The problem I have with this graphic is that USC needs to win ONE national championship before they could start to think of three.... To my knowledge, they don't even have one yet! :geaux:

i really don't think Michigan will be #1, well sincer their michigan, and they lose Braylon Edwards, who had half of Chad Henne's TD's, and i think they lose Marlin Jackson and maybe Shazor, i don't think Michigan can do it next year, but i think Ohio State will be good next year, pretty much everyone returns to the team

Oh, I don't think you can overlook any talented SEC team, but AU in 2003 and LSU in 2004 illustrate just how an otherwise talented team can be underwhelming without a consistent QB at the helm.

I think the gap between LSU (#1 in West) and Auburn (#2/3, right there with Alabama) is going to be substantial in 2005, but the rest of the West is nothing special, so AU can easily get 8 or more wins in 2005, I'd imagine.

The East, however, is poised to re-emerge as South Carolina and Florida should improve starting in 2005.

Anyways, I think a top two preseason ranking is absolutely correct, in part because voters take into account schedule, and that 2005 sched. looks pretty damn sweet.

Damn USC: if they do finish top two along with LSU---I know, a big "if"---they get to play LSU in the Rose Bowl.

I'm actually thinking the exact opposite. I believe that next years' team will likely be better than this one. The only problem is the killer schedule that includes games @ Ohio State, vs. OU, and @ A&M.

There is returning experience at running back. Selvin Young got a lot of playing time in his freshman year and some last year (he was slowed last year due to injury). He was hurt in the Arkansas game this year, but split drives with Benson during the first half of the North Texas game and had 102 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries. If Selvin Young stays healthy, the running game will be more than fine next year. Especially with a guy like Ramonce Taylor (10.5 YPC) to back him up. Not to mention that Jamaal Charles, who is arguably the best offensive player coming out of Texas in this year's recruiting class, will be coming in.
Vince Young has turned into a good passer this year that will get better with basically all of the offensive line returning and all of the receivers returning. Texas will also get a healthy Jordan Shipley, who was supposed to easily have the biggest impact of any freshman on the team this year before his injury. Texas will need to throw the ball a little more, but as long as Selvin Young stays healthy they will be fine.

As for the defense, I don't see any way that it can get worse assuming Greg Robinson stays for next year. Yes, they lose Derrick Johnson, but there are guys that can and will step up. Mostly Aaron Harris, who has had a great year.
Texas will return the whole defensive line. Not only that, but they will get a starting DE back in Mike Williams for next year. Derrick Johnson is the only linebacker leaving. He will not be replaced completely, but the LB corps will be solid. The defensive backs should also be better next year as Phillip Geiggar is the only one from the two deep that will be leaving. And Geiggar will be replaced by Michael Griffin, who might even be a better player.

Basically I agree with the whole list except that I don't think Auburn will be top 10.

Explain Michigan and Tennessee's 9-2 record....

Or even Iowa with Tate.

Michigan overall was very experienced, they had the best WR's in the nation and a very solid Defense, and Tenn had a very experienced team too, and they had 2 very good RB's

To be honest, it kind of scares me to see us ranked so high. I know it's not an official ranking, but....

On the other hand, DAMN IT FEELS GOOD!

The differences between the top 5 teams in a preseason poll are pretty negligible. However, It is awesome to think someone (outside the SEC) thinks the SEC should/could have 5 of the top 10 nationally. That will all change when the biased media starts voting.

I think the evaluation of LSU is good except CB. I think our CBs are going to be loaded next year. Nick asked more of his CBs than any defensive coordinator in the country. We have some dam good ones. Struggle early in games as well as the season but the 2nd half Nick makes adjustments and those young kids pick balls.

USC will be ranked top 5 next preseason… They have good talent and have a cake schedule all year. No doubt they will be undefeated at the end of the season and be lobbing to be in the BCS again. Looks like next year is our opportunity to whip a Trojan.

i agree that they were too hard on the DB's. landry is about as lights-out as they come. how many times do you hear about him getting passed on? he led the team in tackles in 2003, and i know that he led the team at some point late in this season (not sure how he finished). and daniels is not far behind at all. he's shown a tremendous amount of discipline and playmaking ability lately. each had 3 INTs this year. if prude gets his last year of eligibility (which he should), that trio by itself, IMO, consitutes one of the toughest defensive backfields in the NCAA.

now lets NOT forget about mario stevenson. this guy was a phenom in JuCo, and did very well in his shared playing-time role before being injured this year. and that was with basically no experience in sabans system. hopefully he can get granted a medical redshirt. chevis jackson also came a long way and did extremely well in his limited-time role, especially considering that he was a WR in high school. he covers about as close as you can (legally). craig steltz was one of the most highly coveted recruits at DB in america. we haven't seen what he can do yet, but by all accounts, it looks promising.

of course, you must also consider that saban, a defensive guru, is a DB specialist, having played the position in college. his complex system and countless looks are really conducive to each players strengths. remember, daniels wasn't nearly as coveted a recruit as the other players i mentioned. sabans coaching/system really helped make him into a great DB. just think of what it will do for these other guys.

as for the QB situation, i feel confident that it will pan out just fine. the staggering majority of russells mistakes and inconsistencies this year were academic. he wasnt nearly as familiar with jimbo's system as he should have been. far too often took it upon himself to reduce the number of steps in his drops, resulting in underthrown balls. he also showed very little ability to read defenses. from what i hear, flynn was randall's backup going into two-a-days, for these very reasons. supposedly, he's very heady, and can read D's like nobody's business. anyway, he was said to have experienced a sidelining and little-known injury in 2-a-days, thus surrendering the job to russell. either way, if he doesn't win the starting job next season, his grasp on the academic aspect of the game should push russell to improve in those areas. russell even admitted that he doesnt study the plays like he should. my guess is that he's got some lingering complacency from high school, where he likely never faced any real competition.