Swilson's 2006 College Football Preseason Top 25

Ah, can you feel it? It's that time of the year again. The hype and debate of football season is here. No, the actual games don't begin for another month or so. But for College Football fans, the anticaption is half the fun. There will be millions of preseason polls coming out in the next couple of weeks. Everyone will be talking about whether or not Ohio State will get by Texas this year. Whether or not Notre Dame is worth the hype. How will USC rebound from the devestating NC game? Can Texas compete without Vince Young? Which non-BCS team will break into the action with the extra BCS game? There are thousands of questions, as this is one of the most open seasons in recent memory. There is no clear team set up to dominate the competition. Here is one fan's prediction of how it will all play out. Sit back, hold on, and enjoy the ride.

Preseason Top 25

1. Ohio State

Biggest Question Mark: Do the Bucks have the talent to replace 3 first round draft picks on defense?
Most Valuable Player: QB Troy Smith, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Texas, Sept. 9
Upset Alert: @ Michigan St, Oct. 14

2. Notre Dame

Biggest Question Mark: Will the defensive experience keep Notre Dame from entering too many shoot outs?
Most Valuable Player: QB Brady Quinn, Sr.
Killer Game: @ USC, Nov. 25
Upset Alert: @ Navy, Oct. 28

3. Texas

Biggest Question Mark: What will Texas offense post-Vince Young look like?
Most Valuable Player: FS Michael Griffin, Sr.
Killer Game: Ohio State, Sept. 9
Upset Alert: @ Nebraska, Oct. 21

4. Auburn

Biggest Question Mark: Will the Auburn offense have enough WR talent to play balanced football?
Most Valuable Player: TB Kenny Irons, Sr.
Killer Game: LSU, Sept. 16
Upset Alert: @ South Carolina, Sept. 28

5. USC

Biggest Question Mark: Will the Trogans be able to reload the offensive talent?
Most Valuable Player: SE Dwayne Jarret, Jr.
Killer Game: Notre Dame, Nov. 25
Upset Alert: Arizona State, Oct. 14

6. LSU

Biggest Question Mark: Who should be the starting QB for the Tigers?
Most Valuable Player: WR Dwayne Bowe, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Florida, Oct. 7
Upset Alert: Fresno State, Oct. 21

7. Oklahoma

Biggest Question Mark: Can the offensive line hold the wolves at bay?
Most Valuable Player: RB Adrian Peterson, Jr.
Killer Game: Texas, Oct. 7
Upset Alert: @ Texas A&M, Nov. 4

8. California

Biggest Question Mark: Can Cal navagate a tough schedule?
Most Valuable Player: RB Marshawn Lynch, Jr.
Killer Game: @ USC, Nov. 18
Upset Alert: @ Oregon State, Sept. 30

9. Iowa

Biggest Question Mark: Can the Hawkeye's replace Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge?
Most Valuable Player: QB Drew Tate, Sr.
Killer Game: Ohio State, Sept. 30
Upset Alert: Minnesota, Nov. 18

10. Miami (FL)

Biggest Question Mark: How will the 'Canes respond to Peach Bowl disaster?
Most Valuable Player: TE Greg Olsen, Jr.
Killer Game: Virginia Tech, Nov. 4
Upset Alert: @ Virginia, Nov. 18

11. Georgia

Biggest Question Mark: Can the Bulldogs replace Shockley, Blue, Pope, and Golston?
Most Valuable Player: DE Quentin Moses, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Florida, Oct. 28
Upset Alert: @ South Carolina, Sept. 9

12. Penn State

Biggest Question Mark: Will Joe Pa have the talent to replace key players on offense?
Most Valuable Player: OLB Paul Posluszny, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Notre Dame, Sept. 9
Upset Alert: @ Purdue, Oct. 28

13. Florida

Biggest Question Mark: Will the Meyer offense be effective in year two?
Most Valuable Player: QB Chris Leak, Sr.
Killer Game: Georgia, Oct. 28
Upset Alert: UCF, Sept. 9

14. Michigan

Biggest Question Mark: Will Llyod Carr be able to keep his team from collapsing again?
Most Valuable Player: WR/KR Steve Breaston, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Notre Dame, Sept. 16
Upset Alert: @ Minnesota, Sept. 30

15. Louisville

Biggest Question Mark: Will the Cardinals have a defense that is worthy of this mega offense?
Most Valuable Player: QB Brian Broham, Jr.
Killer Game: Miami (Fl), Sept. 16
Upset Alert: @ Pittsburgh, Nov. 25

16. Alabama

Biggest Question Mark: How well will the Tide break in new QB?
Most Valuable Player: TB Kenneth Darby, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Florida, Sept 30.
Upset Alert: Mississippi State, Nov. 4

