College Football Pre-Season Top 25

[Agent Kev]

We live and breathe college football in the south so here is cbs.sportsline.com's pre-season Top 25.

Dodd's Preseason Top 25

1. Georgia
Award winners all over the place -- David Greene for Heisman, Davey O'Brien etc. Fred Gibson for the Biletnikoff. David Pollack for the Nagurski. LSU is the defending SEC champ and co-national champ but it comes together this year for the Dawgs. Backup quarterback D.J. Shockley tries to return from a knee injury. The spring will feature an interesting battle at tailback, where sophomores Kregg Lumpkin and Michael Cooper will battle it out. Unless injuries hit, Mark Richt has no excuse for not winning another SEC title and maybe more.

2. Southern California
As mentioned, the loss of Williams knocked the Trojans out of the top spot. With the loss of Jacob Rodgers, Will Poole and Williams, Southern Cal can't be as strong. Can it? The spring will be spent developing a power running game and throwing more to tight ends. The news isn't all bad. Matt Leinart is probably the Heisman front-runner going into 2004. If he had chosen to come out, he might be the first quarterback drafted. Safety Darnell Bing had a quietly effective season as a freshman. Don't forget Pete Carroll's charisma. The Trojans will win the Pac-10 again. If Georgia stumbles, look for them to win it all again.

3. Oklahoma
The defense lost three All-Americans (Derrick Strait, Teddy Lehman and Tommie Harris) and might still be the best in the country. If Heisman winner Jason White gets some support from the running game, he should keep from being beat up late in the season. Don't forget the motivation of breaking a two-game losing streak with the Big 12 and national titles on the line.

4. LSU
The team loses the heart of its defensive line, its best receiver and quarterback. Any other team would be crying. The Tigers are reloading. Marcus Randall takes over for Matt Mauck and is more athletic and has a stronger arm. The best story of the spring will be how the defensive line develops with the loss of Marquise Hill and Chad Lavalais.

5. Florida State
OK, so Darnell Dockett and Greg Jones are gone. The Seminoles will continue to feast on ACC opponents. For now, FSU is the best of the Florida schools because it is stable at quarterback, has a decent running game and the defense will be a killer. The league could be decided on Labor Day weekend when the Seminoles visit Miami.

6. Miami (Fla.)
So many questions. Will Brock Berlin pan out in his senior year? How is Frank Gore's knee? Will the loss of up to six first-round draft picks finally have an effect? Who will replace Kellen Winslow? Jonathan Vilma? Sean Taylor? The answers begin to come in the spring. Watch for RB Tyrone Moss to take over as the next 1,500-yard rusher. If the 'Canes have a running game, watch out.

7. Texas
We've been fooled before ranking the 'Horns near the top. Until they actually break through and beat Oklahoma, an annual top 10 spot is reserved for them but there is no room at the top. This might be the year. Mack Brown has to reload at receiver but the defense is young and angry -- or should be -- after having 65 hung on it by the Sooners.

8. Kansas State
Someone has to win the Big 12 North. Why not the Wildcats? Missouri is threatening. Nebraska is rebuilding. K-State loses quarterback Ell Roberson and will spend the spring grooming Dylan Meier to be his successor. Meier just has to not lose games because Heisman contender Darren Sproles should be able to rush for 1,700 yards and get the Wildcats somewhere close to 10 victories.

9. Michigan
So John Navarre is gone, so what? Every Wolverines starter at quarterback since 1989 has made an NFL roster. The battle is on this spring between Matt Gutierrez, who never lost a game as a high school starter at Concord De La Salle, and Clayton Richard, a Parade All-American from Lafayette, Ind. Pennsylvania recruit Chad Henne will join them in the fall. Senior Dave Underwood seems to be the favorite to replace Chris Perry.

10. TCU
The Frogs have established themselves as the best non-BCS program going. Fourteen starters return, including eight on offense where TCU will have to shine if it is going to chase a BCS berth again.

11. Florida
12. Virginia
13. Clemson
14. Memphis
15. Ohio State
16. Tennessee
17. Maryland
18. Auburn
19. Louisville
20. California
21. Washington State
22. Nebraska
23. N.C. State
24. Utah
25. (tie) West Virginia
25. (tie) Oklahoma State

Seven just out of Top 25
Boise St.
Ga. Tech
Iowa
Minnesota
Oregon
Toledo
Va. Tech

www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/7157481

[IWSfan4life]

V. Tech out of the top 25...that sucks. Ah well, hopefully they can bounce back with the 6 big losses, 5 on O, and 1 on D.

Georgia will be a big disappointment this year with a QB controversy, as Shockley may challenge Greene.

My early pick for champion is Michigan. That will change 100 times in the next few months, but i just think with Breaston and #1 at WR (can't place his name at the moment for some weird reason), they have alot of speed and diversity that D's wont be able to touch.

