1. Georgia
Can the Bulldogs live up to the hype that they built at the end of last season? Running back Knowshon Moreno could be a Heisman frontrunner, and quarterback Matthew Stafford appears ready for a breakout season. A rough schedule includes road games at South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU and Auburn, and a national title bid could be on the line when Georgia meets Florida on Nov. 1 in Jacksonville. But 16 starters return, including nine defenders.

2. Ohio State
After two straight losses to an SEC team in the BCS National Championship, Ohio State could very well be on its way to a third-straight title game appearance, possibly against another SEC foe (most likely Georgia or Florida). Several players, including linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, thought about leaving early for the NFL, but only defensive end Vernon Gholston actually made the jump. With nine starters returning on each side of the ball and Chris Wells running the football, the Buckeyes are clearly the team to beat in the Big Ten.

3. Oklahoma
The Sooners scored more than 42 points per game last year, and quarterback Sam Bradford and running back DeMarco Murray were just freshmen. With Bradford and Murray playing behind the nation’s best offensive line, Oklahoma should have little problem reaching its seventh BCS bowl game in nine years. Of course, it’s just a matter of actually winning one again.

4. Florida
After a 9-4 season, the Gators are ready to move back into the national title hunt. The health of Percy Harvin remains a question mark, and the Gators must become more consistent, but the offense should continue to put up a lot of points behind Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. The emergence of speedy tailback Chris Rainey could make the Florida offense even more dangerous.

5. Southern California
With how well Pete Carroll has recruited in the last several years, it’s hard not to have USC in the top five. Quarterback Mark Sanchez will have to be on top of his game early on, with the Buckeyes coming to Los Angeles on Sept. 13. Even if Sanchez struggles, the Trojans have a plethora of running backs to turn to, as well as one of the nation’s top defenses. Led by linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, the Trojans’ defense could be even better than the one that ranked second in the country in total defense in 2007.

6. Texas
Quarterback Colt McCoy went through a bit of a sophomore slump last year, throwing 18 interceptions. But,even with the loss of running back Jamaal Charles, look for him to regain his freshman season form, when he threw 29 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. The most important change for the Longhorns could be the addition of new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

7. Missouri
One of the nation’s biggest surprises in 2007, Missouri should once again be in the national title hunt behind senior quarterback Chase Daniel. While running back Tony Temple, wide receiver Will Franklin, center Adam Spieker and tight end Martin Rucker are significant losses, Daniel will still have plenty of weapons with Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman and Danario Alexander.

8. Clemson
In what should be a down year for the ACC, Clemson may finally put it together and win its first conference title since 1991. James Davis and C.J. Spiller give the Tigers the top running back duo in the country, and quarterback Cullen Harper quietly threw for 2,991 yards with 27 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first year as the starter. The combination of defensive ends Ricky Sapp (junior) and DaQuan (freshman) Bowers should wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

9. West Virginia
Coach Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan and running back Steve Slaton left for the NFL, but the Mountaineers’ spread-run attack should continue to pile up yards on the ground. Quarterback Pat White has 3,506 career rushing yards and 4,207 career passing yards and will be a Heisman favorite, and running back Noel Devine has shown the potential to be one of the most dangerous running backs in the country.

10. Auburn
The loss of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to Texas hurts, but seven starters — including defensive ends Sen’Derrick Marks and Antonio Coleman — return to a defense that has been consistently strong in the last several years,. Fans got a look at athletic quarterback Kodi Burns in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but he is being challenged for the job by junior college transfer Chris Todd. Whoever wins the job will have plenty of talent around him, including running backs Ben Tate and Brad Lester and wide receiver Rodgeriqus Smith.

11. LSU
LSU is loaded with talent, but the complete lack of experience at quarterback with the losses of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux will hurt. Add in the losses of Glenn Dorsey, Craig Steltz, Early Doucet, Jacob Hester and Ali Highsmith, and there are a lot of question marks. But the defense should remain strong, especially up front, and the new quarterback will have an excellent offensive line, led by guard Herman Johnson.

12. Arizona State
Rudy Carpenter was sacked 55 times last season, so the key to the 2008 season will be whether or not the offensive line can keep him off the turf. It is unlikely that the Sun Devils will unseat USC, especially since they must travel to the Coliseum. However, in a relatively weak Pac-10, Arizona State will have a chance at a BCS bowl.

