10. 
BYU - With all due respect to Utah, this will be the Mountain West team to beat this year -- a conference that has all but taken over the Big East as the 6th best.
BYU - With all due respect to Utah, this will be the Mountain West team to beat this year -- a conference that has all but taken over the Big East as the 6th best.9. 
Virginia Tech - The defense has always been there, can they get more consistent play out of the offense? They should be the favorites in the consistently mediocre ACC.
Virginia Tech - The defense has always been there, can they get more consistent play out of the offense? They should be the favorites in the consistently mediocre ACC.8. 
Penn State - Speaking of mediocre conferences in '09, Penn State should be the best of the bunch in the Big 10. The defense should be stout, and Daryll Clark and Evan Royster should help mediate major losses to the receiving corps.
Penn State - Speaking of mediocre conferences in '09, Penn State should be the best of the bunch in the Big 10. The defense should be stout, and Daryll Clark and Evan Royster should help mediate major losses to the receiving corps.7. 
Ole Miss - One of the hottest teams from the last half of last season returns some major contributors, including QB Jevan Snead. Expect them to win an always competitive SEC West.
Ole Miss - One of the hottest teams from the last half of last season returns some major contributors, including QB Jevan Snead. Expect them to win an always competitive SEC West.6. 
Oklahoma State - The Cowboys return big time playmakers on offense, including QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant. If they can get by Georgia in the opener, they will be thrust headfirst into the national title picture.
Oklahoma State - The Cowboys return big time playmakers on offense, including QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant. If they can get by Georgia in the opener, they will be thrust headfirst into the national title picture.5. 
Georgia - But the Bulldogs are eager to prove that last year was a fluke, and that they can operate just fine without Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. The defensive and offensive lines will be killer, but so will the schedule.
Georgia - But the Bulldogs are eager to prove that last year was a fluke, and that they can operate just fine without Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. The defensive and offensive lines will be killer, but so will the schedule.4. 
Oklahoma - Bradford and Co. return to try again for the title - will the defense hold up this time?
Oklahoma - Bradford and Co. return to try again for the title - will the defense hold up this time?3. 
Texas - After a legitimate beef with the Big 12 South tiebreaker rules last season, the 'Horns snuck by Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. With all those returning starters, they look like they will win it outright this season.
Texas - After a legitimate beef with the Big 12 South tiebreaker rules last season, the 'Horns snuck by Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. With all those returning starters, they look like they will win it outright this season.2. 
USC - The always re-loaded Trojans will be national title caliber again this season. Will they make it through the Pac-10 unscathed (Columbus should be no problem), or will they drop another easy one this season?
USC - The always re-loaded Trojans will be national title caliber again this season. Will they make it through the Pac-10 unscathed (Columbus should be no problem), or will they drop another easy one this season?1. 
Florida - This team is easily as big of a preseason favorite as the 2005 USC team with Leinart and Bush. Will they let it go to their heads? It might not matter; I don't see any Vince Youngs on the schedule.
Florida - This team is easily as big of a preseason favorite as the 2005 USC team with Leinart and Bush. Will they let it go to their heads? It might not matter; I don't see any Vince Youngs on the schedule.
