Breaking Down the Top 25 (Top 10)

Earlier today, the coaches poll released their initial top 25. Who's ranked higher or lower than they deserve? Let's break it down. Team by team. Tonight we give you the top 10. Tuesday, we will tell you who from 11-25 may contend for the national championship.




1. Florida

Hard to argue with the defending champions as #1 considering they bring back most significant contributors not named Percy Harvin. With Tim Tebow and a young defense all gaining a year of maturity, Florida should be back better than ever.

Critical Game: @ LSU, 10/10




2. Texas

Colt McCoy should be a Heisman front runner along with Tebow and Bradford, but Texas has to replace their entire defensive line, including All-American Brian Orakpo. McCoy also loses his favorite target in Quan Cosby. Outside of the defensive line, the defense is loaded. If the line can hold up, Texas should win the Big 12.

Critical Game: @ Oklahoma State, 10/31





3. Oklahoma

Sam Bradford and his stable of running backs return, but Bradford too loses his favorite target in Juaquin Iglesias. In front of Bradford will be four new offensive linemen who will need to mesh early if Oklahoma wants to compete with Texas. The defense should be solid, but both starting safeties from 2008 are gone including stud Nic Harris. #3 might be asking a little too much of Oklahoma. Sam Bradford will have to carry this team for a while.

Critical Game: @ Miami (FL), 10/03


4. Southern Cal

Mark Sanchez and the entire group of starting linebackers left for the NFL. Fortunately for USC, they have an absurd amount of talent just waiting to step in and contribute. Whether it be Aaron Corp or Matt Barkley, USC will have a talented signal caller taking the snaps. And low expectations by their standards may be helpful for the Trojans.

Critical Game: @ Ohio State, 9/12



5. Alabama

This one surprises me a little bit. Alabama brings 9 starters back from a great defense, but they lose secondary leader Rashad Johnson and lack a true pass rusher. On offense, Alabama loses arguably their three offensive leaders-- John Parker Wilson, Glen Coffee, and Andre Smith. Wilson was never anything special, but he was steady and didn't make a lot of mistakes. Julio Jones will need to make some big plays to help out the offense or Alabama may disappoint some people in 2009.

Critical Game: vs. Virginia Tech, 9/05


6. Ohio State

Star quarterback Terrelle Pryor returns, but Ohio State has a lot to replace in 2009. On defense, the Buckeyes lose their three best players in James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, and Marcus Freeman. Even so, the secondary and defensive line should still be very good. Ross Homan is the lone returning linebacker, and needs to become a leader early to replace what was lost with Laurinaitis. On offense, Pryor loses leading rusher Chris Wells and will likely need to pass more, but without the services of Brians Robiskie and Hartline. Now is Pryor's chance to shine.

Critical Game: vs. USC, 9/12




7. Virginia Tech

After winning the ACC, Virginia Tech only loses six starters from 2008. The biggest loss is cornerback Macho Harris, but as always, Virginia Tech will re-load defensively. The real key to 2009 for Va Tech is quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor is extremely athletic to the point where he probably reminds VT fans of a former quarterback who wore #7. If Taylor plays well, Virginia Tech can be a serious national championship contender.

Critical Game: vs. Alabama, 9/05


8. Penn State

The starting backfield of Darryl Clark and Evan Royster returns for the Nittany Lions in 2009. Unfortunately for Penn State, Clark and Royster are two of the few significant starters returning. Only four defensive starters return, and defensive ends Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans are not among them. Clark also loses three offensive linemen in front of him. Penn State could struggle a little more than what the pollsters expect. A returning starting quarterback does not a team make.

Critical Game: vs. Iowa, 9/26


9. LSU

The strength of LSU in 2009 should be the defensive backfield. If the defensive line can replace top ten pick Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, the defense should be back to what we have come to expect from LSU. Offensively, quarterback Jordan Jefferson made strides in 2008 and should take the starting job for himself in 2009. If nothing else, Jefferson has excellent help in star running back Charles Scott. Expect LSU to return to form in 2009.

Critical Game: vs. Florida, 10/10


10. Mississippi

Former Texas quarterback Jevan Snead has made a name for himself at Ole Miss, partly due to his excellent performance in the upset over Florida in 2008. Snead loses his blindside protector in Michael Oher, however. If Ole Miss can improve on their poor pass defense, they can compete with LSU for the SEC West title.

Critical Game: vs. Alabama, 10/10