Projected Postseason Top 25: #15 Rutgers

For the entire 20th century and the first few years of the 21st, Rutgers played the same role to the northeast college football fan. First it provided a safety school for New Jersey’s millions of C students to get a “f*cking edjakashun” at a college with a name which they would never know the source, even years after they graduated (for the record Henry Rutgers was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War). Secondly, it provided Syracuse, Penn State, West Virginia, Boston College, Army, UMass, Binghamton, Vassar a rival to beat on in football year in, year out by large margins as their thousands of in-state recruits looked on. While the first may always be true, Greg Schiano and his axes are chopping wood and making Rutgers a formidable football program, the Scarlet Knights 2006 success could only be a beginning as New Jersey’s best high school football players discover the powerhouse in their own backyard.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 11-2 Beat Miami in Meineke Car Care Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Buffalo (Home), Navy (Home), Norfolk State (Home), Maryland (Home), Cincinnati (Home), Syracuse (Road), South Florida (Home), Connecticut (Road), Army (Road), Pittsburgh (Home), Miami, FL (Charlotte, NC)

Who’ll beat them: West Virginia (Home), Louisville (Road)

When they Pass: Mike Teel was probably a prodigious quarterback at his high school in New Jersey. At Rutgers, at least in 2006, he was primarily a means by which the ball ended up in the hands of Ray Rice and Brian Leonard. With Leonard gone, Teel will probably be asked to make plays on occasions where defenses focus on Rice. Games against Navy, South Florida and Pittsburgh may hinge on his ability to make such plays.

When they Run: Even without Leonard lead blocking, Rice is fast enough to make plays on the ground. Whether he’ll live up to Heisman-hype remains to be seen. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to do so. Rice carried the ball 335 times and with no Leonard, that number should increase. What will hopefully decrease is the number of times announcers mention that he had agreed to play for Syracuse before Paul Pasqualoni was fired.

When their Opponents Run: Greg Schiano’s 4-3 will be merciless against the run. All-American defensive tackle Eric Foster leads the defensive line and Schiano’s best recruits from 2005 will be stepping in at linebacker.

When their Opponents Pass: Rutgers ranked 6th in the country in pass defense last year and while a lot of credit can be given to the pass rush. Twin brothers Jason and Devin McCourty will start at cornerback.

When they Kick: Jeremy Ito, who is best known for kicking the game winner against Louisville is one of the nation’s best.

When they call Timeout: Greg Schiano was the national Coach of the Year and was immediately Miami’s first choice in its coaching search last year. Wanting to see his reclamation project at Rutgers through, he turned the job down. His merits as a game coach can be debated but his ability to recruit and motivate can not. The sky is the limit for Rutgers as long as Schiano is in New Jersey.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #16 Boise State

To the casual sports fan, Boise State's win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl was a nice story and an excellent game. To college football fans it meant a new attitude towards the elite teams in non-BCS conferences. To Boise State it meant redemption for football's recent most successful program and some new clout on the national football landscape. Boise State used to play everyday of the week just to get their blue turf on any ESPN channel the tables have turned somewhat on that In terms of the national polls Boise State's eminent run through the WAC will no longer be viewed with skepticism so while this year's team isn't as good and won't be as special as last year's. They should carry more respect through the season and should forge an annual spot in the top 25.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 12-1 Beat Virginia in MPC Computers Bowl

Who they'll beat: Weber State (Home), Washington (Road), Wyoming (Home), Southern Miss (Home), New Mexico State (Home), Nevada (Home), Louisiana Tech (Road), Fresno State (Road), San Jose State (Home), Utah State (Road), Idaho (Home), Virginia (Boise, ID)

Who'll beat them: Hawaii (Road)

When they Pass: The irony about the 2007 Broncos is that losses of personnel may take away a lot of the wide open passing offense that caught everyone's attention January 1. There is no clear cut replacement yet for Jared Zabransky but senior Taylor Tharp appears to be the favorite. No starters or seniors return at wide receiver either. Whoever leads the offense should get plenty of time to throw the ball from First Round prospect Ryan Clady and four returning starters on the offensive line.

When they Run: Well no one will be asking "Ian who?" this season. The newlywed will be a Heisman candidate all season long and his touchdown numbers will backup his household name. Perhaps Ian and Chrissy Johnson can renew their vows at the Yale Club in New York City.

When their Opponents Run: The Broncos could be vulnerable up the middle replacing starters at defensive tackle and middle linebacker. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox emphasizes stopping the run first so whoever does fill in should be ready by the start of the season.

When their Opponents Pass: In the pass happy WAC, the Broncos are primed for success. Defensive ends Nick Schlekeway and Mike T. Williams are the WAC's best and both cornerbacks return

When they Kick: Redshirt Freshman Kyle Brotzman takes over the kicking duties and possibly the punting duties if no clearcut candidate emerges.

