Campus Confidential

BY MIKE ROSE

OK. I'm ready. I went back and forth, but this is what I settled on.

1. Ohio State
2007 record: 11-2
Why: The Buckeyes return 18 starters. There are stars on both sides of the ball -- running back Beanie Wells and left tackle Alex Boone, linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Plus, quarterback Todd Boeckman is back and will again be throwing to wide receivers Brian Robiske and Brian Hartline. And to make things interesting, the Buckeyes can bring super recruit quarterback Terrelle Pryor into the game to show you a completely different look.
Why not: Ohio State has played for the national title two years in a row and has been beaten twice by better SEC teams. Can Ohio State get over that psychological hump?
Key game: At USC, Sept. 13. The Buckeyes saw firsthand what a big win on the road against a non-conference powerhouse (Texas in 2005) can do to your national title aspirations.

2. Georgia
2007 record: 11-2
Why: The Bulldogs finished on a roll last season, winning their final seven games (including a dominant performance against an overmatched Hawaii team in the Sugar Bowl). Georgia returns 17 starters, including nine starters on defense. The offense should be solid with quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno. Moreno is a Heisman contender. As a redshirt freshman last season, he rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
Why not: It's always hard to envision any team coming out of the SEC -- undoubtedly the toughest conference in the land -- with fewer than two losses.
Key game: At Arizona State, Sept. 20. Georgia needs to win this game because road trips to LSU and Auburn -- not to mention the Florida game in Jacksonville -- loom later in the season. The common school of thought is if you're going to lose, then lose early. But not when you play in the SEC.

3. USC
2007 record: 11-2
Why: The defense is loaded with seven starters returning, including stars Brian Cushing Rey Maualuga at linebacker and Fili Moala at defensive tackle. USC's offense is young, but loaded with talented stars like running back Joe McKnight and wide receiver Vidal Hazleton. Plus, USC gets Ohio State, Oregon, Arizona State, Cal and Notre Dame at home.
Why not: Injuries have already hit Southern California. Mark Sanchez, who was slated to replace John David Booty at quarterback, dislocated his left kneecap early in preseason practice. But now Sanchez is optimistic about possibly playing in the opener at Virginia. McKnight, who should team with Stafon Johnson to give USC a solid ground game, recently hyperextended his right elbow.
Key game: vs. Ohio State, Sept. 13. USC has a tough start to its season, with the opener at Virginia, then hosting Ohio State and then at Oregon State. A win against Ohio State would go a long way toward a possible national title.

4. Missouri
2007 record: 12-2
Why: Heisman trophy contender Chase Daniel is back at quarterback and will have all-purpose star Jeremy Maclin to help lead the offense. But the Tigers also return 10 starters on defense. Remember, Missouri shut down Texas Tech's explosive offense last year. Speaking of last year, it was no fluke. This program -- led by coach Gary Pinkel -- is legitimate. Plus, I think the Tigers are extra motivated after last season's BCS bowl snub.
Why not: Expectations are high. A Big 12 championship will be nice, but I have to think Missouri fans are dreaming of a national title. Can this team handle the pressure?
Key game: I think Missouri will handle Illinois in the opener on Aug. 30 in St. Louis. I've got the game at Texas on Oct. 18 circled. If Missouri beats the Longhorns, they have a great shot to go undefeated in the regular season.

5. Oklahoma
2007 record: 11-3
Why: Sam Bradford, who set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdowns last season, is back behind five returning starters on the offensive line -- one of the very best O-lines in the country. And DeMarco Murray is returning at running back. The Sooners shouldn't have any problem scoring points.
Why not: The defense was shredded for 48 points against West Virginia in last season's Fiesta Bowl. That group needs to step up this season for Oklahoma to challenge for a national title.
Key game: Same as every season -- Texas. This season the game will be played on Oct. 11. The winner of that game may very well decide the Big 12 South title. But Texas Tech may have something to say about that.

