College Football's Rodney Dangerfield?

[Buck_Naked]

Here's some Forum fodder:
Looks like the "experts" aren't too impressed with the strides UK has made in the past 2 seasons. It doesn't really surprise me though, considering the boatload of unanswered questions that await the 2008 team on the offensive side of the ball. Six SEC teams in here, but their pick at No. 24 is a bit confusing (what is it "they" say about opinions? LOL!!).

Rivals.com 2008 Preseason Top 25: Jan. 8 (Straight from their website):
1. USC (11-2)
Putting USC at the top is a safe pick because the Trojans annually win their conference, earn a BCS bid and play their best at the end of the season.
2. Georgia (11-2)
Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will give the Bulldogs one of the nation's top quarterback/tailback duos.
3. Ohio State (11-2)
The Buckeyes' title hopes could depend on whether potential first-round picks Vernon Gholston, James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins stay in school.
4. Oklahoma (11-3)
Quarterback Sam Bradford will try to build on his outstanding freshman campaign while leading a team that could return as many as 17 starters.
5. Missouri (12-2)
The Tigers should return three 2007 Rivals.com All-America selections in quarterback Chase Daniel, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and free safety William Moore.
6. Florida (9-4)
You know that offense will rack up some points, but the Gators' defense must get a whole lot better.
7. West Virginia (11-2)
The Mountaineers hope the expected returns of Pat White, Steve Slaton and Noel Devine on offense will compensate for heavy graduation losses on defense.
8. LSU (12-2)
The Tigers lose tons of talent on both sides of the ball, but they have plenty of former four- and five-star prospects ready to replace them.
9. Auburn (9-4)
Auburn's biggest losses are on the sideline, as they must adjust to a new offense and find a replacement for departed defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
10. Clemson (9-4)
With so much talent back on offense and defense, the Tigers can't come up short in a big situation again. Can they?
11. Kansas (12-1)
The Jayhawks could be even stronger than they were this season. They'll need to be better now that they no longer avoid Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.
12. BYU (11-2)
If the Cougars beat Washington and UCLA in September, they might not lose all season.
13. Virginia Tech (11-3)
The Hokies' hopes of contending for anything beyond an ACC title rest on whether cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Victor Harris return to school.
14. Texas (10-3)
The Longhorns are banking on Will Muschamp's arrival to boost a defense that struggled up until its bowl game this season.
15. Wisconsin (9-4)
The Badgers have a big question mark at quarterback, but they look solid just about everywhere else.
16. Illinois (9-4)
Rashard Mendenhall's decision to enter the NFL Draft will make it tougher for the Illini to prove they're not just a one-season wonder.
17. Texas Tech (9-4)
The Harrell-to-Crabtree combination will give Big 12 defensive coordinators plenty of sleepless nights next season.
18. Oregon (9-4)
The Sun Bowl proved how dangerous this team can be if it gets consistency from its quarterback, but the Ducks must go on the road to face USC, California, Arizona State and Oregon State.
19. Arizona State (10-3)
Rudy Carpenter returns to work behind a retooled line that has to do a better job of protecting him.
20. Penn State (9-4)
The last time Penn State had a quarterback as run-oriented as Daryll Clark, Michael Robinson led the Nittany Lions to an Orange Bowl title.
21. Tennessee (10-4)
Uncertainty at quarterback and offensive coordinator prevents us from ranking the Vols any higher.
22. South Florida (9-4)
The offense should be better than this season's, but the Bulls will have a tough time replacing cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams.
23. Michigan (9-4)
The Wolverines could have some growing pains as they adjust to new coach Rich Rodriguez and his spread offense.
24. South Carolina (6-6)
This is a leap of faith considering how the Gamecocks ended 2007, but we're guessing South Carolina should have one of the nation's most improved teams.
25. Wake Forest (9-4)
Jim Grobe's decision not to go to Arkansas assures that Wake Forest once again will have the coaching edge in just about every game it plays next fall.

