Way Too Early Top-25 for 2010

I wanted to get this in before signing day this week, but it still feels pretty loosey-goosey. But, I guess that's the joy of a February 1st poll.

1. Alabama
The Tide seem set to repeat, but we all thought the same about the Gators in ’09. I will keep ‘Bama in the top spot for now, as I see a lot of attrition in 2010, with no bi time conference champ getting out unscathed. Saban has to replace Cody and McClain, but the new D, while not as good as this year’s, could still be good enough to be the country’s best.

2. Ohio State
I liked the season ending show against Oregon. I hope it proved to Tressel to open it up a bit more, especially when Pryor’s supported by such a strong defense. If the Bucks keep most of their opponents contained, the kid will do enough to get tOSU to 11-1.

3. Virginia Tech
3 things: 1.)The Hokies beat Boise 2.) They also win the ACC 3.) The ACC is overrated. That said, Tech will pull an easy upstart, at-large opponent in the OB to finish with no more than 2 losses.

4. Texas
The ‘Horns are my Big-XII place holder. I think the Sooners could get here, and maybe even the Huskers. I know McCoy’s gone, but Gilbert’s good enough to win the division. After that, with a season under his belt, he should be fine.

5. Wisconsin
Liiiiiiiiimb, I'm on one!

6. Iowa
If Clayborn (whose probably more important to this team than Stanzi) stays, this Hawkeye D will be ferocious. With Americanzi and a fully healthy stable of RB’s, the only question is if the magic will be back in Iowa City.

7. Florida
Meyer’s sabbatical lasted a day-and-a-half and Brantley broke all of Tebow’s FL HS records. Toss in the fact that Georgia has the best chance to knock the Gators out of the East – and we know how that series has gone lately – and look for UF to be back in ATL.

8. Oklahoma
Fear Landry Jones’ mustache.

9. TCU
Sure, whatever. I’ll give the Frogs 12-0 and another BCS loss. They had their chance to earn my love.

10. Boise State
The early loss to VA Tech will knock the Broncos back enough to keep them out of NC talk for another year.

11. USC
Follow my logic: the NCAA lets Troy fight on for another year; the Ducks lose focus in light of their recent rash of criminal distractions; ’09 proves to be a rebuilding year, as all the 5 star talent picks up the slack; nobody else really pushes the conference, leaving the Trojans 2 losses as the best in the league.

12. Miami
I started the season thinking the ‘Canes would be building into a team for the future, but that home stretch made me realize we’re still a year or two away.

13. Oregon
They’ll have a similar record to ’09, but it won’t be enough to over take a resurgent Trojan squad.

14. Nebraska
The D, even without Suh, will be the most dominant squad in the Big-XII. Questions still exist about the offense, however. And, while I think the Huskers can get to the B12CG again, I’d still put them a season or so out of a BCS bowl.

15. Georgia Tech
The Bees lost a lot of talent, but Johnson’s a system coach, so they’ll adapt. Don’t look for them to survive all the close calls this year, leaving them with about 9 wins and CFA Bowl bid.

16. LSU
This rank will be earned on talent alone, as Chavis isn’t enough to keep this team together in the face of Miles’ cracking up. If he doesn’t pull it together, Les Miles could be out of Baton Rouge in a year or two, despite being 3 years removed from a title.

17. Pitt
Will they Big East champions or a mid-range Big Ten team in 2010? The answer decides if the Panthers go up 5 spots or down 3.

18. Georgia
The Dawgs were one loss to UK away from being in this spot at 09’s end. Look for things to improve defensively, despite implementing a new scheme, and the turnovers to even out. GA won’t make it to ATL, or come close, but they won’t be the jangling, rattle-trap, train-wreck they were this year, either.


19. North Carolina
Butch Davis, baby.

20. Arkansas
21. Penn State
22. Oregon State
23. Auburn
24. South Florida
25. Oklahoma State