We promised the college football season would not disappoint for the fans that thirst for upsets, surprises, and excitement. Entering the season there were a number stories surrounding college football to keep an eye on and now since the start of the season there has been even more shocking headlines to emerge. With only 3 weeks of football in the books, what will happen next? We take a look at the Top 10 biggest headlines to date early in the 2009 College Football Season as we prepare for even bigger stories as the year progresses.

#10. Ohio State Buckeyes “Big Hump”

Ohio State entered the 2009 season with tons of anticipation behind their new star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. However, the one common agreement among college football enthusiasts is that the Buckeyes would need to finally win the big games. The Buckeyes knew they would have to beat USC this season if there was to be any glory. However, the Buckeyes failed to deliver yet again losing 18-15. The focus now turns back to salvaging the Big Ten Title and possibly making a BCS Bowl Game. Ohio State is now 0-4 against Top 5 teams over the last two seasons not to mention losing 3 straight losses in BCS Bowl Games over the last 3 seasons. If the Buckeyes are to return to the National Championship stage, they must find a way to get over the hump against the top teams in the country.

#9. “BCS Busters”

Heading into the 2009 season there was tons of talks surrounding the “BCS Busters.” Teams that were outside of BCS conferences played well in 2008 highlighted by Utah who took down Alabama out of the mighty SEC in the Sugar Bowl. BYU seemed to be the most likely candidate for this season after upsetting Oklahoma in week 1. However last Saturday both BYU and Utah suffered critical losses. It now appears that the non-BCS teams have their work cut out for them if they are to somehow make noise again in the 2009 postseason. Only Boise State and TCU has legitimate opportunities remaining. TCU still has a difficult schedule with meetings with Clemson and BYU. If any team is to become a BCS Buster this year it will likely be the guys in blue out of Boise State.

#8. ‘Rich Rod’ “Under Fire”

Coach Rich Rodriguez had much higher expectations for his first season in Ann Arbor in 2008. After introducing the spread offense at West Virginia, Rodriguez was considered a modern day mastermind with the headset. Anticipation was high in the “Big House” for the 2008 season, but the Wolverines just managed a 3-9 record struggling all season on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Wolverines have found confidence in year 2 of the Rodriguez campaign and are off to a solid 3-0 record including a big victory over Notre Dame 38-34. With the restored faith from Michigan faithful, perhaps in time Michigan will return to the national prominence.

#7. Blount “Punch seen around the world”

Do you think college football fans were disappointed after the opening night of the season for 2009? As Boise State and Oregon took center stage on the opening night of football, football fans tuned in around the world to the first meeting between top 25 teams in a premier match-up on Thursday night. Oregon came out flat and was never able to get things rolling in the game. The Broncos rolled in a low scoring 19-8 victory. However, it was the post game activity that had everyone in America talking that Friday morning. Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount was held to an ineffective performance on the playing field. Frustration reached its boiling point after the game when Blount was taunted by Broncos Bryon Hout who taunted the Ducks tailback during post celebration. However, things took a quick and sudden turn when Blount landed a right jab that sent Hout to his knees. Making matters worse, Blount was out of control while ushers attempted to escort him off the field making moves towards Boise State fans on the exit ramp. The “punch” ended Blount’s career as he was suspended for the rest of the season while this was his anticipated senior season.

#6. The SEC

One of the biggest questions heading into the season was if anyone would be able to stop the SEC from their 4th consecutive National Championship? All indications early on say no. The Florida Gators entered the season with the most 1st place votes in history. Until last week’s 23-13 victory over the Tennessee, the Gators seemed invincible. However, they are still going to be extremely difficult to beat. Also, the likes of Alabama and Mississippi have joined the Gators making up 3 of the top 5 teams in the country. Throw LSU in the picture at number 7 and the SEC is controlling the top of the rankings and it appears they will have their share of teams in BCS Bowls this year. With the former top 5 teams like Oklahoma, USC, and Oklahoma State already suffering losses, the best conference in football looks like they have all the making to bring home another crown.

