Season's First Top 25.....As the Tide Rolls in

The first Coaches Poll came out this past week and to NO-ONE's surprise, Alabama is number one. Anyone who watches college football called this after the Notre Dame "game." In conversation with a friend over the summer I actually predicted 8 of the 10 teams that made the top 10, but my numbers were way off. I am proud because the coaches' poll is the hardest poll to predict in my opinion, because also in my opinion it depends a lot on who the coach is, not how good the teams is....ie: how does Oklahoma end up so highly ranked time and time again and then piss it away in a bowl game?  So without further delay, here is the top 25 and my impressions of all 25. For sanity's sake, when the season starts I will only focus on the Top 10, because if you are not in the Top 10 when the BCS hits, you really don't matter.

1. Alabama - I have nothing to add here. They are number one till someone proves otherwise.

2. Ohio State - AND LET THE LOVE AFFAIR WITH URBAN MEYER BEGIN!!!  I knew this was going to happen. In my mock Top 10 I did not have them numbered. Yes they went un-defeated last year, yes Urban Meyer is an amazing coach, yes they have talent....BUT...they play in the Big Ten....not exactly a power-house, and they did not have anything to lose last year so they had no pressure. This year is all different, except that the Big 10 still sucks. Now they have everything to lose particularly with a #2 ranking. But with Meyer's coaching and the talent on this team I would not be surprised to see them go un-defeated again, but does that mean they are the second best team in the country? Not by a long shot. It is funny to me that Urban Meyer trounced an over-ranked Ohio State team for a national championship, and now he is the reason for an over-ranked Ohio State team.

3. Oregon - The biggest question is: Will there be a drop off from Chip Kelly? The pre-season issues do not bother me and I think are over-blown, but without Kelly's fire and his football mind I do not think the Ducks are good enough for 3.

4. Stanford - This is a team I continually wrote off the past 2 years and all they did was win games. They are an SEC team in the PAC-12. I would love to see them make the championship game. Great coaching, hard, tough team. I like them higher than #4.

5. Georgia - The most over-rated SEC team year in and year out. I know they almost beat Alabama in the SEC championship, but they didn't. This is the same team that got steam-rolled by South Carolina last year and looks weak against cupcakes from time to time. If Georgia can put it all together for an entire season, they could be the team to take Alabama down.

6. Texas A&M - This is the #2 team in the country if Johnny Manziel can remember he lives in College Station and NOT Hollywood.

7. USC - The one down south. Last year the California USC was the talk of the early season; little did we know that when we said USC we actually meant University of South Carolina. This team only got better, they showed up in big games, except against LSU (but who wins that game except Alabama?), and they are primed to get it done this year.

8. Clemson - Last year Florida State was the talk of the ACC, but Florida State didn't beat LSU in a bowl game. With their returning quarterback, an offense that shows no signs of being stopped, and a huge desire, this team could make some noise this year as well.

9. Louisville - No problems with them being ranked this high. Playing in the Big East will hurt their chances to make it to the elite level. Bridgewater is legit and they are very intriguing. But I still say they don't beat Florida again nor do they sneak up on anybody.

10. Florida - How does Muschamp's team come back from the shocking loss to Louisville? (Any time a SEC team loses to a non-conference opponent it is shocking.) Will they have something to prove this year? Or will they whither? They showed tremendous toughness last year and an LSU like ability to win ugly. Driskel's injury in the first 2 weeks should not have a significant impact unless they sleep on Miami. Luckily they have 6 weeks before they have to go to Baton Rogue.

11. Notre Dame - Alabama problems, girlfriend problems, quarterback problems, it goes no-where but down from here. The defense will keep them in it, but they will come no-where close to last year's success.

12. Florida State - Life after Manuel. I will be honest I do not know anything about their quarterback at the time of this writing. Definitely something I will address before I write again. I feel like 12 is too high for this inconsistent team, but the defense is outstanding.

13. LSU - I had LSU in the top 10 before this poll came out. The only problem with LSU is they never perform the way the "critics" want them to. They win ugly, they don't play mistake free, but you can never count Les Miles out. The talent level is ridiculous and they hit you hard. They are the reason Alabama lost to A&M and only Alabama pulls that game out last year. Yes, LSU lost to Clemson, but you cannot leave a defense on the field for an entire half of football against anybody and expect to win. If Miles lets Cameron call the plays this year, I would not be surprised to see a log jam of LSU, A&M, and Alabama at the top. The only problem is they have to play each other.

14. Oklahoma State - Another confession, in the form of a question: Did I miss something here? Never considered OK State for a top 25, let alone a top 15 contender. Anyone reading this, please feel free to send me a comment or an email to get me caught up. Week 1 we will learn A LOT.

15. Texas - They are coming back. Probably not there yet. Good spot for them.

16. Oklahoma - Right where they belong. But if they win 2 blow-outs and Clemson or Louisville struggle, I am sure the coaches will find a way to put Stoops and Co back in the Top 10.

17. Michigan - Absolutely the second or first best team in the Big Ten. But that's not saying a lot. I like the new quarterback and would not be shocked to see them challenge the Top 10 halfway through the season. But it is the Big 10 and losing in this conference is not going to do them any favors. The Notre Dame game in the second game of the season looms as the biggest test all year.

18. Nebraska - Taylor Martinez should be given all the praise in the world for all the hard work he has put in, and it is truly paying off. The offense is dynamic all-though struggles with identity from time to time, the loss of Burkhead will not mean as much as people think because Abdullah has already been getting a ton of carries. The biggest question is, who plays on Defense? Or better yet, who coaches the defense? If the offense struggles with identity the defense can't find a simple reflection. The blackshirts, they are not. If anything resembling a defense can come out of Lincoln, this team could be Top 10 and atop the Big 10.

19. Boise State - Is the love affair over here? Can we go home? I have nothing but respect for these guys, but when are they going to play someone and quit their bitching? I want to see them against legit teams, more than one time a year, then I will judge them.

20. TCU - Unlike their Boise cousins from a few years ago, TCU decided to put their game where their mouth is. Not a great first year in the Big 12, but there was a ton of controversy going on at a Christian University. They start the year with LSU and a huge chance to set the world on fire.

21. UCLA - They play in a tough conference with some really tough teams. They may have over-achieved last year but will look to build off of all that success. It is good to see them back.

22. Northwestern - They only lost to Penn St, Nebraska, and Michigan by a combined 9 points last year. Then they beat an SEC team in a bowl game, and did not just beat them, but BEAT them. If they only played in a stronger conference so we could really tell what they are made of. It would make for an interesting season if they aren't one and dones. A weak non-conference schedule and then they start Big Ten play against Ohio State. We will see who is over/under rated.

23. Wisconsin - A new coach in town, but anyone who saw Utah State last year knows Mr. Anderson has got what it takes. Wisconsin is not what they were a few years ago but will probably not be down long. The 3-4 defense will be interesting to see how the players adapt. But as long as Nebraska stays on the schedule Wisconsin should be okay.

24. USC - The California team. This seems like a pity-rank to me. Oh poor Lane Kiffin....his team under-achieved so bad that Daddy left...they won't be here long. And by "here" I mean the Top 25.

25. Oregon State - Should definitely be higher than USC. If not for the that OTHER team in the same state Oregon State might be able to get some headlines. They were absolutely tough last year, but no one will be sleeping on them this year.

Teams to watch: Ole Miss, Arizona State, Miami

Once again, thank you for reading, agree or dis-agree but please leave your comments or email me at collegefootballfanweekly@gmail.com.

Next post: Ranking the Power Conferences