Who are the Top 25 teams in College Football: a look back at the final '06 Top 25

Some people say preseason polls are not right for College Football. We should wait for the season to unfold a bit, until we put up a Top 25 list (ie: BCS ratings, for example). Of course, polls are everything that is America it seems these days. We have a poll for everything, so why not a preseason College Football poll?


Why isn't Florida still #1, they haven't been beat by anyone yet? A look at last year's best entering the 2007 season. All the love is for USC, despite the fact no one has beat the Gators yet.

1. Florida (13-1) - The defending national champs, in football and basketball, no less. Twice in basketball, but it's too early to talk about that sport. The Gators were tied with Auburn as the #6 team entering last season. Ironically, the only loss was at Auburn last year, 17-27. Urban Meyer must rebuild a defense that lost 9 starters, unvail a new PK and Punter, and reload an offense under new QB Tim Tebow and 4 other newcomers to the starting lineup. A Top 10 finish is certainly a possibility, if they can rebuild a defense quick enough.
2. Ohio State (12-1) - The magazines liked Notre Dame entering '06, but the Polls liked the Buckeyes. Unlike the magazines pick of Notre Dame, the polls saw the Buckeyes at the top all the way to the BCS Championship Game. However, the Buckeyes have never beat a SEC opponent in a Bowl game of any kind. The BCS Championship Game vs. Florida was no different, with the Buckeyes getting dismantled by the Gators, 14-41. The last time OSU had to replace there #1 and #2 QB was in '04, when only 5 offensive and 4 defensive starters returned. This year the offense only returns 5 again, but the defense returns 6, and the PK and P also return. It will be a tough road in the Big Ten for the Buckeyes in '07, but not likely a road like '04, when the Buckeyes were .500 in the Big Ten and 8-4 overall.
3. LSU (11-2) - Entered '06 projected as the 9th best team by the national magazines. Tough losses at Auburn and at #1 Florida were on the Tigers' resume in '06. A 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl hopefully can spark the 6 offensive, 8 defensive and returning PK in '07. Coach Les Miles hopes QB Matt Flynn can replace JaMarcus Russell the way Tee Martin replaced Peyton Manning in 1998 for the Tennessee Vols. If so, the Tigers could be the next team to rise to the top and win the BCS Championship Trophy.
4. USC (11-2) - Not so fast, LSU and SEC fans, the Pac Ten's elite team wants that Trophy back in Southern California, after a couple of years without it. The Trojans were picked by the magazines at #5 last year. Clearly Pete Carroll's Trojans are the front runners in '07 with 6 starters on offense, including QB John David Booty, 10 on defense and their punter returning. The Trojans need to overcome setbacks, like losses at Oregon State and at UCLA, last year. The 32-18 Rose Bowl win over Michigan may provide some solid momentium entering '07. Some project this to be Carroll's best defensive team?
5. Boise State (13-0) - The Broncos were the only undefeated team in college football last fall, under first year Coach Chris Petersen, no less. Not bad for a program picked outside the Top 25 entering the season. The 43-42 OT win over Oklahoma was clearly a great example of why non-BCS conference team deserves a spot in the BCS Bowl, like last year's Fiesta Bowl. Petersen only returns 5 offensive and 6 defensive starters for the Broncos this season. Finishing #1 in the WAC in '07 may be a challange this go around.
6. Louisville (12-1) - A loss at Rutgers cost the Cardinals dearly last year as the top team in the Big East went on to the Orange Bowl to defeat the top team in the ACC, Wake Forest, 24-13. The Cardinals were picked by the magazines as the #2 team and #11 overall, so despite the one disappointment, a solid season. QB Brian Brohm returns along with 7 other offensive starters, 6 defensive starters, their PK and Punter. The most interesting newcomer will be new head coach Steve Kragthorpe, from the University of Tulsa. The road includes back to back visits to West Virginia and South Florida in November and a final home game vs. Rutgers.
7. Wisconsin (11-1) - First year Bret Bielema did everything he was asked. However, the home opener at Michigan was a 13-27 loss for a Badger team picked #7 in the Big Ten by the magazines entering '06. The Badgers closed '06 with a Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas, 17-14. High expectations may be in order, but the Badgers didn't face Ohio State or Michigan State in '06. They will be on the schedule this year, with Northwestern and Purdue, now absent. Nine starters on offense, 7 on defense and both kickers return, but will the losses of QB, top OL, both safeties and #1 tackler slow momentium for the Badgers as they look for their first BCS bowl this decade?
8. Michigan (11-2) - Coach Lloyd Carr won a share of the MNC for the Wolverines in '97 (tied w/ Nebraska). So, ten years have now past and while the Wolverines win games... winning the biggest games have been difficult. After being picked #14 by the magazines last year, the Wolverines were 11-0 entering their showdown with Ohio State in Columbus. Now, the Wolverines enter '07 on a two game losing streak, with back to back losses at OSU and vs. USC in the Rose. Carr returns 6 on offense, including top QB, RB and WR, 4 on defense, and punter. But, can Carr avoid losing 4 in a row to OSU's Coach Jim Tressel in Ann Arbor this fall? Michigan has lost 4 straight bowl games, as well. '07 could be a special year, but it also could return some nay sayers.
9. Auburn (11-2) - Coach Tommy Tuberville knows how to win some big games in the SEC, such as games with Florida and LSU at home. The Tigers beat Nebraska 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl, but losses at home, vs. Arkansas and Georgia seperated them from the very best. Now, Tuberville's 5 returning starters on offense, 7 on defense and all other newcomers will have to hit the road for those 4 tough SEC opponents. QB Brandon Cox leads the Tigers as they open with the Big 12's Kansas State Wildcats in '07.
10. West Virginia (11-2) - Rich Rodriguez's Mountaineers were picked #4 by the magazines and considered the best team in the Big East entering '06. Losses at Louisville and vs. South Florida bumped them off the top perch in the Big East. Revenge from '06 and the Gator Bowl win over Georgia Tech 38-35 will hopefully fuel a team built around 7 returning starters, including QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton, on offense, 8 on defense and the return of both kickers.
11. Oklahoma (11-3) - The Sooners were picked as the Top Big 12 team by the magazines, despite only being picked #8 nationally entering last year. Last year was a rocky season with 2 offensive players dismissed at the beginning of fall camp, a loss controversal loss at Oregon, a loss to #1 rival Texas and the upset loss in the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State. Coach Bob Stoops returns 8 offensive, 7 defenseive and both kickers from a team that still has some holes to overcome, but a fresh start should aid the effort. Health helped OU win in 2000. A young QB, RB and DT are expected to help in '07.
12. Rutgers (11-2) - Coach Greg Schiano's 6th season at Rutgers was extremely special for a program that had never won a bowl game before. Picked 4th by the magazines in the Big East, the Scarlet Knights won nine straight before their first loss, 11-30 at Cincinnati. An OT loss at West Virginia closed out their regular season, but a 37-10 win in the Texas Bowl over Kansas State capped the Scarlet Knights best season ever. Schiano returns QB Mike Teel and 6 other starters on offense, 6 starters on defense and their PK. Rutgers will help continue to raise the bar for the Big East, who were well respected last year.
13. Texas (10-3) - Despite the loss of QB Vince Young entering '06, the magazines had Texas at #3 nationally, though not necessarily #1 in the Big 12. QB Colt McCoy is going to be an outstanding player, if he remains healthy. The 7-24 home loss to Ohio State wasn't a surprise, but back to back losses at K-State and vs. A&M are grounds for some concern. Of course, a healthy McCoy at QB remains a key and Texas is coming off a 26-24 win in the Alamo Bowl, where McCoy showed to be in good form. In '05, Ohio State took the momentium of an Alamo Bowl into the next season and a BCS Bowl Bid. Can Texas repeat it fueled by 7 returning starters on offense, 6 on defense and the return of their PK?
14. California (10-3) - The magazines just missed on the Golden Bears after picking them #13 in '06. The Golden Bears finished strong in '06 with a very solid 45-10 win over Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl, after losses at Tennessee 18-35 (season opener), at Arizona 20-24 and at USC 9-23. QB Nate Longshore and 7 other starters return on offense, as do both kickers and 5 on defense. Cal hosts Tennessee to kick off '07 along with 9 Pac Ten match ups, with only 4 at home for Coach Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears.
15. Arkansas (10-4) - The Razorbacks were unranked by most magazines entering '06. The blow out loss at home 14-50 to USC didn't warm many, but the Razorbacks climbed the ladder fueled by OT win over Alabama and upset win at Auburn. Three straight losses to LSU, Florida and to Wisconsin in Capital One Bowl may point to concern, since the Razorbacks entered '06 coming off a 5-6 and 4-7 season in '04 and '05, respectively. QB Casey Dick, RB Darren McFadden return with 4 others on offense, with 6 also returing on defense.
