Welcome to our annual college football preview, where we take a look at the Top 25 teams in EA Sports' NCAA Football 08. In many ways 2006 was unlike any year of the past decade in the sport, with smaller programs such as Boise State and Rutgers fighting their way into the national spotlight and, in the case of Boise State, college football legend. It's fitting then that Jared Zabransky, the star of the Broncos' storybook rise and legendary defeat of Oklahoma at last year's Fiesta Bowl, would grace this year's cover of EA's long-running college football series.
While last year was unique in some respects, it seems that every season brings forth new surprises, upset victories, and stunning defeats (such as Ohio State's utter destruction at the hands of Florida in last year's national championship game). This season should be no exception. With just weeks to go before the season kicks off, it's time to take a look at the teams EA Sports rates as the best in the nation. And remember, we didn't rate them, we're just reporting them!
#25 Boston College Eagles (10-3)
Boston College's unexpected success in 2006 probably shouldn't be that surprising after all: the Eagles haven't lost more than three games in the past three seasons and their seven-game bowl-winning streak is the longest in the NCAA. Two of their 10 wins in 2006 came in back-to-back double overtime games against Clemson and BYU, and they even managed to beat ACC stalwarts Virginia Tech and Florida State. Senior quarterback Matt Ryan battled ankle and foot problems last season, yet still managed to throw for nearly 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. The first half of the schedule is fairly friendly, with only one road game (against Georgia Tech). Unfortunately, it could mean a rough second half for Boston College, with difficult road games against the likes of Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Clemson.
Eagles Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Brian Toal
ROLB
95
50 tackles, 2 INT
DeJuan Tribble
CB
94
49 tackles, 7 INT
Matt Ryan
QB
92
2942 yds, 15 TD, 10 INT
Stadium: Alumni Stadium (44,500 capacity)
Brian Toal will bring his leadership to the Eagles' defense in the team's bid to be an upset special in the ACC.
#24 Texas A&M Aggies (9-4)
Should the Aggies fire Dennis Franchione? As in the last few years, that's been the question on the minds of lots of Texas A&M fans these days. And, as always, there's no easy answer to that question: heartbreaking late-season losses to Nebraska and Oklahoma (both by one point) might have pointed to regime change, only to have the Aggies beat arch-rival Texas in Austin in a 12-7 struggle. This year, the Aggies will face the Cornhuskers and Sooners on the road (along with making the trip to Miami to face the Hurricanes), all before winding up the season against Texas in College Station. Junior quarterback Stephen McGee had an impressive 2,295 yards passing in 2006, throwing 12 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions, statistics practically any coach would like to see out of a young player. McGee should improve on those numbers this season, resulting perhaps in a 10-win season…and more arguments over Franchione's fate at Texas A&M.
Aggies Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Stephen McGee
QB
91
2295 yds, 12 TD, 2 INT
Red Bryant
DT
90
19 tackles, 1 sack
Jorvorskie Lane
HB
89
725 yds, 19 TD
Stadium: Kyle Field (82,600 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #11)
Jorvorskie Lane doesn't just have an awesome first name--he's a touchdown machine to boot.
#23 Boise State Broncos (13-0)
In practical terms, it's going to be more or less impossible for the Broncos to repeat last year's storybook success. The team lost its starting quarterback and four of its top receivers. The schedule includes tough out-of-conference away games against Washington and Hawaii. And let's face it, the kind of "hook and ladder" lightning in a bottle from last year's Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma just can't be replicated at will. Then again, Boise State has made a career out exceeding expectations. This is a team, after all, that's won five straight WAC titles, and won three of its last five bowl games. Coach Chris Petersen knows how to get the most out of his players, so senior quarterback Taylor Tharp and junior running back Ian Johnson should be in good hands. These days, it's a telling sign of the program's progress that folks talk more about the Broncos' talent than their bright blue playing field.
Broncos Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Ian Johnson
HB
94
1713 yds, 25 TD
Marty Tadman
FS
91
67 tackles, 6 INT
Orlando Scandrick
CB
90
52 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT
Stadium: Bronco Stadium (30,000 capacity)
Can Ian Johnson lead the Broncos to another improbably successful season? Time will tell.
#22 TCU Horned Frogs (11-2)
Even with LaDainian Tomlinson long gone from the lineup, TCU continues to find success in the Mountain West. Another team not found in NCAA Football 07's Top 25, the Horned Frogs ended up #22 in the final AP Top 25 poll thanks to wins over Colorado State, Texas Tech, and Air Force. The job of building on that success will fall largely to players like junior halfback Aaron Brown, who split time in the TCU backfield with Lonta Hobbs last season. The defense, built around players like defensive end Tommy Blake and safety Brian Bonner, could be the best in the conference, with nine starters returning to the team. Tough road games against the likes of Texas and BYU are major obstacles in the schedule, but there's no reason to think the team won't be at or near the top of its conference at the end of the season.
