The 2010 CF Power Poll pt.3 #25 to #1

Only 25 remain. The best of the best. The contenders. The big boys. The blue-collar, lunch-pail types, with blood-stained uniforms, and lofty expectations.

Before we get on with the final section, let's look at conference strength in relation to the power poll.

1.SEC average position - 31.09
2.BigTen average position - 35.55
3.Pac10 average position - 40.40
4.BigEast average position - 45.38
5.Big12 average position - 45.59
6.ACC average position - 47.5

On paper the Pac10 and BigTen look strong, improved, but the SEC gets a boost from having only one team(vandy) ranked in the bottom half of the power poll. Every other SEC team is ranked in the top 58. I do have the BigTen as the only conference with 3 top 10 teams in the power poll. I rated these teams one at a time with no pre-conceived bias on conference placement.

No worries BigTen haters. All three teams will be down a notch in 2011. In 2010, the Hawkeyes, Badgers, and Buckeyes, are National Title contenders.

Enough with the chest thumping and on to the poll.

25. Arizona

Stock: UP
How big is Iowa @ Arizona on Sept, 18th? Big. Two talented teams, and somebody is getting erased from the NC picture early. Because of both teams positions in the pre-season AP poll, I'd say 1 and done.

In order for Arizona to be erased from the NC picture - they would have to be in it, right? They would need some help, but it's actually possible.. They would need just about every other BCS contender to have a loss. As for their schedule, they can run it, especially with momentum from that Colossal home opener(i just skipped the Citadel - hope nobody minds). If they could beat Iowa - they would probably enter the Nov Showdowns against USC, Oregon, and Stanford with an 8-0 record. They beat USC and Stanford in 2009, and took Oregon to OT.

I have some questions about the DL, so take all of the above with a grain of salt, and succumb to likely-hood of Arizona finishing third behind Oregon and USC.

The offense is the 2nd best in the Pac10. They have an outstanding quarterback, and a a good rb.

Three losses: Iowa, @ Stanford, and @ Oregon.
But what do I know?

Offense A- Defense C+ SPT A
Schedule Strength: 52.75/33rd
WinSpan 8-12

24. Michigan

The pressure is on, big time. Rich Rod was never the most articulate guy in the world, but lately he sounds like Don Knotts, or at least, that describes his tummy.

Fair or not, this could be Rodriguez's last year at Michigan. The schedule is full of hills and valleys, and nobody knows quite what to think of the two qb, new defensive scheme, speed-o, that Rich is dawning in Ann Arbor.

There's limitless talent on defense. Greg and Rich realize that the talent level didn't translate onto the field in '09 so their going back to the drawing board. This is a home-run swing for mighty Rich Rod. Let's do the win-total scenario's.

1 - if he doesn't have one win by Sept 25th he's gone.
2- if he doesn't have 2 wins by Oct. 2nd he's gone.
3 -if he doesn't have 3 wins by Nov. 6th he's gone.
4 - if he doesn't have 4 wins by Nov 20th he's gone.
5 - if he doesn't go .500 he's gone.
6. if he doesn't go to a bowl he's gone.
7 -this would keep him on the hot seat.
7 and a win against OSU - would be deemed a success.
8 - would keep him around, and buy him the better part of 2011.(most likely)
8 and a win against OSU - would lock-in on campus/alum/fan support
9 - would have to be deemed a success, now go win a bowl game.
10 - or better, and even I'll buy into Michigan and Rich Rod.
11 - keep dreaming
12 - you have a better shot at finding a discarded winning ticket for the multi-state powerball lottery.

I like RB Toussaint, and both lines. Look for a breakout season for DE Craig Roh. Lb Obi Ezeh is a physical freak.

The idea is to make more changes, especially to the defense, and fix the problem. Doh.

