SCOUTING REPORT The nation

ATLANTIC COAST
Forecast: 1. Florida State. 2. Maryland. 3. N.C. State. 4. Virginia. 5. Georgia Tech. 6. North Carolina. 7. Clemson. 8. Wake Forest. 9. Duke.
This season: In the final year before ACC becomes a super conference with the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech, Florida State looks to claim its 12th league title since joining in 1992. QB Chris Rix has grown into job and underrated defense returns 10 starters. The Seminoles also get Maryland in Tallahassee, where Ralph Friedgen's up-and-coming Terps have never won. N.C. State has the league's best QB -- Philip Rivers -- and has beaten FSU the last two years, but losses to Maryland the last three years have derailed the Wolfpack's ACC title hopes. Darkhorse Virginia won nine of its last 12 including a bowl thrashing of West Virginia. Clemson's Tommy Bowden and Duke's Carl Franks are coaches that must win now.
Top players: N.C. State QB Philip Rivers, FSU QB Chris Rix, Virginia QB Matt Schaub, Maryland QB Scott McBrien, FSU RB Greg Jones, N.C. State RB T.A. McLendon, Maryland RB Bruce Perry, Maryland G Lamar Bryant, Virginia G Elton Brown, North Carolina C Jason Brown, Clemson WR Derrick Hamilton, N.C. State WR Jerricho Cotchery.
Key games: Maryland at FSU, Sept. 5.; FSU at Virginia, Oct. 18; Maryland at Georgia Tech, Oct. 23; Virginia at N.C. State, Nov. 1; Virginia at Maryland, Nov. 13; N.C. State at FSU, North Carolina at Georgia Tech, Nov. 15.
BIG 12
Forecast: North: 1. Kansas State. 2. Nebraska. 3. Colorado. 4. Missouri. 5. Iowa State. 6. Kansas. South: 1. Oklahoma. 2. Texas. 3. Oklahoma State. 4. Texas A & amp;M. 5. Texas Tech. 6. Baylor.
This season: With an impressive 36-4 mark since the start of the 2000 season, Oklahoma looms as Big 12 -- and national title -- favorites. Much depends on health of QB Jason White, playing on two rebuilt knees. The only real challenger to OU in the South is talented Texas, which returns 17 starters but no QBs with any experience. With the Big 12's top QB-WR duo in Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods (hooked up for 17 TDs last year), up-and-coming Oklahoma State (8-5) must improve on a poor 1-4 road record. New coach Dennis Franchione will try to get Texas A & amp;M back to a bowl after the Aggies (6-6) were home for the holidays for the first time since 1996. In the North, Kansas State exceeded expectations with an 11-2 mark and returns 13 starters including the dynamic duo of QB Ell Roberson and RB Darren Sproles (combined for just under 2,500 yards rushing, 33 TD runs). Disappointing Nebraska hopes to upend the Wildcats, who must travel to Lincoln where KSU hasn't won since 1968. Colorado (9-5) overachieved its way to the Big 12 title game, but was beaten by Oklahoma and then upset by Wisconsin in the Alamo Bowl. With RB Chris Brown gone, the Buffs must now break in a new offensive backfield. Iowa State's big dreams ended in 7-7 ashes last year and now coach Dan McCarney must rebuild without QB Seneca Wallace.
Top players: Oklahoma State QB Josh Fields, Kansas St. QB Ell Roberson and RB Darren Sproles, Texas WR Roy Williams, Oklahoma St. WR Rashaun Woods, Missouri QB Brad Smith, Oklahoma State RB Tatum Bell, Kansas St. C Nick Leckey, Oklahoma OT Jammal Brown, Iowa St. G Bob Montgomery, Nebraska G Mike Erickson, Missouri OT Rob Droege, Oklahoma DT Tommie Harris, Texas DT Rodrique Wright, Kansas St. DE Andrew Shull, Oklahoma LB Teddy Lehman, Texas LB Derrick Johnson, Oklahoma CB Derrick Strait, Texas CB Nathan Vasher, Colorado S Medford Moorer, Oklahoma S Brandon Everage, Oklahoma St. K Luke Phillips, Nebraska P Kyle Larson.
