Thursday is a #blessed day indeed to be American, because college football returns to our great land of farcical presidential candidates and deep-fried nachos on a stick. We're in for all manner of highlights, hits and hijinks from now through the national championship game on Jan. 11.

Some big names have departed college football since last season, but new stars are ready to shine. We've got familiar faces in new places, proud programs fighting to top the pile once again and a powerhouse with an utter embarrassment of riches it will have to manage wisely. Oh — and there's also perhaps the most intriguing college football player of the decade to keep tabs on.

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So without further ado, let's get into some college football preview fun. Below are seven intriguing storylines to track from now until January.

1. Can Ohio State manage all that talent?

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and the defending national champs face one of them good problems: He's got three (three!) quarterbacks with All-American potential, plus a superstar running back to manage. His solution? That's still working itself out for the nation's pre-season number-one team.

Cardale Jones, left, hands off to Ezekiel Elliott in last season's national title game. Image: Matthew Visinsky/Associated Press

So far, Braxton Miller — last year's projected starter before a summertime injury canceled his season — will move from quarterback to wide receiver. That leaves J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones to battle for the starting quarterback gig. Barrett was last season's star, until a late-season injury. Then Jones took over and excelled in leading Ohio State to the title.

Whoever wins the job, expect Meyer to find some creative way to involve the other in the offense, too. There's just too much talent here to leave someone getting stale on bench. We also have to factor in running back Ezekiel Elliott, who stole the show with his championship game performance and ran for a stunning 696 yards in the final three games of last season. He'll feature no matter who's handing off to him.

So can Meyer and the Buckeyes successfully juggle their surplus of riches to win back-to-back titles? It's hard to bet against them, but remember this: The top-ranked team entering the season hasn't finished the season in that position since USC way back in 2004. Ohio State certainly has the talent to end that 10-year drought, yet history shows doing so will be anything but simple.

2. Weapon of mass destruction

Baylor offensive lineman LaQuan McGowan — all 6-foot-7, 390 pounds of him — rumbled into our hearts when he improbably caught a pass to score his first career touchdown in last year's Cotton Bowl. Now guess what? He's baaaack.

Baylor coach Art Briles says he plans to use the big fella as a scoring weapon more often this season. Will Briles stay true to his word? We hope so; watching defenders struggle to bring down the massive McGowan could be one of this season's funniest running subplots.

3. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan man

Who's got it better than Michigan? Noooooooo-body! The San Francisco 49ers forced Harbaugh out after four overwhelmingly successful years this past off-season. Now the 49ers resemble a soulless, steaming pile of dung and Harbaugh is back at his alma mater.

Now it's up to Michigan man Harbaugh to lead the Wolverines back to national prominence. His manic intensity and outsized personality probably fit college football better than the pros. But, no matter how the Wolverines fare in his first season at the helm, Harbaugh will be one of the faces of this college football season. As far as entertainment value goes, you'll find no complaints about that here.

Thought of the day - As my esteemed associate and Friend The Great Frank Gore has taught me & tells me "These haters can't hold me back" — Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 10, 2015

4. Life A.J. (after Jameis) and A.M. (after Marcus)

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota were without question college football's biggest stars last season. Both were practically institutions at their respective programs. Now both are off to the NFL.

That's a scary thought for fans of the Seminoles and Ducks, who share another key similarity: Both squads will likely seek to replace their departed stars with graduate transfers. Everett Golson, formerly of Notre Dame, is competing for the starting job at Florida State. Vernon Adams, a transfer from tiny Eastern Washington, is expected to be the man at Oregon this year.

Florida State and Oregon will likely fall back to the national pack a bit without their superstars-turned-pros. Just how far back they fall will be interesting to track.

5. Charlie Strong's quest continues

No pressure, dude. Image: Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Legendary former players, a football-mad state, high-powered boosters — nothing signifies college football quite like the Texas Longhorns' burnt-orange unis on a Saturday afternoon in Austin.

But one of college football's signature programs struggled over the past several years, as longtime coach Mack Brown's tenure slowly fizzled out. Before last season, the Longhorns hired Charlie Strong, a charismatic leader who previously achieved tremendous success at Louisville.

Strong went 6-7 last season, but now brings in a highly touted recruiting class as his rebuilding mission continues. There might not be a more scrutinized job in the country than his. Watching him continue the rebuilding process amid Austin's pressure-cooker environment is an intriguing subplot to follow this season — and beyond.

6. Is USC back as class of the Pac?

Cody Kessler ranks among the nation's top quarterbacks. Image: Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Once upon time, USC ruled the Pac-12 (née the Pac-10 until a few years ago) with an iron fist. Then a massive influx of cash from Oregon alum and Nike CEO Phil Knight gave the Ducks wings, and the path to West Coast dominance took a detour from Southern California up north through Eugene.

But with Mariota since departed to the pros, expect the Ducks to fly at a slightly lower altitude this year. Meanwhile, USC is a pre-season top 10 team and boasts what's probably its most talented squad in several years. Perhaps the Trojans can reclaim their Pac-12 dominance — but a hammered outburst at a booster event from coach Steve Sarkisian certainly isn't the best way to start the year.

7. Which dark-horse can crash the playoff party?

Boise State returns alotta firepower. Image: Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

According to pre-season pollsters, Ohio State, Alabama, Baylor and TCU will comprise the second-annual college football playoff to cap this season. All are big-name programs no one would be surprised to see fulfill those projections, lofty though they may be.

But who could crash the party? Here are four teams to consider:

UCLA, if touted freshman quarterback Josh Rosen gets up to speed quickly.

Clemson, which just might be ready to snatch Atlantic Coast Conference dominance from Jameis-less Florida State.

Boise State, which returns more than 15 starters from a team that went 12-2 last year.

Mississippi State, which will go only as far as superstar quarterback Dak Prescott can carry the Bulldogs.

But this is all just conjecture for now, of course. We'll have some real answers in just a few months' time. All we can do meanwhile is buckle up and enjoy what's sure to be another college football ride full of twists and turns galore.