Horned Frogs Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Tommy Blake
DE
95
54 tackles, 7 sacks
Brian Bonner
SS
87
49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 INT
Aaron Brown
HB
84
801 yds, 9 TD
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium (44,008 capacity)
This season, defensive end Tommy Blake looks to top his seven-sack total of 2006.
#21 Florida State Seminoles (7-6)
Bobby Bowden's Seminoles had the ignominious job of introducing the rest of the nation to a resurgent Boston College team, after the Eagles beat the Seminoles in Tallahassee 24-19. Of course, hindsight tells us that BC was a better team than most folks gave them credit for, but Seminoles fans were nonetheless understandably less than pleased with the loss. This year's team has the advantage of bringing back 14 starters from last year, making it one of the most experienced Florida State teams in the past decade. They'll need all of that experience and talent to find success in a tough schedule that features games against Alabama, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Florida, and Boston College. Defensive standouts Myron Rolle and Geno Hayes combined for 136 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions in 2006, numbers that the Seminoles will need again in 2007 if they hope to emerge the best team in the Sunshine State.
Seminoles Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Myron Rolle
SS
94
77 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
Geno Hayes
ROLB
93
59 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT
Antone Smith
HB
87
456 yds, 5 TD
Stadium: Doak S. Campbell Stadium (82,300 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #14)
Will Antone Smith live up to the Seminole legacy of Warrick Dunn or just end up as the next Leon Washington?
#20 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-2)
As strange as it might feel for you to be reading about Rutgers in our top 25 preview, it feels just as strange for us to be writing about them. Though the Scarlet Knights have had their share of strong games over the past few seasons (upsets over Michigan St. and Pittsburgh in 2004 and 2005, respectively), the Knights, led by Greg Schiano, had a dream season in 2006, culminating in a triple-overtime nail-biter that had Rutgers one win away from the Big East title. Despite losing to the Mountaineers, Rutgers managed to pound Kansas State in the Texas Bowl to take its first bowl win in the school's 137-year history. Needless to say, then, expectations in New Jersey are high for Schiano's team. Junior quarterback Mike Teel will lead an offense that will see seven returning starters. A favorable schedule that will have West Virginia playing in New Brunswick also works to the Knights' favor, though the Louisville road game at the end of the season could prove to be a season spoiler if they aren't careful.
Scarlet Knights Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Courtney Green
SS
94
82 tackles, 1 sack, 4 INT
Ray Rice
HB
94
1794 yds, 20 TD
Mike Teel
QB
84
2135 yds, 12 TD, 13 INT
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium (42,000 capacity)
Ray Rice is primed to become the all-time leading Scarlet Knights rusher; he needs just 201 yards to set the record.
#19 UCLA Bruins (7-6)
What's a 7-6 team doing this high up in the NCAA 08 Top 25? Well, we're not entirely sure, though that stunning 13-9 late-season upset of USC (#2 in the nation at the time) might have something to do with it. Coach Karl Dorrell earned himself at least one more year of job security with that win, and Bruins fans everywhere are hoping their team builds on that success in 2007. To do so, they'll face one of the toughest schedules in the nation, with the only "gimme" on the calendar the September 1 opener against Stanford (and even that game is on the road). Home games against Washington, Notre Dame, Cal, and Oregon form the heart of the home schedule, and then there's that season-ending rivalry game against USC, where the Trojans will be looking for payback. With an experienced team that features 10 returning starters on offense, the Bruins look poised to take on that difficult schedule and make a real run at Pac-10 glory.
Bruins Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Dennis Keyes
FS
94
79 tackles, 1 INT
Brigham Harwell
DT
93
31 tackles, 1 sack
Chris Markey
HB
89
1107 yds, 2 TD
Stadium: Rose Bowl (91,500 capacity)
Have fortunes in the USC/UCLA rivalry finally turned? We're guessing Bruins' safety Dennis Keyes would say yes.
