Back in April I released a college football pre-season top 10 for 2007. This has now reshuffled and expanded to a pre-season top 25 guestimation.

#1. USC

USC has earned the right to be #1 by default. With teams like LSU, UF, Wisconsin and Ohio State starting new quarterbacks, who else can argue? Texas does not have the same depth or experience coming back. USC beat Arkansas 50-14 last year, so they can't say anything. Nobody from the new Big East can talk smack until a team wins a title, which will be tough. Michigan can't say anything about USC for a really, really long time. Where does that leave us? It’s simple, USC preseason #1. They return 10 starters on defense, 4 all-world QBs and 12 future NFL RBs. Sure they could lose but that's no reason to think they will. It will be interesting to see who steps up at wide receiver.

LSU is going to be clicking on all cylinders in 2007. It sucks that JaMarcus Russel left but that should be expected. Backup Matt Flynn has experience and Ryan Perriloux is an amazing talent so the QB position should be solid. Their defense should be one of the best in the nation. Just keep Perriloux away from casino boats.

#3. West Virginia

Every year a cloud hangs over Big East teams that are ranked highly to start the pre-season. Are you ranking them high because they are in a bad conference or because they are actually that good? In this case, both.

First off, the Big East is getting better with West Virginia, Louisville, Pitt, Rutgers and even teams like South Florida and Cincinnati making waves. Plus, one of these years a Big East team will "catch up" with the leaders and emerge on top. This could be that year.

West Virginia's offense IS that good. Their defense is what worries me. Will they finally catch up to the offense or are they going to continue to be the sideshow?

#4. Florida

Part of me wants to rank them a little lower considering they lost the majority of their offensive and defensive starters from a year ago. The simple fact that they totally kicked ass the last time they played makes me put them in the top 5.

While Urban Meyer is no longer a "myth" and has solidified himself as a legend, other questions persist. Can Tim Tebow throw the ball in college? Can they find replacements on defense? A repeat title should be difficult.

#5. Wisconsin

They were the only 12 win Big Ten team to play well in a Bowl Game (and not a BCS game), surviving against Arkansas 17-14. After a two year break from playing against Ohio State, they will have to travel to Columbus this year. The Badgers beast OSU the last time 2 times they played. They will play at home against Michigan.

Bret Bielman did a fabulous job in his first year last year, taking over for AD Barry Alvarez. He should continue that momentum and get Wisconsin into their first BCS game.