Preseason College Football Top 10

It’s that time of the year again.  Lou Holtz’ slur is so close to being back in action, training camps have started, helmets and shoulder pads have been colliding and college towns are buzzing with excitement. Yes, College Football is nearly two weeks away. I feel it is a necessity to list off the first top 10 of the year, so let the debate begin.

10. South Carolina - Don’t laugh the Gamecocks off this year (grow up, I know your laughing right now). They return junior RB Marcus Lattimore, who is quite frankly a beast. Last year, he averaged 5 yards a rush against some of the top defenses in the nation. They also have sophomore DE Jadeveon Clowney anchoring their D-Line, who lived up to his recruiting hype, as he recorded 8.0 sacks last year. The only problem I see with this squad is that they have to face LSU, Florida and Clemson all on the road. All I have to say to that is good luck.

9. West Virginia - Let me just start with, how is it even possible that WVU is playing in the Big 12 this year? They aren’t even relatively close to any of the other Big 12 School. But I digress. West Virginia, on paper, is the 2^nd best team in the Big 12. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they won the conference. Senior QB Geno Smith is expected to put up huge numbers. He put on a clinic last year recording 4,300 yards and 31 TD’s. Smith also has some weapons. The Mountaineers return their dynamic wide receiver tandem of junior Steadman Bailey and senior Tavon Austin. A huge question this team will have to answer is whether or not their defense can translate to the Big 12. If it can, the song “Country Roads” will be rocking the college football world.

8. LSU - The Tigers would have been probably #1 if it weren’t for the dismissal of the "Honey Badger," Tyrann Mathieu. That being said, Baton Rouge still has a roster to roar for. The defense still has a bunch of talented players, specifically juniors DE Sam Montgomery, CB Tharold Simon and S Eric Reid. Although the defense should be fine without Mathieu, the offense will most likely struggle. Newcomer junior Zack Mettenberger will occupy the quarterback realm and he will probably have a learning curve. However, they will still be one of the best team’s in the country.

QB Denard Robinson

7. Michigan- Ann Arbor has quickly gained its swagger back as Brady Hoke led the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl victory last season. This season should be no different for the Wolverines. They return Heisman hopeful QB Denard Robinson, who should be able to become a better passer this season. They also have a defense containing great senior presence with Safety Jordan Kovacs and linebacker Kenny Demons. Not to mention, according to ESPN, the Wolverines have brought in the 8^th best recruiting class highlighted by DT Ondres Pipkins and OT Kyle Kalis. Overall, Team 133 should be one that is better than last year, but their record may not show it. They have a date with defending National Champs Alabama and play on the road against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State. Winning 3 of the 4 will hopefully send the "Maize and Blue Nation" to Pasadena.

6. Florida State - Calling it right now, "The 'Noles" will be competing in the National Championship this year. Florida State is blessed with an easy schedule and has a talented enough roster to run the table. Led by senior QB EJ Manuel, they should be able to put up points. To compliment Manuel and the offense, Florida State has a solid defense. They will add the #1 recruit of the 2012 class, DE Mario Edwards to the D-Line that already has stud senior DE Brandon Jenkins in the system. This team is legit and they should make some serious noise in the postseason.

5. Georgia - What makes Georgia so dangerous this year is that they have the makings of the formula that has led to success in the SEC over the last 5 years. This happens to be a great defense and one established offensive tool. Junior QB AJ Murray is on the verge of becoming a great college quarterback, and the Bulldogs have a tremendous linebacker core in Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree. Furthermore, Georgia returns 20/22 starters from last year’s team who made a run to the SEC title game. I expect the Bulldogs are not only going to have a great chance to win the SEC, but to also represent the conference as well in the National Championship.

4. Oregon - The reigning Rose Bowl Champs come into the 2012 season still with one of the most versatile spread offenses in the game. It is true that they lost the handy man that could do everything, RB LaMichael James to the draft, but they still have assets out the wazoo. In particular, the Ducks have two players in senior RB Kenjon Barner and sophomore ATH De’Anthony Thomas that are poised to have giant years. The only question in Eugene is who will be the starting quarterback? Right now it’s between sophomore Bryan Bennett and redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota. Either way, the Ducks should be fine as Chip Kelly’s offenses in the past have never seemed to skip a beat regardless of who’s  at quarterback.

3. Oklahoma - There were big expectations for the Sooners last year and they didn’t live up to the hype as they finished the season 10-3. This year is much of the same. They have a Heisman hopeful in QB Landry Jones, as well as a "ball hawk" in junior safety Tony Jefferson that are both more then capable of leading this team to a Big 12 Championship. That being said, the wide receivers in Norman are incapable of reading, sometimes. Sophomore 5-star recruit WR Kameel Jackson was dismissed off the squad earlier this summer, while junior WR Jaz Reynolds was suspended, both due to bad grades in the classroom. The only thing that is keeping the Oklahoma wide receiver core afloat is the Penn State fiasco.  Bob Stoops was able to land senior WR Justin Brown from the Nittany Lions, who recorded 500 receiving yards last season. Brown will compliment junior wideout Kenny Stills well, but I just don’t know if they have enough weapons to compete for the National Title.

Will QB Matt Barkley
 win the Heisman this year?

2. USC - The first year off of their recent bowl ban should be one that is exciting for the Trojans. Senior QB Matt Barkley, the favorite to win the Heisman, is poised to take this USC squad to a BCS bowl game. Last year, Barkley was stellar as threw for 3,500 yards and 39 TD. Without a doubt, look for much more of the same this year. In addition, the Trojans may have the best 1-2 punch in the backfield as well as at the wideout position. USC has running backs Curtis McNeal and newly acquired Silas Redd, who combined accumulated 2,000 yards and 13 touhcdowns. They also have wide receivers Robert Woods and Marquis Lee, who racked up a combine 2,400 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. This USC team could be deadly and possibly end the SEC’s run of 6 consecutive titles.

Can Alabama repeat as National Champs?

1. Alabama - I really hate this, but the Crimson Tide come rolling in at the number 1 spot. Nick Saban honestly might be the best college football coach of all time. The guy is a machine. All he does is win and reel in top notch recruiting classes every single year. Although Alabama lost most of its core from last year, they still have junior QB AJ McCarron, who surprised many people last year. He should have a pretty good year since his offensive line has monsters like Barrett Jones and Chance Warmack anchoring it. I wouldn’t be shocked if McCarron gets sacked less than 10 times this year. The Alabama O-Line is just that good. In addition, any other team would be reeling from a loss such as Trent Richardson, but not ‘Bama. They have junior Eddie Lacy to fill his shoes, who last year averaged 7.5 yards a carry on 95 attempts. Lastly, many people believe the Crimson Tide brought in the best recruiting class in 2012. The class is highlighted by two phenoms in S Landon Collins and ATH Eddie Williams. Both should see playing time next year. The one thing I will say is this, Alabama may have a hard time with their schedule. They have to play Michigan in "Jerry World" to start the season. By no means am I saying they are going to lose to the Wolverines, but they certainly don’t have any time for a tune-up game. They also have a mid-season matchup in Baton Rouge against LSU. If they can get past those two games, and odds are they will, Bama will find itself defending their national title in Miami on January 7^th.