View a nice duke basketball photograph:
1962-1963 Duke Basketball Team
Image by Duke Yearlook
In 1963, the Duke Basketball Team were ACC Champions.
Repository: Duke University Archives. Durham, North Carolina, USA. library.duke.edu/uarchives
Tags: Duke Yearlook, Duke Basketball Team Image, North Carolina
I’ll admit I’m not the biggest basketball fan. I’m a casual fan with everything except Duke basketball and LeBron
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We are thrilled for you both. I just loved reading about the history of your lovely and long-distance relationship (go Duke basketball). and I will miss the celebration Apr 10, as be in MN that weekend…our own long-distance relationship, but we touch the Indonesia – Missoula one!
Lots of love
Nancy Hannigan and Aydelott
First look at 2008 Top 25CollegeFootballNews.com
Updated: January 18, 2008, 8:07 PM EST 2114 comments RSS digg blog email print For now, these rankings are based on how good the teams look following the 2007 season and coming back for 2008 and not necessarily where end up. forget that a great team can look lousy when playing a nasty schedule, while an average team might be overrated after playing a bunch of cream puffs.
Before getting too excited or too ticked off, remember, recruiting finished up yet and spring practice is still several weeks away. This is just an early indicator of where the teams might be.
1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2
More on underclassmen
College Football News projects draft prospects for this early entries.
Alphabetical listing
SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector.
The Buckeyes have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL think so with at least 11 not including both kickers, be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, be on day one of the 2008 NFL season.
A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the best kicking duos.
2. Georgia — 2007 Record: 11-2
Knowshon Moreno and Georgia will have sky-high expectations. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
The expectations are off the after a seven-game winning streak ended 2007 and almost all the top players coming back on both sides of the ball. The receiving corps could use an overall upgrade, and strong safety Kelin Johnson and end Marcus Howard will be missed, but nitpicking. The only other concern is the lack of a safety net behind Knowshon Moreno in the backfield, and Matthew Stafford has to become the NFL caliber expected to be, but this is a true national title contender from day one.
3. Oklahoma — 2007 Record: 11-3
This is a national title-caliber team if the offensive line plays up to its talent level. With OG Duke Robinson, OT Phil Loadholt and the rest of the back, this should be the best front five to give QB Sam Bradford and RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown time and room to work. WR Malcolm Kelly is gone, but Juaquin Iglesias was the best receiver over the course of 2007. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Lofton and CB Reggie Smith left early, and some other big voids need to be filled in the secondary, but this should still be one of the best defenses.
4. Florida — 2007 Record: 9-4
2006 might have been Urban Meyer coaching Ron team and 2007 might have been about restocking the shelves. Now, 2008 will be all about program getting back to a national title level. Top receiver Andre Caldwell is gone, two have to be replaced on the offensive line, and pass rushing star Derrick Harvey and strong safety Tony Joiner have to be replaced. about it. The running game will be better with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody expected to rock and roll right away, while Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin might just be the two best offensive players in America.
5. USC — 2007 Record: 11-2
Because of the brand name and the way the 2007 season ended, the Trojans will be in top three, if not No. 1. However, there are issues. The jury is still out on a receiving corps that underperformed, Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain have to prove of running the show, three have to be replaced on the O line, and a few key are gone off the killer defense. Of course, this is USC, it reloads, but this nearly as good a team as the one going into last year.
6. LSU — 2007 Record: 12-2
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Alright Les, all your program now. With a national title and three years at the helm, Miles has to replace several key players on his “damn good football team” along with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Ricky Jean-Francois needs to be the new star on the D line and Tyson Jackson has to play up to his pro potential, while defensive back seven has to replace outside linebackers Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders along with safety Craig Steltz and corner Chevis Jackson. The offense loses WR Early Doucet, steady QB Matt Flynn and bruising RB Jacob Hester. Even though another national title will be a lot to ask for, the attack should keep rolling with Ryan Perrilloux at behind a great line.
7. Wisconsin — 2007 Record: 9-4
If everyone can stay healthy, unlike 2007, the Badgers should be special. P.J. Hill, Lance Smith and Zach Brown form one of the best trio of running backs and work behind a loaded line with four returning. Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge has to establish himself at right away, but getting TE Travis Beckum back will help. CB Jack Ikegwuonu took off early for the NFL, but the D is loaded, especially at linebacker. The graduation of PK Taylor Mehlhaff and P Ken DeBauche will
8. Missouri — 2007 Record: 12-2
The Tigers are loaded. TE Chase Coffman returning for his senior season was a big step to give Heisman finalist Chase Daniel a star security blanket to go to. Finding a running back to replace Tony Temple will be the biggest issue, but Derrick Washington is a big-time prospect and there are enough playmakers with enough experience on the line to expect another strong season. DT Lorenzo Williams is gone, but nine are back to go along with PK Jeff
9. West Virginia — 2007 Record: 12-2
Call this a wait-and-see ranking considering the new coaching staff and some key losses. Bill loses Steve Slaton and Darius Reynaud early to the NFL, but that happened if Rich Rodriguez was still around. QB Pat White and WR/RB Noel Devine will be the stars of the attack working behind a fantastic O line with all five returning including OT Ryan Stanchek. The defense has to make some major replacements with Keilen Dykes and Johnny Dingle gone off the line along with four in the five man secondary, including SS Eric Wicks and FS Ryan Mundy.
10. Texas Tech — 2007 Record: 9-4
Graham Harrell and the Red Raiders will be stacked. (Sam Greenwood / Getty Images)
Oh…my…goodness. Texas Tech had the No. 1 passing offense and was No. 2 in total offense, and now everyone is back but WR Danny Amendola. WR Michael Crabtree, QB Graham Harrell, all five offensive linemen, along with their backups…everyone. LB Paul Williams and CB Chris Parker, who are all replaceable, are two of the three losses off the defense. The other, SS Joe Garcia, will The biggest loss, other than Amendola and Garcia, is clutch PK Alex Trlica.
11. Penn State — 2007 Record: 9-4
The receiving corps should be fantastic with Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood back, but going to throw him the ball? Daryll Clark will have the inside track, adding more running to the mix, but Pat Devlin will get a shot. Everyone is back on the O line and nine return on defense losing LB Dan Connor along with CB Justin King, who left early for the NFL.
12. Tennessee — 2007 Record: 10-4
Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe going to Duke is the biggest loss for the team with QB Erik Ainge not far behind. Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens will battle for the quarterback gig with a loaded backfield and a nasty offensive line to work with. All five return up front, all the receivers are back, and the secondary, even without Jonathan Hefney, should be fine. The much-maligned defensive front will be the biggest problem losing three on the line along with linebackers Ryan Karl and Jerod Mayo.
13. Kansas — 2007 Record: 12-1
Can Kansas really be a preseason top five team? Even after a 12-1 season with an Orange Bowl victory, it still seems strange to think of KU as elite, but the team should be the real deal with QB Todd Reesing leading a loaded offense, even with the loss of OT Anthony Collins, WR Marcus Henry and RB Brandon McAnderson. DT James McClinton is done and CB Aqib Talib left early, but the other nine are back. Both kickers need to be replaced.
14. Auburn — 2007 Record: 9-4
Will the Tony Franklin offense be ready to fly right away? Is Kody Burns ready to be the spread to the attack? The running game should be tremendous with all five on the O line back along with top running backs Brad Lester, Ben Tate and Mario Fannin. The defensive line needs three new to go around Marks, but six of the are back in the back seven.
15. Texas — 2007 Record: 10-3
Was the Holiday Bowl the spark for a big 2008? QB Colt McCoy leads a strong offense that should be fine even with RB Jamaal Charles and TE Jermichael Finley bolting early. The O line was a big problem, but for good or bad, all the return. Defense is a big issue, losing tackles Frank Okam and Derek Lokey along with five in the back seven. New coordinator Will Muschamp should change things in a big hurry.
