College Football Preseason Rankings: 10 Teams That Deserve To Be No. 1

At the beginning of each season, there's all sorts of preseason polls released: ESPN, the Associated Press, Bowl Championship Series, and a few hundred more all over the internet.

The debate that always tends to come up every year is who deserves to have that preseason number one spot.

Now, if you want my opinion, the preseason polls mean about as much as the paper they're printed on. They don't mean a thing because by season's end, they are almost always WAY off.

So, it's time for that debate to begin, regardless of how early this might be. What follows are the 10 teams that I think deserve to call themselves number one.

No. 10—Wisconsin

Wisconsin returns every starter, except for one, on an offense that led the Big Ten in scoring (31.8 ppg).

Quarterback Scott Tolzien and running back John Clay are the two biggest components of that returning contingent.

No. 9—Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes return nine starters on defense and six on offense, including quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who missed time last season thanks to a sprained ankle.

Iowa will have to replace center Rafael Eubanks, right guard Dace Richardson, left tackle Bryan Bulaga, and right tackle Kyle Calloway on the offensive line after their departures after last season.

No. 8—Virginia Tech

The Hokies do not only have quarterback Tyrod Taylor returning for the 2010 season, but arguably the best running back corps in the country with 2009 ACC Rookie of the Year Ryan Williams and Darren Evans (back from his ACL injury that caused him to miss the 2009 seaso).

No. 7—TCU

The one loss Horned Frogs return every starter from their 2009 team except for left tackle Marshall Newhouse and running back Joseph Turner.

Aside from that, don't be surprised if TCU makes another run at another BCS bowl in 2010.

No. 6—Oregon

Oregon would have been a lot higher on this list had it not been for Jeremiah Masoli getting himself kicked off the team.

Outside of that, they do return one of the best running backs in the conference in LaMichael James along with an already talented team.

No. 5—Nebraska

The Cornhuskers could be an up and coming team in college football, but losing Ndamukong Suh will be a huge loss on the defensive line, not to mention losing four other returners on that side of the paul.

However, the 'Huskers return every offensive starter except for one from last year's team. They want to prove something in the Big 12 in their final season in the conference before moving to the Big Ten in 2011.

No. 4—Texas

The conversation about how the national championship game would have turned out had quarterback Colt McCoy not left the game with an injury is one that will be debated for a long time to come.

With McCoy now graduated and headed to the NFL, it's Garrett Gilbert's turn to take the Longhorn offense into the next generation but will have to do so after losing four starters on offense.

Can the 'Horns return to the BCS Title Game?

No. 3—Boise State

Boise State returns one of the best offenses in the country, and regardless of what you say about the conference they play in they can still go toe-to-toe with anyone they want to.

Senior quarterback Kellen Moore will have one more season on the smurf turf and could lead Boise State to a trip to the national championship game.

But first, a season opener against Virgina Tech could decide the fate of both teams.

No. 2—Ohio State

Ohio State could finally become the best in the nation once again in 2010. Terrelle Pryor returns for another season and will have most of his starters except for tight end Jake Ballard and left tackle Jim Cordle.

However, it's on defense that the Buckeyes might be suspect, as they will lose five starters from last year's team.

If Pryor shows he's the same quarterback that led Ohio State to a 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes could be in good shape.

No. 1—Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide are the most deserving of the number one ranking, as the defending champions return unbeaten quarterback Greg McElroy, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, and wide receiver Julio Jones.

But they will be tested almost right off the bat with a non-conference game against Penn State.