That time is here. The time when one sport begins its season amidst a cloud of excitement renewed like never before, every..single…year. This is the time when baseball pennant races and the start of the NFL seasons are big, but they don’t steal the show from this opening. Saturday morning. You roll out of bed, pour some cereal, and situate yourself directly in front of the TV: ready for college football.

Every late August/early September, we are greeted with youngsters, yes these man-beasts are still youngsters in the whole scheme of things, who go out on Saturday for school pride and bragging rights; to win, and nothing else. College sports for the most part are pure in that sense and it truly becomes more about the name on the front, the university you represent, rather than the name on the back. Money is a non-factor, and in a world where NFL rookies can get $50 million dollars guaranteed, it’s a sight for sore eyes. College football is about pride, pride for your school, and the athletes are but one part of the puzzle. Loads of students pile onto bleachers, singing fight songs and shouting derogatory terms at the opposition…all in good fun. Alumni travel miles and miles just to be in that special game day atmosphere again, even if they don’t have a ticket to the game. Colors are worn like battle paint, and perhaps the best thing about college football? - We have no idea what is going to happen. It’s almost cliche to reference, but think back to Appalachian State beating Michigan in Michigan’s place. Do we even now, a year later, really understand the magnitude of that game? I don’t think so, and it’s games like that; things we never saw coming in a hundred years, that make this game so special. And they happen all the time. Last year may have been loaded with upsets, #2’s going down every single week it seemed, but the reality is that college football is always loaded with upsets. That almost should be expected when you tell a bunch of kids their college isn’t good enough, they can’t win. It’s taken personally. Like everything in this sport, it’s personal when it comes to your school.

So now begins the quest for the BCS champion, the new LSU. The last game we saw in college football was that BCS championship game, with the LSU Tigers beating the OSU Buckeyes 38-24. Who’s this year’s Ohio State? …Ohio State? Could be. Who’s this year’s LSU? Is it the Trojans in So Cal, the Sooners, or someone else? And who is this year’s Hawaii? A team that shocked the college football world by landing a BCS bowl bid in the Sugar Bowl.

For the Add Show’s College Football predictions we bring in friend to the site and hockey/college sports contributor Jeff Young. Here are Jeff and Aaron’s picks for the top teams in each conference, a sleeper and the BCS game contestants:

Aaron

1. Clemson - A bit of a disappointment last year at 9-4, the Tigers come into 2008 ranked 9/9 in the polls. We’ll get a huge early test of this team on August 30th against 24th ranked Alabama. If they look good in that game, look out ACC because their schedule is very workable. They’re going to get after the quarterback on defense, and they’re going to shred the opposition on the ground.

2. Virginia Tech - Tech’s defense will be good again, and is probably the reason they’re ranked 15/17 in the polls. The question mark for me is Sean Glennon: even if he does well, who is he throwing to that’s a threat? Plus, the schedule is tougher for VT than for Clemson, opening at East Carolina (no cake walk), at Nebraska, at Boston College, and at Florida State.

3. Wake Forest - The Cinderella team that won this conference 2 seasons ago stumbled a bit in 2007 but were still 9-4, and are ranked for the first time ever to start a new year. With 16 starters coming back for another year, if they can get past Baylor on the road, they should be 4-0 going into the collision match-up against Clemson on October 9th.

Sleeper: North Carolina - The Tar Heels…good at …football? You better believe it. This team won’t compete for the ACC crown, but they could make big strides this year for their program. Outside of Virginia Tech in week 3 of the season, they don’t have another ranked opponent all year. Win a conference game or two on the road and people will be talking.

Jeff

1. Clemson - For the first time in a long time, Clemson should be the front runners in the ACC, lead by a strong core of players at the skill positions. If they can get by Alabama in week one, look for Clemson to build confidence for a pretty tough ACC schedule that features Wake Forest, Boston College, and Florida State on the road.

2. Virginia Tech - Sean Glennon looks to make his mark on this Hokie team this year that features big holes at running back and wide receiver. These question marks will ultimately decide early on in the season, whether or not the Hokies can make it through a tough schedule.

3. Wake Forest - *SLEEPER*. This year features the first time a Demon Deacon team has been ranked to begin a season, and with a very favorable schedule, Wake Forest should be in the conference title hunt at the end of the year while turning some heads.

