Prelude to a Three-quel?

Welcome back sports fans to another school year, which means the pinnacle of sports college football returns. On Thursday night at 7 PM, four Mid-American Conference teams will host games to open the biggest single-elimination tournament in sports (unless we go back to 2007 where it was more like triple elimination). From Thursday until Monday night, there are games every day to fill the Labor Day weekend. As loyal readers have come to expect, I will be covering the general aspects across the college football nation again in 2008, and previewing the Top 3 games of the week.

Everyone knows the maxim that good (or bad) things come in threes. Hollywood certainly seems to think so, as the local multi-plex almost always has sequels and three-quels running. While some trilogies are fantastic such as The Godfather trilogy, others are very terrible: think the I Know What You Did Last Summer trilogy. Many more trilogies suffer from sequel-itis, with the second and third iterations not quite meeting the greatness of the first (an example would be The Matrix trilogy). The past two seasons in college football have yielded the same endgame. The main question going into 2008 is will this regular season simply be a prelude to a three-quel in the BCS Championship?

The first ingredient from the past two seasons is Ohio State having a record better than every other major contender in the country. Unlike last season, poll voters and the public will not allow the Buckeyes into the Championship with a loss this season with all the negative PR. That means Ohio State must go undefeated to return for a third-straight BCS Championship. With the Buckeyes returning 19 starters and the only critical losses being OL Kirk Barton and DL Vernon Gholston, the outlook looks good on paper for a three-peat. The Big Ten is still trying to catch up to the Buckeye recruiting advantage, and it appears only Wisconsin has a legitimate shot to stop a fourth-straight conference title. The Buckeyes have more talent and experience than everyone on their schedule.

There's a strong case against the Buckeyes though. The last two teams to return this level of talent for the Buckeyes were 1998 and 2003, both of which suffered surprising upset losses to lesser teams. Ohio State always struggles on first road trips, especially out west. The toughest possible scenario plays out September 13 at USC, a team with perhaps as much talent but not as much experience. Road games at Wisconsin have always been tricky and watch out for teams like Illinois (again), Michigan State, and even Michigan by season's end. No team has ever won three straight outright Big Ten conference titles. The verdict? Ohio State overcomes the wealth of history there to prove them wrong thanks to the Miami-sized chip on their shoulder.

The second ingredient from the past two seasons is a bloodbath in the SEC leading to the best one-loss or two-loss team in the country. While there are a handful of teams in the country that could go undefeated outside of the SEC, every contenders seems to have a rough schedule or too many new starters to reliably say 12-0 will happen. After Florida and LSU struggled through the SEC the past two seasons, the pollsters rightfully put the battle-tested SEC champion in the BCS Championship and both delivered by stomping OSU. The only team in the same league as Ohio State on paper is Georgia, but the Bulldogs also have the toughest schedule in America. Look for LSU, Florida, Tennessee, and Auburn to seriously contend as well. Still, Georgia is the most likely team to survive the toughest schedule in the country with only one loss, opening the door for the SEC return to the championship.

Here the case against is strong. As listed above, no fewer than 4 other Top 15 caliber teams will be competing for the SEC crown alongside Georgia. Even though Florida does not have the same talent as Georgia, a win in the Cocktail Party will supplant the Bulldogs with the Gators in the BCS chase. Still, an SEC champion will be impossible to slot in the BCS Championship if two other conference have an undefeated team and the SEC does not. After two years of imperfect finishes, college football is due for 2-3 undefeated teams in 2008. The Verdict? A storm seems to be brewing in college football, that storm being parity. Every conference outside of the Pac-10 and Big Ten has parity, and the two dominant teams in those runaway conferences play each other in 2008 and 2009. Consequently, expect the Florida-Georgia winner to make it three appearances in a row for the SEC.

The final ingredient to 2006-07 is the final outcome, the coup de grace. Ohio State came in as a heavy favorite over Florida and lost by 27. LSU was favored by a touchdown and did not disappoint, winning by 14. After Georgia's heavy complaining in 2007, the 2009 BCS Championship could match two teams with huge chips on their shoulders in Georgia and Ohio State. Ohio State is halfway to infamy held only by the Buffalo Bills, and Georgia would be looking to make OSU o-for-10 against the SEC in bowl games. The SEC champion will be battle-tested, while OSU feeds on lesser opponents many weeks. Like most trilogies, people will automatically assume OSU cannot win a game like this.

The argument against this outcome is strong. While the 2006 and 2007 Buckeyes were not really challenged outside of a fluke loss against Illinois, but road games at USC, Illinois, and Wisconsin will test these Buckeyes more. Georgia and Florida have great offenses, but the Buckeyes have improved and will likely be able to stop the SEC-caliber offenses after facing everything from Wisconsin's power-I to Michigan's new spread. No conference has produced three consecutive BCS Champions in the modern era. The verdict? The script never seems to change, which is why most trilogies end on a sour note. 2008 will be the same disappointing SEC beats Ohio State result, and nobody outside of SEC country will be happy. Watch out college football fans...this season has trilogy written all over it.

The first game of the opening slate comes Saturday when Utah visits Michigan. Of course nobody has forgotten how Lloyd Carr's final season in the Maize and Blue started, with tough home losses to Appalachian State and Oregon. Utah may be as good or better than both of those teams, and the Utes have serious BCS possibilities if they make it out of Ann Arbor 1-0. A new spread system will be tested by fire this season, as Michigan does not have the Rich Rodrigues style of athletes yet. Michigan's defense will be the key, as Utah can score points in bunches if left unchecked. Despite every indication that Utah is the favorite here, I'm picking Michigan because I think the young Wolverines are just sick and tired of hearing about 2007 and want to springboard a top-notch 2008 bowl win into a surprising successful season. Michigan by 4.

The second game of the week is Tennessee at UCLA on Monday night. Tennessee lost a tough opener out west at California last season, but the teams went in opposite directions as the Volunteers rebounded to an SEC Title Game while Cal floundered. Tennessee should be even better in 2008 and is simply overshadowed by the bigger names playing for rivals Georgia and Florida. This is also the beginning of the Rick Neuheisel era after his fall from grace three years ago. UCLA is his home, so expect improvements under a slightly better coach than Karl Dorrell. This would be a huge statement to UCLA and even cross-town rival USC if the Bruins win against this level of competition. Crazy things do happen in the Rose Bowl, but not this time. Tennessee will win by 21.

The third and best game of the week is an easy choice, Alabama vs. Clemson in Atlanta. Each of these teams has struggled through high expectations and failed results. Both have great coaches Saban and Bowden. This is just the kind of game Clemson usually loses to ruin a seven or eight game winning streak. Alabama would instantly become a sixth contender in the SEC race with this neutral-site win over a Top 10 team. The reality is that this is the most complete team Clemson has had, and a weak ACC should open the door for an almost certain BCS berth either way. Clemson steals this one in the fourth quarter by 10.

2007 GOTW Record: 25-20 (.556)
Last Week: N/A

Fitz Top 10 - Preseason
1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Florida
4. USC
5. Missouri
6. Clemson
7. West Virginia
8. Oklahoma
9. Auburn
10. Wisconsin
Just Missed: LSU, Texas Tech, BYU, Texas, Arizona State

It is good to be back for another season, and I look forward to bringing all of my readers good stories in 2008. See you next week!

2008 Football Preview: Preseason All-Americans

Defending Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow highlights the preseason edition of the 2008 College Football All-America squads, as voted on by the SCS.com staff. A unanimous selection as a First Team All-American and our choice as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, the Florida quarterback is joined by the likes of Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells, and Michael Crabtree as unanimous First Team picks. Southern Cal linebacker Rey Maualuga, also a unanimous First Team choice, is the SCS.com Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while Wake Forest kicker Sam Swank and Colorado freshman running back Darrell Scott take home honors as our Preseason Special Teams and Newcomer of the Year selections, respectively.

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FIRST TEAM PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA


OFFENSE
QB *Tim Tebow Florida
RB *Knowshon Moreno Georgia
RB *Chris Wells Ohio State
WR *Michael Crabtree Texas Tech
WR Jeremy Maclin Missouri
TE Travis Beckum Wisconsin
OL *Michael Oher Mississippi
OL *Duke Robinson Oklahoma
OL Andre Smith Alabama
OL Jonathan Luigs Arkansas
OL Alex Boone Ohio State


DEFENSE
DL George Selvie USF
DL Tyson Jackson LSU
DL Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn
DL Fili Maola Southern Cal
LB *James Laurinaitis Ohio State
LB *Rey Maualuga Southern Cal
LB Brian Cushing Southern Cal
DB *Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
DB Nic Harris Oklahoma
DB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest
DB Patrick Chung Oregon


SPECIAL TEAMS
K Sam Swank Wake Forest
P Kevin Huber Cincinnati
KR Jeremy Maclin Missouri
PR Arrelious Benn Illinois

(*) Unanimous First Team Selection

Preseason Offensive POTY: Tim Tebow, Florida
Preseason Defensive POTY: Rey Maualuga, Southern Cal
Preseason Special Teams POTY: Sam Swank, Wake Forest
Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Darrell Scott, Colorado

SECOND TEAM PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA


OFFENSE
QB Chase Daniel Missouri
RB LeSean McCoy Pittsburgh
RB Javon Ringer Michigan State
WR Percy Harvin Florida
WR Brian Robiskie Ohio State
TE Darius Hill Ball State
OL Herman Johnson LSU
OL Ryan Stanchek West Virginia
OL Alex Mack California
OL Anthony Parker Tennessee
OL Louis Vasquez Texas Tech


DEFENSE
DL Nick Reed Oregon
DL Vance Walker Georgia Tech
DL Greg Middleton Indiana
DL Antonio Coleman Auburn
LB Aaron Curry Wake Forest
LB Marcus Freeman Ohio State
LB Scott McKillop Pittsburgh
DB Vontae Davis Illinois
DB William Moore Missouri
DB Michael Hamlin Clemson
DB Eric Berry Tennessee


SPECIAL TEAMS
K Thomas Weber Arizona State
P Louie Sakoda Utah
KR Marcus Thigpen Indiana
PR Brandon James Florida

2008 Football Preview: Bowl Projections

It's that time of year again, college football fans. What time, you ask? Time to guess the ever-changing number of bowl games. This year's total comes to an all-time record of 34, two more than in 2007, meaning 68 total teams - or nearly 60% of squads in the so-called Bowl Subdivision - will take part in postseason play this fall. Once again this year, a break-even record is all that's required to participate, and with the large number of slots to be filled this winter, many schools are certain to go bowling with a 6-6 mark. In what luxurious location, such as Detroit, Shreveport, or Boise, can you make your Christmas reservations for this season? Without further delay, here is a look at where we expect your team to go bowling this year.

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NON-BCS BOWL GAMES
DATE BOWL MATCHUP (PROJECTED RECORD)
Dec. 20 St. Petersburg Rutgers (7-5) vs Memphis (8-4)
Dec. 20 Congressional Navy (6-6) vs Ball State (7-5)
Dec. 20 New Mexico New Mexico (9-3) vs Nevada (8-4)
Dec. 20 Las Vegas Arizona (7-5) vs Utah (10-2)
Dec. 21 New Orleans FAU (8-4) vs Southern Miss (6-6)
Dec. 23 Poinsettia TCU (9-3) vs San Jose State (7-5)
Dec. 24 Hawaii Boise State (8-4) vs Oregon State (6-6)
Dec. 26 Motor City Central Michigan (8-4) vs Louisville (6-6)
Dec. 27 Car Care Wake Forest (9-3) vs Connecticut (9-3)
Dec. 27 Champs Sports North Carolina (8-4) vs Michigan St (7-5)
Dec. 27 Emerald Boston College (8-4) vs Arizona State (8-4)
Dec. 28 Independence UL-Monroe (7-5) vs South Carolina (6-6)
Dec. 29 PapaJohns.com Pittsburgh (8-4) vs Troy (7-5)
Dec. 29 Alamo Illinois (8-4) vs Oklahoma State (8-4)
Dec. 30 Humanitarian Fresno State (9-3) vs Maryland (6-6)
Dec. 30 Texas Texas A&M (7-5) vs UCF (9-3)
Dec. 30 Holiday Oregon (10-2) vs Kansas (8-4)
Dec. 31 Armed Forces BYU (11-1) vs Houston (9-3)
Dec. 31 Sun California (9-3) vs Notre Dame (7-5)
Dec. 31 Music City Mississippi State (8-4) vs Miami (7-5)
Dec. 31 Insight Iowa (6-6) vs Nebraska (7-5)
Dec. 31 Chick-Fil-A Alabama (8-4) vs Florida State (8-4)
Jan. 1 Outback Penn State (9-3) vs Auburn (9-3)
Jan. 1 Gator Virginia Tech (9-3) vs Texas (9-3)
Jan. 1 Capital One Purdue (9-3) vs Tennessee (10-2)
Jan. 2 Cotton Texas Tech (10-2) vs LSU (9-3)
Jan. 2 Liberty Tulsa (11-1) vs Kentucky (7-5)
Jan. 3 International Cincinnati (8-5) vs Miami-Ohio (7-5)
Jan. 6 GMAC East Carolina (9-3) vs Louisiana Tech (7-5)


BCS BOWL GAMES
DATE BOWL MATCHUP (PROJECTED RECORD)
Jan. 1 Rose Wisconsin (11-1) vs Southern Cal (10-2)
Jan. 1 Orange Clemson (11-1) vs USF (10-2)
Jan. 2 Sugar Missouri (11-1) vs Florida (10-2)
Jan. 5 Fiesta Oklahoma (11-1) vs West Virginia (11-1)
Jan. 8 BCS National Championship Georgia (12-0) vs Ohio State (11-1)

2008 Football Preview: SEC

Saving the best for last, we now bring you the preview for the top conference in college football, hands down, the Southeastern Conference. After Florida and LSU have taken the past two national championships, all eyes will be on the conference that always seems to have the best one-loss team in the country. An undefeated team from the SEC is a lock for the BCS Championship, and that may be just what happens this year. A legitimate five national title contenders will battle in 2008 for a likely right to prove the SEC is the best yet again in Miami.

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Three Keys | Team-by-Team Analysis
Projected Standings | All-Conference Teams

THREE KEYS

1. Will anybody come out of the conference schedule unscathed? It has not happened the past two seasons, but of course it usually does not matter as long as there are not two undefeated teams in other major conferences. The SEC grind is the toughest in football, so can anyone survive?

2. The Heisman race could likely come down to a horserace between Tim Tebow, Knowshon Moreno, and Matthew Stafford. When all three hit the field in arguably the biggest game of the entire college football season, who will become the frontrunner for the biggest award in football?

3. There are no fewer than five true national championship contenders with Georgia, Florida, LSU, Auburn, and Tennessee all in the mix. This could mean the SEC championship is a play-in game for the BCS Championship, but which coaches will push the right buttons and make the right moves when the games are on the line?

TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS

Alabama

OFFENSE: The offense should be much stronger in 2008, and it all starts up front where all five starters return. OL Antoine Caldwell and Andre Smith will give QB John Parker Wilson more than enough time to prove he is as good as the hype. Wilson's only problem will be breaking in a new crop of receivers, led by Mike McCoy.

DEFENSE: The defense is breaking in a few new starters this season, so look for some growing pains while the unit finds its leaders. LB Jimmy Johns will need to solidify the middle of the 3-4 defense until new sophomore linebackers can improve. The backfield should be pretty good.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Leigh Tiffin will be looking to improve the kicking results from last year, while P P.J. Fitzgerald is also back on the special teams unit. Both these juniors have pretty good distance, so look for the special teams to help the defense stay out of bad situations.

COACHING: Nick Saban came to the Crimson Tide with much fanfare in 2007, and all good coaches seem to improve their teams dramatically in the second year at the helm. After getting Alabama to a bowl game in his first season, Alabama will be looking to compete with the upper echelon of the conference this season. If Saban keeps out-recruiting his SEC competition, the Tide will be at the top of the West in the next couple years.

SCHEDULE: The only thing stopping Alabama from a big resurgence in 2008 is a pretty rough schedule. The conference road schedule is brutal, including Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU. All of the seven home games are winnable, but look for Kentucky and Auburn to give the Tide a run for their money at Bryant-Denney.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... QB John Parker Wilson was supposed to put up fantastic numbers in 2007, but did not look as good as advertised until the end of the season. Assuming Wilson can find his consistency early in the season, look for him to be a darkhorse contender for all-conference honors (even with a returning Heisman winner in the running).

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... As mentioned above, all the home games are winnable. While it is hard to imagine winning at Georgia, Alabama could surprise everyone with a split on the road. Alabama could go 5-0 against the West and 10-2 overall, possibly making the SEC title game.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The schedule is a little rough, so Alabama could take a step back if the defense falls apart and puts all the pressure on the offensive unit. If that happens, Alabama could drop to 4-8.

MAKE OR BREAK: While the entire defense is an important cog, the difference between a serviceable offense and a great one will be whether the new receiver core steps up and completes the offense. If Mike McCoy and Darius Hanks have good seasons, the Tide should roll to more success than 2007.

Arkansas

OFFENSE: The Razorbacks had some nice highlights last season with Darren McFadden and company, including knocking off eventual national champion LSU at the end of the regular season. The offensive line is mostly returning and is led by C Jonathan Luigs. QB Casey Dick will find a completely new role with DMC gone and a pass-happy coach coming in to replace Houston Nutt.

DEFENSE: The defensive line is the best part of the unit, but this will be a major rebuilding year for this side of the ball. All four defensive backs need replaced and the Razorbacks will watch every other team in the conference try to throw on these new starters. DE Malcolm Sheppard is the best of the unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Jeremy Davis returns for his senior season and will likely be called upon a lot in his final year. K Alex Tejeda may struggle in his sophomore year, as a lot will be expected of the kicking game if Arkansas is going to turn any corners this season.

COACHING: Bobby Petrino has left Louisville and the Big East behind and jumps into a rebuilding situation at Arkansas. Given the talent Houston Nutt had recruited for many years, it may be best for Petrino to start fresh with bare cupboards. Look for Arkansas to take a couple years to adjust to the new regime.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is not doing the Razorbacks any favors, as the only easy game at home is cellar-dwellar Ole Miss. A road game at Texas simply adds to one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. The only break is that the Razorbacks miss Florida and Tennessee this season.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... QB Casey Dick will have a much difference role after being stifled by Houston Nutt's run-and-gun offense the past two seasons. Dick likely would have lost his job to Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett, but Mallett has to sit out a year and so Dick will be the man to help Arkansas learn Petrino's new pass-happy offense. Breakout numbers should happen.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Everybody in Fayatteville knows this season and most likely next seasons are down payments for renewed success down the road under Petrino. This was a rebuilding season anyway, so even at best the Razorbacks would be lucky to reach 6-6 and 3-5 in conference.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... After winning the first two at home, it could be a very long time before Arkansas wins again. As in, sometime in 2009. 2-10 is possible with an 0-8 finish in SEC play if Mississippi pulls the upset in Fayatteville.

MAKE OR BREAK: Arkansas at best is hoping for a .500 season, so the key will be how quickly the new offense adapts to Petrino's system and who steps up to run that offense. The Razorbacks just need to avoid being embarrassed and demoralized, so games against Alabama after Texas and Mississippi after Kentucky will be key.

Auburn

OFFENSE: QB Kodi Burns takes over the reins of a brand new spread-offense brought by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. RB duo Ben Tate and Brad Lester should find plenty of holes behind five returning starters on the offensive line, three of them sophomores. The offense should respond well after a full off-season with the new system.

DEFENSE: The defensive line is replacing three starters, but sophomore Antonio Coleman got plenty of playing time as a freshman and will certainly fill one of the gaps. DE Sen'Derrick Marks will anchor the line and all three starting linebackers return to continue keeping the Tiger defense strong.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A couple of sophomores will try to improve as they take over full-time starting roles in the kicking game. K Wes Byrum has a lot of potential to improve from 2007 and P Ryan Shoemaker is a relative unknown. This could end up being the Achilles' heel of the team if there is one.

COACHING: Tommy Tuberville has an impressive 80-33 mark at Auburn and has not let the Tigers fall too far in the SEC standings even in rebuilding years. After playing third fiddle to LSU and Arkansas in 2007, look for Auburn to be the division favorite in a year where 6-2 could outright win the West.

SCHEDULE: Auburn gets quite an assist from the SEC schedulemakers, as all the conference road games are winnable. The only non-conference test is a late October road game at West Virginia. Still, getting LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia at home is the best news Auburn can have in a year where the Tigers should compete for the league title.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... DT Sen'Derrick Marks is the only full-time starter returning on the defensive line, but he is probably the best lineman prospect in the conference even as a junior. Look for Marks to rack up the stops and sacks coming through the middle this season.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The roadtrip to WVU is a Thursday-night affair, but Auburn has plenty of time off before and after the game to not worry about a disruption in SEC play. Auburn likely cannot sweep the three tough home games, but 7-1 and 11-1 is possible and BCS bowl consideration.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The offense may sputter in September as Burns gets used to SEC-caliber of play. This is bad news as two of the most important games for Auburn come in September against LSU and Tennessee. It is possible that the Tigers stumble, but 7-5 and another bowl game are the worst-case scenario.

MAKE OR BREAK: No doubt about it, the September 20 game hosting LSU will likely shape the entire season. If Auburn wins, the pressure is probably off against Tennessee and Georgia. If the game is lost, then Auburn will likely have to finish 7-1 to get back ahead of LSU. This game will make or break the season.

Florida

OFFENSE: The offense was good last season, and most of the key elements are back in 2008 including Heisman winner QB Tim Tebow. Tebow accounted for 55 touchdowns last season, but don't expect that this season with much more talent around him. WR Percy Harvin will light up corners, while a trio of running backs will take the load off Tebow.

DEFENSE: The defense kept Florida from being a conference contender last season, and it may again in 2008. The good news is that not a single senior should start, so Florida will n ot only compete for a national title this year but next year as well. The defensive line needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks if Florida is to be taken seriously.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Chas Henry returns for his sophomore season and will be looking to improve. In the kicking game, PK Caleb Sturgis will start his first year at Florida with one of the highest-pressure jobs in all of college football: an SEC kicker. Look for both kickers to struggle at times.

COACHING: It did not take Urban Meyer long to win a national title at Florida, and he will keep the Gators in relevant contention for years to come by the appearances of things. Meyer keeps things fresh for his young team.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is actually kind of rough, with Georgia at the usual neutral site and Tennessee on the road. The rest of the schedule is not all that bad, by SEC standards.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... RB Chris Rainey will split time with two other running backs, but he is the explosive one. Tim Tebow was the change of pace necessary in 2006 to win a national title, and Rainey will perhaps play a key role if a title run is in the works in 2008.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Florida is a national title contender and despite the rough schedule, 12-0 and a national title game berth is always possible under Urban Meyer.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... Starting with the opener against Hawaii, there are quite a few games that could be tricky if the youthful Gators are not much better than last year. Florida could "suffer" through a 7-5 year at worst.

MAKE OR BREAK: At least the Gators have two weeks off before the Tennessee game. As for make-or-break, it doesn't go farther than the Cocktail Party. A win there will likely lock up a division title and keep any BCS championship hopes alive.

