The 2010 Top 25 in College Football: The Case for Ohio State as No. 1

Most preseason rankings for college football have the Alabama Crimson Tide as the top team heading into 2010, and they have a right to that ranking.

The Tide return Heisman Trophy back Mark Ingram and a host of others. They have to replace eight starters on the defense. However, their backups are more than capable as we have learned.

But there is another team that can lay claim to the top spot in the country: Ohio State.

Many out there feel that Ohio State is an inferior team due to three straight BCS losses and a poor image of their conference. But that streak came to a resounding end with a win on New Years' Day against Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Because of the momentum generated from the win, Jim Tressel's Buckeyes can stake a claim for the top spot, as is shown in this top 25.

1. Ohio State

As mentioned, the Buckeyes do have a legitimate reason for being considered the top team in the country, and it's not necessarily Terrelle Pryor.

The OSU front seven on defense, anchored by superstar DE Cameron Heyward and LB Ross Homan, is one of the most talented and physical units in the country.

And although the unit will be breaking in several new starters, guys like DT Johnny Simon and LB Etienne Sabino could become fan favorites in Buckeye Nation.

Most prognosticators will be willing to put the Buckeyes high mostly because of the perceived successes Pryor should have heading into his third season at OSU.

And while we may see Pryor make that quantum leap to put him among the superstars in the country, he has dealt with injuries in each of his two seasons and is recovering from offseason knee surgery.

The success of this team will rely on the same principles as last year: the defense must force turnovers and create chaos.

And with a schedule featuring games against Miami, at Wisconsin, and at Iowa, all top 15 teams in most early rankings, the Buckeyes will have to earn their way into the National Championship game.

2. Alabama

Last season, the Tide rolled all the way to a national championship and a perfect 14-0 record behind Mark Ingram and a lights-out defense.

This year, they are the hunted, and Ingram and the Tide are no longer a secret to the college football world.

The schedule for them this year is mostly unfavorable, with six games against opponents who will be coming off of bye weeks, not including their big game at home against Florida.

The bigger question marks with the Tide besides replacing the eight starters on defense are growing concerns about one of the other three in DE Marcell Dareus.

Dareus has been planted in the center of the recent agent scandals in the past few weeks in college football, and his eligibility is a concern.

If he does play, then the Crimson Tide defense should be just as strong as it was in 2009. If not, it may be a different story, at least in the early games of the season.

Regardless, the Tide are locked and loaded for what looks like another strong season in Tuscaloosa in 2010.

3. Boise State

If there was a time for Boise State to prove they are a top team in the country, this would be the year to do it.

With 21 returning starters and a talented QB in Kellen Moore, anything less than a perfect season and a third BCS appearance is an unmitigated failure.

But the question as to whether or not Chris Petersen's Broncos can play with the big boys will be tested in Washington D.C as they venture away from the blue turf to play Virginia Tech at FedEx Field.

A win by Boise State should catalyze another undefeated season, but their shot at a national title will be decided not by what they do, but how their opponents do.

This Boise State team is locked and loaded with talented upperclassmen, some of whom might be NFL draft picks in 2011 or later.

What they do on the first Monday of the season will go a long way to deciding their futures and whether or not they will be playing in Pasadena, Glendale, or a lesser bowl site in the postseason.

4. Florida

It's not often that a team can lose their two best players and still be a top five team in the preseason.

But that's where Florida is heading into 2010 after losing Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes from a loaded 2009 team that many felt had a shot to win another national championship.

They fell one win short, losing to Alabama in the 2009 SEC Championship Game.

But with John Brantley starting after looking very good in spot duty and one of the best defensive recruiting classes in recent memory, Urban Meyer's team might be just fine in 2010.

Offensively, this team could be locked and loaded with many studs, including WR Andre Debose who will return from an injury that cost him his freshman season.

This team could be very fun to watch as always heading into 2010.

5. Texas

Like Florida, the Longhorns will have to make plenty of replacements.

Ravaged by the departure of Colt McCoy and several receivers on the offense, Mack Brown will have to go young to keep the offense going.

Luckily for Texas, the nation witnessed Garrett Gilbert play pretty well in spots during the National Championship game.

In addition, the Horns do have some good offensive weapons in Marquise Goodwin and D.J. Monroe, among others coming back, including some highly touted WRs in their latest recruiting class.

Texas does have a very strong secondary anchored by CB Aaron Williams and S Blake Gideon despite the loss of Earl Thomas to the NFL.

If they can run the ball well, Texas should be just fine in 2010.

6. Iowa

Iowa had some amazing magic during the 2009 season with an array of last-second wins and close calls, but fell one win over Ohio State short of playing in the Rose Bowl.

