Many questions surround the 2010 NCAA football season.  Will Alabama repeat?  Can Mark Ingram win another Heisman?  How will the Gators fare without Tim Tebow?

These are all questions that will have to be answered from now until the National Championship game in January.  The Final Point predicts the upcoming NCAA season and answers some of the major concerns of the 2010 football year.

10.  Can Rich Rodriquez save his job at Michigan?

This is one of the most difficult questions surrounding the 2010 season.  It’s no secret that Rodriquez has been on the hot seat since he arrived in Ann Arbor.  Rodriquez was followed to Michigan by a dark cloud of scrutiny from his days at West Virginia.  The NCAA has since investigated Rodriquez’ tenure at West Virginia University and discovered many instances of non-compliance with NCAA regulations, including improper watching of offseason workouts, too many coaches on his staff and exceeding NCAA limits on practice time in 2006.  The Wolverines have a rough Big-10 schedule.  The good news for Wolverines fans is that they have home games against Connecticut, Michigan State, #9 Iowa, and #12 Wisconsin.  The bad news is that they have to travel to Notre Dame, Purdue, #19 Penn State, and end the regular season at #2 Ohio State.  That is the long answer.  The short answer is…No. Rich Rodriquez will not save his job at Michigan.

9.  Can a Tebow-less Florida survive the brutal SEC?

Tim Tebow was one of the most decorated players in NCAA history, are those tough shoes to fill? Just ask John Brantley.  He is the man in charge of taking over for one of the most media friendly winners in NCAA history.  The junior quarterback brings a solid arm and good decision making to a still potent Gators team.  However, expect Urban Meyer to try to keep pressure off of Brantley by using a slew of talented running backs.  In fact, don’t be surprised to see junior running back Jeff Demps in the Heisman conversation at season’s end.

8.  Will Notre Dame rebound under Brian Kelly?

Notre Dame looks to rebound after a 6-6 campaign that saw the Fighting Irish lose its last four contests.  With Charlie Weis and Jimmy Clausen out and Brian Kelly and Dayne Crist in, will this be the season that the Irish make their fans happy?

7. Can Jake Locker and Andrew Luck overcome the “east coast bias?”

Yes.  With the Internet and constant television coverage, Locker and Luck could both be in the Heisman hunt by season’s end.  Both Locker and Luck will also generate tons of NFL hype.  Locker has all the tools that scouts look for.  Luck is one of the best pure passers in the country, with a pocket presence that is already making NFL scouts drool down the front of their shirts.

6.  Can Terrelle Pryor lead the Buckeyes to the National Title Game?

Pryor has been somewhat of an enigma since making the transition from high school phenom to Ohio State starting quarterback.  Pryor has already drawn comparisons to Vince Young, but can the junior QB continue to improve and live up to some of the preseason Heisman hype? Pryor has made it clear that the Heisman is a goal for him, but he values winning more than individual awards.  #2 Ohio State has a favorable schedule and with the continued improvement of Pryor, could find themselves in the big one at the end of the season.

5. With no chance of postseason play, will the Trojans lose motivation?

Lane Kiffin walked into a firestorm at USC.  The Trojans were dealt a handful of harsh NCAA sanctions following an investigation into former football coach Pete Carroll and former basketball coach Tim Floyd.  Both coaches were found to have violated rules and as a result, the men of Troy were declared bowl ineligible for the next two seasons.  Kiffin and sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley will be in charge of keeping the Trojans focused with no hope for a bowl game.  Is this possible for the usually arrogant Trojans?  That remains to be seen.

4.  Will Boise State Finally Get Some Credit?

It’s time to admit it.  Boise State has a great football program.  The Broncos return many talented starters from a team that beat a solid TCU squad in the Fiesta Bowl back in January.  Quarterback Kellen Moore carried some of the most absurd stats in the country last year, with 39 touchdown passes and only 3 interceptions.  In his two-year career at BSU, Moore has passed for over 7,000 yards and has 64 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. 

3. Can Kellen Moore Win the Heisman?

Absolutely, see above statistics for proof.

2.  Can Mark Ingram be the first man to repeat as the Heisman winner since Archie Griffin?

Ingram has a long road ahead of him if he plans to repeat as the Heisman winner.  Ingram will have to put up similar numbers with a more mature offense.  Greg McElroy is a senior and grew tremendously as a passer during last season’s title run.  Julio Jones is a top notch receiver that the Crimson Tide will try to work into the offense more and Trent Richardson is said by many to be the best back on the team.  All of those factors, combined with a vicious SEC schedule may not bode well for Ingram’s chances at a repeat.

1.  Can the Crimson Tide Repeat as National Champions?

The Tide return eight offensive starters, including Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, quarterback Greg McElroy and receiver Julio Jones.  The Crimson Tide potentially has a better and more mature offense than the national title team of a year ago.  Defense, on the other hand is a different story, as head coach Nick Saban returns only two starters from last season.  The loss of linebacker Rolando McClain to the NFL hurts about as bad as any player lost to the draft in the country.  Saban will no doubt have his team ready to defend their title.  The only question will be if the defense can rise from the dead to stymie some of the SEC’s best offenses.

Heisman Trophy Winner

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Heisman Trophy Dark Horses

Kyle Padron, QB, SMU
Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor

Rose Bowl – Oregon over Iowa
Fiesta Bowl – Oklahoma over Pittsburgh
Orange Bowl – Miami (FL) over Florida
Sugar Bowl – TCU over Nebraska
BCS National Championship Game – Boise State over Alabama