1. LSU

Tigers, gasp!, much improved over a season ago

2. Oklahoma

No conference title game helps Sooners

3. Florida State

Nation’s best defense plays in Tallahassee

4. Southern California

Trojans might be last team standing

5. Alabama

Tide just keeps rolling along

6. Oregon

Game at Southern California determines season

7. Georgia

It’s all about scheduling, and Bulldogs have easy one

8. Texas

Big rebound year for Longhorns

9. Wisconsin

Third straight trip to Rose Bowl likely

10. Oklahoma State

Pokes now established as powerhouse

11. West Virginia

First year in Big 12 a big one

12. Virginia Tech

Most starters return to outstanding defense

13. Boise State

Another 11-1 regular-season likely

14. Clemson

Another 10-win season in the cards

15. South Carolina

Tough, tough schedule hurts Gamecocks

16. South Florida

Big East title for Bulls

17. Stanford

No Luck means turning to defense

18. Michigan State

Could be Big Ten’s best team

19. Michigan

Wolverines play murderous road schedule

20. Arkansas

More questions than answers with Hogs

21. Central Florida

Don’t laugh, Knights are for real

22. Houston

Cougars could run regular-season table

23. Nebraska

Gradually building back to prominence

24. Louisville

Will challenge South Florida in Big East

25. Tennessee

Nineteen returning starters