2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Day 12

We are starting into the TOP 10 with todays update.

TEAMS #6-10

#10 LSU Tigers (12-2, National Champs)
The Tigers have to replace their starting QB and RB, as well as half of their starting defense from last years title team and are still in the top 10. That just gives you an idea of how loaded the Tigers are. LSU will be breaking in a brand new QB after last years back-up Ryan Perrilloux was dismissed from the team. Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee will be under center this fall taking his 1st collegiate snaps. With all these problems and replacements to deal with Les Miles and LSU should still be right in the middle of the SEC West battle. The Tigers play at Florida and Auburn, but do get the Georgia Bulldogs in Baton Rouge, the home team has won 5 of the last 6 in that match-up.

#9 Texas Longhorns (10-3)
Colt McCoy is back for his 3rd year starting at Texas trying to forget about last years season when he threw 18 INT's. The Longhorn offense does lose RB Jamaal Charles and WR Limas Sweed, but still have tons of weapons on offense with WR's Quan Cosby (60 rec, 5 TD's) and Jordan Shipley (15.4 ypc, 5 TD's). The offensive line returns 4 of 5 starters and should be a strength of the team. On defense the Longhorns return MLB Rashad Bobino who does a little bit of everything for UT. New Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn should greatly help this defense which struggled at times last year, giving up over 25 ppg. The Longhorn will have to get work done on the road when they will play at Kansas and Texas Tech and as always square off with Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout in Dallas.

#8 Wisconsin Badgers (9-4)
The Badgers are the real threat to tOSU this season. Wisconsin led last year in Columbus 17-10 in the 3rd quarter before the Buckeyes scored 28 straight to win the game. During that game the Badgers played without PJ Hill, who ran for 1,212 yards and 14 TD's last year. The Badgers return 17 starters from last year and get Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois all at home. If Wisconsin can take care of the ball (-2 in turnovers last year) and get hot going into a tough October schedule, they will be this years Illinois and knock off the Buckeyes.

#7 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-2)
West Virginia returns Pat White and Noel Divine to the offense that ran all over the opposition last year (minus Pitt, 13-9!!). The WVU offense averaged nearly 300 ypg on the ground last year and almost 40 points a game (ran for 104 yards and 7 points, Pitt gave them the last 2). All that being said, oh yeah, did I mention that their coach, after crying and calling the game a "nightmare" left the program and caused the university to go to shambles? Just think had they only won that 1 game, the game where they were 28 point favorites, they would have been playing for the national title and RichRod would still be there. Instead they are in complete flux, they hired a coach on a whim because he coached 1 good game and now it is only a matter of time before the whole program goes down the tubes. 13-9 FOREVER!

#6 Missouri Tigers (12-2)
Missouri had one of the more fun and unpredictable offenses last season. They could throw it all over the field (QB Chase Daniels 307 ypg, 33 TD's) or the could run the ball down your throat (ask Texas A&M, the Tigers rushed for over 200 yards last year versus the Aggies). This year however they will lack the running threat. Last year Tony Temple carried the load on the ground, but he is gone and the next leading rusher from last year, also happens to be the teams leading receiver. A positive for the Tigers is that Oklahoma is not on the schedule. The Sooners were the only team to defeat Mizzou last year, beating them once in October and once again in the Big XII championship game. Missouri has a relatively easy schedule, missing Texas Tech this year also, and should go into the Texas game undefeated, if they win that one, they have clear sailing until the season finale against Kansas.

TOMORROW:
The TOP 5

ONLY 18 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON!!!!!