I'll be the first to admit, college sports are not as much of my forte as the pro versions are. With that said, I still follow college football with some regularity and with the start of the season fast approaching I'm throwing my hat into the ring and naming my preseason top 25. There will be brief descriptions to go with each team I mention, and with that said, lets get into it.
1. Alabama
A lot of roster turnover is occurring for the Crimson Tide, especially at the skill positions on offense, but they are still the best team in the best conference in and college football. At least they can always rely on their defense too.
2. Oklahoma
A matchup with Florida St. may tell the tale on whether or not the Sooners can make it to the BCS title game. A road game at a formidable Oklahoma St. team will be big as well. QB Landry Jones is a Heisman candidate among 18 starters returning.
3. Oregon
Oregon's run with USC's fall from grace in the Pac 10 (now PAC 12). The first game of the season may be a landmine as they play LSU, and they have to find a way to outscore Andrew Luck. This is a track team, but a skilled one. I love their chances.
4. LSU
I'm taking Oregon to beat LSU, as you can see, but they're pretty close adversaries. LSU's biggest issue will be not slipping up when they probably play the toughest competition of any team in the country. I don't think this is a team with the mental toughness to make it out unscathed.
5. Boise St.
Another talented team for what has become a consistent powerhouse of a program over recent years. The question remains though, does an undefeated Boise St. command the respect to make the title game? They do play Georgia this year, which adds legitimacy, and undefeated is in the bounds of imagination, but is it enough?
6. Stanford
This team very well may be peaking as Andrew Luck is a senior, but will they be able to replicate last year's fine play without Head Coach Jim Harbaugh? They ease into their schedule nicely which means they can work out the growing pains if needed. They'll give Oregon problems in the PAC 12.
7. Florida St.
Florida St. hasn't been that strong in recent years, but that is looking to change. This is a defense that is looking to step up to the next level. Replacing Christian Ponder may be an issue, but if the Seminoles can score points, they'll be in really good shape.
8. Texas A&M
This is a highly talented team with a very underrated coach in Mike Sherman. I don't know if they can take down Oklahoma, but they're good enough to compete for sure. They return 18 starters and are most definitely poised.
9. Wisconsin
This team is classic Big Ten football as it should be known in the new millenium. They play great defense and are going to run the ball over, through, and around you. The passing attack may be weak, but ball control and defense are going to be not just the name of the game, but the strength.
10. Oklahoma St.
This is a very strong offense but at the same time a defense that could really struggle in return. I think Oklahoma St. is fast enough and skilled enough to outscore at least most of its opponents. Justin Blackmon is a future first round pick.
11. Nebraska
The question is about to be answered potentially about which competition is tougher, the Big Ten or the Big 12. I could see Nebraska coming into the Big Ten with relative ease, at the same time, they may take some lumps with their newfound competition. They're at least built for the Big Ten though, with a fantastic defense.
12. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has one of the easiest schedules on the list, including a very easy September. There's not much more to say than that this is just a good, well-rounded football team. Frank Beamer might be one of the more underappreciated coaches in the nation.
13. South Carolina
A lot rides on what Stephen Garcia is able to do given his off-the-field distractions. This is a team with a lot of talent, but having their team leader in such a precarious position, plus playing a tough schedule in the SEC stacks the deck against them. This is a very good team though, they can sort themselves out.
14. TCU
This is a team reloading after a fantastic 2010 season. Reloading doesn't mean a complete drop off the face of the Earth though as TCU is a fantastic team, even for being in the Mountain West. I have questions about the defense though, particularly in facing their tougher opponents (like Boise and Texas Tech).
15. Arkansas
The weight of the season falls in the final 3 games. Arkansas will play Tennessee, Mississippi St, and LSU. If they go above and beyond the call of duty, Arkansas will win all 3 and be a major contender, but I don't see them beating LSU. Head Coach Bobby Petrino has a way with making QBs though, and he's got a new project on his hands with Tyler Wilson.
16. Michigan St.
Michigan St. faces a tough schedule and has to deal with even more now in facing Nebraska. I have no doubt Michigan St. will put up points, but I'm not sure about their toughness or defensive ability against the Big Ten elite. They definitely are a wildcard in the conference though in having a different style.
17. Notre Dame
This could be a big year in the Brian Kelly regime at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have a strong defense and an offensive mentor in Kelly to really make some improvements and play some strong games. I fear their schedule gets gradually more difficult though, but they really could peak at the right time to combat that.
18. Mississippi St.
Mississippi St. has a tough battle in the SEC, but its a talented team that could give an Alabama or LSU a handful for 4 quarters. QB Chris Relf could develop into a superb player this season, he is one to watch for and can lead one of the better offenses in the country that you may not notice.
19. Missouri
This team is easily not Oklahoma good, or Texas A&M good either. Their biggest weakness will be stopping the pass with a bunch of new defensive backs in their ranks. Longevity is another issue, last year's team was 7-0 before crashing to Earth. Can Missouri play effectively for a full season?
20. West Virginia
The Mountaineers are the Big East's first appearance in the Top 25, and with a weak conference they don't command much respect. This is easily the best team in the Big East though and I wouldn't be surprised to see them play LSU well in September. DE Bruce Irvin is a fantastic pass rusher that is ready to have a great season.
21. Florida
New Head Coach Will Muschamp is bringing a new style to Florida, and I'm just not sure yet how a more smash-mouth style will work out in the environment that Florida has and will face. This is a young team with better days ahead of it still.
22. USC
USC faces a couple roadblocks in their way. Oregon is a formidable team now on par with the likes of USC due to disciplinary sanctions and a new team in the PAC 12 means even more strong competition. USC's biggest enemy might be themselves though and complacency, seeing as they can't make a bowl, the question of what these guys are really playing for may turn up in the locker room.
23. Texas
Texas will be a much improved team after having an atrocious season by Longhorn standards last year. The offense is still questionable and the QB situation is still unknown, but the Longhorns have an excellent defense that could carry them at times by getting to the QB, and creating turnovers.
24. Arizona St.
This team has the ability to make it big with a fantastic offense led by a big strong-armed QB in Brock Osweiler. Turnovers could be an issue though as it was a major problem for them in 2010, but with new leaders on the field it could be a whole different ballgame.
25. Pittsburgh
Pitt could be a formidable team in the Big East if not for the wear and tear they face with a tough out of conference schedule. They are talented, but not talented enough to overcome the difficulties they will face on a week to week basis. A new coach for the Panthers could work wonders, as Dave Wannstedt couldn't seem to motivate a very talented squad, maybe Todd Graham can.
What's the baseline?
Expect noise from Oregon and LSU. Boise is a wildcard if they can win out and Stanford might have the best player in the nation in Andrew Luck. Florida St. is an up and comer. But ultimately its Oklahoma vs. Alabama in the BCS Title Game with Alabama winning.
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