Key games: Oklahoma State at Nebraska, Aug. 30; Oklahoma at Alabama, Sept. 6; Penn State at Nebraska, Sept. 13; Kansas State at Texas, Oct. 4; Texas-Oklahoma in Dallas, Kansas State at Oklahoma State, Oct. 11; Colorado at Kansas State, Oct. 18; Oklahoma at Colorado, Oct. 25; Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, Nebraska at Texas, Nov. 1; Texas at Oklahoma State, Nov. 8; Kansas State at Nebraska, Nov. 15; Texas at Texas A & amp;M, Nebraska at Colorado, Nov. 28.
CONFERENCE USA
Forecast: 1. TCU, 2. Southern Mississippi, 3. Cincinnati, 4. Louisville, 5. Tulane, 6. South Florida, 7. Memphis, 8. East Carolina, 9. Alabama-Birmingham, 10. Houston, 11. Army.
This season: The addition of South Florida gives C-USA 11 teams, though Army is quitting following 2004 season. . . . One of nation's best-kept secrets, TCU is class of league once again. After sharing conference title with Cincinnati last year, the Horned Frogs (10-2) have 34-14 mark over the last four years -- a better record than Penn State, Southern Cal, Notre Dame and Alabama among others. . . . If Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower can find a QB, then the Golden Eagles might win their first C-USA title since 1999. USM's defense is that good. . . . NFL scouts know of Tulane QB JP Losman and the high-powered Green Wave attack. Ditto for Cincinnati QB Gino Guidugli and the Bearcats offense.
Top players: Tulane QB JP Losman, Cincinnati QB Gino Guidugli, TCU RB Lonta Hobbs, Tulane RB Mewelde Moore, Louisville RB Eric Shelton, East Carolina OT Brian Rimpf, TCU G John Glud, Southern Miss OT Jeremy Parquet, TCU DT Chad Pugh, TCU DE Bo Schobel, Memphis DT Albert Means, Southern Miss DE Terrell Paul, Southern Miss LB Rod Davis, Alabama-Birmingham LB Zac Woodfin, Southern Miss S Eric Pruitt, Louisville CB Laroni Gallishaw, Cincinnati S Dough Monaghan, TCU K Nick Browne.
Key games: TCU at Tulane, Sept. 1; Southern Miss at Cincinnati, Oct. 4; Tulane at Louisville, Oct. 18; Louisville at TCU, Nov. 1, Tulane at Southern Miss, Nov. 15; TCU at Southern Miss, Nov. 20; Louisville at Cincinnati, Nov. 29.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Forecast: 1. Colorado State, 2. Brigham Young, 3. Air Force, 4. New Mexico, 5. UNLV, 6. Utah, 7. San Diego State, 8. Wyoming.
This season: The nation's best coach you've never heard of -- Colorado State's Sonny Lubick -- leads the Rams who have won or shared the conference title six times in the last nine years. Coming off its first losing season since 1973, BYU (5-7) hopes to rebound behind an improved defense and sophomore QB Matt Berry. Air Force's wishbone attack led the nation in rushing and has QB Chance Harridge (22 TD runs, 10 TD passes) back. But the Falcons' defense was pushed around too much. Coming off a 7-7 mark last year, New Mexico coach Rocky Long thinks he has his best team since his arrival in Albuquerque in 1998. New coaches included Urban Meyer at Utah and Joe Glenn at Wyoming.
Top players: Colorado St. QB Bradlee Van Pelt, Air Force QB Chance Harridge, New Mexico RB DonTrell Moore, Utah RB Marty Johnson, BYU RB Marcus Whalen, Wyoming WR Ryan McGuffey, Colorado St. WR Chris Pittman, UNLV WR Earvin Johnson, Colorado St. T Erik Pears, BYU C Scott Jackson, New Mexico G Claude Terrell, BYU DE Brady Poppinga, New Mexico DE Daniel Kegler, Utah DE Jason Kaufusi, UNLV DT Dietrich Canterberry, UNLV LB Adam Seward, Colorado St. LB Eric Pauly, UNLV S Jamaal Brimmer, Air Force K Joey Ashcroft, BYU P Matt Payne.
