Offensive Unit Rankings

H-towngreen · August 8, 2005

Collegefootballnews.com came out with their offnsive unit rankings. UNT was ahead of most the belt in every catagory.

These are out of all 119 teams

Offensive Line: 102

Receivers: 95

Quarterbacks: 104

Running Backs: 4

Overall: 68

I was a little surprised that they had our overall offense ranked that high considering we were ranked so low in everything except runningback.

meangreenfreak · August 8, 2005

Collegefootballnews.com came out with their offnsive unit rankings. UNT was ahead of most the belt in every catagory.
These are out of all 119 teams
Offensive Line: 102
Receivers: 95
Quarterbacks: 104
Running Backs: 4
Overall: 68
I was a little surprised that they had our overall offense ranked that high considering we were ranked so low in everything except runningback.
←

Its an average. That 4 makes a huge impact.

MeanGreen61 · August 8, 2005

Link

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Default.htm

1. USC

Not only does USC have a loaded 1-2 punch in Reggie Bush and LenDale White, it has a spare in Desmond Reed. The backfield is so good that it won't even miss Hershel Dennis, who'll miss the season getting over a knee injury. The fullbacks are also talented with the return of Brandon Hancock giving the Trojans yet another do-it-all back.

2. Oklahoma

Considering all the fireworks the Sooner offense put up through the air, finishing sixth in the nation in rushing is more than a little impressive. Adrian Peterson is one of the best pro prospects in college football with workhorse ability and first-pick-overall type skills. Now he needs some more help as he ran it 339 times even with Kejuan Jones getting 129 carries of work. The passing game won't be able to take the heat off like last year, so don't expect the Sooners to rush for 2,709 yards again despite having the Big XII's best backs. Fullback J.D. Runnels is an unheralded blocker and a fine receiver.

3. LSU

While this is one of the best backfields in college football, there are a few concerns. It would be nice if Justin Vincent could break out of his funk and be the back that dominated as a freshman. Alley Broussard, and his bruising running style, has to prove he can hold up for a full season. It's nitpicking; this is a loaded corps with several NFL caliber options and two wonderful fullbacks. Considering the success Les Miles had with running backs at Oklahoma State, look for a ton of production out of this group.

4. North Texas

For the first time in college football history, two NCAA rushing champions will be on the same team. Thoughts of using both Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas in the same backfield at the same time have been nixed, so look for a steady, frightening rotation of the two keeping each fresh. Even if both go down, there's still talent with Kevin Moore and James Mitchell able to step up. UNT should be able to rush for 2,500 yards.

5. Georgia

No team in America has as many great backs as Georgia can boast with five that would start just about anywhere else. Expect a rotation to keep everyone fresh, but the dream is for sophomore Danny Ware to be healthy for a full season and use his breathtaking skills add a boost to the attack. Catching the ball is a must for all of the backs, and they can all be used in the passing game. Kregg Lumpkin will quickly rise up the depth chart once he's able to prove he's 100% after a knee injury, but it'll be hard to decrease the workload for Ware, Thomas Brown and Tyson Browning.

6. Northern Illinois

NIU has the nation's most productive returning 1-2 rushing combinations in Garrett Wolfe and A.J. Harris. Not only did NIU run the ball 550 times for 2,858 yards, it lost one fumble. One. The only concern is health as the two stars get banged up, but they'll be unstoppable when their healthy. Don't expect much in the way of two-back sets as each star will get his chance to shine.

7. Connecticut

If Terry Caulley is the same back he was in 2003 before his knee injury, UConn will have one of the nation's best 1-2 rushing punches. Cornell Brockington was last year's Big East rushing champion and is more than good enough to handle the whole workload, but Caulley is a special sparkplug that can make a good rushing attack something amazing. Soon-to-be four year starter Deon Anderson is one of the best fullbacks in America able to do a little of everything well. The overall depth is promising with some big young backs waiting in the wings. The rating is assuming Caulley is 100%.

8. Fresno State

The Fresno State ground attack steamrolled over the hapless WAC teams and moved on Virginia's loaded defense. When Dwayne Wright returns from his horrible knee injury, the Bulldogs will have three 1,000-yard backs (fine, so Wendell Mathis only ran for 995 last year) to work with. There's no reason for this group not to lead the way to another top 15 finish in rushing offense. Roshon Vercher might be the nation's best blocking fullback.

9. Minnesota

The early departure of Marion Barber III to the NFL takes away 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, but there shouldn't be much of a hiccup in the team's rushing production with Heisman candidate Laurence Maroney getting more carries and Amir Pinnix looking ready to step up and be a major factor. The combination of Pinnix and Gary Russell will be able to give Maroney plenty of breaks. The fullback situation is good with Justin Valentine able to do a little bit of everything and Jason Lamers a rising blocker.

10. Florida State

The 1-2 punch of Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker have as much promise as any combination in the country. Now Washington has to prove he can stay healthy for a full year, while Booker has to be as good as his prep press clippings. Originally hailed as the next Warrick Dunn, Booker hasn't shown any of the same power or toughness, but he's impossible to catch in the open field. Washington could grow into one of the nation's best backs by the end of the year with the type of talent to carry the Nole offense on his back. The fullback situation is fantastic with James Coleman and B.J. Dean a tremendous pair.

Edited August 8, 2005 by MeanGreen61

UNTFan23 · August 8, 2005

Collegefootballnews.com came out with their offnsive unit rankings. UNT was ahead of most the belt in every catagory.
These are out of all 119 teams
Offensive Line: 102
Receivers: 95
Quarterbacks: 104
Running Backs: 4
Overall: 68
I was a little surprised that they had our overall offense ranked that high considering we were ranked so low in everything except runningback.
←

I think our receiving corps is underrated.

UNTLifer · August 8, 2005

4. North Texas
For the first time in college football history, two NCAA rushing champions will be on the same team. Thoughts of using both Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas in the same backfield at the same time have been nixed, so look for a steady, frightening rotation of the two keeping each fresh. Even if both go down, there's still talent with Kevin Moore and James Mitchell able to step up. UNT should be able to rush for 2,500 yards.

DD's nixed the idea of putting both in the backfield together? Where does CFN.com get their info. We haven't even started fall practices, so I would assume this decision hasn't been made.

H-towngreen · August 8, 2005

It would be stupid if we didn't have the two of them in the backfield together in a few different packages.

Shof · August 8, 2005

Its an average. That 4 makes a huge impact.
←

I think the QB issue is the greatest unknown for you guys; otherwise you may have been ranked even higher overall. Glad to see the Cajuns get a good QB rating (61); but the rest is a big question mark. OL should be good; but not much depth. Receivers are young.......ditto the RBs. We're hoping someone (one of the new frosh?) can step up at RB and give us something to cheer about. Its been too long since we've had a really good RB. I'm definitely ready for football season to start (minus that little game in Austin on the 3rd of Sep )

Shof

NT80 · August 8, 2005

Collegefootballnews.com came out with their offnsive unit rankings. UNT was ahead of most the belt in every catagory.
These are out of all 119 teams
Offensive Line: 102
Receivers: 95
Quarterbacks: 104
Running Backs: 4
Overall: 68
I was a little surprised that they had our overall offense ranked that high considering we were ranked so low in everything except runningback.
←

I'm surprised we're ranked 104 at QB. I like our players potential but we have zero (0) college experience. Has any other team in the history of college football ever had NO college qb experience? How bad are the teams at qb 105-119?

UNTLifer · August 8, 2005

I'm surprised at the OL being ranked 102.

mad dog · August 8, 2005

Well, forget the idea of not using them at the same time. I saw a two-back gun set used a lot during the spring, with Patrick motioning out to the slot. They'll be in the backfield together, but they'll also be alternating to keep both of them fresh, too.