1. Alabama: Can you place anyone else number one? The back-to-back champs may have lost players, but they can be replaced. They still have the best coach in the nation, Nick Saban and his two-time National Championship winning quarterback, AJ McCarron. Their defense is still one of the best in the nation, with eight starters returning and Saban as the mastermind. The Tide's offense is also one of the best in the nation. McCarron has two of his best weapons returning in RB TJ Yeldon and WR Amari Cooper. Yeldon is an explosive back and Cooper is a very good wideout. Alabama is looking to become the first ever three-time BCS champion and to win their fourth title in five years.
2. Ohio State: The Buckeyes were the only team in FBS football to go undefeated. Yet they were not selected to go to BCS National Championship, or the Rose Bowl, or any bowl for that matter. That was because of bowl ban due to the tattoo scandal. This year, they might be even better. Braxton Miller is going to be great. He is one of the best duel-threat quarterbacks there is. Their defense is good, but not great. It would not surprise me if they are in a few shootouts. Ohio State has a good chance to make the title game, but their defense will need to work hard to get there.
3. Oregon: Chip Kelly is gone. But, he left the Ducks in excellent shape. New head coach Mark Helfrich was the offensive coordinator so he knows the offense and the team well. He also knows his quarterback, Marcus Mariota, very well. Mariota is an outstanding quarterback and a prefect fit for this offense. He is a favorite for this year's Heisman Trophy. The key to the Ducks success will not be Mariota, but De'Anthony Thomas. I have been waiting for Thomas to break-out. He has had some excellent games, but not an excellent season. He needs to be one of the top three running backs in the nation for Oregon to be in the national title game.
4. Clemson: I am a believer in Clemson. I believe this could be their year. Arguably, Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins make up the best QB-WR duo in the nation. They have three high profile games which will make or break their title and BCS hopes. The first is on Saturday against Georgia, the second is on October 19th vs Florida State, and the final game is against South Carolina on November 30th. The hardest of the three games will be "The Palmetto Bowl" against South Carolina in Colombia. If they lose any of these games, it most likely will be a loss to South Carolina. They will finish the season with one loss or better and will be in a BCS Bowl.
5. South Carolina: When you start to talk about Gamecock football, you need to begin with Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney is the best player in college football, no question. He is no fluke. It wouldn't surprise me his reaches 15+ sacks. With Clowney as the anchor, South Carolina's defense is sound. It's the offense the makes me wonder. I know that Steve Spurrier is a great offensive coach, but I don't trust his quarterbacks. Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson are good quarterbacks, but are lack consistency. Spurrier should just keep one QB as the starter for the whole year and stick with it.
6. Stanford: Stanford is a high-quality team. David Shaw is one of the best coaches in the college game. His defense this year is going to be as stout as always. Their defense is one of the top three defenses in the game. Kevin Hogan is a good quarterback, but he is not going to put the team over the hump. In key games and situations, that could be detrimental. I don't believe they are as good as Oregon in the PAC-12, but they are still one of the best teams in the nation.
7. Louisville: They may be in one of the worst conferences in the country, but Louisville is a very good team. Teddy Bridgewater is one of the top prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft. He is a dynamic player. His arm is very strong and he is also very accurate. Their schedule is very easy. They do not have any tough games. They can easily go 12-0. The question will be then, do they deserve to be in the BCS National Championship.
8. Texas A&M: Johnny Manziel is the key to the Aggies season. We know he will be suspended for the first half of the opening game against Rice, but who knows if any other suspensions or scandals will occur again. If Johnny Football is not behind center for the A&M, their chance of winning goes down drastically. He may be a burden of the field, when he is on the field he is an enigma. Their will be a lot of distractions around the Aggies. Their success will be based on how Manziel handles himself and how the team handles the distractions and hype around them.
9. Florida: The Gators were a surprise team last year. The won eleven games, seven conference games, and made a BCS Bowl. This year, they look to return to a BCS Bowl. Jeff Driskel is a good quarterback, but I am not sure if he can reach the next level. Their running backs are inexperienced, but have a good potential. The defense, like last year, should be the strongest part of the team.
10. Georgia: Georgia is an interesting team. They are very good, but they have the hardest start to the season in the nation. They first face Clemson on Saturday and then South Carolina the next week. I think they will lose both games and start the season 0-2. That is the worst way to begin the season. They could always come back and finish the season strong (Prime example: 2010 Virginia Tech Hokies), but their schedule will still be difficult afterward. They have games against LSU and Florida. Aaron Murray may be one of the better pocket passer's in the game, but he can't win games by himself. This season could be great, but will more likely be a flop.
11. Florida State: I like Jamies Winston as the starting quarterback. He has a great arm (He had eight assists in the outfield for the Seminoles baseball team in the spring). Jimbo Fisher made the right choice by making him the starting quarterback. Winston will get a lot of help from his two running backs, Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. Both of them averaged a little less then six yards per carry last season. Their defense is good with their defensive line being the headline. If Winston is good, the Seminoles may be a title game contender.
12. LSU: The Tigers are bound for a good season. I think they can be slightly better this year then in 2012. Zach Mettenberger has one more year experience and has gotten much better. It wouldn't surprise me if he has a unnoticed breakout year. He will lead that offense to wins. Their defense will be good again and one of the best in the SEC. As always, the challenge for an SEC team will be the schedule. Their schedule is one of the toughest in the nation. If they can get through the season with just a few losses, they will be in good shape for a possible BCS Bowl.
13. Oklahoma: The Sooners have a new quarterback under center and it is not "the Belldozier". Redshirt freshman Trevor Knight won the job and I believe it was the right decision. Although I am a fan of Blake Bell, I was uncertain on his ability to throw the football consistently and his ability to stay in the pocket. Knight not only is a very good passer, he can also run very well. He has the potential to have a Johnny Manziel like season, without the off-the-field issues. Bell will still be utilized, but Knight will be the main guy. If Knight is as good as I think he can and will be, Oklahoma is in excellent shape.
14. Texas: Texas is an interesting team. After an awful 5-7 season in 2010, the Longhorns record has improved to 9-4 last year. This year, their record could get even better. Quarterback David Ash is a solid player. He is a good team leader and knows how to run the offense. The player I am looking at to shine is Jonathan Gray. Gray has the potential to be a breakout star at running back. The defense is a question mark. It could be good or it could be bad. Only time will tell.
15. Notre Dame: After making the BCS National Championship last season, the Fighting Irish's chances to returned were slashed drastically before the season even started when Everett Golson was suspended for the year. Now, without Golson, I don't think they will be close to making a bowl game. I don't trust Tommy Rees at quarterback. He has multiple chances to be the starter, but has never succeeded. Their defense is strong and will make up for the offense in certain situations, but not all the time. The Fighting Irish will lose a few games and make a decent bowl game.