17. West Virginia

Biggest Question Mark: Will the run first offense, led by Pat White, still suprise defenses in 2006?
Most Valuable Player: TB Steve Slaton, So.
Killer Game: @ Louisville, Nov. 2
Upset Alert: South Florida, Nov. 25

18. Florida State

Biggest Question Mark: How will Florida St cope with just 10 starters returning?
Most Valuable Player: WLB Buster Davis, Sr.
Killer Game: Florida, Nov. 25
Upset Alert: @ Maryland, Oct. 28

19. Texas Tech

Biggest Question Mark: How will the Red Raiders replace both QB and RB?
Most Valuable Player: WR Jarret Hicks, Sr.
Killer Game: Texas, Oct. 28
Upset Alert: @ Colorado, Oct. 14

20. Boston College

Biggest Question Mark: Can BC break the tradition of being an always good, but never great football program?
Most Valuable Player: QB Matt Ryan, Jr.
Killer Game: @ Miami, Nov. 25
Upset Alert: @ Wake Forest, Nov. 4

21. Virginia Tech

Biggest Question Mark: Do the Hokies have what it takes to replace several holes on offense?
Most Valuable Player: ROV Aaron Rouse, Sr.
Killer Game: @ Miami (Fl), Nov. 4
Upset Alert: Southern Miss, Oct. 21

22. Nebraska

Biggest Question Mark: Is Nebraska ready to run with the big boys again?
Most Valuable Player: QB Zach Taylor, Sr.
Killer Game(s): @ USC, Sept. 16 and Texas, Oct 21
Upset Alert: @ Kansas State, Oct 14

23. Oregon State

Biggest Question Mark: The Beavers are talented, but can they stay focused?
Most Valuable Player: PK Alexis Serna, Jr.
Killer Game: USC, Oct. 28
Upset Alert: @ Hawaii, Dec. 2

24. TCU

Biggest Question Mark: Can TCU crash the BCS party?
Most Valuable Player: TB Robert Merrill, Sr.
Killer Game: Texas Tech, Sept. 16
Upset Alert: @ UNLV, Nov. 4

25. Boise State

Biggest Question Mark: Can new coach keep the Broncos rolling?
Most Valuable Player: QB Jared Zabransky, Sr.
Killer Game: Oregon State, Sept. 7
Upset Alert: @ San Jose State, Nov. 11

Date

Sun 07/30/06, 8:26 am EST

Enable Comment Auto-Refresher

CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

1197 days ago

Score 2

The first one I've seen to rank West Virginia so low. I like the risk.

Permalink | Reply

Jgov05All-American

1197 days ago

Score 0

I don't. WVU has a great chance of going undefeated.

Permalink

Anonymous Fanatic #1

1197 days ago

Score 0

When you play in the Big East, it isn't that hard to go undefeated.

Permalink

Swilson3Waterboy

1197 days ago

Score 0

WV had a great season last year, and they may very well do it again this year. But I think it is just as likely that teams prepare better for WV this year. They have to get by tough road games at Louisville and Pittsburgh. And teams like WV usually find a way to lose one that they shouldn't. I wouldn't mind eating my words, however. I enjoyed watching them play as year.

Permalink

HappyskinnyAll-American

1197 days ago

Score 0

I'm biased because I go there and I'm a fan, however most polls I've seen have Clemson in the top 20, definitely the top 25. BC over Clemson this year?

Permalink | Reply

Swilson3Waterboy

1197 days ago

Score 0

No disrespect to Clemson! I would have put them #26, but I like BC's schedule better. They get Clemson and Virginia Tech at home, plus play Florida State later in the year. They could easily be 9-2 heading into a big match up at Miami. Whereas I see 3 or 4 loses for Clemson by that time this year.

Permalink

JJ Redick Lover

1196 days ago

Score 0

Go Penn State ♥

Permalink | Reply

Bobbyjim45Draft Pick

1196 days ago

Score 0

Go Rutgers.

Permalink

Charmcitykid15

1188 days ago

Score 0

2. Notre Dame

Biggest Question Mark: Will the defensive experience keep Notre Dame from entering too many shoot outs? Most Valuable Player: QB Brady Quinn, Sr. Killer Game: @ USC, Nov. 25 Upset Alert: @ Navy, Oct. 28

ah dont scare me with the upset alert...haha but great assesment of the teams but with notre dame they have alot more killer games then just usc...you cant put down the matchups between georgia tech, penn state and michigan...and for another upset alert(knock on wood) michigan state...my boys havent done so well against those spartans.

Permalink | Reply

Anonymous Fanatic #2

1182 days ago

Score 0

lsu should be higher http://www.s....com/lsu.htm

Permalink | Reply