SMU to Face Highly Regarded Opponents in 2004

[Cheesesteak]

"SMU Opponents" added...Texas Tech will be tough too.

Pre-Spring Top 25

By Dennis Dodd
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

Spring has sprung -- along with SportsLine.com's first comprehensive look at next season's Top 25.

Non-BCS Top 10
1. TCU (SMU opponent)
2. Memphis
3. Louisville
4. Utah
5. Boise State (SMU opponent)
6. Toledo
7. Hawaii
8. Miami (Ohio)
9. N. Illinois
10. Fresno State (SMU opponent)

This pre-spring ranking is, as always, fluid. It will be updated periodically during the offseason. Don't get your thigh pads in a bundle if you don't see your favorite team. The author can be lobbied via e-mail.

We were going to debut with Southern California all the way until receiver Mike Williams made his decision last week. His loss, for now, seems to be too much for the Trojans to bear and repeat as national champions.

Of course it's the second week of March and most teams are just getting into spring practice. There are plenty of suspensions, injuries and perhaps one firing at the foot of the Rockies still to come.

The best teams in the country at this moment based on research and whim ...

Dodd's Preseason Top 25
Team 2003 Record Season Opener
1. Georgia 11-3 Sept. 4 vs. Ga. Southern

2. Southern California 12-1 Aug. 28 vs. Virginia Tech

3. Oklahoma 12-2 Sept. 4 vs. Bowling Green

4. LSU 13-1 Sept. 4 vs. Oregon State

5. Florida State 10-3 Sept. 6 at Miami (Fla.)

6. Miami (Fla.) 11-2 Sept. 6 vs. Florida State

7. Texas 10-3 Sept. 4 vs. North Texas

8. Kansas State 11-4 Sept. 4 vs. Western Kentucky

9. Michigan 10-3 Sept. 4 vs. Miami (Ohio)

10. TCU 11-2 Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern -- (SMU opponent)

11. Florida 8-5 Sept. 4 vs. Middle Tennessee

12. Virginia 8-5 Sept. 4 at Temple

13. Clemson 9-4 Sept. 4 vs. Wake Forest

14. Memphis 9-4 Sept. 4 at Mississippi

15. Ohio State 11-2 Sept. 4 vs. Cincinnati

16. Tennessee 10-3 Sept. 4 vs. UNLV

17. Maryland 10-3 Sept. 4 vs. Northern Illinois

18. Auburn 8-5 Sept. 4 vs. Louisiana-Monroe

19. Louisville 9-4 Sept. 5 vs. Kentucky

20. California 8-6 Sept. 4 at Air Force

21. Washington State 10-3 Sept. 3 at New Mexico

22. Nebraska 10-3 Sept. 4 vs. Western Illinois

23. N.C. State 8-5 Sept. 4 vs. Richmond

24. Utah 10-2 Sept. 2 vs. Texas A&M

25. (tie) West Virginia 8-5 Sept. 4 vs. East Carolina
25. (tie) Oklahoma State 9-4 Sept. 4 at UCLA -- (SMU Opponent)

Seven just out of Top 25
Team
Boise St. (SMU opponent)
Ga. Tech
Iowa
Minnesota
Oregon
Toledo
Va. Tech