College Football Preview: 12. Michigan State Spartans

12. Michigan State Spartans Returning Starters: 13 Returning Star: DE William Gholston Key Loss: QB Kirk Cousins Player to Watch: QB Andrew Maxwell Yes Kirk Cousins is gone along with B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol the top three receivers on 2011's squad. But with the return of junior back Le'Veon Bell and much of last year's stellar defense. Junior Andrew Maxwell is going to take Cousins' place. Maxwell is highly touted thanks to his accurate, strong arm. And he is also a very mobile and agile quarterback. Bell ran 948 yards in limited time and could have one of the best seasons in Michigan State since Javon Ringer. He has speed but also can take on the role of a bruiser. Sophomore Niko Palazeti will start at the fullback position and will head the way for Bell. The receivers aren't experienced at all but have talent and will give Maxwell reliable targets. Junior Bennie Fowler is fast and a good wingspan. Sophomores Keith Mumphrey and Tony Lippett are the other options for Maxwell. Tight end Dion Sims is an effective short range option and is a good blocker. The offensive line is now a lot more exprienced after many started last year. Junior Dan France and senior Fou Fonoti are fantastic tackles and senior Chris McDonald will head the way for Bell. Though the offense is not the best of this Spartans team. The line has one big talent in junior end William Gholston, an All-Big Ten end. Gholston is speedy and has good moves and could become even better in his third year. He is also huge at 6 feet 7 inches and 275 pounds. Sophomore Marcus Rush is back and will likely start at the other side. Though the loss of Jerel Worthy may hurt as much as Cousins. The linebacker core may be one of the best in the Big Ten thanks to the return of junior Denicos Allen and Max Bullough. Allen is a good tackler and a strong pass rusher after having 11 sacks in 2011. Bullough and Chris Norman are sure tacklers. Depth is also no issue for the Spartans linebackers thanks to Kyle Elsworth and sophomore Taiwan Jones. The secondary is also a formidable unit thanks to the return of senior cornerback Johnny Adams. Adams sticks to receivers like their shadow and can hit hard. Junior Darqueze Dennard will probably start on the other side and has talent. Juniors Dana Dixon and Isaiah Lewis are hard-hitting safeties who are also decent coverage men. Special teams is also one of Michigan State's strengths with senior kicker Dan Conroy back and sophomore Max Sadler back. The loss of Keshawn Martin's stings in the return game. Yes Cousins is gone but if Maxwell can have a good year these Spartans should win the Big Ten. Heisman Hopeful: Le'Veon Bell Big Ten Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 11. Oklahoma State Cowboys

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys Returning Starters: 13 Returning Star: CB Brodrick Brown Key Loss: QB Brandon Weeden Player to Watch: RB Joseph Randle One of the most dangerous passing attacks last season, the Cowboys lost Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and Josh Cooper the three reasons why it was so dominant. Now, it appears Mike Gundy's team will rely heavily on the ground game this year. Junior back Joseph Randle returns after an under the radar sophomore season. He has speed and is very strong and is an option to pass too out of the backfield. Junior Clint Chelf will likely replace Weeden. He is a dual threat and is arm is getting better. Confidence is an issue for any first-year starter but Chelf will be helped by the fact that Randle can take the pressure off him. Fullback Kyle Staley is underrated and will help Randle significantly. Without huge Blackmon or speedy Josh Cooper the receivers are a lot less limited. Seniors Isaiah Anderson and Tracy Moore will likely be Chelf's top two options. Senior Justin Horton is also a valuable target. The offensive line lost three starters all very valuable. Senior Michael Bowie and senior guard Lane Taylor are the two starters back on the line. Not only are the three starters missing depth is a real issue. The defense will continue to improve under Gundy but it still has weak spots. The line lost both starting ends but is a force up the middle thanks to returning starting tackles Anthony Rogers and Nigel Nicholas. Senior Ryan Robinson will likely start and is experienced. The linebackers aren't very good but has some talent. Junior Shaun Lewis disappointed in his sophomore year after a fantastic freshman season. Junior Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins also are back. The secondary is a very good overall unit even with the loss of safety Markelle Martin. Senior Brodrick Brown is an All-American and is a coverage master. Many quarterbacks will be forced to throw to the other side where junior Justin Gilbert awaits who may be just as strong as Brown. The special teams is a force thanks to kicker/punter Quinn Sharp who returns for his senior year. Heisman Hopeful: Joseph Randle Big 12 Rank: 3rd

