Rivals Preseason All-America Teams

[Riddickulous]

Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com Preseason All-America Teams

Notre Dame players:

Michael Floyd - 2nd team offense
Manti Te'o - 2nd team defense
Harrison Smith - 2nd team defense
David Ruffer - 3rd team kicker

Notre Dame opponents:

Andrew Luck, Stanford - 1st team QB
David DeCastro, Stanford - 1st team G
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh - 1st team DE
Luke Keuchly, Boston College - 1st team LB
Kenny Tate, Maryland - 1st team LB
Joel Foreman, MSU - 2nd team G
Shayne Skov, Stanford - 2nd team LB
Delano Howell, Stanford - 2nd team S
Montel Harris, BC - 3rd team RB
Robert Woods, USC - 3rd team WR
David Molk, Michigan - 3rd team C
Mike Martin, Michigan - 3rd team DT
TJ McDonald, USC - 3rd team S

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

No Shoelace?

 

[Riddickulous]

No Shoelace?

Understandable given the uncertainty over Michigan's scheme change.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Understandable given the uncertainty over Michigan's scheme change.

Sorry, I meant No Shoelace?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Puzzled by Ruffer's 3rd team selection. Lou Groza Award 2010 Finalists were Bailey, Hrapmann, and Ruffer. Bailey graduated, so shouldn't Hrapmann and Ruffer be the presumptive top 2 kickers in the nation this year?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Puzzled by Ruffer's 3rd team selection. Lou Groza Award 2010 Finalists were Bailey, Hrapmann, and Ruffer. Bailey graduated, so shouldn't Hrapmann and Ruffer be the presumptive top 2 kickers in the nation this year?

I can understand the slight downgrade on Ruffer since he did miss some XPs and has a smaller track record of success than most elite kickers.

I don't want to sound negative. I still remember the Holtz walk on soccer player years well enough to appreciate the fantastic asset that is David Ruffer.

 

[Fieldzino7]

If Gary Grey can get more than one INT from the 7 PBU from last year, then he will make an All-American Team. He's the best cover corner on the team by far.

 

[BGIF]

Puzzled by Ruffer's 3rd team selection. Lou Groza Award 2010 Finalists were Bailey, Hrapmann, and Ruffer. Bailey graduated, so shouldn't Hrapmann and Ruffer be the presumptive top 2 kickers in the nation this year?

#3 Hrapmann 26 of 31, .839
#13 Walsh 20 of 23, .870
#21 Ruffer 18 of 19, .947
#31 Ressel 17 of 19, .895

They're listed as in order of their NCAA FG Stats Ranking where rankings are based on FGs Made Per Game. I did see that none of these three missed a FG kick that effected that outcome of a game. I don't know if anyone had an edge in kicks made to win a game.

Before we jump on Ruffer's superior .947 success ration, we should recognize that a Syracuse FRESHMAN, Ross Krautmann, had the identical record as Ruffer, 18 of 19, .947. That might bear out Pop Freshmeyer's comment about the body of work. Ruffer and Krautmann each had one season of data. Walsh and Ressel are multiyear kickers.

I couldn't find ready data on XPs and wasn't up to going through everybody's games to find it. I recall for the Groza Award that Ruffer's XP record was noted. XPs and FGs both require a good snap and hold prior to the kick but regardless of the record Ruffer's wasn't as sparkling as I recall.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Who's first team linebacker over Manti? Two junior linebackers better than Manti I don't think so.

 

[TDHeysus]

If Gary Grey can get more than one INT from the 7 PBU from last year, then he will make an All-American Team. He's the best cover corner on the team by far.

he was an impact player as far as secondary run-support as well. dude stepped it up big time last year in the run support area.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

These rankings are as useless as preseason team polls. No one has played a freaking game yet. Just another way to sell their crap online or in a magazine.

 

[BleedBlue&Gold]

Who's first team linebacker over Manti? Two junior linebackers better than Manti I don't think so.

Agreed, this is nuts

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Who's first team linebacker over Manti? Two junior linebackers better than Manti I don't think so.

2010 Stats

Kenny Tate, Maryland senior: 90 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 3 INTs, 4 PBU, 4 FF

Lavonte David, Nebraska senior: 153 Tackles, 12.5 TFL, 6 Sacks, 8 PBU

Luke Kuechly, BC junior: 183 Tackles, 10.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 3 INT, 3 PBU

Vontaze Burfict, ASU junior: 89 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 2 FF

Manti Te'o, ND junior: 133 Tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 PBU, 1 FF

Te'o definitely belongs on the 1st team before Burfict, but the other three are all justified.

 

[Buster Bluth]

If Manti's production remains the same but he adds an interception or three, he'll be there at the end of the season no question.

I think 133 tackles may be tough to duplicate. If the other players have improved (like we hope), then the solo tackles simply won't be there for Manti.