ESPN College Football Power Rankings: Where Should Top 25 Teams Be?

Ahh...preseason rankings.

The subject of some of the most-heated debates in sports, preseason rankings to some are completely worthless. After all, how can you rank a team without even seeing them play?

To others, they are anything but. Although it may not be fair, preseason rankings do play a significant role in which teams end up playing in the BCS come season's end. If a team starts out the year ranked higher, chances are it will get the nod over a team that may be equally deserving but started the year under the radar.

First, there was the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Now, the ESPN College Football Power Rankings. Although they are close to matching, the two polls aren't identical.

So, where did ESPN mess up? Which teams should be higher or lower, and which ones did ESPN get exactly right?

Honestly, I was a little surprised when I didn't see Stanford in the top 25 of the coaches' poll.

The Cardinal, led by one of the nation's best quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, should definitely compete for the Pac-10.

If their offense can recover from the loss of Toby Gerhart, Stanford could surprise the college football world by making the journey south to the Rose Bowl come January.

ESPN got it right by including them.

How Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Although Georgia was ranked a few spots higher in the coaches' poll, I actually tend to agree with ESPN's ranking of the Bulldogs at No. 24.

Although the offense returns eight starters, including star wideout A.J. Green, the Bulldogs will have to deal with a new, inexperienced quarterback. If freshman Aaron Murray can't handle the pressure, Georgia could be in for a rough season.

That, and the fact that the team plays in the SEC, gives me reason to believe that Bulldogs won't really challenge for a place in the top 10 in 2010.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Led by the Rodgers brothers (James and Jacquizz), Oregon State could have one of the most explosive offenses in the nation in 2010. If Ryan Katz can fill in adequately for departed quarterback Sean Canfield, that is almost a guarantee.

However, offense will rule the Pac-10 next season. If the Beavers want to finally head back to Pasadena, they'll have to improve on defense—especially against Civil War rival Oregon.

That said, I think they could be a couple spots higher.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

Although there is a lot of optimism going into Gene Chizik's second season in Auburn, Tigers fans may be in for a rude awakening if they think a BCS bowl is in the future.

Sure, Auburn may have one of the nation's most explosive offenses, but you can't succeed in the SEC on offensive prowess alone.

Clemson, Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, Alabama: Those five games will show what the Tigers are really made of.

A bowl game is definitely going to happen, but anything more than a return to the Outback Bowl could be a stretch.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

The greatest disparity between the coaches' poll and ESPN's rankings was where Penn State landed. The coaches put them all the way up at No. 14. ESPN ranked them seven spots lower.

But who is right?

Well, neither. Although the Nittany Lions will be without some of the key pieces that led to their 11-2 mark last year, they'll still field a good team in 2010.

But No. 14 seems a little high. No. 21, on the other hand, seems a little low.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

North Carolina will be looking to win an ACC crown in 2010 and fittingly is ranked in the top 25 in both the coaches' and ESPN polls.

The Tar Heels are ranked about the same in both polls (18th in the coaches', 19th in ESPN), and that's probably where they should be.

Of all the ACC contenders, they are lowest in the polls due largely to the fact that their offense is a little suspect.

North Carolina could certainly surprise many and win the ACC, but for now, they're right where they should be.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Although LSU is a few spots lower in ESPN's rankings than in the coaches' poll, I still think the Tigers may be getting the benefit of the doubt for simply being LSU.

The offense has to improve a great deal if the Bayou Bengals want to seriously compete for the SEC title; otherwise the folks in Baton Rouge will be looking at another mundane season.

Two difficult non-conference games, plus their normal SEC schedule, could lead to a disappointing season and some serious pressure on Les Miles.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

Heading into Jimbo Fisher's first season as head coach of the Seminoles, expectations are high in Tallahassee. Led by quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State should have one of the best offenses in the ACC.

Also, the Seminoles are fortunate in the fact that they play in the weaker of the two ACC divisions next year. An appearance in the ACC Championship Game seems very likely.

ESPN has the team ranked two spots higher than in the coaches' poll, and I tend to agree.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Led by the trendy Heisman contender Ryan Mallett, many expect Arkansas to legitimately challenge Alabama for the SEC West and a slot in the SEC Championship Game.

Their offense should be more than adequate to keep up in the SEC, but their defense isn't quite as solid. However, if they can show some improvement, the Razorbacks could really make some noise.

Even though ESPN has them a couple spots higher than the coaches, I think they could be even higher. If Arkansas plays anywhere near its potential, a BCS bowl is a real possibility.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

With the loss of key players on Paul Johnson's triple-option offense, plus the fact that the ACC seems poised to have a better-than-normal year in terms of quality teams, it seems unlikely that Georgia Tech will be repeating as conference champs.

Not to say the Yellow Jackets—led by quarterback Josh Nesbitt—couldn't still have a good year, but a No. 16 ranking seems a little high.

I see four or five potential losses for Georgia Tech in 2010.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

Despite being excluded from the coaches' poll and having no possibility of playing in a bowl game, USC could still have a good regular season in 2010.

Many fans may view 2010 as a waste of a season in L.A., but if Lane Kiffin can show that the Trojans are still competitors, he may be able to lead USC from the depths of the lowest moment in school history.

The team should compete for the Pac-10 with a few other teams, and a conference championship wouldn't really be that much of a surprise.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

The expectations in Pittsburgh really couldn't be all that much higher. A Big East title and a BCS bid are almost assumed for Dion Lewis and the Panthers.

Fittingly, the team is ranked in the top 15 in both ESPN's power rankings and the coaches' poll.

