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| Wednesday, May 22 Miami a runaway pick to start the season at No. 1 ESPN.com |
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The people have spoken and, wow, they sure like Miami. We asked who should be No. 1 heading into the fall and the defending champion Miami Hurricanes were runaway winners. But the next few spots were much closer. Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida and FSU all received plenty of support. And, of course, there were some long shots picks as well. Below are a sampling of comments for a variety of teams.
Hurricane warning Bucky Allen Valdosta, Ga.
Miami will be No. 1 and should be until someone beats them. Fine words for a life long 'NOLE fan, huh?? Dirk Stauffer Ft. Wayne, Ind.
The Miami Hurricanes. Ken Dorsey! Ken Dorsey! and Ken Dorsey! Chris Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Miami is the obvious choice for No. 1. I realize that they lost some great players (Portis, Reed, Buchanon, etc.), but until someone stops the longest winning streak in the county they are still No. 1. Ken Dorsey and Andre Johnson are going to be burning people all year and they still have one of the best linebackers in the county in Jonathan Vilma. I know they have a tough schedule, but I still think they are going to end up in the Fiesta Bowl and win their second straight national championship. GO CANES!!! Adam Lewis Philadelphia
Miami should be the No. 1 team heading into the fall season. They ride a 22-game winning streak and until another team can beat them they should hold onto the No. 1 spot. They will by far have the best defensive front 7 in the country which should help the young defensive backs. Look for Miami and Oklahoma to battle it out in Tempe this year. Michael Tampa, Fla.
Is this even a logical question? Mr. Dorsey, meet Mr. Heisman. No team in the nation could come close to matching up with Miami's talent. They had 11 players drafted by the NFL and are still deeper than any team in the land. And strength of schedule will not even be a question this season with Florida, Tennessee, FSU, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Boston College lined up for warmups for the national championship. And this is only the beginning of a dynasty led by Larry Coker. Ryan Moore West Palm Beach, Fla.
Is it time for Texas? The Texas Longhorns are the No. 1 team by far. This is the Year of the Longhorn. With Major Applewhite gone, Chris Simms will be able to relax and show everyone why he was the most heavily recruited quarterback in a long time. Simms will have the best receivers in all of college football with Roy Williams, B.J Johnson, and Bo Scaife. Add in a lethal running game led by sophomore stud Cedric Benson, and you have the most explosive offense in all of college football. Throw in a defense that was ranked in the Top 2 last year and you have a team that will give opponents in the Big 12 nightmares. Mack will finally get over the hump this year! Hook 'em Horns! Can't wait for Red River Shootout! It's payback time! Chris Waco, Texas
The eyes of everyone are upon Texas, and they will emerge No. 1. They've had the talent the last couple of years -- now they have the chemistry too. Tough enough schedule, but it doesn't hurt that UT plays a Crouch-less Nebraska, an OU team minus an OC and a soft K-State team. Hook 'Em. Aron Dallas
Well, being from the Lone Star state my heart lies in Texas. And finally I think the 'Horns have a great chance of running the table for the national championship. Chris Simms can finally play without the worries of Major Applewhite. Last year, I felt he pressed to much in big games. He knew if he screwed up Major would be in. I think that hurt Simms, knowing he could not make a mistake. This year should be different. He is the man -- the only man -- it's his team to lead. The Horns have plenty of talent at the skill positions and the defense should be fine as well. With Simms having full control and the receivers to make big plays look for the 'Horns to make some noise this year. I would like to see Texas vs Miami in the national championship game. Joseph Matthews Center, Texas
TEXAS! Obviously, this could be deemed as a biased opinion since I live in the state, but it's pretty hard to argue. One of the best receiving corps in the country, super soph running back Cedric Benson, super soph LB Derrick Johnson anchoring the best defense in the country and again the magic of Mack in the recruiting war. The only legitimate question left is, can they stay there? Can Chris Simms shake the label of good, but not good enough to win the big one? That remains to be seen. But you'd be pretty hard pressed to find another roster in America that is stacked from top to bottom as the Longhorns are. Jeremy Waco, Texas
Seminoles on the war path This year Ol' Bobby jumps back on the horse with another national title. The Seminoles return seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Don't ever count out Bobby. Christian Summers Atlantic Beach, Fla.
Watch out for Florida State! They'll be looking to get back on top in the college football world. They're young, hungry, and really ticked off about not winning the ACC and not finishing in the top 5 overall. Bobby will have the boys fired up to win some dag gum ballgames. Justin Mazzetti Jacksonville, Fla.
Good ol' Rocky Top Tennessee will garner the No. 1 ranking this fall due to their returning skill positions. The combination of Clausen, Witten, and Washington will prove to be too much for opposing defenses. And don't get too worried about lack of experience at tailback. RBs are a dime a dozen at UT. Watch them plug in any of their young guns and turn them into an All-SEC selection. The O-line is experienced and deep. Yes, the offense will have to protect a young, inexperienced defense at first, but by the end of the season Tennessee will have earned coach Fulmer his second National Title. Brian Young Tucson, Ariz.
