The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each Thursday a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Big East Conference
(*Note- Former BC all-time leading rusher, Montel Harris, was dsmissed from the team and he is awaiting approval to join the Temple Owls. If he is to be accepted, he will be the number 4 player on this list (sliding everyone else down one spot).
1.Hakeem Smith-Louisville-Strong Safety 
The 2009 Big East Rookie of the year, Hakeem Smith, is one of the most versatile defensive players in college football. Smith has played high safety, strong safety as well as outside linebacker for the Louisville Cardinals. In 2011, Smith corralled 81 tackles (7 less than his rookie season’s total) and also had one interception. Smith is a great defender in coverage, especially for a safety, he is very good in his movements and he can swat the ball out of the wide receivers’ hands when they try to bring the ball in. Each year he has played, the Cardinals DB has improved and he will only continue to get better. Look for Smith to play a lot of safety in 2012 and when the Cardinals face ground and pound teams don’t be shocked if you see Smith at OLB. In 2011, Smith received All-Team Big East honors, look for him to do the same in 2012.
2.Ryan Nassib-Syracuse-Quarterback
The 6’2 quarterback out of Pennsylvania may just be one of the best pocket passers in college football today. Each season, Nassib’s passing yards, touchdowns and QB rating have all increased. With little help around him, the senior quarterback has had little help but has still managed to be efficient. Nassib has adequate arm strength but really flourishes when running play action fakes, he can make throws all over the field and he has great pocket presence. It is cliché, but Nassib makes everyone around him better and look for his numbers to improve even more after finishing his junior campaign with a 22-9 TD-INT ratio.
3.B.J. Daniels-South Florida-Quarterback
It seems like every year I keep saying B.J. Daniels is going to have a breakout year. 2012 is his last chance to really surprise people because it is his senior season. What is really encouraging about this playmaking quarterback is that 2012 was his best season yet; he racked up 2,604 yards while only getting sacked 14 times (career low). The 6-foot four-star recruit also rushed for 601 yards and seven scores. B.J. Daniels has a lot to prove in his final season of eligibility but he has a lot in his favor: he has grown each year as a passer, he is a dual-threat quarterback and he has a solid receiving corps this year. Look for Daniels to make a splash and have USF competing for the Big East Championship.
4.Logan Ryan-Rutgers-Cornerback
The junior cornerback out of Rutgers has emerged as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. 6’0 Logan Ryan has become a shutdown corner in the Big East Conference and is respected by opposing quarterbacks. Despite having only two interceptions in 2011, the tight-coverage corner is very productive on the field. One of the most remarkable games of Ryan’s career was in the second game of the 2011 season against North Carolina, the former three-star recruit tallied 10 tackles (seven solo) which is just outstanding as a cornerback. Another thing to admire about Ryan is that when the pressure is on, he comes up big, for example, in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2011 against Iowa State Ryan gathered an interception as well three pass deflections. Although the interception numbers aren’t their, he is a known defender when teams go into New Jersey. Quarterbacks like to stay away from Ryan as much as possible and he will continue to shut receivers down, the other numbers will come eventually.
5.Teddy Bridgewater-Louisville-Quarterback
Early into last season, Bridgewater was creating early Heisman buzz but then slowly his play digressed. With one year under his belt, look for the Miami native to explode on the box score. The 6’3 quarterback is dual-threat quick but he also remembers that he is a quarterback and he can make eye-opening throws. A 12-9 TD-Int ratio is not bad for a freshman quarterback but look for his numbers to increase dramatically, now Bridgewater understands how the college game works and he will be able to become a leader in his sophomore season. The Louisville schedule is not easy but look for Bridgewater to make game-winning plays week-in and week-out. Also having three ESPN broadcasted games will help the Bridgewater buzz grow, this kid is exciting.
6.Justin Pugh-Syracuse-Offensive Tackle 
The 6’6, 262 pound offensive lineman from Holland, PA is the most dominant force in the tranches in this conference. Pugh has fluid footwork and can push defenders back by utilizing his size. The 2011 All Big East honoree has never missed a game in his collegiate career. Being dominant in his first two years at Syracuse is great, but he still has at least one more season to go before he is eligible for the NFL draft. In 2012 look for Justin Pugh to fill out his frame, become stronger and be a part of another 1,000 + rushing season for the Orange starting running backs.
7.Ray Graham-Pittsburgh-Running Back
Going into his senior season, Ray Graham has yet to have a 1,000-yard season rushing. Although 1,000 yards is the milestone every RB shoots for, Graham has done damage in the Big East; averaging 5.8 yards a carry last season. The 5’9, 195 lbs. back is a “one-cut and go” type of player. He has fantastic vision along the line of scrimmage and is a patient runner who uses his blocks wisely. His small stature allows him to sneak through the line and he benefits most when going through the 0, and 1 holes (right behind the center).He doesn’t have blazing speed but he does have toughness and creativity, that is enough to get him into the end zone. Look for Pitt to use him a lot in 2012.
8.Sio Moore-Connecticut-Outside Linebacker
After getting dominated by Oklahoma in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, UCONN went into a bit of a rebuilding mode after losing various coaches. The biggest constant on the Huskie defense going into the 2012 season is outside backer Sio Moore. In 2011, Moore recorded 88 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. With most of his tackles being solo, the team is very dependent on Moore and he never lets them down. The versatile backer has a knack for getting to the ball-carrier and there are a small amount of people that can block Moore one-on-one. Look for the senior to be the heart and soul of the improving Huskie defense, it will be tough to put up a lot of points in Storrs, CT in 2012.
