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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Tyrann Mathieu plans to quit his frequent use of social media cold turkey when LSU's season starts, and coach Les Miles is very much in favor of that.

Miles placed a figurative muzzle on the play-making cornerback and Heisman Trophy finalist popularly known as the "Honey Badger" when LSU reported for August camp last week. LSU's annual media day on Tuesday, when every player is available, marked the first time Mathieu was permitted to talk to reporters about his starring role on a team that is widely expected to contend again for a national title.

One thing Mathieu made clear is that he is willing to tone down his public persona if that is what best serves the team.

"I respect Coach, and whatever decision he makes I go along with it," Mathieu said. "There's a lot of guys on this team who are deserving of the spotlight. I don't have to be in it all the time and I'm fine with that.

"Everything's going well right now and I've just got to watch what I put on Twitter," he added.

Generally, Mathieu reserves social media for philosophical musings and personal reflection, such as when he tweeted: "Common sense is not so common."

He could have been referring to a day in June when got into a bit of a Twitter spat with A.J. McCarron, quarterback of arch rival Alabama, against whom the Tigers will play on Nov. 3.

Mathieu essentially downplayed McCarron's role in the Crimson Tide's 14th national title last season, which came at LSU's expense, saying that defense wins championships. McCarron responded mockingly that Mathieu was right, and that the Crimson Tide's team concept is what made them great, and why they beat LSU in last season's title game in New Orleans.

Miles responded by leaving his 2012 Heisman contender behind when LSU took several players to Birmingham for Southeastern Conference media days.

"It's a week-by-week thing," Miles said of his approach to managing Mathieu's media exposure. "I really listen to Tyrann and try to determine what's best for him.

"I enjoy many times his representation, and as long as it doesn't become a distraction to him, he'll have some time to visit (with reporters)," Miles said. "So many times, he's such a pleasing guy, he wants to please everybody. ... Too many interviews, one after another, just doesn't tell him what he needs to do. What he needs to do is do well academically, finish this football season and have a long-range view of himself. Sometimes, even though the world wants today's quote, that's not necessarily what's important."

Mathieu, who dyes the top of his hair yellow, grew up in New Orleans, home to a culture where personal expression is generally encouraged and rewarded, as anyone who has ever attended a Mardi Gras parade or second line would see.

His coaches profess to love him as a person and a player. Defensive end Sam Montgomery calls him "a philosopher."

Defensive coordinator Jon Chavis calls him "a wonderful young man," but responded Tuesday to questions about Mathieu's knack for capturing the public's imagination by emphasizing how much more important the team concept is than any one star player.

"He's a very talented guy, but it is a team sport," Chavis said. "How many Heisman Trophy winners have you seen on losing football teams?"

Mathieu seems to have heard that message and taken it to heart.

When asked about his Heisman hopes, he responded, "In order to be a Heisman finalist, your team has to play national championship football. So I think, at the end of the day, winning postseason awards and a national championship puts everyone in a position to succeed."

Media day also marked the first time Penn State transfer Rob Bolden was made available to talk about his role as a reserve quarterback since he arrived on campus last week.

Bolden, an off and on starter at Penn State who has two years of eligibility remaining, said he has wanted to transfer to LSU since long before the Jerry Sandusky scandal that led to harsh sanctions against the Nittany Lions. He said the only way the scandal figured in was that it allowed him to get his release last month to play this season on whatever team he chose.

"Penn State was a great place, taught me a lot, I've been through a lot in that place and I appreciate everything they've done for me," Bolden said. "That coaching staff, they were great. (Late Penn State coach) Joe (Paterno) helped me out a lot. My (former) teammates, I love them. I'll always be friends with them."

Bolden came out of spring practice at Penn State with little hope of starting his junior season. He had been recruited by LSU coming out of high school and had maintained a good relationship with Miles, who saw the benefit of bringing in a backup quarterback with big-game experience to a team playing in the often brutal SEC.

For now, Bolden is so new to LSU that coaches say there is no telling when he will be ready to take meaningful snaps. Bolden also knows that LSU is set on junior Zach Mettenberger as its starter, but still sees LSU as a good fit for a quarterback like him who is as comfortable running as throwing.

"It's the best place in the country, ranked No. 1 (in the USA Today coaches poll), great weather, great food, great people, why not?" Bolden said. "I bring a lot to the table. I've been through a lot. I don't think there's anything you could put in front of me that would surprise me at all.

