USC is pretty obvious. They are #1 for virtually every major publication, the AP and the Coaches. They are a good team with a lot of talent on both sides of the ball (even without Mike Williams and Keary Colbert to catch Leinart's passes). They won the Rose Bowl and the National Championship last year. They have a pretty easy schedule, without any real challenges, unless Va Tech or Notre Dame can pull off the upset (which isn't likely). The running back trio of Hershel Dennis, Reggie Bush, and LenDale White will probably be the best in the country. Steve Smith and Whitney Lewis will be the next great USC receivers, and Leinart will get them the ball consistently. Shaun Cody and Manuel Wright anchor what will be one of the best D-Lines in football this year. I expect a run through the Pac-10, and a BCS berth (if not the Orange Bowl).
Georgia is the most boring great football team in the country. In many ways, they remind me of Alabama in 1992. They don't have a lot of pizzaz, but they can win. This is a make or break year for Senior QB David Greene. He must lead this team to success in a tough SEC. If Georgia doesn't have a cocktail party collapse against Florida, they will be in the SEC Championship game. LSU will contend, but these two teams face each other in Athens this year. They may meet again in the SEC Championship, and memories of last season will fuel the bulldogs. David Pollack anchors the D-Line, and with some luck and a few breaks, this team may find itself in the Orange Bowl.
Michigan is coming into this season with a chance to repeat as Big 10 Champs. This team is loaded on both sides of the ball (Read: Braylon Edwards, Marlin Jackson, Ernest Shazor, LaMarr Woodley, etc., etc.). Minus an intriguing early matchup at Notre Dame (who knows which ND will show up this year?), Michigan should pretty much run the table until they travel to face the Buckeyes. Edwards, Steve Breaston, and Jason Avant should give Matt Guttierez or Clayton Richard enough of an early boost to keep Michigan hot until they face Ohio State in Columbus.
Florida State will be the best team in the ACC this year. They face Miami in the Orange Bowl, but it will be early enough that they should have the experience edge over the Canes, particularly on the Offense. Chris Rix must take the bull by the horns and lead this team. Ernie Sims, the #1 LB recruit in the nation a few years ago, must step up to be the next great FSU Backer. The ACC will be a much tougher conference with the addition of Miami and Va Tech, but nothing should change for FSU, who always plays Miami anyway. They face Florida in their last game, but it will be in Tallahassee, and there is no championship game this year in the ACC. The possibility lingers for a rehash of the 2001 Orange Bowl Matchup of FSU and Oklahoma in 2005.
LSU was a solid offensive and defensive team last year, losing only one game. They must replace a solid starting quarterback in Matt Mauck. Either Marcus Randall or JaMarcus Russell must step up to the plate and lead this team the way Mauck did. The offensive backfield will be more athletic this season and the defensive backfield will be among the best in the nation. I expect a strong start until they face Georgia and Florida on the road. Florida handed LSU it's only loss last year and this year the game is in the swamp.
Texas, oh Texas, wherefore art thou, Texas? The Longhorns have been a huge disappointment to their high expectation fans for the entirety of Mack Brown's tenure. The eyes of Texas are upon you, Mack. Vince Young is a spectacular QB talent, but he will be without Roy Williams, BJ Johnson, and Sloan Thomas from last year. TEs David Thomas and Bo Scaife will be expected to carry that weight. Cedric Benson must have a huge year for Texas to be competitive. He will be challenged by Selvin Young, a speedy RB/KR talent. Derrick Johnson is probably the best LB in college football. He will need to lead this team to success. Even if Texas drops a sixth straight Red River battle to OU, they still have a shot at a BCS game, something the 'Horns have yet to accomplish.
Miami will be a team loaded with phenomenal talent at nearly every position. What a shock. The 'Canes threw a record 6 first rounders (and 9 total picks) at the NFL last year, and they should plug and chug some more talent into those gaping holes. The season boils down to the opener against FSU in the Orange Bowl and a trip to Virginia midseason. Lack of experience will be an early problem for the young Hurricanes (whether young Willie Williams ends up playing at linebacker for them or not). Brock Berlin must step up and be the leader that everyone expects him to be. If he can do that, this Miami team has a good shot at a BCS Bowl.
Ohio State is cardiac U. Ups and downs, coupled with last second victories have fueled a very successful run for Jim Tressel's 3 years. Ohio State must replace Craig Krenzel, who despite a lack of flashiness, was a big reason for the Bucks success. Ohio State will continue to pull in talented skill position players, but they need a leader at QB to keep the ball flowing. They think they have it in Justin Zwick, who may or may not provide that necessary spark. Ohio State's defense will be a major strength again, and LBs AJ Hawk and Anthony Schlegel will keep games close. An early foray with Marshall has exciting implications, but the big one is still the Michigan game. Lucky for the Buckeyes, they get Michigan in Columbus this year.
Missouri is going to surprise a lot of people this year. Brad Smith is a legitimate Heisman candidate, and this could be his year to show the world what he can do with receivers Thomson Omboga and Sean Coffey (a huge target at 6-6 and 225) . RB phenom Damien Nash will help keep defenses off Smith. The defense will smother opponents this year, led by DT CJ Moseley (Waynesville HS represent!) and Attiyah Ellison. They get K-State at home, and Nebraska will have some difficulty adapting to the West Coast Offense (sorry Husker Fans), so an upset in Lincoln is brewing for the Tigers. The most difficult game for Mizzou will be at Texas. It isn't likely that Mizzou will overcome the Horns. Even if they don't, a BCS game may be in their cards.
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