Prediction: Still probably miffed about being overlooked for a BCS bid last season, Mizzou will no doubt be striving to make sure the phenomenon is not repeated. Gary Pinkel is lucky to have Chase Daniel's talent under center, but he also has to play in the same conference as OU's Sam Bradford and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell. The Tigers have the inside track on the Big 12 North, but will have to get over that hump to make it to a BCS Bowl.
8. West Virginia 11-2 1,008
It seems like we've known Pat White forever. That's what happens when you're talented enough to be the Mountaineer starting QB as long as he has. Although he lost his other half, Steve Slaton, to the NFL, the men from Morgantown are looking for yet another trip to a BCS Bowl.
With head coach Rich Rodriguez bolting for Michigan, Bill Stewart has come in and identified some strengths and weaknesses that could enhance his team's success.
Stewart will smartly reduce the amount of times White carries the ball in a game, noting that the only two losses West Virginia had last year came when White left the field injured. The Mountaineer offense should otherwise be on autopilot and left in the hands of their able star quarterback.
Prediction: WVU has a pretty smooth ride until Oct. 23, when Auburn arrives in Morgantown. If their defense can handle the load, look for the Mountaineers to repeat as the Big East Champs and land themselves in another BCS Bowl.
9. Clemson 9-4 999
It's hard to believe that Tommy Bowden is on the hot seat after being surrounded by so much talent year in and year out, but the folks in Clemson are ready for a championship. The Clemson offense is loaded with talent but will have to rely on an inexperienced front line to be successful.
The Tiger defense may be just what Clemson needs to get over the hump and win a conference title. The depth won't help coordinator Vic Koenning sleep at night, but if his starters can stay healthy, the unit should make a big impact on some of those close losses the folks in Clemson have become all too familiar with.
Prediction: Other than the season opener against Alabama, Clemson doesn't really get to the meat of their schedule until October. Nevertheless, they should have all the tools they need to make the ACC title game. If they can come out of the winning end of a few of those close games, this could be the year they finally make it to the BCS.
10. Texas 10-3 979
Vince Young cast quite a big shadow on the QB position at Texas, but Colt McCoy has put up some impressive numbers in his own right. Mack Brown and his Longhorns have been steadily rebuilding after their 2005 national championship, and this could be the year when we see how it has paid off.
McCoy has reportedly put on some size in the gym this summer and has sharply focused on increasing his speed. With a lack of experience in the backfield, we may see more carries by the junior quarterback.
The Longhorns have brought on Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, a guy who has a wealth of experience from his time at SEC defensive powers LSU and Auburn. Muschamp seeks to improve the pass coverage in a conference that probably has the biggest collection of quarterback talent.
Prediction: A tough Big 12 schedule that also sees Texas hosting the fighting Schnellenberger's of FAU and Bobby Petrino's Arkansas Razorbacks will test the depth of this Longhorn squad early. If Texas can handle their traditional foes like A&M and Oklahoma, as well as beat the much hyped Texas Tech, they could find themselves in the Big 12 championship game against Mizzou or Kansas.
To read Part II of this series, click here.
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