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Welcome to our annual college football preview, where we take a look at the Top 25 teams in EA Sports' NCAA Football 08. In many ways 2006 was unlike any year of the past decade in the sport, with smaller programs such as Boise State and Rutgers fighting their way into the national spotlight and, in the case of Boise State, college football legend. It's fitting then that Jared Zabransky, the star of the Broncos' storybook rise and legendary defeat of Oklahoma at last year's Fiesta Bowl, would grace this year's cover of EA's long-running college football series.
While last year was unique in some respects, it seems that every season brings forth new surprises, upset victories, and stunning defeats (such as Ohio State's utter destruction at the hands of Florida in last year's national championship game). This season should be no exception. With just weeks to go before the season kicks off, it's time to take a look at the teams EA Sports rates as the best in the nation. And remember, we didn't rate them, we're just reporting them!
#25 Boston College Eagles (10-3)
Boston College's unexpected success in 2006 probably shouldn't be that surprising after all: the Eagles haven't lost more than three games in the past three seasons and their seven-game bowl-winning streak is the longest in the NCAA. Two of their 10 wins in 2006 came in back-to-back double overtime games against Clemson and BYU, and they even managed to beat ACC stalwarts Virginia Tech and Florida State. Senior quarterback Matt Ryan battled ankle and foot problems last season, yet still managed to throw for nearly 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. The first half of the schedule is fairly friendly, with only one road game (against Georgia Tech). Unfortunately, it could mean a rough second half for Boston College, with difficult road games against the likes of Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Clemson.
Eagles Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Toal | ROLB | 95 | 50 tackles, 2 INT |
| DeJuan Tribble | CB | 94 | 49 tackles, 7 INT |
| Matt Ryan | QB | 92 | 2942 yds, 15 TD, 10 INT |
Stadium: Alumni Stadium (44,500 capacity)
#24 Texas A&M Aggies (9-4)
Should the Aggies fire Dennis Franchione? As in the last few years, that's been the question on the minds of lots of Texas A&M fans these days. And, as always, there's no easy answer to that question: heartbreaking late-season losses to Nebraska and Oklahoma (both by one point) might have pointed to regime change, only to have the Aggies beat arch-rival Texas in Austin in a 12-7 struggle. This year, the Aggies will face the Cornhuskers and Sooners on the road (along with making the trip to Miami to face the Hurricanes), all before winding up the season against Texas in College Station. Junior quarterback Stephen McGee had an impressive 2,295 yards passing in 2006, throwing 12 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions, statistics practically any coach would like to see out of a young player. McGee should improve on those numbers this season, resulting perhaps in a 10-win season…and more arguments over Franchione's fate at Texas A&M.
Aggies Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen McGee | QB | 91 | 2295 yds, 12 TD, 2 INT |
| Red Bryant | DT | 90 | 19 tackles, 1 sack |
| Jorvorskie Lane | HB | 89 | 725 yds, 19 TD |
Stadium: Kyle Field (82,600 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #11)
#23 Boise State Broncos (13-0)
In practical terms, it's going to be more or less impossible for the Broncos to repeat last year's storybook success. The team lost its starting quarterback and four of its top receivers. The schedule includes tough out-of-conference away games against Washington and Hawaii. And let's face it, the kind of "hook and ladder" lightning in a bottle from last year's Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma just can't be replicated at will. Then again, Boise State has made a career out exceeding expectations. This is a team, after all, that's won five straight WAC titles, and won three of its last five bowl games. Coach Chris Petersen knows how to get the most out of his players, so senior quarterback Taylor Tharp and junior running back Ian Johnson should be in good hands. These days, it's a telling sign of the program's progress that folks talk more about the Broncos' talent than their bright blue playing field.
Broncos Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Johnson | HB | 94 | 1713 yds, 25 TD |
| Marty Tadman | FS | 91 | 67 tackles, 6 INT |
| Orlando Scandrick | CB | 90 | 52 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT |
Stadium: Bronco Stadium (30,000 capacity)
#22 TCU Horned Frogs (11-2)
Even with LaDainian Tomlinson long gone from the lineup, TCU continues to find success in the Mountain West. Another team not found in NCAA Football 07's Top 25, the Horned Frogs ended up #22 in the final AP Top 25 poll thanks to wins over Colorado State, Texas Tech, and Air Force. The job of building on that success will fall largely to players like junior halfback Aaron Brown, who split time in the TCU backfield with Lonta Hobbs last season. The defense, built around players like defensive end Tommy Blake and safety Brian Bonner, could be the best in the conference, with nine starters returning to the team. Tough road games against the likes of Texas and BYU are major obstacles in the schedule, but there's no reason to think the team won't be at or near the top of its conference at the end of the season.
Horned Frogs Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Blake | DE | 95 | 54 tackles, 7 sacks |
| Brian Bonner | SS | 87 | 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 INT |
| Aaron Brown | HB | 84 | 801 yds, 9 TD |
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium (44,008 capacity)
#21 Florida State Seminoles (7-6)
Bobby Bowden's Seminoles had the ignominious job of introducing the rest of the nation to a resurgent Boston College team, after the Eagles beat the Seminoles in Tallahassee 24-19. Of course, hindsight tells us that BC was a better team than most folks gave them credit for, but Seminoles fans were nonetheless understandably less than pleased with the loss. This year's team has the advantage of bringing back 14 starters from last year, making it one of the most experienced Florida State teams in the past decade. They'll need all of that experience and talent to find success in a tough schedule that features games against Alabama, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Florida, and Boston College. Defensive standouts Myron Rolle and Geno Hayes combined for 136 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions in 2006, numbers that the Seminoles will need again in 2007 if they hope to emerge the best team in the Sunshine State.
Seminoles Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myron Rolle | SS | 94 | 77 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT |
| Geno Hayes | ROLB | 93 | 59 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT |
| Antone Smith | HB | 87 | 456 yds, 5 TD |
Stadium: Doak S. Campbell Stadium (82,300 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #14)
