College Football Top 25 Week One

1. USC Trojans (1-0)
beat Virginia 52-7
Lots of folks bumped the Trojans this week over whoever they had above them and for once they did the right thing. USC CRUSHED an ACC team that has had a winning record for the last few years. It looked like men playing with boys out there. Their next big test comes in two weeks when the Buckeyes come to the Coliseum for the first National Title game of the year.

2. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0)
beat Georgia Southern 45-21
Nothing wrong with the performance of the Bulldogs, they did what they needed to do. It just didn't have the eye popping performance that USC had. I suppose that happens though when you schedule the local city college for your first game.

3. Missouri Tigers (1-0)
beat Illinois 52-42
In what may end up being the highest scoring game this, the Tigers and Illinis unleashed their offenses and reminded folks of the greatest show on turf. In the end it was the Tigers' defense that proved to be the turning point and keeping the Tigers in the hunt.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
beat Youngstown State 43-0
Where Georgia played the local City College the Buckeyes played a team that might lose to some high school teams in the state of Ohio. A scary moment for the Buckeyes though, if Beanie Wells is hurt. If he's hurt, they don't stand a chance against the Trojans in So Cal.

5. Auburn Tigers (1-0)
beat Louisiana Monroe 34-0
At least who Auburn played was a Division 1A football team, even if their non-conference schedule looks like a tour of the lowest teams in college football in the south. It reminds of me of the once great band going on tour and playing dives cause they can only draw a few hundred people to a show.

6. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)
beat Chattanooga 57-2
The funniest things about this game are as follows. Since the Sooners scheduled an elementary school it wasn't televised, except for thirty bucks on pay per view. The others is that Chattanooga took Tennessee off of its name and that the Sooners gave up a safety to a bunch of five year olds.

7. Florida Gators (1-0)
beat Hawaii 56-10
See, I can respect teams who will at least schedule a D1 opponent, even if their coach and quarterback are gone and now so is any semblance of the ability they have shown in the last ten years.

8. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0)
beat Villanova 48-21
I couldn't remember if Villanova was a D1 program or if they just beat Patrick Ewing in basketball. Turns out their only real talent is beating Patrick Ewing for the title, which they then passed on to almost every team in the NBA.

9. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)
beat Clemson 34-10
In a sense this is the Chronicles of Riddick pick, for it appears you keep what you kill. Bama not only Roll Tide over Clemson, they completely stopped their impressive running game to the point where the two studs only had about ten carries, combined.

10. BYU Cougars (1-0)
beat Northern Iowa 41-17
It's not their fault they could only schedule Northern Iowa. Most teams don't like to see BYU come to town, no word on whether that has to do with Jim McMahon getting drunk at a bar and trashing the place or all the bicycle peddlers who go door to door early in the morning.

11. Kansas Jayhawks (1-0)
beat Florida International 40-10
No, I'm not going to bag on the Jayhawks, whether you knew it or not, FIU is an ACTUAL D1 team. They are a part of that almighty Sun Belt conference, which is home to the same team who BEAT the Aggies this past weekend.

12. Texas Longhorn (1-0)
beat Florida Atlantic 52-10
A nice weekend for the Longhorns, Colt McCoy looked sharp against the Owls of Florida Atlantic. Of course I could mock them for the $30 buck pay per view like I did the Sooners, but there are two differences. One is that the Owls are coached by a legend and the other is that they are a part of the almighty Sun Belt.

13. South Florida Bulls (1-0)
beat Tennessee-Martin 52-10
Another top team, another luckluster opponent. Then again South Florida plays in the Big East. A conference that has made some noise in the past but this year came out with a whimper. I mean come on Wandstat, we can understand not winning in the NFL, but in the Big East too?

14. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)
beat Akron 38-17
Good news, bad news time for Badger fans. The good news is that you're likely going to be 3-1 before you play Ohio State. The bad news is after that you may never see the top twenty five after that.

