Top 25 Countdown: #12 Virginia Tech Hokies

#12

2009 Record – 10-3, 6-2 ACC
Bowl Game – Chick-fil-A Bowl – Beat Tennessee 37-14
Letterman Returning: 38
Stadium – Lane Stadium (65,115)
College Location – Blacksburg, VA
Coach – Frank Beamer, 187-92-2 (24^th year)

OFFENSE: (8)

Key Returnees – QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Ryan Williams (below), RB Darren Evans, WR Jarrett Boykin, WR Danny Coale

Key Losses – TE Greg Boone, G Sergio Render, T Ed Wang

- In 2008 redshirt freshman running back Darren Evans busted onto the scene going from a highly regarded high school running back that had sat a year, to one of college football’s elite rushers, setting an ACC freshman record with 1,265 yards. The following year, in August camp, Evans sophomore season came to a halt due to a torn ACL. In came yet another redshirt freshman and the running back position went from a strength, to perhaps the teams biggest question mark; or so the Hokies thought. Ryan Williams turned out to be better out of the backfield than his counterpart Evans, rushing for a new ACC freshman record 1,655 yards with 21 touchdowns. A better scenario couldn’t have been printed for the Hokies if the Writers Guild had done it themselves. This season, both are healthy and ready to tear through opposing rush defenses like Lindsay Lohan through a rehab center. The only problem the Hokie offense may face in 2010 is finding enough carries to go around. The offense also returns senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who will be entering his third season as the starter in Blacksburg. Taylor has looked brilliant at times but has also looked as ugly as a Mel Gibson breakup, but one you get to watch happen. Before last season the senior had just a 7-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio to his account. Last season, it looked as if Taylor had pieced things tougher throwing for 2,311 yards with 13 scores and just five interceptions, relying on his legs to do far less work. Helping Taylor move along in his process will be the return of the Hokies top two pass catchers in juniors, Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. Boykin, who led the team with 835 yards last season, has perhaps the most upside; however, both came away with 20+ yard averages last season. The offensive line loses just two starters but they happen to be the team’s two best road pavers in guard Sergio Render and tackle Ed Wang. Filling in for the departed should be converted tight end, Greg Nosal at guard, and sophomore Nick Becton at tackle.

DEFENSE: (4)

Key Returnees – MLB Barquell Rivers, CB Rashad Carmichael (below), DT John Graves

Key Losses – OLB Cody Grimm, S Kam Chancellor, DE Jason Worilds, DE Nekos Brown

- For the first time in quite a while in Blacksburg, it is the defense surrounded by questions heading into a season. The Hokies defensive depth chart reads about as easy as a Whistling Pines rules card, only this one’s not posted in the changing room. The entire defensive team heading into 2010 seems to be grounded in a questionable sand trap. Luckily for the Hokies they will still be rocking out to Metallica’s Enter the Sand Man, however, and new stars will emerge. The first step for the D-line will be finding a pass rush. Departed ends, Jason Worilds and Nekos Brown, brought a lot of pressure from the outside and with them departs 11 sacks from last season and 12.5 the year previous. Entering starting duty at end are senior Steven Friday and junior converted tight end Chris Drager. Both have little experience and will have to create pressure to keep their jobs. Senior tackle, John Graves, has 22 starts in his career and could have a breakout season in 2010 following a season last year in which he registered just 15 tackles. Junior Inside linebacker Barquell Rivers could be the defenses next bright star for a team that has not failed to deliver linebackers to the NFL as of late. Rivers returns as the team’s leading tackler with 96 stops last season, along with 6.5 for a loss. The other two linebacker positions are about as questionable as Lane Kiffin giving his word. Jeron Gouveia-Winslow will compete for one of the vacated positions along with undersized sophomore Lyndell Gibson at the other inside spot. The secondary returns its top cornerback from last season in senior, Rashad Carmichael. As a junior last season, Carmichael led all Hokie defensive backs with 12 passes defended and six interceptions last season – tied for second in the ACC. The supporting cast surrounding Carmichael is made up of senior rover Davon Morgan and junior free safety, Eddie Whitley. Sophomore, Jayron Hosley should earn the other corner position. A lot of the success of the 2010 Hokies comes down to how well the inexperienced defense does early. Pressure of six straight seasons of not allowing more than an average of 16 points a game and a seven year trend of at least 30+ sacks, comes down on the D.

SCHEDULE:

- The Hokies rarely shy away from a challenge. The last three seasons Va. Tech has placed an intimidating non-conference opponent on the board in LSU in 2007, Nebraska in 2008 and Alabama last season. Unfortunately they are just 1-2 in those games. That didn’t keep the Hokies from adding America’s favorite underdog and non-BCS power, Boise State, to the schedule this season. When it comes down to wining as of late, however, the Hokies are plain and simple impressive. The boys of Blacksburg have not had below a 10 win season since 2003 (8-5). The last five years they have put together a 29-4 record at Lane Stadium as well, not losing more than one home game in a season since 2002. The season opener this year for the Hokies is the early test of Boise State set for a Monday night set at Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD. The Hokies are just 3-2 at neutral sites the last two seasons and 6-4 away. The Broncos don’t mind, however, better than getting the 11-1 home record in ’08-’09 for the Hokies. After a walk-through against James Madison the Hokies welcome thorn in the side, East Carolina, Sept. 18, who the Hokies lost to in 2008 to start the season. At Boston College and at NC State in consecutive weeks open ACC play. Four consecutive home meetings stretching from Oct. 9 to Nov. 4 give the Hokies a comfortable stretch of games which include Central Michigan, Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia Tech – a Thursday night matchup. The home stretch may prove costly with two away trips in a row at North Carolina, Nov. 13 and at Miami Nov. 20. Rival, Virginia, ends the season in a home meeting Nov. 27.

Schedule rating: B+

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) Zach McCray (left), *#24 DE, 6-3 230, Lynchburg, VA

McCray, who had numerous BCS offers, will step into the defensive end position if the current replacements can’t get the job done.

2.) Laurence Gibson, *PG OG, 6-5 295, Chatham, VA

One of the top prep linemen, Gibson spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy

3.) Nick Dew, #39 S, 6-2 180, Virginia Beach, VA

Dew was an Under Armor All American who brings great size and speed to the safety position.

4.) Nick Acree, #40 OT, 6-6 300, Fork Union, VA

Acree has the ability to play both offensive and defensive line at the next level. The Hokies may start the Fork Union product out at defensive tackle.

5.) Ricardo Young, #48 QB, 6-0 160, Washington, DC

Looked over mostly because of his size, Young is a talented quarterback and will compete for a starting position once Taylor moves on.

*Rankings according to scout.com

*PG – Post Graduate

Top 25 Countdown: #13 Auburn Tigers

#13

2009 Record – 8-5, 3-5 SEC
Bowl Game – Outback Bowl – Beat Northwestern 38-35
Letterman Returning: 50
Stadium – Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
College Location – Auburn, AL
Coach – Gene Chizik 8-5 (2^nd year)

OFFENSE: (7)

Key Returnees – WR Darvin Adams, RB Mario Fannin (below), OT Lee Ziemba, C Ryan Pugh, RB Onterio McCalebb

Key Losses – RB Ben Tate, QB Chris Todd

- The Auburn Tigers have and will always be known first as a rushing team. So much so NFL teams have gone to Auburn looking for running backs like Rosie O’Donnell shopping at a bulk grocery store for sweets. Since 1987 the Tigers have had 16 running backs drafted into the league, with a multitude of others entering through free agency. The most obvious are of course Bo Jackson, Rudi Johnson, Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. The two latest for Auburn are both second round picks in Kenny Irons in 2007 and Ben Tate in the 2010 draft. This season, stepping in to fill the void left by Tate, are senior running back Mario Fannin and sophomore, Onterio McCalebb. Fannin backed up Tate last season, rushing for 285 yards with an 8.4 average. Fannin is also an exceptional pass catcher, finishing third on the team with 413 receiving yards, on 42 catches. At 5’11’’ 227 pounds, Fannin has similar size and a similar running style to Tate. McCalebb may be the team’s fastest player at 5’10’’ 175. As a true freshman last year, he rushed for 565 yards on a 5.4 average. The buzz surrounding the Auburn program this summer surprisingly hasn’t been at the running back position, but at quarterback. Junior college transfer Cameron Newton steps into his first season in Auburn. Newton is a former member of the Florida Gators and backup to non-other than the chosen one – Tim Tebow. Newton has brought excitement to the Tigers offense and has been nothing shy of outstanding throughout spring and August practices. At 6’6’’ 245, Newton is an imposing pocket passer who has the ability to bounce on opponents once outside the pocket. The Receiving core for the Tigers remains untouched and improved, especially after a late addition. Junior, Darvin Adams and senior, Terrell Zachery, return as the teams No.1 and No.2 pass catchers from last season. The early camp talk, however, has surrounded freshman, Trovon Reed and former quarterback turned wideout, Kodi Burns. Reed has impressed with his speed and will get looks as the quarterback this season in Wildcat packages. Burns has shown an obvious understanding of the offense and has impressed with his size and ball skills. The offensive line for the Tigers returns four starters including all-conference lineman in seniors, Ryan Pugh and Lee Ziemba. Both have a shot at All-American seasons, especially the 6’8’’ 320 pound Ziemba. With the addition of Newton and a stable group of running backs, the Tigers should follow last season offensive explosion of 33.3 points a game with something better in 2010.

DEFENSE: (8)

Key Returnees – MLB Josh Bynes, CB Neiko Thorpe (below), OLB Craig Stevens, DT Mike Blanc

Key Losses – DE Antonio Coleman, CB Walter McFadden, NG Jake Ricks

- There must be something in the water in Alabama that makes the state produce star linebackers. That’s exactly what the Tigers defense has this season, living up to the talent produced by the Tide and the Tigers in the past (Auburn fans please forgive me for complimenting the Crimson Tide). Senior’s Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens, are what make the Tigers defense click. A unique blend of attitude, athleticism and smarts, gives Auburn fans something to look forward to in the 2010 defense. Bynes, the teams’ middle linebacker, finished first on the team in tackles last season with 104 while bringing in six tackles for a loss. Stevens, who lines up on the weak side, finished second on the team with 92 tackles, with eight for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Both are all-conference caliber players. With the departure of cornerback Walter McFadden, the team’s top defensive back remains junior corner, Neiko Thorpe. Thorpe finished with 84 tackles last season, mostly while being picked on being a new starter, to go along with 11 passes defended with two interceptions. At 6’2’’ 192, Thorpe has tremendous size to match up with some of the SEC’s bigger wideouts. Starting safeties, Mike McNeil and Zac Etheridge, also return to the secondary. Senior, Demond Washington has the ability to play corner or safety in the Tigers defense and adds a solid game to the group. The defensive line returns two starters to a unit which produced 18 sacks last season, however, 10 of which depart with the loss of end Antonio Coleman. Senior tackle, Mike Blanc and senior end, Antoine Carter, return as starters who will need to produce far more in the pass rush department this season. Highly touted freshman end, Corey Lemonier, may get an early shot at the departed end position, along with senior Michael Goggans and sophomore Dee Ford. Freshman tackle, Jeffery Whittaker has been having an impressive offseason so far and will compete for the vacated tackle position. The Tigers defense gave up an average of 156 yards on the ground and 218 through the air, both the highest totals in six years. Its 27.5 points allowed a game was highest amongst the conference and over nine points more than the previous season. With eight starters returning and a second year under coordinator Ted Roof, improvement shouldn’t be a problem.

SCHEDULE:

- It’s hard to forget the scene of Auburn fans lining an airport fence booing upon the arrival of head coach Gene Chizik. To say the team wanted someone else other than the barely known Iowa State coach would be an understatement. Chizik took a team that had fallen off the top of the SEC faster than Tiger Wood’s female fan base and preformed emergency counseling on the Tigers, taking the team away from a 5-7 record in 2008, to an 8-5 season and a bowl victory in his first year. If the trend of college football coaches finding better success in their second season with a team stays true, then the fans in Auburn Alabama will owe Chizik quite the apology. A 3-5 record against the SEC will need to improve and should in 2010. The season kicks off with SEC play right away with a Sept. 9 trip to Mississippi State. A big margin win against the Bulldogs could jumpstart the SEC season for the Tigers. A week later, Clemson comes to town on Sept. 18. South Carolina Sept. 25, ends the month of September football for the Tigers. Four straight SEC bouts round out October, in at Kentucky, Arkansas and LSU at home followed by a trip to Ole Miss, Oct. 30. In three of the four meetings the Tigers will look to avenge blowout losses last season. Conference play and the season end in two key matchups for the Tigers in a home visit from Georgia, Nov.13, followed by a trip to hated rival Alabama, Nov. 26. The Tigers take the slight advantage of a bye week heading into the Tuscaloosa trip.

Schedule rating: A-

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) Michael Dyer (left), *#2 RB, 5-10 195 Little Rock, AR

Able to pluck Dyer away from the Razorbacks, the Tigers coaches will find it hard to keep Dyer from the field this season.

2.) Corey Lemonier, #7 DE, 6-4 225, Hialeah, FL

Lemonier is an athletic defensive end equally good at defending the run and pass. Was one of the most highly recruited players in South Florida.

3.) Trovon Reed, #7 WR, 5-11 173, Thibodaux, LA

Reed is a versatile athlete that adds depth to a talented receiving core. He may remind some of Ole Miss Alum Dexter McCluster.

4.) Shon Coleman, #7 OT, 6-7 285, Olive Branch, MS

Yet another out of state product the Tigers were able to sway away from local SEC teams.

5.) Jeffrey Whitaker, #11 DT, 6-4 295, Warner Robins, GA

A talented defensive tackle who already knows how to use his hands in a battle with lineman. Whitaker could be a hidden star at Auburn.

*Rankings according to scout.com

Photos:
Fannin: AP Photo/Butch Dill

Dyer: AP Photo/Brian Chilson

Top 25 Countdown: #14 North Carolina

#14

2009 Record – 8-5, 4-4 ACC
Bowl Game – Meineke Car Care Bowl – Lost to Pittsburgh 17-19
Letterman Returning: 39
Stadium – Kenan Memorial Stadium (60,000)
College Location – Chapel Hill, NC
Coach – Butch Davis, 20-18 (4^th year)

OFFENSE: (10)

Key Returnees – WR Greg Little (below), RB Ryan Houston, QB TJ Yates, G Alan Pelc, TE Zach Pianalto

