The College World Series is over. It's football season in the heartland. Time to check out The Mags.

The football magazines are out in full force and unlike the last couple of years, Husker fans are going to like what they read. Most of the magazines we looked at are predicting a Big 12 North Division Championship in Nebraska's future.

The old standby, Street and Smith, ranks the Huskers at number 17. They write, "Maybe the Huskers aren't ready for world domination just yet, but they are the team to beat in the Big 12 North."

Sporting News has a staff that's traditionally tough on the Huskers. This year, SN says "Nebraska might need to steal a tough road game or two to win the North but this team now has the players and coaches to do it."

You'll find the same sentiments in Lindy's magazine. "The Huskers have to be a favorite in a diminished Big 12 North. Nebraska is finally turning the corner and this has the look of a nine-win team. Nebraska is the class of the division."

Phil Steele's football forecast is also optimistic: "To me, they are clearly the most talented team in the Big 12 North. I give the Huskers a great shot at topping last year's eight wins and getting to the Big 12 title game.

Athlon echoes the other magazines. "Optimism is the order of the day as a result of last season's strong finish. The Texas game is a possible preview of the Big 12 championship game in Kansas City."

The Huskers are ranked anywhere from 17th to 25th in the magazines. Iowa is ranked 11th to 25th.

What about the national championship? The magazines are divided in their opinions. Notre Dame is at the top or near the top of every poll and Irish quarterback Brady Quinn is everyone's pick to win the Heisman. Another team to watch is the Oklahoma Sooners. A couple of magazines have OU ranked number one.