A ridiculously early Top 25 for 2008
OU trio of Bradford, Murray and Iglesias make up best offense in country
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1. Oklahoma: I know, I know, the Sooners can't win a BCS game. The trio of QB Sam Bradford, TB DeMarco Murray and WR Juaquin Iglesias, and a bulldozing offensive line, however, will translate to the best offense in the country.
2. Georgia: Talented 'Dawgs need QB Matt Stafford to take the next critical step in his development: the ability to carry a team in big games. TB Knowshon Moreno is a Heisman Trophy candidate.
3. Missouri: Want to know why Mizzou arrived this fall? Defense. Nine starters return from a unit that learned how to finish games in the second half of the season. Two Heisman candidates return, too: QB Chase Daniel and WR Jeremy Maclin.
4. USC: Can't wait to see the QB battle between Mitch Mustain — a scout team beast this fall while sitting out as a transfer — and Mark Sanchez, who didn't play as poorly as it looked in a tough spot against Oregon.
5. Texas: New D-Coordinator Will Muschamp will shape up a unit that lacked intensity and gave up too many big plays. If QB Colt McCoy can limit turnovers and poor decisions, the Longhorns will move up.
6. LSU: Tigers have some serious rebuilding on both sides of the ball, but the key pieces are there for another 10-win season. Watch how well QB Ryan Perrilloux plays as the full-time starter.
7. Ohio State: If the Buckeyes go to USC in Week 3 and win on the road, they're not that far away from winning the Big Ten and getting to the national title game again.
8. Clemson: Best news for Clemson: TB James Davis chose to leave for the NFL. Now, finally, the Tigers can get dynamic TB C.J. Spiller 25 touches a game. Cullen Harper is the nation's most underrated quarterback.
9. West Virginia: The adjustment to Bill Stewart as the full-time head coach — and not a guy everyone rallies around — will be intriguing, to say the least. When healthy, there's not a better player in the nation that QB Pat White.
10. Florida: Gators have plenty on offense with returning Heisman winner QB Tim Tebow and electric WR Percy Harvin. The defense has problems — anyone see a legit tackle or rush end? — to address before Florida moves up into the top five.
11. Penn State: Eighteen starters return and QB Anthony Morelli doesn't. A nice combination.
12. Virginia Tech: Hokies have become too erratic and unpredictable in big games.
13. Arizona State: The offense will be ridiculously good — and may have to outscore everyone.
14. Wisconsin: QB Allen Evridge steps in, Wisky rolls to another 9, or 10-win season.
15. Auburn: How quickly do the Tigers pick up the new wide-open offense — and how easily does coach Tommy Tuberville veer from his grind-it-out philosophy?
16. BYU: Bronco Mendenhall is one of the top five coaches in the game.
17. Kansas: The schedule is beefed-up, but the defense and gutty QB Todd Reesing are too hard to ignore.
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19. Illinois: The loss of TB Rashard Mendenhall will be big, but coach Ron Zook's top recruiting classes are quickly developing.
20. Fresno State: Bulldogs will be the most talented non-BCS team, but non-conference schedule is brutal (at UCLA, at Kansas State, Wisconsin).
21. Virginia: Here's a new twist: Cavs' offense, not defense, will lead the way in '08.
22. Alabama: Tide has talent; has everyone bought what coach Nick Saban is selling?
23. Texas Tech: 500 points on offense and a questionable defense. What's new?
24. Michigan State: Sparty coach Mark Dantonio is changing the culture; tough defense and gritty TB Javon Ringer good for eight wins.
25. Pittsburgh: Believe it: Exciting TB LeSean McCoy carries the Panthers — and beleaguered coach Dave Wannstedt — into the elite of the Big East.
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