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by: Ricky Sixx |
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1.
Miami FL
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Since only one quarterback can play at a time, we would rather have Ken
Dorsey be there than anyone else in the nation. He might not throw gaudy
numbers like Rex Grossman or have the physical tools of a Byron Leftwich,
but it is not hard to complain with a career 4:1 TD-INT ratio, a 26-1
life time record, a National Championship in his back pocket, and the
ability to prove doubters wrong every time he is thrown into a big game.
Also there when needed is athletically gifted Derrek Crudup, who is able
to run the offense if the score ever gets out of hand, and freshman Marc
Guillion, who looks to be the future in Coral Gables while competing with
Brock Berlin as the next starting quarterback.
2. Florida - In just his
sophomore year, he was not only able to put up video game like numbers,
but also finish second on a Heisman list that many thought went to the
wrong quarterback. Though many folks look at him as the best quarterback
in the nation, having a new offensive system and coach could set him back.
My guess is that he will be just fine with [Marshal's old offensive coordinator]'s
offensive scheme. Ingle Martin and freshman Gaven Dickey bring athleticism,
but have no experience.
3. Marshall - Byron Leftwich
has all but assured himself a top 5 spot in the NFL draft come next April.
But for now he will have to settle for destroying MAC secondaries with
a fleet very capable wide receivers. Backing him up will be Stan Hill,
who played sparingly last year.
4. Georgia -
Having maybe the best combination of depth and quality in the country
is Georgia, who comes in at number four. Leading the way is returning
starter and SEC freshman of the year, David Greene, who is becoming one
of the brightest young stars at his position in the entire country, throwing
for almost 2,800 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first year of service,
both freshman records. Backing him up is experienced senior Cory Phillips,
who started and played well when taking over for an inept Quincy Carter.
Also competing for serious playing time is redshirt freshman and highly
regarded quarterback D.J. Shockley. His talent should allow him to find
playing time in the crowded unit.
5. Wisconsin -
Having two capable starters is a luxury most teams just do not have, but
still, only one can be on the field at the same time. With the versatility
of having Brooks Bollinger legs, 1301 career rushing yards; and Jim Sorgi's
arm, 1096 and 9 touchdowns in eight appearances last year, Wisconsin will
only be that much more potent and deep at the quarterback position.
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1.
Colorado -
Maybe the only team in country that boasts three running backs that can
go for 100 yards on any given day on almost any defense in the country.
Returning for the 2002 season are juniors Chris Brown, the big rugged back,
and equally as steady but shiftier and sleeker Bobby Purify. Returning along
with them is the super talented but often injured Marcus Houston, who still
needs to find his own in the offense and become the superstar he showed
he could be in his freshman year before his injuries. We think this year
he will finally do it.
2.
Virginia Tech - Want
to know what it feels like to have two #1 running backs, just ask Frank
Beamer who now has to deal with getting both Kevin Jones and Lee Suggs
enough carries for this upcoming year. After coming back from a brilliant
2000 campaign, Lee Suggs now is ready to continue where he left off, but
probably won't be the main guy he once was as Kevin Jones proved himself
to be very capable of carrying the load. Don't expect either one to have
eye-popping numbers, but as a duo there might not be a better pair anywhere.
3. Alabama
- Though
Alabama might not have a gang of future All-Americans, they do have a
very formidable group of good running backs that are very capable of running
over stiff SEC defenses. Leading the way a year ago is returning starter
Ahmaad Galloway, who was a steady runner with 5.1 yards per carry. Along
with him could be the gem of the group, Santonio Beard. This game breaker
averaged a very impressive 8.2 yards per carry last year and looks to
be one of the nation's better young running backs. As long as he can keep
his head straight and avoid the off field problems, he will soon be a
household name. Joining them on the field this year is Texas Tech transfer
Shaud Williams, who can be a threat on the ground or through the air,
expect him to contribute right away. Adding even more depth are sophomores
Marcus Dupree and Ray Hudson.
4.
Nebraska - Both
of Nebraska's 1-2 punch of Dahrran Diedrick and Thunder Collins both return
with their combined effort of almost 2,000 yards between them for the
upcoming year. Diedrick returns in hopes of again leading the conference
in rushing and now he will carry a big burden on his shoulders with the
loss of Eric Crouch. He will have a great shot at repeating the trick.
Backing up Diedrick along with Thunder Collins will be DeAntae Grizby
and Robin Miller who add a lot of experience in the offense as returning
juniors.