#18 Georgia Bulldogs (9-4)
A two-game stretch seemed to define the Bulldogs' rollercoaster 2006 season: an upset loss to SEC cellar-dweller Kentucky 24-20, followed the next week by a complete drubbing of rival Auburn 37-15. This season will include another difficult run through the SEC gauntlet, made all the more difficult by the loss of key players like Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson on the defensive line. After struggling last season, sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford has won the starting job, with senior running back Kregg Lumpkin looking to give the Bulldogs just their second 1,000-yard rusher since 1992. The Deep South's oldest rivalry will continue when Auburn visits Athens in the 111th meeting between the two teams; other key matches on the Dawgs' schedule include away games at Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech.
Bulldogs Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Thomas Brown
HB
88
256 yds, 1 TD
Brandon Miller
MLB
87
23 tackles
Mohamed Massaquoi
WR
86
366 yds, 2 TD
Stadium: Sanford Stadium (92,746 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #18)
Mohamed Massaquoi should be the go-to guy for sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford.
#17 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4)
Joe Paterno is 37 wins shy of 400 wins during his storied coaching career. While it's difficult to say if the 80-year-old Penn State legend will forego retirement for the four or five years it will likely take him to reach that milestone, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Paterno stalking the sidelines. This year, the Nittany Lions could take a big step towards securing at least 10 of those needed wins thanks to a favorable home schedule and a talent base that includes eight returning starters on offense. The defense will be younger this time around, with six starters returning, including Dan Connor, looking to fill the shoes of 2006 impact player Paul Posluszny. Key to success will be senior quarterback Anthony Morelli, whose numbers didn't light up critics in 2006 (2424 yards passing, 11 TD, 8 INT) but should see improvement, especially if junior wide receiver Derrick Williams comes into his own. The Nittany Lions' toughest tests will be their September 22 road game against Michigan, homecoming in Happy Valley versus Wisconsin, and an October 27 home game against Ohio State. Should they prevail in all three, JoePa will take a significant step closer to 400 wins.
Nittany Lions Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Dan Connor
MLB
99
113 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INT
Justin King
CB
94
30 tackles, 1 INT
Derrick Williams
WR
91
440 yds, 1 TD
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #4)
Junior corner Justin King's sticky hands will be a big problem for Big 10 quarterbacks this year.
#16 California Golden Bears (10-3)
If it weren't for those pesky Trojans, Cal fans would be in the midst of an in-conference renaissance practically unheard of in the history of the program. Coach Jeff Tedford led his team to a share of the Pac-10 title last year, thanks in part to UCLA's late-season defeat of USC; it's just another chapter in the team's revival of fortunes, one that has seen the team go from an also-ran in the conference to a yearly contender. 2006 didn't get off to the greatest of starts, as the Golden Bears made the trip to Knoxville and got stomped by Tennessee; this year they'll be looking at the Volunteers with revenge on their minds, as the teams play the rematch in Berkeley. Should they win that game, and manage to beat in-conference opponents like Oregon and UCLA on the road, the looming November 10 home showdown against national-title favorite USC will be perhaps the biggest game ever played at Memorial Stadium.
Golden Bears Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
DeSean Jackson
WR
97
1060 yds, 9 TD
Justin Forsett
HB
89
626 yds, 4TD
Thomas DeCoud
FS
93
45 tackles
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (72,516 capacity)
DeSean Jackson should be one of the top wideouts in the nation in 2007, and a contender in the Heisman race.
#15 Tennessee Volunteers (9-4)
Tennessee started 2006 with a bang, whipping the favored Cal Bears 35-18 at Neyland Stadium in front of the largest stadium crowd the Bears had ever seen. Vols fans took this to mean a reversal of fortunes of sorts for the semi-struggling program, which had lost six games the year prior (including a pitiful 6-3 defeat at the hands of rival Alabama). Unfortunately, that strong start sputtered in the weeks that followed, with the Volunteers edging by Air Force and losing a heartbreaker to Florida, both at home. Two late-season losses against LSU and Arkansas put a fork in Tennessee's SEC championship hopes. It was announced that Erik Ainge would assume starting duties for the Vols, but surgery for a torn meniscus leaves the athlete's 2007 status a bit uncertain at this point.
Volunteers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Jonathan Hefney
FS
97
96 tackles, 5 INT
Erik Ainge
QB
92
2989 yds, 19 TD, 9 INT
LaMarcus Coker
HB
88
696 yds, 5 TD
Stadium: Neyland Stadium (104,079 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #6)
Erik Ainge has got a long way to go before living up to Peyton's Volunteers legacy, but 19 touchdowns in 2006 wasn't a bad start.