15. LSU Tigers (1-0)
beat Appalachian State 41-13
Well, lightning does strike twice, but only IN Michigan. The wonder of opening weekend last year doesn't go to App State once again, this year it goes to Arkansas State and Utah. Tigers looked decent, but they better not sleep on Troy or they'll end up looking like a bunch of Aggies.

16. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0)
beat Eastern Washington 49-24
Not as big of a blowout as I was personally expecting, but I suppose that can be attributed to treating this like a pre-season game and resting your starters after a comfortable lead.

17. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0)
beat Northern Arizona 30-13
In the biggest state battle that no one cared about since UC Davis played Cal, the Sun Devils walked through this game. Though no I have this idea about ASU playing Texas Tech to see how many words can go into titles of a game.

18. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-0)
beat Baylor 41-13
Let me amend that, I want to see ASU, Texas Tech, Wake and Penn State in a four team tournament for the greatest four word team in the nation. Wake Forest looked good, crisp at some points, a lil sloppy in others. I am honestly starting to believe they can run the ACC table.

19. Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0)
beat Coastal Carolina 66-10
Now THIS is how you beat a non D1 school, you completely smoke them and let all your players play and get some experience. For all the talk of JoePa getting older and senile, he still knows how to give it to the less fortunate.

20. Fresno State Bulldogs (1-0)
beat Rutgers 24-7
The first half wasn't pretty for either team, but Fresno St pulled their boots up and just ran all over Rutgers in the second half. You can tell these teams had some rust, but look out for the Bulldogs. They have three running backs who each have gained over a thousand yards in a season, now that's production.

21. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0)
beat North Carolina State 34-0-
The most deceiving score and maybe the worst team I've ever put into the top 25 before. Before the Wolfpack knocked out the Gamecocks "starting" QB, he had thrown I think 5 interceptions. Now I watched this game with Gamecock alumni, and they hate this kid, but in the end Spurrier knows how to win.

22. Utah Utes (1-0)
beat Michigan 25-23
Congratulations goes out to the Utes for beating Rodriguez and the Wolverines in his first game. Mountain West has now beaten the Big Ten, and you know West Virginia was laughing the entire time.

23. Cal Golden Bears (1-0)
beat Michigan State 38-31
People continually claim that the Pac 10 sucks that's about everything east of the Rocky Mountains, but the Pac 10 continually beats those other programs whenever they face off. Cal did a stand up job against those SPARTANS!

24. UCLA Bruins (1-0)
beat Tennessee 27-24 in OT
I have no love for Rick Neuheisel, or the atmosphere of rapists and criminals he creates at a program, but sometimes you must give the devil his due. Much like those Cocks, the Bruins overcame multiple interceptions to prevail over the most overrated team in college football, those Tennessee Volunteers.

25. Oregon Ducks (1-0)
beat Washington 44-10
Wait, let me just get this straight, HALF of the Pac 10 is on my top 25? Trojans, Sun Devils, Golden Bears, Bruins and Ducks? Yeah, you know what, I'd love to see an opening weekend of SEC vs Pac 10 to find the strongest conference. Omitting Vandy and one of the teams from Mississippi.

Conference Power Rankings
SEC-6 teams
Big 12-5 teams
Pac 10-5 teams
Big Ten-3 teams
Big East-2 teams
Mountain West-2 teams
ACC-1 team
WAC-1 team
Sun Belt, CUSA, MAC-0 teams
Notre Dame-Still Sucks

College Football Pre-Season Top 25

Good Afternoon everyone, it is finally time for the LSWTF.com pre-season Top 25. The first entry into the pre-season football coverage here is the top 25. Next week we will cover my pre-season All Americans, the pre-season All-Pros and the week after we'll the pre-season NFL Predictions. Shortly after that I should bring about the newest 2009 NFL Mock Draft based on the pre-season predictions, but for now let's move to the Top 25.

