Post-Spring Top 25

Spring practices are in the book, and the next wave of preseason polls are being released. So here is my early take on the Top 25 teams in college football next season:

1. Florida Gators
It's hard to pick against the Gators as the preseason favorites since they return all eleven starters on defense, and demi-god Tim Tebow decided to return for his senior season. Florida also has a very favorable schedule.

2. Oklahoma Sooners
It's a toss-up between the Sooners and Longhorns for the second spot, but as of now, I'll give the nod to the Sooners since they have Heisman winner Sam Bradford, and return more players on defense, which is crucial in what should be another year of video game-like offenses in the Big XII.

3. Texas Longhorns
The big question for the Longhorns this year is who is going to run the football. The passing game is in good hands with Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley, but someone needs to step up at running back and take some of the pressure off Colt McCoy. Senior Sergio Kindle looks to replace Brian Orakpo as the leader of the defense.

4. Southern California Trojans
Cal and Oregon seem to be trendy picks this year to finally dethrone USC as the Pac-10 champion, but until it actually happens you can't pick against the Men of Troy. If there is one team in the nation that reloads, as opposed to rebuilds, better than anyone else, its the Trojans. A wave of new 5* recruits will replace the holes on the defense and whether its Aaron Corp or Matt Barkley running the offense, the Trojans seem to be in good hands.

5. Virginia Tech Hokies
Hokie fans have been pointing to 2009 as their year for the last couple years, and are now waiting for those predictions to come to fruition. VT returns eight starters on each side of the ball, including QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Darren Evans on offense and S Kam Chancellor on what should be another stout defensive unit for the Hokies.

6. Ole Miss Rebels
The only team to beat Florida last year, Ole Miss looks to build upon its surprise season of '08 with another successful '09 campaign. Although they lost Michael Oher and Peria Jerry to the NFL, Jevan Snead and Greg Hardy return to carry the offense and defense, respectively. Ole Miss also has a favorable schedule with both Alabama and LSU visiting Oxford for games.

7. Ohio State Buckeyes
Although the Buckeyes only return 12 starters, they appear to be set on both sides of the line, which is crucial in the run-heavy Big Ten. The Buckeyes also return emerging superstar Terrell Pryor. Replacing key players lost in the back 7 on the defense will be Ohio State's biggest issue heading into the fall.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban's Crimson Tide return nine starters, including LB Rolando McClain and monstrous DT Terrence Cody, on what was, statistically, one the stingiest defenses in the country last year. On offense, fixing the holes on the offensive line left by Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell are a top priority.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys may have the best QB-RB-WR combo in the country with Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant. Add to that one of the top left tackles in college football, Russell Okung, and OSU should have one of the most explosive offenses next year. The Cowboys will be able to just about outscore anyone, but if they want to compete with Texas and Oklahoma in the Big XII South, they need their defense to come up with stops.

10. Oregon Ducks
With QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LeGarrette Blount returning, newly appointed head coach Chip Kelly looks to work his magic once again. Masoli was efficient as any quarterback in the nation the last four games of 2008, and looks to rollover his success to this season. The defense must replace RVR Patrick Chung and DE Nick Reed, but a deep, experienced, LB corp will look to carry the defense.

11. Boise State Broncos
After a 12 win campaign last season, sophomore QB Kellen Moore and Boise State are the frontrunners to be this year's BCS busters once again. The biggest challenge for the Broncos is September 3rd versus the Oregon Ducks, their first game of the year. If they win that game, BSU has a great chance to finish the regular season undefeated once again. On defense, all four starters in the secondary return, in what could be one of the best in the nation.

12. Louisiana State Tigers
After a dissapointing 2008 season, LSU is looking to rebound and have a strong season in 2009. The offense has plenty of talent at the skills positions, including RB Charles Scott and WR Brandon LaFell. New Defensive Coordinator John Chavis has a lot on his plate, as he must fix the Tiger's defense, which was uncharacteristically porous last year.

