College Football Countdown: Top 50 Teams of 2009

50/49. Arizona State and Boston College

MINNEAPOLIS - MARCH 20: Baldwin, the mascot of the Boston College Eagles against the USC Trojans during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on March 20, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. US

48/47. Kentucky/Maryland

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Danny Oquendo #17 of the Maryland Terrapins walks off the field late in the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeated

46. Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 02: Tailback Darren McFadden #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks turns around to retrieve his helmet after hitting his head on the roof of the hog's mouth while running onto the field for a game against the University of Southern C

45. Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 06: Juice Williams #7 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is chased out of the pocket by Jason Chapman #91 of the Wisconsin Badgers October 6, 2007 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

44. Wake Forest

WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 27: The Wake Forest Demon Deacons Mascot during the ACC game at the Groves Stadium, on October 27, 2007 in Winston Salem,North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

43. Auburn

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 20: Offensive lineman Jason Bosley #68 of the Auburn Tigers leads head coach Tommy Tuberville and the rest of his team out of the tunnel before taking on the LSU Tigers missed a field goal at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 20, 200

42. Arizona

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Willie Tuitama #7 of the Arizona Wildcats looks to throw a pass against the Brigham Young University Cougars during the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 31

41. Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 08: The Texas Tech Red Raiders Masked Rider during a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

40. South Carolina

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Steve Spurrier, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches from the sideline during their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott H

39. Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: DeLeon Eskridge #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the third quarter at the Hubert H.Humphrey Metrodome on November 1, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Harry How

38. Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Mangino of the Kansas Jayhawks watches the action during the game against the Missouri Tigers on November 29, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

37. Wisconsin

EAST LANSING - NOVEMBER 1: Quarterback Dustin Sherer #18 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 1, 2008 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Gett

36. Oregon State

CORVALLIS, OR - NOVEMBER 15: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Reser Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

35. Tennessee

ALAMEDA, CA - MAY 09: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders looks on at the rookie mini-camp at the Raiders training facility on May 9, 2008 in Alameda, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

34. Notre Dame

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass the ball during the game against the USC Trojans at the Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by: Jeff Gross/Getty

33. East Carolina

LOUISVILLE,KY - OCTOBER 2: J.R. Russell #3 of Louisville runs after a reception against East Carolina during the game at Papa John's Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

32. Cincinnati

MIAMI - JANUARY 01: Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium on January 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

31. NC State

CHAPEL HILL - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs the ball during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. ( Photo by: Streeter

30. Michigan State

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #7 of the Michigan State Spartans sets to pass against the Georgia Bulldogs at the 2009 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

29. Missouri

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Gary Pinkel of the Missouri Tigers talks with quarterback Chase Daniel #10 during the first half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on December 6, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo

28. BYU

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Running back Harvey Unga #45 of the BYU Cougars runs against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

27. South Florida

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Jessie Hester #87 of the University of South Florida Bulls celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown pass with quarterback Matt Grothe #8 against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 2, 2008 in Tamp

26. Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 04: Greg Schiano head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shouts from the sidelines against the Louisville Cardinals at Rutgers Stadium on December 4, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

25. UNC

WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 27: T.J.Yates #13 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC game at the Groves Stadium, on October 27, 2007 in Winston Salem,North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

24tie. Utah

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 02: Eric Weddle #32 of the Utah Utes dives for a loose ball against the UCLA Bruins during the college football game held on Septemeber 2, 2006 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Bruins defeated the Utes 31-10. The Bru

24tie. Boise State

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Jon Helmandollar #33 of Boise State carries the ball against strong saftey Bo Cox #31 of Louisiana Tech during the game at Bronco Stadium on November 20, 2004 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State defeated Louisiana Tech 55-1

23. Clemson

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 1: Jacoby Ford #6 of the Clemson Tigers runs for yardage after a reception during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium January 1, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Phot

22. Miami

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Robert Marve #9 of the Miami Hurricanes takes a snap in the third quarter while taking on the Virginia Tech Hokies at Dolphin Stadium on November 13, 2008 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Virginia Tech 16-14. (Photo by

21. Georgia

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Georgia Bulldogs mascots Hairy Dawg (R) and UGA VII pose together for photos before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Athens, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bu

20. Iowa

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate after an interception by Paki O'Meara #25 against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Ima

19. California

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Kevin Riley #13 of the California Golden Bears passes against the Stanford Cardinal during an NCAA football game on November 22, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

18. Nebraska

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 27: Joe Ganz #12 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers passes the ball before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium October 27, 2007 in Austin, Texas. Texas won 28-25. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

17. Mississippi

DALLAS - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Mississippi Rebels runs the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the AT&T Cotton Bowl on January 2, 2009 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

16. Georgia Tech

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 1: Quarterback Josh Nesbitt #9 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets attempts to run upfield during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field on November 1, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. Georg

15. Pittsburgh

EAST HARTFORD, CT - DECEMBER 06: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Pittsburgh Panthers carries the ball in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies on December 6, 2008 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Panthers defeated the Huskies 34-1

14. West Virginia

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers leads his team against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 18, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated West Virginia 17-14 in overtime. (Photo by

13. Florida State

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 27: Carlton Jones #33 of the Florida State Seminoles scores a touchdown during the Champs Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers on December 27, 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

12. TCU

25 Aug 2001: Jason Goss #39 of the Texas Christian (TCU) Horned Frogs running with the ball during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Horned Frogs 21-7.Mandatory Credit: Tom Ha

11. Oregon

CORVALIS, OR - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli #2 of the Oregon Ducks looks to make a pass play during their game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon. The Ducks defeated the Beavers 65-38. (

10. Oklahoma State

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Zac Robinson #11 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

9. Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Darryl Clark #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after clinching the Big Ten title and a bid to the Rose Bowl after the game against the Michigan State Spartans on November 22, 2008 at Beaver Stadium in State C

8. LSU

BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 25: Coach Les Miles talks with quarterback Jarrett Lee #12 of Louisiana State during their football game against Georgia at Tiger Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Georgia won 52-38. (Photo by Dave Martin/G

7. Alabama

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 24: John Parker Wilson #14 of the South Team looks on during the game against the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 24, 2009 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images f

6. Ohio State

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lines up under center against the USC Trojans during the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 13, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by

5. Virginia Tech

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 1: The Virginia Tech Hokie mascot rallies the Hokie fans at the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Virginia Tech Hokies on November 1, 2007 at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies

4. USC

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 25: Head coach Pete Carroll of the USC Trojans walks on the field during the spring game on April 25, 2009 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)

3. Oklahoma

MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Brian Jackson #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on during warm ups against the Florida Gators during the FedEx BCS National Championship game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

2. Texas

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 05: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Game on January 5, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Longhorns defe

1. Florida

MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators moves to pass the ball during the FedEx BCS National Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Get