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2007: 11-2
Returning Stars: Knowshon Moreno, RB; Matthew Stafford, QB; Asher Allen, CB/Ret
Depending on whose poll you look at you see either Georgia or this poll's number 2 as the number one team in the country. Right now I'm giving it to Georgia as I don't know if there's been a better all around running back in the South since a former Georgia Bulldog destroyed the SEC in the early 80s.

2. USC Trojans
2007: 11-2
Returning Stars:Rey Mayaluga, ILB; Brian Cushing, OLB; Fili Moala, DT
Yes, Georgia has one of the best college running backs in recent memory, it's the USC Trojans though who has a defense that may even rival some NFL defenses. Easily maybe the best linebacking corps since AJ Hawk's senior year in college football, this will be a team that is led by a defense to the National title game. It may be a down year for the Pac-10 so it could be a very easy road to the title for the Trojans.

3. Missouri Tigers
2007: 12-2
Returning Stars: Chase Daniel, QB; Jeremy Macklin, WR; Chase Coffman, TE
Georgia has amazing players, Missouri may have the most well rounded offense in the country. Now some people expect them to fall off, but if you look at their schedule that doesn't seem likely. They have an easy schedule for the most part until they go to Austin, and that's the seventh game of the season for them. After that it may not be till their last game against Kansas that they face another challenge.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes
2007: 11-2
Returning Stars: James Laurinaitis, ILB; Chris Wells, RB; Malcolm Jenkins, CB
I didn't bring it up earlier, but circle September 13th on your calendar. The Buckeyes travel to the Los Angeles Coliseum to play USC in the battle of the two best defenses in the nation this year. Both Ohio State and USC have talent on offense, but it will be the play of their defense who decides this game. It may be early to say, but the winner of this game could be the one who ends up in the National Title game.

5. Auburn
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT; Antonio Coleman, DE; Brad Lester, RB
The Auburn Tigers will fight in what will be a very competitive SEC this fall. Though Georgia stands out, who will be number 2 and probably a BCS at large will be fought between three to four teams, with Auburn possibly edging out the competition due to the play of their linemen on both sides of the ball.

6. Oklahoma Sooners
2007: 11-3
Returning Stars:Sam Bradford, QB; Phil Loadholt, OT; Nic Harris, S
The Sooners are back once again with a loaded team, with an excellent mixture of Senior talent and leadership to go along with a good group of promising sophomores. On the bright side for Oklahoma, Bradford completes almost 20% more passes at home then he does on the road, which gives Oklahoma a big chance to win since every tough game (save for the shootout though they are the "home" team this year) they have is at home.

7. Florida Gators
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Tim Tebow, QB; Percy Harvin, WR; Brandon Spikes, LB
The Gators return this year with many familiar faces who won the National title two years ago. The question is can they get back into the double digit win category? The talent is obviously there, the difference is the SEC is quickly becoming a conference where any team, save for Vanderbilt and Ole Miss can win. They must have made a deal with the devil though, the Gators only have four road games this year.

8. West Virginia
2007: 11-2
Returning Stars: Pat White, QB; Noel Devine, RB; Ryan Stanchek, OT
West Virginia still is in the top ten, even though they lost their coach to Michigan, and I wonder how many of us have them still here because of the job they did in the bowl? Pat White and Noel Devine are very athletically gifted and will no doubt become multipurpose players in the NFL, I just don't know if they can keep the same level of game play with the loss of Rodriguez.

9. Clemson Tigers
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: CJ Spiller, RB; James Davis, RB; Michael Hamlin, S
I don't know if we've seen a pair of running backs so good since Caillac/Ronnie or Reggie/Len Dale. Davis shocked many by staying in school instead of entering the draft as it was becoming quite apparent his touches were going to shorten this year with the emergence of CJ Spiller. Aaron Kelly is two touchdowns away from being the school career record holder in touchdown receptions and may reach the record before the month of August is over.

