The Associated Press expanded its media poll board by five members this season, to 67.
That only meant more votes for Nebraska, the two-time defending national champs. The Cornhuskers received 50 No. 1 ballots in the preseason poll.
But if the Cornhuskers stumble before the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl, the site of the bowl alliance title game, at least five other teams are poised to claim No. 1, according to the voters.
Seven said Tennessee, led by Heisman Trophy favorite Peyton Manning, should be No. 1. Five others listed Florida State. Three like Colorado, while Florida and Notre Dame each grabbed one first-place vote.
By contrast, the coaches gave No. 1 votes to only four schools: Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida State and Florida.
The regular season will help sort the jumble; every team but the Fighting Irish has to play at least one of the other major contenders.
The Volunteers meet the Gators in Knoxville Sept. 21. And the Gators take on Florida State in Tallahassee on Nov. 30, a day after Colorado and Nebraska collide in Lincoln.
1. Florida State. The Seminoles have the right schedule, including nine games in Florida, and 15 returning starters from a 10-2 team. Key game: vs. Florida on Nov. 30.
2. Nebraska. The Cornhusker defense will determine whether Nebraska becomes the first three-peater in major-college football, but the Big 12 presents new challenges to the Great Plains powerhouse. Key game: vs. Colorado Nov. 29.
3. Tennessee. The Volunteers have everything in place, including quarterback Peyton Manning, for the school’s first national title since 1951. Key game: vs. Florida Sept. 21.
4. Colorado. The Buffaloes need quarterback Koy Detmer to remain healthy in the rugged Big 12. Key game: at Nebraska Nov. 29.
5. Florida. Fresh off their humiliating Fiesta Bowl loss to Nebraska, the Gators have plenty to prove and plenty of talent. Key game: at Tennessee Sept. 21.
6. Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish need their recent recruiting bonanzas to beginning paying dividends on the field. Key game: vs. Ohio State Sept. 28.
7. Ohio State. The Buckeyes might have the best defense in the nation, but it won’t matter if an inexperienced offense doesn’t mature quickly. Key game: vs. Penn State Oct. 5.
8. Syracuse. The Orangemen don’t play outdoors until Oct. 26. Key game: vs. Virginia Tech Sept. 28.
9. Kansas State. K-State has been one of college football’s most dramatic turnarounds, but now the program has to endure the rigors of the Big 12. Key game: vs. Nebraska Oct. 5.
10. Southern California. If they can survive the Kickoff Classic against Penn State, the Trojans may become a dark horse in the run for No. 1. Key game: at Arizona State Oct. 19.
11. Penn State. The Nittany Lions need to find a way to protect quarterback Wally Richardson. Key game: at Ohio State Oct. 5.
12. Northwestern. Was 1995 a fluke or an indication of the future? Stay tuned. Key game: vs. Michigan Oct. 5.
13. Texas. As if the Big 12 wasn’t tough enough, the Longhorns will also challenge Notre Dame and Virginia this year. Key game: at Colorado Oct. 26.
14. Virginia Tech. A strong team in a weak league, the Hokies still haven’t grabbed much respect outside Blacksburg. Key game: at Syracuse Sept. 28.
15. Virginia. One of the nation’s more exciting teams in 1995, the Cavaliers go for two in a row against ACC giant Florida State. Key game: at Florida State Oct. 19.
16. Michigan. No national titles since 1948. No Big Ten titles since 1992. Motivation, anyone? Key game: vs. Penn State Nov. 16.
17. Iowa. The Hawkeyes closed fast last year but have to prove they can hold their own with the big boys in the Big Ten. Key game: at Penn State Oct. 19.
18. North Carolina. The Tar Heels hope to turn a strong 1995 finish into a fast 1996 start, and they’ll need to do that with three ranked foes in the first four games. Key game: at Florida State Sept. 28.
19. Louisiana State. The Bayou Tigers are ready to rise up in the SEC’s Western Division. Key game: at Auburn Sept. 21.
20. Stanford. The Cardinal is uncharacteristically thin at quarterback but has an enthusiastic head coach in Tyrone Willingham. Key game: vs. USC Nov. 9.
21. Texas A&M. The Aggies have a terrific defense, as usual. They’ll need it in the Big 12. Key game: vs. Colorado Sept. 28.
22. Alabama. With a trademark bedrock defense and tailbacks Dennis Riddle and Curtis Alexander, the Crimson Tide figures to challenge for its fourth SEC Western Division title in five seasons. Key game: at Tennessee Oct. 26.
23. Miami. The scandal-plagued Hurricanes are on the verge of falling off the map, but they still have more talent than most teams. Key game: vs. Florida State Oct. 12.
24. Arizona State. The Sun Devils have Jake Plummer, the best quarterback west of the Mississippi River, and are ready to make a run for their second Rose Bowl. Key game: vs. Nebraska Sept. 21.
25. Georgia Tech. Two years after they went 1-10, the Yellow Jackets are gunning for a bowl bid. Key game: at Georgia Nov. 30.
