Mark Schlabach

  (2:58 PM)

Thanks for stopping by. Hope everyone is enjoying the offseason. Spring practice is right around the corner, so we updated my way-too-early preseason top 25. Here we go...

Ryan (NYC)

Mark - I think the Gators will beat Tennessee 101-0. What do you think?

Mark Schlabach

  (2:59 PM)

I think Urban Meyer names the score. But that might be the case against most of Florida's opponents.

Ray (College Park, MD)

Hey Mark, is Lane Kiffin in over his head? I think he's going to regret having so many enemies in the SEC over the next couple of recruiting years.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:01 PM)

Surprised to see him so vocal this early. Confidence and swagger are good, but arrogance will get you hammered.

DJ Cuse

Love the Bubble watch articles every week. When can we expect to see it more regularly?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:02 PM)

Again on Thursday, moving to twice weekly in a couple of weeks. Then daily right before the tournament. Thanks for reading.

Dj Cuse

Is FSU getting closer to being a top 10 team or will they be stuck in the 20-30 range for years to come?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:04 PM)

Thought they were close the last couple of years, but they were young. Losing Everette Brown hurts, and Preston Parker was the best playmaker on offense. O-line will be better, and Jimbo Fisher really likes Christian Ponder.

Ryan (NYC)

Mark - Do you think Tim Tebow will account for over 100 touchdowns this year (throwing/running/receiving/kick returns/defense)? I think he has a legitimate shot.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:06 PM)

Maybe 200. He'll have a chance for 50-60. Kid is really good.

Greg Tally

Will EJ Manuel get a chance to win the starting job? Ponder makes way to many mistakes for this team to make the jump to the next level.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:07 PM)

Again, Jimbo tells me he really likes Ponder. Says he'll be one of the best QBs in FSU history when he's done. We'll see.

Derek (FL)

Do you think Mark Richt feels left out since he is the only great coach in the SEC that Lane Kiffin hasn't took a jab at?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:08 PM)

I believe Kiffin said Richt was "asleep at the wheel" in terms of recruiting in Georgia.

ken

Most very early polls have USC as a top 5 team. Having to replace their entire defense, won't they be a lot like UF was 2 years ago with a very young, but very talended D, and not really a top 5-10 team?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:10 PM)

And they have to replace Mark Sanchez. Rebuilding that defense will be very hard, but Carroll has recruited very well. Keeping Taylor Mays will help.

Marc, Charlotte

Where's the love for the Tar Heels in your top 25? The defense is returning a ton of starters and Coach Davis cotinues to impress in both recruiting and developing players.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:14 PM)

They were close. Losing Tate and Nicks will hurt, and they didn't run the ball very well last year. They're very close. So is NC State.

RAY GORDON reid ruston louisiana 71272

question to MARK SCHLABACH AT 3.25 PM MOUNTAIN WEST BYU UTAH OR SOMEBODY ELSE

Mark Schlabach

  (3:14 PM)

Or TCU. I'd probably go TCU, Utah, BYU.

Devin, Eugene Oregon

So are top 15 considerations for Oregon realistic considering the number of star players that are leaving? Was Oregon's recruiting class good enough to bolster their pre-season ranking?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:16 PM)

They're fine at QB and RB and should be OK at WR. Losses on OL and defense will be more difficult to overcome.

Kevin (NYC)

Any change ND takes the big step this year, or is Wiess in over his head? No more excuses, the talant is there to be a good team, or am i way off?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:17 PM)

Put up or shut up time this year.

Ray (College Park, MD)

Do you see anyone in the ACC sticking out from the pack this year as a legit team nationally? You have VT ranked awfully high but I didn't see enough from them last year to warrant a #5.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:19 PM)

Love the VT defense and running game. I think Taylor will become a better passer. They were very, very young last year and still won the Orange Bowl. I don't see the ACC getting that much better. UNC, FSU and Ga. Tech will be in the hunt, too, Maybe Miami.

Will (Brooklyn)

Did WVU miss the cut because White and the O-line is gone or because you don't think Stewart can cut it?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:21 PM)

White might be the toughest player in the country to replace. He did so much for his team. Stewart will be fine.

Brian (Atlanta, GA)

How many more years for Spurrier at South Carolina? Has he permanently tarnished his reputation with his stay in Columbia?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:21 PM)

I think one or two at most. Give him credit -- he keeps recruiting pretty well

Don (Picayune, MS)

Do you think Ole Miss has a chance to win the SEC next year

Mark Schlabach

  (3:23 PM)

They'll be very good, but they're playing in a very tough division. Alabama and LSU will contend for the SEC title. Good offense comig back for the Rebels.

Andy: (Jackson, MS)

Does anybody have a tougher schedule than Georgia next year with out of conference games including OK State, Arizona State, and Georgia Tech?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:26 PM)

Don't have all the skeds in front of me. I know Va. Tech plays Alabama and Nebraska and East Carolina.

Dallas Texas

How can you rank Bama so high for next year with a untested QB and not much of an offensive line?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:27 PM)

Defense and coaching; Tide doesn't play Georgia or Florida.

Evan (Atlanta Ga)

Mark, one quick question for ya. Do you think Georgia Tech might have perhaps the hardest schedule in the ACC next season. We play 5 of the top 7 in the ACC power rankings, and we're one of them. Also there is away games with Vandy and Miss St plus UGA at home.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:28 PM)

Tough sked, but a lot of the tough ACC games will be played on the Flats.

