This week, SI.com welcomes the Alabama Crimson Tide back to the Power Rankings for the first time since a certain, unmentionable coach (rhymes with tan) roamed the sidelines three years ago.

The first two years of the Mike Shula era were, as most observers are aware, not pretty. However, the baby-faced legacy was given every disadvantage under the sun. He missed spring practices prior to this first season in which Alabama finsihed 4-9. He was handed a roster decimated by NCAA scholarship limits. And then, last year, he watched his starting quarterback and top two running backs go down with season-ending injuries.

Still, there were signs of bright days ahead. The Tide went 6-6 last year, and nearly all their losses were close. Their defense finished second in the country. And their roster headed into this season was finally approaching capacity.

We don't want to read too much into 'Bama's 37-14 win at South Carolina, because, quite frankly, the Gamecocks have their own share of issues, but needless to say, the Tide looked good. Their offense ran the ball down South Carolina's throat. Their defense forced pressure and turnovers. In other words, they looked like a top-25 team -- which is exactly what they are as of this week.

NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 USC Trojans (2-0) The Trojans' 70-17 win over Arkansas wasn't without a couple of down notes. Starting CB Terrell Thomas tore ligaments in his knee and is likely out for the season, and LB Dallas Sartz may miss next week's game with a dislocated shoulder. Maybe Reggie Bush can play those positions, too. Next game: Saturday at Oregon. 2 2 Texas Longhorns (3-0) Did Selvin Young just get Wally Pipped? With Texas' starting tailback out nursing an ankle injury, budding freshman star Jamaal Charles got the start against Rice and promptly ran for 189 yards and three touchdowns in a little more than two quarters. "He plays like a veteran," said DT Rod Wright. Next game: Oct. 1 at Missouri. 3 3 Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) The Hokies have now pitched consecutive shutouts against Duke and Ohio. In fact, their defense hasn't given up a touchdown since the opening drive against N.C. State. "It's a beautiful thing going right now," Virginia Tech cornerback Jimmy Williams told the Roanoke Times. Next game: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech. 4 4 LSU Tigers (1-0) The Tigers remain college football's great unknown. We think they're a top-five team, but we only have that one, dramatic win at Arizona State to go by. And to be honest, after watching Tennessee's offense in its first two games, Saturday night might not be the greatest indicator either. Next game: Saturday vs. Tennessee. 5 5 Florida Gators (3-0) I did a little tour of the UF campus' tailgate lots prior to last Saturday night's game against Tennessee, and decided on this as the best of many signs symbolic of the current mood in Gainesville: In a Miller Lite parody (complete with mock logo): "It's Meyer time: Great Coach, Less Losses." Next game: Saturday at Kentucky. 6 6 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) After Miami, of course, UGA is becoming the new Tight End U. The school that brought you standouts Ben Watson and Leonard Pope, who was mysteriously suspended Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe, trotted out Martrez Milner, who caught three passes for 79 yards and a TD. Next game: Saturday at Mississippi State. 7 8 Ohio St. Buckeyes (2-1) Buckeyes fans were surely feeling a bit of déjà vu (San Diego State nearly won in Columbus two years ago) after the Aztecs' Brett Swain broke an 80-yard first-quarter touchdown. Never fear. OSU's defense allowed just two first downs and 99 yards the rest of the game. Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa. 8 10 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-0) Well, we now know the Jackets are more than just Reggie Ball. While Tech's junior quarterback was sitting in the hospital with a bout of viral meningitis, running backs P.J. Daniels and Tashard Choice combined for 203 yards in a 28-13 win over previously unscored-upon Connecticut. Next game: Saturday at Virginia Tech. 9 14 Florida St. Seminoles (3-0) Rarely do you see a freshman quarterback improve as much in the course of three starts as Drew Weatherford has since the Miami game. Even in the face of heavy pressure from BC's Mathias Kiwanuka, Weatherford made plays to compensate for BC keying on FSU's runners. Next game: Oct. 1 vs. Syracuse. 10 11 Purdue Boilermakers (2-0) Purdue can run the ball. Really. The Boilers, led by eighth-year senior Jerod Void, racked up 239 yards on the ground in a tough 31-24 win at Arizona. Afterward, ever-sardonic coach Joe Tiller made light of his team's outdated reputation. "We still play sissy ball at Purdue," he said. Next game: Saturday at Minnesota. 11 12 Michigan Wolverines (2-1) Remember Matt Gutierrez? The much-touted quarterback who was slated to succeed John Navarre last year only to suffer a shoulder injury and watch Chad Henne steal his job, went 7-of-9 while playing most of the second half of the Wolverines' 55-0 blowout of Eastern Michigan. Next game: Saturday at Wisconsin. 12 13 Louisville Cardinals (2-0) When will people stop referring to the Cardinals as a potential "BCS buster"? News flash: Louisville is in a BCS conference now. Like Kentucky, Oregon State was able to move the ball on the Cards' defense, but I'm not sure anyone they play this year has the ability to outscore them. Next game: Saturday at South Florida.

Read on for teams 13-25 ...