In my fourth year of compiling preseason rankings for men's college soccer, you'd think I'd have it down to a science. But that would defeat the very purpose.

Instead of relying on number crunching or coaches' opinions, I go on gut instinct, the occasional observation, a bit of reporting, some research and a dash of voodoo.

The result? In 2008, I had six of the final top 11 teams pegged in the preseason. No other "official poll" had more than four. But I'll be the first ...

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