College Football Preview: The ACC

Ranking the ACC
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. Virginia Tech
4. Georgia Tech
5. NC State
6. Virginia
Overview: It may come a year later than expected but Florida State should rule the ACC. E.J. Manuel is healthy and few have a better defensive line than the Seminoles with Brandon Jenkins, Everett Dawkins and Bjoern Werner. The top recruiting class in the conference should add depth. Clemson has the best player in the conference with Sammy Watkins but has some holes. Their is no denying that the D-line only has one returning player to a bad pass rush. Andre Ellington's return improves a good backfield. Once more it appears the team to beat out of the Coastal is Virginia Tech. Logan Thomas could be Frank Beamer's most talented QB ever and this defense looks menacing with James Gayle, Bruce Taylor and Kyle Fuller. Georgia Tech has an offense that looks scary good. Back is athletic Tevin Washington at quarterback and fullback David Sims should breakout. Not to mention four starters back on offensive line. NC State was able to win games thanks mainly to a decent passing game and a fantastic secondary. Back is QB Mike Glennon to lead the air attack and David Amerson is back to head the secondary after recording 13 interceptions in 2011. Virginia stunned many when they won 8 games in '11-'12. Now, back is maturing Michael Rocco and elusive back Perry Jones. With Steve Greer making plays on defense a Coastal title isn't out of the question. Bryn Renner and much of the offense is back at UNC. That includes sophomore Giovani Bennard and Erik Highsmith. New coach Larry Fedora hopes to have this defense playing hard. Wake Forest has underrated quarterback Tanner Price back and a good defense with defensive back Merrill Noel and linemen Nikita Whitlock. That being said 6-7 wins is the goal for the Demon Deacons. Miami has a really weak offense even if Stephon Morris becomes a star. The playmakers on defense are also pretty limited. Duke coach David Cutcliffe could actually have a bowl possibility team on his hands. Senior quarterback Sean Renfree is ready for the big stage and has a great receiver in Conner Vernon. Boston College was hoping Montel Harris could make a comeback after injury but was dismissed from the team. Kevin Pierre-Louis leads a dangerous defense. The only headlines Maryland made in 2011 was because of their odd jerseys. Though coach Randy Edsall can turn schools in the right direction and has the tools with linemen Joe Vellano and linebacker Kenny Tate back.

College Football Preview: 25. Nebraska Cornhuskers

25.Nebraska Cornhuskers Returning Starters: 16 Returning Star: RB Rex Burkhead Key Loss: CB Alfonzo Dennard Player to Watch: LB Will Compton The Huskers first year in the Big Ten was good, but not great. A 9-4 mark that included losses to Northwestern, and beatings from Michigan and Wisconsin could have been better. Though with the talent that this team has back a ten win season and possibly a Big Ten championship isn't out of the picture. Back is quarterback Taylor Martinez, the scrambler. Martinez can keep plays alive with his feet but sometimes the reason they break down is because he doesn't have the arm strength. Though he did throw for 2,000 plus yards in 2011. Bo Pelini caught a huge break when senior back Rex Burkhead returned. Burkhead is a bruiser who can also use some of his speed to become and elusive ballcarrier. The reason this Huskers offense should be improved isn't because of Martinez nor Burkhead. It's because of these receivers that are back. Sophomore Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa are both back in a Nebraska uniform hoping to help Martinez continue his developement. Both have some speed and have pretty good size. Martinez should rely heavily on tight end Ben Cotton. Cotton is a huge target that can also provide blocking help. This offensive line is greatly improved thanks to the return of guard Spencer Long and tackle Tyler Moore. Neither are very dominant but will get the job done. Defense has always been amazing, it seems, here in Nebraska. But gone is linemen Jared Crick, linebacker Lavonte David and defensive back Alfonzo Dennard, last year's top three defenders. Cameron Meredith should be the next great pass rusher, following Ndamukong Suh and Crick. Meredith is very ahtletic with a nose for the football. Also back is tackle Baker Steinhukler who is a monster. Jason Ankrah is yet another pass rusher that Pelini can unleash. Without David the linebackers are probably the weakest unit on the team. Senior Will Compton must have a big year in order for this defense to be good. Senior Alonzo Whaley has shown flashes in his career. Cornerback Andrew Green could become a shutdown corner in his third year with the Huskers. But other than that this secondary is young and unproven. Heisman Hopeful: Taylor Martinez Big Ten Rank: 5th

College Football Preview: 24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Returning Starters: 14 Returning Star: LB Manti Te'o Key Loss: WR Michael Floyd Player to Watch: DE Stephon Tuitt Brian Kelly's last two teams here in South Bend have been average. Not too good but not too bad. This 2012-2013 team has the talent to turn Notre Dame into an above average 10 win team. If, they can get through this tough schedule that includes a Dublin battle with Navy, a road matchup against Michigan State and a good-looking Oklahoma team. Back is junior Tommy Rees who Kelly gave the starting job in 2011. But this quarterback position is far then settled. Junior Andrew Hendrix has a big arm and freshman Gunner Kiel could give Rees a run for his money. Rees has an okay arm and okay accuracy. He isn't too flashy but he did look good in a number of games last season and is the less risky option for Kelly. Though this team shouldn't pass too much with the talent they have in the backfield. Senior Cierre Wood ran for over 1,000 yards last season and should once more. Theo Riddick should also get carries as he should switch between a big and slot receiver. Riddick has the speed and agility to be lethal and since he was a receiver he can obviously catch. Gone is Michael Floyd greatly depleting Rees' options in the air attack. But back is tight end Tyler Eifert, an All-American. Eifert has size and stamina and brings toughness that not a lot of players have. Junior T.J. Jones could have a breakout '12 as he is the top returning true receiver. Also back is senior John Goodman who has the size to be a dominant force for Rees. Protecting Rees is this okay offensive line. Braxston Cave is fully healthy and should have a strong year at center. Guard Chris Watt is experienced and smart. This defense got a huge boost when tackling machine Manti Te'o decided to stay one more year with these Fighting Irish. Te'o has the athleticism that is truly dangerous and his numbers don't lie. This defensive line could end up being very good after returning two starters in Kapron Lewis-Moore and tackle Louis Nix. Nix is a force up the middle that can also provide a decent pass rush. The most talented player on this line, though, is end Stephon Tuitt. The versatile Tuitt can play just about every position you need him to. Other than Te'o these linebackers have senior Dan Fox back who can also make plays. The secondary is unproven and is the weakest unit on this team. Heisman Hopeful: Cierre Wood Independent Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 23. Florida Gators

23. Florida Gators Returning Starters: 18 Returning Star: DE Sharrif Floyd Key Loss: RB Jeff Demps Player to Watch: RB Mike Gillislee Will Muschamp's 2011 team wasn't suited to compete in the tough SEC, as they finished off 7-6. Gone is quarterback John Brantley who didn't have much success as a starter. Replacing him is up to sophomores Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett. Driskel and Brissett are both huge with big arms. Driskel is more mobile but Brissett is also pretty athletic also. Muschamp hasn't announced who will start but Brissett may have a little bit of an advantage. Whoever will start must improve an offense that ranked 105th nationally in 2011. The backfield was stacked with talent last year but gone is both Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. The player likely to replace them will be senior Mike Gillislee. Hes had a great offseason but questions still loom about whether he can be an every down back. Junior Trey Burton is a hybrid who can play just about every skill postition on offense. Hes fast and versatile and is Muschamp's most dangerous player on offense. The receivers are quick led by Andre Debose and sophomore Quinton Dunbar. Debose had 16 catches last year a number that should increase greatly in 2012. Junior tight end Jordan Reed has proved himself as a sure target for this Gators offense. Four starters are back to make this line solid. Left tackle Xavier Nixon and guard Jon Halaplo are anchors and Matt Patchan should be All-SEC this season. 10 starters are back on defense that was 8th nationally in 2011-2012. The line is a definite strength with the returns of pass rushing end Sharrif Floyd and athletic tackle Dominique Easley. Floyd had a strong '11 and could even improve in his third year in Florida. This defense lost Ronald Powell to a torn ACL and he likely won't be back until midseason. The linebackers are fantastic maybe the best in the SEC, a pretty tall order. Senior Jonathan Bostic led the squad in tackles last year and should again while Jelani Jenkins is a sure tackler. Look for freshman Antonio Morrison to get tackles after a big spring game. This secondary is another great unit with safety Matt Elam and a potential star in Marcus Roberson. This special teams is led by Lou Groza finalist, senior Caleb Sturgis. The return game could be lethal with a number of key players back including Debose. Defense should lead this Gators team and this offense should be improved. Expect a solid 9-10 win season. Heisman Hopeful: Mike Gillislee SEC Rank: 6th

