Preseason 2010 College Football Predictions: Top 10 Dynamic Duos

Well, Abbott had his Costello, Laurel had his Hardy and for college football, many teams feature their own brands of “dynamic duos.” For these teams, fortune has smiled on them twice. While many teams have superstars, some not only have stars at a specific units, but some of these lucky teams have two (and in rare cases, more) players that will shine on the field of play in 2010.

So lets take a look at these special tandems and see who has players that will shine doubly bright in the upcoming year…

No. 10 Kai Forbath & Jeff Locke (UCLA)

Kai Forbath

Though head coach Rick Neuheisel would probably rather have skill players comprise a Bruin “dynamic duo,” given the sorry state (at least in recent years) of its offense, Neuheisel should be grateful that he has a couple of special teamers who can get UCLA out of dire straits.

Kai Forbath, the soon to be senior place kicker for the Bruins has been nothing but money since he arrived in Westwood. Featuring a strong leg with incredible accuracy (72 of 83 field goals and 75 of 77 p.a.t.s), Forbath will enjoy a long career in the NFL once he leaves the college ranks.

After averaging 43.6 yards per punt in 2009, Jeff Locke was named to several preseason all-American lists in 2010. Featuring great hang time to go with all of that distance, Locke provides a modicum of comfort when the Bruin offense sputters as it has so often in recent years.

No. 9 Joe Adams & Greg Childs (Arkansas)

Greg Childs

USC back-up quarterback Mitch Mustain must spend many sleepless nights thinking about what could have been if he had stayed at Arkansas and had two sterling wide receivers such as Greg Childs and Joe Adams to throw to.

In Joe Adams, the Razorbacks have a small (5’11,” 190 lb.) wide out who big things are expected from in 2010. After tying for the most touchdown receptions (7) for Arkansas last year, Adams will benefit from playing across from fellow receiver Greg Childs, who will draw attention and open things up for quarterback Ryan Mallet.

Greg Childs is simply a monster wide receiver. Big (6’3,” 217 lbs.) and fast, Childs led the Razorbacks with 66 receptions last year, including seven for touchdowns. In 2010, look for Childs to continue with his maturation as he matriculates toward a first round NFL draft choice destination.

No. 8 Gabe Carimi & John Moffitt (Wisconsin)

John Moffitt

Wisconsin has long been known to produce quality offensive linemen and in Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt, expect the tradition to continue. John Moffitt, all 6’5” and 323 pounds of him has been named to several preseason all-American lists, including Lindy’s and Athlon. Versatile (Moffitt played both at center and guard last year) and athletic, Moffitt is a devastating run blocker who is going to get better at the next level.

Joining Moffitt on the Badger offensive line is 6’7,” 335 pound Gabe Carimi.. Named to preseason all-American lists for 2010, Carimi has the size and athleticism to make whoever is across from him on the opposing defensive line extremely nervous.

As if that wasn’t enough, Josh Ogelsby, another offensive lineman, has been named to the 2010 Outland trophy watch list.

No. 7 Marvin Austin & Robert Quinn (North Carolina)

Marvin Austin

The North Carolina defense is expected to be one of the very best in college football in 2010 and it starts up front with Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn.

For many, defensive tackle Marvin Austin is thought to be the potential #1 pick in next years NFL draft. Although at this writing Austin is under investigation by NCAA and could face a possible suspension for improper contact with agents, there is no doubt that when on the field, Austin is a force to be reckoned with. If he remains eligible, Austin will be one of the finest interior defensive linemen in the nation.

Joining Austin on the Tar heel d-line is end Robert Quinn. The 6’5,” 270 pound monster combines power with speed to create havoc in opposing team’s offensive backfield. Having been named to several preseason all-American lists, Quinn has also been named a candidate for the Nagurski, Lott, Hendricks and Lombardi awards.

How good is the 2010 North Carolina defense? The Austin-Quinn duo is just one of two dynamic tandems that this slide show will feature.

No. 6 Matt Barkley & Mitch Mustain (USC)

Matt Barkley

Although Matt Barkley is clearly the starter for the Trojans, many think that USC would be just fine with Mitch Mustain under center. Mustain, a “Parade All American” as a prep quarterback in 2006, has dazzled this year in USC’s fall camp where his play has many thinking he is the best back-up quarterback in the nation.

As for Matt Barkley, despite the fact that he might only be the third best quarterback in the conference (with a doff of the cap to Jake Locker and Andrew Luck), big things are expected of him. Barkley, who became the first true freshman to ever start at quarterback for the Trojans, came into fall practices leaner and with a better understanding of what is expected of him going into the season.

Either way, the Trojans appear to be in capable hands at the quarterback position in 2010.

No. 5 Von Miller & Garrick Williams (Texas A&M)

Von Miller

So what do you do with a defensive end that led the nation in sacks (17) and was named to several all-American lists?

Easy.

Move him to outside linebacker and give him free reign to carry on gridiron terrorism from behind the front line. That is the Texas A&M plan with Von Miller whose reward for stellar play in 2009 is a position shift for 2010. While Miller’s sack total is expected to decline, his overall value to the Aggies and appeal at the next level should increase.

Joining Miller in the linebacker corps is Garrick Williams who had a big year as a sophomore in 2009. Third on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss, Williams will be counted on to clean up anything that gets behind the Aggies d-line and provide help opposite Von Miller.

No. 4 Bruce Carter & Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina)

Quan Sturdivant

The second installment of the North Carolina “dynamic duo” features a couple of members of their linebacking corp.

Though Quan Sturdivant, the more celebrated of the two featured here, is facing some uncertainty due to possible NCAA infractions, there is no denying that he is very talented. The 6’2,” 230 lb. middle linebacker, who will probably be shifted to the outside in the NFL, combines raw power with good speed to bottle up any opposing players who have the temerity to venture into his realm.

To complement Sturdivant in the linebacking group is outside mate, Bruce Carter. Carter, who goes 6’3,” 235 lbs., is an athletic freak. According to the official Tarheel web site, Carter, who benches 440 lbs., has also been timed at 4.39 in the forty yard dash. Named a second team all ACC defensive player, look for Carter to dominate those who run from Sturdivant’s side of the field.

No. 3 Darren Evans & Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)

Ryan Williams

The first of two running back tandems to be featured in this slide show, Virginia Tech’s stud backs Darren Evans and Ryan Williams can make a case for being the best backfield duo in the country.

For Darren Evans, a Parade high school all-American in 2006, a great 2008 season for the Hokies was followed by the heartbreak of a torn ACL in 2009. This spring he has looked like the same running back that had the Hokie faithful so excited prior to the injury.

When Evans went down, Ryan Williams stepped in and boy did he deliver. All Williams did last year was rush for 1655 yards and 21 touchdowns, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. If Williams can repeat his feats of 2009, the Hokies will do very well this year.

No.2 Jacquizz & James Rodgers (Oregon State)

Jacquizz Rodgers

This duo shares more than just being outstanding players on the same college football team. Brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers, though playing different positions, nonetheless play on the same offense and as they go, so will go the Oregon State Beaver season.

Jacquizz Rodgers, who took the Pac-10 by storm as a freshman in 2008, now either holds or is threatening most OSU offensive marks and many Pac-10 records as well. In addition to his 14 100+ yard games he has had in his remarkable career, he also is a workhorse. Rodgers will begin the 2010 season as the running back that has averaged more carries (22.2) than any other back entering the 2010 season.

Brother James Rodgers, a renaissance man who is also a published poet, is an even better receiver. After setting a Beaver record with 91 receptions in 2009,  Rodgers also showed how versatile he is by returning kicks and now only needs 530 yards to break the Beaver all-purpose yardage record.

No. 1 Mark Ingram & Trent Richardson (Alabama)

Mark Ingram

Ahhh, such an embarrassment of riches. As has been quietly speculated, there is a real possibility that Mark Ingram, the Tides 2009 Heisman winner, may not even be the best running back that Alabama has to offer in 2010.

Trent Richardson, the 5’11,” 220 pound, speedy sophomore-to-be, has done nothing to diminish the chatter that if Ingram was not available, the Tide would be just fine in Richardson’s young hands.

Meanwhile, all Mark Ingram does is run and win. With a chance to become the first two time Heisman winner since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin, Ingram brings a power running game to Alabama that they have come to depend on and Ingram rarely fails to deliver.

The Tides dynamic running duo of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson are a big reason why Alabama enters into the 2010 season as the consensus choice to defend their 2009 title as college football’s best team.

Conclusion

There you have it. Ten “dynamic duos” that will be heard from in the 2010 college football season. While there may be a case made for other tandems, these 10 will shape the fortunes of their football teams in the upcoming season.

As long as these football cohorts can decide who gets to play “Batman” to the others “Robin,” without animosity, the only result will be one of benefit for these teams lucky enough to have them.