NFL FOOTBALL BETTING
Rabalais: Spring sports over, kickoff draws nearer

There isn't anything left on the sports calendar to distract a college football fan.
The College World Series is over, every other spring sport is in the books. From now until September, the pace quickens as we draw nearer to kickoff.

The pulse quickens a bit too, doesn't it?

There is reason for excitement on plenty of campuses across the country. The map is dotted with legitimate national championship contenders capable of navigating their way to the Rose Bowl for this season's BCS national championship game. But all of those contenders have their Achilles' heel that could trip them up on the way to Pasadena.

Here are 10 who could make their way to the top -- and the reasons they might not:

1. Southern California (13-0 last season)

Why everything's coming up Roses in L.A.: The Trojans are Everybody's All-American, the Lead Pipe Cinch, Mortal Lock Preseason No. 1. They have more offensive weapons than some NFL teams, led by Heisman winner Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush (maybe this year's Heisman fave), LenDale White, the list goes on.

Why USC could be busing to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl: Not included in that offensive arsenal is offensive coordinator Norm Chow, now with the Tennessee Titans. Can the Trojans conjure all their offensive magic without him? Maybe not. Plus, after 22 straight victories the win streak gets harder to keep going.

2. Texas (11-1) Nfl Football

Why the Longhorns will be back in Pasadena: Fifteen returning starters, led by quarterback Vince Young, once again make Texas one of the nation's most talented teams.

Hello, Holiday Bowl ... again: The "1" in Texas' 11-1 record was yet another loss to Oklahoma, and the Sooners are still the mile-high hurdle the Longhorns must clear in October. It's not a question of talent, but confidence. If Texas is psyched out, it will be out of the BCS title picture again.

3. Michigan (9-3) Nfl Football

Why the Wolverines will be heading for SoCal again: Quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart will mature fast enough to get Michigan back to the Rose Bowl ... this time to play for it all.

No, Michigan will be East Coast bound because ... losing Brayon Edwards, Marlin Jackson, etc., will be keep the Wolverines from winning the Big Ten, much less the national title.

4. Oklahoma (12-1) Nfl Football

Hitch your title hopes to the Sooner Schooner because ... this is a program that doesn't rebuild but reloads. And no one else has a back like Adrian Peterson, who piled up 3,149 total yards last year.

OU've got to be kidding: Oklahoma has a great program, but no one could survive losing Jason White, Mark Clayton, Dan Cody et al without slipping a notch or two. The Texas game will be the litmus test.

5. Tennessee (10-3) Nfl Football

Volunteering for BCS duty: Erik Ainge's shoulder is healthy, Gerald Riggs Jr. will run for 1,000-plus yards and linebacker Kevin Simon leads what should be a stellar defense.

The name's changed, but you still can't spell Capital One Bowl without UT: The schedule is a bear. Early trips to Florida and LSU could snuff out the Vols' chances before September is over.

6. Ohio State (8-4) Nfl Football

Ask Les Miles how good the Buckeyes will be: Ohio State crushed Miles' old Oklahoma State team 33-7 in the Alamo Bowl last year, an example of the kind of devastation the Buckeyes can visit on anyone. Remember receiver/kick returner Ted Ginn Jr., the best Heisman candidate east of the Mississippi.

Stating the case for Big Ten bridesmaid: A Nov. 19 trip to Ann Arbor. Ohio State could be 10-0 going in, but losses that late derail most title hopes -- unless you're Oklahoma.

7. LSU (9-3) Nfl Football

Why the other LA team will make a run for the Roses: Ten returning offensive starters, seven more on defense, and a schedule fit for a championship contender ... except for Appalachian State.

Tripping over the question marks: LSU can't afford a quarterback controversy, must shore up its linebacker corps and doesn't a coaching change always equal at least one loss?

8. Iowa (10-2) Nfl Football

Hawkeye-ing a Rose Bowl invite: Sure Iowa beat LSU in the Capital One Bowl on a Hail Mary, but Kirk Ferentz may be the best coach in college football for winning 10 games and a piece of the Big Ten title with that injury decimated team. This year, quarterback Drew Tate returns to lead a squad that is a trendy pick to win another title or two.

Little Man Tate isn't big enough for this job: Breaking through the Michigan/Ohio State juggernaut is never easy. Neither are big expectations when you're used to playing the spoiler.

9. Miami (9-3) Nfl Football

Hurricane warning in Shaky City: A great defense, which returns nine starters, is a great place for a national title contender to start. Kyle Wright is expected to be an upgrade at quarterback over Brock Berlin.

Just a bunch of hot air: The 'Canes need a running game if they are to get anywhere close to Pasadena.

10. Florida (7-5) Nfl Football

Urban renewal should play in Tinseltown: The Gators are expected to thrive under Urban Meyer's spread option with Chris Leak throwing to Andrew Caldwell and Dallas Baker.

Before you fly you have to ... run: Notice we didn't say anything about running backs. You have to run to set up the pass in the SEC. The defense has its issues, too.



By SCOTT RABALAIS
Advocate sportswriter