College Football 2012: Who Are the Early Favorites?

Can USC end the SEC's run of dominance?

It's never too early to start thinking about 2012. Alabama claimed its second national title in three years by dominating LSU 21-0 on Monday night, and both teams are expected to be back in the national title mix next season.

Athlon's official preseason top 25 won't come out until May, but here's a very early top 25 for 2012.

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Clemson's Orange Bowl Defeat Caps Another Disappointing Season

West Virginia trounced Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Another disappointing finish for the Tigers.

by Josh Kipnis

Michigan players were rocking shirts that read “Pour some Sugar on me.” After their victory in LA, the Oregon Ducks “Rose to power.” Oklahoma State proclaimed to Stanford fans that the Fiesta Bowl was “Nacho Victory.”

West Virginia asked Clemson, “Orange you glad we won?”

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College Football 2012: Three Teams on the Decline

Oklahoma State could have trouble repeating its 2011 win total next season.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

It's never too early to start thinking about next season, and Athlon kicked off our lookahead to 2012 with a very, very early top 25. Of course, a lot is going to change between now and when our official preseason poll is released in May, but we are taking an early glimpse of how things could look.

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Orange Bowl Preview: Clemson vs. West Virginia

Expect plenty of fireworks in this ACC-Big East matchup.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Orange Bowl
Clemson (10-3) vs. West Virginia (9-3)
Date: Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Fla.

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College Football 2012: Three Teams on the Rise

Behind quarterback Keith Price, Washington is a team on the rise in 2012.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

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Sugar Bowl Preview: Virginia Tech vs. Michigan

Can David Wilson find running room against Michigan's much-improved defense?

by Mark Ross

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Michigan (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Date: Jan. 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

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Chick-fil-A Bowl Preview: Auburn vs. Virginia

The Cavaliers look to earn their first bowl victory since 2005.

by Rob Doster

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2012 Quarterback Rankings: ACC

The ACC is the deepest quarterback league in the nation in 2012.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @BradenGall)

There is no doubt this is the era of the Quarterback.

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Sun Bowl Preview: Utah vs. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech's rushing attack may find little room against Utah's defense.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @BradenGall)

Sun Bowl
Utah Utes (7-5, 4-5) vs. Georgia Tech (8-4, 5-3)
Date: Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. ET
Location: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas

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Music City Bowl Preview: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State

Wake Forest is a heavy underdog against Mississippi State.

by Mitch Light (@AthlonMitch on Twitter)

Music City Bowl
Wake Forest (6–6) vs. Mississippi State (6–6)
Date: Dec. 30 at 6:40 p.m. ET
Location: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.