RANKINGS
1-5
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21-25
PRESENTED BY INSIDE99   
2002 RANKINGS WILL BE RELEASED AT THANKSGIVING
with updates each month.
  HEAD COACH: Larry Coker
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Santana Moss-WR, Reggie Wayne-WR, Andre King-WR, Ivan Mercer-TE, Greg Laffere-OG, Will McPartland-FB, James Jackson-TB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Quincy Hipps-DE, Jevon Rhodes-DE, Damione Lewis-DT, Dan Morgan-MLB, Leonard Myers-CB, Al Blades-FS
 

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.

MIAMI 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Ken Dorsey-Jr Derrick Crudup-Fr
FB Najeh Davenport-Sr Kyle Cobia-Fr
TB Clinton Portis-Jr Willis McGahee-Fr
SE Andre Johnson-So Jason Geathers-So
FL Daryl Jones-Sr Ethenic Sands-Jr
TE Jeremy Shockey-Jr David Williams-Fr
OT Bryant McKinnie-Sr Carlos Joseph-So
OG Ed Wilkins-Jr Sherko Haji-Rasouli-Jr
C Brett Romberg-Jr Scott Puckett-Sr
OG Martin Bibla-Sr Joe McGrath-So
OT Joaquin Gonzalez-Sr Vernon Carey-So
K Todd Sievers-Jr Mark Gent-Fr
DEFENSE
DE Cornelius Green-Sr Andrew Williams-Jr
DT Matt Walters-Jr Vince Wilfork-Fr
DT William Joseph-Jr Santonio Thomas-So
DE Jamaal Green-Jr Jerome McDougle-Jr
WLB D.J. Williams-So Howard Clark-Jr
MLB Jonathon Vilma-So Sheven Marshall-Jr
SLB Chris Campbell-Sr Ken Dangerfield-Jr
CB Phillip Buchanon-Jr Maurice Sikes-So
CB Mike Rumph-Sr Markese Fitzgerald-Sr
SS Edward Reed-Sr ..
FS James Lewis-Sr James Scott-Jr
P Freddie Capshaw-Jr ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Steve Spurrier
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Jesse Palmer-QB, Rod Frazier-FB, Eric Jonsson-FB, Bo Carroll-RB, Leon Hires-OG, Kenyatta Walker-OT, John Capel-WR
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Thaddeus Bullard-DE, Buck Gurley-NT, Derrick Chambers-NT, Daryl Owens-WLB, Alan Rhine-P, Gerard Warren-DT
 

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.

FLORIDA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Rex Grossman-So Brock Berlin-So
FB Ray Snell-Fr Ran Carthon-Jr
RB Earnest Graham-Jr Robert Gillespie-Sr
WR Jabar Gaffney-So Brian Haugabrook-Sr
WR Reche Caldwell-Jr Taylor Jacobs-Jr.
TE Aaron Walker-Jr Kirk Wells-Jr
OT Mike Pearson-Jr David Kearley-Jr
OG Thomas Moody-Sr David Jorgensen-Jr
C Zac Zedalis-Sr DeWayne DuBose-So
OG Erik Strange-Sr Shannon Snell-So
OT Max Starks-So ..
K Jeff Chandler-Sr Brendt Talcott-So
DEFENSE
DE Clint Mitchell-So Darrell Lee-So
NT Ian Scott-So Arpedge Rolle-Jr
DT Tron LaFavor-Jr Brian Savelio-Jr
DE Alex Brown-Sr Kennard Ellis-Sr
WLB Mike Nattiel-Jr Matt Farrior-So
MLB Andra Davis-Sr Travis Carroll-Sr
SLB Byron Hardmon-Jr Travis Harris-So
CB Robert Cromartie-Sr Keiwan Ratliff-So
CB Lito Sheppard-Jr Bennie Alexander-Sr
SS Marquand Manuel-Sr Guss Scott-So
FS Todd Johnson-Jr Lester Norwood-Sr
P Matt Piotrowicz-Fr ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Bob Stoops
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Josh Heupel-QB, Al Baysinger-OG, Bubba Burcham-C, Scott Kempenich-OT, Matt Anderson-TE, Seth Littrell-HB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Ryan Fisher-DT, Jeremy Wilson-Guest-DT, Corey Callens-DE, Roger Steffen-SLB, Torrance Marshall-MLB, J.T. Thatcher-FS, Ramon Richardson-DT, Ontei Jones-LB
 

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.

