Walker's Rants... Sort of College Football Top 25

College football season kicks off on Thursday night when powerhouse LSU takes on SEC rival Mississippi State. While there are other games occurring on Thursday, this is without a doubt the game that all football fans will be watching. Too bad it will end up being a blowout in LSU’s favor. All of that aside college football season is back, and all around the country living rooms, bars, and stadiums will fill up every Saturday as fans gather to cheer on their favorite teams. The NFL may be America’s passion, but college football is America’s obsession.

Check out TheNewsRooms Top 25 Rankings that will be updated each week.

1) USC is the unanimous favorite and preseason number one at this time. Like always they are returning a Heisman favorite at quarterback, an army of All-American running backs and a pro-style defense. USC has the talent to run through the Pac-10 conference and is looking to regain their elite status they held for much of the last decade.

2) LSU, the Tigers have been a powerhouse team for the better part of the last five years. Even with losing JaMarcus Russell l to the NFL, the Tigers are stacked with enough talent to make another run for the BCS Championship game. If LSU played in an easier conference they would be a hands on favorite to make an appearance in Arizona in January, but the SEC is dangerous for any team. If LSU can make it through the conference undefeated they will be the National Champions.

3) West Virginia dominated the Big East for the majority of the season last year. However a late season stumble cost them a shot at playing for a National title. The Mountaineers have two Heisman Trophy candidates in their back fields with Steve Slaton and Patrick White. They are without a doubt the fastest backfield in the nation. The Big East is an improved conference, but don’t look for Rutgers to rekindle the magic of last season. With their experience and poise anything less than BCS appearance would be a disappointment.

4) Texas always seems to reload no matter who they lose to the NFL and graduation. This year is no exception. Sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy has a year of experience with him and is ready to take on the rigors of a Big 12 season. With Oklahoma facing probation Texas is the heads on favorite to win the Big 12 conference. The only thing standing in their way is Texas. Off the field problems have been a distraction for the program all season. If Mack Brown’s crew can re focus, the will be a strong contender.

5) Florida is the defending national champions, and they have a chance to repeat. Urban Meyer has the quarterback he likes in Tim Tebow. Meyer will have to depend on the scrambling quarterback to carry a bulk of the offense after losing four starters from last year’s championship team. The SEC East is not as strong as the West, but it will still put Urban Meyer’s young crew to the test early and often.

6) Virginia Tech

7) Wisconsin

8) Oklahoma

9) Michigan

10) Louisville

11) Ohio State

12) Auburn

13) California

14) Tennessee

15) Rutgers

16) UCLA

17) Arkansas