2010 College Football Predictions: Why the Tide Will Roll Again

For a storied program nearly two decades removed from its last national championship, the 2010 Bowl Championship Series title was indeed momentous for Alabama, but it could have been just the beginning. The Crimson Tide is primed to become the first back-to-back BCS national champion and will certainly grab the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 next week.

Alabama has eight starters back from an offense that ranked 12th in the nation in rushing a year ago. The kingpin, of course, is Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Mark Ingram, who rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore on the way to becoming Alabama's first player to strike the pose. The Tide also returned star wideout Julio Jones, quarterback Greg McElroy (14-0 as a starter) and three veteran offensive linemen. Trent Richardson, Ingram’s understudy, rushed for 751 yards and had eight scores in 2009.

Conversely, Alabama is replacing nine starters from the nation's second-best total defense. That transition phase could produce an even stronger unit, considering the Tide's past recruiting classes. Defensive end Marcell Dareus, linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Mark Barron are legitimate favorites to earn first-team all-conference honors.

Throw in a coach like Nick Saban, who was as dour faced and unsatisfied as ever after delivering Alabama's first national title since 1992, and you have a championship team with the fewest weaknesses of any in the country.

The rest of the AP Top 25 should resemble last year’s final poll.

No. 2 Ohio State

A 26-17 Rose Bowl dismantling of Oregon will do wonders for quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is poised to make a run at the Heisman while guiding the Buckeyes to a record sixth straight Big Ten title and a berth in the BCS National Championship.

Pryor led the offense in rushing yards (779) and passing yards (2,094) last year, but his supporting cast will shoulder more weight in 2010. The Buckeyes' offense returns four other skill-position starters and is breaking in one new lineman, a junior no less.

Defensively, Ohio State is just as strong. Linebackers Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, the team's leading tacklers in 2009, returned as have three defensive backs and two linemen. That makes seven veterans from a unit that ranked fifth nationally in total defense a year ago.

No. 3 Boise State

The Broncos will enter September with their best preseason rank in history – and their best chance of cracking the elusive top two before January.

Kellen Moore, a Heisman Trophy-hopeful, is in his third year under center and has back two of his favorite targets, wideouts Austin Pettis and Titus young. Boise State returned its entire offensive backfield and is not short on experience in the trenches.

The Broncos have 10 defensive holdovers from 2009, including two-year leading tackler Jeron Johnson at safety and the entire front four.

Boise State is 49-4 the past four seasons under Chris Petersen but has been undercut by weak conference schedules and preseason rankings. At least one of those won't be a problem this year.

No. 4 Texas

The Longhorns are without Colt McCoy but still feature a defense brimming with future NFL talent, including their 2009 sack leader Sam Acho at defensive end.

Garrett Gilbert showed glimpses of success while filling in at quarterback for then-injured Colt McCoy in the 2010 BCS title game. He will have veteran wideouts Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll to throw to and four senior offensive linemen – tackles Kyle Hix and Britt Mitchell, and guards Michael Huey and Tray Allen – blocking in front of him.

The secondary is loaded with NFL prospects

The Longhorns never seem to have rebuilding seasons under coach Mack Brown, and 2010 should be no exception.

No. 5 TCU

The Horned Frogs piggybacked Boise State's midmajor support in 2009 and, like the Broncos, should receive favorable preseason treatment from AP voters.

Texas Christian lost key defenders Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington but returns a decent core of talent led by dual-threat quarterback Andy Dalton, who helped the quick-scoring Horned Frogs reel off 38.3 points a game in 2009.

Seven starters are back on coach Gary Patterson's defense, which was best in the nation a year ago. The front six, led by veteran tackles Kelly Griffin, Cory Grant and linebackers Tanner Brock and Tank Carder, will apply the same pressure seen in 2009.

Dalton will be surrounded by offensive talent, from the Horned Frogs' one-two punch of running backs Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker to their solid rotation of receivers Antoine Hicks, Jeremy Kerley and Jimmy Young. Wesley and Tucker rushed for 1,300 yards combined last season.

No. 6 Florida

The one upside to Tim Tebow's departure is the spotlight cast on junior quarterback John Brantley, who has received offseason praise from Florida teammates, coaches  and the media.

If that's not enough to sway preseason voters, consider Tebow's former supporting cast members. Ball-carrier Jeff Demps, a one-man highlight show, is back and will run behind veteran offensive linemen Mike Pouncey, Xavier Nixon, Carl Johnson and Marcus Gilbert.

