Phil Steele's College Football Preview is HERE :: Initial Thoughts, and Offense

I've gone over the basics so far. Here's what I'm seeing. Ohio State finishes first in the conference, followed by Penn State, and as expected, Wisconsin rounds out the top three. We all know the all-conference and all-american picks, so I won't get into that. But I was very interested to see where some top-name players ended up in the individual position rankings, as well as where Penn State's individual unit rankings fell. This is the official start of the 2008 college football season!

It's been well documented that PS (Phil Steele, and in his spirit, I'm using a PS-style abbreviation) lofted PSU high into the No. 10 spot nationally, shocking many fans in Happy Valley and beyond.

"I doubt anyone else will have the Lions in their Top 10 but this is a talented team and I may have had them higher had their best defensive player (LB Sean Lee) not been lost in the spring."

Those are some strong words. Higher than No. 10; where would have that landed us? Most likely not much higher. I'd expect PS to only notch them up about two slots to No. 8, but come on people, this is PS, and he knows his shit.

Now for the individual position rankings. I don't want to completely rip off PS, so I'm going to give you just enough to force you to buy it when you get out of work today. No PSU QB is in the top 62 for that position. I don't really mind that, as Pat Devlin and Daryll Clark combined for TEN passes in 2007. Fine. However, Evan Royster comes in at a solid No. 44 in the running back list. I'd peg him a bit higher, but this is a very good, conservative rating by PS. Watch for a big jump in his stock if PSU performs well early on.

Unlike previous years, ALL THREE PSU wide receivers make the top 67 list. Jordan Norwood squeaked in at 65, following Deon Butler at No. 44, and Derrick Williams making the top-20, at No. 17. Not bad considering they've combined for more yards than any other set of WRs in PSU history. If you're thinking Andrew Quarless isn't going to start the first few games this year, you may be right, but PS still thinks he's the No. 8 TE going into the season. And in another twist, lowly Dan Lawlor fills the No. 17 fullback spot nicely, and could be a key factor in how Royster does this year.

The offensive line is well represented on PS's rankings. AQ Shipley is the No. 7 center, with Rich Ohrnberger high up at the No. 23 guard slot. I can see this unit having a lot of non-household names on it, but by years end, earning recognition as one of the best OLs in the nation. We'll see. But finally, Mr. Heart Attack himself, Kevin Kelly makes the list for the top kickers yet again, falling at a respectable No. 15 nationally.

*Check back in a little while for the Defense, and other conference observations.