Rest of the best

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

32 UCLA

2000: 6-6 (3-5/T5th, Pac-10)

Be afraid: The injuries have healed, and the Bruins can't possibly have more bad luck looming. Coach Bob Toledo has shown he can win with a healthy team; he should hope the Bruins stay that way.

33 Fresno state

2000: 7-5 (6-2/3rd, WAC)

Be afraid: Big QB David Carr (6-3, 225) stands behind a big offensive line (all five starters are 300-plus pounds). Carr should put up big numbers with WRs Charles Smith and Bernard Berrian.

34 Texas A&M

2000: 7-5 (5-3, 3rd/Big 12 South) Be afraid: R.C. Slocum finally gave in and let the Aggies air it out last season. If he has patience, the offense will grow even more this season with underrated QB Mark Farris setting up explosive TB Keith Joseph.

35 Michigan State

2000:5-6 (2-6/T9th, Big Ten)

Be afraid: Take a look at the "Big Diesel" -- T.J. Duckett. Now that's scary. No one in the Big Ten will run the ball better. Sophomore QB Jeff Smoker will find his groove with the help of sophomore WR Charles Rogers, who was ineligible last season.

36 Auburn

2000:9-4 (6-3/1st, SEC West)

Be afraid: The Tigers will be better defensively this season, a year after leading the SEC in total defense. If heralded freshman TB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams plays up to his nickname, Auburn could win the West again.

37 Arizona State

2000:6-6 (3-5/T5th, Pac-10)

Be afraid: It's the perfect combination: new coach Dirk Koetter's pass-happy offense and two capable quarterbacks in Jeff Krohn and Andrew Walters. The return of injured star TB Delvon Flowers also will help make games fun again in Tempe.

38 NC State

2000:8-4 (4-4/5th, ACC)

Be afraid: QB Philip Rivers throws ugly passes, but he gets the Wolfpack in position to win. Coach Chuck Amato has given the 'Pack attitude and swagger. But can his freshmen wide receivers help Rivers continue to develop?

39 Penn State

2000:5-7 (44/T5th, Big Ten)

Be afraid: Joe Paterno and Penn State have a Lion-sized chip on their shoulder from last year's embarrassing performance. The remedy: TB Larry Johnson, whose talent and speed finally will show up on the field and reinvigorate a stagnant running game.

40 Marshall

2000:8-5 (6-3/1st, MAC East)

Be afraid: Just how dangerous is the Herd? Florida coach Steve Spurrier added Marshall to his list of big games this season. Marshall annually is the class of the MAC. Considering the state of the league of late, that's an impressive place to be.