2010 College Football Predictions: Why the Buckeyes Are the Team to Beat

As the calendar turns to August, it's the first sign that college football is on its way.

By the end of this month, teams will be taking to the field to compete for a national championship, and in a few weeks, the preseason rankings will be out. Here's how I feel the field stacks up to start the season.

No. 25: West Virginia

With the Big East being the weakest BCS conference, it's left the door wide open for any team to come and steal the conference title.

West Virginia may be that team as it comes into 2010 still running that wide open offense with running back Noel Devine as the centerpiece.

Devine is a threat to score on every play and will be leaned on more heavily as the Mountaineers look to replace quarterback Jarrett Brown.

West Virginia is replacing only seven starters on the entire roster so with more playing time, the Mountaineers could show us a sign of things to come.

No. 24: Utah

Utah comes into 2010 with an odd blend of veteran players and inexperience. On offense, there's a good number of juniors and seniors, but most don't have much playing experience.

Leading the offense is quarterback Jordan Wynn, who led the Utes down the stretch including a bowl win over California.

Wynn will be helped out by running back Eddie Wide, whose coming off of a 1,000-yard season.

The Utes have games against Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, and two high-profile wins (even if the Fighting Irish aren't massively successful this year) will help boost Utah's profile in the polls.

No. 23: Houston

Offense is what Houston is all about. Led by quarterback Case Keenum, the Cougars put up the most points in the nation with 42.2.

Keenum was also one of the top passers in the NCAA, throwing for 5,449 yards and 43 touchdowns.

The defense is a noticeable weak point for Houston, as it was 95th in points allowed. Houston's offense will win it plenty of football games, and if the defense can make any sort of improvement from last year, the Cougars could make a leap forward this year.

No. 22: Georgia

Offense is Georgia's best friend and its worst enemy.

The Bulldogs have weapons for days, including wideout A.J. Green, who is one of the top targets in the country.

Georgia also kept its entire offensive line in tact, which with an added year of experience should help open some solid holes for its running game.

However, defense was at a premium for the Bulldogs, who in the SEC were torn up by the high-octane offenses.

Thirty-plus points were common for Georgia's opponents. Something needs to change on defense or Georgia will find itself looking up in the SEC.

No. 21: Cincinnati

Things aren't too promising for the Bearcats this year.

Brian Kelly left to coach Notre Dame. Their top two offensive talents in Tony Pike and Mardy Gillard are also gone.

On the other side of the ball, only four defensive starters are returning. The lone bright spot is quarterback Zach Collaros, who did an excellent job of keeping the team winning while Pike was out with an arm injury.

It's the end of an era,and the beginning of a new one in Cincinnati — and the transition may be rough.

However, the Big East is weak and even an above average year may find the Bearcats in the BCS.

No. 20: North Carolina

I like North Carolina. I really do.

They've got a scrappy team that always plays hard under Butch Davis.

Greg Little is a phenomenal wideout who can change games. However, the Tar Heels don't have a great running game, and T.J. Yates is still very raw under center.

North Carolina also draws LSU in Week 1, a tough test if there every was one.

If the cards fall the right way and players mature, North Carolina may find its way out of the ACC; however, if things don't change much from last year, the Tar Heels may be just another middle-of-the-pack team.

No. 19: Arkansas

This could be the year that the rebuilding of the program that has been done under Bobby Petrino finally manifests itself on the field.

With Petrino and Michigan, and the transfer Ryan Mallett along with most of his offensive weapons returning this year, Arkansas could really light up the scoreboard this year.

However, if Petrino doesn't do something about his defense, especially in the SEC, it's going to be another middle-of-the-road season.

The unit is only losing four starters so maybe the experience will do the defense some good, and Arkansas can shock some teams this year.

No. 18: Oregon State

With the Pac-10 losing its monolith at the top in USC, it's a wide open race, and Oregon State could fill that top spot this year.

The Beavers return both of the Rodgers brothers. Both are total game changers on the ground and through the air, and will be the brunt of Oregon State's offensive firepower.

You can't say that the Beavers aren't going all in. Oregon State plays Boise State and TCU this year, and wins over both would send the Beavers skyrocketing up the polls.

No. 17 LSU

It's not the same anymore in Baton Rouge, is it? After a championship under Nick Saban, quickly followed by another with Les Miles, Tigers fans haven't exactly seen great success in recent years.

Capital One Bowl appearances don't give you job security when you have two national championships this decade.

This could be a do-or-die year for Miles, who is returning a large part of his offense, but needs quarterback Jordan Jefferson to start maturing as a player.

I'm not sure we're going to see that, and we could see a changing of the guard down in the Bayou.

No. 16: Pittsburgh

Fresh off its first 10-win season since 1981, Pittsburgh tries to build on that success this year returning most of its offensive firepower while losing quarterback Bill Stull.

The Panthers are also replacing a few key defensive starters and to be honest, I'm not sold on Pitt.

I never liked head coach Dave Wannstedt, and while Pitt may be the big boy in a rather weak Big East this year, I don't feel like we'll see them hoisting a trophy at a BCS bowl game this winter.

No. 15: Penn State

The Nittany Lions are looking to rebuild once again with the departure of some key upperclassmen. Darryl Clark and Jared Odrick are just some of the veterans leaving the squad.

In steps Kevin Newsome, who looks to continue Penn State's Spread HD offense. Newsome is very physically gifted, but very rough around the edges.

It may take some time before he starts to show flashes of his ability. A major concern is Penn State's special teams. It was a weak point last year, and doesn't look to be much better this season.

It won't be a bad season, but it won't reach the level of success that Nittany Lions fans have seen over the past five years.

