The Collegian's own ranks college football's preseason top 25

1. USC (13-0, 2004)
Next: at Hawaii (Sept. 3)
Last: over Oklahoma 55-19 in Orange Bowl
Will there be a three-Pete?

2. Tennessee (10-3)
Next: Alabama-Birmingham (Sept. 3)
Last: over Texas A&M 38-7 in Cotton Bowl
QBs Rick Clausen and Erik Ainge likely will share duties

3. Texas (11-1)
Next: Louisiana-Lafayette (Sept. 3)
Last: over Michigan 38-37 in Rose Bowl
Two words: Vince Young

4. Michigan (9-3)
Next: N. Illinois (Sept. 3)
Last: lost 38-37 to Texas in Rose Bowl
Always Big Ten contenders

5. Oklahoma (12-1)
Next: Texas Christian (Sept. 3)
Last: lost 55-19 to USC in Orange Bowl
Frustrated Sooners ready to begin season

6. Miami (9-3)
Next: at Florida State (Sept. 5)
Last: over Florida 27-10 in Peach Bowl
Tough road games at Florida State and Clemson to start the season

7. Ohio State (8-4)
Next: Miami of Ohio (Sept. 3)
Last: over Oklahoma State 33-7 in Alamo Bowl
Maurice Clarett who?

8. Virginia Tech (10-3)
Next: at North Carolina State (Sept. 3)
Last: lost 16-13 to Auburn in Sugar Bowl
The Hokies welcome back Marcus Vick

9. Florida (7-5)
Next: Wyoming (Sept. 3)
Last: lost 27-10 to Miami in Peach Bowl
Coach Urban Meyer brings his magic to Gainesville, Fla.

10. Louisiana State (9-3)
Next: North Texas (Sept. 3)
Last: lost 30-25 to Iowa in Capital One Bowl
Will challenge for the SEC title

11. Louisville (11-1)
Next: at Kentucky (Sept. 3)
Last: over Boise State 44-40 in Liberty Bowl
Welcome to the Big East

12. Georgia (10-2)
Next: Boise State (Sept. 3)
Last: over Wisconsin 24-21 in Outback Bowl
Big home opener for Bulldogs


13. Purdue (7-5)
Next: Akron (Sept. 10)
Last: lost to Arizona State 27-23 in Sun Bowl
With QB Kyle Orton gone, Brandon Kirsch steps in

14. Iowa (10-2)
Next: Ball State (Sept. 3)
Last: over Louisiana State 30-25 in Capital One Bowl
Big Ten contenders

15. Auburn (13-0)
Next: Georgia Tech (Sept. 3)
Last: over Virginia Tech 16-13 in Sugar Bowl
Huge hole to fill with four Tigers gone

16. Boise State (11-1)
Next: at Georgia (Sept. 3)
Last: lost to Louisville 44-40 in Liberty Bowl
Tough opener at Georgia

17. Florida State (9-3)
Next: Miami (Sept. 5)
Last: over West Virginia 30-18 in Gator Bowl
Forget about offseason distractions

18. Texas A&M (7-5)
Next: at Clemson (Sept. 3)
Last: lost to Tennessee 38-7 in Cotton Bowl
Watch out Big 12

19. Cal (10-2)
Next: Sac. State (Sept. 3)
Last: lost to Texas Tech 45-31 in the Holiday Bowl
Coach Jeff Tedford welcomes QB Joseph Ayoob

20. Pittsburgh (8-4)
Next: Notre Dame (Sept. 3)
Last: lost to Utah 35-7 in Freedom Bowl
Coach Dave Wannstedt face challenges

21. Texas Tech (8-4)
Next: Florida International (Sept. 10)
Last: over Cal 45-31 in Holiday Bowl
Looking to air it out, again

22. Fresno State (9-3)
Next: Weber State (Sept. 10)
Last: over Virginia 37-34 in MPC Computers Bowl
Showdown with Boise State on Nov. 12

23. Arizona State (9-3)
Next: Temple (Sept. 1)
Last: over Purdue 27-23 in Sun Bowl.
Look out, USC

24. Virginia (8-4)
Next: Western Michigan (Sept. 3)
Last: lost to Fresno State 37-34 in MPC Computers Bowl
Could be a difficult season with seven players gone

25. Boston College (9-3)
Next: at Brigham Young (Sept. 3)
Last: over North Carolina 37-24 in Continental Tire Bowl
Will challenge Florida State for ACC’s title