Best chance to go undefeated...

Forget for a moment about the scenarios that could unfold in which there is a beauty contest between one loss teams......one of the great fears of the college football fan is to see a BCS conference team go undefeated due to a weak schedule. It would be extremely hard to see a situation in which an undefeated BCS conference champ lost a spot in the title game to a one loss champ from a stronger BCS conference.

Simply looking at the best chance to go undefeated during the regular season, here are my picks and why:

USC - the stout defense can carry the offense early if need be, Young Sanchez has the benefit of a home crowd in 2008 version of Game of the Century against Ohio State, the Pac-10 is down this year.

Ohio State - obviously they would have to beat the team above, but the Big Ten just doesn't appear that challenging. The two games that stand in the way would be at Wisconsin and at Illinois. For some reason I think the addition of Terrelle Pryor will help the Buckeyes stay upset-free during their conference season.

Clemson - I can't believe I am putting Tommy Bowden in this positon but it's totally based on talent at the skill positions and a very favorable schedule. If they get past Alabama, the only other ranked team on their schedule is Wake Forest. They could get beat by Wake or S. Carolina in the finale but the Gamers have to come to Death Valley.

Oklahoma - talent, experience in the trenches and at QB and even though the Big 12 may challenge the SEC for the toughest league label, OU's schedule is favorable as they meet their most talented opponents on a neutral field (Texas) or at home (Tech, Kansas). The key to avoiding the upset plague of the past - more consistency on the road.

Missouri - I predict the Tigers to go 12-0 before losing to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. Missouri will beat Illinois and I think they will take advantage of the Longhorns' growing pains in the secondary to steal a win in Austin. I think people are overrating the potential significance of this year's Missouri-Kansas game. If Chase Daniel can get over the Oklahoma hump, they will be 13-0 and heading to Miami.

Florida - the Gators play in the ultra-competitive SEC but they get a favorable draw with home and away. The Cocktail Party is neutral. The offense should be unstoppable. The injuries on defense are a concern but a lot of experience was gained last year.

Georgia - the schedule is too tough and while Matthew Stafford will likely be cashing a big bonus check in the near future, his track record with the pads is being ignored by those pumping him up due to summer workouts in a t-shirt and shorts. The loss of the LT Sturdivant is a big blow. Off-the field issues could linger but more than anything, the burden of No. 1 is tough - plenty of teams from last year would agree.

West Virginia - Bill Stewart won more than just the most ridiculous looking bowl trophy in college football by beating Oklahoma, he won a full-time gig. I think Stewart will follow the path of Larry Coker and I'm not alone in that view but he still has Pat White and Noel Devine to run up and down the field. Defensive losses open the door too much for an improving Big East. WV also has to travel to upset-minded Colorado for a Thursday night game long before the CU students would even think about ditching the stands for the slopes.