NEBRASKA - Crouch and company have a favorable schedule with Oklahoma, Kansas State and Notre Dame coming into Lincoln and plenty enough horses to win it all this year. The defense is relatively unknown but does it really matter with Nebraska?? The answer is no way. The Big 12 Championship Game will loom large but the Cornhuskers fans can start getting prices for hotel rooms in Pasadena.
MIAMI - The magic has returned to Southern Florida. Dorsey and the Canes have one tough game in Tallahassee, survive that one and the season finale in Blacksburg (otherwise known as the Big East Championship game) and the glitz of South Beach will meet the glitz of California. Ken Dorsey has so many different weapons to go to, it's frightening and the defense returns 8 starters. That spells trouble for the opposition.
FLORIDA - Florida could just be the most talented team in the country with Jabar Gaffney catching passes from the two-headed monster at QB, but a very tough SEC schedule and then a championship game and likely having to beat Mississippi State or LSU twice could be too much for the Gators to handle but the good news is they should beat FSU this year.
MICHIGAN - The defense is loaded, and the offense will get the job done in pure Michigan-esque Big 10 style. The schedule is not as difficult as in past years, largely because it does not have Damien Anderson and Northwestern on it this year. All of this puts Michigan squarely in the Run for the Roses.
OREGON - Oregon has perhaps THE most explosive offense in the nation but, like all Pac-10 teams, they have almost no defense. Of course, with Joey Harrington running the show, opposing teams will have to score 40 points a game to keep pace with the Ducks. The Civil War against Oregon State is in Eugene this year so the Ducks could very easily run the table. 
TEXAS - The Longhorns should have petitioned the NCAA to find a way to play 2 QBs in one game because Major Applewhite and Chris Simms would be All-American candidates if they were on different teams. Both QBs have to be drooling over the opportunity with all the weapons Texas has this year in BJ Johnson and Roy Williams. Defense should be solid as well and the schedule is not particularly difficult which should set up a game of the year candidate against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship. Don't be surprised to see the Burnt Orange in Pasadena.
GEORGIA TECH - The Yellowjackets are flat loaded this year, no doubt about it. With names like Godsey, Burns, and Campbell on offense, they should score between 30 and 40 points a game easily and the defense returns almost in tact and a year more experienced this year. One game will make or break Tech's season and thats the September 15th trip to Tallahassee.
TENNESSEE - After what many Tennessee fans dubbed a "rebuilding" year last year, Tennessee has the talent in place to once again challenge for championships. Casey Clausen has been dubbed the second coming of Peyton Manning in Knoxville. He has a long way to go to live up to that but the defense in Rocky Top will be stellar led by all-everything DL John Henderson. Unfortunately for the Big Orange, they have to visit Gainesville, Tuscaloosa and South Bend and have home games with LSU, Georgia and South Carolina. Not even Smokey will be able to withstand that rigorous slate.
OKLAHOMA - The sequel to Oklahoma's 2000 National Championship won't be quite as rosy as many in Norman are hoping for. Losing Heupel was a much bigger blow than the Sooners are willing to admit but whichever QB wins the job for Bob Stoops will have many weapons to go to in Quentin Griffin and the outstanding receiving corps in Woolfolk, Fagan and Savage, but back to back games against Kansas State and Texas as well as road games at Nebraska will keep the Sooners out of the Big 12 championship and the BCS.
FLORIDA STATE - For the first time in recent memory, the Noles look vulnerable, at least the rest of the ACC is praying so but is Bobby Bowden pulling the wool over our eyes??? The offense has many question marks but offense will never be a problem for any Bowden team and this year is no different. FSU will be down but not down enough to lose their firm grip on the ACC title. Georgia Tech may have a slightly better team this year but FSU will beat them in Tallahassee. Unfortunately for FSU, I don't see them beating either Miami or winning in the Swamp this year.
MISSISSIPPI STATE - Defense, defense and more defense. That's the name of the game in Starkville and few programs do it as well as Jackie Sherrill's boys. This year's edition led by Mario Haggan, Dorsett Davis and Pig Prather will be every bit as good and add another year of experience for Wayne Madkin, who is one of the SEC's most underrated QBs, and the running duo of Dicenzo Miller and Dontae Walker and you've got a very dangerous SEC West contendor. The game in Gainesville will not be pretty for Bulldog fans but they should get a rematch in Atlanta in December.
NORTHWESTERN - Did someone say Damien Anderson?? Well, you might be surprised to know this but he is not Northwestern's only player. In fact, they have one of the better QBs in the country in Zak Kustok. Northwestern's new high-octane offense scores in bunches but the defense gives up in bunches. Still, the Wildcats will be right in the thick of the Big Ten race.
