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Monday, May 5, 2008
Alabama, Florida State crack the TB Top 30
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four months ago, on the eve of the BCS championship game, I gave you my Ridiculously Early Top 25 for 2008. A lot has changed since then. Now that spring practice is over, I’m going take the next three days to give you The TB Top 30 for the summer of 2008. We’ll start today with 21-30 plus 10 more that didn’t quite make the cut. On Tuesday we’ll have 11-20 with the Top 10 on Wednesday.
Last season’s record plus returning starters are in parentheses.
Is your favorite team going to make it? Stay tuned.
THE TB TOP 30: 21-30
21. Wake Forest (9-4, 6 offense, 9 defense): If the Deacons can find a play maker to replace WR Kenny Moore, they are going to shock some people for the third straight year. Wake Forest has a veteran quarterback in Riley Skinner (72.4 percent completion in 2007) and the nation’s best kicker in Sam Swank.
22. Oregon State (9-4, 9 offense, 3 defense): During spring practice the Beavers found their next star tailback in redshirt freshman Ryan McCants who will step right in to replace Yvenson Bernard. Quarterback Sean Canfield missed spring practice while recovering from a shoulder injury but will compete with Lyle Moevao for the starting job in August. The Beavers led the nation in rushing defense (70.6 ypg) last season but must replace eight starters.
23. Penn State (9-4, 8 offense, 6 defense): The offense will be without quarterback Anthony Morelli but it is expected to be better because of players like freshman speedster Stephfon Green, who had a 57-yard touchdown run in the spring game. The Nittany Lions’ defense will be without linebacker Sean Lee who had knee surgery after suffering an injury on April 11. He will return for the 2009 season. Darryl Clark and Pat Devlin will continue to compete for the quarterback job in August.
24. Oregon (9-4, 5 offense, 8 defense): Justin Roper, who threw four touchdown passes in the Sun Bowl, will still have to compete for the quarterback position over Nate Costa, who sat out the spring recovering from a knee injury. If the Ducks get solid play at QB they will be very good again on offense, despite the loss of RB Jonathan Stewart, because it appears junior college transfer LeGarrette Blount is better than advertised.
25. Fresno State (9-4, 8 offense, 7 defense): The Bulldogs have the talent to become the third straight team from the WAC to reach the BCS. The problem is a non-conference schedule that includes games with Rutgers, Wisconsin, and UCLA. QB Tom Brandstater completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,654 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
26. Connecticut (9-4, 9 offense, 8 defense): The Huskies surprised a lot of people when they tied for the Big East championship last season. Now they are out to prove that it was not a fluke with defense that should be even better in 2008. QB Tyler Lorenzen has a very good running tandem in Andre Dixon and Donald Brown, who both ran for over 800 yards last season, but he needs to make more plays in the passing game.
27. Michigan State (7-6, 7 offense, 7 defense): Five of Michigan State’s losses in its first year under coach Mark Dantonio were by a touchdown or less. The Spartans expect to take another step forward in 2008. RB Javon Ringer missed spring practice due to shoulder surgery. Michigan State has to replace both starting defensive ends. If Ringer can stay healthy and QB Brian Hoyer (2,725 yards passing) continues to play well, the Spartans could have another bowl season.
28. Florida State (7-6, 8 offense, 7 defense): If the Seminoles can get some stability on the offensive line then they may surprise some folks. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will not be afraid to play more than one quarterback in order to spice things up this season. It would have helped the cause if WR Preston Parker had not been arrested on gun charges.
29. Alabama (7-6, 9 offense, 6 defense): Just call this one a hunch. If a couple of the young wide receivers come through, the Crimson Tide just might be pretty good on offense. The line is solid and QB John Parker Wilson should perform well under new OC Jim McElwain. There are just not enough great athletes on defense to play the way coach Nick Saban would like. But help is on the way from a No.1 ranked recruiting class.
30. Cincinnati (10-3, 7 offense, 6 defense): If QB Ben Mauk had gotten another year from the NCAA, the Bearcats would be a contender for the Big East title. Cincinnati will still be able to move the football behind Dustin Grutza or Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones.
TEN WHO ALMOST MADE IT
Boston College (11-3): QB Matt Ryan is not the only hole in the Eagles’ lineup.
Boise State (10-3): The Broncos return RB Ian Johnson, but they need a new QB.
East Carolina (8-5): Pirates have to replace first-round draft choice Chris Johnson at RB.
Kentucky (8-5): Wildcats lost too much firepower on offense.
Michigan (9-4): It’s going to be an ugly transition year under Rich Rodriguez.
Miss. State (8-5): Bulldogs still need some offensive firepower.
North Carolina (4-8): Tar Heels return 18 starters under second-year coach Butch Davis.
Rutgers (8-5): Scarlet Knights have to prove they can replace RB Ray Rice.
South Florida (9-4): Bulls return QB Matt Grothe, but defense took a hit.
Virginia (9-4): Losing QB Jameel Sewell will be huge for Cavaliers.
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