Key games: BYU at New Mexico, Sept. 13; Air Force at BYU, Sept. 27; Colorado St. at BYU, Oct. 9.; Air Force at Colorado St., Oct. 16; Colorado St. at New Mexico, Nov. 7; Air Force at New Mexico, Nov. 15.
PACIFIC 10
Forecast: 1. USC, 2. Washington, 3. Oregon State, 4. Arizona State, 5. UCLA, 6. Washington State, 7. Oregon, 8. California, 9. Arizona, 10. Stanford.
This season: Despite loss of Heisman-winning QB Carson Palmer among others, USC is favored to repeat as league champs for first time since winning three straight Pac-10 titles from 1987-89. Coach Pete Carroll must hope either Purdue-transfer Brandon Hance or sophomore Matt Leinhart emerges at QB. With coach Keith Gilbertson taking over for ousted Rick Neuheisel at Washington, QB Cody Pickett remains the Huskies focal point. But the UW defense and running game must improve. With offensive-minded coach Mike Riley returning to Oregon State, the Beavers have the kind of experienced attack returning that succeeds in this league. Arizona State QB Andrew Walter was the league's surprise star last year, but will miss departed WR Shaun McDonald and DE Terrell Suggs, both high NFL picks. Karl Dorrell takes over for Bob Toledo at UCLA while longtime defensive coordinator Bill Doba inherited the Washington State after Mike Price's ill-fated move to Alabama. Oregon's 6-0 start crumbled last fall and now coach Mike Bellotti faces major rebuilding. Ditto for Cal minus QB Kyle Boller.
Top players: Washington QB Cody Pickett, Arizona St. QB Andrew Walter, Oregon St. QB Derek Anderson, Washington St. RB Jermaine Green, Oregon St. RB Steven Jackson, USC WR Mike Williams, Washington WR Reggie Williams, Washington St. WR Devard Darling, USC OT Jacob Rogers, UCLA G Eyospeh Efseaff, Washington C Todd Bachert, USC DT Shaun Cody, Oregon DT Haloti Ngata, USC DE Kenechi Udeze, USC LB Matt Grootegoed, UCLA LB Spencer Havner, Oregon St. Richard Seigler, UCLA CB Matt Ware, Arizona St. S Jason Shivers, Arizona CB Michael Jolivette, Oregon K Jared Siegel.
Key games: Washington at UCLA, USC at Arizona St., Oct. 4; Oregon St. at Washington, Oct. 18; USC at Washington, Arizona St. at UCLA, Oct. 25; Arizona St. at Washington St., Nov. 15; UCLA at USC, Oregon St. at Oregon, Washington St. at Washington, Nov. 22; Arizona at Arizona St., Nov. 28.
SOUTHEASTERN
Forecast: East: 1. Georgia, 2. Tennessee, 3. Florida, 4. South Carolina, 5. Kentucky, 6. Vanderbilt. West: 1. Auburn, 2. LSU, 3. Alabama, 4. Arkansas, 5. Ole Miss, 6. Mississippi State.
This season: The SEC West has produced only one league champion since 1993, but Auburn appears primed to break through this fall. With 16 starters returning including RBs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown (combined 1,753 yards rushing, 23 TDs), coach Tommy Tuberville's team relies on a solid ground attack and a punishing defense to get the job done. Even though he has just 13 starters back, LSU coach Nick Saban always gets the most out of his talent. Ditto for Arkansas under Houston Nutt. Still on NCAA probation and smarting from the Mike Price fiasco, Alabama is simply looking for stability under rookie coach Mike Shula. Ole Miss has talented QB Eli Manning but always seems to lose four or five games. In the East, Georgia hopes to repeat as East champs -- something no one has done other than Florida and Tennessee since divisional play begin in 1992. Those former powers are looking for answers after 8-5 seasons, the Vols and Gators' worst since the late 1980s. South Carolina coach Lou Holtz has just nine starters back while Kentucky starts over with former Oregon and St. Louis Rams coach Rich Brooks.
