Baseless predictions for 2010

Based on the nationalchamps.net preseason Top 25, which is as valid as any other preseason prediction at this point.

1. Alabama 10-2 (I think Florida and Arky take down the defending champs)
2. Ohio State 11-1*
3. Boise State 10-2* (will lose to Va Tech in Maryland)
4. Oregon 9-3
5. Texas 9-3
6. Florida 11-1* (because if Texas can't be the college football villain, Florida will be)
7. TCU 10-2 (will lose to Oregon State and Utah; Utah takes MWC)
8. Iowa 10-2
9. Nebraska 11-1 (slight uptick on offense, slight downtick on defense)
10. Wisconsin 9-3
11. Georgia Tech 7-5 (for some reason, I just see Ga Tech hitting the wall this season)
12. USC 8-5 (bummer... no bowl, either)
13. Penn State 8-4 (I think JoePa—or his organs—give up after 2010)
14. Virginia Tech 10-2* (typical strong, Beamerific season)
15. Miami 7-5 (tough schedule, thin-ankled QB)
16. Oklahoma 12-0* (dark horse alert; everyone's underestimating "the 'stache")
17. Oregon State 4-8 (not sure why I picked the Beav to collapse this year... I think beating TCU is their last glimmer of hope)
18. Cincinnati 6-6 (transition... will be back to 9 wins by 2011, following the established Kelly-to-Jones pattern)
19. North Carolina 9-3 (it took Butch Davis six seasons to build Miami into a contender)
20. Arkansas 11-1 (dark horse alert; also, crippled-QB-who-looks-like-Ivan-Drago alert)
21. LSU 8-4 (Miles won't be fired, but he'll wish he was)
22. Utah 10-2* (leaves the MWC with momentum)
23. Florida State 8-4 (trending upward)
24. West Virginia 7-5 (early loss to Marshall paves way for Bill Stewart's end-of-season "retirement")
25. Georgia 9-3

* Conference champion

Not on list: Pittsburgh, who I'm picking to win the Big East

Bonus predictions:

• Illinois 1-11
• Texas A&M 6-6

Feeling pessimistic this year.