13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Paul Johnson's triple option offense was a smashing success in his first season at Georgia Tech, and with Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer back, there should be no drop-off heading into season two of the Johnson era. Three defensive lineman were lost to graduation on a unit that ranked 24th in rush defense last season, but slimmed-down DT T.J. Barnes is expected to come in and shine.

14. California Golden Bears
Shocker, there's a QB controversy in Berkeley. Nate Longshore is gone, but now junior Kevin Riley is fighting for the starting job with Brock Manson and Beau Sweeney. Whoever wins the job has a fairly easy job: give the ball to Jahvid Best. Best, the nation's returning leading rusher, in my opinion, has the best chance of any non-QB to win the Heisman. Cal's defense will be lead by it's secondary, and All-Pac 10 CB Syd'Quan Thompson.

15. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State only returns 8 starters, but strong recruiting classes in the past are expected to pay big dividends now. PSU returns starting QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster. LB Sean Lee is also healthy again, after missing all of last season due to injury. Penn State should find success in what should be another down year in the Big Ten.

16. TCU Horned Frogs
Another team with aspirations off crashing the BCS party, TCU returns a lot of key players from last years 11-2 team that narrowly missed a shot at a top tier bowl game. Defensive End and one-man wrecking crew, Jerry Hughes returns and is a threat to sack the QB every time he drops back. TCU also returns their top passer, runner, and receiver on offense.

17. Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers continue to surprise every year, and this year should be no different. They return only 3 starters on defense, but faced a similar situation last season and ended up having one of the top defenses in the Pac-10. This year the task could be a little more difficult, as the entire secondary is gone, as are DEs Victor Butler and Slade Norris, both lost to the NFL. The offense is in good hands, as both of the the explosive Rodgers brothers are back and healthy.

18. Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs won't have the target on their back this season as they did last preseason, where they were the favorite to win the national championship. The offense returns seven starters but Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, and Mohamed Massaquoi are all gone. Luckily, the Bulldogs will return some key players who were out all of last season with injuries.

19. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes returned to the Top 25 last season after what was a string of disappointing seasons. Leading rusher Shonn Greene is gone, and Jewel Hampton looks to fill his shoes as best as possible. Fortunately for him, he'll be running behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in the nation.

20. Utah Utes
Last years only undefeated team, the Utes will have to replace a lot of talent lost, especially on offense. QB Paul Johnson is gone, as well as 6 other starters on offense. The defense also lost players to the NFL, but still returns 7 starters. The Utes have a tough schedule, including road trips to Oregon, BYU, and TCU.


21. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Despite constant Hot Seat rumors, Charlie Weiss remained as the head coach, and now must provide some results. He has strung together some fine recruiting classes, but he must start translating those successes into wins on the field. Ten starters return on offense, including QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate. Eight wins should get the Irish back into the BCS for the first time since the 2006 season (Yes, I'm being sarcastic....kinda).

22. Nebraska Corn Huskers
Bo Pelini was an instant success in his first season at Nebraska, with a four game improvement from 2007 to 2008. While another improvement of that magnitude is unlikely, the Cornhuskers should find themselves back in the Top 25 throughout the season. They have one of the most dominant defensive players in the nation in DT Ndamukong Suh.

23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree are gone, but when has Texas Tech ever struggled to find able bodies to fill those positions? Taylor Potts will replace Harrell, and should put up big numbers. The Red Raiders also return 8 starters on defense.

24. Kansas Jayhawks
Todd Reesing returns for what seems like his 8th season at QB at Kansas, as the Jayhawks look to continue upon their newfound success under coach Mark Mangino. 1,000 yard WRs Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe both return, as does RB Jake Sharp. The defense will need to undergo some adjustments after losing all three of its starting linebackers.

25. West Virginia Mountaineers
QB Pat White is gone, leaving newcomer Jarrett Brown with some large shoes to fill, but he should do a servicable job. Noel Divine is as good a RB as any other in the Big East, and should continue to post some big numbers. WVU has a rough schedule, with games at Auburn, South Florida, Cincinnati, and Rutgers.