The Optimistic NFL Fan's Preview: AFC North Division

Baltimore Ravens

Key Returnees:

• Offense - RB Ray Rice is one of the most consistent performers in the NFL at the position today. He can just about do it all and is as dependable as they come. QB Joe Flacco is gaining some confidence after experiencing various growing pains over the last few seasons and he realizes how lucky he is to have a guy like Rice in the backfield with him. WR Anquan Boldin is built like a running back and plays a hard-nosed style at receiver that fits well in the division. Speedster Torrey Smith caught 50 passes as a rookie and could be poised for a stellar season. The O-line is stable enough to lead the way for a top 10 rushing offense. All in all, the pieces are there for a top 10 scoring unit.
• Defense - Ranking third in the entire NFL, this group is loaded with crafty veterans and promising youngsters that truly give this team its identity. LB Ray Lewis is possibly the best player at his position ever, and the same could be be said about FS Ed Reed as well. However, some people think that they are not even the best defenders on the team. That honor could go to DT Haloti Ngata. The rest of the crew is good enough to start for most other teams in the league. CB Ladarius Webb is a rising star.
• Special Teams - The Ravens are in the top 10 in most major kicking categories and Webb and Reed are both dangerous punt returners. 

Secret Weapon: TE Ed Dickson - Caught 11 passes as a rookie backup in 2010 and then caught 54 balls with five TD's in his first year as a starter in '11. Look for him to get a lot of looks from Flacco from here on out, especially as the team gets closer to the red zone.

Top Newcomers:

• OLB/DE Courtney Upshaw - This kid was a leader on a great college defense and he demolished a lot of opponents in the SEC. In this defense he has the opportunity to get a dozen sacks and make lots of tackles as a rookie.
• OT Kelechi Osemele - A huge (6'5" 335 lbs) lineman that can play at least three out of the five positions along the front. He at least improves the depth and could become a fulltime starter very quickly. 

Optimistic Fan Says: "This team has all the key parts in place to make another Super Bowl run. With everybody healthy on defense anything is possible and do not be surprised if Ray Rice breaks 2,000 yards on the ground."

Reality Check: Flacco just isn't Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, or Tom Brady-enough to get this team over the hump and into the big show and the depth at receiver isn't very good either. Not to mention, Terrell Suggs, who collected 14 sacks last season, is out with an achilles tendon injury for an indefinite amount of time. That will leave a lot of pressure on some young guys to perform at a high level. They could still win 10 games and get through a round of playoffs, but I don't see them making a statement in 2012. The Division is just too good from the top down.

Projected 2012 Record: 9-7

Cincinnati Bengals

Key Returnees:

• Offense - RB's Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott should combine for about 1500 yards on the ground and WR A.J. Green could be the next 1500 yard receiver in the NFL. QB Andy Dalton is no Tom Brady or Peyton Manning but he was fairly steady and dependable as a rookie. TE Jermaine Gresham and the offensive line are all underrated but should get more recognition as the team continues to win games.
• Defense - Seventh in the league in yards allowed, this unit is pretty talented and deep. LB's Thomas Howard and Rey Maualuga are the top two tacklers, while S Reggie Nelson was third. Nelson also led the team with four INT's. No player collected more sacks than DT Geno Atkins' 7.5 but the entire defense ranked fifth in the league with 45. That says a lot about the quality of depth.
• Special Teams - K Mike Nugent led the team in scoring with 132 points and was second in the league in field goals and the coverage units ranked fourth. 

Secret Weapon: WR Jordan Shipley - After catching 52 passes as a rookie in 2010, Shipley went down with an injury after two games last season. He is expected to return and provide Dalton with a reliable outlet if Green is double-teamed, which he will be a lot in the near future. Do not be surprised if Shipley catches 70 balls and finds the endzone a half a dozen times.

Top Newcomers:

• CB's Dre Kirkpatrick -  The team was not desperate for an immediate upgrade at any one position so they were able to draft the best player available in this past April's draft. Kirkpatrick should be a starter and he gives the Bengals a tall, rangy defender that knows how to tackle. He could also play safety.
• CB Terrence Newman -  Newman is a smart veteran that has gobbled up 32 picks in his 10-year career. He should help the defense slow down big-time NFL passing games.
• OG Kevin Zietler - The Bengal's other first round pick comes in with a reputation of being big (6'4" 315 lbs), strong, and nasty. His run-blocking skills could be just what the offense needs to improve the ground and pound game.
• DT Devon Still - He might not get too much playing time as a rookie but this guy has a lot of tools that the team believes they can develop into a solid performer. He should at least improve the overall depth and aid in holding the line against tough AFC North running attacks.

Optimistic Fan Says: "We finally have the team to knock Baltimore and Pittsburgh out of the top spot in the division while winning 11 or 12 games. A first round bye and a deep run is definitely not out of the question."

Reality Check: Although the Bengals are primed for a nice run in 2012, the AFC North Division is as tough as it gets so winning 10 games would be a monstrous feat in and of itself. This team needs another year to develop anyway.

Projected 2012 Record: 8-8

Cleveland Browns

Key Returnees:

• Offense - This group is in a developmental transition stage but there are some very nice pieces to build around. WR Greg Little caught 62 passes as a rookie last year and is a beastly target at 6'2" 220 lbs. He could develop into a true number one receiver. QB Colt McCoy can be the starter but he will make an even better backup now that Brandon Weeden is on board. The same can be said for RB Montario Hardesty with Trent Richardson being drafted third overall. OT Joe Thomas is one of the best pass-blockers in the game and C Alex Mack continues to rise. Overall, the O-line should continue to grow and improve.
• Defense - This is one of the more underrated defensive units in the entire league after ranking 10th in 2011. LB D'Qwell Jackson is the returning leading tackler with 116 and he has developed into a leader. DT Ahtyba Rubin had 53 tackles and also chipped in five sacks. He should team up with second-year player Phil Taylor to give the Browns a formidable pair of 320+ pounders in the middle of the line. DE Jabaal Sheard came on strong as a rookie as well, posting 8.5 sacks to lead the team. CB Joe Haden will once again be the team's best cover man as he continues to build a strong NFL resume after being the seventh overall pick in 2010. S T.J. Ward played very well as a rookie and is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued sophomore campaign. 
• Special Teams - The kick kicking and field goal units didn't rank very high in 2011, but with an improved offense to help keep them all off the field more they should rank higher.

Secret Weapon: RB Chris Ogbonnaya - In 11 games last year, Ogbonnaya averaged 4.6 yards on 73 carries and also chipped in 23 receptions. He will continue to get chances to contribute as the Browns make a move to drive the ball right up the middle of opposing defenses every opportunity they get. The lack of talent at receiver makes having a stable of backs that much more valuable.

Top Newcomer: QB Brandon Weeden - All eyes will be on RB Trent Richardson as fans expect him to literally carry the load on offense, but the Browns also drafted Weeden in the first round to step in and provide an instant upgrade over McCoy. After spending a few years in minor league baseball before playing QB for Oklahoma State, Weeden comes in as a polished 28-year old rookie. Do not be surprised if he quickly surpasses both Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton to become the best passer in the division not named Ben Roethlisberger. 

Optimisitc Fan Says: "Trent Richardson will be the best back in the division and Brandon Weeden will improve the team's passing game. With a little more help on offense the 10th ranked defense will only get better now that they don't have to spend so much time on the field. A wild card is within reach and once in the playoffs we could surprise a few teams in January."

Reality Check: Richardson and Weeden are both rookies being asked to turn things around for the team on offense. That's simply too much to ask in a division that has three other top 10 defenses in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. A five or six win season seems more likely and seven wins would be a definite step in the right direction. At best, this team is another year away from any real playoff hopes.

Projected 2012 Record: 6-10

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Returnees: 

• Offense - QB Ben Roethlisberger has long put his troubled past to bed and is definitely ready for some football. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champ that threw for over 4,000 yards last season so he is definitely in the hunt again. Rashard Mendenhall leads a deep group of backs that are nothing special but they get the job done the way the people like it in Pittsburgh. The Steelers also return its top three pass-catchers from a year ago, including speedster Mike Wallace who led the team with 1193 yards and eight TD's. There is an interesting mix of young talent and proven veterans that could spell trouble for a lot of defenses as the season progresses.
• Defense - Number one overall in total yards allowed last season, the defense returns everybody that truly matters, including S Troy Palamalu, S Ryan Clark, OLB Lamar Woodley, OLB James Harrison, LB Lawrence Timmons, and NT Casey Hampton. All of them are all-pro material and some of the backups could start for other teams.
• Special Teams - This team is just about as solid as any due to their hard-working mentality and discipline. 