Key Losses – T Kyle Jolly

- If only UNC could just play defense. More often than not it was the Tar Heels offense that left the team behind in games last season. The team returns 10 starters, yet the offense still seems a few players short of being special. Returning starting quarterback, senior, TJ Yates, passed for 2,136 yards last season with a 60 percent completion percentage, yet his 14 touchdowns to 15 interceptions outweigh the latter. Yates should be better in his final season in Chapel Hill and if not, will be pushed out of the job by redshirt freshman, Bryn Renner. The rushing game returns its top two leading rushers from last season in seniors, Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston. Houston led the team with 713 yards and nine scores but averaged just 3.7 yards a carry. Draughn brought in 567 yards on a 4.6 yard average. The coaching staff was excited about true freshman Giovanni Bernard but a torn ACL in summer workouts will put the freshman on the sidelines for the season. The receiving corps for the Tar Heels features the team’s most dynamic offensive player in senior wideout, Greg Little. Little, picked up the slack left by NFL draftees, Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate, bringing in 62 catches for 724 yards and five scores last season. Carolina should be looking for more ways to get Little the ball in 2010 as he is a physical and dynamic weapon in the passing game. Sophomores, Jheranie Boyd and Erik Highsmith, bring reliable pass catching and added height to the receiving core as well. Senior tight end Zach Pianalto came on strong last season becoming a safety blanket for Yates. Pianalto caught 33 passes for 334 yards last season and should be a larger part of the offense this year. The offensive line remains the only part of the 2010 offense which losses a starter. The unit returns all-conference linemen Alan Pelc but will need to find a replacement at left tackle for Kyle Jolly. Heralded true freshman recruit, James Hurst, may be an option.

DEFENSE: (9)

Key Returnees – OLB Quan Sturdivant (below), DT Marvin Austin, DE Robert Quinn, OLB Bruce Carter, S Deunta Williams, CB Kendric Burney, CB Charles Brown

Key Losses – DE EJ Wilson, DT Cam Thomas

- Come next year’s NFL Draft, Commissioner Roger Goodell may feel a sense of Déjà vu coming over him after consecutive podium visits ending with: “From the University of North Carolina.” With five potential first round picks on the Carolina defense, the Saturday lineup for the Tar Heels reads like an NFL owners Christmas list. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels though, the football offseason has been littered with agent talk and claims of violations surrounding some of Carolina’s top defensive talent that has brought more drama to campus than an episode of Jersey Shore. All allegations aside, however, the Heels boast three of the top units in college football. Along the defensive line, senior tackle, Marvin Austin, is considered by some the top NFL prospect in college football. Austin has 25 starts in his career, bringing in 106 tackles – in constant double teams. Junior defensive end, Robert Quinn, came on strong as a sophomore last season, earning second team All-American honors, while also drawing the eyes of NFL scouts. The 6’5’’ 270 pound now junior registered 19 tackles for a loss last season with 11 sacks. Defensive tackle, Tydreke Powell and end, Quinton Coples, step into full time starting duty for the first time this season. Nowhere in college football will you find a more athletic duo of outside linebackers than in Chapel Hill. Seniors, Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant, are as good as they come. Carter may be one of college football’s most athletic players and remains perhaps the top NFL prospect at outside linebacker. Quan, who has experience in the middle as well, is another of Carolina’s future first round picks. The two combined for 19.5 tackles for loss last season while finishing first and third on the team in total tackles. Sophomore middle linebacker, Kevin Riddick, stepped into starting duty in seven games last season as a true freshman, finishing with 42 tackles with 5.5 for a loss. The defensive secondary wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks last season. All four starters return for the Tar Heels after a season in which the group came away with a combined 14 interceptions. Senior safety, Deunta Williams and senior corner, Kendrick Burney, provide star power to the backfield. Williams himself came away with 14 passes defended and six interceptions. Senior corner, Charles Brown and senior safety, Da’Norris Searcy, are reliable starters as well. Brown finished second on the team in tackles with 66 and second in passes defended with 12.

SCHEDULE:

- North Carolina is and will always first be known to most as a basketball school. A rich basketball tradition and multiple national championships in the sport have made it so. Quietly, however, the Tar Heels are returning back to a balanced two sport program under head coach, Butch Davis. The Heels have put together two 8-5 seasons back-to-back and have an impressive 8-2 record against non-conference opponents over the last two seasons. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, they remain a second tier team in the ACC, with just an 8-8 record in the conference, over the last two seasons. There are bright spots in UNC’s ACC matchups – three consecutive wins against Miami – but there are also shallow ends – three straight losses against rival NC State. This season, UNC will look to keep the non conference wins rolling with an early season matchup against LSU, Sept. 4 in Atlanta. An early conference meeting where offense-vs.-defense collides against Georgia Tech is set for Sept. 18, followed by non-conference meetings at Rutgers and East Carolina at home. ACC meetings in the middle of October include Clemson in Chapel Hill, at Virginia and at Miami, Oct. 23. November starts out with a trip to Florida State Nov. 6, followed by two straight home meetings against Virginia Tech and NC State. The Heels will need to get over their NC State itch as of late, if they want to take the next step in the conference. A trip down the road to Duke ends the season Nov. 27.

Schedule rating: B+

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) James Hurst, *#3 OT, 6-5 285, Plainfield, IN

Hurst will get an opportunity to start right away with a vacancy at the tackle position.

2.) Brandon Willis, #21 DT, 6-3 255, Duncan, SC

Willis is undersized for a tackle but uses it to his advantage splitting often double teams and getting after the quarterback.

3.) Giovanni Bernard (left) #13 RB, 5-9 195, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Bernard came in with high hope of the running back job but will sit the season out with a torn ACL in workouts.

4.) T.J. Leifheit, #23 OT, 6-7 315, Wilmington, NC

Leifheit has college ready size already. Can play guard or tackle.

5.) Kareem Martin, #34 DE, 6-6 235, Roanoke Rapids, NC

Martin has room to grow on his 6’6’’ frame and could explore options besides defensive end in college.

