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CFN's preseason offense rankings

by CollegeFootballNews.com


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Updated: August 23, 2008, 7:45 AM EDT
CFN's preseason offense rankings

1. Oklahoma

Consistency will be the key, especially on the road, but all the parts are there. The offense has the talent to be unstoppable, but there are a few question marks. Starting with the positives, Sam Bradford should once again be among the nation's most effective and efficient quarterbacks and the line might be the best in America by a wide margin with all five starters returning, along with impressive depth. However, the top two returning running backs, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, are coming off knee injuries, and the receiving corps will be looking for immediate help with Malcolm Kelly moving on early to the NFL. Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson are great targets, but can they be more than just complementary receivers? Can the new superstar running back and receiver recruits shine right away? Again, though, with a line like OU has, everyone will get time to gel.

2. Florida

There are a lot of health concerns, but if and when everyone is 100 percent, this will be one college football's most devastating attacks. It all starts with Heisman winner Tim Tebow, who likely won't put up the stats he cranked out last year but could be a better passer as the coaching staff looks to keep its star fresh by limiting his workload. There will be more of a quarterback rotation and far more help from a four-headed monster at running back led by Kestahn Moore and USC transfer Emmanuel Moody to go along with speedsters Chris Rainey and Brandon James. Percy Harvin is one of the nation's most devastating playmakers, while the rest of the receiving corps should be unstoppable. The key will be a line with two very good, but very banged up seniors, Phil Trautwein and Jim Tartt, leading a talented group of underclassmen.

3. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are loaded with ten returning starters and the one new face to the mix, sophomore right tackle Bryant Browning, is on the verge of being a star. A shockingly balanced attack last year, averaging 197 yards per game both rushing and receiving, might lean even more heavily on the running game with Chris "Beanie" Wells a Heisman candidate working behind a durable, tough front five. The passing game gets back the dangerous receiving tandem of Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, while QB Todd Boeckman will once again be a steady, efficient triggerman. The key will be to get more offensive scoring pop and to figure out how to mix in all the talented young backups. How will super-recruit Terrelle Pryor fit into the quarterback rotation, if at all? Can speedy tailback Brandon Saine get more carries? There's an embarrassment of riches to get excited about.

4. Missouri

If everyone plays as well as expected, this will once again be one of the five most productive offenses in the nation. It all starts with Heisman finalist Chase Daniel, an ultra-efficient passer who knows the offense backwards and forwards. Now in his third year as the starter and with 37 games under his belt, he'll make his dizzying array of weapons shine. The receiving corps is loaded with all-around playmaker Jeremy Maclin and tight end Chase Coffman, who'll be healthy again to start the year, unlike last season, while Danario Alexander and Tommy Saunders are strong targets to work with. The running backs will be fine with a good combination of players to rotate around, and the line should be fantastic if the starting five can stay healthy.

5. Georgia

The offense was opportunistic and it put points on the board, but it didn't move the ball nearly as well as you'd think considering the team put up 40 or more points six times. It was a balanced attack, but it's no coincidence the season changed and the Dawgs got good -- really good -- once the young offensive line firmed up and RB Knowshon Moreno turned into a superstar. There's as much talent and potential on the three-deep depth chart as any team in America, but for all the promise and all the high school accolades, there are still question marks. Will the receivers start producing on a regular basis, or will they just look the part without really being the devastating group they should be? Will QB Matthew Stafford fulfill his destiny and become a top pro prospect? Will all the redshirt freshmen from a terrific 2007 class be ready for primetime right away? There are simply too many good players to be 74th in the nation in total offense again, and with a line like the Bulldogs have, and with the talent in the backfield, it won't be.

6. Clemson

The All-ACC trio of QB Cullen Harper, RB James Davis, and WR Aaron Kelly resisted the temptation of testing NFL waters, giving Clemson the key parts of one of the league's top offenses. Add in Davis' dynamic running mate, C.J. Spiller, and the Tigers have the ingredients to be balanced and downright combustible. The key to the success, however, lies with an offensive line that'll be breaking in three new starters, including both tackles. Chris Hairston and Cory Lambert are being counted on to win the tackle jobs on a front wall that could dictate whether or not the Tigers reach their goals this season.

7. Texas Tech

The machine should be humming better than ever with almost everyone returning. Expect close to 500 passing yards per game, a lot of points, and a whole bunch of fun for what could be the best offense yet under head coach Mike Leach. The only starter gone from last year is WR Danny Amendola, and Edward Britton and Detron Lewis are expected to fill in the gap without a problem. The phenomenal pitch-catch combination of Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree will once again set all sorts of records, while the mammoth, veteran offensive line will give everyone time to work. The one issue is a running game that took a major step back last season, but now it has four options in the rotation to try to generate more production, or at least more yards per carry.

