Trojans debut at No. 2

While USC still has growing to do, Oklahoma begins at No. 1

Welcome to another year of America's fastest growing poll sensation, the only college football rankings system in the country that employs that oft-forgotten criteria called common sense. No conventional poll rules apply. A team can win but still fall if the team behind it looked better. A previously unranked team can debut at No. 5 if so deserving. You never know what might happen from week to week.

Remember, these rankings are the solely the work of this writer, and therefore don't necessarily reflect the opinion of my various Sports Illustrated colleagues. So don't send them your hate mail. And remember, this first poll of the season represents where I feel the teams stand today -- not necessarily where they'll wind up.

NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW* Team 1 3 Oklahoma Sooners (0-0) Ten starters, including QB Jason White, return to an offense that averaged 43 points in 2003 ... and that's before adding stud freshman RB Adrian Peterson. The defense has lost a bit of its luster, but the arrival of co-coordinator Bo Pelini should help. First game: Saturday vs. Bowling Green. 2 2 USC Trojans (1-0) Don't go jumping off the Trojans' bandwagon just because USC struggled with Virginia Tech. While none of the new receivers will become Mike Williams overnight, expect at least one of them to step up as a capable complement to Reggie Bush. Next game: Sept. 11 vs. Colorado State. 3 1 Georgia Bulldogs (0-0) Georgia was my No. 1 team coming out of spring, but injuries (RB Kregg Lumpkin's ACL tear) and suspensions (LB Odell Thurman out three games) have had an effect. This is, however, still a very talented, veteran team. First game: Saturday vs. Georgia Southern. 4 5 Miami Hurricanes (0-0) Admittedly, QB Brock Berlin is a question after throwing 17 interceptions last season. But if he can get it together, the 'Canes have their typical array of skill-position talent, the best defensive back in the country (Antrel Rolle) and their toughest D-line in years. First game: Sept. 10 vs. Florida State. 5 4 LSU Tigers (0-0) Plenty of familiar faces return -- RB Justin Vincent, WR Skyler Green, DE Marcus Spears and CB Corey Webster. The only mystery is at quarterback. One potential stumbling block: a brutal road schedule (at Georgia, Florida and Auburn). First game: Saturday vs. Oregon State. 6 8 Florida St. Seminoles (0-0) QB Chris Rix is an enigma, but he's got plenty of talent around him: receiver Cro Thorpe, tailbacks Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington and five returning O-linemen. The defense is young but talented -- look out for LBs Ernie Sims and A.J. Nicholson. First game: Sept. 10 at Miami. 7 6 Texas Longhorns (0-0) The Longhorns are definitely a running team now with mobile QB Vince Young, RB Cedric Benson and absolutely no proven receivers. The defense, led by All-America LB Derrick Johnson, should be improved under new coordinator Greg Robinson. First game: Saturday vs. North Texas. 8 9 Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-0) How improved is the Gophers' defense? In practices they've been shutting down an offense that just happens to return two 1,000-yard rushers and one of the nation's most powerful offensive lines following last year's 10-win season. First game: Saturday vs. Toledo. 9 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (0-0) The Buckeyes lost 14 players to the NFL, but the cupboard is hardly bare. The defense should be dominant once again, anchored by LBs A.J. Hawk and transfer Anthony Schlegel. The biggest key may be replacing All-America punter B.J. Sander. First game: Saturday vs. Cincinnati. 10 12 Kansas St. Wildcats (0-0) Two words: Darren Sproles. The guy averaged 6.5 yards a carry last fall. New QB Dylan Meier needs to become a viable threat to keep foes from keying on Sproles. The 'Cats lost some big names on defense, but several new starters have experience. First game: Saturday vs. Western Kentucky. 11 11 Michigan Wolverines (0-0) The Wolverines have arguably the best receiving corps in the nation, led by Braylon Edwards, but the quarterback (Matt Gutierrez) and tailbacks are brand new. The defensive front is solid, and the secondary should be bolstered by Marlin Jackson's return to cornerback. First game: Saturday vs. Miami of Ohio. 12 14 West Virginia Mountaineers (0-0) The Mountaineers are the new darlings of the depleted Big East. WR Chris Henry is a scary deep threat. And RB Kay-Jay Harris could be this year's breakout star. The defense should be able to stuff the run, but it needs to greatly improve its pass coverage. First game: Saturday vs. East Carolina. 13 10 Florida Gators (8-5) With a year of experience under their belts, QB Chris Leak and his receivers are on the brink of exploding, and they'll be helped by underrated RB Ciatrick Fason. LB Channing Crowder leads a solid defensive front, but the corners are a potential hole. First game: Saturday vs. Middle Tennessee. 14 20 Virginia Cavaliers (0-0) A core of players who have started since they were freshmen are now veterans, led by TE Heath Miller and RB Wali Lundy. The LB trio, led by Ahmad Brooks, is one of the nation's finest. The passing game, however, is a complete mystery. First game: Saturday at Temple. 15 13 Iowa Hawkeyes (0-0) The Hawkeyes should be superb again on defense, led by standout DE Matt Roth and LBs Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway. Much depends on the development of new QB Drew Tate, the rebuilt O-line and RB Jermelle Lewis' health. First game: Saturday vs. Kent State. 16 15 Cal Bears (0-0) The offense should be among the most productive in the country with top-notch QB Aaron Rodgers, 1,500-yard WR Geoff McArthur and rising star RB J.J. Arrington. The defense, led by S Donnie McCleskey, returns nine starters but must step it up. First game: Saturday at Air Force.

On the cusp: Utah, Auburn, Missouri, Wisconsin, Clemson, Oregon, Maryland, Tennessee, Toledo.

* -- Previous rankings are from the "post-spring" edition, published April 29.

Stewart Mandel updates his Power Rankings every Monday during the season. They also serve as his ballot in the Football Writers Association/Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll.