Offenses |
Quarterbacks |
Running Backs |
Receivers
Defenses
|
Def. Lines
| Linebackers |
Secondaries
| Spec. Teams
1. Texas
The line loses All-Americans Jonathan Scott and Will Allen,
but has more than enough returning talent to be among the best front
walls in America thanks to the return of tackle Justin Blalock, center
Lyle Sendlein and guard Kasey Studdard. This is Texas we're talking
about, so there are more than enough talented players ready to fill in
the holes and provide strong depth. Can this group allow a mere 14 sacks
and pave the way for 275 rushing yards per game? No, but it's not going
to drop off too much, if at all.
2. Ohio State
It's amazing the Buckeyes have had the success they've had
over the last few seasons without the benefit of a killer offensive
line. Despite struggling at times this spring, this year's group has the potential to be the best by far in the
Jim Tressel era if all the parts play as well as expected. Alex Boone is
an All-American waiting to happen at left tackle, while Kirk Barton is
on the verge of All-Big Ten stardom on the other side. There's a little
bit of movement to get the best players on the field with starting
tackle Doug Datish taking over at center to get Boone on the field. The
depth is big and athletic with enough options to play around with
several different combinations.
3. Oregon
The potential is there for this to be the Pac 10's best
line with all five starters returning. It's a big group that got bigger
this off-season with massive JUCO transfers Fenuki Tupou and Pat So'oalo
added on the left side. With so much size, there's no excuse not to be
better in the running game; it needs to be a more physical unit. That's
an easy transition to make considering everyone took to the spread
offense so quickly.
4. West Virginia
There might not be a more athletic line on a top 25 team in
America. These guys aren't going to blow anyone off the ball, but
they're amazing for the Mountaineer running game because of their
quickness, pulling ability, and smarts; they're technicians. Center Dan
Mozes is one of the nation's best linemen and should be the favorite for
the Rimington Award. The interior will be a rock with Mozes and guards
Ryan Stancheck and Jeremy Sheffey, but the tackles will be a bit of a
concern early on needing to replace Garin Justice and Travis Garrett.
5. Oregon State
This might be the Pac 10's best line, and it's certainly
the most experienced with all five starters returning and three
excellent reserves waiting in the wings. Guard Roy Schuening is the star
of the show and should pave the way for a strong ground attack. Pass
protection will be the concern after allowing 32 sacks, but the
consistency should improve if everyone can stay healthy. Sophomore guard
Jeremy Perry will earn All-Pac 10 honors by the time he's done, while
senior tackle Adam Koets is in line for a huge year.
6. Arkansas
The line gets five starters back even with the loss of center
Kyle Roper thanks to the return of star tackle Zac Tubbs. Run
blocking isn't an issue for the veteran group, but the big hogs
will have to learn how to pass protect on a consistent basis.
Jonathan Luigs is a rising star at center, while tackle Tony
Ugoh and guards Robert Felton and Stephen Parker as rock-solid.
There's enough depth to create a solid two-deep rotation.
7. Clemson
The line is very big and very, very experienced with all
five starters returning and several other quality reserves that can step
in without missing a beat. Consistency will be the key needing to be
better in pass protection. Having a mobile quarterback like Will Proctor
will help. It'll be a dominant run blocking unit that should pave the
way for well over 2,000 yards on the ground. Roman Fry earned all-star
honors at left guard last year, and he won't be the only All-ACC
performer this season with tackle Barry Richardson and center Dustin Fry
sure to get attention.
8. Missouri
Four starters return to the line with a fifth player, guard
Monte Wyrick, more than good enough to step in without a problem. Tackle
Tyler Luellen and center Adam Spieker are All-Big 12 talents who'll keep
the ground game going, while tackle Joel Clinger and guard Mike Cook
form a good right side. The only problem is experience among the
reserves, but talent isn't an issue with Kurtis Gregory, James Stigall
and Dain Wise three of the best young talents to come in during the Gary
Pinkel era. All they need is playing time.
9. Texas A&M
This isn't the best line in the Big 12, but it's not far off
improving night and day after a shaky 2004. Four starters return with
plenty of talented options to fill the one guard opening. All four
returning players should be in the hunt for All-Big 12 honors led by
tackle Yemi Babalola and guard Kirk Elder on the quick side. This group
allowed a mere 16 sacks last season and paved the way for 235 rushing
yards per game
10. Minnesota
The line was the most productive in America last year
allowing a mere three sacks while paving the way for 3,277 rushing
yards. It loses its two key cogs in center Greg Eslinger and guard Mark
Setterstrom, but it gets Joe Ainslie back at 100% at one tackle spot and
has versatility between Tony Brinkhaus and Tyson Swaggert to move where
needed. Steve Shidell will be a top left tackle and should get more
recognition this year. Depth will be an issue early on.