College Football Preview: 22. Boise State Broncos

22. Boise State Broncos Returning Starters: 9 Returning Star: WR Matt Miller Key Loss: QB Kellen Moore Player to Watch: QB Joe Southwick It seems like a Bronco tradition to win games and they still should even without quarterback Kellen Moore. It seems that the man to replace Moore, maybe the best Boise quarterback ever, is junior Joe Southwick. Southwick, a two-year backup, has the tools to become the next great quarterback. He has an accurate arm and can also throw deep balls. He has the receivers to have a breakout first year as starter. Back is sophomore Matt Miller who caught 62 balls in his freshman year. He has good size and he has fantastic hands. Also back is senior Mitch Burroughs who has the experience and smarts. Junior Geraldo Boldewijn could have a big 2012 and sophomore Dallas Burroughs is improving. Tight end Gabe Linehan caught five touchdowns last season and should help Southwick mature. The ground game is without Doug Martin a bigger loss then people may think. Senior D.J. Harper is likely the one to replace Martin. He can make big plays but he is not proven as an every-down back. Senior Drew Wright should also make plays for Boise State. This offensive line is solid and experienced. Junior tackles Charles Leno could have a big junior season. Senior guard Joe Kellogg has the talent to become one of the best offensive linemen in the Mountain West. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has his work cut out for him losing most of this defense. The line lost talented Shea McClellin and Billy Winn. Tackle Mike Atkinson is huge and should dominate. JUCO transfer Demarcus Lawrence could end up being this team's top pass rusher. Gone is Byron Hout which leaves this linebacker postition razor thin. Senior J.C. Percy is the only returner. He should lead the Broncos in tackles as he has the speed and athleticism. Sophomore Blake Renaud will handle plays in the middle. The secondary is the best unit on defense headlined by cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins who provide a lethal combo. Both are experienced and Gavins led this squad with interceptions in 2011. With no TCU in this conference the Broncos should be a lock to win the Mountain West crown. Heisman Hopeful: Joe Southwick Mountain West Rank: 1st

College Football Preview: 21. Texas Longhorns

21. Texas Longhorns Returning Starters: 16 Returning Star: DE Jackson Jeffcoat Key Loss: LB Keenan Robinson Player to Watch: WR Jaxon Shipley 13-12. Thats the Longhorns record over the past two seasons, something that nobody associated with this football team is proud of. But, this year's squad could win 10 games thanks to the return of 16 starters. Quarterbacks David Ash and Case McCoy split snaps last season but it appears Ash will get the bulk of snaps this season. Ash is a smart player with a good arm but isn't quite mature yet. Junior McCoy has no consistency but has the raw potential to be great. This backfield is deep and talented and will carry this offense. Sophomore Malcolm Brown had an okay freshman year and will continue to improve. If he can stay healthy he could improve significantly on last season's 742 yards. Back is sophomore Joe Bergeron also but he'll probably take a backseat to the next big thing at Texas. Jonathan Gray was the second-most prolific back in Texas high school history and will make plays in 2012. Gray has great speed and has the vision to spot lanes. In order to help Ash and McCoy this Longhorns squad must find a big play receiver. Sophomore Jaxon Shipley has the potential and smarts to become that guy. Also back is junior Mike Davis who has the size and senior Marquise Goodwin has the experience. Offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin hopes to find an effective tight end. Senior D.J. Grant or junior Dominique Jones could fill that role. This offensive line keeps on improving with the return of junior guard Mason Walters and tackle Trey Hopkins. The Longhorns like to play gritty defense and it worked last year as the Longhorns had the nation's 11th best defense. The defensive line has two great defensive ends in Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor. These two combined for 15 sacks last year, a number that could improve to 20 plus. Other than these two though the line is weak. Gone are Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho leaving these linebackers depleted. This secondary could end up being the nation's elite. Cornerbacks Carrington Byndom and Quandre Diggs are sticky and will give quarterbacks headaches. Senior safety Kenny Vaccaro shows promise. The Longhorns are slowly turning back into a championship contender just give them time. Heisman Hopeful: Malcolm Brown Big 12 Rank: 6th