#5. California at its “Best”

If you paid attention to any of our preseason conference breakdowns, we warned that the Pac-10 would be wide open this season. USC is under the control of a freshman quarterback and Oregon does not appear to be the front runner many thought they could be. While much of the Pac-10 is struggling, California is striving. The Golden Bears have climbed the polls to number 6 in the country with a 3-0 start outscoring opponents 146-41 in the process. One of the main factors in the Golden Bears success is no surprise by the name of Jahvid Best. The star running back is averaging a lucrative 7.8 yards per carry and already has 8 touchdowns in just 3 games which also have him catching some Heisman Trophy attention. Best is undoubtedly the top running back in the land and he has the Golden Bears prime success. If California contends to roll and can take out USC at home on October 3rd, then Best could lead the Golden Bears back to the BCS or even National Title stage.

#4. Trojans Fall

The USC Trojans entered the season ranked 3rd in the country, but the story surrounding the team evolved around freshman quarterback Matt Barkley. Barkley is the first ever freshman to start at quarterback for the Trojans. While the Trojans returned numerous starters on the offensive side of the ball, many figured they would not be as dominate as they have been over the Pac-10 in year’s past. However, nobody expected the Trojans would lose their first game of the year to Washington. The Huskies were winless last year at 0-12, but pulled off an amazing upset over USC kicking a field goal in the final seconds to lift the Huskies to a 16-13 victory. The Trojans losing seemed inevitable, but who would have thought it would have come from one of the bottom dwellers in the Pac-10. Now the question is will they be able to salvage a chance at their 8th straight Pac-10 Championship?

#3. The Return of the U

Entering the season there may have been no other team in the country with more concerns at quarterback than the Miami Hurricanes. After backups Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith announced plans to transfer, the Hurricanes were looking very thin at the most important position on the field. However, sophomore Jacory Harris has ended all concerns at the quarterback position. Harris has been spectacular in charge of the Miami passing attack. The Hurricanes have been absolutely dominant through the air averaging 328 yards each of their first two games. The emergence of the offense has contributed to Miami knocking off two straight Top 25 teams while looking unstoppable on offense. The Hurricanes who entered the season outside of the Top 25, have vaulted all the way to a number 9 national ranking. If the passing game continues to roll, Miami has all chances at contending for an ACC Championship. Perhaps their biggest test of the year will come this weekend when they travel to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

#2. Sooners and Bradford Go Down

The return of the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford had expectations riding high for the Sooners. Oklahoma sported the best offense in the country last season averaging over 50 points per game including an NCAA record 5 straight games over 60 points. The beloved offense was supposed to lead the Sooners to another shot at the National Championship after falling last year in the championship game to Florida. However, Oklahoma never made it past week 1 before those dreams were shattered. Oklahoma was upset by BYU 14-13. Not only did the Sooners offense fail to produce, but they lost Sam Bradford to a shoulder injury during the game as well. The loss ended most chances at contending for a National Championship, but any shot Bradford may have had at repeating for a 2nd straight Heisman Trophy.

#1. Gators “Road to Glory”

The biggest question of the year has yet to be answered, but it remains at the top of the list. The Florida Gators have already won two National Championships in just 3 seasons and are now big favorites to repeat again. The Gators entered the season as an overwhelming favorite and blew out their fist two inferior opponents 118-9. The Gators defense returned all 11 starters, and of course on offense they have the heralded former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. All indications show that Tebow is the front runner for another Heisman Trophy, but it is still early in the season. The Gators appeared untouchable until Tennessee kept the game close last week 23-13. Florida has already rewritten a bunch of pages in the record books. However, if they are to win another National Championship they will likely be considered the greatest team of the modern era. As for Tebow, he is already considered one of the greatest college football players of all time and winning another Heisman Trophy would concrete his legacy for all eternity.