Though undersized in some areas, Florida's defense is brimming with speed and athleticism. The secondary of Ahmad Black, Janoris Jenkins and Will Hill is arguably the nation's best.

Like their Southeastern Conference rivals from Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Gators could simply be reloading.

No. 7 Wisconsin

Those pesky Badgers are always full of surprises.

That they were able to win 10 games yet again in 2009 says a lot, so does the fact they return 16 starters, including 1,500-yard rusher John Clay and their entire starting corps of versatile linebackers, Chris Borland, Culmer St. Jean and Mike Taylor.

Clay, whose build resembles former Wisconsin Heisman winner Ron Dayne, has one of the best offensive lines in the country blocking for him. Center Peter Kronz anchors the group, flanked by guards Kevin Zeitler and John Moffitt, and tackles Josh Oglesby and Gabe Carimi.

Receivers Nick Toon, David Gilreath, Isaac Anderson and Kyle Jefferson have more than 50 starts combined.

Wisconsin's past success has seldom led to favorable preseason votes, but the team ended 2009 on a high note, beating Miami 20-14 in the Champ Sports Bowl. The Badgers have the right mix to make a run at the Big 10 championship.

No. 8 USC

The championship-ineligible Trojans open the Lane Kiffin Era with a staggering collection of blue-chippers, plus future-Heisman favorite Matt Barkley at quarterback.

Pete Carroll left the pantry stocked. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and defensive end Armond Armstead are expected to break out this year, and running back Dillon Baxter, a true freshman, has drawn comparisons to past "Tailback U" greats.

Veteran linebackers Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan will be tough to run – and pass – against.

Though the Trojans are coming off their worst season in almost a decade, their talent cannot be mistaken.

No. 9 Iowa

Part of a Big Ten renaissance last bowl season, the Hawkeyes appeared Pasadena bound until quarterback Ricky Stanzi was injured in Game 10, the first of their two losses. The team rebounded in time to win the Orange Bowl 24-14 over Georgia Tech.

Stanzi is back, and so is the team’s talented running back tandem of Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is on pace to become Iowa’s all-time leader in receptions and yards receiving. The Hawkeyes’ undersized front five lacks experience, but the offense is well rounded enough to keep the team looking like a Big Ten-title contender.

The secondary is led by two of the best safeties in the country, Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood. All four starting linemen are back.

No. 10 Nebraska

The Cornhuskers nearly derailed Texas' BCS hopes in the Big 12 title game before burying Arizona in the 2009 Holiday Bowl. Ndamukong Suh is gone, but the defense is sturdy enough to guide the team while the offense finds its footing.

Last year, the Nebraska O’s biggest obstacle was health. This year, it is a quarterback battle between 2009 starter Zac Lee, sophomore Cody Green and redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez. The Huskers have 14 offensive players with starting experience, including I-back Roy Helu and offensive linemen Keith Williams and Ricky Henry at guard, and Marcel Jones at right tackle.

The nation’s top scoring defense from a year ago lost several of its key parts, but others are ready to step up. Cornerback Prince Amukamara heads an experienced secondary. Defensive tackle Jared Crick, an All-America candidate, will help fill in for Suh.

Nebraska appears legitimately on the rise and ready to make a grand exit from the Big 12.

No. 11 Oregon

Disgraced quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is out of the picture, but the Ducks have enough veterans – nine on offense, eight on defense – to curry top-15 votes.

The Pacific-10 Conference champs are still loaded, bolstered by sophomore phenoms LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner at tailback and Kenny Rowe, the conference leader in sacks in 2009, at defensive end.

Oregon's defense is touted as the fastest in the Pac-10. So deep are the Ducks at linebacker, they dropped Eddie Pleasant into the secondary to spread the wealth. The linebacking corps will be just fine with seniors Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger.

The quarterback battle is between senior Nate Costa and sophomore Darron Thomas, and coach Chip Kelly has faith in both. Costa was in line to start two years ago before blowing out a knee for the third time in his career. Thomas has taken few snaps but nearly led the Ducks to a come-from-behind victory over Boise State in relief in 2008.

A seasoned offensive line, led by seniors C.E. Kaiser, Jordan Holmes and Bo Thran, will help make the quarterback transition smooth, as will the return of clutch receiver Jeff Maehl.

No. 12 Virginia Tech

Beamer Ball never gets old.

