CFB Top 25 After week 1 (6-15)

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6. Ohio State Buckeyes: This is the year that Ohio State finds out if it really is a football factory. They are starting over at cornerback, Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Running back, and Defensive end after losing multiple players at each of those positions to the NFL over the past 2 years. Of course, they are rebuilding around the premier QB talent in the country and they are rebuilding with players from a perennially top-rated recruiting system. Expect more rough times and close wins out of them like the game against the midshipmen, but expect them to be approaching Juggernaut status by the end of the year as those players game experience. USC will be a tough pill for them this week, but expect them to go into a showdown with Penn State with no more than 1 loss. If they can win that one, they should be Big 10 champs again, but the last month will not be fun with the Nittany Lions, Hawkeyes, and Wolverines down the stretch.

7. California Bears: Last year, the Bears team was missing it's vaunted passing attack due to injuries. They built themselves into a dynamic team leaning on a veteran defense and an explosive rushing attack. Those veterans are gone off the defense, especially at linebacker. This is Jahvid Best's team to lead, and it will go as far as he can lead. There is talent up and down the lineup, and they will challenge the Trojans out best. Oh, and expect that passing attack to be it's old self again. They are going to blow out scoreboards on the left coast. Not sure you believe me, just ask Maryland. Circle Saturday, October 3rd when the Trojans come to town. 2 of the best teams and best running backs in the nation will be on the field.

8. LSU Tigers: Once again, LSU is loaded with talent, but enter the season with questions at QB. Well, Jordan Jefferson showed exactly what the Tiger faithful were hoping for. He was athletic and efficient, and looks to have found a good bit of chemistry with Terrance Toliver. The running game was not explosive and the defense gave up a lot of yards and points to a Washington team that is rebuilding. They are not polished, but they will improve as the year goes and Les Miles will turn them into the kind of LSU team that we expect to see coming out the Bayou.

9. Brigham Young Cougars: BYU is an understated team that opened the season with a BIG statement win. OU may not be what they have been in recent years, but a road win against them is huge for a BYU squad that has put together a nice out of conference schedule. They still have the Seminoles on the slate before they get to a League Schedule that has both TCU and Utah upcoming. If they run the table, they will be in the conversation, but they are going to need Max Hall to be perfect for that to happen. They are riding high now, but expect them to lose at least 1 of their 3 premier remaining games and land in a solid bowl....again.

10. Boise State Broncos: Boise State as reached a point where it is not a tremendous upset for them to beat anyone in the country. They have been good enough, long enough, that they have recruited to match the BCS schools. Combine that with a tremendous coaching staff and a great home environment to play and they are a nightmare to play. There are some questions that we likely won't see answered until their bowl game, but for now we will have to be satisfied with a beating of Oregon that was not as close as the score.

11. Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners should be good, not great, this year. They are going to have to focus their attack on the run game while their new skill positions figure it out. That was true before Bradford went down for the 1st month, and is critical now. It will make for an easier transition for their young O-Line and will protect their freshman QB, while allowing them to reinforce the advantage that they will get from their strong, veteran defense. They are not the power of the South, but once Bradford is back, they could very easily be a spoiler and hit their stride in time to whoop a mid-range bowl opponent. That said, expect 2 more losses at minimum with Miami, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Texas all left on the board. The Miami game is glaring right now because Bradford is not expected to be back in time to play the Canes, and this will be a revenge game for Miami after their demolishing at the hands of Oklahoma in 2007.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions: The Nittany Lions bring their traditionally strong, smart defense led by stars at linebacker and cornerback. Their offense is led by Daryll Clark, but has some holes to fill. They lost 3 4-year starters at WR, and an all-american center from their offensive line. Clark will put points on the board, but some pundits expect the rebuilding offense to struggle against premier defenses and offenses with top-end speed at skill positions. That said, their record is set up for them to cruise till late October. If the performance they showed in week 1 is reality, expect them to show well in the Big 10.

13. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets: Georgia Tech is a perfect example of what happens when you put a unique system to work at a school that can recruit big time players. They don't have premier athletes, but they are explosive at running back. They have been winning since their new system hit campus and if their defense can hold up, they will be a tough out in the ACC. Their first test comes to town this week with C.J. Spiller and the Clemson Tigers. If you are a fan of explosive rushing attacks, this is a game for you.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies: Va. Tech brings to bear what they always do. They are deep and talented on defense and Special Teams. They have a good collection of Running Backs as well and are excited about what Tyrod Taylor can do. That is all good stuff, but Taylor has gotten knocked around since he got behind center for the Hokies and he needs a Wide Receiver to step up. If they can keep him healthy and he can find some chemistry with his receivers, they will be tough. They better figure it out in a hurry though because it Nebraska in 2 weeks and Miami in 3. A one dimension offense isn't going to work any better against those 2 defenses than it did against Bama. The Hokies are here for now, and they are talented, but they need to get their defense some help. Oh, one bright spot for Tyrod, he doesn't have to play the Seminoles this year.

15. Mississippi Rebels: Ole Miss is more highly regarded than they have been since Eli was on campus. Jevan Snead is not Eli, but he is a talent and a leader, and they should be solid on the defensive side of the ball. They have a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball after losing Mike Wallace and Michael Oher, their best WR and star Offensive Tackle. Snead was running for his life against Memphis who does not bring forward a terribly frightening defense. If Ole Miss does not get their pass blocking issues sorted, out, they will drop like a stone when they hit the SEC portion of their schedule.

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