2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #9 California

Will the California Golden Bears be a powerhouse and national title contender in 2009? The talent and experience are all in place for the Golden Bears to step up and make a run at the PAC-10 title. With 15 returning starters, California is eager to dethrone USC.

The good news for Bears fans is the USC game will be at home so this could be the year. Running back Jahvid Best will be in the Heisman Trophy hunt. The drawback for California is they will travel away from home for 5 of their PAC-10 games. Winning on the road is a must if this team plans to live up to their lofty expectations.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #10 Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs will once again aim to win the SEC title and National Championship. To be a title contender the Bulldogs will need to pull some upsets on the road. Georgia travels to face arch rival Florida, Oklahoma State, and Georgia Tech.

The fate of their season will depend on the outcomes of those games. Sophomore wide receiver A.J. Green returns after an impressive freshman season earning first team honors. Coach Mark Richt is doing an incredible job at Georgia and he looks to be paving the way for the Bulldogs to yet another very successful path in 2009.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #11 Mississippi

The Ole' Miss Rebels won't be sneaking up on anybody in the SEC conference this year. With 16 returning starters the Rebels are poised for a great run in 2009.

Quarterback Jevan Snead is the best passer in the league as he threw for over 2,700 yards in 2008. Mississippi avoids having to play Georgia and Florida this season, lucky them! The Rebels host Alabama and LSU and will be counting on home field advantage to help lead them to impressive victories. Look for Ole' Miss to win the SEC West Division and challenge for the conference championship.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #12 LSU

The LSU Tigers have the most difficult schedule in the SEC. Having to play at Ole Miss, Alabama, and Georgia won't be easy. The Tigers do host Florida in the Supderdome but will need to play their best each  week in and out to survive this grueling schedule.

The Tigers will have an advantage with wide receiver stand out Brandon LaFell. This year's LSU team is an improved version from the 2008 squad and is one of the top teams in the country. Look for LSU to play a huge roll in the SEC conference race.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #13 Oklahoma State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys proved last year they can compete with the big boys of the Big 12 conference. While the Cowboys have not reached a double digit win season during the past 20 years, this could be the year they break that barrier.

Oklahoma State has the best triple threat combination within the Big 12. Quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter, and wide receiver Dez Bryant will be forces to reckon with. A favorable home schedule and only four road games should work in the favor of Oklahoma State.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #14 Georgia Tech

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets return 18 starters and could be a sleeping giant in the ACC in 2009. Super star running back Jonathan Dwyer could rise to legitimate Heisman candidacy status if he continues from his 1,395 all purpose rushing yards campaign from 2008.

Georgia Tech travels to Florida State and Miami for tough road contests. If they can live up to the challenge an ACC title and BCS bid may be on the horizon for this group.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #15 Utah

The Utah Utes finished last season undefeated, ranked #2, and BCS Sugar Bowl Champions. Many are predicting the Utes to take a few steps back in 2009. But it is that "disrespect" that adds fuel to their fire, and Utah responds well in that scenario.

Utah will have to win on the road at Oregon, TCU, and BYU to keep the nations longest win streak in tact. Don't count out the Utes - a new quarterback could be the spark that leads the Ute offense to some consistency which lacked at times in 2008. Another stellar season is on the horizon with 8 returning starters on one of the best defensive units in the country.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #16 Illinois

The Illinois Fighting Illini will be relying on quarterback Juice Williams to lead the 13 returning starters to a BCS bowl.

Coach Ron Zook has done an excellent job bringing Illinois back to respectability. An unbeaten season and a National Championship are goals for this team. Illinois could be a dark horse waiting to spoil the dominance of Florida.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #17 Boise State

The Boise State Broncos are in a league of their own in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). They will go unchallenged again as the only elite team in their conference.

The biggest game on the schedule is the first one against Oregon. Beating the Ducks at home on the blue smurf turf is all that is on the minds of the Broncos. A win will determine if Boise State is a legit contender for another run at earning a BCS bowl bid. Returning quarterback Kellen Moore should lead Boise State to another successful season.

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2009 Preseason College Football Countdown: #18 Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers were riddled with injuries last season. The positive side of that is the team returns with depth and experience despite losing many starters.

The Cornhuskers look to be headed to the Big 12 title game as they are the most talented team in the North Division. The success of the season rests on developing a new quarterback.

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Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.