Offense B Defense B SPT B
Schedule Strength: 46.50/10th
WinSpan: 6-9

23. Penn St.

Stock: DOWN
Penn State has to replace some big names on defense:Bowman, Odrick, Lee, Hull. Only 5 starters back on defense. However, the Lions did lead the league in pts allowed at 14.9. This year I think Iowa will have the strongest defense in the conference.

The Nitanny Lions' bread and butter will be the running game. With a nearly intact OL, Rb's Evan Royster, Stephfan Green, and Brandon Beachum combine for one of the best trio's in D1.. Establishing a consistent running game is vital in the BigTen. Penn State will be able to run the football.

Wr Graham Zug is a deep threat and an asset in the kicking game.

The biggest question in state college is the Qb position. The buzz during the spring was not good. So. Kevin Newsome will be the front runner, and true freshman Robert Bolden a wildcard, but it was clear that they felt uneasy about who would start in the spring, and about the position on the whole - never a good sign.

Offense B Defense B+ SPT B-
Schedule Strength: 48.84/17th
WinSpan: 6-9

22. Georgia

Stock: UP
Well, finally Georgia has a quarterback. Thank goodness. That spell was something awful. Marlon Brown is good, AJ Green is God, and the offense looks good on paper.

I think I read that Rb Richard Samuels was being looked at for a Lb spot?

10 starters back on offense. The Bulldogs should make huge leaps on that side of the ball because of the OL, Murray, and loads of talent at Wr. The Rb's are decent, but Caleb King and Samuels haven't turned into the unstoppable forces we expected them to be.

The defense loses some big contributors, but the dogs did angood job of recruiting on the DL this season. Some of those guys will contribute right away. The Db's are inexperienced, and Georgia gave up a league leading 245 yards through the air last season. This is a top 10 Offense, but the D has some holes to fill, and overall, the recent recruiting has been good not outstanding.

The only in-conference opponent that Georgia held below 20 was Vandy. On paper this team looks identical to Penn State, only with a slightly more talented, albeit unproven, quarterback.

Offense B+ Defense B SPT B+
Schedule Strength: 50.50/26th
WinSpan: 7-9

21. LSU

Stock:DOWN
The Tigers have one of the best home-field advantages in the country, if not the best. They get top 10-talent year-in, year-out, or at least it's been that way for a while. Les Miles is one serious hombre, with one serious posse.

With 7 home games, and one neutral-site game, you would think LSU had it made, but the last three away games read: @ Florida, @ Auburn, and @ Arkansas. In the the valley of the damned would be more like-it.

Remembering back to their NC, I think about Hester, and the power game the Tigers brought to the table. I'm not sure that Russell Shepard is the offensive answer. A good player? Yes. A difference maker in this offense, no.

Just when the OL takes a step back, the DL takes a step back, LSU's recruiting saves them from a bigger drop. Both lines are rebuilding, and the offense lacks the dominators usually found in Baton Rouge.

THey're not down much, not quite as much as PSU, a team they lost to in the bowl, but I think their NC hopes are slim.

THe schedule is tough, A 9-4 repeat would be a much stronger result than last season. Too many holes to fill to move up in power. After watching the spring-game I have reservations about their offense. The defense is strong.

LSU will be a contender next year,. This year, with this schedule, it's not gonna happen, not with this team. LSU potentially has 17 returning starters in 2011. They're not rebuilding, they're not reloading, they're growing. This team is not as explosive offensively as some other top 25's, but LSU will still be tough on D, they'll be big, and they'll be physical.

Jefferson and Shepard are slippery, but where's the power running-game?

Offense B- Defense A- SPT B
Schedule Strength: 45.34/8th
WinSpan: 7-10

20. FSU

Stock: UP

The Seminole offense returns 9 starters from a unit that averaged 448 yards a game in the ACC.  That topped the conference.

Christian Ponder is considered by many to be a top 3 CF quarterback, and a solid NFL prospect. 

All of the Rb's are back.

FSU will have to reload on the DL, and in the defensvie backfield.  Frosh DB Lamarcus Joyner could start right away.  Nigel Bradham, the Seminoles leading tackler, is 6'2" 245 and plays with bad intentions.  Another freshman, Jeff Luc/Lb could also start right away. 

