Who's who for 2002

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2002 by Tom Dienhart

With the first spring practices set to open in about two months, the official start of the 2002 season isn't that far away. So it's time to take a look at which teams figure to be the most serious title contenders next season.

Newly crowned champion Miami surely will figure in the mix. In fact, the Hurricanes might be everyone's preseason No. 1 team. But don't count out Florida.

Yes, much of the program's mystique will leave with Steve Spurrier, who turned an underachieving program into one of the country's best with a maniacal passion for diagramming "ball plays" for his offense. And his abrupt departure would seem to cement the decisions of Gators receivers Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell and Taylor Jacobs, offensive tackle Mike Pearson and cornerback Lito Sheppard to turn pro early. Making matters a tad stickier for whoever takes over as coach will be a schedule that features trips to Tennessee and Florida State and a visit from Miami.

Regardless, Florida will feature a lineup capable of winning it all in 2002. Quarterback Rex Grossman and running back Earnest Graham will return, as will a group of talented young wideouts led by Carlos Perez, Kelvin Kight and Matt Jackson. And the defense, even without end Alex Brown, linebacker Travis Carroll and Sheppard, will be loaded.

These teams stand as good a chance as Miami and Florida of advancing to the Fiesta Bowl after next season to play for the BCS title:

Florida State Thanks to youth and injuries, the Seminoles took their lumps in 2001, but the squad finished strong. Next season, the offense, led by sophomore-to-be quarterback Chris Rix, could be explosive once young receivers Craphonso Thorpe and P.K. Sam mature. The defense loses just two key cogs in linebacker Bradley Jennings and safety Chris Hope. The schedule is formidable, with visits from Notre Dame, Florida, Clemson and North Carolina and trips to Miami, Maryland and Louisville.

Oklahoma Sure, linebacker Rocky Calmus is gone and super safety Roy Williams figures to go pro, but the defense still will have teeth with guys such as tackle Tommie Harris, cornerback Derrick Strait and end Jimmy Wilkerson. Two key offensive linemen must be replaced, but the rest of the offense, highlighted by quarterback Jason White and a strong group of receivers, will be back. Then there's the schedule, which is missing Nebraska and Kansas State. The only rugged road tilt figures to be at Texas A&M. One caveat: Coach Bob Stoops might bolt to replace Spurrier at Florida.

Tennessee The Vols' Rose Bowl near-miss has whetted Tennessee's appetite. The offense needs only one of its talented trio of tailbacks (Jabari Davis, Cedrick Houston, Derrick Tinsley) to emerge to give quarterback Casey Clausen room to operate. The defense will miss John Henderson and Will Overstreet up front, but the back seven looks capable. Making Tennessee's cause sweeter is a schedule that brings Miami, Florida and Alabama to Knoxville.

Texas Talent never is a problem in Austin, but experience on the offensive line and at linebacker is thin. The schedule could be an issue, with trips to North Carolina, Kansas State and Nebraska, plus the Oklahoma game in Dallas and a visit from Texas A&M. As a senior, quarterback Chris Simms finally might put it all together. No quarterback will have a better combination of receivers (Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson, Sloan Thomas) and running backs (Cedric Benson, Ivan Williams, Victor Ike) to work with.

Beyond those elite teams, a surprise squad or two likely will emerge in 2002. They figure to come from the following clubs, which are likely to be ranked in most preseason top 25 polls: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa State, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, NC State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin.

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Kansas State is considering using QB Ell Roberson as a part-time receiver. He has struggled as a passer, but he's a tremendous athlete who could be an exciting addition to an offense that's looking for playmakers on the perimeter with Aaron Lockett gone. ... Minnesota also contemplated using TB Tellis Redmon at receiver. But Redmon balked, then surprised many by opting to turn pro. He says discussion of the possible role change was a reason for his departure. At least coach Glen Mason still has RB Marion Barber, one of the nation's best true freshman runners last season with 742 yards.... The San Francisco Bowl isn't dead yet. The 49ers are looking for events to schedule at 3Com Park to generate revenue. To make things more viable, a title sponsor would help, as would finding conference partners to align with the bowl. The Pac-10 would be a possibility. Still, does a sport already saturated with 25 bowls need another? ... The Sun Bowl is facing some issues. The game's contracts with the Pac-10 and Big Ten ended after this year's Washington State-Purdue matchup, and Wells Fargo's deal to serve as corporate sponsor also has expired. The bowl still has a TV deal with CBS that runs through 2006 and pays $325,000 a year.... Alabama coach Dennis Franchione says the option isn't likely to be a major part of the Tide's offense in the future. That doesn't mean senior Tyler Watts, an option guru, isn't the favorite to win the starting quarterback job in August. But don't count redshirt freshmen Brodie Croyle, one of the program's biggest recruiting catches in recent years, and Spencer Pennington out of the battle. Each is a better passer than Watts. --T.D.