Fansided Top 25: USC Edges Alabama Atop Pre-Season Poll

USC makes its return from bowl ineligibility with high expectations. Pundits across the nation have the Trojans tabbed as pre-season BCS championship favorite and that’s no different on the Fansided network of blogs. Coinciding with the arrival of transfer running back Silas Redd this week, the Trojans were voted No. 1 in the network’s pre-season poll. USC beat out defending national champion Alabama for the top spot.

The reigning champion Tide comes in at No. 2 despite turn over to the NFL. Nick Saban’s football factory continues to crack out top level talent though, replacing upper echelon performers with other, equally skilled performers. UA is ahead of SEC rival and 2011 national runner-up LSU. The Tide and Tigers are two of four teams from the nation’s toughest conference to appear in the top 10. Joining them are South Carolina and Georgia.

There are six SEC programs in the top 25, tied for the most well-represented conference with the Big 12. The Big Ten is just behind with five.

Others Receiving Votes: Utah 20, Auburn 12, Washington 10, Georgia Tech 7, Iowa State 6, Louisville 6, NC State 5, USF 4, Washington State 4, Illinois 1, Louisiana Tech 1

Contributing Voters:

• BadgerOfHonor.com (Wisconsin)
• BamaHammer.com (Alabama)
• BigRedLouie.com (Louisville)
• FightingGobbler.com (Virginia Tech)
• InsideTheLoudHouse.com (Syracuse)
• JugOfSnyder.com (Kansas State)
• KeepingItHeel.com (North Carolina)
• ReignOfTroy.com (USC)
• SaturdayBlitz.com
• StorminInNorman.com (Oklahoma)
• ThroughThePhog.com (Kansas)
• VictoryBellRings.com (Penn State)
• WildcatBlueNation.com (Kentucky)