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A sneak peak at Top 25 in 2006
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What They're Writing
A sneak peak at college football's top 25 in 2006
Before college football fades into the background, here's a preliminary top 25 for '06 (2005 record in parentheses):
1. Ohio State (10-2): Many marquee players return, including QB Troy Smith, TB Antonio Pittman and WR Ted Ginn. OSU must replace its terrific linebackers before a showdown at Texas on Sept. 9.
2. Notre Dame (9-3): Defense should be better, offense should be as good, and the schedule includes seven home games.
3. Oklahoma (8-4): Most of the defense is back, plus a (presumably) healthy Adrian Peterson and a seasoned QB Rhett Bomar.
4. Louisiana State (10-2): All those elite recruits Nick Saban signed before he bolted for the NFL will be veterans in '06.
5. Virginia Tech (11-2): QB Marcus Vick will not return, but much of the defense does. The Hokies must avoid their late-season fades.
6. West Virginia (11-1): Tough to pick against a team that won 11 games with freshmen at quarterback and tailback.
7. Florida (9-3): The second year in Urban Meyer's system should be much easier for QB Chris Leak.
8. Miami (9-3): Peach Bowl performance is cause for pause, but there's plenty of talent, including soon-to-be elite QB Kyle Wright.
9. Southern Cal (12-1): The Trojans have recruited as well as they've played the past four years.
10. Florida State (8-5): Noles were young and erratic in '05, but both issues should dissolve next fall.
11. Arizona State (7-5): Devils will have two quarterbacks (Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter), a load of returnees on offense and several JC recruits to solidify the defense.
12. Texas (13-0): Heavy losses on both sides of the ball, and that doesn't include the juniors who might turn pro. It's tough to see Vince Young returning, given that his value will never be higher. But if Young comes back, then make the Longhorns No. 1.
13. Auburn (9-3): Combo of QB Brandon Cox and TB Kenny Irons means Tigers should win at least eight, and maybe nine.
14. South Carolina (7-5): Yeah, like the Gamecocks are going to be worse in Spurrier's second season than they were in his first.
15. Louisville (9-3): Cardinals will have one of the best quarterbacks (Brian Brohm) and tailbacks (Michael Bush) in the country.
16. Cal (8-4): The quarterbacks - and to a lesser extent, the offensive line - will determine whether Cal becomes a top-10 team or remains on the second tier. Coach Jeff Tedford has four QBs to choose from, all with issues: Nate Longshore and Kyle Reed are inexperienced, Joe Ayoob is shell-shocked, and although Steve Levy did a nice job against Stanford and Brigham Young, there's a reason he began the season as the third-stringer.
17. Michigan (7-5): If not for Coach Lloyd Carr, Wolverines would be a top-12 team.
18. Texas Christian (11-1): Class of the Mountain West.
19. Georgia (10-3): Three words: Coach Mark Richt.
20. Wisconsin (10-3): Badgers won't have Barry Alvarez on the sideline, but they should have QB John Stocco and TB Brian Calhoun on the field.
21. Boise State (9-4): BSU reloaded in '05 and will have a veteran team next fall. It's just that Dan Hawkins won't be coaching it. (He took the Colorado job.)
22. Oregon (10-2): QB Dennis Dixon showed promise but hasn't done it for a full season. The offensive line should be solid, but there are questions on defense (i.e., replacing tackle Haloti Ngata).
23. Alabama (10-2): QB Brodie Croyle departs, but Tide should fatten its record on four non-conference cupcakes.
24. Nebraska (8-4): Year Three of the Callahan regime should produce another seven or eight wins - and at least one very bad loss.
25. Iowa (7-5): Five others to watch: Penn State, UCLA, Clemson, Fresno State and Georgia Tech.
