Georgia #3, you have got to be kidding me
http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/powerRankingsPreseason 2010 CFN power rankings
by College Football News.com
RSS add thisThere's one very important distinction in the CFN preseason rankings: these are based on how good the teams are going into the season and not how they're going to finish. Some teams have easier schedules than others, some have tougher road games and some will need a little bit of time to jell meaning they might be better than their final record might indicate.
More rankings: No. 21-30 | No. 31-40 | No. 41-50FOX SPORTS CFB POWER RANKINGS RK Team REC CHG High/Low Comment
1 Alabama Crimson Tide 14-0 - 1/1 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Alabama Is No. 1: The offense will be unstoppable. Whether it's Heisman-winner Mark Ingram carrying the attack, or super-sub Trent Richardson, the running game will be dominant with NFL backs working behind a strong offensive line that should be every bit as good as it was last year.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Alabama Is No. 1: The offense will be unstoppable. Whether it's Heisman-winner Mark Ingram carrying the attack, or super-sub Trent Richardson, the running game will be dominant with NFL backs working behind a strong offensive line that should be every bit as good as it was last year. QB Greg McElroy has a year of starting experience under his belt, and more important he has Julio Jones and an explosive receiving corps to throw to. The defense might lose everyone of note, but there's a ton of talent waiting to shine.
Why Alabama Shouldn't Be No. 1: Alabama is No. 1 almost by default. No one else appears worth of the preseason honor, and while the Tide offense is national title-good, the defense has a ton of work to do. Alabama can replace the star talent with several future pros, but to have everything come together right away and to get the same production out of such an inexperienced group is a stretch. With a few green kickers about to feel the squeeze of the expectations of another national title, there are just enough concerns to argue that 'Bama should be in the 3-to-5 range in the preseason rankings.
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2 Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2 - 2/2 Predicted Record: 11-1. Why Ohio State Should Be No. 1: Nine starters return to an offense that should have the Tressel Ball game down to a T. Terrelle Pryor doesn't have to make the next-level jump to Vince Young status for the Buckeye attack to go, but if he can keep the interceptions down and if his line has a more consistent season, the Heisman could be waiting for him.
Predicted Record: 11-1.
Why Ohio State Should Be No. 1: Nine starters return to an offense that should have the Tressel Ball game down to a T. Terrelle Pryor doesn't have to make the next-level jump to Vince Young status for the Buckeye attack to go, but if he can keep the interceptions down and if his line has a more consistent season, the Heisman could be waiting for him. Seven starters are back from the nation's No. 5 defense.
Why Ohio State Isn't No. 1: Are you 100% convinced that Pryor is about to be the transcendent star everyone is waiting for him to become? He has to prove he can keep the interceptions to a minimum, while the offense can't bog down for long stretches like it did last year. The pass rush has to be far better, while the kicking game has to get back up to Ohio State standards if the Buckeyes want to go to Glendale.
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3 Georgia Bulldogs 8-5 - 3/3 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Georgia Should Be No. 1: Don't be fooled by last year's slide. The loss of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, along with an uncanny array of injuries, kept Georgia from being Georgia.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Georgia Should Be No. 1: Don't be fooled by last year's slide. The loss of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, along with an uncanny array of injuries, kept Georgia from being Georgia. But this year's team should be back to form thanks to a deep offensive line that will be among the best in the country (if everyone stays healthy), a phenomenal linebacking corps, a strong backfield, and a future NFL star in WR A.J. Green. Throw in the best kicking game in college football, and shhhhhh... here's your sleeper for the national title.
Why Georgia Isn't No. 1: Aaron Murray. The Georgia quarterback situation wasn't exactly settled this offseason with Murray the best of a mediocre lot. Murray has the tools and he has the talent, but he has to prove he can navigate his way through the SEC wars. On the other side, unlike last year, the defense has to play up to its talent and athleticism.
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4 Florida Gators 13-1 - 4/4 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Florida Should Be No. 1: Urban Meyer has never been afraid of putting freshmen and other young players into key spots, and he'll do it again this year to reload.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Florida Should Be No. 1: Urban Meyer has never been afraid of putting freshmen and other young players into key spots, and he'll do it again this year to reload. Out goes a slew of NFL talent, and in comes another crop. John Brantley might not be Tim Tebow, but he's an NFL passer who will be the next great Gator quarterback.
