PSR's Top 25
Team write-ups
By Jonathan Staub

1) Southern Cal (11-2 in 2006)
John David Booty returns to lead a Trojan team fresh off a dominating performance over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Look for USC to roll through the Pac-10 and flirt with yet another undefeated season. Ten of 11 starters return on defense and the Booty should have success passing to a new set of dynamic receivers in Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton.

2) Michigan (11-2)
The trio of Chad Henne, Mario Manningham and Mike Hart return to lead a high-octane offense that was one win away from the national championship game. The defense might be hurting, especially along the line, but the offense should be able to score at will.

3) LSU (11-2)
The only thing that could hold LSU back is the SEC, the best conference in college football. A long, hot season with plenty of teams capable of pulling off an upset may eventually catch up with the Tigers. An early test against Virginia Tech will keep them focused, and they play every key game on their schedule at home.

4) West Virginia (11-2)
Can anyone stop Steve Slaton and Pat White? Slaton's off-season wrist surgery has forced White to work on his passing game. Their only real test of the season comes on Nov. 8 at home against Louisville. If they win, look for them to go undefeated and play in the national title game.

5) Florida (13-1)
Last year's champions lose one of the most prolific passers in school history, but Tim Tebow should fill in for Chris Leak to make the offense even more dynamic. It's the Gators defense, which lost nine of 11 starters, that needs to answer questions come conference play.

6) Texas (10-3)
Colt McCoy, who has unlimited potential and could be a Heisman sleeper, leads a strong offense. They return starters at key offensive positions and should be playing for a Big 12 title come the end of the season.

7) Oklahoma (11-3)
There will be plenty of talent on both sides of the ball for the Sooners. The offense, however, is likely to be led by freshman quarterback Keith Nichol and a bruising Big 12 schedule could expose his inexperience.

8) Wisconsin (12-1)
Wisky was overlooked last year in a powerful Big 10 conference. They should be just as strong this year and could head into back-to-back matches against Michigan and Ohio State late in the season with an unblemished record.

9) Louisville (12-1)
Heisman hopeful Brian Brohm could lead last year's third-ranked offense to a Big East title and potential national title game - if they can get past WVU in Morgantown on Nov. 8.

10) Virginia Tech (10-3)
The defense should be among the best again and America will be rooting for the Hokies, who look strong in a weak ACC with 17 of 22 starters returning. If they can get production at QB, Blacksburg will have something to cheer about.

11) Ohio State (12-1)
Teams will have trouble scoring on Ohio State's overpowering defense; the only problem is the Buckeyes have too many new and unproven faces on offense. Look for them to lean heavily on RB Chris Wells.

12) Auburn (11-2)
The Tigers lost some fire power on offense, but they should field yet another solid defense. An inexperienced offensive line could make for a long fall semester for QB Brandon Cox.

13) California (10-3)
The loss of Marshawn Lynch shouldn't stop a powerful Cal offense. But they have lost almost every key starter on defense. In a conference sure to showcase some high scoring offenses, this could spell trouble for the Golden Bears.

14) UCLA (7-6)
Twenty of 22 starters return to a team that knocked USC out of the title game last year. If UCLA can play with confidence and grow as a team, this could be 2007's team to watch. Don't be surprised if UCLA plays on New Year's Day.

15) Tennessee (9-4)
Eric Ainge is in position to have an outstanding senior year. He lost two stellar receivers in Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain, but the Vols defense should allow Ainge to find a rhythm with an inexperienced receiving group.

16) Georgia (9-4)
The Dawgs need to fill holes on both sides of the ball in order to survive in the SEC. One reason to believe that they can is the late season play of highly touted QB Matthew Stafford, who will determine where Georgia finishes.

17) Arkansas (10-4)
Darren McFadden should be in New York for the Heisman presentation, and he's good enough for several conference wins. Will he be enough for the Razorbacks to repeat as SEC West champs? The season finale at LSU may determine that.

18) Rutgers (11-2)
Rutgers had one of the best seasons in school history in '06, and the level of talent is growing for the Scarlet Knights. Look for a season similar to last year, flying under the radar again as WVU and Louisville will garner most of the attention.

19) Penn State (9-4)
Anthony Morelli is getting stronger as the spring and summer progresses. The loss of 1,300 yard rusher Tony Hunt will be the first priority that Joe Pa will need to address, but look for Penn State to hold its own in a loaded Big Ten.

20) Nebraska (9-5)
Arizona State transfer Sam Keller could make this year's Cornhusker offense as lethal as it has been in a long time. If they can sure up their front line on defense the Huskers could be a dangerous team in the Big 12.

21) Texas A&M (9-4)
The Aggies play at Oklahoma and have Texas at home at the end of the season. If they can steal one of those two games, A&M could find themselves in a three-way tie for first in the Big 12 South.

22) Boise State (13-0)
Only 9 starters return to this year's Broncos squad and replacing QB Jared Zabransky will be the No. 1 priority. RB Ian Johnson figures to shoulder most of the load. Look for this team to crash the BCS party again this January.

23) Texas Christian (11-2)
TCU will rely on a strong rush defense that finished eighth in the nation last year. If their pass defense (92nd) can improve, they could return to their days as BCS crashers when LaDainian Tomlinson was the feature back.

24) South Carolina (8-5)
Steve Spurrier's team finished 2006 on a roll and almost upset soon-to-be national champion Florida. Sidney Rice will be sorely missed, but Spurrier is known to have a strong offensive mind and should have no problem moving SC forward.

25) Alabama (6-7)
The Tide lost four conference games last year by a touchdown or less. Enter Nick Saban. Nine of 11 returning starters on a potentially explosive offense could lead one of the biggest improvements in college football this season.

Also receiving votes:

Florida State, Hawaii, Boston College, Notre Dame, Oregon, Missouri, Brigham Young, Miami (FL), Wake Forest, Washington