College Football Preview: 23. Missouri Tigers

23. Missouri Tigers
TB De'Vion Moore- Senior
WR T.J. Moe- Junior
TE Michael Egnew- Senior
OT Dan Hoch- Senior
DE Jacquies Smith- Senior
LB Brad Madison- Junior
Despite the loss of various stars including great quarterback Blaine Gabbert and defensive end Aldon Smith the Tigers are still a definite contender. Gabbert has a great arm but was developed by the Tigers. The same will happen to sophomore James Franklin. The Tigers have always had a strong backfield and tailback De'Vion Moore will help that once more. The senior has to take pressure off the young Franklin. Franklin will also be helped by a load of options including junior T.J. Moe, senior Jerrell Jackson, Wes Kemp and senior Michael Egnew. T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew are the two best options in the receiving core with Moe having great speed and Egnew having good hands. Both are also seniors and experienced. The offensive line is decent with tackles Dan Hoch and Elvis Fisher. Hoch is the anchor but the team needs to replace the center position where Tim Barnes left vacant when he left. The defensive line is the best unit on the defense thanks to end Jacquies Smith and Terrell Resonno. Smith doesn't look like a topnotch player at his position but he is good. He might end up being better than Aldon Smith. The linebacker core is pretty good also. Junior Brad Madison didn't play that much last year but still was an All Conference Selection. Senior Will Ebner is pretty good also. The secondary is definitely a question with only one starter (Kenji Jackson) returning. Kip Edwards, Matt White and E.J. Gaines must become stars to hold opposing defenses.

Heisman Hopeful: James Franklin
Big 12 Rank: 5th

College Football Preview: 22. Texas Longhorns

22. Texas Longhorns
QB Garrett Gilbert- Junior
RB Fozzy Whittaker- Senior
RB Tre' Newton- Junior
WR Malcolm Williams- Senior
LB Emmanuel Acho- Senior
S Blake Gideon- Senior
It was weird having Texas not in a bowl and not contending. Things will change though thanks to the improvement of quarterback Garrett Gilbert after a tough first year as starter. He has an okay arm and decent accuracy. If Gilbert doesn't work out coach Mack Brown has another option in Colt McCoy's brother Case. Case McCoy is a sophomore and was a big recruit for the Longhorns a year ago. The backfield is the team's strength with senior Fozzy Whittaker, senior Cody Johnson and Tre' Newton. Whittaker will likely start but Newton and Johnson will also get carries. Gilbert's options are less limited now without James Kirkendoll and John Chiles. Senior Malcolm Williams is now the best wide receiver and is helped by junior Marquise Goodwin and sophomore Mike Davis. The offensive line is okay and will protect Gilbert fine. Center David Snow and guard Mason Walters are pretty well. The defense lost some talent but still have many playmakers especially at the linebacker unit. Defensive tackle Alex Okafor and nose tackle Kheeston Randall are the best players on the line. Senior linebacker Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson lead not only the 'backers but the defense. The secondary was the most talented unit last year for the Longhorns with the Browns, Chykie and Curtis along with Aaron Williams. All of those three are gone but safety Blake Gideon is pretty good. Strong safety Christian Scott is pretty talented along with Gideon. Kicker and punter Justin Tucker is pretty good also.

Heisman Hopeful: Garrett Gilbert
Big 12 Rank: 4th

College Football Preview: 21. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

21. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
QB Dayne Crist- Junior
WR Michael Floyd- Senior
OT Taylor Rever- Senior
LB Manti Te'o- Junior
It won't be a stretch to place the Irish here. Notre Dame returns 19 starters including 10 on offense. Quarterback Dayne Crist will improve quietly in his junior year after a decent sophomore year. Crist has good accuracy but doesn't have a great arm to longball it to senior Michael Floyd. The backfield lost Armando Allen but still returns runningback Cierre Wood. Jonas Gray is behind him and has more experience as he is a senior. Crist's options are of course led by Michael Floyd definitely the offensive star. Floyd is a home run receiver and can catch short balls also. Without good receiving tight end Kyle Rudolph the Fighting Irish are weaker. Sophomore T.J. Jones and junior Theo Reddick are okay. The offensive line is pretty talented too thanks to tackles Taylor Rever and Zack Martin. Senior guard Trevor Robinson is the anchor on the unit. Notre Dame's defense has never been their strength but it is better this year with many players back. Defensive end Ethan Johnson is good one the side and Hafis Williams is huge up the middle. Linebacker Manti Te'o is the best defensive player on the squad. He has improved dramatically in his first two years and will do the same in his third. The secondary is decent also with senior Gary Gray, Harrison Smith and others. Punter Nick Taucsch isn't too great but will do okay.

Heisman Hopeful: Dayne Crist
Independents Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 20. Florida Gators

20. Florida Gators
Key Position Players:
QB John Brantley- Senior
RB Jeff Demps- Senior
WR/QB Trey Burton- Sophomore
WR Omarius Hines- Junior
CB Janoris Jenkins- Senior
It was a struggle for the Gators in 2010 thanks to a depleted offense and defense. Luckily things will improve. Quarterback John Brantley enters his second season as starter and he'll feel more comfortable behind the center. The backfield is good too thanks to Jeff Demps who has good speed. Brantley has decent options with junior Omarius Hines among others. Playmaking senior Deonte Thompson is fantastic for Brantley. Wide receiver and quarterback Trey Burton is an odd player. He has good speed and is a long-shot canidate for the Heisman. The offensive line is weaker now without guard/center Mike Pouncey. They still return two starters on it though with sophomore Jon Halapio and junior Xavier Nixon. The defense is very weak now due to a weakened secondary and front seven. The defensive line is headed by tackles Omar Hunter and Jaye Howard. The linebacker unit is not that great especially without A.J. Jones. Middle linebacker Jelani Jenkins, a sophomore, is the only returning starter of the five. The secondary was Florida's top unit in 2010 but now may be its weakest. They return cornerback Janoris Jenkins, the experienced man. Without Will Hill and Ahmad Black though he won't have much help. The special teams lost its leader in Chas Henry but still has options.

Heisman Hopeful: Trey Burton
SEC Rank: 7th

College Football Preview: 19. Nebraska Cornhuskers

19. Nebraska Cornhuskers
QB Taylor Martinez- Sophomore
DT Jared Crick- Senior
DE Cameron Meredith- Junior
LB Lavonte David- Senior
CB Alfonzo Dennard- Senior
S Courtney Osborne- Junior
Nebraska is a smash football team that's ready for success. Coach Bo Pelini decided to go with freshmen quarterback Taylor Martinez. It turned out to be a good move as the speedy scrambler led the Cornhuskers to a surprisingly strong year. He returns with tons of others great players especially on defense. Junior back Rex Burkhead fits the 'Husker's mold. He's a powerful back who likes contact. Senior fullback Tyler Legate also joins Burkhead in the backfield behind Martinez. Martinez won't throw much but when he does Niles Paul was always there. Now Paul is gone and leaves Brandon Kinnie in his absence. If the recieving core wasn't a question then the offensive line is. Senior center Mike Caputo is the anchor in the middle and tackle Jeremiah Sirles is good too. The defense is fantastic. Tackle Jared Crick had exactly the year Nebraska wanted. He can pressure the backfield and stuffs up running holes in the middle. Junior end Cameron Meredith puts pressure constantly from the sides. The linebacker unit is pretty good thanks too senior Lavonte David. Junior Will Compton is on the other side of the equation. The secondary lost the team's best player in cornerback Prince Amukamara. The other cornerback is Alfonzo Dennard who was an All Conference Selection despite having less talent than Amukamara. Safety Courtney Osborne is greatly underrated with good hands. The kicker and punter positions are unknown.

