Preseason Top 25: 21-25

It's time for BearswithFangs' Preseason Top 25 List!

That's right, it's the time of the year when the pundits begin the process of overhyping media team darlings and destroying BCS hopes for others before a single snap has even been played. Ahh...it's August in college football season folks.

Here's the thing though, I run the ship a little differently here. Instead of pegging teams in terms of where I think they'll start the season, I breakdown where I think the teams will be by the end of the regular season. So I try my best to take into account a team's strength of schedule in addition to their talent, and coaching.

Why do I do it this way? 1) Because it's more fun this and 2) because I'm the freakin' man. And here we go.

#25 Utah – Can Utah beat a rebuilding Michigan this year to begin the season? If so, this could be a great year for the Utes. Utah will have the non-conference pedigree (even more so if they can knock off OSU in October) to make a strong BCS bowl bid this year. Much of their success will ride on the arm and the legs of injury-riddled QB Brian Johnson. You can’t knock the productivity he’s had when he’s been healthy. Johnson ran for 478 yards and 8 TDs and passed for 2,892 yards and 18 TDs in his last full healthy season as a starter. If he can match that level of productivity, expect Utah to put up a lot of points on their Mountain West foes. While Utah’s secondary should be strong and experienced, they have a number of questions to answer at other units, as they are incredibly young and inexperienced at the D-line and linebacker position. Still, Utah should have the talent to compete for a conference title. (Predicted Regular Season Finish: 9-3)


#24 Pittsburgh – This could very well be the year that Dave Wannstedt finally pulls it together—that is, pull his team out of the cellars of mediocrity and finally compete for a conference championship. It’s hard for me to fully get on the Pitt train with USF and West Virginia in the mix, but it’s still possible. Despite going 5-7 last, year, Pittsburgh lost 4 games by a TD or less, and they should be returning more talent and experience this year on both sides of the ball. Their offensive strength will be their running game with Lesean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling as a backup. Their passing game, the offense’s weak point last year (104th in the nation in passing offense) should be improved with junior QB Bill Stull returning from his season ending thumb injury last year. The Panthers also have experience in each defensive unit, so while not spectacular, the defense should prove to be decent, if not solid. Pittsburgh will have to show that the grit and maturity they demonstrated in their season ending win over West Virginia will carry over and continue through this season, particularly towards the end when they face Cincinatti, West Virginia, and Connecticut (combined 30-9 record last year) to finish the season. I’m predicting a 3rd place finish in the conference and a Top 25 ranking come December. (Predicted Regular Season Finish: 9-3)


#23 Fresno State - It's been awhile since Fresno State has won a WAC Title, but the Bulldogs have a lot of people thinking a conference championship this year with 16 returners starting. And it doesn't stop there. A number of pundits have pegged Fresno State as the sexy pick to make a run for a BCS Bowl. I'll say it again: I don't expect a non-BCS team to pull a Hawaii or Boise St. this year. And as experienced as the Bulldogs are, I don't expect them to knock off Wisconsin in one of their tougher non-conference games. I do however, think they'll be solid enough to roll through most of their conference competition to play Boise State for the conference title on Nov. 28. The WAC's lack of strength this year will keep the Bulldogs lower in the polls despite only dropping 2 games this year. No undefeated business from a non-BCS team this year. (Predicted Regular Season Finish: 10-2)

(Damn...he really looks a bulldog.)

#22 Illinois – Coach Ron Zook has begun seeing the fruits of his recruiting labors. While the Fighting Illini haven’t shown they’re quite ready for the national stage yet (see USC thrashing at the Rose Bowl), the fact that Zook even got them there (albeit controversially), is a testament to what the Zookster has done in such a short amount of time (remember when they were 1-11?). Illinois hurts after having lost RB Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of last year’s NFL draft, but expect Juice Williams to step up his game. Or he had better. If Illinois’ secondary can also step up a bit, they have a chance to be one of the premier defenses in the conference behind the Buckeyes. Illinois has a brutal opener against Missouri, and will have to be nearly flawless at home to aim for the Capital One Bowl this year. I get the feeling that the Rose Bowl won’t be calling for them this year though, with the OSU, Mizzou, Wisconsin on their plate. I also think they may drop a game to Penn State or Michigan. 8-4 it is then. (Predicted Regular Season Finish 8-4)

#21 Wake Forest – You have to respect what Jim Grobe has done at Wake Forest. For the past several years, Grobe has found a way to consistently put the program in contention for the ACC Atlantic title. Much of the program’s success however, will be nearly completely dependent on QB Riley Skinner, who when not showing off his schlong (don't ask) led them to their first ACC Atlantic title since 1970 in his first season as a starter. In essence, the Demon Deacons don’t win without him. He’ll have to play behind a young offensive line however. Fortunately, the team has 9 returning starters from a solid D on the other side of the ball, who will keep the Deacons competitive through the first 4 games of the season. They benefit from facing Clemson at home, and not having to face Virginia Tech at all. While this probably won’t be the year to win another Atlantic title, another 8-4 season going into a bowl game is quite reasonable. (Predicted Regular Season Finish 8-4)