By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

The journey to claim the 2012 national title begins in February, March and April, as 124 college football teams open up spring practice over the next three months. Athlon will preview some of the top teams and storylines across the nation, as the countdown to 2012 inches closer. 

By Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter) and Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven)

Very Early 2012 Pac-12 Predictions

Pac-12 North

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

With the BCS National Championship in the rearview, recruiting now takes center stage for the next three weeks.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @BradenGall)

Rose Bowl
Wisconsin (11-2, 6-2) vs. Oregon (11-2, 8-1)
Date: Jan. 2 at 5:10 p.m. ET
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @BradenGall)

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

-by Braden Gall (follow him @BradenGall)

-by Braden Gall (follow at @AthlonBraden)

The recruitment of the nation’s No. 4 prospect, two-way star lineman Arik Armstead, has been anything but smooth.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @AthlonBraden)

The BCS is wrapping up its 14th season of action and Athlon has dissected the numbers and reviewed the tapes of all six BCS conferences in order to rank the best each league has had to offer. Which Oklahoma team was the best of the decade? Which Florida team was the toughest to stop? How do you rank the Florida State teams of the late '90s? Which Miami team was the best? How about those loaded USC teams? Alabama vs. Auburn?