Preseason Top 5: Roll Tide

1. Alabama - When last heard from the Crimson Tide was holding up the crystal ball at the Rose Bowl. Expect the same at The University of Phoenix Stadium in January, although the route will be somewhat different. A year ago, Bama won the school's 13th national title via defense. Now it's the offense's turn and the Tide is rolling with the return of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and super soph Trent Richardson in the backfield; speedy Julio Jones at receiver and quarterback Greg McElroy. All signs point to a repeat as Southeastern Conference champs and another BCS title.
2. Ohio State - The Buckeyes, who won their only BCS title in 2002, in Phoenix, will be in a solid position to get to their fourth BCS championship game in the decade. Yes, we picked the Buckeyes last year to get there. But they again get the nod, and for the exact same reason - their schedule. OSU once again is a top five team, and when you combine that with a BCS-friendly slate, a trip to the Valley of the Sun looks to be in their future. The Buckeyes have just two games where they could slip up: at Wisconsin in October and at Iowa in November. There's also a 2002 rematch against MIami at the Horseshoe on Sept. 11, but while Miami is up and coming, count this as a Buckeye win. Everything else looks very winnable. We think following Terrelle Pryor's coming out part in the Rose Bowl this team is capable of running the table. The Bucks have some holes along the defensive front, but Pryor has some quality tools on offense, including receiver DeVier Posey and Brandon Saine. If they slip, the Rose Bowl will be a nice consolation.
3. Boise State - The Smurfs, who feature the high-octane attack of QB Kellen Moore and Rec Titus Young, are the Gonzaga of college football, a team capable of crashing the once exclusive BCS party. Last year, their schedule and lackluster play down the stretch dropped them from BCS title contention into the Fiesta Bowl. The slate is much stronger this year, mainly on the value of playing host to Pac-10 contender Oregon State and opening up against ACC power Virginia Tech in Landover, Md. But will it be enough? Mosly like not, but expect Boise to be in the running, with a BCS bowl all but guaranteed.
4. Flordia - The Tim Tebow era is over in Gainesville, but the last time I checked Urban Meyer is still there, and the monster he's created. The Gators will do what the best programs in the country do every few years: Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. It's no different here, where Florida is young but talented. That includes the defense, which lost six starters, but is still solid with A.J. Jones at linebacker and Ahmad Black in the backfield. The offense will be more of a fun-and-gun with new QB John Brantley being more in the thrower mode than the runner that Tebow was. The success should be similar as the Gators are a lock to win the SEC East, but won't have the horses to derail Bama.
5. Oregon - Back in January, the Ducks, despite losing the Rose Bowl to Ohio State, looked like a BCS title contender as Oregon was slated to return all key components of its spread-option juggernaut. Then running back LaMichael James and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli both pleaded guilty to separate charges and both were suspended. The big hit was Masoli, the focal point of the Ducks attack, who was suspended for the season. He has since been kicked off the team. But with James, who will miss the season opener, Kenjon Barner, Remene Alston and newcomer Lache Seastrunk in tow, this team should hardly miss a beat and will begin the year as the favorite in the Pac-10. If either Nate Costa or Darron Thomas, who both looked good in the spring, step up at QB, the Ducks could make a move in the BCS.

BCS TITLE GAME PICK: Alabama over Ohio State
ROSE BOWL GAME PICK: Oregon over Boise State