Spring practice has concluded for teams across the country, so it’s time to tweak my way-too-early preseason Top 25 and publish my post-spring Top 25 as we head into the summer months.

Of course, until Nick Saban’s squad loses a game, defending BCS national champion Alabama headlines the list.

Note: These rankings are definitely subject to change.

ICONEddie Lacy will pick up where Trent Richardson left off in Tuscaloosa.

1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost a ton of talent on defense to the NFL Draft, but running back Eddie Lacy and quarterback AJ McCarron will lead a stronger offense, which will feature more production at the receiver position.

2. LSU: Former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger showed in spring drills that he is ready to step in for Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. And the Tigers return a lot of their deep and talented dominant defense.

3. Oklahoma: Landry Jones will be able to rely on a promising set of receivers, led by freshman Trey Metoyer. But new defensive coordinator Mike Stoops must help shore up a talented yet disappointing defense, particularly the secondary.

4. Oregon: Chip Kelly has a tough decision to make at quarterback, where Marcus Mariota has really pushed Bryan Bennett. And the defense that really grew up in the second half of 2011 will be even better.

5. USC: The Trojans get a ton of starters back from a team that was playing as well as any squad in the country, with the exception of LSU and Alabama, by the end of the 2011 season. Star quarterback Matt Barkley leads an explosive offense, and Monte Kiffin’s defense was much improved in his second season running the unit. The only concern will be depth.

6. Arkansas: Quarterback Tyler Wilson and a healthy Knile Davis at running back will help the offense maintain its high-scoring ways despite losing Bobby Petrino. Home games against Alabama and LSU should have Razorback fans excited, but all eyes will be on John L. Smith, who will coach the Hogs in 2012.

7. Virginia Tech: Quarterback Logan Thomas is primed for a huge year because of a deep receiving corps, and the Hokies always have a running back to step up when a star moves on. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster will return his entire front seven, and the Hokies’ toughest non-conference games are against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Their schedule is the reason why the Hokies could find themselves in another BCS bowl game at the end of the year.

8. South Carolina: Steve Spurrier finally found a quarterback he’s comfortable with in Connor Shaw, and Marcus Lattimore will continue to run the football with great effectiveness. Defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney is ready to become even more beastly, which is a scary thought for opposing SEC O-Linemen.

9. Michigan State: The Spartans will once again have one of the best defenses in the nation under coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and LeVeon Bell will pace a strong rushing attack. The biggest question will be how Andrew Maxwell responds to adversity after taking over for veteran Kirk Cousins under center.

10. Georgia: The Bulldogs return much of the team that ran off 10 straight wins after an 0-2 start in 2011. Most importantly, they have a 3-4 defense that was one of the best units in the nation, led by linebacker Jarvis Jones. However, the secondary is thin and the rebuilt offensive line must gel right away.

11. West Virginia: Geno Smith showed how comfortable he is in Dana Holgorsen’s offensive attack in an Orange Bowl thrashing of Clemson, but how will the Mountaineers adjust to life in the Big 12? My guess is they will seamlessly ease into their new league.

12. Clemson: Receiver/returner Sammy Watkins showed as a freshman that he’s a stud, and the offense coordinated by Chad Morris is very prolific. There’s material on defense, but consistency is the key. And that's what new Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables will have to make happen.

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13. TCU: Casey Pachall exceeded expectations in his first season as the starting quarterback, and many of the Horned Frogs' starters return — including a stout front four on defense — from a younger and more inexperienced team in 2011. Like West Virginia, TCU should adapt well to its new league.

14. Wisconsin: The major question is whether Maryland quarterback transfer Danny O’Brien can regain his 2010 form — if he can beat out Joel Stave. Coordinator Paul Chryst and a few other Badger offensive assistants are gone, but a strong running game behind Heisman finalist Montee Ball will keep Bret Bielema’s squad in every game.

15. Florida State: The Seminoles look to put behind a disappointing 2011, but to do that a running game must be consistent every week to help out quarterback E.J. Manuel. The ‘Noles should get much better offensive line play, and defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will once again have a nasty unit.

ICONDenard Robinson and the Wolverines face a difficult opening test.

16. Michigan: The Wolverines face a very difficult schedule — defending national champion Alabama in Arlington, Texas, and road contests against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State. Quarterback Denard Robinson has to limit his turnovers, and Greg Mattison must continue to work magic with the defense.

17. Texas: Quarterback play is still the biggest issue for the Longhorns. David Ash looks like the starter for now, but will the ‘Horns be forced to use true freshman Connor Brewer? Either way, a sound rushing attack led by Malcolm Brown and a stingy Manny Diaz defense will be enough to make this squad a Top 25 team.

18. Kansas State: Dual-threat quarterback Collin Klein was the best player in the Big 12 not named Robert Griffin III, and he’ll get back many of his supporting skill players. Defensively, Bill Snyder’s squad will once again be sound, especially against the run.

19. Stanford: Perhaps no team will be as fascinating as the Cardinal next season without star quarterback Andrew Luck, an institution on The Farm the last few years. The good news is that they’ll be able to rely on a sound ground game and a defense that returns linebackers Chase Thomas and Shayne Skov.

20. Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets will be dominant offensively once again next year with quarterback Tevin Washington and backs Orwin Smith and David Sims working behind an intact offensive line. But who will replace big-play receiver Stephen Hill? Al Groh’s defense must continue to make strides.

21. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers reshuffled their defensive staff a bit after the Blackshirts didn’t have the season that many expected. Despite losing linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, the defense returns a lot of key contributors from 2011. Will “T-Magic” make enough plays through the air?

22. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish should be a better team than they were last season. But a brutal schedule, which features road tests at Oklahoma and USC, may not reflect that improvement in their record. The defense will continue to get even better, but the quarterback position is the biggest question mark.

23. Oklahoma State: The Pokes lose offensive standouts Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, and it’s up to true freshman Wes Lunt to run the offense of coordinator Todd Monken, who will need to find star power on his unit. Bill Young gets back many of his defenders on a group that relied on the big play in 2011.

24. Auburn: The Tigers are intriguing next season because new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will have every starter back except one. Losing offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, however, will have the biggest impact. Running back Onterrio McCalebb will return as the unit looks to find stability at quarterback.

25. Boise State: Even though the Kellen Moore era has ended, the Broncos still have Chris Petersen — one of the best head coaches in the nation. Boise is on the national map, something that hasn’t been lost on the solid recruits that have been brought in during Petersen’s tenure.

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave