A year too soon for the Sooners: we picked Oklahoma to finish No. 1 in 2002 and were wrong—but this season, Jason White and company will vindicate us - 2003 College Preview

Football Digest, July-August, 2003 by Joe Donatelli

9. Kansas State (11-2, 7th)

As long as the Wildcats continue to schedule pre-conference cupcakes, we shall mock them until our throats are sore. Troy State, McNeese State, and Massachusetts? Come on. Marshall is a solid opponent, but we fear a close game--or worse, a loss--could steer KSU away from scheduling a mid-major ever again. Until coach Bill Snyder truly challenges his team, Kansas State will remain one step removed from the national rifle.

10. USC (11-2, 4th)

Head coach Pete Carroll is hitting his stride. The Trojans have won 15 of their past 18 games, including their past eight. Although Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer is gone, plenty of talent returns. End Kenechi Udeze is one of three returning starters on the defensive line, and the offensive line returns four starters. Wide receiver Mike Williams is a major talent If Carroll can find an apt replacement for Palmer, USC should continue to roll.

11. Maryland (11-3, 13th)

The 2002 season proved the Terrapins were no fluke; Maryland recorded its second straight 10-win season en route to a 30-3 win over Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. Expect more of the same from coach Ralph Friedgen and company this year, especially with 2001 ACC Player of the Year Bruce Perry finally healthy again following a groin injury. The defense returns nine starters and one of the strongest secondaries in the country.

12. Washington State (10-3, 10th)

The Cougars will try to defend their Pac-10 title under new head coach Bill Doba. At this point, you may be asking, who's Bill Doba? Good question. Doba was a longtime assistant under Mike Price, who agreed to take the Alabama job prior to the Rose Bowl last season. Doba's first two tasks, replacing quarterback Jason Gesser and cornerback Marcus Trufant, will be tough, but Washington State is deep on both sides of the ball.

13. Virginia (9-5, 22nd)

The Cavaliers are touting senior quarterback Matt Schaub as a Heisman Trophy candidate. And why not? The 2002 ACC Player of the Year had 2,967 passing yards, 28 TD passes, and just seven interceptions last season and led a team that scored 48 points in two of its final three games, both against ranked opponents. On the defensive side of the ball, 6'7", 280-pound defensive end Chris Canty should continue to emerge as an elite pass-rusher.

14. Georgia (13-1, 3rd)

After capturing their first SEC title in 20 years, the Bulldogs must rebuild their entire offensive line and most of their defense. SEC Player of the Year David Pollack (14 sacks, 23.5 tackles for a loss) is back, as are quarterbacks David Greene (2,924 yards, 22 TDs) and DJ. Shockley (five passing TDs, two rushing TDs). The secondary also returns intact, but how well will it perform with inexperienced linebackers and defensive linemen pressuring the QB?

15. North Carolina State (11-3, 12th)

The Wolfpack are coming off their best season in school history, thanks to an explosive offense led by quarterback Phillip Rivers (3,353 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs) and a surprisingly solid defense. Rivers is back--as is most of the offense--but the defense must replace its entire front four. If head coach Chuck Amato can plug those holes on defense, an ACC title is within reach.