The offense is powerful, and the defense fills their few holes with top notch talent.

I think this team is tied with VT as the third best team in the ACC, and even though I have the ACC ranked low in this poll as a conference, FSU is a strong team for being 3rd/4rth best in their conference.

There are three top ten teams on the schedule(@Miami, @Oklahoma, Fla).  Reeking havoc amongst the top 25 - guaranteed.  Winning it all - slim.

Offense A- Defense B SPT B+

Schedule Strength: 51.17/29th

WinSpan: 8-10

19. Virginia Tech

Stock: DOWN
If anybody can rebuild a defense in 8 months it's Bud Foster.

Tech loses 7 starters on defense.. The Hokies recruit well, but not well enough to fill those holes without a significant drop-ff.

I think the UNC, Miami, and Boise games are losses for the Hokies. The rest of the schedule is manageble, and the Hokies could win 9 or 10 games, but this is not a NC contender.

The only thing keeping the Hokies in the top 20 is the offense. Tyrod Taylor is experienced, and has the ability to beat you with his arm or his feet. His offensive line should be improved, and his stable of running backs is second to none.

Darren Evans ran for nearly 1,330 yards in 2008. Ryan Williams ran for 1655 last year. David WIlson is the most dangerous third string Rb in the country, and Josh Ogelsby is giving him all he can handle for the third spot. To put it into perspective, WIlson, VT's third Rb, would probably be the starter for 3/4 of the teams in D1. The Rb's are EXCEPTIONAL! They might consider moving a couple of those guys to safety.

The Hokies are also strong at WR.

Besides the big 3 on the schedule, there is one swing game, GT. I think VT easily wins the other 8 games... let's say 9-3 or 8-4 in the regular season.

This is the weakest defense in Blacksburg in years. The Lane Stadium faithful won't know how to react.

Offense B+ Defense B SPT B
Schedule Strength: 63.17/63rd
WinSPan: 8-9

18. Pittsburgh

This is an extremely physical football team.

Pittsburgh relies on a big OL, and an incredibly shifty Dion Lewis to win ball games. The defense is solid.

On D, Greg Romeus is a big, fast, physical linebacker who can make plays in both the middle, and sideline to sideline.

In the BigEast, I see only two legitimate NC contenders, and that's WVU and Pitt.

Lewis ran for 1800 yards in 2010, and is a Heisman candidate as a Sophmore. He has a similar burst to BigEast running mate Noel Devine of WV, but Lewis is a bit more powerful in the trenches at nearly 200 lbs.

The biggest concern for Pitt is the defensive backfield. While they led the BE in passing yards allowed in 2009, they still allowed 192 ypg, and lose their best playmaker from that group

They also have consistency, and experience issues at Qb.

An extremely tough team in the trenches.

Tough schedule compared to most Big East teams @Utah,@ND, and home against Miami OOC, and @ UConn, @ Cincy, and home for the backyard brawl in-conference.

Offense B Defense B+ SPT B
Schedule Strength: 55.50/38th
WInSpan: 8-11

17. South Carolina

16. West Virginia

15. Texas

Stock: DOWN
At least Gilbert got some valuable experience in the NC.

Texas is rebuilding a bit on both sides of the ball. Of course rebuilding in Texas, with the talent, and the weak schedule, means they'll probably win 10 games or more.

They lose their biggest play-makers on D, so despite returning 7, the D will be down a notch in 2010. Freshman Jordan Hicks has three talented Lb's in front of him, but if that kid doesn't see the field in '10, then Texas is in better shape than I thought. Hicks is the most promising speed-lb I've seen in decades. 6'2" 220 and runs in the 4.5 range. Fast in pads. Hicks will become a super-star, write that down, oh wait, I just did.

