Sports Collision’s Preseason College Football Top 25 – (15-11)
Continuing Sports Collision’s College Football Preseason Top 25 we have 15 through 11.
15. Boise State Broncos
Analysis:
The Broncos are back….and so is QB Kellen Moore. As a redshirt freshman, Moore threw for almost 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. RB Jeremy Avery is finally in the starting role after waiting behind Ian Johnson, but the offensive line will have to step up. The passing game features plenty of talented receivers and Moore has no problem spreading the wealth as 10 different players had 10 or more receptions last year. The secondary is stacked with 4 returning starters, including senior CB Kyle Wilson. He leads a defense that was 2nd in the country in pass efficiency last season. The line is also a problem on the defensive side of the ball with only 1 returning starter from last year’s team.
Schedule:
|
Record Prediction:11-1 (loss to Oregon) 1st in WAC Bowl Prediction:Only loss will come in first game of the season and will put them in hunt for the BCS, but another non-BCS school will beat them out. Back home to the Humanitarian Bowl for the Broncs. |
14. Georgia Bulldogs
Analysis:
The ‘Dawgs are poised to make a run at the SEC East crown, but the defending national champions might get in their way. The departure of Matthew Stafford to the NFL has left the QB spot open for Joe Cox to take. Cox also lost Knowshon Moreno to the NFL, but all is not lost in Athens. A.J. Green returns with the rest of the very talented receiving corps. Caleb King looked to be the replacement for Moreno, but an injury will keep him out of a key week stretch of practice. The offensive line is HUGE and should be able to make big holes for whoever is running. The defense will keep with the traditions of fast, hard hitting monsters in the SEC. LB Rennie Curran is not huge, but works harder than anyone you will ever see. The rush defense will be outstanding, but the pass rush will have to improve drastically, especially with the Heisman QB candidates they will face.
Schedule:
|
Record Prediction:9-3 (losses to Ok. State, LSU, Florida, ) 2nd in SEC East Bowl Prediction:The ‘Dawgs will get a huge win to end the season against the Yellow Jackets and land themselves in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. |
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Analysis:
Force is the word that comes to mind when thinking of RB Jonathan Dwyer. He was absolutely explosive last year as he ran for 1,400 yards and 12 TD’s. The transfer Allen from Louisville should make Dwyer even stronger and give the Jackets one of the deepest running games in the entire nation. The OB Josh Nesbitt is also a threat to run, but he will have to be a passer at some point if they are going to pull defenses away from their running game. The secondary brings back 4 starters including Morgan Burnett who led the NCAA (tie) in interceptions last season. It is the exact opposite on the front line of the defense. There are major holes that need to be filled on the defensive line and with the teams on the schedule, the Jackets will need a strong pass rush.
Schedule:
|
Record Prediction:9-3 (losses to Clemson, Miami, and Georgia) 1st ACC Coastal Bowl Prediction:Georgia Tech will win the ACC title game and earn a spot in the BCS as they will play in the Orange Bowl. |
12. TCU Horned Frogs
Analysis:
Gary Patterson’s boys have been the hanging around the BCS for years. But after years of missing out, this could be the year that they make the jump into the BCS. QB Andy Dalton is back and has WR standout Jimmy Young to throw to all over the field. Ed Wesley had a great spring and looks to be a strong RB to help out Dalton, but inexperience at C might be the only problem. The rest of the line is experienced, but when you are replacing an all-conference C, things might get interesting. The defense has been the heart and soul of this team for years and continues that role. Jerry Hughes is a beast at DE and led the nation in sacks last season. Their secondary is the most complete section of the defense though with 2 seniors who have been starting since being redshirt freshmen.
Schedule:
|
Record Prediction:11-1 (loss to Clemson) 1st in Mountain West Bowl Prediction:The early loss to Clemson will hurt, but the wins over BYU and Utah will help put them back in the top 12 and help them get an at-large bid in the BCS and play in the Fiesta Bowl. |
11. Ohio State Buckeyes
Analysis:
Terrell Pryor is in his first year as a full time starter and things should be high scoring and fast-paced for the sophomore. He is a decent passer, but will have to have some better than decent WR’s if they Bucks want to win the Big Ten. The running game is good with Pryor, but the loss of Beanie Wells hurts. Boom Herron steps in with speed as the new starter, and others behind him are capable of making the team solid. The defense once again is solid, but replacing LB’s like Freeman and Laurinaitis is a task. The line will be one of the nastiest and best in the nation with Kurt Coleman and Cameron Hayward anchoring it. The real test will come in the early part of the season against Pete Carroll’s boys as well as the trip to Happy Valley and JoePa.
Schedule:
|
Record Prediction:11-1 (loss to Penn State) 2nd in Big Ten Bowl Prediction:Ohio State will start the year off great and be 9-0 before losing. They will be in the title hunt all year only to fall late and wind up in the Capitol One Bowl. |
Also, be sure to check out the other posts:
Great analysis of Boise State, I was just thinking about doing piece on their team myself. They may not run the table this year but if they do happen to get passed the Ducks and solid for the rest of year and finished undefeated then they should be in the argument of going bowling in BCS bowl game.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:46 pm