USC earns top spot in latest 2012 look

[QuackininBama]

Since theres not much football news gonna happen for quite a while, figured I would post this:

1. USC Trojans
Previous rank: 2
With nine starters back on offense and defense, including star quarterback Matt Barkley, the Trojans will have a legitimate chance at competing for a BCS national championship. They better do it this coming season, because the effects of NCAA sanctions and scholarship reductions will start being felt in 2013. Even with a smaller recruiting class, USC coach Lane Kiffin was able to add some much-needed help with linebacker Jabari Ruffin and receiver Nelson Agholor. The Trojans were one of the country's younger teams this past season, with 10 freshmen and sophomores starting. The Trojans will play six home games and six road games this season, including a Sept. 15 road trip to Stanford and a Nov. 3 home game against Oregon.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous rank: 3
With so many defensive stars leaving for the NFL draft, the Crimson Tide of 2012 might look a lot like the last Alabama squad that tried to defend a BCS national championship. Quarterback AJ McCarron should be better in his second season as a starter, and Eddie Lacy is going to be a more than capable replacement for tailback Trent Richardson. But the defense is going to be exceptionally young, after linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower and cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie departed. Help is on the way after Alabama coach Nick Saban signed the country's No. 1 recruiting class. The Tide signed 13 prospects from the ESPNU 150, including top safety Landon Collins and receivers Eddie Williams and Chris Black.

3. LSU Tigers
Previous rank: 1
Not much has gone right for the Tigers since their loss to Alabama. Receiver Rueben Randle, cornerback Mo Claiborne and defensive lineman Michael Brockers turned pro. Quarterback Gunner Kiel spurned the Tigers for Notre Dame, and LSU's recruiting class fell short of expectations. But it's still hard to imagine the Tigers slipping very far with so much talent coming back. Georgia transfer QB Zach Mettenberger better be pretty good, because LSU doesn't have much behind him. The Tigers will play eight home games, and they'll play at SEC West foes Texas A&M and Arkansas.

4. Oklahoma Sooners
Previous rank: 5
The Sooners are going to be really explosive on offense again, especially with quarterback Landry Jones and receivers Kenny Stills and Jaz Reynolds coming back. There's no question OU will sorely miss record-setting receiver Ryan Broyles, but the Sooners signed a deep corps of receivers in their 2012 recruiting class, including Sterling Shepard, Durron Neal and Derrick Woods. Oklahoma's defense should be better after coach Bob Stoops hired his brother, former Arizona coach Mike Stoops, as his team's defensive coordinator. OU will have to replace defensive ends Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis and linebacker Travis Lewis.

5. Georgia Bulldogs
Previous rank: 6
Georgia has to run the ball more effectively and learn how to finish games, but there might not be a more inviting schedule in 2012 than the one the Bulldogs will face. Georgia is expected to bring back 10 starters from a much-improved defense, including All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones and safety Bacarri Rambo. Incoming freshmen Josh Harvey-Clemons, Jonathan Taylor and John Atkins might provide some immediate help. Quarterback Aaron Murray and receiver Malcolm Mitchell are coming back, and UGA signed two highly regarded tailbacks -- Keith Marshall (already enrolled at UGA) and Todd Gurley -- to push sophomore Isaiah Crowell. Georgia doesn't play SEC West favorites Alabama, Arkansas and LSU during the regular season and plays four of its first five games at home.

6. Oregon Ducks
Previous rank: 4
The Ducks were stunned when Thomas entered the NFL draft, but it would have been much, much worse if coach Chip Kelly had left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelly is always going to have plenty of speed and a plethora of skill players available, so the Ducks shouldn't have too many problems scoring points this season. Tailbacks De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner are ready to replace the departed LaMichael James and sophomore Bryan Bennett is in line to replace Thomas. Offensive tackle Arik Armstead was a big recruiting coup, along with tailback Byron Marshall and receiver Bralon Addison.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... -2012-look

[OregonFan4Life]

The media is so desperate for USC to be back, they've missed their darling lately. Hopefully they're ranked #1 when Oregon goes into the Coliseum, it'd look great to beat the #1 ranked team on the road.

[Tray Dub]

Doesn't matter. USC-Oregon will be determined on the field, end of story.

[QuackininBama]

I couldn't agree more. The more bias and love SC gets, the better for us when we walk into the coliseum and walk out with the W, and possibly the number one ranking late in the season.

[Duck07]

I'm more concerned with the result of USC/Oregon II next year than USC/Oregon I.

[Tray Dub]

I'm more concerned with the result of USC/Oregon II next year than USC/Oregon I.

Probably need both for the NC

[wheaton4prez]

Georgia?

[Zyme]

+1 The Dogs seem to be one of the most consistent underachievers in sports.

[buckmarkduck]

SC will lose at UW, vs UO and @ Utah.

[Braveheart]

The media is so desperate for USC to be back, they've missed their darling lately. Hopefully they're ranked #1 when Oregon goes into the Coliseum, it'd look great to beat the #1 ranked team on the road.