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   2008 Pre-season Poll 11-25

Here’s a look at the rest of my 2008 pre-season college football poll. Again, I’m judging based on who the best teams are to start the season, not where they’ll finish in the final poll.

#11 Auburn - Why they'll win: If a win in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl over Clemson is any indication, new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's spread should put the Tigers into hyperdrive. Loaded in the backfield, athletic, aggressive and talented on the offensive line. Sen'Derrick Marks at DT and Antonio Coleman at DE lead a loaded front four and if LB Trey Blackmon has his head screwed on straight he's a difference maker.

Why they won't: A quarterback has yet to establish himself as "the guy," and nothing, but questions exist at WR. Losing a starting CB in training camp to a knee injury opens many holes in the secondary.

Schedule: At Mississippi State then home dates with LSU and Tennessee in consecutive weeks in September is no treat, neither is a mid-season Thursday date at West Virginia. As always, AU closes with Georgia (home) and Bama (away).

Key: Finding the right QB to run Franklin's new offense.

#12 Tennessee - Why they'll win: All 5 starters return from on an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the nation last season. QB Jonathan Crompton has the skills and size to be big-time. Eric Berry and Demetrice Morely form the best safety tandem east of the Coliseum. Tennessee-type playmakers finally developed at WR last year and Arian Foster at RB and Rico McCoy at LB are heavy-duty.

Why they won't: More questions than answers on the DL and Crompton has yet to prove himself under the pressure of SEC defenses.

Schedule: Opening the season at UCLA shouldn't be too difficult, consecutive games vs. Florida and at Auburn to close September are another matter. At Georgia October 11th looms and an early November game in Columbia could be tricky.

Key: Vols need to find some monster defensive lineman in the Haynesworth, Henderson mold after surrendering way too many rushing yards the past 2 seasons.

#13 Wisconsin - Why they'll win: TE Travis Beckum is the best in the nation and standout RB P.J. Hill leads a backfield as deep as any. OL will be big and athletic as always.

Why they won't: UW breaks in a new QB and WR is a total wreck. Five starters on the DL and in the secondary missed spring with injuries and it's uncertain how effective they'll be this fall. Injuries, questions and disappointments all over the defense.

Schedule: At Fresno State September 13th will be a hornets nest. At Michigan and home dates with Ohio State and Penn State in consecutive weeks beginning September 27th is tough, so is Illinois and at Michigan State back-to-back late.

Key to the season: The recovery and production of injured defenders.

#14 Texas - Why they'll win: Yearly top recruiting hauls still give the Longhorns talent most teams only dream of. QB Colt McCoy starts his third season. With successful stops at LSU, the NFL and Auburn, new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp should energize a defense which has fallen into a malaise.

Why they won't: Ultra-high end playmakers at WR and RB that have been fixtures at UT recently don't appear to be there. Same goes for the defense where there's no apparent sure fire 1st round NFL draft choice talents.

Schedule: At Colorado, vs. Oklahoma and home to Missouri to start October will tell us a lot about this team. At Texas Tech and at Kansas in November look scary.

Key to the season: No one's expecting Vince Young, but weapons need to be found among all these 5-star recruits.

#15 Wake Forest - Why they'll win: QB Riley Skinner is smart, tough, solid and has moxie. Smartest team in the Top-25. Incredibly opportunistic on defense. Because WF rarely plays freshmen, the team is always loaded with upperclassmen, many 5-year guys. Three senior starters return at LB and the corners are tight.

Why they won't: Offensive line needs an overhaul and there don't appear to be dangerous people at WR or RB.

Schedule: At Florida State in week 3 and a home date with Clemson October 9th will define the season.

Key to the season: Finding cohesion on a rebuilt offensive line.

#16 BYU - Why they'll win: 10 starters return from an explosive offense including better-than-you-know QB Max Hall.

Why they won't: Holes all over the defense particularly in the secondary.

Schedule: Early games at Washington and against UCLA look a lot tougher than they'll play; at TCU in mid-October and at Utah to close the season will determine the Mountain West title and whether or not the Cougars crash the BCS.

Key to the season: Defense playing good enough to stay out of weekly 51-45 shootouts.

#17 Oregon - Why they'll win: A first rate secondary leads a defense which - for a change - is the Ducks' strength. Offensive line should be strong.

Why they won't: Losing QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart leaves holes which cannot be filled.

Schedule: Three toughest Pac-10 games (USC, Arizona State and Cal) all come on the road, as does the Civil War vs. OSU.

Key to the season: Finding a quarterback who can do more than just manage the game.

#18 South Florida - Why they'll win: QB Matt Grothe is a playmaker as is DE George Selvie. Four of 5 starters return on the o-line.