5. Oregon
- Not everyday does your #2 running back out rush your
starter, but also gain over 1,000 yards in a season. Well that is what
happened last year in Oregon with Onterrio Smith, who now has his eyes
on being the main man in Oregon's backfield this year. Of course this
All-American cannot do it all by himself. Helping him in a back up roll
will be Allan Amundson and Ryan Shaw, who both have not had much experience,
but could step up in case of need. Regardless, we expect this situation
to be a lot like Boston College's situation with William Green last season
after Cedric Washington went off to the NFL.
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1.
Texas
- The super trio of Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson, and Sloan Thomas are together
again for the third year now with Bo Scaife returning as one of the better
tight ends in the country. Though their statistics might not be eye popping
and Roy Williams might not have been the wide receiver we all thought he
was going to be, as a group we know what these four are capable of. Quarterbacking
and coaching aside, we still think this group is tops in the country.
2. Miami FL - With all but
one receiver returning, Daryl Jones, Miami returns an abundance of talent
including their top three receivers from last year. With All-American
candidate Andre Johnson, co-starter Kevin Beard, and one of the better
third options in the country in Ethnic Sands, this unit looks to be the
deepest since the days of "flash and dash" in the late 80's
and early 90's. Also look for Kellen Winslow Jr. to take over as Miami's
next weapon at tight end, while spring standouts Roscoe Parrish and Jason
Geathers look to contribute.
3.
Georgia
- Leading the way for Georgia is young star Fred Gibson and his 23.4 yards
per carry average. Along side Fred is experienced, dangerous, but not
always sure handed Terrance Edwards. Also returning is capable option
number two, Damien Gary, who can be deadly after the run. Backing up those
three will be a couple of big targets in Michael Johnson, the groups possession
receiver, and former Duke stand out, Ben Watson, who looks to replace
Randy McMichael at the tight end position.
4.
Florida State
- What looked to be a slightly above average receiving unit in 2001 now
looks to be one of the deepest and most athletic squads in the country.
Returning from injury looks to be the leader of the group, Anquan Boldin
and one of FSU's most experienced wide receivers, Robert Morgan. Throw
in returning starter and now solidified star Talman Gardner, future stars
P.K. Sam and Craphonso Thorpe, who both should improve after a very inconsistent
freshman season, and you have a very deep set of good wide receivers.
Though they should all improve and perform well as the season goes along,
questions still could arise about how much of Boldin's and Morgan's play
could maybe have diminished a bit due to their injuries. We are guessing
they will be just fine.
5.
Ohio State
- Questionably with the best 1-2 combinations in the county. The big play
ability of Chris Vance and Michael Jenkins returns to help the Buckeyes
new quarterback become an instant success. Along side those two, hails
future star Chris Gamble and a 5'9'' dynamo by the name of Bam Childress,
which completes maybe Ohio State's best crop of wide receivers in the
past five to seven years. Meanwhile, Ben Hartsock looks to solidify the
tight end spot as Darnell Sanders has departed to the NFL.
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1.
Wisconsin
- With All-Big Ten players like Al and Ben Johnson, it does not matter who
is running behind Wisconsin's offensive line, it just simply becomes a matter
of plug and play. Along with sophomores Dan Beunning and Jonathan Clinkscale
at the guard spots is senior Jason Jovers at tackle; they are the main reason
for Anthony Davis reaching 100 yards in all but one of his games last year,
and why Davis should again gain at least 1400 yards next year.
2. Tennessee
- Both Michael Munoz and Jason Respert come back from injury, which should
only improve what is already a big and experienced front wall. Returning
from last year's group are Scott Wells at center, along with seniors Will
Ofenheusle and Anthony Herrera. Assuming all wounds are healed with coach
Fulmer's offensive line, there is no reason to think this combination
of talent, depth, and experience will not be one of the best in the nation.
3.
Alabama
- After starting off slowly in 2001, what was once a young offensive line
now has the experience necessary to be one of the best. Coming back are
freshman All-American tackle Wesley Britt and guard Justin Smiley along
with fellow sophomore Evan Mathis. Leadership will come from All-SEC center
Alonzo Ephraim and senior guard Marico Portis.
4. Florida State - Two All-American
candidates, Brett Williams and Montrae Holland, lead this all senior group
that should give young Chris Rix all the time he needs to find open receivers.
Also coming back for their senior years are Antoine Mirambeau at center,
Todd Williams at right tackle and Milford Brown at left guard. If this
group can iron out some spotty run blocking then a 1,000 rusher should
be in reach.
5.
Georgia
- With four of the five offensive lineman from last year returning and
five seniors possibly starting for the Bulldogs, you can only assume that
David Greene and Musa Smith will have an easy time putting up points on
defenses running and throwing. Leading the way is All-American candidate
John Stinchcomb and fellow three-year starter Kevin Breedlove, who along
with Alex Jackson and George Foster, helped the offensive line surrender
only 15 sacks all of last year. Look for Ian Knight to sure up the center
spot as the only non-full time starter from a year ago.