16. Oregon — 2007 Record: 9-4
At least Justin Roper got experience after Dennis injury. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images)
The silver lining in the loss of Dennis Dixon late in the year was the experience Justin Roper got. battle with Cody Kempt for the job with the winner getting a fantastic receiving corps to work with, led by Jaison Williams, but RB Jonathan is gone. C Max Unger leads a tremendous offensive line, while pass rushing terror Nick Reed should grow into a superstar. The defensive tackles are gone and there are some holes to fill at linebacker, but the defense should be better.
17. Virginia Tech — 2007 Record: 11-3
The defending ACC champions should be take a step back unless the defensive line and receiving corps can reload. This is a running team and anyone who gets the ball will produce behind a good line with four returning. Will the offense continue with the two-headed attack of Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor, or will Taylor take over? Taylor and his running skills might be needed with Branden Ore gone early. Along with issues on the line, the D loses corner Brandon Flowers, and most painfully, the linebacking tandem of Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi.
18. Illinois — 2007 Record: 9-4
The loss of Big Ten Player of the Year Rashard Mendenhall will set the running game back a bit, but the biggest issue is up the middle on defense with DT Chris Norwell, LB J Leman and safeties Kevin Mitchell and Justin Harrison gone. The top-shelf recruiting classes under Ron Zook should kick in full force on both sides of the ball and now the expectations will be there.
19. Boston College — 2007 Record: 12-2
expect a major drop-off even with the loss of three offensive linemen, QB Matt Ryan, and RBs Andre Callender and L.V. Why? Defense. Eight are back, and while losing FS Jamie Silva and DE Nick Larkin will be felt, this should still be one of the best Ds.
20. Clemson — 2007 Record: 9-4
all up to the offensive line that only gets back one — C Thomas Austin. QB Cullen Harper is an ultra-accurate passer who gets top targets Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham back to light up the ACC, but the real star should be RB C.J. Spiller with James Davis jetting early for the NFL. It been nice if DE Phillip Merling returned for his senior year, but as is, eight return including everyone in the secondary.
21. Michigan — 2007 Record: 9-4
Rich Rodriguez has a lot of work ahead at Michigan. ( / Getty Images)
Expect a step back to take a big leap forward, at least offensively. There been one of the best passing games with Ryan Mallett throwing to Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington, but they all took off. the Georgia Tech transfer Steven Threet? a passer, but Rich Rodriguez will want a dual-threat playmaker meaning Terrelle Pryor, the top recruit, could be coming to Ann Arbor, or Carlos Brown could step in from the running back corps. The defense takes a big hit, but DT Terrance Taylor should be a strong anchor to build around.
22. BYU — 2007 Record: 11-2
Looking for your early sleeper for an at-large BCS spot? BYU gets everyone back on offense but C Sete Aulai and WR Matt Allen. QB Max Hall and the running tandem of Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna will have to put up plenty of points early on with three gone out of the secondary along with three of the four linebackers, but pass rushing star Jan Jorgensen is back.
23. South Carolina — 2007 Record: 6-6
The SEC East might be loaded, but anything less than being in the hunt for the division title until the end will be unacceptable. The time is now for Steve Spurrier to actually do something with the program. QB Chris Smelley, WR Kenny McKinley, and RB Mike Davis form a nice nucleus, four return to the offensive line, and everyone of note is back on defense.
24. Alabama — 2007 Record: 7-6
Nick first season was supposed to be about building towards the future, and now the future has to be now. The offensive line has the potential to be the best in the SEC, while all the top running backs, and QB John Parker Wilson, return in the backfield. The receiving corps has to replace D.J. Hall and Matt Caddell, while the defense has to find replacement for end Wallace Gilberry, two linebackers and top CB Simeon Castille.
25. Wake Forest — 2007 Record: 9-4
Can Jim Grobe come up with a third straight strong season? Absolutely. QB Riley Skinner and RB Josh Adams are back to ease the loss of pass-catching machine Kenneth Moore, and only two are gone off the line. The defense gets back star CB Alphonso Smith and the linebacking tandem of Aaron Curry and Stanley Arnoux, but the line has to replace three P/PK Sam Swank is back for what seems like his 19th year in a Demon Deacon uniform.
Mar 10, 2013 anytime for an indefinite timeframe United States