1. USC
2. Ohio State
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. LSU

50. Central Florida

Since the official components of the BCS poll are not available, BCS Guru has substitited the AP Poll rankings for the Harris Poll results, and used a median of 23 football computer polls to substitute for those computer polls which have not been published. All in all, it's an outcome that would likely be remarkable similar to the actual poll, were it available.

For those watching for Cinderella, look no further than #15 BYU. The Cougars get more love from the computers than the human polls, which could indicate some room for BYU to move up closer to the BCS top ten if they can impress more voters in advance of the first official results. Utah (#20) and Fresno State (#24) finish out the top twenty-five for the non-BCS teams.

Check out the full results and the backstory over at BCS Guru!

Comment on Unofficial BCS Poll Standings - Week 1...

ESPN College GameDay Appearances By School

Rank School Shows
1. Florida 28
2. Ohio State 22
3t. Florida State 21
3t. Michigan 21
5t. Notre Dame 18
5t. Oklahoma 18
7t. Tennessee 17
7t. Miami (Fla.) 17
9. Nebraska 15
10. Southern Cal 14

Note: The list takes into account that Corso and the gang roll into Gainesville this weekend for Steve Spurrier's favorite matchup.

Interesting that LSU, Georgia, Texas, West Virginia, and other traditional powers don't make the list. I guess that just goes to show how dominate Nebraska, FSU, and Miami were in days gone by.

Comment on Top 10 ESPN GameDay appearances ranked by team...

Unlike a lot of Heisman watches, my preseason list is intended to determine which players have the best chance of actually winning the trophy at season’s end. If a player does not have a realistic shot at winning the Heisman, he is not on this list.

Therefore, the following ranking is NOT a prediction of the eventual order of the voting (so calm down Gator fans), but a gauge of the strengths of each of the top candidates based on The Ten Heismandments. Other players who are not on this list will get votes and finish high in the race but won’t win.  I will put out top 10 updates predicting the order of the vote from time to time, but this is not one of those times.

I can say with extreme confidence that the Heisman winner will come from the following group of players. THESE ARE THE GUYS WITH THE BEST CHANCE! Here we go:

1. Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, Jr., RB., Ohio State–A perfect candidate. A top talent from a traditional power that will compete for a national title. Has the schedule and the name recognition to run away with this. His stiff arm could be more famous than the trophy’s by season’s end.

2. Chase Daniel, Sr., QB, Missouri–Outside of Tim Tebow, he’s the top returning vote getter from last season. Well-known quarterback playing in an exciting offense and an emerging program. Will put up big numbers once again and could win the Heisman if the Tigers make a serious title run.

3. Patrick White, Sr., QB, West Virginia–Might end up as one of the biggest winners in college football history. Dangerous runner who could win the Heisman if he can up his passing stats and lead his team to yet another 11-win season.

4. Stafon Johnson, Jr., RB, USC–The last seven USC tailbacks to top 1,400 rushing yards at some point in their careers have either won the Heisman or finished second in the voting. Johnson looks like he may break out from a crowded running back corps and have that kind of year.

5. Percy Harvin, Jr., WR/RB, Florida–Can do-it-all when healthy. He’ll benefit from Tebow’s exposure and the explosiveness of the Gators offense. If he gets 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving, look out.

6. Colt McCoy, Jr., QB, Texas–If he can regain his freshman year form, he could be a top contender. Has added more rushing yards to his repertoire, but must cut down on his interceptions.

7. Keiland Williams, Jr., RB, LSU–With the LSU quarterback position unsettled, look for the Tigers to lean on Williams in the early going. That could mean a hot start and a chance to emerge as a serious Heisman candidate.

8. Graham Harrell, Sr., QB, Texas Tech–To have a chance at the Heisman, he basically has to break every single-season passing record in existence while leading TTU to the Big 12 title and beyond. If anyone can do it….

9. Matt Stafford, Jr., QB, Georgia–A top pro prospect who has yet to put it together for a whole season. Plays in a system that doesn’t produce big numbers, but could still get attention based on his team’s success.

