The top 25 is out, but what about the other 95 teams? We lay them out in reverse order, 10 at a time.

70: Colorado State — After losing the heart and soul of their offense in Gartrell Johnson and Billy Farris, the Rams again face major questions. The line and receivers are terrific, but until a quarterback emerges the offense likely will struggle. And the defense, which gave up 410 yards and 30 points per game last year, must rebuild the line and linebacking corps. Still, the Rams faced far bigger issues heading into 2008 and coach Steve Fairchild managed to craft a 7–6 record in his debut season. So don’t count this team out.

69: Central Michigan — This is a great time to be a Central Michigan football fan, and if things go the way they’re supposed to this season, the fun should continue. The Chippewas are bidding for their fourth consecutive bowl game and a have a good chance to become the first MAC team ever to do that. Central has the makings of a highly potent offense, and the defense can’t help but be solid, thanks to all the experience that returns. Don’t get too upset if the early part of the season is tough. By the time the Chippewas get into MAC play, they should be quite ready to make some noise, and maybe some history.

68: Kansas State — As great a coach as Bill Snyder is, don’t expect any miracles this season. The coach is tempering the enthusiasm, warning all who will listen that the Wildcats have “a long way to go” before they resemble what he’s used to putting on the field in Manhattan. That said, a favorable schedule means K-State could conceivably, with a few breaks, reach a bowl game for the first time since 2006. That would be progress, and that would be welcome.

67: Virginia — This is a critical year for Al Groh and Virginia. Attendance and interest were down last season, when the Cavaliers struggled through their second five-win campaign in three years. Groh shook up his staff and turned the offense over to Gregg Brandon. The new spread attack should help matters, but there aren’t many proven playmakers, and Virginia isn’t going to turn into Texas Tech overnight. The Cavs need to show improvement, though, or next year they could have a lot more than a new offense.

66: Texas A&M — Texas A&M is still at least a year away — and maybe more — from being relevant in the Big 12 South. But the Aggies should begin their slow ascent up the ladder of legitimacy this season. A&M does not have enough star quality to make a significant jump in the standings, but if A&M can take care of business in non-conference play, the Aggies may be improved enough to make a run at a minor bowl bid.

65: Connecticut — Every Big East contender lost some offensive firepower this season, so where UConn fits in the mix depends on the development of its new offense and better play at the quarterback and wide receiver positions. On the plus side, the Huskies play four of their seven conference games at home. On the minus side, the non-league schedule includes a tough home game against North Carolina and road stops at Baylor and Notre Dame. A winning season and a third straight bowl bid are very realistic goals, but the Huskies don’t appear to be too much of a threat to contend for the Big East title.

64: Nevada — Nevada has played in a bowl game for four consecutive seasons, but fans would like to see the team take the next step and challenge Boise State for a WAC title. Colin Kaepernick is as dynamic a player as there is in the West, and he leads an offense that figures to be among the most potent in the nation. But the Wolf Pack defense, which allowed an average of 45.5 points in its six losses last year must improve dramatically if the team expects to have a chance to win games at Notre Dame, at home against Missouri, and the season-finale at Boise State.

63: Navy — Any questions about the direction of Navy’s program after Paul Johnson departed for Georgia Tech were answered emphatically during Ken Niumatalolo’s first season as head coach. His eight wins were the most by a first-year Navy coach since 1926. With 11 returning starters, Navy is poised to continue that success even though it must replace most of its top offensive playmakers. Overall, expect some offensive growing pains but ultimately another bowl appearance by the Midshipmen.

62: Tulsa — The key to the 2009 season will be how Tulsa’s offense reacts without offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and with a new quarterback and revamped offensive line. If the offense hits some lulls early, it will need rapid improvement from the defense. Tulsa improved on its overall defensive numbers from 2007 to ’08 but was still far from the “championship defense” that Todd Graham craves. Making the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in five years is a possibility, as is a third straight 10-win season, but each will be a challenge.

61: Minnesota — The Gophers, on paper, figure to be improved, especially if they can learn Jedd Fisch’s new offense and gain some consistency running the ball. But will that mean more wins? Not necessarily. The recent Minnesota tradition of easy non-conference scheduling has been discarded. Instead of patsies like Montana State, Florida Atlantic and Northern Illinois, this year the Gophers will play Syracuse, Air Force and California. The rotating Big Ten schedule delivered a tough blow — Michigan and Indiana are gone in favor of Penn State and Michigan State.

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