With the spring games long behind us and two-a-days in the near future, it is time to reveal the Top 25 teams of the 2010 NCAA season. As always predicting the winner is never easy and the teams rarely hold their position, but every team does have one main goal: to dethrone Alabama as national champions.
It will be tough to beat Alabama this season, especially with the return of Heisman-winner Mark Ingram in the backfield, however, there has not been back-to-back national champions since USC shared the spot with LSU in 2003 before winning it on their own in 2004. The last team to win the undisputed national title in back-to-back season was Nebraska in 1994-95, so every team has a shot.
So without further adieu, here is my Top 25 teams for the upcoming football season.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama holds this spot until a team comes up and takes it away from them, as they did to Florida last season. While Alabama returns eight starters on offense including Heisman winner Mark Ingram, only two come back on defense. It will be up to linebacker Dont'a Hightower to lead the defense this season as the team faces Penn State, Arkansas and a revenge-minded Florida within the first five weeks of the season.
2. Boise State
If Boise State has another undefeated season, they deserve to be in the national title game, regardless of who is on their schedule. The Broncos return 21 starters and are unbeatable on their blue home field. Kellen Moore could be an early-season contender for the Heisman Trophy. Boise State will face an early season test against Virginia Tech in neutral-territory Maryland. The winner of this game could jump in the race for the national title.
3. Ohio State
Terrelle Pryor needs to be more consistent in order for the team to be successful. Pryor only completed 56.6-percent of his passes while throwing 11 interceptions. The Buckeyes defense, however, is devastating with pass-rush specialist Cameron Heyward wreaking havoc in the backfield. Ohio State will host Miami early in the season before their Big Ten schedule kicks off including two road games against Iowa and Wisconsin. Penn State will also come to the Horseshoe.
4. Texas
Quarterback Garrett Gilbert was given a baptism by fire last season when he came in as a true freshman in the national title game against Alabama after Colt McCoy injured his shoulder in the first quarter. McCoy is gone and head coach Mack Brown has tweaked the offense in order to rely on Gilbert's strengths. A running game, however, must emerge in Austin or the team may be stuck as a one-dimensional offense like they were last season. The defense remains one of the nation's best with a dangerous cornerback tandem in Chykie and Curtis Brown. Texas will face Oklahoma and Nebraska in back-to-back weeks in two critical Big XII matches this season.
5. TCU
Texas Christian returns 15 starters on a team that went 12-1 last season, including quarterback Andy Dalton. The Horned Frogs lose five starters on defense, however, they will reload with sophomores Ross Forrest and Tanner Brock replacing Jerry Hughes and Darryl Washington. TCU will be tested early this season when they play Oregon State in Arlington to kick the season off. A Nov. 6 game at Utah could decide the winner of the Mountain West Conference.
6. Virginia Tech
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor leads the charge as Virginia Tech enters the season with one of the most dangerous running games in the nation. Ryan Williams and Darren Evans will provide a solid 1-2 punch for Virginia Tech while Taylor relies on his feet to get him out of trouble. They will have to replace six starters on defense quickly, the ACC has become more competitive this season. After a season-opening game against Boise State, Virginia Tech will face Georgia Tech and away games against North Carolina and Miami late in the season for what could possibly decide which team goes to the ACC championship.
7. Oklahoma
Injuries plagued the Sooners last season, but also helped benefit the team for this season. Quarterback Landry Jones now has a season of experience under his belt and the offense returns eight starters. Their defense returns six starters, but must find a replaceent for defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who was selected third-overall in the NFL Draft. Oklahoma will face Florida State, Cincinnati and Texas within the first month of the season before facing the rest of their Big XII opponents.
8. Nebraska
Their defense is even nastier than last year with Jared Crick stepping in to take over for Ndamukong Suh and Prince Amukamara at cornerback. Their offense returns nine starters, however must jell this season in order for the team to be successful. The biggest test for Nebraska this season is an Oct. 16 home game against Texas, one of what could be two games against the Longhorns this season.
9. Florida
The big question in Gainesville is whether or not quarterback John Brantley can fill Tim Tebow's shoes. The Gators lose nine starters overall on both sides of the ball, but is athletic and physical enough to fill all voids. Expect the team to take more snaps under center. Florida faces an Oct. 2 rematch at Alabama and have two later tests against Georgia and Florida State.
10. Wisconsin
Wisconsin returns all of their starters on offense, including running back John Clay, but only six on defense. They key to their success will rely on their defensive line, which only returns junior J.J. Watt. Wisconsin faces back-to-back games against Ohio State and Iowa later in the season in what could decide the Big Ten.
11. Miami (FL)
Miami only returns four starters on offense, but will return Jacory Harris at quaterback and eight starters on defense. Harris threw impressive numbers last season (3,352 yards and 24 touchdowns,) but also threw 17 interceptions. Miami has one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season facing back-to-back games against Ohio State and Pitt early in the season before taking on Florida State, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech in their ACC match-ups.
