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The Big 12 has been about as one sided as a conference can get in recent years (except of course the PAC-10). Right now it is looking more like it is the Big 2 plus 10 with Oklahoma and Texas at the forefront. While this trend won't change this year it is something that looks to be short lived on the horizon with the resurgance of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma St. and Nebraska in a few years this conference could be as even as the ACC which isn't necessarily a good thing. The favorites to win it this year yet again is a crap shoot between Oklahoma and Texas.

North:

Nebraska
Kansas
Missouri
Colorado
Iowa St
Kansas St

The terrain of the North is going to look a little different this year, with Chase Daniel, Maclin, Coffman and half a defense gone (including ourstanding safety Moore) Missouri is no longer top dog although they will still be fighting for it. Looks like a three horse race, maybe four if Colorado can sneak in there for the Big North Crown. Obviously my homerism is shining through a bit as I have Nebraska winning the north but it is very possible. The game NU @ KU this season could be the game for the North. The winner of that one will probably win a ticket to the Championship game.

Kansas: They need a running game. Pure and simple. Reesing is good, third maybe fourth best quarterback in a quarterback studded league but he can't win the North on his own with Briscoe. Jake Sharp is the name that many Jayhawks fans are hoping will burst forward this season. If the Hawks can get a running game going this could definately be one of the best offenses in the Big 12. This is going to be one of the most veteran groups in the North this season and they will need it with games against Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas this season two of which are on the road. The difficulty of their Big 12 schedule alone could hamper their ability to be first time Big 12 North Champions.

Nebraska: Second season of the Bo Pelini era and the air couldn't be more electric. The only real question on the roster is quarterback, if Zac Lee gets a handle on the system and gameday decisions he will be tough to deal with. The Defense should be a lot better again with Three of four D-Lineman comming back including power house Suh and sixth year Sr. Turner. The secondary will be much improved and returns every starter from a year ago. And they will need it with games again Kansas, Oklahoma and pass happy Texas Tech. Most of their tough games are at home with the exception of that all important game in Lawrence on Nov. 14.

South

Texas
Oklahoma
Oklahoma St.
Texas Tech
Baylor
Texas A&M

The bottom half was actually the toughest to call on this one but I believe that the South belongs to two teams yet again Texas and Oklahoma. Baring another wacky four way or three way tie for South champions the Red River Rivalry game will most likely decide the winner of the conference early in the season. But don't be surprised if Van Gundy's Cow-Pokes make a run for again this year.

Texas: Texas is losing Quan Crosby and Jordan Shipley but returns leading passer and rusher Colt McCoy who had a break out Junior year. The question for Texas is will he revert back to his sophomore year? I think probably not, but losing Orakpo is a huge blow to a tenacious defense. Texas will be ready, as always offensively but it will be the question of their defense that will either win or lose the Big 12 for them this season. Hold Bradford and Murray in check and you have probably won the Big 12 South.

Oklahoma: Sam Bradford is back and so Jermaine Gresham and DeMarco Murray. However a revamped offensive line is the question mark. Can Bradford make decisions without thirty seconds to throw the ball beind that stone wall of an O-Line. The pressure will be on the running game this year and they are more than ready with Chris Brown and Madu along with Murray to answer the call. Some young receivers will most likely be making a name for themselves this year and Oklahoma will not fade quietly into the night. This will be another intense battle for control over the South and may come down to another Tie Breaker. I say if that happens let's just have Mac Brown and Bob Stoops fight to the death. HaHA just kidding.

This should be a great season for the Big 12 it won't be as stacked as it was last year but the powers will still be there in the South the question is who will rise in the North? Some teams that might be spoilers this year are these:

BU Logo UM Logo

I know it is still early to be thinking about college football, but well... not to me! With Spring Ball on its way and the smell of basketball season cooling down all I have to look forward to is a summer full of Golf and meaningless baseball games. Starting in April I always count down to the opening day for College Football and I think that there is no such thing as a Too Soon outlook on College Football. So, before the magazines, before the spring games, I will be taking a first hand look at the top teams in all 11 conferences and even which Independent teams to look out for. First, I will start with my pre-pre-season Top 25!

Note: Ratings are subject to change in light of news throughout the summer.

Florida (Yes, yes, it pains me to say this but I have to say the Gators will be the favorite to win it all again next year. Of course th ey lost Percy Harvin, but they still have their heart and soul Tim Tebow. As much as the man annoys me he is still the best football player in the country. Also, looking at a dominant offense its hard to say they will stumble, Obviuosly they return Tebow, but they also lost only two receivers, and three offensive linemen and their starting running back. that is seven starters, but they reload every year on the line and Chris Rainey stepped it up last year and is proving to be a go-to back. The receiving corps may seem a little suspect but with returning role players like Brandong James and David Nelson they will be just fine not to mention the incoming talent of Andre Debose. That being said their offense will be fine. The defense is the issue for the Gators then right? Wrong, maybe if Brandon Spikes had decided to go pro but he's coming back and so is the rest of the defense they don't lose one starter on defense and that deserves a major "yo" as Lee Corso would say. Depth is never a concern for the Gator's and it won't be again this year. Looking at the schedule I see every game and go, wow that is winnable... The SEC is always hard to get through unscathed, but with their most difficult games on the road beaing LSU (who is still iffy in the quarterback area) and at a nuetral field against Staffordless Georgia. Florida should be the favorites to win the SEC...and the National Championship.)
Texas (Yes, I have chosen Texas over Oklahoma in this one and yes it was a crap-shoot. Colt McCoy is coming back and might be the most efficiant quarterback in NCAA football history completing almost 77 percent of his passes all season long. The reason I chose them over Oklahoma is one-fold. Offensive line. OU lost all their O-Line Starters while Texas lost only one. Of course the loss o Quan Crosby will be huge, but up and coming stars like that of Brandon Collins and Malcom Williams will be plusses for the offense especially since Shipley got granted that extra year of eligibility. With Colt's experience and a seasoned offensive line don't be surprised if you find yourself looking at the Texas Longhorns in that BCS 2 spot by seasons end. Defensively there are some holes to fill, although, again not as many as Oklahoma. The loss of Orakpo will hurt tremendously, but as always Mack knows what he is doing. They only lose three starters defensively and the secondary will be much improved from last year and it will need to be as they lose one of their best D-linemen and their MLB, but don't be surprised if former back-ups Eddie Jones and Dustin Earnest step in quickly and fill the gaps. As long as the receiving corps picks it up this season you are looking at the 2009 Big 12 South Champions.)
Oklahoma (When you have a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback coming back for another year you better be in the top five no matter how many players you are losing. The brilliance of Bradford is in his patience, however, at times when he was pressured last year he looked very vulnerable and it will be up to a revamped offensive line to keep that pocket of safety from collapsing around him. It will be up to Seniors Trent Williams and Brian Simmons to anchor the O-Line for the Sophomores that are coming in to fill the gaps. If the offensive line proves affective a blessing in disguise from last year might expose itself for the OU offense this season. That is the play of Chris Brown and Moses Madu these two are a great tandem from the offense and could prove to be Oklahoma's saving grace on the offensive side of the ball. Getting Jermain Gresham back is a HUGE lift for this team, why? Because he, not Manuel Johnson was the second leading receiver on the team. With weapons comming back like that of Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray this offense should barely miss a step. However, defesively, they lost three key starters and will need to fill those gaps post-haste! Ryan Renolds will be back which is HUGE plus for the team as well as DE Austin English. IF the offensive line sures up quickly they, not Texas could be in the drivers seat of the Big 12.)
Alabama (Yes, the Crimson Tide will be back, and Yes I know they lost John Parker-Wilson. AND Andre the Giant Smith. The SLAM for this squad is the Junior running back Glen Coffee decided to go pro. However the biggest key to this team is coach Nick Saban Wilson was at best and average quarterback last year 10tds and 8ints, not good. Coffee was that heart and soul of the team right? No it was proven in the Sugar Bowl that Andre Smith was, and his loss is the biggest. But I think Saban will have them ready to go next year. Ingram and Upchurch will pick up the slack and don't forget that monster Julio Jones. The defense will be even better with seasoned starters in the front seven and seven seniors over all in the starting line-up. A favorable schedule (their toughest road test is against Ole Miss which could be their stumbling block) look for the tide to get back to their winning ways under tha managing hand of Greg McElroy. I see them heading back to the SEC Championship game.
