Early, too Early.

I always used to despise things like “Early Top 5 Lists” or “Let’s look at their schedule next year” type things, so I decided to do one myself. I know things will change, players will move to the NFL, injuries occur, but here is my early early 2010 Pre-season Top 5:

1. Alabama- They have a great group of skill players coming back, including Greg McElroy, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Marquis Maze. Don’t forget they will have a top 3 recruiting class as well.
Tough Games: Penn State; Florida; @ LSU

2. Ohio State- After Alabama, things get pretty murky. Terrelle Pryor returns for his Junior season which will have lofty expectations. After their HUGE Rose Bowl win in 2010, look for the Buckeyes to remain at the top of the polls all season. Their schedule gives them Michigan and Penn State at home which works in their favor.
Tough Games: @ Iowa; Penn State

3. Oregon- Lots of offensive weapons are coming back to Eugene while the Ducks look to capitalize off of their Pac-10 championship. Jeremiah Masoli, Lamichael James and DB John Boyett all return for the Ducks. While they could start in the Top 10, Oregon has a TOUGH schedule that will be hard to make it through unscathed.
Tough Games: @ Tennessee; @ USC; @ Oregon State

4. LSU- The Tigers will welcome back Jordan Jefferson and perhaps SR to be Terrence Tolliver. If they can find a back to take the place of some talented Sr’s, LSU could make some noise in the SEC.
Tough Games: North Carolina; West Virginia; Alabama

5. Texas- While this COULD be a stretch, Texas will return some key components next year. Garrett Gilbert will take over the reigns at QB for Colt McCoy, which normally would worry some but Gilbert got great experience in the championship game. While the defense could lose Earl Thomas to the draft (only a soph), the defense should be ok. Texas also will welcome a Top 3 recruiting class to the 40 acres.
Tough Games: Oklahoma; @ Nebraska

Just Missed: Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech; Boise State; TCU

And now some more crazy predictions:
1. Ruffin Mcneill will be the new head man at Texas Tech. While the sexy pick here would be Tommy Tuberville, Tech “check signers” wanna keep things “cheap”. Ruff has shown he can win, and the players love him.

2. Terrelle Pryor will win the Heisman Trophy. Yeah, I know Mark Ingram is returning, but everyone will pick him to win it. GIve me Pryor winning it while leading Ohio State to another Big 10 championship. Jake Locker and Jacory Harris could be in New York as well.

3. Tommy Tuberville will be the head coach at South Florida. While this isn’t the big time job he might of hoped for, Tuberville will be in Florida where he can recruit and win a weak Big East. Could be perfect.

4. ESPN will start talking about Bama being “one of the best teams ever” before the season is over.