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1.
Miami FL - This
could be one of the best and deepest defensive lines college football has
seen in over the past 15 to 20 years. With all 2001 starters returning and
two additional starting defensive ends from the 2000 season, this front
wall boasts six players with starting experience, four others with extensive
playing time, and 39 sacks worth of production between all of them. Everything
starts in the middle with All-American William Joseph and underrated tackle
Matt Walters, whose interception versus Boston College last fall saved the
day for the Hurricanes. On the outside, expect All-American Jerome McDougle
and his equal in every aspect, Andrew Williams, to take care of the defensive
end spots with former starters Cornelius Green, Jamaal Green, and situational
pass rusher Jonathan Square backing them up. Providing depth in the middle
is super blue chip sophomore Vince Wilfork, Santonio Thomas and redshirt
freshman Orien Harris.
2. Oklahoma
- Disruptive
is the word that comes to mind when thinking of this Oklahoma defensive
line. Anchoring the unit in the middle is last year's Freshman All-American
defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Expect him to be mentioned as one of the
top tackles in the country now that he has a year of experience under
his belt. Along side him will be returning starter Kory Klein and Tennessee
transfer Lynn McGruder, who looks to turn some heads in the Big 12 after
sitting out his first year at Oklahoma. At defensive end, junior Jimmy
Wilkerson returns as one of the most underrated players in all of college
football at any position. Opposite him at the other defensive end spot
will be Dan Cody with Jonathan Jackson rotating in frequently.
3.
Michigan - Though
Michigan might not have fared so well in the Citrus Bowl last winter,
the defensive line did hold more than its own against a strong Tennessee
offensive line. With the same four returning starters that held All-SEC
running back Travis Stephens to 38 yards on 16 carries, Michigan easily
has the most experienced and arguably most talented defensive line in
the Big 10. In the middle returns Shawn Lazrus, who will be starting in
his third year along with junior Norman Heur. At defensive end, First
Team All-Big 10 Dan Rumishek and Second Team All-Big 10 defensive end
Shantee Orr return to provide great pass rush from the edges. Providing
depth for these four will be defensive end and freshman All-American Alain
Kashama along with experienced backups Larry Stevens and Grant Bowman
at defensive end and defensive tackle respectively.
4. Alabama
- Few
defensive lines have this much star power on their first team, and that
is why Alabama ranks as the best defensive line in the SEC and one of
the best in the country. Starting at the ends will be first time starter
Nautyn McKay-Loescher and NFL bound, All-SEC defensive end, senior Kindal
Moorehead. Together with the provided push from All-American Candidate
Jarret Johnson as well as Kenny King, you have the returning trio that
made up the heart of Alabama's defense. Though depth could be an issue
down the road, they do have some talented backups that look to keep the
future of this Crimson Tide unit bright. Sophomore defensive end Antwan
Odom and junior Tackle Anthony Bryant, along with Todd Bates, will be
counted on when substitutions are needed.
5. Kansas State - There
might not be many big names in the Kansas State defensive line, but few
ever get as much from their line as Coach Snyder does from his deep group.
After giving up only 2.91 yards per carry and only 6 rushing touchdowns,
this eight-man rotation of juniors and seniors return with a ton of experience
and more depth than Coach Snyder may know what to do with. Battling it
out for the defensive end spots will be returning starter Henry Bryant,
Melvin Williams, Andrew Shull, and Thomas Houchin. All should be easily
interchangeable and frequently used to help with the outside pressure.
The interior returns Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year, Tank Reese,
while Justin Montgomery and Corey White battle it out for the other tackle
spot.
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1.
Miami FL - Well
what do you expect from the same school who brought us such names as Darren
Smith, Jesse Armsted, Michael Barrow, Ray Lewis, Nate Webster and Dan Morgan?
This time it is outside linebacker DJ Williams who is the athletically gifted.
Hard hitting middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma showed us his linebacking
IQ as a true freshman when he was thrown into the fire versus FSU and Syracuse.
Also returning and competing for the other outside linebacker position is
former starter from the 2000 Hurricane squad Howard Clark, who is currently
struggling to hold his job over future star and redshirt freshman Roger
McIntosh.
2. Georgia Tech
= Returning
all three starters, Georgia Tech's 2002 trio looks to be not only improved,
but the reason why the Yellow Jacket defense could be the best in the
ACC. Junior Daryl Smith, who led the team in tackles as a freshman returns
as the team's most feared hitter, while on each side of him is Keyaron
Fox and Recardo Wimbush, who each recorded 95 and 96 tackles respectively.