Top players: Ole Miss QB Eli Manning, Georgia QB David Greene, Tennessee QB Casey Clausen, Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen, Auburn RB Carnell Williams, Tennessee RB Cedric Houston, Arkansas RB Cedric Cobbs, LSU WR Michael Clayton, Ole Miss WR Chris Collins, Georgia TE Benjamin Watson, Tennessee C Scott Wells, Arkansas OT Shawn Andrews, Florida G Shannon Snell, Alabama OT Wesley Britt, Georgia DE David Pollack, Georgia DT Kedric Golston, Alabama DE Antwan Odom, Auburn LB Karlos Dansby, Auburn LB Dontarrious Thomas, Alabama LB Brooks Daniels, Tennessee S Rashad Baker, Florida CB Keiwan Ratliff, Arkansas CB Ahman Carroll, Georgia K Billy Bennett, Kentucky WR-KR Derek Abney.
Key games: Tennessee at Florida, Georgia at LSU, Sept. 20; Tennessee at Auburn, Oct. 4; Florida at LSU, Georgia at Tennessee, Oct. 11; Tennessee at Alabama, Oct. 25; Georgia-Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 1; Ole Miss at Auburn, Nov. 8; Auburn at Georgia, Nov. 15; Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 22; Arkansas at LSU, Nov. 29.
SUN BELT
Forecast: 1. North Texas, 2. Middle Tennessee State, 3. New Mexico State, 4. Arkansas State, 5. Louisiana-Lafayette, 6. Louisiana-Monroe, 7. Idaho, 8. Utah State.
This season: With 19 starters back, underrated North Texas is favored for a three-peat. After starting the 2001 season 0-5, coach Darrell Dickey's Eagles are 13-7 including 11 straight conference wins. Middle Tennessee State and New Mexico State are challengers. Utah State debuts in the Sun Belt after two tough years as an independent.
Top players: Idaho QB Brian Lindgren, New Mexico St. QB Buck Pierce, North Texas RB Patrick Cobbs, Arkansas St. RB Antonio Warren, La.-Lafayette WR Fred Stamps, La.-Monroe WR Mack Vincent, Utah St. TE Chris Cooley, Middle Tennessee St. OT Brandon Westbrook, North Texas DT Brandon Kennedy, North Texas LB Taylor Casey, La.-Monroe LB Maurice Sonnier, La.-Monroe CB Cash Mouton, North Texas S Jonas Buckles.
Key games: New Mexico St. at Middle Tennessee St., Oct. 11; North Texas at Middle Tennessee St., Oct. 25; Arkansas St. at North Texas, Nov. 15; North Texas at New Mexico St., Nov. 25.
WAC
Forecast: 1. Hawaii, 2. Fresno State, 3. Boise State, 4. Nevada, 5. San Jose State, 6. Rice, 7. Louisiana Tech, 8. SMU, 9. Texas-El Paso, 10. Tulsa.
This season: Perhaps the best offensive league in the nation, the high-powered WAC will be dominated by the air attacks of Hawaii, Fresno St. and Boise State. Those three combined for over 12,000 yards passing and 6,000 rushing last year. Behind QB Timmy Chang, Hawaii gets the edge since it hosts both Fresno and Boise in Honolulu where coach June Jones' run-and-shoot Rainbows are tough. Nevada, San Jose St. and Rice are the best of the rest.
Top players: Hawaii QB Timmy Chang, Boise St. QB Ryan Dinwiddie, Boise St. RB David Mikell, Fresno St. RB Rodney Davis, Nevada RB Chance Kretschmer, Fresno St. WR Bernard Berrian, Nevada WR Willie Johnson, Fresno St. WR Marque Davis, Hawaii WR Chad Ownes, Rice C Ben Stephens, Nevada OT Alan Parker, Fresno St. OT Logan Mankins, Hawaii DE Travis LaBoy, Fresno St. NG Donyell Booker, Nevada LB Daryl Towns, Fresno St. LB Bryce McGill, Hawaii CB Kevin Millhouse, San Jose St. S Gerald Jones.
Key games: Fresno St. at Hawaii, Oct. 11; Hawaii at San Jose St., Nov. 1; Hawaii at Nevada, Nov. 15; Boise St. at Fresno St., Nov. 21; Nevada at Boise St., Nov. 29; Boise St. at Hawaii, Dec. 6.
-- Scripps Howard News Service