2008 College GridIron Preview

Appalachion State 34 Michigan 32, Stanford 24 USC 23, Arkansas 50 LSU 48, these were some of the many shocking upsets of the 2007 season.  With last year's epic upsets, this fall will be exciting and is looking to be another chaotic season.  Let's look at this year's contenders to bring home the BCS National Championship Trophy:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes - OSU looks to have the best chance of ending up in Miami.  QB Todd Beckman and almost everyone comes back on offense.  The team will miss top pass rusher, Vernon Gholsten, but the defense will be able to overcome this loss with the return of Linebacker James Laurinaitis and Corner back Malcolm Jenkins.
2. Florida Gators - TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW!  This offense will be scary for any defense they face this season.  With Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and the USC running back transfer Emmanuel Moody, this will likely be the most explosive offense in the country.  The defense will need to make strides if they hope to return to the BCS title game two out of the past three years.
3. USC Trojans - While the QB situation with Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain is not solved yet, we know that Southern California will have one of the best running back tandems in the country with Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson.  This team is stacked on both sides of the football. If not for the quarterback controversy the trojans would be ranked #1.
4. Georgia Bulldogs - This is a perfect example of how tough the SEC is.  The bulldogs are in the top 5 preseason but are predicted second in their own division.  This may be the most talented team in the country but the schedule is a killer from them.  Mathew Stafford needs to become a more accurate passer if Georgia hopes to be in the big game.
5. Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns will have one of the better defenses in the country with new defensive coordinator in Will Muschamp. They lost a little bit offensively but will stay in the top 5 as long as McCoy steps up and plays more accurate than last season.
6. Oklahoma Sooners - Quarterback Sam Bradford proved that he was just as good as anyone in his freshman year. Don't be surprised if he looks to pull a Tim Tebow and make a run at the Heisman in his sophomore season.
7. Auburn Tigers - It's hard to imagine any team to contend for the national title after loosing their offensive and defensive coordinator, but it's truly different for these tigers.  Tony Franklin showed that offensive records will fall at Auburn with his new modified spread offense.  Even with the loss of DC Muschamp the tigers will have one of the best defenses in their conference.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers - Yes WV has an entirely new coaching staff, but the talent is there.  Any team with Pat White and Noel Devine will have many wins. Last year's Fiesta bowl shows this what these two can do.
   
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders - All offense and little defense clearly defines this team.  Last year's second ranked offense returns 10 starters.  Look for a lot of points scored and given up.
10. Louisiana State Tigers - The loss of QB Ryan Perrilloux is tough for the tigers, but the rest of the team is solid.  The seniors on defense need to step up this season if they want to contend for the SEC West.