T-Row's Top 25...No. 23 Stanford

Originally Published: Aug 4, 2010 9:33 AM CDT

Each morning on my radio show for the next five weeks Ill be counting down my preseason college football Top 25 with some pertinent info about each team. It is without a doubt the most insignificant and unreliable preseason Top 25 youll find anywhere.

#23 Stanford

Sooner fans are very familiar with Jim Harbaughs team after their collision in last years Sun Bowl...one of the most entertaining games of the bowl season. But the Cardinal will look considerably different than the team OU saw in El Paso. Gone is Heisman runner-up running back Toby Gerhart. And sophomore gunslinger Andrew Luck is back under center after missing the Sun Bowl with an injury.

Luck is a stud. He could very well be the number-one overall pick in the NFL Draft when he decides to go pro. He has a tandem of quality receivers to throw to this year, Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu. And his offensive line returns four of five starters after a season that saw them allow only seven sacks, the second fewest in the nation. The question on offense is...who will carry the football?

Defensively, Vic Fangio takes over as Defensive Coordinator. The former DC of the Houston Texans and linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens brings instant credibility to a Stanford defense that has been porous under Harbaugh. They will be attacking but open to the big play.

The season will hinge on a three-game stretch midseason for Stanford. They play at Notre Dame, at Oregon and home against USC in consecutive weeks. If they win two out of three they could contend to be a Top 10 team and a Rose Bowl this year. But I dont think they will. I think they lose all three and lose late in the year at Cal.

Prediction: 8-4