#14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-5)
The jury is still out on coach Bill Callahan's mission to "de-option" the Cornhuskers. Though the west-coast scheme has improved in terms of points scored, the team is still a distance away from the glory days of Tom Osborne. And with Lincoln fans bringing new urgency to the word "impatient" (right, Frank Solich?), we're wondering how long the Callahan experiment will last if the team doesn't take a major turn toward Big 12 dominance in 2007. To do so, they'll need to rely on players like senior quarterback Sam Keller (who sat out the 2006 season after transferring from Arizona State) and defensive stalwarts Zackary Bowman and Steve Octavien. The challenges will come early and often for the Huskers, as they'll travel to Wake Forest on September 8, only to play host to the USC Trojans the following week. The Huskers are playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season, with tough road games at Texas and Colorado late in the season.
Cornhuskers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Zackary Bowman
CB
93
NA (injury)
Sam Keller
QB
91
NA (did not play)
Steve Octavien
ROLB
91
32 tackles, 1 sack
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (81,067 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #12)
The option no more--Sam Keller looks to continue the passing-game resurgence in Lincoln.
#13 Auburn Tigers (11-2)
Expectations on the Plains have always been high--this is the SEC we're talking about--but the last few seasons after the Tigers' incredible 2004 campaign have been a mixture of highs and lows. The rollercoaster continued in 2006 thanks to some incredible highs--chief among them, beating arch-rival Alabama for the fifth straight time, and being the only team to take down the national champion Florida Gators. On the downside, an undefeated run through the SEC schedule was upset by disappointing performances against Arkansas and Georgia. 2007 will be another tough slog in conference, as well as some difficult contests in the out-of-conference schedule (watch out for that USF game on September 8). Quarterback Brandon Cox will need to step up in his final season, while RBs Brad Lester and Ben Tate will look to fill the shoes of Kenny Irons, another in a long line of former Auburn backs pipelined into the NFL.
Tigers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Quentin Groves
RE
96
37 tackles, 9.5 sacks
Tray Blackmon
ROLB
93
18 tackles
Brandon Cox
QB
88
2198 yds, 14 TD, 9 INT
Stadium: Jordan Hare Stadium (87,451 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #20)
No quarterback wants to see this guy bearing down on them: Quentin Groves should be the lynchpin of the Tigers' pass rush in 2007.
#12 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
A respectably strong schedule and some serious talent on both sides of the ball should have resulted in a dream season for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2006. Unfortunately, that dream erupted in a nightmare in the BCS Championship game at the hands of an inspired Florida squad, who demolished the pride of Columbus 41-14. After losing Troy Smith to the NFL, the Buckeyes are looking to rebuild their leadership, with junior Todd Boeckman taking the reins at quarterback. Save for the November 3 contest against Wisconsin, the home schedule looks to be an easy one for Ohio State, which means the toughest contests--Michigan, Penn State, Washington, and Purdue--are all away games. After replacing all three 2005 starting linebackers last season, standout middle linebacker (and Nagurski Award-winner) James Laurinaitis looks to take control of a defensive team that will surely have big hits and turnovers on the collective brain.
Buckeyes Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
James Laurinaitis
MLB
95
115 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 INT
Malcolm Jenkins
CB
94
55 tackles, 4 INT
Chris Wells
HB
89
576 yards, 7 TD
Stadium: Ohio Stadium (102,329 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #2)
James Laurinaitis will be all over the field in the Buckeyes ' 2007 bid to dominate the Big 10…and the world.
#11 Louisville Cardinals (12-1)
The bad news is that former Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino has lit off for the NFL, as well as the inevitable headache of trying to turn the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick into a quarterback. The good news is star quarterback Brian Brohm turned down a shot at the NFL in order to try to bring a title to Louisville. Brohm will prove to be the make-or-break element in Louisville's 2007 campaign, as his outstanding 3,049-yard, 16-touchdown, 5-interception season helped push him into legitimate Heisman hype for 2007. Last season saw the Cardinals overhaul their receiving corps and, with a year of experience under their hats, this could be another big year for Louisville's pass-happy offense. Along with Big East challengers like West Virginia and Rutgers, Louisville is helping lead the Big East back into respect in the NCAA. Its final three games against West Virginia, USF (who upset the Cardinals in 2005), and Rutgers will be the trio that fully tests the team's mettle.
Cardinals Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Brian Brohm
QB
98
3049 yds, 16 TD, 5 INT
Brandon Cox
RE
89
10 tackles
Harry Douglas
WR
89
1265 yds, 6 TD
Stadium: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (42,000 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #24)
Brian Brohm is one of a handful of early Heisman candidates, and he should have another dominating season.
