|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Offensive, but good Scouting the nation's best with the ball for 2000
Posted: Wednesday July 05, 2000 06:46 PM
By Stewart Mandel, CNNSI.com Rating college football teams, much less parts of college football teams, is about as scientific as Hal Mumme's quarterback selection process. Unlike Mumme, though, the single biggest factor is, of course, last year's performance. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that two of 1999's top three teams, Florida State and Nebraska, dominate many of the positional rankings listed below. Not to mention they've had the sport's most consistent offenses for going on over a decade.The interesting thing is how the Seminoles and Cornhuskers could be ranked so similarly with such contrasting styles. While FSU will once again kill opponents with speed and creativity, Nebraska will pound the ball down their throats in the most frustrating fashion imaginable: when you know it's coming. But plenty of nontraditional systems litter our rankings as well. Some of the most intriguing playbooks in the country this season can be found in places like Norman and Champaign. It's too early to tell how successful they'll be, but that can't stop us from guessing. Listed below are the top five teams at each position (whole unit, not just the starters). Afterward is a composite "Top 10 offenses for 2000." QuarterbacksFlorida State: There's always at least one star horse in coordinator Mark Richt's stable, but this is the first time it's a 28-year-old QB sporting a national title ring. Besides Chris Weinke, look for occasional spottings of Marcus Outzen -- who has two national title appearances under the belt.Texas: Such a high ranking is of course contingent on Major Applewhite's successful return from a knee injury. If so, Texas, with Big 12 player of the year Applewhite and wonderkid Chris Simms, may have the most enviable -- or, if you're Mack Brown, tricky -- quarterback situation in the country Purdue: Quite frankly, Drew Brees is the most talented, most experienced passer in the country. His backup, Brandon Hance, is a highly regarded true freshman who enrolled in the spring and immediately became the heir apparent. Florida: Have some faith in senior Jesse Palmer -- Steve Spurrier, of all people, does. It's also nice to know the top freshman in the country, Brock Berlin, is waiting in the wings, along with the promising Rex Grossman. Virginia Tech: We're not even sure there are any others on scholarship. Michael Vick alone puts the Hokies in the top five at the position, though their fans must get a tad nervous when he's dancing between 260-pound defensemen. Others: Nebraska (Eric Crouch), Georgia (Quincy Carter), Alabama (Andrew Zow, Tyler Watts), Oklahoma (Josh Heupel), Indiana (Antwaan Randle El)
BackfieldOle Miss: The guy getting all the Heisman attention, Deuce McAllister, is only the second-leading returning rusher. McCallister (809 yards in '99), especially dangerous as a return man, teams with fellow tailback Joe Gunn (951) and fullback tandem Charles Stackhouse and Toward Sanford.Nebraska: Many unsatisfied Husker fans hope juco transfer Thunder Collins will live up to his name and emerge as a starter come fall. How quickly they've forgotten the sight of bruiser Dan Alexander dragging Colorado defenders by his jersey, or Correll Buckhalter torching Texas in the Big 12 title game.
Miami: While no one star has emerged, the 'Canes do have four to choose from. Senior James Jackson is the big name, but sophomore Clinton Portis was actually the top rusher last year. Sophomore Jarrett Payton is poised for a breakthrough, and senior Najeh Davenport should be back from an ACL tear. Florida State: At a program so deep some of its most memorable stars were lucky to get two years on the field, Travis Minor is entering his fourth as starting tailback. That is, if the similarly talented Jeff Chaney doesn't steal his thunder. FB William McCray is an accomplished blocker. Tennessee: Not bad when you have one of the nation's top five backfields the season after one of your tailbacks was the fifth pick of the NFL Draft. Truth is, senior Travis Henry was more productive last year (averaging 6.3 yards on 125 carries), and Travis Stephens returns after a redshirt season. Others: Texas (Hodges Mitchell, Victor Ike), Michigan (Anthony Thomas, Ryan Beard, Justin Fargas) Maryland (LaMont Jordan), TCU (LaDainian Tomlinson)
EndsMiami: Senior Santana Moss, future NFL top 10 pick, could be this year's Peter Warrick (hopefully, minus the discounts) and counterpart Reggie Wayne isn't far behind. Much is expected from junior Robert Williams, Bubba Franks' replacement at tight end.Pitt: The dangerous tandem of Latef Grim and Antonio Bryant combined for 1,950 yards last season and have two experienced QBs (John Turman, David Priestly) throwing to them. Look for them to get in the end zone more than a combined nine times this year. Ohio State: Lost in last year's "catastrophic" 6-6 campaign were some highlight-reel moments from then-juniors Ken-Yon Rambo, who averaged 20.3 yards a catch, and Reggie Germany. Rambo had three games of more than 160 yards last year. Kansas State: One of the nation's best-kept secrets (at least to those who haven't had to face him) is the 'Cats' Quincy Morgan, who averaged 48 yards on nine TD catches last year. Junior Aaron Lockett is more imposing than his 5-7 frame suggests. Michigan: Many expect a Charles Woodson-like year this season from junior David Terrell, an explosive playmaker who does see occasional time on the flip side of the field. Classmate Marquise Walker and sophomore Ron Bellamy also have speed. Others: UCLA (Freddie Mitchell, Brian Poli-Dixon), Tennessee (Cedrick Wilson, Eric Parker, David Martin), Georgia (Terrence Edwards, Randy McMichael, Reggie Brown), Alabama (Freddie Milons, Jason McAddley),
LineNebraska: Is there ever a year Nebraska isn't considered the leader in this department? Pulling the way for Crouch and Alexander this year are returning starters Dominic Raiola at center, tackles Dave Volk and Jason Schwab and guard Russ Hochstein, none lighter than 290.Michigan: In the Big Ten, where stability at offensive line is a must, the Wolverines return four starters. Tackle Jeff Backus and guard Steve Hutchinson are the cogs. Expect a big improvement from last year in the rushing department. Florida State: The Seminoles are deep. Even veteran tackle Tarlos Thomas and sophomore Brett Williams, a starter in the Sugar Bowl, have competition for their spots from seniors Char-ron Dorsey and Donald Heaven. Illinois: One of the keys to QB Kurt Kittner's remarkable sophomore season was his protection. The entire unit returns in 2000, led by 6-5, 315-pound tackle Marques Sullivan and center Luke "Nephew of You-Know-Who" Butkus. Penn State: On a team filled with uncertainties, expect JoePa to get maximum use of one unit that's not. Massive tackle Kareem McKenzie combines with guard Jordan Caruso and center Francis Spano to create holes for Eric McCoo and the Nittany Lion runners. Others: Alabama (Will Cuthbert, Dante Ellington, Paul Hogan), Wisconsin (Dave Costa, Casey Rabach, Bill Ferrario), Texas (Leonard Davis, Matt Anderson), Washington (Chad Ward, Kyle Benn) And so, combining the best of the above with some unscientific intuition, here's our guess for the 10 best offenses for 2000:
CNNSI.com college sports producer Stewart Mandel will size up a series of offseason topics from now until Kickoff 2000. Next up: The top defenses and special teams.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
