The Perfect Player

Every now and then a perfect player comes along that can do everything right. Just like Tim Tebow. However, for the most part, no matter how good a player is, there is always a certain area that he has a weakness in.

I want to play the mad scientist for a minute and create the perfect player. Since I am a genius, one day I may be able to find a way to concoct such a player. Until then, here is what I'm looking for.

I'll break down the positions into 5 categories that I feel are essential to that position.

Quarterback

Mobility - Pat White, West Virginia. There has been a very large influx of dual threat quarterbacks in CFB recently. None have been more mobile than Mr. White. The guy is more of a threat running the ball than he is passing it. Appalachian St.'s Armanti Edwards was a close second.

Arm Strength - Matthew Stafford, Georgia. You knew this kid was going to have a strong arm when we found out his favorite hobby is keg slinging. If I were Mark Richt, whenever I wanted to give Knowshon Moreno a break, I would just call all go routes.

Accuracy - Rudy Carpenter, Arizona St. The Sun Devils burst back into the national scene last season. One of the main reasons for their insurgence was the precision passing of QB Rudy Carpenter. This guy is NFL ready right now.

Decision Making - Sam Bradford, Oklahoma. Last year, Bradford only threw 8 interceptions for the Sooners. One of the reasons why he should be a Heisman contender this season is his decision making while in the pocket. Oklahoma should have a better running game this season, which would help out Bradford tremendously.

"It" Factor - Tim Tebow, Florida. No other position in football requires the "it" factor more than the QB position. There's just something about Tebow that makes him special. Urban Meyer is not that far off when he says that Tim may be one of the best college football players ever.



Running Back

Speed - Chris Rainey, Florida. Rainey may be one of the fastest football players in America. He will share time with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody this season in the Gator backfield. However, don't be surprised if he's getting more carries as the season goes on.

Power - Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M. Lane is a beast. He's bigger than some of the Aggie offensive linemen. While some of his carries will be lost to Mike Goodson this season, there is still no running back in America I would rather have in short yardage situations than Lane.

Vision - James Davis, Clemson. No one is better at the art of cut-backs than James Davis. This guy is amazing. Every time I watch Clemson play, Davis pulls off an incredible run where he finds a hole on the opposite side of the field than no one else could find. He's definite NFL talent.

Elusiveness - Noel Devine, West Virginia. Devine is another running back that is in the same mold as James Davis. He is great at the cut-back run and is very hard to tackle. It doesn't hurt Devine's cause that he is so tiny. It's hard to find him coming out of the backfield.

Durability - Chris Wells, Ohio St. Beanie Wells is the prototypical hard nosed Big Ten running back. He will be the workhorse of the Buckeye offense this season. Good thing for Ohio St. Wells is one tough s.o.b.



Wide Receiver

Hands - Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech. Michael Crabtree may have the best hand is all of America. Crabtree and QB Graham Harrell form a very dangerous combo for the Red Raiders. Crabtree can pretty much catch anything you throw his way.

Speed - Jeremy Maclin, Missouri. It took every thing in my power not to make the homer pick and chose Percy Harvin for this category. Harvin's injury will slow him down a little this season and Maclin has world class speed. He can really stretch a defense in a hurry.

Break Tackles - Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina. Nicks doesn't get nearly the respect he deserves. Whenever the Tar Heels needed a play last season they went to Nicks. I've seen him break tackle after tackle to get the extra yardage necessary for a first down.

Blocking - Brian Robiskie, Ohio St. One of the more overlooked aspects of a wide receivers game is his blocking ability. This is a critical part to an offense's success. Robiskie is a very solid blocker at the wide receiver position. When he's not making plays for himself, he'll be clearing the way for Chris Wells in the open field.

Big Play Ability - Arrelious Benn, Illinois. Benn flashed signs of greatness last season. I expect him to make even more big plays this season. Benn is sort of like a cross between Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. He has the body like T.O., but he'll go up and get anything like Moss.

The top 25 players: Big 10

OK all you Big Eleven fans. I'm listing the top 25 players from your beloved conference now.

Of course, all of these players would be bench warmers in the almighty SEC.

So here are the top players from the Midwestern Athletic League, aka the Big 10.

1. Chris Wells - Ohio St. RB - Beanie should be a Heisman Award finalist this season. Usually, being a RB at Ohio St. comes with a lot of pressure. The same is true for Wells this season. I don't remember a talent like his at the tailback position for the Buckeyes since Eddie George.