*Rankings according to scout.com

Photos:

Little: Bob Donnan/US Presswire

Sturdivant: Starnewsonline.com

Bernard: South Florida Sun Sentinel

Top 25 Countdown: #15 Pittsburgh

#15

2009 Record – 10-3, 5-2 Big East
Bowl Game – Car Care Bowl – Beat North Carolina 19-17
Letterman Returning: 49
Stadium – Heinz Field (65,000)
College Location – Pittsburgh
Coach – Dave Wannstedt 35-26 (6^th year)

OFFENSE: (5)

Key Returnees – RB Dion Lewis (below), WR Jonathan Baldwin, OT Jason Pinkston, OT Lucas Nix

Key Losses – QB Bill Stull, TE Dorin Dickerson, G John Malecki

-Heading into the 2009 football season a lot of concern surrounded the Pitt offense. Quarterback Bill Stull was coming off a 9-10 touchdown-to-interception season. The team would be without star running back LeSean McCoy, who opted for the NFL Draft. The Pitt team also lacked a big play wide receiver, something the offense had a knack for producing throughout the years. The concern, however, died right around the second game of the season, much in part to the emergence of freshman running back Dion Lewis. Lewis, now a true sophomore, is coming off of a Big East freshman record 1,799 yard season, with 17 touchdowns. Memories of McCoy boasting his stuff down the Pittsburgh field became about as forgetful as a high school algebra class. Lewis, whose only other division-I offers came from Miami Ohio and Tulane, has become the focal point of the Pitt offense. On a 5’8’’ 185 pound frame, Lewis is a nightmare for linebackers trying to locate the speedy running back. At quarterback, Bill Stull, who improved his touchdown-to-interception ratio to 21-8 last season, is gone leaving the competition to sophomore, Tino Sunseri and junior, Pat Bostick. Sunseri won the battle in spring camp and is the favorite to take the job. Bostick has nine starts in his Pitt career, to Sunseri’s zero, and is the much more heralded recruit, but he has failed to live up to the playing field the Pitt offense needs him at. Whoever plays the most impressive throughout August camp should take the starting job into the season. Don’t be surprised however, to see the second place finisher in early season games before a Thursday night matchup with Miami, Sept. 23. The Panthers offense found a gem last season in wideout Jonathan Baldwin, who brought in 57 catches for 1,111 yards and eight scores. The junior had seven 100 yard games last season and at 6’5’’ 225 pounds with a 4.37 forty yard dash, Baldwin brings a physical presence to the game that rivals past Georgia Tech wideout, Calvin Johnson. Wide receivers Mike Shanahan, 6’5’’ 220, and Greg Cross, 6’2’’ 215, round out a Pittsburgh receiving corps that more resembles a basketball backcourt, than a group of wideouts. The offensive line returns just two starters in tackles Jason Pinkston and Lucas Nix. Both are all-conference caliber players, but the interior of the Pitt offensive line, remains a question heading into the season.

DEFENSE: (6)

Key Returnees – DE Greg Romeus (below), DE Jabaal Sheard, OLB Max Gruder, S Dom DeCicco, OLB Greg Williams

Key Losses – CB Aaron Berry, MLB Adam Gunn, CB Jovani Chappel, DT Mick Williams

- Some defenses, more than others, seem to take a larger amount of pride in getting after the quarterback. That was exactly the case of the 2009 Pitt defense, which led the nation with 47 quarterback sacks. The defense returns just six starters, however, two at each area of the defense. Returning to the defensive line are senior ends, Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard, who wrecked havoc on opposing quarterback’s last season combining for 13 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss. Of the 47 sacks brought in by the defense 37 of them came from the defensive front four. A game last season without the defense having multiple sacks was like a Scorsese movie without a twist, with the panthers bringing in six games of at least four sacks. At linebacker, junior outside starters, Greg Williams and Max Gruder, return. Gruder led the team in tackles last season with 91. Departed is all-conference middle man, Adam Gunn. Filling Gunn’s shoes will be sophomore Dan Mason, who in his first of three starts last season, earned Big East Player of the Week honors for an 11 tackle, two sack, performance. Mason will look to carry on the tradition of Pittsburgh producing an all-conference linebacker, like past greats H.B. Blades, Scott McKillop and Gunn. The Pitt secondary remains the unfinished piece of the puzzle after losing cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel. Safeties Dom DeCicco and Jarred Holley return, however. Apart from bringing in a three interceptions, Holley wasn’t as impressive as he could have been. DeCicco, on the preseason Thorpe award watch list, has the most upside of anyone on the defense at 6’3’’ 230 and should build on a solid junior campaign. Last season’s Panther defense help opponents to under 70 yards rushing in five games and should continue to stop the run at ease. It’s the passing defense which needs to improve, however, and with a pair of pass rushers like Sheard and Romeus returning, it should do so in 2010.

