2010 College Football Top 25 1.0

2010's Top Team is... Ohio State Oregon Boise State Georgia Tech Florida Alabama Someone Else View Results  Loading ...

By Daniel Evans and Blake Hofstad
Updated: November 22, 2009  11:43 PM

Check it out: 2010 College Football Top 25 2.0 is now out

Last offseason, I came up with a top 25 poll before any of the other national sports websites could beat me to the punch.

That top 25 came in January and Florida was #1, but even a blind man could have foreseen the Gators great season this year. Some teams were right on while some were way off (Oklahoma). For the most part, a majority of the top 25 was pretty close to what it is now.

Now, in November, I feel like it’s time to start looking ahead to next season already. As this season’s championship picture comes into focus, we are already looking ahead. Fellow CFS writer Blake Hofstad and I got together to create the list you will see below.

When we started comparing the notes the first thing we noticed was the number of high profile quarterbacks coming back next season. Terrelle Pryor, Jeremiah Masoli, Josh Nesbitt, Andy Dalton, Kellen Moore, and Ryan Mallett are among those returning. It seems like every quarterback in the country, outside of Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Sam Bradford, is returning next year.

Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes are CollegeFootballSaturday’s #1 team for 2010.

The next thing we found was that there is not an elite team on paper. Each team listed below has strengths and weaknesses, but there’s not a single team that looks invincible. Our #1 team, Ohio State, is where they are due to the experience of their quarterback and the fact that the Buckeyes return most of their defense. The only team that seems to return everyone is Boise State.

Boise State and TCU look like they will remain on a quest to be the first non BCS teams to compete in the BCS National Championship game. Next season both will begin with high rankings. Early on it looks like the best opportunity any non BCS team has had in the BCS era of reaching the national championship game.

Here’s our top 25 for next year:
NOTE: Abbreviations had to be used to make the entire schedules fit on the screen. USC plays 13 games, which is the reason their table is wider than the others. We are editing schedules as they become available.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes return Terrell Pryor and 15 other starters (9-offense, 6-defense) on a team that will be favored to win the Big Ten. Pryor’s top receiver, DeVier Posey, returns alongside Daze Sanzenbacher. The passing game will need to improve for Ohio State to reach their potential because this season they are ranked 105th in passing. Losing five defensive players will make working on defense a necessity, but in a “down” year for the Buckeyes they rank sixth in the nation in total defense.

2010 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Mar	Mia FL	Ohio	E. Mich	@ Ill	Ind	@ Wisc	Pur	@ Minn	Penn St	@ Iowa	Mich

2. Oregon Ducks: Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli returns to a Ducks team that should have plenty of fire offensively.  His top running back, LaMichael James returns as a sophomore next year. This Oregon team only loses TE Ed Dickson and two starters on the defensive side of the football. The Ducks rank sixth nationally  in rushing yards, mainly due to Masoli who ranks 32nd in the country in total offense. The Ducks trip to Neyland Stadium in week two next year will be one of the best non conference games of the year next season.

2010 Oregon Ducks Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
NM	@ TN	Port St	@ Ariz St	Stan	@ WSU	UCLA	@ USC	Wash	@ Cal	Ariz	@ Ore St

3. Boise State Broncos: The first non BCS team to crash the BCS National Championship party could happen as soon as next year. The Broncos will return 20 starters, 10 on both offense and defense, including QB Kellen Moore, RB Jeremy Avery, and WRs Austin Pettis and Titus Young. With another year to improve, and only CB Kyle Wilson graduating, the Broncos defense should be among the best in the country next season.  If the Broncos improve on their scoring defense (17.3 PPG this season) then Boise State could be a real championship contender. The opener against Virginia Tech will be one of the games of the year.

2010 Boise State Broncos Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Va Tech	Tol	@ Wyo	Ore St	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: The Yellow Jackets triple option offense should be rolling again next season with QB Josh Nesbitt, RB Jonathan Dwyer (maybe), and WR Demaryius Thomas returning. Even if Dwyer does answer when the NFL comes calling, the Yellow Jackets have plenty of young backs to put in his place to pick up the slack. On defense nine return, giving Georgia Tech one of the best returning teams on paper for next year. At the very least, the Yellow Jackets will be the favorites in the ACC next season.

2010 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
TBA	@ Kan	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	Mid Tn	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	@ Ga

5. Florida Gators: No Tim Tebow, no problem? John Brantley looks like a guy ready to jump right in and win games for the Gators. The key for Urban Meyer might be talking DE Carlos Dunlap and CB Joe Haden into returning for one more season. If he can do that the Gators season could be decided when they travel to Knoxville for the first time with Brantley at the helm. A win there could propel Florida to great things. A loss might start a downward spiral with a road game in Tuscaloosa two weeks later. Early on expect the offense to rely heavily on Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey to carry the slack.

