Phil Steele Preseason Top 40

[slick1ru2]

I didn't see this posted already, just the post about his top 40 teams, so here is the ESPN blogger Adelson's take on it.....

Phil Steele picks USF to win Big East

May, 29, 2012

May 29

2:00

PM ET

By Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com

Noted college football guru Phil Steele has made a pretty bold prediction in his 2012 College Football Preview.

Steele says USF will win its first ever Big East title.

I have to say, I am not surprised to see Steele make this pick. As you guys know, I moved USF all the way up to No. 2 in my post-spring power rankings. The more you study what USF has returning, the more you convince yourself this team has a shot at winning a title. Yes, we all know about the history, about stumbling in Big East play and choking away games they should not.

But generally, it is hard to pick against teams with 1) a four-year starter and quarterback; 2) a huge senior class with the potential for at least 15 starters; 3) and a team with four Big East home games. That is the logic Steele has used in making this pick. But more than winning the Big East, Steele also predicts USF will end the season ranked for the first time and be one of the most improved teams in the nation.

He has the Bulls at No. 20 and says, "(Skip) Holtz won two CUSA titles with less talent that he has here."

Steele has two other Big East teams ranked in his Top 40 -- Louisville at No. 34 and Rutgers at No. 40. Steele concedes he may have picked the Scarlet Knights to win the Big East if Greg Schiano had stayed on instead of leaving for the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Here is how Steele predicts the league to shake out:

1. USF

2. Louisville

3. Rutgers

4. Pitt

4. Cincinnati

6. UConn

7. Syracuse

8. Temple

For those wondering, Steele had Pitt winning the Big East and going to the BCS in 2010 and 2011.

Steele has an incredible amount of information in his preview, and I will fill you in on more in the coming weeks. His 2012 College Football Preview hits newsstands June 5.

[Skingraft]

AA/DR

[usfbullrider]

And he's got UCF winning conference USA and Florida at number #10. He drinks the Florida koolaid pretty heavy.

[Joe]

I believe from an accuracy standpoint no one has been proven to be better than Phil Steele.

[Apis Bull]

I believe from an accuracy standpoint no one has been proven to be better than Phil Steele.

I hope he's accurate this time.

[smazza]

1. most of us know more about usf football than this guy
   

[Triple B]

1. most of us know more about usf football than this guy
   

Us??

[charsibb]

1. most of us know more about usf football than this guy
   

Us??

What do you me "we", paleface?

Edited June 3, 2012 by charsibb

[SilverBull]

After last season and the change in the conference landscape, this is the first year when I feel I have absolutely no idea how the team will perform. I hope Phil Steele has it nailed this time but I have this nagging skepticism. To quote Maureen O'Hara from Miracle on 34th Street: "I never really doubted you, it was just my silly common sense."

[SilverBull]

Finally read more fully the Phil Steele analysis.

Florida State No. 1

Florida No. 10

UCF No.15 and top-ranked non AQ team

USF No. 20 and Big East champ

Four in the top 20? I think Phil has spent to much time in the Florida sun.