Georgia

OFFENSE: One of the few questions facing the Bulldogs in 2008 will be replacing a couple solid offensive linemen. Still, any serviceable play out of new starters should be enough as RB Knowshon Moreno and QB Matthew Stafford are the best threats in the conference.

DEFENSE: The defense does not really have many question areas after returning nine starters from a top-caliber unit. CB Asher Allen and Prince Miller should be much better after a year of adjusting to SEC play last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicker is the biggest question mark on the team. Freshman PK Blair Walsh is the only scholarship kicker, so the pressure will be on him early. Can he be clutch if Georgia needs him in a close game is anyone's guess.

COACHING: Mark Richt is certainly one of the top 10 coaches in the game, and he has only been overshadowed in recent years because of other SEC teams taking home national titles. Still, Georgia was close to playing for a title last season and will look to keep things in their hands this season.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is the bad news. Not only does a tough roadtrip to Arizona State loom in September, the inter-division draw is terrible with Alabama, Auburn, and LSU all on the schedule. Still, Georgia should be able to handle this gauntlet.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... It is time for QB Matthew Stafford to finally step up and live up to his potential. While Knowshon Moreno gets more press, Stafford is the guy that needs to lead this team confidently and consistently if a national title is going to happen.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... A national championship, 12-0 regular season, what more is there to say. This is the goal and anything else will likely be disappointing.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The schedule is really rough, and Georgia may stumble in SEC play. Still, a team this talented should finish no worse than 9-3, even if the injury and bad luck plagues come.

MAKE OR BREAK: Can Georgia survive the terrible schedule, including four straight away from home on the back end of the SEC play (including the neutral site against Florida)? This will be compelling to watch and the key.

Kentucky

OFFENSE: What made Kentucky such a threat the past two seasons was a great passing game, but now an inexperienced quarterback and receiving crew will take over. The offensive line is stacked though, so whoever takes over should have plenty of time to make good decisions.

DEFENSE: The defense will need to step up and be better this season, and that could be an issue. The defensive line returns four starters with experience, but the back seven needs to improve dramatically to keep the Wildcats in games in 2008. Still, this unit could still jell and be good.

SPECIAL TEAMS: At least the special teams unit will not be breaking in too many new faces, and none on the kicking side. PK Lones Seiber and P Tim Masthay should be solid this season.

COACHING: Rich Brooks started with three tough seasons, but he has turned things around in Lexington and has the Wildcats respectable in the tough SEC. The real question is can Brooks take this program to the next level.

SCHEDULE: A road opener at rival Louisville is the only speedbump before SEC play. The road schedule is tough with Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama all on the road. That means the home schedule outside of Georgia is pretty easy though.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... RB Alfonso Smith averaged seven yards per carry last season and should take over the primary rushing duties on a team that will rely heavily on the run. This could lead to a surprising breakout year.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Kentucky could end up as a darkhorse contender for the division if an huge upset happens again this season, but the schedule still only allows about a 10-2 finish.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Wildcat defense may still not be good enough to carry the team, which could cause a reloading year. 4-8 is within the realm of possibility if all goes against the Wildcats.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key to this season will be finding new leaders at all the offensive skill positions and getting them experienced enough to survive a tough SEC slate. If that happens, good results should come to Lexington.

LSU

OFFENSE: The offense would likely be nearly as good as last season if QB Ryan Perrilloux were not kicked off the team, but this unit is still solid. The offensive line is led by veterans Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, which will help the new quarterback and running back get acclimated to SEC play. Still, there will likely be growing pains here.

DEFENSE: The real difference between last year's dominant crew and this year is the defense. The biggest loss was DT Glenn Dorsey, but the defensive line has plenty of great talent returning, led by DE Tyson Jackson. However, replacing nearly all the linebackers and defensive backs will be another story. Look for a lot of teams to spread LSU out and really challenge the new starters.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The one unit that will be pretty much the same as last year is the special teams. PK Colt David is one of the most dependable kickers in the country, while P Brady Dalfrey is also returning for his senior year. The return game will suffer a bit without Early Doucet, but not too much to be concerned.

COACHING: Les Miles was in the middle of the Michigan coaching controversy, but he did not turn his back on the SEC and his team rewarded him with a national championship and a win over Ohio State, Miles' hated rival from his Michigan days. Miles is the most unconventional of the coaches in football with a national title, but the man knows how to recruit and will keep the Bayou Bengals near the top of the conference.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is unkind to the defending national champions. Road games at Auburn and Florida will be tough early, followed by Georgia as well in October. The Tigers will also find the road bumpy against other SEC teams as always.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... WR Demetrius Byrd is a high-speed scoring threat every time the ball is launched in his general direction. The new quarterback will need a go-to outlet, and look for Byrd to be that guy.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... It is just really hard to believe LSU in a "rebuilding" year can run this tough schedule. Even at their best, LSU will drop one game to one of the east division leaders. 11-1 is the best LSU can hope for.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Bayou Bengals play absolutely nobody in non-conference play, so 4-0 will happen regardless of how bad the Tigers are. As for SEc play, 3-5 should happen even if everything goes poorly. 7-5 is the bottom range.

MAKE OR BREAK: How quickly the defensive back seven assert themselves against SEC offenses and force a balanced attack will be key. If the back seven fall apart, it could be a long season by LSU standards.

Mississippi

OFFENSE: Transfer QB Jevan Snead will have a lot of pressure to live up to high expectations under the new coaching regime. Look for WR trio Shay Hodge, Mike Wallace, and Dexter McCluster to really shine in the wide-open tricky offense. Expect Mississippi to do a lot better with all the offensive talent the previous coaches brought in.

DEFENSE: De Greg Hardy is the leader of this unit, despite not even starting last season. The line is really good, but the backfield will be the challenging aspect of 2008. Many teams will force Mississippi to stop wide open passing games, and this is the question of the year.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking corps is back for another season, both juniors. PK Joshua Shene needs to improve his numbers from last season, but P Rob Park should help keep the Rebels in games.

COACHING: Houston Nutt did not travel far to get from Arkansas to Mississippi. Still, he will immediately leave a rebuilding process and enter a program with lots of talent left over. Expect Mississippi to finally become relevant again for the first time in five years, but maybe not this year.

SCHEDULE: The schedule does offer three pretty easy nonconference games. The schedule is not that bad, drawing weak South Carolina and Vanderbilt at home from the east division. The schedule could be the Rebels' best friend.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... WR Dexter McCluster will be a key cog in special teams as well as the offense. He may not be one of the top two receivers on the depth chart, but his skill set fits where Darren McFadden did in Houston Nutt's offense. That offers the opportunity to explode on the scene.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Mississippi could pull a couple of upsets in SEC play and take care of their business. If that happens, the schedule could allow a surprising 8-4 season.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... On the other hand, maybe all the talent will not work with Nutt in his first year and the rebuilding will continue. If Mississippi drops a couple of unexpected games, they could fall to 2-10.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be how quickly the offense adapts to the crazy Houston Nutt system. Nutt can really confound opposing SEC coaches if he has enough talent, and that will be where to watch the Rebels in 2008.

Mississippi State

OFFENSE: The offense was so bad last year, the defense was the main reason anything ever got done on this side of the ball. QB Wesley Carroll will be better as a sophomore, but he is a far cry from the rest of the league. Anthony Dixon will keep things moving in the running game again.

DEFENSE: The defense will be rock-solid again this year, keeping the Bulldogs in bowl game contention. FS Derek Pegues is one of the best in the conference, and he is surrounded by plenty of talent in the backfield. The only real question mark will be replacing a couple of defensive linemen, but there should be few problems on this side of the ball.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The special teams will also be solid again this year, as both PK Adam Carlson and P Blake McAdams are seniors. Each was decent last season and will be called on to help the offense get out of sticky situations again.

