AP Poll Breakdown

Preseason College Football Rankings Examined

Aug 17, 2008 Joshua Ryan Crawford

Up and coming programs rise dramatically, while traditional powerhouses fall drastically

  • 1.) Georgia – Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs enter the 2008 season as the preseason AP #1 team in the country for the first time in school history. The 'Dawgs were arguably the most impressive team the 2nd half of the 2007 season, but two early season losses in the toughest conference in the country, the SEC, cost them a shot at a national title. With two Heisman Trophy candidates in Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Runningback Knowshon Moreno, the expectations for the Georgia Bulldogs are at an all-time high.
  • 2.) Ohio State – After a second consecutive embarrassing loss in the national championship game, the Ohio State Buckeyes are once again highly ranked and set up for success. But a trip to the national title game this season won't come without a challenging task outside the comforting Big Ten Conference. Ohio State must prove themselves to the rest of the nation, and have the opportunity to do so when they take a trip to Southern California in early September for a showdown with the USC Trojans. This game will ultimately determine if the Buckeyes are a legitimate title contender in '08.
  • 6.) Missouri – Following a breakout season, the Missouri Tigers look to keep gaining momentum and have plenty of motivation after being shut out of a BCS game last year. Senior Quarterback Chase Daniel hopes to prove last year's team was no fluke, and that Mizzou is a true title contender. Missouri suffered both of its 2007 losses to BIG 12 rival, the Oklahoma Sooners. The Tigers will have several opportunities to prove themselves in 2008 with games against Illinois, Kansas, as well as a trip to Texas. If they can run the table and win the BIG 12 Championship, Mizzou will find themselves playing for the national championship.
  • 9.) Clemson- The Clemson Tigers are once again an intimidating team on paper, but can they finally translate that into a consistent season, ending in an ACC Championship? The last several years, the Tigers have had runs of greatness and horrifying losing streaks. If Clemson can't win the ACC this season with C.J. Spiller and James Davis in their backfield, Tommy Bowden could finally be sent on his way out the door.
  • Other Notes: The Florida State Seminoles are not in the Preseason AP Top 25 for the first time in 25 years and rightly so. Following two 7-6 campaigns, the 'Noles will have to work their way up from the bottom this season. Although FSU must overcome early-season suspensions, they do return several starters, and have a favorable schedule with 9 games in the state of Florida including Florida, Virginia Tech, and Clemson all in Tallahassee. Jimbo Fisher's offense must show more life this year and 5th year Senior Quarterback Drew Weatherford will need more consistency for the 'Noles to be successful. Like FSU, the Michigan Wolverines spent an extended time in the Preseason AP Top 25. Their 22 year streak ends this season. Following a shocking defeat at the hands of Appalacian State at the Big House, Michigan managed to salvage their season and even upset Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl. But after losing names like Henne, Hart, and Manningham to the draft, not to mention long-time Head-Coach Lloyd Carr, expectations are not high for Rich Rodriguez and the Big Blue in '08. If the young Wolverines can manage 9 victories this season, it should be considered a step in the right direction.

The copyright of the article AP Poll Breakdown in Football is owned by Joshua Ryan Crawford. Permission to republish AP Poll Breakdown in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.