Rivals.com 2008 preseason top 120 countdown
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=815280
1. Southern California - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 2nd | Highlights
Mark Sanchez and the rest of the offense will have to jell before Sept. 13, when USC plays Ohio State in a potential national title elimination game. Read the full preview
2. Georgia - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 6th | Highlights
The Bulldogs face lofty expectations and the not-so-small matter of getting through perhaps the nation's toughest schedule. Read the full preview
3. Ohio State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 6th | Highlights
This edition of the Buckeyes may be better than the previous two. But unlike the 2006 and 2007 squads, this team may finish the job. Read the full preview
4. Oklahoma - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 8th | Highlights
Yes, the Sooners are in the national championship picture, which would have locals going loco at most places. But that's status quo in Norman. Read the full preview
5. Missouri - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 5th | Highlights
With a Heisman-contending quarterback, a big-play receiver, an experienced defense and a favorable schedule, Missouri has a legitimate shot at the national title. Read the full preview
6. Florida - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 20th | Highlights
It's a title-worthy offense. The defense has some issues, though, and those issues could keep Florida from playing for its second national championship in the past three seasons. Read the full preview
7. Auburn - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 15th | Highlights
Auburn hasn't won the SEC West since its undefeated season of 2004, but that could change in '08. Despite a new QB and two new coordinators, the Tigers the talent. Read the full preview
8. West Virginia - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 4th | Highlights
If the defense can play a little better than average, the Mountaineers have enough offense to advance to the BCS title game they came so close to reaching last season. Read the full preview
9. Clemson - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 29th | Highlights
Clemson still hasn't reached the ACC Championship Game despite having one of the league's top talent bases each of the past three seasons. If not now, when? Read the full preview
10. LSU - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 7th | Highlights
LSU's QB situation and a demanding road schedule make it difficult to predict a repeat national title, but the Tigers have enough talent to merit a spot in the top 10. Read the full preview
11. Kansas - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 7th | Highlights
The losses from last season are few but significant. Those absences plus a more challenging schedule will make it difficult for the Jayhawks to match last season. Read the full preview
12. BYU - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 13th | Highlights
The Cougars return nine offensive starters from an 11-2 team, so an unbeaten season isn't out of the question if they can pass two early Pac-10 tests. Read the full preview
13. Wisconsin - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 30th | Highlights
Wisconsin has become one of the nation's top programs. That won't change this season. The Badgers have the timber to win the Big Ten title. Read the full preview
14. Texas Tech - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 23rd | Highlights
Tech fans will readily acknowledge this is the season they've been waiting for. Is this the year Tech usurps Oklahoma and Texas to win the Big 12 South? Read the full preview
15. Texas - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 9th | Highlights
Texas has seven consecutive 10-victory seasons, but there are plenty of questions to be answered this season. If the answers are not correct, the streak will end. Read the full preview
16. Arizona State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 12th | Highlights
The Sun Devils' experience on offense should enable them to finish in the top three or four in the Pac-10. If the defense tightens up, a second-place finish is within reach. Read the full preview
17. Virginia Tech - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 11th | Highlights
Though Virginia Tech lost most of its top players from a team that won the ACC title, the Hokies remain prohibitive favorites to return to the championship game. Read the full preview
18. Illinois - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 21st | Highlights
Illinois is a young team (no Big Ten school lost more lettermen, 24) bursting with talent. Winning the Big Ten crown isn't out of the question, but it's a long shot. Read the full preview
19. Tennessee - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 14th | Highlights
If the momentum from 2007 carries over, the Volunteers could be in the thick of the SEC title race again. But they're projected no better than third in the East. Read the full preview
20. South Florida - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 25th | Highlights
The Bulls have a ton of good athletes, and those athletes are allowed to attack and make plays. While a 10-victory season is possible, eight or nine seems more likely. Read the full preview
21. Oregon - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 18th | Highlights
Oregon was close to playing for the national title last season, but do the Ducks have the talent to replace QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart? Read the full preview
22. Penn State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 27th | Highlights
There is ample reason to rev up your RV and follow the winding road to State College. The Nittany Lions could be good – really good if the quarterback play stabilizes. Read the full preview
23. Fresno State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 36th | Highlights
Fresno State has designs on being the third WAC team in as many seasons to earn a BCS berth. But the Bulldogs' schedule will make it tough. Read the full preview
24. Wake Forest - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 26th | Highlights
Wake has plenty of talent but doesn't have enough depth to withstand injuries to key performers, but the Deacons' starting lineup is dangerous. Read the full preview
25. Pittsburgh - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 70th | Highlights
Pitt's season-closing victory over West Virginia wasn't just a monumental upset. It's also the reason many feel the Panthers are due for a breakout season. Read the full preview
