THE TIMES’ TOP 25

CHRIS DUFRESNE’S RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

1 WEST VIRGINIA

Rankman hears her voice, in the morning hours she calls me Just Win Baby.

2 AUBURN

Can’t allow two-bit academic scandal to interfere with the important things in life.

3 TEXAS

Colt McCoy is starting quarterback but Mack Brown isn’t afraid to bring in Major Applewhite.

4 USC

Rankman wary of quarterbacks with three names ever since he took flier on Billy Joe Hobert.

5 OHIO STATE

Putting school No. 1 in another poll would put too much pressure on the student athletes.

6 LOUISVILLE

This team also has a tailback named Bush (Michael) who could win the Heisman.

7 NOTRE DAME

This year’s big plans include snacks after games and getting to a bowl it can win.

8 CALIFORNIA

Not too sure how Berkeley at Tennessee would have worked out in the 1967 opener.

9 FLORIDA

Turnaround artist Urban Meyer claims even the second year of his marriage was better than first.

10 IOWA

Rankman was either a year early hyping these guys last year or 20 years late.

11 LOUISIANA STATE

Celebrating 75th anniversary of first lighted night game in which Tom Edison threw out first switch.

12 MICHIGAN

All folks are really asking for is a turnaround similar to the Detroit Tigers’.

13 MIAMI

“Bowden, remember when we didn’t need a Sherpa to help us excavate a college poll?”

14 FLORIDA STATE

“Funny, I just got a letter suggesting we hire Jon Krakauer as offensive coordinator.”

15 GEORGIA

Top-dog Uga asks to look at the film one more time before naming the two-deep rosters.

16 OKLAHOMA

Folks, Big Red Auto/Imports has the best financing in town; just ask the former QB!

17OREGONOK with the new uniforms but that “Ponderosa Pine” scent has got to go.

18 CLEMSON

Love a place that has tiger paws painted on the street to help you find stadium.

19 PENN STATE

School says death this week of world’s oldest person, at 116, has no effect on Paterno’s future.

20 NEBRASKA

You know old days are over when quarterbacks are transferring to you from Arizona State.

21 UCLA

Bruins first to take advantage of Rankman’s Preseason Poll Licensing Purchase Plan.

22 VIRGINIA TECH

Blacksburg law enforcement celebrates Marcus Vick’s departure by selling out Policemen’s Ball.

23 TEXAS CHRISTIAN

Would have made BCS game under this year’s rules but tough luck, now just go out and play.

24 ALABAMA

May he RIP, but here’s hoping “The Last Coach” is the last book written about Paul Bryant.

25 ARIZONA STATE

To demonstrate damage control skills, coach pours water on training camp grease fire.