6.
Virginia Tech Hokies
2006 Record: 10-3, 6-2
ACC
With the tragedy of last April
still weighing on the minds of Hokie Nation, Virginia Tech enters the 2007 season with
loads of inspiration. Like they need, though? The Hokies return 16 starters,
including eight from the nation’s top-ranked defense from a year ago.
Quarterback Sean Glennon and tailback Brandon Ore lead an offense that returns
its top two receivers and four offensive linemen. The defense is spearheaded by
heralded linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall. Other than a road trip to LSU
in week two, the non-conference slate is a cakewalk with William & Mary, Ohio U. and
East Carolina. The Hokies get Miami, Florida State and
Boston
College all in Lane Stadium
as well.
7.
Michigan
Wolverines
2006 Record: 11-2, 7-1 Big
Ten
Michigan felt they should have been playing
for the national title last season. But the disappointment of being left out of
the big game turned to misery when the Wolverines got drilled by USC 32-18 in
the Rose Bowl. It got even worse when Ohio State,
the only team to beat Big Blue, also got it handed to them 41-14 by Florida in the national
title game. But there is optimism in the fact that Michigan returns 12
starters, seven on offense, including quarterback Chad Henne and running back
Mike Hart. Back are the top two wideouts, including Mario Manningham. The
defense has some holes to fill with only four starters returning. The schedule
is pretty tough with non-conference games versus Notre Dame and Oregon. Michigan does go to Wisconsin, but they get do get Ohio State in the Big House.
8.
Oklahoma
Sooners
2006 Record: 11-3, 7-1 Big
XII
The Sooners have been out of the
national title picture for the past two years. The reason – the revolving door
at quarterback. The Sooners will start their third different quarterback in as
many seasons this year. Also, Adrian Peterson is gone to the NFL. However, Bob
Stoops’ team has 16 starters back, eight on offense, six on defense as well as
the starting kicker and punter. Both of the teams starting receivers return with
Malcolm Kelly leading the way. Tackles Corey Bennett and Steven Coleman
spearhead the defensive efforts. The schedule includes a visit from the Miami
Hurricanes, but other than the trip to Dallas for
the Red River Shootout with Texas, things seem to go the Sooners way. OU
gets Texas A&M and rival Oklahoma
State in Norman.
9.
Tennessee
Volunteers
2006 Record: 9-4, 5-3
SEC
The Volunteers looked to be headed
to big things a year ago, that was until a key injury to Erik Ainge dashed the
Vols postseason hopes. However, Ainge returns to a Tennessee team that
returns 13 starters, seven on the offensive side of the ball. A year ago, three
of the Vols four losses came to top 15 teams and UT scored 35-percent of its
total points in the fourth quarter, rallying for four of its nine wins. Ainge,
along with LaMarcus Coker, highlight the offensive roster while end Xavier Mitchell and free safety Jonathan Hefney standout defensively. Things should
clear up quickly for the Vols as they travel to California in the first week of the season. In
week three, Tennessee travels to defending
national champion Florida. After that, the Vols get both
Georgia and Arkansas at
home.
10.
California
Golden Bears
2006 Record: 10-3, 7-2
Pac-10
Jeff Tedford’s Cal Golden
Bears were primed for a national championship run going into the 2006 season.
However, an early setback to Tennessee spoiled things right out of the
gate. With quarterback Nate Longshore and star receiver DeSean Jackson back, the
Bears get another crack at the Volunteers, this time on the home turf, as
Cal goes
hunting for a Pac-10 title. The Bears return 14 starters, including seven on
offense. Cal
has a stable of linebackers, is solid in the secondary and feature excellent
specialists. The biggest question mark surrounds replacing all-everything
running back Marshawn Lynch. The schedule is difficult, despite getting USC and
Tennessee at
home. The Bears travel to Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona State and UCLA.