Adams' Top 25

2. LSU: A favorable home schedule and another ornery defense make the Tigers the team to beat in the SEC.

3. West Virginia: Quarterback Patrick White and running back Steve Slaton give the Mountaineers the best one-two punch in college football.

4. Michigan: A star-studded offense still has Mario Manningham, Chad Henne and Mike Hart, and the defense returns six starters.

5. Florida: The defending national champions will lose plenty of defense, but their offense should be even better.

6. Texas: Don't let the losses to Texas A&M and Kansas State fool you. The Longhorns are still the class of the Big 12.

7. Louisville: The Cardinals lost coach Bobby Petrino, but they still have quarterback Brian Brohm.

8. Virginia Tech: Eight starters return from the nation's No. 1 defense, which could carry the Hokies to the top of the ACC.

9. Oklahoma: The Sooners have plenty of experience but will have to break in a new quarterback for the third consecutive year.

10. Ohio State: The Buckeyes will lose their offensive stars, but there's enough talent returning to contend for a Big Ten title.

11. Wisconsin: The Badgers' consistent running attack will keep them in the top 25.

12. UCLA: The Bruins return 20 starters from a team that won its last three regular-season games against bowl-bound teams.

13. South Carolina: Quarterback Blake Mitchell has improved significantly under Steve Spurrier, and the Gamecocks return 10 starters on defense.

14. Iowa: The Hawkeyes return 15 starters and have a favorable Big Ten schedule (no Ohio State or Michigan).

15. TCU: The Horned Frogs, who return nine starters from one of the nation's top defenses, won their last eight games in 2006.

16. California: The Golden Bears return nine starters from a potent offense, but there's work to be done on defense.

17. Texas A&M: The Aggies return 17 starters from a team that lost three regular-season games by a total of six points.

18. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers' offensive line returns intact, and Arizona State transfer Sam Keller gives them a proven successor to quarterback Zac Taylor.

19. Tennessee: The Vols will build their offense around quarterback Erik Ainge and running back LaMarcus Coker.

20. Georgia: The Bulldogs perked up at the end of the 2006 season but will need young players and junior college recruits to step up quickly if they hope to contend in the SEC East.

21. Florida State: A revamped offensive coaching staff should help the Seminoles return to the Top 25.

22. Alabama: With an experienced offense and new coach Nick Saban in charge of the defense, the Tide can't help but be improved.

23. Arkansas: No one in the SEC can run with the Hogs, who still will have Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield.

24. Wake Forest: The defending ACC champions could be even better in 2007, but there's no chance of anyone overlooking them.

25. South Florida: The Bulls return eight starters apiece on offense and defense from a team that knocked off West Virginia and almost beat Rutgers in the Big East.

Other Top 25 Candidates: Auburn, Miami, Boston College, Arizona State, Rutgers, Boise State, Oregon State, Brigham Young and Penn State.