🏈 Sporting News preseason ranking

[planomateo]

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...top-25-rankings-sporting-news-lsu-alabama-usc

• [h=2]1. LSU Tigers[/h][TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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  This team is too good—and has too much motivation from last season—not to reach the national title game again. These Tigers are more talented than the team that won the 2007 national title, and if quarterback Zach Mettenberger can play smart and limit turnovers, no one will beat them.
  
  We admit we’re putting a lot of faith in Mettenberger, who remains unproven. Still, even with his inexperience, the Tigers have to be better off with him than the Jarrett Lee-Jordan Jefferson duo. And if they’re not, LSU still has the best playmaker in the game in Tyrann Mathieu, a preseason All-American in defensive end Sam Montgomery, a terrific receiver in Odell Beckham and one of the nation’s best in free safety Eric Reid.
  
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  Lane Kiffin (AP Photo)
  [h=2]2. USC Trojans[/h][TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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  Matt Barkley and All-American safety T.J. McDonald both stayed at USC rather than leave early for NFL riches, and now they have a very real shot at playing for it all. Considering how well USC played last season, when the Trojans weren’t even eligible for postseason play, Barkley and McDonald just might find it was worth it.
  
  Coach Lane Kiffin is knocking on the door of a BCS national championship in only his third year. It’s a remarkable feat, especially considering the ramifications of NCAA sanctions the program is dealing with. But who can complain when you have receivers like Robert Woods and Marqise Lee? Defensive end Devon Kennard is likely done for the season after a weight room injury, and there are depth problems. But if USC can hold onto its core group of players, this could be a special season.
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  Eddie Lacy (AP Photo)
  [h=2]3. Alabama Crimson Tide[/h][TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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  The way coach Nick Saban has things rolling in Tuscaloosa, it’s hard to pick against Alabama in any season. The reality is the Tide and LSU are probably the two best teams in the nation again. But don’t expect Alabama to get another BCS break like last year if (when?) it loses Nov. 3 at LSU.
  
  Quarterback A.J. McCarron has the comfort of standing behind the best lineman in the country, Barrett Jones. And running back Eddie Lacy, though no Trent Richardson, is a special talent. The Tide defense lost a ton of talent and leadership and will have to see a number of people show their full worth this fall. There has never been a repeat national champion in the BCS era, but if there’s a team capable, this is it.
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  Landry Jones (AP Photo)
  [h=2]4. Oklahoma Sooners[/h][TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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  Last season was supposed to be the Sooners’ return to national glory, and they look just as good on paper and absolutely should win the Big 12 this season. Both sides of the ball are loaded with playmakers.
  
  Let’s start with receiver Trey Metoyer, who after a year at a military prep school, could wind up being the most dynamic receiver in the league. Certainly, Bob Stoops and company are touting him as a major force and a prime target for quarterback Landry Jones. Running back Dominique Whaley broke his ankle last year, but is returning. The offensive line is experienced and while there were some key losses on defense, the secondary could be the strength of the unit. Nowhere does that mean more than in the pass-happy Big 12.
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  Logan Thomas (AP Photo)
  [h=2]5. Virginia Tech Hokies[/h][TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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  Anything short of an ACC championship and/or another BCS bowl would be a disappointment in Blacksburg. Those aren’t a given, obviously, but the talent is there and the expectations are always high for Frank Beamer’s squad. This year is no different.
  
  Logan Thomas is described by some as the next Cam Newton. He’s certainly a striking physical specimen at 6-6 and 262 pounds. But, without NFL draft pick David Wilson at running back and hardly any starting experience back on offense, Thomas could look only average. The defense doesn’t have nearly as many holes.

 

[bamaraider]

Wow.... Virginia Tech over Oregon and Michigan?:chat_headscratch: