NCAA Football Power Rankings - Who else but Florida at the top?

College football betting season is here, and whether or not it’s a good thing, polls and rankings dominate the NCAA scene. As the first week of the year gets underway, here’s the premier edition of the betonline.com Power Rankings, beginning with a familiar name to kick things off.

1. Florida (0-0): It’s not enough that Tim Tebow is back in the saddle for the Gators, but a defense that was top-10 in the nation last year returns ALL of its starters.

2. Texas (0-0): The Longhorns are deep and experienced, led by our college football betting pick for the Heisman, Colt McCoy, and the defense is better than they’re given credit for. Plus, revenge can be a massive motivating factor.

3. USC (0-0): They’re starting a freshman (Matt Barkley) at quarterback for the first time, and all of their linebackers from last year are in the NFL. No matter, because the Trojans may have the deepest and most talented group of running backs in the country.

4. Oklahoma (0-0): Defending Heisman winner Sam Bradford is back, but All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham hurt his knee and will be out this week against BYU. Like Texas, the defense is underrated.

5. Ohio State (0-0): They showed they weren’t complete bombs with a close loss to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl last year, but we’re reserving judgment until USC visit Ohio State next week. After last year’s 35-3 mauling, the Buckeyes need a big performance.

6. Alabama (0-0): They’re happy that Julio Jones and Mark Ingram are available for their huge opener against Virginia Tech. Without them, that offense is terrible.

7. Penn State (0-0): Really, with their schedule, the only games they should have problems with are Iowa and Ohio State, and they’re both at home. However, there are only nine starters back in Happy Valley, which hurts their college football betting chances.

8. Boise State (1-0): They manhandled Oregon on Thursday night, and the Broncos have now won 50 in a row at home. I’d say they’re the new Utah, but the Broncos have the best winning percentage of any team over the last decade.

9. Oklahoma State (0-0): Bill Young was brought in from Miami to coordinate the defense, and all they need is to be decent, because the Cowboys’ offense is explosive.

10. Ole Miss (0-0): The Rebels are one of the trendy sleeper picks in your offshore sportsbook, and coach Houston Nutt has changed the culture at Ole Miss. Three of their first four are on the road, though.

11. Virginia Tech (0-0): The Hokies are heading into hostile SEC territory with a game against Alabama in their opener, and it’s time for Tyrod Thomas to show that he’s more than just a running back playing quarterback.

12. LSU (0-0): The Tigers were an online betting disappointment last year after winning the national title. We know the defense is tight and the running game is great, but is Jordan Jefferson ready under center?

13. Utah (1-0): Last year’s BCS busters had a legit shout at the national-championship game, but settled for a beating of Alabama that got them into the BCS this year anyway. They began their campaign with a 35-17 romping of Utah State on Thursday.

14. Georgia (0-0): This may be too high. They did lose Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno to the first round of the NFL draft. We’ll see on Saturday when they head to Oklahoma State as college football betting underdogs.

15. Notre Dame (0-0): While Lou Holtz picking them to win the national title is a bit delusional, the Fighting Irish should be better this year, led by Jimmy Clausen. If they’re not, Charlie Weis might as well find a new home.

16. California (0-0): Another team I’m not sold on yet, but Jahvid Best may be the No.1 running back in the nation. However, many college football betting players think they can unseat USC in the Pac-10.

17. Florida State (0-0): The Seminoles have one of the toughest schedules in the country, as 11 of their opponents went to bowl games last year. It’s time for Christian Ponder to step up at quarterback.

18. Georgia Tech (0-0): People know the triple-option is coming, and they have no idea how to stop. The Yellow Jackets could be more dangerous in 2009 with nine starters back on offense.

19. Nebraska (0-0): Coach Bo Pelini turned the Nebraska defense around after doing a BCS-winning job at LSU. Also, there’s not Texas or Oklahoma on the Big 12 schedule.

20. BYU (0-0): They get the unenviable task of facing Oklahoma in Dallas in their season opener, and the only starter they had up front to protect pivot Max Hall is injured. A rough beginning could have the Cougars down and out early.

For more sports betting tips and picks in college football, visit the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Tony Bryant was a three-sport star in high school, but his specialty was the gridiron, where he was a standout cornerback and kick returner. After numerous knee injuries in his freshman year, Bryant hung up the pads and turned to the handicapping game, where he was a five-star recruit for many sportsbooks. You’ll find Bryant in front of multiple TVs every Saturday, until “Rivalry Week” when he makes his annual pilgrimage to the Florida-Florida State game.