(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Justin: TCU – They return eight starters and Senior defensive end Jerry Hughes.
13. Ryan: TCU – The Horned Frogs ended on a high note, beating previously unbeaten Boise State, and return eight starters on offense, including quarterback Andy Dalton, Hughes and his NCAA leading 15 sacks are also coming back on a stacked defense.
Justin: Kansas – Quarterback Todd Reesing to wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe will highlight some offensive firepower this season.
14. Ryan: Georgia Tech – The triple offense worked out well for the Yellow Jackets, but they were exposed in the Peach Bowl against LSU. With an entire offense returning for their second year under the new regime, including running back Jonathon Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt, GT should be running all over the ACC again.
Justin: Georgia Tech - While Paul Johnson has proved that he can win at any school he coaches at he must develop a passing game to remain in the Top 25 all season long.
15. Ryan: UNC – Butch Davis knows how to put football teams together, and in his third year at UNC, especially in a weak ACC still, he has the Tar Heels primed for success, despite the loss of Hakeem Nicks. Having nine defensive starters back and a healthy quarterback in T.J. Yates will undoubtedly help as well.
Justin: Georgia: The loss of quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno may prove to be too much to overcome, but the offensive line is healthy and more experienced this season.
16. Ryan: Iowa – Even without running back Shonn Greene, Iowa still has the talent to compete in 2009. The Hawkeyes return their entire linebacking corp and three of their four secondary starters, so look for them to keep up the hot streak that saw them win five of their last six in 2008.
Justin: Utah - The Utes have seven starters back on defense, but must replace quarterback Brian Johnson and someone must step up in the wide receiver position.
17. Ryan: Georgia – The preseason 2008 No. 1 suffered a myriad of injuries that saw a quick fall from grace, and now in 2009, they need to replace Stafford and Moreno. With the entire offensive line returning, the transition to quarterback Joe Cox should be minimal. The defensive pass rush will be the big question, as the Bulldogs had the SEC’s worst pass rush last year.
Justin: Iowa - The Hawkeyes will have one of the best offensive lines coming back this season and can pull off an upset against either Penn State or Ohio State (both on the road). It will be difficult to nearly impossible to manage wins in both of those games by having to replace Greene.
18. Ryan: Kansas – Despite the slip to 8-5, Kansas should be one of the top challengers in the Big 12 North, thanks to the return of Reesing and Briscoe. Some offensive line replacements and a trio of new linebackers will be a challenge to overcome.
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