Ask Asmussen about his rankings here

Staff writer Bob Asmussen's Associated Press football ballot is due Sunday. Here's how he sees them lining up this season (A year ago, Asmussen had Texas as his preseason No. 1 and Alabama at No. 7):

1. Alabama SEC

The defense lost nine starters, meaning Mark Ingram and pals will have to put up 40 a game. And they will.

2. Boise State WAC

Twenty of 22 starters are back. Beat Virginia Tech and Oregon State and the Broncos will be playing for the national title.

3. Ohio State Big Ten

Buckeyes know what it's like to be in a big game and won't panic if/when they get there.

4. Florida SEC

It's going to be weird to watch the Gators without Tim Tebow. Don't make the mistake of thinking they are going to drop very far.

5. Oklahoma Big 12

Sam Bradford is trying to figure out if he wants to sign with the Rams. Landry Jones is trying to figure out how he played so well (418 yards) in the Sun Bowl.

6. Oregon Pac-10

Don't worry about the loss of Jeremiah Masoli, Team Turmoil is loaded on offense. And defense.

7. Texas Big 12

Keenan Robinson and the defense might have to carry the Longhorns for a few games.

8. Iowa Big Ten

While Ohio State is the game they circle, Hawkeyes need to play better against Northwestern (1-4 since 2005).

9. Virginia Tech ACC

Beat Boise State in the opener at FedEx Field and the Hokies move way up the BCS title-game chart.

10. TCU Mountain West

The 2009 team had the quietest 12-1 season ever. Now 16 starters return for another shot at a BCS game.

11. Nebraska Big 12

The Cornhuskers should consider earplugs as they make their final tour of the Big 12.

12. Georgia Tech ACC

You'll read and hear plenty about 1,000-yard rushing quarterback Joshua Nesbitt.

13. Wisconsin Big Ten

John Clay gets all the ink, but how about a little credit to Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt and the offensive line?

14. Miami ACC

The rebuilding process can take a giant leap forward with a win at Columbus on Sept. 11.

15. LSU SEC

If the Tigers want to regain their lost swagger, they need to run the ball better. Just ask Billy Cannon.

16. Penn State Big Ten

The game at Alabama is a bear, but the Nittany Lions better look out for Temple two weeks later.

17. Pittsburgh Big East

Most thought Dave Wannstedt would be a miserable failure at his alma mater. They were wrong.

18. Arkansas SEC

Ryan Mallett found a better place to play than Michigan and will be a dark horse Heisman candidate.

19. Cincinnati Big East

For the second consecutive time, Butch Jones follows Brian Kelly as head coach. Good call by the Bearcats.

20. Oregon State Pac-10

Jacquizz Rodgers is one of the nation's top runners. James Rodgers is one of the nation's top receivers.

21. USC Pac-10

Hard to imagine that all the off-the-field shenanigans, which continued into July, won't have an impact on the field.

22. Georgia SEC

Every starter is back on offense except for one: the quarterback. Mark Richt will find a way.

23. North Carolina ACC

We've been waiting for a 10-win season in Chapel Hill. Nineteen returning starters ought to do it.

24. Washington Pac-10

The Huskies beat Southern Cal in 2009, but lost to Arizona State. Jake Locker and friends are winning at least eight games.

25. Houston Conference USA

If he duplicates his 2009 season, Case Keenum will obliterate the Division I-A passing record and be a Heisman finalist.

BIG DOINGS

On Monday, the Big Ten will announce the top three teams in a vote of league media members. That's not enough for Asmussen, who ranks the entire league:

SCHOOL PROJECTED LEAGUE RECORD COMMENT

1. Ohio State 8-0 The red wave will visit Champaign-Urbana on Oct. 2, sweater vest and all.

2. Iowa 7-1 All of the nasty Big Ten games (Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State) are at Kinnick Stadium.

3. Wisconsin 6-2 Remember a couple years back when folks were wondering if Bret Bielema could coach? Wow, was that off base.

4. Penn State 6-2 A well-respected Penn State beat writer thinks I've got the Nittany Lions three spots too high.

5. Northwestern 5-3 Pat Fitzgerald's guys found a good year to not be playing Ohio State.

6. Michigan State 4-4 Mark Dantonio's team faces a critical Big Ten stretch early against Wisconsin and Michigan.

7. Illinois 3-5 Don't be surprised if Nathan Scheelhaase has the best debut season for an Illini quarterback since Jason Verduzco.

8. Purdue 2-6 Don't be surprised if Robert Marve leads the Boilers back to a bowl game.

9. Michigan 2-6 A loss in the season opener to UConn, which is possible, will have the RichRod haters out in force.

10. Indiana 1-7 Just wait until basketball, err, women's swimming season.

11. Minnesota 0-8 Not quite sure why the Gophers want to play Texas, Southern Cal and North Carolina.

BIGGER DOINGS

The Big Ten will also announce preseason offensive and defensive Player of the Year winners Monday. Here is who Asmussen thinks will be the best on offense, defense and the sidelines:

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER

PLAYER SCHOOL COMMENT

1. Terrelle Pryor Ohio State He's the best player on the best team and you feel like he is just getting started.

2. John Clay Wisconsin The Badgers are counting on 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns from their horse.

3. Mikel Leshoure Illinois In a close call for third over Penn State's Evan Royster, he should easily hit 1,000 yards.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER

PLAYER SCHOOL COMMENT

1. Greg Jones Michigan State Linebacker will be making a whole lot of trips to awards ceremonies.

2. Adrian Clayborn Iowa Third in the Big Ten in sacks last season (11.5), he should receive plenty of extra offensive line attention.

3. Ryan Kerrigan Purdue Nicknamed "Superman," the end led Big Ten with 13 sacks in 2009.

TOP COACH

COACH SCHOOL COMMENT

1. Jim Tressel Ohio State With six more wins, he'll have 100 at Ohio State. In less than 10 full seasons.

2. Kirk Ferentz Iowa Get by the Buckeyes at home in late November and he might just be playing for a national title.

3. Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern He's got to work on his bowl record (0-2), but both losses were in overtime.