First, a little info about The Phil Steele magazine. The Phil Steele magazine has been the #1 rated (most informative and accurate) college preview magazine for 8 years in a row. If you ask anyone that buys these pre-season magazines (Athlon, Street an Smith, Lindy's, ect) which they like the best, they will tell you that Phil Steele's is the most for your money, and the most accurate. Right Brent? Brent was actually the one that turned me on to the mag last year, with his rave reviews.. lol. I must say, I give this edition kudos if it works out for the Cocks the way they think it will.
Phil Steele's Top 50.. Just the top 5 and the others in the SEC and ACC
1) USC
2) LSU
3) Oklahoma
4) West Virginia
5) Michigan
8) FSU
9) VT
11) UGA
13) South Carolina
14) Florida
17) Alabama
25) Tennessee
27) Miami
36) Virginia
37) Arkansas
41) Auburn
42) Georgia Tech
45) Clemson
49) NC State
What Phil said about Clemson's upcoming season
Phil Steele has Clemson ranked 2nd in the Atlantic division of the ACC and this is what he had to say about them:
Clemson has a shot at the Atlantic division title with their ACC schedule. However, they host FSU in the opener with a inexperienced O-line and QB getting their first starts. Later they host the league favorite VT, so most of their winnable games are on the road. Clemson did outgain ACC foes by 138.1 ypg last year. This year they have just 12 returning starters and their 28 lettermen lost is 9 more than the next highest in the conference. The season opener against FSU could be the key to Clemson's season, which as usual will have it's ups and downs.
What Phil said about Carolina's upcoming season
Phil Steele has Carolina tied with UGA for 1st place in the eastern division of the SEC and this is what he had to say about them:
When Steve Spurrier took over, I took a look at the talent and experience levels and noted that new coaches generally have their best success in their 3rd seasons. Spurrier's team had overacheieved in his first 2 years with a pair of bowl berths and a 15-10 overall record. This year he has his squad on par with the big boys of the SEC East and if not for a tough SEC road schedule in which they must face, UGA, LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas away from home, I would have called for them to win the SEC East outright. This is Spurrier's best squad yet and they are now officailly one of the SEC East powers.
Phil's bowl pedictions
South Carolina in the Outback Bowl Vs. Iowa
Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl Vs. Wisconsin
Phil's toughest conference rankings for 2007
1) SEC
2) Pac 10
3) Big 12
4) Big 10
5) ACC
6) Big East
In conclusion...
Man I hope this magazine is right! If it is a sign of things that he has predicted before, he will be.
