college football
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Sweet 16: USC back on top
With less than two months until the opening of the season, it's time for my preseason Sweet Sixteen. There are still summer workouts and a tough preseason practice schedule to get through, but barring major injuries at key positions this is how the lineup of the top teams should look to begin the season.
The season kicks off Aug. 30.
1. USC Trojans Team page | Schedule | Roster
You win championships with great defense and a veteran quarterback, and the Trojans are lights out in both areas. There are 10 starters back from a defense that head coach Pete Carroll called the fastest he has had during his time at USC, and quarterback John David Booty could be the third signal-caller at USC in the last six years to win the Heisman Trophy. They should start out No. 1 on everybody's preseason list and will be favored in every game.
2. Michigan Wolverines Team page | Schedule | Roster
The Wolverines were 11-0 last season before losing their last two contests against highly ranked Ohio State and USC. There is some work to do on defense where they lost seven starters, but they return huge play-makers on offense in quarterback Chad Henne, running back Michael Hart, and wide receiver Mario Manningham. Michigan also has eight home games, including one against Ohio State. I just can't believe the Wolverines would lose to the Buckeyes four years in a row.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers Team page | Schedule | Roster
When it comes to matching athletes with a system, there is no team in the country with a better quarterback/tailback combination than Pat White and Steve Slaton. The Mountaineers' toughest road games are at Rutgers and South Florida, but more importantly they play Big East challenger Louisville at home. WVU will be favored in all 12 games this year, and the biggest question mark just might be how it handles the loss of offensive line coach Rick Trickett, who left for Florida State.
4. LSU Tigers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Last year the Tigers played four top-10 teams on the road and still finished with an 11-2 record and a No. 3 final ranking. This year's schedule is a whole lot easier as only one of LSU's five road opponents had a winning record last year. There is no replacing the No. 1 selection in the NFL draft, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, but senior Matt Flynn gets a shot. Flynn was the 2005 Peach Bowl MVP filling in for Russell. The defense, with eight starters back, will be one of the nation's best.
5. Texas Longhorns Team page | Schedule | Roster
The Longhorns won 10 games last year with redshirt freshman quarterback Colt McCoy, and along the way he threw for more touchdown passes in a game (six) and in a season (29) than any QB in school history. Had he not missed most of the Kansas State game and been less than 100 percent against Texas A&M in the final two contests of the regular season, Texas would have had a chance of playing for the national championship. The winner of the Red River Shootout with Oklahoma should win the South Division and have a chance to contend for the national championship.
6. Florida Gators Team page | Schedule | Roster
In quarterback Tim Tebow, head coach Urban Meyer finally has a quarterback at Florida with the running and throwing ability to run his offense. But the Gators just lost too many players to the NFL for them to return to the national championship game. Florida has the fewest returning starters (eight) in the SEC and plays only three conference games in Gainesville, but until someone shows me he can slow down Urban Meyer's quest to be the best football coach in the country, I'll have to put the Gators back in the SEC championship game.
7. Wisconsin Badgers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Last year the Badgers won 12 games for the first time in school history, and with 16 starters returning it could have an even better team this season. However, Wisconsin draws a tougher schedule this year including Penn State and Ohio State on the road, and it may not have such a fine record. Still, second-year head coach Bret Bielema's Badgers are a definite contender for the Big Ten title.
8. Oklahoma Sooners Team page | Schedule | Roster
As the defending Big 12 champion with the conference's best returning defense, you would think Bob Stoops' Sooners would be the No. 1 choice to win the conference title in 2007. But there is enough uncertainty at the quarterback position to create some doubt about just how good Oklahoma will be this year. I still think of the Big 12 as a two-team race for the conference crown so the Oct. 6 matchup with Texas should be for a Bowl Championship Series game and a possible shot at a national title.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies Team page | Schedule | Roster
With eight starters back on both offense and defense and the ACC's best returning stop unit, Virginia Tech is everyone's pick to win the conference title. And after having gone through such a devastating tragedy in the offseason, the entire nation will be pulling for the Hokies. However, they must be aware of the potential difficulty of their schedule. After a tough nonconference game against LSU in Baton Rouge, the Hokies play Clemson and Georgia Tech on the road and Boston College, Florida State and Miami at home.
10. Ohio State Buckeyes Team page | Schedule | Roster
The biggest difference with Ohio State this year and last is that after getting humiliated by Florida 41-14 in the national championship game the Buckeyes now know they are human. If they do not get mentally ready for each and every game, they will lose just like any one else. That being said, they still ought to be 8-0 going into their last four games, which include Wisconsin at home and Penn State and Michigan on the road.
11. Louisville Cardinals Team page | Schedule | Roster
Brian Brohm is the best NFL-caliber quarterback in college football, and the only reason I am picking the Cardinals to finish second in the Big East is because they play West Virginia in Morgantown. Louisville and WVU remain two of the most likely teams in the country to finish the season undefeated and play for the national championship.
