Preseason Top 25

The Associated Press preseason college football Top 25 poll was released over the weekend and three local teams showed up. Pitt came in at #15, Penn State #19 and West Virginia rounded out the Top 25. Now, we all know how meaningless the preseason polls should be but the truth of the matter is that they often play a role in the outcome of the season. Ask the 2004 Auburn Tigers if the preseason polls had no bearing in their undefeated team not getting a shot at the National Title. Besides, college football fans everywhere love to debate the polls and where there teams should and shouldn’t be ranked. If I had a vote, here’s how my preseason Top 25 would look. Send me your thoughts.

1. Alabama – Thought about putting Ohio St. here but we have to give Coach Saban the benefit of the doubt until the Crimson Tide get knocked off. Alabama returns the fearsome 1-2 punch of Mark Ingram, only the reigning Heisman winner, and Trent Richardson in the backfield as well as Julio Jones on the outside which could make this Tide team even more dangerous than last year.

2. Ohio State – Terrelle Pryor is my preseason Heisman favorite and the Buckeyes are the team that I most expect to make it to the BCS National Championship game.

3. Boise State – Boise returns a number of starters from their BCS busting team last year including Heisman hopeful QB Kellen Moore. We will find out if they are the real deal right away as the Broncos take on Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. for their opener and have Oregon St. at home just a few weeks later.

4. Florida – Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators do not rebuild, only reload. QB John Brantley has some big shoes to fill but expect the Gators to take on a somewhat different look without the running abilities of their quarterback.

5. TCU – Part two of the BCS busters, TCU brings back a handful of offensive players from their BCS team a year ago. The Horned Frogs must replace all-world defensive end Jerry Hughes, but seven other starters return from a damn good unit defensively.

6. Oklahoma – Last year was a stumbling block from the Sooners with a paramount of injuries. The experience that QB Landry Jones gained, however, should be invaluable for this year.

7. Texas – Texas and Oklahoma will be fighting for Big 12 supremacy once again. Texas will also be breaking in a new QB under center, Garrett Gilbert, who filled in capably after Colt McCoy left last year’s title game.

8. Nebraska – The Cornhuskers should be king of the Big 12 North in their final year before moving to the Big 10. Nebraska returns QB Zac Lee and should once again have a dominating defense despite the loss of DT Ndamukong Suh.

9. Virginia Tech – If the nation’s top running back duo isn’t in Tuscaloosa, it’s in Blacksburg with Darren Evans and Ryan Williams manning what should be an unstoppable running attack with QB Tyrod Taylor. The defense only has four returning starters, but I suspect the amount of success the Hokies enjoy this year will depend on Taylor’s right arm.

10. Oregon – Despite the loss of Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for disciplinary reasons, I believe in Chip Kelly and his offensive coaching abilities. The Ducks should be the class of the Pac 10 and could compete for the National Title if the QB play is adequate enough.

11. Pittsburgh – This is a bit higher than many of the national pundits are ranking the Panthers, but make no mistake that this team is supremely talented. The Panthers can boast of four players on the top two units of the preseason All-American team and anything less than a BCS Bowl game would be a disappointment.

12. Iowa – Iowa found ways to win games last year in the fourth quarter, but I suspect they may have used up a good portion of their luck for this year in the process. The Hawkeyes will need better all-around performances from QB Ricky Stanzi if they are going to meet expectations this year.

13. Wisconsin – If I am picking a team not named Ohio St. to win the Big Ten this year, Wisconsin would be my pick. With a favorable schedule and John Clay back to run the ball behind the Badgers’ bruising offensive line, big

14. Miami – Time for Jacory Harris to step up. The quarterback showed flashes of brilliance last year but ultimately too many interceptions led to a downward spiral for “The U”.

15. USC – I was tempted to put the Trojans higher on the list because they still ultimately possess as much talent as anyone in the country. But the punishment handed down by the NCAA along with my questions about Lane Kiffin as a coach makes the #15 spot seem about right. I do expect a big time jump from quarterback Matt Barkley, however.

16. LSU – Les Miles is on the hot seat, but there is simply too much talent here to not have a successful season. How successful probably depends on the play of Jordan Jefferson at quarterback.

17. Florida State – The Jumbo Fisher era begins in Tallahassee with a ton of experience returning on the offensive side of the ball, including darkhorse Heisman contender Christian Ponder.

18. North Carolina – If the Tar Heels can avoid NCAA punishment, they should have a dominant defense. Butch Davis has this program back on track.

19. Oregon State – A difficult non-conference schedule and a history of starting slowly could do the Beavers in, but I expect a more focused attitude from the start and big things from the Rodgers brothers in the end.

20. Arkansas – Ryan Mallett, the one-time Michigan transfer, is getting a ton of preseason publicity and has the talent around him to put up some big numbers. Mallett certainly has the physical ability, but consider me not so sold just yet.

21. Georgia Tech – Despite losing some key pieces to their triple-option attack including running back Jonathan Dwyer, Paul Johnson’s offense will always be tough to defend.

22. West Virginia – The Mountaineers should get a big test early in a trip to LSU but Geno Smith sounds like the real deal behind center and Noel Devine returns to leave more jockstraps out on the field.

23. Notre Dame – I have too much respect for Brian Kelly as a coach and the Irish have too many weapons on offense for Kelly to play with. I think people are going to be somewhat surprised at Notre Dame’s early success.

24. South Carolina – Debated between the Gamecocks, Georgia and Auburn here but ultimately I think this is the year that Spurrier gets the South Carolina program over the hump and into a major bowl game. Of course, that depends a whole lot on the play of quarterback Stephen Garcia.

25. Penn State – I am not leaving Penn State off the list and having my mailbox filled with hate emails. But too many questions at the most important position along with an early trip to Tuscaloosa could prove disastrous for the Lions. The good news is that Penn State should be able to rely on a solid defense and Evan Royster and the ground game for most of the year.