TideFans/NARCAS National Top 25 predictions [by JessN]

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National Top 25
by Jess Nicholas
July 31, 2007

Team: Analysis
1. Southern Cal: Didn't we just do this a couple of years ago? USC seems to be unstoppable.
2. Virginia Tech: The conference is wide open, and this team is filled with veterans.
3. LSU: The class of the SEC along with Georgia. If they beat VT, a title could await.
4. Texas: With the way the Longhorns recruit, they're never out of the picture for long.
5. West Virginia: The schedule is almost too easy.
6. Georgia: Bulldogs may be positioned for BCS run.
7. Ohio State: Big Ten's best coach just reloads every year.
8. Wisconsin: Badgers not quite ready for the big stage just yet.
9. Florida: Despite problems on defense, Gators are positioned for several good years.
10. Oklahoma: Good team, no quarterback. Will post-probation depression affect Sooners?
11. California: Early-season test with Tennessee will tell the story.
12. Michigan: Another close-but-no-cigar season in Ann Arbor.
13. Louisville: New coach, same story: Too much talent for Big East to handle.
14. Tennessee: Vols are getting better, but this isn't a title season.
15. Nebraska: Time for Bill Callahan to show something. Husker fans are getting impatient.
16. Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets are confident, but key losses will hold them back.
17. Florida State: Look for a rebound in Tallahassee, but Bowden's dominance is near its end.
18. Penn State: This team has a lot of upside. Could go much higher than 18.
19. Hawaii: Talented team, strong coaching staff, bad conference. Hello, top-20 ranking.
20. Auburn: Questions on both lines, receiver corps will trip up Tigers.
21. Miami: You have to believe 2006 was an anomaly.
22. Rutgers: Probably wasn't a flash in the pan, but take a wait-and-see attitude anyway.
23. Cincinnati: The new coach is Brian Kelly. You'll hear that name for years to come.
24. TCU: Has lots of room to move up. Defense is salty and experienced.
25. Arkansas: Key season for Houston Nutt. Not ranked probably equals fired at year's end.

And five others that might make some noise…
1. Missouri: Gary Pinkel is under tons of pressure. He must win now.
2. South Florida: The middle of the Big East is soft. Bulls could capitalize.
3. South Carolina: Gamecocks are an upset away from being ranked. Can they get it?
4. Oregon State: Lots of offense, but Beavers need to learn to seal the deal.
5. Alabama: Could be anything from disaster to a division title.