Odds Each BCS Conference Team Finishes in the Top 25 in 2013

While there are over 70 teams from BCS conferences, only 25 can finish the year ranked in the final national poll.

The preseason polls may be talked about more, but the final poll is what really matters. Some teams certainly have better odds than others to finish the season ranked in the Top 25, but what are the odds for each BCS team to finish the year nationally ranked.

We only have a few weeks until the start of the college football season, and expectations are beginning to be set for teams across the country.

So let's look into that crystal ball and determine the odds of each BCS team finishing the season in the Top 25.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Odds: 1/30

No question that Alabama is one of the best teams in the nation. That, coupled with the easiest SEC schedule, make the Crimson Tide a virtual lock to finish the college football season in the Top 25. 

Alabama is likely to start the season No. 1 overall. For a team ranked so high to drop completely out of the rankings by the end of the season, it would have to lose at least five games.

No chance that is going to happen for this squad, no matter who it is playing.

Arizona Wildcats

Odds: 5/2

Arizona should be in the middle of the pack when it comes to the Pac-12, but that probably will not be enough for the Wildcats to finish the season in the Top 25.

There is a lot of talent coming back, but replacing quarterback Matt Scott is not going to be easy to do.

With some challenging games on the schedule, it is easy to see this team losing four or five games. That is not going to be enough to finish in the Top 25 in 2013.

Arizona State Sun Devils

Odds: 6/1

Arizona State is receiving slightly worse odds than Arizona. The two teams are very similar as far as talent is concerned, but the Sun Devils play a little more challenging schedule.

With games against Wisconsin and Notre Dame outside of league play, it is not going to be easy in 2013 for head coach Todd Graham and his squad.

Throw in some challenging conference games, and this team will be hard pressed to have a winning regular season.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Odds: 8/1

Arkansas might be in somewhat of a rebuilding year under new head coach Bret Bielema. 

With that being said, there is still some talent on this squad heading into the 2013 season. The Razorbacks, however, are playing in a very challenging SEC where they will be one of the least heralded teams in the league coming into the season.

It might be a year or two before this squad is back near the Top 25.

Auburn Tigers

Odds: 9/1

Auburn is another team that will be welcoming a new head coach but might also be a few years away from really being a Top 25 contender. 

The quarterback situation is still up in the air and the team is coming off a brutal season in 2012 that resulted in only three wins.

There are too many challenging games on the schedule to even imagine this team putting together a winning season.

Baylor Bears

Odds: 2/1

Baylor is a tough team to pick. The Bears will likely begin the season just outside of the Top 25, as there are a lot of questions surrounding the team on the defensive side of the ball.

The non-conference slate features three very easy games. Those three wins should vault the Bears into the Top 25.

From that point, Baylor will likely need to win six games the rest of the way to finish in the Top 25. That is not going to be easy, but there certainly is a chance with the explosive offense the Bears possess.

Boston College Eagles

Odds: 15/1

Boston College has been one of the worst BCS teams over the past few years. That is likely to continue this season. 

The Eagles only managed to win two games last season. Expect some improvements this year under new head coach Steve Addazio, but not quite Top 25 improvements. 

There are challenges on the schedule, but also simply not enough players for this team to finish even near the Top 25.

BYU Cougars

Odds: 2/1

BYU would have better odds, if not for a very challenging schedule. The Cougars appear to be a 50-50 shot to finish in the Top 25 this season.

With names like Texas, Utah State, Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Nevada on the schedule, the Cougars will have their hands full this season.

Nine wins will be necessary to finish in the Top 25. The slight edge on this is pointing toward no, but anything can happen.

California Golden Bears

Odds: 19/2

California was one of the major disappointments in college football last season. The Golden Bears struggled to a 3-9 season.

The 2013 version of the Golden Bears will welcome a new head coach in Sonny Dykes. He brings a high-flying approach to the game. Fans will probably get used to plenty of points being scored.

It might be a few years before that happens. The 2013 season features non-conference games against Northwestern and Ohio State.

Central Florida Knights

Odds: 5/3

Central Florida is a team that a lot of people might be sleeping on this season. After all, the Knights are venturing to a new conference and lost some talent from last season.

With that being said, the Knights are a sleeper to finish in the Top 25. Central Florida has a few challenges on the schedule, including Penn State, South Carolina and Louisville. But this team has a good shot to win eight or nine games.

