I received a press release this morning from The Sporting News announcing their annual “college football special” which hits the news stands this week. And while I haven’t actually seen the magazine, I got a preview of their rankings and predictions along with teasers for other features in this week’s issue.

From what I see, I think I like the looks of their top ten better than the USA Today/Coaches Poll which came out a week or two ago. Here’s the top 10 according to The Sporting News:

1. Georgia (USA/coaches 1)
2. Ohio State (USA/Coaches 3)
3. USC (USA/Coaches 2)
4. Oklahoma (USA/Coaches 4)
5. LSU (USA/Coaches 6)
6. Missouri (USA/Coaches 7)
7. Clemson (USA/Coaches 9)
8. West Virginia (USA/Coaches 8
9. Florida (USA/Coaches 5)
10. Illinois (USA/Coaches 19)

For the most part, the list looks like a fairly insignificant scramble of the USA/Coaches poll until you get to Illinois at #10 which USA/Today ranked at 19. Personally, I agree with them 100%. Last year, Ron Zook only gave us a preview of the team that Illinois may become. Unfortunately, Illinois doesn’t have a big test until Ohio State to push them up the rankings. Their biggest opponents before Ohio State are Penn and Michigan but blowouts at those games could set the stage for a great rematch in Illinois.

As for Georgia, enjoy it while you can. With the pending #2/#3 Ohio State/USC matchup early in the season, the winner should jump over Georgia to the number 1 spot and that’s the way it should be. The problem with preseason polls is that it is nothing but pure speculation. Anyone can put together a top ten list and it gives us a starting point but until teams take the field, we really don’t know anything. The early season matchup against USC gives both USC and Ohio State the opportunity to set the record straight. Winner belongs at the top, loser doesn’t.

Unlike Ohio State/USC, who test their mettle early, the media darlings of the SEC don’t see any games of substance until at least October. Georgia doesn’t play a ranked team until the 8th week of the season when they take on Florida. Not only will they have time to work out the kinks against teams like Central Michigan, they’ve got a bye before facing off against Tenn — a team that could bring almost anything to the table.

Regardless, the Sporting News predicts a BCS Championship between Georgia and Ohio State. While I think the Buckeyes will get a shot at another BCS Championship, I’m not convinced Georgia will. However, since the SEC has pretty much convinced both the media and the voters that they deserve an automatic berth in the BCS Championship, why not give Georgia a turn.

LSU opens against Appalachian State (will history repeat itself?) then take on Troy who also plays Ohio State (why, I don’t know) and it is not until week 6 that they take on their first ranked team in Florida.

Of the SEC ranked teams, I’m liking Florida’s schedule. They open against Hawaii, but without Colt Brennan, I’m not expecting much there, then Miami and Tennessee. October 11 they’ve got LSU and Georgia on Nov. 1. Of the teams out there, I think Florida’s got the best shot at a BCS run. With media love child Tim Tebow at the helm, a chance for a BCS rematch against Ohio State is their’s to lose.

I’m not convinced Florida will be able to get there without at least one loss but thankfully for them, they’re in the SEC. At this point, they can probably lose three games and still make it to the BCS Championship.

Other Sporting News predictions

  • Wisconsin knocks off Ohio State but loses to MSU (I’ll give them MSU but Ohio State? Not going to happen)
  • Florida’s Tim Tebow won’t win the Heisman (agreed)
  • Georgia vs Ohio State in the BCS Champ (Georgia won’t make it)
  • USC vs Illinois in the Rose Bowl (I like the matchup but I don’t know if this is Illinois’ year. However, I’d love to see two Big Ten teams stomp on ESPN’s beloved USC)