VIRGINIA TECH - Time to usher in a new era in Blacksburg. We'll call it the post-Vick era. If Grant Noel comes back totally healthy from his knee surgery, VT will be fine. If not, VT will still be fine but they'll rely on Lee Suggs to carry the ball 40 times a game and the defense will carry much of the load but they will be good enough to do so. Even so, I just don't see this year's Hokies beating the Canes.
LOUSIANA STATE - Rohan Davey and Josh Reed are primed to make some major noise on the Bayou this year. The defense is led by linebacker Trev Faulk and should be outstanding as well. The only problem for the Tigers is the schedule. Back to back games at Tennessee and then home to Florida are nightmarish to say the least and that's not to mention a later season road game in Starkville. I think these games are enough to keep Nick Saban out of the SEC Championship game.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - The question mark surrounding the Trojans is will Carson Palmer ever live up to the potential he has. For his career, he has one more interception than touchdown. Those numbers will have get better if the Trojans will win the Pac-10. Palmer does have plenty of support in WR Kareem Kelly and RB Sultan McCullough but road games at Oregon and Notre Dame will be bumps in the road for Pete Carroll's bunch.
KANSAS STATE - The Wildcats return only 9 starters from last years team so expect some dropoff in Manhattan but not much. KSU does return WR Aaron Lockett and RB Josh Scobey and you can always count on a tough defense from the Wildcats but the schedule includes an opening season road game at Southern Cal as well as road games in Norman and in Lincoln. OUCH!!
SOUTH CAROLINA - Can Lou Holtz repeat his magic in Columbia?? Well, he certainly has the returning players to do so. Derek Watson has been cleared to play and the offensive line will be one of the best in school history but the Gamecocks will need one WR to step up and be a big play man to give the Gamecocks another offensive weapon besides Watson. On the defensive side of the ball, All-American candidates Kalimba Edwards and Sheldon Brown lead this stingy bunch against a tough schedule including road games at Georgia, at Mississippi State and at Tennessee. If South Carolina can survive these games as well as season enders against Florida and Clemson, they will have a repeat New Year's Day appearance.
OREGON STATE - Oregon State lost almost every receiver on last year's team but with Ken Simonton and Jonathan Smith returning, they shouldnt suffer much. The defense also lost a good bit from last year's Fiesta Bowl champion but Dennis Weathersby returns to anchor the secondary. The Beavers will compete for the Pac-10 championship again but games at Southern Cal and at Oregon will be too much to handle.
NOTRE DAME - The Irish are very talented and are very focused to redeem themselves from the embarassment to Oregon State in last year's Fiesta Bowl but the schedule is a nightmare. Notre Dame opens the season at Nebraska, at Purdue, home game against Michigan State and on the road at Texas A&M. That's an awful way to start the season and the Irish must at least split these first four or they'll be playing catch-up the rest of the season and thats not a good position to be in with Southern Cal and Tennessee still to come to South Bend.
CLEMSON - Is this the year son finally beats daddy? Well, if Tommy Bowden is going to beat Bobby Bowden, this is the perfect year as FSU is a little vulnerable and the game is in Death Valley. Clemson has tons of offense. Heisman candidate Woody Dantzler leads this bunch who should put up 40 points a game which is good cuz the defense, which was toasted every which way but loose late last year, lost several key players and will need all the help they can get. If Dantzler finds one big play WR early on against the Tiger's easy schedule, then Clemson will be tough to beat. If not, Clemson could very easily find themselves fighting for a Peach Bowl berth.
PURDUE - How much will Purdue miss Drew Brees? That is the key to Purdue's season. The Boilers are going to rely on redshirt freshman Brandon Hance to take over an offense that does not return much on the offensive line. Not exactly an enviable position but the defense looks to be very good as all but one starter from last year returns. If the offensive line can give Hance protection, Purdue can be very good. If not, the Boilers could be in for a long season. 
COLORADO STATE - Colorado State returns almost everyone on offense. The only question mark happens to be at the most crucial position, quarterback. Gone is solid and steady Matt Newton and the Rams will have quite a battle to see who takes over. Whoever it is will have many options with go-to WR Pete Rebstock and deep threat Dallas Davis returns from injury. The Rams also have one of the Mountain West's best runningbacks in Cecil Sapp, who is also recovering from injury.
TEXAS A&M - The Aggies are ready to get back into the national spotlight but is this the year?? I don't see it this year but the Aggies will be very good and with very few seniors on the roster, watch out for 2002. Underrated QB Mark Farris is back and a year more experienced and A&M has two good options at RB in Keith Joseph and Richard Whitaker. The defense is a little thin which is not good against a schedule that includes home games against Notre Dame and Texas and road trips to Kansas State and Oklahoma.