10. Marlon Lucky, Sr., RB, Nebraska–Once upon a time, the Nebraska I-back was a shoo-in Heisman contender. But Lucky won’t get a single vote unless Nebraska somehow revives under Bo Pelini. If that happens, Lucky will probably be seen as one of the main reasons why. And Heisman voters may take notice.

From the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA):

The USC Trojans are the top-ranked team in the Football Writers Association of America's preseason Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll. The Trojans nipped second-ranked Georgia, although both schools picked up five first-place votes. It's the fourth time in five years USC has been picked No. 1 by the FWAA in the preseason.

The only other Pac-10 team in the poll is Arizona State, tied with BYU for 16th. The Big 12 placed five teams in the top 16 and the SEC had four. California and Oregon also received votes.

1. Oklahoma– The Sooners feature the nation’s pass efficiency leader, an excellent group of skill players, the best offensive line in the country and two elite interior defensive tackles.  To me, that’s a good formula for a No. 1 team.

2. Florida– The Gators should have the best offense in the country. If the defense improves–and I think it will–who’s going to beat them?

3. Ohio State– This is Jim Tressel’s best team yet on paper.  If the Buckeyes get by USC early, they should run the table.

4. Georgia– The best team in the country at the end of last season.  If Matt Stafford puts it all together, it could be the best at the end of this season, too.

5. Missouri– While Tim Tebow may be the best player in the country, Chase Daniel isn’t far behind.  This is an explosive team that has a lot of confidence.  The schedule is favorable, as well.

6. Clemson– Are the Tigers finally for real?  Talent abounds at all the key spots, but the offensive line is a question mark.  Tommy Bowden will have to really muck things up for this team not to win the ACC.

7. West Virginia– I think Bill Stewart can keep it going.  Doesn’t hurt to have Pat White and Noel Devine to fall back on.  They could be the most exciting duo in the country.

8. LSU– If the Tigers can find a quarterback, they should be pretty good.  Keiland Williams should emerge as one of the top backs in the country.

9. USC– Supremely talented team with a bunch of question marks at quarterback, receiver and offensive line.  Will get better as season goes on, but early games could be trouble.

10. Oregon– OC Chip Kelly should be able to plug ‘n play enough guys on offense to make up for the loss of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart.   The secondary is one of the best in the country.

On the cusp: Auburn, Brigham Young, Texas Tech, Alabama, Texas.

The alarm goes off once, but if you hit snooze he jumps off your nightstand (up to 3 feet) and wheels around your room looking for a place to hide before he sounds the alarm a second time. The snooze time can be set from 0-9 minutes, so if you set it at 0 he runs right away. Nothing like a little hide-and-seek to get you going in the morning.

Wheee!

In fact, White had merely purchased a Clocky Runaway Alarm Clock for his roommate to speed their departure for early practices.  We regret the error.

In Monday’s exclusive preview of our forthcoming Tim Tebow biography, it has come to our attention that our staff may have inadvertently but falsely inflated the hopes of many of our young readers.  Mr. Tebow, as of press time, is not in the habit of punching out loose teeth of wee Gator fans as they sleep and leaving money under their pillows, nor is he currently employed as a spy, astronaut, cowboy, railroad engineer, or dinosaur hunter (although the latter would be a stone awesome premise for a TV show).  We regret the error.

In Tuesday’s Curious Index, we reported that USC’s Rey Maualuga has perfected an on-field finishing move inspired by Mortal Kombat, wherein he is able to tear out an opposing player’s spinal column and fashion it into a fetching boa in one fluid motion.  Maualuga in fact intends to construct xylophones out of the bones he collects this season.  We regret the error.

Fight on.

Last week’s edition of the Ryan Perrilloux Memorial Crime Blotter reported that LSU’s entire defensive line had been spotted joyriding through the Spanish Lake Basin in a custom airboat outfitted with satellite radio, detachable sidecars, a full-size barbecue grill, and working gun turrets.  Boosters for the Tigers have since assured EDSBS that the turrets and weaponry aboard are purely decorative in nature.  We regret the error.