"I understand the situation (with Mettenberger starting). I understand everything that's going on. I'm just here. I thought it was the best thing for me."

The Southeastern Conference has lined up a few contenders for Lucky No. 7.

Defending national champion Alabama and last season's 13-game juggernaut LSU remain the headliners of a league that has won the last six BCS titles. And that's despite the Crimson Tide and the Tigers losing a combined six first-round NFL draft picks.

Other SEC — and national — powers are trying to catch up.

Arkansas, which ended last season ranked fifth, and Georgia return star quarterbacks. Steve Spurrier fields another formidable-looking South Carolina team. Plus, the Razorbacks and Gamecocks get star running backs back from injuries.

Even those suffering from SEC fatigue might not want to miss that prime-time Nov. 3 three-match in Baton Rouge. The Tide and the Tigers split last season with 'Bama grabbing Round 2, 21-0 in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

The rivalry carried over onto Twitter with sniping between Tide quarterback AJ McCarron and LSU Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu — in June.

"I can tell you that no game is won in a Twitter page," LSU coach Les Miles noted.

What's new this year is Big 12 Conference defectors Texas A&M and Missouri step into the SEC. They'll both try to show they belong.

"Only way you're going to get respect is winning games, OK?" Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "That's the only way it's going to happen. I got no problem with that. You've got to prove yourself."

Here is an overall look at the conference:

EAST

GEORGIA — Key players: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavarres King, DB Bacarri Rambo, LB Jarvis Jones. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: RB Isaiah Crowell is gone. Cornerback Sanders Commings and cornerback Branden Smith — and perhaps Rambo — face suspensions. ... Malcolm Mitchell, last season's No. 2 receiver, opens at cornerback and will likely play both positions. ... Lightweight nonconference schedule includes Buffalo, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern.

SOUTH CAROLINA — Key players: QB Connor Shaw, RB Marcus Lattimore, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: A second straight Top 10 finish seems possible. ... If Lattimore returns to pre-knee injury form, it could more than make up for the loss of WR Alshon Jeffery. ... Pass rush remains formidable even minus NFL first-round pick DE Melvin Ingram.

FLORIDA — Key players: RB Mike Gillislee, WR Andre Dubose, LB Jon Bostic, DL Sharrif Floyd. Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense.

Notes: Gators try to rebound from mediocre season. ... Brent Pease replaces offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and has the personnel to mount a more physical running attack. ... Defensive linemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley are trying to return from knee injuries.

MISSOURI — Key players: QB James Franklin, LT Elvis Fisher, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, CB E.J. Gaines. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: The SEC's third group of Tigers enters the league hoping to prove skeptics wrong. ... Franklin is expected to be fully recovered from spring shoulder surgery after flirting with 3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season. ... It's unclear if RB Henry Josey (knee) will play.

TENNESSEE — Key players: QB Tyler Bray, WR Da'Rick Rogers, LB A.J. Johnson, LB Herman Lathers. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Derek Dooley's rebuilding project continues after one SEC win last season. ... Volunteers have dangerous receivers but must replace RB Tauren Poole. ... Tennessee reloaded with several JUCO transfers, including onetime Alabama defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore and WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

VANDERBILT — Key players: QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, DT Rob Lohr, CB Trey Wilson. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: The Commodores have adopted coach James Franklin's feisty attitude, but face uphill climb from 2-6 SEC mark that still marked solid progress. ... Rodgers, Aaron's younger brother, seems to have regained Franklin's confidence after bowl game benching.

KENTUCKY — Key players: QB Morgan Newton, OL Larry Warford, WR La'Rod King, S Martavius Neloms. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Coach Joker Phillips might be on the hot seat after 4-12 SEC mark in first two seasons. ... QB Morgan Newton was held out of contact in spring after having surgery on his right shoulder. ... Defense must replace SEC's two leaders in tackles per game, LB Danny Trevathan and S/LB Winston Guy.

WEST:

LSU — Key players: QB Zach Mettenberger, CB Tyrann Mathieu, DE Sam Montgomery, DT Bennie Logan. Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Mettenberger, a former Georgia player, has drawn strong reviews from coach Les Miles and teammates and might represent a sizable upgrade at QB. ... Offense has runners galore, led by Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, and offensive line has five players who have logged 102 collective starts. ... Secondary loses Morris Claiborne, but returns stars Mathieu and Eric Reid. ... Ends Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo combined for 17 sacks. ... Tigers spent 11 weeks at No. 1 last season.

ALABAMA — Key players: QB AJ McCarron, C Barrett Jones, LB Nico Johnson, S Robert Lester. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Quest for third national title in four years faces daunting scheduling, including opener with Michigan in Arlington, Texas, and visits to LSU and Arkansas. ... New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is unlikely to change pound-before-pass philosophy. ... Defense that topped all four major categories nationally must replace seven starters with 188 combined starts.

ARKANSAS — Key players: QB Tyler Wilson, RB Knile Davis, WR Cobi Hamilton, LB Alonzo Highsmith. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach John L. Smith trying to keep Bobby Petrino's offseason ouster from slowing program's momentum. ... All-SEC RB Knile Davis returns after ankle injury sidelined him in 2011. ... Razorbacks hosting LSU in Fayetteville for the first time since 1992. ... Six members of Smith's staff in new roles.

AUBURN — Key players: QB Kiehl Frazier, WR Emory Blake, DE Corey Lemonier, LB Daren Bates. Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Frazier is the odds-on favorite to claim starting job over Clint Moseley. ... Tigers have new coordinators in Scot Loeffler (offense) and Brian VanGorder (defense). ... Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Mike Dyer is gone, and so is Gus Malzahn's no-huddle offense.

TEXAS A&M — Key players: LT Luke Joeckel, RB Christine Michael, WR Ryan Swope, LB Sean Porter. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

QB Jameill Showers is apparent leader in race to replace Ryan Tannehill, the No. 8 NFL draft pick. ...Coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Houston offenses twice led the nation in total, passing and scoring, brings a fast-paced attack to College Station. ... Top pass rushers Sean Porter and Damontre Moore return from team that led nation in sacks per game.

MISSISSIPPI ST — Key players: QB Tyler Russell, LG Gabe Jackson, CB Johnthan Banks, LB Cameron Lawrence. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Bulldogs have won back-to-back bowl games for first time since 1999-2000 — not to mention three straight Egg Bowls with rival Mississippi. ... Coach Dan Mullen predicts "a huge year" from Russell. ... Mississippi State 0-12 under Mullen against SEC West teams other than Ole Miss.

MISSISSIPPI — Key players: WR Donte Moncrief, RB Jeff Scott, DB Charles Sawyer, LB Mike Marry. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

NOTES: Randall Mackey has moved from QB to WR with emergence of Barry Brunetti, JUCO transfer Bo Wallace. ... WR Nickolas Brassell has left the team because of academics, and four others had work this summer to assure eligibility.

Still, they remain confident they will overcome the recent dismissal of All-America cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. There is too much talent across the roster for LSU to sell itself short against anyone.

"There's a limitation to what loses we can sustain, but I think there's a strength and foundation in this program," LSU coach Les Miles said. "That allows us to have depth, play a quality player and step the next guy on the field that really is expected to play big."

The loss of Mathieu notwithstanding, the most important change for the Tigers this season might be the emergence of new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

His exceptional ability to throw down field has been obvious to coaches since his arrival on campus as a junior college transfer last year, but he had to sit behind seniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee in 2011 while learning the offense.

Now Mettenberger is the clear number one, giving a greater passing threat to an offense that has all key players returning to a running game that put up 203 yards a game last season, when the Tigers won their first 13 contests before falling to Alabama in the national title game.

"He has that arm strength and knows that he can make those throws," receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said. "He is a risk taker. He will throw those balls and trust us to make plays."

When offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa talks about the difference in LSU's offense this year, he lists examples from recent practices in which Mettenberger made bold throws into tight coverage, hitting receivers deep down the middle for huge gains. When such a route appeared to be covered last year, Studrawa said, the instructions to the quarterbacks would be, "Get off it, check the ball down."

"We wouldn't have even thrown those balls before. That's been a struggle," Studrawa said. "When (Mettenberger) sits back there, and that play's called, he's going to make that throw. He's going to zip that thing in there. He's got the confidence to do it."

The effect has been noticeable on receivers Russell Shepard, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, Studrawa said, because they've learned not to give up on deep routes when they appear to be covered.

