Who to Watch For
This preview will consist of three parts. This first part we’ll take a look at who to watch for…meaning who you need to keep up with. Some of the players I’ll profile on here will be on Heisman watch. Others will just be players who are fun to watch.
Here are ten players who are ready to dominate. It’s not quite the time to start handing them post-season awards since there is a lot of football left to be played, but they will definitely be in the hunt for them. Eyes will already be on defending Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, the junior running back from Alabama, so I did not include him on this list. The link on their name are the stat lines from last year (if applicable) courtesy of cfbstats.com. In no particular order:
With QB Jeremiah Masoli kicked off the team, it may mean more carries. And that’s saying something in an already run-heavy spread option offensive scheme that saw James gain 1546 years rushing his freshman year.
Probably the best rusher in the country (outgained Heisman Ingram by about 140 yards last season), Coach Dave Wannstedt will rely heavily on Lewis as they break in a new QB. Dynamic runner with a great combination of speed and power, Lewis will be a treat to watch.
The most consistent performer on an under-performing offense last year, Broyles will continue to lead this receiving corp. Shifty and deadly fast, Broyles is also an accomplished kick-returner. Even with defenses keyed on him last year and missing the better part of three games, Broyles still managed 15 TD grabs.
The post-Suh era begins for this defense, as Suh’s right hand man takes the reigns as the anchor of this Bo Pelini defense. Look for Crick to disrupt the interior line of opponents, although now he will have to do it fighting more double-teams. Crick and Nebraska will look to leave the Big 12 on a high note.
Probably the best pro prospect at QB this year, Mallett is looking to build on his 3624 yard/30 TD passing from a season ago. Big arm in the Bobby Petrino offense, Mallett will also try to lead his team through the difficult SEC West that includes the defending national champion Alabama.
On a lackluster year for UCLA, Moore led his team in pass breakups (7) and led the country in interceptions (10). In the seemingly wide-open Pac 10 this year, Moore looks to do much of the same as UCLA will try to take advantage of the recent USC sanctions.
There has always been hype around Pryor, and this season is no exception. Pryor will try to build off of his stellar Rose Bowl performance, but he will need to be more consistent passing (5-13 performance against Wisconsin won’t cut it).
A great story here. Herzlich was ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, then diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in May 2009. The team and fans rallied around him as he was treated and was declared cancer free by October. If fully recovered, he will be a force on defense and an inspiration to all affected by cancer around the country.
The Big 12’s best returning QB. The A&M offense was running on all cylinders last season, and there is little reason to doubt this year will be the same. Johnson (3579 yards/30 TDs in 2009) will try to lead the dark horse to win the Big 12, as many perceive this year may be their best chance in a while to overtake OU and Texas. A&M’s defense must improve for any of this hype to be fulfilled.
We’ll see how far Locker has come as this will be his second season under Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian’s history at USC tutoring Carson Palmer and Mark Sanchez certainly point to good things for Locker, who was already proficient and well respected before his head coach’s arrival.
The second and third parts will come in the next couple of weeks. Part II? What to Watch For…the best matchups scheduled this year. Something to digest during the weeks your favorite team will be playing Creampuff University.
The countdown to college football will continue on!
2 comments:
I'm curious to know why you didn't include Florida State QB Christian Ponder. All signs indicate he will have quite a year. Afterall, he has probably the best-looking Heisman PR website of all the front runners, courtesy Old Hat Creative
http://www.cp7forheisman.com/
I was watching his game against Miami last year, and he looks solid. It will be interesting to see his performance against the OU defense in a few months.
He was on my list before, but I felt that the list was getting QB heavy. Maybe I should have switched Pryor for Ponder. But like I said there is a lot of football left to be played. He may make my mid-season Heisman list.
And yes, I do think his website is a great platform for him.
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