College Football Preview: 10. West Virginia Mountaineers

10. West Virginia Mountaineers Returning Starters: 15 Returning Star: QB Geno Smith Key Loss: DE Bruce Irvin Player to Watch: WR Stedman Bailey Dana Holgorsen leads one of the most prolific passing attacks that we have seen in a while. Senior Geno Smith is back to lead the attack after a dream junior season. He has a good arm that can throw deep balls and is also pretty accurate. He also has good mobility that comes in handy for the time of offense Holgorsen has. He will enter this year as one of the favorites to win the Heisman. The backfield is decent but must improve if the Mountaineers are to win the Big 12. Sophomores Dustin Garrison, Vernard Roberts and Andrew Buie will likely share the load. Garrison will probably get the most carries. It helps Smith that he has such great receivers to throw too. Junior Stedman Bailey was an All Big East wide out last season and senior Tavon Austin was an AP All-American. Bailey fast and lethal deep. If he doesn't have any off-the-field problems he can have an even better junior year. Austin is a constant target for Smith and will once more be one of the best at his position in the nation. Junior Ivan McCartney and senior J.D. Woods are often overlooked due to Bailey and Austin but are reliable. The offensive line is still pretty solid despite the loss of tackle Don Barclay. Junior Pat Eger will have to step up without Barclay. Center Joe Madsen is probably the best center in the Big 12. Much like many Big 12 teams the Mountaineers have a prolific offense but the defense is weak. The line lost Bruce Irvin one of the best pass rushers in the nation. Junior Will Clarke will have to step up in order for West Virginia to have any type of a pass rush. Linebacker Najee Goode made play all over the field and will be a tough loss. Junior Doug Rigg is a sure tackler and Jewone Snow is inexperienced but has true talent. The secondary is the best unit on defense thanks to Terence Garvin. Garvin is fast and a ball-hawking safety. Cornerbacks Ishmael Banks and Pat Miller are underrated pieces of the puzzle. The special teams is headlined by kicker Tyler Bitancurt and punter Mike Molinari. Even with a move to a tougher Big 12 the Mountaineers will still contend for a BCS bowl. Heisman Hopeful: Geno Smith Big 12 Rank: 2nd

College Football Preview: 9. South Carolina Gamecocks

9. South Carolina Gamecocks Returning Starters: 14 Returning Star: Marcus Lattimore Key Loss: CB Stephen Gillmore Player to Watch: RB Marcus Lattimore South Carolina was almost there last season. Now with the return of improving quarterback Connor Shaw and Marcus Lattimore hopes are high for the 2012 season. Shaw had a strong sophomore year and may have a breakout junior year. I think he has a good accurate arm and is very mobile. When Marcus Lattimore is healthy he is one of the top backs in the nation. But if he isn't 100 percent the Gamecocks go from a top 10 team to a top 25 team. Lattimore is super athletic and fast that can run over defenders also. Though sophomore Brandon Wilds did play strong replacing Lattimore when he was injured last year. Senior fullback Dalton Wilson will help lead the way for Lattimore and is underappreciated. The loss of Alshon Jeffrey severely hurts the improving passing game. Jeffrey had a lethal mix of speed and size. Now it appears South Carolina's top receiver will be junior Ace Sanders. Sanders is maturing and will be a speedy target for Shaw. Sophomores Bruce Ellington, Nick Jones and Rory Anderson must step up in order for this offense to be one of the SEC's elite. The offensive line is one of the SEC's worst. It is very inexperienced and talent is definitely an issue. The defense is menacing and the line is especially strong. Ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney form a lethal pass rush. Taylor is more experienced but Clowney is more talented and is tougher to stop. Without Melvin Ingram the tackle position is a little bit weaker. The linebackers are strong thanks to senior Shaq Wilson. Wilson is intimidating and hits hard. Reginald Bowens is also a senior and like Wilson makes plays. The secondary would have been a strength. But, then Steve Spurrier lost cornerback Stephen Gillmore and Antonio Allen. Now its a pretty weak unit. Sophomore Victor Hampton might be able to make plays and DeVonte Holloman return. The special teams lost both their kicker and punter but Ace Sanders is a strong returner. Heisman Hopeful: Marcus Lattimore SEC Rank: 5th

