The Post-Dispatch takes a look at the upcoming college football season by highlighting our projected Top 25 and the preseason Heisman Trophy favorites:
1 Alabama
A team that averaged 32 points returns eight offensive starters, including Heisman winner Mark Ingram and quarterback Greg McElroy. The defense had four starters go in the first two rounds of the NFL draft — but coach Nick Saban typically has his teams among the top 10 in total defense.
2 Boise State
You would be hard pressed to find any differences between these Broncos and the ones that went undefeated in 2009. One defensive starter is gone and that's it. The offense gets the hype with QB Kellen Moore's ridiculous stats but the defense is formidable. The Broncs were plus-21 in turnovers.
3 Ohio State
The Buckeyes ended a three-year drought without a BCS bowl win and are back in the national title hunt. They've won or shared the Big Ten title for five years and return QB Terrelle Pryor along with their top ball carriers and receivers. Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is the team's top player.
4 Florida
John Brantley finally steps in for Tim Tebow, having thrown 10 touchdowns and one interception as a reserve. Coach Urban Meyer, who resigned and then reconsidered, has an abundance of holes to fill, including nine left by NFL draftees. But the nation's top recruiting class should help.
5 Texas
The Longhorns are gearing their offense to an all-out assault on the ground in the post-Colt McCoy era. However, the offensive line is going to need big strides to improve last year's production. QB replacement Garrett Gilbert received invaluable experience in the national title game.
6 TCU
Would you believe the Horned Frogs have finished in the top 10 in at least one of the major polls in three of the last five seasons? They have the makings of another strong defense, which was third against the run and sixth against the pass last season and held Boise State to 17 points.
7 Wisconsin
John Clay extends the Badgers' long line of outstanding running backs that includes 1999 Heisman winner Ron Dayne. The offense lost just one starter after averaging 32 points. Coach Bret Bielema was on the hot seat after going 7-6 in 2008 but bounced back last season, finishing with a bowl win over Miami.
8 Oregon
The Ducks should again have a potent running game with LaMichael James, who set a freshman Pac-10 rushing record last season. But there are questions at quarterback after Jeremiah Masoli was released due to off-the-field problems. Defensively, Oregon is loaded with talent up front.
9 Oklahoma
The Sooners have won under Bob Stoops with an array of quarterbacks and Landry Jones is next in line after starting 10 games in place of Sam Bradford. After struggling in 2009, the offensive line must improve dramatically if the running game is to improve its No. 77 national ranking.
10 Virginia Tech
The Hokies have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers to feature in Ryan Williams, who had 1,655 in 2009, and Darren Evans, who had 1,265 in '08 before suffering a torn ACL. The defense lost six starters, however, and returning linebacker Barquell Rivers is still recovering from a quadriceps injury.
11 Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have eight starters back from a defense that led the nation in scoring defense. Ndamukong Suh is gone, but Nebraska has more defensive stars in Jared Crick and Prince Amukamara. They should be solid offensively with 10 returning starters, although the QB is undetermined.
12 Iowa
You might not want QB Ricky Stanzi on your fantasy team, but the guy knows how to win, proving so last year when the Hawkeyes pulled out one improbable victory after another to go 11-2. Iowa has the good fortune of facing Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium.
13 Georgia Tech
With Jonathan Dwyer gone, the Yellow Jackets will have a tough time matching last year's production of 295 rushing yards per game. But quarterback Joshua Nesbitt and running back Anthony Allen, who had 275 yards in a game at Louisville before transferring, should keep things moving.
14 Pittsburgh
Dion Lewis emerged as a freshman to rush for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns and will run behind a stellar line. At 6-5, 230 pounds, receiver Jonathan Baldwin can do more with the ball after a catch than most. Defensive end Greg Romeus was Big East co-defensive player of the year.
15 Miami
Quarterback Jacory Harris threw for 3,352 yards last season and all of his top targets return. The Hurricanes have a potent special teams weapon in kicker-punter Matt Bosher. But the schedule maker didn't help. They have back-to-back trips to Ohio State and Pitt then open conference at Clemson.
16 Georgia
The Bulldogs have seen their losses mount the last three seasons but should reverse the trend. Nearly everyone is back from a lethargic offense, now they just need a quarterback to take charge. If freshman Aaron Murray fails, Georgia can showcase Drew Butler, the country's leading punter in '09.
17 North Carolina
The Tar Heels ranked sixth in the nation in total defense in 2009 and nine starters return, including five who were named to the preseason All-ACC team. They hope to improve on a mediocre offense. QB T.J. Yates is barely clinging to his job after throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.
18 Auburn
It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can make a move in the SEC with former Tim Tebow backup Cameron Newton running the show. They hope a wealth of defensive experience, including a strong linebacker corps, will help cut back on the average of 27.5 points allowed in 2009.
19 Arkansas
The Razorbacks lost offensive coordinator Paul Petrino to Illinois, but QB Ryan Mallett is back after throwing for 30 touchdowns. The receivers are among the best in the country. Now they need to run the ball better. Seven starters are back from the SEC's worst defensive unit.
20 Oregon State
Brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers are a potent combination at running back and receiver, having accounted for nearly 3,300 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. The Beavers will have to prove themselves early with a neutral site game against TCU and road test at Boise State.
21 Penn State
Much of the team's offensive hopes are pinned on running back Evan Royster because the Nittany Lions don't have a proven quarterback. They've never lost when Royster tops 100 yards. Coach Joe Paterno will find out a lot about his team when it plays at Alabama the second week.
22 Florida State
Jimbo Fisher takes over as coach for Bobby Bowden. He has an offense led by senior quarterback Christian Ponder and a running game good enough that 2009 leading rusher Jermaine Thomas is fighting two contenders for his job. A re-tooled defense is being run by first-year coordinator Mark Stoops.
23 USC
First-year coach Lane Kiffin hopes to avoid another un-Trojan like season with the help of his father/defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, an NFL legend. Quarterback Matt Barkley returns and will be surrounded by a stellar recruiting class that will help replace last season's statistical leaders.
24 West Virginia
If the Mountaineers are going to return to their high-flying days, sophomore quarterback Geno Smith will need to progress fast. Their spot at No. 67 nationally in scoring in '09 was out of character. Running back Noel Devine, who rushed for 1,465 yards, will need help from the passing game.
25 Houston
The Cougars averaged 42 points in '09 and will again be led by quarterback Case Keenum, who passed for 5,671 yards and 44 touchdowns. Three of his targets were named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list after all topped 1,000 yards a year ago. A darkhorse to crash the BCS party.