2. Arrelious Benn - Illinois WR - I've taken a lot of heat for rating Benn so high previously. Well, I'm doing it again. Benn is one of the more talented players in America, and if he plays up to his capabilities, he could be a dark horse Heisman candidate.

3. James Laurinaitis - Ohio St. LB - Laurinaitis is one of the better defensive players in the nation. He will be looking to start in his third straight national title game for the Buckeyes this season.

4. P.J. Hill - Wisconsin RB - Hill didn't really live up to his expectations last season. This year, the Badgers have a loaded backfield. I think that will motivate Hill and get him playing the way he should be.

5. Greg Middleton - Indiana DL - Not too many people know about Middleton's talents. It's not his fault he plays in Bloomington. The Hoosiers, and Middleton, will be looking to garner more recognition this season.

6. Malcolm Jenkins - Ohio St. DB - Jenkins is one of the better cover corners in the country. His play will determine how successful the Buckeyes defense will be. There was a giant sigh of relief in Columbus when Jenkins decided to return to school.

7. Juice Williams - Illinois QB - Juice is in charge of getting the ball to all-world talent Arrelious Benn. Williams to Benn could develop into the best pass/catch duo in the nation.

8. Vontae Davis - Illinois DB - If not for Jenkins at Ohio St., Davis would be the best NFL ready prospect in any defensive backfield.

9. Alex Boone - Ohio St. OL - Boone is expected to really emerge along OSU's offensive line this season. He gets to run block for Beanie as well as pass protect for QB Todd Boeckman.

10. Maurice Evans - Penn St. DL - If Penn St. wishes to have a successful season this year, they will need to rely on their defense.

11. Will Davis - Illinois DL - You know you are on a good team when you're not even the best player with your last name on your unit.

12. Kellen Lewis - Indiana QB - I may be rating Lewis a little too high on this list. Especially if his academic issues aren't worked out and he doesn't play for the Hoosiers this season.

13. Todd Boeckman - Ohio St. QB - Boeckman will have to repeat last season's successes if he wants to quarterback the Buckeyes back to the NC.

14. Mitch King - Iowa DL this season. I am really glad Kirk - King is one of the few things that look to be good for the HawkeyesFerentz wasn't hired by the Gators when they went looking for a HC.

15. Javon Ringer - Michigan St. RB - If Ringer and the Spartans can cut down on their turnovers, they should greatly improve as a team this season. Mark Dantonio will have Michigan St. fans expecting the best.

16. Jonathan Casillas - Wisconsin LB - Casillas is easily the best Big Eleven linebacker not on the Buckeyes' roster.

17. Terrance Taylor - Michigan DL - I can't believe it took this long to list a Wolverine player. RR is in for a challenge this season.

18. Curtis Painter - Purdue QB - The venerable QB will play out of his mind this season to send HC Joe Tiller out on a high note. Painter is just the latest in a long line of successful Purdue QB's.

19. Brian Robiskie - Ohio St. WR - There is nothing real flashy about Robiskie's game. He is a very solid possession receiver. QB T odd Boeckman will consistently look to Brian when a play has to be made.

20. Kraig Urbik - Wisconsin OL - Urbik will have to battle off injuries to play up to his capabilities. If he can, the Badgers running games is that much more dangerous.

21. Matt Shaughnessy - Wisconsin DL - Shaughnessy is in the same position as Urbik is. When healthy, Matt is one of the best defensive linemen in the country.

22. Derrick Williams - Penn St. WR - I am really hoping Williams finally has his break out season this year. If not, I will look like a total jackass. I've been touting Williams all off season.

23. Marcus Thigpen - Indiana RB - If QB Kellen Lewis doesn't start the season for the Hoosiers, Thigpen will be a major factor in the offense. Good thing for the Hoosiers that Thigpen is durable.

24. Marcus Freeman - Ohio St. LB - Freeman might be the fastest linebacker in the conference. I know that's kind of like my friend Cletus saying he has more teeth than any other Alabama fan.

25. Kory Sheets - Purdue RB - Sheets will have a say in how Tiller goes out as HC at Purdue. Boilermaker running backs are always overlooked and Sheets is no exception.

Because somebody's gotta catch the damn Ball!: Top 25 Receivers

Wide Receiver is probably my favorite position on a football team. Jerry "Jesus In Cleats" Rice is my all-time favorite athlete and I'm always excited to see a new crop of receivers join my favorite teams.

I made a couple of reaches for this list, but since my knowledge of college football is unsurpassed, it's safe to assume I'm correct as usual.

