An Early Look Ahead to the 2008 College Football Season

The 2007 College Football season just ended, but here's a brief look at some of the top teams for next season.

USC
USC could easily be the top team for next season, especially if their star defensive players come back.  Jr. LB's Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing may enter the draft along with 3 of their defensive linemen in Kyle Moore, Sedrick Ellis, and Fili Moala.  They should have a stellar secondary again with Cary Harris, Kevin Ellison, and Taylor Mays all back.  The offense should be great as well, Mark Sanchez and Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain will battle for the QB position.  We all know they'll have plenty of depth at RB with Joe McKnight, injured C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, and Chauncey Washington all likely back along with stud WR's Vidal Hazelton and Patrick Turner.

Florida 
Florida could and will likely return 16 starters from a team that started a total of 9 sophomores this season.  Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is back along with one of the most electrifying players in the nation in Percy Harvin.  The addition of former USC RB Emmanuel Moody should boost a terrific offense even more. They lose 3 key offensive linemen, but they have plenty of depth there.  WR's Louis Murphy, Riley Cooper, and Jarred Fayson are back as well.  One of the top TE's in Cornelius Ingram will be back.  The defense will have 9 starters back, could be 10 but DE Derrick Harvey is leaving for the draft.  The Gators have plenty of depth on the line and the LB's should be solid with Brandon Spikes, Dustin Doe, and Ryan Stamper all back.  The secondary will be experienced with up-coming safety Major Wright.

West Virginia
If the off-season goes according to plans the Mountaineers will have one of the best offense's in the nation.  QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton could jump for the draft, but if they come back watch out!  We all know Noel Devine will be back and he's one of the top RB's in the nation.  How will their new coach handle a head coaching stunt?  The defense loses 7 starters but they have plenty of depth and the offense could make up for the losses.

Georgia
Georgia looked solid this season, they return a boatload of talent.  They return 17 starters that includes QB Matt Stafford, RB Knowshon Moreno, redshirt frosh Caleb King could be just as good.  Most of the offensive line will be back and the defense will be solid, the front is all back along with 2 solid LB's.  The secondary may be need a little tune up.  They'll have a very daunting schedule as they travel to Arizona St. and back to back games at LSU and Florida.

Oklahoma
16 starters could all be back, with 9 on offense.  QB Sam Bradford was one of the best in the country as a redshirt freshman.  Freshman tailback Demarco Murray is back, WR's Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelly could be back as well, but Kelly is expected to enter the draft.  The secondary loses 2 starters.  They'll need to find someone who can step up and do some damage on the line. 

Missouri
Is Missouri a one hit wonder?  Chase Daniel is back at QB but the offense loses quite a bit of starters with 7 leaving.  The defense shoud be solid with 10 starters back.

Ohio St.
The Ohio St. University returns a great amount of talent from the runner up squad of '07.  QB Todd Boeckman is back, Chris "Beanie" Wells should be one of the top backs in the nation.  All 3 starting wide-outs should be back which includes Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline, and Ray Small. 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen are back and one of the top defenses in the country could return as many as 10 starters.  LB James Laurinaitis and DE Vernon Gholston are expected to leave though, same with DB Malcolm Jenkins.

Other teams to keep an eye on: LSU, Clemson, Texas, Arizona St., Virginia Tech, Kansas, Wisconsin, Penn St., Auburn, & Illinois.

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