Mays, and an improved offense with Joe McKnight, Arkansas transfers Damien Williams, and Mitch Mustain competing for jobs, this will be a team to reckon with.
from 8 months ago
USC definitely has a chance. I couldn't in my right mind list them #1 from the get go for a couple of reasons. First, that Ohio State game. As the Anonymous pointed out, that game is going to be huge, both teams are loaded, but both have to come up with new starters at key positions. (Laurinitis, Booty etc.)
My concern with USC is certainly not their talent, because everyone knows they are among the most talented teams in the nation. It is that game early in the season and having a new quarterback. Even if that QB turns out to be great, that is a tough Ohio State team to get your larnin' on against.
Honestly, I feel like there were no great teams this year. I feel like next year we are going to get to see up to five great teams play. I bet it will be special.
8 months ago
OSU as #6? WVU as #1? Put down the bong, get a haircut, get a JOB, and get your head together. you are a BAFOON!!!
from 8 months ago
Trust me kid. I make a lot more money than you do.
Once again, let's go over some key points your 3rd grade education may have missed in my article:
(1) My List
(2) Meant to be Funny
(3) My List
(4) No Outside Research
(5) My List
(6) You can make your own list
I understand you are a Buckeye Fan. Congrats. THE Kirk Herbstreit will be sure to give you a prize on your way out the door.
WVU is at the top of my list because they bring all their offensive playmakers back (as of this moment) and they have been on the cusp for years. After that loss to Pitt, they are going to want it more.
from 7 months ago
lol your funny Tyler, but you pretty stupid to think OSU should be higher then WVU. OSU chokes more then anybody plus WVU is flat out way better! So you put down the bong and and actually watch some college football sometime! Loser
8 months ago
WVU is in a weak conference, that's for sure. But they're bonafide chokers in the regular season. They always seem to find a way to fuck it all up.
I'd be happy to shoot you - even without the sweater vest.
(OSU-USC is in Week 2, Anonymous)
8 months ago
WVU will be national champs next year folks. Rich Rod was bought out (wait and see, it will be out soon) against Pitt. They are the best team in the country this year, just wait until next year. You will see, and you saw it first here!!!
8 months ago
Rusi,
Normally I visit this website with intentions of completely slamming the writers with any- and everything that I can think of.
Not this time.
I like the humor, I like the list. I don't agree with many of your choices for the top ten, but like you replied to Tyler, your list.
My team is Clemson, and your ranking is certainly fair. Though I hate reading comments like "they always disappoint," I know its true. Maybe next year (with a slew of returning starters) they won't fuck it all up with a loss to GT.
Props to you for a good article.
from 8 months ago
Thanks. I hoped people wouldn't take this article too seriously.
If this season proved anything its that any team can move all the way up. Clemson is such a tough team. Every year you think it is the year that they finally turn the corner, and every year they manage to have at least one bone-head loss.
I was really hoping that writing "If you get all hot and bothered that your team was left out...well get a life, cause I just made this shit up", would calm people down and realize that it was MY LIST and it was meant to be humourous and done way too early.....Apparently, Penn State Anon didn't get the memo though.
Personally, having made this list, I think you can look at any team on it, and the one's that I had a tough time with and even some outside that and say that they have a chance to win a lot of games. It's too early to tell what will happen.
8 months ago
What is a front-butt ass? This guy's hostile attitude toward Notre Dame is representative of the vast majority of sports talking and writing heads. Most of them must have gone to Southern Cal.
8 months ago
Really? Charlie Weis has a front butt. I mean it's there for everyone to see.
I mean dang, I thought I was being way generous in having a team that won 3 games this season ranked at all. But maybe that teaches me why people don't like Notre Dame even more. Always feeling inferior to USC.
News Flash Notre Dame fans. USC is actually a better team than y'all right now. Just cause you played them close one time this decade does not make the two programs equal.
8 months ago
Hahahah, why the hell is everyone so critical of this article? Seriously? I'm sure if I had written an article last year that had Kansas finishing in the top 10, I would have been laughed out of town for it. Point being, Rusi's guess is as good as any of ours at this point.
To the Penn State fan, prove it on the field first. You guys always seem to fall short of expectations... pardon the rest of the world for expecting the pattern to continue. And to the Notre Dame fan... news flash, you went 3-9 this year. You know who else went 3-9? Baylor, Iowa State, and Ole Miss. You don't see them complaining about not being ranked. Rusi is giving basically the best case scenario you could possibly hope for next year. Be gracious for the optimism.
8 months ago
just a question ur no#5 is florida or florida STATE? Cause you said Fsu would be out of luck in the #5 position and said seminoles in the comment below. Plus you said don't taser me and they got in trouble with the law so is #5 supposed to be Florida State, or the Gators?
8 months ago
Gators. Florida State would be the one out of luck if I had to get rid of someone in my top 25, even though I have them at #21.
The "Don't Tase me Bro!" refers to one Andrew Meyer, a Florida student who had a fun year, to say the least. It's too bad you missed it because it was pretty funny.
8 months ago
I like it...I'm glad to see a knowledgeable poll. I disagree with the WVU placement. Definitely a top 10 team, but if they played an SEC schedule, they would have at least 3 losses. UCF will be strong this next year too. They return almost everyone except the QB, and losing the QB is a positive.
8 months ago
It's actually week 3 for the Trojans. They open at Virginia, have a bye, and then get tOSU at the Coliseum. Plenty of time to get Mark or Mitch acclimated...
8 months ago
In my eyes I would tell the OSU fan that they dont deserve the 6 spot, because or a spot above any sec team cause they cant beat them!!! But I think your poll is great man and finally a few people start giving old coach Sly Croom some respect thank you and Go DOGS!!!
8 months ago
How the hell is Notre Dame in here. They will not improve at all. Jimmy Clausen is a bust.
7 months ago
What about fresno state, they went 9-4 last season, with a win over goergia tech. In 2008 they have to face Wisconsin, and Ucla. Oh yeah, why is notre dame in your top twenty five. On espn they were in bottom 10 for almost the whole season.
7 months ago
I think you are correct.
7 months ago
don't be an asshole to mormons. they are good people.
3 months ago
"#10 - LSU: Ryan Perilloux gets his time. But they lose Glenn Dorsey."
Jacksonville State is having a big welcome party for the trouble maker!
3 months ago
probably the worst predictions ive ever read. How could you leave wisconson out of the top 25 and put mississippi state on there? I cant wait till you look at this at the end of the season and not see over half the teams you listed...
from 2 months ago
wow kid.....i don't know if you looked but this article was written over 6 months ago! I even wrote an updated top 25 like 4 months ago.....and if I had the time I would make another one right now....and both Mississippi State and Wisconsin would be in.
Wisconsin would probably be in the mid-teens in fact. Calm down bud.
from 2 months ago
In fact.... i was wrong....the more recent one was 5 months ago and I did put Wisconsin in....
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7596-An-Early-College-Football-Top-25-List-for-2008-Part-Two-250108
about 1 month ago
How do you have alabama that bad of ranking they have a five year starter quarter in john parker wilson with the best recruting class coming in and nick saban will come up with schemhs to help them be a 10 win team.
from about 1 month ago
First off. If you pay attention this Top 25 is almost 8 months old.
Second. I have Alabama ranked....which is more than the Coaches Poll has.
Third, "schemhs"?
Fourth, a five year starter? No he has started for 2.5 years so far....and this year will make 3.5....and that is being generous.....and what, even if he had started for FIVE years is your point? Reggie Ball WAS a FOUR year starter at GT....and he sucked hairy goat balls.....
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