College Football Preseason Top 25

A top 25 based on what the top 25 will look like at the end of the 2005 college football season. This preview will be the most accurate preview you will read summer.This is my first post so suggestions and critiques will be much appreciated. I’ve used many sources for information such as www.espn.com as well as Phil Steele’s 2005 college football preview magazine. Without further ado, let’s get it started.

#25. Penn State

Don’t laugh. I know its fun to watch how incompetent Penn St. has been over the last two years, but the offense has made strides over the off-season to begin to challenge the defense. An easy schedule in the beginning of the year should prep them for a successful season.

#24. UCLA

The Bruins return a lot of talent from last year and should do better. Unfortunately for them they play USC and Oklahoma, not to mention a tougher Pac-10 in general this year.

#23. Pittsburgh

A halfway decent team in the Big East can go a long way in the depleted conference. They are also more talented this year than last year. How Dave Wannstedt adjusts to being a college head coach will be an interesting storyline. Unfortunately, they test out a new Notre Dame team opening day as well as an “improved” Nebraska team.

#22. Oregon

Oregon is the second most talented team in the conference and should fare a lot better this year. Second place bragging rights for the Pac-10 should be settled Nov. 5 when the Golden Bears come to town.

#21. California

Cal lost a TON of their players from last year’s squad. However, Jeff Tedford is one of the best and recruited a lot of JUCOs to fill the vacancies. They don’t face a bowl team until their sixth game, so they should be well prepared for the season.

#20. Texas Tech

Now that the first big groan is out of the way, let me try to convince you to watch Texas Tech this year. We all know that Mike Leach is an offensive genius. But where’s the D? According to Texas Tech, it has arrived this year. We’ll see. I expect them to steal at least one game from the big 3(Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M).

#19. Auburn

Before I receive angry e-mails from Tigers fans, let me explain. They are not as talented as last year and play a brutal schedule at the end of the year. Remember this poll is made to what the rankings will look like at the end of the year.

#18. Boise State

The toast of the WAC will lose to Georgia and possibly Fresno State. I refuse to put them any higher.

#17. Alabama
Alabama gets better every year and plays all their tough games at home (except for Auburn, who I see them defeating). Brodie Croyle is an outstanding quarterback if he can stay healthy this year.

#16. Texas A&M

Nobody knows about this team. Inconsistent with a capital I. They could place fourth or first in their division and I would not be surprised. They will be an extremely exciting team to follow this season but play a brutal schedule.

#15. Florida State

Believe me; it is difficult to put a team this talented at #15. Unfortunately, they have unlimited off-field distractions as well as no quarterback. Group that with an always difficult schedule and you have a recipe for a #15 final ranking.

#14. North Carolina State

Now that the second groan is out of the way, let me defend this decision. They have an outstanding defense just like last year and have an awesome schedule. They open with Virginia Tech at home, don’t play Miami, and should win every game until the ACC Atlantic Division championship game at Florida St. on Nov. 5.

#13. Georgia

They play an awesome schedule with the only difficult road game being at Tennessee. I just don’t think they are talented enough to win the division.

#12. Iowa

A very talented team that will do very well this year. Unfortunately, they play at Ohio St. and Purdue, and draw Michigan at home. Enough said.

#11. Miami, FL

This ranking is completely subjective to how well new quarterback Kyle Wright plays. Everything else is there for a run at an ACC Championship.

#10 Tennessee

Another extremely talented team that will fall victim to a tough schedule. As usual, their game at Florida on Sept. 17 will decide their fortunes as a team this year.

#9 Oklahoma

A very weird ranking for this team. I can’t remember the last time they were ranked out of the top 5. They face a “rebuilding” year this season and will lose at least two conference games.

#8 Ohio State

A very talented team that will contend for the Big 10 title but has the misfortune of playing Texas at the beginning of the year. They also play at Michigan. Sorry Buckeye nation.

#7 Purdue

The final and loudest groan of the article goes to Purdue! Again, allow me to explain myself. They return all their starters from last year’s defense and don’t play Michigan or Ohio St. and play Iowa at home. Enough said.

#6 Virginia Tech

Just like their interdivisional foes Miami, this season will go as far as Marcus Vick takes it. By their ranking you can tell who I think will win the Miami/Virginia Tech game.

#5 LSU

They are loaded this year with an awesome schedule and lots of potential. They do have questions with new head coach Les Miles and another quarterback controversy.

#4 Florida

This team is really special. They play in the toughest conference in college football and will come out on top. Chris Leak and Urban Meyer will be dating by the end of the year.

#3 Louisville

Our they the third best team in country? No. Will they be ranked #3 at the end? Yes. Two words: Big East.

#2. Michigan

The most talented team in the Big 10 will make another trip to the Rose Bowl to face USC and just like last time, will get beaten.

#1. USC

Mere words can not describe this team. Any team that beats them will be the greatest team of the decade.