"When you run it, keep going, because he's going to put that ball on you," Studrawa said. "That's what got those young kids (at receiver) so excited, and me."

Mettenberger senses he has the confidence of the coaches now, and what he needs to do is not take so many risks that he losses that.

"They're going to give me a lot of opportunities to check at the line of scrimmage, to throw the ball," Mettenberger said. "But I've got to be smart with the ball."

Miles still wants the offense to be balanced, and does not want to venture too far from the physical, grind-'em-down, ball control offense that served LSU so well last season. LSU's top five running backs from last season — Michael Ford, Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue, Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee — are all back. And they'll be joined by another talented young running back in Jeremy Hill.

"We tied a school record with 35 rushing touchdowns (last season) and all the guys that were leaders at that position have returned," Miles said. "We'll be talented there."

LSU's offensive line is big and experienced, and will benefit from the return of former starter Josh Dworaczyk, whose medical redshirt last season allowed him to return to LSU for a sixth year.

The big question on defense is who will replace Mathieu at cornerback. The two leading candidates, redshirt freshman Jalen Collins and true freshman Jalen Mills, have no experience, but both were highly rated recruits. The schedule also helps. LSU will open against heavy underdog North Texas at home on Sept. 1, and most of its toughest contests, highlighted by a Nov. 3 visit from Alabama, occur during the latter half of the season.

That should give any new starters a relatively low-pressure adjustment period. The rest of LSU's defensive backfield is by no means devoid of leadership. The unit still boasts safety Eric Reid and cornerback Tharold Simon, who was considered LSU's best one-on-one cover man even before Mathieu's dismissal.

LSU may not be able to replace Mathieu's instinctive ability to cause mayhem as a blitzer and turnover-causing machine, but opposing quarterbacks will still be staring down a fearsome four-man defensive line led by ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo, a pair that combined for 17 sacks last season.

"I don't think I would trade them for any two defensive ends in the country," defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "These are guys that are very talented. They fit our style of play and have been very productive for us."

The interior line also has size and depth, led by Anthony "Freak" Johnson (6-foot-3, 294 pounds) and Bennie Logan (6-3, 287).

LSU expects to replace Mathieu on punt returns with Beckham, a sophomore who had one of the most spectacular sideline-to-sideline touchdown runs of last season after a short reception. The Tigers hope his explosiveness and ability to set up blocks will serve him well in that role.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M is entering a new conference with a new coach. At some point, the Aggies will have a new quarterback, too.

As Texas A&M prepares for its first season in the Southeastern Conference under former Houston coach Kevin Sumlin, the biggest question is who will replace Ryan Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

The top three options to run Sumlin's high-powered offense are sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel or redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel. Showers is the only one of the three to have thrown a pass for the Aggies, but his experience is extremely limited. He appeared in three games last season where he was 4 for 5 for 40 yards.

Sumlin insists that there isn't a frontrunner.

"Our competition is wide open," he said.

So when will he decide on his starter?

"Whenever we feel like somebody has clearly surfaced," he said.

Tannehill took over at quarterback for Texas A&M midway through the 2010 season and threw for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns last year in his only full season.

The good news for whoever gets the nod at quarterback is that he'll play behind an experienced line led by left tackle Luke Joeckel and a pair of senior receivers in Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Swope led the Aggies last season with 89 receptions for 1,207 and 11 touchdowns and Nwachukwu added 639 yards receiving with two scores.

"Tannehill was a great quarterback and it's obviously big shoes to fill, but I've got a lot of confidence in the guys competing for that spot right now," Swope said. "I just hope for the best. I've seen a lot of talent in those guys in 7 on 7 this summer. They're working hard. The more they compete the better. It will be exciting to see who gets that spot."

A boost to the offense will be the return of Christine Michael, who has seen his last two seasons end prematurely after breaking his leg in 2010 and tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last season. He ran for 899 yards and eight touchdowns last season before the injury.

Sumlin was hired at Texas A&M after Mike Sherman was fired following a 6-6 regular season. Though Sumlin is known for the offenses he led at Houston, he knows that he'll have to shore up Texas A&M's defense if he hopes to succeed in the SEC. He has just five returning defensive starters this season.

He said he believes his players want to live up to the storied history of past defenses at the school including the "Wrecking Crew" heyday of the late 1980s and early '90s.