8. Texas

It wasn't always consistent and it had problems at times getting revved up, but the offense quietly finished 13th in the nation in yards and 14th in scoring. Even with huge losses at running back (Jamaal Charles) and in the receiving corps (Limas Sweed, Nate Jones and TE Jermichael Finley), the production should keep on coming with promising replacements at the skill spots and with a strong, veteran line that should be even better after a decent 2007. Conducting the show is the underappreciated Colt McCoy, who's one of the Big 12's better quarterbacks but gets lost in the shuffle. The one big concern is veteran depth. If there are injury problems, a slew of first year players, including several true freshmen, will have to grow up quickly.

9. Wisconsin

The offense wasn't nearly as efficient as it should've been with nine starters returning in 2006, but injuries to the line, the receiving corps, and to P.J. Hill had something to do with that. Now the attack welcomes back eight starters led by Hill and a phenomenal corps of running backs with three good options to carry the load. The tight end combination of Travis Beckum and Garrett Graham might be the best in the nation, and the line returns four starters with the one hole, center, all patched up. The question mark is at quarterback where neither Allan Evridge nor Dustin Sherer stood out in practices, while the receiving corps doesn't have any sure-thing weapons. There's a whole slew of young, athletic talent, but it would've been nice to have had more veterans to help out the new passer. That, along with the problems the Badger line has had in pass protection over the last few years, will mean it'll be all about running the ball, running the ball, and running it some more early on.

10. USC

Mark or Mitch? The battle between Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain to replace John David Booty at quarterback isn't exactly over. Sanchez got the nod in April, but he got hurt and is questionable for the start of the season. Mustain has done nothing but impress the staff since transferring from Arkansas. Whoever gets the ball will have gobs of speed and explosiveness surrounding him. After getting a taste of action as a freshman, RB Joe McKnight is on the tarmac and preparing for national lift-off. The receivers are a year older, with the size, athleticism, and addition of former Hog Damian Williams to dominate opposing secondaries. The line loses four starters, putting the onus on sophomores Kristofer O'Dowd, Butch Lewis, and Zack Heberer to perform like vets.


11 Tennessee
12 LSU
13 West Virginia
14 Oklahoma State
15 Penn State
16 BYU
17 Kansas
18 Utah
19 Illinois
20 Oregon
21 Fresno State
22 Texas A&M
23 Pitt
24 South Florida
25 Nebraska
26 Arizona State
27 Northwestern
28 Auburn
29 California
30 Virginia Tech
31 Purdue
32 Boise State
33 Arizona
34 Boston College
35 Florida State
36 UCLA
37 Michigan State
38 Kansas State
39 Oregon State
40 Alabama
41 Louisville
42 Central Michigan
43 Arkansas
44 Rutgers
45 Virginia
46 Tulsa
47 Michigan
48 Miami
49 Ole Miss
50 Maryland
51 Minnesota
52 Connecticut
53 Colorado
54 Washington State
55 Washington
56 Nevada
57 Ball State
58 Iowa
59 Cincinnati
60 South Carolina
61 Mississippi State
62 North Carolina
63 Wake Forest
64 Notre Dame
65 Georgia Tech
66 TCU
67 Kentucky
68 Iowa State
69 New Mexico State
70 Indiana
71 Baylor
72 Florida Atlantic
73 Navy
74 NC State
75 New Mexico
76 Syracuse
77 Southern Miss
78 Northern Illinois
79 Toledo
80 Houston
81 Hawaii
82 Duke
83 Vanderbilt
84 Colorado State
85 UNLV
86 Wyoming
87 Louisiana Tech
88 Bowling Green
89 Memphis
90 UTEP
91 East Carolina
92 Stanford
93 Miami Univ.
94 Air Force
95 Marshall
96 Idaho
97 Western Michigan
98 Troy
99 Tulane
100 Arkansas State
101 Rice
102 UCF
103 Kent State
104 San Diego State
105 Akron
106 North Texas
107 Ohio
108 San Jose State
109 SMU
110 Buffalo
111 UL Monroe
112 UL Lafayette
113 UAB
114 Eastern Michigan
115 Temple
116 Middle Tennessee
117 Army
118 Utah State
119 FIU

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Yea Stufrogg, it is all about the $$$$. That is the state of college athletics, I'm glad you finally realized it.<br /><br />Somebody help Megabuck get laid, he is too high strung.

zacbrewzacbrew
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Whiney lil b.tches

MegaBuckMegaBuck
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They really need to stick these midmajor schools in a differnt classification or subdivision or something.<br />I get so tired of hearing about how they get overlooked...you're f..kin' midmajors the talent level you play against isn't up to the par of the major universities.What about that don't you guys get?<br />I know the BCS has been busy trying to fabricate midmajor cinderella seasons to throw you in the BCS mix but you just don't run with the big dogs.GET IT? GOT IT?<br />GOOD!!

