ESPN College Football Live Rankings Released: Who's Too High and Too Low?

One of the things we look forward to when the college football season arrives is the rankings that come with it. They give us something to talk about around the water cooler and give us bragging rights among our friends whose team just can't seem to climb the ladder.

Although the college football season is still months away from taking place, ESPN has decided to release a preseason poll that ranks the top 25 teams for the upcoming season. It has drawn mixed reactions throughout college football and has many fans debating who's overrated and who deserves a little more respect.

With the poll released, it's time to try and settle the score to see who should be a little higher, lower and who ESPN got correct.

25. Florida

Why they're ranked here:

Because they're Florida and it's hard to believe they'll have another sub-par season like they did last year. They return the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball, head coach Will Muschamp enters his second season with the team and they should have an outside shot of competing in the SEC East. 

Thoughts:

I have little doubts about this defense that returns 10 starters, but I'd like to see who starts at quarterback and see the offense develop some playmakers. At the end of last season, you saw this team pick up a little bit of steam, and that should carry over to this year. It may still be another year before this team competes again with the big boys, but they're talented enough to be ranked. 

Verdict: Just Right

24. Notre Dame

Why they're ranked here:

Are you seriously going to leave Notre Dame out of a Top-25 poll? This team did lose a lot during the offseason and defensive end Aaron Lynch asked for a transfer. This team is still extremely talented and the defense may surprise some people this season.

Thoughts:

I know a lot of people believe Notre Dame should start proving they deserve to be ranked and not just receive a spot in the polls because of the name of the program. I agree, but it's really hard to find another team out there that is as talented as this one. If they can find an answer at quarterback and avoid turnovers, they may take that next step towards reaching a BCS bowl.

Verdict: Just right.

23. Boise State

Why they're ranked here:

Because they're everybody's favorite underdog? (Seriously, that's all I have)

Thoughts:

I know what Boise State has done the last couple of years, but that team is long gone. There's no more Kellen Moore, Doug Martin is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker is no longer on the roster. Add to that the fact that they lost all of their starting defensive linemen and a couple of defensive backs. This team has many questions to answer before I put them in my Top-25.

A win against Michigan State week 1 would change my mind.

Verdict: Too high

22. Texas

Why they're ranked here:

Because they're Texas and they return a majority of last year's squad, including seven starters from a defense that ranked first in the Big 12.

Thoughts:

Many may begin to consider Texas in the same category as Notre Dame; they want to see the Longhorns prove they can win with all this talent. Well, that's the reason they're ranked, because they have all of this talent. The defense should be great once again and Malcolm Brown is a beast at running back. They just need to find an answer at quarterback and this team could return to a BCS bowl this season. Yes, the talent is that good.

Verdict: Just right

21. Oklahoma State

Why they're ranked here:

Because Mike Gundy is a fantastic head coach and they finished last year ranked No. 3 in the country. Seriously, how can you be ranked in the top five and fall out of the Top 25 in one season without even playing a game?

Thoughts:

The Cowboys have a lot of work to do offensively. They lost their starting quarterback, star wide receiver and three players on the offensive line. The defense should be better than what it was last season as they return eight starters on that side of the ball. I don't expect the type of season the Cowboys had last year, but you can't have them ranked heading into the year.

We'll find out more about this team later in the year.

Verdict: Just right.

20. Ohio State

Why they're ranked here:

Because they're Ohio State and have some guy head coaching their team that goes by the name of Urban Meyer. They also bring in a loaded recruiting class and majority of the starters on both sides of the ball from a year ago.

Thoughts:

There's no doubt that the Buckeyes are one of the more talented teams in the country and will be great under Meyer. This team is banned from the postseason this year, however, and won't be eligible to participate in a bowl game. They won't be in the BCS rankings when they're released later next year. I don't think it's fair to have them ranked when this season won't have a reward at the end.

Put Texas A&M, BYU or Georgia Tech in this spot.

Verdict: Too high (Not because of talent, but because of the postseason ban)

19. Virginia Tech

Why they're ranked here:

Because Frank Beamer is the head coach and he always finds ways to win ball games. He also returns nine starters on the defensive side of the ball, a unit that was ranked 10th in the country last season.

Thoughts:

There's no question about the talent on defense, but how in the world is this team going to find offense? They only return three starters on that side of the ball, which means that quarterback Logan Thomas is going to have to grow up fast. Beamer usually finds ways to make it work, but we'll find out much more about this team in the week 1 matchup against Georgia Tech.

Verdict: Just right.

18. Clemson

Why they're ranked here:

They had their most successful season probably in the programs history, and they return the offensive nucleus that averaged nearly 34 points per game last season.