16. BYU (11-2) -The Cougars entered '06 unranked and considered the #3 team in the MWC by most magazines. After a season opening loss at Arizona 13-16 and a 2OT loss at BC 23-30, the BYU Cougars ran the table at 8-0 in the MWC capping off the season with a 38-8 win in the Las Vegas Bowl over Oregon. Coach Bronco Mendenhall will have open '07 with a new QB surround by 6 returning starters on offense and 7 on defense. BYU hosts Arizona in opener on September 1st.
17. Notre Dame (10-3) - Why many of the magazines had Notre Dame #1 in the preseason still amazes me, as I reflect on '06. Coach Charlie Weis is respected for his work in the NFL under New England's Bill Belichick, but it can be a tough road coaching at your alma mater. Coach Weis will have to replace #1 QB Brady Quinn along with a host of others. Four starters return on offense, 5 on defense, along with the #1 punter. The LSU loss in the Sugar 14-41 was the seventh bowl loss in row, dating back to January 1995 for the Fighting Irish. Michigan and USC were the Irish's other two losses. Best quality win was vs. Penn State 41-17. It should be interesting to see BC return to South Bend on October 13th, after being off the schedule the past 2 seasons.
18. Wake Forest (11-3) - Most preseason magazines had Wake picked dead last in the Atlantic Division of the ACC entering '06. Coming off a three straight losing season and back to back 4-7 records, Wake Forest won the ACC title, despite losses to Clemson and Virginia Tech at home. While they lost the Orange Bowl game to Louisville, hats off to Coach Jim Grobe with a freshman QB under center. QB Riley Skinnner and 8 others return on offense, while 5 on defense and dual kicker return. The ACC could be stronger in '07.
19. Virginia Tech (10-3) - The Hokies entered '06 at about #17 according to the magazines. Back to back losses to Coastal Division Champ Georgia Tech and at BC in the ACC cost the Hokies in the regular season. The Hokies were knocked off by Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl 24-31 to close the season. But, the campus shooting this spring was clearly the biggest setback for the Hokie Nation and this country. Coach Frank Beamer and his Hokies will work to rebound qith QB Sean Glennon and 7 other starters returning on offense, whil 8 return on defense. Hokies first road test comes in week 2 at LSU.
20. Boston College (10-3) - Many magazines expected a bigger slip by BC in '06 having the Eagles unranked. BC benefited from 2 early OT wins over Clemson and BYU. The 3 losses came in the ACC at NC State, at Wake and at Miami. Coach Tom O'Brien closed out his final game for BC with a win in the Meineke Car Care Bowl 25-24 over Navy. New Coach Jeff Jagodzinski returns QB Matt Ryan and 6 others starters on offense, with 9 returning on defense along with #1 punter. Strangely, BC opens with 3 straight ACC games right off, including 2nd week vs. former coach Tom O'Brien and NC State.
21. Oregon State (10-4) - Most magazines had the Beavers unranked entering '06, after a 5-6 record in '05. The Beavers lost 3 of their games in the first half of the regular season at Boise State, vs. California and Washington State. The Beavers went 7-1 the rest of the way, falling at UCLA 7-25, but including a 39-38 win over Missouir in the Sun Bowl. Coach Mike Riley must replace his #1 QB, but 8 starters do return on offense, along with 8 on defense and both kickers. 5 of 9 Pac Ten games are on the road.
22. TCU (11-2) - The magazines had TCU at #24 and the top team in the MWC entering '06. However, losses to BYU and at Utah to open the MWC were the Horned Frogs only set backs. The Horned Frogs took out their frustrations on Northern Illinois 37-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl. While Coach Gary Patterson will have a new #1 QB, 5 starters do return on offense, along with 9 on defense and the #1 PK. Games with Baylor and at Texas should make for an interesting start for the Horned Frogs fans.
23. Georgia (9-4) - The magazines had the Bulldogs around #16 entering '06, so finishing 4-4 isn't what they had in mine. A win in the Chick-fil-A Bowl over Virginia Tech 31-24 took away a little sting, but losses to Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Florida in back to back weeks, with 3 at home isn't what Coach Mark Richt and the Bulldog fans expect. QB Matthew Stafford after going 6-2 as a frosh starter last year. He will have 6 other offensive starters, 4 on defense and his PK returning for '07. Georgia kicks off '07 hosting the Big 12's Oklahoma State in Athens.
