There is something about this time of year that excites me. Sure, May generally means the weather is going to soon turn (not the case today if you live anywhere near Chicago), and the days will soon be filled with sunshine.

It also means that before long you’ll be able to walk into your local drug store or book store and college football preview magazines will be lining the shelves. I’ve always enjoyed reading them and as odd as it probably sounds, I genuinely think the excitement of getting a college football preview magazine helped lay the groundwork to why I turned into such a fan of the sport at a young age.

I digress, though. One of my favorites each summer is the magazine (or more accurately – college football bible) that Phil Steele puts together. It’s loaded with information as he capitalizes on the access he gets to so many coaches and programs.

Before his magazine goes to print, Steele also releases a variety of items through his website. One such piece is when he projects the Associated Press preseason top 10. He does it annually and usually does it rather well.

He already has that out for this year. A quick glance shows Notre Dame just cracking the top 10 as the Irish welcome the Sam Hartman era (or season) along with a new play-caller, no Michael Mayer, and what should be one of the best offensive lines in football.

Below is the top 10 Steele projects the AP Poll to resemble when its released in August.

Notre Dame

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union

Last season: 9-4 overall, won Gator Bowl vs. South Carolina

Southern Cal

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 11-3, lost Cotton Bowl vs. Tulane

Visit Trojans Wire for everything regarding USC football

Clemson

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 11-3, lost Orange Bowl vs. Tennessee

For more information on the Tigers be sure to check out Clemson Wire

Florida State

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 10-3, beat Oklahoma in Cheez-It Bowl

LSU

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 10-4, beat Purdue in Citrus Bowl

For more on Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals, visit LSU Tigers Wire

Penn State

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 11-2, beat Utah in Rose Bowl

For more on Penn State football visit Nittany Lions Wire

Michigan

USA TODAY SPORTS

Last season: 13-1, lost to TCU in College Football Playoff Semi-final (Fiesta Bowl)

For all your Michigan needs visit Wolverines Wire

Ohio State

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Last season: 11-2, lost to Georgia in College Football Playoff Semi-Final (Peach Bowl)

For all of your Ohio State information visit Buckeyes Wire

Alabama

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: Beat Kansas State in Sugar Bowl

Georgia

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Last season: 15-0, national champions

For all of your Georgia needs visit UGA Wire

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire