Conference call.(college football)

Missouri

The Tigers' 2002 season was full of close calls. They lost to Oklahoma on a fake field goal in the fourth quarter; were beaten by Iowa State on a last-minute touchdown, and fell in overtime to Colorado. Those near-misses left Missouri one win short of bowl eligibility, but those close losses should become wins in 2003.

Dynamic quarterback Brad Smith, the Big 12's Offensive Freshman of the Year and just the second Division I-A player to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season, will be back. Wideout Justin Gage will be hard to replace, but most of the remaining receiving unit returns, as should the entire offensive line and top tailback Zack Abron. The biggest question is whether the young defense can hold up.

In two seasons in Columbia, coach Gary Pinkel has landed recruiting classes laden with top in state recruits and even opened a long-dormant pipeline from St. Louis. He turned to his recruits early, starting several redshirt freshmen during the season. That experience and a more favorable schedule--Nebraska, Texas Tech and Iowa State will travel to Missouri--will be the difference between a 5-7, close-but-no-cigar team and at least a 7-5 mark and a trip to a bowl.

South Florida

South Florida's 17-5 record the last two seasons as all independent largely has been ignored--except by schools hoping to lure Bulls coach Jim Leavitt. But as a ...