FanNation

Rankings #21 - #25.

#1 - #5
#6 - #10
#11 - #15
#16 - #20
(see previous blogs, I'll post the links once the Fannation Glitches stop)

#21 - Michigan State.
Michigan State could be a darkhorse Big Ten challenger for 2008. Just take a look at their 2007 schedule, and note how their games went. All 6 losses, where by 7 points or less. Against the "powers" of the Big Ten, they fared even better. They lost by 3 at Wisconsin, by 7 at Ohio State, on a last minute drive at home against Michigan, and took ACC Champ participant Boston College down to the wire in their bowl game. Mind you, they played 8 bowl teams (Bowling Green, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, Purdue, Penn State, and Boston College in the bowl game). Two more of the teams on their schedule went 6-6, and would have been bowl bound if not for inexplicable losses (Iowa, who lost to Western Michigan; Northwestern, who lost to Duke). They also had a rather productive offense, most of which returns (those running backs...). I think Mark D is an excellent coach (he proved his ability as an assistant at Ohio State and a coach at Cincinnati) - and will have the Spartans a true force come 2008.

8/30, at California (excellent game to gauge the team)
9/6, Eastern Michigan
9/13, Florida Atlantic
9/20, Notre Dame (I wonder will the Irish be better in 2008)
9/27, at Indiana
10/4, Iowa
10/11, at Northwestern
10/18, Ohio State
10/25, at Michigan
11/1, Wisconsin
11/8, Purdue
11/22, at Penn State

#22 - Michigan.
I had UofM ahead of Michigan State originally, but UofM will lose a slew of starters on a team that relatively underachieved in 2007. That combined with a new offensive system under a new coach, and the departure of Mallett all have Michigan lowered a bit in my eyes. No doubt Rich Rod will bring change to UofM (and eventually the entire Big Ten), but I think it'll be another year or two before he competes for the conference crown. I wouldn't however, be surprised if he pulled a few major upsets in the conference. Yes, that includes against the seemingly Big Ten favorite Buckeyes, as our conference has notable struggles against a spread type offenses.

9/6, Miami (Ohio)
9/13, at Notre Dame
9/20, opponent TBA
9/27, Wisconsin
10/4, Illinois
10/11, Toledo
10/18, at Penn State
10/25, Michigan State
11/1, at Purdue
11/8, at Minnesota
11/15, Northwestern
11/22, at Ohio State

#23 - BYU.
You can't overlook BYU, especially after their run to finish off the 2007 season. A relatively young team, this BYU team could enter 2008 as the #1 "BCS Buster". If they survive their non-conference schedule, with isn't hard to fathom at this point, I would be relatively shocked if BYU DOESN'T go undefeated. Their conference schedule should bring the usual "few bumps along the road", but it's nothing this team can't handle. BYU's non-conference schedule has been set, the conference schedule has yet to be finalized.

8/30. Northern Iowa (you can't take this I-AA power lightly)
9/6, at Washington
9/13, ULCA
10/3, at Utah State

*I'll post the conference schedule once finalized by the AD.

#24 - Wake Forest.
Jim Grobe has done a great coaching job in Winston - Salem, and he is loved throughout the area (my hometown is 45 minutes from Winston - Salem). I expect the Demon Deacons to again be a 8 or 9 win team, and will even go as far as to say they could once again challenge for their division (and a berth to the ACC title game). Of course, they'll have to get past a Clemson team that should be the 2008 ACC favorite.

(Schedule unavailable and not yet finalized for 2008)

#25 - Fresno State.
I had UVA in this spot, but it looks like the quarterback (Sewell) could be ineligible for 2008 due to him not being enrolled this current semester. So in place of the Cavs, I'll insert the Bulldogs. They progressed tremendously after a down 2006 season, and I think they'll continue to progress into 2008 since the team is relatively young. This spot could change as the year goes on, but right now there aren't many noticable or indesicernable teams to take #25. Fresno State's schedule is not finalized for 2008 due to dropped game and movement of the Hawaii/ WAC games. I will post it once it's available.

Coming tomorrow/ soon:
The other teams who could make noise in 2008.