By: David Folz
Continuing
the countdown on Top 25 football, here are numbers 20-16 and don’t be surprised
if one or more of these teams wind up in the BCS at year’s end.
20. Texas-
The Longhorns have been bad the last two years by Texas standards. They have been 13-12 under Mack Brown and
that has raised eyebrows and questions on whether they can get it done
anymore. It has not helped at all that
the Quarterback play was terrible the last two years, and it led to a shift in
strategy last year to their strong group of Running Backs. Texas will have to rely on their backs again
to lead a top rushing group and hope that either Case McCoy or David Ash show
some form of progress throwing the football.
The defense in the Big 12 should be one that is very good, as they
return many skill players and have to focus on improving the tackle spot. Texas will be back in contention this fall as
long as QB play gets better.
19. Utah-
The Utes’s first season in the Pac-12 resulted in an 8-5 record and the thought
that they can compete this year. The
running game was solid last year and this year should be the same way. The problem for Utah is like Texas and
Florida, Quarterback play. The fact that
Jordan Wynn last year struggled mightily then getting injured could make or
break the Utes again this year. The
defense returns 7 starters and should be really stout. However, like many teams wanting to take the
next step like Utah, Quarterback play is the key component, and could be the
difference between 7 wins or a shot at the Pac-12 Title game.
18. TCU- The
Horned Frogs go from the Mountain West to the Big 12 for this year, thus
guaranteeing a spot in a BCS if they get that far. Gary Patterson’s teams in the past were
playing to see if they win a spot in the BCS, now it’s a shot at a national
title. A Rose Bowl win two years ago and
a great group of recruits have helped TCU to national prominence, but this year
on defense could be a struggle if their unit doesn’t gel early and often. On offense it should not be a problem with
Casey Pachall back at Quarterback and a deep cast of Running Backs and Wide
Receiver. It may rest on how quickly
Patterson gets this defense to gel together, because the Big 12 offenses are not
going to be forgiving.
17. West
Virginia- Like TCU, West Virginia is a new member to the Big 12, coming from
the Big East. Dana Holgerson is not
unfamiliar with teams here, however, having been the Offensive Coordinator at
Oklahoma State prior to his job in Morgantown.
The Mountaineers are led by the typical Holgerson offense, full of speed
at the skill positions and will put points on the board with ease. The defense switches to a 3-4 from the 3-3-5
under new Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel.
The unit last year was 61st nationally, which was towards the
top in the Big East, but will be cause for alarm in the Big 12. In the end for West Virginia, the 8 returning
starters on defense will have to adjust to the new system and Casteel will need
to get his system implemented with success early.
16.
Stanford- The first year without Andrew Luck will bring a new identity for the
Cardinal. Also
gone are two first-round linemen, their top three receivers and three of the
starting four in the secondary. In the
midst however is quite possibly one of the greatest offensive line recruitments
in history, with two five-stars and a four-star as part of the seven linemen to
sign. On offense a lot will go through
Senior RB Stepfan Taylor, who comes off back-to-back thousand yard
seasons. The defensive front seven is
very talented, but it will rely on the secondary and if they stop the opposing
receivers, then it will be a top defense yet again. The offense will be the spotlight as the new
Quarterback, likely Brett Nottingham will find his receivers thin unless Ty
Montgomery is the star the Cardinal think he will be. It will be a year of transition for the
Cardinal this year.
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