#1. USC Trojans - I am at the point in my opinion with Pete Carroll and his Trojans that they are at the same level football wise, as Mike Krzyzewski was with the Duke Blue Devils when it comes to year-by year talent. Seems that this year Carroll has like 15 running backs, plus 10 returning starters on defense. Will they ever have a "down year"?

#2. LSU Tigers - I was very temped to put LSU at the number one spot, but then my senses kicked in and realized that I do suck at this prediction thing and I should stay the course and go with USC. Even though they lost their quarterback at the number 1 spot in the draft they are loaded at every position and with either Sophomore QB Ryan Perrilloux or Senior Matt Flynn to run the offense, they just might have enough to defeat the Trojans in the BCS championship game.

#3. Louisville Cardinals - Even though their head coach has left for the NFL, I believe that the Cardinals will surprise (though not a BIG surprise) and win the Big East championship. They have Rutgers at home, but West Virginia on the road, but with a senior laden team, I believe that they will survive the schedule and be looking like the "odd-team" out for the BCS championship game, giving more argument to a playoff system.

#4. Florida Gators - When your at the top, the only way to go is down, and unless you are Pete Carroll you just can't replace a great quarterback and win the national championship twice in a row. Tim Tebow will give a good account of himself, not just quite at the level needed to repeat.

#5. Texas Longhorns - They have their starting quarterback returning, and a ton of experience on the offensive side of the ball. But championships are won on the defensive side of the ball, where they lost their coordinator and 3 defensive backs to the NFL. They have also suffered a couple of key injuries in fall camp, in addition to the "rap-sheet", which drops them from the championship contention.

#6. Ohio State - They lost a bunch of talent on the offensive side of the ball last season, but hey, they were saying the same thing about the defense at the start of the 2006 season and all they did was make an appearance in the championship game, right? Well, why not do the same thing on offense this year.

#7 Oklahoma Sooners - Bob Stoops is pretty close to Pete Carroll when it comes to re-loading each year. Over the past 6 years we've seen Stoops have to replace his quarterback almost every single season and still produce a top 5 team. He might be able to do it again this year, and of course the Texas game in October will go a long way in determining whether the Sooners or Longhorns are in the top 5. As you can see I am leaning the Texas way again this season.

#8 Wisconsin Badgers - Last seasons team had the benefit of a soft schedule they will have more talent this season, but a tougher schedule. They have 4 starters on defense to replace, but other than that everyone will be back.

#9 West Virginia - I put all my "money on Louisville, but if West Virginia steps up and beats them, then the Mountaineers could be the number 3 team. The offense will be very potent with a great receiving group and Steve Slayton at running back.

#10 Michigan - This will be another great offensive team this season with their quarterback, running back and receiver all returning. In fact Chad Henne and Mike Hart in contention for the Heisman and Manningham at the receiver spot. Lack of defense may keep this team out of the top 10 however.

#11 Virginia Tech - The Hookies will be looked upon to provide the university a beacon for all to rally around. Brandon Ore will be a strong contender for the Heisman this season.

#12 Auburn Tigers - Things did not click well last season on the offensive side of the ball and they have to replace several offensive lineman, which will be key in this team being an "also ran" or a contender once again.

#13 Boise State - They play in the WAC, which is a curse as well as a blessing, they will be hoping to spring-board off the win against Oklahoma, but may have too many holes to fill.

#14 Georgia Bulldogs - The 3^rd Southeast Conference team so far in my poll, these "Dawgs" are young but talented and probably about a year away from competing for the BCS championship.

#15 Arkansas Razorbacks - Damn another SEC team here. Leading Heisman candidate Darren McFadden will lead this team, but key position losses on both sides of the ball prevent them from being an elite team.

#16 Penn State - Ah yes JoPa back for what, his 60^th season. No just kidding. But they should have an improved offense, strong linebacking, but weak in their defensive line will hurt.

#17 Nebraska Cornhuskers - Their downfall maybe at the running back position if Lucky or Glenn fail to stay healthy. They must replace all four starters on the defensive front, but do have 4 returning backups, now if they can step up, they could be rated higher. Also whoever wins the quarterback spot will have to produce.

#18 California - It never seems to matter their talent level, they always seem to have one or two games that they lose that they should win, and that keeps them from contending for the championship.

#19 Boston College - Quarterback Matt Ryan is the leading contender for ACC player of the year and they have 9 starters back on the defensive side of the ball. They could be this year's sleeper team, if the breaks go their way.

#20 TCU - This is another team that if a couple of breaks go there way (like beating Texas) they could easily slip into the top 10 and be beating their chest for a BCS game.

Best of the rest

#21 - Hawaii

#22 - Tennessee

#23 - Florida State

#24 - UCLA

#25 - Georgia Tech

Well now all they have to do is to "tee em up" and let the chips fall where they may.

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