USA Today Preseason Top 25

[redbuck]

I hate preseason polls and I also hate when my team is highly ranked in preseason polls, so I hate this first version of the USA Today poll. Frankly it makes no sense to me that an Ohio State team with a vastly depleted defesne (that will still likely have to carry the team) and an offense that will likely be worse than it was last year without Santonio Holmes and two star offensive linemen, should so almost unanimously be chosen so high. I'm excited to see freshman Chris Wells, but am certainly not looking forward to a schedule that includes night games at Texas and Iowa. Ohio State has lost five straight night games.

What's your take no the poll?

[redbuck]

From USAToday.com...

1. Ohio State (10-2)

Points: 1,487 (28 first-place votes). Final 2005 rank: 4. Outlook: QB Troy Smith, WR-KR Ted Ginn Jr. and RB Antonio Pittman back for Buckeyes, who look like they have best shot at national title since 2002 championship. DT Quinn Pitcock paces relatively inexperienced but talented defense. Early-season trip to Texas probably will tell a lot. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Northern Illinois (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

2. Texas (13-0)

Points: 1,378 (11). Final 2005 rank: 1. Outlook: With QB Vince Young off to NFL, defending champion Longhorns must get reasonable production from redshirt freshman Colt McCoy and/or freshman Jevan Snead to make offense go. RBs Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles are back for ground duty, running behind T Justin Blalock and G Kasey Studdard. SS Michael Griffin and DT Frank Okam among defensive mainstays returning. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. North Texas (FSN, noon ET).

3. (tie) Notre Dame (9-3)

Points: 1,348 (9). Final 2005 rank: 11. Outlook: Expectations will be sky high in coach Charlie Weis' second season. Brady Quinn to Jeff Samardzija should again be one of best passing threats in nation, and RB Darius Walker should shine on ground. Defense should be better with nine starters, including DB Tom Zbikowski, back. Season finale at Southern California could be Irish's most important game in years. Opens: Sept. 2 at Georgia Tech (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

3. (tie) Southern California (12-1)

Points: 1,348 (1). Final 2005 rank: 2. Outlook: QB John David Booty, coming off back surgery, looks like he'll finally get his shot at running offense and will have WR Dwayne Jarrett to throw to. RB Chauncey Washington might have to carry load in backfield. A rebuilding year, but it still looks like talent is everywhere. Opens: Sept. 2 at Arkansas (ESPN, 8:45 p.m. ET).

5. Oklahoma (8-4)

Points: 1,320 (13). Final 2005 rank: 22. Outlook: Sooners in turmoil with dismissal this week of QB Rhett Bomar, who started the last 11 games last season. That opens door for the return of Paul Thompson, who started 2005 opener before switching to receiver. Adrian Peterson still one of premier running backs in nation. LB Rufus Alexander leads stingy and experienced defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. UAB (TBS, 7 p.m. ET).

6. Auburn (9-3)

Points: 1,206 (1). Final 2005 rank: 14. Outlook: Tigers appear poised to make run at Southeastern Conference honors, maybe more. QB Brandon Cox has developed into solid leader, and RB Kenny Irons is emerging star running behind Gs Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth. LB Will Herring and CB David Irons help lead star-laden defense. Sept. 16 test with LSU could be critical. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Washington State (ESPN2, 7:45 p.m. ET).

7. West Virginia (11-1)

Points: 1,202. Final 2005 rank: 6. Outlook: With QB Pat White returning and RB Steve Slaton back to run behind line paced by C Dan Mozes, Mountaineers' offense shouldn't miss a beat. LB Kevin McLee and SS Eric Wicks are mainstays on defense. Schedule looks friendly, and Big East title and maybe national championship hopes could come down to game Nov. 2 at Louisville. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Marshall.

