RANK TEAM RECORD POINTS
1 Georgia (7) 0-0 356 How will the Bulldogs handle lofty expectations? Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford certainly help, but the alarming player suspensions don't.
2 USC (3) 0-0 350 USC fans have Sept. 13 circled on the calendar. That's when Ohio State visits, and we'll know more about these Trojans -- and QB Mark Sanchez.
3 Ohio State (4) 0-0 349 Depth, talent and experience. The Bucks seem to have it all, but the road to the BCS title (at USC, at Wisconsin, at Illinois) won't be easy.
4 Florida (1) 0-0 331 Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are back, and that means the Gators will find the end zone -- a lot. But will their young defense grow up in 2008?
5 Oklahoma 0-0 322 Barring a sophomore slump from Sam Bradford, the Sooners should be the class of the Big 12 South. They've got bigger goals in Norman, however.
6 Missouri 0-0 295 Can Mizzou duplicate -- and surpass -- last season's success? We'll find some answers right out of the gate when the Tigers play Illinois in Saint Louis.
7 Clemson 0-0 273 This could be Clemson's year. Stop us if you've heard that before, Tiger fans. We get your skepticism, but the hype -- and team -- are for real.
8 West Virginia 0-0 241 A healthy Pat White and Noel Devine form a dynamic duo in the backfield. Will it top White and record-setter Steve Slaton? Don't bet against it.
9 LSU 0-0 240 The offense returns seven starters, but QB Matt Flynn isn't one of them. Andrew Hatch (two passes attempted in '07) will likely get the call vs. App. State.
10 Auburn 0-0 230 The Tigers have averaged 10.5 wins in the last four years, but with two new coordinators and a new offensive scheme, will it be too much to ask?
11 Texas 0-0 222 The pass defense struggled in '07. Does new DC Will Muschamp have a solution? In the pass-happy Big 12, he'll need to find answers -- fast.
12 Wisconsin 0-0 219 Wisconsin's last Big Ten title came in 1999. The good news? The Badgers get Big Ten favorite Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 4.
13 Texas Tech 0-0 203 Harrell, Crabtree and Co. get much love (and deservedly so). If the Red Raiders' defense joins the party, a BCS bowl berth could be on the horizon.
14 Brigham Young 0-0 152 The Cougars own consecutive MWC titles and are favored to win their third straight this season. A 16-game league winning streak doesn't hurt, either.
15 Arizona State 0-0 131 Dennis Erickson led ASU to 10 wins in his first year. Year 2 will prove to be more difficult with five Pac-10 road games and a visit from Georgia.
16 Virginia Tech 0-0 106 Defense rules -- especially in Blacksburg. The Hokies have led the ACC in total defense the last three seasons, but only four starters return in 2008.
17 Oregon 0-0 106 Dennis Dixon is gone, and QBs Nathan Costa and Justin Roper offer little experience. But the Ducks should once again be in the Pac-10 mix.
18 South Florida 0-0 103 The Bulls have defeated preseason favorite West Va. the last two years. If they accomplish the trifecta on Dec. 6, they just might win their first league title.
19 Tennessee 0-0 102 The 'us against the world mentality' makes its return. Most expect the Vols to finish third in the SEC -- the SEC East that is. Is UT underrated -- again?
20 Penn State 0-0 99 Rumors of Joe Paterno's retirement. Off-the-field issues. Suspensions. You can bet that few teams are looking forward to the season more than PSU.
21 Kansas 0-0 90 KU's critics had a field day with its sked last season. They won't have the same opportunity this year: Unlike '07, Texas, Texas Tech and OU are on tap.
22 Illinois 0-0 88 The Illini won more games last year (9) than they did in the previous 4 (8).For a change, this group has expectations. How do they respond?
23 Alabama 0-0 45 A 6-2 start ended with a 1-4 thud in Year 1 for Nick Saban. The Tide will rely on one of the nation's best recruiting classes to finish the deal in Year 2.
24 Pittsburgh 0-0 44 Dave Wannstedt looks like he finally has a team which can compete for the Big East title. With home games vs. Rutgers, Louisville and WVU, we agree.
25 Fresno State 0-0 35 Look who's back. The WAC's Bulldogs are primed to crash the BCS party this season. A possible stumbling block? At Boise State on Nov. 28
Original Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/powerranki....
