Duke Robinson and Ryan Stanchek: The Best of College Football's Big Uglies

There are reasons no one ever talks linemen: They don't get fantasy stats or make "Top Plays," and the majority of college football fans don't focus on them for a single play—unless they happen to give up a sack or a tackle for loss.  Then they stink, they're too slow, and are basically just idiots.

But offensive lines can turn average talents like Ken Dorsey, Craig Krenzel, and Major Applewhite into world beaters.  Linemen can turn Ki-Jana Carter, Rashaan Salaam, and Cedric Benson into Heisman candidates and first round picks. 

Centers, Guards and Tackles—the thick-necked enforcers in the trenches of the gridiron.  Five Atlases shouldering the load that is any potent offensive attack.  O-Linemen are the bricks and the mortar of the college football mansion.

This year, college football features a strong crop of NFL prospects along the offensive line, including names such as Michael Oher of Ole Miss and Alabama's Andre Smith.

However, as is generally the case in college, few prospects are polished enough to truly be deemed the best in the nation on the offensive front.  Ryan Stanchek of West Virginia and Duke Robinson of Oklahoma are two such candidates. 

Unlike Oher and Smith, Stanchek and Robinson are not projects for the future—they're invaluable proven commodities who are already operating at the highest level in college football.  These trench warriors spearhead two of the nation's best offensive lines and protect elite quarterbacks. 

With two very different playing styles, which offensive lineman can truly be considered the best of the 2008 college football world?

Ryan Stanchek (6'4", 303 pounds)

To the average person, a man of Stanchek's stature is a massive mountain of muscle and bone—but in the world of college football, the left tackle from West Virginia is a smallish figure.  Luckily, under the WVU system he's the prototypical offensive lineman.

Unlike traditional offensive schemes, bigger linemen aren't better in West Virginia's spread.  Stanchek's strengths lie not only in his feet and mobility, but also in his understanding of leverage and body positioning in conquering defenders.

In terms of foot quickness, Stanchek is the best in the nation at coming off the ball and getting to his assignments in a hurry.  As a tackle in the spread, he's often pushing to the second level, and he attacks linebackers with a vengeance.

Even at 6'4", the redshirt senior does a phenomenal job of keeping a solid, low base and squarely attacking his targets.  He's a heads-up player in his body positioning, very adept at engaging defenders and angling his hips to open holes for WVU's potent rushing attack.

In the passing game, Stanchek's quickness and body control solidify his ability to protect Pat White.  The Mountaineers' passing game consists almost exclusively of roll outs, bootlegs, and half rolls to the left, and Stanchek's task of holding the edge is the most galvanizing role on the line as the quarterback moves in his direction.

Stanchek is active in the screen and short passing game where his speed and quickness come in handy.  He's got a knack for getting out in front of the ball carrier and making defensive backs pay for taking on his blocks.

While extremely proficient in running the spread offense efficiently, Stanchek and his mates on the line truly earn their keep in coping with the frantic roller coaster ride that is protecting a dual threat quarterback.

For defenses, Pat White's hesitating between passing and running, sideline to sideline movement, and deciding to run than rising up to throw create serious headaches.  The story is the same for offensive lines.

Dealing with shifting fields, possibility of run and pass on the same play, and specialized defenses all create the potential for missed assignments and drive-killing penalties.  Stanchek is able to navigate the minefield of the dual threat quarterback with an unmatchable savvy.

Although solid on the surface, there are several holes in Stanchek's game, most notably his inability to truly move large defenders.  Against linebackers he gets a decent drive in the trenches, but against defensive ends and defensive tackles he's forced to positional block because of his lack of size.

Ryan had 103 knock downs in 2007, but due to his lack of punch off the ball and inability to muscle interior defenders, Stanchek's KDs are largely relegated to second- and third-level defenders.  Knocking down safeties and corners while screen blocking is a given—taking out tackles and ends is impressive.

Duke Robinson (6'5", 335 pounds)

Stanchek got his weight up to 300—Robinson, the Duke of Norman, battles to keep his weight down around 335.  Oklahoma's linemen are the polar opposite of their Mountaineer counterparts.

Duke Robinson is a mauler in the run game: He washes down nose tackles, flattens three techniques, and is a defensive end's worst nightmare when he pulls around the end.  Teaming with Phil Loadholt, Robinson no doubt anchors the best left side in the nation.

Robinson shows tremendous determination in finishing off his first assignment to get to the second level, where he feasts on linebackers he outweighs by a cool hundred pounds.  He's got a relentless motor and is a joy to watch as he brings enthusiasm and a true passion for performing a publicly thankless job.

In the passing game, Duke is a marvel to watch.  He's got a tremendous punch, is capable of stopping defenders in their tracks, moves his feet well, and does a solid job of riding opponents out of the play. 

Bob Stoops has taken notice of Robinson's versatility as well, utilizing the senior in the Sooners' active screen game to pull for tunnel screens, as well as getting out in front and leading running backs and receivers downhill for six.

This season Robinson is going to have to battle the pressure of being the nation's top lineman and the beckoning of the NFL if the Sooners are going to win their first BCS bowl game of his career.  By continuing to polish his footwork and hand skills, Robinson can help Stoops and OU silence the critics.

Another of Duke Robinson's issues will be his weight control. The senior is more agile and affective when south of 330, and with partner Loadholt circling 350, the Sooners' staff have their hands full controlling the left side of their offensive line.

The Verdict

Both candidates are quality offensive linemen.  Stanchek is the best college tackle running the spread scheme, while Robinson is the embodiment of what a guard is supposed to be.

Duke is a monster of a man who displays real bravado and an extremely palpable pride in getting dirty on the line of scrimmage.  Like Stanchek, he obviously enjoys running down the field and making the last block to spring a teammate.

In the new world of college football, the spread offense is a deadly weapon that Ryan Stanchek helps execute to perfection.  His ability to play through the whimsical movements of Pat White in order to protect his team's star only serve to increase his overall value.

BUT

Duke Robinson is the best lineman for 2008.  He's an in your face mauler who not only stops linemen in their tracks, but sends them back to where they came from. 

Sure, his 97 knock downs in 2007 were fewer than Stanchek's, but the bulk of Duke's KDs came against interior defenders, not 180-pound defensive backs.  Robinson not only possesses the talent and technique to get to his spots, he's also got that little extra oomph that Stanchek is missing.

Bob Stoops, and more importantly Sam Bradford, have got a monster of man protecting the Sooners' pride—and behind Robinson, don't be surprised if the Sooner Schooner rides out of Miami with a national title.