Ohio State Unranked In Early ESPN Top 25

Mark Schlabach, ESPN's consistently dull college football writer, released his annual January Top 25 earlier today, taking his first stab at predicting the top teams for the 2012 season. Ohio State is unranked, which is a case of myopia, I think. There are some issues on the offensive line and at linebacker, but the struggles of the 2011 season can be almost wholly attributed to the unique coaching situation and the uneven quarterback situation. With large improvement in both categories, it seems likely that Ohio State will finish in the top 25 in Urban Meyer's first season.

1. LSU Tigers

2. USC Trojans

3. Oregon Ducks

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

5. Oklahoma Sooners

As valid a top five as any at this early juncture. LSU retains most of their starting talent and may even improve at quarterback with Jordan Jefferson's graduation. When Matt Barkley announced his return to USC, it assured the Trojans of a top five rankings. Oregon, Alabama, and Oklahoma all return talent, but Oregon still has a significant NCAA investigation taking place, which could upset the situation, as Buckeye fans know only too well.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

7. West Virginia Mountaineers

8. Florida State Seminoles

9. Michigan State Spartans

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

Florida State and West Virginia seem like good bets to continue their bowl success. Dana Holgorsen, on the heels of a dominant Orange Bowl performance, will have a full spring and fall to teach the nuances of his Air-Raid offense, and Florida State's 2011 recruiting class, brimming over with talent, will enter their second year in the program. Mark Stoops, Florida State defensive coordinator, had one of the best defenses in the country this season; if Fisher can improve his offense, Florida State will be a legitimate national title contender.

11. Michigan Wolverines

12. Kansas State Wildcats

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

15. TCU Horned Frogs

Michigan will be habitually over-ranked in preseason polls due to their luck-filled 2011 season. The Wolverines missed Penn State and Wisconsin last year and received Ohio State and Nebraska at home, huge boons to Brady Hoke's first-year record. Opening against Alabama will bring Hoke and Michigan back down to earth quickly.

Arkansas should be ranked in the top ten. They lose receiving talent and a few defensive starters, but Bobby Petrino recruits skill position talent in bunches. He will plug-and-play receivers and the Razorback offense won't miss a beat. Petrino may even upgrade the position if he can sign Dorial Green-Beckham, the top receiver recruit in the country. New Razorback defensive coordinator Paul Haynes--Ohio State's former defensive backs coach--coached his first game in the Cotton Bowl, and the Arkansas defense dominated, allowing less than four yards per play. If Haynes can upgrade the Hog defense, they can play for an SEC title.

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys

17. Stanford Cardinal

18. Virginia Tech Hokies

19. Wisconsin Badgers

20. Boise State Broncos

Wisconsin will be hit hard by their losses--offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, offensive line coach Bob Bostad, receivers coach DelVaugn Alexander, linebackers coach Dave Huxtable, quarterback Russell Wilson. There's a real chance the Badgers finish outside the top 25 and struggle for the first time in four years.

How will Boise State respond without Kellen Moore, Oklahoma State without Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden?

21. Texas Longhorns

22. Clemson Tigers

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

24. N.C. State Wolfpack

25. Louisville Cardinals

Texas has disappeared from the national title spotlight the past two seasons. If Mack Brown cannot return them to it this year, he will be pushed out, right? Too much money and too many expectations involved in Austin for three straight languid years to be acceptable.

Brian Kelly just received an extension for two 8-5 seasons, an extension that was probably made for recruiting purposes. Charlie Weis lowered Notre Dame's expectations, but they still must be higher than 8-5. If he finishes 8-5 for a third straight season, his seat will heat.