2006 College Fooball Preview: Preseason Power Rankings
08/30/2006
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Although it might not have the same level of parity as the NFL, the NCAA in 2006 should be a more open field than most think.
Both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll have Ohio State as the top-ranked team heading into the season, and that’s hard to argue against with a bevy of playmakers on offense, starting with Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr., as well as an inexperienced, but talented, bunch on defense.
But the Buckeyes have some questions that need answered, as does every other team below them in the rankings. Who will start at QB for Texas? Can USC rebound after losing so much talent to the NFL last April? Can Brady Quinn lead Notre Dame to its first Bowl Game victory since, well, sometime before the Ice Age?
Auburn has a shot. LSU, Miami and Florida all have something to gush about. Who will stand alone in January and who will fall victim to its schedule or the half-baked idea of the BCS ranking system?
Let’s take a look at the Top 20:
1. Ohio State
Studs: Troy Smith, QB; Ted Ginn Jr., WR; Quinn Pitcock, DT; Antonio Pittman, RB
Despite only returning two starters on defense, the Buckeyes are primed to make a run at the National Championship. QB Troy Smith’s comparisons to Vince Young aren’t as far off as some people will have you believe. Smith can make plays in the spread offense both through the air and on the ground. WR Ted Ginn Jr. will have plenty of opportunities to dazzle in OSU’s offense and on special teams while getting a chance to line up as a quarterback in shotgun formations. The running tandem of All-Big Ten Antonio Pittman and freshman Chris Wells will be hard to stop this year. Experience on defense will be the only question mark heading into the season, but having a dominating force such as DT Quinn Pitcock will help ease the transition. Also, facing a Texas team that will have an inexperienced QB so early in the season (Sept. 9) will only help the Buckeyes chances of being the top dog in January.
Game to Watch: at Texas, Sept. 9
2. Texas
Studs: Frank Okam, DT; Tarell Brown, CB; Justin Blalock, OT
With such high expectations heading into the season, expect either Colt McCoy or Jevan Snead, whichever young QB wins the job, to struggle initially. Look for the defense to carry the Longhorns early in the season with corners Aaron Ross and Tarell Brown. Both are dependable enough to play on islands and top LB recruit Sergio Kindle should make a huge splash even as a freshman. Texas has a solid offensive line led by All-American OT Justin Blalock and can run the ball efficiently with Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young. The Longhorns may take an early loss to Ohio State, but the defending champs have all the makings for a repeat title run.
Game to Watch: vs. Ohio State, Sept. 9
3. USC
Studs: Dwayne Jarrett, WR; Lawrence Jackson, DE; Ryan Kalil, C
No Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush or LenDale White? No problem for head coach Pete Carroll and the Trojans. USC has an explosive wide receiver duo in Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. Jarrett is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound junior with unbelievable playmaking skills that should be double covered on every play. Smith is a nice complement on the other side of Jarrett and, sticking with the offensive theme, tailback Chauncey Washington should have no problem carrying the load left by Bush and White. In fact, when Washington was a freshman, coaches considered him the better prospect over Bush and White, but grades kept him from showing his potential. Weaknesses in the secondary and replacing so many high talent playmakers will be the only thing that can keep USC down this year.
Game to Watch: vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 25
4. Notre Dame
Studs: Brady Quinn, QB; Tom Zbikowski, S; Jeff Samardzija, WR
When you have a Heisman Trophy candidate as your quarterback, as the Domers do in Brady Quinn, expectations will understandably be soaring heading into the regular season. Quinn doesn’t have to do everything on his own, however, as he has some veteran weapons at his disposal in wide receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight. Quinn also will be paired with RB Darius Walker in one of the top backfields in the nation. Depending on who you ask, Notre Dame’s weakness is in the secondary. However, cornerbacks Tom Zbikowski and Chinedum Ndukwe are leaders and can play man coverage as well as the pair from Ohio State can. If ND can get past a physical schedule early on and head into November undefeated, they’ll be tough to bounce out of National Championship contention.