#10 Arkansas Razorbacks (10-4)
If he hadn't been hurt early in the SEC Championship game, Darren McFadden might have led Houston Nutt's Razorbacks to a conference title, and upset Florida's national title hopes in the process. As it stood, McFadden went down in the first quarter and Arkansas was exposed for understandably relying on their star running back, who finished second overall in Heisman voting. The off-season hasn't been kind to Nutt, who's been embroiled in a soap opera-ish fiasco involving text messages and a local news caster and, as a result, it's tough to tell how Arkansas will bounce back for the 2007 season. The good news is Darren McFadden will return and looks to be the early front-runner for the Heisman. If junior quarterback Casey Dick can help the Razorbacks mix up their offense, the team will be in good shape for a typically rough SEC schedule that includes away games against Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU.
Darren McFadden should sprint, juke, and shed his way to Heisman contention in 2007.
#9 Virginia Tech Hokies (10-3)
Frank Beamer's Hokies have been regular contributors to the Top 25 NCAA polls for the past few years now, and this year, they are the highest-rated team from the ACC in NCAA 08. There's no reason to think their poll numbers will improve in the early part of the 2007 campaign, provided that they can get by an extremely tough September 8 contest against LSU in Death Valley. The late schedule doesn't let up either, with late-season match-ups against Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Miami. An outstanding linebacking duo of Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi will form the backbone of a tough Hokie defense--here's hoping the team gets the most out of the two seniors, as next year's linebacking corps will be significantly short on experience.
Hokies Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Xavier Adibi
LOLB
96
82 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 INT
Vince Hall
MLB
96
128 tackles, 2 sacks
Branden Ore
HB
90
1137 yds, 16 TD
Stadium: Lane Stadium (65,115 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #5)
Senior linebacker Vince Hall led the Hokies in tackles in 2006, and will likely do so again this season.
#8 Oklahoma Sooners (11-3)
Remember our introduction and the whole Fiesta Bowl/Boise State fiasco? Yeah, it was these guys the Broncos beat. In fact, you might argue that Jared Zabransky has Bob Stoops and company--and their inability to stop a streaking quarterback and recognize a few trick plays--to thank for his 15 minutes of video game fame. Though Boise State almost certainly won't repeat their dream 2006 season, there's no reason to think that Stoops and the Sooners won't be back challenging for Big 12 supremacy in 2007. In order to do so, however, they'll need to be good at home--the Sooners will face Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State, all at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with the team's toughest road games being Texas Tech and Iowa State. A freshman quarterback, Sam Bradford, will find his mettle tested early and often, so the Sooners will be counting on the experienced duo of safeties in Reggie Smith and halfback Allen Patrick to pull their weight.
Sooners Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Darrien Williams
FS
95
67 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT
Reggie Smith
SS
94
41 tackles, 3 INT
Allen Patrick
HB
90
761 yds, 4 TD
Stadium: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (82,112 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #16)
Darrien Williams will be half of one of the more potent safety duos in the nation (along with strong safety Reggie Smith).
#7 Wisconsin Badgers (12-1)
One of the nine teams not featured in last year's EA Sports Top 25 only to end the season in the AP final Top 25 list, the Badgers find themselves riding the wave of a tremendous 12-1 season that saw them lose only to Michigan, while taking down traditional powerhouses like Penn State and Iowa, and producing in Joe Thomas one of the more impressive offensive linemen in recent memory. Little wonder, then, that NCAA 08 has the Badgers ranked so high. Two tough games on the road (Penn State and Ohio State), plus a showdown with Michigan on November 10, will define Wisconsin's success in 2007, and the team will need stellar performances from the likes of quarterback Tyler Donovan and corner Jack Ikegwuonu if they hope to top the success of last year.
Badgers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Jack Ikegwuonu
CB
93
41 tackles, 2 INT
PJ Hill
HB
91
1569 yds, 15 TD
Jonathan Casillas
ROLB
88
83 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (80,321 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #17)
Linebacker Jonathan Casillas will be a key component in a swarming Badgers defense in 2007.
#6 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-2)
Rich Rodriguez has few friends in the state of Alabama. After flatly turning down the job as the new head coach of the Crimson Tide, Rodriguez not only turned his back on one of the more historically prestigious jobs in the game, but, more importantly, also made a statement of his commitment to the Mountaineers program. Rodriguez has been the architect of a program that alongside Louisville have helped to transform the Big East from a college football also-ran to a conference to be respected, if not necessarily feared. Nine out of West Virginia's eleven wins in 2006 came by ten points or more, with the sole exceptions being a triple-overtime nail-biter against Rutgers and a tight Gator Bowl that saw the Mountaineers edge by Georgia Tech 38-35. The team will need to ride the talent of juniors Pat White (QB) and Steve Slaton (RB) in hopes of matching that same kind of success in 2007. Tough games on the road against teams like Rutgers, USF, and Maryland will stand in the way of the Mountaineers earning its fourth Big East title (or share of) in the last five years.