Why Florida Isn't No. 1: Tim Tebow, Joe Haden, Brandon Spikes, Aaron Hernandez, Maurkice Pouncey, Dustin Doe, Riley Cooper, David Nelson, Ryan Stamper, Carlos Dunlap, Jermaine Cunningham, and Major Wright... all gone. Yeah, Florida can reload, but it's asking a lot to replace almost all the key parts from last year's team right away.
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5 Oklahoma Sooners 8-5 - 5/5 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Oklahoma Should Be No. 1: Very, very quietly, the Sooners could sneak up on everyone and have another one of those years when everything clicks in the regular season.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Oklahoma Should Be No. 1: Very, very quietly, the Sooners could sneak up on everyone and have another one of those years when everything clicks in the regular season. QB Landry Jones has a year of experience, and he might have the best receiver in college football (Ryan Broyles) to throw to. The ground game will once again best great, while the defense should finish in the top ten in most major categories.
Why Oklahoma Isn't No. 1: The jury is still out on whether or not Landry Jones can be consistent. The offensive line is good, but it isn't the killer it was a few years ago. This appears to be the type of team that should be just good enough to stay in the national title chase all year long, but just incomplete enough to miss out by a whisker.
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6 Wisconsin Badgers 10-3 - 6/6 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Wisconsin Should Be No. 1: No one will stop the offense. The line is big, brutish, and very, very good, and it will pave the way for John Clay and a great group of Badger backs that should bludgeon most defenses.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Wisconsin Should Be No. 1: No one will stop the offense. The line is big, brutish, and very, very good, and it will pave the way for John Clay and a great group of Badger backs that should bludgeon most defenses. Scott Tolzien is a game manager (in a positive way) of a passer who knows his role in the attack, and he has a dizzying array of receiving talents to work with.
Why Wisconsin Isn't No. 1: The defensive front has to replace some key players including heart-and-soul pass rusher O'Brien Schofield. The back seven is decent, but the corners are a bit shaky and consistency could be a problem. Yes, the Badgers had a strong 2009 and beat Miami, but it's not like the resume was anything to chirp over.
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7 TCU Horned Frogs 12-1 - 7/7 Predicted Record: 11-1. Why TCU Should Be No. 1: The Horned Frogs returned loaded with QB Andy Dalton leading an attack that should be among the five most productive and efficient in America.
Predicted Record: 11-1.
Why TCU Should Be No. 1: The Horned Frogs returned loaded with QB Andy Dalton leading an attack that should be among the five most productive and efficient in America. The receiving corps is among the best in college football and the line should be a brick wall. TCU always plugs in the gaps on defense, but...
Why TCU Isn't No. 1: ... you don't get better by losing DE Jerry Hughes, LB Daryl Washington, and safeties Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest. TCU is the cream of the Mountain West crop, but it needs several great looking prospects to be fantastic, front-line starters. Health will be an issue for the defensive back seven.
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8 Boise State Broncos 14-0 - 8/8 Predicted Record: 11-1. Why Boise State Should Be No. 1: Cornerback Kyle Wilson is a New York Jet. Everyone else of note is back... everyone. Yeah, the Broncos play in the WAC, and yeah, they play roughly three or four real games a year, but don't let the schedule gloss over how good this team might be.
Predicted Record: 11-1.
Why Boise State Should Be No. 1: Cornerback Kyle Wilson is a New York Jet. Everyone else of note is back... everyone. Yeah, the Broncos play in the WAC, and yeah, they play roughly three or four real games a year, but don't let the schedule gloss over how good this team might be.
Why Boise State Isn't No. 1: The stigma of being in the WAC. If the Broncos beat Virginia Tech and Oregon State impressively, then it'll be time to throw out all the old biases. The offensive line is good, but it's not all that big, while the pass rush isn't quite at a national-title level.
