What others are saying: Who will be No. 1 in college football?

Under the BCS system, college football has seen a handful of annual power programs that are predictably in the hunt for the national championship any given year.

LSU, Ohio State, USC and Oklahoma — or some combination — tend to be in the mix with regularity.

But Florida is on the brink of reaching a new echelon. Or maybe the Gators already are there.

With the No. 1 ranking in virtually every preseason publication, coach Urban Meyer's team has the look of a dynasty and is the favorite to win its second consecutive BCS title and its third in the past four seasons.

Many of the usual suspects are in the early discussion. But other than quarterback Tim Tebow, the clearest reason to expect the Gators to reach the title game at the Rose Bowl is their schedule.

While Oklahoma is knocking heads with BYU and Miami during nonconference play, Florida has Charleston Southern, Troy and Florida International. Southern California plays at Ohio State, California, Notre Dame and Oregon. The Gators have road games against Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina.

Florida's biggest obstacle on the way to Pasadena is a game at LSU, where the Tigers have won the past two meetings between the schools. But Florida scored 51 on LSU last season.

Do it again, and the Gators should ultimately find themselves playing for another championship.

THE TOP 25:

1. Florida

What's not to like? The Gators won it all last season. The country's ninth-best defense returns every starter. And a Heisman-winning QB (Tim Tebow) doesn't hurt.

2. Texas

The Longhorns will be more dangerous if QB Colt McCoy doesn't have to lead the team in rushing. An experienced line should pave the way for more fireworks.

3. Oklahoma

The Sooners must rebuild the offensive line, which was critical to last year's success. QB Sam Bradford starred, but the Sooners return two 1,000-yard rushers.

4. USC

There are enough question marks — quarterback, rebuilding defense — to suggest the Trojans may be vulnerable. But when have they ever had trouble filling holes?

5. Penn State