EAST CAROLINA - The Pirates are poised to force the rest of the country to respect Conference USA. QB David Garrard is one of the most dangerous QBs in the nation but gets no publicity. With RB Leonard Henry ready to shine behind him, ECU will put up points but the defense is where the strength lies this year. LB Pernell Griffin is a potential All-American and is the leader for a defense that returns 9 starters from last year. The schedule sets up well as Louisville and Southern Miss must visit Greenville. If the Pirates can get by stumbling blocks at Tulane and at Syracuse, they should make a run at a major bowl.
WISCONSIN - The Badgers will be looking to add a little spice to the offense this year which is good since they'll be relying on two redshirt freshman to carry the ball so QB Brooks Bollinger will have to find WR Lee Evans for Wisconsin to put up any points. The defense will be solid as always and the schedule is not particularly difficult as the Badgers do not play Purdue or Northwestern this year and they get Michigan in Madison but there are tough games at Oregon, at Ohio State and at Illinois looming which could trip the Badgers up.| ATLANTIC COAST | BIG EAST | BIG TEN |
| 1. Florida State | 1. Miami | 1. Michigan |
| 2. Georgia Tech | 2. Virginia Tech | 2. Northwestern |
| 3. Clemson | 3. Pittsburgh | 3. Purdue |
| 4. North Carolina State | 4. Boston College | 4. Wisconsin |
| 5. North Carolina | 5. West Virginia | 5. Ohio State |
| 6. Virginia | 6. Syracuse | 6. Illinois |
| 7. Wake Forest | 7. Temple | 7. Minnesota |
| 8. Maryland | 8. Rutgers | 8. Penn State |
| 9. Duke | 9. Iowa | 10. Michigan State |
| 11. Indiana |
| BIG TWELVE - North Div. | BIG TWELVE - South Div. |
| 1. Nebraska | 1. Texas |
| 2. Kansas State | 2. Oklahoma |
| 3. Iowa State | 3. Texas A&M |
| 4. Colorado | 4. Texas Tech |
| 5. Missouri | 5. Oklahoma State |
| 6. Kansas | 6. Baylor |
| CONFERENCE USA | MOUNTAIN WEST | PAC 10 |
| 1. East Carolina | 1. Colorado State | 1. Oregon |
| 2. Louisville | 2. Brigham Young | 2. Southern California |
| 3. Texas Christian | 3. Air Force | 3. Oregon State |
| 4. Tulane | 4. UNLV | 4. Washington |
| 5. Southern Miss | 5. San Diego State | 5. UCLA |
| 6. UAB | 6. Utah | 6. Stanford |
| 7. Cincinnati | 7. New Mexico State | 7. Arizona State |
| 8. Memphis | 8. Wyoming | 8. Arizona |
| 9. Houston | 9. Washington State | |
| 10. Army | 10. California |
| SOUTHEASTERN - East Div. | SOUTHEASTERN - West Div. |
| 1. Florida | 1. Mississippi State |
| 2. Tennessee | 2. Louisiana State |
| 3. South Carolina | 3. Alabama |
| 4. Georgia | 4. Ole Miss |
| 5. Vanderbilt | 5. Auburn |
| 6. Kentucky | 6. Arkansas |
| MID-AMERICAN - East Div. | MID-AMERICAN - West Div. | WESTERN ATHLETIC |
| 1. Marshall | 1. Toledo | 1. Fresno State |
| 2. Ohio | 2. Western Michigan | 2. Boise State |
| 3. Miami, Ohio | 3. Ball State | 3. UTEP |
| 4. Akron | 4. Northern Illinois | 4. San Jose State |
| 5. Bowling Green | 5. Central Michigan | 5. Hawaii |
| 6. Kent State | 6. Eastern Michigan | 6. Tulsa |
| 7. Buffalo | 7. Southern Methodist | |
| 8. Louisiana Tech | ||
| 9. Rice | ||
| 10. Nevada |
| Offensive Team | Defensive Team |
| QB - Eric Crouch, Nebraska | DL - John Henderson, Tennessee |
| RB - Damien Anderson, Northwestern | DL - Alex Brown, Florida |
| RB - Ken Simonton, Oregon State | DL - Julius Peppers, North Carolina |
| OL - Seth McKinney, Texas A&M | DL - Larry Tripplett, Washington |
| OL - Mike Pearson, Florida | LB - Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma |
| OL - Bryant McKinnie, Miami | LB - Kalimba Edwards, South Carolina |
| OL - Martin Bibla, Miami | LB - Trev Faulk, LSU |
| OL - Toniu Fonoti, Nebraska | DB - Mike Doss, Ohio State |
| TE - Tracey Wistrom, Nebraska | DB - Chris Hope, Florida State |
| WR - Jabar Gaffney, Florida | DB - Quentin Jammer, Texas |
| WR - Antonio Bryant, Pittsburgh | DB - Philip Buchanon, Miami |
| K - Jonathan Ruffin, Cincinnati | P - Jeff Ferguson, Oklahoma |
| Specialist - Lito Sheppard, Florida | |
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