Secret Weapon: WR Emmanuel Sanders - Sanders has managed to catch at least 22 passes and two TD's in his first two NFL seasons while being fourth or fifth on the depth chart. He should get a chance to show more now that it appears Hines Ward is officially done in the Steel City.

Top Newcomers:

• OG David DeCastro - This mauler from Stanford could be the next all-pro lineman to don the yellow and black. Scouts all over the league viewed him as definite first round talent so the Steelers have high hopes for him immediately.
• OT Mike Adams - Give this guy a year or two and he could develop into a solid starter on Big Ben's blindside. The team believes it got a steal taking him in the second round.
• NT Alameda Ta'amu - At 6'3" 348 lbs., Ta'amu brings some serious size to the table. Many teams let him slide to the fourth round because of his weight issues, which aided any rumors that he wasn't a hard worker. The Steelers will find out just how much he is willing to work very soon and if he puts in the time he could be the starter here for a long time after Hampton leaves.
• WR Chris Rainey - His 5'9" 180 lbs frame is off-putting, but his legit sub 4.4 speed makes him very interesting. If he can play without fear and avoid injury he could become a dangerous weapon.

Optimistic Fan Says: "We'll see you in the Super Bowl!"

Reality Check: Well, the optimistic fans in Pittsburgh could be right. They have everything they need to win another championship, but it's a long season and a lot will happen between now and then. One or two key injuries have huge potential to derail their 2012 campaign. 

Projected 2012 Record: 11-5

The Optimistic NFL Fan's Preview: NFC North Division

NFC North:

Chicago Bears

Key Returnees:

• Offense - The Bears were ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game. RB Matt Forte is a hard-working, versatile component and Marion Barber, who scored six TD's last season, is a nice compliment to him. Forte just got rewarded with a new contract as well so big things are expected from him. QB Jay Cutler single-handedly beat the Lions last season and he outplayed a lot of other Bears' players, but his style and lack of big stats has been criticized over the years. The fact that he carries a career 61.1 completion percentage and he has thrown at least 20 TD's every year he was a healthy starter tells you that he's got great ability. There is a returning mixture of young and veteran contributors at WR and TE. The team also put some effort into bolstering the receiver position in the off-season. The O-line looks to continue improving in pass protection. 
• Defense - This group of gritty players ranked fifth overall in yards allowed last season. DE Julius Peppers and LB's Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher lead the way as some of the NFL's best players at their respective positions. 
• Special Teams - Devin Hester is one of the best returners of all-time. He should get more opportunities as his duties on offense diminish. Robbie Gould is a dependable kicker down the stretch as he ranked 10th in the league.

Secret Weapon: RB Kahlil Bell - Averaged 4.3 yards on 79 carries and also caught 19 passes last season. He could be primed for a slightly bigger role. At worst, he is a nice insurance policy in case something happens to Forte or Barber.

Top Newcomers:

• WR Brandon Marshall - He gets to reunite with Cutler after four years since the two played greatly together in Denver. He should catch at least 80 balls and could possibly reach double-digit TD's. 
• DT Brian Price - Traded from Tampa for a seventh round pick after being a second rounder just two years ago. He simply fell out of favor after a tumultuous offseason that saw him endure some hardships off the field and then being at the center of a locker room fight during minicamp. The team needed to improve their depth here and Price still has the potential to develop into a quality starter. 
• WR Alshon Jeffrey - This rookie pass-catcher has the size (6'4" 229 lbs) to become a real weapon in the red zone. He doesn't need to start but if he can nail down the second or third receiver position it would go a long way towards helping Cutler win games. 

Optimistic Fan Says: "Cutler is just reaching his prime at 29 years old and is getting reunited with Marshall, who is one of the best receivers in the league. The addition of Jeffrey through the draft will put the offense over the top! Oh, and don't forget, we still have one of the baddest D's in the land."

Reality Check: Optimistic fan could be right if everybody stays healthy, but it will be tough to weave through the division with Green Bay and Detroit lighting up the scoreboard. The playoffs are a good possibility but I don't see them winning more than ten games. At worst they look like a 7-9 team, which may be enough to get Head Coach Lovie Smith fired.

