Sports Illustrated Preseason Preview

SI's Top 10

1. LSU
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Clemson
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida State
8. Illinois
9. Virginia Tech
10. Wisconsin

All American Picks Snub Ponder, Lee

The latest Sports Illustrated Issue to hit the stands saw the release of their Pre-season All American team. In somewhat of a surprise move, the magazine picked Jimmy Clausen as their choice at QB. However, at least one player from each RUTS team made the list, with both LSU and FSU having 2 choices

QB - Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
HB - Demarco Murry, Oklahoma
FB - Quentin Castille, Nebraska
TE - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
WR - Terrance Tolliver, LSU
WR - Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
OT - Butch Lewis, USC
OT - Ramone Johnson, Tennessee
OG - Michael Huey, Texas
OG - Markice Pouncey, Florida
C - Ryan McMahon, Florida State

DE - Allen Bailey, Michigan
DE - Eric Latimore, Penn State
DT - Dexter Larimore, Ohio State
DT - Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson
OLB - Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
OLB - Ross Human - Ohio State
MLB - Nigel Bradham - Florida State
SS - Eric Berry, Tennessee
FS - Major Wright, Florida
CB - Donovan Warren, Michigan
CB - Boubacar Cissoko, Michigan

K - Kai Forbath - UCLA
P - Rob Long - Syracuse

LSU, Clemson Picked to Repeat

SI also Ranked its top teams in each conference, and to no one's surprise, a pair of of Tigers topped the tally for the ACC and the SEC. The Magazine also expects Oklahoma to upset RUTS teams Texas and Nebraska to take the Big12 title.

ACC - Clemson
Big 12 - Oklahoma
Big East - Pittsburgh
Big 10 - Ohio State
Pac 10 - USC
SEC - LSU

Freshmen Impress in Two-a-Days

The rumor around campus is that a few newcomers will be appearing in the starting lineup this week for our RUTS teams. OT Jon Dodson may get the start for the Florida Gators against the 2-time defending National Champion Clemson Tigers. He will have a tough matchup as he immediately draws last season's Lombardi award winning DE DaQuan Bowers. Bowers seemed ready to welcome the JUCO Transfer to RUTS, stating "This ain't no **** tea party, brah. That boy ain't seen my speed."

Much was made of coach zeejaydee's haul of Defensive linemen is last years recruiting class. Texas brought in 5 Defensive linemen ranked in the Rivals top 100. The group has been dubbed by one local reporter as the "Rio Grandes." In his Tuesday press conference, coach zeejaydee told the media that Freshman Richard Leonard would get the start at DE, and that it was possible that all five newcomers could avoid the redshirt. He stated, "we saw what happened with Clemson, LSU, and Miami. We want to send a message here at Texas that the youngsters will get a chance to play right away."

Word has also spread that LSU may be starting a couple of true freshmen on offense. RB Ernest Underwood has split time with Richard Murphy, and may push the senior to FB. At the WR spot, true freshman Mark Ford has been lining up in the slot, and returning kicks. WR Marcus Medlock, a JUCO transfer with 3 years of eligibility, could lineup opposite preseason All American Terrance Tolliver. Redshirt Freshman Eric James has also taken snaps with the first unit at Left Tackle.

At Florida State, two talented Freshmen receivers will see playing time as targets for Heisman hopeful Christian Ponder. Blake Beck and Greg Talley will take over at WR for coach CJohnChavis who stated "we hope we can get a level of production from the two new guys to match, well come close to matching, what Parker did for us."

Most reports out of Nebraska and Miami have coaches ccut and StuBucksman leaning on veteran players coming out of two-a-days. However, Freshman RT Dave Quinn may have earned a starting job for the Hurricanes.

Rivals100.com Recruiting Report

Preseason Recruiting Outlook


Rivals.com has released its preseason recruiting rankings. The news is good for the Texas Longhorns as 8 of the top 100 are listed at Texas leans. Only USC, which has nine leans, bests Texas in this category. Other RUTS schools FSU (3 leans), LSU (2 leans), Florida (2 leans), and Nebraska (1 lean), also are hoping for a fast start. Coach CJohnChavis got the ball rolling for the Seminoles by securing commitments from 5-Star prospects Sam Carey (OT) and Charles Gonzalez (DE), along with 4-Star prep star, Ben McIntire (FS). LSU made waves one day later by securing an early commitment from the nation's top ranked player, Nicholas Parker. Rivals also released an early outlook for its top 10 prospects:

1. Nicholas Parker, OLB - Bastrop, LA (Committed to LSU)
2. Kyle Bonds, ATH - Athens, AL (Florida, FSU, Auburn)
3. Marcus Robinson, WR - Timberlane, LA (Texas, LSU, Clemson)
4. Mike Evans, OLB - Batavia, NY (Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas)
5. Danny Scott, SS - Brownwood, TX (Texas, LSU, Texas A&M)
6. Eric Benjamin, ATH - Orland Park, IL (Mizzouri, Louisville, Illinois)
7. Keith Freeney, FS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA (USC, Fresno State, Ohio State)
8. Cole Marshall, ATH - North Naples, FL (Florida, Miami, Auburn)
9. Sam Carey, OT - Cottonwood, AZ (Committed to FSU)
10. Quinton Holt, CB - Palestine, TX (Texas, Texas A&M, LSU)