Rivals.com top 25

[Apathy]

They have us at #7 and Texas at #8. Some surprise picks for the Top 10 in my opinion.

 

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1037628

 

edit: It wont let me post the link so you guys can just click the link

edit: Its working now

[WCHusker]

1. Alabama

BUZZ: The Tide will return numerous key offensive players off this season's title team, but coaches will need to replace seven defensive starters. Will there be a drop-off? And can the Tide make it two in a row?

 

2. Ohio State

BUZZ: The non-conference schedule isn't that daunting, and if coach Jim Tressel loosens the reins on the offense - as he did in the Rose Bowl - the Buckeyes should cruise to the Big Ten title. DE Cameron Heyward's decision to stay in school is an important one for Ohio State.

 

3. Oregon

BUZZ: QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LaMichael James will return and they'll get to run behind a veteran line. The defense should be better, too.

 

4. Boise State

BUZZ: The Broncos have key non-conference games against Oregon State and Virginia Tech. If they win both, they could return to Glendale, Ariz. - but this time for the national title game.

 

5. USC

BUZZ: Coaching rumors aside, the Trojans will have the talent to get back on top in the Pac-10. A young defense this season will be an experienced defense next season.

 

6. TCU

BUZZ: The Frogs must replace standout DE Jerry Hughes, star LB Daryl Washington and CBs Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders, but TCU always finds a way to put together a quality defense. That TCU returns the vast majority of its 2009 offense suggests the Frogs could sail through the regular season unbeaten again

 

7. Nebraska

BUZZ: Coach Bo Pelini has said he thinks the 2010 team will be better than the 2009 team. Given the state of the Big 12 next season, that means the Huskers easily could go into the season as the league favorite.

 

8. Texas

BUZZ: Replacing Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley is going to be impossible. But the defense should be stout, and perhaps McCoy's departure will provide the impetus to establish a solid rushing attack.

 

9. Wisconsin

BUZZ: RB John Clay's decision to remain in school was a boost to the Badgers' Big Ten hopes in 2010. QB Scott Tolzien should be better, and the offensive line will be a team strength. The defense should be one of the best in the Big Ten.

 

10. Florida

BUZZ: Urban Meyer's future remains up in the air. But even without Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden and the other departing stars, the Gators have a ton of talent. And who in the SEC is going to challenge them?

 

11. Virginia Tech

BUZZ: The presence of RBs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans and QB Tyrod Taylor in the backfield should give the Hokies one of the nation's most fearsome rushing attacks. The loss of DE Jason Worilds from a defense that already had to fill plenty of holes is worrisome, but if the Hokies are unbeaten after knocking off Boise State on Oct. 2, they could jump into the national title picture.

 

12. Oklahoma

BUZZ: The Sooners suffered though Landry Jones learning on the job this season. They will benefit from that next season. Plus, the offensive line should be much improved.

 

13. Pittsburgh

BUZZ: Dave Wannstedt and Pittsburgh was a win away from a BCS bid in 2009. RB Dion Lewis will be a candidate to be the fourth consecutive sophomore to win the Heisman. The Panthers need to replace some key players on defense - both tackles, a couple of veteran linebackers and CB Aaron Berry - but the Panthers should be the preseason favorite in the conference.

 

14. Iowa

BUZZ: The Hawkeyes should be fine everywhere - except perhaps the offensive line, where four starters have to be replaced. QB Ricky Stanzi must curb his penchant for throwing interceptions. The defense will be strong again, especially if CB Amari Spievey stays for his senior season.

 

15. Georgia Tech

BUZZ: The Yellow Jackets won the ACC title with only six scholarship seniors, but WR Demaryius Thomas likely won't be the only Georgia Tech underclassman to enter the draft. Paul Johnson faces a big hire as he attempts to replace fired defensive coordinator Dave Wommack because Georgia Tech won't make a serious run at the national title until it upgrades its defense.

 

16. LSU

BUZZ: The coaching staff will be under the gun next season. The offense has a lot of room for growth, especially the offensive line, which was the biggest problem this season.

 

17. North Carolina

BUZZ: When six junior starters announced that they planned to return, it assured that the Tar Heels would head into 2010 as a popular sleeper pick for a BCS run. UNC should boast one of the nation's top defenses next season, but the Tar Heels must make significant improvements to their dormant offense.

 

18. Miami

BUZZ: The Hurricanes were seen as a potential preseason top-10 team until they closed 2009 with a poor performance in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Wisconsin. Miami's chances of contending for an ACC title depend on whether Jacory Harris can reduce his interception total and the Hurricanes upgrade their offensive line.

 

19. Connecticut

BUZZ: The Huskies finished 8-5 for the second consecutive season, but they were awfully close to a major breakthrough. None of the losses were by more than four points. If the Huskies can turn those close losses into narrow victories, as they did over the last month of the season, Connecticut could contend for the Big East title in 2010. The Huskies must replace leading receiver Marcus Easley, Big East sack leader Lindsey Witten and two starting defensive backs.

 

20. Oregon State

BUZZ: The Rodgers brothers will be back and the offense will be a good one as long as the Beavers can find a competent quarterback. The defense should be one of the best in the Pac-10, as the Beavers lose just one starter.