Heisman Hopeful: Taylor Martinez
Big Ten Rank: 4th

College Football Preview: 18. Arkansas Razorbacks

18. Arkansas Razorbacks
RB Knile Davis- Junior
WR Greg Childs- Senior
DE Jake Bequette- Senior
LB Jerry Franklin- Senior
S Tramain Thomas- Senior
One of the nations most prolific offenses last year the Razorbacks are ready to push the pace again. Their leader, quarterback Ryan Mallett is gone though. Mallett had a fantastic arm and coach Bobby Petrino wasn't hesitant to let him show it. Mallett will be replaced by junior Tyler Wilson. All-SEC back Knile Davis is speedy and has okay power. Behind him senior Broderick Green and junior Ronnie Wingo are nice changes of pace. Mallett's success was helped thanks to the wide out options. Senior Greg Childs has fantastic hands and good speed. He was the teams top wide receiver during the 2010 season. That won't stop in 2011. Along with him are seniors Jarius Wright and Joe Adams. The offensive line is a definite question. Gone is top tackle DeMarcus Love and various others. The returning starters are pretty inexperienced. On defense the Razorbacks have a surprisingly strong unit. Defensive end Jake Bequette is the teams top pass rusher along with DeQuinta Jones. The linebacker core is fantastic thanks to electric senior Jerry Franklin. Franklin has good size and has speed that can cover tight ends or backs. Jerrico Nelson is the other returning man linebacker. The secondary is pretty well too with cornerback Isaac Madison and safety Tramain Thomas. The special teams is decent too with punter Dylan Breeding and others.

Heisman Hopeful: Knile Davis
SEC Rank: 6th

College Football Preview: 17. Virginia Tech Hokies

17. Virginia Tech Hokies
QB Logan Thomas- Sophomore
RB David Wilson- Junior
WR Jarrett Boykin- Senior
OT David DeCristopher- Senior
LB Bruce Taylor- Junior
CB Jayron Hosley- Junior
Frank Beamer's Hokies squad returns 13 starters including many key position players. They lose four-year starter Tyrod Taylor and will replace him with sophomore Logan Thomas. Thomas is a younger clone of Taylor. He doesn't have a fantastic arm but is a dual threat. Beamer has always prided himself on running the ball as much as possible. He returns just one of the backfield options in junior David Wilson. Back Josh Oglesby is the second guy but doesn't have Wilson's speed. Thomas is helped by tons of options including senior Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. Boykin has fantastic size which he uses to gain balls over defensive backs. The offensive line is great also with two returning All-ACC picks in tackle David DeCristopher and guard Jaymes Brooks. Also back is senior tackle Andrew Lanier. Defense has always been the Hokies strength. The front seven may need some rebuilding without defensive end Steven Friday and John Graves. The linebacker core is good thanks to junior Bruce Taylor who hits hard up the middle along with Lyndell Gibson. The secondary losses their best defensive player in cornerback Rashad Carmichael but does return junior Jayron Hosley. Back are safeties Eddie Whitley and sophomore Antone Exum. Special teams is led by kick returner Wilson but the rest is pretty bad. The kicker and punter positions are unknown at this point.