College Football Preview: 8. Florida State Seminoles

8. Florida State Seminoles Returning Starters: 18 Returning Star: DE Brandon Jenkins Key Loss: LB Nigel Bradham Player to Watch: CB Greg Reid Last season the hope that the Seminoles had returned to old form seemed to disappear in a flash. But, with a healthy E.J. Manuel and 18 starters returning this could be the year Florida State returns to its old dominance. Manuel is athletic, smart and will be confident as he begins his senior season. Sophomore Clint Trickett played in Manuel's absence. As any freshman pushed into a slot he had little confidence and struggled. Though with that experience he is a very valuable second option for the Seminoles. The backfield is deep and has loads of talent in it. Senior Lonnie Pryor is experienced and is underrated and tailback Devonta Freeman is still learning the ropes. Senior Chris Thompson is speedy and tough to tackle. With the loss of Bert Reed, Manuel's options are a little more limited but still has talent. Sophomore Christian Green and senior Rodney Smith are reliable targets and junior Greg Dent has good hands. The offensive line is improving but is still a weakness. Senior guard Jacob Fahrenkrug is gritty and tough and sophomore tackle Bobby Hart is a beast. The defense returns 9 starters and is the ACC's best. The defensive line is big and experienced. End Brandon Jenkins had a big junior year and is back for his senior season. He constantly gets past linemen thanks to his superior size and speed. Senior tackle Everett Dawkins is a monster that can add pressure and stuff up backs. Anthony McCloud is an underrated tackle to add to Dawkins. The linenbackers lost leader Nigel Bradham but is still a formidable unit. Senior Vince Williams and junior Jeff Luc aren't given much credit for how much big plays they make. The secondary is strong also headed by junior Xavier Rhodes and Lamarcus Joyner. With some coverage improvement Greg Reid could become one of the most talented all-around players in the nation. The special teams is solid thanks to the returns of returner Reid and kicker Dustin Hopkins. The punter position is a question mark. Heisman Hopeful: E.J. Manuel ACC Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 7. Arkansas Razorbacks

7. Arkansas Razorbacks Returning Starters: 13 Returning Star: QB Tyler Wilson Key Loss: LB Jerry Franklin Player to Watch: QB Tyler Wilson No, their wasn't a big dropoff in the Razorbacks' success after losing Ryan Mallett and Knile Davis. Headed by Tyler Wilson and Dennis Johnson the Razorbacks kept alive and stayed right along with powers such as Alabama and LSU. Now both Wilson and Johnson are back and the Razorbacks once more have a team that compete in a tough SEC. Wilson is back for his senior year after a productive first year as starter. He has a strong accurate arm and is mobile. Senior Johnson is athletic and speedy and can help in the return game. He is a valuable return for Arkansas. If former All-SEC back Knile Davis can make a return the Razorbacks will add talent and depth to the ground game. Greg Childs and Joe Adams both are gone leaving the receiving game a lot weaker. Senior Cobi Hamilton is back and adds a big play receiver for Wilson to pass too. Other than Hamilton it appears the other top targets will be junior Julian Horton and sophomore Marquel Wade. The offensive line is definitely a weakness for the Razorbacks. Senior tackle Jason Peacock is talented and guard Alvin Bailey is one of the most talented in the SEC. But other than that the line is weak and doesn't have much depth. The defensive line is also a question mark. The talent is there but they have trouble putting it together. Tackle DeQuinta Jones is back for his senior season and is improving. Linebacker Alonzo Highsmith is a true talent that has good speed and is a good coverage linebacker. Though the loss of experienced middle linebacker Jerry Franklin will be significant. Senior Terrell Williams will likely replace him. The secondary is an improving unit headed by senior Darius Winston and junior safety Eric Bennett. Johnson is a great returner and All SEC punter Dylan Breeding returns buffing the special teams. Heisman Hopeful: Tyler Wilson SEC Rank: 4th

