2007

1. USC Ten starters will be back on a defense that stuffed Michigan in the Rose Bowl, and QB John David Booty could be a Heisman contender.

2. LSU The Tigers will be loaded on both lines. Losing QB JaMarcus Russell to the NFL would hurt, but Matt Flynn is a more than capable replacement.

3. FLORIDA Urban Meyer's spread-option offense won't miss a beat with Tim Tebow taking over for Chris Leak at QB, but the defense must reload.

4. OHIO STATE With Troy Smith gone, the Buckeyes will lean more on RBs Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells and an experienced defense.

5. WEST VIRGINIA QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton will be Heisman candidates, and a defense that brings back eight starters should improve.

6. WISCONSIN Sixteen starters return on a team that finished 12--1, though departing All-America tackle Joe Thomas will be sorely missed.

7. MICHIGAN The offense figures to be loaded with QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WR Mario Manningham, but the defense loses most of its stars.

8. LOUISVILLE Bobby Petrino's move to the NFL drops the Cardinals out of the top four. They'll drop out of the top 10 if QB Brian Brohm leaves too.

9. TEXAS While sophomore QB Colt McCoy gets back all of his key receivers, the Longhorns must improve their running game and secondary.

10. VIRGINIA TECH The Hokies will field another dominant defense. But can Frank Beamer get more production out of his quarterbacks?