COACHING: After struggling to nine wins in three seasons, Slyvester Croom finally turned things around at 8-5 in 2007. Look for another good season and established success with the solid defense.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is the best in the west, as the Bulldogs miss both Florida and Georgia. LSU, Tennessee, and Alabama will be tough road tests, but the road to a bowl game is pretty straightforward.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... FS Derek Pegues has a chance to vault himself into a Top-10 pick in the pro draft with a solid season this year. He picked off five passes last year and may live up to those numbers again in 2008.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The absolute best case scenario would include an upset win or two on the road in SEC play. With the easy-as-pie schedule and the strong defense, Croom could out-do his best and end up 10-2.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... On the other hand, the defense may collapse this year if the offense continues to put them in a bad spot. If this happens, Croom will return to the cellar with a 4-8 finish.

MAKE OR BREAK: The defense and special teams are there, and this team should make a bowl game. Still, the question is whether the offense can produce enough to truly challenge Auburn and LSU in important division battles. If so, the sky is the limit for the Bulldogs.

South Carolina

OFFENSE: The offense has many holes to fill, including quarterback and running back. The good news is that there's plenty of competition for both spots. As for the line and supporting players, this should be a slow developing process for a young unit.

DEFENSE: The defense should finally live up to expectations and slow opposing running attacks in 2008, but it still may not be enough to carry the team. LB Eric Norwood and DE Cliff Matthews switched spots from last year and it will be interesting to see how everything shakes out.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Coach Spurrier likes to have good kickers, and SC has one of the best in PK and P Ryan Succop. Succop has had some bumps as a starter, but should be clutch this year.

COACHING: Steve Spurrier is still one of the best, even though he's working with far less talent than he had when he won a national title with Florida. Still, Spurrier has a long leash and can keep South Carolina in bowl contention.

SCHEDULE: The home schedule is tough with Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee, but the real killers are the closing games at Florida and Clemson. Everything else is not that bad.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... CB Captain Munnerlyn is one of the best in the SEC and could shine in a conference with many solid number one receiving threats. Although the key will not be the backs on the defensive side, this could be a big year statistically.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The schedule is pretty rough, so it is hard to imagine this team breaking an 8-4 mark even if everything works.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Gamecocks seem to play so inconsistently even under Spurrier. With that trend, a losing season is definitely a possibility. If everything falls apart, 4-8 could happen.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key word is consistency. Spurrier is not asking for greatness yet, but he would like to be able to predict what his team will do and that would help him coach his young players. If the consistency comes, SC could be good.

Tennessee

OFFENSE: Other than breaking in new QB Jonathan Crompton, the Volunteers only have a new scheme and a new coordinator to worry about. Tennessee will look a lot different with a spread offense and look for the division champions of 2007 to not just give up against the likes of Florida and Georgia.

DEFENSE: The defensive line was not great in 2007, and both ends need replaced now. This unit may be an addition by subtraction though, as the new guys may bring fresh talent missing the past couple years to this side of the ball.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Young kickers can be inconsistent, and the Volunteers hope PK Daniel Lincoln and P Chad Cunningham both improve in their sophomore seasons. This may be the most important unit on the team.

COACHING: Another SEC coach, another national title winner. It may be ten years since Philip Fulmer won a title at Tennessee, but the Volunteers have stayed competitive under his guidance. Fulmer is looking to defend the division title and should be competitive despite the tough east division in 2008.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is very frontloaded, with Florida, Georgia, and Auburn all in the first six. At least Florida is a home game at Neyland.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... LB Ellix Wilson stands out where the Volunteers need the most help, that being the middle of the defense. Look for Wilson to be a strong anchor who may eclipse 100 tackles easily this season.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... A win at Georgia probably will not happen, but Tennessee still has enough talent to go 11-1 and likely end up in the BCS again.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If Tennessee has trouble getting things together in the front six, there may be some poor play in the final six games and Tennessee could drop all the way to 5-7 if disaster strikes.

MAKE OR BREAK: How quickly the Volunteers pick up on the new offense will likely dictate how far they go this season. While Tennessee will be showing other SEC a fresh look, the coaches hope this does not confound the Volunteer players as well.

Vanderbilt

OFFENSE: While the line is full of juniors, all five starters are gone. This will make things tougher yet again on whoever wins the quarterback job, most likely two-year starter Chris Nickson. Still, this unit will have trouble moving the ball on anyone in the SEC.

DEFENSE: The defense was pretty good last season, but the front seven are absolutely decimated by graduation. Watch for the new starters to have trouble keeping up with all the changing offensive schemes in the conference. At least the secondary is set.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior PK Bryant Hahnfeldt will try to improve on his mediocre numbers in 2007, while junior P Brett Upson will be the full-time punter this season. Both need to drastically improve to help the Commodores.

COACHING: Bobby Johnson is the odd man out in SEC coaches, and he may be nearing the end of the road in Vandy. His system works well with the academic school, but Vanderbilt can compete with the right coach and personnel.

SCHEDULE: It's always tough looking up from the bottom, and the schedule is not that easy for the Commodores. The only real winnable games come against Duke and Rice.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... CB D.J. Moore had a great sophomore season and should help anchor a back line that is the best part of the Commodore team. He should have chances for quite a few interceptions and stops this season.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... This is going to be a long year in Tennessee. Vanderbilt at its very best should only muster 4-8.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... All twelve games are losable because no matter how big a train wreck Rice and Duke are, Vanderbilt can match them. 0-12 is definitely possible.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be making small steps toward improving the overall level of the program. Little positives like staying close in games and maybe pulling an upset or two would make this a pretty successful season.

PROJECTED STANDINGS

TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL
EAST
Georgia 8-0 12-0
Tennessee 6-2 10-2
Florida 6-2 10-2
Kentucky 3-5 7-5
South Carolina 3-5 6-6
Vanderbilt 0-8 2-10
WEST
Auburn 6-2 9-3
LSU 5-3 9-3
Alabama 5-3 8-4
Mississippi State 4-4 8-4
Mississippi 2-6 5-7
Arkansas 0-8 2-10

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE


OFFENSE
QB Tim Tebow Florida
RB Knowshon Moreno Georgia
RB Anthony Dixon Mississippi State
WR Percy Harvin Florida
WR Demetrius Bryd LSU
TE Cornelius Ingram Florida
OL Andre Smith Alabama
OL Herman Johnson LSU
OL Jonathan Luigs Arkansas
OL Tyronne Green Auburn
OL Michael Oher Mississippi
Honorable Mention Offense: QB Matthew Stafford (Georgia), WR Kenny McKinley (South Carolina)
DEFENSE
DL Greg Hardy Mississippi
DL Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn
DL Tyson Jackson LSU
DL Antonio Coleman Auburn
LB Brandon Spikes Florida
LB Dannell Ellerbe Georgia
LB Rico McCoy Tennessee
DB Derek Pegues Mississippi State
DB Erik Berry Tennessee
DB D.J. Moore Vanderbilt
DB Captain Munnerlyn South Carolina
Honorable Mention Defense: DL Ricky Jean Francois (LSU), DB Rashad Johnson (Alabama)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Colt David LSU
P Ryan Shoemaker Auburn
KR Brandon James Florida
PR Javier Arenas Alabama
Honorable Mention Special Teams: PK Wes Byrum (Auburn)
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
LB Brandon Spikes, Florida
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year:
PK Colt David, LSU
Preseason Newcomer of the Year:
RB Chris Rainey, Florida

FINAL THOUGHTS

This should be another great season for the SEC, and expect the champion of the league to be in Miami for the BCS Championship. Although much of the country is sick of the SEC playing Ohio State in these games, nobody in the SEC is complaining about national titles. Will the SEC go three in a row? Only time will tell, but the odds are certainly in favor of this.

2008 Football Preview: Big Ten

The Big Ten has been relatively one-dimensional for the past three years with everyone looking up at Ohio State, and many indications show that 2008 will keep the trend going. In a transition year for perennial power Michigan, the opportunity arises for rising programs like Wisconsin and Illinois to shine. Some coaches (JoePa, Kirk Ferentz) appear to be on their way out, while newer guys (Tim Brewster and Pat Fitzgerald) are really starting to build their dynasties. This may be a positioning year for many programs, as the top spot will certainly be open for the taking in 2009. Still, no team has won three outright Big Ten titles in decades and so one could expect the road being tougher than it looks for the Buckeyes. Let's see what 2008 has in store for the pride of the Midwest.

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Three Keys | Team-by-Team Analysis
Projected Standings | All-Conference Teams

THREE KEYS

1. The first key will be whether anybody can stop the Buckeyes. After three conference titles and two outright, teams like Wisconsin, Penn State, and Purdue need to step up and do something to stop the freight train.

2. The second key is how Michigan running the spread changes the league. This is only year one of the Rich Rodriguez era, but he took over the Big East. The spread is sweeping the nation, and this may force teams like Wisconsin to the cream of the crop as a different breed, hard to prepare for.

3. Can the Big Ten overcome big non-conference games and their bowl woes? The Big Ten has been overall decent in bowl games, but trips down south and out west have been rough. This season, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Ohio State take on the best of the west and that will show how good the conference really is.

TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS

Illinois

OFFENSE: The offense did the unthinkable in the Big Ten and carried the Illini from cellar-dweller to the Rose Bowl. QB Juice Williams will continue his dual-threat role as the centerpiece of the offense as the Illini look to replace league MVP RB Rashard Mendenhall. The only team even sniffing Ohio State's recruiting the past 4 years has been Ron Zook, and most of Zook's talent is on offense. Things look good for the offense.

DEFENSE: The Illini struggled against the pass last season, and this remains the weakness of the unit as all the safeties and corners are young. MLB Brit Miller will need to fill some big shoes left by J Leman, but the defensive front seven should be strong enough again to force teams to not just run it right at the Illini.

SPECIAL TEAMS: WR Arrelious Benn is a speedster who may be on of the best returners in the conference. P Anthony Santella has distanced himself from any competition for the punting duties and should be better as a sophomore. The kicking game is up in the air for now.

COACHING: Ron Zook came to Champaign as the "savior" of the program three seasons ago, and he has turned around a group that had six conference wins in five seasons into a Rose Bowl team in 2007. The Illini have always been tough at home, but last year Zook finally proved he could win a big one on the road in Columbus (something nobody had done since Texas in early 2005). Maybe no BCS this season, but the program is back to relevant.

SCHEDULE: Now here's the problem if the Illini want to repeat the success of last season. Road games at Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin will be very tough. The biggest chance for a season-defining win comes against the Buckeyes again, this time in Champaign in November.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... WR Arrelious Benn only had 2 touchdowns last season receiving, but he was still enough of an impact player to be named freshman of the year. Expect Benn to break out as the primary returner and receiving threat this season as Juice Williams and company need to carry the offense.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... It will be mighty tough to win at Happy Valley and Madison, but the Illini could conceivably upset Michigan, Ohio State, and Missouri this season. If everything breaks right, Illinois could be in BCS contention with a 10-2 finish.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... It is never easy to replace the league MVP on offense and arguably one of the best 3 linebackers in the conference and maintain success. Illinois could have a rough go on the road and end up a disappointing 6-6.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be learning how to play on the road and quickly. Illinois's past two road games were a monster upset of Ohio State and a slaughter by USC. If the Illini steal a win or two on the road in September, the confidence might be there for another good season.

Indiana

OFFENSE: The only really important holes to fill are on the O-line. QB Kellen Lewis will light up defensive secondaries as long as he has enough time to deliver the ball. RB Marcus Thigpen and Lewis should again give defenses a couple of running threats to plan for. The offense should be as good, if not better, especially if the new linemen are solid.

DEFENSE: Seven starters return, and the only real weakness will be breaking in two new cornerbacks. The Hoosiers got into some shootouts last season and may be in trouble if that happens again. Look for LB Will Patterson to lead the unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Austin Starr hit 21/23 field goal attempts last season, including the dramatic game-ender against Purdue to end the Hoosier bowl-drought. He will come in handy again in 2008, as a new punter needs to be broken in and returner James Hardy is now gone as well.

COACHING: Bill Lynch took over last season in the worst of circumstances after Coach Hoeppner's death. He should have it a little easier this season, although the Hoosiers will not be able to live on emotion like last season. Should be another good year by Indiana standards.

SCHEDULE: It's always good to miss Michigan and Ohio State, even when one of them may have a down year. Still, Indiana has a rough road schedule including Illinois, Penn State, and Purdue. If Indiana is not bowl-eligible after October, the final four will be very tough to find any wins.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... QB Kellen Lewis led the Hoosiers in passing and rushing last season. Behind a mostly new line the going may be tougher, but that will only highlight Lewis more if he does the same in 2008.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The Hoosiers could steal a win at Illinois and end up 9-0 if everything is going perfect. The back three are pretty much unwinnable, but maybe the Hoosiers could end up 10-2.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Hoosiers could drop back to the bottom tier of the conference and could really end up down at 4-8. The road could be very tough past September.

MAKE OR BREAK: With only 4 road games all season and 2 in the first 10 games, the key will be taking advantage of all that home-field advantage early in the season. All the weapons are there for another bowl season, but the rubber must hit the road early.

Iowa

OFFENSE: The problem last season was no time from the offensive line, but expect the play up front to be much better this season. QB Jake Christensen had a pretty good first year at the helm all things considered, but now he should have more time and even better receivers such as Andy Brodell. RB Shonn Green may be a boost in the running game after being ineligible last season.

DEFENSE: The defense has a lot of holes to fill from a unit that kept the Hawkeyes in a lot of games. LB A.J. Edds and linemen Mitch King and Matt Kroul are the leaders who will anchor the run defense. If Iowa can get good pass russ through the middle, the defense will stay strong.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Ryan Donahue had plenty of chances to excel last season with the offensive struggles, so he will be back. K Daniel Murray should keep his job as well, but the return game may be in limbo for the first few weeks of the season.

COACHING: It seems like yesterday that Iowa was in the BCS, winning conference titles, and being as good as top dogs Michigan and Ohio State. After a few disappointing mediocre years and missing a bowl last season, Ferentz may be at the end of his rope. Kirk is a good coach, but he needs to turn things back around or risk losing his players.

SCHEDULE: After a couple easy home openers, the Cyclones come to town and then a roadtrip to Pitt will be tough. The conference schedule is not that bad, with only one really rough road game at Illinois.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... QB Jake Christensen has a chance with an experienced line to really be the superstar now. As the top two running backs need to be replaced, Christensen is due for a huge year or a huge disappointment. Chances are, the former.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The offense finds a new rushing leader and gets the wheels going enough to keep the defense off the field for long periods of time. If this happens, Iowa may jump up all the way to 8-4.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If the offense sputters again, the defense will go through a second-straight rough season and the Hawkeyes could drop all the way to 4-8.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be if the offense gets rolling, and it all starts up front. Most of the line is returning, but they have to learn from a rough 2007 experience and get a good push on every play from scrimmage. If that doesn't happen, everything else will unravel.

Michigan

OFFENSE: It is hard to tell whether only bringing back 3 starters will be a blessing so Rich Rodriguez can input guys who fit his system quickly or a curse. The Wolverines have some guys who can run a spread offense, but the O-line will struggle mightily this season.

DEFENSE: Fortunately while the offense gets going, the defense brings back a talented 8 starters including the entire line of Terrance Taylor, Will Johnson, Tim Jamison, and Brandon Graham. The burden is on this unit, and they should flourish.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker K.C. Lopata enters his final season coming off a good first year as starter, and Zoltan Mesko will get plenty of work as a returning punter. Rodriguez will find someone to fill the gaps in the return game.

COACHING: After only having two head coaches in four decades, Lloyd Carr is out and Rich Rodriguez has defected from WVU, which he made into a perennial powerhouse in the Big East and nationally. Rodriguez runs a tight ship and should fit right in at Michigan, updating the offense to the current century.

SCHEDULE: The home opener is rough again this year, this time against Utah. Wisconsin and Illinois are the Big Ten openers at home, but each may be rather tough because Rodriguez might not get the wheels turning on the spread until late in the season. Two roadtrips to Happy Valley and Columbus will be tough, but the Wolverines could thrive.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... If only Terrell Pryor had come to Michigan, but alas...so the breakout player(s) will be the entire defensive line. These guys are all returning starters, all seniors and juniors, and will determine how far the Wolverines go in 2008.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... As tough as some of the non-conference games are, they are sweepable. If Michigan gets rolling quickly, they could be 9-3.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If the defense gets too tired from carrying the team in September, it could be rough if home games in September go poorly. Michigan is definitely at risk of missing a bowl game in the first time in ages, and 3-9 is possible.

MAKE OR BREAK: How quickly will Rich Rodriguez be able to get the spread going in "three yards and a cloud of dust" Michigan? It's hard to imagine much first-year success, but he's such a good coach there might be a narrow game in Columbus come November 22 that would make the Wolverines' season.

Michigan State

OFFENSE: QB Brian Hoyer will learn from his many mistakes last season and will be helped out by top RB Javon Ringer. The offensive line needs to fill a couple of holes, but look for this unit to move the ball pretty easily in 2008.

DEFENSE: The defense is where it all starts for Mark Dantonio, and he is slowly recruiting enough talent on that side of the ball to compete for conference titles again. Not many starters return, but two to watch are sophomore linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. Those two will shore up any weaknesses new starters bring.

SPECIAL TEAMS: While K Brett Swenson and P Aaron Bates are both returning, each needs to improve from the nearly worst-numbers in the conference last season. Mark Dell will lead the return game again and should be as good as last year.

COACHING: Mark Dantonio left Cincinnati and led the Spartans to a respectable 7 wins last season. While the program is headed in the right direction, a lot more recruiting needs to take place before MSU is consistent enough to compete seriously.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is pretty rough, with an opener at California and a finishing stretch including Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Purdue at home and Michigan and Penn State on the road.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... RB Javon Ringer may be one of the top 5 running backs in the country, but he will be overshadowed even locally by Beanie Wells in Columbus. Still, this could be a banner year and Ringer would lead the way.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Michigan State almost won nine games last year and while the schedule is tougher, MSU could scrape out a 8-4 season.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If the offense is not as good as advertised, it will put too much pressur eon the fragile special teams unit. This could lose some games and MSU could backstep to 4-8.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be having everyone on the same page and clicking by October 18, when Ohio State comes to town. Dantonio has intimate knowledge of Tressel's system and could be the upset of the season just like another super talented Buckeye team from 1998 whose only loss was to the Spartans. That's the make or break with four tough games after that.

Minnesota

OFFENSE: At least most of the starters return, but all of them need to improve drastically if Minnesota wants to win conference games. Replacing three linemen will be the toughest chore, and QB Adam Webber will need to drop back and pass more than run this season.

DEFENSE: About half the starters come back from a unit that let in far too many points and only had 4 sacks all of last season. LB Deon Hightower is the best of the bunch, and his leadership will be needed sorely in the all important second-year of the Brewster era.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Joel Monroe only had nine chances at field goals last season and may have another season of light duty. P Justin Kucek was not the best in the conference in 2007, but he was serviceable on a team that needed all the help it could get from a punting unit.

COACHING: Tim Brewster could see massive improvement in his second season, but this group of kids just does not look like the competitive bunch from the past few years in Minnesota. A new field on campus should help bring in student-athletes, but the Golden Gophers have one more year in the dome to suffer through.

SCHEDULE: It really never looks good when you're at the bottom, no matter where the roadtrips are. Unfortunately, Minnesota has the most brutal four road games in the conference at Columbus, Champaign, West Lafayette, and Madison. The good news is home games are winnable.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... WR Eric Decker had 9 touchdowns and almost 1000 yards last season, and the connection between him and QB Adam Weber is even stronger now. Look for even better numbers this year.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... As mentioned, all the home games except for maybe Michigan are winnable. This team could reach 5-7 if everything comes together quicker than expected.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... Minnesota will not slip up against D-IAA Montana State, but every other game is losable. 1-11 is possible.

MAKE OR BREAK: This is going to be a long year, and the Golden Gophers will not like going on the road at all. Nevertheless, the home schedule is so easy that even the Gophers might win a couple games. They need to not be demoralized on the road and that's the key.

Northwestern

OFFENSE: This unit brings back every skill player, but three linemen need replaced. This could mean trouble as QB C.J. Bacher made a lot of mistakes last season with a good line. With less time, it will be interesting to see if Bacher and RB Tyrell Sutton can keep it going.

DEFENSE: Seven starters return from a unit that did not get enough stops last season to win that seventh game. DT John Gill had four sacks last season, but he needs to be a better run stopper this season so the new linebacking crew can have a chance to jell.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Stefan Demos needs to improve on a 40.1 average last season, and he is the key to this unit. K Amado Villarreal only hit 12/18 field goals last season, but he's looked a lot better in the spring.

COACHING: Pat Fitzgerald almost got Northwestern into a bowl last season at 6-6, and has a real chance of putting this program in contention for the first time in over a decade. Northwestern can recruit athletes with the Chicago location, so it's just a matter of time under Fitzgerald.

SCHEDULE: Barring another letdown against Duke, the entire non-conference schedule is winnable. Then the Big Ten schedule is kind of rough with the better teams coming at home. Northwestern could parlay that into some surprise wins, or this might be a setup for failure.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... RB Tyrell Sutton may find the sledding more tough this season behind a young line, but the offense needs him to step up and improve on his 4.8 average last season. He should be the focus and could break 1000 yards if he stays healthy.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... The Wildcats could run the table for the first month of the season and then steal up to four wins in conference. 8-4 and a bowl berth would make the Wildcat faithful thrilled.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Wildcats could stumble out of the gate and lose games against teams like Ohio University. If that happens, Northwestern could actually go winless in conference and drop to 2-10.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be how quickly the offensive line comes together, as all the other weapons are there and good enough to score over 30 points per game. The defense might not be great, but anything is possible in shootouts.

Ohio State

OFFENSE: The Buckeyes bring back virtually every starter on an offense that was more than good enough to win 11 games in 2007. QB Todd Boeckman will start again, but look for freshman phenom QB Terrell Pryor to get some secondary looks. The real workhorses are the linemen and RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, an early Heisman favorite.

DEFENSE: The Silver Bullet defense is what makes Tressel's teams kick, but the defenses have been shown up in two straight BCS championship games. The secondary, led by the best CB in the nation Malcolm Jenkins, will be looking to change that. LB James Laurinaitis will again lead a strong front seven. Look for the line to succeed with Lawrence Wilson back from injury to replace the only departed starter Vernon Gholston.

SPECIAL TEAMS: If there's one weakness to the Buckeyes, it may be replacing both long snappers in special teams. Not kickers, but long snappers. P A.J. Trepasso and K Ryan Pretorius are both solid locks and WR Brian Hartline handles the returns.

COACHING: What more can you say about Mr. Sweater Vest? Tressel has led the Buckeyes to 5 BCS appearances, 3 in championship games, and 4 conference titles including the last three. This could be Tressel's most talented team ever, which bodes well as far as BCS hopes go.

SCHEDULE: While road games at Michigan State and Illinois and home battles against Penn State and Michigan would look tough, don't be fooled. The Buckeyes have nine automatic wins basically, leaving only the early USC roadtrip, the October trip to Wisconsin, and the closer against Michigan as the only games to worry about. If the Buckeyes win at USC, anything less than 12-0 will be disappointing.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... Wow it is really hard to pick just one, but let's face it: Beanie Wells wants the Heisman, and OSU loves Heisman-caliber tailbacks. As long as Wells is healthy all season, this will be the story of the season.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... 12-0 is not where this story ends. No, no, no. If things go well, the Buckeyes will blow away Mark Richt and the "SEC is unbeatable" darlings the Georgia Bulldogs in the BCS Championship Game. Anything less is just par for the course.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If things really get haywire, OSU goes 9-3 and perhaps misses the BCS in a shocker.

MAKE OR BREAK: As far as BCS hopes go, the USC game is important. Nevertheless, the make or break game is at Wisconsin. The Badgers have had OSU's number this decade and the Buckeyes need to get over the hump in Madison to win a league title.

Penn State

OFFENSE: After what seems like six seasons, QB Anthony Morelli moves on and Daryll Clark takes over. Clark looked good in the Alamo Bowl, and RB Evan Royster will take off a bit of the load. The offensive line is perhaps the best in the conference as all five starters return.

DEFENSE: The defense again has a strong line, which may keep things running this season as two new linebackers step up. The middle of the defense is a question mark, which is a rarity in Happy Valley. It would only figure the next linebacker superstar will emerge this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The return game is sharp, with Derrick Williams and A.J. Wallace back for another season. P Jeremy Boone and K Kevin Kelly are also back to make a solidly experienced unit.

COACHING: He's outlasted the long-tenured Glen Mason, Lloyd Carr, John Cooper, Barry Alvarez, and just about everybody else. Joe Paterno may step down at any point, but his love for teaching young men and the game continues and Penn State remains respectable in his latter years.

SCHEDULE: The only tricky non-conference game is hosting Oregon State, but the real meat of the schedule is the four weeks of October: at Purdue, at Wisconsin, vs. Michigan, at Ohio State. Ouch. Splitting those would be a success.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... CB A.J. Wallace is now the lock-down guy and could become one of the best in the country, as well as racking up the yards on kick returns this season.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Penn State could walk through every bit of their schedule and hit October and do the unthinkable...win three out of four and end up tied or one game out of the conference lead. 11-1 is possible.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... The Nittany Lions could struggle against Oregon State, get swept in October, and drop some other random game to go 6-6 with a team that should be in a January bowl.

MAKE OR BREAK: Can the new leaders of the offense get into the mix enough by October to handle the worst stretch of any competing team in the conference? If so, expect Penn State to have a successful season and maybe go back to the BCS.

Purdue

OFFENSE: QB Curtis Painter has thrived like many others in the Joe Tiller system, and this will be a banner final year for him. The offensive line is the concern here, as Painter needs time to throw and lots of injuries happened in the spring practices.

DEFENSE: Defensive linemen Alex Magee and Ryan Baker lead a solid front four, which is the strongest part of the defense. Look for LB Anthony Heygood to shine as others fill in gaps around him at that level.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Look for Desmond Tardy to take over the return game roles after subbing in 8 times in 2007. As for kicking, a new punter is required but K Chris Summers is back for a third year.

COACHING: Joe Tiller has made Purdue from one of the worst programs in conference history to a solid bowl-eligible team year in and year out. Purdue is more consistent than 60% of the league, and this could be another good year under Tiller's wide open offense.

SCHEDULE: Purdue gets to miss Illinois and Wisconsin, which should be enough to propel them into the conference race. After facing Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State in the first six weeks, things get really easy after that. Look for the Boilermakers to be on a roll going into bowl season.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... QB Curtis Painter could have the best numbers in the conference at the end of the season just because he fits so well in Joe Tiller's system. Kyle Orton and Drew Brees are starting pro quarterbacks, and this is the year Painter has to break out to prove he can cut it at the next level.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... A win in Columbus is probably too much to ask, but everything else is winnable if the skill players develop quickly. 11-1 could happen.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... Purdue could also easily be 2-4 or 1-5 going into the back half of the schedule, and could drop all the way to 6-6.

MAKE OR BREAK: The key will be how well the defense pulls together, as Oregon, Central Michigan, and Ohio State will really test them early. If the defense stands strong, look for a highly successful season.

Wisconsin

OFFENSE: The offense brings back the important pieces from last year: all five linemen and RB P.J. Hill. QB Allan Evridge probably will be taking over the reins now and should have lots of time to develop with all the talent around him. That's the only weakness in this offense.

DEFENSE: The defensive line is the biggest question mark facing the Badgers. LB DeAndre Levy and Jonathan Casillas should step it up this season, and the backfield is still talented despite losing CB Jack Ikegwuonu.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Things always turn over every 3-4 years, and this is a transitional year for the Badger special teams. K Phillip Welch and P Brad Nortman will have an interesting freshman year, being an important cog in the conference-title hopes.

COACHING: Bret Bielema was hand-picked by Barry Alvarez to be a successor, and he's the rare exception to the rule that those hirings never work. Bielema could finally break the BCS bubble this year, as he's been solidly in the January bowl picture for two seasons.

SCHEDULE: The interesting non-conference game is a roadtrip to Fresno State on September 13. Following that are the three most important league games: at Michigan, hosting Ohio State, and hosting Penn State. If Wisconsin pulls the Buckeye upset, Wisconsin should cruise to a BCS berth and conference title.

IMPACT/BREAKOUT PLAYER.... RB P.J. Hill could have a monster year with his whole line back from a successful 2007. Hill may be outshadowed in this loaded conference, but he can hold his own with Javon ringer and Chris Wells.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL.... Best case scenario is clearly 12-0 and a BCS Championship game appearance, which would be unprecedented in Madison.

IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL.... If the Fresno State game goes badly, Wisconsin could limp through the toughest three-game Big Ten stretch and then drop another unexpected game. 7-5 is the bottom range here.

MAKE OR BREAK: The defense has some real questions, especially on the line. wisconsin has enough talent to play for a national championship, but they need to step up early in the season to prove that. If anything stops the Badgers, it will be a lack of defense.

PROJECTED STANDINGS

TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL
Ohio State 8-0 11-1
Wisconsin 7-1 11-1
Purdue 6-2 9-3
Penn State 5-3 9-3
Illinois 5-3 8-4
Michigan State 4-4 7-5
Iowa 3-5 6-6
Michigan 3-5 5-7
Indiana 2-6 5-7
Northwestern 1-7 5-7
Minnesota 0-8 2-10

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE


OFFENSE
QB Curtis Painter Purdue
RB Chris Wells Ohio State
RB Javon Ringer Michigan State
WR Brian Robiskie Ohio State
WR Arrelious Benn Illinois
TE Travis Beckum Wisconsin
OL Alex Boone Ohio State
OL A.Q. Shipley Penn State
OL Kraig Urbik Wisconsin
OL Steve Rehring Ohio State
OL Gabe Carimi Wisconsin
Honorable Mention Offense: QB Todd Boeckman (Ohio State), RB P.J. Hill (Wisconsin), WR Greg Matthews (Michigan)
DEFENSE
DL Maurice Evans Penn State
DL Mitch King Iowa
DL Lawrence Wilson Ohio State
DL Terrence Taylor Michigan
LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State
LB Marcus Freeman Ohio State
LB Will Patterson Indiana
DB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
DB Donovan Warren Michigan
DB Anthony Scirrotto Penn State
DB Stevie Brown Michigan
Honorable Mention Defense: DL Greg Middleton (Indiana), LB Martez Wilson (Illinois)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Ryan Pretorius Ohio State
P Ryan Donahue Iowa
KR Derrick Williams Penn State
PR Arrelious Benn Illinois
Honorable Mention Special Teams: KR Brandon Saine (Ohio State), K K.C. Lopata (Michigan)
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year:
KR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
Preseason Newcomer of the Year:
QB Terrell Pryor, Ohio State

FINAL THOUGHTS

Illinois proved anything is possible last season, jumping into the BCS out of nowhere. While no big surprises should happen this season, look for teams like Wisconsin and Michigan State to seriously compete for some BCS experience. The Buckeyes are the prohbitive favorite, but there's something about 2008 that makes you think someone else is at least going to join them at the top. We'll see come August 30 and beyond!