SCHEDULE:

- Last season’s Pittsburgh team was far and beyond the most successful team head coach Dave Wannstedt has put together. The 10-3 record and 5-1 non-conference record were both career highs. Wannstedt and the Panthers have put together an impressive 10-4 mark against conference opponents as well the last two years, with losses coming against Cincinnati twice and Rutgers and West Virginia in others. The problem for Pittsburgh as of late has been its inability to hang with ranked opponents. In Wannstedt’s tenure as the coach, he is just 3-8 against Top-25 teams. This season a challenging out-of-conference schedule combines with the level playing field of the Big East. A Sept.2 trip to Utah starts things off for the Panthers in what should be a much improved Utes team. After an FCS meeting and a week off, Pitt welcomes Miami (Fla.) in the team’s first meeting with the Hurricanes since the 2004 season. Another Florida team heads to Heinz Field Oct. 2, in FIU. A trip to Notre Dame, Oct. 9, rounds out the Panthers non-conference schedule. Syracuse kicks off Pitt’s Big East run, followed by visits from Rutgers and Louisville. Packed into a crucial part of the Panthers 2010 season are away trips to UConn and USF in consecutive weeks starting Nov.11, along with a home visit from West Virginia Nov.26, in a Friday night matchup. The Mountaineers should be vying for the conference title right along with the Panthers. An away meeting at Cincinnati, Dec. 4, concludes the Panthers season. Pitt has failed to beat the Bearcats the last two seasons.

Schedule rating: B-

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) T.J. Clemmings, *#6 DE, 6-6 260, Paterson, NJ

It may be hard for Clemmings to find time in 2010 with Romeus and Sheard on the field, but it may be even harder for Pitt not to give the talented freshman a shot.

2.) Anthony Gonzalez (left), #13 QB, 6-3 185, Bethlehem, PA

Gonzalez will most likely redshirt this season with playing time coming not far down the line.

3.) Todd Thomas, *PG WR, 6-2 205, Beaver Falls, PA

Like the present Pitt wideouts, Thomas is a physical wide receiver. A post graduate who spent a year at Milford Prep in New York, Thomas may see the field right away.

4.) Bryan Murphy, #11 DE, 6-3 235, Ramsey, NJ

Murphy, a past member of national power Don Bosco Prep, is a speedy edge rusher that could play outside ‘backer in the future.

5.) Aaron Donald, #25 DT, 6-1 270, Pittsburgh, PA

A local of Penn Hills HS, Donald rounds out the Panthers tremendous defensive front recruiting class.

*Rankings according to scout.com

*PG – Post Graduate

Photo:

Gonzalez - Matt Smith/Lehigh Express-Times

Top 25 Countdown: #16 USC

#16

2009 Record – 9-4, 8-1 PAC 10
Bowl Game – Emerald Bowl – Beat Boston College 24-13
Letterman Returning: 54
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000)
College Location – Los Angeles, CA
Coach – Lane Kiffin, (1^st year)

OFFENSE: (5)

Key Returnees – QB Matt Barkley, WR Ronald Johnson (below), C Kristofer O’Dowd, G Butch Lewis, RB Allen Bradford

Key Losses – RB Joe McKnight, T Charles Brown, G Jeff Byers, WR Damian Williams

- Think having a true freshman quarterback lead the Trojans didn’t affect the once powerful USC offense? Once proclaimed the best professional football team in the state of California, USC had troubles last season taking down cellar dwellers of the PAC 10, let alone the Oakland Raiders. The Trojans were out-gained on offense by the likes of Oregon and Oregon State by a combined 339 yards. Not all losses can be credited to Barkley, however, with the freshman playing well above his status in wins at Ohio State, California and Notre Dame, in early season matchups. Barkley passed for 2,735 yards last season with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His 15 touchdowns thrown were better than Florida State’s Christian Ponder, Nebraska’s Zac Lee, Stanford’s Andrew Luck and West Virginia’s Jarrett Brown. With a second spring and season in the offense under his belt, Barkley is poised for an even better sophomore campaign. The loss of top receiving target Damian Williams will hurt the offense, but senior wideout, Ronald Johnson, brings just as much upside and potential to the offense that Williams did last season. Johnson missed the first five games last season with a broken collarbone and wasn’t the same player upon returning. As a sophomore in 2008, Johnson brought in 570 yards and eight scores on a 17.0 yard average. Sophomore Brice Butler and heralded freshman recruits, Robert Woods and Kyle Prater, rated by many as the No.1 and No.2 wideout’s in the country, will also compete for catches from Barkley. Senior running backs, Allen Bradford and CJ Gable, will compete for the most touches, with junior, Marc Tyler, once a No.1 recruit, also recieving a chance to make an impact in the offense. Last season, the USC offense averaged less than 30+ points a game for the first time since 2001 and it’s clear if the Trojans want to compete in an offense driven conference that scores more points than Matt Leinart at an LA nightclub, more touchdowns will need to be placed on the board in 2010.