Sleeper: Wake Forest - see above

Aaron

1. Missouri - Chase Daniel is going to be a candidate for conference player of the year again and their running game isn’t too shabby either. They start off with a relatively easy first half of the year when they can really fine tune their game for the tougher back end. October 18 they go to Texas to play the Longhorns. I think the Tigers out slug the Horns, and I think the Tigers ride that wave all season.

2. Oklahoma - We know the offense will be there, but how’s that Sooner defense going to hold up? With almost no returning starters that’s certainly the weak point of the team. How that D will handle against arch rival Texas, Texas Tech, and Kansas, all potent offenses, is up in the air.

3. Kansas - It’s tempting to choose a hot pick like Texas Tech, but Kansas isn’t going to change the formula too much from last year: that’s a good thing. Coming off an Orange Bowl win, and a number 2 ranking, Todd Reesing is back and will be even better this year under the gun for this team. An early statement game that they’re still the team to be messed with is week 3 against 19th ranked South Florida.

Sleeper: Nebraska - I’m very interested to see if this team responds quickly to new coach Bo Pelini. The mindset for Cornhuskers football has been bleak the past few years, but fresh faces could bring this program back to where it should be near the top. Look out for a September 27th game at home against Virginia Tech; that’s a potential defensive battle that Nebraska could very well win and stamp their name as contender once again.

Jeff

1. Oklahoma - A very strong team featuring star quarterback Sam Bradford, this Sooner team has a favorable schedule that includes Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas Tech all at home.

2. Missouri - Chase Daniel is back and ready to prove that his Tigers team deserved to be in the BCS Championship team last season. If they can get by Illinois in week 1, this team could be in the National title mix at the end of the year.

3. Texas - The forgotten team of the Big 12, Texas still has Colt McCoy at quarterback and should do well, IF they can get past their rival Oklahoma.

Sleeper: Texas Tech - The Red Raiders return 8 starters on defense and still have a very explosive offense, lead by Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree.

Aaron

1. West Virginia - This team lost to their bitter rivals, Pitt, on the last day of the regular season in 2007 to lose a national championship bid. What did they do? Stomp all over Oklahoma 48-28 in the Fiesta Bowl. With talk of South Florida rising to the top, and the departure of Coach Rodriguez, the Mountaineers are focused on proving they are indeed the team to beat. With a ridiculous offense, even without Slaton, and a defense almost as good, I don’t think they even get a contest until week 7 verse Auburn.

2. South Florida - Boy, did the Bulls put themselves on the college football map last year. They’re biggest problem could be the pressure to win in 2008, and an early date with Kansas could spell a reality check. But Grothe is back and we all know what he’s capable of doing through the air and on the ground. This team, and program, is officially very respectable and good. But they aren’t at that top level just yet.

3. Pittsburgh - Last year’s victory over West Virgina could very well catapult this team to greater things in 2008. It almost pains me to pick the Panthers 3rd because I’ve seen time and time again the ability for Dave Wannstedt to falter. But there is a ton of buzz around this team and for good reason. In particular, running back LaSean McCoy could be one of the best in the nation. They should, and need, to get off to a 4-0 start though, against Bowling Green (a mildly tough start but winnable), Buffalo, Iowa, and Syracuse.

Sleeper: UConn - A lot of people are ranking the Huskies, who got a share of the conference title last year, near the bottom for the upcoming season; calling last year a mirage and other things of that sort. While the wins weren’t pretty in 2007 (Temple beat them! We did! I’m still bitter), the rise from mediocrity was pretty amazing. They’re bringing back 17 starters as well.

Jeff

1. West Virginia - Pat White returns for his final season at quarterback. Noel Devine gets to start after being in the shadow of Steve Slaton. This Mountaineer team should be able to handle the hype that experts are giving them even with Pitt and South Florida being popular picks to win the conference.

2. Pittsburgh - Pitt has become the trendy pick to win the Big East this year and I am not going to go that far, yet. They have experience and depth on offense, but a tough road schedule should make it very difficult to win the conference. Luckily for them, they have West Virginia at home this year.