Heisman Hopeful: David Wilson
ACC Rank: 2nd

College Football Preview: 16. South Carolina Gamecocks

16. South Carolina Gamecocks
QB Stephen Garcia- Senior
RB Marcus Lattimore- Sophomore
WR Alshon Jeffrey- Junior
DE Devin Taylor- Junior
CB Stephen Gillmore- Junior
It was a great year for the Gamecocks last year and they return most of the star players. All of the skill positions including quarterback return. QB Stephen Garcia isn't as mobile as backup sophomore Conner Shaw but has a better arm. He has one of the best wide outs in the SEC with junior Alshon Jeffrey. He had a big game in the upset over Alabama and ever since then he has starred for the Gamecocks. Back Marcus Lattimore didn't disappoint in 2010 as a freshmen. He has okay speed and great vision. He's NFL ready and just a sophomore. Joining Jeffrey is junior D.L. Moore and tight end Justice Cunningham. On the offensive line South Carolina lost some talent but still has tackle Kyle Nunn. He will protect Garcia and Lattimore along with Shaw. Guard Rokevious Watkins will lead the way for Lattimore also. The defense is stingy and good even without end Cliff Matthews who is the unit's leader. They still return junior end Devin Taylor. Tackle Travian Robertson is the other returning starter on the line. The linebacker core is also talented with senior Antonio Allen and Shaq Wilson. The secondary is led by cornerback Stephen Gillmore and Akeem Auguste.

Heisman Hopeful: Marcus Lattimore
SEC Rank: 5th

College Football Preview: 15. Mississippi State Bulldogs

15. Mississippi State Bulldogs
QB Chris Relf- Senior
RB Vick Ballard- Senior
WR Chris Smith- Junior
DE Sean Ferguson- Senior
CB Corey Broomfield- Junior
CB Jonathan Banks- Junior
The Mississippi State campus is alive with the excitement of a new football season. Quarterback Chris Relf is talented and is a dual threat. He isn't a great passer though and doesn't have too much great options. Back Vick Ballard takes the pressure off Relf and can run over or around defenders. He is helped by fullback Sylvester Hemphill and others alike. Wide receiver Chris Smith is a speedy option for Relf with great hands. Junior Arceto Clark and senior Robert Elliot are the other wide out guys. Tight end Marcus Green will have to replace Brandon Henderson who left to the NFL. On the offensive line, prospect Derek Sherrod is gone at tackle but it still has talent with Addison Lawrence and sophomore guard Gabe Jackson. On defense the line is a definite strength. Senior Sean Ferguson pressures the backfield from the side while tackles Josh Boyd and Fletcher Cox stuff running holes in the middle. The linebacker position is the biggest question for the Bulldogs. Chris White and K.J. Wright are gone leaving the three starters unexperienced. The secondary is good thanks to cornerbacks Chris Broomfield and Jonathan Banks. Broomfield shadows all his guys and has good hands for a cornerback. He has to take on all the talented recievers in the SEC. Special teams is a question without kicker Sean Brauchle and punter Heath Hutchins.

Heisman Hopeful: Vick Ballard
SEC Rank: 4th

College Football Preview: 14. Auburn Tigers

14. Auburn Tigers
RB Michael Dyer- Sophomore
WR Emory Blake- Junior
OT Brandon Mosley- Senior
CB Neiko Thorpe- Senior
S Mike McNeil- Senior
The Tigers won the NCAA championship last year but it won't be that easy in 2011. They lost star quarterback Cam Newton and his likely replacement will be junior Barrett Trotter. Michael Dyer is the top returning player and is a whole lot of speed. He's still young though and lacks the smarts. Other back Philip Lutzenkirchen is underrated and is a beast. He doesn't have much talent though and won't be used much. Wide reciever Emory Blake is good and Trotter's top option. Seniors Quindarius Carr and Derek Winter are Trotter's other options. Senior offensive tackle Brandon Mosley needs to be great this year because he's the only returning starter on the line. On defense the line is decent. Nosa Eguae is the only returning player on it. Jeffrey Whitaker is an option in the middle. The linebacker core is also just okay. Senior Eltoro Freeman and Daren Bates are the two returning linebackers. Sophomore Jake Holland is the other guy in the 4-3 scheme. The secondary is the best unit on the defense. Cornerback Neiko Thorpe is a ball hawk and has great speed. On the other side T'Sharvan Bell is good also. Safety Mike McNeil is another returning man back there. On special teams punter Steven Clark is an option but other than him there's not enough to talk about.

Heisman Hopeful: Michael Dyer
SEC Rank: 3rd