And the Hawkeyes are primed once again, returning QB Ricky Stanzi, most of their offensive skill players, and their entire defensive line.

The big question mark for Iowa will be rebuilding an offensive line which lost most of its starters including T Bryan Bulaga.

If they are unable to fix the line with Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State all coming to Iowa City this season, it could be tough sledding for Kirk Ferentz.

But Iowa is talented enough, especially on defense, to compensate for these perceived weaknesses until the line develops during the season.

If and when it does, the Hawkeyes could win the Big Ten title and give Iowa a shot at playing for a national title.

7. Nebraska

In their final year in the Big 12, Nebraska is looking to ride the momentum of a near-upset of Texas in last year's conference championship, where they were a second away from shocking the world.

And while they will have to somehow replace Ndamukong Suh, the Huskers do return Jared Crick and Prince Amukamara on the defense to help take the pressure off of the offense.

Offensively, Nebraska should be improved as both Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead return to carry the load in the running game.

If Zac Lee can develop more as a passer and the Nebraska offense can put up points, which was an Achilles heel for the team most of last year, then the defense can really pin its ears back and get after it.

Nebraska has a defense which is good enough to compete for a conference title. Now they need an offense to build leads and take Bo Pelini's Huskers to the next level.

8. TCU

If you were looking for a team that had the perfect blend of a great offense combined with a stout defense, TCU had to be a team you had your eyes on.

The Horned Frogs were spectacular in 2009, going undefeated in the Mountain West, including blowout wins over rivals BYU and Utah, and a win at Clemson.

Now TCU will look to do it all over again, and Andy Dalton returns at QB after a spectacular 2009 season.

The problem for the Horned Frogs is that Daryl Washington and Jerry Hughes, two very talented defenders, finished their collegiate careers in 2009.

But Gary Patterson's club does have plenty of defensive depth in their 4-2-5 scheme to help soften the blow of losing these top players to help keep the Horned Frogs in pursuit of a second consecutive BCS bid.

9. Wisconsin

Wisconsin pulled off one of the more interesting surprises in the bowl season beating Miami, albeit on a torn up field in Orlando. They looked very good doing it as well.

Good news for Wisconsin is the return of several talented studs for 2010, including big John Clay in RB and QB Scott Tolzien who played fairly well in 2009.

Defensively, the Badgers are pretty solid as well, returning DE J.J. Watt, LB Chris Borland who was great as a freshman, and SS Jay Valay.

But there is still concern in Badgerland whether or not Wisconsin can win big games against conference opponents, as they failed to beat either Ohio State or Iowa, both top-ten teams.

In addition, Watt is the only returning starter on their defensive line, which will not help against the good running teams in the Big Ten.

But Wisconsin football is all about being physical, and expect them to pound their way to some more wins in 2010.

Beware though, Wisconsin has had a bad reputation of not living up to expectations, as in 2008 when their season started well but went sour after a stunning loss at Michigan.

10. Miami

It was all about "The U" eight years ago when the Hurricanes was at their peak during a 34-game winning streak.

Now heading into 2010, Miami looks like it is working its way back into the upper echelon of teams in college football.

And they return many of their top contributors in 2009, especially QB Jacory Harris and WR Leonard Hankerson among others.

Defensively, the 'Canes have plenty of studs in their corps, including DE Allen Bailey and CB Brandon Harris.

But a big concern should be the new starters on an offensive line that gave up 34 sacks and forced 17 interceptions from quarterback Jacory Harris.

Harris will need to work on his efficiency and getting rid of the football for Miami to take the next step.

If he does, Miami can contend once again for an ACC title in 2010.

11. Virginia Tech

Hokie Nation should be ecstatic about the running game Frank Beamer's club has heading into 2010.

VT has a three-headed monster running the football, led by QB Tyrod Taylor and last year's big play back, Ryan Williams.

But the final piece to VT's "Big Three" is RB Darren Evans, who rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2008 but missed 2009 due to an ACL injury.

The worry though in Blacksburg is that the defense will need to replace most of its starters from 2009, including Kam Chancellor in the secondary.

If the new starters can fill the gaps and Beamerball stays strong, VT may challenge Miami in a surprisingly strong top-tier of teams in the ACC.

12. Oklahoma

The fall of Boomer Sooner in 2009 from national title contenders to where they ended the season was one of the biggest surprises in the country.

2010 all but promises to be much better, with a more seasoned Landry Jones triggering an offense that brings back nine starters from a young group in 2009.

Oklahoma does bring back stud pass rusher Jeremy Beal on defense and LB Travis Lewis, but they lose talented DT Gerald McCoy.

