The National Scene

Quarterback

TCU

Boykin revved up the Horned Frogs attack last season to the tune of 4,608 yards of total offense and 41 touchdowns (33 through the air) while setting eight school records, and he's primed for a better season in 2015. Boykin, who lost the quarterback job in 2013 but came back strong in his first full season at the helm, operates TCU's "Air Raid" offense as if it was custom-made for him. The Frogs' talent at the skill positions could result in even gaudier numbers.

Running back

Ohio State

If Heisman voters had been allowed to cast their ballots after the national championship game instead of early December, they'd have selected Elliott in a landslide. The 6-foot, 225-pound junior rushed for 696 yards, averaged 9.2 yards per carry, and scored eight touchdowns in the Buckeyes' final three games - wins over Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon. With Ohio State's offensive line returning pretty much intact, Elliott should feast on opposing defenses again.

Running back

Georgia

As a freshman last season, Chubb lived in the shadow of Todd Gurley for five games before Gurley sat out a four-game suspension and later suffered a season-ending knee injury. After 31 carries in the Bulldogs' first five games, the 228-pound Chubb wound up with 1,547 rushing yards, second in the SEC. With more carries in 2015, he could easily surpass that number, but only if Georgia finds a quarterback who is an effective passer and can keep the defense honest.

Quarterback

USC

It's not easy to fly under the radar when you're a Southern Cal quarterback, but that's exactly what Kessler did last year, when he completed almost 70 percent of his passes for 3,826 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. With a plethora of talented wide receivers picking up for the loss of current Eagle Nelson Agholor, Kessler will be piloting one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and will get noticed a lot more.

Quarterback

Clemson

The expectations for Watson, a sophomore, might be a little unfair since he missed five of the Tigers' 13 games last season - three with a broken finger and the last two with a torn ACL. However, provided he is fully recovered from the knee injury, the offense will be difficult to stop even though the team lost offensive coordinator Chad Morris, now SMU's head coach. Watson threw for 14 touchdowns last season and has some fine receivers to help him increase that number - if he is healthy.

Saturday: Wisconsin vs. Alabama at Arlington, Texas, 8 p.m., 6ABC - Now the featured back for the Badgers, former Glassboro High star Corey Clement gets the first crack against the usually stout front seven of the Crimson Tide.

Monday: Ohio State at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m., ESPN - The No. 1 Buckeyes want to get the season off on the right foot this time against the Hokies, who have an .853 winning percentage in 69 nonconference games at home since 1991.

Sept. 12: Oregon at Michigan State, 8 p.m., 6ABC - The first road game for fifth-year transfer quarterback Vernon Adams means trouble for the Ducks, as the Spartans look to avenge last season's loss by playing four quarters instead of three.

Sept. 19: Auburn at Louisiana State, 3:30 p.m., CBS3 - The LSU Tigers, who managed just a .500 record in the SEC last season, must take advantage of Death Valley in this early showdown, but their defense needs to be sharp against Jeremy Johnson.

Sept. 19: Stanford at Southern Cal, 8 p.m., 6ABC - The Trojans and coach Steve Sarkisian are feeling the heat of heightened expectations and need to get off to a good start in their Pac-12 opener.

Oct. 3: Alabama at Georgia, time and TV TBD - By this time, we should find out if the Crimson Tide are going with one, two, or three quarterbacks. Whoever it is, Nick Chubb and the Bulldogs offense will try to play keep-away.

Michigan

After successful stops at Stanford and with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh returns to his alma mater amid much hoopla following the unproductive reigns of Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they're in a Big Ten East with Ohio State and Michigan State in the Top 10, and Penn State rising.

Nebraska

The 61-year-old Riley stunned the college football world by leaving Oregon State after 14 seasons to try to get the Cornhuskers back to national prominence while putting a smiling face in the chair that once belonged to grumpy Bo Pelini.

Wisconsin

The Badgers' former offensive guru returns to his alma mater after three seasons as Pitt's head man, replacing Gary Andersen, who spent two years with the Badgers before heading out to Oregon State. Catching a connection here?

Pittsburgh

With Chryst's having left an opening behind in the Steel City, Narduzzi became the Panthers' fifth head coach in the last seven years, following a successful eight-year tenure as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Will Pitt finally find stability?

Florida

The Gators hired McElwain from Colorado State to spice up an offense that hit rock bottom under defense-minded coach Will Muschamp, finishing last in the SEC in scoring in 2013 and 12th in total offense last season.