My 2009 college football Top 25 poll concludes with the almighty Top 10:
2008 record: 9-4 (ranked No. 15)
Projected 2009 regular season record: 10-2 (losses at South Carolina on Sept. 24; vs LSU on Nov. 21)
The 411: The Rebels are everybody's darling to compete for a BCS berth, and with good reason. First-year head coach Houston Nutt turned around a program last season that, according to SEC standards, was bordering upon moribund status, leading Ole Miss to its most wins since 2003, an impressive blowout bowl win over Texas Tech, and a top-15 ranking.
Albeit last season's success could partially be attributed to the recruiting successes of Nutt's predecessor, Ed Orgeron, Nutt has proven to have an uncanny ability to get the most out of his players—and he'll have plenty to work with once again.
Led by Heisman darkhorse Jevan Snead (184-for-327, 2,762 yds, 26 TDs in '08) at quarterback and receiver Dexter McCluster, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound jack-of-all-trades who actually had more yards rushing (655) than receiving (625) in '08, the offense should score plenty of points to fully complement a defense that finished last season ranked fourth in the nation in rushing yards allowed (86.5) and 20th (19.0) in points allowed per game.
9. Oregon Ducks
2008 record: 10-3 (ranked No. 9)
Projected 2009 regular season record: 10-2 (losses vs California on Sept. 26; at Arizona on Nov. 21)
The 411: A top contender for the conference title, the Ducks face a brutal stretch right out of the shoot, with games against Boise State, Purdue, Utah, and California filling the September slate.
The good news: all but the showdown with the Broncos will take place in the friendly confines of Autzen Stadium, where the off-kilter designs and two-tone pattern of the artificial turf are accentuated by an endearing intimacy, making it one of the quirkiest—and hardest—places in the country for opponents to play.
If Oregon and new headmaster Chip Kelly can survive the first month of the season, the schedule sets up favorably for a shot to dethrone USC atop the Pac-10.
2008 record: 9-4 (ranked No. 18)
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