2010 Florida Gators Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Mia Oh	Usf	@ Tn	Ky	@ Ala	LSU	Miss St	Ga	@ Van	SC	App St	@ Fsu

6. TCU Horned Frogs: That’s right, this year’s Cinderella team won’t be too shabby next season either.  Jerry Hughes’ departure means the defense probably won’t be as good next year as it is this season (where its allowing 12.6 PPG), but the offense should continue to improve. QB Andy Dalton returns along with most of the other starters on what should be a veteran-laden offense. RBs Matthew Tucker and Ed Wesley return as well.

2010 TCU Horned Frogs Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Bay	SMU	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

7. Virginia Tech Hokies: Remember last offseason when the pair of Tyrod Taylor and Darren Evans had VT listed as the favorites in the ACC? This offseason talk around the Hokies will revolve around Taylor and Evans again, with Ryan Williams thrown into the mix. Expect Evans to return hungrier than ever next season after watching Williams run wild this year from the sidelines. Taylor’s passing improved incredibly this year. He ranks second in the ACC in passing efficiency this season. If Taylor continues to take the next step, Virginia Tech will be hard to beat next season.

2010 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Boise	TBA	ECU	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

8. Iowa Hawkeyes: Iowa was almost the “Cinderella” team of the Big Ten this year, but came up short in games late in the season after rallying time after time. As it turns out, this year was probably good experience for an Iowa team that could make a serious run next year. QB Ricky Stanzi and RB Adam Robinson are set to return. Remember, RB Jewel Hampton is also returning after missing the year with a knee injury. Stanzi should continue to get better after experiencing some poor games this year.

2010 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
E Ill	Ia St	@ Ariz	Ball St	Penn St	@ Mich	Wisc	Mich St	@ Ind	@ NW	Ohst	@ Minn

9. Texas Longhorns: Colt McCoy’s departure will get the headlines for the Longhorns this season but WR Jordan Shipley and DE Sergio Kendle are gone as well. Even with that, Mack Brown will be the first to tell you the talent well isn’t dry in Austin. Overall 14 starters return on a team that might have to rely more on the running game next year. The Longhorns top four running  backs return next year. This season they rank 55th in the run, one of the main issues with their offense. With four running backs returning and a young quarterback at the helm, the run game will have to be better in 2010.

2010 Texas Longhorns Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 25
@ Rice	Wyo	UCLA	Fla Atl	Okl	@ Neb	Ia St	Bay	@ Kan	Okst	TTU	Tx AM

10. LSU Tigers: QB Jordan Jefferson returns to an offense that is losing its top two tailbacks, Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, along with its top WR in Brandon LaFell. On defense Patrick Peterson and Chad Jones return in what could be the SEC’s strongest secondary. Rahim Alem and Al Woods are gone off the defensive line and will have to be replaced. The first thing for Les Miles to do this offseason will be to find a running game.  With Scott and Williams the Tigers rank only 84th best nationally, and life without them promises to be even more challenging.

2010 LSU Tigers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 13	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
UNC	@ Van	Ms st	Wvu	Tn	@ Fla	McN St	@ Aub	Ala	Ulm	Miss	@ Ark

11. Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama returns a strong nucleus on offense with QB Greg McElroy, RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, and WRs Julio Jones and Marquis Maze back. The problem for the Crimson Tide will come on defense, where only a few starters are set to return. Terrence Cody, Brandon Deaderick, Cory Reamer, and Javier Arenas are among those graduating. Junior Rolando McClain is all but gone to the NFL as well. Nick Saban can reload as well as any coach in the country, and Alabama’s defense will probably find a way to be one of the best yet again despite the players their losing.

2010 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 26
SJ St	Penn St	@ Duke	@ Ark	Fla	@ SC	Miss	@ TN	@ LSU	Miss St	Ga St	Aub

12. Oregon State Beavers: With USC down, Oregon and Oregon State are looking to take over the Pac 10. The Rodgers brothers, RB Jacquizz and WR James, return for the Beavers offense along with a majority of the defense. If the Beavers can avoid their usual bumpy start to the season they could be in great shape in mid-October. Beating Boise State would go a long way towards a tremendous season. One of the biggest stats overlooked during the Beavers great run this year is their run defense that ranks 13th nationally. If the offense continues to roll (and it should with the Rodgers brothers back) and the defense keeps improving,  look out.