OKLAHOMA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Nate Hybl-Jr Jason White-So
FB Quentin Griffin-Jr Renaldo Works-So
HB Jamar Mozee-So Brian Odom-Fr
SE Antwone Savage-Jr Curtis Fagan-Jr
FL Andre Woolfolk-Jr Will Peoples-Fr
TE-h Trent Smith-Jr Damian Mackey-Jr
OT Frank Romero-Sr Will Mathis-Sr
OG Howard Duncan-Sr Josh Smith-Jr
C Josh Smith-Jr Howard Duncan-Sr
OG Mike Skinner-Jr Brad Davis-Jr
OT Wes Sims-Fr Clint Werth-So
K Tim Duncan-Sr Jimmy Stewart-Jr
DEFENSE
DE Dan Cody-So Corey Heinecke-Sr
DT Bary Holleyman-Sr Jammal Brown-Fr
DT Kory Klein-So Juan Prishker-Jr
DE Jimmy Wilkerson-So ..
SLB Brandon Moore-Sr Ronbrose Jones-Fr
MLB Rocky Calmus-Sr Brandon Pryor-Jr
WLB Ted Lehman-So Brandon Babb-Sr
CB Michael Thompson-So Antonio Perkins-Fr
CB Derrick Strait-So Andre Woolfolk-Jr
SS Roy Williams-So Matt McCoy-So
FS Brandon Everage-So Matt Mayhew-Sr
P Jeff Ferguson-Sr Tim Duncan-Sr
 
  HEAD COACH: Frank Solich
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Willie Miller-FB, Dan Alexander-IB, Correll Buckhalter-IB, Bobby Newcombe-WB, John Gibson-WB, Matt Davison-SE, Russ Hochstein-OG, Jason Schwab-OT, Dominic Raiola-C
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Loran Kaiser-DT, Kyle Vanden Bosch-DE, Carlos Polk-MLB, Joe Walker-SS, Clint Finley-SS, Dan Hadenfeldt-P, Troy Watchorn-FL
 

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.

NEBRASKA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Eric Crouch-Sr Jammal Lord-So
FB Judd Davies-So Robin Miller-So
IB Dahrran Diedrick-Jr DeAntae Grixby-So
WB Troy Hassebroek-Jr Ben Cornelson-Jr
SE Wilson Thomas-Jr ..
TE Tracey Wistrom-Sr Aaron Golliday-Jr
OT Dave Volk-Sr Scott Koethe-Jr
OG Toniu Fonoti-Jr ..
C Jon Rutherford-Sr Matt Shook-Jr
OG Wes Cody-Jr Jon Dawson-So
OT Kyle Kollmorgen-Sr Dan Waldrop-So
K Josh Brown-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Chris Kelsay-Jr Justin Smith-Jr
NT Jason Lohr-Sr ..
DT Jeremy Slechta-Sr Casey Nelson-Sr
DE Demoine Adams-Jr J.P. Wichmann-Sr
SLB Scott Shanle-Jr ..
MLB Jamie Burrow-Sr Tony Tata-Jr
WLB Randy Stella-Sr Mark Vedral-Sr
CB Keyuo Craver-Sr Pat Ricketts-So
CB Erwin Swiney-Sr DeJuan Groce-Jr
SS Wes Woodward-Sr Aaron Terpening-Jr
FS Dion Booker-Sr Willie Amos-So
P Kyle Larson-So ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Mack Brown
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Hodges Mitchell-TB, Brandon Healy-SE, Cory Quye-OT, Leonard Davis-OT, Kris Stockton-K/P
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Casey Hampton-DT, Shaun Rogers-DT, Greg Brown-FS
 

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.

TEXAS 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Chris Simms-Jr Major Applewhite-Sr
FB Matt Trissel-Jr Chad Stevens-Jr
TB Victor Ike-Jr Kenny Hayter-Jr
SE Roy Williams-So Montrell Flowers-Sr
FL B.J. Johnson-So Kyle Shanahan-Jr
TE Brock Edwards-So Mike Jones-Sr
OT Robbie Doane-Jr ..
OG Derrick Dockery-Jr Tillman Holloway-So
C Matt Anderson-Sr Jason Glynn-Fr
OG Antwan Kirk-Hughes-Sr Derrick Dockery-Jr
OT Mike Williams-Sr Lionel Garr-Fr
K Matt McFadden-So Dylan Becker-Jr
DEFENSE
DE Cory Redding-Jr O.J. McClintock-Jr
DT Stevie Lee-So Adam Doiron-So
DT Marcus Tubbs-So Maurice Gordon-Sr
DE Kalen Thornton-So Jermain Anderson-Sr
WLB Everick Rawls-Sr Reed Boyd-So
MLB De'Andre Lewis-Sr Austin Sendlein-Fr
SLB Tyrone Jones-Sr Marcus Wilkins-Sr
CB Quentin Jammer-Sr Ervis Hill-Sr
CB Roderick Babers-Jr Monti Collier-So
SS Lee Jackson-Sr Ahmad Brooks-Sr
FS Dakarai Pearson-So Nathan Vasher-So
P Brian Bradford-Jr Justin Smith-Fr
 
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