ZN's College Football Top 25 :: Pre-Preseason 2008

Now that spring practice is long gone and signing day a distant memory, we’re finally getting our first good look at the teams going into 2008. Stocks have risen and fallen, some up like a rocket and some down with a thud. It pains me to say this, but on paper, the SEC should retain its top conference reputation. I’d follow that closely by the Big XII, and then the Big Ten. It’s not the usual landscape we’ve been used to, with teams like Kansas, Missouri up top, and Illinois and Pitt bringing back old memories. 2008 should be a very fun year for college football. At least, I think it will be.

Rank. Team (Last Week), [Record will go here during season] – Comment on each team.

1. Georgia (1) – I’m sticking to my guns. Georgia returns a great core of elite players like Stafford, Moreno and that top-notch defense.
2. Oklahoma (7) – I know the Sooners bombed in the bowl, but I think this year will be special in Norman. The Big XII Championship Game will be must-see TV.
3. Kansas (3) – Kansas’ defense was the real star in 2007, but even with some losses, the offense will be even better in 2008.
4. Florida (11) – The only reason I didn’t put Florida at No. 1 is because I think Georgia will win the conference and play in the title game. But if the Gators beat UGA, Florida fans can book tickets to Miami.
5. Missouri (4) – The Tigers were royally screwed out of a BCS bid (ala Wisconsin 2006), and could take home the North title again this year. But I’m giving the early edge to KU in 2008.
6. Ohio State (5) – Too low? Ok, Buckeyes prove me wrong. The only way the Big Ten champ plays in the title game is by going undefeated. I don’t see that happening in 2008.
7. USC (6) – Similar to the Big Ten, if the Pac-10 champ loses even one game, they’re out of the title hunt. But you can switch OSU/USC based on the winner of their September match up.
8. Auburn (16) – I’m riding the Tiger wave right now. Seeing Auburn’s new spread look, combined with Tommy Tuberville’s very underrated coaching, gives me reason to peg this team as the SEC West champ.
9. West Virginia (3) – The Mountaineers could win 11 games, and still end up this low. But I’m not going to count them out yet. This ranking will depend heavily on how tough the Big East is in 2008.
10. Penn State (10) – I told you I wasn’t moving the Lions from this spot. The No. 10 ranking in college football is sort of tricky, as that team will be assumed to be in the BCS picture. PSU will be the second-best Big Ten team, and land a second BCS bid for the conference.
11. BYU (15) – This team came within a hair of the BCS in 2007, and with so much returning, there’s no reason to think the Cougars can’t do much more in 2008.
12. LSU (12) – Talk about a big step back. I know, SEC fans will freak, but come on. Someone has to win the West, and it won’t be LSU.
13. Arizona State (18) – Arizona State only goes this high because Dennis Erickson is the coach. Pull off one huge upset, like USC, and this will be the darling team for 2008.
14. Texas Tech (19) – Some people actually have the Red Raiders going to the BCS. It’s not that they can’t, but the Oklahoma win last year was against a depleted Sooner team. Tech won’t do that again.
15. Wisconsin (17) – This team has the potential to win 10 regular-season games, but will most likely wind up losing one it’s not supposed to. This will look more like the Ron Dayne Badgers of old.
16. Virginia Tech (8) – I dropped the Hokies because they’ll need some consistency before moving back up in the rankings. I really like Sean Glennon, but the losses on defense will hurt.
17. Texas (9) – Everyone’s jumping off the Longhorns bandwagon, and I’m one of them. Colt McCoy will have a fantastic season, but the team as a whole doesn’t have what it needs to return to the elite in 2008.
18. Clemson (NR) – With the best running back tandem in football, and a killer (well, for the ACC) defense, the Tigers will turn some heads by November. This might not be the Tommy Bowden teams we’re used to.
19. Oregon State (21) – After listening to Oregon State fans bash me for the last month, I’m beginning to come around to the Beavers. They’ll still have to deal with a rough schedule from start to finish, but should win their bowl and reach eight victories.
20. Pittsburgh (23) – One big upset will get you far in college football, and the Panthers’ win over West Virginia did just that. If Pitt plays like it did in that game, look for a really big jump in the 2008 win column.
21. Illinois (25) – I’m not so sure I’m comfortable with this pick. The Illini lose a lot on both sides of the ball, and the recruiting classes haven’t yet added enough depth to sustain eight- or nine-win seasons.
22. Tennessee (14) – Playing in the SEC never hurts the media’s perception of a team, and the Vols will benefit from playing in the East. Don’t expect a huge year in 2008, but it won’t be like the meltdown of 2005.
23. Mississippi St. (24) – Sly Croom finally turned it around for the Bulldogs. There are some really good players coming back, and this program wants to prove 2007 wasn’t a fluke.
24. Boston College (13) – Some leave, some return for the Eagles. Although I don’t envision any No. 2 rankings for 2008, I do see this program sustaining its long run of winning seasons.
25. Michigan State (NR) – This is sort of my wildcard pick. Mark D’Antonio is a great motivator, and all his teams play like Rocky Balboa losing to Apollo Creed. I’m calling for one big upset in 2008 to launch the Spartans into a new era in East Lansing.

Dropped Out:

Michigan (20) – Poor, poor Michigan. This program has enjoyed continued success for 40 years. They knew it would come to an end sometime, and 2008 is it. They won’t implode like PSU in ’03 or Notre Dame in ’07, but a losing season is more than possible.

On the Cusp:

South Carolina (NR) – This is Steve Spurrier’s program finally, and he knows how to run a winner. If things fall right for the ‘Cocks, this could be the surprise team in the SEC East.
California (NR) – When Cal is ranked too low, they perform well. The Bears are better than a non-ranked team, but they’re also a team that can’t win when it has to. This is one of those “prove it” teams for 2008.
Rutgers (NR) – Even with Ray Rice gone, the offense will run on all cylinders in 2008. And with the elite recruits pouring into New Brunswick, the Knights are here to stay.
Utah (NR) – I don’t see the Utes beating BYU this year, and could very well drop one or two more. Unfortunately for a non-BCS team, three losses won’t get you ranked.
Oregon (NR) – The Ducks won’t be the killers they were last season, but there’s talent waiting in the wings to fill in for departed stars.

Previous Rankings:
Jan. 10, 2008