An early 2009 top 10 (cont.)

Led by QB Jevan Snead, Ole Miss should emerge as a top 10 team in '09. Jim Cowsert/Icon SMI Stewart Mandel's Mailbag Submit a question or an opinion to Stewart. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Stewart Mandel on Twitter

4) Oklahoma: The Sooners won't be scoring 60 points a game next season -- nearly the entire offense will turn over, with or without Sam Bradford. But OU's defense, which played admirably against Florida, should be even better. Nine of its starters against the Gators were underclassmen, led by defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Travis Lewis.

5) Alabama: It's been said that the Tide were a year ahead of schedule in '08. 'Bama was extremely young and, despite losing stalwarts like tackle Andre Smith, center Antoine Caldwell and safety Rashad Johnson, will be more talented across the board. Running backs Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram return, and new quarterback Greg McElroy gets to throw to Julio Jones.

6) Ole Miss: Houston Nutt's Rebels were one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch, providing a glimpse of even better things in '09. Quarterback Jevan Snead will emerge as a potential Heisman candidate, and if Ole Miss can continue developing a defense to complement its explosive offense, the Rebels could have their best season since the '60s.

7) Oklahoma State: The Cowboys proved one of the nation's most dynamic offensive teams in '08, and quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter and wideouts Dez Bryant and Damian Davis all return. The defense remains under heavy suspicion, but those close to the program expect major improvement with a more experienced front seven.

8) Utah: Don't make the mistake of discounting the Utes just because quarterback Brian Johnson and his receivers are graduating. As you saw in the Sugar Bowl, Utah can play some pretty mean defense. Star pass-rushers Paul Kruger, Stevenson Sylvester and seven other starters return on that side. An experienced line should help the offense rebuild.

9) LSU: The Tigers' slip to the land of five losses should prove to be a one-year aberration. In the Chick-fil-A bowl rout of Georgia Tech, Les Miles found a quarterback he can trust in rising sophomore Jordan Jefferson. Star running back Charles Scott returns as well. The defensive front is still loaded with talent, and a year's experience should help a struggling secondary.

10) Virginia Tech: The Hokies are one of just three teams nationally to post five straight 10-win seasons, and they did it this year despite some major rebuilding. Tech will enter '09 with a solidly entrenched quarterback (Tyrod Taylor), a budding star tailback (Darren Evans) and another typically dominant, Bud Foster-led defense (featuring seven returning starters).

Keep an eye on: Oregon, Boise State, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Oregon State.