Heisman fab four

1. Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech: No longer sharing the duties with Lee Suggs, Jones will be able to show off his game-breaking ability for the Hokies. Averaged 5.4 ypc last year despite a hamstring injury.

Associated Press Eli Manning's Heisman quest depends on a winning record.

2. Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State: Won't play in opener against Washington and beyond, thanks to suspension of ‘‘multiple games'' handed down last week. Ran for 1,237 yards as a freshman and helped lead the Buckeyes to the national title last season despite a shoulder injury.

3. Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi: Manning tries to do what his older brother, Peyton, and father, Archie, couldn't -- win the Heisman.

4. Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State: A fourth-year starter, Rivers can launch his Heisman campaign with a big game at Ohio State on Sept. 13. With a relatively soft schedule after that, Rivers should put up big numbers.

On the hot seat

1. Frank Solich, Nebraska: The Cornhuskers' worst season in 41 years cost Solich his play-calling duties and many assistants their jobs. Solich could be next to go if Nebraska doesn't return to its level under Tom Osborne soon.

2. Ron Zook, Florida: Five losses in his first year in place of Steve Spurrier didn't sit well in Gainesville. Tough tilts in September against Miami and Tennessee could put Zook in even deeper trouble.

3. Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse: Coming off his first losing season in 13 years with the Orangemen, Pasqualoni will have trouble competing in the final year of this version of the Big East.

4. John Mackovic, Arizona: A players' revolt almost led to Mackovic losing his job last season. Another eight-loss season could do the trick this year.

Title tilts

Games most likely to have national title implications, with preseason rankings:

1. No. 8 Southern Cal at No. 6 Auburn (Aug. 30).

2. No. 5 Texas vs. No. 1 Oklahoma, at Dallas (Oct. 11).

3. No. 3 Miami at No. 9 Virginia Tech (Nov. 1).

4. No. 2 Ohio State at No. 4 Michigan (Nov. 22).

Great game days

1. Nov. 1: Miami at Virginia Tech, Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville), Florida State at Notre Dame, Ohio State at Penn State, Virginia at N.C. State, Oklahoma State at Oklahoma.

2. Oct. 11: Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas), Georgia at Tennessee, Miami at Florida State, Kansas State at Oklahoma State, Ohio State at Wisconsin.

3. Oct. 25: Auburn at LSU, Southern California at Washington, Oklahoma at Colorado, Purdue at Michigan, Tennessee at Alabama, Notre Dame at Boston College, and Arizona State at UCLA.

4. Nov. 22: Ohio State at Michigan, Alabama at Auburn, Maryland at N.C. State, UCLA at Southern California, Washington State at Washington, Missouri at Kansas State, LSU at Mississippi, Clemson at South Carolina.