Mountaineers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Steve Slaton
RB
97
1744 yds, 16 TD
Pat White
QB
95
1655 yds, 13 TD, 7 INT
Eric Wicks
SS
92
73 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 INT
Stadium: Mountaineer Field (60,000 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #15)
If he stays injury-free, Steve Slaton is poised to become the #2 Mountaineers rusher of all time this season.
#5 Texas Longhorns (10-3)
As with many college football fans, Texas fans have short memories. As a result, we suspect that last year's 12-7 loss to arch-rival Texas A&M rings louder than the team's amazing national championship win the year prior. Nonetheless, the Longhorns are locked and loaded to continue the winning tradition that coach Mack Brown has established for the team since his arrival. Quarterback Colt McCoy found himself in the unenviable position of having to follow in the very large footsteps of Vince Young and succeeded quite well, passing for more than 2,500 yards and tossing 29 touchdowns. Last year's team fielded one of the strongest Longhorns defensive lines in recent memory, and this year's squad, returning six starters, should ensure solid performance at the line of scrimmage. Running back Jamaal Charles will need to step in and prove he's worthy of such great legacies as Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Earl Campbell to help get Texas's running game back in step. The Longhorns face TCU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech at home--their toughest road game should prove to be the Aggies and, after last year's defeat, the Longhorns will be looking to travel to College Station with revenge on their minds.
Longhorns Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Frank Okam
DT
97
38 tackles, 2 sacks
Limas Sweed
WR
93
801 yds, 12 TD
Jamaal Charles
HB
91
831 yds, 7 TD
Stadium: Texas Memorial Field (85,123 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #8)
Wideout Limas Sweed could very well dominate the Big 12 with his deadly combination of size and speed.
#4 Florida Gators (13-1)
In hindsight, it seems funny to think that most folks had Ohio State coming out on top of the BCS Championship game, before Florida came in and handed the Buckeyes a monumental 41-14 butt-kicking. These days, with three national championships in two years (with a pair of those coming from Billy Donovan's men's basketball team), it seems the new mecca of collegiate athletics is down in Gainesville. Coach Urban Meyer has brought the same intensity that he brought to Utah down south, which combined with some lucky breaks against teams like Alabama and versus Arkansas in the SEC Championship game (where the Razorbacks lost star running back Darren McFadden early on in the game). The only team they couldn't figure out was Auburn, but considering the home team has won the last four games in that match-up, odds look good for this year's game against the Tigers in the Swamp. One of the biggest question marks for the team is how fleet-footed Tim Tebow will fill in for the departed Chris Leak in the quarterback position. Should Tebow find his stride early, Gator Nation will chomp its way through 2007.
Gators Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Derrick Harvey
LE
96
35 tackles, 11 sacks
Percy Harvin
WR
90
427 yds, 2 TD
Tim Tebow
QB
86
469 yds rushing, 8 rushing TD
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #1)
The Gators will look to take advantage of Tim Tebow's speed during their NCAA title defense campaign.
#3 LSU Tigers (11-2)
The Tigers have come a long way since the days of Curly Hallman. After sharing a national championship under Nick Saban, LSU has continued its winning ways--both on the field and in recruiting--with Les Miles as coach. The loss of #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell will be one of the most difficult hurdles the Tigers will need to overcome in their 2007 season, but senior Matt Flynn has a good deal of experience behind center. The other obstacle, of course, is the brutal heart of the SEC schedule, which will see the Tigers facing South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas, all within the cacophonous confines of Death Valley. Should Miles run the table at home, and manage to knock off Alabama in its most difficult away game, the SEC West (and perhaps the entire conference) should be theirs for the taking.
Tigers Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Glenn Dorsey
DT
98
64 tackles, 3 sacks
Ali Highsmith
LOLB
93
63 tackles, 2 sacks
Early Doucet
WR
92
772 yds, 8 TD
Stadium: Tiger Stadium (92,400 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #3)
Tigers receiver Early Doucet caught eight touchdowns in 2006 and should improve that number this season.
