2010 College Football Predictions: The First Loss For Each Top 25 Team

One loss.  That is all it can take for a team to see its national championship aspirations destroyed in one day afternoon of work.  The college football season is mind field where teams suffer the pitfall of one loss and reap all the benefits of remaining undefeated.

That will be no different in 2010.  Defending national champion Alabama returns a very strong squad gunning for its second straight crown with a line of challengers waiting to take the top spot should the Crimson Tide fail to make it back-to-back unblemished seasons.

But when could those season-crushing moments come for teams with hopes of holding up the crystal football? Each Top 25 team has at least one game on its schedule that could knock it off course. We search for those moments in the boldest prediction set of them all.

Note: The Top 25 list was taken from Athlon Sports

25. Clemson

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FIRST LOSS: Sept. 18 @ Auburn

Clemson received great news last week when quarter Kyle Parker announced he would forgo the opportunity to play baseball in the Colorado Rockies system and return to Clemson. Parker's decision could prove to be a season-saver for the Tigers who have goals of returning to the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson has taken on early season challenges over the last few years and going on the road to an SEC opponent early in the year is as challenging as they can get.  Clemson will have the pieces to have a strong year in the ACC, but not enough to score the big, early season victory.

24. LSU Tigers

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 14: Keiland Williams #5 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 24-16. (Pho

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 4 v. North Carolina

We've heard all the talk about North Carolina and their talented defense. If it's for real, it's going to prove to be a difficult test right out of the gate for the Tigers. Throw in the fact that the Tigers do not get the advantage of having the Tar Heels visit Death Valley. This will be a neutral site game in the Georgia Dome where a fast UNC defense can use the turf to get after quarterback Jordan Jefferson.

Jefferson will be relied on to take big steps in 2010, but UNC catches him and the Tigers at the right time in Week 1.

23. Penn State

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 7: Defensive tackle Jared Odrick #91 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks off the field after warm-ups before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 7, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Ohio

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 11 @ Alabama

Penn State faces a question with a number of question marks. The Nittany Lions will decide between new quarterbacks Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin to run the offense with fresh faces taking over in the linebacking corps. 

That's not the ideal combination to work through when visiting Tuscaloosa in the second week of the season. Penn State may surprise people in the Big Ten this season, but they will not catch the Crimson Tide off guard.

22. Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 27: Mike Blanc #93 of the Auburn Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 27, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 16 v. Arkansas

The win over Clemson in Week 3 should get the Tigers on a bit of roll. The visit from South Carolina the week after the Clemson game could have "let down game" written all over it, but Auburn should hold its ground and move on passed the Gamecocks.

However, the October 16th visit from Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks will be Tigers biggest hurdle in the first half of the season.  Auburn will not see a passing attack like Mallett's and co. before that date and will pick up their first loss of the season when all is said and done.

21. Missouri Tigers

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 7: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers looks to pass during the game against the Baylor Bears at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS:  Oct. 16 @ Texas A&M


Missouri returns vital pieces on both sides of the ball including quarterback Blaine Gabbert, tailback Derrick Washington and defensive end Aldon Smith. However, there are question marks in the Tigers defense especially in the secondary. 

That will leave the Tigers exposed to an improving Jerrod Johnson and Texas A&M offense in their visit to Kyle Field.  The Aggies will look for a big win following the previous week's matchup with Arkansas, and will get on track with an upset win of Missouri.

20. Connecticut

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 4: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies carries the ball during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on October 4, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 8 @ Rutgers

The Huskies have a big game right off the bat when they visit the Big House and take on Michigan in Week 1. Many likely expect the Huskies to get off to an 0-1 start. However, UConn returns 16 starters, eight on each side of the ball, have the look of a team ready to take a significant jump is a completely wide open Big East race.

The Huskies will leave Ann Arbor with the win, but there is a land mind waiting for them and its their October 8 visit to Piscataway. Rutgers and UConn is turning into a nice, local rivalry and Greg Schiano will have his under the radar Knights ready to spring the upset.

19. North Carolina

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Houston #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 18 v. Georgia Tech

The Tar Heels will be riding high after their season-opening win over LSU, but it doesn't get any easier when defending ACC Champion Georgia Tech visits Chapel Hill the following week. The UNC defense is littered with highly rated pro prospects, but Georgia Tech will come in, control the clock with the option offense, grind down the clock and leave North Carolina with a slim victory.

18. Pittsburgh

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 16: Bill Stull #11 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers walks off the field after third down against Rutgers University Scarlet Knights on October 16, 2009 at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Wicker

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 23 v. Miami

Pittsburgh will have no easy chore to begin the season as it visits Utah for a Thursday night game in Week 1, but the Panthers will come out of that game unscathed and blast through a matchup with New Hampshire before welcoming the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes will be coming off a game against Ohio State (results pending) and will either be riding a high or coming off a bitter defeat as they travel to Heinz Field.  Either way, the Hurricanes defense will lead the way and Jacory Harris and company will do enough on offense to earn the hard fought inter-conference matchup.