3. South Florida - *SLEEPER*. #21 South Florida in the preseason??? Wow, how much things have changed. But when Matt Grothe is your quarterback, you are bound for success. The bulls have it all and Grothe will look to build on his stellar season last year. They can’t get ahead of themselves this year, like they did last year though.

Sleeper: South Florida - see above

Aaron

1. Wisconsin - Stop rolling out the red carpet for the Buckeyes already, and stop giving them the conference title, they’re going to slip up (twice), and the Badgers will be there poised to take the top spot. This team is virtually unbeatable at home, and that will help wins over Illinois and Penn State. Even if they don’t top OSU, which they very well could, this team is so sound on both sides of the ball, and look at the backfield - it’s remarkably good. They will be the surprise of the year finishing number one.

2. Ohio State - This team on paper is damn good. Beanie Wells is damn good. Hell, this team on the practice field is damn good. But the Big 10 is a weird animal, a physical one, and the Buckeyes might get lost in their BCS championship bid along the way. September 13th could be the revelation to the nation that this team isn’t immune from victory when USC beats them in So Cal. A few weeks later they’ll travel to Wisconsin and that big 10 magic will kick in - they’ll lose again. Other than that, they’ll be fine I’m sure, but never give the trophy before a season starts, especially in a conference like this.

3. Penn State - Paterno has no control over the inmates that play on his football team. He wizened up and kicked most of them off and now the Nittany Lions have a possible re-birth of a Michael Robinson kind of offense in Darryl Clark and the usual nasty defense to lead them. Their schedule is for the most part favorable with a gift wrapped 4-0 start, and home games against Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State.

Sleeper: Purdue - They have a hell of a start to their season with home games against 21st ranked Oregon and 22nd ranked Penn State, and away games against 2nd ranked Ohio State and Notre Dame. But you have to figure that with an offense like this, led by Painter again, they’ll find a way to win one of those games, if not two, in surprising fashion. If they get out of that stretch at 4-2 or even 3-3, the rest of the schedule is considerably lighter.

Jeff

1. Ohio State - The Buckeyes are back with 9 starters on offense, lead by Heisman Hopeful, Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells. The Buckeyes should dominate the conference as they are in a class of their own.

2. Wisconsin - If there is one team that can beat the Buckeyes this year, it is the Badgers. Playing at home should help.

3. Illinois - Lead by Juice Williams, Illinois’ spread offense should give defenses, around the country, fits even without Rashard Mendenhall at tailback.

Sleeper: Purdue - Curtis Painter leads this Boilermaker team that should turn some heads as it will be Joe Tiller’s last season as head coach.

Aaron

1 UCF - Kevin Smith is gone but a lot of fresh faces (just 5 starters back) are coming into this revamped program to help them win again. They face East Carolina and Tulsa later in the season which should give them a real good chance to pad their record and gel as a young team on offense.

2. Tulsa - The so called team to beat in the conference gets a nice chance to show off with an easy start to the year. But with a new quarterback in the system there could be a slip up or two that could keep them from the very top. They also play back to back games against UCF and Arkansas in late October/early November.

3. East Carolina - This is one of the weaker conferences but the Pirates sure loaded up on their out of conference schedule. They start the season against Virginia Tech and then West Virginia the next week: that’s a recipe for disaster early on. November 2nd is a good measuring stick for them when they go on the road against UCF.

Sleeper: none

Jeff

1. Tulsa - The Golden Hurricane has a potent offense that will help them win a very weak conference.

2. East Carolina - The Pirates return 16 starters this year, but early tests at Virginia Tech and at West Virginia should be very difficult to overcome.

3. UCF - *SLEEPER*. George O’ Leary’s squad should be ready to turn some heads this year in a weak conference. Will they be able to beat Tulsa or ECU? That is to be determined.

Sleeper: UCF - see above

Aaron

1. Bowling Green - Sheehan threw for over 3,200 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2007 and expect his success to carry over against a relatively easy schedule for a team trying to claim the title in this league once again. They get their toughest in conference opponent, Miami (OH) at home and their offense will be able to put up the points needed to role through the mediocre MAC east schedule.

2. Miami (OH) - Like Central Michigan, they play an SEC team early. But unlike CM, they don’t have to play Georgia, they get Vanderbilt at home opening week. If they can stun an SEC team, this team could start rolling and easily top their 6-7 mark of last year. They were also 5-2 in the conference last year, just a game behind what Central Michigan did.

