Preseason top 25 overview

NO. 1 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Trojans — 2004 (13-0)

Pete Carroll (42-9, 4 years)

Returning Starters: Offense 8, Defense 5.

Players to Watch: QB Matt Leinart; DE Lawrence Jackson; S Darnell Bing; RB LenDale White; LB Keith Rivers; RB-KR Reggie Bush; G Fred Matua; WR Dwayne Jarrett; OT Sam Baker; WR Steve Smith; S Scott Ware; OT Winston Justice; LB Dallas Sartz; CB Justin Wyatt; LB Rey Maualuga.

Conference: Pac-10.

Site: Los Angeles. Stadium: LA Memorial Coliseum (92,000)

Strengths: Quarterback; wide receiver; running back; offensive line; defensive line.

Question Marks: Linebacker; secondary.

Key Games: Sept. 24 at Oregon; Oct. 1 at Arizona State; Oct. 15 at Notre Dame; Nov. 12 at California; Dec. 3 UCLA.

NO. 2 TEXAS

Longhorns — 2004 (11-1)

Mack Brown (70-19, 7 years)

Returning Starters: Offense 7, Defense 9.

Players to Watch: DT Rodrique Wright; TE David Thomas; OT Jonathan Scott; QB Vince Young; DT Larry Dibbles; OT Justin Blalock; G Will Allen; DE Tim Crowder; S Michael Huff; LB Aaron Harris; CB Cedric Griffin; S Michael Griffin; WR Jordan Shipley; KR Ramonce Taylor.

Conference: Big 12.

Site: Austin. Stadium: Memorial (80,082)

Strengths: Quarterback; tight end; offensive line; defensive line.

Question Marks: Wide receiver; linebacker.

Key Games: Sept. 10 at Ohio State; Oct. 8 vs. Oklahoma; Oct. 15 Colorado; Oct. 22 Texas Tech; Nov. 25 at Texas A&M.

NO. 3 TENNESSEE

Volunteers — 2004 (10-3)

Phillip Fulmer (113-31, 13 years)

Returning Starters: Offense 8, Defense 9.

Players to Watch: OL Arron Sears; RB Gerald Riggs; DT Jesse Mahelona; DB Jason Allen; G Cody Douglas; DE Parys Haralson; LB Omar Gaither; LB Kevin Simon; K James Wilhoit; OL Rob Smith; QB Erik Ainge; QB Rick Clausen; CB Roshaun Fellows.