#1. Alabama Crimson Tide– Heisman winner Ingram and star backup running back Richardson return for the 2010 season along with a strong supporting cast on offense and defense.
#2. Ohio State Buckeyes- Pryor finally looked like a star at the end of last season, and the Bucks have a dangerous backfield with several weapons to compliment Pryor’s running ability.
#3. Boise State Broncos- The first game of the season against Virginia Tech will show us if Boise is ready to contend for a National Championship. This year everything is in place for the Broncos to run the table and make the NCG.
#4. Iowa Hawkeyes– Iowa has a great opportunity to return to the BCS. Stanzi returns at quarterback with a chance to improve his stats with a solid offense returning. Hawkeyes will contend for the Big 10 title, but will have a tough time with Ohio State.
#5. Florida Gators- New leader on offense, same tough coach and great recruits.
#6. Texas Longhorns- I’m a little worried about Garrett Gilbert, but the Longhorns should have a very dangerous team even with a lot of talent leaving for the NFL.
#7. USC Trojans- I will take some heat for having USC this high, but Barkley showed some promise last year and Kiffin kept nearly all of the incoming recruits, which makes USC one of the best teams in the nation as odd as that seems with Carroll no longer in charge.
#8 Nebraska Cornhuskers– The 2009 Cornhuskers were a lot more than a dominant defensive tackle who is now playing for the Detroit Lions (Suh). Starting quarterback (Lee), star running back (Helu), and leading wide receiver (Niles Paul) are all returning for their senior seasons with Nebraska and should help an improved offense put up more points in 2010. Nebraska will challenge for the Big 12 title.
#9. Oklahoma Sooners– The 8-5 record the Sooners compiled last year will not be repeated in 2010. The Sooners return Landry Jones and receiver Broyles. Sooners are not a National Championship contender, but have a great chance at getting an at large bid into the BCS with two losses, if they can get through a tough Big 12 schedule.
#10. TCU Horned Frogs
I’m predicting the Horned Frogs to return to the BCS in 2010 with an amazingly strong lineup on offense and defense despite losing some talented Seniors.
#11. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech will feast on the weak year of ACC football that is upcoming, but their opening game is against Boise State. The Hokies may run the table and take the ACC crown to claim a spot in the BCS, but Georgia Tech and Miami will be tough games.
#12. Miami Hurricanes
Unlike Virginia Tech, the Miami Hurricanes have a brutal schedule starting with their second game. After a season opener ‘warm-up’ against Florida A&M, The Canes will play Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and Clemson all on the road! They finish the year with Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and South Florida. I like the Hurricanes team this season, but not their chances at making a title run with their schedule.
#13. Oregon Ducks– I have been down on the Ducks since Masoli got kicked to the curb due to his off the field issues. Despite losing a potential Heisman candidate in Masoli, the Ducks have a star studded lineup led by second year star LaMichael James. James had over 1500 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009. Look out for the Ducks.
#14. Penn State Nittany Lions– You know it will be a good year for the Big Ten with Penn State is ranked to go third in the conference with returning stars like Evan Royster, who may have an outside shot at a Heisman. Penn State returns a solid D and offensive weapons.
#15. Arkansas Razorbacks– Mallet has the keys to a very nice offense returning in Arkansas. Greg Childs(WR) and Broderick Green(RB) return with Mallet who had 30 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Arkansas is dangerous on offense and should give Alabama all they can handle.
#16. Pittsburgh Panthers- Pittsburgh could easily be higher than this, and perhaps they should. They return two of the most talented offensive players in all of division 1-A with Dion Lewis and Jonathan Baldwin. Lewis had over 1700 yards and 17 touchdowns and is still improving! Early tests against Utah and Miami will be key for their success this season.
#17. Georgia Bulldogs- An athletic team no doubt, but Joe Cox is gone and can A.J. Green have the breakout season everyone is expecting with a new quarterback at the helm?
#18. Wisconsin Badgers- John Clay and Nick Toon are back and the Badgers have a quality defense and a pretty easy schedule besides Ohio State and Iowa. The Badgers will finish strong since they were able to dodge Penn State and their non-conference schedule is weak.
#19. LSU Tigers– I am not very confident in the Tigers this season, and it’s strictly schedule based, well that and some lost weapons on offense. The Tigers will face Alabama, Florida, West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Auburn. Although this seems like a normal SEC schedule with a tough Big East opponent mixed in, the SEC top to bottom is tougher than ever. The Tigers will face some growing pains after starting running back Charles Scott and star receiver Brandon Lafell. They will not make a BCS appearance, but can grind out a good season with a solid bowl bid.
#20. Oregon State Beavers- Does anyone else feel like the Rodgers brothers have been at Oregon State for 10 years? I would like to keep them out of my top 25 until we see what they can do in their opening contest against TCU, but the Beavers should have a top 25 worthy club.
#21. Clemson Tigers- The Tigers don’t even make the top 25 if it wasn’t for their tough defense. Spiller and Ford leave huge holes in the offense, lets see how they respond.
#22. Auburn Tigers- Big Onterio McCalebb fan, should be able to pick up where Ben Tate left the rushing attack. The Tigers have a better offensive line than anyone gives them credit for.
#23. Cincinnati Bearcats- The Bearcats take a large step back after losing their head coach and several talented seniors. Brian Kelly will be missed.
#24. Washington Huskies- Jake Locker alone is worth a spot in the top 25. Expect the Huskies to make a bowl appearance in 2010/2011
#25. Florida State Seminoles- Christian Ponder will look to improve his draft status and lead the Noles to a bowl bid.