LSU (Did I just? Yes I did. Even though the Tigers and an abismal ending to their season last year this team will be ready to go in 2009. Here are just a few reasons: First the inexperience at quarterback is gone. They now have a "veteran" to take the starting role. Offensively they look good, as long as they stick with Jordan Jefferson as their starter. Charles Scott will be back and that is a HUGE plus because he was a reason why this team was able to rally from almost 30 behind to be Troy. Definsevely, this unit will need to be revamped and with a new coacha and fresh incoming talent that day is not too far off. Do NOT be surprised if LSU can pull out a 9 even 10 win season this year with a a tough schedule. They may make a run for the SEC title againt.
USC (the PAC-10 has been one sided recently with the alpha-wolf USC in the forefront every year. Losing Matt Leinart should have hurt and they just plugged in John David Booty, losing him should have hurt and they just plug in Mark Sanchez. Will the trend continue? unlike years past USC is not ranked in the Top 10 because of their quarterback, no it is because of their coaching and the weapons that will be there to aid the new Quarterback. CJ Gable is coming back as Jr. and his explosive play-making abilities will aid the new quarterback which will be fought for by three young men, True-Fr. Matt Barkley, So. Aaron Corp and Jr. Mitch Mustain...Mustain has the most experience, however Aaron Corp looks to be more athletic and smarter under center. Whoever it is he will have a variety of play making receivers to throw to starting with Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson, but others like David Ausberry and Travon Patterson will be hard to match up against especially to those teams int he PAC-10. A veteran offensive line (at least 3 seniors the rest are juniors) will be the wall that protects the new quarterback and will allow running backs Gable and McKnight to run free. Obviously defensively the loss of Ray Maualuga will hurt but not as much as one might think. Their secondary will be scary with Seniors Josh Pinkard, Taylor Mays, and Kevin Thomas leading the way. The front seven will be as suspect as it has been but the anchor down low of Christian Tupou and Everson Griffen should hold their own to cover up the relative inexperience in the Line-backing position. Again USC will be the favorite to win the PAC-10 and they probably will, but with tough games @ Ohio St and @ Oregon don't be surprised if they drop a game on the road like they did last year.)
Virginia Tech (I know I know, why give the Hokies another shot at a top Ten preseason spot. One Player. Tyrod Taylor. The loss of Evans hurts, but they have a plethora of running backs at their disposall look for them to open up well against Bama and move on from there two tough opening tests Bama and Nebraska will tell us how good Va Tech is this year. VT returns 7 starters on offense that means they only lost two players from a 10-4 season a year ago. They only lose four starters on defense, however Macho Harris was one of them and they will need desperately to fill his leadership roll and talent level. However they will have to contend a very tough pre-conference schedule playing Alabama and Nebraska, luckily for them their tough games are in Blacksburgh and Beamer rarely loses a home match-up. Look for them to storm the ACC for a third strait Championship.)
Oklahoma St. (If there ever was a time for the Cowboys to push their way to the top of the Big 12 South this would be it. They are returning a veteran offinsive line, Dez Bryant best receiver in the Big 12, leading rusher Kendall Hunter and most important of all Zach Robinson. Talk about a quartet of opportunities! This could be one of the best offenses in the Big 12 maybe even the nation next season. Forget what happened against Oregon Dez Bryant basically tore his knee apart in that game and that was a major reason why they didn't compete as well as they could have. But he has been repaired by surgery and, hoping that rehab goes well will be back to full force next season. The only key loss on offense was that of go-to Tight End Brandon Pettigrew, but Wilson Youman looks good in his stead. Last year their defense was suspect at times, and great at other times, look for a vast improvement in this area as they only lost a safety (Perish Cox) who was in fact the leader of the defense 2 DL and a LB, but those pluggs should be filled well with incoming talent. If the offense can keep scoring the defense will come up with a few big stops. With a favorable schedule that has all the tough games at home (like Georgia and Texas) look for Oklahoma St. to maybe be a one to no loss team going into the Bedlam rivalry in Norman.)
Ohio St. (It is tough to put them in the Top 10 isn't it? You blow it two years in a row in the Big Dance, not only blow it but get BLOWN OUT in it and you expect to continually be considered one of the elite? We will give you one more year and the reason is Terrell Pryor. The smooth runner and awkward passer brings speed to a Big 10 conference that is used to having that at only one position, RB. Two things hurt OSU though, first Chris "Beanie" Wells is gone and we all saw how well they functioned without him...gulp...and their best defender and leading tackler James Laurinaitis is gone as well as Malcum Jenkins and Marcus Freeman. Getting USC at home early will provide a barameter for where they are at, and if somehow they can win that one they should be able to get through the rest of their favorable schedule unscathed until going to Penn St which could be the battle for the Big 10 again.
