Defending AP national titleist USC has been tabbed the number one team in the country in the first ESPN-USA Today poll, with Oklahoma a distant second. Compared to last season, the Trojans play an easier schedule, with the two toughest non-conference opponents (Colorado State and Notre Dame), and their toughest Pac-10 rival (CAL), at home. They also host Arizona State and Washington, and their hardest road trips will be in the opener (vs. VA Tech in D.C.) and in Corvallis against Oregon State. Considering that last year was supposed to be a partial rebuilding season, and the team returns most of their stars, the Trojans look like a formidable choice.

Only in the SEC: Phillip Fulmer will take a raincheck on this week's Media Day in order to avoid being served with a lawsuit complaining that he conspired to bring down the Crimson Tide football program several years ago when he agreed to speak with an NCAA investigator.