AP Preseason Top 25

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2004 records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and final ranking:
Pos Team Record Points Previous
1. Southern Cal (60) 13-0 1,619 1
2. Texas (4) 11-1 1,500 5
3. Tennessee 10-3 1,376 13
4. Michigan 9-3 1,329 14
5. LSU 9-3 1,291 16
6. Ohio St. 8-4 1,205 20
7. Oklahoma 12-1 1,204 3
8. Virginia Tech 10-3 1,184 10
9. Miami 9-3 1,142 11
10. Florida 7-5 1,080 --
11. Iowa 10-2 1,011 8
12. Louisville (1) 11-1 892 6
13. Georgia 10-2 869 7
14. Florida St. 9-3 764 15
15. Purdue 7-5 711 --
16. Auburn 13-0 650 2
17. Texas A&M 7-5 576 --
18. Boise St. 11-1 375 12
19. California 10-2 358 9
20. Arizona St. 9-3 313 19
21. Texas Tech 8-4 256 18
22. Boston College 9-3 232 21
23. Pittsburgh 8-4 211 25
24. Fresno St. 9-3 196 22
25. Virginia 8-4 153 23


Should be a great season as the Trojans look for the 3-peat. I doubt they'll go undefeated again though. They've lost a lot of starters on the defensive side of the ball, and their depth on the defensive line took a huge hit with Cody, Patterson, and Wright all in the NFL this year. OC Norm Chow is also gone to the NFL. With Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush on offense they still have the best 1-2 punch in the nation though, and should still be in the national championship game at the end of the season.

Texas is a team I'll keep a close eye on this season too. Vincent Young was orgasmic in the Rose Bowl last year (J.R. will back me up on that one), and, if his passing game can catch up to his running game, he'll be in the Heisman race for sure. Marcus Vick is another QB I'll be keeping an eye on. He'll be a first year starter at VT this year, and it'll be interesting to see how Michael's troubled younger brother does.

Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson was incredible last year as a true freshmen, and he'll have to carry even more of the load this year with Jason White gone. Early in the season teams will probably bring an extra man down into the box, until the passing game develops and keeps defenses honest.

[J.R.]

Let me just say I am pumped for this upcoming college football season, which will be my second complete as a fan.
Should be a great season as the Trojans look for the 3-peat. I doubt they'll go undefeated again though.I am quite confident Southern California will go undefeated again. Their schedule is fairly weak compared to the talent that is returning and who they have recruited for this season. Maybe we could put a little something on this as a bet. :) No doubt, the Trojans will go 12-0 and win the Rose Bowl.

Vincent Young was orgasmic in the Rose Bowl last year (J.R. will back me up on that one), and, if his passing game can catch up to his running game, he'll be in the Heisman race for sure.Aside from Matt Leinhart, Young has to be one of the preseason favourites from the quarterback position to win the Heisman. That Rose Bowl performance against those once again losers from Michigan was sick. Just sick. He's like Michael Vick, but he does have an arm and will lead the Longhorns to at least a top three spot at the end of the season.

Just for contrasting purposes, here is Sports Illustrated's Top 25.

1. USC
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Michigan
5. Tennessee
6. Miami
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio St.
9. Virginia Tech
10. Georgia
11. Louisville
12. Iowa
13. LSU
14. Texas A&M
15. Florida St.
16. Boise St.
17. California
18. Auburn
19. Fresno St.
20. Arizona St.
21. Pittsburgh
22. Purdue
23. Bowling Green
24. Colorado
25. Wyoming

My Purdue Boilermakers #15 in the A.P. Poll and #22 by S.I.? That's hot enough for me. ;)

[Canucklehead]

I've never been a big fan of college football. A season of miss matches, followed by 1200 'Bowl' games where it seems the prestige of your school is more important than how your team actaully played throughout the year.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Maybe we could put a little something on this as a bet.

Sure. What do you wanna bet?

btw, I $%#@ing hate my ABC provider. Instead of tuning into the Ohio State game or Oklahoma game this afternoon, I get Bills preseason action :curse:

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Notre Dame has looked sharp tonight playing a good Pitt team. Looks like Charlie Weis has the boys on the right track.

[J.R.]

Oklahoma lost today. :eek: To the Horned Frogs!

Let's take a look back at their last two losses: 17 - 10 vs. Texas Christian and 55 - 10 vs. Southern California.

Wow. I think it's time for them to spend some time outside of the Top 25.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

I wouldn't bump them out of the top ten just yet, but they cleary should be near the bottom of the list. From the bits and pieces of the game I actually saw, Peterson was seeing 8 and 9 man fronts all game, and the passing game will really need to step up in the upcoming weeks. Last year with Jason White nobody could pull sh*t like that because they knew it would end up in the endzone. If the passing game doesn't come around it looks like my boy Peterson is gonna go through a rough sophmore season.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Miami and FSU start their seasons with another sloppy, but entertaining game for the second year in a row. The quaterback play for FSU was horrible all night long. Weatherford couldn't get anything going tonight, and only complete 7 of 24 for 67 yards. Xavier Lee came into the game for a drive in the second half to a standing ovation from the FSU faithful, but the redshirt freshman wasn't any better and the offense moved backwards.

For Miami, Kyle Wright started off the game with similar struggles, but as the game progressed he showed us why he was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school. He got more comfortable in the pocket and on a drive in the 4th quarter made four huge 3rd down conversions to his tight end Greg Olson (who tonight looked like the next great Miami TE). The slimmed down Tyrone Moss also had a solid game rushing for 102 yards.

Looking forward to next weekend as the Irish coming off a big win head in Michigan, and Texas and Ohio State will battle in the Saturday night game.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Oklahoma lost today. :eek: To the Horned Frogs!

Let's take a look back at their last two losses: 17 - 10 vs. Texas Christian and 55 - 10 vs. Southern California.

Wow. I think it's time for them to spend some time outside of the Top 25.

OK, now it's time to knock Oklahoma out of the top 25 ;)

Also, Notre Dame went to 2-1 today with an OT loss.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

No doubt, the Trojans will go 12-0 and win the Rose Bowl.


Looks like you'll win this bet. Playing the Irish on the road was shaping up to be USC's biggest challenge coming into the season, and the game definitely lived up to its billing. I can honestly say I was on the edge of my seat for most of the game, and I was really hoping the Fighting Irish could end USC's monster win streak. They still have Cal and UCLA on the schedule, but I think Leinhart, Bush, and co. will streamroll through both teams.

[J.R.]

In the much hyped game of #3 Virginia Tech hosting #5 Miami (FL), it turned into a Hurricane rout.

I was so excited to see these two teams do battle, but too many mistakes by the Hokies cost them and they lost 27-7, which likely throws their National Championship hopes out the window. Marcus Vick was swarmed by the 'Canes defence all night and looked so out of place. Now the computer and coaches are likely going to hammer them in the rankings.

Miami will likely move to #4, behind USC, Texas and Alabama.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Another unbeaten UCLA also lost yesterday. The Bruins got smashed by Arizona 52-14.

I was also looking forward to Miami-V Tech for the entire week. However, the Miami defense made Marcus look like his brother. Also, props to Charlie Jones for stepping in and having a big game with Tyrone Moss out.

With the win I'd expect Miami to move up to 3rd in the rankings. Alabama may be undefeated (although LSU will beat up on them this weekend), but they've only played one ranked team, while Miami has played 3. Also, the SEC has been uncharacteristically weak this season. The good thing is, this year there will be no controversy over the national championship game if both USC and Texas win out. The two best teams in college football will get to settle it on the field.