College Confidential

Countdown talk: No.21 Rutgers

Quick take: The Scarlet Knights are going to truly need a team approach now with Ray Rice in the NFL, but there's more holes that need to be filled besides that. The defense was 17th overall last year in total defense (327.5 yards per game), but I want to see if they can still improve. This is a pivotal year for the program, and the Scarlet Knights need to prove 2006 wasn't a fluke. Those four brutal conference road games make me nervous, but for now, this is a perfect spot for Rutgers.
My player to watch: QB Mike Teel (6-4, 220). Teel is 21-8 in his career, and helped the Scarlet Knights offense set an NCAA record in 2007, becoming the first team with a 3,000 yard passer, 2,000 yard rusher and two 1,000 yard receivers in a single season. Teel, who's on the Johnny Unitas preseason watch list, completed 203-of-349 passes for 3,147 yards with 20 touchdowns last year.

Thoughts, comments? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinions.
-Trae Thompson

Countdown talk: No.22 Virginia Tech

Quick take: It feels weird to rank a Frank Beamer team so low, but when you've got as many questions as the Hokies do, I think this is a good spot. Let's see if a good running back emerges (keep an eye on freshman Ryan Williams) and see how they do in their conference opener with Georgia Tech on Sept.13. I think the Hokies will be fine eventually. This has become too consistent a program that keeps recruiting top-notch talent.
My player to watch: QB Tyrod Taylor (6-1, 206). The sophomore was supposed to be redshirted last year, but was forced into action against LSU. The dual-threat player finished the season with 429 yards rushing on 102 carries with 6 touchdowns, and also completed 72-of-134 passes for 927 yards and 5 TDs with just three interceptions.

Thoughts, comments? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinions.
-Trae Thompson

Countdown talk: No.23 Penn State

Quick take: Once again, I've got too many questions with the Nittany Lions to rank them higher, but like Wake Forest and Fresno State, there's potential for a tremendous season. I got to see quarterback Pat Devlin when he was at the U.S. Army All-American game, and he definitely is talented. But I'm taking a wait-and-see approach here, and want to see also if one of the young linebackers blossoms into the next great one at a school known as Linebacker U.
My player to watch: DE Maurice Evans (6-2, 264). Evans was a monster in 2007, starting all 13 games and finishing with 54 tackles, 31 of them solo, and 21.5 tackles for a loss for 117 yards. He also had 12.5 sacks for 94 yards.

Thoughts, comments? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinions.
-Trae Thompson

Countdown talk: No.24 Wake Forest

Quick take: I respect this team a lot, but can't rank them higher because of their young offensive line. Replacing stars like all-ACC receiver Kenny Moore won't be easy, but coaches are excited about redshirt freshman running back Brandon Pendergrass, who could give the Demon Deacons quite a backfield tandem with fellow back Josh Adams. If Wake Forest can get past Florida State in their conference opener on Sept.20, expect the showdown with Clemson on Oct.9 to tell a lot about this team.
My player to watch: CB Alphonso Smith (5-9, 190). Smith returned three interceptions for touchdowns last year, giving him four for his career, which ties an ACC-career mark. He was also second in the nation in 2007 with eight interceptions, and was first in the ACC in passes defended (18) and fumbles caused (4).

Thoughts, comments? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinions. -Trae Thompson

Countdown talk: No.25 Fresno State

The Star-Telegram's annual top 25 countdown kicked off with Fresno State.
Quick take: This team's got plenty of talent, but the defense has some questions, and that's one reason why I'm hesitant to put them any higher. While I also respect those three tough non-conference games (at Rutgers, Wisconsin, at UCLA), I also know their season could implode or be magical depending on how they do in this stretch. Definitely a team to keep an eye on, which also has one of the game's best coaches in Pat Hill.
My player to watch: QB Tom Brandstater (6-5, 225). Don't be surprised if he's a high pick in next year's NFL Draft. In 2007, he completed 211-of-337 passes with only five interceptions and finished with 2,654 yards passing and 15 touchdowns.

Thoughts, comments? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinions. -Trae Thompson