arty:
PRESEASON TOP 5 ....CBSSPORTSLINE
Spring outlooks:
1. Southern California: The coaches can use the practice more than the players. Five assistants have left the program. It will basically take two coaches to replace former offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Steve Sarkisian is the new quarterbacks coach. He'll be working with 29-year-old OC Lane Kiffin, the old receivers coach. Matt Leinart needs to start developing new relationships right away and not hang his head over the loss of Chow. Why they're ranked here: Twenty-two-game winning streak, back-to-back titles. Duh.
2. Iowa: After losing seemingly every running back on the roster to injuries, Iowa is loaded with healthy RBs. The spring will be spent sorting out the new hoss. Look for a battle between junior Sam Brownlee and sophomore Albert Young. Oh, and there's Tate, the Big Ten offensive player of the year. The defensive line needs to be remade, but how hard can that be? Ferentz won with a sixth-string RB last year. Why they're ranked here: Three consecutive top 10 finishes. Three consecutive New Year's bowls. Eighteen consecutive home wins. Iowa won't go away, so why fight it? Warren Holloway left a calling card for the country not to forget the Hawkeyes. His game-winning touchdown catch in the dying seconds against LSU in the Capital One Bowl is being called the greatest in school history.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="30%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Ten to Watch </TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD>(Alphabetically) </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Alabama </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Bowling Green </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Memphis </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Minnesota </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oklahoma State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oregon </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oregon State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Syracuse </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Virginia </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Wisconsin </TD></TR><TR class=bg0><TD>Non-BCS top 10 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1. Fresno State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>2. Utah </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3. Boise State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>4. Memphis </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>5. Bowling Green </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6. Miami (Ohio) </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>7. Toledo </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>8. BYU </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>9. UTEP </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10. North Texas </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
3. Tennessee: This is one of Phil Fulmer's best teams. The Vols are favored to win the SEC after getting to the title game last year with a freshman quarterback. Erik "Little Peyton" Ainge should be a pleasure to watch. Backup Brent Schaeffer could be a starter for a lot of teams. Why they're ranked here: Classic Tennessee running game led by Gerald Riggs Jr.
4. Texas: Find a replacement for Cedric Benson and some accuracy for Vince Young. Benson's replacement is speedy Selvin Young. A replacement must be found for linebacker Derrick Johnson. Somehow Mack Brown (43-8 since 2000) will manage. Why they're ranked here: The momentum from the Rose Bowl is incredible. Young's feet are the best since Fred Astaire. He must improve his arm beyond Rick Ankiel status.
5. LSU: Les Miles inherits a load of talent. He must find someone to replace defensive end Marcus Spears. The quarterback battle should be interesting between inconsistent JaMarcus Russell and freshman Ryan Perrilloux, who wants to compete right away. Why they're ranked here: Nick Saban left the cupboard stocked. How does 20 returning starters grab you?
Spring outlooks:
1. Southern California: The coaches can use the practice more than the players. Five assistants have left the program. It will basically take two coaches to replace former offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Steve Sarkisian is the new quarterbacks coach. He'll be working with 29-year-old OC Lane Kiffin, the old receivers coach. Matt Leinart needs to start developing new relationships right away and not hang his head over the loss of Chow. Why they're ranked here: Twenty-two-game winning streak, back-to-back titles. Duh.
2. Iowa: After losing seemingly every running back on the roster to injuries, Iowa is loaded with healthy RBs. The spring will be spent sorting out the new hoss. Look for a battle between junior Sam Brownlee and sophomore Albert Young. Oh, and there's Tate, the Big Ten offensive player of the year. The defensive line needs to be remade, but how hard can that be? Ferentz won with a sixth-string RB last year. Why they're ranked here: Three consecutive top 10 finishes. Three consecutive New Year's bowls. Eighteen consecutive home wins. Iowa won't go away, so why fight it? Warren Holloway left a calling card for the country not to forget the Hawkeyes. His game-winning touchdown catch in the dying seconds against LSU in the Capital One Bowl is being called the greatest in school history.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="30%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Ten to Watch </TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD>(Alphabetically) </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Alabama </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Bowling Green </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Memphis </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Minnesota </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oklahoma State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oregon </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Oregon State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Syracuse </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Virginia </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Wisconsin </TD></TR><TR class=bg0><TD>Non-BCS top 10 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1. Fresno State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>2. Utah </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3. Boise State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>4. Memphis </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>5. Bowling Green </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6. Miami (Ohio) </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>7. Toledo </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>8. BYU </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>9. UTEP </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10. North Texas </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
3. Tennessee: This is one of Phil Fulmer's best teams. The Vols are favored to win the SEC after getting to the title game last year with a freshman quarterback. Erik "Little Peyton" Ainge should be a pleasure to watch. Backup Brent Schaeffer could be a starter for a lot of teams. Why they're ranked here: Classic Tennessee running game led by Gerald Riggs Jr.
4. Texas: Find a replacement for Cedric Benson and some accuracy for Vince Young. Benson's replacement is speedy Selvin Young. A replacement must be found for linebacker Derrick Johnson. Somehow Mack Brown (43-8 since 2000) will manage. Why they're ranked here: The momentum from the Rose Bowl is incredible. Young's feet are the best since Fred Astaire. He must improve his arm beyond Rick Ankiel status.
5. LSU: Les Miles inherits a load of talent. He must find someone to replace defensive end Marcus Spears. The quarterback battle should be interesting between inconsistent JaMarcus Russell and freshman Ryan Perrilloux, who wants to compete right away. Why they're ranked here: Nick Saban left the cupboard stocked. How does 20 returning starters grab you?
ego
I hope you are joking in regards to Florida. Urban Meyer is in for a rude awakening joining the SEC.
Vols and LSU in SEC championship game -winner of that plays USC in title game, however LSU and the vols will have a hard time with Alabama IMO.
SEC east is usually determined early due to Vols/FLA game being so early.
word is that Schaeffer is giving Ainge a run for his money in Spring practice
I get to go to the indoor practice field today and hope to see some of practice. Hopefully it will still be raining and they will practice inside
I hope you are joking in regards to Florida. Urban Meyer is in for a rude awakening joining the SEC.
Vols and LSU in SEC championship game -winner of that plays USC in title game, however LSU and the vols will have a hard time with Alabama IMO.
SEC east is usually determined early due to Vols/FLA game being so early.
word is that Schaeffer is giving Ainge a run for his money in Spring practice
I get to go to the indoor practice field today and hope to see some of practice. Hopefully it will still be raining and they will practice inside