10. BYU Cougars
2007: 11-2
Returning Stars: Max Hall, QB; Jan Jorgensen, DE; Matt Bauman, LB
I cannot deny the fact that I love the way this BYU team is coached and how they play the game. Their defense is a no nonsense hard nosed corps of players that have won me over. I wouldn't be shocked if Jorgensen plays his way into the first or second round of the draft. Add to the fact that the defense didn't allow a hundred yard rusher to anyone last year, when they play in the offensive heavy conference, it raises the eyebrow to see what they can do against real competition. Let's put it this way, their schedule gives them the opportunity to be this year's Boise State.

11. Kansas Jayhawks
2007: 12-1
Returning Stars: Todd Reesing, QB; Joe Mortensen, ILB; Mike Rivera, OLB
It'll be interesting to see if Fat Mangino can save off eating babies long enough to duplicate what his team did last year. The man can coach, he's shown that, but can he keep the team on the winning track now that folks don't see them as the homecoming game every year? I really like what I see in Todd Reesing right now and think he could turn into a surprising pro prospect. Their linebacker corps is beginning to get some respect, and if they can keep their level high, Kansas should be in every game.

12. Texas Longhorns
2007: 10-3
Returning Stars: Colt McCoy, QB; Brian Orakpo, DE; Roy Miller, DT
Look, all I'm saying is remember the name of John Chiles. He is Colt McCoy's backup and you'll be seeing plenty of him. I'm not saying McCoy is going to be benched, but word has it plays are already being designed that include both in the backfield, creating trickery and seeing the kid of moves usually only seen in West Virginia. If the Texas defense can recover from the case of underachievness it has had these last few years, you could see big things from the Longhorns.

13. Tennessee Volunteers
2007: 10-4
Returning Stars: Arian Foster, RB; Ramon Foster, OT; Eric Berry, SS
Right now the word for Tennessee is momentum, that's all anyone seems to want to talk about. They have momentum from last year, never mind that their offensive line may be the best it's been in years. Foster may be this year's running back who isn't talked about enough in the best running back circles, but make no doubt, the talent is there. The biggest question for Tennessee is their defense, who could be ran through by the SEC.

14. South Florida
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Matt Grothe, QB; George Selvie, DE; Nate Allen, S
South Florida was many of the feel good stories of last season. Coming almost out of nowhere, South Florida seems to be loaded with talent overlooked by the bigger Florida schools and some of those schools have paid the price for it. Grothe has impressed almost anyone who has seen him play. The real star of this team is George Selvie who is likely to be a top ten pick in next year's draft if his play continues at the same level as last season.

15. Wisconsin Badgers
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: PJ Hill, RB; Travis Beckum, TE; Matt Shaughnessy, DE
Last year they had the nation's best time of possession and they will need something similar this year. In a rare occurrence for Wisconsin, they face both Michigan and Ohio State, something that it feels like never happens for the often over estimated Badgers. They play at Fresno State then at Michigan weeks three and four which very well produce for this first time in a long time a .500 record for the Badgers. They also still have Illinois and Ohio State on the schedule. They get this rating out of respect, I don't expect to see them last on the top 25 for long.

16. LSU Tigers
2007: 12-2
Returning Stars: Ciron Black, OT; Herman Johnson, G; Tyson Jackson, DE
This will be an interesting year for the Tigers. Their best players are all linemen as their biggest names have moved on to bigger and better things, namely scoring two touchdowns against Da Boys. The question is can the players taking over continue at the high level LSU has been used to these last few years, or will LSU finally have a drop off year?

17. Texas Tech Red Raiders
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Michael Crabtree, WR; Jamar Wall, CB; Louis Vasques, G
I won't lie, I look at my pre-season All American list and I see the three names listed above. Texas Tech has the talent, but will it finally jump over that hurdle and enter into the Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri territory? Kansas and Missouri made that jump last year, will Crabtree and his freakish ability finally get them over that hump and into the elite of the Big 12?

