1. Oklahoma (12-2)

SOS: 21 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: QB Jason White

After losing the last two games of 2003 by a total of 56-21, the Sooners don’t lack motivation.

Key game : Oct. 16 at Kansas State

2. Georgia (11-3)

SOS: 2 Returning starters: 16

BMOC: QB David Greene

Two of the Dawgs’ three losses were to LSU, which visits Athens this season.

Key game: Oct. 30 vs. Florida

3. USC (12-1)

SOS: 32 Returning starters: 13

BMOC: QB Matt Leinart

Pete Carroll has assembled the most physical and talented team in the Pac-10, by far.

Key game: Nov. 6 at Oregon State

4. Michigan (10-3)

SOS: 7 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: WR Braylon Edwards

If Lloyd Carr doesn’t handcuff QB Matt Gutierrez, Michigan could go to Columbus unbeaten.

Key game: Nov. 20 at Ohio State

5. Virginia (8-5)

SOS: 40 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: Coach Al Groh

Groh’s defense could have as many as four NFL pros, and RB Wali Lundy is a stud.

Key game: Oct. 16 at Florida State

6. LSU (13-1)

SOS: 12 Returning starters: 14

BMOC: RB Justin Vincent

The co-national champs again will have the best defense in the SEC.

Key game: Oct. 9 at Florida

7. Miami (Fla.) (11-2)

SOS: 10 Returning starters: 11

BMOC: CB Antrel Rolle

QB Brock Berlin has a tenuous grasp on the starting job, and the Canes’ season hangs in the balance.

Key game: Nov. 13 at Virginia

8. Texas (10-3)

SOS: 39 Returning starters: 16

BMOC: LB Derrick Johnson

Mack Brown has shuffled his assistants, the last gasp before a head coach is asked to fall on his sword.

Key game: Oct. 9 vs Oklahoma

9. Ohio State (11-2)

SOS: 8 Returning starters: 11

BMOC: LB A.J. Hawk

Good news: no Maurice Clarett saga. Bad news: No game-breaking running back.

Key game: Oct. 16 at Iowa

10. Florida State (10-3)

SOS: 16 Returning starters: 14

BMOC: WR Craphonso Thorpe

QB Chris Rix has to prove he’s consistent and that he can play in the rain.

Key game: Sept. 6 at Miami (Fla.)

11. California (12-2)

SOS: 24 Returning starters: 15

BMOC: WR Geoff McArthur

Are the Bears tough enough to survive three straight grueling, early-season road games?

Key game: Oct. 9 at USC

12. Iowa (10-3)

SOS: 13 Returning starters 10

BMOC: DE Matt Roth

The Hawkeyes play the way Penn State used to: physical, mistake-free and smart.

Key game: Sept. 25 at Michigan

13. Auburn (8-5)

SOS: 62 Returning starters: 15

BMOC: RB Cadillac Williams

Role reversal: The offense carries the defense and keeps Tommy Tuberville’s job safe.

Key game: Nov 20 at Alabama

14. Missouri (8-5)

SOS: 44 Returning starters: 13

BMOC: QB Brad Smith

It’s a one-man offense – what a man! – with nine starters back on defense.

Key game: Oct. 16 at Texas

15. Florida (8-5)

SOS: 14 Returning starters: 10

BMOC: QB Chris Leak

AD Jeremy Floey is committed to Ron Zook, but Gators’ fans and players aren’t.

Key game: Oct. 30 vs Georgia

16. Louisville (9-4)

SOS: 78 Returning starters: 18

BMOC: WR J.R. Russell

Nine starters return on an offense that was fifth in the nation; eight starters return on a defense that stunk.

Key game: Nov. 3 at Memphis

17.Clemson (9-4)

SOS: 15 Returning starters 15

BMOC: QB Charlie Whitehurst

Which are the real Tigers: the ones that opened 4-4 or closed 5-0?

Key game: Sept. 25 at Florida State

18. Wisconsin (7-6)

SOS: 26 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: DT Antajj Hawthorne

Smashmouth: Anthony Davis runs behind a monster offensive line.

Key game: Nov. 20 at Iowa

19. Kansas State (11-4)

SOS: 65 Returning starters: 10

BMOC: RB Darren Sproles

Coach Bill Snyder thinks so highly of Sproles he’s agreed to a Heisman campaign.

Key game: Nov. 6 at Missouri

20. Toledo (8-4)

SOS: 68 Returning starters: 14

BMOC: QB Bruce Gradkowski

Toledo has this year’s Ben Roethlisberger and a 37-12 record the past four seasons.

Key game: Nov. 2 at Miami (Ohio)

21. West Virginia (12-2)

SOS: 21 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: QB Rasheed Marshall

Can the Mountaineers save the Big East, which is a shell without Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech?

Key game: Oct. 2 at Virginia Tech

22. Utah (10-2)

SOS: 97 Returning starters: 17

BMOC: QB Alex Smith

The Urban rebuilding program continued in Salt Lake City with back-to-back 10-win seasons.

Key game: Oct. 30 at San Diego State

23. Oregon (8-5)

SOS: 74 Returning starters: 14

BMOC: QB Kellen Clemens

Those lime green Nike pants got washed out, just like the defense.

Key game: Nov. 6 at Cal

24. South Carolina (5-7)

SOS: 9 Returning starters: 16

BMOC: CB Jonathan Joseph

Remember that guy named Holtz? It’s a make or break year for the Leprechaun.

Key game: Oct. 2 at Alabama

25. Memphis (9-4)

SOS: 86 Returning starters: 18

BMOC: RB DeAngelo Williams

If Joe Lee Dunn can pull this defense together, the Tigers can score on anyone.

Key game: Nov. 27 at South Florida