August 13, 2001
Groin PainsMike Winklepleck of Heelan High in Sioux City can't avoid the tag by pitcher Zach Smith of Waverly-Shell Rock High while trying to score in the Iowa Class 3-A playoffs. Heelan went on...
August 13, 2001
1. Oregon State2. Florida3. Miami4. Texas5. Oklahoma6. Florida State7. Oregon8. Nebraska9. Tennessee10. Virginia Tech11. Georgia Tech12. Northwestern13. LSU14. Michigan15. Kansas State16....
After going 11-1 last year, the even-better Beavers are eager to take a shot at the title
2000 record: 11-1 (7-1, TI in Pac-10)
31,000-yard rushing seasons by Ken Simonton, who shares the Pac-10 record with six others.
RB Ken Simonton [Sr.]79 points shy of Pac-10 career scoring lead
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Beavers
Strength: 45th of 117
The Gators' toughest task may be choosing which passer will run their potent attack
2000 record: 10-3 (8-1, 1st in SEC East)
185Weeks in a row, dating to 1990, that Steve Spurrier's Gators have been in the AP Top 25.
DE Alex Brown [Sr.]Two-time Lombardi Trophy semifinalist
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Gators
Strength: 15th of 117
The Hurricanes rode out a stormy off-season and stayed on course for another title run
2000 record: 11-1 (7-0, 1st in Big East)
14Touchdowns needed by quarterback Ken Dorsey to become Miami's alltime leader.
QB Ken Dorsey [Jr.]2,727 passing yards, only five interceptions
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Hurricanes
Strength: 36th of 117
The Longhorns spent the summer talking the talk. Now it's time to walk the walk
2000 record: 9-3 (7-1, 2nd Big 12 South)
7,974Texas record for career passing yards, held by second-string quarterback Major Applewhite.
QB Chris Simms [Jr.]383-yard passing day third best at Texas
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Longhorns
Strength: 48th of 117
Anyone trying to grab the Sooners' national crown will have to go through Rocky
2000 record: 13-0 (8-0, 1st Big 12 South)
16Rushing TDs by Quentin Griffin, the most by a Sooners halfback since Billy Sims's 22 in 1979.
RB Quentin Griffin [Jr.]1,189 all-purpose yards (406 receiving)
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Sooners
Strength: 51st of 117
The Seminoles lack big-name players and experience but haven't lost their swagger
2000 record: 11-2 (8-0, 1st in ACC)
549Average yards of total offense by Florida State in 2000, best in the nation.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Seminoles
Strength: 14th of 117
The Ducks, winningest Pac-10 team the past six years, will again fly in V formation
2000 record: 10-2 (7-1, T1 in Pac-10)
15Consecutive home wins for the Ducks, at Autzen Stadium, nine short of the Pac-IO record.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Ducks
Strength: 25th of 117
Behind run-pass threat Eric Crouch, the Huskers eye the title run they blew last year
2000 record: 10-2 (6-2, 2nd in Big 12 North)
25Sacks by the Cornhuskers in 2000, the lowest total since the school started keeping the stat in 1981.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Cornhuskers
Strength: 53rd of 117
The Vols have vowed to return to the elite, and a large defensive tackle shall lead them
2000 record: 8-4 (5-3, T2 in SEC East)
5Opponents held below 50 yards rushing by the Volunteers in 2000, their most in 50 years.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Volunteers
Strength: 9th of 117
While the Hokies reload at quarterback, the veteran defense will take care of business
2000 record: 11-1 (6-1, 2nd in Big East)
46Rushing touchdowns by the Hokies last season, ranking them first in the nation.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Hokies
Strength: 58th of 117
Pass master George Godsey could be the Goose that lays the Jackets' golden egg
2000 record: 9-3 (6-2, T2 in ACC)
+1.7Turnover differential per game last season, second best in the nation, as Tech forced 43 miscues.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Yellow Jackets
Strength: 55th of 117
Skeptics beware: The Wildcats should score in droves again and play better defense too
2000 record: 8-4 (6-2, T1 in Big Ten)
103Offensive plays run by the Wildcats in last year's 61-23 win over Illinois, a season high in 1-A.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Wildcats
Strength: 50th of 117
The resurgent Tigers are loaded at the skill positions and have big expectations to fulfill
2000 record: 8-4 (5-3, 2nd SEC West)
22.4Difference in points per game scored at home (34.7) and away (12.3) by LSU in 2000.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Tigers
Strength: 41st of 117
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
Damn Yankees made the Wolverines' uphill struggle on offense an even steeper test
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
2000 record: 9-3 (6-2, T1 in Big Ten)
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
72.4Percentage of offense produced last year by departed Drew Henson and Anthony Thomas.
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Wolverines
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
Strength: 24th of 117
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
Can the Wildcats maintain their recent high rate of success? The pressure is on
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
2000 record: 11-3 (6-2, 1st Big 12 North)
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
4Consecutive 11-win seasons by K-State, a feat previously achieved only by Florida State and Nebraska.
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Wildcats
August 13, 2001 | Kelly King
Strength: 38th of 117
After turning a cameo role into a smash hit, running back Rich Alexis now plays the lead
2000 record: 11-1 (7-1, T1 in Pac 10)
13Come-from-behind victories by Washington among its last 18 wins, including eight of 11 last season.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Huskies
Strength: 17th of 117
The Badgers have long relied on the run; now they will ride the arm of their quarterback
2000 record: 9-4 (4-4, T5 in Big Ten)
67Consecutive seasons Wisconsin has played Northwestern, a streak that comes to an end this year.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Badgers
Strength: 39th of 117
With few turnovers—on the field and on the roster—the Irish may not need much luck
2000 record: 9-3
4Fumbles lost in 2000, the fewest in school history and the third fewest in Division 1-A last fall.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Irish
Strength: 6th of 117
Lou Holtz's Gamecocks have turned things around, but they're not finished yet
2000 record: 8-4 (5-3, T2 in SEC East)
59.5%Gamecocks' red zone scoring efficiency, last in the SEC in 2000.
An opposing team's coach sizes up the Gamecocks