The OL has to fill some big holes, and break in a new Qb. The Offense only topped 100 yds rushing in 5 games last season. They had 18 against Nebraska, 81 against Bama, 67 against UCF, and 47 against Colorado. The running game must improve. Either way I don't see Texas running the table. Of all the top 20 teams, this is one that I see with the least chance to reach the NC. However, the Horns recruiting is elite, and there is talent for days.

Special teams are down a bit too with the loss of Shipley in the return-game, and their kicker.

The defense may return 7, but the 4 losses may have been the 4 biggest contributors to the defense.

They'll be favored in 10 of 12, and should win 10.

Offense B+ Defense B+ SPT B
Schedule Strength: 60.50/54th
WinSpan: 9-10

14. Arkansas

Stock: UP
Ryan Mallet will be the #1 pick in next years NFL draft, and his stable of running backs reminds me of Churchill Downs in early May. The Hogs averaged 383 yards of total offense in the SEC last season, and return 10 of 11 starters from that unit. On paper, this clearly looks like the best O in the SEC. If Knile Davis is your third Rb, you don't have issues getting down-field.

The defense improved as the season went on, and if it weren't for being in the toughest division in all of CF(SEC West in '10), the Hogs will be a sure-fire NC title contender and 10+ game winner. They still have that capability this season, but the schedule is pretty tough.

THey open against 1aa Tenn Tech and ULM, so it's cupcake city early. Away games against Miss St, South Carolina, Auburn, and Ga, as well as home games against LSU and Alabama, as well as a potential SEC Championship, means the Hogs will have to earn it.

With this offense, not playing Bama last season, and then facing Bama early in a September game against a young Bama D, this team stands a good shot at an upset in that football game. They also play that game in Fayetteville.

This team will continue to be a force in 2011.

Mallet threw for 3,624 yds and 30 td's last season. The Michigan transfer has lived up to his billing in Arkansas.

Offense A Defense B SPT B-
Schedule Strength: 51.34/30th
WinSpan: 8-11

13. TCU

12. Auburn

11. USC

10. Iowa

Adrian Clayborn of Iowa, and Cameron Heyward of OSU are the best DE's in the country. Iowa returns 8 starters on D, and 6 on offense. The D didn't give up more than 28 in any game last season, and held GT to 14 in the bowl.

A win at Arizona could put them at 6-0 heading into the meat of the BigTen schedule.

The defense will be lights-out, but Ricky Stanzi and his huge stable of quality Rb's will have to perform behind a rebuilt OL. Wegher, Robinson, and Hampton make up one of the best(if not the best) three-deep Rb group in the entire country(vt/ark/ala/psu/ore/wisc/andPitt come to mind).

Klug is a plug, and Clayborn is just plain scary. The defense makes this team a contender, albeit a long-shot. This is a strong team for being third in their conference. Very strong.

Offense B- Defense A SPT A
Schedule Strength: 50.42/25th
WinSpan: 8-11

9. Miami, Fla.

Stock: UP
A good friend of mine, a die-hard Hurricane, told me it would take Randy 3 or 4 years. The friend was right. Miami is a title contender. The schedule is tough, but they'll be favored in every game this season except their trip to Columbus in week 2.

Miami is just coming off a competitive loss to another BigTen team, and one with a better line than OSU in Wisconsin. The key for the Hurricanes in the Miami/OSU game will be containing Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State WR's. At some point or another Jim Tressel will have to throw the ball in that one. If Miami can limit Ohio State's big plays, they can win in the shoe. That is going to be one heck of a football game.

They travel to Pitt the following week, but from there the schedule gets a little easier in the ACC, at least until VT in November.

The DL is very strong. The OL is the biggest question mark. The D will keep them in games, but it will be the offenses' job to win those games. This is my favorite to win the ACC, but someone just whispered Bud Foster in my ear. Who's Bud Foster? just kidding.

