Post-Spring Top 25: LSU, Oklahoma top rankings

Don’t be shocked if something similar happens again this fall — especially after Auburn and Oregon came from the back of the top 25 pack last year to play for it all.

1. LSU. We’re buying into the maturation of quarterback Jordan Jefferson; that, and the Tigers’ nasty defense and elite skill players on offense. And at this point, we’re simply not betting against the SEC. Period.

2. Oklahoma: The Sooners’ interior lines are terrific, and quarterback Landry Jones last year had the quietest 38 touchdown passes in the history of the game. Freshman tailback Brandon Williams will bring it all together.

3. Alabama.

4. Stanford.

5. Oregon: Welcome to the world of the SEC, and the Big 12 prior to this season: More times than not, TERA Gold two teams in the same division will be the two best teams in your conference.

6. Boise State: Mountain West Conference or Western Athletic Conference. Does it really make a difference? Boise – fair or not -- only gets to New Orleans with complete chaos.

7. Florida State: Seriously, this is the year the ‘Noles return to the nation’s elite.

8. Ohio State.

9. Oklahoma State.

10. Nebraska: There’s a chance – RIFT Platinum a very good chance – electric quarterback Taylor Martinez and a wicked defense can lead to great things in Year 1 in the Big Ten. If Martinez can stay healthy.

11. Arkansas.

12. Texas A&M.

13. Virginia Tech: Auburn, 2010, meet Auburn, 2011. Logan Thomas can do for the Hokies what Cam Newton did for the Tigers.

14. Wisconsin.

15. Auburn.

16. Michigan State.

17. Notre Dame: Get ready, ND bashers. Guess who’s back in the BCS? Coach Brian Kelly is that good, and the schedule is that favorable.

18. South Carolina.

19. TCU. The step back this fall isn’t because TCU lost so much, it’s because TCU lost one of the best players in school history. rift gold Replacing quarterback Andy Dalton – and all he meant on game day – will be the difference in playing in a third straight BCS game or the Las Vegas Bowl.

20. Mississippi State.

21. Utah: Wait and see how quickly Utah realizes there are no UNLVs in the Pac-12. The weekly battle will wear down a team that could’ve been another unbeaten non-BCS team this season had it stayed in the MWC.

22. West Virginia.

23. Arizona State: Sun Devils were a handful of plays last season from winning nine games. RIFT Platinum Quarterback Brock Osweiler got hot late last season, and played well this spring. The defense will be stout; the offense is the key to a much higher ranking.

24. Penn State.

25. USC: Maybe the most intriguing team in the top 25. Trojans have enough talent to win 10 or 11 games, but this team is a few injuries from playing freshmen at critical positions. Rift Gold There are just not enough experienced bodies on the two-deep depth chart.