Welcome to another ripened college football season set to get underway. With high expectations, national powerhouses being upset, and Cinderella stories surely to be apart of the mix; ultimately to crown the 2009 National Champion. The forensic stat compiling and looming underdogs has brought fans, kids, and alumni from everywhere on the edge of our seats once again. With sophomores (Tebow) now winning the Heisman, one can’t help but ask, what will this season bring? Without further ado, here is our compilation of the pre-season Top 12.

1. Florida - With early graduation this team is still an overpowering attack. It doesn’t hurt to have the Heisman winner as well. When Tebow gets into trouble look for Percy Harvin to have a very big season.


2. USC - Another year of So. Cal. domination has Trojan fans calling this the year for Pete Carroll’s team, and you can’t blame them with prototype QB Mark Sanchez, and Rey Maualuga leading the way for a stacked defense. Watch out Pac-10, before it’s called the Pac-1.


3. Ohio State - The highly hyped 2008 season has been all about the signing of Terrelle Pryor for the Buckeyes. But don’t overlook RB Chris Wells which is in preseason All-American magazines everywhere. With a cupcake non-conference schedule look for the Buckeyes to remain close to this ranking up until later stages of the year.


4. Oklahoma - The Sooners are very excited about the season, and with Sam Bradford dropping back, they have all the makings of being a title contender. Also, with the 1-2 punch of Running backs Allen Patrick, and sophomore stud Demarco Murray it won’t hurt their cause.


5. Clemson - Tiger Fans are in for another wild season. Tommy Bowden has still yet to win an ACC Title and wants to bring that to his resume. Clemson is stacked everywhere starting at running back, with the most consistent Tiger in James Davis. He just wears on the opponents, especially in the fourth quarter. Davis is complemented well with electric runner C.J. Spiller. The defense has lineman and ball-hawks all over the depth chart which will help their title chances as well.


6. Georgia - Ranked at the top of most polls to start this season, the Bulldogs have a optimistic outlook this season. QB Matthew Safford’s progression from freshmen to sophomore season was catastrophic. Knowshon Moreno has whispers of a possible Heisman run, after his 1300+ yard, 14 TD season. Watch out though, they do play in the SEC, where anything can happen.


7. LSU - Even though they lost tons of key components to the NFL, and graduation, look for the Tigers not to miss a beat. They have such a well balanced offense and seem to restack their defense every year. Look for a LSU/Florida match up in the SEC Title game.


8. West Virginia - What a shocking off-season for the Mountaineers as ex-coach/alumni Rich Rodriguez jumped ship to Michigan. However, they still have Heisman hopeful Pat White leading the way. Also, Noel Devine will help keep a balanced running combo. This is still a tricky opponent of defense with the schemes they run.


9. Texas - In what seems to be an overpowering Big 12 conference this year the Longhorns start the season in a usual preseason ranking. There will be upsets early and often in this conference but with Colt McCoy back behind center that won’t happen often for Texas. Look for the Longhorns to be in the mix for a Big 12 title, despite the parity of the Big 12.


10. Missouri - QB Chase Daniels back at the helm for one last hurrah which will be an exciting season with Sophomore WR Jeremy Maclin fresh off his stellar 80 rec, 1000+yd, and 9 touchdown freshman season. Red zone back Tony Temple offers security in the trenches with his 12 TD rushing junior season. The success in the end will come down to the consistency on defense.


11. Kansas - Jayhawk fans have something to talk about other than basketball. This team shocked everyone last season, just ask the cornhuskers. With key starters returning like QB Todd Reesing (33TD passes in 2007) this season looks promising. But it’s their swarming Linebackers have fans and writers jumping on the Jayhawk bandwagon.


12. South Florida - I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but at one point the Bulls were the #2 ranked team in the land. USF is solid once again on defense, but can QB Matt Grothe bring the team to national prominence? If so, this could be the start of a Miami Hurricane 1990’s type era.