How Doug voted on his preseason ballot for the preseason AP Top 25
View full sizeMoving to the Big Ten must suit Nebraska well ... Doug Lesmerises has the Cornhuskers ranked No. 5 in the nation as they begin their first season in the conference. The AP has Nebraska at No. 10.25. Pitt
Another new Big East coach with a chance to win. Todd Graham's team has an easy start before visiting Iowa on Sept. 17.
24. Texas
The Longhorns have their own network now. You can't go 5-7 again when you have your own network, can you?
23. Penn State
Defense has enough to make Nittany Lions contender in Leaders Division. But have to get QB situation sorted out.
22. Florida
Like new coach Will Muschamp, have to see how Gators adjust to Charlie Weis offense. Should be 4-0 hosting Alabama on Oct. 1.
21. Georgia
Like sophomore QB Aaron Murray. Bulldogs will be much better than last season's 6-7 record.
20. Miami
Made this pick before the NCAA investigation became public. Would now give top 25 spot to Arkansas -- Razorbacks fans are outraged I'm one of three AP voters to not rank them.
19. Arizona State
With USC banned from first Pac-12 title game, best bet to represent the South. If not, could get coach Dennis Erickson fired.
18. West Virginia
Maybe no Big East team should be rated this high. But could have dangerous combo in QB Gene Smith, new coach Dana Holgorsen.
17. Ohio State
With first-year coach and first-year QB, can't help thinking unseen stumble is out there. But if Buckeyes win at Nebraska on Oct. 8, watch out.
16. USC
Inelegible for Pac-12 title game and bowl game, but should be best team in Pac-12 South.
15. Notre Dame
Always easy to overhype, and that might be happening again. Or, Brian Kelly could be getting things together. Their start vs. South Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt will let us know.
14. Virginia Tech
Potential national-title contention revolves primarily around weak schedule. No tests in nonconference, would only face Florida State in ACC title game.
13. Oklahoma State
Hosts Oklahoma to close regular season. Has lost eight straight to Sooners, but with WR Justin Blackmon, Cowboys will hang with anybody.
12. Stanford
Thought the Cardinal was underhyped last season preseason, now overhyped. Andrew Luck will be NFL's No. 1 pick in April, but questions on offensive line. And loss of coach Jim Harbaugh matters.
11. Wisconsin
Pick to win Big Ten Leaders Division, but Badgers don't have another game-changing defensive lineman like J.J. Watt just sitting around.
10. Oregon
Wondering if NCAA could find anything with Willie Lyles case to throw Ducks off stride. I have them ranked lower than most voters.
9. Michigan State
Veteran QB, run game, talented defensive line -- if Spartans win at Ohio State on Oct. 1, confidence would make them real Big Ten contender.
8. Texas A&M
Oklahoma's biggest Big 12 challenger, but all the talk is about whether Aggies are headed to the SEC.
7. LSU
Off-field issues complicating opener with Oregon, but still enough talent to win. Overall schedule incredibly tough.
6. South Carolina
The SEC team to watch. Darkhorse national title contender, and running back Marcus Lattimore could be Heisman factor.
5. Nebraska
Offense isn't elite, but defense may be so good, it may not matter. If Cornhuskers start Big Ten 2-0 by beating Wisconsin and Ohio State, national title talk will kick up.
4. Boise State
With a win over Georgia on Saturday, Broncos would lurk all season at edge of national title picture, waiting for BCS teams to stumble.
3. Florida State
I might have the Seminoles a bit high, but win over Oklahoma on Sept. 17 would make them everybody's No. 1.
2. Alabama
Deserve this spot now, and defense could be spectacular, but QB Greg McElroy could be missed more than you think. See if Penn State can test Tide in Week 2.
1. Oklahoma
Lack of Big 12 championship game makes national title path little easier; consensus No. 1 for lots of good reason, starting with offensive talent.
-- Doug Lesmerises
The AP preseason Top 25 (with first-place votes in parentheses):
25. USC 160
24. West Virginia 207
23. Auburn 219
22. Florida 228
21. Missouri 258
20. Mississippi State 361
19. Georgia 369
18. Ohio State 443
17. Michigan State 519
16. Notre Dame 530
15. Arkansas 686
14. TCU 690
13. Virginia Tech 821
12. South Carolina 848
11. Wisconsin 900
10. Nebraska 910
9. Oklahoma State 955
8. Texas A&M 965
7. Stanford 1091
6. Florida State 1168
5. Boise State 1200 (2)
4. LSU 1286 (1)
3. Oregon 1330 (4)
2. Alabama 1439 (17)
1. Oklahoma 1464 (36)
Others receiving votes: Texas (114) , Penn State (75) , Arizona State (67) , Miami (FL) (32) , Utah (25) , Southern Miss (20) , Iowa (19) , North Carolina State (15) , Brigham Young (15) , Air Force (14) , Houston (13) , Pittsburgh (9) , Michigan (7) , Tennessee (5) , UCF (5) , Northern Illinois (4) , Hawaii (4) , Tulsa (3) , Maryland (2) , Arizona (2) , Northwestern (1) , Nevada (1) , Washington (1)
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2011/09/college_football_preview_2011.html
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