Offseason Top 25: What could go wrong? We'll tell you

Not much has changed here in The Land of Polls since the end of spring practice. Except your desire for something to gnaw on.

(Oops, apologies to sensitivities in Atlanta and the suits at 280 Park Ave.)

If John David doesn't thrive ... well, USC better get its Booty in gear. (Getty Images)

With only a couple of weeks to go until the opening of camps it seemed right to throw you a chew toy.

(Gosh, there I go again.)

A new Offseason Top 25 ought to keep you starved pit bulls -- (I just can't help myself) -- busy on the message boards for a while.

Please don't indict a whole segment of sportswriters for one man's pun abuse. In the following 25 capsules, we break down each team's camp issues and worst-case scenarios.

Hey, I'm hungry. Anyone for a PETA?

1. USC: Sort out the tailback situation. Develop a new set of receivers after the loss of Dewayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. Recipe for disaster: A Sept. 15 loss at Nebraska. John David Booty doesn't improve as a senior. Jim Harbaugh was right and Carroll bolts for the NFL.

2. LSU: Buy, trade or steal for quarterback depth. If Matt Flynn goes down, the Tigers could be in big trouble. Recipe for disaster: Les Miles gets his "wish" and plays USC in the BCS title game. The Trojans wouldn't have any motivation at all.

3. Michigan: The defense must re-discover its mojo. Were those last two games a preview of '07 or an anomaly of '06? Recipe for disaster: Are you kidding? Another loss to Ohio State.

4. West Virginia: You don't know Mike Dent. Hopefully, you won't know Mike Dent. He is the guy replacing the Dan Mozes, the All-American center. Centers are supposed to be anonymous. Recipe for disaster: Steve Slaton has more wrist problems (he had offseason surgery). His fumbles arguably cost the Mountaineers the Louisville game.

5. Wisconsin: We keep saying it doesn't matter who the Whiskey quarterback is. Senior Tyler Donovan will battle dual-threat Allan Evridge (a Kansas State transfer) next month. Either way, tailback P.J. Hill and tight end Travis Beckum will have their backs. Recipe for disaster: A hiccup before the runner-take-all game against Michigan on Nov. 10 at home.

6. Virginia Tech: The Hokies have to realize they're playing not just for a championship but for the entire university. Recipe for disaster: Injuries among the linebackers. After USC, Virginia Tech's are the best.