MegaBuckMegaBuck
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Big 12 fans are getting big heads because the second best Big 12 team stomped a weak SEC team with one big win and no head coach, Texas Tech managed to beat a mid-level ACC opponent, and Texas hammered a team that consistently beat weak teams and lost to strong teams. It doesn't mean that Oklahoma, Mizzou, Kansas, or Texas Tech could have hung with LSU, Georgia, Florida, or Tennessee by the end of last year.<br /><br />That all being said, I don't expect the National Champion to come out of the SEC this year.

Zach1952Zach1952
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What I meant to say:<br /><br />TTU's offense has never been the problem. It has always been the defense.<br /><br />and that will change this year, as the defense will finally answer the call.

StufroggStufrogg
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Best O-Line in the country:<br /><br />Well that one is easy: The Great Wall of Lubbock.<br /><br />Average size of Tech's line: 6' 6" 330 lbs.<br /><br />And they are quick!<br /><br />And for all the Tech offense critics out there: TTU's offense, it's always been the defense.<br /><br />Well, that's about to change my friends!

StufroggStufrogg
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ZacBrew, <br /><br />We see how you guys are. It's all about the money for you, huh? You guys are just in it for the money!<br /><br />Well, spitfire!

StufroggStufrogg
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Let the games begin. There will be surprises this year. The SEC, except for UGA, did not dominate anyone in the bowls last year. They won, granted, but the games were pretty even and the scores were close. If I am not mistaken, didn't Michigan beat UF down in Orlando? I agree that this will be the Big 12's year. We will all see when the dust settles in December.

fandogfandog
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WVU should be in the top 10...they return the entire offensive line, Pat White, and Noel Divine....enough said. Another part of this site had a bitter OU fan talking challenging someone to find a better O'Line in the Country...I just did...and he should no after the Fiesta Bowl last year.

tib97tib97
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bashtoon1 are you talking about a big 12 team whipping on WVU? that big N beside your name stands for NOBODY which is exactly what the big12 has. it cant be nebraska as they dont know which end of the corn to husk first. their heyday was over years ago. oklahoma was no match for WVU last year. the SEC is the top league overall by far

4226eatme4226eatme
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The Big12 is better than the SEC this year...just look at the bowl records at the end of the season. Hell look at last years...If im not mistaken didnt they have the best bowl record last year? KU was left off the Defense top10 list...they will be in the top5.<br />As far as the Big12 being made up of offenses that are designed to put up quick points and swiss cheese defenses...I believe you are thinking of TTech...which will have an improved defense. I cant wait to point and laugh at you SEC fans at the middle of this season.

oilhogoilhog
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UCLA at # 36. This is a joke. The Bruins may be the worst offensive team in the country. The offensive line is in shatters, they have a jc transfer at QB. They need to play freshman running backs. They will be lucky to win three games with their difficult schedule.

TheBloodyGloveTheBloodyGlove
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If Kansas is only #16 defense and #17 offense, how is it preseason #14? Check last year's stats and the number of players lost. A real head scratcher.

joanhawkjoanhawk
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Jayhawk17, To answer your query, look at your garbage schedule a year ago compared to Mizzou's and you still averaged only 4 pts. more than us. Look at this year's schedules friend. We'll probably top you by more than 10 this year. Hope you enjoyed last year because it was smoke and mirrors baby, smoke and mirrors. Hope the fat man can find a rabbit (along with that hoagie) in that hat.

TigerJonTigerJon
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Zach, my man, whether you like the offense or not, if it puts up points early and often and it outscores the opposition it's usually better. And OU #1 is is evident that whoever compiled this list was smoking crack. We'll see.

TigerJonTigerJon
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It's no coincidence that so many Big 12 teams are ranked so highly, the league is made up of video game offenses and swiss cheese defenses. It doesn't mean that they are better offenses, just offenses that are designed to put up points quickly. Oklahoma is the only Big 12 offense that would still be in the top 10 if they played in the SEC.

Zach1952Zach1952
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pat white will singlehandedly take wvu to the top 3 offenses and win the national championship with ease

elisupremoelisupremo
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there is a comment below about how 8 of the top 10 are Big 12 teams... I would like to bring a little reality to this thread a clarify that this is a list put together by the media - not a season. If the list was filled with SEC teams, as will be the result come January, then there would be an awful lot of wining from the Big 12. So, enjoy it while it lasts. <br />A victory that is not hard fought is no victory at all.

eagle1kinobieagle1kinobi
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Tulsa is underneath Virginia?

Zach1952Zach1952
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Stufrogg, I can answer that question for you. It is real easy: money.<br />College spoerts is ALL about the money, and we are no different. We got a bigger payout with a natural rival and closer to home. More of our fans can go, and we don't have to see miles and miles of dusty highway to get there.<br />It has nothing to do with cowardice, just simple greed. Don't be so whiny about it.

zacbrewzacbrew
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