17. Arkansas

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Texas A&M Aggies at Cowboys Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 25 v. Alabama


The Razorbacks open the season with two cupcakes (Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe) before diving right into the teeth of their SEC schedule.  By then, the Arkansas offense should be full after feasting on cupcakes, but clicking enough to get by Georgia in Athens before coming home to take on Alabama.

However, if there is one defense in the SEC that is going to figure out how to stop Mallett it is Nick Saban's. The Razorbacks keep it close, but Alabama knows this game is just as important to their chances at a repeat. The Crimson Tide leave Fayetteville with a close, bruising SEC victory.

16. Wisconsin

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS:  Oct. 16 v. Ohio State

The Badgers have a favorable non-conference schedule with  trip to UNLV followed by home games with San Jose State, Arizona State and Austin Peay.  The Badgers kick off their Big Ten schedule with a road game to Michigan State and a home game for Paul Bunyan's Axe against Minnesota.

Wisconsin should be enough of a serious Big Ten contender to get through those games before welcoming Ohio State for yet another night game at Camp Randall.  The Badgers know this game is their season. However, the Buckeyes know the environment at Camp Randall all too well. 

Terrelle Pryor led a late comeback victory at Wisconsin as a freshman and will again lead the Buckeyes out of Madison with a win.

15. Georgia

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: The Georgia Bulldogs celebrate their 30-24 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 18 v. Arkansas

As intimated in a previous slide, Georgia will go down to Arkansas in the third week of the season.  The Bulldogs return senior quarterback Joe Cox, but this was still the 80th ranked passing offense in the nation last year. They are going to need a significant upgrade to keep pace with an Arkansas offense that is going to score a lot of points this season.

The Bulldogs aim to improve on last year's disappointing 8-5 season, but won't wash the taste out of their mouths at the expense of the Razorbacks.

14. Miami Hurricanes

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami defeated Oklahoma 21-20. (Photo by Doug Benc/Get

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 11 @ Ohio State

The matchup of the Buckeyes and the Hurricanes has been circled on the calendar since last season ended. The Hurricanes know that if they want to once again be taken seriously as national contenders they must go into the Horseshoe and get the victory.

The Buckeyes know that if they want to get to Glendale in January they must defeat the Hurricanes.

Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, Terrelle Pryor is too advanced compared to Jacory Harris while Jim Tressel plans to use his four or five running back stable to grind teams down to a nub. 

Combine that with the stout Ohio State defense and a crowd that has long foamed at the mouth to see the Hurricanes again lineup across from the Buckeyes, and it'll be the Hurricanes dealt the early season blow.

13. Florida State

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 22: Florida State Seminoles Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher speaks with his quarterback Christian Ponder #7 during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on October 22, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Car

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 11 @ Oklahoma


Jimbo Fisher is now the new head man in Tallahassee and he's going to receive a big challenge right off the top.  A season-opening tune up gives way to a Week 2 trip to Norman to face the Sooners.  The Seminoles have Christian Ponder back as their veteran leader, but Sooners quarterback Landry Jones got an on-the-job crash course filling in for Sam Bradford in 2009.

The Sooners offense should be much more consistent this season to go with an always impressive defense. Additionally, the Sooners have lost just two home games during Bob Stoops' time in Norman. The underdog Seminoles will not add their name to the short list.

12. Iowa Hawkeyes

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Quarterback Richy Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes turns to hand the ball off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Iowa won

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 23 v. Wisconsin

Hawkeyes fans may be waiting for that possible matchup of undefeateds when Ohio State visits Iowa City in the second to last week of the season, but as one crotchety college football broadcaster likes to say, NOT SO FAST!

Wisconsin will go to Iowa City off their loss to Ohio State and looking to make a statement of their own. This game will be a classic Big Ten grudge match with defense, the running game and conservative quarterback play dictating the turn of events.

This has a 20-17 Big Ten grudge match written all over it, but take the Badgers for the upset thanks to a big second half play out of Scott Tolzien and an opportunistic Wisconsin offense.

11. Texas Christian

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates a touchdown with Bart Johnson #6 against the New Mexico Lobos at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

FIRST LOSS: Nov. 6 @ Utah

The Horned Frogs receive a test right off the bat when they play Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium in the season opener, but it will not be the Beavers that trip up the Horned Frogs. TCU's running attack will get them through their biggest non-conference game.

However, a road game at their biggest competition in the Mountain West Conference this season will dull the Horned Frogs as they gun for back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. It will be the Utes biggest game of the season. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn will be much more seasoned by that point and the senior running back duo of Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide will give the Utes the muscle to spring the upset.

10. Virgina Tech

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Running back David Wilson #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers

FIRST LOSS: Sept. 4 v. Boise State


Virginia Tech squares off against Boise State at FedEx Field in what will be the biggest game on opening weekend.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor enters his third year as a starter and bigger things are expected of him as a senior. The Hokies also return last year's ACC top freshman in running back Ryan Williams and an always tenacious defense.

However, Boise State will have practiced all summer knowing that likely the only thing standing between them and the BCS National Championship Game is win over Virginia Tech.

The Broncos are traveling much further for the game, but will play with their hair on fire with a shot at a national title on the line in Week 1 and grab the victory.