DEFENSE: (5)

Key Returnees – DT Jurrell Casey, MLB Chris Galippo (below), OLB Malcolm Smith, OLB Michael Morgan, DE Nick Perry

Key Losses – S Taylor Mays, DE Everson Griffin, CB Josh Pinkard, CB Kevin Thomas, S Will Harris

- In 2009, the Trojan defense held opponents to under 90 yards rushing in its first six games giving up just 406 yards in that span. In its last seven, however, the USC offense fell off the map harder than a cast member of MADtv, giving up 1,260 yards in the latter end of the season. Its 2.1 yard average given up, jumped to nearly 4.5 yards a carry. The difference in the pass defense, from the beginning of the season to the end, was as similar as comparing an iPhone to a pair of paper cups and yarn. The good news for the defense in 2010 is the return of all three starting linebackers and a young and talented defensive front four. Seniors, Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan, return to their outside positions, where the two combined for 15 tackles for a loss. Junior, Chris Galippo, once the nation’s top defensive recruit, is starting to live up to expectations after bringing in 70 tackles and eight tackles for a loss last season. Galippo also added excitement to the pass defense with eight passes defended and two interceptions. The linebacking corps will have an immense amount of pressure on them in 2010 to live up to past run stiffening defenses. Junior defensive tackle, Jurrell Casey, leads a defensive line that brought in 27 of the teams 35 sacks. Sophomore end, Nick Perry, a freshman All-American last season, brought in eight sacks without starting a game. The bad news for the 2010 Trojan defense lies in the secondary, where all starters from last season’s team depart, including All-American safety, Taylor Mays. An inexperienced group of heralded recruits returns for the Trojans, but what is expected of them is a far cry less than previous defensive backfields. Junior corner, T.J. Bryant brings the most amount of upside to the secondary, but as of the second day of fall camp for Trojans, Bryant will miss some games recovering from a broken cheek bone, after an altercation with fullback Stanley Havili. Safeties, T.J. McDonald and Drew McAllister, bring solid run stopping skills to the secondary but will need to improve in the pass department.

SCHEDULE:

- If not for an early upset at Washington in week three of last season, the Trojans would have received quite the early season National Championship buzz, with a true freshman leading the way. However, then came the rest of the PAC 10 schedule, as the men of Troy dropped three of their remaining five conference games. For the first time since 2001, USC failed to reach at least 11 wins. It was a sign of change amongst the top of the PAC 10. Gone this season is the grueling out of conference meeting of either Ohio State or Nebraska, but instead a season opener against Hawaii in Honolulu Sept. 2. While most prepare for a harsh Sept. 11 Saturday, USC welcomes ACC opponent Virginia, to the Coliseum. A trip to Minnesota, Sept. 18, rounds out the Trojans early out of conference meetings. The first real PAC 10 test for USC comes against a rising Washington team, Oct. 2, followed by a trip to Stanford, Oct. 9, both games in which the Trojans walked away losers last season. The next four weeks for the Trojans following a bye week are home visits from Oregon and Arizona State, followed by away trips to Arizona and Oregon State. A swapping of state meetings if you will. Notre Dame heads to L.A., Nov.27 in a battle of two new ball coaches first experience leading their teams in the heated rivalry. The final meeting of the season comes against L.A. rival, UCLA, Dec. 4.

Schedule rating: B

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) Kyle Prater (left), *#2 WR, 6-5 205, Hillside, IL

A light and inexperienced group of receivers on the Trojans depth chart gives Prater a chance to play right away.

2.) Dillon Baxter, #5 RB, 6-0 205, San Diego, CA

A four year starter for Mission Bay HS in San Diego, Baxter is an elusive runner who may remind some of a young Reggie Bush, without the house payment.

3.) Robert Woods, #1 WR, 6-2 185, Gardena, CA

Woods, also a California track star, has the prototypical speed and size for the next level.

4.) Xavier Grimble, #1 TE, 6-5 245, Las Vegas, NV

Grimble will battle it out with former #1 tight end, Blake Ayers, for playing time in 2010.

5.) George Oku, #3 DT, 6-4 297, Chino, CA

Oku, who has all the physical tools of a college defensive tackle, will need little time getting used to the pace of the college game.

*Rankings according to scout.com

Photos:
Prater - John Rowland/Max Preps

Top 25 Countdown: #17 Georgia

#17

2009 Record – 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Bowl Game – Independence Bowl – Beat Texas A&M 44-20
Letterman Returning: 49
Stadium – Sanford Stadium (92,746)
College Location – Athens, GA
Coach – Mark Richt – 90-27 (10^th year)

OFFENSE: (10)

Key Returnees – WR AJ Green (below), RB Washaun Ealey, T Clint Bowling, TE Orson Charles, C Ben Jones

