It’s hard to argue that the AP got it wrong when it released its top 25. The top five is strong and all can make claims for the top spot. Here are arguments for and against those five teams being ranked No. 1.

GEORGIA: WHY THEY SHOULD

From top to bottom, the Bulldogs are the most talented team in the country. Georgia brought back 17 starters from a team that was arguably the best in the nation at the end of last season. Georgia has a strong and fast linebacking unit, and two solid corners in Asher Allen and Prince Miller. Running back Knowshon Moreno looks to run over opposing defenses again and quarterback Matthew Stafford has a deep receiving group to throw the ball to.

GEORGIA: WHY THEY SHOULDN’T

Before the loss of left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, there might not have been a reason to keep the Dogs away from the top spot. The Bulldogs can’t afford to lose more from the offensive line, as it’s a unit that doesn’t run as deep as some of the other positions. Georgia’s season might hinge on whether the offensive line can stay healthy.

OHIO STATE: WHY THEY SHOULD

The Buckeyes return 18 starters and have been to the last two national championship games, with only three losses in that timeframe. Out of those 18 starters, 14 of them are seniors who are looking to get the taste of losing back-to-back title games out of their mouths. Ohio State returns their Heisman hopeful running back Chris Wells and brings back one of the most suffocating defensive backfield units in America.

OHIO STATE: WHY THEY SHOULDN’T

With the Big Ten down the last couple of years, are the Buckeyes really that good? The Bucks have been embarrassed in the last two national championships against two SEC teams that made them look silly. In the end, how much better can Ohio State get if the Big Ten continues to stay dormant? The world will find out how good Ohio State is in week 3 when the Bucks play USC in Los Angeles.

SOUTHERN CAL: WHY THEY SHOULD

Defense wins championships and USC’s will be loaded once again. Linebackers Ray Maualuga and Brian Cushing lead the defense while free safety Taylor Mays might be the best at his position in the nation. Sophomore defensive end Everson Griffin will also be a force off the edge with his combination of size and speed. The offense has playmakers at the skill positions, although the Trojans can’t catch a break with injuries right now.

SOUTHERN CAL: WHY THEY SHOULDN’T

The offensive line lost four members and will have to rely on three sophomores to help pick up the slack. With the loss of John David Booty at quarterback, it looked like Mark Sanchez was going to take over until he dislocated his knee. Now former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain will take over for the time being. The same goes with USC as it does Ohio State. The world will find out if the Trojans are No. 1 material on Sept. 13.

OKLAHOMA: WHY THEY SHOULD

The Sooners return eight starters from a loaded offense, including quarterback Sam Bradford who threw for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns last year. Running back DeMarco Murray is lightning in a bottle and the whole offensive line comes back in tact. The defensive line will be strong as will the secondary, led by safety Nic Harris.

OKLAHOMA: WHY THEY SHOULDN’T

For starters, Bob Stoops and company can’t win a bowl game to save their lives, losing four straight BCS games. Oklahoma is also thin at linebacker after losing Curtis Lofton and Lewis Baker. The Sooners were shown up against Texas Tech last year, lost to Colorado when they shouldn’t have and were run over by West Virginia. Oklahoma will have to prove it can be consistent before it can stake a claim for No. 1.

FLORIDA: WHY THEY SHOULD

Florida’s offense is one of the most potent in the country, as it averaged 42.5 points per game in 2007. Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow returns with a loaded arsenal of receivers in Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and Deonte Thompson. While the defense, led this year by Brandon Spikes and Carlos Dunlap, struggled last year, eight members return and should provide more consistency.

FLORIDA: WHY THEY SHOULDN’T

Well, who knows if the Florida defense can provide the needed consistency? The Gators defense looked lost against Michigan in the Capital One Bowl, and Georgia had its way with them in Jacksonville. Five Florida players have torn ACLs this offseason, including tight end Cornelius Ingram and safety Dorian Munroe. It doesn’t help that Florida lost its two best players from last year’s defense in Tony Joiner and Derrick Harvey.