Preseason Top 25: 11-15

We continue on with our look at BearswithFangs' Preseason Top 25 with Spots 11-15. But first, here's a quick recap of who's been mentioned so far:

#15 BYU – Is this the year that BYU escapes from the Las Vegas Bowl hell and breaks through into the BCS fold with a perfect season? I’d venture with a “no,” but I still think they’ll have a heck of a season. An undefeated season isn’t out of the question mind you, but with games against two Pac-10 Squads (albeit mediocre ones in UCLA and Washington) and games at TCU, Air Force and Utah to end the season, I wouldn’t quite declare the schedule “gimme-free.” The rest of their schedule looks fine enough, and 9 returning offensive starters from an 11-2 squad incites me to believe we could be looking at another 10-2 season before being sucked back into the Las Vegas Bowl.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

#14 - South Florida – The Bulls emerged from nowhere in 2007, after having entered the season unranked, to become #2 in the country midseason. However, the Bulls finished poorly, losing three straight games before being blown out by Oregon in the Sun Bowl. An incredibly young program, it appeared the team wasn’t yet experienced enough to handle the brunt of the schedule. I don’t expect that to be the case this year, as the team has 17 returning starters, highlighted by an incredibly strong front 7. Their toughest games are hosting Kansas on 9/12 and playing at West Virginia to end the season (who they’ve beaten the last two years). They also play at Louisville and Cincinnati, but I expect them to only drop 2 or 3 games this year, which should be good enough to peg them in at the 14^th spot.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

("I HATE SIDEBURNS!")

#13 LSU – Let’s get it out of the way right now—I don’t expect the Bayou Bengals to repeat as National Champs. Sorry LSU fans. If it's any solace to you all, you guys never cared what I thought in the first place. But for what it's worth, I do think you guys will have a solid season. LSU is currently searching for a quarterback after predicted starter Ryan Perrilloux was kicked to the curb after his troubled tenure there. LSU also lost a lot of defensive talent in Glenn Dorsey, Chevis Jackson, Ali Highsmith, and Craig Steltz to the NFL, but the good news is that they have a ton of talent waiting in the wings with 24 lettermen waiting to make College Gameday highlight film. LSU’s schedule is arguably more demanding than last year’s, and it may be a challenge to even win the SEC West this year. I still see them potentially making a BCS at-large bid, but the Outback Bowl is looking more likely at this point.

(Predicted regular season finish: 9-3)

#12 Texas Tech – Like Tommy Bowden at Clemson, this year’s squad at Texas Tech will present Mike Leach’s best chance for a BCS Bowl Bid. If Leach can’t win with his talent this year, many will question whether Leach’s style of offense will ever break through to the BCS level. Fortunately, Texas Tech benefits from a huge O-line, 18 returning starters, and darkhorse Heisman candidates, WR Michael Crabtree and QB Graham Harrell. The Red Raiders could very well be 8-0 before hosting the Longhorns in early November. Assuming they avoid any slip ups, a 10-2 finish is very possible. Depending on how the college football landscape looks by early December, it just may be enough for that illustrious BCS bowl.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

(Michael Crabtree Highlights)

#11 Wisconsin – Brett Bielema has established Wisconsin as one of the premier programs in the country. The numbers don’t lie. The Badgers have played 4 January Bowl games the past four seasons, each with at least 9 wins. Bielema is 21-5 himself as a coach. They play some solid football in Madison. The schedule this year may provide one of the toughest challenges to the Bielema era however. Despite a cakewalk first the two games, and a breezy final three, the middle chunk of Wisconsin’s schedule is packed tight with a tough non-conference game with Fresno State and a gauntlet of formidable Big Ten foes. While Wisconsin could potentially drop 1 or 2 games to teams they should beat (Michigan, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan State), Ohio State will obviously prove to be the only expected loss from an outside standpoint. The Badgers return 17 starters including a veteran defense, with a talented and seasoned front seven. This coupled with Wisconsin’s deep running back corps., should ensure that Wisconsin will be back in the mix for another January Bowl game and a 10 win season.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)