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=815280
1. Southern California - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 2nd | Highlights
Mark Sanchez and the rest of the offense will have to jell before Sept. 13, when USC plays Ohio State in a potential national title elimination game. Read the full preview
2. Georgia - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 6th | Highlights
The Bulldogs face lofty expectations and the not-so-small matter of getting through perhaps the nation's toughest schedule. Read the full preview
3. Ohio State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 6th | Highlights
This edition of the Buckeyes may be better than the previous two. But unlike the 2006 and 2007 squads, this team may finish the job. Read the full preview
4. Oklahoma - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 8th | Highlights
Yes, the Sooners are in the national championship picture, which would have locals going loco at most places. But that's status quo in Norman. Read the full preview
5. Missouri - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 5th | Highlights
With a Heisman-contending quarterback, a big-play receiver, an experienced defense and a favorable schedule, Missouri has a legitimate shot at the national title. Read the full preview
6. Florida - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 20th | Highlights
It's a title-worthy offense. The defense has some issues, though, and those issues could keep Florida from playing for its second national championship in the past three seasons. Read the full preview
7. Auburn - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 15th | Highlights
Auburn hasn't won the SEC West since its undefeated season of 2004, but that could change in '08. Despite a new QB and two new coordinators, the Tigers the talent. Read the full preview
8. West Virginia - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 4th | Highlights
If the defense can play a little better than average, the Mountaineers have enough offense to advance to the BCS title game they came so close to reaching last season. Read the full preview
9. Clemson - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 29th | Highlights
Clemson still hasn't reached the ACC Championship Game despite having one of the league's top talent bases each of the past three seasons. If not now, when? Read the full preview
10. LSU - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 7th | Highlights
LSU's QB situation and a demanding road schedule make it difficult to predict a repeat national title, but the Tigers have enough talent to merit a spot in the top 10. Read the full preview
11. Kansas - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 7th | Highlights
The losses from last season are few but significant. Those absences plus a more challenging schedule will make it difficult for the Jayhawks to match last season. Read the full preview
12. BYU - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 13th | Highlights
The Cougars return nine offensive starters from an 11-2 team, so an unbeaten season isn't out of the question if they can pass two early Pac-10 tests. Read the full preview
13. Wisconsin - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 30th | Highlights
Wisconsin has become one of the nation's top programs. That won't change this season. The Badgers have the timber to win the Big Ten title. Read the full preview
14. Texas Tech - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 23rd | Highlights
Tech fans will readily acknowledge this is the season they've been waiting for. Is this the year Tech usurps Oklahoma and Texas to win the Big 12 South? Read the full preview
15. Texas - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 9th | Highlights
Texas has seven consecutive 10-victory seasons, but there are plenty of questions to be answered this season. If the answers are not correct, the streak will end. Read the full preview
16. Arizona State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 12th | Highlights
The Sun Devils' experience on offense should enable them to finish in the top three or four in the Pac-10. If the defense tightens up, a second-place finish is within reach. Read the full preview
17. Virginia Tech - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 11th | Highlights
Though Virginia Tech lost most of its top players from a team that won the ACC title, the Hokies remain prohibitive favorites to return to the championship game. Read the full preview
18. Illinois - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 21st | Highlights
Illinois is a young team (no Big Ten school lost more lettermen, 24) bursting with talent. Winning the Big Ten crown isn't out of the question, but it's a long shot. Read the full preview
19. Tennessee - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 14th | Highlights
If the momentum from 2007 carries over, the Volunteers could be in the thick of the SEC title race again. But they're projected no better than third in the East. Read the full preview
20. South Florida - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 25th | Highlights
The Bulls have a ton of good athletes, and those athletes are allowed to attack and make plays. While a 10-victory season is possible, eight or nine seems more likely. Read the full preview
21. Oregon - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 18th | Highlights
Oregon was close to playing for the national title last season, but do the Ducks have the talent to replace QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart? Read the full preview
22. Penn State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 27th | Highlights
There is ample reason to rev up your RV and follow the winding road to State College. The Nittany Lions could be good – really good if the quarterback play stabilizes. Read the full preview
23. Fresno State - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 36th | Highlights
Fresno State has designs on being the third WAC team in as many seasons to earn a BCS berth. But the Bulldogs' schedule will make it tough. Read the full preview
24. Wake Forest - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 26th | Highlights
Wake has plenty of talent but doesn't have enough depth to withstand injuries to key performers, but the Deacons' starting lineup is dangerous. Read the full preview
25. Pittsburgh - Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 70th | Highlights
Pitt's season-closing victory over West Virginia wasn't just a monumental upset. It's also the reason many feel the Panthers are due for a breakout season. Read the full preview