Time to strike up the band

By Sean Pullins Sports Central Columnist

Big 10

The first conference I am going to look at is the Big 10. The Big 10 has the reigning national champion Ohio States Buckeyes in it. The Buckeyes return most of their starters on offense and, more importantly, a healthy Maurice Clarett this year. They have some key players to replace on defense, but should be right there at the end of the season. They also have a tough schedule with three tough road games in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Penn State.

Ohio State has had some controversy recently with accusations of academic fraud in the football program. This could be a black cloud that looms over them the entire season. The Big 10 is going to come down to the last week, I could envision both Ohio State and Michigan, who seems like the team to beat this year, both being undefeated at the end of the season. This would set up a classic matchup in Ann Arbor for the Big 10 title and a national championship birth. I really can't objectively make a decision on who will win, U of M or OSU, since I live on the OSU campus.

Sleeper: Penn State

Big East

The Big East still has powerhouses Miami and Virginia Tech for one more year and both should figure into the BCS. Miami doesn't rebuild, they reload, so they will be there at the end. Virginia Tech is young, but for my money, coach Frank Beamer is one of the best and underrated in the business. Miami is going to have a rough time going undefeated because there has to be some teams in the Big East who are gunning even more than usual for the ACC-bound Hurricanes. Plus, Miami has an unproven quarterback in Florida transfer Brock Berlin. In the end, I think Miami loses one or two games, but pulls out the Big East crown.

Sleepers: West Virginia, Pittsburgh

ACC

The ACC is going to be an interesting conference to watch this year. They have a lot of teams right there -- this conference is going to be the most competitive of all this year. Maryland, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina State all could unseat long-time champ Florida State. The Seminoles have had off-the-field problems with players of late and seem to be losing some of their magic. This is going to be the year of the River. N.C. State's Philip Rivers and sophomore running back T.A. McClendon are too much for the Seminoles to handle.

Team on the rise: Wake Forest

SEC

The SEC will have a number of teams rated in the top-25 this year. Tommy Tuberville's Auburn is on everyone's radar. He seems to be ready to take this team to the next level. LSU also is strong and should be a force to be reckoned with. The Gators from Florida are always tough and this year will be no different. Couch Ron Zook should have his stamp on this team by this year, and if not, look for the faithful to turn on the coach. The real player to watch in this conference is Eli Manning. He is something special and could be the NFL's first draft-pick. I think Tubberville's Tigers nip Florida as the best team.

Team on decline: Tennessee

Pac-10

The Pac-10 always puts good football on display -- the only problem is nobody from the East Coast gets to see it. The East Coast definitely dominates college football viewing, thus West Coast football often gets overlooked. The Oregon Ducks should return to form this year and dominate the conference. Washington was a favorite with strong-armed quarterback Cody Pickett, but the betting scandal will make it hard for the team to perform as strong as their potential. USC has a special receiver in Mike Williams and should be the toughest team for Oregon.

Team on the rise: California

Big 12

The Big 12 always has good teams, but this year, one team stands above the rest. The Sooners from Oklahoma are head and shoulders the best team here, if not the best in the country. Bob Stoops' Sooners are returning their entire defense and defense wins championships. Texas and Nebraska are always tough and you always have to watch out for Bill Snyder and Kansas State, but the other team I like in the conference is Missouri. Their quarterback, Brad Smith, reminds me a lot of last year's Cinderella, Brad Banks, and should be tough.

Best receiver in country: Roy Williams.

Finally...

Now for the rest, you can't talk about college football and leave out the Irish. That's Notre Dame, for all who have been under a rock. Tyrone Willingham is in his second year and has brought some tradition and discipline back to the program. They have a tough schedule, so I don't look for them to be in the national championship at the end, that's maybe a year a way. Watch out for Miami of Ohio out of the MAC, they have the second best quarterback in the country.

Strike up the band, get the tailgate ready, it's almost football time!

Article courtesy of Sports Central.