2012 College Football Preseason Top 10 Rankings: With the 2012-13 college football season getting closer, it is never too early to start ranking teams. Teams shifting conferences and rumors of a possible BCS playoff format have dominated the headlines during the offseason, but ultimately, the talent of the players on the field will decide the eventual national champion. With that in mind, here is a look at my preseason top 10 for the upcoming college football season.
2012 College Football Preseason Top 10 Rankings
1. LSU Tigers
After losing in the BCS Championship Game last year, the Tigers have the talent to finish the job this season. LSU has arguably the best defensive line in the country, and its talented secondary is led by playmaking corner Tyrann Mathieu. The offensive line isn’t too shabby either, and with two of the best tackles in the country, the Tigers should pound opponents into submission with their four-headed monster at running back. Perhaps most importantly, the addition of quarterback Zach Mettenberger should give the offense the balance it lacked last year. The schedule in the SEC is never easy, but Les Miles’ bunch is loaded for another title run.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
The defending national champs lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, including workhorse running back Trent Richardson. However, Nick Saban doesn’t rebuild. He reloads, and there are plenty of former five-star recruits waiting to step into to bigger roles. Quarterback A.J. McCarron showed in the BCS Championship Game that he is capable of leading the offense, and everyone on the Crimson Tide offense should benefit from the best offensive line in the country paving the way. Inexperience could be an issue, especially on defense, but a trip to Baton Rouge to face LSU looks like the only real hurdle for Alabama.
3. USC Trojans
Fresh off probation that banned them from postseason play, USC will immediately resurface as a national title threat. The Trojans have the Heisman frontrunner in quarterback Matt Barkley and the best receiver combination in Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. The offense should be pretty much unstoppable, and safety T.J. McDonald leads an improving defense loaded with athletes that can make game-changing plays. USC plays Oregon in the Coliseum so an undefeated season is a real possibility. The only question mark is whether a lack of depth caused reduced scholarships will become a factor.
4. Georgia Bulldogs
Coming off an appearance in the SEC championship game, Georgia has plenty of firepower back on both sides of the ball. Aaron Murray may just be the best quarterback prospect not named Matt Barkley, and sophomore running back Isaiah Crowell is primed for a big year after holding his own as a true freshman last season. On defense, linebacker Jarvis Jenkins leads an absolutely loaded defensive front capable of creating havoc and turnovers. Perhaps most importantly, Georgia dodges LSU, Alabama and Arkansas during the regular season. The Bulldogs should return to the conference title game and have a shot at upsetting whoever they face.
5. Oregon Ducks
Replacing quarterback Darron Thomas won’t be easy, but the Ducks have averaged well over 40 points per game since Chip Kelly came to town regardless of who has been under center. Not to mention the fact that running back Kenjon Barner and do-everything weapon De’Anthony Thomas are always one touch away from a touchdown. The defense isn’t elite, but it doesn’t have to be when the offense is perennial juggernaut. A showdown with the USC Trojans will likely be the only thing standing between the Ducks and an undefeated season.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
For the sixth time in his 13 years as head coach at Oklahoma, Bob Stoops failed to lead his team to a conference title. History says the Sooners will rebound in a big way. Oklahoma has a 50-8 record under Stoops following seasons in which it didn’t win a Big 12 championship. Quarterback Landry Jones leads a loaded offense, and the offensive line returns four starters from a unit that was among the best in the country last year. An offseason to adjust to life without receiver Ryan Broyles should greatly benefit Jones, who collapsed late last year when his top target was injured. The Sooners should pile up plenty of points this season and go back to being the class of the Big 12.
7. Florida State Seminoles
It is time for all the talent that Jimbo Fisher has amassed to deliver on the field. The return of defensive end Brandon Jenkins gives the Seminoles one of the best defenses in the country, especially when it comes to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Quarterback E.J. Manuel is playmaker for an offense that has plenty of speed but needs to find some consistency. The offensive line is the biggest question mark, but more than anything, Florida State needs to find a way to win the close games. The Seminoles are easily the most-talented team in the ACC, but returning the program to its glory days has proven a difficult task.
8. Michigan Wolverines
Brady Hoke made quite a first impression as head coach, leading the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl win. Expectations are even higher in year two, and Michigan might just have the X-factor to get it done. Quarterback Denard Robinson could be this year’s version of Robert Griffin III. He is the most dynamic offensive weapon in the country, and although he remains erratic as a passer, he can put points on the board whenever he touches the ball. The defense is a question mark and opening the season against the defending national champs isn’t fun, but on the arm and legs of Robinson, a Big Ten title is real possibility.
9. Arkansas Razorbacks
Huge expectations for Arkansas were suddenly hit with a big dose of reality when Bobby Petrino was fired as coach for the bizarre circumstances surrounding his motorcycle wreck. On the plus side, quarterback Tyler Wilson is one of the best in the nation, and talented running back Knile Davis should instantly return to elite status after missing last season with an injury. The defense struggled in big games, but overall, the unit can do more than enough to allow the high-powered offense to win games. In the end, the mental focus of the team following the Petrino firing will determine the success of Arkansas in 2012-13.
10. South Carolina Gamecocks
How loaded is the SEC? I have the Gamecocks in my top 10, which is only good enough to be the fifth-best team in the conference. Still, Steve Spurrier has maximized the results with the talent he has, abandoning his fun-and-gun style from his Florida days for a defensive-minded, run-oriented attack. With punishing workhorse running back Marcus Lattimore back from injury and plenty of talent on the defensive front, Spurrier has the perfect personnel for his system. The wild card is quarterback Connor Shaw, who looked like a potential game changer when he got his chance last to start last year. The play of Shaw could tip the scales, but the Gamecocks will be a tough out in every game regardless.
Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Football season for daily Hesiman Trophy 2012 Odds and Vegas College Football Lines plus daily updated 2012 BCS National Championship Futures Odds and 2012 College Bowl Odds. Also be sure to get Expert 2012 College Football Predictions weekly from the nation’s top College Football handicappers only on NSAwins.com!
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2012 College Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN SBG Global Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get upto a 265% BONUS instantly FREE. |