9. Oregon

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EUGENE,OR - DECEMBER 03: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on December 3, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Imag

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 2 v. Stanford

The Ducks will move on in 2010 without quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, handing the keys to the Ducks high-powered offense to Nate Costa (most likely).  The Ducks offense should continue to rack up points and put them in contention in the Pac-10, but Stanford as a potential Heisman candidate in Andrew Luck and the hunger to prove it is a program on the rise.

The Cardinal go to Autzen on the first weekend in October and take the upset victory on Luck's arm and a good night on the ground.

8. Texas Longhorns

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert #3 of the Texas Longhorns drops back to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Je

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 2 v. Oklahoma

The first Saturday in October is always a season-defining game for both teams.  Texas has dominated the rivalry in recent years by winning four of the last five matchups in the Red River Shootout after Oklahoma won five in a row.

However, the Sooners get one back in 2010. Both teams will have new faces leading their respective teams. However, Landry Jones received more experience over Garrett Gilbert who was thrown to the wolves in the BCS Championship Game last season.

This game will be all about which quarterback comes up with the big play.  Take Landry Jones and the Sooners to get the best of the Longhorns.

7. Nebraska

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 30: Jared Crick #94 of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers lines up in position during the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl against University of Arizona Wildcats on December 30, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Cor

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 16 v. Texas


The Cornhuskers will look to ride the momentum from the 2009 season into Big XII contention in 2010.  Nebraska, however, will no longer skip Texas on the schedule as they welcome the Longhorns to to Lincoln two weeks after their tough loss to Oklahoma.

The Black Shirts will look to make the day miserable for Garrett Gilbert, but the young Longhorns quarterback will use his experience from the Red River Shoot. Gilbert will make enough plays to let the Texas defense go to work and stifle the Cornhuskers offense and escape Lincoln with the win.

6. Florida

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators looks to pass against the Florida International University Golden Panthers, November 21, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmi

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 2 @ Alabama

The Gators and Crimson Tide lock up for their first regular season meeting since 2006 when Florida travels to Tuscaloosa.  The Gators schedule is relatively soft coming into this game with home games against Miami (OH) and South Florida before traveling to Tennessee.

The Gators will emerge unscathed, but Nick Saban's defense will be ready for new quarterback John Brantley who faces his first big game in the most hostile of situations. The Tide get the best of the Gators for the second time in nine months.

5. Oklahoma

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Oklahoma 21-20. (Photo by Doug Benc/G

FIRST LOSS: Oct. 23 @ Missouri

The Sooners get through a challenging first five weeks that pit them against Florida State, Cincinnati and Texas, but it is a mid-October trip to Missouri that has let down written all over it.  The Tigers, looking for one big win this season, will have this game circled on their calendar.

The Tigers use their high-scoring offense to blitz Oklahoma early in the game while they try and play catch up with a quarterback not accustomed to playing in such a scenario.  The Tigers get their big win of the season while the Sooners head home with a disappointing inter-divisional loss.

4. Boise State

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos under center against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christi

FIRST LOSS: n/a

The Broncos get by their season opener with a win over Virginia Tech and then stare down a WAC schedule that has not challenged the Broncos in recent memory. Boise State will get another test in Week 3 when they welcome Oregon State to the blue turf, but the Broncos get by the Beavers and bust their way into the National Championship. Boise State rolls into Glendale as the first non-BCS team to play for the title.

3. Southern California

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Matt Barkley #7 and Allen Bradford #21 of the USC Trojans celebrate a touchdown to trail the Stanford Cardinal 14-7 during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

FIRST LOSS:  Oct. 9 @ Stanford

Why Athlon has USC ranked third in the nation is beyond me, but this is a game Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has circled on his calendar.  The Stanford coach smells blood in the water at USC and wants to go for another body blow to the Trojans while continuing the rise of the Cardinal.  Andrew Luck will out-duel Matt Barkley as Stanford lands its third victory over the Trojans in the last four years.

2. Ohio State

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Oregon Ducks during the 96th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: n/a


This is the year that Terrelle Pryor realizes his potential and guides the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season. But Pryor is not the only reason why the Buckeyes survive a home game with Miami and road trips to Wisconsin and Iowa. 

It is the combination of senior Brandon Saine, junior Dan Herron, sophomore Jordan Hall and freshman Jamaal Berry--a fearsome foursome of running backs playing behind a very experienced offensive line which Jim Tressel plans to use as a battering ram.

That rushing attack combined with Pryor's advancing skills, a breakout year from DeVier Posey and an always strong Ohio State defense lead the Buckeyes to close wins at Wisconsin and at Iowa as they claim their sixth straight Big Ten title.

1. Alabama

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 27: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 27, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

FIRST LOSS: Nov. 2 @ LSU


This has all the makings of a traditional, late-season SEC bloodbath.  The Crimson Tide will travel to Death Valley where the SEC West title could very well be on the line.  By then LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson will have survived trial by fire in the SEC and the LSU defense will be experienced enough to at least contain Mark Ingram, make the Tide more one-dimensional and claim a 17-16 victory.