College Football: Preseason Top 25

Georgia returns just about everybody, including Heisman-type RB Knowshon Moreno. The schedule’s wicked, with dates at Arizona State, LSU and Auburn, plus a neutral site war with Florida, but even though it should keep the Dawgs from going unbeaten, they’re plenty good to win the whole thing.

2. USC

Even though three of its alumni went in the first round of April’s draft, the Trojan D promises to be vicious thanks to the Rey Maualuga-led linebacking corps and an experienced secondary.

3. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes are loaded. Chris Wells leads an offense that’s largely intact from a year ago; on defense, James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins are future top 10 picks. The big test: at USC Sept. 13.

4. OKLAHOMA

Smooth Sam Bradford and shifty DeMarco Murray will make the Sooners tough to stop, and linebacker Curtis Lofton stands amid a fine OU defense. Without Missouri on the regular season schedule, the road’s wide open to the Big 12 title game.

5. FLORIDA

Tim Tebow’s as versatile as they come, and has undoubtedly drawn the attention of the Griffin family. Percy Harvin, too, is a chameleon, and their joint effort will let it be known they can score on anybody.

6. MISSOURI

QB Chase Daniel, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Chase Coffman are sure to put up crooked numbers on the scoreboard, and the defense brings back 10 starters.

7. TEXAS

QB Colt McCoy should have plenty of time behind a polished O-line; on the other side, DE Brian Orakpo fuels a potentially game-changing pass rush.

8. AUBURN

Brad Lester will run wild behind an offensive line that returns five starters, provided his quarterback, JC transfer Chris Todd, keeps defenses from loading the box.

9. CLEMSON

QB Cullen Harper, RB James Davis and WR Aaron Kelly are arguably the country’s most balanced offensive trio, and the Tiger secondary is among the best anywhere.

10. KANSAS

Despite the loss of Aqib Talib, the Jayhawks defense is stacked with talent, led by MLB Joe Mortensen.

11. WEST VIRGINIA

Electric RB Noel Devine will make the Mountaineer faithful forget all about the departure of Rich Rodriguez and Steve Slaton.

12. LSU

The Tigers are still loaded, but quarterback inexperience plus the loss of Bo Pelini will make it tough for LSU to repeat.

13. TEXAS TECH

QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree might be the top two picks in your fantasy league, but can the system win at A&M, Kansas and Oklahoma?

14. ARIZONA STATE

With QB Rudy Carpenter and RB Keegan Herring leading the way, points will only be an issue if the young offensive line doesn’t develop.

15. BYU

Between play caller Max Hall, bruising back Harvey Unga and a positively massive offensive line, the Cougars can move the ball with ease, making up for an undersized and inexperienced defense.

16. WISCONSIN

Much of an unusually giving Badger D looks to redeem itself, with safety Shane Carter leading the way. The real issue’s at quarterback, where Wisconsin tries its luck with a first-year starter.

17. SOUTH FLORIDA

Look out, Big East. The Bulls return almost all of an offensive unit that averaged 34.7 points per game last year, led by do-it-all QB Matt Grothe.

18. TENNESSEE

After three years behind Erik Ainge, Jonathan Crompton is ready to step right in. His line, which returns four starters, gave up just four sacks last year in 534 pass attempts.

19. ALABAMA

John Parker Wilson isn’t on anyone’s draft board, but he’s steady, and the Bama attack can run all day behind Outland candidates Antoine Caldwell and Andre Smith.

20. OREGON

A playmaking secondary headlines a stout Duck defense, which will give the offense, now without Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart, time to adjust.

21. FLORIDA STATE

The Seminoles are far from the elite level at which they played during the 1990s, but QB Drew Weatherford and CB Tony Carter should make them players in the ACC.

22. WAKE FOREST

Intact linebacker and secondary units should keep the Demon Deacons in every game, although QB Riley Skinner’s surrounded by unfamiliar faces in the huddle.

23. RUTGERS

With Ray Rice gone, it’s time for Mike Teel to accept more responsibility, and he has Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, maybe college’s best returning WR tandem, flanking him.

24. SOUTH CAROLINA

A defense that took its lumps in a five-game losing streak to end last year should fare better, led by an awesome secondary.

25. UCLA