Gone are the days when Miami would lose men such as Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, and James Jackson and find a hard time competing without them. Coach Davis has built a recruiting program and it is starting to show. The problem is, now Davis is headed to Cleveland to coach the Browns. The long list of talent in the Miami offensive backfield continues to bring a high ranking and tough losses for opponents much like the 2000 season. It starts with now experienced Ken Dorsey at quarterback. Even as a sophmore, Dorsey proved critics wrong with his ability to move the team without making mistakes. One of Miami's strengths again will be the option to run or throw. Behind Dorsey will be Najeh Davenport at fullback or tailback depending on what day it is. Even though Jackson has left at tailback, look for Clinton Portis, who as a backup led all Hurricane rushers until an injury knocked him out. And there is an amazing amount of depth behind him. The offensive line will be better than 2000 as four starters return led by senior tackles Bryant McKinnie and Joaquinn Gonzalez. The only question mark will be at receiver where hopes are Daryl Jones can be a playmaker. But no doubt it will be impossible to match the likes of Moss, Wayne, and King.

The most impressive part of the 2001 Hurricanes will be the entire defensive unit. The backfield, will still include starting seniors Mike Rumph and Edward Reed. The front four will be as quick and talented as Miami has had in awhile. Even though the stud in the middle, Dan Morgan, has finally departed from his linebacker slot, there is a long list of depth with Howard Clark and Chris Campbell manhandling the outside. However, look for super talented D.J. Williams to move over from fullback and dominate opponents. This Cane defense should be the best Coral Gables has seen since the pre-probation years. Not a good sign for opponents. The Hurricanes don't travel to Washington in 2001, as the Huskies will make the long visit across country instead. Revenge is a dish best served hot, at least in South Florida. But a visit to Beaver Valley, Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, and Blacksburg will make for some tough road tests. If the Canes can survive those four plus the loss of Coach Davis, they obviously deserve the #1 ranking. If not, you should still see Miami in a BCS Bowl for sure.

To start the 2000 season, 56 of Florida's 85 scholarship players were freshman and sophomores and there were only 6 scholarship seniors on the offensive side of the ball. The combination QB system still prevails in Gainesville and is most likely the best dual scenario in Spurrier's coaching tenure. Enter Rex Grossman and 1999 USA Today Prep Player Of The Year, Brock Berlin, as a fading Jesse Palmer finally exits. Grossman has been the man as of the late part of the 2000 season, leading the Gators to some big time offensive stats. If there is a problem it may stem from the fact that both are freshman. You can already see the soap opera now for the next three years. Should get very, very interesting with Steve Spurrier calling the shots. There will certainly be some targets to throw to as Jabar Gaffney has stepped in and broken UF's freshman reception record. He led the team in receptions with 71 of them. Two solid tailbacks return in Robert Gillespie and Earnest Graham to compliment the passing game. The biggest question mark heading into 2000 was the offensive line. Some solid starters are back this coming season, including some depth behind them, however it still has to be considered an untested concern. The loss of All-American Kenyatta Walker to the NFL will force coaches to focus on solidifying that tackle position.

With nearly 9 or more starters back on defense there should be immeasurable improvement. How much improvement will determine the Gators fate. In 2000 the Florida defense gave up over 300 total yards per game which ranked 8th in the SEC, which has left coaches wondering with all of the athletic talent on that side of the ball. On the positive side, the defense managed 24 interceptions, finishing second in the nation. And every defensive back returns. The line will be lead by one of the nation's premier defensive players, Alex Brown, as Outland Trophy Candidate, Gerard Warren, was the one who jumped ship after this season to play on Sundays. Gone will be punter Alan Rhine, but one of the best kickers in Florida history will be back in Jeff Chandler. The recruiting success is starting to show. All in all this team is stacked with talent, speed, and depth. And that's an understatement.

In just his second season, Coach Bob Stoops has the Sooners back in the national spotlight. With the improbable run, Stoops knows he might have created his own monster. The two-year rise from worst three-year record in the history of the program (1996-98 under John Blake) to a national title is one of the most dramatic in the history of the game. The one obvious question for 2001 will be who spells Josh Heupel. The only QB to see action as a backup was junior Nate Hybl, a transfer from Georgia. He has probably the best set of physical skills but his game has yet to be tested. The receivers will give Hybl plenty of targets as almost all eight players at that position are coming back. All-American and leading Butkus Candidate, Rocky Calmus, is back on defense. Although he will miss departing linebacker partner Torrance Marshall taking some of the heat off. The defensive backs will most likely be the best in the Big 12 if not the nation. As we saw in the Orange Bowl, the secondary has several stars, the biggest of which figures to be safety Roy Williams and cornerback Derrick Strait. Don't look for a lot of things to change from 2000. The theory of Heupel's worth to the team will surely be put to the test, but the Sooners have strength in numbers and depth will carry them toward that step to a shot at a repeat title.

Another year, another top ranking for the Huskers. 31 consecutive bowl bids - an NCAA record which is in no trouble. This will be solid team on paper to start the season considering senior QB Eric Crouch is back and another stellar side of beef is up front blocking. The only cause for concern may be at the skill positions on the offense that is surrounding Crouch. Gone is Miller, Alexander, Buckhalter, Newcombe, and Davison. Some tough shoes to fill. It is hoped that Matt Gibson will be granted a sixth year by the NCAA which will really help. But that offensive line, WOW! It all starts with All-American tight end Tracey Wistrom. The rest of the names are huge. Volk, Fonoti, Rutherford, and Kollmorgen...remember these names well. The question mark to start the 2000 season was on defense. Not so to start 2001. The front four are stellar even without Kyle Vanden Bosch. The combination of returning veterans Chris Kelsay, Jason Lohr, and Jeremy Slechta could most likely be the best tandem in the nation before all is said and done. The linebackers follow suit. Look for Scott Shanle, Randy Stella, Jamie Burrow, and Mark Vedral to wreak havoc on opponents. And the defensive backs return all but one starter. So many names to be mentioned so INSIDE99 thought it best to name as many as possible. But don't worry, you will hear about them all season long.

Coach Mack Brown is on the verge of taking that next step. He needs a Top 5 finish in 2001 to appease the Longhorn boosters and quiet the doubters. It's not like he hasn't recruited talent along the way. The best QB duo in the land will reside in Austin. Applewhite or Simms, Simms or Applewhite. The saga continues. Most critics feel Coach Brown is going to have to find one and stick with him but that may be easier said than done. Tailback Hodges Mitchell departs and will be replaced by an experienced Victor Ike. Young stud receiver Roy Williams will team with B.J. Johnson, who set a Texas freshman receiving record in 2000. There are no two younger players anywhere as promising as this set of receivers. The offensive line has surprisingly been mediocre at best and will need some improvement to move the Horns up another level. On defense, two All-Americans will disappear at both tackle spots so it will be crucial that returning end Cory Redding take over and dominate on the line. The defensive backfield, including the linebackers, return all but one player. De'Andre Lewis, a 2001 Butkus Candidate, and Everick Rawls are the teams top two tacklers and are back. Texas will have to avoid the lackluster start that haunted them in 2000 or the pressure will really set in for Mack Brown.