12. Iowa
Ricky Stanzi is back to lead the team, but must be more consistent that 17 touchdown and 15 picks. The offense returns six starters, but lose three starters on the offensive line. The team will rely on a defense that returns eight starters including defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Iowa's toughest games are all Big Ten opponents: Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State.
13. USC
The Pete Carroll era is over and Lane Kiffin has returned to Los Angeles to lead the Trojans. Sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley is back and will improve greatly over last-season's numbers (2,735 yards, 15 touchdowns 14 interceptions.) The team loses 11 starters on both sides of the ball, but Kiffin's tremendous recruiting classes over the years will help fill the holes on the team. A midseason match against Oregon could decide the Pac-10 title.
14. Oregon
The biggest question about Oregon is whether or not the team can compete without quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was kicked off of the team. Senior Nate Costa will take the snaps this season for the Ducks who also return running back LaMichael James, who ran for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns, and seven other starters on offense. The defense loses three starters, including two on the defensive line. An away game at USC on Oct. 30 could decide the Pac-10 title.
15. North Carolina
Their defense is the heart and soul of this team, returning nine starters including defensive lineman Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn, who will help groom newcomers Quinton Coples and Tydreke Powell. The offense also returns nine starters, but could pull quarterback T.J. Yates if he fails to produce in favor of redshirt freshman Bryn Renner. The toughest part of North Carolina's schedule is their ACC foes, including Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech.
16. Pitt
Sophomore Dion Lewis is back and will campaign for the Heisman trophy, but the offense loses six starters, including quarterback, which will be taken over by sophomore Tino Sunseri. The defense also returns defensive end Greg Romeus, but also loses five starters. Pitt will start their season off on the road against Utah and will host Miami before two late road games against UConn and Cincinnati in what could decide who wins the Big East.
17. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech loses defensive captains Morgan Burnett and Derrick Morgan and will switch to a 3-4 defense this year, but still returns seven starters. The offense returns six starters, including quarterback Joshua Nesbitt to run their hard-to-stop triple option offense. A Sept. 28 showdown against North Carolina at Chapel Hill will set the tone for the ACC. Three of their final four games are also rough as they play Virginia Tech, Miami and Georgia.
18. Georgia
The Bulldogs could have something to say about the SEC title, but must settle on their quarterback first. Redshirt Aaron Murray is slated as the starter right now. Murray will have help with star receiver A.J. Green to throw to and eight starters overall return on offense. The Bulldogs only return five starters on defense, and none on the defensive line, but Georgia is notorious for having studs on their defensive front. Georgia plays Arkansas early this season. Their next big test will be against Florida at neutral-territory Jacksonville. The Bulldogs wrap their season up by hosting Georgia Tech.
19. Arkansas
Star quarterback Ryan Mallet has returned to lead the Razorbacks, along with one of the NCAA's most dangerous receiving groups in Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton and tight end D.J. Williams. Their defense must show a great improvement, however, after finishing the '09 season last in the SEC in total defense and points against. Arkansas has two late-September games against Georgia and Alabama.
20. Cincinnati
The team loses quarterback Tony Pike, but that's not a problem. Junior Zach Collaros stepped in for Pike when he was injured last season and seamlessly ran the Bearcats high-scoring offense. Including Collaros, Cincinnati returns seven starters on offense, but must find a way to replace receiver Mardy Gilyard. Cincinnati faces an early game against Oklahoma before their season closes at UConn and home against Pitt.
21. Houston
Quarterback Case Keenum is back after two consecutive 5,000-yard passing seasons. The team only loses two starters on offense. Defense lost games for them last season, finishing 111th in total defense. Five starters return on the defensive unit. Houston faces a soft schedule this season with no ranked opponents on the schedule.
22. Florida State
Jimbo Fisher starts his reign by contending for the ACC title. Christian Ponder leads the Seminole offense that returns nine starters. Their defense only brings back four starters, and none at defensive back, where they lost Myron Rolle and Patrick Robinson to the NFL. Florida State travels to Oklahoma on Sept. 11 and will face Miami and North Carolina before they close their season against Florida.
23. Penn State
Evan Royster will be plowing for yards as sophomore Kevin Newsome learns the offense, replacing Darryl Clark. The team must quickly replace 11 starters if they want to contend in the Big Ten this season. Penn State goes to Alabama on Sept. 11 and travels to Iowa this season before a late season match against Ohio State at the Horseshoe.
24. Utah
Eight starters return on offense, but only three on defense. If Utah is to contend with TCU for the Mountain West crown this season, their defensive players must jell before their Nov. 6 game. Utah will open the season against Pitt.
25. UConn
UConn was impressive last season, posting a 8-5 record in what was supposed to be a down season. Eight starters return on offense and defense and the team is expected to build on quarterback Zach Frazer's strong finish last season. The Huskies host Pitt and Cincinnati late in the season and could be undefeated entering both games.
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