13. Tennessee
Winning an SEC title will be tough with the loss of quarterback Erik Ainge, and with the competition of two top-five teams in the division. But Jonathan Crompton has experience at quarterback, and nine starters return to the unit. Sophomore safety Eric Berry is already emerging as one of the nation’s best players.

14. Kansas
There was no bigger surprise in college football in 2007 then Kansas, and it appears that Mark Mangino’s squad will be back in the Big 12 title race this year. Replacing players such as Aqib Talib, Anthony Collins, James McClinton and Brandon McAnderson will be difficult, but quarterback Todd Reesing and a new-look defense will keep the Jayhawks in the national spotlight.

15. BYU
This year’s non-BCS team with the best chance at crashing the BCS is BYU. Quarterback Max Hall leads an explosive offense that should make up for the loss of eight defensive starters.

16. Penn State
Bad news hit Happy Valley when All-American linebacker Sean Lee was lost for the season with a torn ACL, but the Nittany Lions still boast a very deep and talented defensive front, led by end Maurice Evans. Eight starters return on offense, and the duo of Evan Royster and speedy redshirt freshman Stephfon Green should be a more-than-adequate compensation for the loss of running back Rodney Kinlaw.

17. Wisconsin
With an unsettled quarterback situation, the running game will once again be the focal point of the offense ,with the powerful P.J. Hill leading the way. The new quarterback will also be throwing to the nation’s top tight end, Travis Beckum. The best news for the Badgers? Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois all travel to Madison.

18. South Florida
The Bulls were ranked as high as No. 2 last year before losing three in a row and ultimately finishing 9-4. But nine starters return on offense, and if quarterback Matt Grothe can improve his decision-making, the Bulls will score a lot of points. All-American defensive end George Selvie returns, but South Florida needs to find replacements for linebacker Ben Moffitt and cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams.

19. Illinois
If running back Rashard Mendenhall would have returned for his senior season, the Illini would probably be at the tail end of the top 10. Without Mendenhall, the pressure will be on quarterback Juice Williams to become more of a threat as a passer after throwing for just 1,743 yards and 12 interceptions.

20. Virginia Tech
With the return of quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor, the Hokies look like the second-best team in a very weak ACC. The offensive line should be strong, but running back Branden Ore was kicked off the team and the top four receivers are gone. However, an eight- or nine-win season is still likely, although the Hokies face most of their toughest opponents on the road.

21. Texas A&M
New coach Mike Sherman will try to restore the Wrecking Crew defense back to its old form. The offense will be strong with the backfield trio of quarterback Stephen McGee and running backs Mike Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane. If the defense makes significant strides after allowing more than 415 yards per game last year, the Aggies could win their first six games before facing Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas in three of the final six games.

22. Texas Tech
A consistent bowl team, could this finally be the year that the Red Raiders contend for the conference title? With such a talented Big 12, it will be difficult to get over the hump, but Texas Tech does return 18 starters, including 10 to nation’s second-ranked offense.

23. Oregon
The Ducks seemingly imploded when Dennis Dixon went down with a season-ending injury last year, and now Dixon is gone for good — along with running back Jonathan Stewart. Look for junior college transfer LeGarrette Blount to step in at running back alongside veteran Jeremiah Johnson. The defense should be one of Mike Bellotti’s best behind one of the nation’s top defensive backfields.

24. Michigan State
Devin Thomas, Kellen Davis and Jehuu Caulcrick are tough losses on offense, but Brian Hoyer has done a solid job at quarterback, and Javon Ringer is poised for another big season at tailback after rushing for 1,447 yards. Mark Dantonio definitely has the Spartans headed in the right direction after just one season as head coach.

25. Pittsburgh
Dave Wannstedt has done a great job recruiting but has yet to prove himself as a coach at Pittsburgh. With LeSean McCoy at running back, either Bill Stull or Pat Bostick will have to step up and be a smart quarterback. If that happens, the Panthers should finally make a bowl under Wannstedt. If not, he will certainly be on the hot seat.

Questions or comments? E-mail me at mattbrown@newerascouting.com.

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