Projected 2012 Record: 10-6

Detroit Lions

Key Returnees

• Offense - The Lions were fifth in total yards and fourth in passing yards in 2011. QB Matt Stafford threw for 5,038 yards and 41 TD's with 1,681 of those yards and 16 of those TD's going to WR Calvin Johnson. They should be a deadly combo in Detroit for a long time. Nate Burleson and Titus Young also return at WR while Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler return at TE. Pettigrew could be the next TE to eclipse 100 receptions in a season. RB's Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith both nearly averaged five yards per carry last year and they could combine for over 2,000 all-purpose yards if they can both stay on the field. Best especially has some big-play potential that is still untapped. Mikel Leshoure also enters the mix in the backfield after missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury so depth should not be a problem this year. The O-line is simply made up of a bunch of overachievers that do not do anything extraordinary but come to work with a lunch-pail mentality that more often than not works.
• Defense - The Lions return some key components on defense, including the top two tacklers in LB's Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy, as well as their top pass-rusher in DE Cliff Avril. In fact, the entire D-line that was 10th in the NFL in sacks returns and are looking towards bigger and better things. The secondary, which was tops in the NFL in pick-sixes, returns three out of four starters, including CB Chris Houston who paced the team with five INT's. As long as Amari Spievey and Louis Delmas stay healthy the safety positions should be secure. 
• Special Teams - K Jason Hanson returns for his 100th season as "the greatest Lion ever" and the coverage units all ranked among the top half of the units in the league. In other words, the team should not lose any games due to special teams.

Secret Weapon: TE Tony Scheffler - Scheffler only caught 26 passes last season but he scored six times. That averages out to roughly 1.4 points every time he touched the ball. He has averaged 35 catches per season as a backup over his six year career and he should continue to get plenty of action while defenses key in on some of D-town's bigger weapons.

Top Newcomers: 

• SS Sean Jones - Jones has had a solid career and led Tampa Bay in tackles last season. He will either start on the strong side or back up both spots. Either way he makes the the defense deeper and more secure down the middle of the field. 
• OT Reilly Reif - The 6'6" 300 lbs pass-protector from Iowa was the Lions' first round pick this past April and he should find a predominant role early in his NFL career. He isn't anything flashy but he looks like the Lions got the second-coming of Jeff Backus. 
• WR Ryan Broyles - Although Reiff is getting most of the attention, Broyles stands to have the biggest impact on the team if he can recover from knee surgery. That may be a lot to ask of him at this point but the guy was one of the most prolific pass catchers while breaking the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record with 349 receptions. He was also a two-time All-American. This guy should have been a first round pick and he should be a nice fit in Detroit's aerial attack sooner or later.
• RB Mikel Leshoure - Even though he has been on the Lions' roster for over a year now, Leshoure has yet to step onto the field after tearing up his knee during last year's training camp. If all goes well this 6'0' 230 lbs back could help solidify the position. 

Optimistic Fan Says: "We got over the hump last year and got our feet wet in the playoffs. This team is very hungry and is out to prove they are not a bunch of misfit one-year wonders. Anything less than a division title and an appearance in the NFC Championship will be a letdown. I'll bet $5000 that we win a Super Bowl in the next five years!"

Reality Check: The lack of depth along the O-line and in the secondary could prove fatal for the Lions when matching up against the likes of Chicago and Green Bay. Some maturity issues also need to be resolved before this team can really make a run in the playoffs. However, few teams in the league have the ability to air-it-out like the Lions and the Giants and Patriots both proved last year that you do not need good defense to get to the Super Bowl.

Projected 2012 Record: 10-6

Green Bay Packers

Key Returnees:

