{mosimage} College football is a great sport. So great in fact that instead of writing about Kobe, Lebron or all the other BS I'm instead busting out a NCAA football pre-season top 25. A Pre-Spring top 25 because why-the-fuck-not? Oh yeah, and I'm just going to name them one at a time, starting at the top. That's right, blowing my load right away because I know what's up. I'll continue to update this page in the coming days/weeks as I produce individual team reports.

#1. Ohio State Buckeyes

I just wanted to get this out of the way. I've looked at depth charts. I've checked out returning starters, emerging players and schedules; Ohio State has the best chance of being the best, period.

The Good:

I've never seen OSU return this many players, let alone from a title run team. They only lose 2 starters on offense (OL Kirk Barton, FB Dionte Johnson) and 2 starters on defense (DE Vernon Gholston, LB Larry Grant). For all of these spots, there seems to be replacements locked and loaded.

DE Lawrence Wilson returns after a knee injury sidelined him after game 1 and he was expected to be as good as Gholston, believe it or not. Cameron Heyward exploded on the scene last year as a true freshman and will man the other spot.

LB James Laurinaitus and CB Malcom Jenkins decided to stay despite being projected in the top 10-20 spots in the first round of the NFL Draft. LB Marcus Freeman also surprised people by staying. The entire secondary is in tact and rumor has it that the OSU coaches promised Jenkins more man-to-man coverage.

Offensively, QB Todd Boeckman returns after an impressive first year that waivered a bit in the last 3 games. He is Mel Kipers top returning QB in the nation, surprisingly. Antonio Henton returns for what could be a promising career. Terrelle Pryor looms as a likely commit. Rumor has it that we can expect Pryor about 10 plays a game next year in a "Tim Tebow" type of role--like he did with Chris Leak. Hey, if you can't beat them, join them.

RB Chris Wells (aka Beanie) returns as do all of his backups, included redshirt freshman Boom Herron who is said to be tearing it up in winter workouts. With senior Maurice Wells and sophomore Brandon Saine also back, this is as loaded of a backfield as I've seen in the Tressel era. Beanie has been as impressive of a RB as I've seen in an OSU uniform, ever.

The offensive line will be good too, with OL Alex Boone deciding to return and big name recruits Michael Brewster and J.B. Shugarts enrolling this winter.

At WR everyone returns and more depth is added.

The Bad:

Games at USC, Illinois and Wisconsin. I honestly don't see any weaknesses, except for DT where they will need to prove to be more consistent and injury free. If OSU beats USC than a loss in the Big Ten may not keep them out of the title game. It's always tough to tell. If they lose to USC, I would not expect OSU to get any type of free pass from voters.

But I know OSU will be stacked. This should be the best team of the Tressel era, on paper, going into a season. Experience is everywhere, including the 2-deep.

#2. Georgia Bulldogs

I caught much of Georgia's 7 game winning streak at the end of last season and they were impressive. UGA looked physically dominant, including in a quality victory against Florida. Then, they absolutely bitch slapped Hawaii back to the Pacific Ocean. While the Bulldogs got hosed a bit last year by not making the BCS title game, they did drop 2 games, including a bad loss to Tennessee.

Consistency is something Georgia has not quite been able to maintain under Head Coach Mark Richt--at least not championship consitency. 2008 could be different.

They return 8 guys on offense, 9 on defense.

The Good:

RB Knowshon Moreno is the most electrifying runningback in college football. While Chris Wells and Noel Devine are exciting, nobody gets the blood flowin' like Knowshon. I liked Matthew Staffords improvement in managing a game, now it will be interesting to see if he can take the next step to elite levels.

Defensively, MLB Dannell Ellerbe leads the No. 19 defense from a year ago. Mark Richt has assembled some impressive defensive units and this one will be special.

The Bad:

Their schedule is as friendly as it can be, I guess. They play at Arizona State, which is a formidable early test. They also play at LSU and Auburn. Throw in the Florida game in Jacksonnville plus the rest of the SEC and things get tricky. They will also need to shore up the offensive line, who will be helped along by an experienced QB and stud RB.

