Cedric Benson, Texas RB At 6 feet, 205 pounds, Benson is built to take a pounding. Last season, he became the first freshman in Texas history to rush for more than 1,000 yards before suffering a bruised nerve in the Big 12 title game.

Ken Dorsey, Miami QB Dorsey is 26-1 as a starter, led the Hurricanes to their fifth national title last season and set the school record for career touchdown passes (58). He should own the school's passing yardage record by midseason.

Rex Grossman, Florida QB Grossman led the nation in 2001 with a passing efficiency rating of 170.8, and although wide-outs Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell left early for the NFL and Steve Spurrier is coaching there, Grossman is poised to do some major damage.

Andre Johnson, Miami WR The 6-3, 227-pound junior has it all: size, strength, breakaway speed, great hands. Ten of his 37 regular-season receptions went for scores last year, and he elevated his game in the Rose Bowl with seven catches for 199 yards.

Byron Leftwich, Marshall QB Leftwich could lead the Thundering Herd into Top 10 territory. Last season, he completed 67 percent of his passes, throwing for 38 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Onterrio Smith, Oregon RB Smith cracked the 1,000-yard mark last year as a backup and will be a focal point of the Ducks' offense. Oregon has enough receiving weapons to keep defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage.