Picks 16-20. Preseason BlogPoll selections (e.g. quasi-meaningful). We’ve pretty much run out of snappy jokes.
16. LSU
The much-ballyhooed Billboard
Wars were kind of a let down — the USC dynasty billboard never graced the skies of
Louisiana (because of threats of vandalism) and the onepeat
billboard went up and didn’t get vandalized, so really we’re just
left with LSU fans still smelling like corn dogs.
No seriously, we have no idea what LSU fans smell like since USC has
never played the Tigers. The only reason we have them here is they have
traditional foes — Auburn, Florida, Tennesse and Arkansas — all on the
road. And Arizona coming to town might be the biggest game no one is
talking about.
17. Fresno State
This team is not afraid to punch you in the face, and then
let
you
punch them back, harder. That Bulldog mindset just makes them a tough
opponent
to face. And with arguably the top center in the nation returning (Kyle
Young), the
team should continue to control it from the get-go. Fresno State has a
history of great QB’s too, but they will have to replace 4-year
starter, Paul Pinegar.
18. Arizona
This program is building and everyone knows they are going to
be a Pac-10 nemisis for USC for some time to come. We think they may
blossom sooner rather than later. Nine mostly-Stoops-recruited starters
are
returning on defense, including a strong front 7, one of the best CB’s
in the nation, Antoine Cason, and a national defensive
player-of-the-week, SS Michael
Johnson. They have some scary new D-Lineman in Louis
Holmes, a
JUCO-transfer that Pete Carroll went all-out to try and recruit, and
JUCO-transfer Gabe Long who commited to USC
in 2005 but never passed entrance
exams.
19. Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s offense is pretty potent, and that’s why there
here.
It’s not like we’d root for a team just so one of their fans could yell "Gooooooo
Raaaaaaaaiders!" as many times as possible. That’d be crazy.
20. Georgia
With a super easy start to their schedule, Georgia should be
able to get away with their "new" guys (since they only have 10
returning starters). Defensive end Quentin Moses should keep opposing
QBs nervous. But despite success under Mark Richt the past 5 years, we
think this is a rebuilding year for Georgia. What can we say other than that we like the Bulldogs from Fresno
State better.

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