Game to Watch: at USC, Nov. 25
5. Auburn
Studs: Kenny Irons, RB; Quentin Groves, DE; Courtney Taylor, WR
A top-five backfield and secondary will aid the Tigers’ chances at a title in ’06. Tailback Kenny Irons’ breakout 2005 season (1,293 yards, 13 touchdowns) provided a surprisingly smooth transition from Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown the year before. Teamed up with Irons will be steady QB Brandon Cox, who excels at the little things like selling play fakes and handling the ball. When new coordinator Will Muschamp moved All-SEC free safety Will Herring to linebacker this offseason, he improved his LB corps, but many wondered if he hurt his secondary. But with David Irons and Jonathan Wilhite returning at corner this season, Muschamp had the flexibility to make the move, and the risk should pay off during the season. Point of weakness for the Tigers heading into ’06: They need WR Courtney Taylor to bounce back to 2004 form quick, fast and in a hurry.
Game to Watch: vs. LSU, Sept. 16
6. West Virginia
Studs: Steve Slaton, RB; Pat White QB; Brandon Barrett, WR; Dan Mozes, C
The Mountaineers boast a lethal combination in their backfield with QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton. Both are just sophomores and will challenge Notre Dame’s backfield as the best in the nation. White and Slaton have plenty of speed to burn and are explosive in the open field. West Virginia will most likely be ranked in the top 10 all season, because of its schedule, but that’s the one thing that will also shoot down a title run. Arguably the easiest schedule among the contending top 25, the Mountaineers have an underrated defense and exciting offense, but will their schedule keep WV at bay all season?
Game to Watch: at Louisville, Nov. 2
7. LSU
Studs: LaRon Landry, S; Will Arnold, G; Ali Highsmith, LB; Jessie Daniels, S
Getting free safety LaRon Landry back for his senior year was huge for the Tigers. Landry finished with 69 tackles and three interceptions in 2005 and his leadership will be counted on heavily heading into ’06. LSU has three capable quarterbacks in JaMarcus Russell, Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux, but the Tigers don’t want a QB controversy to handicap what could be a legit National Championship run anytime during the season. Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent can fill in for Joseph Addai just fine, but will the offensive line be the weakness this season? Defensive end Chase Pittman is fast and should be a heavy hitter on a squad that also features stud corners Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon.
Game to Watch: at. Auburn, Sept. 16
8. Florida
Studs: Chris Leak, QB; Marcus Thomas, DT; Earl Everett, LB
The Gators are stacked on defense, especially along the line. Florida ranked 10th in the nation last year against the run and Marcus Thomas, Ray McDonald, Steven Harris and Jarvis Moss are up to the challenge again this season. Thomas is a monster to handle and is very athletic while McDonald has to stay healthy, but can take over a game himself with his 280-pound frame and great athleticism. Are the Gators still a season off, though? QB Chris Leak doesn’t have explosive running backs behind him and the offensive line is very questionable. Florida also has a brutal schedule and may see their title hopes run out midway through the season.
Game to Watch: at Tennessee, Sept. 16
9. Miami
Studs: Kyle Wright, QB; Tyrone Moss, RB; Greg Olson, TE; Brandon Meriweather, S
Miami’s defense is just plain sick with talent. The Hurricanes have the deepest rotation at linebacker in the ACC and their safeties are some of the best in the nation. Brandon Meriweather leads an all-out fast, strong and aggressive defense while fellow secondary mates Kelly Phillips and Anthony Reddick may play up to Meriweather’s potential this year. QB Kyle Wright has a fantastic arm and can move, while tight end Greg Olsen is an All-American candidate. Now for the bad: The offensive line might be worse than last year, the wide receivers aren’t that much of a physical threat and Miami doesn’t have a backup quarterback that could step in if Wright goes down. The D should have this team ranked higher, but the O could lead the ‘Canes further down the rankings in a heartbeat.
Game to Watch: vs. Florida State, Sept. 4
10. California
Studs: Marshawn Lynch, RB; Daymeion Hughes, CB
This is another team with an explosive amount of talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Golden Bears have three defenders that could be mentioned among the elite at their positions in DT Brandon Mebane, CB Daymeion Hughes and LB Desmond Bishop. RB Marshawn Lynch is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who teams up with Justin Forsett as one of the top running back duos in the country. The real concern for Cal is on the offensive line, after losing tackle Ryan O'Callaghan and center Marvin Philip to the NFL. Also, receivers Robert Jordan and DeSean Jackson can’t take over a game, so opposing defenses might have success stacking eight men in the box to stop Lynch and Forsett.
Game to Watch: at USC, Nov. 18
11. Oklahoma
Studs: Adrian Peterson, RB; Rufus Alexander, LB, Reggie Smith, S.
No surprise here: RB Adrian Peterson will be the highlight of the Sooners’ season, but watch for the defensive line to be one of the best in the nation as well. Offensive line play will hurt an otherwise solid Oklahoma squad.
