College Pick 'em is a pick-the-winner game with a twist: Players must rank their picks in order of confidence. It's not as easy as it looks, so I'll weigh in every Friday to help you make those tough decisions. Log in to the College Pick 'em page on Tuesdays for the upcoming week's matchups and previews, and don't forget to check the comments page for updates and further discussion of each week's games.
We'll start College Pick 'em's 2008 coverage with a quick glance at my Top 25 teams:
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes' 19 returning starters are the most of any Top 25 team. Seventeen of their top 19 tacklers from last season return on defense. The balanced offense lost only one starter, and the special teams again should be outstanding. This is a deep and experienced squad that once again will challenge for national honors.
2. Florida
Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow returns to lead what could be the nation's highest-scoring offense. The Gators have a manageable road schedule, one of the best special teams in the NCAA and a greatly improved pass defense.
3. Georgia
The Bulldogs are loaded with 17 returning starters from last year's Sugar Bowl team, including quarterback Matthew Stafford and electric running back Knowshon Moreno. Unfortunately, the schedule is also loaded, as the Dogs draw the three top teams from the SEC West and have a tough road game at Arizona State.
4. Oklahoma
The Sooners have plenty of talent on defense but must replace some experience after graduating their top five tacklers. Exciting sophomore running back DeMarco Murray and sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford -- who was No. 1 in the NCAA in passing efficiency as a freshman -- will work behind what may be the nation's best offensive line.
5. USC
The Trojans again are loaded with talent this year but lack experience, as just four starters are back on offense and two first-round draft choices are gone from the defensive line. Still, Pete Carroll's crew is easily the class of a depleted Pac-10, and the Men of Troy catch their toughest opponents at home.
6. Missouri
The trio of quarterback Chase Daniel, wideout Jeremy Maclin and tight end Chase Coffman should ensure that the Tigers again are potent on offense, while eight returning starters make for a more formidable defense.
7. West Virginia
Quarterback Pat White and running back Noel Devine will be Heisman contenders while operating behind the Big East's best offensive line. The Mountaineers should lead the nation in rushing, but they've undergone a coaching change and must replace seven starters on defense.
8. Auburn
Quarterback Kodi Burns is a great fit for new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's spread offense. If he falters, backup Chris Todd is a Texas Tech transfer who played for Franklin in high school. With 16 other starters returning, the Tigers are the favorite to fend off reloading LSU and improving Alabama in the SEC West.
9. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders have posted 13 straight winning seasons in the tough Big 12 South, and this is coach Mike Leach's best team yet. Both the Sammy Baugh and Fred Biletnikoff Award winners (senior quarterback Graham Harrell and sophomore wideout Michael Crabtree) return to what should be the nation's top passing attack. Eight returning starters anchor a respectable defense.
10. South Florida
The Bulls field the best team in school history with 17 returning starters. Among them is mobile quarterback Matt Grothe, who spearheads one of the nation's best rushing assaults. A manageable schedule could see USF arrive in West Virginia for the season finale with an undefeated record.
11. Clemson
The Tigers are loaded on defense and at the offensive skill positions, with the super duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller joining senior triggerman Cullen Harper in the backfield for another year. A rebuilt offensive line is the team's major question mark, and the Tigers must travel to division foe Florida State.
12. Penn State
This likely will be Joe Paterno's final season, but that isn't stopping the Nittany Lions from switching gears on offense. Penn State should be more productive with a new spread offense (like the one used with Michael Robinson in 2005). The Lions did lose their best defensive player (LB Sean Lee) to a spring injury but still have 17 starters back overall and should contend for the league title despite road trips to Columbus and Madison.
13. Texas
Quarterback Colt McCoy returns to lead the talented Horns, but the team's leading rusher, leading receiver and seven defensive starters are all gone. Texas will be strong in the trenches, but pass defense again will be an issue. This team looks like a national-title contender … in 2009.
14. Wisconsin
The Badgers must replace accurate quarterback Tyler Donovan but otherwise are a very experienced squad. P.J. Hill spearheads one of the nation's top power-running attacks, and nine starters return to a much-improved defense.
15. LSU
The defending national champs suffer some key losses, including the graduation of all-everything defender Glenn Dorsey and the dismissal of starting-quarterback-to-be Ryan Perrilloux. This team is still well stocked with talent, but the Tigers draw the top three East division teams. With just 12 returning starters, LSU is back in somewhat of a reloading year. Despite the loss of leading rusher Jacob Hester, LSU figures to be more of a running team in 2008 while breaking in an untested quarterback.
16. Virginia Tech
The Hokies have just 10 returning starters and a big question mark at running back. They still have one of the nation's best coaching staffs and the talent to fend off a fast-improving North Carolina team in the weak ACC Coastal division.
17. South Carolina
This is Steve Spurrier's best Carolina team yet. Ten starters anchor the Gamecocks' best stop unit in years, while a solid offensive line and supporting cast should help Spurrier work his magic on talented but lightly experienced quarterback Chris Smelley.
18. Florida State
The Seminoles return 15 starters from last year's injury- and suspension-ravaged squad. Several players are again suspended for the first three games this season, but FSU leaves the state only three times and hosts Atlantic division favorite Clemson in November.
19. Utah
Quarterback Brian Johnson is another year removed from his 2006 injury and leads a Utes squad that returns 14 starters overall. Utah must open the season at Michigan but draws both BYU and TCU at home and has the schedule to make a BCS run if given a couple of breaks.
20. Alabama
The Tide still lack depth, but the talent level is on the rise. This year's edition features a top offensive line and John Parker Wilson, the most experienced quarterback in the SEC. Last year's squad was one fourth-down stop away from representing the West division in Atlanta, and Bama should compete for league honors once again.
21. Iowa
The Hawkeyes are coming off back-to-back six-win seasons after earning four straight New Year's Day bowl berths and leading the Big Ten in conference victories from 2002 to 2005. Iowa still lacks playmakers on offense, but this year's edition is very strong in both trenches and improving junior quarterback Jake Christensen should provide more balance to the Hawks' typical power-running attack.
22. Nebraska
Last season was an embarrassment, but new head coach Bo Pelini steps into a great spot, as the Huskers are stout along the front lines and have an experienced stable of backs. Nebraska gets all of the Big 12 North contenders in Lincoln and will return to the postseason in 2008.
23. Fresno State
The Bulldogs again have a tough nonconference slate but with 17 returning starters should be the class of the WAC despite a season-ending trip to Boise. A fourth offensive coordinator in four years is a negative, but senior quarterback Tom Brandstater is one of 10 returning starters on a balanced and potent offense.
24. Tennessee
The Vols return 14 starters from last year's SEC East champions, but the departure of quarterback Erik Ainge and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe will take a heavy toll on an otherwise loaded offense. Four of the top six tacklers depart from the defense. Expect Tennessee to rely on a ball-control running game more often this season.
25. Oregon
The Ducks will miss the superb backfield duo of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart, but there is plenty of talent on that side of the ball and the line is solid. Defensively, Oregon features what may be the nation's best secondary, always an important unit in the pass-happy Pac-10.
Will Harris is a college football and fantasy baseball analyst for ESPN.com.
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