Offense B+ Defense A- SPT B+
Schedule Strength: 45.41/9th
WinSpan: 8-12

8. Oklahoma

7. Boise St.

Well, let's see here. 14-0. They beat Oregon last year, cruised through a nothing schedule to finish 14-0, and they return 20 of 22 starters. They lose a RG and a CB.

CB Kyle WIlson will be hard to replace, especially for his explosiveness in the return game.

The Broncos have the size. but when you look at the talent and recruiting rankings you have to wonder whether they deserve this spot. With their margin of victory, with the schedule they have, the Broncos have done everything possible to put themselves in this situation, both in the Power Poll, and for NC contention. Now they have to do it again.

Beat VaTech and Oregon State in the first 3 and the whole country will consider this a contender. One loss and their gone. No Losses, and they'll need no more than 1 undefeated BCS team, or they're gone.

Kellen Moore is a great qb with 26 starts under his belt. WR Titus Young is an NFL target, and they have a fine stable of electric running backs. The offensive line is a bit undersized which would put them at a serious disadvantage in a BCS Championship game against Florida. I'd think they would match up pretty well against most of the other contenders, but Fla would give the Broncos OL some trouble.

The defensive line improves, but isn't fantastic. It should help keep them in the game against VT. I'll call that opener a coin toss. VT will be the home team in Landover, and will bring an offense that can put pressure on this D. I think this is the weakest defense in the Top 10, but the O is fantastic.

The 2nd toughest game is Oregon St, the 3rd toughest/Nevada, 5th toughest/Wyoming, which brings up the question, once again, do they deserve a shot?

I'll probably cry foul either way:)

Offense A Defense B SPT B+
Schedule Strengh: 79.50/91rst
WinSpan: 10-12

6. Oregon

Stock: UP
Masoli was a playmaker for the Ducks, but he was only one of many on offense. LaMichael James, Kenyon Barner, Lache Seastrunk(the real deal), and Jeff Maehl are playmakers too. This team is about even with Florida for the fastest offense in the land.

Derrick Rowe(pictured) is a great pass rusher. Mathews and Paysinger are solid Lb's. Ultimately, the success of this team could be determined by the talent they put in the open QB and CB spots. CB Cliff Harris is undersized, and Darron Thomas will win the job over Nate Costa because of his mobility.
There are 17 returning starters from this Pac10 Champion/10 game winner, which means this is a legit title contender.

They'll start 4 and 0, but have a pretty tough away slate in the PAC.

Regardless of the experience and the speed - this team would be an underdog against all the teams in the top 5 because of their lack of size on the DL. This team wouldn't match up well in a NC game vs OSU, Wisc, Ala, or Fla.

Offense A- Defense B SPT A
Schedule Strength: 57.58/45th
WinSpan: 9-12

5. Nebraska

Stock: UP
The Black Shirts are back, and if you thought that Bo Pellini and Co. were going to fold up shop because of the loss of NDamukung Suh, you're sorely mistaken.

With Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler in the middle, this DL is just as strong as last year.

In 8 of 14 games last season the Cornhuskers held the opposition to less than 100 yards rushing. They've recruiting well enough on that side of the ball to equal last years' production, meaning, Nebraska could win the Big12 in their final season with the conference.

Zac Lee and Roy Helu make up the most experienced backfield in the Big12. The OL is improved, and with 9 starters on that side of the ball, Texas taking a small step back, Nebraska might just be the favorite to win the Big12.

Last Year: Neb 12 Texas 13, Neb 10 Okla 3
This year?

I like their chances. This is a NC contender. Didn't take long. Apparently, Bo knows football.

Kansas, Idaho, and Okla State's declining power hurts the schedule numbers, so does WKU and 1aa South Dakota St. Could this come back to haunt this team?

Offense B Defense A SPT B-
Schedule Strength: 66.25/68th
WinSPan: 9-12

4.Wisconsin

Stock:UP
Hands down the best OL in the country. Turnovers killed Wisconsin in their '09 losses. Without them they might have gone undefeated. Even the 31-13 loss to Ohio State was an example. Wisconsin pushed OSU all over the field, but turnovers turned into 7 points, twice. A 28 point swing. The Bowl Game versus a strong Miami DL showed just how formidable this front can be. 9 of the top 10 OL on the roster are back, and they average over 6'5" 320.