18. Arizona State
2007: 10-3
Returning Stars: Rudy Carpenter, QB; Michael Jones, WR; Troy Nolan, FS
This is a loaded Sun Devil team, and the only team that can probably compete with the Trojans in the Pac-10. Carpenter seems like he's been in college for a very long time, and I believe it is his final year, but one can never be sure anymore. Look for the name Michael Jones in future as his size and ability to make endzone catches will make him a draft pick for some team in the future. The interesting thing that will have people talking is September 20th, they host the Georgia Bulldogs, can the Sun Devils make their national announcement then?

19. Michigan Wolverines
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Carson Butler, TE; Donovan Warren, CB; Terrance Taylor, DT
I think I rank them this high more out of respect for the ability to coach that Rodriguez has then anything else. He doesn't have the quarterback to run his offense, he went to Ohio State, but he does have a defense that is loaded with more talent then he ever saw during his time at West Virginia. This may give him the ability to stay in games, and maybe even squeak out a few. Make no doubts, if he can beat Ohio State his first year, he will be anointed a god in Ann Arbor.

20. Virginia Tech Hokies
2007: 11-3
Returning Stars: Sergio Render, G; Victor Harris, CB; Kam Chancellor, S
I've never been that big of a fan of Virginia Tech as I think they tend to have a rather weak schedule every year, (re: see Furman) but this year may be a bit tougher then previous years, even if they have Duke on the schedule. Their defense should still be solid, the problem this year for the Hokies lies in their offense. I don't see anything that frightens me or makes a team think of doing anything other then their usual scheme to beat the Hokies, this isn't a good sign.

21. Illinois Fighting Illini
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Juice Williams, QB; Arrelious Benn, WR; Vontae Davis, CB
Ron Zook needs to schedule a game next year between his Fighting Illini and the Gators, in the swamp, but only if Juice Williams stays for his senior year. I'd love to see Juice put it to the Gators by schooling them and Tebow in their own cribe. I lowered them a little as Juice will have to rely on his arm more so this year as he no longer has Mendenhall. This team is young and talented, if they stay focused they could surprise the nation. This time, by competing for the title, but that's only if they can beat Missouri week one.

22. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Riley Skinner, QB; Alphonso Smith, CB; Aaron Curry, LB
Riley Skinner is a great quarterback who could turn some heads this season. Wake was only beaten in pass completion percentage last season by only one team in the NATION, and that was Texas Tech. Wake's schedule is a bit soft which could allow them to run the gauntlet in the ACC, but they do have Clemson on their schedule, luckily it is at home. The next toughest game on their schedule may be Miami, who most people have listed in the 40s.

23. Penn State Nittany Lions
2007: 9-4
Returning Stars: Deon Butler, WR; A.Q. Shipley, C; Maurice Evans, DE
For the last decade the Nittnay Lions have been missing a solid offensive line. Now they seem to have a group of maulers and it may be their best line in fifteen years. They have an excellent corps of wide receivers, but the best thing on this team is their defensive line which may be the best in the country. All 12 players who spent time playing there last year are back and gives them such depth it should be a crime. The biggest test for Penn State this year though is the following, @ Wisconsin, Michigan, @ Ohio State.

24. Alabama Crimson Tide
2007: 7-6
Returning Stars: Andre Smith, OT; Rashad Johnson, FS; Kareem Jackson, CB
I'm going out on a bit of a limb this year as I believe this will be the year Nick Saban has his recruits in place and Alabama will return to playing great football. They definitely have the secondary to compete in the SEC. They lost almost their entire wide receiving corps to graduation, so look to Julio Jones, the number four recruit in the nation last year, to be the star of their offense.

25. South Carolina Gamecocks
2007: 6-6
Returning Stars: Kenny McKinley, WR; Jasper Brinkley, LB; Emanuel Cook, S
Once again a placement more for the coach then anything else. Much like Saban, Spurrier should have his recruits and his strategy implemented. The Cocks' defense looks fairly solid, and the passing game should be good as well, the area they MUST improve in is their rushing game. They were outrushed by about 95 yards a game last year, something that won't get them to that upper echelon of the SEC if they continue in that fashion.

Teams Also Receiving Notice: Fresno State, Cincinnati, Utah, Cal, Michigan State