http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/ind ... dman_bruce
DUCKS AHEAD OF USC!!!!!
1. Florida: I would have had the Gators #1 as long as Tim Tebow came back, but the fact that LB Brandon Spikes, the leader of the Gators' D, returned too makes this even more solid.
2. Texas: Colt McCoy is coming off a superb season, and he gets to throw to his pal Jordan Shipley, who returns for a sixth season. UT still needs to establish its ground game more, but the young secondary should be much better, and having LB-DE Sergio Kindle back will spark the pass rush.
3. Oklahoma: No one came out better after seeing who didn't leave for the NFL. It starts with QB Sam Bradford and DT Gerald McCoy, who will anchor the D. I give UT the slight edge here, because the Sooners lose a bit more on the offensive line.
4. Oregon: Whether it's Mike Bellotti running the show or coach-in-waiting Chip Kelly, this team will pile up points, and I'm going with a hunch that it's going to be a good year for the Ducks. They might not have a bunch of guys who were listed as starters returning (only nine), but they do have a lot of players with plenty of game experience and an exciting strong-armed QB in Jeremiah Masoli. Defensively, the secondary could be a concern, but if they can survive a tricky start to the schedule, they get USC in Eugene. Given all that the Trojans have lost, this could be the year the Ducks unseat Pete Carroll.
