A Realistic Top 25 : At Least Thus Far

Yes, we hear all of the complaining about the polls.  Yes, we see a ton of teams in the Top 10 and Top 25 getting knocked off each and every week.

But simply put, without the polls nobody would be arguing about who is overrated or who deserves what. 

Face it, the polls are good and people argue about them for a reason.

In the end, they will sort themselves out and we will have 4 or 5 teams worth discussing to play in this years BCS Championship game.  Maybe not even that many.

With all arguing aside, here is my Top 25:

1. Alabama

Nobody is more physical on both sides of the ball than Alabama. The emergence of Greg McElroy as a quality QB puts this team on top. This team will simply punch you in the mouth, step on your throat, and then give you some more punishment. Most impressive team thus far on both sides of the ball. 

Their special teams are pretty special as well, and they have the best defense in the entire country.

2. Florida

Tough to put this team in the 2 hole, but 'Bama has been that impressive.  Either way, they will get their chance against 'Bama in the SEC Championship game if it all plays out as expected.

3. Texas

Until they get beat, they will remain in anybody's Top 5. The emergence of Tre' Newton at RB brings a new element to their attack that they have been missing in the past couple of years. 

They also have a defense that makes them a serious contender once again.

4. Cincinnati

QB Tony Pike is possibly the most underrated player in the country. Toss in Mardy Gilyard and Isaiah Pead and this team can play with anybody. They also might have the best coach in the country in Brian Kelly.  If they run the table will they get just recognition?

5. Oklahoma

Sure, they got beat by BYU in week one. Yes, I realize that it was close before Sam Bradford went down with an injury. But what everyone has to notice is that this team has one of the best defenses in the entire country. 

If Bradford comes back and is half the player he was last year, this team is very very dangerous yet again. 

6. LSU

Yes, another SEC team. There are a lot of gripes going on down in Bayou land, but this team is still undefeated. When they can get some of their defensive issues shored up they can play with anybody. 

Jordan Jefferson's expected development to start the year hasn't happenend, and this is easily the most susceptible team in my Top 6 of getting beat on any given Saturday.  Then again, who can I rank ahead of them?

7. Virginia Tech

The 10 point loss to Alabama doesn't look as bad as anyone thought to start the season. You can argue that they just aren't that impressive from a statistical point of view, but what they do best is simply win. 

Outside of Cincinnati, there is likely not a better coached team in the entire country right now.

8. Houston

They hold two very impressive wins on their ledger right now in a road victory at Oklahoma State and last nights 4th quarter thriller over Texas Tech. Yes, we all know about Case Keenum and the high powered offense, but the real story is a defense that is much better than just about everybody expected.  Including head coach Kevin Sumler. 

Early season vote for this years Coach of the Year.

9. TCU

Defense, defense, defense. Boise State, BYU, and Utah get much more hype than Gary Patterson's well oiled defensive machine. Year in and year out you will not find a more soundly coached defensive football team in all the land. 

They won't wow the voters that much due to a low scoring ball control offense, but what they will win a lot of games. What happens if this team can run the table?  Sadly, these guys get little to no respect.

10. USC 

The debacle in Washington from a week ago is very embarrassing. However, I doubt you will find many teams in the country that are excited about playing the Trojans on any given week. 

Until they get knocked off of their Pac 10 perch and until somebody hands them their arse, they deserve to be in the Top 10.  Especially when you consider all of the mayhem going on in the rest of the College Football world.

11. Auburn 

Yes, this is awfully high and awfully early for a team coming off of a 5-7 season with a new head coach. However, you have to really like the RB tandem of Tate and McCalebb thus far and Richard Todd is night and day better than what we saw last season. 

This team could very well be 7-0 when they roll into Baton Rouge on October 24th. 

12. Boise State

Simply by default.  Likely the odds on favorite to roll through the season undefeated.  Well coached and well prepared, this is a team nobody would like to see in a BCS bowl game.

13. Ohio State

They had USC against the wall at home. Their defense is much quicker and much more aggressive. Terrelle Pryor is getting better each and every week. Odds on favorite to win the Big 10. 

14. Oklahoma State

Nobody wants to play against this offense. They have the firepower to beat anybody on any given Saturday. 

15. South Florida

The default choice of the week. The meager 7 points they gave up to Florida State at FSU's house was impressive. Can they keep the momentum going or are we in store for another mid to late season collapse from the Bulls?

16. Notre Dame

Love 'em or hate 'em, this team is much better than most think. Don't let Lou Holtz's fetish with this team keep you away from acknowledging that they are pretty darn good. 

If the defense can ever stop anyone, this team will emerge as one of the nation's best.  Until then, I'm skeptical about ranking them this high.

17. Nebraska

Homer? Sure. However this year's team in Lincoln has a defense that will keep them in the game with just about anybody in the country.

18. Miami

Which is the real Miami team?  The one that pasted Georgia Tech or the one that rolled over to Virginia Tech?  We'll find out next week when Oklahoma comes a knocking.

19. Missouri

The team everyone thought would go away isn't going away. Gabbert and Alexander form one of the best passing combinations in the country. If the defense can improve, this is a tough team to beat. 

Pinkel is building a program down in Columbia. A program that will contend for Big 12 North supremacy on a year in and year out basis.

20. Michigan

Rich Rod is making everyone in Ann Arbor forget about the 3-9 record from a year ago.  However, the scare from Indiana proves that this team can't simply show up and beat anybody. 

Tate Forcier looks to be the real deal, but the defense leaves a bit to be desired. 

21. South Carolina

Best defense in the country that nobody talks about. Eric Norwood is simply a beast and Stephen Garcia is becoming a solid QB. Will they continue, or will we see another latter half season collapse in Columbia?

22. Kansas

They can score. Can they stop anybody? Reesing is taking a beating at QB against lesser foes.  What happens during the Big 12 season? 

23. Iowa

A win at Penn State looks impressive, but how impressive is it? A squeaker over in-state FCS school Northern Iowa was lucky. 

24. Texas A&M

Don't look know, but the Aggies are 3-0 and have one of the nation's best kept secrets in QB Jerrod Johnson.  As with many others, the defense has to improve, but the offense can score with just about anyone. 

25. Stanford

A tough road loss across the country to Wake Forest is the only blemish on the record. Andrew Luck is becoming a star and Toby Gerhart can simply pound on people. Big darkhorse in the Pac 10 this year that not many people are talking about.