Penn St. (ironic right? Just talked about them possibly winning the Big 10? Penn St. and the afformentioned OSU are really the only two contenders for the Big 10 title (it's okay Iowa fans you can somehow get in there to throughout the season) The reasons for a Top 10 start for the Nittany Lions are kind of like those for Ohio St. Quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Even Royster will both be back and they MUST shoulder the load. A patched up O-Line after losing three starters will be key in the season improvement of PSU as well as revamping a tenacious defense from last year the loss of Aaron Maybin stings alot for the Lions but they will need to move past that and focus on winning the Big 10 for a second strait year.)
Ge orgia (I know how can I say Georgia is top 15 talent when they didn't even win the SEC last year AND they lost Stafford and Knowshon Moreno? Simple, they are that talented. A new quarterback may make things difficult as we saw with LSU last year, but they have experience at that position and battle of talent that might just make your head spin. Joe Cox the projected starter is a Senior, a fifth year senior who was to be the man before Stafford took over. He has experience and has waited patiently behind the pro-style Stafford, but now it is his time...he has only one year to make the pro-scouts take notice and he comes in with the most experience at quarterback for the Bulldogs throwing for a total of 432 yards 5 touchdowns and one interception in the games he has come in to play. In 2008, in relief for Stafford he had a rocket for an arm and laser eyes completing 11 of 15 for 151 yards and two touchdowns. After him it is a two horse race with former freshman, the athletic Logan Gray and incoming freshman Aaron Murray. The RB position should be of concern but isn't Caleb King and Richard Samuel are coming into their Sophomore seasons and have a slash and smash mentality, should be a good compliment to Richt's offense. And don't forget about their studd Fullback Shaun Chapas. The O-line is returning a majority of starters which should give aid to a new quarterback and they return one of the top freshman receivers from a year ago..and they add one more in A.J. Green and Marlon Brown. Don't be surprised if Georgia makes some noise. Defensively returning 3 of 4 DL starters is huge especially in the tough SEC and tripple Jr. threat at the LB position, secondary is a spotty position with only one real lock down corner in in Sr. Prince Miller, although a new recruiting class should fill some holes and look for veterans Bryan Evans and Brandon Boykin to finally step their game up this season.)
Ole Miss (Two words veteran leadership . This is a team that took apart the Red Raiders of Texas Tech last season and it still looks like QB Jevan Sneed has a chip on his shoulder. With 9 starters returning on offense and 8 on defense they will only need to plug few gaps and neither of those are at major positions. Dexter McCluster is back and should attract a lot of attention this season. The question about Ole Miss is can that win when they are no longer a surprise to everyone? They do not have a star-studded defense, however they are all veterans and should each make contributions when called on. Some may think they are due for a lack-luster season compared to last season and in the SEC it's hard to argue, but if they can make significant strides and build on that upset of Florida from a year ago you could be looking at the third best team in the SEC.)
Georgia Tech (Who would have thunk that Paul Johnson could be this effective in his first year at GT. What more can you say than returning 9 starters from an offense that averaged nearly 350 rushing yards a game last season? Josh Nesbitt will be back and more experienced and the YellowJackets entire backfield will be primed for another break out season. The Triple Option is back and back with a vengeance. Most of the starting O-Line that blew wholes as wide as the state of Georgia to run through last year is back and that means the Tech team is primed to be one of the best offenses in the ACC. Defensively they return 7 starters, but the question mark is on the D-Line 3 of the 4 starters that left were on that tenacious defensive line, if they want to compete with the likes of Virginia Tech they will need to remedy that situation quickly)
Boise St. (Even though this team lost, count it 11 of 22 starters last season the key in returning is So. Quarterback Kellen Moore. The Freshman sensation is back and is back in a big way. This team is a young team, but with play makers like Moore, Avery, Pettis and Gallarda back on the offense we should see an explosion. Most of the secondary is back from a team that made interceptions and broken up passes a habbit last season but the question marks are on the front seven with 5 of the seven being new starters and just sophomores the leadership will have to be turned to the veterans like Darrell Ackrey and All-WAC DE Ryan Winterswyk. They should be the favorites to win the WAC again and prime themselves for a Top 10 finish this season and maybe even a Top 10 start to next season. Boise St. could be the first Non-BCS team to make it to the NC game? Could it be so?
Oregon (Oregon has a talented group of new commers coming in and they get to keep their starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Even though they lose 12 of 22 starters they have many talented veterans stepping into starting rolls especially on Defense. Will Tukuafu, Walter Thurmand, and TJ Ward are among a few that look to make significant impacts this season. Offensively the loss of Jeremiah Johnson and Jaison Williams is a hit, but they do have LeGarrette Blount coming back and Jeff Maehl. The big question mark is the O-Line. If the new starters and meld together quickly we may see Oregon give USC a run for its money in the PAC-10. With most of their challenging games at home, including USC this could be the year the Ducks make a run for the PAC-10 title!)
