Reason to believe the ranking: It was Houston Nutt’s first year in Oxford, and he has his most productive skill players back. Reason to doubt the ranking: The anchors of both offensive and defensive lines are gone in left tackle Michael Oher and nose tackle Peria Jerry. Can QB Jevan Snead be protected? Can the new NT draw extra blockers like Jerry did?
9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Reason to believe the ranking: The Yellow Jackets return all the key components of a backfield that’s very tough to defend. Reason to doubt the ranking: The top defensive tackles and one of the best defensive ends in America are gone. Filling in for those three will be difficult.
10. Virginia Tech Hokies
Reason to believe the ranking: Elusive QB Tyrod Taylor is back and running the show solo with Sean Glennon now departed. The defense will be solid again, of course. Reason to doubt the ranking: Virginia Tech has always been sure of its linebackers, but 2009 doesn’t look so sure right now. Maybe a couple guys will step up for the defending ACC champions.
Best of the rest
11. Georgia Bulldogs
12. LSU Tigers
13. Pittsburgh Panthers
14. Penn State Nittany Lions
15. Texas Tech Red Raiders
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers
17. Iowa Hawkeyes
18. North Carolina Tar Heels
19. Florida State Seminoles
20. Oregon Ducks
21. Boise State Broncos
22. Kansas Jayhawks
23. Miami(FL) Hurricanes
24. South Florida Bulls
25. California Golden Bears
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