The 10 Top 10s Of College Football: Preseason Edition

Welcome to the first edition of the 10 Top 10s of the 2010 College Football season.

This series aims to present top-10 lists of the ins and outs of college football, hitting on the most important aspects of the game followed by things that are important to us as fans.

From here on out, a new piece of the "series" will be published every Monday morning, reflecting on the happenings of each passing week. Starting with the preseason edition, this series will continue through the last week of the season, leading up to the game of all games in early January. 

Some will use common sense, while other topics will be addressed that may be completely out of left field. After all, these top-10 lists are here to present what's on the dinner table after every game has been completed and to spark conversation.

If you have any ideas or feedback on the series, you can reach me at [e-mail].

Ten Top-10 Teams

TCU has a great chance to run the table in 2010.

1. Alabama: Can't go wrong with the defending champions who return most of their offense.

2. Ohio State: This ranking rises or drops depending on the play of Terrelle Pryor.

3. Texas: Is there a better defense in the land?

4. Florida: Even without Superman, Urban Meyer has plenty of talent on his roster.

5. Virginia Tech: The Hokies sport the most talented backfield in the nation.

6. Boise State: This could finally be the year for the five-year Cinderella story.

7. TCU: Boise may be ranked higher, but the Horned Frogs are flying under the radar.

8. Oklahoma: Landry Jones will pick up where Sam Bradford left off.

9. Iowa: If healthy, the Hawkeyes may have another magical season. 

10. Nebraska: How will the Cornhusker defense respond to losing Suh? Jared Crick is the answer.

10 Offensive Players To Watch in 2010

Dion Lewis will make a run at the Heisman this year.

1. Mark Ingram, RB: Reigning Heisman-winner will try to repeat, a la Archie Griffin.

2. Jake Locker, QB: He starts his tryout in a few weeks for the 2011 NFL Draft top pick.

3. Terrelle Pryor, QB: Depending on Pryor's arm (and legs), Ohio State may or may not be a National Championship contender.

4. Kellen Moore, QB: Can he get Boise State over the hump?

5. Ryan Mallett, QB: His rocket arm will produce first-round worthy numbers in 2010. 

6. Dion Lewis, RB: This little ball of fury ran for over 1,600 yards along with 17 TDs as a freshman.

7. A.J Green, WR: A mismatch for every cornerback in the country.

8. Ryan Williams, RB: Freshman phenom looks to turn into super sophomore this year.

9. Michael Floyd, WR: If healthy, you may be looking at the nation's best receiver.

10. Case Keenum, QB: You don't have to watch, but he may break the NCAA career passing record.

10 Defensive Players to Watch in 2010

Marcell Dareus is the next big thing on defense.

1. Greg Romeus, DE: Best defender in the nation will only improve his sack numbers from '09.

2. Greg Jones, LB: Possibly the most underrated player in the nation, Jones will be a lock for All-American status once again in 2010.

3. Marcell Dareus, DE: If he can dominate his own offensive line as he did in the spring game, he will dominate everyone this year.

4. Patrick Peterson, DB: Hands down the best defensive back in the country right now.

5. Von Miller, LB: Had 17 sacks to lead the country last season.

6. Marvin Austin, DT: If eligible to play, he will be key in anchoring North Carolina's elite defense.

7. Jared Crick, DT: Already being compared to Suh, he will make a name for himself in 2010.

8. Rahim Moore, DB: 10 interceptions last year were the most for any player since 1993.

9. Mark Herzlich, LB: The playmaker in the middle of the field that every program desires.

10. Vontaze Burfict, LB: Only a sophomore, Burfict will become a household name by the end of this season.

10 Top Conferences in College Football

Once again, the SEC will be the supplier of the most talent.

1. SEC: The clear No. 1 conference entering the season... as usual.

2. Big Ten: Thanks to the Buckeyes, the "10" nudge the "12" to begin the year.

3. Big 12: They have some firepower, but lack the star names like seasons past.

4. Pac-10: The conference took a hit in the rankings after Pete Carroll's flee from Troy.

5. ACC: Outside of Virginia Tech, no team represents a legitimate title contender.

6. Big East: It may not be the favorite, but the "Big Easy" will offer an exciting title race in 2010.

7. Mountain West: TCU, BYU, and Utah all have the potential to be top-10 teams come December.

8. WAC: Let the talk of Boise State's weak conference slate begin.

9. Conference USA: The arm of Case Keenum will keep the conference somewhat relevant for another year.

10. MAC: Temple and Central Michigan are up-and-coming programs with up-and-coming head coaches.

10 Games To Watch In Week One

Can Kellen Moore lead his team to a victory over the Hokies?