24. Penn State (9-4) - Most of the magazines had Penn State, coming off a Big Ten title, at #18 nationally and #4 in the Big Ten. Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions closed out the campaign with a sound 20-10 win over Tennesseee in the Outback Bowl. Losses came at Notre Dame, at Ohio State, vs. Michigan and at Wisconsin. The schedule drops Northwestern and Minnesota in the Big Ten, by adding Indiana and Iowa back on. Joe Pa returns QB Anthony Morelli and 7 other offensive starters, 6 on defense and their PK.
25. Tennessee (9-4) - Most magazines had the Volunteers ranked at #23 in '06 and coming off a 5-6 record in '05. The Volunteers were improved, but lost to Florida, LSU, at Arkansas and in the Outback Bowl vs. Penn State. Coach Phillip Fulmer returns starting QB Erik Ainge, 5 others on offense, 5 on defense and P Britton Colquitt. A trip to Cal to open the season will be a stern test.
26. special mention - Hawaii (11-3) - The Warriors were ranked in the final coaches Top 25 (#24, instead of Georgia, who was only in the AP final 25). The preseason magazines had Hawaii #4 in the WAC entering '06 and unranked nationally. The Warriors opened with a loss at Alabama and in the 3rd game at Boise State. The only other loss was to Oregon State to close the regular season. The Warriors capped off the season with a Hawaii Bowl win over Arizona State 41-24. QB Colt Brennan returns for Coach June Jones in '07, along with 5 other offensive starters, 8 defensive starters and the #1 PK. The Warroirs close the WAC season hosting Boise State, which may settle the WAC title this year.
27. C-USA mention - Houston (10-4) - Most magazines entering '06 didn't have the Cougars pegged to win the C-USA title game, let alone their division title. Houston beat Oklahoma State, then narrowly missed at Miami, FL. The other 3 losses came vs. Louisianna-Lafayette, at Southern Miss and in the Liberty Bowl vs. South Carolina. Houston won the title game 34-20 over Southern Miss. Coach Art Briles rebounds in '07 with 6 returning on offense, 7 on defense and with the #1 PK. Houston visits Oregon to kick off the season on September 1.
28. MAC mention - Central Michigan (10-4) - The preseason magazines didn't have the Chippewas pegged for division title in '06. But, now departed coach Brian Kelly lead the Chippewas to the MAC title, before heading to University of Cincinnati to coach them in them in their bowl game. Losses came vs. BC, at Michigan, at Kentucky and at Northern Illinois. The Chippewas won the Motor City Bowl over the Sun Belt's Middle Tennessee 31-14 to capture their first bowl win ever in 3 tries. New Coach Butch Jones will have 7 starters on offense and defense, plus punter. Included is the #1 QB Dan LeFevour, who was last year's MAC frosh of the year.
29. Sun Belt mention - Troy (8-5) - Most magazines had Troy pegged at #4 and not at the top of the Sun Belt in '07. Troy closed out the '06 season with a solid 41-17 win in the New Orleans Bowl, for their first bowl win ever in 2 tries. Losses came at Florida State, at Georgia State, at Nebraska, at UAB in four straight games, then a loss vs. Arkansas State for the only loss in conference for the season. Coach Larry Blakeney returns #1 QB Omar Haugabook and 4 other starters on offense, plus 8 on defense and #1 PK. Troy will host Oklahoma State on September 14th after road trips to Arkansas and Florida.
30. Missing from Top 25 at season's end in '06 - These teams were ranked by the magazines in last season's preseason rankings, but failed to finish in the Top 25 at the end of the season (preseason ranking shown): #10 Florida State (7-6) - beat UCLA in Emerald Bowl 44-27, #12 Miami-FL (7-6) - beat Nevada in the MPC Computers Bowl 21-20, #15 Iowa (6-7) lost to Texas in the Alamo Bowl 24-26, #19 Nebraska (9-5) - lost to Auburn in the Cotton Bowl 14-17, #20 Texas Tech (8-5) - beat Minnesota in OT in the Insight Bowl 44-41, #21 Clemson (8-5) - lost to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl 20-28 , #22 Arizona State (7-6) - lost to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl 24-41 and #25 Oregon. (7-6) - lost to BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl 8-38.

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