RANKINGS
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
PRESENTED BY INSIDE99   
  HEAD COACH: Watson Brown
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Percy Coleman-RB, Carl Fair-RB, Undrae Crosby-TE, Kevin Ford-OG, Phillip Gambrell-OT, Kevin Grace-OT, Tim Medders-OG
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Otis Leverette-DE
 

Keep an eye out for UAB this fall. The hype is already building for this team that went 7-4 last season but were deprived of a bowl bid. Coach Watson Brown begins his seventh season at UAB with as many as 16 starters back, including 10 on the defensive unit that finished the 2000 season ranked 11th in total defense (allowing opponents 290.91 yards per game). The "Steel Shield" defensive front wall will be one of the best. Leading the charge will be junior defensive end and All-American Candidate, Bryan Thomas. He terrorized opposing offenses, leading the team in sacks, tackles for a loss, quarterback hurries, forced fumbles, and blocked kicks, and there is a steady group of veterans running around in the defensive backfield. The Blazers also have plenty of offensive experience as well, with starting quarterback Jeff Aaron and 2000 leading rusher Jegil Dugger returning (both seniors), as well as big-play receiver Willie Quinnie, a junior who missed much of the 2000 season with a knee injury. QB Aaron came in and took over the job after the fifth game of the season and went on to finish as some expert's C-USA Offensive Player of The Year. The key to the season may be how fast the inexperienced offensive line gels. Last season the Blazers went into Baton Rouge and beat a solid LSU team on their homecoming game. Upon looking at next fall's schedule, the second game of the year shows a bout with FSU in Tallahassee. It is highly recommended the Seminoles don't look past this bunch. Conference USA will be a tougher conference than people realize, and UAB is one of the main ingredients to that formula. This is one of the surprise teams for 2001...Watson Brown and the Blazers.

UAB 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Jeff Aaron-Sr Thomas Cox-Jr
RB Jegil Dugger-Sr Bernard Anderson-Jr
WR Willie Quinnie-Jr Charles Griffin-So
WR Leron Little-Jr Travis Johnson-Sr
WR Kenny Borders-Jr Andre Ollie-So
TE Jeff Tippetts-So Shane Pearson-So
OT Wilbert Hamilton-So Brad Spencer-Sr
OG Preston Fray-Sr Allen Branch-So
C Kirk Tuck-Jr Jimmy Joynt-Fr
OG Larry Coachman-Jr Eddie LaFavour-So
OT Andy Galloway-Fr Artavious Williams-So
K Rhett Gallego-Sr Nick Hayes-Fr
DEFENSE
DE Marlon Bush-Sr Hassan McKeithan-Jr
DT Eddie Freeman-Sr James Malone-Jr
NG Rodney Jones-Sr Shamar Abrams-Fr
DE Bryan Thomas-Sr Ryan Meeks-Sr
MLB Rod Taylor-Sr John Humphries-Sr
LB Nick Stewart-Sr Adrian Abrams-Sr
CB Patrick Burchfield-Sr Dio Hill-So
CB Chris Brown-Jr Mario Stanley-So
SS Torrey Hale-Sr Andrew Kopecky-Sr
FS Adrian Singleton-Sr Sentell Winston-Jr
WS Avery Warner-Sr Wes Foss-Sr
P Ross Stewart-Jr B.J. King-Fr
 
  HEAD COACH: Glen Mason
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Ryan Keller-WR, Adam Haayer-OL, Ben Hamilton-OL
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Karon Riley-DL, John Schlecht-DL, Maurice White-DL, Curtese Poole-LB, Sean Hoffman-LB, Ben Mezera-LB, Trevis Graham-DB, Clorenzo Griffin-DB, Delvin Jones-DB, Willie Middlebrooks-DB
 

The Golden Gopher football team enters the 2001 season with a chance to achieve something that no other team in the school's history has ever done, earn the school's third consecutive bowl appearance. Minnesota returns nine starters from its record-setting offense which set a school record for yards per game, churning out a 429.1 yards per game clip. One of the nation's best receivers and NationalChamps.net All-American is back in senior Ron Johnson, who broke several school records last year. Getting the ball to Johnson will be a pair of talented quarterbacks who both earned letters last season. Travis Cole established himself as the starter in the fifth game, but pushing him for time will again be Asad Abdul-Khaliq, who also can run with the ball. Running back Tellis Redmon had a huge sophmore year, rushing for 1,368 yards. There will be some experience up front also as the line averages 6'5 and 300 pounds per man. Another Gopher strength will be the kicking game with Nystrom and Gruening. There may not be a better tandem in the nation. The biggest holes are on the defensive side of the ball where the numbers are extremely thin. If there is to be another bowl appearance, some hard questions need answered on the defense come Big Ten test time. But if you enjoy watching high scoring games, there is no better fit on paper than what Minnesota has to offer.

MINNESOTA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Travis Cole-Sr Asad Abdul-Khaliq-So
TB Tellis Redmon-Jr Thomas Tapeh-So
WR Antoine Henderson-Sr Tony Patterson-So
WR Ron Johnson-Sr Keith Matthews-So
WR Elvin Jones-Sr Jermaine Mays-Sr
TE Ben Utecht-So Scooter Baugus-Jr
OT Jake Kuppe-Jr Jeremiah Carter-Jr
OG Derek Burns-Sr Dan Gitlewski-So
C Akeem Akinwale-Sr Mark McElroy-Fr
OG Ryan Roth-Sr Joseph Quinn-So
OT Arthur Smith-So Matt Anderle-Sr
K Dan Nystrom-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Greg White-Sr Drew Dehnicke-Sr
DT Dan Kwapinski-So Timothy Ward-Fr
DT Dave Sykora-Jr Brandon Harston-Fr
DE Tony Dupree-Fr Zach Vevea-Sr
SLB Phil Archer-So Darrell Reid-Fr
WLB Jimmy Henry-Sr Paul Nixon-So
DLB Astein Osei-Sr Steven Watson-Fr
CB Mike Lehan-Jr Justin Fraley-Fr
CB Mackenzy Toussaint-So Ukee Dozier-Fr
SS Eli Ward-So Renato Fitzpatrick-Jr
FS Jack Brewer-Sr Eric Lee-Jr
P Preston Gruening-Jr ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Rich Rodriguez
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Khori Ivy-WR, Wes Ours-FB, Tanner Russell-OT, Matt Wilson-OT, Rick Gilliam-C, Terry Dixon-OG, Sean Berton-TE, Jon Ohliger-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Chris Edmonds-RLB, David Carter-LB
 

WVU went out and found themselves a former player and graduate as the new head coach. Not only that but Rich Rodriguez comes from a Clemson program where he was the offensive coordinator of a system that broke over 35 offensive school records. Morgantown shows all the promises of a fireworks display come fall Saturdays. The only problem in that equation for this fall is that the entire front wall has disappeared completely. The mammoth offensive line that led the Mountaineers to a Music City Bowl victory last season must be rebuilt with totally new faces. That is the big question mark. The only returning starter is big senior Brad Knell, who will be called upon big time to help move some people off the ball so a steady bevy of running backs can drive through. On the other side of the scale are the skill positions which are stacked. Running back Avon Cobourne is a stud who by season's end should find himself in contention for the Doak Walker Award if he can stay healthy. At quarterback is bowl game MVP, senior Brad Lewis, who has the passing ability and experience to lead WVU back to the post-season. But there is no doubt; all the talk in Mountaineer Country is about defense. This will be WVU's best unit in quite some time as only two starters depart. The top four tacklers from 2000 are back in Hackett, Kayden, Sherrod, and Wiley as they all combined for 422 total tackles last season. The Mountaineers also return two-year all-BIG EAST punter Mark Fazzolari. It certainly won't be easy for Coach Rodriguez this year. Any shot at the Top 25 will only come if the offensive line exceeds expectations and Brad Lewis continues to improve as a QB. Either way, the defense alone is going to win some ballgames.

WEST VIRGINIA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Brad Lewis-Sr Scott McBrien-So
RB Avon Cobourne-Jr Cooper Rego-Sr
WR Antonio Brown-Sr Shawn Swindall-Sr
WR Phil Braxton-Jr Mike Page-Fr
WR Shawn Terry-Sr A.J. Nastasi-Jr
T Tim Frost-Jr Tory Johnson-So
OT Lance Nimmo-Jr Geoff Lewis-So
OG Jason Brooks-Sr Greg Mittleider-So
C Zach Dillow-Jr Josh Kelly-Jr
OG Brad Knell-Sr Rondrick Smith-Jr
OT Tim Brown-So Jeff Berk-Fr
K Todd James-So Brenden Rauh-Sr
DEFENSE
DE Jason Davis-Jr Cecil Hagwood-Fr
DT Antwan Lake-Sr Tim Love-Jr
DT David Upchurch-Jr Sedrick Lewis-Jr
DE Corey McIntyre-Sr James Davis-Jr
LB Kyle Kayden-Sr Adam Lehnortt-Fr
LB Grant Wiley-So Ben Collins-Jr
R Arthur Harrison-Jr Lewis Daniels-Jr
CB Richard Bryant-Sr Joe Scritchfield-Fr
CB Lance Frazier-So Brian King-So
SS Shawn Hackett-Sr Ben Meighan-Jr
FS Rick Sherrod-Sr Angel Estrada-Jr
P Mark Fazzolari-Jr Charlie MacInnis-Sr
 
  HEAD COACH: David Cutcliffe
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Romaro Miller-QB, Grant Heard-WR, Deuce McAllister-TB, Shane Grice-OG, Keydrick Vincent-OG, Les Binkley-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Derrick Burgess-DE, Antionne Scott-DT, Shane Elam-DE, Chad Cooke-LB, Shawn Johnson-LB, Amzie Williams-LB, Ken Lucas-CB, Kenny Woods-SS, Reagan King-P
 

Part of the great Rebel backfield from the past couple of seasons has finally departed as QB Romaro Miller and NFL 1st rounder Deuce McAllister have moved on. Hold on, don't look now but in steps some heavy replacements in Joe Gunn at running back, who led the team in rushing in 1999 with 951 yards when he earned All-SEC first team honors, quarterback Eli Manning (son of Archie and brother of Peyton) who is expected to be the next savior to the program, and fullback Charles Stackhouse, who returns for his senior season. Gone are two solid guards and great veteran receiver Grant Heard, who broke several school records. Watch for All-American Terrence Metcalf at the tackle spot to help aid the offense big time. Defensively, there is only one returning starter up front in Sims and three main linebackers have departed, but the Rebels get a major boost in the return of linebacker Eddie Strong who missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot. Prior to his injury, Strong was being touted before last season as a Butkus Award candidate. One of the top losses in the secondary was All-American cornerback Ken Lucas. There is certainly untested talent on the field. The key to a great season rests in whether these new faces can step in and fill some holes, especially up front on defense. Ole Miss makes a great fit for competition in the SEC West next fall. They are just as talented as everyone else. The names may have changed, but the offensive backfield will be as explosive as it ever was and folks that know the game can assure you that Eli Manning is an up and coming master of the sport. Enough so that Ole Miss can beat anybody on any given day.