Game to Watch: vs. Texas (in Dallas), Oct. 7
12. Florida State
Studs: Greg Carr, WR; Tony Carter, CB; Alex Boston, DE
Wide receiver Greg Carr can stretch a defense and has excellent size (6-foot-6). Carr is also dangerous in the open field. Defensive ends Alex Boston and Darrell Burston are speed machines, but the main concern heading into the season for the Seminoles is the ability to run the ball, something they struggled with last year.
Game to Watch: at Miami, Sept. 4.
13. Penn State
Studs: Paul Posluszny, LB; Levi Brown, OT; Derrick Williams, WR; Dan Connor, LB
Watch Paul Posluszny, Tim Shaw and Dan Connor play on Saturdays, because the Nittany Lions’ linebackers are all extremely talented and form the best LB trio in college football. This is another team whose offensive line represents the big question mark heading into the season. Facing Notre Dame and Ohio State on the road doesn’t help matters either.
Game to Watch: at Ohio State, Sept. 23
14. Louisville
Studs: Brian Brohm, QB; Michael Bush, RB; Amobi Okoye, DL; Nate Harris LB
QB Brian Brohm, RB Michael Bush and WR Mario Urrutia are all back to lead a Cardinals attack that finished ninth in total offense last year. Louisville will score a ton again this season, but a poor secondary might give up just as many points as the offense scores.
Game to Watch: vs. West Virginia, Nov. 2
15. Michigan
Studs: Mike Hart, RB; Leon Hall, CB; LaMarr Woodley, DL; Alan Branch, DL
Head coach Lloyd Carr is on the hot seat this season and one more loss to Ohio State or another five-loss season will certainly be enough for the Wolverines to consider a coaching change for ’07. The good news is that QB Chad Henne is a junior and is entering his third season as the Wolverines’ starter. “Michigan” Mike Hart and Kevin Grady will return to form a decent pair in the backfield while receivers Mario Manningham and Steve Breaston should give Henne two good targets to throw to. The defense should be much improved this year as well.
Game to Watch: at Ohio State, Nov. 18
16. Virginia Tech.
Studs: Vince Hall, LB; Chris Ellis, DL; Xavier Adibi, LB
The Hokies won’t be able to rely on the fleet feet of Michael Vick, Bryan Randal and Marcus Vick this season, so the quarterback position is in flux heading into the season. The defense, though, is solid again with Vince Hall and the rest of the linebacker unit being the strength of the squad.
Game to Watch: at Miami, Nov. 4
17. Georgia
Studs: Nick Jones, C; Daniel Ingman, OT; Quentin Moses, DL
Plenty of talent will keep Georgia in contention for the SEC title all season, but the loss of QB D.J. Shockley will be hard to overcome in 2006. Running backs Thomas Brown Jr. and Kregg Lumpkin will be the highlight of the offense while Nick Jones anchors a solid offensive line at center.
Game to Watch: vs. Florida, Oct. 28
18. Iowa
Studs: Mike Jones, G; Albert Young, RB; Mike Jones, G; Drew Tate, QB
Some in the media world believe Iowa could win the Big Ten title this season, but with Ohio State being as strong as they are and Michigan looking to rebound from a rough 2005 campaign, the Hawkeyes aren’t going to have an easy run. QB Drew Tate, tailback Albert Young and the offensive line are all formidable, but can the receivers have any impact this season? The defense may struggle this year too, with big question marks in Iowa’s linebacker and secondary groups.
Game to Watch: vs. Ohio State, Sept. 30
19. Clemson
Studs: James Davis, RB; Chansi Stuckey, WR; Gaines Adams, DL; Anthony Waters, LB
Running backs James Davis and Reggie Merriweather return after combining for 1,594 yards for the Tigers last year. Davis is a great athlete who catches the ball out of the backfield as well as runs the stretch plays in Clemson’s offense, but the quarterback position is a bit unsettled.
Game to Watch: at Florida State, Sept. 16
20. Tennessee
Studs: Arron Sears, OT; Justin Harrell, DL; Arian Foster, RB; Robert Meachem, WR
The Vols have excellent athleticism and could be way higher than this ranking by the end of the season, but last year was a disaster. The defense lost six starters on the front seven, which is a scary thought, but Tennessee could sneak up on some unsuspecting teams this year with its talent.
Game to Watch: vs. Florida, Sept. 16
Questions or comments on the upcoming season? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.