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Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: Sports

College football is unlike any other sport because of how much every regular season game can help or hurt your favorite team. A loss for a USC or Texas in week one can make the rest of the season seem like a consolation tournament while a win for Utah State in their opening game would make the season an instant success story.

Every game matters in college football. Every match-up is crucial and every turnover is a disaster because any mistake might cost you in the college rankings and end your team's quest for a national title.

Here is my 2007 college football top-ten.

1. USC

The Trojans look to overwhelm opponents with their smothering defense and have ten of 11 starters from 2006 back on in '07.

Leading the offense is senior heir-to-the-Heisman-throne John David Booty. Booty will have to meet his Heisman expectations since Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith left for the NFL, leaving unproven prospects at WR.

USC's biggest game comes in their regular season finale Dec. 1 against UCLA.

2. LSU

The Louisiana State Tigers lost top pick JaMarcus Russell to the NFL draft going into '07, but they have plenty of talent to make up for it. Fifth-year senior QB Matt Flynn has great returning receivers, runners and blockers to make him look good. The Tigers also return eight starters to their defense, which has been among the best in football in recent years.

LSU hosts Florida October 6 in what could be the best regular season game of the year.

3. Texas

The Longhorns needed a new identity after Vince Young left for the pros, and this season they'll get it with Colt McCoy. McCoy had a great freshman campaign in '06 and, barring the dreaded sophomore slump, should only improve this year.

The 'Horns have a dilemma to overcome, though. They have a great passing game but are weak against the pass while they are also strong against the run but should struggle rushing this year. If their defense and offense can teach each other a thing or two, this team can be great. Otherwise, a Big 12 Title will be as far as they go.

Texas hosts Oklahoma in Dallas October 6, the best day for college football fans. Should they beat OU, and they should, they could run the table for the regular season.

4. West Virginia
Two Heisman contenders, QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton, will give West Virginia the nation's flashiest running game while a weak receiving core might allow opponent defenses to invest enough personnel to contain them. It looks similar defensively, as their frontline should make for good run defense but a weak secondary might allow a few home run passes each game for opponents.

Continued...

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