With gaps in the defense, the pressure will be on Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, and WR Ryan Broyles to put up big numbers early on in the season.

Few teams do reload like Oklahoma, so don't be surprised if the defense finds its way back towards the second half of the season.

13. Oregon

Oregon surprised many when they took a very bad moment, the LeGarrette Blount punch, and rode it to a Pac-10 title in 2009.

But they will have to do it again in 2010, and they have suffered a greater loss with the departure of QB Jeremiah Masoli, and the status of RB LaMichael James is uncertain after he pled guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge.

But the Ducks do have plenty of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they return nine starters, including DE Kenny Rowe and DB Cliff Harris.

Even without James, the Ducks have plenty of capable weapons in burner Kenjon Barner, as Ohio State learned in their Rose Bowl win, and WRs Lavasier Tuinei and Jeff Maehl.

Nate Costa will most likely get the keys to Chip Kelly's offense, and he will have to play at a high level for the Ducks to get back to Pasadena in 2010.

That will be especially true in the Pac-10 because the Ducks are no longer a secret to their rivals, especially USC.

14. Georgia Tech

The old-school option offense found its way into the BCS in 2009 as Georgia Tech ran through many teams in Paul Johnson's second year in Atlanta.

And Josh Nesbitt is back for his third and final go-around in 2010, and returns two talented runners in Anthony Allen and Roddy Jones.

But outside of the running game for GT, not much else is certain.

They lose two first-round talents in WR Demaryius Thomas and DE Derrick Morgan, and there is still a question as to whether or not the Yellow Jackets can play consistent enough defense.

Nine starters will return to the defense, but the bad news is the defense they are returning to allowed 27+ points in eight games last season.

They will need to improve while the Ramblin' Wreck offense continues to do its thing to compete for the ACC title again in 2010.

15. LSU

LSU football may have the single biggest enigma in the SEC going into 2010: QB Jordan Jefferson.

Physically, he has all of the tools needed to become a very talented QB, but he hasn't put it all together.

And after another good season in 2009, LSU has to do a lot of hole filling in 2010, including at RB and on the DL.

But if nothing else, the future looks bring in Baton Rouge, with a very strong recruiting class coming in for 2010 and other talented players from 2009 look to break out.

One player that did get time last year and is expected to have a strong season is WR Rueben Randle, who will likely start alongside Terrance Tolliver.

LSU has a superstar DB in Patrick Peterson, a legitimate shutdown corner who can take half of the field away from opponents.

LSU will need to fill their large amount of holes quickly to compete in the SEC in 2009, but they are another program that can reload fairly well.

16. USC

*USC is ineligible for rankings in 2010*

USC football got hit heavy with sanctions and will not be in postseason play for the next two seasons. So Trojan fans will know soon who their cornerstone players are going forward.

But Lane Kiffin's team does have plenty of talented players still available, especially QB Matt Barkley.

The Trojans have been ravaged by transfers, including the Seantrel Henderson situation, making distractions even higher than normal with the big punishment from the NCAA taking effect.

It will be a much shorter year with much lower expectations for the Trojans this and next year.

But hopefully the new coaching staff will have this team playing hard and trying to play the role of spoiler to other teams in the Pac-10.

17. Penn State

Penn State football had a surprising offensive explosion in 2008, riding that flow all the way to the Rose Bowl and another January bowl game in 2009.

But the triggerman to the Spread HD, Daryll Clark, has left and created a huge void in Happy Valley.

In addition, none of the QBs competing for the job, including highly-touted sophomore Kevin Newsome, dazzled fans in spring practice.

The defense also loses plenty of talented players, including LBs Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee and first-round pick DT Jared Odrick.

But PSU should be able to reload as usual with Ollie Ogbu and Jack Crawford filling in on the defensive line.

This team can be a sleeper in the Big Ten in 2010, but there is a lot that has to go their way, including a great season from a new QB, for Penn State to play for a BCS bowl bid.

18. Florida State

The "Tomahawk Chop" squad in Tallahassee has been less than spectacular in the final years of the Bobby Bowden era.

But Florida State fans are hoping that Jimbo Fisher and new defensive coordinator Mark Stoops can help lead the Seminoles back to the glory days of the 1990s.

QB Christian Ponder definitely has all the tools of a talented QB, and he has all five starting offensive linemen from 2009 returning in 2010.

But the problem in recent years with FSU has not been the offense, but the defense.

After looking porous last season, the defense will have to get back to a high level, and maybe a change in scheme could help.

The offense will be fine for Jimbo Fisher's team in 2010. It will be up to the defense whether or not FSU can rebound from several mediocre seasons and compete for the ACC title again.

19. West Virginia

West Virginia football has been quite a force in the Big East in the past few years.

