College Football Preseason Top 25. Part Three.

Rex Burkhead

15. Nebraska-Nebraska had a respectable first season in the Big Ten, and now they will look to make a push for a conference championship. The Huskers have 14 returning starters, and some key players in important positions. Taylor Martinez is back at quarterback for his junior campaign. Martinez is an excellent runner that is improving his passing game. He will be joined in the backfield with underrated running back, Rex Burkhead.  Burkhead is a valuable player for Nebraska and is one of the better players in the conference. Kenny Bell is the top receiver back for Martinez. The Cornhuskers will be employing some new linemen, and it may take a while for the unit to gel. The patented "blackshirt" defense had a very average 2011 season. They bring back seven starters and should be better this time around. Cameron Meredith will be a big pass rushing threat on the defensive line. The schedule sets up nicely for the most part. They get Wisconsin and Michigan coming to Lincoln. Trips to Michigan State and Ohio State will be difficult. They have the talent to contend with anyone in the league, they need to prove it.

Marcus Lattimore

14. South Carolina-South Carolina is coming off an 11 win season, yet they failed to win the SEC East, and did not make a BCS Bowl. The SEC East will be very much attainable for the Gamecocks. They will be led by perhaps the best running back in the nation in Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore is returning from an injury, but he has all the tools when he is healthy. Connor Shaw takes the dubious task of playing quarterback for Steve Spurrier. That is often a tough position to hold, but Shaw showed signs of being pretty good in 2011. Th defense was among the nation's best in 2011, and will feature super sophomore, Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney came up with eight sacks as a true freshmen, and is expected to be a superstar. The schedule has the Gamecocks avoiding Alabama and Arkansas. They still have to play LSU, and of course the SEC East has plenty of skilled teams as well. South Carolina has the ability to win the SEC, they have recruited very well of late. South Carolina needs to get over the proverbial "hump" and get to a BCS game.

Logan Thomas

13. Virginia Tech-The strength for Virginia Tech rests with the defense. There will be right starters back for the Hokies, and they ranked 7th in total defense last season. James Gayle and J.R. Collins are two of the best defensive ends in the conference. Bruce Taylor is a tackling machine at Middle Linebacker, and Kyle Fuller is a stud cornerback. The defense will be among the nation's best, just as Frank Beamer would like it. The offense has only three starters returning.They at least have Logan Thomas back at quarterback. Thomas is rising up the charts as a draft prospect with his size and athleticism. He will need to have a monster season for the Hokies. Virginia Tech is one of the most consistent programs in the country, and they will be in the ACC race for this year and could be playing in the Orange Bowl once again.

Aaron Murray

12. Georgia-The Georgia Bulldogs may have all the pieces in place to be a championship contender. They have an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray. Murray could be the best quarterback in the SEC after throwing 35 touchdowns last season.  They must find a new tailback, as Isaiah Crowell was dismissed from the team. Ken Malcome is expected to be the featured back. Tavarres King is back as Georgia's leading receiver, and should be poised for a big season as Murray's favorite target.   The defense returns ten starters from last year, and they should be among the SEC's best. Georgia should be set to compete with teams like LSU and Alabama. They are fortunate enough to not have Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas on the schedule. Georgia could make a run at a National Championship.

Montee Ball

11. Wisconsin-The Badgers have the easiest road to the Big Ten Championship as anyone.  Penn State and Ohio State are not eligible to play in the Big Ten Title game making Wisconsin the sure fire pick to win the Leaders Division.  The Badgers also have a pretty talented team that could have won it regardless of the sanctions. Montee Ball is one of the Heisman front runners. He is a do it all running back that could hear his name called at the Heisman ceremonies in December. Wisconsin will opt for another transfer quarterback after having great success with Russel Wilson. Danny O'Brien is the former Maryland quarterback that was the league's newcomer of the year a few season's back. He has a go to target in Jared Abbrederis, who caught 8 touchdowns last season.  The Badger defense has six starters returning and the unit will be among the conference's best. They have a trip to Nebraska is late September which could be difficult, but for the most part all their big games are in Madison.