• Offense - QB Aaron Rodgers has been one of the best passers in the league for the last three years. His combination of elite field vision, intelligence, accuracy, and arm-strength is the prototype of what franchises are looking for in their signal-callers. His 45 TD's and 6 INT's are about as good as it gets statistically speaking, and the team ranked third overall in total yards per game. Three different receivers caught at least 55 passes last season and another four caught at least 25. There isn't any real standouts or all-world players on the outside but there is an arsenal of decent weapons for Rodgers to choose from, including Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and super-athletic TE Jermichael Finley. The O-line is improving as the team has spent a lot of high draft picks over the past few years to inject some talent into the group. The top two backs both averaged over four yards per carry but they are not the focal point of the game plan. 
• Defense - LB Desmond Bishop paced the team with 115 tackles and five sacks while SS Morgan Burnett established himself as a reliable starter last season after having injury problems since being drafted in 2010. The ageless Charles Woodson does not know how to quit as he nabbed another seven INT's after 15 years of playing corner in the league. The team's other two CB's, Tramon Williams and Sam Sheilds, each also got four. B.J. Raji and Ryan Picket are big, capable run-stoppers on the DL that can collapse the pocket and disrupt the backfield. OLB Clay Mathews is a fan favorite and has double-digit sack potential every year. 
• Special Teams - Rookie WR Randall Cobb averaged nearly 28 yards per kick return and returned both a kickoff and a punt for TD's. He should continue to get the prolific offense in good position week in and week out. K Mason Crosby was fourth in the league in scoring so the Packers don't need to get the ball in the endzone every time they get it.

Secret Weapon: WR Jordy Nelson - He isn't exactly a well-kept secret but most NFL fans probably wouldn't be able to tell you whether or not he is even a starter or what kind of stats he put up last season. While everybody was paying more attention to Rodgers,Jennings, and Finley, Nelson quietly led the team with 68 catches for 1263 yards and 15 TD's. Those are hefty numbers for somebody that is often the third or fourth option in the game. That might just tell you how good Rodgers really is at QB as well.

Top Newcomer:

• OLB Nick Perry - The Packers' first round pick will have a lot of eyes on him this preseason as Cheesehead nation is looking for anybody to step up opposite Clay Mathews. Anything less than eight sacks per year during his career might be a letdown. 
• DE Anthony Hargrove - He doesn't add much in terms of splash plays but he is a steady veteran with a lot of experience that can help this defense get back on track.
• C Jeff Saturday - Although his body is past its prime Mr. Saturday should change his name to Mr. Sunday after starting 188 games in 14 years for the Colts. Peyton Manning wanted him in Denver but the heady vet opted for a more established system in Green Bay. Smart move.
• DL Jerel Worthy - Worthy was a big-time performer at Michigan State and the Packers like his ability to disrupt blocking schemes and make plays. At the very least they hope he can simply improve the overall depth along the line.

Optimistic Fan Says: "We will bring the Lombardi Trophy home again this year! There is not a better QB than Aaron Rodgers in the entire world and our little slip-up against the Giants last year will only make the team more hungry for another championship. Some added talent on defense will seal the deal on some games come winter."

Reality Check: There still may not be enough of a pass-rush or overall depth on defense to win the Lombardi Trophy and I'm not personally impressed with the selection of Nick Perry when RB Doug Martin, LB Courtney Upshaw, and CB Janoris Jenkins are still on the board. Anyway, the biggest issue may now be what happens if Rodgers misses any length of time with injury. The team does not have any good candidates to take over if he does now that Matt Flynn is gone. I would bet on this team winning 11 games though, and probably winning a playoff game or two come January. Unseating the Packers as division champs will be a tall order for Detroit or Chicago.

Projected 2012 Record: 11-5

Minnesota Vikings

Key Returnees:

• Offense - RB's Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart combined for 1,500 yards rushing last season and WR/RB Percy Harvin averaged 6.6 yards on 52 carries as well. Expect more of a committee approach in the near future to help stretch out Peterson's career a while longer. Rookie QB Christian Ponder averaged seven yards per carry. Not bad for somebody who was simply running for his life! The team is hopeful that he will settle down and deliver more passes in his second season, with Harvin being on the receiving end of at least 80 of them. TE Kyle Rudolph played well enough as a rookie to allow the team to let veteran Visanthe Shiancoe sign elsewhere. 
• Defense - LB's Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson lead the NFC's fifth ranked rush defense and DE Jared Allen collected an amazing 22 sacks to raise his career total to 105. If some younger players in the secondary improve in their second and third seasons the defense overall could be a rock. 
• Special Teams - Harvin is one of the best kick returners in the league and the Vikings were second in the NFL in average yards per return.

Secret Weapon: TE John Carlson - His stats slipped a little in 2011 while still playing in Seattle but this guy could team up with Rudolph to give them some major production from the TE position. Do not be surprised if these two combine for over 120 catches and a dozen TD's. Of course, some things need to work out at QB first in order for that to happen.

