Ohio State is Number 1 in first poll, followed closely by Texas

Despite only returning two defensive starters, Ohio State was named the No. 1 team in the USA Today preseason college football poll on Friday. Coming off a 10-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes received 28 of 63 first-place votes and 1,487 points from Division I-A coaches.

Ohio State must be able to overhaul its defense with the graduation of several stars, including the entire starting linebacking trio of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel. But the Buckeyes have talented players waiting in the wings, and they return nearly all of their key players on offense, including quarterback Troy Smith and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., both Heisman Trophy candidates.

Defending national champion Texas (13-0) is second after receiving 11 first-place votes and 1,378 points. But the Longhorns, who won a championship for the ages with a 41-38 triumph over Southern California in the Rose Bowl, have to replace all-everything quarterback Vince Young, who left after his junior season and was drafted third by the Tennessee Titans.

Notre Dame (9-3) and USC (12-1) are tied for third with 1,348 points apiece. The Fighting Irish are entering their second season under coach Charlie Weis, while the Trojans begin life without quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Reggie Bush, the last two Heisman winners. Notre Dame received nine first-place votes and USC one.

Oklahoma (8-4) is fifth with 1,320 points. The Sooners had the second-most first-place votes - 13 - but those doubtlessly came in before the news Wednesday that coach Bob Stoops permanently dismissed starting quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn from the team for being paid far in excess of hours worked at a local car dealership.

Auburn (9-3), which received the remaining first-place vote, is sixth, while West Virginia (11-1), Florida (9-3), Louisiana State (11-2) and Florida State (8-5) complete the top 10.

Miami (9-3) is 11th, followed by California (8-4), Louisville (9-3), Georgia (10-3), Michigan (7-5), Virginia Tech (11-2), Iowa (7-5), Clemson (8-4), Penn State (11-1) and Oregon (10-2).

TCU (11-1), Nebraska (8-4), Tennessee (5-6), Alabama (10-2) and Texas Tech (9-3) round out the top 25.

Source

• SI.com

Date

Sat 08/05/06, 5:29 am EST

ASwaffAll-American

1064 days ago

Score 0

I'm still a little surprised to see USC starting that high, considering what they lost. People are talking about how the Longhorns will replace Vince Young...how will the Trojans replace Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush AND LenDale White?

I also gotta say that, although I've seen Nebraska and Texas Tech in the top 25 in this poll and many user polls, I'm expecting more of Kansas and Missouri this year. Kansas is coming off a very solid season, and Mangino is doing a great job up there. Missouri has a very good replacement for Brad Smith this year with top high school recruit Chase Daniel, who should be able to make an immediate impact. I don't really know why expectations are even as high as they are for Nebraska. They've done nothing to make me think they're for real.

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