National Signing Day is officially over and the most talented high school athletes in America have signed letters of intent on where they are going to showcase their play at the college level. The Southeastern Conference known as the SEC has dominated on the playing field over the last few years and owns the last 3 National Championships. The recruiting battle is very important to maintaining dominance on the playing field as coaches try and persuade talented players to come to their school in attempt to build the best football roster possible. Similar to previous years, the 2009 recruiting class coming out of the SEC looks to be as strong as ever with an amazing 10 teams in the top 25 according to rivals.com with 5 among the top 12 in the country.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have signed the top rated class in America for the 2nd straight year in a row which is a huge accomplishment for Nick Saban in his early tenure in Tuscaloosa. Young star players like Julio Jones who appears to be the best freshmen in America made immediate impacts last season and there are a ton of talented athletes who will have the same chance out of the 2009 class. Alabama shocked the majority of the SEC last year with an undefeated regular season. The Crimson Tide was expected to be very good as a young team, but nobody expected them to contend for a National Title so early. However, after this year’s class backing up the number 1 class of 2008 the Crimson Tide may take over the position from Florida in battling for National Championships on a yearly basis.

The number 2 rated class radiates out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana by the LSU Tigers. LSU won the 2008 National Championship and will try to get back to the top of the SEC West after a disappointing finish to last year’s season. The Tigers stout class favors the defensive side of the ball with future standouts DB Craig Loston and DT Chris Davenport. LSU defense is the crown jewel that led them to the National Championship two years ago and it seems that Coach Les Miles is in the midst of building back another dominant defense to return the Tigers to glory.

The Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators, and South Carolina Gamecocks wrapped up the 9th, 10th, and 12th team rankings in recruiting. The Bulldogs lost a bunch of key players last season in running back Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford on the offensive side of the ball. Georgia signed some big names on the offensive side of the ball to fill those shoes. Aaron Murray ranks 3rd out all the quarterbacks in the nation coming out of high school in 2009 and the young Tampa, Florida native will try to make a difference down in Athens.

The Florida Gators have accomplished everything over the last few seasons in Heisman Trophy and 2 National Championship Awards. Tim Tebow will return for his senior season and all eyes will be on the former Heisman winner to see if he can lead the Gators in quest of another championship. Outside of the loss of junior Percy Harvin the majority of the Gators will be back in 2009. Florida signed the smallest class out of any of the teams in the Top 25 with only 16 signatures compared to the 25 limit most schools signed. The Gators will return a mature talented team that will look to add some more hardware down in Gainesville.

The South Carolina Gamecocks have struggled on the field over the last few seasons, but have really recruited well despite some disappointing losses. The Gamecocks were plagued by inconsistency last season at the quarterback position despite having a premier defense. South Carolina signed some big players to help boost the struggling offense. Running back Jarvis Giles and wide receiver Alshon Jefferey will have valid opportunities to get immediate playing time. Still the Gamecocks will be in search of a leader behind center. However if they find a reliable quarterback, they could wreak havoc in the SEC next year as the spoiler team of the conference.

Lane Kiffin took over the head coaching position at Tennessee this season late in the recruiting trail. The Volunteer staff only signed 19 players, but they really closed the deal on some talented players that propelled them to a number 17 ranking. Kiffin will have a load of reconstructive work to do in Knoxville and it will likely take a season or two before the tradition returns to Tennessee.

Other SEC schools No. 15 Arkansas, No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 19 Auburn, and No. 23 Mississippi State all signed more than the 25 allowed on campus in attempt to fill up the rosters. Over signing is not that uncommon considering many kids will not get in due to academics while others may enroll in junior colleges until they progress to the Div I level.

If you ever wonder why the SEC has been so dominant on the football field over the last decade and especially in the last few years, then you should start your search on the recruiting trail. The SEC earned the top ranked recruiting class for the 3rd year in a row eerie similar to the 3 National Titles they have won on the field the last 3 years. Sure the SEC plays the best defense in the country when the season begins and many people credit that is the lone reason for the success from the conference. However, when you sign so many talented team rosters and put those highly rated players on the football field to battle every game throughout the season in a conference like the SEC then it tends to get the best out of a team towards the end of the season and that is the real reason the SEC continues to excel.