by Frank Giardina , Charleston Gazette

1. Florida - It sounds silly to suggest that the undefeated defending national champs that just beat LSU on the road are slightly overrated. But, I would drop them a notch to No. 2.

2. Alabama - Based on what I have seen thus far, Alabama's body of work is more impressive than the Gators. Wins over Virginia Tech, Arkansas and on the road at Ole Miss are good wins.

The Crimson Tide appears to be the most complete team in the nation.

3. Texas - Overrated. The Longhorns have played a very soft schedule thus far. We will know more in the coming weeks, starting with the Longhorns' annual Red River Rivalry date today in Dallas against Oklahoma.

4. Virginia Tech - Right on target. This is a good football team. This looks like Coach Frank Beamer's best team since the Michael Vick years. It is a shame they are no longer on West Virginia's schedule.

5. Boise State - Overrated. This is the fifth best team in the country? Please!! This is what is wrong with college football . Voters just look at wins and don't analyze who they play.

6. Southern Cal - Underrated. Despite numerous personnel losses, the Trojans may still be the best non-Southeastern Conference team in the country.

7. Ohio State - Right on target. Coach Jim Tressel and his staff have done an incredible job with this team. They lost a veteran defense and have not missed a beat on that side of the ball.

8. Cincinnati - Overrated. We will know more about the Bearcats as the season unfolds. Brian Kelly is the hottest coach in the Big East, but I am not sure this is the eighth best team in the country.

Miami (Fla.) - Right on target. The Hurricanes look like a legitimate top 10 team - at least right now. We will know more in the next few weeks. It is hard not to like the demeanor of quarterback Jakory Harris.

10. LSU - Overrated. Every year the Tigers have great recruiting classes, but they still struggle to put points on the board. How does that happen? Look for more SEC losses.

Iowa - Overrated. I know the Hawkeyes won at Penn State, but Iowa still doesn't look like the 11th best team in the nation.

12. TCU - Underrated. The Horned Frogs and Coach Gary Patterson deserve a little more love. I would take the Horned Frogs over Boise State, which is ranked seven slots higher.

13. Oregon - Overrated. I am not sold on the Ducks. A poor effort at Boise State still sticks in my mind.

14. Penn State - Right on target. The Nittany Lions have the potential to be ranked higher, but the early part of the schedule has been unusually soft. They will have some chances to make statements for a higher ranking in the next few weeks.

15. Nebraska - Underrated. The Huskers are a desperation pass away from being undefeated and getting a win at Virginia Tech. They are still a work in progress, but Coach Bo Pelini is bringing back the Cornhuskers' identity.

Frank Giardina is a contributing columnist to the Charleston Daily Mail and the Sunday Gazette-Mail. Contact him at flg16@hotmail.com

Kanawha Valley native Frank Giardina, a veteran of more than 30 years in college football play-by-play, is host of Sports Spectrum, a nationally syndicated radio show, and calls games for ESPN Regional Television and ESPN360.com.

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