| Rk. |
Team |
2001 |
Comment |
| 1. |
Miami |
12-0 |
Replacing multiple stars on the offensive line and in the secondary are concerns, and the schedule is pure nasty -- at Florida (Sept. 7), Florida State (Oct. 12), at Tennessee (Nov. 9), Virginia Tech (Dec. 7). Still, Larry Coker's next misstep will be his first. |
| 2. |
Oklahoma |
11-2 |
Offense needs to re-ignite; return of QB Jason White from injury could be the fuel. Coach Bob Stoops found immediate help for a defense that loses Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus, signing the best pair of JC linebackers in the country -- Lance Mitchell and Pasha Jackson. |
| 3. |
Texas |
11-2 |
Ho hum ... another top-rated recruiting class for the 'Horns. All that talent will go without a championship again if QB Chris Simms doesn't play better in big games, and here are a couple of humdingers -- vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 12) in Dallas and at Nebraska (Nov. 2). |
| 4. |
Florida St. |
8-4 |
Bobby Bowden's excellent recruiting surrounded QB Chris Rix with more talent -- like RB Lorenzo Booker and Peter Warrick-esque receiver Chris Davis -- and the young defense should roar in '02. The 13-game schedule features nine bowl teams, plus Virginia and Notre Dame. |
| 5. |
Tennessee |
11-2 |
The Vols loaded up quality linemen on Signing Day, including Mondre Dickerson, a junior college transfer who should step right into major playing time in an entirely new starting defensive line. With the Florida game in Knoxville (Sept. 21), the Vols have a leg up in SEC East. |
| 6. |
Nebraska |
11-2 |
This might be a little high for the Huskers, given what could be a wild quarterback derby in the spring to see who steps into Eric Crouch's running shoes. Two biggest games are at home -- Texas and Colorado -- plus there's an interesting intersectional game at Penn State on Sept. 14. No Oklahoma this season. |
| 7. |
Washington |
8-4 |
The defensive line somehow will have to be tougher after losing DT Larry Tripplett, but scoring won't be a problem. November will tell the tale: The Huskies close with UCLA and Oregon State at home, then Oregon and Washington State on the road. |
| 8. |
Colorado |
10-3 |
We'll find out if the Buffs' running game was dominating because of graduated linemen Andre Gurode and Victor Rogers, or because of a stable of great backs, most of whom return. With some questions on defense and games at Oklahoma and Nebraska, a repeat title might be asking too much. |
| 9. |
Michigan |
8-4 |
One of the big questions of the spring will be whether John Navarre can hold on to the starting quarterback job. He only had eyes for WR Marquise Walker last season ... and now Walker is gone. Potential problems, yes ... but nobody in the Big Ten has more overall talent. |
| 10. |
Virginia Tech |
8-4 |
It would make for a great story if Marcus Vick -- Michael's brother -- can step in as a true freshman and energize the Hokies' offense. For now, the offense still belongs to senior Grant Noel, who will let the Hokies deal their strong suits of defense and rushing to make a run at Miami. |
| 11. |
Florida |
10-2 |
The Gators get downgraded several spots after losing Steve Spurrier and four underclassmen to the NFL. Plus, with games against Miami, Florida State and Tennessee -- all in our top five -- it only makes sense that we consider these guys a three-loss team. |
| 12. |
Washington State |
10-2 |
Good news for Cougars: The Pac-10 is almost always won by a senior quarterback who is the league MVP; Jason Gesser could be that guy. Bad news for Cougars: Mike Price has never had consecutive winning seasons in 21 years as a head coach. |
| 13. |
Georgia |
8-4 |
The offense should sing. QB David Greene. WRs Terrence Edwards and Fred Gibson. RB Musa Smith. Now, if coach Mark Richt can begin to plug some holes on defense ... |
| 14. |
Oregon |
11-1 |
The Ducks have scheduled some break-in time for new QB Jason Fife with four home games to start the season (Mississippi State, Fresno State, Idaho, Portland State). With RB Onterrio Smith taking on a starring role and Mike Bellotti adding defensive line muscle through recruiting, Oregon stays strong post-Harrington. |
| 15. |
Ohio State |
7-5 |
Gotta like the Buckeyes momentum -- a victory over Michigan and a recruiting class generally considered the second-best in the nation. Never mind that bowl loss to South Carolina; Steve Bellisari isn't around to throw ill-timed interceptions anymore. |
| 16. |
LSU |
9-3 |
QB Rohan Davey completed his eligibility, WR Josh Reed bolted for the NFL and RB LaBrandon Toefield has knee problems. Oh yeah, LB Trev Faulk left early, too. But every team in the SEC West is a work in progress ... and Tigers have enough to repeat. |
| 17. |
Louisville |
11-2 |
QB Dave Ragone is back flingin' it, and the Cardinals' underrated defense is ready to make a statement, too. Figure the Cardinals lose at home to Florida State on Sept. 26 and one other along the way ... but that should be it. |
| 18. |
South Carolina |
9-3 |
Despite significant personnel losses, it looks as if Lou Holtz will keep the program rolling forward because of a marvelous group of junior college recruits that are ready to step in on defense. The SEC East and non-conference games at Virginia and Clemson help make the road to a third consecutive New Year's Day a bit tricky, though. |
| 19. |
Maryland |
10-2 |
Linebacker E.J. Henderson will get an early chance to show he's the best defender in the country when the Terps play Notre Dame in the Aug. 31 Kickoff Classic in New Jersey. A few other teams could earn the title of "second best in the ACC"; the Terps deserve the benefit of the doubt. |
| 20. |
Marshall |
11-2 |
The Herd has a veteran team and a Heisman candidate in senior QB Byron Leftwich. The high-powered offense alone should be enough for Marshall to push through the MAC and post a sizzling record.
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| 21. |
Mississippi |
7-4 |
Ole Miss makes the rankings on the strength of Eli Manning's arm; he threw for 31 TDs and only nine interceptions last season. If the defensive line doesn't improve -- the Rebs ranked 105th in rushing defense last season -- they won't end the season in the Top 25. |
| 22. |
UCLA |
7-4 |
Take your pick of generally underachieving L.A. schools here. UCLA gets the nod over USC because ... because ... well, because the Trojans have been more disappointing in recent years (last year's shutout of the Bruins notwithstanding). Bob Toledo's nifty recruiting has to pay off sometime, right?
|
| 23. |
Auburn |
7-5 |
Auburn would like talented young Jason Campbell to wrest control of the quarterback position, but sixth-year senior Daniel Cobb is available, too. A recruiting class ranked in some top 10s should accelerate the upward mobility of the young Tigers. |
| 24. |
N.C. State |
7-5 |
The Wolfpack knock out rival North Carolina in our rankings, much like N.C. State stole prized recruit A.J. Davis from the Heels on Signing Day. A relatively easy non-conference schedule should help QB Philip Rivers and crew post at least an eight-victory season. |
| 25. |
Penn State |
5-6 |
Perhaps an overly sentimental pick for ol' JoePa, but QB Zack Mills looked like a difference-maker last season. That could be enough to lift the Lions past a bevy of Big Ten teams trying to get in line behind Michigan and Ohio State. |