Early 2006 Top 10

	MAILBAG Submit a question or an opinion to Stewart. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

1. Texas -- If Vince comes back.

2. Notre Dame -- This could be the season Irish fans have been waiting for since 1993. Seventeen starters return, most notably QB Brady Quinn, RB Darius Walker and WR Jeff Samardizja, and WR Rhema McKnight returns from injury to replace Maurice Stovall. The defense will obviously need to mature.

3. USC -- Next season should be much like 2003, when the Trojans had to replace Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu and all its significant running backs. They'll be fine by halfway through the year, but like Cal did that season, someone should be able to knock them off early.

4. LSU -- We've long known how much talent is on hand in Baton Rouge, and you saw in the Peach Bowl what the Tigers are capable of when it all clicks. The offense will be loaded, especially with RB Alley Broussard returning, but the defense has numerous holes to fill.

5. Ohio State -- Following his epic Fiesta Bowl performance, QB Troy Smith should enter the season a Heisman candidate, and the offense will again be potent. Replacing A.J. Hawk and two other starting linebackers, as well as WR Santonio Holmes, will be a challenge.

6. West Virginia -- The Mountaineers made a statement for next year with their impressive Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. It seems hard to believe, but the eye-popping stars of that game, quarterback Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton, were freshmen this season.

7. Florida -- Urban Meyer's offenses exploded in his second seasons at Bowling Green and Utah. It might not be as dramatic for the Gators -- especially with so many holes on the O-line -- but QB Chris Leak looked a lot more comfortable against Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

8. Oklahoma -- The rest of the Big 12 took their best shots at the young Sooners this season; it won't be as easy next year. A healthy Adrian Peterson in the backfield, a more mature Rhett Bomar at quarterback and a more experienced offensive line should help OU return to prominence.

9. Michigan -- The Wolverines were ranked way too high going into this season; next year, they'll likely be rated too low. QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WRs Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham all return for a squad that wasn't nearly as bad as its 7-5 record.

10. Cal -- The Bears' offense exploded its last two games after coach Jeff Tedford finally pulled the plug on erratic QB Joe Ayoob. With Steve Levy or Nathan Longshore at quarterback complementing RBs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, Cal's attack could be pretty scary in 2006.

Keep an eye on: Auburn, Florida State, Nebraska, Clemson and Iowa.