The About.com Preseason Top 25

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and tailback LeGarrette Blount will form the centerpiece of the Ducks’ offensive attack in 2009, and both players seem like stars in the making. If there’s any team that can challenge USC in the Pac-10, it’s the Ducks. But it feels like we say that pretty much every year. By the way, no word yet on whether coach Mike Bellotti will be back with the Ducks for the 2009 campaign.

It won’t be easy to replace quarterback Matt Stafford, of course. But tailback Knowshon Moreno, the heart and soul of the Dawgs offense for the past two years, is probably the bigger loss for Georgia. Experienced senior Joe Cox has the inside track on the quarterback job and the much-ballyhooed Caleb King figures to take over for the spectacular Moreno, who got his team tough yards when they needed them most. Wideout A.J. Green figures to be the star of the offense in 2009, and with good reason: He’s the best wideout Athens has seen in years. The defense needs to improve after suffering massive breakdowns last season against Alabama, Florida and Georgia Tech.

Though the Hawkeyes lose all-everything tailback Shonn Greene, who turned pro after just one (incredible) season in Iowa City, it seems as though coach Kirk Ferentz has his program back on track. Iowa officials must think so, too, because they just gave Ferentz a nice big contract extension. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi was one of the big surprises in the Big Ten last year, and has the makings of a confident, poised field general. The defense loses superstar defensive tackle Mitch King, but if the Hawkeyes are consistent about anything, it’s defense. Iowa will push Penn State and Ohio State for control of the Big Ten.

The Tigers finished off a somewhat disappointing season by crushing—and I mean, crushing—Georgia Tech in the Peach Bowl. That may be a sign of good things to come. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson showed promise down the stretch and the offense should have just enough firepower to challenge for the SEC West crown. But are the Tigers good enough to get past Saban’s Crimson Tide? Or stave off a challenge from Houston Nutt’s reborn Ole Miss Rebels?

Yes, this is the year Charlie Weis finally gets Notre Dame back in the BCS mix. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen is improving, and showing glimpses of the talent that made him the nation’s top prospect a few years back. Wideout Golden Tate gives Clausen a legit playmaker on the flank. As for the defense? Well, it figures to be as inconsistent as usual. But look for incoming freshman Manti Te’o to play early—and make a difference.

The 'Noles were already going to be short on playmakers at wideout. And that was before they lost wideouts Preston Parker (kicked off the team) and Taiwan Easterling (ruptured Achilles tendon). Still, quarterback Christian Ponder is the best Tallahassee has seen some time now, and something about last season’s 9-4 squad offered a hint of the good old days under Bobby Bowden. Look for another strong Seminole campaign in 2009. Joe Paterno better watch his back, because Bowden’s on his tail for that all-time wins record.

The Jayhawks have two big factors playing in their favor: First, they return not only quarterback Todd Reesing, but also tailback Jake Sharp and receiver Dezmon Briscoe. Second, they play in the Big 12 North, where there’s absolutely no elite competition. Nebraska is average. Missouri is average. Kansas State and Iowa State are a mess. For that reason alone, chalk up 9 wins for the Jayhawks (and a likely beat down in the Big 12 championship game).

Quarterback Andy Dalton will lead a team the figures to be one of the steadiest and most disciplined in the Mountain West Conference, if not the entire country. The defense suffers some big losses, but defensive end Jerry Hughes (15 sacks in 2009) returns and this program is a proven winner. They’ll field another Top 20-quality team in 2009.

Cal has established itself as the third-best program in the Pac-10. And that’s what they’ll be again next season. Quarterback Kevin Riley is inconsistent, but with tailback Jahvid Best lined up behind him, all Riley really has to do is not make mistakes. Best, who rushed for nearly 1,600 yards in 2008, was one of the best players in America that nobody talked about. That should change in 2009.

The Ian Johnson Era is over in Boise. Probably more than any other player, Johnson embodied the Broncos’ rise to BCS-level prominence (who can forget the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma?). Now that Johnson’s gone, though, coach Chris Peterson will face one of his toughest coaching jobs, as he tries to rebuild an offense that loses not only Johnson, but also star wideouts Jeremy Childs and Vinny Perretta. The good news? Quarterback Kellen Moore returns after throwing for 3,486 yards in 2008.