[SBCatMan]

I will be surprised if we get much pre-season love going into 2008. "Experts" tend to be supreficial. They will look at UK and see no Woodson, No Woodyard, no Tamme, No Burton and think "no team." They will not see the deep and experienced defense, the solid offensive line and the nice stable of fine running backs. It will take another bowl or two before we start to get any consistent recognition.

[billoliver40]

I will be surprised if we get much pre-season love going into 2008. "Experts" tend to be supreficial. They will look at UK and see no Woodson, No Woodyard, no Tamme, No Burton and think "no team." They will not see the deep and experienced defense, the solid offensive line and the nice stable of fine running backs. It will take another bowl or two before we start to get any consistent recognition.

Agreed. Two years don't a dynasty make in football. Look at Boise State.
What's their record over the past four years? five, six losses? Even with
the win over OU, their ain't much love. UK will have to have another bowl season this year, PLUS have an 8 or 9 win season the next to turn the heads of the media.

[Hanover Cat]

Looks like the Buckeyes are being set up for the fall once more.

I hope they don't play in the big game again.

Maybe they'll get lucky: the SEC teams could beat each other up and knock each other out of the championship game. Then again, maybe they won't.

[PeachtreeCat]

Here is the AJC's take on this subject:
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 2008 TOP 25: WHO'S NO. 1 (NEXT SEASON)?
By Tony Barnhart (tbarnhart@ajc.com)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/08/08

1. Georgia
(2007 season: 11-2)
The Dogs return 17 starters and will add redshirt RB Caleb King (below) and incoming freshman A.J. Green, one of the top high school receivers in the country. The road schedule looks really tough. Make your plans for Jacksonville (vs. Florida) now.
2. USC (11-2)
Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain will compete with Mark Sanchez to replace John David Booty at quarterback. Either one will do the job well, and the Trojans will just keep rolling.
3. Ohio State (11-2)
Only two seniors were in the starting lineup for Monday night's BCS championship game with LSU. The Buckeyes again will be the class of the Big Ten in 2008.
4. Florida (9-4)
The Gators return two of the best offensive players in college football, Heisman Trophy winner QB Tim Tebow and WR Percy Harvin. Next season they will finally have a big-time running back in USC transfer Emmanuel Moody.
5. Missouri (12-2)
If RB Tony Temple is granted another year of eligibility due to a medical hardship, he'll join QB Chase Daniel and WR Jeremy Maclin to form the nation's best offense.
6. West Virginia (11-2)
Pat White (right) will return at quarterback, but we're not so sure about RB Steve Slaton. But if he comes back the Mountaineers will be favored to win the Big East again under new coach Bill Stewart.
7. LSU (12-2)
The Tigers lose the most successful senior class in school history, but a ton of great players return. Among them will be Ryan Perrilloux, who will finally get his turn to be the full-time QB.
8. Illinois (9-4)
The Illini got hammered in the Rose Bowl, but they return QB Juice Williams and WR Arrelious Benn. Ron Zook will miss RB Rashard Mendenhall, who decided to turn pro.
9. Texas (10-3)
Coach Mack Brown found out late in the season that he needed to start giving his team some tough love. With QB Colt McCoy returning, look for the Longhorns to play Missouri for the Big 12 title.
10. Clemson (9-4)
If everybody returns, Clemson could win the ACC championship next season. QB Cullen Harper of Alpharetta will be a senior and could have running backs James Davis and C.J.Spiller again. The defense returns nine starters.
11. Kansas (12-1)
Quarterback Todd Reesing (3,486 yards, 33 TDs) will return for his junior season, but the defense will be without CB Aqib Talib, who is turning pro.
12. Auburn (9-4)
Tommy Tuberville's change in offense will pay dividends in 2008 as QB Kodi Burns becomes a star. The Tigers will have to replace defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who left for Texas.
13. Oklahoma (11-3)
It will not be a fun offseason in Norman after the Sooners got embarrassed (48-28) in the Fiesta Bowl. But there is reason for optimism. QB Sam Bradford (3,121 yards, 36 TDs) returns, as does RB DeMarco Murray (764 yards, 13 TDs). The Sooners will miss RB Allen Patrick (1,009 yards).
14. Arizona State (10-3)
With QB Rudy Carpenter (3,202 yards passing) coming back, the Sun Devils will be the second-best team in the Pac-10.
15. Virginia Tech (11-3)
Both quarterbacks, Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon, plus running back Branden Ore return for the ACC champions. The Hokies will miss linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi.
16. BYU (11-2)
With sophomore QB Max Hall (3,848 yards, 26 TDs) returning next season, the Cougars will again be the class of the Mountain West.
17. Tennessee (10-4)
The Volunteers have to find a new quarterback and replace most of their offensive staff, but there are a lot of good young players on this team, including sophomore DB Eric Berry.
18. Wisconsin (9-4)
Sophomore RB P.J. Hill will be a Heisman Trophy candidate as the Badgers challenge Ohio State and Illinois in the Big Ten.
19. Wake Forest (9-4)
The Deacons won nine games this season after winning the ACC championship in 2006. QB Riley Skinner (2,204 yards, 12 TDs) returns.
20. Texas Tech (9-4)
QB Graham Harrell (5,705 yards, 48 TDs) returns for his senior season with a chance to break every major passing record at Texas Tech. Harrell will have the nation's best young receiver, rising sophomore Michael Crabtree, again as his primary target.
21. Penn State (9-4)
The Nittany Lions have to replace QB Anthony Morelli and RB Rodney Kinlaw, but Joe Paterno is ready to return for his 43rd season as head coach.
22. Michigan (9-4)
Rich Rodriguez takes over a program that loses a bunch of good seniors, but his offense will be hard to handle for the rest of the Big Ten. By the end of the 2008 season, the Wolverines will be pretty competitive.
23. Boise State (10-3)
With Hawaii coach June Jones gone to SMU, look for Boise State to return as the WAC's best program. TB Ian Johnson returns for his senior season, but the Broncos have another great back in Jeremy Avery.
24. Connecticut (9-4)
With sophomore RB Andre Dixon (828 yards rushing) and junior QB Tyler Lorenzen (2,367 yards, 13 TDs) both returning, the Huskies could challenge West Virginia in the Big East.
25. Oregon State (9-4)
The Beavers return a pair of talented quarterbacks in Sean Canfield (1,661 yards) and Lyle Moevao (876), who will fight it out in the spring for the starting job. But Oregon State will miss RB Yvenson Bernard (1,214 rushing yards, 13 TDs).
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedition/2008/01/08/predictions0108.html

