With the college football season less than a week away, here are my choice for the top 25 preseason rankings. 1. Florida State – I’ve never been a big fan of Bobby Bowden or the Seminoles but what can I say, Bowden always has his team at the top and I’ll give them the respect for going wire-to-wire and winning the national championship last year. They’re No. 1 until somebody knocks them off (look for that on Oct. 7 against Miami). 2. Nebraska – After a couple years down, Nebraska’s back and in the fold, looking for another title down in the Orange Bowl. Add in a fairly weak schedule against a team that would purely dominate in the past and Cornhuskers are looking good this year. 3. Miami – Yes, that’s right, another team that’s been gone for awhile back at the top. Miami raised eyebrows last year in the Kickoff Classic against our own Buckeyes. This year the Hurricanes won’t surprise anyone, but nobody will be ready for them. 4. Alabama – After Ohio State didn’t get a bowl bid, my attention slowly waned from college football, but I did pay enough attention to see the Crimson Tide finish the regular season strong. Wait until this year; they’re stronger. 5. Wisconsin – Sure, they lost Ron Dayne, but everybody knows the Badgers had somebody (his name is Michael Bennett) in storage last year if Dayne had gone pro a year early. He didn’t, so Bennett is set to make up for last year now. Oh, and quarterback Brooks Bollinger wants to break out this year too. 6. Kansas State – Hey, if the Big Ten was as easy as the Big XII, Ohio State could be ranked up here. Unfortunately, we actually play in a tough conference. 7. Georgia – Their quarterback can outpass almost anyone, and this year they have a defense to stop opponents. The tests? Tennesse on Oct. 7 and Florida on Oct. 28. 8. Florida – Defense may win championships, but teams need an offense to score. After ending last season hard the Gators will be hungry this year. 9. Virginia Tech – Easy schedule, easy conference, good quarterback, no defense this year. The Hokies enjoyed playing in the national championship last year. Hope they’re memories stick around for a couple years. 10. Penn State – Coach Joe Paterno’s problem this year is his quarterback. Rashard Casey got himself into a little bit of legal trouble this year when he was arrested. JoePa is seven wins short of 323, Bear Bryant’s record. JoePa will get it this year because he’ll start Casey and risk compromising principles he’s run PSU with. 11. Texas – Here’s something Buckeyes are familiar with, quarterback controversy. It’s between Major Applewhite, who started last year, and rising star Chris Simms. The controversy will hurt the team and keep it from its potential. 12. Purdue – This all depends on the weather. Why? Because leading Heisman contender Drew Brees can’t play in bad weather. Purdue could end up better or worse than 12, but that depends on the fair weather (and a questionable secondary). 13. Tennessee – Could be lower than this. How low? Think Ohio State last year because the Volunteers are rebuilding. 14. Ohio State – This is difficult. All my instincts say that a team that finished last year 6-6 and with no bowl game does not deserve to be ranked the next preseason. I am, however, a die-hard Buckeye who had to fight the urge to put the Scarlet and Gray in the Top 10. OSU will definitely be better (not as good as the 9-2 record Tom Orr predicts) but here’s something to consider: The last time the Buckeyes had such strength in the defensive line they won the Rose Bowl. 15. Oregon – The Ducks? In the top 15? Hey, I had to mention them somewhere and the uniforms themselves make me rank the team here. 16. USC – Southern Cal is being ranked despite the same problem I had with Ohio State, 6-6 records last year. Still the chance to see three PAC-10 teams ranked (in a row) is something you can see only in a student laboratory newspaper. I’ll let you see that now. 17. Washington – Former Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel has set up his program and is set to bring it back. The top rival that Washington developed last year has to be placed … 18. Colorado – Former Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett runs this program now. Both coaches moved up to new schools, making both teams mad at each other. You watch the Ohio State play Miami of Ohio Sept. 16– I want to watch the blood and guts of this battle. 19. Illinois – Sure they shocked everyone last year. They’re going to be just as good this time around. All that means is they get the respect of a preseason ranking in the top 20. 20. Texas A&M – The Aggies’ home winning streak (19 games, dating back to 1996) will end this year, but they’ll go down fighting. 21. Marshall – The Thundering Herd doesn’t get the respect they deserve. I don’t care who they lost last year, they work hard for so little credit (part of being a MAC team). They’ll still deserve it. 22. Oklahoma – I’ve heard this team is supposed to break out. They’re supposed to pass and that’ll make them so good. They’ll pass, but win games? I’ll believe it when I see it, but let them have a number to start the season. 23. Notre Dame – OK, they aren’t really that good and won’t end up here, but I’m going to give them more credit than… 24. Michigan – I refuse to give them the respect of being ranked any higher, regardless of what sports editor Tom Orr says. 25. Minnesota – These guys were good last year and haven’t earned anybody’s respect yet this season. I’ll give them mine and a chance to move up in the standings and prove me right. One final note to those in the Southeastern Conference: The Big Ten really is the toughest conference this year, like previous years, and like it will be in the future. You will never convince me otherwise. Brian Clark is a junior journalism major, the Lantern opinion editor, and a member of the marching band. He thinks his pick-up football team shou
ld be ranked in the Top 25 preseason polls. If you agree, e-mail him at [email protected].