-Jason Burke

[Agent Kev]

Stylesclash2004 said:

Georgia will be a big disappointment this year with a QB controversy, as Shockley may challenge Greene.

If UGA is a disappointment I don't think it will be because of the QB controversy. Richt has learned from his mistakes, Greene will be the man this year. The offense line has matured, the RBs and WRs are solid and the defense is really good. There really aren't any weaknesses right now, they just have to take it one game at a time and make sure they finally overcome the Florida obstacle.

[IWSfan4life]

I think Georgia can definetly get past Florida this year. I'm certainly not a Georgia fan, but Florida has always been streaky in big games, and known to lose leads. That, and the fact that Leak is way to young to be a "big game" guy thus far. Expireance is the key, and Georgia wins that one IMO.

-Jason burke

[Agent Kev]

Here's the espn.com rankings:

1. USC
Losing Mike Williams is big, but hearing before spring practice will help sophomore wideouts Steve Smith and Whitney Lewis adjust. The Trojans also signed one of the best recruiting classes in years. Given Pete Carroll's philosophy about playing freshmen, they should help bolster what is already a very talented team.

2. LSU
Matt Mauck's departure will affect the offense, but the Tigers won with defense. The defense still looks powerful.

3. Georgia
The Bulldogs lost safety Sean Jones to the NFL draft, but the decision by defensive end and spiritual leader David Pollack to return for his senior season means a great deal to what is still a young team.

4. Oklahoma
The Sooners remain loaded on defense, and once more have issues with their running game. That has been their m.o. during the Stoops era, so expect the same level of success.

5. Miami
Huge losses on defense, with the early NFL departures of safety Sean Taylor and tackle Vince Wilfork, but the 'Canes depth should make the difference.

6. Texas
Yes, the Longhorns woo all of us every spring, then disappear at crucial moments in the fall. But Mack Brown gets four stars for hiring veteran defensive minds Greg Robinson and Dick Tomey to overhaul the defense. They will make a difference.

7. Florida State
The Seminoles are younger on defense than I first realized, but man, what an offense.

8. Michigan
Wolverine fans celebrated when none of the celebrated juniors left early, but the decisions by wideout Braylon Edwards, defensive back Marlin Jackson and offensive lineman David Baas came as no surprise. They will form the backbone of another formidable Michigan team.

9. Maryland
In Ralph We Trust.

10. Utah
A lot of readers disagreed with my decision to rank the Utes 14th in my January poll. I think they missed an important component of polling. The champions of the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences, if they are one-loss teams, will rise this high in the polls. Utah is good enough to be 10-1 this year.

11. California
12. West Virginia
13. Ohio State
14. Tennessee
15. Iowa
16. Auburn
17. Missouri
18. Clemson
19. Florida
20. Virginia
21. Purdue
22. Kansas State
23. Minnesota
24. Oregon State
25. Toledo

[IWSfan4life]

Pretty acurate for the most part, and done well by ESPN scouts as usual.

"Losing Mike Williams is big"

Maybe i didn't read this right, but i thought Williams was still eligable as a Trojan. The NFL case took away his Draft rights, so obviously he can still play in college right! Because this could make/break their season as a team honestly!

-jason Burke

[Agent Kev]

Stylesclash2004 said:

Pretty acurate for the most part, and done well by ESPN scouts as usual.

"Losing Mike Williams is big"

Maybe i didn't read this right, but i thought Williams was still eligable as a Trojan. The NFL case took away his Draft rights, so obviously he can still play in college right! Because this could make/break their season as a team honestly!

-jason Burke

That Top 25 was done last month. So it is a little out of date.

[IWSfan4life]

Ahh, and it all becomes clearer. And if ESPN had them at #1 BEFORE Williams, I can only imagine how good they will be now WITH him back.

-Jason burke

[DrPepperPlunge]

GO WAHOOS!

#12 from CBS

#20 from ESPN

I love me some Virginia Cavaliers! God how I want the season to just start!

[IWSfan4life]

Agreed. Can't wait for the new year...except..go Hokies!!!! LOL let the board rivalry commense. No offence, but when they play each other, i'm gonna hate you, and i expect you to do the same!

-Jason burke

[Agent Kev]

I'm just hoping these high rankings don't jinx UGA

[DrPepperPlunge]

Stylesclash2004 said:

Agreed. Can't wait for the new year...except..go Hokies!!!! LOL let the board rivalry commense. No offence, but when they play each other, i'm gonna hate you, and i expect you to do the same!

-Jason burke

No doubt I will hate your guts when that time comes BTW I have a DVD copy of the game from last year where Virginia beat Virginia Tech if you would like a copy? lol

[Agent Kev]

cbs.sporstline.com's updated Top 25:

1. Georgia

Award winners all over the place -- David Greene for Heisman, Davey O'Brien etc. Fred Gibson for the Biletnikoff. David Pollack for the Nagurski. LSU is the defending SEC champ and co-national champ, but it comes together this year for the Dawgs. The biggest news of the spring was Taylor's season-ending knee injury in the spring game. Usually, that would have caused the Dawgs to slip out of the top spot, but once again, there is plenty of depth behind him. Unless more injuries hit, Mark Richt has no excuse for winning another SEC title and perhaps more.

