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Travis Haney outlines teams in each of the five major conferences that could be surprise contenders in the 2013 college football season. Could North Carolina, Michigan or Washington mirror what Notre Dame or Florida did this season?

Blog | Conversation | January 02, 2013

Brian Fremeau ranks eight national title contenders that currently have one loss by the likelihood that each will go the rest of the season without losing. While No. 18 Texas A&M could surprise, the outlook isn't great for No. 6 LSU.

Story | Conversation | October 16, 2012

Rod Gilmore looks at three undefeated top-10 teams -- Notre Dame, West Virginia and Georgia -- and writes that they will soon be exposed as pretenders in the BCS national title race.

Story | Conversation | October 03, 2012

Brian Fremeau examines the AP top five -- Alabama, Oregon, LSU, FSU and Georgia -- and compares their statistical profiles to past title contenders.

Story | Conversation | September 25, 2012

Travis Haney takes a look at the potential "trap" games for this season's BCS title contenders.

Blog | Conversation | August 28, 2012

Will Harris analyzes how the odds have changed for BCS title favorites, contenders and longshots over the summer and provides the best value picks for each group.

Story | Conversation | August 16, 2012

Mark Ingram, Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III all won Heismans in the past three years after not entering the season as a favorite to take home the trophy. KC Joyner offers up seven candidates to follow in their footsteps in 2012.

Story | Conversation | August 16, 2012

Getting by USC won't be easy, but Oregon is set up well for a potential run at the BCS title in 2012, writes Brock Huard. Here are the three big reasons he's bullish on the Ducks' chances.

Story | Conversation | May 14, 2012

Ohio State is ineligible for postseason play in 2012, but Travis Haney writes that Urban Meyer could lead a national title contender-caliber team in 2013. Haney examines the Buckeyes and four other programs that are one year away from title contention.

Blog | Conversation | May 02, 2012

Brian Fremeau of Football Outsiders writes that the Florida State Seminoles, Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans are just three of the teams that could be BCS contenders this season if they improve on one side of the ball.

Story | Conversation | March 19, 2012

Lane Kiffin showed his coaching chops last season, leading USC to a 10-2 record. But he'll be in the crosshairs in 2012, as Trojans fans will be expecting a championship contender.

Story | Conversation | March 04, 2012

With Matt Barkley's return, along with a host of others, has USC poised for a return to national title-contender status.

Story | Conversation | January 09, 2012

ESPN Insider's Jeff Dooley takes a look at the typical benchmarks achieved by title contenders, and why LSU is getting close.

Story | Conversation | November 21, 2011

USC went into Saturday's game at Arizona State hoping to make a statement. It did, proving that it's a ways removed from being a Pac-12 contender.

Story | Conversation | September 25, 2011

Those who already herald Matt Barkley as a Heisman contender must be blocking out his rough finish last season.

Story | Conversation | August 15, 2011

Bruce Feldman takes to his mailbag, answering questions on the 2011 outlooks of Michigan State, Arkansas and Oregon, Jim Tressel's future at Ohio State and whether there's anything behind the reduction in senior Heisman contenders.

Blog | Conversation | May 20, 2011