Iowa (The loss of Shonn Greene is a big hit for this club, but with eight starters back on defense and a veteran secondary agaisnt a mediocre Big 10 look for Iowa to move on up in third in the Big 10 this season. The could have made a run for first with Shonn Greene, but without him it looks like they'll be stuck behind PSU and OSU yet again. Ricky Stanzi is back for the offense and more experienced, which should pay off behind a veteran O-line.RB Jewel Hampton looked good at times when he could play last season look for him to find seems and gaps, he won't be a Shonn Greene but if he can keep the Linebackers busy Ricky Stanzi should be able to pick apart secondaries in the Big 10 with the help of TE Allen Reisner and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. the question mark on defense is in the Tackles, but with Ringer gone as well as Chris Wells they should be okay on the inside. They should be able to make up for the loss of those DTs with a veteran crew of Juniors and Seniors throughout the rest of the Defense. Don't be surprised if, come November, Iowa is making some noise in the Big 10.)
Texas Tech (It is going to be tough to replace Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell and a veteran offensive-line, but if anyone can do it the cooky Mike Leach can. Even though many people refuse to think of Harrell as a system QB, the fact is he was and that is good news for Red Raider fans because Taylor Potts, just like Sonny Cumbie, Cody Hodges and Kliff Kingsburry is ready to step in and take the reins of this high-octane offense. The biggest play-maker they get back is Baron Batch along with Detron Lewis. No they will not be as dominant as they were last year but an 8 win season in the Big 12 is not out of the question. Defensively the Red Raiders should be about as weathered and experienced as they come with five of the front seven starters coming back including sack-leader McKinner Dixon. The secondary may be a little suspect, but who's secondary isn't in the Big 12? It will be a drop-off year from last year but look for Leach to do what he always does and that is win at least 9 games.)
Cincinnati (With three quarterbacks comming back with game-time experience and losing only one starting receiver. This team is primed for making another run at a Big East title. With West Virginia dropping off of the NCAA scopes it looks like Brain Kelly's team is the favorite to run the table in the Big East. While the likes of Pitt and UConn may have something to say about it, just looking at Kelly's coaching job last year and the kids returning this year it looks like this team is ready for a run.)
Texas Christian (The question mark here is definately not the offense. The Horned Frogs return all but 4 starters on offense including Andy Dalton and Joseph Turner. This team looks stacked offensively although they will have to do a bit of rebuilding on the line. The question is on a defense that returns only 4 starters. Can the Horned Frogs replace that mutch talent in such a short time? The answer is a resounding maybe. With plenty of kids that received playing time last year there is the question of being able to transition into a starting roll. If and when this happens the Frogs will be a force to be reckoned with.)
Nebraska (Long live Pelini right? Well the problem for the Huskers is on the offensive side of the ball, or so we think. Losing Joe Ganz, Marlon Lucky, Nate Swift, Todd Peterson and leading lineman Lydon Murtha to graduation the offensive side of the ball at first glance looks sparce at best, especially after the only quarterback with experience transferred out of the program in Patrick Witt. However, Zac Lee, Kody Spano and incoming freshmen Cody Green and Taylor Martinez are talents at the Quarterbacking level. With a veteran offensive line and the leading rusher back in Roy Helu Jr... players like Menelik Holt, Niles Paul and half back Rex Burkhead will have opportunities to make their names known. The offensive side of the ball should be more talented and if front runner Zac Lee can shoulder the load the running back tandem should take the Big 12 North by storm. Defensively Nebraska returns their entire secondary from a year ago with a few much needed additions for depth. As well as Sr. Defensive End Barry Turner due to a medical red shirt and Ndamukong Suh to the defensive line. With redshirted talent coming in this could be the most improved defense in the Big 12 again this year. Watch out Big 12, the Huskers are attempting a come-back!)
