The top 25 is out, but what about the other 95 teams? We lay them out in reverse order, 10 at a time.

50: Houston — The Cougars are going to be good, though they’re going to have to survive a tough non-conference schedule that features games against Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and Texas Tech. But all Kevin Sumlin cares about is winning the Conference USA West Division, and this team is primed to do just that. The defense will suffer a few wounds early in the season, but they should be all healed up when the C-USA portion of the schedule rolls around. The offense will be close to unstoppable, and that’s what pays the bills in C-USA.

49: Colorado — It’s tough to get a good read on Colorado in 2009 because there are so many ifs. If the Buffaloes can stay healthy after they lost 121 player games to injury in 2008. If the offense can find an identity after the no-huddle failed. If they can get better productivity from quarterback. If they can find suitable replacements on the defensive line. If the kicking game rebounds. If everything comes together, Colorado can be a factor in the Big 12 North. That’s a lot of ifs.

48: Boston College — Even though Boston College returns 12 starters from last year’s 9–5 squad, it would be a stretch to expect the Eagles to win a third consecutive Atlantic Division crown. With a new quarterback trying to learn a new offense, and a defense that will be looking to plug some gaping holes in its front seven, first-year coach Frank Spaziani is preaching patience, not only to his players, but to BC fans as well.

47: Wake Forest — Jim Grobe’s winning formula has been a ball-hawking defense teamed with a mistake-free offense that loves to run. Last year’s defense was so good it often covered up the offensive problems, but Grobe won’t have that luxury this season. He must replace experience with raw talent, and he must find some playmakers. This year, they could come on the offensive side of the ball, if the blocking improves. Wake’s magical run to the Orange Bowl was three years ago, and a successful season may hinge on how well Wake recruited off that success.

46: South Florida — South Florida has achieved plenty of notable milestones during the careers of Matt Grothe and George Selvie. But unless there’s a breakthrough this season, the program will continue to be defined by a less flattering word — underachieving. Now or never? Maybe so. On paper, South Florida’s chances look as enticing as ever. Finishing the job, though, never has been the program’s strength.

45: East Carolina — Heavy doses of defense and special teams won nine games last year, and Patrick Pinkney’s return shores up the offense, which is strong up front and deep and talented at receiver. Look for coach Skip Holtz to piece together a running game and the Pirates to again contend for the Conference USA crown.

44: Vanderbilt — Vanderbilt accomplished something in 2008 that hadn’t been done at the school in more than two decades — win more games than it lost. Before you dismiss the Commodores as a one-hit wonder who will quietly slip back to the bottom of the SEC food chain, keep in mind that Bobby Johnson welcomes back 17 starters — tied for most in the league — including nine on a defense that ranked 21st in the nation in scoring (19.6 ppg).

43: Auburn — Gene Chizik can win over the remaining fans still skeptical of his 5–19 record at Iowa State by getting off to a good start in 2009, but it won’t be easy. Auburn has many of the same personnel deficiencies that contributed to an offensive collapse and 5–7 finish in 2008, Tommy Tuberville’s 10th and final year on the Plains. That’s not to say Auburn can’t turn things around this year. But many of the things that went wrong in 2008 will have to go right.

42: Wisconsin — Bret Bielema posted a 12–1 mark in his rookie season as head coach in 2006 and was the toast of Madison. After seeing UW fall to 9–4 in 2007 and 7–6 last season, some UW fans wish they could raise a glass and offer Bielema a farewell toast. That isn’t going to happen, but the Badgers must show dramatic improvement in all facets of the game to reverse the two-year slump.

41: Pittsburgh — Dave Wannstedt enters the pivotal fifth year of his tenure. The former NFL boss has brought in high-end recruiting classes, but his record sits at 25–23 with only one bowl appearance. His Panthers, though, showed signs of returning to prominence last fall with their first nine-win regular season in 26 years and a trip to the Sun Bowl. Despite some key personnel losses, Pittsburgh has enough talent to navigate a relatively light non-conference schedule and be competitive in the Big East. Anything short of a second consecutive bowl game and eight victories will be a disappointment.

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