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This weeks ISC top 25 Poll! 5 writers take a shot at ranking the top 25 teams, Keep in mind this is personal opinion, and our rankings last year were MUCH more volatile than the AP or the coaches poll. Disagree? Got a Problem? Let us know below.

#1 Florida - Last week 1

Last week: W vs. Charleston Southern 62-3

Next week: vs. Troy

Chris Capcara: Their offense looked like it was in midseason form with the starters putting up 42 in the first half.  However, they allowed 323 yards of offense to a bowl subdivision team, so there is room for improvement there.

#2 Texas - Last week 2

Last: W vs. Louisiana-Monroe 59-20

Next: @ Wyoming

Zach Bigalke: The Longhorns opened up their season with a big victory against an overmatched foe. They go next week to Laramie to face a Wyoming squad led by new head coach Dave Christensen -- formerly the offensive coordinator at Missouri, so he’s familiar with Texas. McCoy and crew must watch out for a potential Big XII trap at altitude against a Mountain West foe.

#3 Alabama - Last week 4

Last: W vs. #5 Virginia Tech 34-24 (@ Atlanta)

Next: vs. Florida International

Matt Strobl: The Tide were a little sloppy versus a scrappy Virginia Tech team, but in the end they lived up to expectations.  With this non-conference win behind them, all eyes turn toward SEC play.  McElroy is going to have to improve as a QB if 'Bama is going to hang with the Gators, but the team has the talent to be a contender for the National Championship.  Expect the Tide to be highly ranked, wire to wire.

#4 USC - Last week 3

Last: W vs. San Jose St. 56-3

Next: @ #11 Ohio State

Zach Bigalke: The Trojans picked up right where they left off last season with a 56-3 dismantling of San Jose State. Freshman QB Matt Barkley went 15-of-19 for 233 yards and a TD in his debut. USC heads to Columbus this Saturday to face #11 Ohio State, who the Trojans beat last season 35-3 in Los Angeles.

#5 Oklahoma State - Last week 7

Last: W vs. #15 Georgia 24-10

Next: vs. Houston

John Mitchell: The Cowboys came out and put away all doubts as they opened with a win over a top SEC opponent in Georgia. Dez Bryant had a big game, and Oklahoma State is off to a good start.

#6 Ole Miss - Last week 11

Last: W vs. Memphis 45-14

Next: vs. Southeastern Louisiana

Chris Capcara: The game was a lot closer than the score indicates, but a good team owns the fourth quarter, and that's what Ole Miss did by outscoring Memphis 28-7 in the 4th.

#7 Penn State - Last week 8

Last: W vs. Akron 31-7

Next: vs. Syracuse

Zach Bigalke: The Nittany Lions got the season off to a great start against MAC darkhorse Akron. The Zips were held under 200 yards of total offense and allowed over 500 against Penn State. This week Paterno and crew host feel-good story Greg Paulus and the Syracuse Orangemen, who played Minnesota tough in an overtime loss last week.

#8  Brigham Young - Last week unranked

Last: W vs. #6 Oklahoma 14-13 (@ Arlington, TX)

Next: vs. Tulane

Matt Strobl: The Cougars took advantage of Sam Bradford's injury and upset a shocked and damaged Sooners team.  Had Bradford been able to stay in, this win doesn't happen.  But it did, and now BYU has to decide what it means.  If the team can run the table or survive with only one loss, it will have a strong resume that might be worthy of BCS consideration.  But if BYU falters, this win versus OU won't be enough to save them.  For now, it has earned them a well-deserved spot in the Top 10.

#9  Boise State - Last week 12

Last: W vs. #9 Oregon 19-8

Next: vs. Miami (OH)

Zach Bigalke: The Broncos won their home opener 19-8 in a game that was marred by LeGarrette Blount's post-game tirade. Boise State set itself up for another undefeated regular season with the win and a potential BCS berth. They stay at home next week and host Miami of Ohio in a non-BCS showdown.

#10 California - Last week 16t

Last: W vs. Maryland 52-13

Next: vs. Eastern Washington

John Mitchell: With Oregon losing to start the season, Cal was able to emerge as the team that can compete with USC for the Pac-10. Cal avenged last season’s loss to Maryland with a 39 point victory.

#11 Ohio State - Last week 10

Last: W vs. Navy 31-27

Next: vs. #4 USC

Chris Capcara: Ohio State struggled with Navy, but Rolle's two-point interception return saved the Buckeyes (and the Big 10) an embarrassing loss.

12 Georgia Tech - Last week 18

Last: W vs. Jacksonville State 37-17

Next: vs. Clemson

Zach Bigalke: The Yellow Jackets ran amok in their home opener last week, with QB Josh Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer combining for 188 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Nesbitt also completed 6-of-11 through the air for another 141 yards and a passing touchdown. Georgia Tech gets to face a Clemson squad that looks far tougher under Dabo Swinney this year after their own 37-point day against Middle Tennessee State.

