...And Another One: My 2009 Preseason College Football Top 25

It is way too early for a Top 25 and I had not planned to write an article until closer to the spring when all the recruits have signed and I can get a better picture of how teams will fill spots left from graduation and early entry. But, here's the list I currently have in my head:

1. Florida

They are obviously going to be the team to beat in the SEC next year. They lost Percy Harvin and that will hurt, but you cannot discount Brandon Spikes' decision to stay on that monster defense, and then there's the Tim Tebow factor.

It will be interesting to see how the offense will adjust to the departure of Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen. I think they will be fine but you can never tell how a team's chemistry will be affected.

2. Texas

They have Colt McCoy back and an easy out-of-conference schedule. Their biggest challenge may be the road game against Oklahoma State. The game against the Sooners is always a good one too, but the Sooners will have a young line at game time and I don't think they will be able to hold off that Longhorn's defensive front.

3. USC

The departure of Mark Sanchez cannot be overlooked. But, if there is one thing the Trojans know how to do, it's reload. They will still have a really nice defense too.

4. LSU

I think the Tigers proved in the Chic-Fil-A bowl that they still have a defense to be reckoned with. The return of Brandon LaFell and the continued emergence of Charles Scott make them a team to take seriously yet again.

5. Oklahoma

They open at home against BYU and then go on the road to face a young and hungry Miami team that showed signs of pulling it all together on defense last season. It wouldn't surprise me to see Oklahoma lose an early one and put themselves in jeopardy of falling out of the Top 10 altogether.

I don't like that they lost basically their whole offensive line. That does not bode well, but you have to give them some chance with Bradford coming back.

6. Boise State

They keep their big time quarterback, Kellen Moore, and stand a chance to go unbeaten so long as they can win their home opener against Oregon.

I hate to put them this high, but they have an easy schedule and the simplest road to being that BCS buster.

7. Virginia Tech

I don't know how long they will last here. They open at the Georgia Dome against Alabama. This won't be the same Alabama team that dashed the Clemson Tigers hopes of a BCS appearance last year, but don't tell Nick Saban's bunch that.

If The Hokies can survive this game, I think they have a legitimate shot at winning the ACC. 

8. Ohio State

Chris "Beanie" Wells bolted early, but all signs point to another big time runner coming in to fill that space. Further, you cannot discount the maturation process that Pryor will go through between now and spring practice.

He was dismal as a passer during the Fiesta Bowl, but he did show that he could make things happen with his legs.

Considering the weaker opponents he will face in next year's schedule, excluding USC, I think the Buckeyes have a chance to come out on top of the Big 10, despite the question marks they have on defense at present.

9. Oklahoma State

The Big 12 won't be easy for the Cowboys to navigate, what with Texas and Oklahoma being the conference darlings, but if the Cowboys can upset the Texas Longhorns (the Cowboys will play host this year) and take advantage of a vulnerable Oklahoma offensive line, they could emerge as the BCS team to beat next year.

They return the meat of their offense, and their defense only promises to get better.

10. Ole Miss

The Rebels may seem like a laugher here, but they will be coming back with just about all of their defensive players and it's not a longshot for them to win the west if LSU and Alabama falter a bit next season.

The loss of Michael Oher cannot be overlooked, but you have to like the confidence that the Rebels played with last year. They get LSU, Alabama, and Tennessee at home. All three are winnable games.

11. Alabama

They lost Coffee and Smith to the draft. Both losses are key. They need a new quarterback to take the place of John Parker Wilson, but I find that to be less of a task than replacing Smith.

Wilson did what he needed to do to get the wins, but he was hardly a showstopper at his position. I suspect his replacement won't have much trouble filling his shoes, especially since he will still have Julio Jones to throw to downfield. I expect Saban to have his troops ready to play.

12. Georgia Tech

That beatdown they got against LSU cannot be overlooked. The triple option may not continue to intimidate for long, but for now it is a force to be reckoned with, as another season of understanding makes for more flawless execution. They get Virginia Tech and Clemson at home this year.

13. California

Two words: Jahvid Best. I have some serious questions as to how the Bears will replace their linebacking corps, but you have to like their chances with quarterback, Kevin Riley, returning and a fairly winnable schedule next year.

14. Georgia

The Bulldogs lose Moreno and Stafford on offense and Allen on defense. The loss hurts, but they still have two excellent replacements for the tailback position in Caleb King and Richard Samuel.

Joe Cox will finally have his shot at playing quarterback, and he will do so behind a much-improved offensive line that only gave up 15 sacks last year. The SEC is a tough field to plow through, but you can never count out Mark Richt and his boys.

15. Oregon

Love that Duck offense. They need to plug some holes on both sides of the ball, but you have to like their chances.

16. BYU

Austin Collie departs but I'm sure Max Hall will be able to find another wide receiver to throw the ball to; tailback Unga will be back, as will most of the defense.

The question mark will be whether the loss of four offensive lineman will be their death knell. If they can overcome that, they should be a near-lock for the Mountain West title.

17. Florida State

The losses of Everette Brown and Myron Rolle will not be easy to forget. However, the Seminoles are showing signs of life on offense and could easily be contenders for the ACC title this season.

Christian Ponder will have a strong line to throw behind and needs to become a better passer to take advantage of the luxury.

The defense will definitely need some tweaking, but if Mickey Andrews can get things squared away, the Seminoles could be dangerous.

18. Iowa

Shonn Greene is gone and he will be tough to replace, but the Hawkeyes should be fine. They get back eight offensive and seven defensive starters.

19. South Florida

If quarterback Matt Grothe can get his act together, the Bulls should be a lock to win the Big East, especially with LeSean McCoy deciding to leave Pitt for the NFL.

20. Notre Dame

Jimmy Clausen is looking better with every snap. Weis is likely fighting for his coaching life this year.

The schedule looks far more difficult than it may actually turn out to be and, for once, the Irish may have a fairly decent defense. They could surprise some people.

21. Penn State

It's hard to put the Lions on here at all, but you have to like that both Evan Royster and Daryll Clark will be returning.

It won't be an easy road, but if the Nittany Lions can find some playmakers at the wide receiver position and piece together a workable defense, they may still be able to contend.

22. North Carolina

The Tar Heels did not finish well last season, but they do return nine starters on a defense that intercepted 19 passes last season. They will miss wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, but I still expect them to be in the mix for the ACC title.

23. TCU

They just seem to reload on defense every year. The offense needs to get better if they ever expect to get over the hump.

24. Kansas

Quarterback Todd Reesing looks to form a dynamic offensive duo with wide receiver Desmond Briscoe. Their defense may have some questions, particularly at linebacker, but the Jayhawks look like a very stout team out of the Big 12 North next year.

25. East Carolina

The Pirates will bring back 19 of their 22 starters from last season, including quarterback Patrick Pinkney, who was just granted his sixth year of eligibility. I don't know if lightning can strike twice here, but they proved they can play with the big boys.

Others I Considered

Miami, Boston College, Arkansas, and Colorado