 

21. Houston

BUZZ: QB Case Keenum and all his skill-position playmates will be back, which means averaging 50 points per game is a legit goal. But unless the defense makes massive improvement, scoring 50 points might be what it takes to win games.

 

22. Utah

BUZZ: The return of QB Jordan Wynn and 1,000-yard rusher Eddie Wide should give Utah a potent offense. A challenging non-conference schedule includes a home game with Pittsburgh and a trip to Notre Dame, but Utah does have the benefit of playing TCU and BYU at home next season.

 

23. Arkansas

BUZZ: Aside from Alabama, the SEC West looks to be wide-open. For the Hogs to take advantage, though, QB Ryan Mallett and the defense must improve.

 

24. Penn State

BUZZ: Replacing QB Daryll Clark will be Job One in spring practice. RB Evan Royster's decision to stay in school is important, and there should be a nice receiving corps and an OK offensive line. The defense has some holes to fill, but it's hard to imagine Penn State having a mediocre defense.

 

25. Cincinnati

BUZZ: Butch Jones succeeded Brian Kelly at Central Michigan and won two MAC championships in three years. Could the same happen here? Jones inherits backup QB Zach Collaros, who is a dual-threat similar to the Chippewas' Dan LeFevour. The defense will have to rebuild again - Cincinnati loses six seniors, including FS Aaron Webster - but it can't be much worse than it was in 2009.

[huzkerbob]

I love how the "BUZZ" on NU consists of two short sentences, and no mention of an actual players name. How informative!

 

It does seem like a lot more media members are showing a sudden confidence in NU recently. I know after a strong finish it was easy for us Husker fans to see the promise that this team has shown. But it has been surprising to me to see other peoples opinions changing so soon.

 

In a way this worries me, because the last time the Huskers got any sort of media hype "07" happened. So paint me a little skeptical.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

USC #5????

 

OU #12???

 

[Ohio Pete]

USC #5????

 

OU #12???

 

though in some defense of their USC ranking, I assume it was formulated before the Pete Caroll news came down.

 

BTW where is Notre Dame?

[WCHusker]

You can add a "1" to USC now that he's officially gone(and maybe replace that with a "2" once the NCAA drops a nuke on South Central LA.

[miamihrrcns2001]

You can add a "1" to USC now that he's officially gone(and maybe replace that with a "2" once the NCAA drops a nuke on South Central LA.

 

25 kill streak! NCAA is ballin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

we will move up 3 spots for sure since we will hop Boise and TCU because they always get hopped and Oregon and USC are in the same conference so one will lose. Assuming we win out, it wouldn't be that hard to assume we could be in the 'ship

[blackshirts5115]

i'm not too convinced that carroll was a great coach. he was a great recruiter and with all that talent i expected more from that team every season. i don't think they'll drop off next year just because all the talent will still be there, and heck.. maybe a better coach. yeah USC had a down year this year. but Barkley will be very good and they'll be back in the top 10. maybe #5 is a bit of a reach. i also think Oklahoma should be ranked ahead of Texas. i'd put Oklahoma at #8

[FLU]

I'm just glad to see that NU is finally getting some respect/recognition/hype. Hopefully they can live up to it...

[sdhusker82]

am i the only one who gets nervous about us getting ranked so high? i just hope our team doesn't get caught up with the hype.

[knapplc]

am i the only one who gets nervous about us getting ranked so high? i just hope our team doesn't get caught up with the hype.

I feel confident that Bo will keep these guys grounded.

[chamrocck]

am i the only one who gets nervous about us getting ranked so high? i just hope our team doesn't get caught up with the hype.

I feel confident that Bo will keep these guys grounded.

I look for Bo to keep us grounded also. Great to see us finish #14 this year and we deserve a fairly good pre-season ranking for next year. This can always help with recruits as we have chance to compete for it all when you start out highly ranked. As for Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma...I think we all enter next season all very close and pre-season rankings will sometimes have us at the top of this list (like this one). Great to see this. Now let's git r done!

[irafreak]

Very strange. First USC will drop with a new coach. Second....why do they put bama #1 and then in Florida's buzz ask who in the SEC will challenge them? OU should be ahead of Texas as landry jones has a much bigger headstart on that gilbert kid. And I'm still surprised that Boise and TCU keep getting so much love. That fiesta bowl was not impressive. I'm just not conviced they could take down the majority of teams behind them...

[zoogs]

am i the only one who gets nervous about us getting ranked so high? i just hope our team doesn't get caught up with the hype.

I feel confident that Bo will keep these guys grounded.

 

I have a good amount of confidence in this, too. What I worry about is the fanbase not being grounded, which can in turn have a negative effect when our unrealistic expectations aren't met.

[Herd Husker]

I love how the "BUZZ" on NU consists of two short sentences, and no mention of an actual players name. How informative!

 

It does seem like a lot more media members are showing a sudden confidence in NU recently. I know after a strong finish it was easy for us Husker fans to see the promise that this team has shown. But it has been surprising to me to see other peoples opinions changing so soon.

 

In a way this worries me, because the last time the Huskers got any sort of media hype "07" happened. So paint me a little skeptical.

this is some bs!!! especially now that pete caroll is leaving usc....