#26 - Miami (FL): Da U finds themselves in a very similar position as last year's preseason Next 25. This time around NDL Commish Sammy is at the helm, and is stocked full of speed. The canes already ran circles around the Stanford Treesaps in week 1, and I have them as the Dark horse surprise of the ACC. Since they already have a win over a top 25 team, look for them to supplant the treesaps in next weeks poll at worse. Top 25 probability: Very Likely
#27 - Boise St:Boise is a perennial contender in the NDL, and now that they've chosen to stay in the MWC, I don't see that changing in the near future. However Outlaw is off to a bad start after getting smoked by Baylor. However, once conference play starts, look for the Broncos to turn it up. Top 25 Likelyhood: Not likely
#26 - North CarolinaOracle and the Heels are another regular contender year and year out, but have gotten off to a sluggish start thus far. With a serious influx of good coaches in the ACC, Oracle's skills will be put to the test this season. Should he bounce back, look for him to become a regular in that other Top 25 list. Top 25 Likelihood: Slim
#27 - Georgia Tech John has bounced around from several options teams in hopes of settling in. He's found a good version of the game to move in to G-Tech, where speed is deadly, and the triple option works magnificently. Based on past credentials, this further solidifies the ACC as a tough conference to play against this year. Top 25 Likelihood: Slim
#28 - West VirginiaCoach Champagne may have been riding the coattails of Talented's recent success at WVU, but being off to a quick 0-2 start is not a good way to get in the voters good graces. Top 25 Likelihood: Highly unlikely
#29 - Penn StateThough Doc continues the streak of Next 25ers who have yet to get a win, The Nittany Lions suffered a close lost to Dcane & FSU. With Oregon on the horizon, and a couple of favorable matchups, we could certainly see a bounce back from PSU in the near future. Top 25 Likelihood: Favorable
#30 - ArizonaCoach Heel moves out west to Arizona, and has a couple of favorable matchups prior to a showdown with TCU. This could go either way before a tough Pac 12 schedule kicks off. With no games played yet, he controls his own destiny. Top 25 Likelihood: Undetermined
#31 - TCUWith no Ranked games in the first 4 weeks of the season, TCU and coach Reign have the opportunity to get a few wins under their belt to get the voter's attention. On paper at least, this looks like a lock for the Frogs to secure a 3-0 start and begin their climb to the Top 25. Top 25 Likelihood: Probable
#32 - Arizona StateAnderlin impressed voters with a 12-1 season last year with Buffalo, and will not disappoint this year either. Already off to a 3-0 start with a (at one time) quality win against the #24 Treesaps in a double OT thriller, look for the Sun Devils to make some noise next poll. Top 25 Likelihood: Guaranteed
#33 - Colorado StateThis one appears to be the product of the improbable run by Block last year couple with the legacy of Coach Shel taking the reigns. Can the Rams make some noise in the newly expanded BCS? If the defense continues to be a non factor, I'd say count on it. Top 25 Likelihood: Likely
#34 - Missouri Coach Lytez is going to get some of that SEC love in the polls, provided he can perform similar to the way he did against the Iowa. Perhaps he can give us a few pointer on what exactly defense is all about. Top 25 Likelihood: Very Likely
#35 - NevadaNevada has an outside chance of cracking the top 25 depending on what they do in conference play. They've already dropped a game to a tough Maryland team, and it's not going to get easier with fellow Next 25 contender Zona St. on the horizon. However I could see them hitting the Top 25 down the road. Right now? Not so much Top 25 Likelihood: Not likely
# 36 - Florida InternationalLast I checked, the Conf USA was not in the NDL this season... But John is just that damn notorious, that his old team got cred and they aren't even in the game! Crazy. Top 25 Likelihood Hell to the nah
#37 - Baylor Bearass and Baylor came in the season kicking ass and taking names. Hold both of their first two opponents to under 10 points, and in this seasons game, that's quite the feat. However we all know conference play is a whole 'nother beast. However, the Bears are in a good position to start the season Top 25 Likelihood: High
#38 - AuburnCoach Matt and the Tigers have some big shoes to fill as Big Red put in work the last couple of seasons, which may be why some of the preseason pollers are still pulling for the new coach to repeat. The Tigers have a matchup against Minny and the annual showdown between Matt and John in a race to see who the hell can run up more yards will definitely be a fun one. Top 25 Likelihood: Moderate
#39 - Kansas StateK-State once again has a lethal running attack, which bodes well in this year's version of the game. However squeaking out a win against ULL and getting curb stomped by Champ and the Bulldogs does not please many voters. With Texas, OSU & and a surging Baylor team to open conference play, the ray of hope is but a distant memory right now. Top 25 Likelihood: Slim
#40 - MississippiThe Rebels look to again play early season darling with a beyond brutal OOC to match their tough SEC schedule. Thabs got off the right foot by dismantling an early title favorite in Oregon, and giving Pengy a warm welcome to the SEC. Shit gets real very fast as Oklahoma & V-Tech are up next, followed by a visit to Tuscaloosa to take on BIffy. If there's one thing he's done right, it's get that early voter love, but one has to wonder if he's not simply a schedule masochist. Top 25 Probability: It's a lock!
