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ESPN's Post Spring Top 25, Really Does Not Mean A Thing

ESPN's Mark Schlabach just released his latest college football top-25 installment. These rankings are really all for fun for off season talk, but what is odd is how teams can make a huge fall without suffering an injury to a major player or a reason a team would jump high due to their spring practice.

TCU drops from ninth to 22nd on information we already new, such as losing quarterback Andy Dalton to the NFL draft in addition to 26 seniors. Also, how does West Virginia move into the poll at 14 after not being ranked last time around.

I left in the TCU and Boise State -- seventh by the way -- blurb from Schlabach, so for his take on the other team head over to the complete list at ESPN.

I still find it hard to believe that LSU can be fifth and they do not even know who their starting quarterback will be and I feel that Ohio State should not be ranked at all.

1. Oklahoma Sooners (Previous ranking: 1)

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (Previous ranking: 2)

3. Florida State Seminoles (Previous ranking: 3)

4. Oregon Ducks (Previous ranking: 5)

5. LSU Tigers (Previous ranking: 4)

6. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Previous ranking: 10)

7. Boise State Broncos (Previous ranking: 8)

The Broncos bring back quarterback Kellen Moore, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and underrated tailback Doug Martin. But the Broncos must replace record-setting receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young, and they'll be without former offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, who left for Texas. Receivers Geraldo Hiwat, a 6-foot-4 native of Amsterdam, and Kirby Moore, the quarterback's brother, emerged as potential playmakers during the spring. Tackle Charles Leno and guard Jake Broyles solidified the right side of the offensive line. Finding replacements for safety Jeron Johnson and end Ryan Winterswyk remains a concern heading into preseason camp. The Broncos open the season against Georgia in the Sept. 3 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, which will be another chance for them to prove they're a national contender.

8. Stanford Cardinal (Previous ranking: 7)

9. Texas A&M Aggies (Previous ranking: 12)

10. Michigan State Spartans (Previous ranking: 16)

Star-divide

11. Arkansas Razorbacks (Previous ranking: 11)

12. Wisconsin Badgers (Previous ranking: 13)

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Previous ranking: 24)

14. West Virginia Mountaineers (Previous ranking: NR)

15. Ohio State Buckeyes (Previous ranking: 6)

16. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Previous ranking: 14)

17. Georgia Bulldogs (Previous ranking: 18)

18. Missouri Tigers (Previous ranking: 21)

19. South Carolina Gamecocks (Previous ranking: 15)

20. Texas Longhorns (Previous ranking: 19)

21. Arizona State Sun Devils (Previous ranking: 23)

22. TCU Horned Frogs (Previous ranking: 9)

The Horned Frogs will have a difficult time duplicating last season's success, after they finished 13-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country to end the 2010 season. TCU lost 26 seniors, including quarterback Andy Dalton and center Jake Kirkpatrick, one of four departing starters from the offensive line. Sophomore Casey Pachall is ahead of redshirt freshman Matt Brown in the race to replace Dalton. Tailback Ed Wesley is back after running for 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010. All-America linebacker Tank Carder, the Rose Bowl defensive MVP, leads a rebuilt defense. The Horned Frogs open their final season in the Mountain West Conference (they're moving to the Big East in 2012) with consecutive road games at Baylor and Air Force and play at MWC newcomer Boise State on Nov. 12.

23. Virginia Tech Hokies (Previous ranking: 22)

24. Florida Gators (Previous ranking: 20)

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (Previous ranking: 25)

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West Virginia moves up because their offense looked super scary in the spring game. I’m becoming increasingly optimistic about the Horned Frogs chances this year, here’s to another top 10 finish.

by HawkeyedFrog on May 3, 2011 4:27 PM PDT reply actions  

By the end of the season

No more than 10 of these teams will be ranked.

Is it just me or is ND over hyped every year just to suck again?

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by sabbi on May 3, 2011 6:14 PM PDT via mobile reply actions  

i'm glad they have georgia at 17 b/c when boise state beats them they will get a big boost.

Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world.

by wolfmanshowlforever on May 3, 2011 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's not just you

Notre Dame is considered to be good based entirely upon their tradition.

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by rebelfan1 on May 4, 2011 5:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

Having watched Brian Kelly for 3 years in the Big East...

…he’s legit. Yes, Notre Dame gets the benefit of the doubt because of their tradition, but Kelly can really coach. He’s going to win and win big at Notre Dame, it’s just a matter of time.

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by Country Roads on May 4, 2011 6:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

I agree with that

But before this season, they have been a pre-season favorite simply because of the history. i.e. “Well you know Notre Dame is always going to be a good football team because… well… because they’re Notre Dame.” I’ve actually heard on ESPN Analyst say that (I can’t remember which one).

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Bright Side of the Sun - Dedicated to Phoenix Suns basketball since 2006.

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by rebelfan1 on May 4, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

ND

I think they will be a fringe top 25 team.

by Jeremy Mauss on May 4, 2011 7:08 AM PDT reply actions  

TCU drops from 9 to 22?

Would love to hear his reasoning there.

"Football is a violent game played by violent people, so put a smile on your face, murder in your heart and lets go kick these f***kers in the mouth" -Dick Bumpas, TCU Defensive Coordinator

by Ben Findley on May 4, 2011 9:11 AM PDT reply actions  

When he ranked us 9 he already new Dalton and company were gone

So what changed?

"Football is a violent game played by violent people, so put a smile on your face, murder in your heart and lets go kick these f***kers in the mouth" -Dick Bumpas, TCU Defensive Coordinator

by Ben Findley on May 4, 2011 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

mike slive called. wants to make sure no sec team has to face tcu.

Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world.

by wolfmanshowlforever on May 4, 2011 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

I know

it makes no sense to drop them that far.

by Jeremy Mauss on May 4, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

tcu loses a qb and falls . arkansas loses a qb (sec team of course) is at 11th. biased rankings as always

Jon " Bones " Jones new UFC light heavyweight champion. Even if Jones got struck flush in the face he would recover and defeat whoever is in front of him. I told everyone the fight would be easy. Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world.

by wolfmanshowlforever on May 4, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

The real problem with his rankings is how stacked it is with the "usual suspects"

because he really doesn’t know. How can you have FIVE non-AQ schools in the final AP poll (and another 8-9 also receiving votes) but only name (and again, “usual suspects”), Boise and TCU?

I'd rather be surfing.

by Pac 10 Alum on May 4, 2011 10:41 PM PDT reply actions  

True

UCF should get some consideration, they ended the season strong.

by Jeremy Mauss on May 5, 2011 6:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

This first schedule type is for if the MWC expands and adds only Boise St. to make 10 schools.This scheduling type is based off of the chance of the NCAA Bylaw that states you must have 12 teams and 2 divisions in order to have a championship game gets changed.
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by vizitor on Jul 2, 2011 2:19 AM PDT reply actions  


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