Here is my Top 15 for teams not in the BCS Conferences
1. BYU-Led by Junior QB Max Hall, the Cougars are my pick to make it into one of the BCS Bowls. Also, Mountain West Freshman of the Year RB Harvey Unga should help lead the explosive offense.
2. Fresno State-Always has a good team and should be back with another great year. They have depth at running back, and a solid leader in Quaterback Tom BrandStater.
3. Boise State-7 of their 8 players in the secondary are back and RB Ian Johnson returns as well. They also have Fresno State and Hawaii at home.
4. UCF-Even without Kevin Smith, the Knights should find ways to win with their experienced defense and a sturdy O-Line.
5. Utah-RB Darrel Mack and QB Brian Johnson should lead an offense back to another great year. They host both TCU and BYU in conference play this year.
6. Tulsa-Though they need to replace a 5,000 yard passer, the Golden Hurricanes should still keep its great offensive tempo going with returning starters Tarrion Adams at running back, and Trae Johnson at WR.
7. Central Michigan-The offense is returning 5 All-MAC Players from last year, including QB Dan LeFevour. As long as they upgrade their pass defense this team should be in good shape.
8. Florida Atlantic-The Sun Belt champions return 17 starters, including all of QB Rusty Smith's offensive weapons from last year.
9. Notre Dame-They have a decent LB and Secondary core, and if they establish the run game early in the season, this team should improve from last year's nightmare.
10. Hawaii-With an experienced Offensive line returning, and knowing that QB Tyler Graunke has some talent, the Warriors take the 10th spot in my poll.
11. TCU-The Horned Frogs are returning depth at the Secondary and Running Back positions. They do need to work on finishing close games, as they lost 3 games by seven points or less last season.
12. Southern Miss-The Golden Eagles did get a new coach, but with standout signing receiver Deandre Brown coming to the South the offense looks like its ready to unload.
13. Air Force-The Falcons need to replace a great running back in Chad Hall, but this team is coming off of a great year in 2007.
14. Troy-The Trojans got snubbed last year after being unable to finish off against FAU, but the Trojans are back and ready to make it into the postseason.
15. Navy-After losing a heartbreaker to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl, the #1 ranked running attack returns after a suprising and strong 2007 season.
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I'd put Central Michigan a little higher, but good list besides that.
*LSU* Later Gators
West Monroe, LA
Total Comments (2907)
I like this blog. Troy is a good pick. I don't think ND should be so high just yet following last year. Not sure if Clausen will perform to expectations or not. See if Weis' own recruiting class will be successful or not.
RHATER is Gone.
Total Comments (3520)
I'd put CMU higher as well,Just ask Dawgee.LeFouver is a great QB.
And my,how far Florida Atlantic has come.
(Cincy)
Jamestown, OH
Total Comments (11295)
I put ND so high because of their recruiting classes that they've had, and they do have some great defenders coming back, they just need to learn how to play together, and they can be a solid, bowl-caliber team
Mike4redsox: Is…
Omaha , NE
Total Comments (1108)
Good list... although I'm not sure about So.Miss - hard to gauge whether or not the coaching change will be positive (more of the same) or negative at this time.
MadCat88
Tehachapi , CA
Total Comments (17)
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