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| All-South Top 10 | |||||||||||||
| Our editors' picks for the top 10 teams to watch this year. | |||||||||||||
Why they'll win: Last season, QB Colt McCoy garnered National Freshman of the Year honors while throwing for 2,570 yards and a school-record 29 touchdowns. Senior wideout Limas Sweed will lead a corps of veteran receivers, while greased lightning Jamaal Charles will spearhead the running attack. Why they won't: The 'Horns must plug a porous pass defense if they're planning a holiday trip to New Orleans. They'll either be road tested or road weary by the time the Big 12 championship rolls around. Only two of UT's last seven games take place in Austin. Competitive edge: They've won at least 10 games in 6 consecutive seasons. Key games: September 8, TCU; October 6, Oklahoma; October 27, Nebraska; November 23, Texas A&M
Why they'll win: The Bayou Bengals are loaded with talent. LSU's defense returns eight starters, including a fearsome front four, from a unit that ranked third in the nation last year. Senior receiver Early Doucet should be a standout on offense. Why they won't: Much of the offense is returning, but coordinator Jimbo Fisher has moved on. Number one draft pick JaMarcus Russell also leaves some big shoes to fill at quarterback. Competitive edge: Just the thought of playing in Tiger Stadium (aka Death Valley) strikes fear in the hearts of opposing teams. Key games: September 8, Virginia Tech; October 6, Florida; October 20, Auburn; November 3, at Alabama; November 23, Arkansas
Why they'll win: Fleet-footed junior quarterback Patrick White and All-America tailback Steve Slaton put the razzle-dazzle in Mountaineer football. Not only are they the most explosive duo in the college game right now, but they're also both legitimate Heisman contenders. Why they won't: The most important member of this offense may be the team doctor. White and Slaton must stay healthy if the 'Eers are going to finally strike BCS gold. Replacing All-America center Dan Mozes and improving the pass defense are also key. Competitive edge: Coach Rich Rodriguez turned down Alabama and their millions to stay in Morgantown. That's one huge vote of confidence. Key games: September 28, at South Florida; October 27, at Rutgers; November 8, Louisville
Why they'll win: You will find the Hokies' terrifying defense in the record books. Last year, they had the nation's top pass defense, scoring defense, and total defense. Linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi combined for 210 tackles, 5 fumbles, and 3 interceptions. A solid offense centers around All-ACC tailback Branden Ore and a wealth of sure-handed receivers. Why they won't: Tech's first real test in 2007 comes at LSU on September 8. A four-game stretch in November that features Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Miami could derail the Hokies' New Year's plans. Competitive edge: Coach Frank Beamer has taken Tech to a bowl game each of the past 14 years. Key games: September 8, at LSU; October 25, Boston College; November 1, at Georgia Tech; November 10, FSU; Nov. 17, Miami
Why they'll win: The Sooners have an embarrassment of riches on offense, including running back Allen Patrick, 6'4" receiver Malcolm Kelly, and senior tight end Joe Jon Finley. Always a defensive powerhouse, OU fields a scary secondary. Plus, Nebraska falls off the regular season schedule. Why they won't: OU has it all—except an experienced quarterback. Their most tenured signal caller has thrown all of two passes in regulation. If one of the candidates doesn't step up in a big way, OU won't be in New Orleans come January 7. Competitive edge: Poking a bear makes him mad, and OU sure got poked a lot last season. Look for the Sooners to come out swingin'. Key games: September 8, Miami; October 6, Texas; November 3, Texas A&M; November 24, Oklahoma State
Why they'll win: They're defending National Champs, that's why. A veteran offensive line will clear the way as hard-charging Tim Tebow takes over at quarterback. The 6'3" lefty will get plenty of help from receiver Percy Harvin. Harvin proved to be double trouble as a true freshman last year, racking up 856 yards and 5 touchdowns on 34 catches and 41 runs. Why they won't: Youth and inexperience. The romping-stomping defense that terrorized the Buckeyes in Glendale loses nine starters. Competitive edge: Head coach Urban Meyer has been named National Coach of the Year three times. Key games: September 15, Tennessee; September 29, Auburn; October 6, at LSU; October 27, Georgia; November 24, Florida State
Why they'll win: The Cards were one measly quarter from playing for a National Championship last year. Louisville has plenty of firepower with senior quarterback Brian Brohm at the helm, and he's surrounded by a bevy of talented wideouts, backs, and linemen. Why they won't: The departure of head coach and offensive genius Bobby Petrino could shake up the Cards' productive offense. Louisville must also rebuild a defense that averaged 3.46 sacks per game. Competitive edge: The Cards ended the season 12-1 last year. Key games: September 15, at Kentucky; November 8, at West Virginia; November 29, Rutgers
Why they'll win: It's put up or shut up time in Knoxville. The Volunteers squandered fourth-quarter leads at home against Florida and LSU last year and then played dead at Arkansas. A healthy Erik Ainge has the quarterbacking ability to get it done, but he'll need help from his backs and a host of talented defenders. Why they won't: Who will catch for Ainge? That's one of the most pressing questions that the Vols must answer soon. UT opens a rugged schedule with Cal, Southern Miss, and Florida. Competitive edge: Despite winning nine games last year, coach Phil Fulmer didn't get a raise. That ought to light a fire in his belly. Key games: September 1, at California; September 15, at Florida; October 6, Georgia; October 20, at Alabama; November 10, Arkansas
Why they'll win: There's no stopping the Hogs on offense. Not only does Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden return, but All-America junior Felix Jones rejoins him in the backfield. Why they won't: They can't win on offense alone in the SEC, and only six starters return on defense. Competitive edge: Fayetteville may never see another player as talented as McFadden. Key games: September 15, at Alabama; October 13, Auburn; November 10, at Tennessee; November 23, at LSU
Why they'll win: So what if the Horned Frogs play in the Mountain West? They're still a team to be reckoned with. Texas Christian University returns nine players to a defensive unit that was considered one of the nation's best, while talented tailback Aaron Brown anchors the offense. Why they won't: The Frogs need to settle on a quarterback, and they need to do it now. They open with Baylor and then head to Texas and Air Force—all within the first 13 days of September. Competitive edge: TCU is widely considered the best team from a non-BCS conference. Key games: September 8, at Texas; September 13, at Air Force; October 18, Utah; November 8, at BYU ©
"All-South Top 10" is from the September 2007 issue of Southern Living. |
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