That might just be enough to finish in the Top 25 this season.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Odds: 3/2

Cincinnati is a team almost certain to begin the season on the cusp of the Top 25. The good thing for the Bearcats is the schedule is very favorable. A few early-season wins over mid-level Big Ten teams should allow Cincinnati to propel into the Top 25. They might be there to stay.

The only huge challenge on the schedule is Louisville.

Cincinnati has won 10 or more games five of the past six seasons. This could be another one of those years. If that happens, the Bearcats will finish the season in the Top 25.

Clemson Tigers

Odds: 1/7

Clemson is the second team on the list that is a virtual lock to end the season in the the Top 25.

There are three very challenging games on the schedule for the Tigers, including Georgia, Florida State and South Carolina. Even if the Tigers lose all three of these games, they will still be a Top 25 team by the end of the year.

It would take some major upsets for this team to finish on the outside of the final national rankings.

Colorado Buffaloes

Odds: 16/1

Similar to Boston College, Colorado was one of the worst BCS teams in the country last season. 

The Buffaloes are yet another squad who will be welcoming a new head coach. While it might take some time, this team appears to be headed in the right direction. 

Picturing this team winning more than a handful of games appears a little farfetched. It might be in the Top 25 conversation a few years down the road. 

Connecticut Huskies

Odds: 5/1

Connecticut only managed to win five games last season, as the Huskies struggled on the offensive side of the ball.

This year, expect a lot of the same from this squad. While there is a chance it could pick up another win or two and reach a bowl game, it is still not probable that it will put together a 10-win season and finish in the Top 25.

Stranger things have happened, but this is a bit of a long shot.

Duke Blue Devils

Odds: 11/1

Duke had a very successful 2012 season, but the Blue Devils are not going to find it quite so easy in 2013.

With that being said, Duke still finished last year at 6-7. It would have taken three or four more wins for it to finish in the Top 25.

With the amount of talent it lost, there is very little chance Duke will finish in the Top 25 this year, or anytime in the near future for that matter. 

Florida Gators

Odds: 1/5

Florida is almost certain to begin the season just outside the Top 10. That makes it very hard to fall out of the national rankings by the end of the year.

The Gators do have some challenging games on the schedule, including Toledo and Miami out of conference to start off the season.

There are also road trips to LSU and South Carolina as well as home games against Vanderbilt and Florida State, with Georgia coming once again in Jacksonville.

It would likely take at least five losses for Florida to drop out of the Top 25. That is probably not going to happen.

Florida State Seminoles

Odds: 1/7

Florida State is close in talent level to Florida, but the Seminoles have better odds to finish in the Top 25 because of a slightly easier schedule.

There are two challenging road games on the schedule at Clemson and Florida. The toughest games at home come against Miami and Nevada.

This schedule should be no problem for a team that is a virtual lock to finish in the Top 25 this season.

Georgia Bulldogs

Odds: 1/18

After a tough four-game stretch to begin the season against the likes of Clemson, South Carolina and LSU, the Bulldogs will likely coast for the rest of the season.

The toughest games down the stretch are against Vanderbilt and Florida. 

This is a Top Five team heading into the season. Very little chance that it finishes out of the Top 25 in 2013 with the talent head coach Mark Richt has compiled in Athens.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Odds: 3/1

Georgia Tech did win seven games last year but has some talent to replace heading into the 2013 season. 

The Yellow Jackets will rely heavily on new quarterback Vad Lee. If he can live up to the hype, this team does have a shot to have a successful 2013 campaign. 

There are a few challenging non-conference games on the slate, including BYU and Georgia. It will likely take at least eight regular-season wins to finish in the Top 25. That is not likely to happen this season.

Houston Cougars

Odds: 18/1

Houston is another team that is joining a new league. The Cougars are moving from Conference USA to the new American Athletic Conference. 

They only managed to win four games last season. Do not expect them to do much more this season, even if they are slightly improved talent-wise. 

Finishing in the Top 25 appears out of the question this year for Houston.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Odds: 13/1

Illinois was downright awful last season, struggling to a 2-10 mark, including an 0-8 record in Big Ten games.

That mark should be improved upon this season, but the Fighting Illini do not appear to be anywhere close to being a Top 25 team at any point in 2013.

Still, weirder things have happened. However, don't bet on this team anytime soon.

Indiana Hoosiers

Odds: 12/1

Indiana is another Big Ten bottom feeder from last season. The Hoosiers did show some signs of life midway through last season but do not appear ready to take the next step.

The Hoosiers finished 2012 with a 4-8 mark. That is better than the team has been in previous seasons, but Indiana will still need to pick up a few more wins to be in the Top 25 conversation this season.

Head coach Kevin Wilson is doing all he can, but it is certainly not enough for the Top 25 in 2013.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Odds: 6/1

Iowa was one of the major disappointments last season. After starting off the season 4-2, the Hawkeyes ended it with six straight losses, finishing the year 4-8.

That is not likely to be the case again in 2013. But this team still does not appear to be Top 25 worthy this coming season.

There are a lot of questions that need to be answered by head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff, but Iowa shouldn't be quite as bad as it was last season.

Iowa State Cyclones

Odds: 7/1

Iowa State only won six games each of the past two seasons. It appears that number is going to be even harder to get to this coming year. 

The Cyclones have Tulsa and Iowa outside of Big 12 play. They will need to win at least eight regular-season games to be in the Top 25 picture.

That has not happened the past two seasons with better rosters, so it is not very likely to happen in 2013 with a less talented team.

Kansas Jayhawks

Odds: 25/1

The team with the worst odds of them all is the Kansas Jayhawks. The school only won one game last season.

While it is hard to imagine it will be worse in 2013, there are not very many winnable games on the schedule.

Head coach Charlie Weis and his squad did not win a Big 12 game last season. While that might not be the case again, this team has virtually no hope to put together enough wins to finish the season in the Top 25.

Kansas State Wildcats

Odds: 2/1

Kansas State is a team that will be right on the cusp of the Top 25 when the season begins. The Wildcats should be able to win their non-conference games, and they will then need to win five or so Big 12 games to finish the season in the Top 25.

Head coach Bill Snyder will not have near the talent he did last season, particularly with the departure of quarterback Collin Klein, but there is still enough there to finish in the top half of the Big 12.

Never bet against this team.

Kentucky Wildcats

Odds: 14/1

Two or three years from now, Kentucky might be a lock for the Top 25 each and every year. New head coach Mark Stoops has brought energy to the program that has not been there in quite some time.

With that being said, this team is still a year or two away from being talked about for the Top 25.

There are just too many teams in the SEC with more talent. The Wildcats could upset a few teams and reach a bowl game this year, but the Top 25 appears to be out of the question.

Louisville Cardinals

Odds: 1/25

Louisville has better odds than almost anybody in the nation to finish the season in the final national rankings. The Cardinals might even begin the season as high as the Top Five.

If that is the case, this team will have to lose at least four games to miss out on the Top 25. With the schedule it's playing this season, there is virtually no chance that can happen.

With the talent the Cardinals are bringing back, they will likely be the favorite every time they take the field.

Not much of chance they finish outside of the Top 25.

LSU Tigers

Odds: 1/2

LSU might not be one of the best teams in the SEC, but the Tigers are still one of the top 20 teams in the country heading into the season.

The schedule is not very easy, with TCU to open up the season. A win there would almost assure LSU of finishing in the Top 25. With a loss, there would appear to be enough games for LSU to lose that could drop it out of the Top 25.

That is not likely to be the case, however, as the Tigers appear they will be a staple in the Top 25 all season long.

Maryland Terrapins

Odds: 4/1

Maryland struggled last season, mostly due to the fact that there were so many injuries at the quarterback position. 

With that being said, if the Terrapins can stay healthy in 2013, there is a chance they can make a run at finishing the season in the Top 25. 

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is one of the best playmakers in the ACC. If he can get someone to throw him the ball, this team could finish near the middle of the league.

Memphis Tigers

Odds: 19/1

Memphis is in slightly worse shape than Houston. The Tigers are also entering a new conference, after struggling mightily last season.

There is some talent coming back on both sides of the ball for this team, but not enough to get into the Top 25 conversation.

Very tough odds for Memphis in 2013.

Miami Hurricanes

Odds: 3/2

Miami might begin the season outside of the Top 25, but by the end of the year, this team could be playing in the ACC title game against either Clemson or Florida State. 

