2008 College Football Championship Series: Week One

The start of the football season is just too far away—but this should help carry us until the first game.  This is a series that will preview the 2008 season week by week and predict how the season plays out.

Each week will feature key games involving top 10 teams and other intriguing matchups that week. It will also look at the Heisman race and a look at the top 10 after each week.

But unlike in real life, the BCS will not exist to cause us all a headache. This preview will end in the top eight teams making a playoff—and eventually a national champion will be crowned.

So let's get it going with Week One.

Preseason Top 10:

1. Georgia Bulldogs

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

3. Florida Gators

4. USC Trojans

5. Oklahoma Sooners

6. Missouri Tigers

7. Clemson Tigers

8. Texas Longhorns

9. Auburn Tigers

10. LSU Tigers

Key Games of Week One:

Clemson vs. Alabama (in Atlanta)

The season kicks off with a great matchup between the ACC and the SEC.  Clemson begins the 2008 season where they ended the 2007 season—in the Georgia Dome against an SEC team.

Last time they lost in overtime to Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.  They look for a different outcome this time around.

Alabama looks to begin their resurgence under head coach Nick Saban and will be thoroughly tested in their first outing of the year.  Alabama's defense should be able to contain Clemson's offense well enough to win.  The question will be whether Alabama's new offense can get in gear and take down the Tigers.

Look for a highly competitive game, but Clemson should ultimately be too much for the Crimson Tide.

Winner: Clemson

Missouri vs. Illinois (in St. Louis)

After last season, this rivalry has been taken to another level.  Missouri is loaded and ready to make another run at the BCS, while Illinois looks to build on last year's Rose Bowl appearance.  With the loss of Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois looks to find some more firepower to go along with Juice Williams and Arrellious Benn.

Missouri brings almost everyone back and will be a tough first game for the Illini.  The Tigers will look very good and will really get after Juice without Mendenhall back there.

Winner: Missouri

Tennessee at UCLA

After playing Cal the last two years, Tennessee takes on another Pac-10 team to start the 2008 season.  The Vols return plenty of talent on offense—but their production will ride on new quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

The Vols' secondary, with Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley, should be very good and provide the Bruins with a tough test.

UCLA features new head coach Rick Neuheisel, who will be looking for a good start to his tenure.  New offensive coordinator Norm Chow will certainly be a valuable addition as well.

In the end, the Vols should have enough experience and talent to beat the Bruins with UCLA still making the transition to a new coach.

Winner: Tennessee

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