How accurate was our Preseason Top 25? Well, find out here, by tracking our in-season About.com Top 25.
The Florida Gators, fresh off that 2008 national title, will enter 2009 with the game's best player in quarterback Tim Tebow and one of its best coaches in Urban Meyer. They also return every starter from their outstanding 2008 defense. Yes, every starter.
In other words, Florida is the obvious pick as preseason No. 1.
But how does the rest of the preseason Top 25 break down? Well, find out here.
1. Florida Gators
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Tim Tebow. Brandon Spikes. Chris Rainey. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the talent in Gainesville. This team looks almost unbeatable. In fact, I still can’t figure out how they lost to Ole Miss last season (no offense to the Rebels). If things play out like I think they might, the 2009 Gators may very well run the table—and go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of college football. Yes, they going to be that good.
2. Oklahoma Sooners
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It just might be Florida-Oklahoma for the national title again in 2009. The Sooners bring back their own superstar, Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford, as well as his favorite target, tight end Jermaine Gresham. Both Bradford and Gresham could have left for millions in the NFL. Their dedication to coach Bob Stoops is impressive. And because these two superstars decided to stick around in Norman, one gets the feeling that this team will be playing with something to prove in 2009.
3. Texas Longhorns
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Star defensive end Brian Orakpo is gone, but quarterback Colt McCoy returns for the Longhorns, who figure to battle the Sooners once more for Big 12 supremacy. McCoy is truly an incredible player, one of the best in the country, but his cause would be helped if Texas could finally find a legit tailback. It seems like they haven’t had one since Cedric Benson.
4. USC Trojans
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Yes, the Trojans lose quarterback Mark Sanchez, not to mention most of their front seven on defense. Guys like Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing will not be easy to replace, and the Trojans probably lost more key players than any other team in the top 5. So why are they here? Simple. They’re USC. I mean, the way Pete Carroll recruits, they’ve probably got a few All-Americans buried on the scout team somewhere. Let’s just give the Trojans their eighth straight Pac-10 title now.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
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I didn’t like what I saw out of ‘Bama in the Sugar Bowl. Without All-American left tackle Andre Smith in the lineup, the Tide folded at the hands of … Utah. Well, Smith is now gone for good, and so is steady quarterback John Parker Wilson. Still, the Tide still have the SEC’s best wideout (Julio Jones) and best coach (Nick Saban), and a defense that will knock you silly. There’s also that new crop of recruits, two or three of whom figure to make an early impact.
6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Yes, Georgia Tech. I was truly impressed with the way coach Paul Johnson turned this team around in 2008. And I have to figure, with both quarterback Josh Nesbitt and tailback Jonathan Dwyer returning, Tech’s vaunted triple-option attack—which, as you may recall, gave Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs fits last season—will be even better in 2009. I’ll say it now: The Yellow Jackets are the team to beat in the ACC.
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Quarterback Zac Robinson, tailback Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant are three of the best at their positions in the entire country. Hunter is an early favorite for the Doak Walker Award, Bryant will make a run at the Biletnikoff Award, and, with a break or two, the underappreciated Robinson might even sneak into the Heisman race. The Cowboys never quite seem to live up to expectations. But maybe this is finally the year. Maybe.
8. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Frank Beamer did a heck of a job in 2008, taking one of his least talented and least experienced teams all the way to the Orange Bowl, where they went on to capture the school’s first-ever BCS bowl win. The Hokies should be even better in 2009 as quarterback Tyrod Taylor grows more comfortable in the role as team leader and designated playmaker.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Joe Paterno must replace three of the school’s most accomplished receivers (Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood, Deon Butler), an All-American center (A.Q. Shipley) and three key players from the defensive secondary, not to mention standout pass rusher Aaron Maybin and the overlooked Maurice Evans. But JoePa still has quarterback Daryll Clark, tailbacks Evan Royster and Stephfon Green, and, most importantly, two of the fiercest linebackers in the country—Navorro Bowman, the Big Ten’s best ‘backer last year, and Sean Lee, who returns to the lineup after missing all of 2008 with a torn ACL.
10. Ohio State Buckeyes
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With Beanie Wells, Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline all off the NFL, the 2009 Buckeye offense figures to be The Terrelle Pryor Show. He’ll run it. He’ll throw it. And he’ll make a lot of defenses look bad. The defense loses a ton, including legendary linebacker James Laurinaitis and superb cover corner Malcolm Jenkins, but coach Jim Tressel’s roster is always stocked with talent. Though the offensive line loses a few starters, the unit might actually improve next season. At the very least, it figures to be a lot faster.
