Yesterday, I revealed the first part of my "Way Too Early," College Football Preseason Top 25. We laughed, we cried, and luckily, remained injury free through all 3,000 words. To read the preview click here.

Today it's time for the second part, where I reveal 15 more teams, and end with the revelation of my preseason No. 1 (I'm sure you'll all be real shocked who I take at No. 1. Kidding.). Let's get back to the list...

(Because of length, we're going to start the list at No. 4. To read the REMAINDER of the list, please click here or visit Aaron at www.aarontorres-sports.com)

 

4. TCU

I've been seeing TCU ranked anywhere from No. 6 to No. 8 in the preseason and really, I don't understand how that's possible. Looking at the stats (and I really hate stats to describe the dominance of a team, but it's the only way to fully appreciate this team), you could make a pretty strong case for them at No. 2 or No. 3. Let's check them out.

Last year, TCU ranked in the top six in college football (Remember, this was out of 120 teams) in the following categories: Scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, and passing defense. And oh, by the way, they return 16 starters off a 12-1 team. In other words, they're going to score a whole lot of points, and not give up very many on the other side of the ball.

Now let me ask you, how is this the No. 6, 7, or 8 ranked team in the country?



3. Ohio State

In my preview last year (And please don't look through the archives, the writing was terrible. Please, I don't ask for much.), I compared the Ohio State Buckeyes to an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. It starts with a few laughs (Ohio State beating up on Toledo.), then Ray does something a little controversial in the middle to piss Deborah off (Ohio State losing a game they maybe shouldn't.), and the episode ends with more laughs (a Big 10 title). After awhile there's no point in even watching, because you know exactly what's going to happen.

Entering 2010, I don't expect things to be much different. The defense is going to be really good, because, well, it always is. I don't think I'm breaking new ground there. Quite honestly, I'm pretty sure this group hasn't given up more than 17 points in a game since sometime in the mid 1990's.

My one concern though, is if we're making a little bit too big of a deal out of Terrelle Pryor's Rose Bowl performance. Because if my memory serves me correctly, I'm pretty sure that like two months before Pryor sliced and diced Oregon in Pasadena, half the Ohio State fanbase wanted him moved to wide receiver. Maybe I just dreamt that. But I don't think I did.

Now I know that Pryor was better over the second half of last year, I'm not arguing that. But other than the Rose Bowl, was he great? Not from what I remember. What I remember is a good quarterback, who was put in a position to not make mistakes, which is exactly what he did. The Rose Bowl performance was phenomenal, but then again, with a month between games, shouldn't we take all bowl performances both good and bad with a grain of salt?

Here's how I see Ohio State's season playing out: Pryor will be much improved from beginning to end, more second half of 2009 than first half. Still, like every Jim Tressel coached team, the Buckeyes are still going to rely on the running game, defense, and Pryor not to do anything stupid. It will work for most of the year, but at some point (maybe at Iowa, maybe at Wisconsin), they'll need Pryor to come through and he won't. Part will be his fault, and part will be that I just don't see any of his receivers as the A.J. Green/Julio Jones types that can just go out and make plays when needed. And Ohio State will lose one game.

Obviously, an 11-1 finish wouldn't be bad by any measurement, and almost most any other program would kill to start the year as the No. 3 team in the country. But I just don't think this Ohio State team will be playing for a National Championship in January. That's all.



2. Boise State

Like last year, what this season comes down to for Boise is its first game. You all know that. Win it, and they're going to be comfortable favorites in every game after. Lose, and for all intents and purposes, the season is over.

Since we all know pretty much everything there is to know about Boise (mainly that return 21 of 22 starters), here are three reasons why I like them to beat Virginia Tech on Labor Day.

A. Quarterback Kellen Moore just doesn't make mistakes. Period. Just to verify, I decided to check out his touchdown to interception ratio in 2009. It was 39 to 3. Well then.

B. Like every other big game in program history (Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, Fiesta Bowl against TCU, opener against Oregon last year), this game is coming off an extended break, just about nine months after the Broncos last game to be exact. That's nine months for Boise State to figure out how to stop you, and nine months for them to come up with a whole bunch of stuff you're not ready for. If this game were played in Week Three or Week Five I might like Virginia Tech. Not in an opener.

C. Anyone who still thinks of Boise as a gimmicky, goofy team didn't watch them play last year. That might have been who they were in 2006. Not anymore.

Yes they might break out a trick play here or there, but in their most recent big games, they've been a tough, physical football team and controlled the line of scrimmage.

Take last year's opener with Oregon for example. It was supposed to be Chip Kelly's spread offense that carved up Boise's smallish front line. That dominated the trenches. That ran all over an overmatched defense. Well, Boise ended up outrushing them 164 yards to 31. And if it wasn't for a couple bone-headed plays in the red zone, they would have won by a much wider margin than 19-8. Go ahead and watch that game again, it easily could have been 31-8. Boise also doubled TCU's rushing total in their Fiesta Bowl matchup.

While they might not double Virginia Tech up on Labor Day, they are going to get the win. These ain't your father's Boise State Broncos.



1. Alabama

For anyone who has made it this far, first of all, thanks for reading. I'm sure by now you want to stick a ball point pen in your eye. I appreciate you not do that, and finishing out this article to the end.

Seriously though, there's probably nothing I can tell you about Alabama that you don't already know. They return a Heisman Trophy winning running back. Their quarterback is undefeated. Their defense is young, but talented. And their coach is a success driven maniac, who handles losing about as well as I handle my mornings without coffee.

With that, even the most optimistic Alabama fan will admit that going undefeated won't be easy this year. Not with a schedule that has Arkansas, LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina on the road, Florida and Auburn at home, and a potential SEC Championship Game. Just based on the odds, you'd think a loss would be mixed in there somewhere, and that doesn't even factor in the mental stress that comes with entering the season No. 1. We saw it wear down Florida last year, and you've got to think it'll weigh on the Crimson Tide all year.

Still though, this is the best team on paper in college football and the defending National Champion. They're still on top of the mountain, and until someone knocks them off, they belong at No. 1.

We'll find out if they'll stay there, starting September 2.

(Remember, this is just PART of Aaron's "Way Too Early," Top 25 College Football preview. To read the remainder, please click here, or visit him at www.aarontorres-sports.com

Also, for his take on all things sports, please be sure to follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaron_Torres, Facebook.com/AaronTorresSports or by downloading his APP for your iPhone or Android)