A quick look at the 2009 college football season and its storylines

Welcome to the greatest Heisman Trophy race in history, otherwise known as the 2009 college football season. All other topics take a back seat, from Florida̢۪s quest to repeat to Charlie Weis̢۪ derriere on the hot seat.

For the first time in 74 years of Heisman races, two previous winners are dueling for the trophy.

Florida̢۪s Tim Tebow and Oklahoma̢۪s Sam Bradford both play the glamour position (quarterback) at glamour schools that have designs on the Bowl Championship Series title.

Tebow, the ̢۪07 Heisman winner and two-time national champion who performs missionary work in the Philippines.

Bradford, the ̢۪08 winner and likely No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, directed the most prolific offense in the history of the game.

Yet the race is so loaded, Tebow and Bradford aren̢۪t even the clear favorites.

Both will have to repel Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who completed 77 percent of his passes last season (an NCAA record) and finished second in the Heisman voting.

Never before have the top three finishers returned to college the following season.

Any other year, Cal tailback Jahvid Best, the one with the dazzling speed and 80-yard runs, would be a preseason favorite.

Any other year, Florida̢۪s quest for its second consecutive national title, and third in four years, would be the big story.

Any other year, all eyes would be on Weis, who returns for his fifth and possibly final season in South Bend.

Those are compelling stories, and there are plenty more: from Lane Kiffin̢۪s first season at Tennessee to Terrelle Pryor̢۪s second at Ohio State; from USC̢۪s 18-year-old Matt Barkley to Penn State̢۪s 82-year-old Joe Paterno; from Boise State̢۪s attempt to crash the BCS to Michigan̢۪s attempt to get bowl-eligible.

But this year, those are all in the background. This year, it̢۪s all about the Heisman and those quarterbacks.

BCS PROJECTIONS

National-title game: Florida vs. Texas. Make it three titles in four years for the Gators.

Rose Bowl: Cal vs. Ohio State. One of the toughest tickets in Rose history.

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Penn State. Another BCS thumping for the Big Ten.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. USC. Trojans fans are tired of the Rose Bowl anyway.

Sugar Bowl: Mississippi vs. Pittsburgh. He who picks last …­ gets Pittsburgh.

COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT

Charlie Weis, Notre Dame: Must win at least eight games or he̢۪s done.

Dan Hawkins, Colorado: With 13 victories in three years, it̢۪s bowl or bust.

Lane Kiffin, Tennessee: Talked the talk and broke the rules. But can he coach?

Paul Wulff, Washington State: Another abominable year could be problematic.

FIVE MUST-SEE GAMES Sept. 12, USC at Ohio State: Will the Trojans̢۪ dominance of the Big Ten continue?

Oct. 3, USC at Cal: Circumstances similar to ‘03, when Cal won in triple OT.

Oct. 10, Florida at LSU: Best chance to see the Tebow train derailed.

Oct. 17, Texas vs. Oklahoma: Winner becomes a front-runner for BCS title game.

Nov. 7, Ohio State at Penn State: Nittany Lions should be undefeated when the Buckeyes visit.

TEAM ON THE RISE

UCLA: Loaded defense, improved offensive line and the second year in Norm Chow̢۪s offense should propel the Bruins, who were 4-8 last season, into a bowl game.

TEAM ON THE DECLINE

Utah: No chance for an undefeated season or a BCS bid with a rebuilt offense and difficult schedule.

TOUGHEST CONFERENCE

SEC: The kingpin again thanks to powerhouses Florida, Mississippi, LSU and Alabama, but its advantage over the Big 12 has narrowed.

WEAKEST CONFERENCE

Big East: Doesn̢۪t have anything close to a top-10 team, but the BCS automatic bid remains intact (unfortunately).

TOUGHEST SCHEDULES

Oklahoma: Good thing the Sooners are loaded. They are likely to play nine bowl-bound teams … and only three at home.

Florida State: BYU and Florida plus a tough ACC schedule mean only a few easy weeks for the ‘Noles.

WEAKEST SCHEDULE

Penn State: With a non-conference lineup of Akron, Temple, Syracuse and Eastern Illinois, JoePa should be ashamed.

Rutgers: Look for a big season from the Scarlet Knights thanks to Howard, Florida International, Texas Southern and Maryland.

AND THE HEISMAN GOES TOO …

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. It̢۪s his turn.