Top Newcomers:

• OT Matt Kalil - The Vikings made a nice move in the draft to trade down for more picks and still get the guy they would've taken with the second overall selection in the first place. If the team can plug Kalil into the left tackle job like they think they can then other elements of the offense should start to come together as well. 
• WR Jerome Simpson - Not a true number one receiver but he can make some big plays from the second or third spot. He did produce the single-most exciting plays last year when he flipped over a Cardinals' defender and landed on his feet for a TD. Youtube it!
• WR Michael Jenkins - Another guy that is not a true number one type, but the former first round pick by Atlanta can catch 40 or 50 balls for the Vikings to help make up for the loss of Sidney Rice.
• S Harrison Smith - A sound tackler and decent athlete out of Notre Dame could come in and be a starter as a rookie. The Vikings moved back up into the first round to get him so the team is betting on his ability to lead the secondary sooner rather than later. 

Optimistic Fan Says: "Kalil will solidify the line and Ponder will get better as a result. The team is built well-built to run the ball well and control the game, which is a different approach than the rest of the teams in the NFC North. The Lions, Packers, and Bears are all predominantly built to toss the ball up and down the field.  That could give us a huge advantage come December."

Reality Check: Ponder is as big of a question mark as there is in terms of being a starting QB in the NFL. He'll get plenty of opportunity to prove he can play but if he doesn't perform well enough the team will find a replacement as soon as next off-season. The other teams are just too good to give the Vikings a real shot at making the playoffs but stranger things have happened I guess.

Projected 2012 Record: 5-11

Coming Up Next: AFC North

2012 NCAA College Football's FINAL Top 25 - How will your team be ranked at the end of the year?

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins

There are several national polls that keep track of the top 25 college football teams in the country and it keeps changing each week. I simply do not have enough time to keep up with it and change it every few days so I will only do two lists. One before the season and one afterward.

This list is not me saying how the teams should be ranked as of now, but it is more based on how I believe things will play out over the course of the season. In another five months we will look back and see how the predictions here played out.

Please, feel free to be critical.

Just missed the cut: Mississippi State Bulldogs, Boise State Broncos, North Carolina Tar Heels, Texas Christian Horned Frogs, and Central Florida Knights.

25. Oklahoma St Cowboys- Starting a true freshman at QB is always a risk, but Wes Lunt was in for spring and won the job so it's now his to lose. His main task will be to hand off to All-Big-12 RB Joseph Randle. With 50 lettermen, including eight starters on defense, all returning this year the team is experienced enough overall to compete in the conference.

Florida LB Jelani Jenkins

24. Florida Gators - The Gators should be an improved team this year with 10 starters back on defense and highly touted recruits at every position, but QB Jeff Driskel needs to improve dramatically in his sophomore season for this team to really make some noise. With the schedule being as tough as it is it would take a near miracle to see this team win more than eight games. Don't let that bowl win over Ohio St fool you either, as Urban Meyer had about a month after he was hired to get his system installed there. Remember now, I predicted a mighty flop last year and I was right after fans throughout Gatornation ripped me a new one.

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - An extremely tough schedule will make it hard for the Irish to win more than 10 games but they've got the talent to compete down the stretch. If they can win 11 games in the regular season they should be in the top ten but I just don't see it happening with the QB situation a little unsettled yet. TE Tyler Eifert and LB Manti Te'o will both be All-Americans again this fall and RB Cierre Wood will help make life a little easier for whoever is throwing the ball. 

22.  Stanford Cardinal - I believe Andrew Luck was a bit overrated as this team possesses a lot of talent and the recruits keep pouring in to the program. They also return 61 lettermen, including 16 starters overall. The Cardinal may not get to the Pac-12 Championship game but a nine win season and nice bowl berth seems about right. 

21. Washington Huskies - Junior QB Keith Price exploded for over 3,000 yards of offense and threw for 33 TD's in his first season as a starter last year. He also has some very nice targets to throw to as well. Watch for Price to improve greatly in his second season at the helm. The biggest issue facing the Huskies is the brutal schedule that sees them going to LSU in week two and then later playing Stanford, Oregon, and USC right in a row. If this team loses less than three games I will be really surprised but they should still be competitive and fun to watch.

