1. Georgia- No one finished last season better than Georgia and that had a lot to do with the emergence of running back Knowshon Moreno. Georgia brings seven starters back on both sides of the ball and is one of the fastest teams in the country. Quarterback Matthew Stafford took a big step forward last season but if Georgia wants to contend for the national championship Stafford will have to manage games better. No on the college football has better physical skills at the QB position but Stafford has been erratic so far in his college career. The backfield is losing RB Thomas Brown but highly recruited Caleb King will join Moreno next season. Stafford needs a WR to step up next season for the offense to reach elite status. Sophomore OT Trinton Studivant is one of the best in the nation.
Georgia has 4 experienced defensive backs, 2 experienced linebackers and 3 experienced defensive lineman. DT Geno Atkins was unstoppable at times last season.

2. Oklahoma- QB Sam Bradford was one of the biggest surprises of last season. This season he will lead one of the best offenses in the country. The offense is led by an All American left side of the offensive line with tackle Phil Loadholt and guard Duke Robinson. RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown give the Sooners a nice one-two punch in the backfield. TE Jermaine Gresham is one of the best at his position in the nation.
With the loses of Curtis Lofton and Reggie Smith early to the draft the defense is going to struggle early replacing those guys. The DL does return 3 very good starters though and Nic Harris is a dominant safety.

3. Southern Cal- USC's season is going to entirely depend on if one of the QBs steps up and puts the team in a position to win. Mark Sanchez has been around the program longer but transfer Mitch Mustain is fighting for the starting spot. Either QB is going to have a bunch of weapons to work with. Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson and CJ Gable lead the deep RB group and Patrick Turner, David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson lead the WR group. There is a ton of potential at both positions but a few guys need to step up next season as the WRs were very inconsistent.
Two USC defenders are likely going to be picked in the top half of the first round later this month but the defense should be dominant. LBs Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing lead the group. There is a lot of experience at DB and Everson Griffen should improve on his great freshman season at DE.

4. Florida- Last season this team was basically the UF Tim Tebows. The Heisman winner returns but he is going to need help if UF is going to contend for a NC. Emmanuel Moody transfered from USC last season and should help the run game. Percy Harvin is a dominant force Louis Murphy played well last season.
Last season the defense was a young group but now with a lot more experience they should be a much better group. Brandon Spikes was one of the best linebackers in college last season and is only a junior this year. Major Wright and Joe Haden had great freshman seasons but must improve on consistency. The DL is still a major question with only Jermain Cunningham being very proven. Former 5 star DE Carlos Dunlap needs to emerge opposite Cunningham.

5. Ohio State- OSU has been blown out the last two national championships but this should be their best team out of the three years. QB Todd Boeckman stuggled down the stretch last year but played very well through most of the season. RB Chris Wells is a dominant force when healthy and the best back in the nation. Hopefully ankle injuries don't bother him again this year. WRs Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie return as starters and Ray Small is a great slot receiver. 4 of 5 offensive lineman return.
On the defensive side the Buckeyes lose top 10 pick Vernon Gholston but return a lot of players that people thought would be in the draft this year. CB Malcolm Jenkins is the best in the nation and LB James Laurinaitis is running out of shelf space for all of his awards. 9 starters return on both sides of the ball.