"Anytime you're playing defense at Texas A&M you have a standard," Sumlin said. "From where I sit, I think that you have to have some sort of motivating factor based on the tradition of excellence on defense in the past. Everybody since the '80s and '90s has tried to meet that standard. That's a bigger motivational standard than anything. That's a huge goal and there's been a lot of people that have tried to do it here recently and I don't know that that's happened."

The Aggies are switching from 3-4 scheme to the 4-3 under first-year defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. A leader of the group will be senior linebacker Sean Porter, who led the team with 9 1/2 sacks last season.

"I don't think we're going to struggle in the first year at all," Porter said. "I think we're a pretty good defense. From what I can see we have a solid defense and we're going to be able to compete in the SEC."

The Aggies open the season Aug. 30 against Louisiana Tech and play their first SEC game when they host Florida on Sept. 8.

Sumlin isn't focusing on A&M's opponents right now.

"I think the biggest thing that we have to try to deal with is not Louisiana Tech, is not the schedule, we have to deal with us," he said. "Before we start talking about opponents, we need to start talking about what kind of things we have to do to get better."

He said he is most concerned with improving the team's turnover margin after the Aggies finished last year 106th in the country. Texas A&M was also one of the most penalized teams in the country in 2011.

"Those are things that we can deal with internally," he said. "Those are things that we need to address before we get going and talking about other people."

Four of Texas A&M's six defeats last year were by a combined 10 points, including a 53-50, four-overtime loss to Kansas State. Sumlin wants to teach his team how to handle playing in close games.

"We have to deal with our mental edge," he said. "Where we are right now as a team, as a program coming out of last year and the expectation level ... of this football team. (Teach them) how to prepare, how to play and how to close out football games."

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M is entering a new conference with a new coach. And Wednesday night, the Aggies decided on a new quarterback, too.

Former Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said Johnny Manziel will start Texas A&M's opener against Louisiana Tech on Aug. 30 as the Aggies prepare for their first season in the Southeastern Conference. He'll replace Ryan Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Manziel, a redshirt freshman and sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel had been vying for the chance to lead Sumlin's high-powered offense. Showers is the only one of the three to have thrown a pass for the Aggies, but his experience is extremely limited. He appeared in three games last season and was 4 for 5 for 40 yards.

But he was edged by Manziel, a Parade All-American after throwing for 3,609 yards with 45 touchdowns and only five interceptions as a senior at Kerrville Tivy.

"Johnny has performed the best at this stage and we will proceed until the season opener with him getting the first-team reps," Sumlin said. "My policy is simple really; the best player plays. Competition is a great thing and we need more competition at all of our positions. All of our quarterbacks have competed well, and I expect them to continue to push Johnny."

Tannehill took over at quarterback for Texas A&M midway through the 2010 season and threw for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns last year in his only full season.

The good news for Manziel is that he'll play behind an experienced line led by left tackle Luke Joeckel and a pair of senior receivers in Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Swope led the Aggies last season with 89 receptions for 1,207 and 11 touchdowns and Nwachukwu added 639 yards receiving with two scores.

A boost to the offense will be the return of Christine Michael, who has seen his last two seasons end prematurely after breaking his leg in 2010 and tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last season. He ran for 899 yards and eight touchdowns last season before the injury.

Sumlin was hired at Texas A&M after Mike Sherman was fired following a 6-6 regular season. Though Sumlin is known for the offenses he led at Houston, he knows that he'll have to shore up Texas A&M's defense if he hopes to succeed in the SEC. He has just five returning defensive starters this season.

He said he believes his players want to live up to the storied history of past defenses at the school including the "Wrecking Crew" heyday of the late 1980s and early '90s.

"Anytime you're playing defense at Texas A&M you have a standard," Sumlin said. "From where I sit, I think that you have to have some sort of motivating factor based on the tradition of excellence on defense in the past. Everybody since the '80s and '90s has tried to meet that standard. That's a bigger motivational standard than anything. That's a huge goal and there's been a lot of people that have tried to do it here recently and I don't know that that's happened."

The Aggies are switching from 3-4 scheme to the 4-3 under first-year defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. A leader of the group will be senior linebacker Sean Porter, who led the team with 9 1/2 sacks last season.