12. Auburn Tigers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Tommy Tuberville probably did his best coaching job at Auburn last year (yes, even better than the 13-0 season) by riding his kickers, field position and an above-average defense to an 11-2 season and a Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska. A stronger defense and running game and an eight-game home schedule means the LSU game should be for a chance to play for the SEC title.
13. California Golden Bears Team page | Schedule | Roster
Good things happen when you give head coach Jeff Tedford a veteran quarterback like Nate Longshore, especially when the three leading receivers also return. Despite the chance for an explosive offense, there are only five starters returning on the defensive side of the ball. And the Bears have the toughest schedule in the Pac-10. A repeat of last year's first conference title since 1975 (Cal and USC tied for first) is not likely, but a top-10 national finish is not out of the question.
14. Nebraska Cornhuskers Team page | Schedule | Roster
This is head coach Bill Callahan's fourth year at Nebraska. Although the Cornhuskers probably will be playing Missouri in Columbia on Oct. 6 for the Big 12 North title, the Northern Division just doesn't seem to be catching up with the South – well, Texas and Oklahoma at least. Arizona State transfer Sam Keller should be a natural at quarterback in the West Coast offense, but a tough schedule that includes Texas, Texas A&M, and USC along with a sneaky little booger bear at Wake Forest could keep the Huskers out of the national championship picture – and isn't that what the Nebraska fans really are waiting for?
15. UCLA Bruins Team page | Schedule | Roster
If there ever were a chance for head coach Karl Dorrell to solidify his position at UCLA, this season should be it. The Bruins have more starters returning than any other team in the league, and with that number (20) spread out evenly over the offense and defense the team should be strong on both sides of the ball. The schedule also is favorable and could allow the Bruins to be 11-0 going into their regular-season finale with USC.
16. Georgia Bulldogs Team page | Schedule | Roster
Georgia struggled to find itself offensively last season, beginning the year 6-4 before settling on quarterback Matthew Stafford. He led the Bulldogs to three straight victories against Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech to end the season. Mark Richt's team should take up right where it left off, and if the schedule wasn't so dadgum hard I would have the Bulldogs in the SEC title game.
With less than two months until the opening of the season, it's time for my preseason Sweet Sixteen. There are still summer workouts and a tough preseason practice schedule to get through, but barring major injuries at key positions this is how the lineup of the top teams should look to begin the season.
The season kicks off Aug. 30.
1. USC Trojans Team page | Schedule | Roster
You win championships with great defense and a veteran quarterback, and the Trojans are lights out in both areas. There are 10 starters back from a defense that head coach Pete Carroll called the fastest he has had during his time at USC, and quarterback John David Booty could be the third signal-caller at USC in the last six years to win the Heisman Trophy. They should start out No. 1 on everybody's preseason list and will be favored in every game.
2. Michigan Wolverines Team page | Schedule | Roster
The Wolverines were 11-0 last season before losing their last two contests against highly ranked Ohio State and USC. There is some work to do on defense where they lost seven starters, but they return huge play-makers on offense in quarterback Chad Henne, running back Michael Hart, and wide receiver Mario Manningham. Michigan also has eight home games, including one against Ohio State. I just can't believe the Wolverines would lose to the Buckeyes four years in a row.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers Team page | Schedule | Roster
When it comes to matching athletes with a system, there is no team in the country with a better quarterback/tailback combination than Pat White and Steve Slaton. The Mountaineers' toughest road games are at Rutgers and South Florida, but more importantly they play Big East challenger Louisville at home. WVU will be favored in all 12 games this year, and the biggest question mark just might be how it handles the loss of offensive line coach Rick Trickett, who left for Florida State.
4. LSU Tigers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Last year the Tigers played four top-10 teams on the road and still finished with an 11-2 record and a No. 3 final ranking. This year's schedule is a whole lot easier as only one of LSU's five road opponents had a winning record last year. There is no replacing the No. 1 selection in the NFL draft, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, but senior Matt Flynn gets a shot. Flynn was the 2005 Peach Bowl MVP filling in for Russell. The defense, with eight starters back, will be one of the nation's best.
5. Texas Longhorns Team page | Schedule | Roster
The Longhorns won 10 games last year with redshirt freshman quarterback Colt McCoy, and along the way he threw for more touchdown passes in a game (six) and in a season (29) than any QB in school history. Had he not missed most of the Kansas State game and been less than 100 percent against Texas A&M in the final two contests of the regular season, Texas would have had a chance of playing for the national championship. The winner of the Red River Shootout with Oklahoma should win the South Division and have a chance to contend for the national championship.
6. Florida Gators Team page | Schedule | Roster
In quarterback Tim Tebow, head coach Urban Meyer finally has a quarterback at Florida with the running and throwing ability to run his offense. But the Gators just lost too many players to the NFL for them to return to the national championship game. Florida has the fewest returning starters (eight) in the SEC and plays only three conference games in Gainesville, but until someone shows me he can slow down Urban Meyer's quest to be the best football coach in the country, I'll have to put the Gators back in the SEC championship game.
