College football is back. King College Football. Saturdays become special effective this weekend.

The battle for a berth in the BCS bowl games.

The fight to get to the top of the rankings.

The Heisman Trophy chase.

College football is at an all-time high in popularity. Here’s a look at what’s to come from the teams in Southern California:

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Mark it down, pass it around. The losing is about to come to an end on the Montezuma Mesa. Brady Hoke, the firebrand coach, returns a truckload of experienced talent on offense at the skill positions. The defense is in its second year under fiesty coordinator Rocky Long. And the Aztecs return one of the few accomplished quarterbacks in the league.

Ryan Lindley is back for his third year as a starter, hoping to build on last year’s big passing numbers (3,023 yards; 23TDs). The key is to stay away from the mind-numbing turnovers (25), some of which were taken back for big scores.

Few in the Mountain West return the numbers of skill players Lindley will have to work with. WRs Vincent Brown and D'Marco Sampson and TE Alston Umolo, plus explosive RB Ronnie Hillman and some backup experience will make State dangerous on offense.

The great unknown is the offensive line, where players were moved from center, to guard, to tackle throughout all of fall practice. They look bigger, are more physical, and seem more experienced.

The defense returns six veteran lineman with experience, a load of linebackers led by Miles Burris, and the transfer of Andrew Preston to the "Aztec back" role, a hybrid safety-linebacker. Finding reliability on the corners will be a key on defense.

The schedule is weak, and very winnable. If this team stays healthy, I see the Aztecs knocking off one of the big three in the conference (BYU, Utah, Texas), more likely the Cougars or Utes than the Frogs.

Final record: (9-3) in a stunning reversal of a decade of failure and frustration.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

It's only fitting the Trojans football media guide has a picture of Lane Kiffin with a colorful sky of clouds, likely storm clouds, behind him. NCAA probation will do that to your program.

The amazing nine-year run of Pete Carroll is over, replaced by severe sanctions, players defections, loss of recruits and now injuries. And Kiffin thought it was tough during his one year on the job at Tennessee.

Matt Barclay comes off a superb freshman season (2,735 yards; 15 TD), but virtually his entire offensive line is gone. USC does bring back lots of experience at running back, a stable that includes veterans Alan Bradford, C.J. Gable and the oft-injured Marc Tyler. The prize recruit is Dillon Baxter, who will grow on the job.

Finding WRs to stay healthy will be a challenge, in that there is little depth there. Any injury in the offensive front could be catastrophic, especially with the last minute defection of prized recruit Seantelle Henderson. USC will have only 69-scholarship players by opening day.

The defense is wafer thin, and the Trojans numbers are way down. NT Jurrell Casey and LB-Chris Galippo are what's left, with the loss of five veteran starters off last year's NFL-laden defense.

Don't be fooled by the quick start. When the leaves turn in October, the SC season could turn downward too, with a four week run against Washington, Stanford, Cal and Oregon.

And it gets worse, for next year, due to the sanctions from the Reggie Bush era, the Trojans will be able to sign just 15-recruits per year for three seasons.

Final record: (7-6) in a season where injuries take a toll because there is no one to replace them. Trojans fans will be more unhappy by midseason than they are now, and they are not happy right now.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

Rick Neuheisel coming home to his alma mater has been special. Three good recruiting classes have pointed the arrow up, but there might be a dip this season nonetheless.

A four-win season his first campaign was supplanted by a bowl season last year, but this year will be harder.

QB Kevin Prince can be productive, but must stay healthy. Three injuries derailed his freshman season, and he has been nicked again in camp. Even worse are academic-injury and discipline woes along the offensive line. If they cannot protect him, this year's battering could be worse than last year.

WR Nelson Rosario and TE Taylor Embree are special. The run game will be anchored by young veterans Jonathon Franklin, Malcom Jones and Derrick Coleman. The big issue is can the offensive front pass protect and can they run block?

The best players on defense all went to the NFL. You just don't replace Brian Price, Reggie Carter and Alteraun Verner that easily. Undersized and very young upfront is no way to play in the Pac 10.

The schedule is unforgiving with road junkets to Kansas State, Texas, Oregon, Washington and the bitter end of season grudge game with USC, if either team has anyone left standing. One more recruiting class and Neuhisel turns the corner.

Final record: (3-9) getting mugged in the dark alley by an overwhelming schedule and a too young roster.