Dodd's Preseason Top 25
Team '03 Record Pvs* Season Opener
1. Georgia 11-3 1 Sept. 4 vs. Ga. Southern
Flap your gums about the main concerns (sacks, running game), the season comes down to Oct. 2 at home against LSU.
2. LSU 13-1 2 Sept. 4 vs. Oregon State
What do the Tigers have to play for? They want it all, not just a half.
3. Oklahoma 12-2 3 Sept. 4 vs. B. Green
Has Bob Stoops lost his magic? The season ended with a two-game losing streak and the departure of brother Mike.
4. Southern California 12-1 4 Aug. 28 vs. Virginia Tech
Mike Williams is the antithesis of The Human Distraction, Maurice Clarett. Folks can't wait to see if the uber-receiver back at Troy.
5. Florida State 10-3 6 Sept. 6 at Miami (Fla.)
Best team in Florida until at least Sept. 6 at the Orange Bowl.
6. Texas 10-3 7 Sept. 4 vs. North Texas
Six consecutive top 25 finishes. One of five teams to win at least 10 each of the past three years. Pressure? What pressure? Bring on Oklahoma.
7. Miami (Fla.) 11-2 5 Sept. 6 vs. Florida State
Injured tailback Frank Gore not being counted on anytime soon. Tyrone Moss' work ethic being questioned. Just what 'Canes need: More pressure on Brock Berlin.
8. Michigan 10-3 8 Sept. 4 vs. Miami (Ohio)
The Matt Gutierrez era begins with a Rose Bowl?
9. Florida 8-5 9 Sept. 4 vs. Middle Tenn.
Ron Zook's recruiting classes begin to pay off. Chris Leak gets invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
10. Kansas State 11-4 10 Sept. 4 vs. W. Kentucky
Have to have faith that the coaching staff will get Dylan Meier ready to be the new quarterback. If not, Darren Sproles will struggle.
11. Virginia 8-5 14 Sept. 4 at Temple
Clearly the No. 3 team in the new ACC. Could be No. 2 if the Cavaliers can beat Miami on Nov. 13 at home.
12. Ohio State 11-2 12 Sept. 4 vs. Cincinnati
At least A.J. Hawk didn't get arrested this offseason. Doesn't matter as long as Tressel keeps beating Michigan.
13. West Virginia 8-5 22 Sept. 4 vs. East Carolina
A BCS hot potato if the 'Neers win the crippled Big East. Even at 10-1, what major bowl looks forward to taking a 10-1 West Virginia?
14. Clemson 9-4 NR Sept. 4 vs. Wake Forest
Back in the Top 25 after Dodd was slapped in public by Tommy Bowden.
15. Louisville 9-4 11 Sept. 5 vs. Kentucky
Auburn's new/old/soon-to-be coach (Bobby Petrino) goes out with a bang by winning Conference USA.
16. Purdue 9-4 16 Sept. 5 vs. Syracuse
Undervalued everywhere except here. Kyle Orton could be the best player in the Big Ten.
17. Maryland 10-3 17 Sept. 4 vs. N. Illinois
Fridge finds it hard to win 10 again in the performance-enhanced ACC.
18. Utah 10-2 18 Sept. 2 vs. Texas A&M
Will Urban Meyer's conscience allow him to leave after two years? In Meyer's first year, the Utes set an attendance record and got first win at home vs. ranked team since 1973.
19. Auburn 8-5 19 Sept. 4 vs. La.-Monroe
Pencil in Cadillac Williams for 1,500 yards and Al Borges as his new best friend.
20. Texas Christian 11-2 15 Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern
Frogs' 52 victories the last six years is the best run since the 1930s. Fourteen starters return to challenge for a BCS berth.
21. California 8-6 21 Sept. 4 at Air Force
This year's USC. The Bears are loaded and expected to challenge for a Rose Bowl berth. They'll have to win in L.A. to do it.
22. Nebraska 10-3 23 Sept. 4 vs. W. Illinois
Same makeup as Frank Solich's last team: Good defense and struggling offense. Should be good for 7-4 in Bill Callahan's first season.
23. Tennessee 10-3 20 Sept. 4 vs. UNLV
Freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer has been called "Little Vick." Let's hope they mean Michael, not Marcus.
24. Boise State 13-1 NR Sept. 4 vs. Idaho
We'd love to see this hyped non-BCS program challenge a BCS-conference school. The Broncos are 1-7 against BCS schools in the regular season since 1999.
25. (tie) Memphis 9-4 13 Sept. 4 at Mississippi
Tigers got full of themselves with lofty preseason SportsLine.com ranking. Prospects dimmed after what look like significant off-field problems.
25. (tie) Wash. State 10-3 24 Sept. 3 at New Mexico
Josh Swogger isn't exactly inexperienced (81 passes last year). Tight end Troy Bienemann will help.
* -- Previous ranking indicates Dodd's Pre-Spring Top 25.

Just out of Top 25
Team Comment
Connecticut Big East title more than a dream.
Fresno State Pat Hill has won at least nine games in three consecutive seasons.
Iowa Underrated? Could have two losses before October.
Minnesota As long as Glen Mason is in Minny, Gophers will pound you.
Missouri Suspect defense keeps Tigers out of the Top 25.
N.C. State It's T.A. McClendon's team now.
Oregon Rebuilding but Mike Bellotti is waaaay behind USC.
So. Miss Might win Conference USA but tough non-cons against Nebraska, Cal and Alabama keep Eagles out of the Top 25.
Toledo Rockets are this year's Miami (Ohio) in the MAC.
Wisconsin Solid in both lines.

Non-BCS Top 10
Team Conference
1. Louisville Conference USA
2. Utah Mountain West Conference
3. TCU Conference USA
4. Boise State Western Athletic Conference
5. Memphis Conference USA
6. Southern Mississippi Conference USA
7. Toledo Mid-American Conference
8. Fresno State Western Athletic Conference
9. Hawaii Western Athletic Conference
10. Miami (Ohio) Mid-American Conference
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