The Frat Boy News College News Preseason Top 12
3. Louisiana State Tigers (compiled by AOL Sports)
Matt Flynn. Jacob Hester. Early Doucet. Glenn Dorsey. That covers the running, throwing, catching, and defending part. Those are this year's impact players.
Despite losing 9 starters, including #1 overall draft pick Jamarcus Russell, two O-linemen, two WRs and both safeties, LSU is poised to be the most talented team in the conference for the second year running.
Yeah, they're talented, all right. LSU is so freakin' talented it's positively stunning. Best in the SEC? Shoot, this might be the deepest, most athletic and most talented team in the nation, except for top-ranked USC, and even that's debatable.
If the SEC could be won by talent alone, we could forego the 2007 season and hand the conference title trophy to the Tigers and not bother playing any games. However, LSU bore that mantle last year, and not only did they fail to win the SEC, they finished third in their division.
The message? It takes more than talent; but talent will get you a long way.
2. Southern California Trojans (compiled by Big Red Network)
You’ve got to beat the best to be the best. That’s a saying in sports that goes back as far as anyone can remember.
It’s been especially true in college football. In 2005, Texas beat #1 USC to win the national championship. In 2002 it was Ohio State over Miami. This year the consensus going into the season is that USC is the best team in the country.
If Nebraska were to take out the Trojans in week 3 (and assuming the Huskers were unbeaten prior to the game) the Huskers could well assume the top spot in the country and might be favored in each of their remaining games until they lose.
That’s the dream anyway. But USC is ranked high for a reason. They look awfully good.
Lindy’s rates their defensive line, linebacking corps, and secondary each individually as tops in the nation. That makes their defense tops in the country – by a mile.
It’s not like their offense is chopped liver either. Their offensive backfield is ranked third in the country by Lindy’s and their offensive line second.
Only their receiving corps doesn’t merit a top ten ranking. Does that make their receivers a “weakness”? Hardly. USC can roll out 5-star recruits in wide receivers Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton and tight end Fred Davis as well as a bunch of three and four-star guys.
What they lack in experience they make up for with loads of talent.
1. West Virginia Mountaineers (compiled by Rick Starr, Tribune-Review)
Expectations haven't been higher since Rich Rodriguez took over West Virginia's football program seven seasons ago.
They couldn't be higher. They've hit the ceiling.
After 30 victories the past three seasons, back-to-back top 10 finishes, and consecutive New Year's Day bowl victories over the SEC champion and the ACC runner-up, the Mountaineers now have their eyes on one prize.
Everything looks to be in place for the Mountaineers to make a serious run at their first BCS title, and they just may have the 4.4 backfield speed to do it.
From an explosive option attack led by two Heisman Trophy candidates, to a fast-talking head coach who recently turned down the Alabama job, West Virginia is a team in the spotlight.
"West Virginia is on everyone's radar," ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge said.
West Virginia's Heisman hopefuls, runner Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, appeared unfazed by all the preseason pressure and hype as they opened fall practice Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium.
"We're kind of getting used to it," Slaton said. "Our goal every year is to go undefeated, win the Big East title, and play for the national championship. That's what you put in all the hard work for."
This time, national championship buzz goes beyond the Morgantown Mall. It's all over the Internet, cable channels and magazine stands.
"If West Virginia can make it through the Big East undefeated, it could find itself playing for the national championship," reported rivals.com.
The opening weekend of the 2007 college football season had a few close calls and quite possibly the greatest upset in the history of the game.
- The Bruins looked good on Saturday in a 45-17 win over lowly Stanford. UCLA will give USC a nice test later this season, as two of college football's best passing offenses square off.
- Hawaii made Northern Colorado look like a bunch of chumps this weekend as they stomped all over their defense with a 63-6 win. Heisman-hopeful Colt Brennan passed for over 400 yards in just the first half.
- The Scarlet Knights came out and picked up right where they left off last season with a 38-3 win over Buffalo. Runningback Ray Rice ran for 184 yards in the win.
- The Cardinals looked like they were on a mission to gain respect on Thursday as they clobbered Murray State 73-10.
- A powerful day in Blacksburg served as the backdrop in the Hokies 17-7 defeat of East Carolina. Virginia Tech and quarterback Sean Glennon need to get the offense clicking if they hope to pull an upset this week over LSU.
- A troubles offseason for the Oklahoma football program didn't show in the field. Coach Bob Stoops' Sooners pounced all over North Texas early, winning 79-10.