1 Georgia (7) 0-0 356 How will the Bulldogs handle lofty expectations? Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford certainly help, but the alarming player suspensions don't.
2 USC (3) 0-0 350 USC fans have Sept. 13 circled on the calendar. That's when Ohio State visits, and we'll know more about these Trojans -- and QB Mark Sanchez.
3 Ohio State (4) 0-0 349 Depth, talent and experience. The Bucks seem to have it all, but the road to the BCS title (at USC, at Wisconsin, at Illinois) won't be easy.
4 Florida (1) 0-0 331 Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are back, and that means the Gators will find the end zone -- a lot. But will their young defense grow up in 2008?
5 Oklahoma 0-0 322 Barring a sophomore slump from Sam Bradford, the Sooners should be the class of the Big 12 South. They've got bigger goals in Norman, however.
6 Missouri 0-0 295 Can Mizzou duplicate -- and surpass -- last season's success? We'll find some answers right out of the gate when the Tigers play Illinois in Saint Louis.
7 Clemson 0-0 273 This could be Clemson's year. Stop us if you've heard that before, Tiger fans. We get your skepticism, but the hype -- and team -- are for real.
8 West Virginia 0-0 241 A healthy Pat White and Noel Devine form a dynamic duo in the backfield. Will it top White and record-setter Steve Slaton? Don't bet against it.
9 LSU 0-0 240 The offense returns seven starters, but QB Matt Flynn isn't one of them. Andrew Hatch (two passes attempted in '07) will likely get the call vs. App. State.
10 Auburn 0-0 230 The Tigers have averaged 10.5 wins in the last four years, but with two new coordinators and a new offensive scheme, will it be too much to ask?
11 Texas 0-0 222 The pass defense struggled in '07. Does new DC Will Muschamp have a solution? In the pass-happy Big 12, he'll need to find answers -- fast.
12 Wisconsin 0-0 219 Wisconsin's last Big Ten title came in 1999. The good news? The Badgers get Big Ten favorite Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 4.
13 Texas Tech 0-0 203 Harrell, Crabtree and Co. get much love (and deservedly so). If the Red Raiders' defense joins the party, a BCS bowl berth could be on the horizon.
14 Brigham Young 0-0 152 The Cougars own consecutive MWC titles and are favored to win their third straight this season. A 16-game league winning streak doesn't hurt, either.
15 Arizona State 0-0 131 Dennis Erickson led ASU to 10 wins in his first year. Year 2 will prove to be more difficult with five Pac-10 road games and a visit from Georgia.
16 Virginia Tech 0-0 106 Defense rules -- especially in Blacksburg. The Hokies have led the ACC in total defense the last three seasons, but only four starters return in 2008.
17 Oregon 0-0 106 Dennis Dixon is gone, and QBs Nathan Costa and Justin Roper offer little experience. But the Ducks should once again be in the Pac-10 mix.
18 South Florida 0-0 103 The Bulls have defeated preseason favorite West Va. the last two years. If they accomplish the trifecta on Dec. 6, they just might win their first league title.
19 Tennessee 0-0 102 The 'us against the world mentality' makes its return. Most expect the Vols to finish third in the SEC -- the SEC East that is. Is UT underrated -- again?
20 Penn State 0-0 99 Rumors of Joe Paterno's retirement. Off-the-field issues. Suspensions. You can bet that few teams are looking forward to the season more than PSU.
21 Kansas 0-0 90 KU's critics had a field day with its sked last season. They won't have the same opportunity this year: Unlike '07, Texas, Texas Tech and OU are on tap.
22 Illinois 0-0 88 The Illini won more games last year (9) than they did in the previous 4 (8).For a change, this group has expectations. How do they respond?
23 Alabama 0-0 45 A 6-2 start ended with a 1-4 thud in Year 1 for Nick Saban. The Tide will rely on one of the nation's best recruiting classes to finish the deal in Year 2.
24 Pittsburgh 0-0 44 Dave Wannstedt looks like he finally has a team which can compete for the Big East title. With home games vs. Rutgers, Louisville and WVU, we agree.
25 Fresno State 0-0 35 Look who's back. The WAC's Bulldogs are primed to crash the BCS party this season. A possible stumbling block? At Boise State on Nov. 28
Original Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/powerranki....
