🏈 AJC/Barnhart 2009 Pre-season top 25-

[TerryP]

Yah, I know it's early.

1. Florida (13-1): If everybody comes back the Gators will return 19 of 22 starters from a team that played for the national championship. Of course, don’t expect wide receiver Percy Harvin or linebacker Brandon Spikes to hang around for their senior seasons. Expect quarterback Tim Tebow to come back and end his legendary career with a brilliant senior campaign.

2. Texas

3. USC

4. Alabama (12-2): There is some work to do because All-America Andre Smith and All-SEC Antoine Caldwell leave the offensive line. QB John Parker Wilson will be replaced by Greg McElroy or highly-touted recruit Star Jackson, who will give the Crimson Tide some athleticism at the position. The defense will be the backbone of the team, especially if NT Terrence Cody comes back.

5.Oklahoma

6. LSU (8-5): The Tigers’ demolition of Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl puts their 2009 season in a different light. Rising sophomore Jordan Jefferson looks like LSU’s quarterback of the future but he will have a battle with incoming freshman Russell Shepard of Houston, who some say is the next Vince Young. The defense will be better because veteran DC John Chavis takes over.

7. Okie St.

8. Virginia Tech (10-4): Frank Beamer won another ACC championship this season with one of his youngest teams ever. Now the Hokies are ready to be in the mix for the BCS championship. QB Tyrod Taylor grew up this season and will lead an offense that returns nine starters. The defense was very young but very good at the end of the season. The Hokies will miss CB Victor Harris.

9. Ohio State

10. Pitt

11. Iowa

12. Florida State

13. Georgia Tech

14. North Carolina

15. Georgia (10-3): Georgia has talented running backs waiting like Caleb King and Richard Samuel. Joe Cox and freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger will compete at QB. The defense will be better. It has to be.

16. Ole Miss (9-4): The Rebels were the most improved team in the SEC in their first year under coach Houston Nutt. With 17 starters returning, including QB Jevan Snead and all-purpose RB Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss will challenge Alabama and LSU in the SEC West.

17. TCU

18. Oregon

19. Utah

20. Tx Tech

21. Penn State

22. Cal

23. Minnesota

24. Boise State

25. Vandy (7-6): The Commodores may have found their QB of the future in Larry Smith. They lose All-SEC cornerback D.J. Moore, who is turning pro early, but 18 starters return from the team that beat Boston College in the Music City Bowl.

Teams to watch: BC, BYU, ECU, Kansas, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, NC State, Rutgers, Wake Forest.

 

[Guest]

I agree with the top 5 except for putting us that high. I don't ever like having that much of a bullseye. No seriously, a new QB and lots of new faces on the O-line is a lot to overcome to be #4.

 

[Guest]

What, no Barn in the top 25? There must be a mistake. :lol: :lol:

 

[Guest]

What, no Barn in the top 25? There must be a mistake. :lol: :lol:

Oh just wait til the end of the season. That's the only one that matters. :wink:

I actually was looking for them in top 25.

 

[Guest]

That Ole Miss game scares me already.

 

[TerryP]

That Ole Miss game scares me already.

Much like Bama, Ole Miss has some answers to be found on its OL. They are returning two from this years team, their C and RT. Look to have a redshirted sophomore taking the LT position which is cause for worry right off the bat.

Replacing Mike Wallace isn't going to be easy and if Dexter McCluskey decides to go they are going to be in real need of some receivers.

The crazy thing about Ole Miss is their worst unit was probably their secondary. It's ironic that this group was probably the most mature grouping on their team.

I see them bowling again next season...and right now, without looking at them real deeply for '09, would say they are looking at 3rd in the West, maybe 4th. The do have a fairly favorable schedule (home games) this upcoming season.

 

[Guest]

Well one thing you can count on in our game vs. Ole Miss. The odds of it being a 3-point win are great.

Going to Oxford is always tough, but we seem to have as much success there as anywhere.

 

[Colin]

I hope Tebow leaves. That is all...

 

[It Takes Eleven]

What, no Barn in the top 25? There must be a mistake. :lol: :lol:

They're ranked in the top 15...in the SEC.

 

[Guest]

What, no Barn in the top 25? There must be a mistake. :lol: :lol:

They're ranked in the top 15...in the SEC.

I heard they are in the top 5 in Georgia.

 

[Bishop]

I think LSU is waaaaaaaay too high

 

[musso]

6. LSU (8-5): The Tigers’ demolition of Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl puts their 2009 season in a different light. Rising sophomore Jordan Jefferson looks like LSU’s quarterback of the future but he will have a battle with incoming freshman Russell Shepard of Houston, who some say is the next Vince Young. The defense will be better because veteran DC John Chavis takes over.

if what is meant is in the long run, then maybe. however, next season i think they take a step back because they lose a lot of talented players with experience.

 

[musso]

and right now, without looking at them real deeply for '09, would say they are looking at 3rd in the West, maybe 4th.

no way they finish lower than 2nd in the West. i'd bet my right arm on that.

 

[JacobGibson05]

I think USC is too high... They are losing what 9 or 10 defencive players

 

[TerryP]

and right now, without looking at them real deeply for '09, would say they are looking at 3rd in the West, maybe 4th.

no way they finish lower than 2nd in the West. i'd bet my right arm on that.

If only you were being literal. :wink:

#2 in the West will be decided in November, maybe as late as the 21st. It would be foolish to assume LSU and Bama won't be the teams competing for the West title.

It's for that reason I say #3. I'd bet they'll likely struggle with Arkansas. The way they conclude their SEC season next year isn't an easy path.

Arkansas
@ Auburn
UT
LSU
Miss. St.

Their offensive line is a HUGE question mark next season. Huge.

 

[rnash]

TerryP you had better clear up your absence of the Utes on this list. In case any of the fans are still in this site and they start crying.

 

[Bishop]

Does anyone else agree that LSU is way too high?

 

[rnash]

Yes Bishop, I agree. And how many times does USC have to be beaten by Oregon State and Stanford before the polls stop finding a way to snake them into the rankings?

 

[musso]

It would be foolish to assume LSU and Bama won't be the teams competing for the West title.

this is how i see the West ending up.

1. Ala/Miss winner
2. Ala/Miss loser
3. LSU
4. Ark
5. Aub
6. MSU

LSU loses a ton of defensive talent and experience. true that Miss's OL will need some key replacements, but i love Sneed's arm and mobility to pick up any slack. McCluster and Eason are great backs too.