This is going to be a great team but it always takes some luck/mojo to win a title. As long as they stick with the running game, keep teams honest with a deep threat in the passing game and don't make mistakes they should win most games because of their defense alone. I'm starting to think we'll see more and more teams with multiple losses, so if judging what team would likely make the title with 1 loss, UGA would be first on my list. But as it stands we are doing preseason rankings, so I'm putting them at #2. Odds are they will drop atleast 1 game.

Beating Hawaii looked great but it's kind of like beating Notre Dame; it's a good time but you should not let it get to your head. Georgia should be hungry this year and if they can stay focused they should finish atop the SEC Conference.

# 3. Florida Gators

The Florida Gators come in as my pre-season #3 team, as they return 16 starters from a young team one year ago. Not only do they return Tim Tebow but they are one year older in a secondary that showed against the Michigan Wolverines that experience was lacking.

I've followed FS Major Wright since his high school playing days and absolutely love his hard hitting style. Another year under his belt and he should be primed for SEC post season honors. DE Derrick Harvey decided to go pro, which hurts, but the SEC seems to grow freakishly fast, athletic ends like like the Florida Sun produces UV rays.

An interesting battle will be for the back up quarterback position, which will feature all-everything drop back passer Josh Brantley against a more Tebow-like Cameron Newton. Both of these quarterbacks bring ample amounts of talent, which for most programs who struggle to find one sickly talented QB--simply is not fair. But all is fair in the battlegrounds of the SEC so expect Urban Meyer to show no mercy.

If the spread-option proved anything a year ago it's that it is the most exciting, effective offense in college football--until it's not. Injuries slowed down Tebow, particularly against Georgia where he would try and fall on one side of his body to avoid his dinged up shoulder.

Tebow's Heisman numbers were great for the record books but simply no way for a team to work their way into the title game. Part of this had to do with the offense, while the defense which played very average all year was also to blame as they could never gain a comfortable lead. Urban Meyer has alread stated that we can expect a two quarterback system next year for this very reason, so the race for number 2 should be exciting and also may reveal who starts in 2009.

LB Brandon Sikes return to roam the middle and I fully expect the defense to improve their numbers across the board.

Did I mention Percy Harvin? My bad---Percy Harvin, Percy Harvin and Percy Harvin. Shit, as a Gator hater, I'm starting have have freaking nightmares because of his eye popping exploits on the football field. Even I can't hate that guy.

One last key for the Gators this year, especially when considering protecting Tebow who rushed the ball wayyyy to many times last year is the running back position.

RB Emmanuel Moody transferred from USC a year ago and after sitting out a year, per the NCAA rules that penalize players for this but not unloyal coaches, he should have the system down. While I'm not ready not call him the next Emmit Smith because players transfer for a reason, he should be tough from all reports I've heard.

The other guy I can't help but root for is RB Chris Rainey from Lakeland, Florida. This dude was one of the most exciting HS football players is 2006, leading his team to a state title but was injured last year. Simply put, he moves at a faster (Did somebody say Percy Harvin?) speed than everyone else. He glides, kind of like a Steve Slaton, but without the need to wear tampons during crucial junctures of a game (Still will never forget Slaton wimping out against Louisville 2 years ago). I actual remember Rainey making Major Wright look dumb a couple times in a Florida playoff game in HS.

The additions of 2 stud RB's and an improved defense, along with 2 capable backup QB's should protect Tim Tebow. Will he still win a Heisman, who cares? Urban Meyer wants more titles and if the pieces fall in place, they may be the ones taunting UGA in the end zone and kicking Ohio State's ass in the title game---again.

4. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma comes out charged up to once again rule over the Big 12 and contend for a BCS Championship. Too bad for OU, they have been embarrased in their last two BCS games, first in an epic upset against the Boise State Broncos and then last year West Virginia drilled them. Bob Stoops' media darling status has taken a hit but most will concede Oklahoma is the top of the class in a deep Big 12 conference. Part of me wants to put Texas in the lone top five slot reserved for a Big 12 team but Oklahoma is the safer Bet. Plus they return their star quarterback (Sam Bradford) and the majority of their defense that up until WVU looked to be among tops in the nation.