But they have fallen behind Cincinnati two straight years in the race to win Big East titles.

The good news in Morgantown is that the Mountaineers are coming back locked and loaded in 2010, returning 17 starters including superstar RB Noel Devine.

They will be breaking in a new QB in Geno Smith, but four starting linemen in 2009 return to give him some help.

The defense should be seeing continued improvement in 2010, as they return nine starters including senior LB J.T. Thomas.

With the Bearcats possibly being down this season, the time could be ripe for WVU to go back to the BCS.

20. North Carolina

Butch Davis' team in Chapel Hill this season is all about one thing: defense, defense, and more defense.

The Tar Heels are absolutely loaded on defense, returning nine starters in 2010 including their entire back seven featuring LB Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant.

But the biggest strength of this defense lies in the front four, with DE Robert Quinn and DT Marvin Austin patrolling the front lines.

The offense, though they return 10 starters in 2010, is a mystery as QB T.J. Yates was not very spectacular.

If their offense can step up and the defense does its thing, UNC has a chance to challenge for the ACC title.

21. Arkansas

Ryan Mallett to Greg Childs is a phrase many Razorback fans love to hear and should hear plenty of times this year as well.

Arkansas enjoyed a good amount of success in Mallett's first season under center, going 8-5 and almost stunning Florida in Gainesville last year.

The offense should be even better in 2010, as they return 10 starters from a surprisingly explosive offense.

But their defense needs work, as they were inconsistent in 2009, especially in the secondary.

Improving the defense will be important if the Razorbacks intend to contend in the SEC West.

Luckily for Arkansas fans, there is no need to worry about the offense putting up points.

22. Oregon State

Oregon State took major strides last season towards becoming a top team in the Pac-10, falling one loss to rival Oregon short of the Rose Bowl.

But to get back, they will need to find a replacement at QB for the efficient Sean Canfield.

The good news for the eventual starter in Corvallis is that most of the rest of the offense is back, including the Rodgers brothers, RB Jacquizz, and WR James.

The defense should be better in 2010 with nine returning starters, including the entire front four.

But the front four, despite stud DT Stephen Paea, was not a strength last year, as the Beavers' pass rush was anemic at times last season.

And the pass coverage in the secondary must get better as well, mostly because of the depth of talent in QB in the Pac-10.

But improving those two aspects defensively could help the Beavers push for the Pac-10 title once again.

23. Utah

The original BCS busters are one year away from actually joining a BCS conference in the Pac-10.

And there is no reason to think that Utah can't compete for another Mountain West title as QB Jordan Wynn returns for Kyle Whittingham.

Even with the depth returning offensively, the worries for the Utes lie on defense, where they must replace six starters, including their entire linebacking corps.

The defense does return Dave Kruger at NT, but they will have to get more behind the front four if they want to get back to the level where they can start to compete in the Pac-10 next year.

This year may be just as much of an audition for the Pac-10 as it is an opportunity for a third BCS bowl bid.

24. Cincinnati

College football has emerged in Cincinnati quickly, as the Bearcats have won back-to-back Big East titles and finished the 2009 regular season undefeated.

But gone are the three main architects of this run: QB Tony Pike, WR Mardy Gilyard, and coach Brian Kelly who took his talents to South Bend.

The Bearcats still have plenty left in the cupboard, as backup QB Zach Collaros steps in after playing well in several starts last season, and he will still have WRs Armon Binns and D.J. Woods to throw to in Butch Jones' offense.

The major concern is defensive, as the Bearcats return only five stars, including DT Derek Wolfe, from a unit that gave up an average of 40 points in their final five games.

The new coaching staff will have to find a way to make sure the defense doesn't get pushed around as it did at the end of last season, especially against Florida.

That will be the difference whether or not UC can stay strong atop the Big East or whether they will slip in 2010.

25. Navy

Football at the Naval Academy has enjoyed a very quiet progression to being a consistent bowl participant in recent years.

But after a 35-13 surprise win over Mizzou in the Texas Bowl, more eyes than ever should be focused on Ken Niumatalolo's Midshipmen who look even better this season.

QB Ricky Dobbs gives Navy an unusual threat in their spread-option attack, a runner that can throw, as Ohio State saw in their opener last season.

But the biggest difference in the Niumatalolo era from when Paul Johnson was in Annapolis is that the defense has been much improved in the former's 3-4 scheme.

Watch for talented S Wyatt Middleton and DE Jabaree Tuani to be the anchors (no pun intended) in the Navy defense.

Every year, Navy has many players that leave for the service and those holes get filled seemingly quickly at times.

And if they can do it again with the talent already in place, an 11-win season is a very realistic possibility in 2010.