#2 Michigan Wolverines (11-2)
During his 13 years as the head of the Wolverines, Coach Lloyd Carr has often come under fire for not being able to close out big opponents. Losing four of the last five games to arch-rival Ohio State has only exacerbated that problem, but last year the Wolverines had some incredibly bright moments to be proud of, most notably an early-season shellacking of Notre Dame that brought the rest of the world back down to earth on the over-hyped Fighting Irish. Two players will consistently strike fear into the hearts of Michigan's Big 10 opponents: seniors Chad Henne and Mike Hart. Hart, a fifth-place finisher in last year's Heisman race, looks to top his stellar 2006 with an even stronger ground performance in 2007. Should the receiving corps come into their own, Michigan faces a favorable home schedule that could once again vault them into BCS contention.
Wolverines Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Mike Hart
HB
95
1562 yds, 14 TD
Shawn Crable
LOLB
95
37 tackles, 4.5 sacks
Mario Manningham
WR
94
703 yds, 9 TD
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (107,501 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #9)
Mike Hart scored 14 touchdowns in 2006 and, with a strong offensive line in 207, his numbers should improve this season.
#1 USC Trojans (11-2)
Is it any wonder that Pete Carroll's Southern California squad sits atop this list? With 16 returning starters, an immensely talented quarterback behind center, and a program that has become synonymous with NCAA excellence, it shouldn't be. Losing big-name talent like Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith will mean quarterback John David Booty will be searching for a few new go-to receivers. While there won't be any shortage of touchdowns scored by the offense, the Trojans' most potent weapon might be its defense--with 10 returning starters and a defensively minded head coach in Carroll who takes pride in stopping his opponents cold. The Trojans will need that defense at optimum strength when playing some tough games on the road, including their September 15 contest against Nebraska. Later in the season, the showdown with Cal could prove--as it has in the past--to be a game with multiple implications--Pac 10, Rose Bowl, perhaps even the national title too.
Trojans Impact Players
Name
Position
Rating
2006 Notable Stats
Keith Rivers
ROLB
97
85 tackles, 2 sacks
Lawrence Jackson
LE
96
43 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT
John David Booty
QB
94
3347 yds, 29 TD, 9 INT
Stadium: LA Memorial Coliseum Stadium (92,000 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #7)
Palmer, Leinart, Bush…is John David Booty USC's fourth Heisman winner in the last six years?
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.
Antone Smith could possibly be one of the best runningbacks in college football but he has a crappy line. Same with Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee. I mean Leon Washington sucked from scrimmage but was a hell of a return specialist , no wonder the freaking jets drafted him.
I know Darren Mcfadden is amazing but why does his rating have a 99 with 1500 rushing yards when steve slatons is 97 but with 1600 yards and ray rices is only 94 with 1700 yards and more TDs???
As an avid USC fan, I obviously think the Trojans deserve their ranking. But for good reason. A brick wall for a defense and a dynamic passer to boot? Sounds like the formula for a championship to me.
So...does anyone else see another national championship ahead for the mighty Texas Longhorns? I know I do. Texas is gonna own on Lockout. Hook 'Em Horns!!!!
Can't wait for the game Tuesday. Sleeper alert... Look for the Virginia Cavaliers to make some noise this year in the ACC. Chris Long (Howie's Boy), will lead a very imposing defense. The offense isn't that great, but the Hoos will likely be Top 25 before it's all said and done and I wouldn't be too surprised if they challenge for the ACC crown. Other sleeper alerts for Top 25 teams: SEC - Alabama Crimson Tide Pac 10 - Oregon Ducks Big 10 - Iowa Hawkeyes Big 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders Big East - Pitt Panthers MWC - BYU Cougars
Thanks to the writer for starting at #25 and working towards #1. Nothing like building suspense and eliminating spoilers as you read more towards your favorite team (i.e. the Florida Gators). But you erred in putting the Gator headline in green instead of orange or blue. Here's hoping everyone discounts UF again as we march on to another championship.
I think my Iowa Hawkeyes should be ranked at least #25. They have a very favorable schedule this year, not having to play Michigan or Ohio State. Their record of 6-7 last year is probably the reason EA has kept them out of the top 25. Iowa had good talent last year with some bad breaks though, especially with Drew Tate being hurt. But when Iowa was fully healthy, they almost upset Texas in the Alamo Bowl losing 26-24. Iowa is going to be this years sleeper. They'll be ranked between #15-22 by mid-season and possibly higher by the end of the season. I'm looking for Iowa to make it to the Outback Bowl this year. GO HAWKS!
