Top 10 Outsiders Must Prove They Belong
Matt Hayes - SportingNews.com
Aug 25, 2009
It's the perfect 10: 10 days from the start of the college football season -- and the daily unveiling of the Sporting News preseason Top 10.
Get a good look, everyone. In all likelihood, two from our top 10 will be playing in Pasadena for the BCS national championship. And four of our 10 -- Oklahoma State, LSU, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss -- weren't in the final Associated Press or coaches poll top 10s last season.
"It has been a long time since people have talked about Oklahoma State in the top 10," said Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. "Now we've got to go out and earn it."
They're not alone. A look at the four outsiders who suddenly are insiders:
No. 10 Oklahoma State
Why they'll finish in the top 10: Three legitimate All-Americans -- Bryant, QB Zac Robinson and RB Kendall Hunter -- on a loaded offense, and a re-energized defense with new coordinator Bill Young.
Why they won't: We'll know plenty after Week 1, when physical SEC heavyweight Georgia comes to Stillwater. A must-win.
No. 8 LSU
Why they'll finish in the top 10: The defense that looked lost at times last year will be among the elite again with a new coordinator (John Chavis) and an offense that should protect the ball better.
Why they won't: QB Jordan Jefferson is a raw, exciting talent but has yet to play in big games on the road -- where championships are won and lost.
No. 6 Virginia Tech
Why they'll finish in the top 10: Tech won the ACC the past two years with a mediocre offense. Dynamic Tyrod Taylor will take huge strides now that there's no quarterback controversy.
Why they won't: Star TB Darren Evans (knee) is done for the season. Talented redshirt freshman backup Ryan Williams said, "I'm really not a disciplined running back." Hello, Alabama, in Week 1.
No. 5 Ole Miss
Why they'll finish in the top 10: A stout, game-changing defensive line and a multiple offense. That recipe has worked just about every time, every season, for every team.
Why they won't: The Rebels are two years removed from a winless SEC season. Let's see how they deal with being hunted.
Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News and is an analyst on NFL Network's College Football Now. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com
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