2009 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... OLs

CFN 2009 Preview Unit Rankings - Offensive Lines Ranked 1 to 120

 

Preview 2009 ... Unit Rankings

Offensive Lines

- CFN Preview 2009
- CFN's Top 200 Players of 2009

CFN 2009 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

1. USC
 
Last year, the Trojans rebuilt. This year, they'll dominate. With apologies to Texas and Florida, no one in the country will have a better offensive line. Arguably the best collection of blockers in the Pete Carroll era, the line has it all from depth and experience to run blocking and excellent pass protection ability. This is Exhibit A why the new starting quarterback should feel at ease.

2. Georgia
 
If everyone is healthy, this might turn out to be the nation's best offensive line and it might not even be close. Assuming Trinton Studivant is back to being the 2007 version at left tackle, everything else will fall into place with depth, versatility, and a whole bunch of big-time talent. The line only allowed 17 sacks and paved the way for 148 yards per game, and now it should be even better with eight players returning with starting experience. The rest of the offense will look a whole bunch better because of this group. And here's the scary part; Vince Vance is the only senior on the three-deep.

3. Iowa
 
After a disastrous 2007 when no one could stay healthy, last year's line came together and was a dominant force by the end of the season. Now it'll be among the best lines in America if, and it's a huge, screaming if, injuries aren't an issue. Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway aren't the problems at tackle, but from Dace Richardson's knee, to the shoulder of Andy Kuempel, to the leg problems of Rafael Eubanks, the Iowa line has several players who likely won't play an entire season. Better pass protection is a must, but the running game will thrive under this group.

4. Oklahoma State
 
Fantastic over the last few years, the line will be a major strength once again. It won't be as good as last year's line after it had the luxury of all five starters in place for the entire season, but it'll be plenty strong. Russell Okung might be the greatest lineman in school history, and the other four starters are big enough and talented enough to form a formidable front wall.

5. Florida State
 
On a national level, the story is going to get undersold, but O line coach Rick Trickett did a magnificent job of coaching up so many young kids a year ago. Somehow he kept everything together, leading the program to its best season running the ball since 2000. The real rewards start coming this fall when that offensive line, now a year more mature, begins to dominate opponents and start playing up to coach’s expectations. Junior guard Rodney Hudson is special.

6. Texas
 
Texas has a very good line, but is it special? With four starters returning it has the potential to be air tight at times. Adam Ulatoski will be starting in the NFL in the near future and Kyle Hix is an emerging star at right tackle. Now the star recruits from last year have to provide a push to the starters, and overall, the line has to dominate on a regular basis. This group has to pound a little more for the running game.

7. Boston College
 
In a sea of uncertainty and change, this offensive line shines through as the Eagles’ most reliable unit heading into the 2009 season. Anthony Castonzo is about to take his brand outside the borders of the ACC, and the supporting cast is long on talent and upside. Rich Lapham is a rising star.

8. Florida
 
Unsung throughout last year, the Gator line was fantastic in all areas. Great in pass protection and able to pound away for the ground game, Florida was tenth in the nation, and first in the SEC, in rushing and was 13th in the country in sacks allowed. While there will be some shuffling, this should still be one of the SEC's best lines, led by the Pouncey brothers, Mike and Maurkice, and it should be terrific once again.

9. LSU
 
Disappointing last year, the pass protection was mediocre and the run blocking was fine, but nothing special. This year's line has plenty of talent with Ciron Black and Joseph Barksdale a nice tackle pair, and Lyle Hitt a great blocker who should get more attention. This might not be a consistently  dominant front five, but it'll be great at times.

10. Missouri
 
The line was fantastic last season in pass protection, partly because of the style of offense and the quick decision making ability of Chase Daniel, and it should be even better with three starters returning and a new star in Dan Hoch on the outside. As long as everyone stays healthy, this will be one of the team's bigger strengths. Guard Kurtis Gregory and center Tim Barnes are all-stars who'll come up with big years.

11	Ohio State
12	Oklahoma
13	Rutgers
14	Air Force
15	Illinois
16	Oregon
17	Penn State
18	California
19	Alabama
20	West Virginia
21	Michigan
22	TCU
23	Nebraska
24	Tennessee
25	Colorado State
26	Kentucky
27	Connecticut
28	Northwestern
29	Ole Miss
30	Oregon State
31	Texas Tech
32	Wisconsin
33	Georgia Tech
34	Arizona
35	Miami
36	BYU
37	Colorado
38	Fresno State
39	Pitt
40	Utah
41	Auburn
42	Virginia
43	Wake Forest
44	Stanford
45	Kansas State
46	Vanderbilt
47	New Mexico
48	Louisiana Tech
49	UL Lafayette
50	Kansas
51	Arkansas
52	Michigan State
53	South Florida
54	Cincinnati
55	Virginia Tech
56	NC State
57	Clemson
58	North Carolina
59	Minnesota
60	Boise State
61	Louisville
62	Iowa State
63	East Carolina
64	Indiana
65	Northern Illinois
66	Wyoming
67	Notre Dame
68	Nevada
69	Maryland
70	Baylor
71	South Carolina
72	UNLV
73	Duke
74	Purdue
75	Toledo
76	Mississippi State
77	UCLA
78	Akron
79	Marshall
80	Troy
81	Houston
82	Central Michigan
83	Texas A&M
84	Arizona State
85	Washington
86	Florida Atlantic
87	Syracuse
88	Western Michigan
89	UTEP
90	Washington State
91	Bowling Green
92	Miami Univ.
93	Kent State
94	Navy
95	San Diego State
96	Middle Tennessee
97	Southern Miss
98	Buffalo
99	Arkansas State
100	Tulsa
101	Memphis
102	Eastern Michigan
103	Ball State
104	San Jose State
105	Hawaii
106	Ohio
107	UAB
108	North Texas
109	FIU
110	Rice
111	Tulane
112	Temple
113	Utah State
114	Western Kentucky
115	Army
116	SMU
117	Idaho
118	UL Monroe
119	UCF
120	New Mexico State