Rivals.com Preseason Top 120 Countdown

1. Florida
Much like the 2008-09 North Carolina basketball team, this season will be somewhat of a disappointment if the Gators don't win the national title. At the least, they should be in Pasadena, Calif., playing for it all on Jan. 7. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

2. Texas
The annual midseason grudge match against Oklahoma appears to be the key to winning the Big 12 South. But Texas has beaten OU twice in the past three seasons only to lose later in the season. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

3. USC
USC enjoyed one of the best defensive seasons in recent history last year on the way to another Rose Bowl rout. The offense will be expected to carry the Trojans in 2009 while eight new starters on defense find their footing. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

4. Oklahoma
If the offensive line performs at an acceptable level and new starting receivers emerge, the Sooners again will contend for the national championship. If the line struggles, a third-place finish in the Big 12 South isn't out of the question. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

5. Alabama
Two seasons - that's all it has taken for Nick Saban to restore the luster to Alabama football. Saban is right on course for greatness in Tuscaloosa, but a retooled offense may keep the Tide from again winning the SEC West. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

6. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has won at least 10 games in each of the past five seasons without seriously contending for the national title. This could be the season, but the passing game must get better. A win in the opener against Alabama would help, too. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

7. Ohio State
The Buckeyes just may find their way to a fourth BCS title game this decade. The defense again is built to backstop a title run, and the offense is primed for big things. To have legitimate national title hopes, Ohio State has to beat USC. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

8. Ole Miss
The Rebels' starting lineup compares favorably to any SEC team other than Florida. Ole Miss also should benefit from playing a much easier conference schedule than LSU or Alabama. The big concern is Ole Miss' relative lack of depth. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

9. Boise State
The Broncos went 12-0 last season before losing to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl. They didn't have a player taken in the NFL draft, meaning most of the talent returns to Boise. Anything less than 11 wins would be disappointing. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

10. Oklahoma State
At the least, this appears to be an eight-victory team, and that's if the defense continues to struggle. If the defense comes through, the Cowboys will win 10 or even 11. It's hard to overstate how important the first two games are. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

11. LSU
LSU will be better. But how much better? That's the question. Expecting the Tigers to earn a BCS bid just one season after going 8-5 is perhaps overly optimistic. The biggest worry is a schedule with the two biggest division foes on the road. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

12. Penn State
Joe Paterno led the Lions to their second Big Ten title in four seasons. Yes, the 2009 Nittany Lions have issues, but they could be buffeted by one of the nation's weakest schedules. What's it mean? Penn State may win the Big Ten again. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

13. California
More than 50 years have passed since California made the Rose Bowl, but this could be the year. The Bears have star power with RB Jahvid Best and Syd'Quan Thompson leading a defense that projects to be one of the best in the Pac-10. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

14. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech will continue to have one of the nation's top rushing attacks. If the Jackets establish some semblance of passing attack, it will only make them that much more dangerous. The questions are on the other side of the ball. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

15. Georgia
More production from the defensive ends and secondary is needed. Although Georgia isn't likely to topple Florida, the Bulldogs still have a chance to reach 10 victories for the seventh time in Mark Richt's tenure. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

16. Kansas
If the defense is as mediocre as it was last season a 7-5 or 6-6 season beckons. If the defense has made some improvements, this could be a 10-win team. More likely is eight or nine wins and a Big 12 North title. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

17. Oregon
The uncertainty and inexperience in the offensive and defensive lines raises doubt whether Oregon can contend for the Pac-10 title. If the new starters step up, the Ducks could gel and become a major factor in the race. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

18. Iowa
Kirk Ferentz rallied his program last fall from a 3-3 start to a 9-4 finish and the Big Ten's lone postseason triumph. And the players have generally behaved off the field, too. If you're looking for a Big Ten sleeper, this is your team. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

19. West Virginia
The odd-numbered years have been kind to West Virginia, especially in the latter part of this decade. The Mountaineers have played in BCS games after the 2005 and 2007 seasons, and they can do it again in 2009. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

20. TCU
While there are several star players, there also are holes to fill. If a few new starters distinguish themselves, this could be a special season. A Sept. 26 road trip to Clemson should give an indication of which way the season will go. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

21. Texas Tech
Mike Leach has said the Red Raiders will be good again. They will. But any team that lost the talent Tech did has to anticipate some kind of decline, especially with the Big 12 South once again appearing loaded. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

22. Utah
Some felt the Utes, as the nation's only undefeated team, should have been No. 1. The Utes may take a step back this fall, largely because of the loss of Brian Johnson under center. Still, never count out Utah behind Kyle Whittingham. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

23. Florida State
Slowly but surely, FSU seems headed back in the right direction. But the Seminoles' record this season might not reflect their progress. The schedule is so much tougher this season that they could have a better team but a worse record. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

24. Notre Dame
If Jimmy Clausen carries his Hawaii Bowl performance over to the season and the Irish figure out how to run the ball, they ought to win eight or nine games. If they can put together an adequate defensive line, they could be BCS-bound. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]</NOBR>

25. South Florida
The Bulls have the talent and experience to contend for the Big East title this season, especially with the departure of Pat White at West Virginia and the gutting of Cincinnati's defense. <NOBR>[ 2009 season preview ]

Oh my god, My Jayhawks #16. Knew they would be good but didnt think they would get this kind
of love
</NOBR>

its just rivals.com but oh well it cant be that much off from the others. Are the real ones like the coaches poll and the AP out yet?

lol no Huskers.

Such a sick top four. I can't remember four teams as strong as these top four teams going into a season. Ridiculous.

 

Originally Posted by TheWacoKidd

Nebraska won't be that good... but they will still prolly win the north

KU has to play UT, OU and @ Tech... they will be better than Nebraska IMO, but maybe have a worse record

Huskers are going down in Waco.

If our new QB is decent (which I have no reason to think he wont be) I think NU wins the North. Defense got better as the year went on last season and I expect them to be even better this year. Ndamakong Suh is a fucking monster who no one in the Big XII can block.

Sorry Waco, I just dont see you guys beating us. But that god damn QB is a stud. He had me bitching up a storm at the TV when they played last year.

 

Originally Posted by Willywoo

lol no Huskers.

Notre Dame /thread

 

Originally Posted by TheWacoKidd

Nebraska won't be that good... but they will still prolly win the north

KU has to play UT, OU and @ Tech... they will be better than Nebraska IMO, but maybe have a worse record

Huskers are going down in Waco.

Huskers have some unknowns, especially QB, O-line and secondary, but if they come through, they could be a 10-3/11-2 team, more than likely however we're looking at 9-4 again and winning the north and losing in the ship.

If they lose in Waco then 8-5, doubt that'll happen, but I didn't think the Rockies were going to lose three to the Mets either.

If anybody wants to I will do a wager on the KU vs. Nebraska game.

 

Originally Posted by tmac456

we can just laugh at how bad their schedule is

I'll just let your eatin ass stay at home and laugh at the "big ten"

 

Originally Posted by tmac456

at least most people can admit the big ten is typically overrated and not real good.

notre dame fans are as delusional as they come. looks like you meet that standard.

LOL oh cmon big guy...everyone knows ND is overrated every single year....bc i hear it every single year... this year im pumped and cant wait to laugh at you

HOO HOO HOOO

phil steele says differently with #38 SOS

Phil steele's opinion>tmac

specifically the 21st

Notre Dame is one of only 5 teams who have NEVER played a D1AA team.

FSU, for example, played 2. Last season.