The TSN 111

Sporting News, The, August 19, 1996 by Doug Doughty, Michael Vega, Jim Maloney, Michael Bradley, Bob Clark, Andy Bagnato, Andy Boogaard, Rusty Hampton

From No. 1 Florida State to No. 111 UAB, we bring you the most comprehensive ranking of the Division I-A teams

1 FLORIDA STATE

ACC commissioner Gene Corrigan has decreed that teams no longer will be allowed to move home games to Florida for big-money paydays, but that won't prevent the Seminoles from playing nine games in the Sunshine State this year. That just increases the likelihood that their annual run at a national championship will come down to three games: at Miami, against Florida in Tallahassee and a bowl game. Having 1,000-yard receivers Andre Cooper and E.G. Green and 1,000-yard rusher Warrick Dunn doesn't hurt, either. Pivotal player: QB Thad Busby.

2 NEBRASKA

No team has won three consecutive national championships. Barring injuries, this could be the one. As always, the Cornhuskers are loaded with size, speed and depth across the offensive line, and they have a Heisman candidate in I-back Ahman Green. Defensively, they return seven players from last year's squad, including studs Terrell Farley and Jared Tomich. The question is whether Nebraska can survive the post-Tommie Frazier era with junior Scott Frost at quarterback. Pivotal player: RB Ahman Green.

3 FLORIDA

With quarterback Danny Wuerffel and seven other starters returning, the offense may be Steve Spurrier's most powerful yet. But Spurrier has been talking mostly about the defense. Bob Stoops, whose Kansas State troops led the nation in total defense a year ago, has brought a new attitude and an aggressive style. Spurrier is excited because he thinks this defense will get him the ball back early and often, and we all know what that could mean--huge offensive numbers. Pivotal player: QB Danny Wuerffel.

4 TENNESSEE

The Volunteers have been pointing to the September 21 showdown with Florida since the fourth quarter of last year's devastating loss in Gainesville. Quarterback Peyton Manning already is a legend on Rocky Top, and he is primed for a big junior season. If Manning gets protection from an inexperienced line and the defense is as sound as it was down the stretch a year ago, the Vols may be very difficult to beat. Pivotal player: QB Peyton Manning.

5 COLORADO

Koy Detmer was the nation's leading passer and a Heisman contender through four games last season before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. If Detmer stays healthy, and if the Buffaloes can survive a difficult early-season slate, Colorado will travel to Lincoln on November 29 with a serious shot at upsetting the defending national champions. But if CU's run defense isn't leading the nation by then, the Buffs' national-title hopes likely will end that afternoon. Pivotal player: QB Koy Detmer.

6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The best news for the Trojans is that neither UCLA nor Notre Dame is on the schedule early, but by late November, USC might be ready for the two rivals who've had their number. Offensively, the pressure is on senior quarterback Brad Otton, who showed in the Rose Bowl he can handle it. The defense should be solid and buy some time for the offense to mature, but was scheduling Penn State in the Kickoff Classic on August 25 a good idea? Pivotal player: WR Billy Miller.

7 NOTRE DAME

Irish hopes hinge on whether the team's inexperienced receivers and defensive backs deliver. Notre Dame will have another outstanding ground game, thanks to a fine line and several good backs, and the defensive front seven is the school's best in years. Quarterback Ron Powlus should benefit from coach Lou Holtz's proposed wideopen passing attack (yeah, right), provided Emmett Mosley and a host of suspects can get open. Notre Dame will rely on a similarly untested crew in the secondary. Pivotal Player: CB Allen Rossum.

8 MIAMI

Butch Davis meant it when he vowed to clean up Miami's bad-boy image. That was evident in the way he put his foot down by suspending wide receiver Jammi German for the season while doling out indefinite suspensions to projected key players such as Ricky Perry (OL), James Burgess (LB) and Derrick Ham (DE) for missteps. But those trials and tribulations aren't likely to pose an obstacle for a talented defense that returns 10 starters, including ends Kenard Lang and Kenny Holmes. Running back Danyell Ferguson Headlines an offense that returns eight starters. Pivotal player: QB Ryan Clement.

9 TEXAS

The Longhorns are loaded and could challenge Nebraska for the league crown. With end Tony Brackens gone early, cornerback Bryant Westbrook is the leader of a defense that features seven returning starters. The offense, which also boasts seven returning starters, boasts receiver Mike Adams and running backs Shon Mitchell and Ricky Williams, who will work behind a line anchored by Dan Neil, called "the best guard in the country" by coach John Mackovic. Pivotal player: QB James Brown.

10 AUBURN

The Tigers have a new quarterback (Dameyune Craig) and some veteran receivers, but running back Stephen Davis is gone. Regardless, enough firepower remains to score a bunch of points. Still, the question remains: Can the Tigers stop anybody? Last year's team couldn't; that's why Bill Oliver is the new coordinator. If he can make Auburn's defense as good as he made Alabama's, the Tigers will be in the title hunt. Pivotal player: LB Marcellus Mostella.