Chris (Los Angeles, CA)

USC at #6? Their track record shows they will likely go into columbus and beat the buckeyes, and granted they dont slip up in the pac-10 (i have faith this year), they will have every right to the #1 apot

Mark Schlabach

  (3:29 PM)

A lot of NFL guys will be gone on defense, and Sanchez left early. Two new coordinators, too, A lot of turnover at USC.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

What difference does it really make if Kiffen makes other SEC coaches angry? Are they not going to invite him to the SEC Christmas party or something? If UT loses a game it's not going to be because he made Urban Meyer mad. What good does it do to bow down before the thrown of Florida? That's not going to win you any recruits, much less games.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:30 PM)

Just saying Urban tends to hold a grudge. Ask Mark Richt, Why not fly under the radar and let your team's play speak for you?

Rocky (Tampa, Fl)

Why is there no talk about South Florida? Selvie is back and we had a solid recruiting class. This is the year Leavitt has been dreaming of with strong seniors and out of conference match ups against FSU and UM!

Mark Schlabach

  (3:31 PM)

Disappointing finish last two years. They have the talent, but always struggle to finish strong.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:34 PM)

I think they'll be right there. I also think LSU and Alabama and Florida will be right there, too. Replacing Oher and Jerry Peria won't be easy. I think No. 11 is a pretty good starting point.

Rob (York, PA)

Penn State has a lot to replace, but it the past two years have recruited very well for need and are set-up to plug in some players. I would bet the D-line is actually better this year, along with the L-backers with Sean Lee returning. No one will get 100 yards running on them. What kind of record do you predict for the Nittany Lions? 10-2? 11-1? NCG perhaps?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:35 PM)

I think I had them at No. 10. Clark and Royster give them a chance on offense, but they'll have to replace three really good OL. D-line will have to be rebuilt, but getting Sean Lee back definitely helps. Receiver corps is completely gone. I think 10 or 11 wins is a possibility.

Patrick (Mobile, AL)

Does Auburn go bowling next year?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:35 PM)

They'll be close. Chizik hired a pretty good staff and recruited pretty well after a late start. Burns has to emerge as a consistent QB, though.

elvis ( the Decatur, Ga)

Does the return of Owens and Sturdivant to the DL and OL respectively cancel out the loss of Moreno and Stafford?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:37 PM)

It helps, but doesn't erase the loss of Stafford and Moreno. I think Joe Cox will be fine. He's fiery and might provide a little more leadership. Kid threw for like 66 TDs his senior season of high school. Caleb King and Richard Samuel have to get better to replace Moreno's production. Defense has to get better in a lot of areas.

Ben (Carrollton, GA)

How much better will Georgia Tech's offense be in year 2 of Paul Johnson's system with all 11 starters returning?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:38 PM)

You'd think it would be better after Nesbitt and everyone else gets another year to run it in practice. But will defenses catch up, too? LSU seemed to do pretty well given a month to prepare. I'm sure Johnson will have a lot of new wrinkles, though. Guy is a very good head coach.

Ray (College Park, MD)

Mark... who wins the Apple Cup this year? And which of those schools do you think is closer to relevance again?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:39 PM)

I'll go with Washington. I think the Huskies are maybe a little bit closer. It was obvious Washington State didn't have much talent. I'd like to think Tyrone Willingham recruited a little bit better in Seattle. Plus, Sarkisian will have a chance with Jake Locker coming back.

A Fan (Anytown, USA)

What do I do from now until late August/Early Sept? Is there a more depressing time than these football-less months! I feel like hibernating until the 2009 season kicks off.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:40 PM)

Play golf. Watch a little hoops. Read my columns. Join my chats. Watch spring practice. It's not too far away!

David (Chicago,IL)

Top 4 teams are from the SEC and Big 12. Do you see the title game coming down to those two conferences again?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:41 PM)

Probably so. I think they're the best two conferences. Maybe USC from the Pac-10, but, again, the Trojans have so much to replace. Ohio State or Penn State could surprise us.

ken, CA

Will ESPN be televising the Orange and Blue game again this year?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:41 PM)

Not sure. Heard they might be doing another SEC team.

Mike S. (New York City, NY)

Does Rich Rodriguez and Michigan make the jump this year? Do they win over 7 games this year?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:41 PM)

I think they'll be better in Rich's second season, but he might need another year or two to get the right personnel for his offense.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Now that the season is over a month over how do you feel about the Big 12 vs SEC argument?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:42 PM)

About what I thought -- Big 12 defenses weren't very good and some SEC offenses weren't very good.

Ben (Carrollton, GA)

Is Jonathan Dwyer a legit Heisman contender in 2009?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:42 PM)

I'd put him among the top 10. He is one of the best running backs in the country.

Steiny (NYC)

Mark, do you think Dan Mullen will do a good job at Mississippi State?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:43 PM)

I think Mississippi State will definitely be better on offense. It's a tough place to win consistently. Brutal conference.

John (Richmond, VA)

In a previous '09 pre-season ranking by ESPN, FSU was at 16, what has changed since then to warrant a ranking at 23?

Mark Schlabach

  (3:43 PM)

Lost Everette Brown and Preston Parker.

Mark Schlabach

  (3:45 PM)

Sorry, folks, but I have to run. Screamin baby in the house. Take care.