Preseason College Football Top 25

1. Alabama – I don't believe they will win the national title, but unless completely decimated, the defending champion should start on top and this team, at least on offense wasn't completely decimated.
2. Boise St. - We can debate whether they deserve this according to the schedule all anyone wants. All I know is any major conference team that brought back 21 of 22 starters off of a top ten team would easily be ranked this high in almost any season, especially one devoid of an overwhelming favorite like this one.
3. Oklahoma – Yes, I am drinking the Phil Steele Kool-Aid. Oklahoma is more than ready to take this step after enduring injuries all over the place last season. With the exception of the odd blowout loss at Texas Tech (where the Sooners haven't played well in recent years), there was no unwinnable game last season.
4. Ohio St. - I don't really believe in this team. Pryor is good but I think there is a major gaffe game in there again this season like last season's loss to Purdue. Best in the Big Ten, absolutely, best in the nation, probably not.
5. Oregon – I do believe here though. Nearly everyone of consequence except the quarterback is back and this team has turned into an offensive machine no matter the quarterback by about the fourth or fifth game every year. There is no Boise St./Cal caliber team before that point on the schedule this season with Tennessee's program meltdown so all systems are go.
6. Virginia Tech – The Hokies have to replace most of the defense, but I have faith in them to do that. Its nearly a given. The rankings is this high because of what's returning on offense: everything.
7. Florida – Questionmarks everywhere but so much talent it may not matter and a new quarterback too. Wait and see.
8. Texas – Ditto Florida except we have an idea what Garrett Gilbert is going to play like after his national title game appearance.
9. Nebraska – The defense will be fine if a half step below last season. The offense won't be much better but Nebraska would have been ranked about here by the end of last season had the offense not turned it so much against Iowa St. last year.
10. Wisconsin – The best offense in the Big Ten last season is going to roll with ten starters back. A real threat to win the league.
    
11. Iowa – No way do they get as lucky as they did last year again. Really have the profile of two years ago's team that went 9-4. Probably will do one better than that.
12. TCU – Ranked low, but I think there is a non-conference loss out there and the defense needs some time to really get humming after losing seven starters.
13. Utah – Jordan Wynn is the real deal at quarterback and the schedule is friendly to a point with plenty of big win chances, starting Thursday.
14. Miami – The biggest swing team in the country because of its truly crazy schedule. Ranked teams abound all over the place, many of them on the road. 11-1 wouldn't be a shock. 7-5 wouldn't be either.
15. Cincinnati – I don't get why everyone is so low on Cincinnati. The defense couldn't stop anyone last season either and the offense returns a semi-experienced quarterback in Zach Collaros and a good receiving corps. Considering that Butch Jones has successfully followed Brian Kelly before, this team will be fine.
16. Oregon St. - Only quarterback is a question mark. It's a big one but if Ryan Katz can really play and they somehow sweep the non-conference schedule, this is the darkhorse national title contender (the BCS office would send many, many presents if the Beavers somehow manage to beat both TCU and Boise St. away from home).
17. Georgia – Aaron Murray has a lot to learn in a short time but the defense can't possibly be that bad again and the schedule is a bit easier this season meaning a return to usual Georgia form.
18. Texas Tech – Another coaching change team where the team will benefit, at least in the short term. The Red Raiders are loaded and Tommy Tuberville isn't going to destroy what has been working on offense in one season.
19. Auburn – This team could have nearly anything happen. Would it surprise anyone if they went 7-5? No. At the same time, people like Kirk Herbstreit believe this team is somehow good enough to beat Alabama. Probably not but they will be better than last season.
20. Arizona – Look loaded for a run at the Pac-10 title under Mike Stoops. Losing both coordinators is the only question mark.
21. Penn St. - Joe Paterno has quarterback issues. Too bad because the rest of this team looks good.
22. West Virginia – Who knows what we are going to get out of this team, but it will be fun to watch and there is more than enough talent to win big in the Big East here.
23. LSU – Another wait and see project. The Tigers should be good on defense but there are major offensive questions and a lack of quarterback depth if the injury bug should hit.
24. Georgia Tech – The triple option will continue to work just fine, but the defense has major issues.
25. Pittsburgh – Plenty of talent along the lines and at running back, but the lack of quarterback experience and the presence of Wannstadt lower the ranking.

Others Considered for rankings

USC – I want to see how they handle adversity before rankings them. Could easily fold up like a tent and mail it in with no postseason to play for.

Arkansas – Don't believe in Petrino's defense in the SEC and think there are actually some good offenses in the league to take advantage this season.

Missouri – The offense will be fine, the defense, eh. Same as always. Good for eight or nine wins.

Washington – Ultimately couldn't pull the trigger on ranking a one-man offensive team with defensive issues in the preseason though Locker is really good.

BYU – Ultimately couldn't pull the trigger on ranking a quarterbackless team with no other skill players in the preseason.

North Carolina – Had the advantage of doing these rankings late and knowing that most of the team is likely ineligible.

Clemson – If there is any replacing Spiller on this team, the Tigers will shoot up the rankings.

Florida St. - Don't believe in the defense enough at this point. Get ready for more shootouts, just like last year.

Connecticut – The sleeper team in the Big East, we will learn if they have any chance to live up to that real quick against Michigan (and learn plenty about the Wolverines too).

Notre Dame – The Irish have lots of talent and could easily be ranked by the end of the year, but I need to see them in action first before I move them up high at all.