There is a lot of talent on this squad, but it still might be a year away from being a serious national contender.

With that being said, odds are Miami's going to finish in the Top 25 this season. There is just too much talent to say otherwise.

Michigan Wolverines

Odds: 1/9

Michigan should begin the season right around the Top 10. With how weak the Big Ten has been in recent years, the Wolverines would need a total collapse not to finish the season out of the top 25.

Some talent was lost from last year’s team, but head coach Brady Hoke is quickly building a program in Ann Arbor.

Notre Dame, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State are the only real threats on the schedule. Eight wins might even put Michigan in the Top 25 by season's end.

Michigan State Spartans

Odds: 9/4

Some consider Michigan State to be a sleeper this season, but the Spartans simply have too many questions on the offensive side of the ball to buy into that theory.

While the defense will be solid once again, it appears Michigan State will be in the bottom half of the Big Ten this season.

If they cannot find some playmakers on offense, it will be another long season in East Lansing for the Spartans.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Odds: 11/1

Minnesota was fortunate to win six games last season and qualify for a bowl game. But the Golden Gophers lost some talent from that squad.

The chances are not good that they are going to repeat that in 2013. If that does not happen, there is no chance this team will finish in the Top 25.

It will take nine wins to get there. That is not likely to happen.

Ole Miss Rebels

Odds: 3/1

Ole Miss won seven games last season and surprised a lot of people in the process. It put together an excellent recruiting class.

While it might be a year or two before that class is ready, the foundation is there for head coach Hugh Freeze and his squad.

The schedule will bring some challenges with Texas out of conference as well as the grueling SEC. With that being said, this team could easily finish in the Top 25.

Just don’t bet on it.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Odds: 3/1

Mississippi State is in a similar boat to Ole Miss. The Bulldogs also put together a bowl season in 2012.

That is likely to be the case once again in 2013, but it does not appear likely they will finish the season in the Top 25 without pulling off a few major upsets.

Both Oregon State and Bowling Green will be challenges outside of conference play. SEC foes include LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Alabama, among others.

It should be another good year, just not Top 25 worthy.

Missouri Tigers

Odds: 5/1

Missouri suffered through injuries last season, only finishing the year 5-7. It was the first season in the SEC for the Tigers, so there is some leeway there.

The health of quarterback James Franklin might be the key for this team in 2013.

If he can stay on the field, this could be a bowl team. Winning enough games to finish in the Top 25 is not very likely, however.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Odds: 1/1

Nebraska appears like a lock to finish the season in the Top 25. The Cornhuskers do play UCLA before Big Ten play.

Among the toughest conference games are dates with Northwestern and Michigan. The Cornhuskers avoid both Ohio State and Wisconsin.

That will single-handedly make it that much easier to finish the season in the Top 25.

Unless quarterback Taylor Martinez goes down with an injury, this is a Top 25 team all season long.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Odds: 3/1

North Carolina lost an explosive playmaker in running back Giovani Bernard. But the Tar Heels do bring back talented senior quarterback Bryn Renner.

They did win eight games last season, but that was not even Top 25 worthy.

If North Carolina plans on finishing the season in the Top 25, it is going to have to beat somebody good. South Carolina in the season-opener might be the perfect pick.

One thing this team has working for it is it does not play either Clemson or Florida State.

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Odds: 4/1

North Carolina State is similar in talent to North Carolina, but the odds are not quite as good to finish in the Top 25 because the Wolfpack play a much more challenging schedule.

Both Clemson and Florida State are on the slate, and the Wolfpack have to take on North Carolina on the road.

Recovering from the loss of quarterback Mike Glennon might be a little rockier than some might think. Still, the Top 25 is not out of the question for this team.

Northwestern Wildcats

Odds: 2/1

Northwestern had a breakout season in 2012, but this year the Wildcats will have a target on their back.

It is not going to be easy to put together another 10-win season like they did a year ago.

There are some very challenging games on the non-conference schedule once again. This year the Big Ten is going to be ready for the Wildcats.

They should begin the season right around the Top 25, and it seems like a toss-up as to whether or not they are going to finish the year there.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Odds: 1/3

Even though Notre Dame lost a lot with the departure of Everett Golson, the Fighting Irish still have a viable option in senior Tommy Rees.

The schedule will have its fair share of challenges once again. Names like Michigan, Oklahoma, USC, BYU and Stanford loom large.

The Fighting Irish should start the season in the Top 20. Eight wins will put them in the Top 25 at season's end.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Odds: 1/22

Ohio State has excellent odds to finish the season in the Top 25.

The Buckeyes will likely start the year No. 2 overall. The schedule is very favorable, and they would have to lose at least four or five games to drop out of the Top 25.

While Ohio State was fortunate to win every game last season, even if it slip up once or twice, dropping out of the Top 15 is almost impossible to fathom.

Oklahoma Sooners

Odds: 2/13

Oklahoma might be in a bit of a rebuilding year, at least in the eyes of some, but the Sooners will still be a factor in the Big 12.

Head coach Bob Stoops has not named a starting quarterback, but junior Blake Bell appears to be the front-runner.

If he wins the job, expect a steady dose of the run game this season.

There are some difficult non-conference games, but the Sooners will likely start the season inside the Top 20. The talent is there to put together a double-digit win season in 2013.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Odds: 1/4

Oklahoma State will once again have one of the best offenses in the country this season. 

The Cowboys still have some questions as to who will be the starting quarterback, but when that is settled, the offense will be as explosive as ever.

The schedule features Mississippi State to open up the year. Big 12 play will also be a challenge, but this team appears to have the talent to finish the season in the Top 25 without much concern.

Oregon Ducks

Odds: 1/24

When it comes to explosive offenses, Oregon is at the top of the country. The Ducks bring back most of their talent from last season, led by quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back De’Anthony Thomas.

They should have no trouble putting 50 points on the board nearly every game.

While there are some challenges scattered throughout the Pac-12, it is hard to imagine this team losing more than a game or two.

They will begin the season in the Top Five, so finishing in the Top 25 will not be an issue for the Ducks.

Oregon State Beavers

Odds: 2/1

Oregon State might not be a Top 25 team when the season begins, but that was exactly the case last year.

The Beavers went on to a very successful 2012 season. If they can get the quarterback situation figured out, they can have a repeat of last year in 2013.

There is plenty of talent on offense for the Beavers to contend with nearly anybody in the Pac-12. Finishing in the Top 25 could go either way for this team.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Odds: 7/2

Penn State had quite a successful 2012 season, finishing the year 8-4. Nobody was expecting the Nittany Lions to have that much success.

That is not likely to be the case once again in 2013. The enthusiasm might wear off a little bit and the realization that there will not be a bowl game at the end of the year will not help out.

This team will have a hard time putting together another winning season. That will likely mean no Top 25 ranking in 2013.

Pittsburgh Panthers

Odds: 6/1

Pittsburgh lost virtually all of its skill players from last season and will also be joining a new conference in the ACC.

There will be a lot more challenges than there were in the Big East, so it is not going to be easy for head coach Paul Chryst and his squad. To say this is a transition year might be a bit of an understatement.

It is hard to imagine this team winning more than a handful of games. The Top 25 seems out of the question in 2013 for the Panthers.

Purdue Boilermakers

Odds:11/2

Purdue is yet another team that is welcoming a new head coach. The Boilermakers did manage to qualify for a bowl game last season after finishing the regular season 6-6.

Expect something close to that this year. The Boilermakers lost some talent on the defensive side of the ball but have also some key players returning.

Look for this team to be right around the .500 mark for most of the year but finish outside the Top 25.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Odds: 7/4

Rutgers is a team similar in talent to Cincinnati, but the odds are not quite as good for the Scarlet Knights because of a slightly more challenging schedule.

They start off the season at Fresno State in a Thursday night game that will go a long way toward determining just how talented this team is.

If Rutgers can win that game, it might jump straight into the Top 25. If not, it might be a long uphill battle to get there in 2013.

SMU Mustangs

Odds: 5/1

SMU did win seven games last season, but the competition will be a little stiffer in a new league this year. Throw in the fact that the non-conference schedule is very challenging, and this team will need to pull off a few upsets to finish the season in the Top 25. 

The Mustangs take on Texas Tech to start off the season and also have road trips to Texas A&M and TCU before league play begins.