Thoughts:

I really like this Clemson team heading into the year. We're talking about a team that has three possible Heisman candidates on the offensive side of the ball (Tajh Boyd, Andre Ellington and Sammy Watkins). What other team can say they have that? Now I do have my questions, like the fact they lost offensive line depth and have to find pass-rushers to replace Andre Branch.

Overall though, I think this team can do great things if they can play with more consistency.

Verdict: Too low

17. Nebraska

Why they're ranked here:

They bring back eight starters on both sides of the ball and should compete for the Big Ten title this season. They also have some running back named Rex Burkhead who should begin receiving some Heisman love.

Thoughts:

Nebraska has the talent to go as far as they'd like this season. They just need quarterback Taylor Martinez to become a better passer and they need to find a few replacements along the offensive line. Overall this is a talented and experienced team, but the one-dimensional offense should have the Cornhuskers one of two spots lower in the poll.

Verdict: Too high

16. Wisconsin

Why they're ranked here:

They return six starters on the defensive side of the ball and running back Montee Ball returns. You know, the guy who rushed for over 1,900 yards last season and crossed the end zone a total of 39 times.

Thoughts:

I love Ball, and made a case last season for why he should have won the Heisman. But there are questions at the quarterback position, wide receiver Nick Toon is in the NFL and this team also lost nearly their entire coaching staff. This team still has the talent to win the Big Ten, but there are too many questions to have them ranked this high early in the year.

Verdict: Too high.

15. Stanford

Why they're ranked here:

The Cardinal has a recruiting class that is just unfair, and they return a majority of their starters from a defense that was ranked 30th in points allowed last season.

Thoughts:

I know Stanford doesn't have Andrew Luck, but don't expect this team to just fall completely off the map this season. They still have a 1,000 yard rusher in Stepfan Taylor and return several starters on defense that finished last season with 39 sacks. With that said this team lacks playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and will rely heavily on freshman for the offensive line depth.

I think Stanford can surprise some people this year, but I'd like to see them actually play first before putting them in the top 15.

Verdict: Too high.

14. TCU

Why they're ranked here:

A team that's won double-digit games the last four seasons, have a solid recruiting class and return 13 starters from last year.

Thoughts:

I like this TCU team and think they can do great things in their first season in the Big 12. Offensively they must replace the offensive line, but they return the nucleus that averaged 40 points per contest last year. They also play fantastic defense, which is something you don't see much in the Big 12. The schedule may be a little more difficult than what they're used to, but talent wise they can compete with anybody.

Verdict: Just right.

13. Kansas State

Why they're ranked here:

Because anything else would be a disappointment for a program that was the biggest surprise last season. Kansas State is a team that nobody had doing anything last season and they ended up quietly winning 10 games.

Thoughts:

Quarterback Collin Klein will enter this season as a Heisman candidate. (Who in the world would have ever thought you'd ever read that?) The Wildcats return eight starters on the offensive side of the ball, has a good portion of their defense returning and a decent recruiting class coming in. Kansas State isn't a team that's going to 'wow' you with anything they do, but they find ways to win games, and that's all that matters.

Verdict: Just right.

12. Michigan State

Why they're ranked here:

The Spartans have 22 combined wins in the last two seasons and return eight starters from a defense that was ranked sixth in the country.

Thoughts:

I get that Michigan State will once again have a fantastic defense, but how's that offense looking? The Spartans must find replacements at the quarterback position and replace their top four receivers from a year ago. That's not exactly the easiest thing in the world to do, and it makes you think this team will struggle mightily on offense. An early game against Boise State will test the Spartans, but until then, I have my concerns.

Verdict: Too high.

11. West Virginia

Why they're ranked here:

Did you see the BCS Orange Bowl game against Clemson last season? Well, eight of those offensive players are returning, including quarterback Geno Smith.

Thoughts:

I love this team heading into the year. You have SEC talent on the offensive side of the ball, arguably the best quarterback in the Big 12 and they'll enter their second season in head coach Dana Holgorsen's system. Things could really get scary for the rest of college football. The defense may take a while to adjust with the switch from the 3-3-5 to a more traditional defense.

Verdict: Just right. (Although you could make an argument for too low. This team is good.)

10. Michigan

Why they're ranked here:

Brady Hoke won 11 games with this squad in his first season. They return eight starters on the defensive side of the ball and have a Heisman candidate at quarterback in Denard Robinson.

Thoughts:

With the success the Wolverines had last year, you have to wonder what Hoke is capable of as he enters his second season with pretty much the same group of guys. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has done a great job with this defense and running back Fitzgerald Toussaint is really providing a nice 1-2 punch on offense. I think it's safe to say that the Wolverines are back.

Verdict: Just right.

9. Arkansas

Why they're ranked here:

A high-flying offense returns their quarterback and gets a healthy Knile Davis back at running back. The offense alone is good enough to make them a true SEC contender. 