3. Central Michigan - This is the best team on paper and they are back to back champions of the league. But sometimes that doesn’t pan out to another fantastic season. In 2008 the Chippewas play at Georgia, number one team in the land, at Purdue, and at Indiana. That’s a really hard out of conference schedule and they’re going to be playing catch up all year in the MAC.

Sleeper: Temple - In 2005 this team didn’t win a game. In 2006 they won one game. Last year the Owls pieced together 4 wins for their best season in a while, and got robbed of a win over UConn on the road. Coach Golden has turned this program around a full 180 and recruited extremely well. They won’t contend for the MAC this year, maybe next, but they will continue to improve.

Jeff

1. Central Michigan - Dan LeFevour is back at quarterback and the Chippewas look to build on last year’s successes. Road trips to #1 Georgia and Purdue will be tough games for them, but maybe a confidence booster in their abilities.

2. Bowling Green - Quarterback Tyler Sheehan returns to this potent offense looking to win the conference title. Not having to play Central Michigan and not playing the same level of non-conference opponents should help.

3. Ball State - *SLEEPER*. If they can get by Central Michigan on November 19^th, look for the Cardinals to be in the conference championship and even possibly winning.

Sleeper: Ball State - see above

Aaron

1. Utah - A lot of experts are looking past this team that went 9-4 last year and has a load of play makers coming back. With the weapons on offense they certainly have a great shot at winning this thing over the easy choice of BYU. It could come down to that last week of the year when they host BYU on November 22nd.

2. BYU - If Utah slips up, BYU will be right behind them to grab control. There’s been a lot of talk about a BCS game for this team, and for good reason. They are 8-0 the past two years against conference foes and take on UCLA in the 3rd week for a game that could truly get them rolling.

3. TCU - The Horned Frogs don’t exactly have a cake walk schedule in 2008 but this team is deep and is going to compete week in week out. With 15 starters returning and probably the best defense in the conference, they’re an outside shot to top BYU (at home) or Utah (on the road) both late in the year.

Sleeper: none

Jeff

1. Brigham Young - The Cougars return 9 starters on offense and are probably the closest thing to a 2006 Boise State than ever.

2. Utah - Can the Utes do what Appalachian State did in the Big House last year? Should be interesting.

3. TCU - *SLEEPER*. Getting BYU at home helps, but none-the-less, they will need to beat them to have a shot at the conference title.

Sleeper: TCU - see above

Aaron

1. USC - The Trojans severely disappointed last year…at a mark of 11-2. What we’ve learned about USC recently is that they dont stay down for very long. It’s surprising but their offense is actually the bigger question mark, as the defense is ready for domination. But remember they do have a great system on offense, and Mark Sanchez will do enough to win. They also have possible star in the making Joe McKnight on the ground. The statement game this team needs, and probably wants, is hosting Ohio State the second week of the season. I expect them to win that game, and the conference.

2. Oregon - Other teams you might expect up this high, a Cal or UCLA, have had injury problems a plenty. While the Ducks lost Dixon and Stewart to the pro’s, they have 13 starters coming back and also have a pretty favorable schedule early in the season. If they can go 4-1 or maybe 5-0 leading up to their collision with USC, they will be in really good position to finish very high in this competitively frond loaded conference.

3. Arizona State - Dennis Erickson didn’t do too bad in his first year as the Sun Devils went 7-2 in conference and had a real nice 10 win season. They should be just as good this year but the competition becomes a bit stiffer, with games against top ranked Georgia at home and USC on the road. If they can win either of those games, forget Pac 10 title run, think BCS bowl game.

Sleeper: Oregon State - Four of their fist five games are going to show what this team could do. If they go even 2-2 against Stanford on the road, Penn State on the road, USC at home, and Utah on the road, then they’re poised to make a nice second half push in the conference.

Jeff

1. USC - This one is a no-brainer. USC is stacked defensively and once Matt Sanchez gets his feet wet, the offense will be back at the level they have been accustomed to play at.

2. Arizona State - 10 wins last year and Rick Carpenter back at quarterback will help the Sun Devils this year. Can this Dennis Erickson-lead team upset Georgia at home or USC in Southern California?

