Taking a look at the NCAA football polls

The polls are out as the college football season approaches, and the top team in the land depends on who you talk to as speculation varies as to who will playing for the BCS title come January.

If you listen to Associated Press, one of the most respected polls, then you?ve got Texas followed by USC. However, the Coaches? Top 25 has Ohio State followed by Texas. And, even further down the pollster trail you have the Harris Top 25, which takes USC followed by Texas. The only thing consistent about this year?s polls are that Texas is somewhere in the top two, a fact which will be challenged almost immediately this year when Texas and Ohio State go head-to-head.

Last year it was Texas who went up to Ohio and took the win, thus beginning its championship run. However, this year Vince Young is in a Titans uniform while the Buckeyes are returning many of their main weapons. It?ll be interesting to see if Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead can combine to even tie the shoelaces of the departed Young. It?s obvious the pollsters believe either the Longhorn defense is equal to the test, or that the offense down in Texas can merely reload for this season.

The one thing which kind of surprises me is the way USC is again highly rated, even topping some polls. While I understand the national media has a man-crush on USC, it?s hard for me to imagine how they can rank the Trojans so high when they just lost two Heisman Trophy winners in Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush along with about eight other All-Americans.

I do; however, agree with Notre Dame?s ranking (in the top 5 in most major polls) as their schedule is front-loaded, with a real opportunity to stay atop the polls if they can best teams early like Michigan and Michigan State, leaving their only big test at the end against USC. Yes, the same USC team they had beat until the Miracle at South Bend II last season. Provided Brady Quinn, who is a front-runner for the Heisman this year, stays healthy, the Irish could make a good run if they can overcome their always tough schedule.

Looking down through the rest of the Top 25, the SEC has up to five teams in the mix, with my favorite, the coach?s poll topped at six by Auburn, followed at eight by Florida and nine by one of Tennessee?s few wins last year in LSU. Georgia takes 10 in AP and eight in the Harris while Alabama take eight in AP, accounting for the five ranked teams if you consider all three major polls.

Speaking of the underachieving Volunteers, coming off their first losing season since 1988 after beginning last season ranked third, they were actually given some love by the Coaches? Poll which ranked them 23rd, something unusual for a team which just went 5-6 which included a loss to Vanderbilt (yes the same Vandy which lost to MTSU). By the way, the FoxSports poll has the same Tennessee team ranked 57th.

The only thing I can think is that the pollsters are hopeful the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe from the national championship days will boost the anemic offense which was held to under three touchdowns seven times last year.

Of course, the Vols will be tested early with their home opener against the California Golden Bears who are ranked 12th in the same poll. A win there sets the tone for the season as the Vols do have the benefit of having the big three, those being Florida, LSU and Alabama, all playing in Knoxville this year. However, as you noticed, all three appear in the nation?s top 10.