7. Wisconsin Badgers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Last year the Badgers won 12 games for the first time in school history, and with 16 starters returning it could have an even better team this season. However, Wisconsin draws a tougher schedule this year including Penn State and Ohio State on the road, and it may not have such a fine record. Still, second-year head coach Bret Bielema's Badgers are a definite contender for the Big Ten title.
8. Oklahoma Sooners Team page | Schedule | Roster
As the defending Big 12 champion with the conference's best returning defense, you would think Bob Stoops' Sooners would be the No. 1 choice to win the conference title in 2007. But there is enough uncertainty at the quarterback position to create some doubt about just how good Oklahoma will be this year. I still think of the Big 12 as a two-team race for the conference crown so the Oct. 6 matchup with Texas should be for a Bowl Championship Series game and a possible shot at a national title.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies Team page | Schedule | Roster
With eight starters back on both offense and defense and the ACC's best returning stop unit, Virginia Tech is everyone's pick to win the conference title. And after having gone through such a devastating tragedy in the offseason, the entire nation will be pulling for the Hokies. However, they must be aware of the potential difficulty of their schedule. After a tough nonconference game against LSU in Baton Rouge, the Hokies play Clemson and Georgia Tech on the road and Boston College, Florida State and Miami at home.
10. Ohio State Buckeyes Team page | Schedule | Roster
The biggest difference with Ohio State this year and last is that after getting humiliated by Florida 41-14 in the national championship game the Buckeyes now know they are human. If they do not get mentally ready for each and every game, they will lose just like any one else. That being said, they still ought to be 8-0 going into their last four games, which include Wisconsin at home and Penn State and Michigan on the road.
11. Louisville Cardinals Team page | Schedule | Roster
Brian Brohm is the best NFL-caliber quarterback in college football, and the only reason I am picking the Cardinals to finish second in the Big East is because they play West Virginia in Morgantown. Louisville and WVU remain two of the most likely teams in the country to finish the season undefeated and play for the national championship.
12. Auburn Tigers Team page | Schedule | Roster
Tommy Tuberville probably did his best coaching job at Auburn last year (yes, even better than the 13-0 season) by riding his kickers, field position and an above-average defense to an 11-2 season and a Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska. A stronger defense and running game and an eight-game home schedule means the LSU game should be for a chance to play for the SEC title.
13. California Golden Bears Team page | Schedule | Roster
Good things happen when you give head coach Jeff Tedford a veteran quarterback like Nate Longshore, especially when the three leading receivers also return. Despite the chance for an explosive offense, there are only five starters returning on the defensive side of the ball. And the Bears have the toughest schedule in the Pac-10. A repeat of last year's first conference title since 1975 (Cal and USC tied for first) is not likely, but a top-10 national finish is not out of the question.
14. Nebraska Cornhuskers Team page | Schedule | Roster
This is head coach Bill Callahan's fourth year at Nebraska. Although the Cornhuskers probably will be playing Missouri in Columbia on Oct. 6 for the Big 12 North title, the Northern Division just doesn't seem to be catching up with the South – well, Texas and Oklahoma at least. Arizona State transfer Sam Keller should be a natural at quarterback in the West Coast offense, but a tough schedule that includes Texas, Texas A&M, and USC along with a sneaky little booger bear at Wake Forest could keep the Huskers out of the national championship picture – and isn't that what the Nebraska fans really are waiting for?
15. UCLA Bruins Team page | Schedule | Roster
If there ever were a chance for head coach Karl Dorrell to solidify his position at UCLA, this season should be it. The Bruins have more starters returning than any other team in the league, and with that number (20) spread out evenly over the offense and defense the team should be strong on both sides of the ball. The schedule also is favorable and could allow the Bruins to be 11-0 going into their regular-season finale with USC.
16. Georgia Bulldogs Team page | Schedule | Roster
Georgia struggled to find itself offensively last season, beginning the year 6-4 before settling on quarterback Matthew Stafford. He led the Bulldogs to three straight victories against Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech to end the season. Mark Richt's team should take up right where it left off, and if the schedule wasn't so dadgum hard I would have the Bulldogs in the SEC title game.
Here's a couple videos of what west virginia has coming back for those who arent familiar with them
this one is against Pitt last year Pat White (QB) 220 yards passing and 200+ rushing... Steve Slaton 220 rushing , 130+ receiving
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W1p8OKhLE2I
this one is from the Maryland game... Slaton was all set to go to school at Maryland but they pulled his Scholarship... that explains the interview part ....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RNaYKi-KTe0&mode=related&search=
this one is against Pitt last year Pat White (QB) 220 yards passing and 200+ rushing... Steve Slaton 220 rushing , 130+ receiving
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W1p8OKhLE2I
this one is from the Maryland game... Slaton was all set to go to school at Maryland but they pulled his Scholarship... that explains the interview part ....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RNaYKi-KTe0&mode=related&search=
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