Elsewhere in our SEC Literary Roundup, we misidentified the title and contents of a forthcoming book by Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt.  The book is a memoir entitled Dawg Eat Dawg World, not a guide to Dixieland sexual acrobatics called DoggyDog World, as previously reported.  We regret the error.

CLARIFICATION:  We have received a number of complaints regarding our Pac-10 rankings for the upcoming EDSBS-Golden Flake Fantasy College Football Draftacular Presented By YellaWood.  It seems that many readers failed to ascertain our sarcasm in referring to UCLA’s offensive line as “fortress-like” and are having trouble rearranging their draft boards at the last minute.  The following graphic of said fortress was unintentionally omitted from our printed draft guide.

We regret the error, and have shifted the draft date ahead one week to acommodate all necessary adjustments.  Thank you for your patronage, and enjoy your weekend.

Defensive End

1st Team–Everson Griffen, USC; Greg Middleton, Indiana

Middleton was a 2007 HP All-American and should have another great year. Griffen is a physical phenom who is ready to explode on the college scene.

2nd Team–Greg Hardy, Ole Miss; George Selvie, USF

3rd Team–Nick Reed, Oregon; Ricky Sapp, Clemson

Defensive Tackle

1st Team–Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma; Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU

McCoy will key the interior of the Sooner defense, while Jean-Francois is a unique jumbo athlete who should finally put it all together on the field (just like he did in the BCS Title Game) for a whole season.

2nd Team–Fili Moala, USC; Geno Atkins, Georgia

3rd Team–Brian Price, UCLA; Marvin Austin, North Carolina

Outside Linebacker

1st Team–Brian Toal, Boston College; Marcus Freeman, Ohio State

Seems like Toal has been making tackles forever. Freeman is underrated playing in the shadow of Laurinaitis.

2nd Team–Brian Cushing, USC; Rico McCoy, Tennessee

3rd Team–Clinton Snyder, Stanford; Ryan Reynolds, Oklahoma

Middle Linebacker

1st Team–Brandon Spikes, Florida

Spikes did it all for the Gators last year, accumulating 131 tackles, including 14.5 for losses.

2nd Team–Rey Maualuga, USC

3rd Team–James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

Cornerback

1st Team–Walter Thurmond, Oregon; Vontae Davis, Illinois

Thurmond had 103 tackles, 8 TFL, 18 deflections and 5 interceptions. Vontae Davis is a future first-rounder who was a shut-down corner for the Illini.

2nd Team–Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State; Victor Harris, Virginia Tech

3rd Team–Syd’Quan Thompson, Cal; Tony Carter, Florida State

Strong Safety

1st Team–Patrick Chung, Oregon

Chung had 117 tackles and 7.5 TFL last year.

2nd Team–Chad Jones, LSU

3rd Team–Kevin Ellison, USC

Free Safety

1st Team–Taylor Mays, USC

Mays is a physical freak who will probably be the first safety taken in the next draft.

2nd Team–William Moore, Missouri

3rd Team–Rashad Johnson, Alabama

Sorry, no punters or kickers or return guys on this team.

Brett Hait of the NASHVILLE CITY PAPER is quick to mention Trindon Holliday, junior wide receiver for the Bayou Bengals. And if you were to believe the Baton Rouge publicity machine, no one will be able to catch him:

(more…)

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The national championship game comes early this season. According to ESPN the two head-coaches that most define the BCS's first ten years, the two coaches that have withstood the test of time are USC's Pete Carroll and Ohio State's Jim Tressell (in that order). Carroll's Trojans have gone 70-8 in the past six years, winning 5 of 6 consecutive BCS bids (including going 2 for 3 on National Championships). Tressell's Buckeyes have gone 66-11 in the past six years, winning three of five BCS bids (including going 1 for 3 on National Championships). Tressel's recent image has been tarnished after back to back blowout losses to Florida and LSU in the '07 and '08 BCS championships.

For Tressel it's a chance at redemption. For Carroll, it's further proof that USC has merely reloaded its weapons. The Game of the 2008 Season, USC vs. Ohio State, goes down 9/13/2008 at the Coliseum.

A few highlights....

