2009 College Football Preseason Top 25

2009 sees Florida chasing its third National Title in four seasons as Utah seeks some respect, USC tries to avoid the trap game and a trio of 20th Century gridiron giants (Nebraska, Florida State and Miami) elbow their way into the limelight.

How will the 2009 college football season shake out?

Here's what my crystal ball says...

25. Miami Hurricanes

If Miami starts off 2009 with four losses, will coach Randy Shannon still have a job in October?

Hard to say, but I think he should, because those first four games on the schedule -- Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma would be brutal for any team. Not just a former college football giant looking to find its way back.

The Hurricanes will likely be underdogs in all four of those games, but if they can sneak out one or two upsets (which I think they can), Miami might just be good enough to win out the rest of its schedule. Clemson, Wake Forest, North Carolina and South Florida will all be tough, too. But I like Miami to go 3-1 against those teams.

Nine wins against one of the toughest schedules in the country should be enough to keep Shannon around for another season.

Key games: Sept. 7 vs. Florida State, Sept. 17 vs. Georgia Tech, Sept. 26 vs. Virginia Tech, Oct. 3 vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 24 vs. Clemson, Oct. 31 vs. Wake Forest, Nov. 14 vs. North Carolina, Nov 28 vs. South Florida.

2008 Record: 7-6

Predicted 2009 Record: 9-4

24. TCU Horned Frogs

TCU went 2-2 versus Top 10 teams last year, coming just four points shy of knocking off 2009's only undefeated team, Utah. The Horned Frog defense was a big reason for that. They lose seven starters from that side of the line, but the fans in Fort Worth have gotten use to ten-win seasons. I think they'll get another in 2009.

Key games: Sept. 26 vs. Clemson, Oct. 24 vs. BYU and Nov. 14 vs. Utah.

2008 record: 11-2

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Irish return ten starters on an offense that finally came out of its shell against Hawaii in last year's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl as quarterback Jimmy Clausen put up over 400 yards passing against the Rainbow Warriors.

It was the highlight of a season that only produced seven wins for the Fighting Irish. But Coach Weis has to like the momentum going into 2009. Just two years removed from a hellish 3-9 season, Notre Dame faces a schedule that looks to contain only one sure loss -- against USC on October 17.

While I highly doubt Notre Dame will run the table in its other 11 games, 2009's record ought to make Irish eyes smile nationwide. No, the Irish won't be the juggernauts of the late 80s to early 90s. But it'll do for now.

2008 record: 7-6

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

22. Texas Tech Running Rebels

Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are gone.

How big a deal is that? Well, had it not been for that particular Red Raider duo, an undefeated Texas would have squared off against Florida for the National Title last year as their last-second heroics turned the BCS race on its head and eventually led to the three-way tie controversy in the Big 12 South.

In short, the team from Lubbock has some big shoes to fill. But Mike Leach has a good system going at Texas Tech, consistent 9-win seasons say as much. It won't be a banner year like last, but the Red Raiders will have another solid season on which to build for the future.

Key games: Sept. 19 vs. Texas, Oct. 17 vs. Nebraska, Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, Nov. 14 vs. Oklahoma State and Nov. 21 vs. Oklahoma.

2008 record: 11-2

Predicted 2009 record: 9-4

21. Boise State Broncos

The Broncos will once again be unstoppable in Western Athletic Conference play. But a healthy Oregon team will take to the blue turf with revenge on their minds. No undefeated regular season this time around.

Key games: Sept. 3 vs. Oregon, Sept. 18 vs. Fresno State, Nov. 6 vs. Louisiana Tech and Nov. 27 vs. Nevada.

2008 record: 12-1

Predicted 2009 record: 12-2

20. California Golden Bears

California once again has an excellent shot at PAC-10 bridesmaid this year. It would be nice to see one of the little nine step up and give USC a run for its money as conference champ, but the talent discrepancy gap remains a tad too wide.

Nevertheless, Cal will be a fun team to watch. Running back Jahvid Best led the whole PAC-10 in 2008 as he rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. Look for another monster season from him and a likely Heisman run.

The Golden Bears lost an early nonconference game at Maryland last year. They'll settle the score with the Terrapins at home and should dominate most of their conference competition.

Key games: Sept 5 vs. Maryland, Sept. 26 vs. Oregon, Oct. 3 vs. USC, Oct. 17 vs. UCLA and Nov. 7 vs. Oregon State.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 Record: 10-3

19. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State is making a lot of preseason Top 10 lists. But I'm not really seeing what the big deal is.

The Cowboys return 16 of 22 starters from a team that finished 9-4 and 4th place in the Big 12 South. A lot of the hype seems to come from Oklahoma State's time spent in the BCS and AP Top 10 last year after bolting to a 7-0 start. A close loss to then #1 Texas seemed to justify the lofty ranking, but then a 2-3 finish with three blowout losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oregon suggested otherwise.

The return of Zac Robinson is a huge plus, but with a good Georgia team added to the nonconference schedule, coupled with yet another strong year ahead for the Big 12 South, I think even an improved Oklahoma State will only be as good as last year record-wise.

Key games: Sept. 5 vs. Georgia, Oct. 17 vs. Missouri, Oct. 31 vs. Texas, Nov. 14 vs. Texas Tech and Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 9-4

18. Florida State Seminoles

Remember when Florida State won no fewer than ten games every season for 14 consecutive seasons?

Yeah, that was a long time ago, but I like the looks of 2009 for the Seminole's first 10-win season since 2003. That would be a nice swan song for Bobby Bowden. If he decides to call it good.

Every game on the schedule looks winnable for FSU except the last one -- Florida in Gainsville. I'd be very to surprised to see this team show up in late November 11-0, but it's not impossible. But I'd also be surprised to see them turn up with more than two losses.

Key games: Sept. 7 vs. Miami, Sept. 19 vs. BYU, Oct. 3 vs. Boston College, Oct. 10 vs. Georgia Tech, Oct. 22 vs. North Carolina, Nov. 14 vs. Wake Forest and Nov. 28 vs. Florida.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

17. Georgia Bulldogs

A consistent National Title contender for much of this decade, the Georgia Bulldogs always seem a buck short despite a treasure trove of talent.

The Bulldogs won ten games in 2008 but they were also embarrassed by both Alabama and Florida. Intrastate rival, Georgia Tech, handed them their third loss of the season and, while a three-point loss is no blowout, the 45 points hung on the Bulldogs (in Athens no less) is nothing to pump one's chest about.

Georgia will beat up most of its slate for 2009. But I'll believe Georgia to be a deserving top tier contender when they start to act like it.

Key games: Sept. 5 vs. Oklahoma State, Oct. 3 vs. LSU, Oct. 31 vs. Florida and Nov. 28 vs. Georgia Tech.

2008 record: 10-3

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

16. Kansas Jayhawks

After making waves with a 12-1 season in 2007, the Kansas Jayhawks took a step back with a much tougher schedule in 2008. 8-5 may look like a huge backward slide but, except for the loss to Nebraska, all of KU's defeats came at the hands of highly ranked football teams.

Todd Reesing returns for one more season at quarterback and will be the premiere ingoing athlete at that position in the Big 12 North. Couple that with hosting Nebraska in Lawrence, the Jayhawks appear to have the inside track in making it to the school's first ever Big 12 championship game.

But the Jayhawks have a tough rotation from the south this year, getting all three south division co-champs from 2008. Texas Tech will be tough at home, while Oklahoma and Texas are too talented for KU to compete. So even with beating Nebraska in Lawrence, Kansas may still, yet again find themselves out of the conference championship.

Key games: Oct. 24 vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 31 vs. Texas Tech, Nov. 14 vs. Nebraska, Nov. 21 vs. Texas and Nov. 28 vs. Missouri.

2008 record: 8-5

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2008 ended with the highest of highs and lowest of lows for the Yellow Jackets. After snagging a piece of the hedge from Athens to finish out the regular season, Georgia Tech was the hometown favorites to win the Chick-fil-A Bowl versus a struggling, defending National Champion LSU.

The second quarter of that game was a nightmare for Georgia Tech as the Tigers pasted the vaunted Ramblin Wreck for four touchdowns in the span of 11 minutes.

