PlanetOut and Gay.com's Annual 2009 Preseason Top 25 College Football Countdown

Welcome to my annual edition of the 2009 Preseason Top 25 College Football Countdown.

It's August, which means school campuses across the United States are busy preparing for the upcoming college football season. Coaches are preparing strategies and evaluating player's skills. Football players are lifting weights, memorizing playbooks, and sweating at two-a-day practices. Cheerleaders are working on routines and stunts. Marching Bands are in rehearsals putting final touches on formations. College Football Fans are counting the days for the most anticipated time of the year.

It's time for a preview of the season ahead and the teams that appear on paper to be headed for greatness. I hope you are as excited for the upcoming season as I am. So let's kick it off, here are my predictions.  Be sure to click on each team for a more in depth analysis of that particular team.  

Hawaii Fag-O

University of Hawaii football coach, Greg McMackin, fumbled on Thursday when he described the Notre Dame football players engaging in a “little faggot dance” the night before Notre Dame demolished Hawaii last December in the Hawaii Bowl.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #1 Florida

Will the Florida Gators reign supreme again in 2009? Well of course! If they don't, it will just be a huge upset and disappointment. Very few teams ever return the following season with their entire defense and two-deep intact. Add in the 7 returning starters on offense and the Gators are by far the most experienced defending National Champions in college football history.

On top of all that, Florida will be lead by senior superstar and former Heisman winning quarterback Tim Tebow. You just know that Tebow will get the job done and he and head coach Urban Meyer will once again be standing on a platform holding the National Championship trophy.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #2 Texas

The Texas Longhorns carry a chip on their shoulder from last season as they felt they got the short end of the stick in 2008. The 16 returning starters are out to prove they belong in the National Championship game this year.

Quarterback Colt McCoy will once again be a Heisman favorite as he should connect with wide receiver Jordan Shipley for huge yards and numerous touchdowns. The Big 12 schedule pits the Longhorns on the road at Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M. The big game of the season against Oklahoma on October 17, 2009 will be dandy. Look for Texas to dominate this season and perhaps give Florida its biggest competition.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #3 Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners have three future first round NFL draft picks on the roster. All three players could have left after last season but decided to return to lead the Sooners in 2009.

Heisman trophy winner quarterback Sam Bradford hopes to keep up the pace he set last year. He will need the help of four new offensive lineman in order to succeed. He will have tight end Jermaine Gresham to throw to. On defense, tackle Gerald McCoy will anchor a strong line looking to shut out opponents. The Sooners should win easily in their opener against BYU to get the season rolling. Oklahoma will be in the mix for the National Championship by seasons end.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #4 USC

The USC Trojans are the number one football factory in the West. So as usual they are favored to continue to be the King of the PAC-10 conference. With 9 returning starters on offense and star wide receiver Damian Williams the Trojans should score at will.

The concern will be on the defensive side of the ball with only 3 returning starters. Also, USC travels to Ohio State, Notre Dame, California, Arizona State, and Oregon. Because USC is so talent rich they should survive the difficult road schedule, but if not, this could be the year of the down fall of the Trojans.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #5 Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions have just 9 returning starters heading into the 2009 season. But the schedule is remarkably soft for a BCS conference team.

The two big challenges will be played in Happy Valley as Ohio State and Iowa come to town. Look for the Ohio State match-up to be for the Big Ten crown. Running back Evan Royster is one of the better backs in the Big Ten conference and should lead Penn State offensively. The Nittany Lions look to once again be headed to a BCS bowl and they are a possible national championship team.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #6 Alabama

Can the Alabama Crimson Tide repeat the surprising success they had in 2009? With one of the top defensive units and star wide receiver Julio Jones returning the Tide could very well do it all over again.

The schedule favors Alabama in 10 of their 12 games with two toss up games on the road against Virginia Tech and Ole' Miss. The development of new quarterback junior Greg McElroy will be the key to Alabama's attempt at greatness. As long as they don't run into the Utah Utes, an unbeaten season is a possibility in 2009 for the Crimson Tide.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #7 Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech Hokies return 16 starters from last years ACC championship squad. They will need all that experience with the first game up against Alabama.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor returns for his junior season and will need to improve upon his passing skills in order for the Hokies to continue to climb up the ladder of the national rankings. The always stellar Virginia Tech defense will have its hands full at Georgia Tech, but look for the Hokies to be legitimate contenders once again in 2009.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #8 Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes will have some much needed experience at the quarterback position as sophomore Terrelle Pryor returns from his freshman season. Pryor will be a huge weapon that opposing teams should fear.

The Buckeyes have a great shot at winning the Big Ten title if they can win in Happy Valley against Penn State. The second week of the season will determine if Ohio State is up for the challenge and national title talk with a home game against powerhouse USC. The rest of Ohio State's schedule looks winnable and another double digit season of wins should be automatic.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.