6. Florida
2007 record: 9-4
Why: Sixteen starters return, including Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow. All-everything offensive star Percy Harvin will once again be dangerous whenever he touches the ball.
Why not: The defense. Florida gave up 25.5 points per game last season and had trouble shutting offenses in key moments last season. Teams simply outscored Florida last season.
Key game: When you play in the SEC, it seems every game is key. I could single out three games alone in the SEC that will be key this season -- at Tennessee, vs. LSU and vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville). I'm going to pick LSU on Oct. 11. A win over the defending national champion would be huge.

7. Clemson
2007 record: 9-4
Why: Clemson returns 14 starters -- seven on offense and seven on defense. But the strength of this season is a backfield that may be the best in the country. Quarterback Cullen Harper, who threw for 2,991 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, and running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller will give defenses nightmares. Then throw in Aaron Kelly, who had 88 catches last season, and where is the offensive weakness?
Why not: Clemson, historically, hasn't been at its best when expectations are high. The Tigers start the season with four home games and a game against Alabama in Atlanta. But the rest of the schedule features road games at Wake Forest, Boston College, Florida State and Virginia. That's a tough stretch.
Key game: At Wake Forest, Oct. 9. This game could very well decide who represents the Atlantic Division in the ACC title game.

8. LSU
2007 record: 12-2
Why: The Tigers are the defending national champions. They know how to win and they know that a loss or two during the regular season doesn't mean the end. Despite only returning 12 starters, there is plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Not to mention, an exceptional coach in Les Miles.
Why not: The quarterback spot will be very key. Ryan Perrilloux, who was expected to start, was dismissed in May. So Andrew Hatch or Jarrett Lee will take the job.
Key game: vs. Appalachian State, Aug. 30. Just kidding. But it wouldn't it be something if App State did it again? The key game will be the always close and always hard-hitting game against Auburn on Sept. 20. This season the game is at Auburn. I expect this one to once again be decided by the slimmest of margins.

9. West Virginia
2007 record: 11-2
Why: Bill Stewart and Pat White. Stewart replaced Rich Rodriguez and was interim coach as the Mountaineers prepared for Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Whatever he did to get his team ready for what turned out to be a 48-28 thrashing of the Sooners, he should continue to do it. Stewart, who had the interim tag removed after that Fiesta Bowl win, is going to do a fine job in Morgantown. White is a Heisman contender. White is mostly known for his running ability from the quarterback spot, but don't be surprised to see Stewart getting White at least 20 passes a game this season. And Noel Devine should fill in fine for Steve Slaton, now in the NFL.
Why not: While eight starters return on offense, there's only four returning starters on defense. And the schedule isn't too easy. The Mountaineers host Auburn on Oct. 23, then at Connecticut, home to Cincinnati, at Louisville, at Pittsburgh, and home against South Florida.
Key game: vs. Auburn, Oct. 23. I feel confident West Virginia will win the much tougher Big East this year. But a win over Auburn could go a long way in determining if the Mountaineers are a national title contender.

10. Texas Tech
2007 record: 9-4
Why: The Red Raiders have 18 starters back, but it's the 10 on offense that will scare opponents. Quarterback Graham Harrell to wide receiver Michael Crabtree is a lethal combination. Texas Tech's offense should be electric this season. The defense should also be very good.
Why not: There's a lot of hype surrounding this team. Expectations are already high. So the Red Raiders will need to step up and win some big games. There's a chance they could be 10-0 heading to Oklahoma on Nov. 22. But I'd be more worried about October, which features games at Kansas State, Kansas and Texas A&M and a home game against Nebraska.
Key game: Obviously, if Texas Tech is 10-0 heading to Oklahoma that will be a key game. But I think that Oct. 25 game at Kansas is really the key. A big win in a hostile environment is exactly the type of confidence builder the Red Raiders will need for games vs. Texas and Oklahoma in November.

The rest ....

11. Auburn
12. Texas
13. Wisconsin
14. Arizona State
15. Tennessee
16. Illinois
17. Kansas
18. Virginia Tech
19. Penn State
20. Wake Forest
21. BYU
22. Pittsburgh
23. Alabama
24. Oregon
25. North Carolina