2010 Oregon State Beavers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
E Wash	Lou	@ Boise	Arz St	@ Arz	@ Wash	USC	Cal	@ Ucla	Wash St	@ Stan	Ore

13. Wisconsin Badgers: The Badgers return QB Scott Tolzien and RB John Clay along with every other key player on each side of the football. Seventeen potential returning starters makes Wisconsin one of the teams to watch for in the Big Ten. Tolzien should continue to get better with another year under his belt. Having his powerful tailback returning will help too. Clay has 134 more yards rushing than any other back in the Big Ten this year. Another season like that would have the Badgers on pace to play for the Big Ten title.

2010 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
@ Unlv	SJ St	ArSt	Au Py	@ MiSt	Minn	Ohio St	@ Iowa	@ Pur	Ind	@ Mich	NW

14. Arkansas Razorbacks: Those in SEC country will tell you that Arkansas is a scary team. Bobby Petrino will enter his third year in Fayetteville next season with a quarterback in Ryan Mallett that might have the strongest arm in the country. If the Razorbacks are going to take the next step and compete for the SEC Championship, the defense is going to have to improve. This season the Razorbacks rank dead last in the SEC in passing efficiency defense and pass defense.  Seven players are projected to be back on that side of the football. Expect Arkansas to be this year’s preseason Ole Miss with slightly less hype.

2010 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Tn Tech	ULM	@ Ga	Ala	Tx AM	@ Aub	Miss	Van	@ SC	Utep	@ MsSt	Lsu

15. Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Cornhuskers basically return their entire Big 12 North Championship team. QB Zac Lee and RB Roy Helu will lead an offense that will have to improve greatly for Nebraska to get back in the national picture. Outside of the graduation of defensive monster Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska is loaded on defense. This year the Huskers rank 7th in total defense, but 82nd in total offense. I’m guessing that head coach Bo Pelini will spend more time on that side of the football this offseason.

2010 Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Wku	Idaho	@ Wash	Sd St	@ Ksu	Tex	@ Ok St	Mizz	@ IaSt	Kan	@ TxAM	Col

16. South Carolina: Steve Spurrier might finally have an offense that can score points. South Carolina is set to return QB Stephen Garcia, WRs Alshton Jeffery, Tori Gurley, and TE Wesley Saunders on offense.  This season the Gamecocks are only ranked 75th in total offense, and 101st in scoring offense. Spurrier’s defenses have kept him in games in his time at Columbia, but you know the ‘Ole Ball Coach is ready for some offensive fireworks. The defense is among the nation’s best this year (17th best in total defense) and is projected to lose only three players next season. If the defense continues to play well, and Garcia continues to develop, Spurrier’s Gamecocks could finally have a play in the SEC East race.

2010 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
So Miss	Ga	Fur	@ Aub	Ala	@ Ky	@ Van	Tn	Ark	@ Fla	Troy	@ Clem

17. USC Trojans: The problem for USC this year was consistency. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Trojans were knocked off their Pac 10 pedestal with three conference losses. QB Matt Barkley will lead an offense loaded with talent–RBs Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford return with WR Damian Williams (if he elects to return). Barkley has played well underneath expectations this year and has a lot of growing up to do this offseason. The Trojans defense will once again be the major question mark (ranked 48th in total D this year), especially with S Taylor Mays graduating.

2010 USC Trojans Schedule

Sept 4

Sept 11

Sept 18

Sept 25

Oct 2

Oct 9

Oct 16

Oct 23

Oct 30

Nov 6

Nov 13

Nov 27

Dec 4

@ Haw

Vir

@ Min

@ WasSt

Wash

@ Stan

Cal

@ OrSt

Ore

ArzSt

@ Arz

ND

Ucla

18. Cincinnati Bearcats: The Bearcats should have plenty of offensive firepower once again next season, with QB Zach Collaros leading the way. Collaros has been unbelievable since taking over for an injured Tony Pike and leads the Big East in passing efficiency. The key for Brian Kelly (or whomever the coach may be next season) will be to find a replacement for every other skill position player on offense. The graduation wide receiver Mardy Gilyard leaves a big void at his position. The defense is projected to return five players.

2010 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20
@ Ncst	Mia OH	@ Fres	Okl	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

19. Georgia Bulldogs: Mark Richt is feeling the heat in Athens, but the heat is only there because of the success he’s had during his tenure. Next season is looking up for the Bulldogs with RB Wayshaun Ealey and WR A. J. Green back on offense. The key will be breaking in a new starting quarterback due to Joe Cox graduating. Outside of Geno Atkins and Prince Miller the defense is pretty young and should continue to get better with more experience. Out of the twelve SEC teams the Bulldogs rank 11th in passing efficiency defense and 11th in scoring defense. The problems don’t end there though, because Georgia also ranks 11th in rushing offense and 10th in total offense. Georgia’s goal this offseason will be to figure out how to get back to what they do best: running the football. If Georgia is able to do that then they will be players in the SEC East race again in 2010.