College Football Preview: 6. Oregon Ducks

6. Oregon Ducks Returning Starters: 14 Returning Star: RB Kenjon Barner Key Loss: QB Darron Thomas Player to Watch: WR De'Anthony Thomas Many people could look at this Ducks team, and with the losses of stars Darron Thomas and LaMichael James, count them out. But with the return of underrated Kenjon Barner and an improving defense the Ducks will still be in the title hunt. Thomas might not have had a great arm but nobody can deny the fact that he went 22-3 in two seasons there. Thomas' replacement will likely be sophomore Bryan Bennett. Bennett is not experienced but I think he'll do good in Chip Kelly's offense. He has a good back to take off the strain in Barner. Barner's first few seasons at Oregon were overshadowed by James but now he has the backfield position all to himself. Barner isn't as fast as James but is just as athletic and can find lanes. Though the most athletic player on the Ducks offense isn't Bennett nor Barner. Its wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas who had a spectacular freshman year. Thomas is especially valuable on special teams where his speed carries him. If he can become more of a receiver and blocker he could become on of the best overall players in the nation. Justin Hoffman and Josh Huff aren't as athletic as Thomas but are more reliable targets for a maturing Bennett. The offensive line is nothing more then decent. Guard Carson York is an experienced blocker and senior Nick Cody will be a big help. The defense has always taken a backseat to the offense but don't underestimate it especially after 8 starters return. The defensive line is definitely one of the teams strengths being one of the best in the Pac 12. End Dion Jordan is fast and has good moves. He'll keep tackles occupied freeing the way for improving sophomore Tony Washington on the other side. Junior Taylor Hart is a talent at the tackle slot. The Ducks secondary was strong last season but losing Cliff Harris and Eddie Pleasent stings. Senior safety John Boyett returns as a reliable tackler. But, both cornerbacks are sophomores and not very experienced. With Thomas the special teams is lethal and senior punter Jackson Rice is one of the best in the Pac 12. Heisman Hopeful: Kenjon Barner Pac 12 Rank: 2nd

College Football Preview: 5. Georgia Bulldogs

5. Georgia Bulldogs Returning Stars: 15 Returning Star: S Bacarri Rambo Key Loss: TE Orson Charles Player to Watch: CB Sanders Commings This is the team Mark Richt has been waiting for since the days of Knowshon Moreno's dominance. 15 starters including two All-Americans return from a team that played in the SEC championship game last year. Aaron Murray had a very good sophomore year and is ready to have an even better junior year. He's athletic with a great accurate arm. Hutson Mason is another option in case of injury. The backfield is also pretty strong. Sophomore Isaiah Crowell will likely start at the tailback position. He runs hard and is an option to pass too out of the backfield. Senior Carlton Thomas and junior Brandon Harton could get rushes also. Murray lost an important target in tight end Orson Charles who left to the NFL. Sophomore Malcolm Mitchell is a good target and is speedy. Senior Tavarres King is more experienced and has the same amount of talent. Junior Arthur Lynch will likely replace Charles at the tight end position. The offensive line is a big issue. Tackles Cordy Glenn and Justin Anderson are gone which leaves a big gap. Junior guards Kenarious Gates and Chris Burnette will lead the way for Crowell. The defense may be one of the best in the nation. The line is the weakest unit but is still good. Tackle John Jenkins is huge and can apply pressure and senior Abry Jones is athletic on the end. Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones hits hard and can finish plays all around the field. Along with Jones senior Michael Gilliard is electric. The secondary is very talented and will give quarterbacks headaches. Cornerbacks Branden Smith and Sanders Commings are talented but a little raw. I could see Commings having a breakout senior season. Senior safety Bacarri Rambo will break up plays and can nail receivers. Though his future is definitely in question. After having great special teams last year the Bulldogs will lose kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler. Heisman Hopeful: Aaron Murray SEC Rank: 3rd