3. California - Jeff Tedford has given sophomore Kevin Riley the nod at quarterback over senior Nate Longshore. That should make things interesting on offense. Playing USC in L.A. will not help their chances this year.

Sleeper: Arizona - USC, Cal, and Arizona State are all at home this year. They will definitely be a part of the “upset alerts†this year.

Aaron

1. Georgia - This Bulldogs team is the first in school history to start the season ranked atop the college football world, but with the Gators and Vols lurking right below them, it wont be easy by any stretch. But they’re number 1 for a reason, with Stafford and Moreno leading the potent offense. They also have a terrific offensive line, which will only help Moreno, and hurt other teams. Every team in the SEC plays a whale of a schedule, but Georgia has a slight break as they play their two biggest conference games, Tennessee and Florida, both at home.

2. Auburn - This team is blessed with great talent and more importantly, they play in the SEC West where the only other team that could really give them problems is LSU. But after last year’s success and losing so many starters, LSU takes a step down allowing Auburn to finish above their 9-4 mark of last year.

3. Florida - Like Georgia the Gators play in the remarkably difficult SEC East, with away games against Tennessee early and Georgia on November 1st. But we all know what Meyer’s team is capable of. While most of these players weren’t on the championship teams of a few years back, they’ve bought into the system of winning. This is one hell of a football team and if Georgia slips up at all, Tebow will be ready to lead the Gators to another SEC championship and BCS title run.

Sleeper: South Carolina - Steve Spurrier isn’t my favorite guy, but he knows how to win. After a couple years of somewhat mediocrity, I like the Gamecocks to surprise some people. They’re getting back 10 starters on defense which will help because their offense isn’t completely there. It just feels like it’s time for a Spurrier team to start winning big time games.

Jeff

1. Florida - Tim Tebow is back and better than ever. Can he win his second Heisman Trophy this year? Not sure about his chances, but he will surely be back in a BCS game.

2. Georgia - A very tough schedule is sure to trip up the Bulldogs. I do not see them living up to all the hype as the preseason #1. Knowshon Moreno will have a stellar season at tailback though.

3. LSU - This year, Appalachian State come to Death Valley in week one. Can they repeat their feat from last year? Probably not, as this year’s LSU squad will be more prepared. If they can upset Florida at The Swamp, they could win the conference championship at the end of the year.

Sleeper: Alabama - Nick Saban looks to build on last year’s average year. They had a few upsets , but had the tendency to get upset. Saban will have his team better prepared to stay away from the upset bug and John Parker Wilson will need to be at the top of his game to upset teams like Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU.

SUN BELT (skipped, for a few reasons)

Aaron

1. Boise State - The Broncos finished behind only Hawaii last year, and I don’t expect the Warriors to give this team that much trouble in 2008. Boise State is a ridiculous 46-2 in conference since 2002, which leads me to think that with a dangerous offense (even with a redshirt freshman QB), they are again the team to beat.

2. Fresno State - There’s a lot of hype around Fresno this year as they head to Rutgers looking for an upset to start the season. Problem is, their out of conference schedule doesn’t let up after that, with games against Wisconsin and UCLA. But they are bringing back a ton of starters from last years successful 9-4 team, and have a glimmer of a chance to beat Boise State on the last game of the year for all the marbles.

3. Hawaii - Outside of the two powers in this conference, it’s a free for all the rest of the way. Nevada looks good again but their schedule is far too difficult for them, leaving the Hawaii Warriors alone in third. Losing a long time tenured coach in June Jones and leader Colt Brennan hurts, as does playing both Boise and Fresno on the road. But they have a good enough program and team to top the rest of the WAC.

Sleeper: none

Jeff

1. Fresno State - The Bulldogs have a tough non-conference schedule with Rutgers, Wisconsin, and UCLA, but this should help them build some confidence as they face their weak conference opponents.

2. Boise State - November 28^th will ultimately decide the WAC championship when Fresno State comes to the Blue Field. I am not sure that Boise State possesses the fire power at the skill positions to beat their conference foe.

3. -

Sleeper: none

**BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME**

Aaron

OVER

Jeff

OVER

(photos: cuda apparel & wikipedia)