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June 2006
Hit the beach with this Top 25
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re going to take a brief sabbatical in order to get our batteries recharged before the season. But before we go, we’ll leave you with our post-spring, pre-training camp Top 10. It is an unscientific collection of teams sure to make you question my judgment (and sanity) until we meet again in July. Enjoy.
1. Ohio State: Troy Smith and Ted Ginn give the Buckeyes the best one-two punch in college football. A Sept. 9 trip to Texas looms large.
2. Texas: The defending national champions lost a lot, but they’ve still got a lot. We’ll revisit this pick after Ohio State comes to Austin.
3. USC: Yeah, I know. Leinart’s gone. Bush’s gone. Controversy everywhere. Doesn’t matter. The Trojans have a lot of really good players.
4. West Virginia: The schedule is ridiculously easy. Win at Louisville and the Mountaineers can go 12-0.
5. Notre Dame: QB Brady Quinn will keep the Irish in the national championship hunt. This may be a tad high for Charlie Weis, so I’m willing to listen.
6. Oklahoma: RB Adrian Peterson is back and finally healthy. After last season’s 8-4 disappointment, the Sooners are ready to rumble again. They play Texas on Oct. 7 in Dallas.
7. Auburn: Surprised? Don’t be. Auburn will beat LSU on Sept. 16 and win the SEC West. Great offense. Underrated defense.
8. Miami: A guy who has won 53 games in five seasons isn’t supposed to be on the hot seat, but say hello to Larry Coker. There is a sense of urgency in Coral Gables.
9. Florida: The Gators play a brutal schedule but everybody will be on the same page in Year 2 of Urban Meyer.
10. Florida State: Drew Weatherford grew up as a quarterback this spring. Seminoles could repeat as ACC champs.
The best of the rest:
11. LSU: Three tough road games at Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
12. Clemson: Can Will Proctor replace Charlie Whitehurst?
13. Georgia: Dawgs could repeat as SEC champs with good play at quarterback.
14. California: Tennessee is scared of playing these guys in their opener, and with good reason.
15. Iowa: Hawkeyes (7-5) underachieved last year; good QB in Drew Tate.
16. Oregon: Ducks host Oklahoma in potential upset.
17. Louisville: If QB Brian Brohm is healthy, Cardinals could win Big East.
18. Virginia Tech: If Hokies find a quarterback they’ll challenge Miami.
19. Michigan: Wolverines should be better; pressure on coach Lloyd Carr.
20. Nebraska: Huskers haven’t turned corner yet, but will take step forward.
21. Boston College: Never underestimate Tom O’Brien’s Eagles; still a lot of holes to fill.
22. Tennessee: Vols can win 8-9 games if the breaks go their way, unlike last season.
23. TCU: Frogs look to be the BCS gate crashers after going 11-1 last season.
24. Georgia Tech: Jackets have the tools for a pretty good year.
25. Penn State: Solid, but not great, without Michael Robinson.