They do miss out on Louisville, but a road game against Cincinnati is not going to be an easy task. Look for this team to struggle to reach the .500 mark in 2013.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Odds: 1/11

There is no question that this is a Top 25 football team. The Gamecocks have a very difficult start to the season with a game against North Carolina, followed by a road contest with Georgia. Vanderbilt comes calling the following week, followed by Central Florida on the road.

The rest of the schedule is not too challenging, with the toughest games coming against Florida and Clemson. Both of those are at home.

For a team ranked in the Top 10 to begin the season, South Carolina would have to lose five games to finish outside of the Top 25. That is not likely to happen.

South Florida Bulls

Odds: 12/1

South Florida is a long shot to finish anywhere near the Top 25, particularly with the schedule the Bulls face in 2013. 

There are games against Michigan State and Miami outside of league play. The American Athletic Conference also features Cincinnati, Louisville and Rutgers. 

New head coach Willie Taggart might have the program heading in the right direction, but it could take some time. 

Stanford Cardinal

Odds: 1/15

Stanford is unquestionably one of the most talented teams in the nation heading into the 2013 season. The Cardinal have quarterback Kevin Hogan returning. He should be much improved from his freshman season. 

An interesting game against San Jose State to start off the season could tell a lot about both teams. 

The fact that Stanford is going to begin the year in the Top Five nationally means it is going to be very difficult for it to end the year outside of the Top 25 .

Syrcause Orange

Odds: 7/1

Syracuse is in a similar boat as Pittsburgh. The Orange are joining a new league, right after losing their head coach and a lot of talent, including star quarterback Ryan Nassib. 

The Orange could be in for a rude awakening in 2013. Penn State and Northwestern will be challenges outside of the conference. 

League play brings the likes of both Clemson and Florida State. It would be hard to imagine this team winning eight or more games to finish in the Top 25. 

TCU Horned Frogs

Odds: 1/3

If TCU knocks off LSU in the season-opener, it would be almost unimaginable for the Horned Frogs to finish the season outside of the Top 25.

They are likely to begin the season in the Top 20, so it would take a few losses to drop out of the rankings.

The key to the season will be the return of quarterback Casey Pachall. If he can come back healthy, this team could be a contender in the Big 12.

Odds would go up immensely with a win over LSU to kick off the season.

Temple Owls

Odds: 16/1

Temple struggled last season, going 4-7 in its new league. This year, the Owls are going to have to replace two stud running backs, as both Montel Harris and Matt Brown have moved on. 

The Owls do not have a very favorable schedule either as Notre Dame kicks off the season, followed in October by back-to-back games against Louisville and Cincinnati. 

It would take something spectacular for this to be a Top 25 team by the end of the season. 

Tennessee Volunteers

Odds: 6/1

Tennessee is another team that is in somewhat of a rebuilding year. The Volunteers lost their top four receivers as well as their quarterback in Tyler Bray.

New head coach Butch Jones is going to have his hands full trying to get this team back on track.

The non-conference schedule is also no cup of tea, as it features both Western Kentucky and Oregon.

It might be a few years, but this team should be back near the Top 25 at some point, just not 2013.

Texas Longhorns

Odds: 1/4

Texas is very likely to begin the season in the Top 15, but the schedule is not exactly easy out of conference. The Longhorns take on BYU and Ole Miss before Big 12 play even begins.

If they lose both of those games, there is a chance they could finish outside of the Top 25 by the end of the year.

Odds are that is not going to happen, and this team will be in contention for the Big 12 title all season long.

Texas A&M Aggies

Odds: 1/20

This is another team that is a virtual lock to finish the season in the Top 25. The Aggies will almost certainly begin the season in the Top 10.

The schedule is very easy, at least by SEC standards. The only two games on the slate where the Aggies could slip up come against Alabama and LSU.

Even if that does happen, this team will still finish the season in the Top 15. It would take some upsets against the likes of Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri for this team to finish outside of the Top 25.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Odds: 3/1

Texas Tech is a very talented team that could easily reach a bowl game. With that being said, the Red Raiders play in a grueling conference and have a new head coach. 

The non-conference schedule is extremely easy with names like SMU, Stephen F. Austin and Texas State almost certain to be victories. 

League play begins with easy games against Kansas, Iowa State and West Virginia. This team could very easily be 6-0. If that is the case, the odds will certainly improve, but at least eight wins will be necessary to finish the year in the Top 25 for a team starting on the outside.