If that wasn't enough, Ather Brown, who was Georgia Tech's starter for
all of the 2000 season, returns from injury to give us the nation's most
experienced group of linebackers.
3. Auburn
- Led
by the play of weak side linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and his 122 tackles
(double the amount of any other Tiger), along with Karlos Dansby on the
outside while Mark Brown fills in the middle slot, the Tigers are primed
for a great defensive run in 2002. Providing depth will be Mayo Sowell,
Jake Slaughter, and future star in the making Lemarcus Rowell, who is
also capable of filling in at the middle linebacker spot. With this much
depth, do not be surprised to see a lot of 3-4 defensive fronts to utilize
all of the talent.
4. Colorado
- One
thing this group is not short on is experience. With four players out
of the two-deep roster being seniors, this herd of Buffalo could make
for one of the best linebacking units around. Seniors Drew Wahlroos and
Joey Johnson, who filled in for the injured Sykes last year, return along
side Sean Tufts, who is the heart of the unit. Backing up these big play
linebackers will be seniors Aaron Killion and Kory Mossoni, who only add
experience while freshman Andrew Ward breaks into the depth chart.
5. Miami OH
- Can you name which linebacking unit in the country
is the only one to boast two Lombardi award watch list players? Well we
can and its Miami of Ohio. Leading the way is one of the strongest pair
of linebackers you will see on the same team with senior outside linebacker
Matt Robillard and junior middle linebacker Terrell Jones; both first
team All-MAC performers. Helping them out will be experienced junior Nathan
Clayton and senior Matt Edwards, who are both coming back from injury
plagued careers. Also look for freshman Jarrod Rich and Shawn Ashcraft
to provide depth while they develop as the future of Redhawk's linebacking
unit.
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1.
Oklahoma - Only
in Oklahoma can you lose an All American safety like Roy Williams and still
have the #1 secondary in the country. The main reasons why this secondary
won't miss a beat will be due to the best Cornerback Duo in the country
with Senior Andre Woolfolk and junior Derrick Strait. Giving them great
depth is often active Antonio Perkins, who finds his way on the field in
nickel and dime situations. At safety, trying to fill the void for Roy Williams
will be Eric Bassey while Everage will creep up and play that fourth linebacker
position from the safety spot. This defensive backfield will make the Oklahoma
defensive line only look that much better than what it already is.
2. Arkansas
- With
only Oklahoma maybe having more depth and talent, Arkansas in its own
right boasts a great pair of young cornerbacks with Lawrence Richardson
cemented in at one corner spot while Eddie Jackson and Ahmad Carroll battle
it out for the other cornerback spot. Though Hamlin will be suspended
for the first few games of the year, this All-SEC safety will come back
in time for some key SEC divisional games. Filling in at the strong safety
spot will be junior Jimmy Beasley. Perhaps the most impressive part of
this secondary is that every single starter, including the nickel back,
will all be eligible for the 2003 year.
3. Oregon State
- After
starting the year with a 1-3 record, Oregon State's secondary yielded
no more than 208 yards passing in a single game. In five of their final
seven games, the Beavers held opponents well under 200 yards in the passing
department. Hoping to continue their mean streak out in the Pac Ten will
be returning All-Conference Cornerback Dennis Weathersby and his opposite
Terrell Roberts. Returning at free safety will be Mitch Meeuwsen, a promising
sophomore who played well as a freshman the year before. The new face
in the secondary will be Lawrence Turner, a junior who beat out Shamon
Jamerson for the vacant strong safety spot. With capable depth, this should
be the Pac Ten's strongest secondary and one of the best in the country.
4. Texas A&M
- Sammy
Davis Jr., a.k.a. "The Candy Man", returns as one of the top
corners and leads this rugged Texas A&M secondary as one of the best
in the country. Along side Sammy Davis are two capable corner backs, regular
season starting Sean Weston and Galleryfuniture.com Bowl standout sophomore
Byron Jones, who is coming off of a three interception output in an MVP
performance. Look for him to perhaps upend Weston for the starting job.
At safety, Texas A&M returns tackling machine Terrence Kiel at strong
safety, while the free safety spot looks to be filled by junior Dawon
Gentry.
5. Illinois
- All American candidate Eugene Wilson and his opposite,
All-Big Ten 2nd team cornerback Christian Morton, together make up one
of the best corner duos in the country. After achieving 45 total pass
break ups, these two will need to pick up the extra slack left behind
by the departure of two starting safeties. Replacing the safeties will
be Jamaal Clark and Taman Jordan with Marc Jackson also joining in to
help out. Experienced cornerback Michael Hall also returns for his senior
season to add even more depth to what is already a deep and experienced
group of defensive backs.
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