My surprise teams

Arkansas - Arkansas may not have a terrific record at the end of the season due to the division they play in, but they may make a consequential impact by upsetting a team or two and throwing off the top of the division standings. Arkansas caught a lucky break the other day when Broderick Green was granted permission by the NCAA to play this year and not have to sit out a year after transferring from USC "to be with his ailing grandmother." Green should pair nicely with All Conference back Michael Smith and form one of the best backfields in the SEC and possibly the country. Ryan Mallett will fit nicely into Petrino's system at quarterback and with a good set of backs he should get ample opportunity to showcase his arm.

Baylor - Baylor faces the same situation as Arkansas - a team with a lot of potential but bogged down by a tough division and in Baylor's case even tougher. I have the top 3 teams in the Big 12 South all in the Top 5, which means Baylor should theoretically struggle to get respect even if they play well. However, if history serves as a lesson Baylor could make it onto the national stage and make an Oklahoma State-esqe impact on college football from a year ago. Oklahoma State should fit into Texas Tech's role from last season and Baylor, if they play up to their full potential and with a little luck, could break the top 15 by the end of the season. Robert Griffen has as much potential as anyone in America and could even challenge the big boys for All Big 12 status, which is almost as good as All American status these days.

West Virginia - Jarrett Brown is no Pat White, but he is a capable quarterback and playing in the mediocre, to say the least, Big East, he should find success through the air with West Virginia's top receivers returning and on the ground. Behind him he has Noel Devine, an always dangerous speedster. The defense will be strong in the middle and if they can survive a non-conference schedule filled with nationally known teams, yet not grueling opponents, they may receive the recognition they deserve heading into the Big East schedule. They have to play at South Florida and at Cincinatti, but they arguably have the best talent in the conference and the team will be fighting for coach Bill Stewart, as the team continues to recover from the loss of Rich Rodriguez.

Clemson - Clemson never seemed to handle expectations under Tommy Bowden, and luckily for them neither exists heading into the season. The quarterback situation will continue to be debated heading into fall camp, but Kyle Parker (or Willy Korn) can't possibly be worse than Cullen Harper played last season after a great junior campaign. Some might blame it on the offensive line, the coaching, or a combination but I though James Davis seemed to plateau in the latter stages of his career and now that he's graduated CJ Spiller has the opportunity to become the feature back. The defense will be very good and the offensive line is the best it's been since at least 2006. Winning the ACC is a very attainable goal and the Tigers have the ability to do it if Dabo Swinney can finally lead the Tigers to where their talent says they should be.

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