UCLA Bruins

Odds: 1/2

UCLA is coming off an excellent season that resulted in nine wins. The Bruins will be hard pressed to reach that number this season, but finishing in the Top 25 should not be too difficult.

Sophomore quarterback Bret Hundley will be the center of attention. A lot will be riding on his shoulders.

Nevada and Nebraska are not going to be easy games to open up the season. A few losses there and the Top 25 could be in jeopardy. Two wins and it is a virtual lock.

USC Trojans

Odds: 1/1

USC will likely begin the year right on the cusp of the Top 25 or just inside of it. The Trojans will be playing 13 games due to a road trip to Hawaii.

They will likely need to win nine games, including a bowl victory, to finish the season in the Top 25.

That does not seem too challenging, but with the quarterback situation, it is no guarantee.

Still, with the amount of talent on the roster, this team is even money to finish in the Top 25.

Utah Utes

Odds: 13/2

Utah struggled last season to a 5-7 campaign. A lot of that was due to injuries, particularly at the quarterback position.

The Utes take on both Utah State and BYU outside of the Pac-12. Winning the necessary amount of games to finish the season in the Top 25 is not going to be an easy task.

But the Utes have developed a winning tradition over the years, so this is not completely out of the question.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Odds: 3/2

Vanderbilt is another team that will start the year right around the Top 25. The Commodores won nine games last season. Duplicating that is going to be no easy task.

There are some tough games on the schedule, including South Carolina, Texas A&M and Florida on the road. Georgia comes calling at home.

The Commodores will need to duplicate that 9-4 record to finish in the Top 25. That is no certainty.

Virginia Cavaliers

Odds: 14/1

Virginia only won four games last season. The offense does not appear to be in any better shape heading into the 2013 season.

The Cavaliers will be solid on the defensive side of the ball, but being able to put enough points on the board to finish the season in the Top 25 does not appear very likely.

Head coach Mike London could be on the hot seat if this team does not reach a bowl game.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Odds: 1/1

Virginia Tech might not begin the season in the Top 25, but with how easy the ACC schedule is, this team should have no problem winning nine or so regular-season games to finish the year in the national rankings.

There is the season-opener against Alabama that will be very difficult, but the Hokies will likely be the favorite in most of the other games on the schedule.

The play of senior quarterback Logan Thomas will be one of the keys to the season for the Hokies. If he plays like he did in 2011, there is no telling just how good this team could be.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Odds: 9/1

Wake Forest only won five games last season, but it appears this year the Demon Deacons will be right back in the mix for a bowl bid.

Vanderbilt will be a challenge in the season finale and the ACC slate features games against Clemson, Florida State and Miami.

Those are not going to be easy to win, but an upset here or there and Wake Forest could be in the Top 25 by the end of the year.

That, however, does not appear likely.

Washington Huskies

Odds: 2/1

For Washington to finish the season in the Top 25, a lot is going to ride on the season-opener. The Huskies take on Boise State at home during the first weekend of the season.

A win there and this team could vault right into the Top 25. A loss and it is not going to be easy to finish the year in the Top 25.

Quarterback Keith Price will need to play a little better for this team to win eight or nine games. If he does, the Huskies could be very dangerous in 2013.

Washington State Cougars

Odds: 8/1

Washington State showed some improvements toward the end of last season in its first year under new head coach Mike Leach.

The Cougars should be even better in 2013, but it appears this team is still a year or two away from being a Top 25 contender.

There is some talent to replace and developing a running game is also something head coach Mike Leach and his team are going to have to work on.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Odds: 5/1

West Virginia lost a lot of talent, particularly on offense from its 2012 squad. The Mountaineers are going to have to replace names like Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.

That is not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but the running game should still be strong.

The Mountaineers play in too challenging of a league to put together more than five or six wins. It appears like a long shot for this team to finish the season in the Top 25.

Wisconsin Badgers

Odds: 1/5

Wisconsin does not play a tough non-conference schedule, with the exception of BYU and Arizona State. The Badgers also miss out on Michigan and Nebraska in Big Ten play.

This team will likely begin the season somewhere in the middle of the Top 25.

It would probably take four losses to drop them out by the end of the year. That is not likely to happen.

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