El Pad's Top 25 College Football Preview

EL PAD'S Top 25

1. USC- I’m going back to the well on this one. Leinart and Bush were all-timers. They cannot be replaced but they are still loaded with talent that can be stretched throughout every position. Plus they return Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarret and have an NFL caliber WR named Vidal Hazelton. The defense is what will carry them at times. USC’s second stringers can start for at least 100 other programs. The only question mark is the QB position, I don’t know much about John David Booty or Mark Sanchez other than that Booty has a back problem and Sanchez keeps getting in trouble with the law.

Player to watch: Vidal Hazelton, WR

2. Ohio State- QB Troy Smith is a true playmaker and with Ted Ginn Jr they should make some beautiful music together. Plus their depth at the RB position could be as powerful as a daisy cutter. Pittman and the talented Chris Wells. The defense boasts some serious talent and are replacing every starter from last year. But they should fit right in as the buckeye’s will be stout against the run.

Player to watch: Ted Ginn Jr., WR/KR

3. Miami- The defense is incredible. I mean Brandon Meriweather is like whoa and Phillips garners some All-American considerations himself. They have size, speed and depth. If their offense can get down the field and score more often then they would be unstoppable. But I don’t think it can. The offensive line doesn’t appear to be any better than last year’s debacle.

Player to watch: Brandon Meriweather, FS

4. Texas- The national champs return some key starters from last year’s squad and boast a ridiculously deep running back chart. The defensive cupboard is hardly
bare with a very good DE tandem of Crowder and Robinson. QB is the issue. VY was a legend and won’t be replaced. Who will step up and deliver for the longhorns when the game is on the line? Jevan Snead or Colt McCoy?

Player to watch: Jamaal Charles, RB

5. Auburn- Should be better than last year with the talent they have now. QB Cox returns and gets to hand the rock off to Irons and throw to Courtney Taylor who should regain his 2004 form. Key match-up is LSU on Sept 16th. If they beat them in Auburn then they may go undeafeted.

Player to watch: Kenny Irons, RB

6. LSU- Things change if they lose vs. Auburn in the 16th. See above. They need
to settle the QB situation. It’s a rough go when your starting QB has to look over his shoulder everytime he throws a pick or makes a bad pass. The RB situation is a bit iffy as both RB’s return after torn ACL’s. The defense will be as always, fucking good. Plus they will be able to focus a bit more on football as last year was a bad year off the field for the Tigers.

Player to watch: Laron Landry, FS

7. Cal - Looks like Nate Longshore will be the QB and this is important because they need a settled QB situation. The RB situation is a wrap because RB Marshawn Lynch is a Heisman candidate from jump street. O-line is their main issue as they lost two key starters last year. Plus the secondary is a bit in-experienced. Take the over when they play.

Player to watch: Marshawn Lynch, RB

8. Florida- You can thank the schedule for this ranking. With the talent they have all over the place they should be competing for a national championship. The D finished 9th last year and only gets better this year. Leak goes into his final year with the lingering question. Can he master the spread offense and take this team to a title game? We’ll see.

Players to watch: Brandon Siler, LB

9. West Virginia- RB Steve Slaton could be the next Heisman Trophy winner. This guy runs like the wind and I’m sure Rich Rodriguez knows it. QB Pat White is the second fastest guy on this WVU squad. The two together are going to get national attention by October.

Player to watch: Pat White, QB

10. Michigan- It’s all about Henne and Hart. Henne can take his team to the next level if he raises his completion % and Hart can also make a huge impact if he stays on the field. Injuries have plagued him and the knock is he can’t take the pounding. The maize and blue have a re-built defense and CB Leon Hall leads the secondary that can stop teams with their speed.

Player to watch: Steve Breaston, WR/KR

11. Florida State- Too much speed and talent on the offensive side to struggle like last year. The root problem was the O-line which looks to be fixed. Bobby Bowden knows hot to re-vitalize a program.

Player to watch: Lorenzo Booker, RB

12. Louisville- Cards are looking for their first BCS appearance this year and have the talent to grab it. Led by QB Brian Brohm and RB Mike Bush the offense is just as explosive as anyone else’s.

Player to watch: Mario Urrutia, WR

13. Oklahoma- I think they are a year away from being the monster that they were but this year’s Sooners are going to be very good. The QB situation is stable now with Paul Thompson and Adrian Peterson is healthy. The defense is just Gnarls Barkley and no one is going to want to play in Norman.

Player to watch: Rufus Alexander, LB


14. Georgia- The favorite to replace current Falcon DJ Shockley is tough as nails QB Joe Tereshinski. All depends on his arm and leadership. The Dawgs have a deep RB chart and a biting defense that coach Mark Richt refers to as “physicality at it’s peak”. Ok Mark, ok.

Player to watch: Quentin Moses, DE

15. Clemson- Real nice mix of players, a good coach and serious talent at various skill positions (MLB, WR) can equate to a nice season for the Tigers of Clemson.
Proctor has to prove himself right off the bat with games against BC and FSU.

Player to watch: James Davis, RB

16. Notre Dame- Not a top ten team. Simply not. The hype is astounding but the team doesn’t match the hype. The corners are average, limited pass rush, and
there is no depth at any important skill position. Other than Michigan this team
beat no one with a pulse last year. 2008 is the Irish’s year. The talent coming in
combined with this crop of freshman is enough to give Weis a boner.

Player to watch: Brady Quinn, QB

17. Penn State- Two guys coming back from devastating injuries (WR Derrick
Williams & LB Paul Posluszny) are key to how far the Nittany Lions go. With
a favorable schedule they can make some noise in the rankings.

Player to watch: Paul Posluszny, LB

18. Iowa- The talent is there but will take too long get going. Young and inexperienced at LB and CB the Hawkeyes may be practicing for a title shot next year.

Player to watch: Drew Tate, QB

19. Arizona State- D gave up 29.9 points a game last year and a whooping 468.8 yards per game. The offense can fly with anyone in the nation but won’t win jack without some defense.

Players to watch: Zach Miller, TE

20. Nebraska- Defensive front seven is as good as any and now that QB Zac Taylor has a clue this team could sneak up on some people. Certainly a 9-3 season is within reach.

Player to watch: Maurice Purify, WR

21. Tennessee- Speed, speed, speed. Few teams can match the speed and atheleticism of this year’s Vols but will that translate into wins? Maybe a year away from a top ten team.

Player to watch: Jayson Swaine, WR

22. Virginia Tech- It’s all about the D. The blitzing, attacking style of D Beamer runs should be enough to compete in the ultra competitive ACC.

Player to watch: Kam Chancellor, CB

23. Oregon- Waiting for sophomore Jonathan Stewart to emerge. If he does the Ducks could have a really good year. If he doesn’t for whatever reason it could go south quick. Although I do like the depth with Terrell Jackson and Jeremiah Johnson. But neither I don’t think are a feature back. It has to be Stewart. He can pound and is nimble enough to break free.

Player to watch: Patrick Chung, LB/DB

24. Georgia Tech- Few ACC teams can beat you with a passing game like these yellow jackets can. That’s rare for their league but a few holes in the secondary and no RB depth might hurt them down the stretch.

Player to watch: Calvin Johnson, WR

25. Colorado- Hawkins has this team maybe a year or two away from a top ten appearance. As of right now theyhave some holes on offense but the D is coming together nicely and will keep them in a lot games.

Player to watch: J.J Billingsley, DB

Heisman Watch-
Brady Quinn
Marshawn Lynch
Kenny Irons
Chad Henne
Ted Ginn Jr.
Troy Smith
Dale Jarret
Pat White
Steve Slaton