When they call Timeout: While Dan Hawkins built this program and the team that beat Oklahoma on January 1, Chris Peterson coached it to its biggest victory. Peterson seems like the type who recognizes the good thing he has in Boise and won't be taking his trick plays to the Pac Ten where there is so less to gain and so more to lose. And now that the Broncos are America's college football team, where else is more prestigious to go?

Projected Postseason Top 25: #17 Tennessee

There are plenty of programs that would love to have the kind of year-in year-out success the Phillip Fulmer and the Tennessee Volunteers have had including the first BCS National Championship following the 1998 season. However 1998 was also the last time Tennessee won the SEC and a pair of 8-10 win seasons, barring the disastrous 2005 5-6 campaign that most at Rocky Top would like to call a Mulligan, have grown weary on Rocky Top. I can’t guarantee that things will be any sweeter in Tennessee this season as tough games in conference and out of conference face the Vols in the first two months of the season. Another season in the middle of the SEC East may get fans thinking Phillip Fulmer’s time as Head coach may be coming to an end.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Iowa in Capital One Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Southern Miss (Home), Arkansas State (Home), Georgia (Home), Mississippi State (Road), South Carolina (Home), Louisiana-Lafayette (Home), Arkansas (Home), Vanderbilt (Home), Kentucky (Road)

Who’ll beat them: California (Road), Florida (Road), Alabama (Road),

When they Pass: Erik Ainge takes the torch from Chris Leak as the player who it seems has been playing college football for ten years even though its only been four. He only wishes his receivers were half as experienced. Robert Meachem and the rest of the receiving corps are gone leaving no receiver with more than 14 receptions in 2006 on the roster.

When they Run: LaMarcus Coker heads a Running Back committee but he is suspended indefinitely (ganja), Arian Foster should get the start in Berkeley when the Volunteers test themselves Week 1.

When their Opponents Run: While the loss of Justin Harrell is lessened in significance because he was rendered ineffective with a torn bicep, this unit ranked 72nd nationally against the run. The linebacker unit is one of the best in the nation and there is depth where there is almost none up front. This is why the scuttlebutt around the Vols program is about making the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.

When their Opponents Pass: Safety Jonathan Hefney leads a secondary that has loads of potential he’ll be asked to cover a lot of mistakes by first time starters in the brutal September Tennessee has scheduled.

When they Kick: Britton Colquitt is the latest of the first family of Tennessee punting. He’ll also be doing the kicking on field goals and kickoffs. Is there such thing as an “Ironman Kicker”? If not there should be.

When they call Timeout: Fulmer is a fine coach and with the exception of 2005 has kept Tennessee in the upper echelon of college football. But when Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama are going all-in with coaching coups, it gets harder and harder to justify standing pat as 1998 gets farther and farther away. OC David Cutcliffe would seem like a natural heir if Fulmer and Tennessee tire of each other it’s just a matter of how many Conference USA jobs can he turn down.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #18 Wisconsin

This is an underwhelming projection compared to the hype the Badgers are getting this preseason. Allow me to underwhelmed by a team whose replacing its Quarterback and Top 5 pick Left Tackle and whose 12-1 record last year included wins over Bowling Green, Western Illinois, San Diego State, Northwestern, and Buffalo and didn't include a game against Ohio State. Bret Bielema is getting a lot of buzz as preseason prognosticators are a lot like 22 year olds who don't get enough attention from their dads, they're easily seduced by successful men in their 30's.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Alabama in Outback Bowl

Who they'll beat: Washington State (Home), UNLV (Road), The Citadel (Home), Iowa (Home), Michigan State (Home), Illinois (Road), Northern Illinois (Home), Indiana (Home), Minnesota (Home), Alabama (Tampa, FL)

Who'll beat them: Penn State (Road), Ohio State (Road), Michigan (Home)

When they Pass: The favorite to win the Quarterback job is a fifth-year senior named Tyler Donovan. I thought he played in MLS. Expect Tight End Travis Beckum (you see why I'm not high on this team, too many soccer names) will be a go-to receiver for whomever replaces John Stocco.

When they Run: P.J. Hill is the returning Big Ten leading rusher, as he goes into his sophomore year, he carries a lot of the Badgers expectations on his shoulders. Joe Thomas won't be as missed on this part of the offense as the rest of the line does return.

When their Opponents Run: Three of the four starting defensive lineman return but the Badgers will miss Defensive End Joe Monty. This line will have to come up big against Big Ten teams like Michigan and Ohio State who are back to running the ball primarily.

When their Opponents Pass: Both corners from the 2^nd best passing defense in the nation return.

When they Kick: Badger fans will take comfort in having two seniors doing the kicking and punting. Taylor Mehlhaff and Ken DeBauche are the best kicking combo in the Big Ten.

When they call Timeout: Bielema may be the next Bear Bryant, last season isn't enough to crown him so however. If this projection comes true and he beats another SEC team in a bowl game, it will catch the attention of the fickle fanbases there.