Welcome to the 2009 College Football season, fans! Toe meets leather tonight!

Who are the darlings of Dixie as we eagerly anticipate the year's first action? For what it's worth, here is Old Claude's pre-season Dixie Dozen.

1. - Florida: Tim Tebow and company are not only best in the South, but also in the Nation.

2. - Ole Miss - The Rebels have not been this talented since the early 1960s.

3. - Virginia Tech - Even after losing their top RB, the Hokies should be headed to the Orange Bowl or maybe the BCS Championship Game.

4. - Alabama - The Tide is tough, but seven starters have departed on offense, including QB John Parker Wilson.

5. - Georgia Tech - The Jackets have the best coach in the ACC and run an offense that gives opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.

6. - LSU - Les Miles' squad is good, but they face a killer schedule (UGA, Bama, and Ole Miss on the road and Florida at home).

7. - Georgia - The Dawgs are stinging from several upset losses last year. Coach Richt has some talent, but much of it is inexperienced.

8. - Clemson - Death Valley, S.C., will be rocking, but a schedule that includes Georgia Tech, TCU, Miami, FSU, and N.C. State is formidable.

9. - Miami - A murderous opening four game stretch will test the Canes' mettle.

10. - South Florida - A 10-win season and a BCS bowl berth are not out of the question.

11. - N.C. State - Tom O'Brian has the Pack on a roll. They play eight home games (most in the FBS). Don't miss the opener vs. South Carolina next Thursday night on ESPN.

12. - Southern Miss - Looking for this season's BCS buster? It may just be the Golden Eagles.

Possible Breakthroughs - North Carolina, FSU, Arkansas, Tennessee.

Finally after waiting impatiently since last January, King Football returns this week to college campuses all over America. In the Southeast this is the BEST time of year, except for Christmas and Easter.

The exhilaration felt at the opening kickoffs after months of anticipation is unmatched by any other collegiate or professional sport. Make no mistake about it, college football reigns supreme in Dixie.

Let's take a quick look at the key opening week match-ups across our region.

South Carolina at N.C. State - This is a critical game for both teams, but especially the Gamecocks. State is a slight favorite, but an outstanding performance by Cock QB Garcia could tip the scales Carolina's way. The Wolfpack defense is too tough to let that happen, however. N.C. State by 6.

Georgia at Oklahoma State - It is tempting to go with the Dawgs in this one, but question marks at QB, RB, and DB make it safer to pick the Cowboys. Oklahoma State by 7.

Alabama vs Virginia Tech - The Tide crushed Clemson in this Georgia Dome opener in 2008 and hastened Tiger head coach Bowden's demise. Bama will be favored again this year, but Frank Beamer's Hokies play tough, rugged football unlike Bowden's Tigers finesse game. Tech's rushing leader is out for this one, but its special teams will make the difference. Virginia Tech by 4.

LSU at Washington - A rebuilt Bengal Tiger squad travels to the Great Northwest to face the once proud Huskies. Unless LSU turns the ball over frequently the boys from the bayou should win handily. LSU by 20.

Middle Tennessee at Clemson - The Blue Raiders make their first visit ever to Death Valley, S.C., led by former Clemson assistant Rick Stockstill. The Tigers face Georgia Tech just five days later in Atlanta so they won't be completely focused in this one. Middle Tennessee upset Maryland at home last year, but far better teams have tasted defeat in the Valley. Clemson by 21.

Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech - The FCS Gamecocks lost 41- 14 to Tech last year. Even with the Clemson game looming the score should be about the same this year. Georgia Tech by 35.

Ole Miss at Memphis - Rebel fans are giddy with excitement not seen around Oxford in nearly a half century. Jevan Snead and company should roll easily over a Tiger team that features a porous defense and a plodding offense. Ole Miss by 24.

Miami at FSU - An interesting match-up between two former powerhouses trying to rejoin the nation's elite. FSU seems to be closer to reaching that goal than Coach Shannon's Canes. Florida State by 8.