"I don't think we're going to struggle in the first year at all," Porter said. "I think we're a pretty good defense. From what I can see we have a solid defense and we're going to be able to compete in the SEC."

After opening with Louisiana Tech, the Aggies play their first SEC game when they host Florida on Sept. 8.

Sumlin isn't focusing on A&M's opponents right now.

"I think the biggest thing that we have to try to deal with is not Louisiana Tech, is not the schedule, we have to deal with us," he said. "Before we start talking about opponents, we need to start talking about what kind of things we have to do to get better."

He said he is most concerned with improving the team's turnover margin after the Aggies finished last year 106th in the country. Texas A&M also was one of the most penalized teams.

"Those are things that we can deal with internally," he said. "Those are things that we need to address before we get going and talking about other people."

Four of Texas A&M's six losses last year were by a combined 10 points, including a 53-50, four-overtime loss to Kansas State. Sumlin wants to teach his team how to handle playing in close games.

"We have to deal with our mental edge," he said. "Where we are right now as a team, as a program coming out of last year and the expectation level ... of this football team. (Teach them) how to prepare, how to play and how to close out football games."

HOUSTON (AP) — The city of Houston wants to become a part of college football's playoff system.

Houston submitted a bid on Tuesday to host the new Big 12-Southeastern Conference bowl and join the rotation for semifinal games in the sport's new postseason format, which begins in the 2014 season.

The champions of the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference or replacement teams from those leagues would meet in the bowl game, at least temporarily dubbed the Champions Bowl. The game would be played at Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans.

Cotton Bowl organizers have also expressed interest in being part of the playoff rotation and hosting the title game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, as have officials from the Chick-fil-a Bowl in Atlanta.

Reliant Stadium has hosted a bowl game — currently the Meineke Car Care Bowl — since 2006. The venue, which also has a retractable roof, was the site of the 2004 Super Bowl and the 2011 Final Four. It is slated to host the Final Four again in 2016.

"We're really honored and very proud of the bid that we've put forth," said Heather Houston, the executive director of the Meineke Car Care Bowl. "We feel like it'll stack up against any other market. We've got the strongest local economy, a beautiful facility here at Reliant Stadium, and also an avid college sports base; and of course the proven track record of hosting successful events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and, of course, the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas."

The bid is for 12 years, Houston said, and the goal is for the city to land one of the semifinal games in four of those years. The deadline for cities to submit bids is Wednesday, she said.

The Meineke Car Care Bowl has drawn high attendance the past three years. Last season, a crowd of 68,395 watched Texas A&M defeat Northwestern.

"I feel like our market weighs heavily in their minds," Houston said. "Both of those conferences have said over and over again that they want to be in Houston, and they've seen that we have a proven track record of hosting a really successful bowl game now and big-time sporting events here. We feel like, again, our bid will stack up against New Orleans' and Arlington's and the rest of the cities that will be bidding on this as well."

Houston said league officials set no timeline on deciding which cities would host the playoff games.

PHOENIX (AP) — College football is in for some big and, some say, much-needed changes with the switch to a four-team playoff.

Before we get to that, there's still a couple more seasons under the current system; the playoffs don't begin until 2014.

And this one will be worth watching.

There's plenty of interesting story lines, from Penn State trying to rebuild in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal to Urban Meyer's return to coaching with Ohio State.

There's no shortage of great players, either.

Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley skipped the NFL for the chance at a national title, Michigan's Denard Robinson is a blur even without his shoelaces tied and Wisconsin's Montee Ball is like trying to tackle a wrecking ball.

Great teams? Could be a few of those, too. USC, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon — the BCS could be under a lot of strain this season with those teams all bidding for No. 1.

So to get you ready, we've got a rundown of some of the things to watch out for this season.

Enjoy.

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TOP TEAMS

USC. Barkley is back. So is his top target, Robert Woods. Former Penn State running back Silas Redd was a nice addition. Postseason eligible again, the Trojans aren't aiming for just any bowl; they want a trip to Miami and national championship.

Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won two of the past three national championships. They figure to be contenders for another.

LSU. The Honey Badger is gone. All those other NFL prospects — such as defensive end Sam Montgomery and safety Eric Reid — should keep the Tigers from missing him.

Oklahoma. The Sooners have a record-setting QB in Landry Jones, a brick wall of an offensive line and with the return of Mike Stoops, Bob's feisty little brother, they should be good on defense, too.

