Preseason Top 25: 6-10

We keep chugging along with our Preseason Top 25. As a reminder, our list looks at what the rankings should look like at the end of the regular season. Not where I think they'll be to start it. Here's a quick recap of #'s 11-15, so you know not to expect them in the Holy Top 10.

# 10 Virginia Tech – It’s strange, I really don’t feel that confident about the Hokies this year. There are so many questions with the team on both sides of the ball. How improved with the O-line be after struggling with inconsistency and battling injuries for much of last season? Who will step up at running back after incumbent starter Brandon Ore was dismissed from the team? How will the offense run without any returning receivers who have caught at least 10 passes? How will the defense perform with only 4 returning starters? Yet, despite that, I expect Virginia Tech to again with the ACC Coastal Division, almost by default. Well, I wouldn’t go quite that far, but needless to say, I think the Hokies will be coached well enough and have a decent enough schedule (toughest tests being away games at FSU and Miami) without having to face ACC preseason favorites Clemson until the conference championship game.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

#9 Auburn – There are lot of questions regarding the Auburn Tigers’ offense this year. The new spread offense under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, the task of having to replace 3 year starter Brandon Cox, and a veteran offensive line appear to be the necessary ingredients for an interesting season. Fortunately, the Tigers again return a solid defense that will keep them in most of their games, regardless of the offense’s inconsistency. While the losses of Quentin Groves and Pat Sims will hurt, Auburn has a lot of talent waiting in the wings to continue the ways of a unit that was 6^th in both scoring and total defense in the entire country. Auburn’s biggest games will be against LSU which could be crucial in determining the SEC West Champions, and a non-conference game against West Virginia late in October. I’m thinking Auburn drops 3 games this year, but their win over LSU is enough to keep them in the Top 10 this year. (Predicted regular season finish: 9-3)

#8 West Virginia – Pat White will finish a brilliant career at West Virginias as one of the, if not THE best dual threat quarterbacks ever to play the game at the collegiate level—before turning into a wide receiver in the pros. Sophomore running back Noel Devine may end up being better than Steve Slaton sooner rather than later, and a standout offensive line will ensure that happens. I’m still not completely sold on Bill Simmons who practically fell into the head coaching position (he doesn’t really care mind you), and am interested to see how he handles the premier Big East program in his first head coaching gig since botched run at VMI. Things get really interesting however, starting Oct.23 as they face a tough test with Auburn, and begin the Big East “gauntlet” of UConn, Cincy, Louisville, Pitt, and USF—any of which I think are capable of knocking the Moutaineers out of the NC Title picture again late in the season. I still believe that WVU will be the Big East Champions come December, and will provide a heck of a game in the Fiesta Bowl.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

(Absolutely out of control.)

#7 Clemson – Much like Texas Tech, Clemson enters the season with their most talented team yet and high BCS hopes. And there are a lot of reasons to be excite. Clemson returns most of the skill players from one of the best offenses in school history. Both their QB Cullen Harper, running backs CJ Spiller and James Davis, and wide receiver Aaron Kelly are expected to lead the ACC in every category. The youth of the offensive line however will cause a bit of concern however, as they will be expected to grow up quickly in an away game against Alabama to start the season. The Tigers’ defense plays very well as a whole, with 7 starters returning from a defense that was in the nation’s top 10 in both total and scoring defense. All in all, Clemson has all the pieces in place to be the conference’s best on both sides of the ball. However, Clemson has had plenty of talent in the past. The question has always been whether Tommy Bowden would be able to win the big games, and finally get the Tigers in the illustrious BCS Game. I feel this is going to be the year. If not this year, then it might not ever come in the Bowden era. I expect Clemson to drop no more than 2 games before beating Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game to beg the Orange Bowl bid.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)

#6 Georgia – Georgia will most likely enter the season as Top 3 team, but I don’t think they’ll finish it that way. Don’t get me wrong, the Bulldogs will without a doubt one of the best teams in the nation. You have to like 8 returning starters on the offensive side of the ball, and 9 on the defensive end (a very scary defense by the way). Throw in future NFL players, quarterback Matthew Stafford and runningback, Knowshon Moreno, and there’s a whole heck of a lot to like about the Bulldogs chances at a national championship run. But their schedule prevents me from chugging the Georgia juice. They face a brutal schedule with Florida, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina—all AWAY. I think they crush the Sun Devils on 9/20, but a road trip to the West Coast is never a cake walk. I think Georgia has the talent and coaching to reach the Sugar Bowl, or a BCS At Large, but I can’t quite put them in the top spot this year.

(Predicted regular season finish: 10-2)