Great Expectations

College Football News has laid out its pre-season rankings. Here's where they put Florida teams:

4. Florida 2007 Record: 9-4
2006 might have been Urban Meyer coaching Ron Zook's team, 2007 might have been about restocking the shelves, and now 2008 will be all about Meyer's program getting back to a national title level. Top receiver Andre Caldwell is gone, two starters have to be replaced on the offensive line, and pass rushing star Derrick Harvey and strong safety Tony Joiner have to be replaced. That's 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.

31. South Florida 2007 Record: 9-4
A breakout season is now marred by the blowout loss to Oregon in the Sun Bowl and the story of LB Ben Moffitt not doing any of his own schoolwork. The return of QB Matt Grothe should help turn things back around on the field, and he has a loaded offense to work with losing just one starter, OT Walt Walker. The defense loses Moffitt, star CBs Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams, and two D linemen, but DE George Selvie is back along with five other starters.

43. Miami 2007 Record: 5-7
Is Jacory Harris ready to roll right away? The superstar recruit, and several other true freshmen from a loaded haul, might be thrown to the wolves with Robert Marve the only returning quarterback on scholarship thanks to Kirby Freeman bailing. As expected, DE Calais Campbell and S Kenny Phillips bolted early, but there are enough good pieces returning to hope for a stronger year from the D. The offense has a strong backfield, but everything else has to undergo an overhaul. Expect plenty of true freshmen from a great recruiting class to see time.

47. Florida State 2007 Record: 7-6
Who's going to be welcomed back in the mix after the cheating fiasco? With Xavier Lee giving up and trying to move on to the NFL, the offense is all Drew Weatherford's to run. WR Greg Carr and RB Antone Smith are two of the ACC's most talented skill players, while RB Preston Parker should make more of an impact. The right side of the O line has to be replaced and bombing PK Gary Cismesia is gone, along with DT Andre Fluellen and LB Geno Hayes, but the defense gets back eight starters including S Myron Rolle and LB Derek Nicholson.

68. UCF 2007 Record: 10-4
Kevin Smith expectedly, and wisely, jumped to the NFL early taking away the entire offense with him. Also gone is QB Kyle Israel meaning Michael Greco, a big, strong thrower, will get the first look this off-season. There are enough good returning players on offense to hope the overall production doesn't take a tumble, but it'll be the defense that carries the team early on with everyone of note in the back seven returning. The big loss is on the line with the graduation of end Leger Douzable.

81. Florida Atlantic 2007 Record: 8-5
Led by QB Rusty Smith, the defending Sun Belt champions should have one of the league's best attacks. Ten starters return on offense, while the defense should be fantastic up front with six of the front seven back. The secondary might be a little bit of an issue losing safeties Kris Bartels and Taheem Aceveda, but Tavious Polo and Corey Small form the league's best corner pair.

119. Florida International 2007 Record: 1-11 U
Mario Cristobal's first year got better as it went on, and now all the lumps taken should payoff with ten starters returning on offense and eight on defense. Can QB Paul McCall finally get the passing game going? Will A'Mod Ned and Julian Reams provide a running game? The Golden Panthers won't win the Sun Belt, but they'll be better.