BCS (Brendan Championship Series) Preseason Rankings

1.  SEC (Georgia defeats LSU)

The Bulldogs have just about everything going for them this year: a powerful and experienced offense, a tough defense, and several returning starters.  They also have a strong Heisman candidate in running back Knowshon Moreno. 

When he doesn’t get the ball, quarterback Matthew Stafford (only a junior, by the way) can throw to Mohamed Massaquoi, one of the best receivers in the conference, if not more.  In addition...oh, who am I kidding?  It’s their turn.

The SEC is far and away the most dominant conference in football, and with LSU, Florida, and Tennessee collecting crystal footballs in the BCS era (and with Auburn’s unforgettable, undefeated, untied, and uncrowned 2004 campaign), it just seems the Bulldogs are next in line.

And you know what?  If they can survive the most challenging schedule in football, they’ll get it.

2.  Big Ten (Ohio State)

The other half of college football’s running joke, the Ohio State Buckeyes seem primed to make another national title run.  There’s simply too much talent on both sides of the ball for them not to do just that, especially if they can knock off the Trojans on Sept. 13.

Quarterback Todd Boeckman brings experience and leadership to the ticket while the nation’s top high school recruit Terrelle Pryor is the Bucks’ hope and change.  Anchoring the offense, however, will be the law firm of Wells & Wells, led by the bruising power of senior partner Chris (who is actually a year younger than the speedier Maurice).  Chris “Beanie” Wells is by far the Big Ten’s top Heisman candidate. 

The Buckeyes also have the nation’s top defensive Heisman candidate (albeit a longshot) in linebacker James Laurinaitis, who would have been a first day pick if he had gone early.  The battle in LA will be titanic, but the rest of the schedule is manageable.  See you in South Beach?

3.  Pac-10 (USC)

Death, Taxes, and Southern Cal winning the PAC-10.  This century (or at least since 2002), these have seemed just about constant. 

The Trojans had a major disappointment last season, losing (gasp!) two games, and still captured the conference crown, and another Rose Bowl victory along with it. 

USC is not quite as talented as the best team ever (according to Jim Harbaugh) last season, but with about 100 tailbacks, they still should be pretty good.  Joe McKnight should get plenty of carries this year, especially with quarterback Mark Sanchez’ recent injuries.

The defense, as usual, is stacked.  The Buckeyes and Trojans will meet at the Coliseum on Sept. 13, with the winner in the drivers’ seat to Miami and the loser probably relegated to the Rose Bowl.

Ultimately, however, if there is one certainty among the possible BCS bowl teams, it’s the Trojans one way or another.

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