#13 LSU - Last week 12

Last: W @ Washington 31-23

Next: vs. Vanderbilt

Matt Strobl: Beating Washington by one score is only slightly better than a loss.  We're talking about a Huskies team that was winless in 2008.  While Washington has made some improvements, LSU should have handled them much more easily.  The fact that it was so close must be driving Les Miles crazy.  He has a lot to prove, and a lot of work to do before LSU is back as an elite SEC team.

#14 TCU - Last week 14

Last: none

Next: @ Virginia

Zach Bigalke: The Horned Frogs, coming off an 11-2 season in which they beat Boise State 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl, begin their 2009 season as one of three favorites to win the Mountain West. Gary Patterson takes his TCU squad to Charlottesville to face ACC opponent Virginia in their first test of the year.

#15 Oklahoma - Last week 6

Last: L vs. Brigham Young 13-14 (@ Arlington, TX)

Next: vs. Idaho State

John Mitchell: Not exactly the start OU was hoping for. The Sooners opened the season with a loss to BYU, and if that isn't bad enough, they lost the Heisman trophy winning QB in Sam Bradford to a shoulder injury for 2-4 weeks.

#16 North Carolina - Last week 20

Last: W vs. Citadel 40-6

Next: @ Connecticut

Chris Capcara: The Tar Heels displayed a powerful running game with 260 yards gained on the ground.  We'll see how their offense does against a formidable defense this week in Connecticut.  

17 Utah - Last week 16(t)

Last: W vs. Utah State 35-17

Next: @ San Jose St

Zach Bigalke: The Utes look to be back to the same form that led them to the nation’s only undefeated season in 2008. RB Matt Asiata is back pounding the ball on the ground, and junior-college transfer QB Terrence Cain is filling in ably for graduated Brian Johnson. They get their first road test this week against San Jose State, who got pounded 56-3 against USC in their opener.

#18 Virginia Tech - Last week 5

Last: L vs. #4 Alabama 24-34 (@ Atlanta)

Next: vs. Marshall

Matt Strobl: The Hokies fell to a superior Alabama team, but looked better than expected while doing it.  They caught some breaks and forced the Tide into some errors, but in the end just didn't have the firepower to stay in the game.  The fact that they weren't blown out says something about the quality of the team and Coach Beamer's ability to get the most out of his guys.  Still, VT will need to improve before conference play rolls around.

#19 Nebraska - Last week 22

Last: W vs. Florida Atlantic 49-3

Next: vs. Arkansas State

Zach Bigalke: The Cornhuskers started 2009 with a big home victory against minnows Florida Atlantic. RB Roy Helu, Jr. dominated for Nebraska, taking 16 carries for 152 yards and three scores. Next week Nebraska will host another Sun Belt school in Arkansas State and should again be a heavy favorite.

#20 Kansas - Last week N/R

Last: W vs. Northern Colorado 49-3

Next: @ UTEP

John Mitchell: The Jayhawks took care of business against Northern Colorado just like they should have. Next up on the docket is UTEP. There shouldn’t be any surprises here.

#21 Florida State - Last week 19

Last: L vs. Miami 34-38

Next: vs. Jacksonville State

Chris Capcara: In what was probably the most exciting Week 1 game to watch, the Noles' Fortson couldn't hang on to a last second would-be go-ahead pass from Ponder.  Their defense needs work if they expect to win the ACC and it doesn't get any easier this week.

22 Georgia - Last week 15

Last: L @ #7 Oklahoma State 10-24

Next: vs. South Carolina

Zach Bigalke: The Bulldogs lost a tough road opener against Oklahoma State, but can take solace in the fact that they were able to hold a strong Cowboys offense to just 300 yards of total offense. Joe Cox kept Georgia in the game through the third quarter, but it is apparent that there are some growing pains to be had for Richt and crew.

#23 Miami Hurricanes - Last week N/R

Last: W @ Florida State 38-34

Next: vs. #12 Georgia Tech (9/17)

Matt Strobl: The 'Canes made a statement against FSU on Monday night.  The 2009 squad won't make anyone forget about the 90s, but this team is considerably better than what we've seen in recent seasons.  The question is can Randy Shannon keep it going, or will this early-season success fizzle?  If Miami is able to continue to play at this level, the Hurricanes could be surprise contenders for the Coastal Division.

#24 Notre Dame - Last week N/R

Last: W vs. Nevada 35-0

Next: @ Michigan

Zach Bigalke: The Fighting Irish got a season of high expectations off with a bang, shutting out Nevada 35-0 in their home opener. QB Jimmy Clausen was an efficient sniper, completing 15-of-18 for 315 yards and four scores. They head on the road next week to take on rival Michigan, who they beat 35-17 last year at home.

#25  Oregon State - Last week 25(t)

Last: W vs. Portland State 34-7

Next: UNLV

John Mitchell: I don't think Oregon State is deserving of this ranking just yet. I think we should see how they play against stiff competition in two weeks against Cincinnati before we jump the gun on ranking them.

Submitted 9/9/09 

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