MISSISSIPPI 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Eli Manning-So David Morris-Jr
FB Charles Stackhouse-Sr Toward Sanford-Jr
RB Joe Gunn-Sr Robert Williams-Jr
WR Jamie Armstrong-Sr Ross Barkley-Jr
WR Omar Rayford-Sr Chris Collins-So
TE Doug Zeigler-Jr Mitch Skrmetta-Sr
OT Terrence Metcalf-Sr Cliff Woodruff-So
OG German Bello-Jr Doug Buckles-Fr
C Ben Claxton-Jr Justin Sawyer-Jr
OG Matt Koon-Sr Marcus Johnson-Fr
OT Belton Johnson-Jr James Campbell-Fr
K Lee Rogers-So Jonathan Nichols-Fr
DEFENSE
DE Charlie Anderson-So Brian Lester-Fr
DT Anthony Sims-Sr Yahrek Johnson-Jr
DT Kenny Jackson-Sr Jesse Mitchell-So
DE Josh Cooper-So Justin Blake-Jr
SLB Eddie Strong-Jr Justin Wade-So
MLB Lanier Goethie-Jr Kevin Thomas-Sr
WLB Germain Landrum-Jr Ryan Hamilton-Jr
CB Desmon Johnson-Jr Wes Scott-Jr
CB Justin Coleman-Sr Chris Knight-Jr
SS Syniker Taylor-Sr Marcus Woodson-So
FS Von Hutchins-So Travis Blanchard-So
P Cody Ridgeway-Fr Trey Sandifer-So
 
  HEAD COACH: Bobby Williams
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Lavaile Richardson-SE, Siitupe Peko-OT, Dave Sucura-OG, Shaun Mason-OG, Matt Bonito-OT
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jace Sayler-DT, Drew Young-WLB, Richard Newsome-FS, Renaldo Hill-CB, Richard Brown-SLB, Jabari Hendricks-DE
 

2001 looks like an important milestone for coach Bobby Williams. After an electrifying 10-2 season in 1999, the Spartans found themselves sitting at home for the 2000 post-season with a sub par 5-6 record and only two conference wins. What will this fall bring as it may determine the direction this program is headed? East Lansing conversations generally will begin with last year's highlight, big 6'1 250 pound All-American running back T.J. Duckett who rushed for 1,353 yards and seven touchdowns despite being injured for much of the last half of the season. The bad news is that the Spartans are unsettled at quarterback and the offensive line lost four main starters from tackle to tackle. Critics claim that coaches must pick a starter at QB and stick with him...either Smoker or Van Dyke to get the offense some consistency and take some heat off the running game. Defensively, MSU doesn't seem too far off from having a solid unit. Last year's injuries reeked havoc, so staying healthy has to be a major concern. It didn't help that cornerback Renaldo Hill split early for the pros, but linebacker Josh Thornhill gives the Spartans their second All-American on the list. Making a bowl appearance in 2001 seems almost like a must for this coaching staff. Some holes need filled here and there on defense with a nice list of candidates to choose from, but offensively the big key will be finding an offensive line if there is to be any Big Ten success. Or else Duckett will need to carry MSU by himself.

MICHIGAN STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Jeff Smoker-So Ryan Van Dyke-Sr
FB Dawan Moss-Jr Bradshaw Littlejohn-So
TB T.J. Duckett-Jr Little John Flowers-Sr
SE Marcus Waters-Jr Charles Rogers-So
FL Herb Haygood-Sr B.J. Lovett-Jr
TE Chris Baker-Sr Ivory McCoy-Sr
OT Ulish Booker-Jr Joe Tate-So
OG Paul Harker-Jr Joe Patrick-So
C Brian Ottney-So DeMarco Monroe-So
OG William Whitticker-Fr Joe Brooks-So
OT Steve Stewart-So Sean Poole-Fr
K David Schaefer-Sr Michael Servis-So
DEFENSE
DE Nick Myers-Sr Clifford Dukes-Fr
DT Kyle Rasmussen-So Dwight Whitfield-Fr
DT Josh Shaw-Sr Lonnie Simmons-Fr
DE Greg Taplin-So Samalj Gordon-So
SLB Dominick Brown-So Dedrick Roper-So
MLB Josh Thornhill-Sr Jason Bradley-Fr
WLB Mark Goebel-So James Cooper-Fr
CB Cedric Henry-Sr Jason Harmon-So
CB DeMario Suggs-Sr Shawn Foster-Sr
SS Thomas Wright-Jr Duron Bryan-Sr
FS Lorenzo Guess-Sr Jeremy Fairrow-So
P Craig Jarrett-Sr David Schaefer-Sr
 
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