As the only Big East team in ESPN's top 25, it seems as though Pitt may be responsible for upholding the conference's fading reputation. However, with a strong offense and solid defense, the Panthers seem more than capable.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

With their entire offense returning (sans tight end Garrett Graham), Wisconsin should have the best offense in the Big Ten and one of the strongest nationally as well.

Heisman contender John Clay seems poised to rush for close to 2,000 yards, while the defense will look to improve after a somewhat disappointing 2009.

The Badgers will be serious competitors for the Big Ten title, and I don't think it would surprise anyone if they ended up taking the crown.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

Although the loss of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli undoubtedly hurts Oregon's chances of reaching the national championship, the Ducks should still have enough firepower to take the Pac-10 and reach consecutive Rose Bowls.

LaMichael James should once again rush for 1,000 yards, and Nate Costa shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to his new role as starting quarterback.

The Ducks may have had higher hopes immediately following the 2009 season, but 2010 could still be one of the best seasons in school history.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

As the clear favorite to win the Big 12 North in their last season in the conference, Nebraska expects a league title and BCS bid.

However, their offense, especially quarterback Zac Lee and their passing attack, will need to improve if they hope to keep up with either Oklahoma or Texas in the conference championship game.

Despite the loss of Ndamukong Suh, the Cornhusker defense will once again be one of the best in the country.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

With the return of quarterback Jacory Harris and a talented defense, many expect Miami to compete for the ACC title and a trip to a BCS bowl in 2010.

However, the Hurricanes' fate will largely be in the hands of Harris. If he can imitate last year's good (24 passing touchdowns) while cutting out the bad (17 interceptions and a 59.6 completion percentage), Miami could be looking at their best season since the Larry Coker era.

But that's a big "if," and the Hurricanes will have more than their fair share of competition in the ACC.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

Expectations are high in Iowa City for a reason. With their returning starters from a 2009 squad that went 11-2 and a very favorable home schedule in 2010, the pieces seem in place for an Iowa Big Ten title run and possibly even more.

Ricky Stanzi will have to work on his consistency at quarterback, and the offensive line will have to play well despite some offseason losses, but the Hawkeyes are undoubtedly one of the teams to watch in 2010.

Certainly deserving of a preseason top 10 ranking, that's for sure.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

The consensus favorites to win the ACC, Virginia Tech is going to be scary good in 2010.

Ryan Williams and Darren Evans make up probably the best backfield in the country, while Tyrod Taylor seems more than capable of leading the offense from under center.

However, conference titles are the norm in Blacksburg. Hokies fans are hoping for the team to make the jump from conference titles to a national title in 2010.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Higher.

After their first ever BCS appearance last year, many expect TCU to once again run the table in the Mountain West and make a return visit in 2010.

Quarterback Andy Dalton will be back after a phenomenal 2009, and their defense should again be one of the stingiest in the country.

Going undefeated in the regular season two straight years will be no easy feat, but it seems like the Horned Frogs have a pretty good chance.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Honestly, I was a little surprised to see Oklahoma this far up on ESPN's power rankings. Even the coaches' poll had the Sooners down at No. 8—which I thought was generous.

I can understand the reasoning behind Oklahoma's high ranking though. The Sooners will be good in 2010. No doubt. However, I don't think they'll finish higher than third in the Big 12.

Yes, they have quarterback Landry Jones coming back after he had a great year filling in for Sam Bradford. But will the Sooners be able to recover from the loss of stars like Gerald McCoy, Trent Williams, and Jermaine Gresham? Will they have the talent to defeat rival Texas, or will it be another ho-hum season in Norman?

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

Although ESPN dropped Florida a couple spots from where the coaches put them, I still think the Gators should be a spot or two lower.

Sure, John Brantley could be the next great quarterback to come out of Gainesville. But we don't know that. He hasn't played a down as a starter yet.

Not to mention the fact that Florida lost nine of its stars to the NFL, and you begin to wonder how experts can be so sure that they'll be competing for a national title once again.

They may have the talent, but they don't have the experience, and in the SEC that counts for quite a bit.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Lower.

Although Texas will be without its leader of the past four years, Colt McCoy, they are still expected to win the Big 12 and make a run at consecutive national title game appearances.

New quarterback Garrett Gilbert will have to step up to the plate, however, because if he doesn't, the Longhorns could be in for a long season.

Much of their offense will revolve around the passing game in 2010 seeing as they haven't yet found a running back who can assert himself as a force game after game. If Gilbert can perform well—and we saw flashes in last year's title game—Texas should have no problem getting back to a BCS bowl game.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

With almost all of last year's starters returning in 2010, it should come as no surprise that Boise State is expected to compete for the national title. If they go undefeated in the regular season, they may actually get a shot despite their mid-major status.

They were ranked No. 5 in the coaches' poll, but I tend to agree with ESPN's ranking of No. 3.

One thing is for sure, however: Their opening game against Virginia Tech could end up being the game of the year.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

Ohio State expects to win the Big Ten. Ohio State expects to go undefeated. Ohio State expects to win the national title.

Anything less for Terrelle Pryor and the boys from Columbus would be considered underachievement. Although it's only been eight years since their last national title, you can tell Buckeyes fans are getting tired of Big Ten titles and BCS bowls.

They want it all.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.

With a good portion of last year's national title team returning, Alabama rightfully begins the season as the No. 1 team in the country.

However, maintaining that ranking will be tough. It will be virtually impossible for the Crimson Tide to go through two consecutive SEC schedules without a loss, no matter their returning talent.

If the Tide does indeed repeat as national champions, it could go down as one of the greatest two-year stretches in college football history.

Where Should They Be Ranked? Same.