The Deseret Morning News staff weighs in on the college football season:
FROM 1 TO 11
Our conference power rankings:
1. SEC — Had six teams crack preseason top 25, including No. 2 LSU
2. Pac-10 — Preseason No. 1 USC joined by California, UCLA in top 15
3. Big Ten — Michigan and Wisconsin are favored, but don't sleep on Ohio St.
4. Big 12 — Needs A&M, Nebraska and Missouri to live up to expectations
5. ACC — If Florida State and Miami bounce back, this league will be better
6. Big East — Two great teams, two good teams, and then quite a drop-off
7. Mountain West — CSU, New Mexico and Wyoming are the big question marks in this conference
8. WAC — Boise State and Hawaii should have little trouble with rest of league before their Nov. 23 showdown.
9. Conference USA — Would probably like to have TCU back
10. MAC — Which Michigan will win — Western or Central?
11. Sun Belt — Troy favored to repeat as champion
THE 10 BEST
Teams that will likely fill BCS bowl slots:
USC — Tough schedule includes playing at Nebraska, Oregon, California
Florida — Will Meyer's spread offense take off under sophomore Tim Tebow?
Texas — Sophomore Colt McCoy is now seasoned quarterback for Longhorns
LSU — Tigers, ranked preseason No. 2, get the Gators at home this year
West Virginia — Steve Slaton, Pat White lead explosive offense
Virginia Tech — Preseason ACC favorites have huge early road test at LSU
Michigan — Must find a way to beat Ohio State to win elusive Big Ten title
Oklahoma — Inexperience at quarterback position is big question
Wisconsin — Hosts Michigan, but must play on road against Ohio State
Louisville — Big game against West Virginia is in Morgantown this year
5 TO WATCH
Teams who could have surprise year:
California — Longshore is experienced QB, Jackson an explosive WR
Ohio State — Chris Wells takes over at RB for Antonio Pittman
Tennessee — Volunteers have wealth of QB experience in Ainge
UCLA — Riding momentum of USC upset into 2007 season
Georgia Tech — Opening game at Notre Dame should be telling
3 UNDERDOGS
Teams with the best shot at busting the Bowl Championship Series:
TCU — Playing at Texas may be too much for the Frogs to handle
Hawaii — The Warriors' weak schedule is already a hot topic
Boise State — Must win on road at Honolulu to make it back to BCS
THE FINAL 2
Teams who will meet for national title in New Orleans:
Louisiana State vs. Southern Cal
LAST 1 STANDING
Our pick to win the national championship:
Southern Cal