Behind them is 250 pound BigTen offensive player of the year John Clay(pictured), and a steady Sr. quarterback in Scott Tolzein.

The defense will improve. JJ Watts was never quite 100% in 2009, but has first team All-American potential. The LB Corps is amazing. Their safeties are big and physical. The DT's aren't at the same level as Fla, Ohio St, or Alabama, but this team is all about the OL. I don't like Ohio State's chances in Madison.

Offense A Defense B SPT B
Schedule Strength: 57.83/47th
WinSpan: 9-12

3. Alabama

Stock: DOWN
Mark Ingram and the OL will be hard to stop.

Donta Hightower is back to help fill one of the 9 holes on defense. The talent level of the new starters on D is amazing, but they do lose quite a bit of size up front. Time will tell if the new look, speed defense is as effective as the '09 version. My best guess is it will be down a notch. You just don't pick up where you left off with 2 returning starters, not even if you're Alabama.

The running game gets better though, as does the passing game.

Offensively, this is easily the best team on the list. Defensively, all we have to go on is the numbers, and the talent level of the new players.

I like McElroy and his receivers, but Alabama could have nobody at those spots and still be a title contender. This is a power running team first and foremost. We'll see if they can duplicate the 250 rushing spot they put on Fla last season - I doubt it.

Offense A+ Defense B+ SPT B+
Schedule Strength: 45.33/7th
WinSpan: 8-12

2. Ohio State

Stock: UP
About even with Florida for the best OL behind Wisconsin.

The Bucks need Pryor to play consistently, and as mistake-free as possible. Last season injuries and a conservative coach held him back, but he still managed 2,094 passing and 779 rushing.

Brandon Saine is just one of many Rb weapons. The Buckeyes are 5 deep with quality backs. So. fullback Zack Boren is a force in the running game.

The Buckeyes lose a lot of the depth on the defensive line, but the starters look as good as any group in the country.

The CB's are lock down.

Ohio State has two experienced WR's, and a troublesome TE. Like Alabama, Florida, and Wisconsin, this is a team that can overpower most opponents with their OL. If that doesn't work they have speed at qb and wr to make plays when necessary. This could be the most talented team in the country, but depth on the DL is an issue. One DL goes down, and they could slip 10 spots here.

OSU is going to shove it down their opponents throats, with success I might add.

Watch #54 John Simon. He's a high energy DT with freakish strength and speed for the position. DE Cam Heyward is the best defensive player in the country in 2010, and could slide down to DT(and would have to) if a DT went down.

Offense A Defense A- SPT B
Schedule Strength: 47.75/14th
WinSpan: 9-12

1. Florida

Stock: UP
Only 11 returning starters, what gives?

I don't know what gives, but I know what won't give in 2010, the Gator DL. They only allowed four opponents to hit 100 yards on the ground last season, and this season, I think the front 7 on D is way more talented than the '09 version. The additions of Frosh Dominique Easley, Ronald Powell, and Shariff Floyd to what could have ALREADY been the best DL in the country makes this unit unbelievable. Say what you want about talent at USC, OSU, Alabama, etc, but this Interior DL is deeper, bigger, and nastier. It's a clear notch above any DL unit in the country.

I think that the Gator passing game will improve with Brantley behind center. Brantley will also open things up for the Rb's - no more LB's ignoring coverage to cover the Qb. Mike Pouncey, Carl Johnson, Marcus Gilbert, and Xavier Nixon create a formidable wall up front.

This is the most talented team in the land. Both lines are incredible. You know they have speed. I don't think Bama wins the game in the trenches this time around.

Offense A- Defense A+ SPT A-
Schedule Strength: 49.58/20th
WinSpan: 10-12