So here's my initial top 25 for the 2008 college football season. I tend to make my rankings based on the following beliefs: returning quarterbacks are a big plus, coaching is key, and the SEC and Big 12 should just get over themselves and admit they're not half as good as they think they are. Oh, and as much as I hate to admit it, USC is so good, so so good.

Top 25

1. USC

Although they're breaking in a new QB, USC just has too much talent to not be at the top. The best part is, if Sanchez stumbles, the Trojans can just go to "backup" Mitch Mustain, who would start for most other teams in the country. They could probably put Snoop Dogg at quarterback and still make the top 25. They're that good.

2. Ohio State

Do I really need to explain why Ohio State is #2? Let's just say it's a place they're familiar with. In all honesty, they should probably be #1, but I refuse to put a team on the first spot after laying an egg in consecutive years with a chance to win the title. On the bright side, I bet against them when they played Florida.

3. Florida

I've always been an Urban Meyer fan ever since he spurned Notre Dame and then came through for me in the '07 title game. Now Tebow has a year of experience and most of the talent is back for another title run. Also look for new transfer RB Moody to make an impact. I actually thought he would be the feature back for USC before he bolted for Florida. I hope he didn't follow the Shaquille O'Neal offseason workout program and will come in shape.

4. Georgia

Time to be blunt: I hate Georgia. Anyone see that clip of their offensive lineman taking out Glenn Dorsey's knees with a cheap shot? Or how about when their entire team ran out on the field and danced in the endzone after their FIRST touchdown against Florida? And then there's the punter that flops like Manu Ginobili on a fast break every time he punts the ball. Oh yeah, and half their team is suspended for the first game due to off-field problems. Good thing the SEC refuses to play division I teams outside their own conference. Many people have Georgia higher, but I firmly believe they will let everyone down based solely on the fact that I can't stand them. Flawless reasoning if you ask me. Also their mascot died and they have yet to replace him.

5. Clemson

Now on to a team I really like. I make this comparison at the risk of offending Auburn fans, but this QB-RB-RB combo reminds me of Auburn's trio of Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams, and Ronnie Brown from back in the day. Spiller and Davis are both studs and Harper has quietly become one of the most efficient QBs in the nation. They are title contenders in my eyes.

6. Missouri

If Chase Daniels were 4 inches taller, he'd be in the NFL and MU would be off this list. As it stands, Missoura will once again put up W's in the weak-turned-mediocre conference that is the Big 12.

7. Texas Tech

The big 12 really is college football's answer to the NBA's eastern conference. You just need a couple good players and you can rise to the top. Tech brings back the best receiver in the nation and can't be any worse on defense. I agree with everyone who thinks this is finally the breakout year TT fans have been waiting for.

8. Oklahoma

And the third team from the Big 12 in the top 10 is Oklahoma. You know, I'm really starting to dislike that state. Their football team steals all the recruits from Texas, and now they stole the Sonics away from Seattle. Get you own talent Oklahoma!

9. Oregon

I really like this team. Dixon is gone, but Roper looked great in their bowl game, and he's not even the best option for them this year. They lost Stewart, but Jermiah Johnson was pushing him for the starting job before he got hurt. As long as he's healthy, this will be a dangerous offense once again.

10. LSU

Les Miles talks a lot for someone unwilling to play one decent non-conference opponent. It's easy to have a dominant team when you only have to play one style of football. I'm just going to come out and say it: Oregon's offense from last year would've destroyed LSU. Now, they have no proven quarterbacks... come to think of it, they don't even have an unproven quarterback who has the potential to be good. I should probably have them lower, but they have a great defense, and that's all you need when you only play the SEC and southeastern central Louisiana state junior college.

11. Wisconsin

This team doesn't get enough credit for how consistently good they are. I know they don't face a ton of challenges in the Big 10, but Wisconsin isn't really a great recruiting spot either. They're also not the most exciting team either, but they get the job done.

12. West Virginia

I'm not sold on this new coach. He did great in the bowl game, but that doesn't mean he can recruit and maintain the program. Rich Rodriquez was effective because he recruited guys that weren't heavily pursued by other major programs, but they fit his system. WVU will be good with Pat White still in the fold, but I see them on the decline. Also, anyone want to start a pool on when Noel Devine gets arrested?

