College Football 2011 Preview: The 10 Most Valuable Players

Every team needs their best players to step up for their team to fulfill their preseason dreams and aspirations. 

Although every team has a couple of stand out athletes, there is one player that holds the team together.  He is the glue that binds the team and if he should falter, the end is near. 

These 10 players exemplify the toughness, talents and tenacity that it takes to become the valuable player of their respective teams. 

10. Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver (Notre Dame)

It is has been said since last season ended, the Fighting Irish will return to national stardom next season.  That happens only if Michael Floyd catches every single ball thrown his way.

He had 79 catches, 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.  Dayne Christ needs to deliver him the ball at every opportunity possible. 

I don’t think they will win more than nine games next year, but if Monti Te’o and Michael Floyd step up, there is a possibility that Notre Dame will be recognized as a top 15 team once again.

9. Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker (Arizona State)

He is the glue that will hold together a very stingy defense in Tempe, Arizona.  He is a beast on defense and has been highly touted since his senior year of high school. 

He recorded five games last year of 10 tackles or more.  Vontaze Burfict is going into his true junior year and most likely will leave to go to the draft after this upcoming season. 

He is the best defensive player in the PAC-12 this season and should compete for the nation’s best linebacker.

8. James White, Running Back (Wisconsin)

Yes, he rushed for more yards than John Clay last season.  As a freshman he ran for 1,052 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

John Clay is a good running back, but he reminds me of Ron Dayne in weight and running style and although he is a good college back, if the defense puts eight people in the box, John Clay becomes ineffective. 

James White is a fast, elusive back that can run all over the defense.  He averaged 6.7 yards per carry and is the reason why Wisconsin’s offense clicks.  He needs to be utilized more next season if the Badgers want to return to their winning ways of last year. 

7. Stephen Garcia, Quarterback (South Carolina)

South Carolina has all of the weapons to make a run at the SEC title if not the national championship.  Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore are two of the best players in the nation and they both depend on Stephen Garcis. 

He threw for 2,81 yards and 20 touchdowns last year and if they want to run the table, he will have to throw for more yards, more touchdowns and a better completion percentage. 

Stephen Garcia has all the pieces to the puzzle on offense, he just needs to place them in the right spot each and every game.

6. Brandon Weeden, Quarterback (Oklahoma State)

We all know that Justin Blackmon will get his yards and will most likely be picked as the first receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Brandon Weeden threw for 4,277 yards, completed 342 passes and had 34 touchdown passes last season.  The Cowboys first test is against Arizona on September 8^th on only five days rest after the first game of their season against Louisiana-Lafayette.

He is built for the NFL at six feet four inches tall and 225 pounds.  He had a completion percentage of 67 percent last year and that will only get better with more experience.  He is vital to the success of Oklahoma State.

5. Trent Richardson, Running Back (Alabama)

Everyone seems to be convinced that Trent Richardson is going to have a Heisman type year.  He isn’t that good, but it’s essential for him to have a productive year for the Crimson Tide to return to their national championship ways. 

He rushed for 700 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per rush.  With the losses of Julio Jones, Greg McElroy and Mark Ingram; Trent Richardson is going to have to have a very good year. 

He is a downhill runner who has breakaway speed and the toughness to run you over.  He is crucial for the Tide to not finish fourth in the SEC West next season.

4. Andrew Luck, Quarterback (Stanford)

His play will decide the success of Stanford this season.  After the loss of Jim Harbaugh, it is obvious that Andrew Luck needs to play at his best for them to succeed. 

Chris Owusu and Coby Flenner need to step up and catch everything that Andrew Luck throws at him.  Stephan Taylor will get his 1000 yards; he just needs to pull the extra defender into the box helping Andrew Luck get one on one matchups downfield.

3. Aaron Murray, Quarterback (Georgia)

If the Bulldogs want to compete in the SEC East, Aaron Murray needs to have a great season.  He is very important to Georgia because they don’t have much experience at any of their skill positions. 

Tavarres King and Orson Charles are two young receivers that need to catch every ball thrown their way and make a couple moves once they get the balls down field. 

Aaron Murray’s one weakness is his accuracy completing only 61 percent of his passes last season.  Experience will bring accuracy and hopefully it happens sooner than later.

2. Michael Dyer, Running Back (Auburn)

Trent Richardson and Michael Dyer have two things in common; their teams best player, Cam Newton and Julio Jones/Mark Ingram, left early for the draft and they are left behind to now lead their teams into the 2011 season. 

Michael Dyer proved his worth last year in the national championship against Oregon when he rushed 22 times for 143 yards, none better than the infamous “elbow” play. 

He should be one of the best running backs in the nation and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is invited to New York in early September.

1. Kellen Moore, Quarterback (Boise State)

This season is going to hit Boise State very quickly.  They travel to Atlanta, Georgia the opening weekend to take on University of Georgia. 

The Broncos lost their two best receivers in Austin Pettis and Titus Young, making the job of Kellan Moore even harder.

Boise State’s running back Doug Martin is important as well, rushing for 1,260 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Kellen Moore needs to run the offense better than he ever has before, but as the most accurate quarterback in the nation, if anyone can do it, it’s him.