8. Florida (9-3)

Points: 1,054. Final 2005 rank: 16. Outlook: Jury still out on whether coach Urban Meyer's spread offense can be effective against the kind of powerhouse defenses Gators face in SEC. Running game has to be more consistent, and QB Chris Leak will have highly regarded freshman Tim Tebow right behind him on depth chart. Defense should be solid behind LBs Brandon Siler and Earl Everett. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Southern Mississippi.

9. LSU (11-2)

Points: 1,037. Final 2005 rank: 5. Outlook: Only overtime loss to Tennessee kept Tigers from 11-0 regular season, and QB JaMarcus Russell will be back to throw to WR Dwayne Bowe. Defense could be special behind FS LaRon Landry and LB Ali Highsmith. Trips to Auburn, Florida and Tennessee will be key. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

10. Florida State (8-5)

Points: 874. Final 2005 rank: 23. Outlook: Last season's record for Atlantic Coast Conference champ looks like aberration, but Seminoles have 20 losses over last five seasons. QB Drew Weatherford's job will be easier if Seminoles run with more efficiency and offensive line is more consistent. LB Buster Davis paces retooled defense. Opens: Sept. 4 at No. 11 Miami (Fla.) (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

11. Miami (Fla.) (9-3)

Points: 839. Final 2005 rank: 18. Outlook: First two years in ACC haven't been up to Miami standards, and coach Larry Coker shook up staff after last season. QB Kyle Wright will have WR Ryan Moore (suspended for first two games) and TE Greg Olsen to work with. RB Tyrone Moss suspended for opener, but his rate of recovery from knee injury will be key. FS Brandon Meriweather and SS Kenny Phillips pace talented secondary. Opens: Sept. 4 vs. No. 10 Florida State (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

12. California (8-4)

Points: 798. Final 2005 rank: 25. Outlook: Bears might be ready to ascend to Pacific-10 throne, although they won't play Southern California until second-to-last game. Marshawn Lynch one of best RBs in nation. QB Nate Longshore returns after breaking an ankle in last year's opener, although Joe Ayoob, Steve Levy and Kyle Reed are in mix at that spot. DT Brandon Mebane paces experienced defense that could develop into top-notch unit. Opens: Sept. 2 at No. 23 Tennessee (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

13. Louisville (9-3)

Points: 785. Final 2005 rank: 20. Outlook: QB Brian Brohm says knee is OK (he suffered torn ligament late last season), so the Cardinals should continue to be among nation's highest-scoring teams. Standout RB Michael Bush also returns to this experienced lineup. With loss of star DLs Elvis Dumervil and Montavious Stanley and LB Brandon Johnson, defense will be young in spots but talent is there. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Kentucky (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

14. Georgia (10-3)

Points: 784. Final 2005 rank: 10. Outlook: Senior QB Joe Tereshinski might be the present, but freshman Matthew Stafford looks like the future for defending SEC champ. Top-notch group of running backs, led by Thomas Brown, probably will have to carry load for while. Watch DE Quentin Moses on retooled defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Western Kentucky.

15. Michigan (7-5)

Points: 778. Final 2005 rank: not ranked. Outlook: After losing five games by seven or fewer points, coach Lloyd Carr wanted his Wolverines to be leaner and better conditioned for the end of close games. QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WR/return man Steve Breaston are back to lead offense, but UM needs more consistency from offensive line. CB Leon Hall and DE LaMarr Woodley help pace defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Vanderbilt (ESPN, noon ET).

16. Virginia Tech (11-2)

Points: 591. Final 2005 rank: 7. Outlook: Once QB emerges to replace departed Marcus Vick, Hokies should be able to take advantage of deep group of WRs that includes David Clowney, Josh Morgan and Eddie Royal. LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi lead solid defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Northeastern.

17. Iowa (7-5)

Points: 519. Final 2005 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Eyeing move toward top of Big Ten, Hawkeyes should have little difficulty moving the ball behind QB Drew Tate, emerging RB Albert Young and TE Scott Chandler. Defensive front should be mainstay behind DEs Ken Iwebema and Bryan Mattison. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Montana (ESPNU, noon ET).

