Waiting for College Football

As we approach the commencement of college football season, I feel that this is the appropriate time to unveil my preseason All-American team. At the urging of Jorge O., it is time to have a beer in hand, breakfast on the stove, and college football on the television. A few rules, although there are more than 11 offenseive and defensive players listed, the team is selected to account for the various offenses and defenses used around the country (trip receivers, spread, 3-4, 4-3, etc.). I chose to explain my picks in some instances, and not in others. Why? Because I can. Now here are the Pepster Preseason All-Americans.

Offense

QB - Kellen Moore, Boise State; Case Keenum, Houston - I had Moore as my second team NCAA All-American QB last season, and he returns. Keenum will put up tons and tons of stats. Moore may finish undefeated and gain a birth in the BCS Championship game. If I had to pick a surprise third QB, it would be Christian Ponder of FSU.

RB - Mark Ingram, Alabama; Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech; Jazquizz Rodgers, Oregon State; Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh; John Clay, Wisconsin - Ingram and Williams are returning from my post-season All-American list last season, even though Ingram may not be the best running back on his team (see Richardson, Trent). Williams is my preseason player of the year. Lewis and Clay will both post lots and lots of yards, and are likely conference player of the year candidates, especially Clay behind that big Wisconsin line.

WR - A.J. Green, Georgia; Michael Floyd, Notre Dame; Julio Jones, Alabama; Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma - I having been touting Green for a couple of years, and Floyd was likely Notre Dame's best receiver last year. It is now time for Jones to show the fruits of all of that talent of his. Broyles could catch 90 balls.

TE - D.J Williams, Arkansas; Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame - Ryan Mallet could make a real star out of Williams.

T - Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin; Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh - Look for both offensives to strive this year.

G - Rodney Hudson, Florida State; John Moffitt, Wisconsin - Hudson was a Pepster All-American last year, and Moffitt will lead the interior of a great running game at Wisconsin.

C - Mike Pouncey, Florida - Only because his brother Maurkice is gone.

Defense

DE - Adrian Clayborn, Iowa; Cameron Heyward, Ohio State - Both very experienced, and both will wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Heyward is the son of former NFLer Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, so he must be tough.

DT - Jared Crick, Nebraska; Stephen Paea, Oregon State - Crick learned by playing next to the best, Ndamukong Suh, last season, and more than holding his own. Paea is a small mountain.

LB - Von Miller, Texas A & M; Greg Jones, Michigan State; Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina; Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State; Dont'a Hightower, Alabama; Sean Spence, Miami - All athletic beasts that will make a ton of tackles. OK, maybe Spence was a bit of a homer pic.

CB - Patrick Peterson, LSU; Brandon Harris, Miami; Janoris Jenkins, Florida - Harris among the leaders is passes defensed last year. Jenkins will make sure that Gators fans do not miss Joe Haden too much.

S - Rahim Moore, UCLA; DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson - The easiest position to select on the team, as both were high talents last year among the NCAA interception leaders

Special Teams

K - Matt Bosher, Miami - A little homerism, but, he is just the kicker.

P - Drew Butler, Georgia - Again, he is just the punter.

R - LaVon Brazill, Ohio University - A great returner, and he is from nearby my hometown.

Forgive me for any typographical errors, I didn't feel like proofreading this. I simply want to start college football season. Stay tuned for my weekly college football updates.