FTS Preseason Top-25

Well, after much ado, here it is, the FTS Preseason Rankings:*

1. Ohio State
I know, I know. But I'm just not seeing them losing in the Big Ten, and even if they do drop a game (Miami?), one loss might not be enough to keep them out of the title game. I see them being matched up with an undefeated Big-XII champion and coming out ahead in a close - and probably boring - game.

2. Oklahoma
If they can get past Texas, the Sooners should coast to the conference title game. I don't think Nebraska's quite ready for the big time yet, so I'll take the Sooners to make it to, but lose, the BCS title game.

3. Alabama
Even with an inferior record to the top-2, the Tide will still be arguably better than the Buckeyes or Sooners. They should win the SEC with one loss and dominate the Sugar Bowl.

4. Oregon
Despite a slow start, I think a conference title and a Rose Bowl win will have the Ducks high on everyone's end-of-the-season lists. A Rose Bowl win will have them in the top-5.

5. Texas
An 11-1 Texas squad will be an afterthought to most of the nation. I see a lackluster match-up with Big East champ Pitt and a another top-10 finish.

6. Florida
The Gators will not win their division, but will wind up ranked higher than div.-winner Georgia. UF will sneak past UGA to a BCS at-large spot from the Dawgs and beat an over-matched ACC Champ.

7. TCU
An undefeated season won't be enough to get the Horned Frogs into the BCS title game. It will, however, leave them the highest ranked non-BCS team in the wake of a two-loss season for Boise. I predict a loss in a BCS Bowl, most likely the Rose, to end the season.

8. Georgia
The Dawgs get back to 10 wins and steal their division, but a late loss to Auburn sets pollsters to doubting. They will lose the SEC Title game, but win the Capital One Bowl to earn a top-10 finish. Yes, I am a homer and an optimist.

9. Boise State
2 losses but a cruise through the WAC. The Broncos will miss a BCS bowl this year but should knock off a mid-level BCS team in a bowl.

10. Nebraska
A loss to Texas in the regular season and a loss to OU in the Big-XII Title game leaves the Huskers outside the BCS and repping their league in the Cotton Bowl. A win there could mean a top-10 finish.

11. Virginia Tech
The Hokies will beat Boise State, lose 2 games in the ACC, win the conference anyway, then lose the Orange Bowl. That equals #11.

12. Wisconsin
The Badgers will have a great season, but could face a top-tier team in a BCS bowl. And, though Wisky will be better than some of the top-ten, the Badgers will find themselves a few spots down the line.

13. Oregon State
It'll be up and down for the Beavers. The Rose Bowl bid will come down to the Civil War and, even losing that game, State could still only be an 'upset' of Boise State away from an at large BCS bid. In the end, they'll fall to the Alamo Bowl and a second-tier finish.

14. North Carolina
Even down a blue-chipper or two, the Heels should be very dangerous. I've got them finishing second in their division with 2-3 losses, but bypassing Atlantic winner Florida State in the final rankings.

15. Florida State
I like Christian Ponder and I like Jimbo Fisher...I just don't like their championship chances this year in a tough ACC. A strong finish in their bowl game - possibly a re-match with West Virginia - will set up things to come, but won't be enough to break the top-10.

16. Pitt
The Panthers will run Dion Lewis through an up-and-down season. I see them wining the Big East and making a BCS Bowl, but picking up 2-3 losses en route, and slipping closer to #20 with the big-time New Year's loss.

17. Auburn
Watch for the Iron Bowl to be VERY important this year. The Tigers will have an impressive season, winning at least nine games, including a New Year's bowl.

18. USC
Can we even rank them?

19. Penn State
This is another team that could finish anywhere between five and 25. Considering where I've got them picked in the Big Ten, the Nits could be carrying 3 losses into bowl season. I see them losing in the Capital One Bowl pushing them further down the rankings.

20. Georgia Tech
The Bees will start strong, but their last two games will be losses: at Georgia and then a bowl opponent who has a month to figure out the triple option (see: LSU and Iowa).

21. South Carolina
Who knows?

22. Miami
This is an athletic team with top-10 talent and top-5 potential...but I don't see it clicking yet. Their division's too competitive and 3-4 losses will have them a 20-25 afterthought for most voters. The 'Canes might very well upset Ohio State early, but the season will wear on them down the stretch.

23. LSU
A win over Arkansas and a bowl victory will have the Tigers clawing their way back into voters' minds.

24. Houston
I flirted with the idea of a BCS appearance and top-10 finish for the Cougars, but I still don't trust them to play well in every game. Watch for a split with the non-conf. BCS-foes and then a toe-stubbing conference loss somewhere. In the end, a 10-2 C-USA team will be hovering around the 25 spot, no matter how many yards their QB throws for.

25. West Virginia
The Mountaineers will have a solid regular season, but fall short in the Backyard Brawl and their bowl game.



Creepin' while ya sleepin':

UConn
Stanford
Arkansas
Iowa
Notre Dame

* Remember: Preseason polls are pretty much pointless, but they're fun. The first FTS top-25 will most likely look nothing like this.