Well, here's your chance to tug on Superman's cape. But we aren't going to do it. We're smarter than that. Sure, Bobby Bowden is coaching one of his least-experienced teams in more than a decade, but Chief Whatshisname still is gonna throw that spear into the turf, and these Seminoles still will run like a sprint team, and Florida State will win 10 or more games.
THE GOOD NEWS: Guys like DT Darnell Dockett, DT Jeff Womble and WR Atrews Bell, etc., are superstars-in-waiting. Although this is the best chance yet for another team to capture the ACC, Georgia Tech must visit Doak Campbell Stadium.
THE BAD NEWS: Who's going to play QB, and how well? Heisman winners don't grow on trees (even in Tallahassee), and a dozen other starters will be new, too. Florida, Miami and the pesky Bees are loaded and have FSU in their sights.
OUR CALL: If you name a coach who would not jump at the chance to trade his team's talent with Bowden, you're kidding yourself (OK, Spurrier might be the exception).

How's this for different: Lindy's has been doing national player ratings since 1992, and this marks the first time a Nebraska running back has not been mentioned. Maybe the heir apparent at I-back, Dahrran Diedrick, will prove the skeptics wrong ... but it looks as if Eric Crouch will have to carry even more of the load on a right shoulder that required offseason surgery.
THE GOOD NEWS: All roads lead to Lincoln. Nebraska has eight home games, including massive tilts against Notre Dame, Kansas State and Oklahoma. Eric Crouch is still one of the best running QBs around, and is a tough-guy winner.
THE BAD NEWS: Other than TE Tracey Wistrom, the Huskers lack for proven pass catchers. Will an I-back step up? With questionable depth and just 11 returning starters, Nebraska's margin of error for injuries is thinner than usual.
OUR CALL: Other Big 12 teams have caught up to Big Red, but this won't be the year that ends the school's streak of 32 seasons with at least nine wins.

OK, we know Bob Toledo can recruit. But if he doesn't start winning again -- and winning in a big, big way -- with all of those blue-chippers, there will be some mighty unhappy powder-blue fans in Westwood. UCLA is due for some better luck with injuries, and if they are granted it, these talented Bruins will retake control of the Pac-10 from the Northwest schools.
THE GOOD NEWS: No other Pac-10 team can touch UCLA's talent, and it's spread throughout every major position group. And here's a schedule edge: The Bruins don't go to the league's toughest venues -- Oregon and Washington.
THE BAD NEWS: Beyond the intangibles -- these guys really need to prove they have some cojones -- the big issue is quarterback play. It's been middlin' since Cade McNown left. Is Cory Paus a championship QB?
OUR CALL: The Bruins put it all together and get to take the trip to Phoenix for the Fiesta Bowl (since UCLA's home field is hosting the national title game).

The window is open. And somebody is home. With Florida State less than a sure thing for the first time since ... let's see, since George O'Leary was a defensive coordinator, the Yellow Jackets are ready to seize their chance. George Godsey needs to be all the way back from his knee injury, and the team needs to stay healthy enough of course. Say it with us: The ACC title really is within reach.
THE GOOD NEWS: This looks like the most-talented Georgia Tech squad since the 1990 national-championship team. There is good speed and great experience on a roster that includes playmakers in every position group.
THE BAD NEWS: Godsey is the can-do guy who can lead the Yellow Jackets through adversity, but he has a knee that can't take any more adversity. As young and vulnerable as FSU might be, Tech still must win in Tallahassee on Sept. 15.
OUR CALL: They can do it ... they can do it ... they can do it ... but will they? Almost, but not quite. This could be a two-BCS bowl season for the ACC.

Since Oregon wins 'em all at home -- the Ducks are up to 20 in a row at Autzen Stadium -- let's count six automatic wins for 2001 (yes, yes, we know beating Oregon State isn't that easy). Add in less-than-strenuous road games at Utah State, Arizona, Cal and Washington State, and you're up to 10 victories All that's left to win is a season-defining game at UCLA in mid-November.
THE GOOD NEWS: Mike Bellotti seems committed to stay in Eugene, where he churns out one great offense after another. QB Joey Harrington, RB Maurice Morris, WR Keenan Howry form a dynamite trio; CB Rashad Bauman is a star.
THE BAD NEWS: The defense has to be rebuilt with seven new starters, and neither line looks particularly strong on paper. There will be a new punter, kicker, long-snapper and special teams coordinator.
OUR CALL: Not as talented overall as UCLA, but the Ducks' strength at home, combined with an easy Pac-10 road slate, gives them a chance to win the league ... and maybe go undefeated.