Still, 2008 was an excellent season tying Virginia Tech as champions of the ACC Coastal Division. Head to head kept Georgia Tech out of the title game. 16 starters return for 2009 including a fantastic offensive backfield. The Yellow Jackets will once again have to chase the Hokies for the conference crown, but a second-place finish won't sully a ten-win season.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 10-3

14. Utah Utes

Utah loses a bunch of starters from an impressive undefeated team in 2008. I don't expect a huge drop off for the defending Mountain West champs. And the Utes domination of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl remains vivid.

But a nonconfernce trip to Oregon will be a huge early test. One that I don't think an inexperienced squad will pass.

I'm betting Utah also trips up somewhere else along the way. It's a rebuilding year, but it should still be a good one for the kings of the Wasatch Range.

Key games: Sept. 19 vs. Oregon, Nov. 14 vs. TCU and Nov. 28 vs. Brigham Young.

2008 record: 13-0

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Two years ago, a disastrous final season for Bill Callahan sent Big Red Nation into a tailspin. Bo Pelini and staff did a remarkable job of grabbing the keel to right the ship in 2008, but there are still a lot of questions. The biggest -- can Zac Lee effectively replace Joe Ganz at the all-important quarterback spot?

After spring football, the answer appears to be "yes".

The real story in Lincoln, however, is the resurgence of the vaunted Blackshirts. Led by defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska's defense came on strong at the end of 2008, culminating in an impressive shutdown of Clemson in the second half of the Gator Bowl.

Blow-out losses to Missouri and Oklahoma probably kept Nebraska from cracking the polls last year, but close games versus Virginia Tech and Texas Tech, plus an impressive win over Kansas, showed that Pelini's team is ready to take the next step.

Key games: Sept. 19 vs. Virginia Tech, Oct. 8 vs. Missouri, Oct. 17 vs. Texas Tech, Nov. 7 vs. Oklahoma and Nov. 14 vs. Kansas.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 11-3

12. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss is making a lot of preseason Top 10 lists, probably thanks to being the only team able to beat Florida last year. And in Gainsville.

But I'm not quite convinced the Rebels are there yet. Sure, Ole Miss beat both of the last two National Champs (scoring 31 points on each), but they also lost to Vanderbilt. Take nothing away from Vandy's bowl-winning season, but this is an incredible mark of inconsistency for Houston Nutt and crew.

Mississippi has an informidable nonconference schedule and loses Florida from the regular season slate (Tebow will have to exact his revenge in the conference championship if both teams make it there). This, along with 17 returning starters should give the Rebels a nice run in 2009. I just don't know if it will be enough to crack the Top 10.

Key games: Sept. 24 vs. South Carolina, Oct. 10 vs. Alabama and Nov. 21 vs. LSU.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

11. Penn State Nittany Lions

So many missed opportunities to have put away Iowa last year derailed what could've been Penn State's first ever BCS championship appearance.

Joe Paterno sees a heavily depleted starting line-up from that team. The Lions will be in the hunt for a Big 10 championship, but will probably end up nipping the heels of the ocular Hawks and Bucks.

No real challenges from the non-Big 10 slate. Penn State should easily match its record from last season.

2008 record: 11-2

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

10. Virginia Tech Hokies

Excitement is brewing in Blacksburg. The Hokies return 16 starters from last year's 10-4 ACC Champion team. Enough talent and experience comes back to make Virginia Tech the clear favorite to win the crown again this year.

But Tech lands a particularly grueling nonconference schedule, opening against Alabama in the Georgia Dome and hosting Nebraska at Lane Stadium. I like the Crimson Tide (eager to shake off the Sugar Bowl loss) to take the opener on a neutral field. Nebraska will be tough, but Tech will have all the tools (plus a home crowd) to win.

The Hokies lost three conference games in 2008 and had a number of squeakers en route to their conference title. With duel-threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor a year older, I like Virginia Tech to have a little easier time in 2009. But I doubt they go completely unscathed in the parity-laden ACC.

