Randall's Ramblings

September 2, 2005

It’s finally here! The last time that the world saw a college football game they were subjected to watching University of Southern California slaughter Oklahoma 55-19 to win the National Championship and the Rose Bowl in January. Now, with their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart returning for his senior year and the most dangerous player west of the Mississippi River Reggie Bush also back, Southern Cal has dreams of a 3-peat national championship. They also debut at No. 1 in Randall Moore’s preseason NCAA Super Ten rankings, followed by two teams that I see also going undefeated this year. Let’s look at the list:

1. USC - Back-to-back national championships have them once again positioned at the top of the polls. They bring a 22-game winning streak into this season and look poised to run through the regular season undefeated again.

2. Ohio State - The Buckeyes return almost everyone back from the team that won five of their last six games including a 37-21 thrashing of archrival Michigan and a 33-7 Alamo Bowl pasting of Oklahoma State. Sophomore wide receiver/corner back/punt returner Ted Ginn Jr. will anchor the offense as he is on the short list of Heisman Trophy favorites.

3. Louisiana State University - Although Coach Nick Saban left the school he led to the 2003 National Championship to coach the NFL Miami Dolphins, new coach Les Miles received a fully stocked roster very capable of winning all their games and returning to the national championship game.

4. Texas - Led by quarterback Vince Young who was last seen running all over Michigan in the Longhorns’ Rose Bowl victory, this could finally be the year that Texas defeats Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and wins the Big XII. However, they face a stiff test very early in the season on Sept. 10 as they face Ohio State in the biggest non-conference NCAA game in the last five years. This game will be a National Championship elimination game for one of the two teams.

5. Iowa - How many people actually know that Iowa has won at least 10 games each of the last three seasons? Not many, but head coach Kirk Ferentz has his team poised for another run at the Big Ten Title with outstanding quarterback Drew Tate and two of the best linebackers in the country in Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge.

6. Michigan - Yes, that is three Big Ten teams in the top six but Michigan deserves to be this high with their super sophomore backfield of quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart. Throw in two of the NCAA’s best receivers in Steve Breaston and Jason Avant and a solid offensive line, and Michigan once again has the talent to challenge for a trip to the Rose Bowl and the national title game.

7. Florida - Yes, Tennessee was picked to finish ahead of Florida in the SEC this year. However, with new Coach Urban Meyer implementing the spread offense that he used to lead Utah to the bowl championship series last year and an undefeated season. the Gators, with returning junior Chris Leak at the helm, have the talent necessary to win the SEC East this year.

8.  Georgia – I know that by now Milligan College is in an uproar that three SEC teams have been ranked ahead of Tennessee now, but Georgia is anchored by the nation’s best offensive line as well as quarterback D.J. Shockley, who has patiently waited four years for his chance to be the starter. Despite losing NFL draft picks Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown at wide receiver, look for the Bulldogs to once again be a force in the SEC East.

9.  Virginia Tech – After their surprising victory in the 2004 ACC conference during their first year in the league, the Hokies lose only quarterback Bryan Randall in their quest to repeat as ACC champions. Mike Vick’s younger brother Marcus takes over the reins of the Hokies this year.

10. Miami – Kyle Wright, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect out of high school, finally takes over the reigns to Miami’s attack over incumbent Brock Berlin. Miami has a deep stable of receivers led by super return man Devin Hester and their running game led by Tyrone Moss should once again be a force. Look for Miami to challenge Virginia Tech for ACC supremacy this year.