And Finally, the Top 10!

The countdown continues, and the season is even closer. In two days I will be watching the Buckeyes against Marshall. I can't wait. Seriously, college football makes me giddy. I enjoy the NFL game, but the passion and emotion of the college game can't be duplicated by the NFL. So as we prepare for the season, I'm looking at the AP preseason top 10. Overall, I can't disagree too much with the rankings. There are a couple of teams in the top 10 that are probably a bit overhyped, but I think you will have that every year. So with that said, let's start with number 10:

10. Virgina Tech - Every year the Hokies are seemingly ranked in the top 10 or top 15 and get on a roll and the hype machine gets behind them and Frank Beamer and they end up in the top 5 at some point. Then every year at the end of the season when you look at the final polls, Virginia Tech has 3 or 4 losses on their record. Sometimes even 5, and the cycle repeats itself. This year should be no different. Although I have no passion for this football program (and honestly probably resent it a little due to undeserved hype), I am looking forward to their game against Boise State on September 6th. Boise State is a team that I think is overhyped as well, but in reality Virginia Tech has superior athletes to Boise State. It'll be interesting to see how Boise State holds up.

9. Iowa - A lot of people are high on Iowa this year, but I am not one of them. They have a ton of talent coming back on defense and on offense, but I am still not a believer. It is basically the same team that last year squeaked out wins in every game and ultimately lost to Northwestern. Maybe another year will mature the team, and having a senior quarterback leading the team will be the difference. I think Iowa is more likely to end up as a team ranked in the top 15-20 when the season ends.

8. Nebraska - In my opinion, Nebraska should be the favorite to win the Big 12 this year. Texas is breaking in a new quarterback and has some turnover on defense, and lost one of it's biggest playmakers not named Colt McCoy. Nebraska has some problems on offense, most notably the quarterback, but they make up for it with their defense. The Big 12 North is once again soft so they should have an easy path to the title game. They proved last year they could hang with Texas. I think this is the year for them to get over the hump. And what a way to exit the conference.

7. Oklahoma - While I think Nebraska is better than Oklahoma, I also believer the Sooners will bounce back this year. While last year's injury to Sam Bradford was devastating and ultimately cost Oklahoma a chance at a national title, it may help the program over the next couple of years as Landry Jones got some great experience and proved he could play at the college level. Ultimately I expect Nebraska to be a 10 win football team headed into their bowl game.

6. TCU - Another small time program ranked up at the top with the big boys. I like TCU more than I do Boise State. In fact, I like TCU more than anyone out of the Big East. I really believe that the Mountain West is better than the Big East. Now is TCU's chance to shine. If Boise State or another top 5 team falters, and TCU runs the table they could be playing for a national title.

5. Texas - While I really believe that Garrett Gilbert, the quarterback stepping in for Colt McCoy, is going to be a good, possibly even great, college football player, let's not underestimate what Colt McCoy did for this Texas program. He is the winningest quarterback in college football history and had Texas playing for a national title last year. I think the loss of McCoy, Jordan Shipley, and Sergio Kindle (among others) will hurt the Longhorns a bit this year. Top 5 is a bit too high for me. Texas takes a step back and is a 9 win football team this year. 10 wins if everything breaks for them.

4. Florida - Really this should say see Texas. Losing Tim Tebow should not be understated. Tebow is arguably the best quarterback in college football history. You don't lose a player like that and automatically rebound. Granted, the program is filled with talent and John Brantley will probably step in and be a nice player. But he's not Tim Tebow. Much like Texas, I see Florida as a team that's probably top 10, and a 9 or 10 win team if everything breaks their way this year.

3. Boise State - This is the year Boise State has their chance to play for a national title. Everything is set up for them. They've got out of conference games against Virginia Tech and Oregon State. They play in a weak conference. They have an incredibly generous preseason ranking. So we'll see what happens. If they lose once they are done and the talk about Boise State as a perennial power will forever be gone. That said, they are a talented team. Kellen Moore is a great quarterback and Chris Peterson is a great coach. Personally speaking I actually expect Boise to be in the national championship game. They perform well when they have substantial time to prepare for an opponent and they still play a WAC schedule. They're ranked in the top 3, and either the Buckeyes or Alabama will probably slip up at some point.

2. Ohio State - As a lifelong Ohio State fan I am happy to see the Buckeyes ranked in the top 3 to start the season. Terrelle Pryor holds the keys to success for the Buckeyes. The national media seems to think that Jim Tressel was holding back the reigns on Pryor last year and that his play in the Rose Bowl is what we've been missing out on. Anyone who watched this team last year knows otherwise. Pryor had the reigns taken off him early in the season and was a turnover machine (see Purdue). If The Rose Bowl Pryor shows up, or even 70% of that TP, then the Buckeyes play for a national championship and should win one.

1. Alabama - It's hard to argue with Alabama as number one seeing as they won it all last year and have their quarterback, star running back, and star wide receiver all coming back. They'll get nicked up in the SEC, but should play for a second straight national title if Boise State or Ohio State slip up along the way this year.


College football is in the air. I love it. Starting Thursday I will live, breathe, and sleep college football. There's nothing better. The countdown continues.