13. Virginia Tech

Beamer always puts out a good team. Tyrod Taylor has experience now and is ready to give Tech's stellar defense more than 10 points a game to help their cause. I could actually see them climbing higher if they can replace Brandon Ore at running back, but that remains to be seen.

14. Auburn

Yawn... another SEC team with a great defense and not one single player one offense worth mentioning. I know defense wins championships, but it isn't the most exciting football. Maybe that's why SEC fans are so crazy. I'd be pretty pissed too if I had to consistently watch games that ended with scores like 10-7, 6-3, or my personal favorite- 12-9 (the filed goal kicking contest).

15. Texas

I'm still ticked over how Mack Brown paid off fellow coaches to get into the Rose Bowl and kept Cal out of the BCS. Answer me this: how does a team lose only one game, and that game is to the undefeated #1 team in the nation, plus they outplayed that team, and they still don't get one of the best 5 bowl games? I'll tell you how, because Mack Brown is a manipulating cheater and I don't need any proof to be sure of it. When they won the title a couple years ago, it was one of the low points of my life (dramatic I know, but everything's relative and I've had a pretty good life).

16. Arizona State

Prediction: ASU finishes in the top 25 and gets a decent bowl bid. After beating up on some ACC team in their bowl game, Dennis Erickson uses the post-game press conference to announce that he has accepted the head coaching job at another school just slightly more prestigious than ASU. I'm on to you Dennis! Don't think I forgot what you did to my beloved 49ers!

17. Alabama

I don't trust Nick Saban, but he can coach, and he can recruit. Alabama will be good this year, and I fear that Saban will do for ‘bama what Carroll did for USC. At a school like that, he will soon dominate and make the SEC look like the Big Least.

18. Kansas

To be honest, I'm not sure that Kansas can repeat what they did last year. They had an insanely easy schedule, and they lost a couple key players to the NFL. However, Reesing returns at QB, and I have troubles doubting a team that was good the previous year and still has its starting QB back.

19. BYU

I ranked them out of courtesy. They will win a bunch of games, but they will do so in a conference I can't even remember (Big West? WAC?) It's easy to be a big fish in a small pond, but when it comes down to it, they won't play a decent team until their bowl game, and I can guarantee they'll do exactly what Hawaii did in the same situation last year.

20. Florida State

I like FSU more than most. They have talent, a weak conference, and a coach that may be on the way out. Not only is this not affecting recruiting, it could give the players the inspiration they need to put let their coach go out on top. This could be just like how the Packers players wanted Brett Favre to go out on top. Maybe Bowden will have a great season, then retire and let Jimbo Fisher think he's the coach, then change his mind right before the season starts and cry like a baby when they don't take him back. Again, I digress...

21. Illinois

I'm glad Zook is doing so well. I always thought the Florida fans were a little hard on him. Lesson learned: never let your first head coaching job be on a team in the SEC, especially if you're replacing a legend like Steve Spurrier. As for Illinois, Juice Williams is back and ready to take their passing game to the next level alongside Arrelious Benn.

22. South Florida

Once again, I don't like ranking teams based on the fact that they will win a bunch of games due to being in a weak conference. On the other hand, South Florida proved it could play last year, and they have most of their important players returning. Perhaps they can play BYU in a bowl game and at least save one of them the embarrassment of being clobbered by a school from a good conference.

23. Miami

I like Randy Shannon, and I like Miami. Like FSU, they come full force with athletes, and I believe that Shannon will make this a team on the rise in his second season as head coach. With their defense and running game, I almost think they'd have a better record if they played in the SEC (suck on that all you crazies).

24. Tennessee

Tennessee lost some players, but I like what they have returning and I really think Ainge's replacement (Crompton) will be a player. Plus I have to rank them if for no other reason than they're the only SEC team willing to played a non-conference ranked team.

25. Notre Dame

Anyone notice how Notre Dame always gets ranked even when they don't deserve it? Back in the day, they'd be 5-4 and ranked in the top 15 just because of their name. So why do I have them ranked? I fear Charlie Weiss will sue me if I don't. Seriously, if you get a $40 million contract, why would you want to sue your gastric bypass surgeon (especially when you have no case)?

Others receiving votes: Cal (out of loyalty), Fresno State (out of pity), and Michigan (because they paid way too much for their coach to not be ranked)