Very early preseason poll from Rivals

1. Florida
The Buzz: The potential exists for all 11 defensive starters – and each of their backups – to be back in 2009. And with QB Tim Tebow returning, the Gators will be prohibitive favorites to repeat.

2. Texas
The Buzz: QB Colt McCoy's decision to return means the offense again will put up a ton of points – and the running game should be better in 2009. The secondary could be a strength, but the front seven needs some tweaking.

3. USC
The Buzz: The defense will undergo an overhaul, from the coordinator down to the players. But the offense could be truly explosive.

4. Oklahoma
The Buzz: If quarterback Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Gresham and DT Gerald McCoy go pro, this ranking will drop. If all three return, OU will battle for the Big 12 – and maybe national – title.

5. LSU
The Buzz: QB Jordan Jefferson's performance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl provides hope that the offense will be more consistent. The linebacking corps needs to be rebuilt.

6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Alabama
9. Boise State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Georgia Tech
12. California
13. Penn State
14. Ole Miss
15. Oregon
16. Florida State
17. Utah
18. Georgia
19. Kansas
20. Texas Tech
21.Iowa
22. BYU
23. Notre Dame
24. USF
25. Oregon State

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i think florida can go undefeated if everyone returns that eligible. just have to keep them level headed

ShortBus said:

i think florida can go undefeated if everyone returns that eligible. just have to keep them level headed

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LSU and FSU seem like they will be legit next year... they def look like our biggest games at this point

ShortBus said:

i think florida can go undefeated if everyone returns that eligible. just have to keep them level headed

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You realize how hard it is to go undefeated?

Good luck next season...Maybe we can hook it up again in the Pasadena next year!

Cali_Gator said:

LSU and FSU seem like they will be legit next year... they def look like our biggest games at this point

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Keep in mind that we have the SOW coming to The Swamp next season, and who knows what the outcome of the NCAA investigation will be and how much of an impact that may have on their program. Everybody was tooting their horn about the Criminoles and how tough they were this last season, but who got the last laugh after the Soak at Doak?

If LSU can rebuild I see them back up in the top 10 again. They, Bama and Ole Miss will provide a 3-way competition for the SEC West; I see us winning the SEC East again in 2009.

5. LSU
The Buzz: QB Jordan Jefferson's performance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl provides hope that the offense will be more consistent. The linebacking corps needs to be rebuilt.

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#5? Really?

I don't understand how these preseason polls can keep putting Notre Dame in the top 25.

I don't really like being preseason favorites, and paper champions for next year like USC is every year, those teams usually fall off. However I don't think Tim would allow us to fall off.

leakbrewergator said:

I don't understand how these preseason polls can keep putting Notre Dame in the top 25.

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A lot of people truly think that ND can pull off a decent season since they played great in their bowl game vs. Hawai'i and their last two recruiting classes have been top classes

personally, i think it is possible that they can be in the top 25 at the end of the year, it all depends on how much they mature during the offseason

GAGator12 said:

I don't really like being preseason favorites, and paper champions for next year like USC is every year, those teams usually fall off. However I don't think Tim would allow us to fall off.

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I do not think Tebow has much to say about it. Fact will be that Florida will be getting everyone's A game every game.

Not saying teams do not play their A game against Florida. Just as defending Champs, it will be extremely hard to repeat.

Good luck in 2009. OU is reloading to make another run at the NC. Hope both teams can get there again and play once again.

Cali_Gator said:

A lot of people truly think that ND can pull off a decent season since they played great in their bowl game vs. Hawai'i and their last two recruiting classes have been top classes

personally, i think it is possible that they can be in the top 25 at the end of the year, it all depends on how much they mature during the offseason

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LOL...Not with Weis as their coach.

Cali_Gator said:

A lot of people truly think that ND can pull off a decent season since they played great in their bowl game vs. Hawai'i and their last two recruiting classes have been top classes

personally, i think it is possible that they can be in the top 25 at the end of the year, it all depends on how much they mature during the offseason

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Charlie "Cheeseburger" Weis is making some changes to his coaching staff; I saw on ESPNU that he fired his O-line coach (Latina), and also needs to replace his offensive coordinator (Haywood) who took a head coaching job at NM State. If whoever he hires as replacements can get these guys back on track, he could have a respectable 2009 season. In the Hawai'i Bowl we finally saw what Jimmy Clausen is capable of doing; he has a good throwing arm but needs to work on his accuracy on the long pass just as Tebow does.

Difference between the two: Tebow needs to fine-tune his skills as a senior, Clausen needs to be coached up.

sure we could go undefeated or even lose one and get to another NC game if everyone returns. we probably can do it without harvin too.
my concern would be injuries, which could change everything in a heart beat.
think of how tebow played UGA with an injury.

sure we could go undefeated or even lose one and get to another NC game if everyone returns. we probably can do it without harvin too.

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Judging by our 2009 schedule, an unbdefeated season looks very possible.

think of how tebow played UGA with an injury.

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That just goes to show how physically and mentally tough Tebow is. Plus, you can't be a wuss and play for Urban Meyer.