Key Losses – QB Joe Cox, WR Michael Moore

- Heading into spring football in Athens, the Bulldog offense was surrounded by competition. At nearly every position, apart from the offensive line where every starter returns, a heated battle was on, where questions were answered and a hit elimination series of Georgia’s Got Talent, began. The biggest question Georgia faces this season is at quarterback, where heralded redshirt freshman, Aaron Murray, takes claim of the starting position. Murray out-battled junior, Logan Gray, in the spring and Gray has since moved on to wideout to finish his career in Athens. Murray is a talented pocket passer, who may remind some of a younger Matthew Stafford, but the in-experienced leader will head through some growing pains before him and Stafford may be mentioned in the same sentence again. Murray has the confidence of head coach Mark Richt and a talented group surrounding him on offense to makes things much easier. Flashbacks of another redshirt freshman quarterback entering first time starting duty back in 2007, in Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, seem closely similar to Murray’s 2010 campaign. Things seemed to work out just fine in Norman for Bradford and the Sooners. At wideout, a lot of Bulldog fans and football fans around the country are aware of All-American AJ Green, who has done nothing but impress since arriving on campus but it is the wide recievers on the other side of the field that has created discussion and left some questioning. Finding a reliable No.2 wide receiver, to help both Green and a young QB, was one task for the Bulldogs this spring. Sophomore, Tavarres King and senior, Kris Durham, are the two most likely candidates in the rotation. King has shown flashes of greatness, but will miss the first game of the season on suspension. Durham, a reliable possession receiver and the favorite to win the job, will be heading back from a season off, after shoulder surgery. Whoever wins the battle through fall camp, however, may have to play third fiddle to athletic sophomore tight end, Orson Charles, who will steal catches this fall. The last battle for the Bulldogs was at the running back position where sophomore, Washaun Ealey and junior, Caleb King, duked it out for the head position. Ealey led the team in rushing last season with 717 yards, while King brought in the most touchdowns with seven, on 594 yards. Both averaged better than five yards a carry, however, and will each get a fair share of time in the fall.

DEFENSE: (5)

Key Returnees – OLB Justin Houston (below), CB Brandon Boykin, MLB Marcus Dowtin

Key Losses – MLB Rennie Curran, S Reshad Jones, DT Jeff Owens, DT Geno Atkins

- It's not really a secret that Georgia defenders litter NFL rosters like media members at an offseason Brett Favre press conference. The Mark Richet era has been filled with talented defenses and NFL pro days that make scouts salivate like Cruella Deville in a pet shop. From the likes of the old defenses of Richard Seymour and Charles Grant, to the talented defenses of Thomas Davis and David Pollack and most recent products of Dannell Ellerbe and Rennie Curran, Georgia has always seemed to be one to produce a defender. Though finding even one player this season who will take the torch left behind by past greatness, however, is like scavenging for a miss printed M&M. The 2010 defense loses six starters, including three members of the secondary and two talented defensive linemen in Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins. Future talent does still return for the Bulldogs, especially at linebacker, where sophomore Cornellius Washington and junior, Justin Houston, provide excitement from their outside position. The two combined for 11.5 sacks last season from their edge rush and will be counted upon to bring even more pressure this season. The Georgia defense had nine multi-sack games last season including two games of six. A high amount of pressure is placed on the secondary in 2010 to produce more than the -1.2 average in the turnover ratio for the Bulldogs. The team came away with a positive ratio in just three games last season. The only returning starter will be junior corner, Brandon Boykin. Boykin brought in nine passes defended and finished second on the team with three interceptions. Starters filling the rest of the secondary still remains up in the air and probably won’t be figured out until after August camp. Senior end, Demarcus Dobbs, leads an inexperienced group of defensive linemen, along with sophomore, Abry Jones and junior nose tackle, DeAngelo Tyson.

SCHEDULE:

- Under head man Mark Richt, a comfortable position amongst the top of the SEC has been the case for Georgia the last nine years. Last season was Richt’s first true hiccup as a head coach for the Bulldogs, going 4-4 in the SEC and bringing in an 8-5 record, his worst as a head coach. Blowout losses to Tennessee and Florida and coming out on the wrong end of shootouts against Kentucky and LSU plagued the Bulldogs. This season, a familiar SEC test and a much more relaxed out of conference schedule, should place Georgia back into its comfort zone in the SEC. An early September test against the Gamecocks, in a trip to South Carolina, will be just what a young QB like Murray needs to prove himself. A home visit from Arkansas and trip to Mississippi State round out September. An out of conference trip to Colorado, followed by home visits from Tennessee and Vanderbilt, round out three consecutive weeks atop October. Revenge from last season’s loss against Kentucky is scheduled for Oct. 23. A week later the toughest test yet for the Bulldogs comes in a trip to Jacksonville to take on Florida, Oct. 30. Idaho State at home and a trip to Auburn Nov.13, lead Georgia into their first off week of the season. With a talented Georgia Tech offense heading to Athens in the final game of the season Nov.27, the bye week for the Bulldogs couldn’t have come at a better time.

Schedule rating: B+

Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.

Top Incoming Freshman:

1.) Alec Ogletree (left), *#3 OLB, 6-3 212, Newnan, GA

Ogletree, rated by many as a linebacker, will most likely play safety for the Bulldogs and may play early this fall.

2.) T.J. Stripling, #12 DE, 6-6 215, Decatur, GA

Stripling, an end in high school, has the size and speed of an ideal rush outside linebacker for the Bulldogs.

3.) Garrison Smith, #6 DT, 6-3 255, Atlanta, GA

Another talented defender from the state of Georgia brought in by the Bulldogs.

4.) Brent Benedict, #10 OT, 6-6 290, Jacksonville, FL

Benedict has the strength (400 lb bench) and athleticism (33 inch vert) to fill in right away if need be in Athens.

5.) Michael Thornton, #16 DT, 6-1 275, Stone Mountain, GA

Another talented Georgia product from state powerhouse Stephenson HS in Stone Mountain.

*Rankings according to scout.com

Photos:

Green - Kelly Lambert, Georgia Staff

Houston - Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images

Ogletree - Scout.com