Oregon. LaMichael James and Darron Thomas are gone? Big deal. The Ducks have plenty of other players who can fly in those new winged unis.

___

KEEP AN EYE ON

Arkansas. QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis are back, coach John L. Smith has calmed the storm after Bobby Petrino's motorcycle crash and subsequent firing. All Arkansas has to do now is get by Alabama and LSU — its only two losses a year ago — which isn't as farfetched as you might think. Both visit the Natural state, one early (Alabama on Sept. 15) the other late (LSU the day after Thanksgiving)

Florida State. The Seminoles' return to prominence has been rumored for years. Under coach Jimbo Fisher, it may actually happen this season.

Wisconsin. The Badgers are hungry after consecutive Rose Bowl losses and they have Ball, one of the nation's best running backs.

Michigan State. Behind RB Le'Veon Bell, the Spartans could be on the verge of breaking a Rose Bowl drought that goes back to 1988.

Texas. Mack Brown's crew appears to be headed back to the big stage behind a helmet-rattling defense.

West Virginia. The Mountaineers could make their first season in the Big 12 championship worthy.

___

TOP PLAYERS

Barkley, USC. Projected as a high NFL draft pick, Barkley became an instant Heisman Trophy front-runner when he announced he was coming back for his senior season.

Ball, Wisconsin. The Badgers' star running back changed the pronunciation of his name from Mon-tee to Mon-tay. Whatever you call him, dude's good.

Robinson, Michigan. The Wolverines' electric quarterback has churned out more than 8,000 yards in his career, most of those the past two seasons. Imagine what he could do if he tied his shoes.

Geno Smith, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' QB set multiple school records as a junior and more could be on the way in his final season in Charleston.

Barkevious Mingo, LSU. Been known to train wreck offensive linemen.

Jones, Oklahoma. He's been around since Barry Switzer was coach. OK, maybe not that long, but the four-year starter will leave as the most prolific passer in OU history.

De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon. Spectacular as a freshman last season and will likely get more touches this season now that James is in the NFL.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina. Back from a torn ACL last season, he should be one of the nation's top running backs this year.

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BIG GAMES

Sept. 1, Michigan vs. Alabama at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas. The annual opener at Jerry Jones' funhouse has had some great matchups in the past. This one could be the best of the bunch.

Sept. 15, Alabama at Arkansas. Winner could get the inside track on a national-title run.

Sept. 22, Michigan at Notre Dame. Last season's epic finish makes this a must-watch.

Oct. 13, Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas. The Red River rivalry continues after all the conference shuffling and could become epic again with these two teams on the rise.

Oct. 27, Notre Dame at Oklahoma. A rare meeting between power programs.

Nov. 3, Alabama at LSU. We may not get sucked into calling it the Game of the Century again, but it still figures to have national-title implications.

Nov. 3, Oregon at USC. Triple digits in combined points is a possibility with all those playmakers on the field.

Nov. 24, Michigan at Ohio State. Meyer is running the Buckeyes and Michigan appears to be back. This rivalry could be heating back up.

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THE NEW GUYS

There was quite a bit of turnover in the coaching ranks over the offseason, with some pretty big names landing in new places. Here's a few:

Bob Davie, New Mexico. Away from coaching for a decade, Davie tries to turn around a program plagued by embarrassments on and off the field under Mike Locksley.

Todd Graham, Arizona State. The fast-talking Texan has done everything right in Tempe so far, soothing concerns about bouncing around while building excitement for the program. All that's left is to win some games.

Mike Leach, Washington State. His offenses are always entertaining. So's his mouth.

Meyer, Ohio State. Burned out no more, the two-time national champion coach returns to the sideline with one of the country's premier programs — and too many references to an Urban renewal.

Bill O'Brien, Penn State. The former o-coordinator of the New England Patriots might have the toughest job in the country.

Rich Rodriguez, Arizona. RichRod's three-year run at Michigan didn't go so well, but he has Tucson buzzing about football again with his suped-up offense.

Smith, Arkansas. The Razorbacks needed someone to smooth over the ugliness of Bobby Petrino's firing. The even-keel Smith should be a good fit.

Charlie Weis, Kansas. Weis' first stint as a head coach petered out at Notre Dame. The Jayhawks are hoping he can turn around a program that languished under Turner Gill.

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