18. Clemson (8-4)

Points: 493. Final 2005 rank: 21. Outlook: Every loss Tigers had last year was by four or fewer points or in overtime. Run at ACC title starts with defense that features DE Gaines Adams and LB Anthony Waters. RB James Davis could soon be star, and WR Chansi Stuckey is solid. Senior QB Will Proctor steps into starting role. Early trips to Boston College and Florida State will be telling. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Florida Atlantic (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m. ET).

19. Penn State (11-1)

Points: 406. Final 2005 rank: 3. Outlook: World about to find out how much departed QB Michael Robinson meant to defending Big Ten champ. Highly regarded Anthony Morelli steps in. RB Tony Hunt returns with WRs Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood. LB Paul Posluszny, off knee injury, and CB Justin King return to pace defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Akron (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET).

20. Oregon (10-2)

Points: 373. Final 2005 rank: 12. Outlook: Ducks close to BCS at-large status last year, and QBs Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf are back to operate behind veteran OL paced by C Enoka Lucas and T Max Unger. Some questions on defense, where standout T Haloti Ngata figures to be sorely missed. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Stanford (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

[football junkie]

Penn State is ranked way too low! Go Lions! Joe Pa's boys are going to win it all this year.

[Snake]

I know they both had down years last year, but it sure seems weird to see FSU and Miami start at 10 and 11 respectively.

I am so looking forward to that Notre Dame - USC game this year. That game may have National Championship implications.

Not sure why Texas and Ohio State wanted to play each other so early in the season, one of them will suffer because of that decision.

[football junkie]

I'm shocked that Ohio State is rated so high. Didn't they have five players picked in the first round of the last NFL draft? Aren't those players going to be a tad hard to replace?

[Snake]

You would think Texas would also be in that situation.

[redbuck]

I'm shocked that Ohio State is rated so high. Didn't they have five players picked in the first round of the last NFL draft? Aren't those players going to be a tad hard to replace?

Yes, absolutely. Ohio State since the start of the Tressel era has relied on its defense, no matter the ability of its offense.

In 2001 Ohio State was supposed to be led by a veteran offense that returned a 3rd-year starting quarterback, one of the finest young receivers in the country - Chris Vance, running back Jonathan Wells (now on the Houston Texans I think), fullback Jamar Martin (on the Cowboys) and the finest offensive line in the country (reporters said) that included Tyson Walter, LeCharles Bently, Shane Olivea, Alex Steponavich, Adrian Clarke and a few others all of whom play in the NFL now. OSU put up the awe-inspiring point totals to start that season of 28 (against lowly Akron), 6 against UCLA and 27 (against lowly Indiana). The young defense led that team, the d was first in the conference.

In 2003 the defensive secondary was depleted and an entire returning offense returned. Yet the 2003 offense was stagnant and the d was one of the best in the history of college football.

And last year the offense was supposed to lead the team. It didn't get rolling until late in the year. The D had to carry the team.

OSU is relying on offense this year, a formula that has not worked since Tressel took over as coach. The reporters do not understand that. Losing Santonio Holmes (a far more valuable player than appreciated), I see no reason to believe the offense will be any better.

[redbuck]

Texas is in a good situation, getting OSU at home. Almost the entire team returns except for a highly regarded quarterback. (Remember how much that hurt USC in 2004 losing Carson Palmer. The Trojans were expected to fall with Palmer's going to the NFL but instead improved on its win totals and won a share of the national title.)

[redbuck]

Notre Dame should certainly be excellent. They were good last year even with the turmoil of a new coach.

Louisville is a good surprise pick.

I agree that Penn State should be higher. Apparently people have not regained trust in JoePa. Last year was not a fluke - Penn State, yes, got Ohio State at home and had a fairly easy nonconference schedule, but they won for the most part in dominating style. And the team was uncharacteristically young, loaded with freshmen. Why would anyone think they'd be worse than last year?