Rest of the best

Sporting News, The, August 20, 2001 by Tom Dienhart, Matt Hayes

Texas starts No. 1, but all 39 of these teams have the talent and vision to climb into the national title picture. Any of them could give the Longhorns a scary test.

2 Florida

2000: 10-3 (8-1/1st, SEC East)

Be afraid: The offense could be one of the nation's most explosive as long as there's no quarterback controversy between Rex Grossman and Brock Berlin. The linebackers and secondary rank among the nation's best.

3 Miami (Fla.)

2000: 11-1 (7-0/1st, Big East)

Be afraid: RB Clinton Portis is the headliner in the nation's deepest running backs unit. And just try to penetrate an offensive line that features the land's best tackle tandem in Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez.

4 Oklahoma

2000: 13-0 (9-0/1st, Big 12 South)

Be afraid: QB Josh Heupel will be missed, but the new quarterback's supporting cast figures to be better. The defense, led by LB Rocky Calmus, is experienced and athletic, and K Tim Duncan and P Jeff Ferguson are a dynamic kicking tandem.

5 Oregon

2000: 10-2 (7-1/T1st, Pac-10)

Be afraid: With QB Joey Harrington at the controls, expect a wealth of skill talent to be exploited in what could be the nation's top offense. The secondary rates among the best in the Pac-10 on a defense that figures to be faster than ever.

6 Virginia Tech

2000: 11-1 (6-1/2nd, Big East)

Be afraid: Insiders think the defense will be better than the 1999 edition that reached the national championship game. Few schools have playmakers the caliber of WR Andre Davis and RB Lee Suggs. When it comes to special teams, no school does it better.

7 Florida State

2000: 11-2 (8-0/1st, ACC)

Be afraid: Much is being made of the numerous holes to fill. But this still is Florida State. DTs Jeff Womble and Darnell Dockett will be tough to deal with. The offensive line will provide a foundation for the skill talent to develop.

8 Tennessee

2000: 8-4 (5-3/T2nd, SEC East)

Be afraid: Paced by T John Henderson, the defensive line will be the best in the country. The offensive line looks equally as stout. Look for QB Casey Clausen to blossom. He'll benefit from a receiving corps that has playmaking potential.

9 Nebraska

2000: 10-2 (6-2/1st, Big 12 North)

Be afraid: QB Eric Crouch is king of the option; TE Tracey Wistrom is a luxury item. The defense expects an improved pass rush from ends Chris Kelsay and Demoine Adams, which will make a veteran secondary that much better.

10 LSU

2000: 8-4 (5-3/2nd, SEC West)

Be afraid: If you're looking for the best linebacking unit in the nation, look no further. Trey Faulk is the headliner. QB Rohan Davey gets positive results from his teammates. The talent runs deep in the backfield and receivers.

11 Oregon State

2000: 11-1 (7-1/T1st, Pac-10)

Be afraid: The sight of Dennis Erickson wearing a headset is enough to scare any opposing coach. QB Jonathan Smith and RB Ken Simonton will work behind a strong line. CB Dennis Weathersby stars in one of the Pac-10's best secondaries.

12 Georgia Tech

2000: 9-3 (6-2/T2nd, ACC)

Be afraid: The defense, especially the front seven, is experienced and fast. LB Daryl Smith is the anchor in the middle. QB George Godsey directs an offense that can beat you by land (TB Joe Burns) or by air (WR Kelly Campbell).

13 Northwestern

2000: 8-4 (6-2/T1st, Big Ten)

Be afraid: The no-huddle, spread offense confounds defenses. QB Zak Kustok and RB Damien Anderson make it go behind a massive line that returns all five starters. LB Napoleon Harris is an NFL-type who paces an underrated linebacking unit.

14 USC

2000: 5-7 (2-6/T8th, Pac-10)

Be afraid: New coach Pete Carroll's enthusiasm could inspire all of this talent to reach its potential. QB Carson Palmer has taken to coordinator Norm Chow's quick-release system. A veteran secondary will allow some gambling up front.

15 Kansas State

2000: 11-3 (6-3/2nd, Big 12 North)

Be afraid: The receivers and running backs are a cut above, but a quarterback controversy can't develop between Ell Roberson and Marc Dunn. Ben Leber, Terry Pierce and Warren Lott lead a strong and active group of linebackers.

16 Notre Dame

2000: 9-3 Be afraid: Bob Davie has his most talented team ever. Julius Jones paces a deep set of running backs, and the Irish feature a talented set of receivers. The defensive front seven, led by Es Anthony Weaver and Grant Irons, has playmaking ability.

17 Michigan

2000: 9-3 (6-2/T1st, Big Ten)

Be afraid: The defense often was ripped last year, but those players have learned from their experiences. The line and linebackers are disruptive forces. QB John Navarre, RB Chris Perry and WR Marquise Walker are ready for starring roles.

18 Clemson

2000: 9-3 (6-2/T2nd, ACC)

Be afraid: Few quarterbacks have the dazzling skills of Woodrow Dantzler, who will throw to a tantalizing group of receivers headed by Kevin Youngblood. An ever-improving line will make it all go. The defense continues to get faster.

19 South Carolina

2000: 8-4 (5-3/T2nd, SEC East)

Be afraid: Confidence and momentum, now at a high under Lou Holtz, often are more valuable than talent. But South Carolina has talent, too. The Gamecocks now have an offense to go with what has been a rugged defense for the past few seasons.