The college football season continues to roll on and after week #3 is in the books, the landscape of the collegiate ranks is beginning to come into focus. We are now beginning to separate our ‘contenders’ from the ‘pretenders’. Sure the Big Ten is still an awkward mess and the South Carolina’s and Hawaii’s of the world are still unbeaten and in the top 20, but they are not national championship contenders, let’s just be realistic shall we. After awakening from the stupor I was in on Saturday night after watching my arch-nemesis the Michigan Wolverines trounce my beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish I came to one realization—that every team in the nation has a fatal flaw that they can’t overcome—except for a selected seven teams that I feel have LEGIT national championship aspirations. Those seven in no particular order are: USC, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia, California, and Texas. And there in lies the beauty that is college football, there is at least one major elimination game each and every weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I would absolutely love a ‘tournament’ style playoff system for college football, but while that doesn’t appear to be on the immediate horizon, you have to appreciate what college football is offering currently. Of the top seven teams listed above, USC will have to square off with California, LSU and Florida will have to battle it out for the SEC crown, and the annual celebration that is Oklahoma vs. Texas will also take place in a couple weeks. West Virginia doesn’t have it easy by any means, they will have to play Louisville as well as Rutgers. I just hear this hyperbole that there will be several undefeated teams at the end of the regular season, and I know better than to join these bold conclusions, at the end of the day, there will only be two undefeated teams remaining (if were lucky, hopefully it’s not one because that would open up a whole new can of worms) and those two teams are going to be the USC Trojans and the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Now that this week’s rant is complete, let’s move on to “The Prospect Stock Market”:

RISING:

USC Trojans: The Trojans were absolutely dominant on Saturday night against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They were impressive in several fashions, but their offensive line stood out more than most. Anchored by potential 1^st round prospect Sam Baker the Trojans were opening up monstrous holes for their running back by committee to run through. The Trojans are already #1 in the polls so they can’t rise there, but their overall perception should rise in the minds of college football fans everywhere.

LSU Tigers: Once again they did not play the greatest competition in Middle Tennessee, but the LSU defense is flat out scary. With star defenders Glenn Dorsey and Ali Highsmith leading the way, this team might be on their way to the SEC crown.

Florida Gators: Their offense is high octane, and hanging 59 point on the Tennessee Volunteers, down year or not, is always impressive. I still worry about this team’s defense and wonder if it will lead to their downfall eventually, however, they have been really impressive and their chance for back to back championships are much more legit than originally thought.

Andre Woodson QB Kentucky: I mentioned in this very segment two weeks ago that eventually there would be debates in draft circles whether Andre Woodson or Brian Brohm would be the top QB selected in the 2008 NFL Draft. Well, after Kentucky’s upset of Louisville on Saturday night…let the debate begin.

Matt Ryan QB Boston College: How impressive have Matt Ryan and the Boston College Eagles been so far in 2007? Three consecutive wins over ACC opponents, including knocking off last years ACC Champion Wake Forest as well as a very impressive win this past weekend at #15 ranked Georgia Tech. Last week I wanted to see how Ryan did against better defenses, point proven Matt Ryan. His stock is climbing significantly as many scouts see a Matt Schaub comparison in Ryan. Don’t look now folks, but the Boston College Eagles will most likely be favored in every game they have the rest of the regular season and could be crashing the national championship party.

Justin Forsett RB California: Forsett will never be an every down back at the next level, but he’s got some abilities and with the NFL utilizing more and more running backs out of the backfield as receiving options, Forsett might be able to get some interest from NFL scouts.

Jonathan Stewart and the Oregon Ducks: The momentum just continues to build for the Ducks as they rolled over the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday 52-21. Their offense is prolific and WRR favorite Jonathan Stewart is extremely quick for a man his size and could make a perfect fit for an NFL Franchise at the next level. 165 yards on just 17 carries with two touchdowns fully displays his talents for the first time this season.

STATUS QUO:

Colt Brennan QB Hawaii: Colt Brennan displayed a new element to his game late Saturday night when he RAN for 3 touchdowns. He’s not much of a scrambler, but I just thought it was something of note. His accuracy is better than advertised going 26 of 32, 81% completion percentage. Colt Brennan is the pure definition of status quo for me, at this point, I just want to see how he does in the workouts following the season.

Darren McFadden RB Arkansas: In a losing effort against the Alabama Crimson Tide Darren McFadden ran for 195 yards and two scores. Week in and week out he puts on a show, and is as solid a player there is in college football. As the game wore on the ‘Bama defenders wore down and McFadden took advantage. His performances have been very solid considering the Razorbacks have no passing game to speak of and teams game plan to stop McFadden week in and week out. There is one concern, rumor has it that in the crunch time on Saturday night he took himself out of the game ala Scottie Pippen. I am not sure if this is the case or not, but it has been rumored.

Texas Longhorns: Yes, they are winning ball games right now, but they are doing it in a sloppy fashion. If they play against Oklahoma like they have the past two weeks the Sooners will walk the dog on the Longhorns.

PJ Hill RB Wisconsin: Before I receive any ‘hate mail’ regarding PJ Hill, I will mention the Wisconsin RB once again this week. While the stat line of 168 yards and 4 touchdowns line may be impressive, it was against the Citadel and they were struggling with them in the first half. Hill is a very good collegiate RB, I have never doubted this, I am just not sure if he will make it as an every down back at the next level, and nothing I have seen has changed my mind, like Colt Brennan, all my interest is in the individual workouts whenever Hill decides to turn pro.

Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nitney Lions: I am still not blown away by either team. I know that someone has to win the Big Ten, but that someone appears to be Wisconsin in 2007. I expect both the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions to have 2 or 3 losses when all things are said and done.