20. Nebraska Cornhuskers - Senior RB Rex Burkhead carried the ball 284 times for 1357 yards last year and he will be the focal point once again. Overall, the 'Huskers get their top four rushers back in their run-oriented option offense, including QB Taylor Martinez (874 rush yards). They will miss LB Lavonte David greatly  but there is enough talent to field a top 25 defense. Playing Ohio St, Michigan St, and Iowa on the road is usually no easy task so it shouldn't surprise too many people to see Nebraska lose three or four games but still win a bowl game. 

19. South Florida Bulls - I keep ranking the Bulls in my top 20 and they keep disappointing me. One of these years they will get it right. There's just too much speed and talent across the board for them not to compete for a conference title, especially when they play a schedule that ranks somewhere around 60th in the country. Anything less than nine wins is simply underachieving once again. The defense could be a top 20 unit and senior QB B.J. Daniels wants to go out with a bang.

Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas

18. Virginia Tech Hokies - QB Logan Thomas is trying to build a resume that allows him to leave school early to become a pro. He's got some work to do but if he can throw for another 3,000 yards, rush for another 500 yards, and keep his completion percentage over 60% then he'll have a good chance at being a high draft pick. HC Frank Beamer is one of the best at putting together solid defenses and special teams and there's no reason to think he won't do it again. Getting DE James Gayle and LB Bruce Taylor back helps a lot and the schedule is manageable with their toughest road games at North Carolina and Clemson in October. In the end, this could be a one loss team but I'm willing to bet they drop three. 
17. Tennessee Volunteers - If everybody stays healthy and things start clicking in the passing game this team will be dangerous. QB Tyler Bray has the raw ability to be a top pro prospect and may even have the best group of receivers in the SEC, and possibly the country! The O-line looks solid too. The only real question mark is on defense. Can they really stop or even slow down the likes of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina?

16. South Carolina Gamecocks - Finally, Stephen Garcia is gone. Now fans in Columbia can rest easy knowing he will never throw another pass for them again. Jr. QB Connor Shaw already looks like an improvement after throwing 14 TD's and only six INT's in nine starts last year. RB Marcus Lattimore should be among the nation's leaders in rushing after recovering from an ACL injury and the combination of Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney at DE could devastate opposing offenses. It's just too bad they have to play LSU, Florida, and Clemson all on the road. 

15. Ohio St Buckeyes - Urban Meyer will find early success with an already talented roster but a two loss season seems a lot more likely than going undefeated. Having said that, it is worth noting that Meyer has been working with this group of guys since last December and, I must reiterate, the depth chart is as loaded with as much talent as any other team in the country. However, a trip to East Lansing followed by a home game against Nebraska and a trip to Madison followed by Michigan the next week might be too much for them in the end. 

West Virginia QB Geno Smith

14. West Virginia Mountaineers - Two-time All-Big East QB Geno Smith returns and should throw for another 4,000 yards and 30+ TD's in his senior season. All top four rushers and receivers also return to make up what should be a dominant offensive unit. Opponents will need to score at least 30 points if they want any chance of beating the Mountaineers this year. Unfortunately, there isn't any great indicators that the defense can stop opponents from doing such. 

13. Michigan Wolverines - A big program on the rise after winning 11 games last year, including beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl for their first bowl victory since the 2007 season. No other team is recruiting better than Brady Hoke and company right now so keep your eye on this program in the years to come. For the time being, watch senior QB Denard Robinson and a talented pool of backs rack up the yards on the ground. The biggest problem this team faces this year is one of the toughest schedules in the country, which includes the opener against Alabama on the road. 

12. Georgia Bulldogs - Even with RB Isaiah Crowell kicked off the team, the 'Dawgs have a roster packed with talent on both sides of the ball. QB Aaron Murray is an All-SEC performer and the schedule is favorable with only four away games at Missouri, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Auburn. This team could quietly sneak into the top five before the season ends.

11. Arkansas Razorbacks - All-SEC QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis return to lead a solid roster that was 11-2 last season. A repeat performance is not out of the question and getting Alabama and LSU both at home in Fayetteville helps a little. 

10. Michigan St Spartans - Sure they lose their starting QB and a handful of receivers, but Sparty is reloading these days. RB Le'Veon Bell and a top 10 defense should be enough to keep this team in games throughout the season. New QB Andrew Maxwell should be just fine as well and there are a couple new receivers that are as talented as any in East Lansing recently. Another 11 win season could be in store for these mid-western darlings. 