What I'm thinking:

The Sooners should be undefeated up until back-to-back home games against Texas and Kansas. Followed by that are games that are all theoretically losable, with the toughest of the games (Texas Tech) once again at home. Then of course comes the conference title game and you have to conclude that OU better be deep to sustain a high level of play.

Demarco Murray will be the featured running back and there are a few young guys coming in with lots of hype. This should help. What would also help is a rededication to stopping the run on defense.

5. USC Trojans

Picking USC to finish #1 is typically a safe bet. Last year I picked them over LSU saying, "USC has earned the right to be #1 by default." Well, this year their default status has taken a hit as they slide to #5. The problematic issues include a new quarterback, new offensive lineman and huge personnel losses to the NFL. The positives include they are the University of Southern California and have a team and coach that is always ready to dominate. Their defense will dominate. This year may not be too much different than last year, where they drop a tough game and a game they should win, only to hit stride come bowl season.

Mark Sanchez should be a solid quarterback and Mitch Mustain is a backup with big potential and experience. The running back position is deep, with Joe McKnight the most exciting. At wideout Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton return with experience and David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson look to put up numbers. The o-line loses 3 starters (including Sam Baker) so how quickly the nimble big dudes gel will determine how well Mark Sanchez can do his thing.

On defense Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga bring probably the most athletic duo of linebackers on any team. The loss of NT Sedrick Ellis, LB Sedrick Ellis, DE Lawrence Jackson and CB Terrell Thomas should not be discounted for obvious reasons. Even so, talented leadership returns and the defense should be stout.

The schedule is admirable, yet suicidal. The game that is always talked about is the home game in the second week of the season versus Ohio State. For good reasons, this game could set the tone for the BCS Championship race. How well the defense can contain RB Chris Wells and how well the offensive line holds up will determine if they win, period. But the other game people fail to discuss in the opener at Virginia. The "Cardiac Cavaliers" from a year ago hung on by a thread and showed great pride. They've lost some big time talent but RB Mikell Simpson and QB Jameel Sewell could be prove to be among the ACC's best at their positions. Oregon, ASU, Cal and Notre Dame are all home games before finishing at UCLA. I can't help but wonder if the game at Arizona will be tricky.

* Reports for teams listed below coming soon

6. Auburn Tigers

7. West Virginia Mountaineers

8. Texas Longhorns

9. Tennessee Volunteers

10. Wisconsin Badgers

11. Clemson Tigers

12. Illinois Fighting Illini

13. South Carolina

14. Texas Tech

15. Missouri Tigers

16. LSU Tigers

17. Virginia Tech

18. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

19. Alabama Crimson Tide

20. USF Bulls

21. Michigan State Spartans

22. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

23. Oregon Ducks

24. Arizona State Sun Devils

25. BYU Cougars

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Bugeatersteve said:

	That's what I like to see. A "No bones about it" article. Also written without a single hint of favoritism either I might add.
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March 14, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

	Hey man I know, I know. I've been homeristic as of late. Last year I picked them #9 and they returned everybody after over performing. I expected 3-4 early NFL draft entries and only 1 guy left. What options do I have?
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March 14, 2008
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JEH45 said:

	Hey Lloyds: Were you wearing your Scarlet & Grey when you wrote this article? Talk to me about national championships after the Buckeyes play USC. Speaking about Bugeatersteve-I am expecting solid info from him so when ya'll force me to do the preseason Deathrattle top 25 & I have to consider Nebraska I can do more than play pin the tail on the donkey with my picks.
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March 14, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

	Rumor out of Lincoln is 8 win season. I would be extremely pleased with that given the schedule.
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March 14, 2008
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JEH45 said:

	Bugeater: Rumor I heard is there will be a deathrattle party in Lincoln this year on Lloyds. Heard anything about that. I would imagine planes fly from south Florida to Lincoln. Never been there but on Lloyds nickle I would probably make it. Eight games? Will mark it down!
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March 15, 2008
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BLingY07 said:

	OU #1
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April 05, 2008 | url
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BLingY07 said:

	thats oklahoma baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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April 05, 2008 | url
Votes: +0

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