2. LSU

Marcus Randall is a better athlete at quarterback than the departed Matt Mauck but will play the same way. Coaches aren't sure about Randall's decision-making, so they will, at least initially, just ask him to manage games and let the rest of the offense win them. The Tigers lose the heart of their defensive line, their best receiver and quarterback. Any other team would be crying. The Tigers are reloading. The tiebreaker with Georgia might come down to that game being in Athens.

3. Oklahoma

The defense lost three All-Americans (Derrick Strait, Teddy Lehman and Tommie Harris) and might still be the best in the country. Tailback Kejuan Jones moved up the depth chart in the spring. That's before, of course, the arrival of prep superstar Adrian Peterson in the fall. Heisman winner Jason White will have plenty of support again. With the Big 12 being down slightly, the Sooners should waltz to the conference title. But isn't that what we said last year?

4. Southern California

With the loss of Jacob Rodgers, Will Poole and Mike Williams (for now), USC can't be as strong. Can it? The offensive line was hurt by the loss of potential All-American offensive tackle Winston Justice, who ran into legal trouble. Defensive tackle Shaun Cody is moving to defensive end to take over for Kenechi Udeze. Quarterback Matt Leinart will be the odds-on favorite for the Heisman. Tailback Reggie Bush will have a breakout season. The Trojans will win the Pac-10 again, but another national championship? Right now, it's too much to ask.

5. Miami (Fla.)

The season is defined in the opener against Florida State. The rivalry gets ratcheted up even higher with both teams now in the ACC. Larry Coker cut out a lot of controversy by naming Brock Berlin the starter early in the spring. That doesn't mean Kyle Wright won't play (especially given Berlin's history). The 'Canes have lost 20 first-round draft choices in the past five years. It never seems to catch up to them. The season seems to hinge on a rebuilt defense (only four starters return) and Berlin's reliability. Don't count them out of the Orange Bowl. They are always sniffing around a national championship.

6. Florida State

OK, so Darnell Dockett and Greg Jones are gone. TB Leon Washington and DLs Eric Moore and Chauncey Davis figure to rise up and become the next set of stars. On offense, Chris Rix must step up in his fifth year and be a difference-maker instead of a guy who just manages a game. The Seminoles will continue to feast on ACC opponents. If they get past Miami, the 'Noles miss Virginia Tech this year and have a chance to defend their title in the new ACC.

7. Texas

We've been fooled before ranking the 'Horns near the top. Until they actually break through and beat Oklahoma, an annual top 10 spot is reserved for them, but there is no room at the very top. This might be the year. Mack Brown has to reload at receiver, but the defense is young and angry -- or should be -- after having 65 hung on it by the Sooners.

8. Michigan

So John Navarre is gone, so what? Every Wolverines starter at quarterback since 1989 has made an NFL roster. Matt Gutierrez, who never lost a game as a high school starter at Concord De La Salle, is the leader in the clubhouse after the spring. Clayton Richard, a Parade All-American from Lafayette, Ind., is in the mix. So is Pennsylvania recruit Chad Henne, who will join them in the fall. Senior Dave Underwood seems to be the favorite to replace Chris Perry. You know Michigan will be big in the offensive line, serviceable at quarterback and nasty on defense. The Wolves go in as Big Ten favorites.

9. Florida

Looks like a breakout year for the Gators. Chris Leak was 6-3 as a freshman starter. The Gators beat both LSU and Georgia. With some more defensive consistency, Florida will be a factor in the SEC race. Coach Ron Zook probably has to win more than eight this year to keep Steve Spurrier's shadow from becoming a permanent presence on the sideline again.

10. Kansas State

Significant doubt about the athleticism at quarterback. Dylan Meier is the favorite to replace Ell Roberson. Indiana transfer Alan Webb will resume the battle in the summer. Coach Bill Snyder was down on his team after the spring game. Still, the Wildcats are the favorites to win the Big 12 North and at least try to defend their 2003 conference championship. Heisman candidate Darren Sproles lost his mother to cancer in the spring, but he should ready to make a run at 1,800 yards (again) this fall.

11. Louisville
12. Ohio State
13. Memphis
14. Virginia
15. Texas Christian
16. Purdue
17. Maryland
18. Utah
19. Auburn
20. Tennessee
21. California
22. West Virginia
23. Nebraska
24. Washington State
25. Minnesota

[NewFnShow]

OSU not in the top 10? This blows...

[IWSfan4life]

V-Tech not in the top 25 is the far bigger crime man!!

-Jason Burke