This year's Hokies have a promising offense to go with their usually stout special teams and defense. It includes one of the top tailback tandems in the country – Ryan Williams and Darren Evans – and athletic quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who has big-play capability.

The defense is light on experience but big on speed. Bud Foster, as usual, will bring out the best in them.

Virginia Tech ended the 2009 season with a 37-14 trouncing of Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

No. 13 North Carolina

What's this about defense winning championships?

The Tar Heels' D was ranked sixth last year and has nine returners; five of whom – linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, tackle Marvin Austin and defensive backs Deunta Williams and Kendric Burney – turned down leaving early for the NFL.

It may take time for the offense to get rolling. North Carolina’s quarterback of the future, Bryn Renner, could earn the starting spot, taking over a unit that ranked near the bottom of the FBS in total offense a year ago.

The supporting cast features seasoned wideouts in Greg Little, who improved tremendously last year, and sure-handed sophomore Erik Highsmith, plus four past starters on the offensive line.

That has to be good for something.

No. 14 Oklahoma

The injury-plagued nightmare that was the Sooners' 2009 season shouldn't fool voters. The players who filled in then are a year better, and this is a Bob Stoops-recruited team.

Filling for the injured Sam Bradford, quarterback Landry Jones hit his stride by the end of his freshman season, including an impressive showing in a 31-27 Sun Bowl win over Stanford. The offense’s biggest playmakers are back in wideout Ryan Broyles and tailback DeMarco Murray, and the offensive line is young but experienced.

Even without Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma’s defensive front four will be just as solid. It starts with defensive ends Jeremy Beal, the team’s sacks leader from 2009, and Frank Alexander, a tremendous specimen.

No. 15 Miami

Jacory Harris guided the Hurricanes back to relevance in 2009 while passing for more than 3,000 yards. He is surrounded by green on offense but has a big, athletic group of receivers – returning starter Leonard Hankerson, LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin – to work with. The team’s running back corps is deep.

The defense could be Miami’s best since 2002. The Hurricanes ranked 29^th in total a year ago and has welcomed back eight starters. Led by bookends Allen Bailey and Andrew Smith, the defensive line rotates eight strong.

The linebackers look promising, and the secondary includes speedy corners Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke, who started in 2009.

The pieces are in place for Miami to grow even more.

No. 16 Arkansas

The Razorbacks could be Alabama’s toughest test in the SEC East.

The team suddenly owns the most dangerous quarterback in the conference in Ryan Mallett, who helped the high-scoring Hogs average 36 points a game in 2009 – ninth best in the nation.

Veteran wideouts Greg Childs, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright are on the other end of Arkansas’ best passing attack in history.

A year after forcing 30 takeaways, the Razorbacks’ defense will be even more efficient with seven starters back, including four in a fast-attacking front seven.

No. 17 West Virginia

Tailback Noel Devine will put up big numbers in a new offense and keep the Mountaineers on track while sophomore quarterback Geno Smith learns the ropes. Devine is coming off a 1,400-plus yard season.

West Virginia has eight other returning starters on offense, including four linemen.

The defense is equally stacked, led by end Julian Miller (14 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a sophomore in 2009), senior linebackers Pat Lazear and J.T. Thomas and ball-hawking free safety Robert Sands.

West Virginia, the Big East’s most experienced club, finished 9-4 in Bill Stewart’s first two seasons and could easily do better in 2010.

No. 18 Pittsburgh

Behind Heisman dark horse Dion Lewis, the Panthers are once again in position to qualify for a BCS bowl.

Lewis rushed for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2009, obliterating several program records for freshmen. Pittsburgh’s offense has the talent to be balanced with 6-foot-5 receivers Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan. It is a welcoming situation for sophomore quarterback Tino Sunseri.

The defensive line, led by star defensive ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard, will be deeper than last year, when the Panthers led the nation in sacks (3.62) per game.

That Cincinnati is breaking in a new coach in Butch Jones, Pittsburgh’s chances of winning the Big East title are fair.

No. 19 LSU

Still riding the diminishing wave of their 2007 national title run, the Tigers remain one of the most consistently tough teams to beat in the SEC, though their star has faded with the rise of conference rivals Florida and Alabama.

Louisiana State can run the ball with authority behind Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy and up-and-coming freshman Michael Ford. The Tigers’ passing is suspect, as the team had few proven receivers for junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson to throw to.

The team’s leading tackler from 2009, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, heads a defense that includes a revamped line and one of the best shutdown corners in the nation, Patrick Peterson.