2010 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 27
UL-Laf	@ SC	Ark	@ MsST	@ Col	Tn	Van	@ Ky	Fla	Id St	@ Aub	GT

20. West Virginia Mountaineers: West Virginia is projected to return RB Noel Devine and WR Jock Sanders, two explosive playmakers, along with a solid core of ten players on defense. Both are among the leaders in the Big East in many difference Big East statistical categories this season. Bill Stewart will have to rely on his defense while he develops a quarterback to replace the graduating Jarrett Brown.  This season the Mountaineers are ranked 44th in total defense, a number West Virginia should expect to improve in 2010.

2010 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20
TBA	@ Mar	TBA	@ LSU	TBA	UNLV	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

21. Miami Hurricanes: The Hurricanes were one of the early surprises in college football this season after surviving an impossible four game stretch to begin the season.  Almost every player on both sides of the ball returns, but QB Jacory Harris’ return should be the best news to any Hurricane fan. This year Harris has thrown 17 INTs, a number he will have to improve for Miami to be a serious threat in the ACC. Miami also needs to improve on its turnovers, where it currently sits at -4. Randy Shannon got what he wanted this season: his team is back on the national stage. Now they have to take the next step by competing as a top ten team once again.

2010 Miami Hurricanes Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Fl AM	@ Ohst	TBA	@ Pitt	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	USF

22. Nevada Wolfpack: The Wolfpack are the first team in NCAA history to have three players with over 1,000 yards rushing in one season this year. Next season QB Colin Kaepernick and RB Vai Taua will be back to form the best rushing duo in the country once again. If Nevada wants to be a serious BCS buster then the key will be find to some defense. This season the Wolfpack rank 84th in total defense. To compare to current BCS busters, TCU and Boise State rank in the top 15 nationally in total defense. Nevada is fun to watch, but if they want to be taken seriously defense is the answer.

2010 Nevada Wolfpack Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
TBA	Col St	Cal	@ BYU	@ UNLV	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

23. Oklahoma Sooners: Coming into this season, Oklahoma had extremely high hopes. Sam Bradford’s shoulder injury and horrible play the the Sooners offensive line has left Oklahoma with a mediocre season. The good news for Bob Stoops is that he won’t have to take a year to develop Landry Jones, because that’s basically what this season became. It’s unlikely DT Gerald McCoy will return, but Oklahoma will return most of its defense (which ranks 11th in total D this year). After scoring over 60 points in their final five regular season games a year ago, Oklahoma’s offense is only averaging 31 PPG this year. Stoops will have to try to re-capture Oklahoma’s offensive glory from a year ago.

2010 Oklahoma Sooners Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Ut St	Fl St	AF	@ Cin	TX	Ia St	@ Mizz	Col	@ TXAM	TTU	Bay	Ok St

24. Penn State Nittany Lions: Joe Paterno loses QB Daryl Clark, maybe RB Evan Royster, as well as a large portion of his defense, but the Nittany Lions should still be players in the Big Ten. RB Stephfon Green will try to step in and replace Royster (if he leaves) while WR Chaz Powell and Derek Moye return to lead the passing game. Losing LB Navorro Bowman on defense will be a huge loss if he elects to leave.

2010 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20	Nov 27
Yo St	@ Ala	Kent St	Temple	@ Iowa	Ill	@ Mn	Mich	NW	@ Ohst	Ind	Mich St

25. Pittsburgh Panthers: Dave Wannstedt credits QB Bill Stull’s development for Pittsburgh’s great season this year. Next season he wont’ have Stull to rely on. Expect to see a lot of RB Dion Lewis due to that. His freshman season has been overshadowed by the play of other true freshman running backs (like VT’s Ryan Williams), but he should be one of the best players in the country in 2010.

2010 Pittsburgh Panthers Schedule
Sept 4	Sept 11	Sept 18	Sept 25	Oct 2	Oct 9	Oct 16	Oct 23	Oct 30	Nov 6	Nov 13	Nov 20
TBA	@ Utah	TBA	@ Mia FL	TBA	@ ND	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

Among Others Considered (in no particular order): Florida State, Arizona, Stanford, Ole Miss, California, Northwestern, Connecticut, Missouri, South Florida, North Carolina. Clemson, Tennessee, Utah, Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas Tech, Auburn

Tags: 2010 College Football Top 25, Boise State, Florida, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Oregon, TCU
Posted in ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Non-BCS, Pac 10, SEC, Top Story | 13 Comments »

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