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It's almost that time of year.

Well, almost... but as spring practices resume across the country, we are able to get a better feel on who will contend for respective conference championships with the hope in mind to etch their program in history with a 2009 BCS national title.

While there are a few teams who seem ready to contend, as has been the case the last few seasons - there are very few "powerhouse ready" teams. Outside of Florida, who returns a significant portion of offense and two-deep on defense - there don't seem to be many stout contenders. Oklahoma will be good again, but don't underestimate the massive losses they suffered on their offensive line. See - Bob Stoops recent public criticism of their recent practice play. Ditto with Texas - they'll but good, but they have a few losses that could hurt.

As usual, you'll also have your "surprise" contenders, i.e. teams that were good last year but had significant losses (Alabama, USC) or good but young with questions and seemingly unable to ever get over the hump (Virginia Tech). You can never rule out USC - even with a revamped defense and questions at QB. Alabama had a few losses, but figure to maintain a stout defense, maintains Nicholas Lou as head coach, and while John Parker Wilson holds nearly every major Alabama passing record, I don't know that he'll be that hard to replace.

I offer, a breakdown, by conference (and divisions if is the case), and the likely national title contenders for 2009. Without further adue...

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
East Division
Florida (division and conference winner)(title contender, favorite)
Georgia
Tennessee
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Kentucky
West Division
Ole Miss (divisional, slight margin)(outside title contender)
Alabama (serious divisional challenger)(outside title contender)
LSU (moderate divisional challenger)
Arkansas
Auburn
Mississippi State

NOTES: Of course I have Florida winning both the east and the conference crown. I have Ole Miss with a slight edge over Alabama for the west, with LSU a serious contender (should they play up to par with their talent level). The difference? I compared schedules. Ole Miss has only one "tough" road game, at Auburn. Thing is, Houston Nutt has proven he can win in hostile venues, over and over again. He also has proven he can win divisional crowns in the SEC. Whether he can take the overall crown remains to be seen.

PAC-10 CONFERENCE
USC (conference)(outside title contender)
Oregon (serious conference contender)
California
Arizona
Oregon State
Stanford
UCLA
Arizona State
Washington
Washington State

NOTES: USC's reign could be seriously challenged this fall, with them being the most vunerable since Pete Carroll's dynasty began. Problem is, as it is every year... who's going to unseat them?

BIG EAST CONFERENCE
Cincinnati (serious conference contender)
South Florida (moderate conference contender)
West Virginia (moderate conference contender)
Connecticut
Rutgers
Pittsburgh
Louisville
Syracuse

NOTES: No intimidating challengers or teams stand out in the upcoming season. The Big East race will probably come down to the last weekend. Anyone but Syracuse has a theoretical chance at the Big East title and a BCS bid, but I'll favor Cincy for now.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
Coastal Division
Virginia Tech (division and conference winner)(outside title contender)
Georgia Tech (serious divisional challenger)
North Carolina
Miami
Virginia
Duke
Atlantic Division
Florida State (slight divisional favorite)
Maryland
Clemson
Wake Forest
Boston College
N. C. State

NOTES: Just look at the ACC. True, there are no elite teams. But, for depth, they are unsurpassed. All 12 ACC teams could realistically qualify for a bowl bid. I think 11 of them will actually be bowl eligible (with Duke barely missing, at 5-7). Virginia Tech could break the ACC out of its non-title team rut come 2009 with upgrades on offense. Their schedule, while having numerous pit-falls, sets up nicely if managed correctly for a title run. As for the Atlantic Division of the conference - I made Florida State the slight favorite, but all of these teams could entertain divisional hopes (even N. C. State) if the ball falls just right.

BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Ohio State (serious conference contenders)
Penn State (moderate conference contenders)
Michigan State (moderate conference contenders)
Iowa
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Illinois
Michigan
Purdue
Northwestern
Indiana

NOTES: The Big Ten will really lack an elite team in 2009. Ohio State will be decent, but have numerous holes across the board to address. I suppose having Terrelle Pryor is an advantage, but #2 will really need to show improvement in his passing skills. The conference as a whole should be at least somewhat improved with Wisconsin, Michigan, Purdue, and Illinois all primed to have a better season than last year. In addition, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan State should continue to imprive Moreover, the conference is still a year or two away from returning to a major player on the national scene (barring numerous surprises).

BIG TWELVE CONFERENCE
North Division
Nebraska
Missouri
Kansas
Colorado
Kansas State
Iowa State
South Division
Oklahoma (slight division favorite)(conference)(title contender)
Texas (heavy divisional challenger)(conference challenger)(title contender)
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Texas A & M
Baylor

NOTES: I made Oklahoma the South Division favorite (which basically means the Big XII Champion here of late) by a slight margin - though I think Texas is just as likely collect a Big XII - South title. I think the south will just as "good" as last year, with Baylor and Texas A & M making strides. In the north, Nebraska could be primed for a north crown as they continue to rebuild. Losing Ganz hurts, but the defense should continue to improve under Pelini (who's obviously missed at LSU) to soften the blow.  As for the rest, I do think medocrity will ensue. Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Kansas State should all field a 6-6 or 7-5 type bowl eligible team, but hardly enstill fear in upper tier opponents. That leaves lowly Iowa State to remain just that, lowly.

Coming next - "All the Others/ Non-BCS conference"