Power teams return
In college football's fantasy world, there's a Boise State story every
season.
In the real world, it doesn't work that way.
While recent history dictates that Florida probably won't repeat as
national champion in 2007, you also can count on the same handful of
high-profile programs to dominate the preseason speculation.
For every Boise State and Rutgers, there's Southern California,
Michigan, Louisiana State, Florida, Texas and others.
Here's one Top 5 going into next season:
1. Southern Cal
Sure, the Trojans will have to come up with new receivers, but
quarterback John David Booty should be better in his second season as a starter
and USC has an overflowing cupboard of young talent, especially on
defense.
The schedule is somewhat favorable, with non-conference games at
Nebraska and Notre Dame. Now athletic director Mike Garrett has to keep NFL
teams away from coach Pete Carroll.
2. Michigan
Michael Hart's decision to not turn pro early will help the Wolverines
snap out of their post-Rose Bowl doldrums a lot faster than they would
have. With Hart and QB Chad Henne, Michigan has the ability to light up
the scoreboard.
But there's work to do defensively since tackle Alan Branch is leaving
early. Michigan has only four road games, with Wisconsin the toughie,
and Ohio State has to come to Ann Arbor.
3. Florida
As well as Chris Leak played Monday night in the domination of Ohio
State, Gators coach Urban Meyer can't wait to turn over the quarterbacking
keys to Tim Tebow, who was content to play a part-time role as a
freshman.
Florida has some holes to fill defensively, and its toughest SEC game,
LSU, is on the road. The odds against repeating as national champs,
however, aren't as high as you might imagine.
4. LSU
Les Miles is beginning to recruit as well as Nick Saban did, and if the
Tigers find a suitable replacement for QB JaMarcus Russell, a national
title run is not out of the question.
LSU has loads of talent, especially defensively, and it helps that its
most difficult games -- Auburn and Florida in the SEC and Virginia Tech
out of conference -- are in Baton Rouge.
5. Texas
The Longhorns return a lot of offensive talent. From baby-faced QB Colt
McCoy, who should be even better as a sophomore (if it's possible), and
three of his top four receivers.
The question marks are on defense, especially in the secondary. Still,
the schedule isn't very demanding, with the toughest road game being
the last -- at Texas A&M.
What about Rutgers?
Coming off a school-best No. 12 ranking in the final AP poll, the
Scarlet Knights' turnaround should continue. Expect them to be in the
12-to-16 range in the preseason rankings.
Replacing future NFLers Brian Leonard and Clark Harris won't be easy,
but the biggest concern could be at linebacker. Greg Schiano's best
recruiting class should help.
Eight home games certainly help, but Rutgers needs to somehow upgrade
its future schedules if it wants to crack the Top 10 every preseason.
What about Notre Dame?
Now let's see how Charlie Weis does coaching his own players, not those
he inherited in his first two seasons.
Weis has a lot of work to do, especially on offense, where QB Brady
Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija will be playing on Sundays in the fall, and
most of their blockers have graduated. Factor in that the Irish play at
Penn State, Michigan and UCLA, and Boston College and Southern Cal come
to South Bend, and Weis might reconsider his commitment to South Bend.
Who are the leading Heisman candidates?
Start with the running backs: Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of
Arkansas, Ray Rice of Rutgers and Steve Slaton of West Virginia. And don't
forget the quarterbacks: Colt Brennan of Hawaii, McCoy of Texas and
Patrick White of West Virginia.
See more at www.northjersey.com
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