Preseason College Football Rankings 2012: Teams in Top 10 with Most to Prove

The 2012 college football season is several months away, but it's still easy to see which teams will have to show they're worthy of their hype.

Typically, those teams are found in the top 10 during the preseason, spending the offseason eating up all the praise people throw their way. 

Every team has something to prove in 2012, but those in the top 25 are under a much bigger microscope. 

That being said, here are three teams in my top 10 with the most to prove.


No. 7 Florida State

The Seminoles are the top ACC team in 2012, and unlike last year, they must deliver on the preseason hype. 

So many people were buying into Florida State last year, ranking them in the top five. The Seminoles are still a very talented team, led by quarterback E.J. Manuel.

Their defense will be one of the best in the country, but none of it will matter if they flop once again.

Staying healthy will be crucial for Florida State. When it's all said and done, the Seminoles better finish the ACC on top or 2012 will be another disappointing year for FSU. 

No. 2 USC 

With a star quarterback on the roster, a team should always expect great things.

When that star QB is Heisman front-runner Matt Barkley, the Trojans have every right to feel very confident about making a run at the BCS title. 

USC has championship aspirations, which means they're going to have to show early on that they're the real deal. 

The pressure around Barkley and his teammates will continue to build, so it's up to them to prove they're capable of being that dominant team everyone expects them to be. 

No. 1 LSU 

The Tigers return immense talent, and every single player is ready to avenge the embarrassment that was the end of last season. 

LSU was so powerful all year long, but the Tigers were a huge no-show in the championship game. 

This means that in 2012, they have to prove to everyone they're worthy of being mentioned as an elite team. To do that, crushing their opponents right out of the gate would be a good start. 

These LSU players are hungry for a title, but they'll have a lot of work to do to make people forget about their collapse in the title game last year.


2012 College Football Preseason Top 25 

1. LSU 

2. USC 

3. Alabama 

4. Georgia 

5. Oregon

6. Arkansas

7. Florida State 

8. South Carolina 

9. West Virginia 

10. Michigan 

11. Oklahoma 

12. Kansas State 

13. Wisconsin 

14. Michigan State

15. Ohio State 

16. Stanford  

17. Nebraska 

18. Virginia Tech 

19. Clemson

20. Oklahoma State 

21. Texas 

22. TCU 

23. Boise State 

24. Notre Dame 

25. Florida