|
11 |
Northwestern |
Big Ten |
|
12 |
Georgia Tech |
ACC |
|
13 |
Purdue |
Big Ten |
|
14 |
USC |
Pac 10 |
|
15 |
Auburn |
SEC |
|
16 |
Florida State |
ACC |
|
17 |
Michigan |
Big Ten |
|
18 |
Texas Tech |
Big 12 |
|
19 |
Maryland |
ACC |
|
20 |
Notre Dame |
Ind |
|
21 |
Colorado |
Big 12 |
|
22 |
Arizona State |
Pac 10 |
|
23 |
Boise State |
WAC |
|
24 |
Iowa |
Big Ten |
|
25 |
Kansas |
Big 12 |
|
26 |
LSU |
SEC |
|
27 |
Boston College |
ACC |
|
28 |
Alabama |
SEC |
|
29 |
Wisconsin |
Big Ten |
|
30 |
Tennessee |
SEC |
|
31 |
Oklahoma |
Big 12 |
|
32 |
Georgia |
SEC |
|
33 |
BYU |
M-West |
|
34 |
Fresno State |
WAC |
|
35 |
Utah |
M-West |
|
36 |
Toledo |
MAC |
|
37 |
New Mexico |
M-West |
|
38 |
Iowa State |
Big 12 |
|
39 |
California |
Pac 10 |
|
40 |
Florida |
SEC |
|
41 |
Virginia |
ACC |
|
42 |
Penn State |
Big Ten |
|
43 |
Michigan State |
Big Ten |
|
44 |
Virginia Tech |
ACC |
|
45 |
Nebraska |
Big 12 |
|
46 |
Miami |
ACC |
|
47 |
Southern Miss |
CUSA |
|
48 |
UCLA |
Pac 10 |
|
49 |
Wake Forest |
ACC |
|
50 |
Rutgers |
Big East |
|
51 |
Memphis |
CUSA |
|
52 |
Washington State |
Pac 10 |
|
53 |
Vanderbilt |
SEC |
|
54 |
UAB |
CUSA |
|
55 |
Kentucky |
SEC |
|
56 |
NC State |
ACC |
|
57 |
Oklahoma State |
Big 12 |
|
58 |
South Florida |
Big East |
|
59 |
Louisville |
Big East |
|
60 |
Arizona |
Pac 10 |
|
61 |
Illinois |
Big Ten |
|
62 |
Pitt |
Big East |
|
63 |
Northern Illinois |
MAC |
|
64 |
Baylor |
Big 12 |
|
65 |
Mississippi |
SEC |
|
66 |
Tulsa |
CUSA |
|
67 |
Akron |
MAC |
|
68 |
Indiana |
Big Ten |
|
69 |
Marshall |
CUSA |
|
70 |
Navy |
Ind |
|
71 |
Air Force |
M-West |
|
72 |
South Carolina |
SEC |
|
73 |
Kansas State |
Big 12 |
|
74 |
UTEP |
CUSA |
|
75 |
North Carolina |
ACC |
|
76 |
UCF |
CUSA |
|
77 |
Mississippi State |
SEC |
|
78 |
Syracuse |
Big East |
|
79 |
East Carolina |
CUSA |
|
80 |
Bowling Green |
MAC |
|
81 |
Houston |
CUSA |
|
82 |
TCU |
M-West |
|
83 |
Colorado State |
M-West |
|
84 |
Washington |
Pac 10 |
|
85 |
Nevada |
WAC |
|
86 |
Western Michigan |
MAC |
|
87 |
Ohio |
MAC |
|
88 |
Wyoming |
M-West |
|
89 |
Eastern Michigan |
MAC |
|
90 |
Stanford |
Pac 10 |
|
91 |
Hawaii |
WAC |
|
92 |
San Jose State |
WAC |
|
93 |
Connecticut |
Big East |
|
94 |
Cincinnati |
Big East |
|
95 |
Duke |
ACC |
|
96 |
SMU |
CUSA |
|
97 |
Tulane |
CUSA |
|
98 |
Miami Univ. |
MAC |
|
99 |
San Diego State |
M-West |
|
100 |
UNLV |
M-West |
|
101 |
Louisiana Tech |
WAC |
|
102 |
Central Michigan |
MAC |
|
103 |
UL Lafayette |
Sun Belt |
|
104 |
UL Monroe |
Sun Belt |
|
105 |
Army |
Ind |
|
106 |
Ball State |
MAC |
|
107 |
Idaho |
WAC |
|
108 |
North Texas |
Sun Belt |
|
109 |
Kent State |
MAC |
|
110 |
MTSU |
Sun Belt |
|
111 |
Arkansas State |
Sun Belt |
|
112 |
Rice |
CUSA |
|
113 |
Troy |
Sun Belt |
|
114 |
Temple |
Ind |
|
115 |
FIU |
Sun Belt |
|
116 |
Utah State |
WAC |
|
117 |
New Mexico State |
WAC |
|
118 |
Florida Atlantic |
Sun Belt |
|
119 |
Buffalo |
MAC |