1. Boise State-Virginia Tech: Forget the other nine, this game might get the Broncos into the title game.

2. Connecticut-Michigan: Tune in to see if Rich Rod can keep his job for another week.

3. Purdue-Notre Dame: Boilermakers are 5-0 in their last five season openers. No. 6 will be a difficult one.

4. Oregon State-TCU: OSU takes on both Cinderellas this year. TCU is first up to bat.

5. LSU-North Carolina: LSU's offense vs. the Tar Heel defense will be a special matchup.

6. SMU-Texas Tech: How quickly will Tuberville's offense get going? SMU is a tough out.

7. Southern Miss-South Carolina: The Gamecocks don't have an easy victory in week one.

8. USC-Hawaii: Trojans take a vacation to Hawaii in order to stomp the Warriors once again.

9. Cincinnati-Fresno State: How legit are both of these under-the-radar teams?

10. Central Michigan-Temple: One of the most enticing matchups of mid-majors this season.

10 Worst Games Scheduled For 2010

Georgia State will finally take the field in 2010.

1. Georgia State-Alabama: The ESPN story was cool, but a 100-point blowout won't be.

2. Portland State-Oregon: The mighty Vikings have won a combined nine games in the past three years.

3. Austin Peay-Wisconsin: Austin Peay has had just two winning seasons since 1985.

4. Presbyterian-Clemson: We understand the schools are 60 miles apart, but this is just being too nice.

5. Indiana State-Cincinnati: Fighting Sycamores have won two games in the past five seasons.

6. Idaho State-George: ISU lost two meetings vs. FBS opponents last year by a combined 111 points.

7. VMI-Virginia: This game might be intriguing on the court, but this is just unfair.

8. Northern Colorado-Michigan State: NCU has been outscored 135-19 in past three matchups vs. FBS schools.

9. Stony Brook-USF: USF will be the first FBS opponent in the storied history of Stony Brook.

10. New Hampshire-Pittsburgh: Did anyone know there was even a football team in the state of New Hampshire?

10 People From Last Season We Won't Miss

LeGarrette Blount walks off the field after a loss and a right hook.

1. Tim Tebow: He may have been around for only four years, but it seemed like decades.

2. Mike Leach: Hopefully he learned a dark storage closet isn't an acceptable location for a timeout.

3. Jim Leavitt: See Leach, Mike.

4. Lagarrette Blount: He ruined his reputation and NFL career with his season-opening one-banger.

5. Pete Carroll: Darted for the big bucks, sending USC spiraling into the dark.

6. Charlie Weis: Good NFL coach who never belonged in the world of college football.

7. Ndamukong Suh: Considering the havoc he wreaked on opposing QBs, he won't be missed.

8. Pat Haden: One of the worst announcers in the game moves on to the USC athletic offices.

9. Jevan Snead: Ole Miss fans certainly won't miss him.

10. Dez Bryant: Happy that he is out of the NCAA's unfair grasp and is now making millions.

10 Coaches Who Can't Afford to Lose In Week One

To say Ralph Friedgen's seat is hot would be an understatement.

1. Lane Kiffin: Lose to Hawaii and lose another 10 transfers to your rivals.

2. Ralph Freidgen: Lose and you may no longer have a job.

3. Brian Kelly: Losing game one would be detrimental to the mindset of the Irish.

4. Derek Dooley: Lose to Tennessee-Martin and you're gone as quick as Lane Kiffin.

5. Steve Spurrier: Lose and you suffer another below-average season.

6. Rich Rodriguez: Lose and your seat is no longer hot. It's on fire.

7. Skip Holtz: Lose and you may never be your father.

8. Tommy Tuberville: Lose and your favorable schedule is worthless.

9. Ron Zook: Lose the border-battle to Missouri and be ready for the torches and pitchforks.

10. Chris Peterson: Lose and you have no shot at a title berth. Win and you have little shot at a title shot.

10 Bold Preseason Predictions

The Hokies sport the best backfield combination in the country.

1. TCU will go undefeated, beating Oregon State, BYU, and Baylor.

2. Mark Ingram will not repeat as Heisman winner thanks to Trent Richardson.

3. Michigan will fail to reach a bowl game yet again, sending Rich Rod into unemployment.

4. Nevada will once again lead the nation in rushing yards.

5. Boise State will lose to Virginia Tech in Week One, erasing the Broncos from BCS contention.

6. Instead, Virginia Tech will play for the national championship.

7. USC will not play in a bowl game until 2012. (I'm a Notre Dame fan, how could I not poke fun?)

8. The Irish will have a repeat winner of the Biletnikoff Award in Michael Floyd.

9. Jake Locker will be the third best quarterback in the Pac-10.

10. Blaine Gabbert will emerge as the Big-12's best quarterback by season's end.

10 Reasons Why We Love College Football

This rivalry is second to none.

1. Rivalries: Keeps us on our toes, waiting for the big week to finally arrive.

2. Females: What's better than young (legal) college girls combined with football?

3. Tailgating: There's nothing like a Southern college football tailgate experience. Nothing.

4. College campuses: There's something about the campus feel on gameday.

5. Recruiting: It's become a following by most fans, obsession by some.

6. Gameday Atmosphere: Bands, students, chants, and fight songs make college football what it is.

7. Tradition: NFL programs don't live off of their rich histories like college programs do.

8. College players: Play for the love of the game and their school, not the Sunday check.

9. The Heisman: It may be unfair in ways, but there isn't a better trophy in all of sports.

10. It's not the NFL: Contract holdouts and prima donnas are nowhere to be found.