#41 - South Florida Noley has taken his talents to south beach, and joined up with the "Commish's club" up in the AAC. While he may be running on street cred, a loss to Air Force has probably all but kicked him off this list for the block. Top 25 Likelihood: Doubtful
#42 - Wake ForestMorbid and the Deacs were written off in the ACC poll and picked to finish last in the conference. There appears to be a pretty sizable chip on Ice's shoulder as they've sped off to a quick 2-0 start for the first block. A win over an SEC opponent in outrage and a victory against high ranking clemson could get the deacs plenty of attention in the coming weeks. Top 25 Likelihood - Very Likely
#43 - HoustonRandawg is a model citizen of the dynasty theory, and regularly gets love from the voters with good records on a consistent basis. Though his wins are against rather weak opponents, undefeated is undefeated, look for him to at worse, move up this poll next week. Top 25 Likelihood: Probable
#44 - Kansas Beefy is getting some early season love from the voters. Because in preseason, everyone's undefeated! His first loss was to Bama, which isn't too bad. A quick bounce back could have him thinking big prior to conference play. Top 25 Likelihood: Unlikely
#45 - VanderbiltPengy already has his welcome wagon blown to pieces by Thab's Rebels, and the path ahead isn't sunshine and roses. Gonna be an uphill battle for the Commodores as per usual. Top 25 Likelihood: Doubtful
#46 - CincinnatiFearless leader Buckeye moves on to Cincy and settles down in chair at the "Commish Club". Unfortunately, a tough loss to Red and the Huskers makes for a tough road through the polls. However a win against Mike and the Sooners could easily get him back in the good graces of the voters. Top 25 Likelihood: Moderate
#47 - IndianaPeay has gotten off to an impressive start... on paper. Then you realize that he's playing welcoming committee to our newest members to NCAA 14. It's an interesting strategy, one that will no doubt get the voters attention for a back end spot in the Top 25 early on, but the real question is... what happens when conference play starts? Top 25 Likelihood: Very Likely
#48 - Mississippi StateOutrage has two games on his radar right now. The streaking Deacons and the aforementioned NIU team toward the top of this list. Wins against both of them, coupled with a early conference win over Auburn could easily get the voters feeling some of that SEC love that they just can't help but dish out. Top 25 Likelihood: Unknown
#49 - Oregon StateKdog has suffered through several mediocre runs with Oregon St, but the Beaver has finally arrived! Boasting the most talent they've seen in quite some time, KDog is poised to make some noise! If you look past the opener at Texas, it's smooth sailing til about mid-season when the cali tour kicks in. I see big things for KDog in the future. Provided he gets some games in of course. Top 25 Likelihood Moderate
#50 - Texas Tech Coach TJ returns to the Red Raiders, and had a ridiculous shootout with the Deacs to start off the season. With a pretty quiet OOC outside of Wake, Texas Tech can look to get in to a groove before a mid-season reality check hits when the Okies come to play. Despite the loss, he may still be able to snag a spot with some momentum at the right time. Top 25 Likelihood: Moderate
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