No. 14: Oklahoma

The rebuilding begins in earnest this year down in Norman. After being riddled with injuries, especially to Sam Bradford, Oklahoma is replacing eight starters and is trying to groom Landry Jones as the next cornerstone of its program.

It'll be hard to contend while replacing so many starters, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the Sooners contend.

With so many injuries last year, younger players filled the void and gained key experience. It may be an up-and-down year for Oklahoma.

No. 13: Georgia Tech

After another disappointing bowl performance, Georgia Tech is looking to fix the mistakes that led to its downfall.

Former Virginia head coach Al Groh is now calling the shots on the defensive end as nine starters are returning from last year.

However, it's the offense that will be the major question mark for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech is replacing six starters, including star running back Johnathan Dwyer.

Meanwhile, quarterback Josh Nesbitt will need to mold into a more potent passing threat to make Georgia Tech's triple option offense a true force.

No. 12: Wisconsin

Wisconsin finally started to find that winning mojo after a couple of iffy seasons, and now they're carrying the momentum from last year into the 2010 campaign while also keeping most of its roster intact.

Another friend to the Badgers is its schedule. Wisconsin does not play Penn State this year, and it hosts Ohio State.

The toughest road test is an October trip to face Iowa. Look for Wisconsin to beat its opponents with its stud running back John Clay.

It won't be pretty, but the Badgers will win a lot of ball games through tough defense, and a heavy dose of the run game.

No. 11: Florida

This Florida team will look drastically different than the one that utterly housed Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl. No Tim Tebow, no Brandon Spikes, no Joe Hadan. They're all gone.

But, if there's one thing Urban Meyer's teams have, it's depth, and that's what's going to be the key to Florida's success in 2010.

John Brantley takes the reigns of the Gators' offense, and looks to be the latest star to shine under Meyer in the swamp.

There's a ton of youth on this team, and the quicker Florida can get them into their own as players, the better they'll be. This team should only get better down the stretch.

No. 10: Miami

"The U" finally returned to the national spotlight last year with a couple marquee wins before stumbling a bit down the stretch, and finishing with a loss in the Champs Sports Bowl to Wisconsin.

Miami is bringing back starting quarterback Jacory Harris, who was in the running for the Heisman at one point and may be this year with a good season.

The defense will be a huge question for the Hurricanes.

It wasn't very good last year and lost some experienced players like Randy Phillips. Miami must get production from its young defenders if it has any hopes of taking a step forward as a program.

No. 9: Virginia Tech

I'm not sold on the Hokies, but I have no real reason to put them much lower in the rankings.

Tyrod Taylor isn't exactly lighting it up under center, and Virginia Tech may be more of a ground-and-pound team under sophomore running back Ryan Williams.

The Hokies are also replacing seven starters on defense, and if their replacements don't step it up, Virginia Tech could find itself on the wrong end of a down year.

No. 8: Iowa

One of the top challengers to Ohio State's shot at a Big 10 title is Iowa.

After winning the Orange Bowl last year, the Hawkeyes return with Ricky Stanzi under center.

His protection will be a huge question mark as almost the entire offensive line will have to be rebuilt.

However, Iowa should have a very solid, tough defensive unit and will win some big games, and be right in line for an at large bid for a BCS bowl game.

No. 7: Nebraska

After falling one second away from a Big 12 championship, the Cornhuskers come back and try and crack the BCS this year.

Despite losing Ndamukong Suh and four other starters, Nebraska should be very solid on defense.

While the Cornhuskers are returning a large part of their offense, it wasn't very potent last year and doesn't stand to be much of a constant threat this year.

Nebraska will wins its games be wearing teams down through tough defense, and just enough firepower to get by.

No. 6: Oregon

Even with the cloud of Oregon's offseason still hanging over the program — a period that saw multiple players getting into trouble off the field and the Ducks' starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli getting kicked off the team, Oregon still has a great chance at making a run at a Pac-10 title.

There is solid depth under center, and most of the offense is coming back from last year, so if the Ducks can ignore all of the distractions around the program (not to mention staying responsible off the field) it should be a great year for Oregon.

No. 5: TCU

Another non-BCS conference team in the top five? You better believe it.

The Horned Frogs are only replacing two offensive starters while having to dig a bit deeper on the defensive side of the ball.

However, there is a lot of experience for TCU on defense, and that leadership should help stabilize the unit early on in the year.

The Horned Frogs are primed to make another run at a BCS bowl game.

No. 4: Texas

Even with the loss of program star Colt McCoy, Texas is in a great position to keep its position near the top of the polls.

Garrett Gilbert fills in under center and is coming off of a solid performance in the national title game.

The confidence gained from that game should help act as a springboard for Gilbert and the team heading into the season.

While there are some question marks as Texas has had to replace a couple of starters from last year's team, the Longhorns should be a force to be reckoned with this year.

No. 3: Boise State

Finally, a little love for the Broncos in the polls.

After winning two BCS bowl games, Boise State finds it right where it needs to be to compete for a national title.

The Broncos only lost one starter in the offseason, and it will need the veteran experience as it takes on Virginia Tech on Sept. 6.

If Boise State can pass that test, we could be looking at the a team from the WAC (for the time being) playing for a national title — and that is a great thing.

No. 2: Alabama

The defending national champions return Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram along with some other major pieces of their offense as the Crimson Tide try and make another run at the top.

The major question mark will be the defense, as Alabama lost big-time playmakers on that side of the ball, and could be a liability.

However, Nick Saban should be able to make due until his defense comes into shape.

No. 1: Ohio State

Led by Heisman hopeful Terrelle Pryor, the Buckeyes return a squad that got over its BCS bowl slump last year by besting Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State could be explosive on offense as almost the entire first team returns for this coming season. The Buckeyes are the team to beat in the Big 10, and will be in the national title hunt all year long.