Thoughts:

Quarterback Tyler Wilson returns and will actually have a running game now that Davis will be back on the field. There are off-the-field issues that concern me with the whole Bobby Petrino incident and the defense isn't exactly SEC caliber. This offense is capable of doing damage this season, though. Hard to argue with this ranking.

Verdict: Just right.

8. South Carolina

Why they're ranked here:

They're coming off an 11 win season and appear to be even better than they were last year as they return several starters on both sides of the ball.

Thoughts:

South Carolina lost a few key players like wide receiver Alshon Jefferey and cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the NFL draft, but this team recruited extremely well and has a healthy Marcus Lattimore at running back. It was also the Gamecocks who had the No. 3 defense in the country last season. If quarterback Connor Shaw can continue to grow off of last year's success, then this is a squad that could quickly become a dark horse in the SEC this season.

Verdict: Just right.

7. Florida State

Why they're ranked here:

They were considered championship contenders last year, and with them returning 18 starters and bringing in a loaded recruiting class, you can expect those dreams to continue.

Thoughts:

The Seminoles are going to be scary good on defense. They ranked fourth in the country last season and with the recruiting class they brought in, it's going to be real fun to watch. I do have questions on offense and wonder if that offensive line is going to protect the quarterback better. I also question the playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Also, haven't we heard it before about how the Seminoles are national championship contenders?

It's getting to the point where they have to show me something before I just throw them into the top 10.

Verdict: Too high. (Talent is there, but need to prove they're a contender)

6. Georgia

Why they're ranked here:

Georgia went 10-4 last season, return 10 starters from a very underrated defense and have one of the top quarterbacks in the conference running their offense.

Thoughts:

Aaron Murray will have all of his weapons coming back on offense and running back Isaiah Crowell should be even better with a year under his belt. The Bulldogs also added running back Keith Marshall, who was one of the top recruits from this year's class. Then you add the fact that a defense that was ranked fifth in the country last season returns 10 starters and you have yourself a top 10 team easily.

Verdict: Just right.

5. Oklahoma

Why they're ranked here:

It's Oklahoma. A team that had national championship goals last season, fell short, and now return 15 starters to try and finish their unfinished business.

Thoughts:

The Sooners haven't lost much on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Landry Jones is still on the roster, wide receiver Kenny Stills is capable of becoming a No. 1 option and the recruiting class is, of course, great. Defensively they should be much better with new defensive coordinator Mike Stoops and a veteran bunch returning. The schedule didn't get much easier for this squad, but this is a very solid team in the Big 12.

Verdict: Just right.

4. Oregon

Why they're ranked here:

They've reached a BCS bowl the last three seasons. Chip Kelly is still the head coach, and Oregon still has a ton of speed on offense that creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.

Thoughts:

The Ducks are going to have a ridiculous offense like they've had every season under coach Kelly. That's something that nobody should ever question; the skill position players are there. The questions with this team are on the defensive side of the ball. Last year's secondary suffered injuries and a few off-the-field issues. Can they improve a unit that allowed 247 yards in the air a game?

Verdict: Slightly too high.

3. Alabama

Why they're ranked here:

Alabama is the defending national champions; where else would you rank them?

Thoughts:

The Crimson Tide lost several players due to graduation and the NFL draft. But they'll be fine due to depth on both sides of the ball and a talented recruiting class coming in. Quarterback AJ McCarron is growing before our eyes and running back Eddie Lacy should replace Trent Richardson nicely. The defense may experience a few growing pains with so many young players, but this team still has one of the most talented rosters and a proven head coach running the show.

Verdict: Just low. (Replace with LSU)

2. LSU

Why they're ranked here:

LSU reached the national championship game last season, bring in a solid recruiting class and have the best backfield in the country. Oh, and the defense isn't too shabby either.

Thoughts:

The Tigers have a a backfield that is about four-deep with quality running backs. There's no reason this team isn't one of the top rushing teams in the country once again. They also have a quarterback in Zach Mettenberger, who's really impressing the coaches throughout the spring. The defense lost several key players, but amazing depth and a solid recruiting class should come in and help to fix those issues right away.

The Tigers enter this season as contenders once again.

Verdict: Too high (Replace with Alabama)

1. USC

Why they're ranked here:

It's a team that returns nine starters on both sides of the ball and would have likely reached a BCS bowl last season if they weren't banned from the postseason. Also, it's USC; I heard they bring in pretty talented players from time to time.

Thoughts:

The Trojans have arguably the best quarterback in the country in Matt Barkely, and the wide receiver depth on this team is ridiculous. I really wouldn't be surprised if this offense is the best in the country in points scored once the season is over with. The defense returns several starters, including a few 2011 All-Conference players.

USC is no longer banned from postseason play, and with arguably the most talented team in the country and a cupcake schedule, don't be surprised if they reach the BCS National Championship Game this season.

Verdict: Just right.