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9 Virginia Tech Hokies 10-3 - 9/9 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Virginia Tech Should Be No. 1: With all due respect to Alabama, the Hokies might have the best backfield in America. The offense was unstoppable by the end of last year and it should be even more consistent with QB Tyrod Taylor and running backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans to rely on.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Virginia Tech Should Be No. 1: With all due respect to Alabama, the Hokies might have the best backfield in America. The offense was unstoppable by the end of last year and it should be even more consistent with QB Tyrod Taylor and running backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans to rely on. Across the board, the pieces are there to be in the hunt for the national title, but it might take a little while for everything to jell. That's a problem with ?
Why Virginia Tech Isn't No. 1: ? Boise State on the schedule to start the season. The defense has to undergo a massive rebuilding job with just four starters returning, and the offense, even though it's going to be great, has some key losses to deal with on the line.
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10 Texas Longhorns 13-1 - 10/10 Predicted Record: 10-2. Why Texas Should Be No. 1: The pressure is off, but the talent is still there. Texas got to the national title game last season even with a few glaring problems (most notably an average year from the offensive line and a mediocre season from the running backs), but this year's team should be better up front on offense, the backs will get more of the work, and the defense, particularly the secondary, should be as good as ever.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Why Texas Should Be No. 1: The pressure is off, but the talent is still there. Texas got to the national title game last season even with a few glaring problems (most notably an average year from the offensive line and a mediocre season from the running backs), but this year's team should be better up front on offense, the backs will get more of the work, and the defense, particularly the secondary, should be as good as ever. It's Texas; it'll be in the BCS Championship hunt.
Why Texas Isn't No. 1: This appears to be a holding pattern year. Texas is still more than good enough to win the Big 12 title, and Garrett Gilbert might be a better pro prospect than Colt McCoy, but there are just enough X-factors that have to be smoothed out to see a bit of a stumble. However, if you're going to get Texas, do it now before the phenomenal recruiting class of 2010 starts to kick in.
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11 Miami (FL) Hurricanes 9-4 - 11/11 Key to the Season: More of a pass rush. No. 10 in the ACC in sacks? Really? That's unacceptable, considering the amount of speed, athleticism, and overall talent the 'Canes have on the front seven.
Key to the Season: More of a pass rush. No. 10 in the ACC in sacks? Really? That's unacceptable, considering the amount of speed, athleticism, and overall talent the 'Canes have on the front seven. With Allen Bailey and one of the league's deepest defensive line rotations, there's no reason why Miami can't turn 2009 into an anomaly.
Relative Strength: Defensive Line, Receiver.
Relative Weakness: Offensive Line.
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12 Florida State Seminoles 7-6 - 12/12 Predicted Record: 8-4. Key to the Season: Better play from the defense. The Seminoles allowed an unthinkable 30 points a game, one of many reasons former Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was lured out of the desert to help turn things around.
Predicted Record: 8-4.
Key to the Season: Better play from the defense. The Seminoles allowed an unthinkable 30 points a game, one of many reasons former Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was lured out of the desert to help turn things around. The offense is going to be good, but that doesn't mean it wants to be dragged into shootouts every weekend.
Relative Strength: Offensive Line, Quarterback.
Relative Weakness: Secondary.
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13 North Carolina Tar Heels 8-5 - 13/13 Predicted Record: 6-6. Key to the Season: The offense has to improve. A year ago, the Tar Heels were No. 10 or lower in the ACC in passing, scoring, turnovers lost, and total offense.
Predicted Record: 6-6.
Key to the Season: The offense has to improve. A year ago, the Tar Heels were No. 10 or lower in the ACC in passing, scoring, turnovers lost, and total offense. Now while no one is banking on a prolific attack, Carolina has to do a better job of moving the chains and scoring six when it reaches the red zone.
Relative Strength: Defensive Line, Linebacker.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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14 Iowa Hawkeyes 11-2 - 14/14 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the Season: The kicking game has to be settled. It hasn't been that bad over the last few years with two veterans, Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker, each proving able to get the job done.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the Season: The kicking game has to be settled. It hasn't been that bad over the last few years with two veterans, Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker, each proving able to get the job done. However, the difference between a great season and a decent one could come down to which one hits all the gimmes. Murray missed a few too many makeable kicks (but finished a strong 19-of-26 on field goals), and considering Iowa played in five games in 2009 and nine over the last two years decided by three points or fewer, there can't be any easy misses.
