In his left hand, the little guy on stage wearing the white T-shirt and the two-sizes-too-big University of Florida football helmet holds a red plastic cup — the kind you’d find at any decent keg party or backyard barbecue. With his right hand, he grabs the microphone.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Defining what is a surprise team is no easy task. Before the season kicks off, Athlon will take a look at a team from each of the BCS leagues that could be a surprise contender in their conference. Each of the candidates to surprise will be ranked fifth or worse in Athlon’s 2011 predictions.

One of the best quarterbacks in the Big East Conference is as comfortable doing a traditional Greek dance during the summer in his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio, as he is throwing touchdown passes at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium in the fall.

by Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Athlon Sports continues its countdown to the college football season with a look at the top 25 players for 2011 in the Mountain West.

Several factors worked into the criteria for developing the 25 players: 

Previous production was weighed, but a heavy emphasis was placed on what we expect will happen in 2011.

-by Braden Gall (@AthlonBraden on twitter)

A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims won’t be asked to do too much this season — only win a National Championship for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

No pressure fellas.

by Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)