The Kansas State program has reached this kind of company: It has finished in the Top 10 in five of the past six seasons, matching Nebraska, Florida and Tennessee and trailing only Florida State. No matter how big the reloading job is -- K-State has 11 starters returning, including the punter -- the 'Cats will keep knocking on the door of their first Big 12 title, which would cap an amazing turnaround for the one-time laughingstock.
THE GOOD NEWS: The linebackers and offensive line are among the best in the nation. Lots of hype surrounding the new QB, whoever it is -- either sophomore Ell Roberson or JC transfer Marc Dunn.
THE BAD NEWS: Last year's fine defensive line was mostly seniors, and only safety Jon McGraw is left standing in the secondary. Overall, 24 seniors are gone from last season.
OUR CALL: Can't count on the Wildcats winning at Nebraska for the first time since 1968, so look for a second-place finish in the North and a nice bowl.

Rick Neuheisel has things shaking in Seattle, getting to the Rose Bowl in only his second season with the Huskies. That success, combined with a top-notch recruiting class that will become the norm, means Washington is ready to reassume its place as a full-time Pac-10 monster, just as it was in the early '90s under Don James.
THE GOOD NEWS: The Huskies have solved their receiver deficiencies, and now have one of the best units in the conference. Larry Tripplett is the kind of DT stud everyone wants; sophomore RB Rich Alexis is ready for stardom.
THE BAD NEWS: Marques Tuiasosopo isn't around to save the bacon, and UW is likely to go with Cody Pickett (six career pass attempts) at QB. He's working with four new starters on the offensive line.
OUR CALL: Despite a possible 0-2 start (Michigan, at Miami), the Huskies will find their way during the Pac-10 season and be a factor in the conference race.

What's this? The Bulldogs have a good offense to go with that pop-you-upside-your-head defense? Yes sir, which is why they'll roll to their second SEC West title in four years and further establish themselves as the best program in the league's balanced division. You read that right: Best program, not just best team (shuddup Alabama!)
THE GOOD NEWS: Amazing as it sounds, State has one of the best backfields in the country to go with its annually stout offensive line. The Mario Haggan-led defense is young in spots (particularly the D-Line), but it looks deeper than last year.
THE BAD NEWS:Spin controllers note. The defense is young in spots (particularly the D-Line), and who knows if it is deeper than last year. Remember, a few late injuries rolled the Bulldogs off the edge of the table.
OUR CALL: Wayne Madkin has matured into a QB who leads and makes plays ... and don't worry about the defense. These guys will be playing Florida twice this season.

Oh, Michael, we hardly knew ye. Just won't be the same without ye. That guy who is taking your place, Grant Noel or something like that, says he's the kind of QB who "can move the chains." Fine. But can he drop back, spin away from two defenders, beat a linebacker to the corner, leap over a tackler and leave everyone else in his dust? Hmmm ... didn't think so.
THE GOOD NEWS: The Hokies defenders are talking about having the best defense in the nation, and they just might be able to back that up. Noel, a junior, is unproven and injured his knee in July, but RB Lee Suggs and WR Andre Davis will make his life easier.
THE BAD NEWS: Other than losing the most exciting player in college football, the Hokies need four new offensive linemen. Noel did not distinguish himself during spring practice. Could a true freshman win the job in the fall?
OUR CALL: Tech will dominate early with defense, giving the offense time to grow for a season-defining final month, including Miami at home on Dec. 1.

The Wildcats were living right last season, winning games on a Hail Mary, a fumble by Anthony Thomas and prevailing in OT after nailing a 46-yard field goal into the wind at the end of regulation. That kind of razor-thin margin between winning and losing tends to balance out, but Northwestern's roll of good fortune continued when Michigan QB Drew Henson bolted in the spring.
THE GOOD NEWS: Ten starters return from Randy Walker's spread offense that stunned the Big Ten by scoring 38.5 points per game. RB Damien Anderson is the preseason Heisman favorite after a season of 1,914 yards and 22 TDs.
THE BAD NEWS: Five times last season, the Wildcats failed to hold opponents under 41 points. If they're not tougher up front -- and the personnel isn't great -- the standout linebacking crew will have to make too many tackles ... again.
OUR CALL: When Henson left, the Big Ten race was thrown wide open. That allows NU to show that offense wins championships, too.