Why they won't: Two elite level corners leave and while there's potential at RB and WR, someone needs to step forward.

Schedule: An early home game with Kansas will be interesting. Pittsburgh comes to Tampa in the middle of the season, but the Bulls end the year in what could be a frosty Morgantown on Dec. 6th.

Key to the season: Establishing the consistency that comes with being a good program, not just a one-year wonder.

#19 Illinois - Why they'll win: QB Juice Williams is starting for his 3rd year and continues to improve. With Ron Zook's recruiting touch, the Illini have NFL ready players throughout the roster including WR Arrelious Benn and CB Vontae Davis.

Why they won't: Losing a starting DT to injury during training camp hurts a defense searching for playmakers. RB Rashard Mendenhall's early pro departure is a huge blow, no one's ready to fill his shoes.

Schedule: The opener in St. Louis against Missouri is huge as are three Big 10 road games: Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Ohio State visits in late November with payback on its mind.

Key to the season: Williams’ continued development as a passer.

#20 Kansas - Why they'll win: QB Todd Reesing is Flutie-esque in his ability to make plays despite his size. LB corps is stout.

Why they won't: Lost a lot of premier talent including CB Aquib Talib and LT Anthony Collins. Nobody will overlook the Jayhawks after going 12-1 in 2007. Schedule vastly tougher.

Schedule: An early trip to South Florida is just the beginning. KU trades Big 12 South opponents from last year Texas A&M, Baylor and Oklahoma State for Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Ouch. Oh, and the season ends with Missouri.

Key to the season: Handling expectations, the bull's-eye and a much tougher schedule.

#21 Arizona State - Why they'll win: QB Rudy Carpenter has been around forever and coach Dennis Erickson has had another off season to work his magic.

Why they won't: The offensive line was one of the worst in major college football last year and must be rebuilt this season; big holes throughout the defense.

Schedule: An early home date with Georgia is daunting. Three toughest Pac-10 games - at Cal, at USC and Oregon - all come in October.

Key to the season: Getting some protection for Carpenter.

#22 Pittsburgh - Why they'll win: RB LeSean McCoy is in the conversation with Wells and Moreno for best in college football. A top ranked defense from 2007 returns almost intact.

Why they won't: Pitt has had 2 consecutive losing seasons which makes you question whether they can win now; Dave Wannstedt hardly inspires a lot of confidence.

Schedule: Largely comfortable schedule with two big potholes: at South Florida on October 2nd and a home game with West Virginia November 28th.

Key to the season: Getting regular production from the offense to aide the Panther's tough "D."

#23 Penn State - Why they'll win: Plenty of talent at WR and loads of experience on the o-line.

Why they won't: A new QB needs to be found as does a threat at RB. Depth on the d-line is dwindling after suspension and injury. Losing star LB Dan Conner to an ACL in spring was a blow.

Schedule: A Week 2 home game against Oregon State could prove trickier than it looks. Illinois and Michigan come to Happy Valley, but the Lions must travel to Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Key to the season: Find a quarterback to get the ball to the talented WRs.

#24 Fresno State - Why they'll win: A ton of experience and playmakers return for an offense that features top flight QB Tom Brandstater.

Why they won't: Big holes to fill in the front seven on defense.

Schedule: Fresno's M.O. of playing tough out-of-conference games continues with trips to Rutgers, Toledo and UCLA sandwiched around a home date with Wisconsin in the first 4 weeks. At Boise in the season's final week should determine the WAC title.

Key to the season: Bulldogs must find some defensive difference makers to navigate that early schedule.

#25 Virginia Tech - Why they'll win: For the past 15 years, they always have. Macho Harris at CB is a stud.

Why they won't: Situation at QB still unsettled between limited, but safe Sean Glennon and dazzling, but inconsistent Tyrod Taylor. Massive questions at WR and RB where no one with any meaningful experience is available. Offensive line a wreck last year with mostly the same players returning. Stars to replace at LB.

Schedule: Most tough games on the road - Nebraska, North Carolina, Boston College, Florida State, Miami.

Key to the season: Playmakers stepping forward.

2008 Pre-season Top 10
Welcome to the Big Time
SEC Ethics
The big lie of the NFL draft.
FSU's schedule sham.
Some players don't get it.
Auburn's recruiting class.
Following the recruiting story.
Urban blight.
Tebow is The Man.
Saban envy.
LSU TV.
UGA football should be ashamed of the team celebration.
SEC fans are the best, and the worst.
Tuberville stays.
Arkansas deserves better than Houston Nutt.
Despite flaws, Jeremy Foley is a great athletic director.
FSU's monster recruiting class.
Which conference is better? Bowls don't tell us.
The BCS works.
The 2006 All South team.
Florida State is a dead dynasty.
ACC coaches are the worst.