THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Rk. Team Comment

1 MIAMI: Team vows to work double-overtime to make up for last season’s Fiesta Bowl loss.

2 OKLAHOMA: Pentagon officials dispute report Sooners have the nation’s best defense.

3 TEXAS: Looks like another top-drawer, first-class, powerhouse squad that won’t beat Oklahoma.

4 MICHIGAN: The plan is to steal the Big Ten title while Ohio State is fighting off the NCAA.

5 KANSAS STATE: The best program, by far, not to have won a conference title since 1934.

6 OHIO STATE: National title coach hopes to scrape together enough players for opener.

7 AUBURN: Giant humidity generator should be in place by the time USC arrives.

8 WASHINGTON: Neuheisel says Rainier Beach High will accept nothing less than conference title.

9 USC: One more prep tailback and it could have been “The Four Freshmen.”

10 VIRGINIA TECH: No one saying “break a leg” as Marcus Vick angles for QB job.

11 N.C. STATE: Looking to make ACC hay before Miami and Virginia Tech arrive next season.

12 TENNESSEE: One more 8-5 season and Volunteer Navy may drop anchor on coach’s head.

13 PITTSBURGH: Poised to become Big East “power” after Miami and Virginia Tech bolt for ACC.

14 FLORIDA STATE: All bets are off after nine losses in two years, and that gambling probe.

15 LOUISIANA STATE: Tigers get three cupcakes before real season starts Sept. 20 against Georgia.

16 COLORADO STATE: Carrying the banner for non-BCS schools from coast to coast.

17 MARYLAND: School promises not to let a little ol’ NCAA probation ruin season.

18 NOTRE DAME: Has not won bowl game since ’93 season but getting an education is what really counts.

19 GEORGIA: Rankman says Dawgs take a paw-step back after last season’s SEC title.

20 PURDUE: Bet you didn’t know this team led the Big Ten last season in offense and defense.

21 ARIZONA STATE: Did you know? QB Andrew Walter had four 400-yard passing games last season.

22 PENN STATE: Big Ten officials and Paterno meet in center ring to go over the ground rules.

23 WISCONSIN: Badgers get pass-happy after years of being fairly grounded.

24 VIRGINIA: Could challenge for ACC title if scandal-plagued Florida State disbands program.

25 HAWAII: Rankman mixes in tropical paradise team to offset all the land-locked squads.