Key games: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama, Sept. 19 vs. Nebraska, Sept. 26 vs. Miami, Oct. 10 vs. Boston College, Oct. 17 vs. Georgia Tech and Oct. 29 vs. North Carolina.

2008 record: 10-4

Predicted 2009 record: 12-2

9. LSU Tigers

Follow-up seasons to National Titles haven't boded well for SEC teams lately. Florida followed its 2006 title with four losses in 2007. LSU went 9-3 after winning the BCS title in 2003. Tennessee also went 9-3 the year after winning a National Championship in 1997.

Maybe these teams exhausted themselves having to play through the toughest conference in the nation on their way to winning it all. Who knows.

But, after taking a step back, these SEC teams tend to rebound the next season. Florida followed its disappointing 2007 with a 13-1 record and another BCS Championship. LSU went 11-2 the year after its step-back season. And Tennessee took just two seasons to be back among the elite in 2000.

So, we should probably take LSU's five loss season last year with a huge grain of salt. Based on what the Tigers did to Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, it appears Les Miles already has his team on the rebound. The 38-3 drubbing of the ACC's second best team went a long way in erasing some of the embarrassment of the regular season.

Except Georgia, every team that beat LSU in 2008 is an annual foe. They get the Bulldogs again in 2009. So revenge will be on tap in Baton Rouge for 2009. I think LSU beats at least three of the teams they lost to in 2008. Maybe even four.

Key games: Oct. 3 vs. Georgia, Oct. 10 vs. Florida, Nov 7 vs. Alabama, Nov. 11 vs. Mississippi and Nov 28 vs. Arkansas.

2008 record: 8-5

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

8. Iowa Hawkeyes

I'm not sure what got into the Hawkeyes after a three-loss skid found Iowa at a dismal 3-3 to start 2008. Whatever it was, Coach Ferentz' teamed looked like a Big 10 titan the second half of the season, posting a 6-1 finish which included a spectacular win over Penn State and a 55-0 demolition of bowl-bound Minnesota.

Steve Spurrier's South Carolina looked downright anemic versus the Hawkeyes in the Outback Bowl.

The loss a year early to the NFL of Big 10 offensive player of the year Shonn Greene, surely smarts for Iowa fans, but they needn't worry. Iowa returns plenty of talent and carries some fantastic momentum going into 2009. Look for a fast start to the season and a tight, three-way race along with Penn State and Ohio State for the Big 10 crown.

Key games: Sept. 19 vs. Arizona, Sept. 26. vs. Penn State, Oct. 17 vs. Wisconsin, Oct. 24 vs. Michigan State and Nov. 14 vs. Ohio State.

2008 record: 9-4

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

7. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks, plagued by injuries early last season, finished 2008 strong, winning six of their last seven games with the surprising play of junior college transfer quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli. A fireplug of an athlete, the undersized playmaker is more likely to run defenders over than juke them. He left the Oklahoma State defense in shambles in last year's Holiday Bowl both through the air and on the ground.

A quarterback competiton (with Justin Roper returning as well) could pay dividends for Oregon as the Ducks appear to have the best shot at finally usurping USC's dominance of the PAC-10.

The Ducks will have a great season. They get Utah, USC and archrival Oregon State at home. But it won't be perfect.

Key games: Sept. 3 vs. Boise State, Sept. 19 vs. Utah, Sept. 26 vs. California, Oct. 31 vs. USC and Dec. 3 vs. Oregon State.

2008 record: 10-3

Predicted 2009 record: 11-2

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama erased a near-decades worth of frustration after pounding its way through a perfect 12-0 regular season.

Then came the post season and two sound losses. It's probably small consolation to Bama fans that those two losses came to the 1st and 2nd place finishers in the AP poll with combined records of 26-1. But Nick Saban has Alabama on one of college football's all time biggest rebounds. 2 post-season losses are infinitely better than the three and four win seasons that started the decade.

The Alabama offense only returns four starters from last year, but the stellar defense is almost completely intact. With Saban bringing in two of the best recruiting classes in the nation, he should have no trouble plugging the holes.

I think 2009 will go eerily similar to 2008, but with a regular season loss (to either Virginia Tech, Mississippi or LSU) and bowl win.

Key games: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia Tech, Oct. 10 vs. Ole Miss, Oct. 17 vs. South Carolina, Nov. 7 vs. LSU and Nov. 28 vs. Auburn

2008 record: 12-2

Predicted 2009 record: 12-2

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

Terrelle Pryor looks like one hell of an athlete. In his freshman year as back-up to Todd Boeckman, Pryor racked up an impressive 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. With plenty of trials by fire in 2008, the sophomore won't be a greenhorn as he takes the helm for 2009. Because of his natural talents, I like the Buckeyes to return to the top of the Big 10.

But Ohio State gets a tough draw in its second game as the USC Trojans come to the Horseshoe. Like the Fiesta Bowl brawl against Texas, I expect this one to be a close heartbreaker. USC will bring an untested quarterback, but arguably the best offensive line in the country.

Beyond USC, look for the Buckeyes to dominate the rest of the schedule with some harassment from Iowa and Penn State. Ohio State's defense will be the best in the conference. Another year of quiet, low-scoring dominance.

Key games: Sept. 12 vs. USC, Nov. 7 vs. Penn State and Nov. 14 vs. Iowa.

2008 record: 10-3

Predicted 2009 record: 12-1

4. Florida Gators

Okay. I can already hear the grumblings. The defending national champions, led by field general Tim Tebow, returning its entire starting defense, coached by the most astute gridiron mind of the last five years -- the same team that no preseason poll has ranked lower than two -- and I've got them at number four.

While Gator fans berate my lack of sports-writing credentials in the comments section below, let me explain myself to the rest of you.

Florida may indeed be the best team to take the field in 2009. All the assets I listed above are an excellent case for why Florida ought to repeat as National Champions. And a manageable schedule to boot.

But what I don't like about Florida's chances for back-to-back glory is history. Looking back at the last few consecutive title attempts should be an eye-opener for the Gator faithful.

USC, in 2003 and 2004, was the last team to win back-to-back titles. But even then, the 2003 season was a split championship with LSU. Before the Trojans, the Miami Hurricanes fell just a goal-line stand short of repeating in 2002. And Nebraska pulled off back-to-back consensus titles in 1994 and 1995.

What do these three teams have in common? Well, 2004 USC, 2001 Miami and 1995 Nebraska are all on a short list of the greatest college football teams ever. All three were undefeated and crushed their opponents with mind-numbing ease.

Did the 2008 Gators fit this profile? Hardly.

Could the 2009 team emerge as dominant as those past champions? Possibly. They certainly have the potential. But short of that kind of greatness, I see Florida (with a giant defending champion target on its back) getting tripped somewhere along the way. While a fine team, my gut tells me Tebow and company won't live up to the the past greats.

A favorable schedule helps (no Alabama or Mississippi), but Florida won't run the table in 2009.

Key games: Oct. 10 vs. LSU, Oct. 31 vs. Georgia and Nov. 28 vs. Florida State.

2008 Record: 13-1

Predicted 2009 Record: 12-2

3. Oklahoma Sooners

By the end of the regular season in 2008, the Oklahoma Sooners became the highest average scoring offense of all time with 54 points per game. Indeed, the Sooners set a record for consecutive number of games scoring over 60 points, starting with Nebraska on November 1st and ending with Missouri in the Big 12 Championship. Five teams in total, including three ranked in the AP Top 20. The streak could have been six if the Sooners had scored a mere extra field goal versus Kansas State.

A big reason for that offensive output was the offensive line. The best in the nation last year and perhaps the best ever at Oklahoma. Unfortunately tackle Trent Williams is the only one of the five that returns for 2009. But Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford will lead a spectacular backfield helping the new line through its learning curve.

The Sooners will get some interesting early tests in an opener against BYU and a road game at Miami. OU ought to be too tough for both of them, but inexperience at the line is the primary reason I think Texas will beat them in the annual rivalry game as the Longhorns return most of the conference's best defense.

Speaking of defense, the Sooners return nine of their own including DT Gerald McCoy who makes every preseason All-American list for 2009.

A banner year for offense in the Big 12 makes this group's numbers look not terribly impressive. 98 teams finished statistically ahead of Oklahoma in pass coverage in 2008. But the question still remains how much of that was due to outstanding league play. Consider that in the BCS championship, Oklahoma was worse than seven other teams on Florida's schedule in allowing passing yards. But they still kept the Gators to its lowest score of the season. A bend-but-don't-break philosophy seems to work well for Brent Venables' unit.

I like a one-loss, second-place Big 12 team to meet up with a one-loss SEC champion in a BCS consolation game. A rematch of last year's championship. The Sooners will beat the Gators by taking a more conventional approach (no more looking to the sidelines like a bunch of meerkats) and eliminating the costly mistakes that helped undo them at Dolphin Stadium.

Key games: Sept. 5 vs. BYU, Oct. 3 vs Miami, Oct. 17 vs. Texas, Oct. 24 vs. Kansas, Nov. 7 vs. Nebraska, Nov. 21 vs. Texas Tech and Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma State.

2008 record: 12-2

Predicted 2009 record: 12-1

2. USC Trojans

USC lost nine starters from arguably one of the best defensive units of all time and quarterback Mark Sanchez bolted early for the NFL.

So what are they doing at number two?

Despite the notable losses to graduation and the NFL, the Trojans are once again loaded. While the defense carried the team last year, the offense (with nine returning starters) will return the favor in 2009.

A trio of talented young quarterbacks -- Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain and Matt Barkley -- are battling to replace Sanchez. And whomever takes the mantel gets to do it behind what will likely be the best offensive line in the country. The defense, while lacking household names at the moment, will not drop off as drastically as USC's opponents no doubt hope.

Offensive improvement and a solid defense will make this year's USC as competitive as last year's team which finished 12-1 and in the top 3 in the final polls.

Since 2005, USC has been its own biggest opponent, dropping an unexpected regular season game each of the last three years. If the Trojans can make it past an early test in Columbus, Ohio (and I think they will) look for them to finally run the table and make it to the BCS championship game again.

Where they'll get a rematch against the 2005 champs.

Key games: Sept. 12 vs. Ohio State, Oct. 3 vs California, Oct. 17 vs. Notre Dame, Oct. 31 vs. Oregon and Nov. 28 vs. UCLA.

2008 Record: 12-1

Predicted 2009 Record: 12-1

1. Texas Longhorns

One measly slipped tackle with one measly second left on the clock.

If you're a Texas fan, no further explanation necessary. For those who need a reminder, that's how the Texas/Texas Tech game ended last year when Michael Crabtree slipped through a defender's hands at the five yard line and dashed into the endzone with just one second left on the clock.

It gave Tech a 39-33 win and derailed the top-ranked Longhorns run toward the BCS championship. With a host of one-loss teams at season's end, Texas' championship bid ended on the short end of a computer calculation. Texas then wrapped up its season with a lackluster win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

With 9 returning starters on offense (including heralded quarterback Colt McCoy) and 7 on defense, look for this highly talented squad to make righting the wrongs of 2008 the order for 2009.

A weak nonconference schedule will leave the Longhorns to focus on Big 12 play. The big game, as usual, will be the Red River battle with the Sooners. Texas won by ten last year (after Oklahoma led most of the way) and, with a greater number of returning starters than OU, I like them to do it again this year.

The rest of the south division should be manageable for Texas. And they get Big 12 North frontrunners, Kansas, at home. And no Nebraska (unless the teams meet up in the Big 12 Championship).

Texas ought to roll comfortably to a BCS championship berth where they will dispatch their toughest opponent of the season -- USC. A game that will come down to quarterbacks and defense. Colt McCoy should be at the top of his game against a less-experience USC defense, while the Trojan quarterback wraps up his debut season against a mostly veteran UT unit.

And the ghosts of 2005 will once again haunt the Trojan faithful.

Key games: Sept. 19 vs. Texas Tech, Oct. 17 vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 24 vs. Missouri, Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma State and Nov. 21 vs. Kansas

2008 Record: 12-1

Predicted 2009 Record: 14-0

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