We’re getting down to the nitty gritty.  By the way, don’t forget to scroll down and read the article on Corky Miller.  Unbelievable. 

For those that are actually reading this, here’s what I plan on doing.  I’m gonna finish out my top 10, today and tomorrow.  Please comment on it with any thoughts that you might have.  The goal is that, I’d like to put our heads together and come up with a mutual poll that we feel rivals anything put out by the “so-called” experts.  There are a couple picks that I am dead set on having in the same spot, but other than that, I am open for suggestions, so read on, and let me know.  If there are any arguments, then I’ll make the final decision to keep it from dragging out too long.  We’ll keep updating it throughout the season and see how we finish up compared to the Talking Heads as well:

10 – LSU - I cannot put this team any higher without a proven QB.  Sorry.  Don’t get me wrong, LSU returns a lot of talented athletes, but once Perilloux got kicked off the team, I dropped any notion that they might contend for the National Championship.  It’s just too hard to make it through the SEC and into the NC with a guy that hasn’t even experienced it before.  Not gonna happen.  LSU returns 5 players on offense and 4 on defense.  The difference is that they were 2 deep at almost every position last year and maintain plenty of depth (although less experience) this season.  That depth ought to keep them in a lot of games.  Talent wise, they return 4 starters on the offensive line and that will be huge for either Jarrett Lee or Andrew Hatch and the trio of potential stud running backs, Charles Scott, Richard Murphy, and Keiland Williams.  Defensively, they will be led by tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, who despite missing all but 2 games last year, should be a potential All-American candidate.  They need some seriously quick progress in the secondary though, or it could be a tough season defensively.  Game to Watch:  Sep. 20th at Auburn

9 – Kansas - I picked Kansas over Missouri to enter the top ten in the preseason this year.  I like what they did last year and I think that Todd Reesing at QB will have a better year this year than Chase Daniel.  They return 6 guys on offense and 9 on a defense that was underrated all year.  (granted, they lose the best defensive player from a year ago in Aqib Talib)  Mangino’s no-huddle spread attack should give KU even more of an advantage this year with the advent of the 40 second play clock.  Teams are going to have to hustle to get the defensive set in against them.  As long as the line gels early, and a running back steps to the forefront, they should be just fine offensively.  Defensively, the Jayhawks will be comparable to last year as long as they can make up for the loss of Talib.  They did face some weaker offensive competition last year, compared to this year, but with a seriously strong linebacking core and 2 returning DEs, their depth will be better and they should adapt well.  Game to Watch:  Nov. 29th vs. Missouri

8 – West Virginia - I have been in awe of Pat White since he torched Georgia a few years ago in the 2006 Sugar Bowl.  It was a real bad break that he got hurt last year and they fell apart against Pitt.  This year, he gets a chance to redeem himself.  I know that Rodriquez is gone, but the spread offense is alive and well and they have discussed trying to throw the ball down field a little more this year.  With the offensive line that they are returning and Noel Devine in the backfield, West Virginia is going to be very, very hard to stop.  If they have a few receivers step up along the way, it could be a special season in Morgantown.  Jeff Casteel didn’t follow Rich Rodriquez to Michigan.  That helps because his 3-3-5 defense lost 7 starters from a season ago.  He should be able to mix and match to keep them sharp, and the linebackers will be solid.  If the secondary can start to pick it up early, they will be just fine.  Lack of depth is a concern, but the goal would be for the offense to eat up lots of clock.  Game to Watch:  Nov. 28th at Pittsburgh

7 – Wisconsin - The Badgers return 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense.  I’ve always respected Wisconsin.  One way or other, they always seem to be a strong team every year.  This year, I’m hoping they take it to OSU and take them out of the NC picture.  Maybe they could even slide in themselves.  The big problem with Wisconsin is that they will be starting a first year QB for the 3rd year in a row.  It hasn’t proved too big a deal so far, so I don’t know that it should be a major concern.  Especially since the backfield is stacked.  They probably have the most talented and deep running back core in the country and they will need them to help cushion the intro of either Allan Evridge or Dustin Sherer at QB.  the line should be strong and Travis Beckum is one of the top TEs in the country.  Defensively, they return a veteran front seven with six returning starters and a whole lot of depth.  The secondary will need to develop as the season goes on, but the aforementioned front should help keep that on track.  Matt Shaughnessy should anchor the defense from his DE position as long as he is ready to go after breaking his leg right before the spring game.  Game to Watch:  Oct. 4th vs. Ohio State

6 – Florida - There’s not much that needs to be said about Florida.  Tebow, Harvin, the addition of Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody at the RB position.  With a very strong offensive line returning, the offense should be stellar.  It will be very interesting to see how Tebow performs with a viable running back in the mix.  Meyer has already said that he will limit Tebow’s touches, as far a running the ball, and that might end up biting the Gators if it changes his style too much.  Not much of a concern though.  Defensively, they lost Derrick Harvey, but return 8 guys on a defense that struggled throughout last season.  They should be better with a year under their belts, but the secondary is still a question mark.  To be honest, most teams are gonna have to outscore these guys though, so as long as the offense is clicking early, the D should have time to try and catch up.  Game to Watch:  Nov. 1st vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)

Alright guys, let me know what you think.  5 to go, but give me your insight and we’ll see if we can’t put together a top 25 that makes ESPN look like a bunch of idiots all year.  Talk at you again later.

“You ski the K-12 dude and girls will go sterile just looking at you!”*****

******an encore quote for the “Better Off Dead” fans