sloppy..........you have not played big teams at your house. florida state has been a bust for the past 4 years. miami was terrible last year. your right IF you beat a big team there chances are ruined because the voters will see that louisville hasnt played anybody and your weak strength of schedule will hurt any team you beat. you guys couldnt even beat RUTGERS ( any conference where RUTGERS is the second best team is weak) the big east is weak, really weak. you guys will have your 10-2 season again. i'll give you guys some respect when you earn it. dont make rutgers and west virginia your toughest games and then say your a contender
GO BLUE!!!!! (and TBB is just overwhelmed with joy cause the buckeyes have actaully been able to beat UM the last couple years... i hate the buckeyes but i gotta admit they have had our number lately... but anyone who honestly thinks michigan won't rebound and OSU is just gonna keep beating us is crazy... UM will rebound... if u go back before this recent run of victories over us, UM had just won 2 in a row over OSU)... crossin my fingers that the big blue will put together a perfect season this year! and again... GO BLUE!!!!!
CHRISND i know wat ure sayin about our schedule strength but big teams i think are too scared to face us at home. Last season we beat miami at home. 2 or 3 seasons ago we beat Florida state at home. We have a winning streak over 20 games. Big teams like michigan doesnt want to schedule us, especially at home because if they lose theyre chance for a national championship is ruined. I dont think it's louisville fault for scheduling cupcake teams. Well i still think we have some chance of goin to the national championship cause WEst virginia and rutgers are our 2 hardest teams GO CARDS!!
man this message board needs a wake up call. how can you guys say that michigan should be no.1 over usc. the last game the 2 teams played was against eachother and usc won handidly. dont get me wrong michigan deserves to be no.2 and nothing less, but they are not better than the men of troy. usc has had a top 3 recruiting class for the last 5 years. they have 16 starters returning (16 of the guys that whooped up on big blue) and the best motivator/coach in pete carroll. dont worry michigan fans you will probably get your second chance in new orleans in january, but the outcome will be the same.
TBB says it right - sort of. Props to Florida for winning last year, and #12 for OSU seems reasonable based on the fact that they lost some key offensive personnel. Their defense will keep them "in the game" for the 2007 campaign. However, with respect to Michigan, I would have to disagree. They most likely deserve their Top-5 ranking. They return a plethora of offensive talent that should be enough to compensate for the loss of some serious defensive firepower. However, compare the 2006 to 2007 defensive transition for Michigan to the 2005 to 2006 defensive transition for OSU. The BIG questionmark for 2006 for OSU was whether the high-powered offense would be able to compensate for the significant loss (9 starters) on defensive (remember that A.J. Hawk guy...?). Well, OSU stepped up to the plate, Lauranitis became a leader on defense, and the OSU offense played well enough to get to the big show until Troy Smith choked on his own vomit. So, I think that the 2007 Michigan team is going to be very similar to the 2006 OSU team, and with the exception of Lloyd Carr's inability to beat OSU consistently, should in fact make it through the season (at least until the OSU game) to stay undefeated. That alone makes them deserving of a top-5 listing. This may actually be the year that Michigan can beat the Bucks, considering that, on paper, they have the superior talent. But intangibles such as Coach McSweatervest vs. Al Gore's twin separated at birth have such a tremendous impact on that annual contest that you can pretty much throw everything out the window and start from scratch on November 17th. Now, as for you Sloppy7, you have to be careful with your predictions. If you go back to last year and the weeks leading up to the release of NCAA Football 07, all you Louisville fans went ape*** when no one would give any respect to the Cards, insisting that Louisville will win the National Championship. As it turned out, the lack of respect for the Cards was somewhat deserved, as the Cards managed to prove to everyone that they were not good enough for the big show by losing to Rutgers. Like us Notre Dame fans learned last year - just keep your mouth shut about predicting where your team is going to be in December/January. One thing that is going to hurt the Cards this year in the "quest for respect" is their schedule. Getting 4 games against Big East perennial pushovers, as well as having games against Murray St., Middle Tennessee, and Utah, are not going to get the Cards any "Strength of Schedule" points. I think that is what most people point to when the Cards scream for respect, and get the cold shoulder instead. Yes, they are a good team. But they would be hard-pressed to play and compete against the likes of LSU, USC, or Michigan and come out the victor. Sure, they could do it, but I don't think their chances would be very high. As always, Go Irish!
hey detroitpistons0 you'll stop laughin when LOUISVILLE goes to the national championship this year. Im serious. They are goin to be one of the best offensive teams this year. They are in the top 5 every year in total offense and if they didn't lose to rutgers we would have gone to the national championship last year. DONT sleep on LOUISVILLE and the rest of the BIG EAST.
Digg This! 
del.icio.us 
Join the conversation