College Football Preview: 20. Kansas State Wildcats

20. Kansas State Wildcats Returning Starters: 14 Returning Star: QB Collin Klein Key Loss: DT Ray Kibble Player to Watch: WR Tyler Lockett The surprise of 2011 returns 14 starters including All Big 12 quarterback Collin Klein. Needless to say, two straight 10 win seasons isn't out of the question. Klein had a huge junior year but hopes to improve his passing game in his senior season, as the Wildcats had the worst air game in the Big 12. Klein is durable and is athletic and should run for 1,000 plus yards once more. His arm isn't that strong but he can make deep plays and has decent accuracy. Also back is junior runningback John Hubert who has great speed. Hubert can also catch the ball out of the backfield which should help Klein mature in the passing game. Senior Angelo Pease should also get rushes. The most underrated player on this team? Senior fullback Braden Wilson leads the way for both Klein and Hubert two of the best rushers in the Big 12. The receivers are good with the return of sophomore Tyler Lockett, senior Chris Harper and senior Brodrick Smith. Lockett is the most talented and should continue to improve in his second year with the Wildcats. Tight end Travis Tannahill is a reliable receiver and is a pretty good blocker. The offensive line is on the weaker side of things. Guard Nick Puetz is the top blocker on the squad. This defense is very underappreciated. The line is definitely a weakness after losing tackle Roy Kibble. End Adam Davis is a fantastic pass rusher and senior Meshak Williams could break out on the other side. But this line has little or no depth. Senior Arthur Brown had a big junior year and has no way to go but up in his senior year. Brown is athleitc with great field vision and should lead this Wildcats team in tackles. Also back is junior Tre Walker who should also improve this season. In the secondary, JUCO transfer Nigel Malone had an All-American season after leading the Big 12 with seven interceptions. Though senior Allen Chapman has to step up on the other side. Safety Ty Zimmerman is a hard hitter who is a playmaker in the back. The special teams is good with kicker Anthony Cantele coming back. Heisman Hopeful: Collin Klein Big 12 Rank: 5th

College Football Preview: 19. Ohio State Buckeyes

19. Ohio State Buckeyes Returning Starters: 18 Returning Star: DL John Simon Key Loss: DeVier Posey Player to Watch: QB Braxton Miller Ohio State welcomes in Urban Meyer and hopefully better football after last season's disappointment. Meyer has a lot of talent on this team and it all starts at quarterback with sophomore Braxton Miller. Miller struggled at times last season but will improve with more stable scenery. He is basically Terrelle Pryor with a little less hype. He has great mobility and a big arm but his passing game is still improving. The backfield isn't very flashy but is still good with the return of senior tailback Jordan Hall. Hall is a hard runner who Meyer will rely on heavily if Miller can't get the passing game going. Also back is fullback Zach Boren and backup junior Carlos Hyde. The receiving core is pretty good headlined by tight end Jake Stoneburner. Stoneburner is big with large hands and can withstand tons of hits from Big Ten defenders. Junior Chris Fields, Corey Brown and Verlon Reed must step up to help Miller improve a passing game that was 117th in the nation last season. Sophomore Reed is the least experienced but may have the best potential. The offensive line is okay but losing leader Mike Brewster definitely doesn't help. Guards Marcus Hall and Jack Mewhort will head the way for Hall. This defense is good especially on the line and in the secondary. Linemen John Simon is an intimidating force for these Buckeyes. The senior can rush in from the end and can play tackle and stuff up plays. Junior tackle Jonathan Hankins is a prospect but didn't play fantastic in 2011. Hankins has the size and athleticism to have a big season. Junior end Adam Bellamy can make great plays on Simon's other side. These linebackers are athletic and will make plays. Senior Storm Klein can hit hard and is a sure tackler. Few units are better then Ohio State's secondary. Back is All Big Ten safety C.J. Barnett and cornerback Travis Howard. Sophomore Bradley Roby showed he has the potential to become a shutdown corner last season. With kicker Drew Basil back and senior punter Ben Buchanan this special teams should be good. Heisman Hopeful: Braxton Miller Big Ten Rank: 4th

College Football Preview: 18. Virginia Tech Hokies

18. Virginia Tech Hokies Returning Starters: 11 Returning Star: QB Logan Thomas Key Loss: RB David Wilson Player to Watch: DE James Gayle Frank Beamer is still coach so the Hokies are going to play his style: run the ball and play pyschical defense. But never before has Beamer had this talented of a quarterback in junior Logan Thomas. Thomas is huge and athletic and was an All-ACC quarterback in his first year as starter. He has only one direction to go: up. That is, if his passing game continues to mature and his leadership abilities improve. The loss of backs David Wilson and Josh Oglesby hurts considerably. Ready to start is freshman Michael Holmes who was redshirted last season. He has great vision and has decent speed. Though sophomore Daniel Dyer and junior Tony Gregory should also run the ball a lot and Beamer will have a tough time choosing between the three. Senior fullback Joey Phillips is an experienced blocker. Gone are Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale who would have been Thomas' top options this season. Senior Dyrell Roberts returns from injury and could lead this Hokies squad in receiving. Seniors Marcus Davis and D.J. Coles have played a lot of snaps. Junior tight end Eric Martin is a reliable receiver. Martin and Randall Dunn can also help block for Virginia Tech. That is important because this offensive line is very thin. Center Andrew Miller is back but other then that no starters return. This defense is beastly. The defensive line is a formidable unit headed by end James Gayle. Gayle has great size and is a great pass rusher. Junior J.R. Collins is a beast on the other side also and tackle Derrick Hopkins is a monster. This linebacker group has loads of talent and a lot of depth also. Senior Bruce Taylor is the next big thing for this Hokies squad but was banged up this spring. Junior Tariq Edwards is a hard hitter that will make plays. The secondary lost cornerback Jayron Hosley but is still very good. Junior Kyle Fuller was good last year and has the potential to be even better. Junior cornerback Antoine Exum moved from safety and is very versatile. Special teams is always good at Virginia Tech but may struggle. Kicker Cody Journell is back but his future is in question after legal issues. Michael Branthover should start at either kicker or punter. Or maybe even both. Heisman Hopeful: Logan Thomas ACC Rank: 3rd

College Football Preview: 17. Wisconsin Badgers

17. Wisconsin Badgers Returning Starters: 11 Returning Star: RB Montee Ball Key Loss: QB Russell Wilson Player to Watch: WR Jared Abbrederis Few teams are more hungry to win a BCS bowl than this Badger team who has lost two straight Rose Bowls by heartbreaking amounts. Once more it appears the Badgers will have a new quarterback and this one is pretty similar to last year's one year wonder, Russell Wilson. The Badgers welcome in junior Danny O'Brien a transfer from Maryland. O'Brien won ACC Rookie of the Year in 2010 but had a nightmare of a sophomore season. O'Brien is athletic but prefers to stay in the pocket. He has a big arm and can be pretty accurate also. Though sophomore Joe Brennan and freshman Joel Stave should put up a big fight. Though once more Bret Bielema's squad shouldn't be passing too much thanks to the talent in this backfield. All-American and Heisman finalist Montee Ball made a surprising decision to return for his senior season. After a season in which Ball tied Barry Sanders single-season touchdown record expectations are high to say the least. Ball isn't a burner but has okay speed and is elusive. Also back is junior James White who should get carries. White was often forgotten about last season but is more talented than most team's starters. Gone is 2011 leading receiver Nick Toon who would help O'Brien feel more comfortable with the team but the receiving corps is still strong. Junior Jared Abbrederis could be O'Brien's top option this season. Look for him to play a much bigger role. Junior tight end Jacob Pedersen is the most talented at his position in the Big Ten and is a safety blanket for O'Brien. Few offensive lines could lose two All-Americans and still be this good. Junior Travis Frederick and senior Ricky Wagner could have All Big Ten type seasons. The defensive line is an issue. Senior end Bredan Kelly is this team's top pass rusher. Junior Beau Allen has loads of potential. Back are linebackers Chris Borland and Mike Taylor which makes this position one of the top in the conference. Both led the Big Ten in tackles and shoukd continue to make plays. Junior A.J. Fenton should start alongside them. This secondary lost shutdown corner Antonio Fenelus but is still good. Senior Marcus Cromartie will lead the squad in interceptions and Devin Smith's return should help significantly. Heisman Hopeful: Montee Ball Big Ten Rank: 3rd