Independents/Non-BCS

Favorite: It isn't guaranteed that there is another Boise State lurking in college football, but Texas Christian has a strong chance to make a BCS game and probably is due for a BCS breakthrough. The Horned Frogs have won at least 10 games in four of the past five seasons and have beaten their last four Big 12 opponents. So Texas had better be careful when the Horned Frogs visit Austin on Sept. 8. TCU ranked second nationally in total defense last year and should be even more dominant with the return of seniors Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, perhaps the best pair of ends in the nation.

Dark Horse: Southern Mississippi is the class of Conference USA and will have ample opportunity in September to earn national attention. The Golden Eagles play road games at Tennessee and Boise State during the season's first month. Southern Mississippi has been to bowl games in nine of the last 10 seasons under Coach Jeff Bower, and that success should continue. It returns nine defensive starters and an emerging talent at running back in sophomore Damion Fletcher. Look for Hawaii, Brigham Young and, yes, Boise State to also make serious runs toward the BCS.

Heisman Hopeful: Hawaii's Colt Brennan postponed a lucrative NFL payday and returned for his senior season to once again accumulate statistics seen only in video games. Brennan, who threw for an Division I-record 58 touchdown passes last year, has his top three receivers back, including first-team all-WAC Davone Bess. Brennan also will face a particularly featherweight schedule that includes division I-AA schools Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern. The statistics will be gaudy, and the run-and-shoot offense will be entertaining. But it remains to be seen whether Brennan will play on a stage large enough to garner sufficient national attention to win the Heisman.

Coach on the Hot Seat: Third-year coach Charlie Weis is not about to be fired, but the coach's office chair always is hot in South Bend -- just ask Tyrone Willingham. Without Brady Quinn under center and a host of talented offensive weapons, Weis must navigate the usually formidable early-season schedule, which includes back-to-back road games against Penn State and Michigan. Yes, the defense still is slow as molasses and, no, don't expect freshman phenom Jimmy Clausen to save the Irish just yet. With a soft late-season schedule, a bowl invitation still is expected, although fans could get restless while Weis's recruits mature.

Game of the Year: Boise State at Hawaii, Nov. 23: This will be a tennis match on a 100-yard field in Honolulu. A total of 100 points could be scored. Brennan has a national stage for his Heisman campaign. What's more, both teams have a reasonable chance to enter the game undefeated.

1. TCU

2. Hawaii

3. Southern Mississippi

4. Boise State

5. Navy

6. Notre Dame