NCAA Football 2008 Top 20 Rankings

Here is an early look at the top 20 college football teams heading into the 2008 season.

1. Oklahoma

Most people have Georgia #1 and if they sweep the SEC they will likely be, but Oklahoma will be a powerful force this year. They have an experienced talented QB in Sam Bradford and the best lines (both sides) in football with OL Duke Robinson (SR), LT Phil Loadholt, DT DeMarcus Granger (JR), DT Gerald McCoy (Sophomore) and De Austin English. If they can get good play out of their corners and linebackers they will go undefeated. Their schedule is very favorable, they won't see Missouri until the Big 12 championship and they play Kansas at home. They can't forget about Texas though, who will play them tough in the Red River Shootout.

2. Georgia

This team is loaded from top to bottom. A very talented young QB in Mathew Stafford (JR), an excellent receiver in Mohamed Massquoi and maybe the best running back in the nation in RB Knowshon Moreno (Sophomore). Their defensive line is going to be almost impossible to run against with DTs Geno Atkins (JR) and Jeff Owens on the inside. They have a tough schedule though and can't get tripped up at South Carolina on September 13th. Mark your calendar for November 1st when they play Florida at Jacksonville.

3. Ohio State

I could easily see the Buckeyes going un-defeated and playing for the National Championship again, They are clearly the class of the Big 10 and are loaded with future NFL talent in LBs James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins (SR), OT Alex Boone, QB Todd Boeckman (SR) and WR Brian Robiskie. They also have one of the top rated running backs in the nation in Chris Wells. If they beat USC in California on September 13th then they will be unstoppable.

4. USC

Another talented, star studded USC team with an experienced QB in Mark Sanchez and a top flight defense with LB Rey Maualuga (SR), DT Fili Moala (SR), LB Brian Cushing (SR), SS Kevin Ellison and FS Taylor Mayes. Their schedule is tough early, they battle with with Virginia, Ohio State, Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State all before October 11th.

5. Florida

The Gators should put up some big numbers on offense with Heisman Trophy winner QB Tim Tebow and speedy WR Percy Harvin (JR), and they have a future NFL linebacker in LB Brandon Spikes (JR). They also have a quality tight end in Cornelius Ingram. Their schedule will be tough, but they have LSU at home. If they do get by Georgia on November 1st they have to make sure they don't get upset by in state rival Florida State in the last game of the year (Nov 29th).

6. Missouri

Missouri is the team no one wants to play, they have Heisman finalist QB Chase Daniel (SR), and a future NFL tight end in TE Chase Coffman. WR/returner Jeremy Maclin has 4.32 speed and recorded an amazing 1,055 receiving yards last season. They must replace their running back and their O-line is only average, but outside of that they are loaded. On defense they have LB Sean Weatherspoon, DT Ziggy Hood and the top safety in the nation in William Moore. Their schedule looks easy, except the opener on August 30th against Illinois. The next real test might be at Texas (Oct 18th) and against Kansas in Kansas City before they likely face a grudge match against Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game.

7. West Virginia

Offensively they should put up huge numbers again in 2008 with QB Pat White and speedster RB Noel Devine (sophomore). Their O-line is talented and experienced, especially on the left side with with LG Greg Isdaner (JR) and LT Ryan Stanchek. Their defense will be a little suspect, but they have an easy schedule with the first real test against Rutgers on October 4th and Auburn on October 23rd.

8. Texas

Everyone is forgetting about Texas this year after a rough 2007. But make no mistake, they are a team that could rebound nicely. They have a talented, experienced QB in Colt McCoy and quality receiver in Quan Cosby. Their biggest challenge will be to replace all American RB Jamaal Charles. They will have a nice defense though led by DT Roy Miller, DE Brian Orakpo and LB Sergio Kindle (JR). They have a tough stretch with Oklahoma and Missouri back to back on October 11th and 18th.

9. Illinois

The Illini came out of no where last year, but this year they won't be under estimated. QB Juice Williams is back but they have to replace RB Rashard Mendenhall. WR Arrelios Benn will help, he is only a sophomore but he is blazing fast and talented. Converted TE Jeff Cumberland (JR) will be a dangerous weapon down the seam. Their defense should be their strength led by maybe the best cornerback in the nation in CB Vontae Davis (JR).

10. Kansas

The Jayhawks shocked the world last year, just 8 points shy of playing for a national championship (Loss to Missouri 28-36). They have a super talented, experienced QB in Todd Reesing and a quality RB in Jake Sharp. This team will win on defense as all but two starters return. S Darrell Stuckey and CB Chris Harris are the real deal and they get all three linebackers to return and they are all seniors: Mike Rivera, John Larson and Joe Mortensen. Their schedule is easy early, but they will be tested in back to back games against Oklahoma and Texas Tech on October 18th and 25th. Then they play Texas and Missouri in back to back games on November 15th and 29th. They need to win at least three of those games to compete for a national championship and that doesn't look likely.

11. Virginia Tech

*Check back soon for analysis of 11-20.