Relative Strength: Defensive Line, Secondary.
Relative Weakness: Offensive Line.
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15 Oregon Ducks 10-3 - 15/15 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the Season: Stronger run defense. When the Ducks struggled a year ago, it was typically because opponents like Stanford and Ohio State, were grinding it out between the tackles.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the Season: Stronger run defense. When the Ducks struggled a year ago, it was typically because opponents like Stanford and Ohio State, were grinding it out between the tackles. Despite some concerns on the interior of the line, Oregon has to find a way, with the help of the linebackers and safeties, to prevent the other team from playing keep-away with the ball.
Relative Strength: Running Back, Offensive Line.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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16 USC Trojans 9-4 - 16/16 Predicted Record: 10-3. Key to the Season: Third-down conversions. The defense isn't going to be as air-tight as it used to be, so it's up to the offense to become more efficient.
Predicted Record: 10-3.
Key to the Season: Third-down conversions. The defense isn't going to be as air-tight as it used to be, so it's up to the offense to become more efficient. Last year's Trojans ranked 89th nationally on third downs, which meant a lot of stalled drives and Jacob Harfman punts. It's time for the offense to grow up around QB Matt Barkley, RB Allen Bradford, and WR Ronald Johnson, and start churning out more 11-play possessions that wind up in the end zone.
Relative Strength: Linebacker, Defensive Line.
Relative Weakness: Receiver.
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17 Pittsburgh Panthers 10-3 - 17/17 Predicted Record: 10-2. Key to the Season: Closing. The Panthers? last five losses dating back to 2008 have been by an average of only four points. Pitt has pulled out some nail-biters during that time, but has lost more than they've won.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Key to the Season: Closing. The Panthers? last five losses dating back to 2008 have been by an average of only four points. Pitt has pulled out some nail-biters during that time, but has lost more than they've won. The difference between a Meineke Car Care Bowl and an Orange Bowl will be the outcomes of these types of games, which hang in the balance and aren't decided until the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
Relative Strength: Running Back, Defensive Line.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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18 Penn State Nittany Lions 11-2 - 18/18 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the Season: The special teams have to at least be competent. Kicker Collin Wagner came up with a fine year, but he's not an elite talent, and he was the bright spot.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the Season: The special teams have to at least be competent. Kicker Collin Wagner came up with a fine year, but he's not an elite talent, and he was the bright spot. The punt coverage team was 117th in the nation, allowing 15.4 yards per try, the punting game was 114th in the country, the kickoff return team was 107th, and the punt return game was 106th.
Relative Strength: Defensive Line, Running Back.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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19 Arkansas Razorbacks 8-5 - 19/19 Predicted Record: 8-4. Key to the Season: Better special teams. The difference between winning the SEC and being an also-ran can be a paper thin, and Arkansas has to be better and more effective on special teams to get though all the tight games.
Predicted Record: 8-4.
Key to the Season: Better special teams. The difference between winning the SEC and being an also-ran can be a paper thin, and Arkansas has to be better and more effective on special teams to get though all the tight games. Only three games last year were decided by seven points or fewer, and they all came down to a field goal with a miss against LSU and two key misses against Florida proving costly. The defense isn't good enough for the punting game to be so miserable after averaging just 32.63 yards per try.
Relative Strength: Receiver, Quarterback.
Relative Weakness: Secondary.
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20 Nebraska Cornhuskers 10-4 - 20/20 Predicted Record: 10-2. Key to the Season: Defenses have to fear the passing game more, and the better ones won't until the quarterbacks play better. Last year, Nebraska threw just one touchdown pass with nine interceptions in the four losses and 15 touchdown passes and a mere three picks in the nine wins.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Key to the Season: Defenses have to fear the passing game more, and the better ones won't until the quarterbacks play better. Last year, Nebraska threw just one touchdown pass with nine interceptions in the four losses and 15 touchdown passes and a mere three picks in the nine wins.
Relative Strength: Defensive Line, Secondary.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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21 Oregon State Beavers 8-5 - 21/21 Predicted Record: 7-5. Key to the Season: Takeaways. In 13 games, the Beavers had just 16 takeaways last season. That just isn't going to cut it for a program with serious designs on winning a Pac-10 championship.
Predicted Record: 7-5.
Key to the Season: Takeaways. In 13 games, the Beavers had just 16 takeaways last season. That just isn't going to cut it for a program with serious designs on winning a Pac-10 championship. Over the last six seasons, Oregon State is 30-5 when it commits fewer turnovers than the other team. Now, it got bailed out by an offense that almost never coughed it up, but there are no promises that trend will continue. This school has way too many good athletes on defense to not be jarring loose and picking up more footballs.
Relative Strength: Running Back, Receiver.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
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22 LSU Tigers 9-4 - 22/22 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the Season: Better play from the offensive line. Remember when LSU was loaded with All-America candidates and NFL prospects up front? The line was mediocre in 2008, and panic alarms went off.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the Season: Better play from the offensive line. Remember when LSU was loaded with All-America candidates and NFL prospects up front? The line was mediocre in 2008, and panic alarms went off. That was nothing compared to last year when the line gave pass rushers open invitations to pop the quarterback while doing nothing for the running game. No team with the skill players that LSU boasts should finish 112th in the nation in total offense, and it won't if the line is merely average. There might not be any stars up front, but this could be a more cohesive group that won't be asked to do too much.
Relative Strength: Secondary, Receiver.
Relative Weakness: Offensive Line.
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23 Auburn Tigers 8-5 - 23/23 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the Season: More takeaways. As long as the Tigers are ahead of the game in turnover margin, or even, they should be OK. Last year, they picked off 17 passes, with 16 of them coming in the eight wins and just one (Arkansas) coming in a loss.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the Season: More takeaways. As long as the Tigers are ahead of the game in turnover margin, or even, they should be OK. Last year, they picked off 17 passes, with 16 of them coming in the eight wins and just one (Arkansas) coming in a loss. Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and LSU hardly lit it up through the air, but none of the four threw any picks and everyone but Georgia lost one fumble. The margin for error in the SEC is always going to be relatively thin, and as long as the Tigers are making big plays in the secondary, the offense can afford to take a few chances.
Relative Strength: Running Back, Offensive Line.
Relative Weakness: Secondary.
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24 West Virginia Mountaineers 9-4 - 24/24 Predicted Record: 10-2. Key to the Season: Winning on the road. In Bill Stewart's two seasons as the head coach, West Virginia is 13-1 in Morgantown and just 5-7 away from home.
Predicted Record: 10-2.
Key to the Season: Winning on the road. In Bill Stewart's two seasons as the head coach, West Virginia is 13-1 in Morgantown and just 5-7 away from home. With tough road tests at LSU, Connecticut, and Pitt this season, the Mountaineers will need to improve their road record in order to make a serious run at a ten-win season.
Relative Strength: Running Back, Linebacker.
Relative Weakness: Quarterback.
Team: Home | Stats | Schedule | Apps
25 Mississippi Rebels 9-4 - 25/25 Predicted Record: 9-3. Key to the season: Keeping mistakes to a minimum. QB Jevan Snead threw 20 interceptions last year and the team turned it over 31 times. The five turnovers against Alabama never let the Rebels have a chance, while four turnovers against Mississippi State didn't help when the run defense was getting steamrolled over.
Predicted Record: 9-3.
Key to the season: Keeping mistakes to a minimum. QB Jevan Snead threw 20 interceptions last year and the team turned it over 31 times. The five turnovers against Alabama never let the Rebels have a chance, while four turnovers against Mississippi State didn't help when the run defense was getting steamrolled over. The defense is too aggressive and too good to not do its part to take the ball away, and unlike last year when the team was loaded with veterans, this year's team needs to win the turnover battle in all the big games.
Relative Strength: Quarterback, Receiver.
Relative Weakness: Offensive Line.
Team: Home | Stats | Schedule | Apps
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