Rivals Pre-season Rankings Countdown

[SoCalDomer]

While I don't put much stock in the actual pre-season rankings, Rivals is analyzing and counting down the top programs for 2009: Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 1-120 preseason rankings countdown

Rivals.com is in the midst of its 2008 countdown, releasing the preseason ranking of the Division I-A teams from No. 120 to No. 1.

We started at the bottom in groups of 10, and now we've moved to a daily countdown from 50th to first, with our No. 1 team to be unveiled July 31.

After that, you won't see any rankings from Rivals until early October. The reason: We will wait until enough games have been played so we can legitimately rank the teams.

The rankings were compiled by football writers Olin Buchanan, Tom Dienhart, David Fox, Mike Huguenin and Steve Megargee. They look forward to your e-mails and your comments on the message boards.

Teams ranked 1-50 will be broken down one-by-one over the next month and a half, while teams ranked 51-120 were already given a batch overview. Links to the 51-120 teams are at the bottom of the page in the above link.

 

[nd1988]

While I don't put much stock in the actual pre-season rankings, Rivals is analyzing and counting down the top programs for 2009: Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 1-120 preseason rankings countdown



Teams ranked 1-50 will be broken down one-by-one over the next month and a half, while teams ranked 51-120 were already given a batch overview. Links to the 51-120 teams are at the bottom of the page in the above link.

Been following the rivals preseason rankings and I seemed to noticed that ND is in the Top 50. There are teams that are well ranked below the Irish that I feel should be ranked ahead of them. ND has a lot to prove this year and therefore should not be ranked in the top 50. I just made myself cry saying that... But who knows...... They do have a pretty soft schedule. Who here on I.E. thinks JC is a mobile QB?

 

[irishmarine]

mobile? he wasnt last year....hahahah sorry

 

[nd1988]

I liked what I saw of JC while he was "running for his life". Seems to be quicker than I expected. One thing I hope he learns "NOT TO DO"...IS........... Please just don't throw the ball up for grabs.... Turnovers will be costly for this young and maturing team..

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

JC is very mobile, and don't forget the hip injury he suffered against Penn St. that stayed with him all year.

He does need to learn not to just get rid of it, but when every play is being broken up at some point you have to start trying to making anything happen, which was the case last year.

This year will be very different as our line should be able to give JC a little more time.

 

[GoldenDomer21]

JC is mobile, when he has an Oline that doesn't crumble like a cracker and stops those 250lb linebackers that are bee lining it for his chest.

As far the preseason polls. I also don't put much stock in them, but I think that people can see what ND is going to be capable of this season with the talent they have.

Its sad that 5 of NDs opponents are already on that board though.

 

[Irishlew]

while no one was more excited to land JC, I'm really hoping to see what Crist can do. I am more then willing to give JC another year, but if he struggles Crist should get some PT.

 

[ND22SB]

Crist has the frame to compete right away and I think will turn out to be better.....got ya....as good as Brady Q. Clausen will mature and become a leader not for just the offense, but for the team this year. I think he's ready to get this team started.

 

[SoCalDomer]

while no one was more excited to land JC, I'm really hoping to see what Crist can do. I am more then willing to give JC another year, but if he struggles Crist should get some PT.

No, he shouldn't.

First, if Clausen struggles, putting a true freshman in isn't going to be an improvement. True freshman QB's will struggle. And if you consider that Clausen was an early enrolee last year, he was not a true freshman in that sense. So Crist, who will only have one summer of practices will be even further behind than Clausen was at the start of last year.

Second, by giving Crist playing time, you waste a year of eligibility if all you're trying to do is get him some experience.

Last, Sharpley is the back-up, and he has more experience with the playbook and at the college speed.

 

[GoldenDomer21]

No, he shouldn't.

First, if Clausen struggles, putting a true freshman in isn't going to be an improvement. True freshman QB's will struggle. And if you consider that Clausen was an early enrolee last year, he was not a true freshman in that sense. So Crist, who will only have one summer of practices will be even further behind than Clausen was at the start of last year.

Second, by giving Crist playing time, you waste a year of eligibility if all you're trying to do is get him some experience.

