Top 20 and Counting

So with college football season right around the corner I'm going to keep looking at the AP top 25. So without further ado let's take a look at the top 20:

20. Florida State - I am not sold on the Florida State turnaround post Bobby Bowden. Christian Ponder may be a good quarterback, and he may even make Florida State an 8 win team by himself, but I can't see the 'Noles doing much more than that. Jimbo Fisher has essentially been running the ship at Florida State for the last few years, even though Bowden's been called "coach". I expect another disappointing season from Florida State

19. Penn State - I am not sure what to think about Penn State this year. I think the ranking of 19 in the AP poll is more accurate than the 14 they got in the Coaches Poll. Penn State lost their quarterback and will have to replace him. Evan Royster comes back which will help break in a new quarterback, but I'm not sure it'll be enough for Penn State to do what they've done the past few years in the Big Ten.

18. North Carolina - Consider UNC out of the top 25 after week 1. With allegations all over Butch Davis that agents are paying players, and that his personal nanny was tutoring players in order to help them become academically eligible, UNC is in trouble. A few of the players caught up in this scandal won't be playing either. With that said, UNC will take a big hit and likely end up just average in the ACC.

17. Arkansas - I like Arkansas because I like Ryan Mallet. He's arguably the best quarterback in the country (the same Ryan Mallet Rich Rodriguez didn't want up in Michigan). However, their defense will have to improve if Arkansas wants to be a legitimate force in the SEC. This may be the year for it though. With Florida reloading after the Tim Tebow era, and the heat on Les Miles at LSU, Arkansas could be poised to make a big jump in the SEC.

16. Georgia Tech - I'm a big fan of Paul Johnson, but my opinion of him and his gimmicky offense slipped a bit after Georgia Tech faltered against Iowa last year in the Orange Bowl. They're probably still the best team in an incredibly overrated and overhyped ACC, but that may not mean much.

15. Pittsburgh - Dion Lewis returns as a sophomore, but Pitt needs to break in a new quarterback. Having a running game in place will only help. Cincinnati is likely to take a step back this year with Brian Kelly bolting for Notre Dame, and Pitt is the other team (aside from West Virginia) to move up and benefit from that move. However, I question Dave Wandstedt's ability to win in the big game and get a team over the hump. That may ultimately be what holds Pitt back.

14. USC - Not ranked in the Coaches Poll because of their off the field troubles, I actually don't have a problem with this ranking of 14 in the AP poll. I think USC is probably the best team in the Pac 10 (take that as you will because the Pac 10 is incredibly bad this year). That said, this ranking is mostly irrelevant because they've been barred from postseason play and won't be ranked in the Coaches Poll. All I can say is - justice tastes good.

13. Miami (FL) - It's hard to get a read on the 'Canes. We will get an idea of where they stand week 2 when they go to the Shoe to play the Buckeyes. There's no doubt that the Hurricanes have a lot of speed, but they ran into a wall against Wisconsin in their bowl game and complained about the weather and the cold. That leads me to believe they're a finesse team which will get them some wins, but not much more than 13 ranking.

12. Wisconsin - One college football preview source (I forget which one) said that Wisconsin would have the best offense in college football this year. I find that a little hard to believe but it is intriguing. They do have John Clay (last year's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year) and their quarterback returning as well as most of their offensive line. Those things alone should make Wisconsin dynamic on offense.

11. Oregon - Last year's media darling that was exposed by the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Honestly, I'll be shocked if Oregon finishes in the top 20 this season. With their star quarterback kicked off the team, and who knows how many other players in jail or in trouble with the law, the Ducks seem poised for a fall. They were overhyped going into the Rose Bowl last year and exposed after playing a horrible Pac 10 last year. I expect a big drop for Oregon.