1.Arrelious Benn-I've said all off-season that Juice Williams to Benn is the best QB-WR combo outside of Florida. With the departure of Rashard Mendenhall, I expect the Illini offense to open up even more.

2.Michael Crabtree-Crabtree tops most everyone's list for top WR. I believe he will put up better numbers than Benn, but since he is at Texas Tech I knock him down a notch.

3.Percy Harvin-Harvin is more elusive than any other receiver, and he will definitely run the ball more than anyone on this list. His dual threat ability makes him one of the best.

4.Brandon LaFell-LaFell returns to anchor a solid LSU receiving corps. Along with Demetrius Byrd, Lafell will be a part of one of the better duos in the country.

5.Vidal Hazelton-Of course a USC receiver was going to make the top 5. Hazelton made some pretty spectacular plays last season, and I expect more of the same from him this year.

6.Hakeem Nicks-This North Carolina receiver is my biggest sleeper on this list. Every Tar Heel game I watched last year included an amazing play from Mr. Nicks.

7.Aaron Kelly-Kelly will put up huge numbers at Clemson this season. I still can't believe the Tigers struggled last season with the likes of Kelly, Cullen Harper, James Davis and C.J. Spiller on offense.

8.Patrick Turner-Turner is the second Trojan to make the top 10. One more reason why USC will be dangerous once again this season.

9.Jarret Dillard-Not much is going right for Rice football lately. Dillard is the exception. He has been the most consistent receiver in the country over the past 3 seasons.

10.Juaquin Iglesias-Iglesias should see his touches dramatically increase with the departure of Malcolm Kelly. The Sooners will look to run the ball a little more this season, but that shouldn't hinder his production.

11.Brennan Marion-Marion averaged over 31 yards a reception last season for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. I don't care who you're playing against, that's impressive!

12.Jeremy Maclin-Besides Chase Daniel, Maclin is the most valuable player for the Missouri Tigers. He will be looked more to on the offensive side of the ball this season, while he will continue to man the return duties in the kicking game.

13.Mohammed Massaquoi-Knowshon Moreno is the key for Georgia, but it doesn't hurt to have a talent like Massaquoi at the receiver position.

14.Bryan Anderson-Anderson should help lead the Central Michigan Chippewas to another MAC title this season.

15.Brian Robiskie-Robiskie is often overlooked on the Ohio St. offense. Despite this, Boeckman to Robiskie is becoming a daunting tandem for opposing defenses.

16.Quan Cosby-This might be another reach for my list, but I just don't see how a Texas Longhorn doesn't make it on here. I look for Cosby to continue the tradition of talented receivers in Austin.

17.Dante Love-Nate Davis and Dante Love are quietly becoming the deadliest duo in the nation at Ball St. If they can get some help look for the Cardinals to give Central Michigan a run for their money.

18.Kenny McKinley-McKinley is the leading returning receiver in the SEC this season. If Spurrier can get the QB situation worked out in Columbia, McKinley should have an even bigger year.

19.Brandon Gibson-Gibson is easily the most talented player left behind for Paul Wulff at Washington State. This guy would be a household name if he played in the Big Eleven.

20.Trae Johnson-Tulsa joins USC as the only schools with two receivers on this list. That just goes to show you the type of talent they have had recently. Johnson actually led the Golden Hurricane in receiving last season.

21.Derrick Williams-Every year I predict Williams to have a huge season at Penn State. Every year I'm proved wrong. I'm doing it again! Derrick Williams will have a big year!

22.Jeremy Childs-Childs has been overlooked recently at Boise St. due to the presence of Jared Zabransky and Ian Johnson. Childs is electric with the ball in his hands. That's why the Broncos use him much in the same way that Florida uses Harvin.

23.Dominick Goodman-Cincinnati should have one of the better passing games in the country this season. The D.G. Combo will be pretty good this year(Dustin Grutza to Dominick Goodman.)

24.Mike Wallace-Wallace reminds me a lot of Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett from previous years. He's not afraid to go over the middle and he seems to always make the plays when his team needs him. It will be interesting to see how Houston Nutt gets him the ball in his first season at Ole Miss.

25.Duke Calhoun-It's only fitting that I finish off this list with a HUGE reach. Calhoun might just have the most talent of any receiver in the nation. He has had some off the field issues at Memphis, but he seemed to put it all together last season for Tommy West's bunch. I expect Calhoun to have a breakout season this year, and help keep the Tigers in the C-USA title race.