The 2009 Dynamic Duos of College Football

We all know the superstars in college football, the Heisman candidates, the All Americans. Those guys are great to watch no doubt, but what's more intriguing sometimes are trying to find the tandems of great players within the same team, and even the same side of the ball.

2009 boasts another great group of what I call "dynamic duo's". A tandem of great players on the same side of the ball that will cause the opponent a big headache in trying to deal with not one, but two dynamic players.

So let's take a look at the top 20 duo's in college football for 2009.


20. QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard, CINCINNATI

Cincinnati had all kinds of quarterback health problems last season, but Pike still threw for almost 2,500 yards last season and 19 touchdowns while missing some time.

The man that got away from the state of Florida, Gilyard was on the receiving end for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.


19. RB Jacquizz Rodgers and WR James Rodgers, OREGON STATE

Jacquizz had a big freshman season with over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, and helped lead the Beavers to the upset win over USC. James had 607 yards receiving, 408 yards rushing, and 9 total touchdowns as well. No doubt the best brother combo in college football.


18. QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker, MINNESOTA

No doubt the best Gopher duo since Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber. Weber threw for 2,700 yards last season and 15 touchdowns, while Decker was his main target hauling in over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.


17. RB Stefon Johnson and WR Damien Williams, USC

This might look odd, but with no proven QB yet, these two playmakers are certainly worthy. Johnson accounted for over 700 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns in a crowded backfield last season, while the transfer from Arkansas, Williams, racked up almost 900 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns as well.


16. QB Jonathan Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer, GEORGIA TECH

If Nesbitt was a better passer, this duo would be much higher. Nesbitt racked up almost 700 yards rushing, 800 yards passing, and 9 total touchdowns last season, while his counterpart Dwyer was a workhorse in the backfield with almost 1,400 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.



15. QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Darren Evans, VIRGINIA TECH

Tyrod has been talking to Michael Vick in the offseason about becoming a better quarterback, we'll see if it works this season. Taylor only threw for a little over 1,000 yards and 2 touchdowns in '08, but rushed for over 700 and 7 touchdowns. Evans had a great year rushing for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.


14. QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB Legarrette Blount, OREGON

Masoli and Blount had breakout seasons last year, look for more of the same in '09. Masoli in not a full season as a starter, threw for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for over 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Blount is a big, athletic back that ran for over 1,000 yards behind Jonathan Stewart last year, Blount also added 17 touchdowns himself.



13. DT Terrance Cody and LB Rolando McClain, ALABAMA

The second ranked defensive duo in the nation in my mind is the mammoth Cody and the athletic, intelligent McClain. Cody had 24 tackles and 5 tackles for loss last season, but Cody's game is all about clogging up the middle, and that he does. McClain had 3 sacks, 95 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss as well.


12. QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster, PENN STATE

This duo led the Lions to the Rose Bowl last season and they are back for more. Clark had a stellar season throwing for over 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for another 10 touchdowns. Royster added over 1,200 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns of his own.


11. QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate, NOTRE DAME

While the Irish have struggled, and finally got a bowl win last season, Clausen and Tate have a chance to breakout in '09. Clausen for all the criticism, still had over 3,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns in '08, while Tate added over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. The ceiling for this duo is very high in 2009.


10. S Eric Berry and LB Rico McCoy, TENNESSEE

Berry and McCoy lead a Vol team that is looking for resurgence. McCoy racked up 87 tackles last season in the middle, but the star is at safety. Berry notched 72 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns last year, he will solidify himself as the best safety in college football in '09.



9. QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga, BYU

For the second straight year, this BYU duo makes my top ten. Hall threw for almost 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns last year. Unga, the big, bruising back, had over 1,100 yards rushing, over 300 yards receiving, and 15 total touchdowns to compliment Hall.


8. QB Kevin Riley and RB Jahvid Best, CALIFORNIA

With Riley sharing time as a starter last season, this may be a tad high, but he should have a great season and Jahvid Best is absolutely electric. Riley had over 1,300 yards passing and 14 touchdowns in '08, but Best is the star.

The fast back racked up almost 1,600 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last year and is a darkhorse Heisman candidate in '09.


7. QB Juice Williams and WR Arrelious Benn, ILLINOIS

Williams is one of those guys that you say, "is he still there?". Well he is and he's coming off a season where he threw for over 3,000 yards, rushed for another 700 yards, and accounted for 27 total touchdowns. Benn had a big year in terms of yards with over 1,000, but only had 3 touchdowns, he's still a threat anytime he touches the ball.


6. QB Jevan Snead and WR Dexter McCluster, OLE MISS

If the Rebels are going to live up to high expectations this season, this duo has to lead the way. Snead threw for over 2,700 yards and 26 touchdowns last year and will be a second tier Heisman candidate going into '09.

McCluster might be an under the radar to people nationally, but he has skills comprable to Percy Harvin, showing that by rushing for 655 yards, receiving for another 625 yards, and scoring 7 total touchdowns last year.


5. QB Todd Reesing and Dezmon Briscoe, KANSAS

How about this duo being top five nationally, but only fourth in the Big 12? Reesing is coming off an almost 4,000 yard season while throwing for 32 touchdowns. His top target Briscoe had an awesome year with 1,400 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.



4. QB Tim Tebow and RB Chris Rainey, FLORIDA

A year ago Tebow and Harvin were the top duo in the nation in my mind. Harvin's gone, enter Chris Rainey. Tebow's numbers were a bit down, but still threw for over 2,700 yards and 30 touchdowns, to go along with his almost 700 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

While some might think this is high, Rainey is the next Gator playmaker accounting for 650 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns last year in Harvin's shadow. He is the most dangerous back in the nation with his speed.


3. QB Colt McCoy and WR Jordan Shipley, TEXAS

McCoy is coming off a Playstation like season that saw him complete over 70 percent of his passes, throw for over 3,800 yards, rush for another 560, and rack up 45 total touchdowns. Gone is Quan Cosby, and it's time for Shipley to be the number one guy. Last season Shipley had over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as the second option.



2. QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant, OKLAHOMA STATE

While Texas and Oklahoma's playmakers get all the attention, don't forget the Cowboy duo of Robinson and Bryant. Dez is now the best receiver in America now that Crabtree is gone, and Robinson should have a big senior year.

Robinson is coming off a season where he threw for over 3,000 yards, rushed for over 500 yards, and accounted for 33 total touchdowns. Bryant had a giant year as well with almost 1,500 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns.



1. QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham, OKLAHOMA

How many times do you see a tight end as part of a top ranked duo? Well having the Heisman winner as the other half helps, and both of these guys could have easily gone in the first round last year.

Bradford is coming off a monster year, throwing for 4,700 yards and 50 touchdowns, there's no way he hits those numbers again. Gresham will be the top tight end in the nation coming off a season with almost 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.