Rutgers, South Carolina, and Clemson: They beat up on inferior opponents…nothing else to see here.

FALLING:

Oklahoma State offense: Outside of the Michigan Wolverines, the so-called “Greatest Offense in the World” hailing from Oklahoma State, the trio of Bobby Reid, Adarius Bowman, and Dantrell Savage have been the most over-hyped entity that college football has to offer. Neither Reid nor Savage even played in Week #3 and Bowman was average at best in their embarrassing loss to Troy.

Brian Brohm QB Louisville: If I am going to slam the duo of Chad Henne and Mike Hart for coming back for their senior season to compete for a National Championship and then lay a goose egg, I have to slam Brian Brohm as well. Brian Brohm doesn’t play on defense, where the Cardinals have their biggest issues, however, being out-dueled by cross-state Kentucky gun-slinger Andre Woodson is not a good thing to have happen during your senior season. On Saturday is conceivable that Brohm lost his chance at the Heisman Trophy, a National Championship, and the #1 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

UCLA Bruins: The Bruins got stomped Saturday night by un-ranked Utah 44-6. It is a jaw-dropping result, trust me, I wasn’t able to watch the game and when I saw the score, my jaw literally dropped. Bigger things were expected from this team and now you have to wonder if this is even the 4^th best team the Pac 10 has to offer with California and Oregon continuing to win impressively. QB Ben Olsen did not have a terrible game statistically, he just made several costly errors with the three interceptions.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: I know Nebraska fans that you may not know what that buzz-saw was that hit you on Saturday night…it was the USC Trojans, and yes, they are that good.

Any senior playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Now I’m just self-loathing…

As the 2007 NFL Draft process wraps up, we are turning our attention to the class of 2008. During the off-season, we will be presenting our top prospects lists and juniors to watch list. Below is our early list of prospects, subject to change during the 2007-08 season.

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (Junior) - The 2006 Doak Walker Award winner, McFadden could enter the 2008 draft as a junior. McFadden’s combination of speed, size, and elusiveness, would rank him among the top running backs to enter the draft in history. He was the runner up for the Heisman Trophy in 2006, after rushing for 1,558 yards. McFadden is a big back at 6′2, weighing 210 lbs. He runs with a great deal of power and has yet to demonstrate any of the durability concerns that have plagued recent top prospects.
2. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville - Brohm considered entering the 2007 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Louisville, despite a change in the coaching staff. Brohm has ideal size for a QB at a 6′4, 225, and one of the strongest arms in college football. Brohm has been extremely efficient at Louisville, completing over 63% of his passes in 2 years as a starter. Brohm has had thumb and knee injuries at Louisville, but has the size and quick release to remain healthy at the NFL level.
3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Long could have been a top 10 pick if he had entered the 2007 NFL Draft. He decided to return for his senior season at Michigan. Long was the 2006 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, over top 5 picks, Joe Thomas and Levi Brown. Long has exceptional strength and is very technically sound. At 6′7, 313 lb, Long has the ability to add more weight to his already impressive frame.
4. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - At 6′2, 299 lbs, Dorsey is an ideal 3 technique DT. He is another player who could have entered the 2007 NFL Draft and likely would be a high draft pick. He had 64 tackles last season while anchoring the LSU line. He needs to continue to improve his strength, but if he can have another standout season, he will be the top defensive lineman off the board in the 2008 Draft.
5. Sam Baker, OT, USC - Baker also choose to return to school after considering declaring for the 2007 NFL Draft. Baker is a good athlete with outstanding mobility. He needs to add strength to his game, as he is a better pass blocker than a run blocker at this point. He has the athleticism to project to left tackle at the next level.
6. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Junior) - Another in the long line of outstanding safeties from the “U”, Phillips has terrific size at 6′2, 202 and outstanding agility. He runs a sub 4.45 40 and unlike some other recent Miami safeties, he is a terrific student who really understands the game. Phillips intercepted 4 passes in 9 games last season and will be expected to step up his game following the departure of Brandon Meriweather.
7. Desean Jackson, WR, Cal (Junior) - Jackson is among the best playmakers in college football. He has value in the return game and is an exceptional receiver. He has good hands and runs his routes well. He has scored 21 touchdowns in 24 career games, which demonstrates his playmaking ability. He had 59 receptions and over 1,000 yards for the productive Cal offense in 2006 and is likely to exceed that production in 2007. Jackson must add bulk - his 166 lb frame is too small for the NFL at this point.
8. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC - One of the most watched juniors during the 2006-07 season, Jackson regressed slightly after an outstanding sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 10 sacks and earn 1st team All Pac-Ten. Jackson is 6′5, 275 lb and has the frame to add weight without losing mobility. He has an explosive first step and if he can play with more consistency in the 2007-08 season, he will see his name called early in the draft.
9. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State - Another great linebacker from “Linebacker U.”, Connor totaled 113 tackles in his junior season, including 9 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks. Connor will be entering the 2007 season has a four year starter and the top LB prospect in the country. He has the quickness to play sideline to sideline and could project to the NFL as a MLB or an OLB.
10. Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia - Oliver has ideal size for a corner and has the ability both to play off coverage and press coverage. He had an outstanding junior campaign, regularly matching up against the top receiver on the other team. He held Calvin Johnson to only 13 yards and Sidney Rice to 31 yards receiving. He needs to display more consistency in his game, but he has the physical tools to be the top corner in the 2008 class. *** Update *** Oliver has declared for the 2007 NFL Supplemental draft after academics trouble at Georgia.