Wisconsin RB Montee Ball

8. Wisconsin Badgers - With the addition of transfer QB Danny O'Brien from Maryland this team may have solved its biggest problem once again. O'Brien's biggest role will be handing off to returning All-American RB Montee Ball, who rushed for 1923 yards and 33 TD's last season. A pretty weak schedule that includes road games to Oregon St, Nebraska, Purdue, Indiana, and Penn St will help the Baders get into the Big Ten Championship game once again. The biggest game on the slate will be the November 17th matchup with Ohio St. 
8. Texas Longhorns - Eventually this talented roster will sneak up on the rest of the country and get back into the title hunt. Whoever starts at QB, whether its bowl MVP David Ash or Case McCoy, they'll get to hand off to sophomore RB Malcolm Brown and a stable of young, talented runners. DE Alex Okafor leads a defense that is loaded with four and five star recruits. This team has the makings of a real national contender in another year.

7. Clemson Tigers - This program is legitimately among the top 25 in the country with their ability to recruit top athletes and turn them into pros. Playing in the weak ACC should help them get through the schedule virtually unscathed, with their toughest game coming at Florida State on September 22. A 12 win season is a possibility with QB Tajh Boyd, RB Andre Ellington, and WR Sammy Watkins leading the charge. 

6. Oregon Ducks - Speed kills and this team once again has plenty of it. Although, that trick only works on inferior defenses while more skilled and deeper rosters should have no trouble keeping them just out of the national title hunt. RB's Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas make up one of the best 1-2 punches in the country and the roster returns 61 lettermen, including nine senior starters. However, replacing QB Darron Thomas could hinder the offense's production early on and ending the season a four game stretch at USC, at Cal, vs Stanford, and at Oregon St could prove to be too much for the Ducks.

5. LSU Tigers - As talented and deep as any other team in the country, LSU will look to overcome the heartbreaking thumping it took at the hands of the Crimson Tide during the BCS Title game in January. Once again though, I do not believe their QB play will be enough to get them over the hump and they will once again fall short of bringing home a national title. Just as much, I believe CB Tyrann Matheiu, the 2011 Bednarik Award winner, is one of the most overrated players in the country. This team will be better than most of its opponents but do not be surprised to see them lose a game or two before the bowl season starts.
4. USC Trojans - Lots of talent on offense including all-american candidates QB Matt Barkley and WR Robert Woods. Both guys could be top five picks in next April's NFL draft. There's also enough defense to hold off most opponents. The fact that they only return 36 lettermen leaves me to believe they lack the experience and depth to go undefeated throughout the season.
3. Oklahoma Sooners - QB Landry Jones and 11 other senior starters returning make this team top 10 worthy. Jones should top 4500 yards through the air once again and the defense should be much improved. I also don't think their schedule is as strong as most experts think, but I believe either Texas or TCU will be able to trip them up just enough to keep them out of the national title hunt.

The swarming FSU defense.

2. Florida State Seminoles - One of the most talented rosters in the country returns 17 players that have started games and 68 lettermen overall. They also have a weak schedule that does not rank among the top 50. If they can't get it together for a title run this year they may not get a better chance any time soon. The defense could be the best in the country and might remind some folks of the teams they had in the early '90's. Keep your eyes on QB E.J. Manuel, CB Xavier Rhodes, and DE's Brandon Jenkins and Bjoern Werner. All four are All-American candidates. 

1. Alabama Crimson Tide - Do not be surprised if this team loses a game early in the season only to come storming back and taking the BCS National Championship for the second straight year. With a schedule that does not rank among the top 30 toughest in the country this roster should prove to be far superior than most of its opponents week in and week out. A lot will be riding on the shoulders of QB A.J. McCarron and RB Eddie Lacy. However, both the O-line and D-line are among the best in the country and in the end they may prove to be too much for everybody. Road games against Michigan in week one and Arkansas in week three will quickly tell us a lot about our defending national champs.

Stay Tuned...

With NFL teams reporting to training camp in the next couple weeks and the college football season set to kick off in less than two months there will be a lot of football to talk about very soon. In the upcoming weeks I will be posting my 2012 NFL off-season assessments, my own NCAA Top 25, as well as many other football related pieces.

It shall be a fun and much-needed season with all the turmoil surrounding the game in the last several months. It's time to put all the baggage aside and finally have some fun.

In the words of Bart Scott: "Can't wait!"