And another from our friend:icon_lol: Mark Bradley:
How do you actually know when it's your year?
Much of it, duh, has to do with players. LSU had 15 holdover starters but lost four NFL first-round draftees from the team that finished No. 3 in the rankings. Georgia is scheduled to have 17 starters back, which augurs nicely. But LSU had something Georgia won't have.
Back when Florida State was a factor, Bobby Bowden used to say, "You can have a national-championship team but not a national-championship schedule." (He pronounces it "SKED-jule.") The Tigers had the requisite series of high-profile games, and four of what appeared to be their six toughest games were staged in Baton Rouge.
The Bulldogs, by way of contrast, must face South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU and Auburn on the road and Florida in Jacksonville. (They also have to go to Kentucky, which won't be as formidable next season.) Only two or three of Georgia's eight toughest games —- Alabama, Tennessee and, depending on how well and how quickly Paul Johnson works, Georgia Tech —- will be played in Sanford Stadium. That's a really rutty road.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedition/2008/01/09/bowlbradley0109.html

[Hanover Cat]

I would be more upset about this if we actually had beaten South Carolina this year. Still, it is aggravating.

The thing I appreciated most about the Cats this year was their physical play. When you have a wide receiver knocking people out, you know your team is tough. I don't think we will forget how to hit next year.

We will lose a lot of talent at the skill positions. The good news is our depth, speed, and size should improve to the point where it will help offset some of the drop-off we will have with the loss of our star players.

UT is rated too high.