Kansas (With both sides of the ball returning seven starters this may be one of, if not the most veteran group in the Big 12 North in 2009. Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe all return to an offense that has been able to score at will the last couple of years. The problem for Kansas is the loss of four starting offensive linemen who they will have to replace if they want their running game and passing game to be effective. The loss of Dexton Fields at the WR position is big but Briscoe and Meier should carry the load. Kansas will need a running game this season if they want to win the Big 12 North for the first time in school history. Defensively losing only four starters seems fine, but when they are your two defensive ends and two linebackers the loss of four of the front seven is key. They will be weaker against the run but the return of Stuckey and Sr. Justin Thorntan makes this one of the best secondaries in the Big 12 North this season. If there was a year for Kansas to make a run for a Big 12 North title this is it. With an easy pre-conference schedule they should be looking good before playing ISU. However games in Austin Texas, Boulder Colorado and at Texas Tech could be their down fall. Play well on the road and the game with Nebraska in Lawrence could be the battle for the Big 12 North.)
California (When a team returns a running back like Jahvid Best one has to sit up and take notice. The Golden Bears may be one of the only teams in the PAC-10 that can give USC a run for their money and the return of 15 of 22 starters says that is the case. Inviting the Trojans to a home game is the only reason they may even have a shot at USC. Quarterback Kevin Riley can actually play within himself this year without the ever present threat of Nate Longshore looming in the distance. The biggest question is up front for the Golden Bears, but if they can put together a good offensive line to open holes up for Best you could be looking at the Number 2 team in the PAC-10 this season. The switch to 3-4 from 4-3 a year ago worked well enough but after three of the four starting linebackers graduate one wonders if they wouldn't be better off switching back to the 4-3. Their entire secondary is back as are the starters on the D-Line. Tedford should be able to hold his own this year without having to travel to the east coast to play against Maryland. But with six away games, four of which are swing games Cal's season will go one of two directions, sky-rocket up a plummit to the earth.)
Utah (Losing nearly all their playmakers and half of their starting line on offense from a team that shocked the nation a year ago will be the biggest hurtle for the Utes this season. in order for the Utes to step up and defend their MWC conference championship this year a number of Jr and Sr first year starters will need to step it up, namely Corbin Louks at quarterback. There are plenty of question marks on this side of the ball but being in a non-BCS conference does have its advantages. Most of their home games should come early in the season although a trip to Oregon does not bode well right off the bat for this Utah team. Since BYU is in more trouble reloading than Utah is look for the Utes to be right at the top of the MWC again, and comfortably. Defensively they will be strong again, returning all three starters at linebacker and key players both on the defensive line and in the secondary. The MWC's #2 defense should be right in that area again this season.)
North Carolina (Two names come to mind when thinking about the TarHeels of next season, TJ Yates and Shaun Draughn. The loss of Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks stings not to mention two of five starting O-linemen. TJ Yates will have a few weapons to work with in the relatively log-jammed ACC. Shaun Draughn and Greg Little will need to step up the play making abilities if this offense is going to resemble anything close to what they did last year. Their major strength is on defense where they lost only two starters. One was safety Trimane Goddard, while his loss is paramount the depth at D-Line is much better and should stop the running game better than it did a year ago and the nations leading Ball-Hawking D only lost one man look for them to provide sparks for the offense throughout the season. The good thing for the TarHeels is that six of their first seven games are at home and the seventh game is at a rebuilding UConn program. This should give the offense enough time to find play makers and hit their stride before they go on their four away-game trip to close out the season having to play in tough venues such as @ GT, VT and Boston College. However if they can find an identity and meld together before the Miami game this team could take another gigantic step forward.)
Pittsburgh (The loss of top Running Backs Stephens-Howling and LeSean McCoy makes this season look horrible to the typical Pittsburgh fan. Starting quarterback Bill Stull is back though along with four of five Offensive Line starters from a year ago which should be just veteran enough to give the Panthers a surge in the Big East. The strength offensively will be at the WR position this season with three seniors, Oderick Turner, T.J. Porter and Cedric McGee becoming the main targets for Sr. quarterback Bill Stull. It will be up to Redshirt Sophomore Sharriff Harris to carry the load this season, scary because he has a total of 21 yards to his name. But the former three star back (Scout.com) should provide legs and spark out of the back-field to open up passing lanes for Stull. With a relatively weak schedule until the end of the year the Panthers should have enough time to find themselves before the three game road trip to end the season. The defense will once again have a strong secondary but and D-Line with most starters returning, but the question mark will be at the Linebacker position. First year starters will have to plugg the gaps so the secodary can focus on the receivers. Pitt looks like a team that could give Cincy a run for their money in the Big East, but that all stems from how they develop under Wandstadt as the season progresses.)
Teams to look out for:

Mic higan (After an abismal 2-10 season last year Rodriguez was somehow able to conjure up a great recruiting class. With Running Back Brandon Minor returning in the back field as well as incoming Dual-Threat quarterback Tate Forcier in the back field Ritch can finally run his offense that sputtered and most of the time died under the hand of Threet. Return all five starting O-Linemen and an arsenol of WR don't be surprised if Michigan jumps back into national prominance again this year.

South Carolina (With Smelley gone and Garcia as the lone starter look for the Gamecocks to get better offensivley this season. They did lose Mike Davis but Soph. Eric Baker should pick up right where he left off. The more important losses offensively are that of TE's Larry Freeman and Jared Cook as well as leading WR Kenny McKinnely. The "old ball coach" has not proven as effective at South Carolina but a stout defense should be returning again as 3 of four DL starters are back and so is half the Linebacker and Secondary corps. The key loss on defense is Captain Munnerlyn though, but if Spurrier can plug in at least a decent CB in that position the Gamecocks could be a dangerous team again this season.)

Vanderbilt (returning 18 players from a team that went 6-6 may not sound like a big deal but the Commodores think it is. Thinking they could improve on this number takes into consideration that most of their most difficult games are played at home this season. With Nickson gone as starting quarterback they most likely won't miss a beat with the stepping in of Mackenzi Adams, leading rusher Jared Hawkens is back as well as Jamie Graham at WR. With a talented group of freshman coming in (the likes of speedy, Eric Samuels and Warren Norman) they could refill the gaps relatively well. If they can pull a few early upsets and one late one you could see the Dores win 7 games this season.)

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