Of all the surprises from last season, I think USF has the best chance to duplicate its success. Most of that has to do with the fact that they play Kansas in Tampa, and they play in the Big East. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have Matt Grothe and nine other starters back on offense, with George Selvie returning as last season’s Big East Defensive Player of the Year. They did get murdered in the Sun Bowl, but their three regular-season losses were by a combined 15 points last season. If they beat Kansas and avoid an upset, they’ll be 11-0 headed to West Virginia on Dec. 6.

11. Wisconsin

Quarterback play is key here too, where it could determine whether the Badgers are Big 10 Champions or an afterthought in 2008. If it’s Allan Evridge, he needs to do what Tyler Donovan excelled at: minimize mistakes and let the defense and PJ Hill win it for you. There’s a talented stable behind Hill as well, and four starters return on the offensive line. The defense returns nine starters and must be stronger; in Wisconsin’s four losses last season, they allowed an average of 32 points. The Big 10 this year appears to be Ohio State and then everyone else, but Wisconsin is at the front of that next group and gets OSU in Madison.

10. Tennessee

The Vols are considered an afterthought by many, but I’m still not sure why. The defending SEC East Champions return every skill player on offense and all five starters from a line that allowed four sacks in 2007. Defensively, there’s no replacing LB Jerod Mayo, but the only other major personnel loss was FS Jonathan Hefney, who’ll be replaced with the returning Demetrice Morley. Erik Ainge will be replaced by junior Jonathan Crompton, who’s probably receiving more hype than he deserves right now, but time will tell. The defensive line must come together and Rico McCoy is the only sure thing at linebacker, plus the Vols could get burned in the punting game while Britton Colquitt serves a six-game suspension. But Tennessee plays best when the spotlight isn’t on them, and between the Gators and Dawgs there’s been little of it left for the Vols this season. Tennessee is good enough to win every game it plays.

9. Texas

The reloading continues, as Colt McCoy may benefit from a year where he doesn’t enter the season as a Heisman favorite but still has plenty of weapons, even in the absence of Charles and Sweed. Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley are assets at receiver, while the backfield is inexperienced but, of course, full of raw talent. The line will have to carry the defense early in terms of experience, but Will Muschamp takes over as coordinator and will have lots of talent to play with in the LBs and DBs as well. The September schedule is forgiving, which should give Texas time to know what it’s got heading to the Red River game. Playing OU and Missouri in consecutive weeks won’t be fun. Still, it’s Texas, where talent grows on football fields.

8. West Virginia

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?