College Football Preview: 4. Oklahoma Sooners

4. Oklahoma Sooners Returning Starters: 15 Returning Star: QB Landry Jones Key Loss: WR Ryan Broyles Player to Watch: QB Landry Jones Few teams were more disappointing then the Oklahoma Sooners of 2011-2012. Starting of the season number one, the Sooners had a Heisman canidate at QB (Landry Jones), a star receiver (Ryan Broyles) and a fantastic linebacker (Travis Lewis). Now the Sooners hope they have matured enough to have a successful 2012 season. Jones is back for his senior season and is hoping that '12 will go a lot smoother than last year. Jones has a good arm and is dominant when he is on, but, when he isn't he constantly turns the ball over. He struggled without Broyles to through to last season. The Sooners backfield was inconsistent without a leader like Demarco Murray. Dominique Whaley is back but will not play much this season due to injury. That leaves the door open for junior back Roy Finch. Finch looked decent in his playing time last season. He may improve this year thanks to a great fullback and line. Fullback Trey Milliard will lead the way for Finch. Milliard is big and bulky and perfect for the Sooners offense. Receiever Broyles may be gone but Jones still has good hands to throw to thanks to junior Kenny Stills. Stills had a strong sophomore year and will be constantly targeted. Junior Jaz Reynolds also makes his return giving Jones another consistent option. Oklahoma lost tight end James Hanna who was a good blocker. The offensive line is strong losing just one starter. Center Gabe Ikard is one of the nation's best at that position. Senior Lane Johnson, Adam Shead and Tyler Evans complete the rest of the line. The defense has some questions but is still a decent unit. On the line, the Sooners are okay. Tackle Casey Walker and senior Jamarkus McFarland stuff runners up the middle but the pass rush is one the weaker side. Junior Tom Wort had a strong sophomore year and will help stopping the run. Corey Nelson can make plays all over the field. The defensive back has talent but is still pretty inconsistent. Senior Demontre Hurst may be the best defender on the team. Heisman Hopeful: Landry Jones Big 12 Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 3. Alabama Crimson Tide

3. Alabama Crimson Tide Returning Starters: 12 Returning Star: OT Barrett Jones Key Loss: RB Trent Richardson Player to Watch: RB Eddie Lacy The Crimson Tide dominated the college football landscape by having Trent Richardson run wild behind an experienced and talented offensive line and dominate on defense thanks to a suffocating, ball-hawking secondary. Though nine starters are gone from last year's national title team including Richardson, linebacker Courtney Upshaw and defensive leader Dont'a Hightower. Quarterback A.J. McCarron returns for his junior season. He isn't a stats machine but will get the job done and the Tide have never been a pass first team. Without Richardson in the backfield, they're definitely weaker but are hoping Eddie Lacy can fill in. Lacy is a hard runner but also has speed. I think he'll learn how to be a starter this season and next year can be a star. Jalston Fowler is the other back option for Alabama and has great speed. The Tide lost receiver Marquis Maze which stings but McCarron still has people to pass to. Junior Kenny Bell has good hands and had a strong sophomore season. I think he'll have a breakout third year. Junior Kevin Norwood is a talent and sophomore Christian Jones makes plays. Tight end Michael Williams is a good blocker and can be a safety blanket for McCarron who is still gaining confidence. The offensive line was one of the best in the nation last year and will be once more in 2012. It is headed by tackle Barrett Jones who was an All-American last season. Junior D.J. Fluker will block other pass rushers on the other side. Guard Chance Warmack will lead the way for Lacy and Fowler. The center position is a question after William Vlachos left. The defense is a lot weaker without Upshaw and Hightower but the line is still pretty strong. Senior Jesse Williams is pretty athletic and can hit hard. Senior Damion Square is a beast on the other side. The linebackers only return Nico Johnson. Johnson is good and makes plays all around the field. The rest of the starters will likely include Adrian Hubbard and junior C.J. Mosley. The secondary lost a lot also including Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick. But safety Robert Lester will return for his senior season and may be the most talented defender. Will Lowery, John Fulton and junior Dee Milliner will probably fill in the other defensive back slots. Kicker Jeremy Shelley returns and has quite a leg. Heisman Hopeful: A.J. McCarron SEC Rank: 2nd