Top 25 Teams

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Coach Stoops won surprise national title 3 seasons ago and has talent and favorable schedule to get another.

2. Texas Longhorns

Oct. 11 vs Oklahoma. WR Williams one of nation's best but needs the ball. QB Mock runs high-powered offense.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Games at Wisconsin, PSU and Michigan will tell the tale, but Buckeyes strong enough to attempt national title defense.

4. Michigan Wolverines

QB Navarre + RB Perry + mammoth OL = strong unit. Defense ain't bad neither. Nov. 22 vs Ohio State. ÔNuff said.

5. Miami Hurricanes

Gone are QB Dorsey and RB McGahee but replacements always easy to find. ÔCanes feel cheated over national title loss.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

Last season's injuries have healed, but have the scars? QB Clausen is very good; LBs are even better.

7. USC Trojans

Mucho team speed exemplified by star WR Williams. Not as strong without Heisman QB Palmer, but it's close.

8. Kansas State Wildcats

Becoming perennial under-achievers. QB Roberson will emerge as Heisman candidate. Maybe this will be the year.

9. Auburn Tigers

More backfield talent than J Lo. RBs Jacobs, Williams, Brown and Smith could all possibly start for your favorite team.

10. Pittsburgh Panthers

Toughest games (Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame) at home. If Panthers hold serve, a BCS slot is possible.

11. LSU Tigers

Auburn's Tigers may be better, but not by much. 15 returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense, + punter) give LSU plenty of experience.

12. Georgia Bulldogs

Young OL but, Dawgs are solid with QB Greene and DE Pollack. Reigning SEC champs will improve as season goes along.

13. Maryland Terrapins

WVU transfer McBrien has matured at QB. 9 starters back on defense that might just be ACC's best.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies

Big play team. QB Randall getting better, RB Jones already top-notch. Defense and special teams are constants.

15. NC State Wolfpack

Talented offense featuring RB McLendon, QB Rivers and impressive OL. DBs Maddox and Davis are ballhawks.

16. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Ty Willingham woke up some echoes last year. QB Holiday must improve passing. DB Duff is multipurpose impact player.

17. Purdue Boilermakers

Would be a conference favorite in Big East. OL lost 3 starters from last season and QB Orton must have time to throw.

18. Florida State Seminoles

Coach Bowden needs to bury offseason controversy ASAP. After last season's fiasco, QB Rix must prove he's the man.

19. Colorado Buffaloes

Naturally, Buffs have speed; but not enough to run over Oklahoma or Texas. Stop troops will be outstanding.

20. Arizona State Sun Devils

QB Walter didn't start until Game 5, but threw 28 TDs last season. Expect shoot-outs with Sun Devils winning their share.

21. Washington Huskies

Coaching uncertainty means uncertainty on the field. Talent is there if distractions can be minimized. Good luck.

22. TCU Horned Frogs

Being C-USA's top team like being prettiest horned frog in desert. Looks aren't everything and these guys are legit.

23. Mississippi Rebels

New logo, new approach, but same Eli Manning means Rebs could yell loudly in SEC. Please leave uniforms as they were.

24. Colorado State Rams

QB Van Pelt leads high-powered offense. LB Pauly, all-purpose star Wynn provide big play potential.

25. Virginia Cavaliers

Coach Groh building off big bowl win. 17 starters back featuring QB Schaub, RB Lundy and strong LB group.