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It's still a little early, but an updated pre-season top 25.

#1. Florida
#2. Texas
#3. Oklahoma
#4. Virginia Tech
#5. USC
#6. Alabama
#7. Ole Miss
#8. Oregon
#9. Ohio State
#10. LSU
#11. Georgia Tech
#12. Georgia
#13. California
#14. Penn State
#15. TCU
#16. Oklahoma State
#17. Kansas
#18. Iowa
#19. Nebraska
#20. BYU
#21. Florida State
#22. North Carolina
#23. Utah
#24. Cincinnati
#25. Texas Tech

TOP TEN
#1 Florida and #2 Texas figure to be strong on both sides of the ball. #3 Oklahoma lost a few offensive pieces, but the defense figures to be stronger in 09 and could help make up for those (in particular the offensive line). #4 Virginia Tech returns most of the major pieces, but Taylor must improve his passing game in order for the Hokies to be a true title contender. #5 USC consistently reloads on offense and defense, but replacing a QB coupled with a complete defensive overhaul could lead to growing pains. #6 Alabama's defense will be tough, and probably pace Florida for top unit in the land as they break in a new QB, while #7 Ole Miss looks to capitalize on a stout showing in 08 behind QB Snead. #8 Oregon should have enough pieces in place to challenge for a Pac-10 crown (now or never Pac-10...), while #9 Ohio State faces the same issues as Virginia Tech - can they establish a passing game to open up running lanes for Herron. #10 LSU seems to have found its QB in Jefferson, but can the defense drastically improve from a sloppy 2008 showing?

#11 - #20
#11 Georgia Tech is in year 2 under Johnson, and have the pieces for a dark horse title run and are Virginia Tech's supreme challengers for the ACC. Could they be underrated at #11? A sloppy bowl loss to LSU keeps them out of the top 5. #12 Georgia should perform better focusing on "team" instead of "Stafford/Moreno", whereas #13 California looks for Best to carry them to a Pac-10 crown. #14 Penn State will do as it did last year, a team full of solid and skilled players to try to repeat as Big Ten champions. #15 TCU always seems to field a terrific defense, the question is how good their offense will be. #16 Oklahoma State and #17 Kansas will have prolific offenses in 2009, but can they field any sort of a respectable defense? #18 Iowa will have a stout defense, all that is needed here of late to make noise within the Big Ten. #19 Nebraska should continue to make strides under Pelini, and the defense looks to be stronger in 2009. #20 BYU should also be stronger on defense, and could make a run for the MWC crown if they can get past Utah.

THE LAST FIVE
#21 Florida State looks to resolve its offensive woes in 2009 with an improved line, the defense should be strong as it has in a few years, but what's the limit for this team? The 15-45 loss to Florida at home suggests they're still a ways from elitehood. #22 North Carolina may have lost a few pieces from the resurgent 2008 team, but trust me, Butch Davis is a master rebuilder. Expect an equal/ even better showing in 2009. #23 Utah will have a significant portion of the defense that harrassed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but the offense will need to be completely revamped. #24 Cincinnati lost a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball - but this is the most overperforming program in college football right now. What they've done with the talent on hand is incredible, and consider the QB musical chairs they endured last year. They could be underrated, but the losses prevents me from putting them higher. #25 Texas Tech  consistently plugs and plays, and I expect this year will be no different.

Next post - THOUGHTS ENTERING THE 2009 SEASON