Sure, the NCAA college-football season doesn't start for a few more months, but in the world of video games, college pigskin begins in July. That's when EA Sports traditionally releases the next iteration in its NCAA Football series, and this year is no different. On July 18, the publisher will release NCAA Football 07 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360. In preparation for the upcoming release, we'll take the next four weeks to look at the top 25 teams in NCAA 07, starting here with teams ranked 25 to 16. We've also got a look at the three impact players on each squad, as well as video of every team in the top 25. Join us back here today and every Friday for an updated look at the best teams in the nation (according to EA, that is) to see where your favorite lines up.
The Yellowjackets came out of the gate swinging in 2005, with convincing defeats of Auburn and North Carolina to start off the season in fine form. The good results didn't last for long, however, as Tech fell at the hands of Virginia Tech and N.C. State in back-to-back weeks, and then they later lost to Virginia, archrival Georgia, and Utah to cap off a 7-5 season. If they hope to best that result, it will largely be thanks to the hands of wideout phenom Calvin Johnson, who has the ability to make defenders look silly with his long frame and speedy feet. Tossing the rock to Johnson will be senior quarterback Reggie Ball, who passed for more than 2,100 yards in 2005.
Calvin Johnson can look forward to more touchdowns and lots more yards once the 2006 college football season kicks off.
Yellowjacket Impact Players
KaMichael Hall
Reggie Ball WR
LOLB
QB 888 yds, 6 TD
2 tackles, 2 assists, 2 INT
2165 yds, 10 TD, 11 INT
Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium
After struggling for several seasons, Tide fans were just about ready to give up on coach Mike Shula. After a 6-6 season in 2004, and worse results before that, the Crimson Tide was looking like a shell of its former dominant self. And then something funny happened in 2005. The Tide won. And won. And won. With huge victories over Florida and Steve Spurrier's revamped South Carolina program, the Tide was truly on a roll until they bumped into the twin Tigers of LSU and Auburn, who beat Alabama in back-to-back Saturdays to dampen the Tide's fires a bit at the end of the season. Still, there's no reason to think Alabama won't continue their winning ways in 2006, especially with players such as halfback Kenneth Darby and linebacker Juwan Simpson leading the team.
Kenneth Darby has danced his way to 2,489 rushing yards during his three seasons at 'Bama.
Crimson Tide Impact Players
Kenneth Darby
Ramzee Robinson ROLB
HB
CB 2 INT
1242 yds, 3 TD
2 INT
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Toughest Place to Play Ranking: #17)
Tommy Bowden has been on and off the Clemson hot seat for the past few seasons, and while last year's 8-4 record isn't anything to scoff at, close losses to teams such as Georgia Tech, Miami, and Boston College hint to the season that could have been for Bowden and his Tigers. This season, standout players such as Chansi Stuckey at wide receiver, Anthony Waters at linebacker, and defensive end Gaines Adams hope to help Bowden off that hot seat once and for all.
Middle linebacker Anthony Waters is sure to give opposing quarterbacks fits this season.
Clemson Impact Players
Anthony Waters
Chansi Stuckey RE
MLB
WR 37 tackles,19 assists,10 sacks
74 tackles,35 assists,2 sacks
770 yds, 4 TD
Clemson Memorial Stadium (Toughest Place to Play Ranking: #23)
Gameplay Movie
The Iowa State Cyclones are on the road against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in this clip.
Another program on a slow and steady rise to prominence, Texas Tech has slowly been building winning season after winning season under the expert guidance of head coach Mike Leech. Lynchpins in the Red Raiders' 2005 season were wins over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Nebraska. A narrow defeat at the hands of Alabama in the Cotton Bowl kept the Red Raiders down to earth, however. This season, Texas Tech hopes to improve on their football fortunes with a pair of dynamic wide receivers, Joel Filani and Jarrett Hicks, who combined for more than 1,800 yards in 2005, as well as 18 touchdowns.
With ten touchdowns in the Red Raiders' 2005 campaign, Jarrett Hicks defines the description of 'impact player'.
Red Raiders Impact Players
Joel Filani
Keyunta Dawson WR
WR
DE (LOLB) 850 yds, 10 TD
1007 yds, 8 TD
40 tackles, 22 assists, 3 sacks
Stadium: Jones AT&T Stadium
Gameplay Movie
It's a cross-state battle as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Hokies from Virginia Tech.
The ignominious dismissal of quarterback Marcus Vick last season was a lowlight in an otherwise sterling few seasons for the Hokies. Despite his off-field troubles, Vick helped guide Virginia Tech to an 11-2 record, defeating Louisville in the Gator Bowl. With Vick gone, however, the Hokies will have to go about rebuilding an offense that has for the past few years relied on mobile quarterbacks with cannons for arms. Sean Glennon seems to be the early favorite for the start (at least, according to NCAA 07), but there is plenty of talent on the ball, including Eddie Royal at wide receiver who will look to make a big jump from his relatively sedate 2005 season, which saw him catch 27 balls for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Left outside linebacker Xavier Adibi and his teammate Vince Hall comprise two-thirds of the best linebacking corps in the ACC.
Hokies Impact Players
Vince Hall
Eddie Royal LOLB
MLB
WR 2 INT, 1 TD
2 INT, 1 TD
315 yds, 2 TD
Stadium: Lane Stadium (Toughest Place to Play Ranking: #5).
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