Champs Sports Bowl ... Virginia vs. Illinois
Meineke Car Care Bowl ... Florida State vs. Pitt
Texas Bowl ... Colorado vs. Rutgers
PetroSun Independence Bowl ... Nebraska vs. Arkansas
Alamo Bowl ... Michigan State vs. Kansas
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl ... Texas vs. Oregon
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl ... Wake Forest vs. Alabama
Chick-fil-A Bowl ... Boston College vs. South Carolina
Outback Bowl ... Michigan vs. LSU
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl ... Miami vs. Notre Dame
Capital One Bowl ... Penn State vs. Auburn
AT&T Cotton Bowl ... Oklahoma vs. Tennessee

Rose Bowl presented by Citi ... Wisconsin vs. USC
CFN is basically rubber stamping the winner of USC - Ohio State into the National Championship game. From the outcome of this prediction, I guess CFN is throwing in with the Buckeyes. This one looks dead on to me, unless USC ends up in the championship game, then this one becomes tOSU against the Sun Devils.

Allstate Sugar Bowl ... Georgia vs. Virginia Tech
By putting the Bulldogs into the Sugar, CFN is calling the WLOCP the defacto SEC championship. Take that as you will, Georgia fans. Va Tech looks like the class of the ACC, but CFN pulls them into the Sugar as an at-large. If there's one conference that has proven itself to be way to whacked out to predict, it's the ACC. I think Georgia/Arkansas are safe SEC picks, but give me Clemson from the ACC side.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ... Missouri vs. West Virginia
The Fiesta gets its traditional first pick of the at-large teams and takes the 'Eers. I'm not sure that Missouri will be the Big XII champs. CFN is hedging, with Texas Tech as their second choice, but... I wouldn't count out the Sooners... ever. I think Oklahoma - West Virginia makes more sense.

FedEx Orange Bowl ... Clemson vs. Texas Tech
If there is one prediction that I think is off the mark, it's CFN's prognostication for the Orange. I would be willing to take the field here at any odds, because I don't see a Tigers - Red Raiders matchup in Miami. I think the Hokies are the most likely candidate here for the ACC, versus an at-large team. For my prediction, give me VaTech (ACC Champs) versus Arizona State (at-large) or maybe even Utah (at-large).

FedEx BCS National Championship ... Ohio State vs. Florida
The Buckeyes and Gators in the National Championship game... where have we seen that before? This one is just as likely to be USC-Florida, which would probably be the highest rated college football game ever. If Florida gets to the BCS title game and wins, I think you will have seen the last of #15 in orange and blue. Just sayin'.

Comment on CFN posts its 2008 Bowl Game Predictions...

Based on an initial count, NFL teams drafted 10 players from USC over the weekend, more than from any other college. That included four players in the first round and seven in the first two rounds. Those figures also ranked first for this draft. Virginia Tech had eight players drafted, followed by LSU (seven), Michigan (six), Arkansas (six) and California (six). Miami had three players taken from the 31st through 71st overall spots, but that was it.

All the chatter about the Raiders taking Darren McFadden with the No. 4 overall pick Saturday has filtered down to the team's current No. 1 tailback.

It seems Justin Fargas is fine with the talk. Certainly, Fargas, a former USC standout who has quietly emerged into a solid NFL tailback, would rather Oakland use the No. 4 pick on a defensive line need in the form of ends Chris Long of Virginia or Vernon Gholston of Ohio State or Glenn Dorsey of LSU if they are available.

Yet, Fargas, who just signed a lucrative contract to remain in Oakland, has to know that he McFadden talk is real. It all comes down to this: Will Al Davis, who is clearly making the pick, be able to resist taking McFadden? Maybe Gholston or Long would sway him but Fargas has to know he will become the Raiders' backup again at the end of the week if McFadden is brought in.

Fargas can rest easy that his coach is fine with him being the starter. At the NFL owners' meetings earlier this month, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said he doesn't think the Raiders need McFadden and that he'd rather draft a defensive lineman or trade down. But in Oakland, having Kiffin on your side doesn't necessarily mean anything. Again, if Davis wants McFadden, Fargas will be the backup again.