10 Guys that’ll make Chris Fowler randy

Player of the Week is as much of a college football tradition as cheerleaders, corndogs and those annoying little shakers. We at LWS love tradition, which is why we will be doing a Player of the Week segment every week this year. At the end of the year we will also present the Big Hairy American Winning Machine Award, in place of the much-maligned Hypesman Trophy. This will go to the player who truly pisses the most excellence throughout the year instead of just whoever ESPN gives the most face time to like that other trophy they give out in New York. Anyway, here’s a pre-season Top 10 playmakers, guys to keep an eye on as the season goes along (note that these are all offense, since I’m a lazy bastard and it is easier to keep track of).

In no particular order:

1. Ray Rice, RB Rutgers – Set a Big East rushing record last year in his second straight 1,000 yard rushing season. The question is, can he keep Rutgers on the national scene?
2. Mike Hart, RB Michigan – Quietly keeps Michigan on the map. Sure Mario Manningham and Chad Henne are sexier picks, but Hart is the big hoss in Michigan’s offense and is much better than he’s made out to be.
3. Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas – The best player in the nation. Hands down. Any questions?
4. Brian Brohm, QB Louisville – Probably the best QB in the NCAA this year. Accurate, strong-armed, and consistant. Has to work with a new offensive system but he’s smart enough to get it done. Besides, Steve Kragthorpe’s offense is a perfect fit here.
5. Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii – Will most likely set a new NCAA passing record this year. He takes June Jones’ high-flying offense to new levels – but against the WAC. Can people take him seriously against mid-major competition?
6. Colt McCoy, QB Texas – Exceeded everybody’s expectations in his freshman year. Some said he has potential to be better than Vince Young. Will he have the patented “sophomore slump”?
7. Brandon Ore, RB Virginia Tech – Quiet leader of VaTech’s offense. He will have to take the load this year with indecisions at QB.
8. Steve Slaton, RB West Virginia – Second-best RB in the nation. Slaton is one of the biggest play-makers on the east coast. Has to share carries with Pat White, but that hasn’t shown to be a problem so far.
9. Erik Ainge, QB Tennessee – Made a complete 180 last year turning into the SEC’s best returning QB. There are questions at receiver that will give Ainge pause early on. His final numbers may be deceiving because of that inexperience, but it won’t be because Ainge made the wrong decisions or didn’t get the ball where it needs to be.
10. Ian Johnson, RB Boise St – Led the NCAA in touchdowns last season along with leading Boise State to an undefeated season. Like Brennan, his numbers come against weaker competition but they don’t lie – he’s that good.

And 10 that just missed the cut

1. DeSean Jackson, WR California – Small receiver that plays against PAC-10 defenses. Nuff said.
2. Andre Woodson, QB Kentucky – Like Ainge, made great strides under a new QB coach (Randy Sanders?!). Can he keep it up or was it a one-hit wonder?
3. Adarius Bowman, WR Oklahoma St – The best (potentially) receiver in the nation plays for a middling Big 12 team. He’ll make the plays, but you’ll never hear about them.
4. Tashard Choice, RB Georgia Rech – Led the ACC in rushing despite having Calvin Johnson steal the spotlight. Can he carry Tech’s offense this year without a passing game to back him up?
5. Pat White, QB West Virginia – Honestly, wouldn’t be as big a name without Slaton to occupy opposing defenses. Not a complete passer, but can make enough plays with his legs since everybody’s watching #10.
6. Yvenson Bernard, RB Oregon St – A good back not only rushing but receiving out of the backfield as well. Another great player buried on a middling team.
7. Percy Harvin, WR Florida – The “next great playmaker” spent a good part of last season hurt. Can Tim Tebow get him the ball? Will he follow his teammates’ examples and end up in jail? (probably won’t matter, Herban will play him anyway)
8. John David Booty, QB USC West – The opposite of Bernard and Bowman. A decent player made good by his teammates. He wouldn’t be on any Heisman lists if he wasn’t the QB for the most talented team in the nation.
9. Chad Henne, QB Michigan – Has to beat Ohio State. Period.
10. Mario Manningham, WR Michigan – Proved himself as the NCAA’s top deep threat last year, then hurt his knee. Can he get back to his previous form?