Who will be this year's Kansas?  I think everyone will be talking about the 2007 college football season twenty years from now.  2007 will be remembered for Appallachian State's huge win over Michigan, Kansas' 12-1 record, Stanford's upset over USC, Hawaii making a run to the BCS, Tim Tebow being the first sophmore to win the Heisman trophy, Kentucky beating LSU in 3 OT's, the BCS Championship being played by LSU (2 losses) and Ohio State (1 loss), Ohio State being blown out a second straight year in the Championship Game, South Florida becoming the 2nd best team in Florida, Mount Union not winning the Division III championship, Pitt beating WVU in the backyard brawl to end the Mountainer's title hopes and Michigan beating Florida in the Capital One Bowl to send Lloyd Carr into retirement with a win.  I hope 2008 is even better.

Every season there seems to be a team that comes out of nowhere and becomes a Top 10 team overnight.  Last year, Kansas was that team.  Kansas was average over the last few years, but blew up last year.  Seasoned veterans, a favorable schedule, a weakened Big 12 North and limited injuries helped Kansas along the way, but they finished 12-1 with an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.  Not bad.  Illinois was a close second.  If they would have won the Rose Bowl, I would have picked the Illini over the Jayhawks.

This year has several teams that fit into this category.  First, North Carolina. Their road games are winnable - Rutgers, Miami, Virginia, Maryland and Duke.  Home games are tough, but manageable - BC, Va Tech, UConn and ND.  They can 7 or 8 out of those games.  Oh yeah, NC is entering year two under Butch Davis. 

Second, Nebraska.  Oklahoma, Va Tech and Missouri will be tall orders, but if they can 1 or 2 of these three games, Nebraska will likely be a ten win team this year.  Teams with new coaches tend to struggle as new schemes are implemented, but Pelini is a seasoned coach who can work throught growing pains.

Third,  Texas A&M.  Tough call considering the coaching change, but the team has veteran leadership and a manageable schedule.  The away games are all winnable - Baylor, Texas, New Mexico, Ok State and Iowa State.  Home games are tough, but if these lose only 2, that is a ten win season.  If A&M can limit the turnovers, get good special teams play and avoid major injuries, 2008 might be a special year. 

Other teams on the radar, but definite longshots.  I expect these teams to improve dramatically, but not enough to be special.  Minnesota - easy non-conference schedule,  Arizona - non-conference schedule fairly easy, PAC 10 road games manageable, and Iowa - non-conference schedule all winnable, no Ohio State, Michigan in conference plus tough games at home.

Guilty pleasure picks - Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Lousiville, Auburn and UCLA.