By Matt Hayes

updated 5:13 p.m. ET Jan. 9, 2008

Matt Hayes

Get a load of the coming attractions — including the biggest games, Timmy and Jimmy — and a look at coaches who might find themselves behind the '08 ball.

Eight national title contenders

Brigham Young
The Cougars' offense is loaded, and their defense will rebuild. BYU was the last non-big boy to win it all — in 1984. Why not again? Of course, BYU is only first on this list alphabetically.

Florida
Can Tim Tebow play cornerback? Defensive tackle? The Gators are extremely talented, but a lot of their young guys have no idea what they're doing.

Georgia
Everyone's excited about the Dawgs, but their seven straight wins came against teams (Vanderbilt, Florida, Troy, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Hawaii) with 31 total losses.

Ohio State
The Buckeyes have been to three national title games in six years. Enough said.

Oklahoma
Until further notice, I'd rather watch reruns of Three's Company than see the Sooners in a big game outside the Big 12.

Southern California
The Trojans, of course, have the most talent in the history of talent. One teensy-weensy problem: Who will play quarterback? Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain will compete with onetime megarecruit Mark Sanchez.

West Virginia
A new coach and new staff will be running the spread option. It's not as simple as you might think. Better teams have crumbled in such situations.

Missouri
OK, I love Mizzou because of plucky quarterback Chase Daniel. The dude has game.

Eight Heisman candidates

QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, Sophomore.
As a freshman, he threw thirty-freaking-six touchdown passes.

QB Chase Daniel, Missouri, Senior.
A finalist this season, he'll be back unless his really fast teammate zooms past him.

LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, Senior.
Now that Tebow has broken the sophomore barrier, why can't Laurinaitis end the bias against defensive players?

WR/KR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, Sophomore.
A jaw-drop waiting to happen.

QB Todd Reesing, Kansas, Junior.
Hey, Doug Flutie was 5-foot-nothin', too. And Reesing won't need a miracle throw.

QB Tim Tebow, Florida, Junior.
If Florida doesn't find a tailback, Tebow won't survive '08.

RB Chris Wells, Ohio State, Junior.
This bruising, talented runner could have been a finalist this season.

QB Pat White, West Virginia, Senior.
When he's healthy, no player affects a game more.

Eight can't-miss nonconference games

Illinois vs. Missouri, Aug. 30.
Two top 10 teams will clash in the college football mecca that is St. Louis. Please, no more rivalries in antiseptic domes.

Tennessee at UCLA, Sept. 6.
New UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel thought beating USC would be difficult. First, he gets the only SEC team that wants tough nonconference games.

Auburn at West Virginia, Sept 6.
When Tommy Tuberville asked to play a directional school, surely he meant Western Michigan, not West Virginia.

Slide show BCS championship Take visual tour of LSU's victory over Ohio State. more photos

Miami at Florida, Sept. 6.
The Gators haven't beaten the Hurricanes since 1985. Part of the reason is that Florida begged out of the series two years later — you know, because the SEC is so tough and all.

Ohio State at Southern California, Sept. 13.
This could be No. 1 vs. No. 2. Better find a ticket broker, say, now.

Kansas at South Florida, Sept. 13.
Well, well; a bona fide nonconference game for KU. But can we all now admit the Jayhawks deserved their top 10 ranking?

Arkansas at Texas, Sept. 13.
Houston Nutt was 2-1 against Texas. Hogs coach Bobby Petrino will be long gone from Fayetteville before he gets a third shot at the Longhorns.

Georgia at Arizona State, Sept. 20.
We'll be force-fed some serious Dawg love. Here's a road opportunity for Georgia to earn it.

Eight breakout performers

RB Jahvid Best, California, Sophomore.
The country's fastest player will get the ball 20-plus times a game.

QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, Sophomore.
Laugh all you want at ND, but Clausen will be a completely different player in September.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

RB Noel Devine, West Virginia, Sophomore.
It's obvious now, isn't it? Devine is better than Steve Slaton.

QB Pat Devlin, Penn State, Freshman.
Redshirted in 2007, he has the moxie and temperament the Nittany Lions have lacked.

QB Justin Roper, Oregon, Sophomore.
He wasn't all there as a backup, but he played with passion and poise as a starter.

WR Josh Smith, Colorado, Sophomore.
Speed, speed, speed.

LB Martez Wilson, Illinois, Sophomore.
Remember Jevon Kearse way back when? Wilson will redefine the pass-rush specialist spot again.

RB Joe McKnight, Southern Cal, Sophomore.
McKnight is the most talented player in Pete Carroll's tenure at USC. That includes some guy named Bush.

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