Last, Sharpley is the back-up, and he has more experience with the playbook and at the college speed.

I agree. Let's think long term. We have two highly recruited top talent QB's hangin around. Red shirt Crist. get another year of separation between him and JC and develop his talent. Another year in practice is only going to do him good. Plus, watching on the sidelines for a year will help him be a more mature leader when it is his time. Hi signed up a year after the last top QB so he know this is probably the scenario. We not going to lose him to a transfer.

 

[irishfan]

Well, Central Michigan is ranked at #49. One more spot down I guess...

 

[IrishRamMan10]

Rivals top 120 countdown

Rivals top 120 countdown

they are already down to #44 and ND has still yet to be called seems like a good sign. I wonder where they will place the irish. What do you guys think. I say high 30's

Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 1-120 preseason rankings countdown

 

[NDOM]

I say #32

 

[SoCalDomer]

I'm kinda surprised they are going to be ranked as high as they are. I would almost prefer a low ranking so that the team won't have any extra expectations placed on them.

 

[IrishinTN]

Ditto.

 

[fitz_bu47]

37

 

[irishfan]

I'm kinda surprised they are going to be ranked as high as they are. I would almost prefer a low ranking so that the team won't have any extra expectations placed on them.

That's how I feel too, but I would like them to be ranked high enough where a good showing against San Diego State would get them atleast into the top 30 so we are within striking distance in case the schedule plays out well the first few games.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Today is #43 and it is UCLA, so still no Irish

 

[Mattmags]

they are already down to #44 and ND has still yet to be called seems like a good sign. I wonder where they will place the irish. What do you guys think. I say high 30's

Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 1-120 preseason rankings countdown

If rivals thinks highly of us I say 31
If rivals thinks poorly of us I say 40
In my opinion we should be ranked 37 (remember this is pre-season, not projected finish)

 

[ndlb41]

i say 35

 

[GoldenDomer21]

I'm going to be crazy and say #25...It's crazy, but how badass would it be to have a 3-9 season and come out ranked the next year? pretty cool!

 

[BDIrish4ever]

I'm going to be crazy and say #25...It's crazy, but how badass would it be to have a 3-9 season and come out ranked the next year? pretty cool!

I am going to go with you on this one GD21. I don't see #25 as that crazy. We didn't lose very much as far as returning starters go and the schedule is much less demanding due to our opponents' senior-heavy teams last year.

 

[ACamp1900]

I wouldn't be shocked at all if they have us in the top 25... only slightly suprised if they have us in the top 20... it figures to me... the schedule is a joke for the most part... a VERY young team last year will be simply a young team with a year of experience this year... three of the four classes on the field are elite... 3-9 was horrible but that is last year... this does look to be a 6 win season gimmie with potential for much more if things come together right... plau the haters will asll say "See ND is always rnaked high no matter how bad they really are!!" So it's kind of expected

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I agree with so cal, if for some reason we do not perform up to expectations and are ranked higher than we should be, you guys know that well never hear the end of it.(06'fiesta bowl)

 

[IrishGrizz]

I see a # 33 rating. I can't see anyone ranking us in the top 30 until we prove we can win.

 

[KAPLAN]

Ranking are very interesting. Do you do them based on where they should be to start the season or where you think they will finish the season? Georgia has a very good team but will get beat at least twice. We do not belong in the top 25 to start the season but will finish there.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Kap, I think these Rivals rankings are pre-season/start of the season rankings.

I think someone else came out recently with end of the season rankings that put ND in the top 25 to finish the season (20-25 I believe).

 

[IrishGrizz]

Kap, that is exactly what I see- we prove after winning enough games that we belong this season inside the top 20-25.

 

[KAPLAN]

Kap, I think these Rivals rankings are pre-season/start of the season rankings.

I think someone else came out recently with end of the season rankings that put ND in the top 25 to finish the season (20-25 I believe).

Phil Steele does his based on how he thinks they will finish. I could care less where they start us but we all know we will be in the top 25 after we beat Michigan

 

[SoCalDomer]

ya, that's who it was. thanks.