No. 20 Penn State

You can’t argue with consistency.

The Nittany Lions have won 51 games in the last five years and have the defense to remain in the top half of the Big 10. Penn State will need a monster year from its younger players to do better.

The biggest mystery is at quarterback, where prized recruit Kevin Newsome is battling Matt McGloin and Paul Jones for the starting spot. The backfield is set behind Evan Royster, who is closing in on the program rushing record after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Penn State’s receiving corps and offensive line also are in tune.

The Nittany Lions are replacing three NFL draft picks at the linebacker positions – and Bani Gbadyu, Nate Stupar and Chris Colasanti seem up to the task. The rest of the defense is well rounded, albeit mostly inexperienced.

No. 21 Georgia

There is reason to believe the Bulldogs may be a sleeper in the SEC; one of them is A.J. Green. Arguably the most skilled receiver – let alone athlete – in college football, Green is coming off an injury-shortened sophomore season in which he caught 53 passes in eight starts.

Green is the carrot dangling in front of Georgia’s leading candidates take over at quarterback: Aaron Murray and Logan Gray. The winner gets to learn the ropes behind an offensive line that returned all five starters.

The Bulldogs’ new 3-4 defense comprises a deep group of veteran linebackers, plus a young secondary bursting with talent.

Georgia could give Florida a run in the SEC East.

No. 22 Utah

The original BCS busters can’t stay out of the AP Top 25. The Utes have built a solid program over the past decade and are primed to add another double-digit win season. They are plunging into a favorable schedule with several prized veterans, plus a few standouts who missed last season for various reasons.

Utah may have the most exciting offensive backfield in college football. Jordan Wynn, an up-and-coming sophomore, threw for 1,329 yards in 2009, culminating with a MVP performance in a 37-27 Poinsettia Bowl victory over Cal. Star tailback Matt Asiata, who earned a sixth year of eligibility because of past injuries, adds another fold to the offense as a Wildcat option. Senior Eddie Wide rushed for 1,069 yards as Asiata’s replacement in 2009. The offensive line has four returning starters.

Among Utah’s few defensive veterans are run-stopping tackles Dave Kruger and Sealver Siliga, both underclassmen. The rest of the unit is deep at every position.

That they finished 10-3 during a transition year in 2009 only hints to the Utes’ potential.

No. 23 Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets lost four players to the 2009 NFL draft but expect to make a return trip to the Bowl Championship Series.

Senior quarterback Joshua Nesbitt, another Heisman hopeful, helped the team’s triple-option attack average almost 300 yards a game a year ago. The offense should do even better in 2010. Georgia Tech’s front five is fairly experienced, and the offensive backfield features senior fullback Anthony Allen and rapid tailback Roddy Jones, who had a breakout 2008 season only to struggle with injuries last year.

Defensive coordinator Al Groh, the former head coach at Virginia, takes over a group that features eight returning starters, including a trio of versatile linebackers.

No. 24 Cincinnati

The departure of former coach Brian Kelly doesn’t mean the Bearcats aren’t bursting with talent.

The two-time defending Big East champs can still score in bunches behind junior quarterback Zach Callaros wideouts D.J. Woods, Armon Binns and Vidal Hazelton, a talented transfer from USC. Callaros started four games in 2009 while Tony Pike recovered from an injury. Senior tight end Ben Guidugli was second-team all-conference a year ago, and Isaiah Pead, the team’s feature back close to seven yards a carry.

Cincinnati could use a better season from its defense, which ranked last in the conference in 2009, but the group is very young. Defensive tackle Derek Wolfe and linebacker J.K. Schaffer are poised for big junior campaigns.

Things could certainly be worse for first-year coach Butch Jones.

No. 25 Houston

The role of BCS darling belongs solely to Houston.

If there was ever a Conference USA team to crash the party in January, it is the Case Keenum-led Cougars, who return four starters on the offensive line (tackles Roy Watts and Jacolby Ashworth and guards Chris Thompson and Jaryd Anderson), three 1,000-yard receivers (James Cleveland, Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards) and a pair of former Conference USA Freshmen of the Year winners in running backs Charles Sims and Bryce Beall.

Keenum is one of two NCAA quarterbacks to 5,000-yard passing mark in back-to-back seasons.

Houston’s defense features five veterans and a crop of talented junior college transfers. Defensive end Matangi Tonga, linebacker Marcus McGraw and cornerback Jamal Robinson will lead the charge.