Tennessee should be preseason number one in 2002. Why? Kelley Washington is maybe the most talented wide-receiver the program has ever seen, and yes...that's impressive. Remember Willie Gault? Exactly. Our defense is maturing, our running game...well it's the Tennessee running game, and our outlook in the SEC got a lot brighter now that Mr. Spurrier is a Redskin. And finally...The Schedule, we have what amounts to 9 home games (7 in Knoxville, 2 in Nashville). The Homecoming game 11/9 against Miami -- yes, homecoming against the Hurricanes -- could send us back to the national championship. God, are you listening? Blake Patterson Nashville, Tenn.
With Florida down, the only team to stand in their way will be Miami. Tennessee will win that game with the home field advantage. By the Miami game, Tennessee's defensive front should have jelled and their young offensive backs will have experience. Casey Clausen is as good as Manning and can lead them now with his experience. I don't think an SEC championship game will be another let down for them and they will be competitive with anyone in a national championship game. Ryan Bethesda, Md.
Boomer Sooner Not even a question. It's has to be the University of Oklahoma. Without the unfortunate casualty of Jason White last year, OU could have finished No. 1 last year. Of course that's just speculation, but who would dispute it? With a healthy White at quarterback, and possibly a future NFL star at backup, OU will be primed to explode on offense this year. Coupled with that is the best defense in the nation. I know Miami will be tough, but the coaching staff will be the difference. Go Sooners!!!!! Michael Hall Tulsa, Okla.
I think Oklahoma will land the No. 1 ranking. With Jason White back at QB and a defense that some people say is better than last year's (which is scary). They have all there skill positions back and a revamped O-line. Not to mention they moved Chuck Long to offensive coordinator who promises a more balanced attack. Brian Martin Dallas
Oklahoma Sooners will be No. 1. The defense will be very good and the offense will be a lot better this year. The starting quarterback last year might be third string this year. That weakness last year will now be a strength this year. The only setback for them this year will be a tough schedule. If they played in the ACC (Almost Competitive Conference), they would be a shoe in to win it all. Kenny Gerald Fort Mill, S.C.
Oklahoma: 1.Defense (2nd to none) 2.Jason White (1 of last years missing pieces) 3.Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops (best 1-2 punch in CFB) 4.New look to running game (Griffin will reap benefits) 5. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule Lance Phoenix, Ariz.
Gators still packing a bite Florida can be the surprise team this year -- a revamped offense that builds upon Spurrier's great system will be more balanced and spread defenses even more than the previous years. Todd Minnesota
Florida! Florida! Florida! They still have a very strong team with Grossman on offense and Farrior on defense.They have a new system and I believe they will do great. Last but not least, a pretty good staff that is going to lead them all the way. Adam Brown Tampa, Fla.
The best of the rest Louisville Cardinals, best defense in the country, BAR NONE. Best QB in the country BAR NONE! Bill Vaovasa Louisville
Marshall, Is there any doubt, The BEST QB in the country, the BEST three receivers in the country (all over 1,000 yards last season) an offensive line that is returning four starters. A talented group of running backs. A defensive that has gotten rid of its weakest link. Yes, Max "I can make a thousand tackles ten yards down field" Yates...Oh, I almost forgot, Bob Pruett for President and all of those great fans..... We are... Marshall... I must ask you something "Whose got a HERD-ON? I got a HERD-ON!!!!!!! Patrick J. Donovan Charleston, W.V.
Alabama, because they are due. Thomas Doyle Philadelphia
Ohio State. They will shock all the college football world and win all the big games on their schedule. Yes, including Michigan for the second consecutive year. Go Bucks. Jon Cooper Erie, Mich.
I think that Oregon will be the surprise team that should be No. 1. Although Joey Harrington is gone, they have most of their defense returning, a 1,000 yard rusher returning, and all of their receivers coming back. They will be great! Phil Jackson Salem, Ore.
Georgia. The returning starters are proven and very talented. The talent of the new comers could help, and the fact the SEC is free of the ol' ball coach is a plus in the Dawg's favor. I believe Greene could be the best quarterback in the SEC and his backup could be a close second or replace him if needed. Shockley is a stud. Roy Walden Wildwood, Ga.
Notre Dame because of Tyrone Willingham. He is the best coach in the country and will lead them to the top. Carlyle Holiday is the next Michael Vick and Julius Jones will have a huge season. GO GOLD AND BLUE!!! Ryan Hoffman Pennsylvania
The Oregon State Beavers will be a surprise team this year and here's why...the defense could be one of the fastest in the country like the 99-00 team because of Erickson's speed philosophy, and I think they'll win the Pac-10 with an astonishing record like the Ducks last year. Nick Williams Euless, Texas
Beware of Tyrone Willingham and the golden helmets of the Irish. T.J. Jenkins Albuquerque, N.M.
Nebraska.....because we have the "Lord" on our side! D.A. Dale Columbia, Md.
Washington State. Jason Gesser is one year older and has a deeper receiver corps to work with. Additions such as Devard Darling, WR from Florida State, and Jermaine Green, RB, JC transfer, make the Cougs a preseason favorite. Let's not forget that last year's team lost a tight game to Oregon in miserable weather, and lost at Washington with Gesser playing the game with a broken wrist. And last of all, the greatest college football mind of our generation, Kirk Herbstreit, knows what Mike Price has in his hat. Jeff Greenwood Scottsdale, Ariz. |
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