Trojans anchor poll highlighting six SEC teams

AP Preseason Top 25:

1. USC (62 first-place votes)

The Trojans once again appear to have the inside track on the rest of college football to return to the BCS National Championship game in January. Pete Carroll’s team was a near lock to match up against Ohio State in last year’s title game before a costly misstep in the season finale at UCLA, which will once again be USC’s last regular-season opponent and one of just three ranked opponents for the Trojans (Nebraska and California). Senior QB John David Booty will look to improve an offense that scored 48 touchdowns and averaged 387.9 yards per game a season ago.

First game: 9/1 vs. Idaho

2. LSU (2)

Leading the way in the ultra-competitive SEC are the LSU Tigers. The Bayou Bengals will be returning six senior starters, four of whom play on the defensive side of the ball and combined for 200 tackles, three sacks, six interceptions and 26 pass break-ups in 2006. Undeniably, QB JaMarcus Russell’s departure to the NFL will alter the complexion of this team. Senior QB Matt Flynn, who has thrown only 20 passes at the collegiate level, is now at the reigns. In addition to e xperience, Flynn also lacks Russell’s size and arm strength. The path is never an easy one in the SEC; LSU will face three conference opponents ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25, excluding a possible appearance in the conference championship game. In addition, it will host ninth-ranked Virginia Tech in week two. A major advantage for the Tigers will be playing seven games at home in Baton Rouge.

First game: 8/30 at Mississippi State

3. West Virginia (1)

WVU is poised to once again be a juggernaut. Returning are junior QB Pat White, junior RB Steve Slaton and senior RB Owen Schmitt on offense. Keep in mind that’s an offense that tallied 62 touchdowns and averaged 463 yards per game in 2006. If past performance is any indication, then the Mountaineers have a strong potential to finish this season undefeated. That being said, they might never rise past their No. 3 preseason ranking. Surrounded by teams in the poll with powerhouse opponents, West Virginia faces just two teams, Rutgers and Louisville, which are currently ranked. The team falls victim to having to schedule schools from a relatively weakened Big East that lacks past foes Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College. In addition, the conference has no championship game. AP voters might choose not to reward the Mountaineers, whose toughest non-conference opponents are Marshall and Maryland.

First game: 9/1 vs. Western Michigan

4. Texas
The Longhorns are no longer mourning the loss of Vince Young. The returning tandem of sophomore QB Colt McCoy and senior WR Limas Sweed make up part of a high-flying passing attack that averaged 222.3 passing yards per game a season ago. The offensive unit as a whole scored 55 touchdowns, more than twice as many as the 26 that the defense allowed. Texas can expect stiff Big 12 competition, plus a date with TCU in week two. Texas likely can afford a conference loss and still make it to New Orleans for the BCS National Championship game if it can win the Big 12 conference championship game.

First game: 9/1 vs. Arkansas State

5. Michigan

After coming close to an upset of Ohio State in last year’s regular-season finale, which would’ve earned the school a trip to Glendale to play for the national title, the Wolverines return with more promise and experience. They’ll put their BCS title hopes on the legs of senior RB Mike Hart. With 3,679 yards rushing, 29 touchdowns and only one lost fumble in his three years with Michigan, he’s the closest you’ll come to a sure thing in college football, along with junior WR Mario Manningham. Senior S Jamar Adams is the leader of the stringent defense. Equally sound in run stopping as pass coverage, Adams will be a sore in many offensive coordinators’ sides. Michigan’s first real test will come against Penn State on Sept. 22 and will try to defeat Ohio State for the fi rst time since 2003.

First game: 9/1 vs. Appalachian State

The rest of the field:

6. Florida
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia Tech
10. Louisville
11. Ohio State
12. California
13. Georgia
14. UCLA
15. Tennessee
16. Rutgers
17. Penn State
18. Auburn
19. Florida State
20. Nebraska
21. Arkansas
22. TCU
23. Hawaii
24. Boise State
25. Texas A&M

Local teams:

9. Virginia Tech

VT was already the sentimental pick for many around the nation to become ACC champions after the tragic shootings that took place on campus on April 16, but the Hokies are now considered to be the favorites to represent the ACC in a BCS game by the voters in an Associated Press poll. In week two, Tech faces a ranked non-conference opponent, No. 2 LSU, a challenge it did not have to face in 2006. The Hokies’ greatest asset is likely the return of their big three on offense: junior QB Sean Glennon, senior WR Eddie Royal and sophomore RB Branden Ore. That potent trio led the Hokies offense to 35 touchdowns in the season and an average of 304 yards per game. Not to be outdone was the defensive side of the ball, astonishingly giving up a mere 10 touchdowns on the season and an average of 221.1 yards per game. Beamer Ball also makes for exciting plays on special teams and allows VT to win games without always scoring an abundance of points.

First game: 9/1 vs. East Carolina

Virginia

In what seems to be a rarity in this age for major college programs, U.Va. is actually traveling to play as many teams on the gridiron as it is hosting: six. Other schools have been known to tip the schedule to as many as eight home contests. While the Cavaliers avoid playing an opponent currently ranked by the AP until November, their schedule is by no means a walk in the park. North Carolina, sure to be improved with Butch Davis as the head coach, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh are opponents in consecutive weeks. Another stretch features Maryland, North Carolina State, Wake Forest and Miami. While many of these opponents might be depleted of the talent once afforded to them several years ago, a conference rivalry is always enough to motivate any team, even if it is “rebuilding.” The season for U.Va. culminates in the Commonwealth Cup, as it has every year since 1996, with a battle against Virginia Tech for in-state supremacy. Thus far, the Cavs have posted just a 3-8 record in the annual rivalry.

First game: 9/1 at Wyoming

Richmond

The Spiders look to have a greater impact in the new-look CAA after finishing last season 3-5 in the conference and 6-5 overall. The fi rst half of their schedule looks to be grueling, as UR will take its act on the road for four of its first five games, with the toughest test hosting New Hampshire on Sept. 29. The leading rusher from a year ago, senior Tim Hightower, will look to better his 77.3 yards-per-game and 4.8 yards per carry averages. Sophomore QB Eric Ward, who played in 10 games as a freshman, will be handing the ball to Hightower and fl oating it into the arms of senior WR Arman Shields. Shields led the Spiders with 643 receiving yards and fi ve touchdowns in 2006.

First game: 9/1 at Vanderbilt

Editor’s conference picks

Jonathan Howard, sports editor
ACC: Virginia Tech
Big East: Louisville
Big 12: Texas SEC:
Arkansas Pac-10:
USC Big-10: Michigan

Matt Doyon, associate sports editor
ACC: Virginia Tech
Big East: West Virginia
Big 12: Oklahoma
SEC: Florida
Pac-10: USC
Big-10: Wisconsin