9.Brandon Coleman-Rutgers-Wide Receiver 
The top receiver for the Scarlet Knights is a very intriguing player. Brandon Coleman only pulled in 17 receptions last season but still scored 6 touchdowns and had 552 receiving yards (32.1 yards per catch). The 6’6 receiver had little impact as a freshman but look for him to be a lethal receiver in 2012. As most towering receivers, Coleman’s signature route is the back corner fade, but he has long strides and great straightaway speed to create separation and get open. Still learning the route tree, look for Coleman to grow a ton over the course of the 2012 season, he has the size and soft hands to help out the struggling Rutgers quarterbacks.
10.Dede Lattimore-South Florida-Outside Linebacker
This may be the year that Skip Holtz finally gets all of his players to play to their potential and win the Big East Title. But even if it isn’t, look for Dede Lattimore to be one of the biggest defensive impacts in the conference. Last year, in his sophomore campaign, Lattimore had 13 tackles for loss and 7 sacks, most on his team. Lattimore also led the Bulls with 94 tackles and he will be flirting with a triple digit tackle season next year. Chris Cosh is the new defensive coordinator at USF (coming over from Kansas State) and he tends to get a lot of production from his linebackers. Look for Lattimore to post big numbers.
Just Missed:
Levi Brown-Temple-Defensive Tackle
Khaseem Greene-Rutgers-Linebacker
Sterling Griffin-South Florida-Wide Receiver
Munchie Legeaux-Cincinnati-Quarterback
Seattle Mariners– 
Los Angeles Angels– Mark Trumbo struggles to get implemented/ keep his spot in the lineup (1B, 3B, DH, OF). He won’t even hit 19 home runs and he won’t be able to keep his average above .240. On a positive note, Kendrys Morales will stay healthy for the most part and knock out 26 home runs while C.J. Wilson gets a team-high 24 wins.
Texas Rangers– Mike Napoli ends up getting moved, again, at the trade deadline. Neftali Feliz has an impressive 13-8 record as a starter. Joe Nathan gets hurt (not bold) and Alexei Ogando becomes the closer getting 33+ saves.
Oakland Athletics– Yoenis Cespedes scorches 37 doubles and leads the team with 22 home runs and 89 RBI. Pitcher, Brandon McCarthy, makes the All-Star team and finished the season with 14 wins and a 2.96 ERA with a sub-1 WHIP. Manny Ramirez also takes the DH spot from Jonny Gomes after serving his 50-game suspension and he hits 13 dingers.
Detroit Tigers– Alex Avila struggles on offense while the rest of the Tigers do not. Austin Jackson finally proves that the Tigers made the right choice in trading Curtis Granderson for him and company. Jackson steals 34 bases and hits a career-high .294.
Cleveland Indians– Josh Tomlin leads this team in wins with only 12. Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore miss over a combined 210 games. Ubaldo Jimenez still can’t find his groove in Cleveland.
Minnesota Twins– Bottom-dwellers of the AL Central and the league for that matter, which ends up being the worst division in the MLB. Mauer does play, and hits .318, but it doesn’t help the team. Ben Revere ends up taking Denard Span’s CF spot and steals 51 bases.
Kansas City Royals– Royals finish second in division with 88 wins. Eric Hosmer wins the AL MVP despite not making the playoffs. He bats: .330, 29 long-balls and 117 RBI. Mike Moustakas hits 26 home runs and Tim Collins makes the All-Star team as a setup man.
Chicago White Sox– Jake Peavy finally makes a comeback, dealing out a team-leading 14 wins. Matt Thornton finishes the season as the closer but not a good one and Konerko is the only player on the team to bat over .300.
Boston Red Sox (World Series Champs)– Mark Melancon was brought in to be a setup man but he ends up leading the club in saves (28). 
New York Yankees– Ivan Nova becomes the most consistent pitcher. Curtis “The Grandy Man” Granderson hits 
Toronto Blue Jays– 
Tampa Bay Rays– Ben Zobrist hits 24 home runs while snatching 26 bases and he will start games at 2B, 1B, LF, RF and DH. Desmond Jennings hits a shocking 26 HR and B.J. Upton gets traded to Houston.
Baltimore Orioles– Mark Reynolds moves to 1B, Brian Roberts comes back and Robert Andino plays most of the year at 3B. Jake Arietta wins only 9 games but has a 3.20 ERA. Adam Jones gets traded so Baltimore can stockpile on prospects… I don’t know why they want to though.
Arizona Diamondbacks (Lose in World Series)– Trevor Cahill shows he misses pitching at the Coliseum and gets rocked. Ian Kennedy doesn not have the same type of season as last year. 
San Francisco Giants– Freddy Sanchez hits only .263, no one on the team hits over 23 home runs and Lincecum has a 3.49 ERA. Brian Wilson is lights out this year but he will have no save opportunities, only gets 31 saves.
Colorado Rockies– Dexter Fowler becomes a superstar. Jamie Moyer gets 13 wins, Tulowitzki wins NL MVP and Jordan Pacheco hits 24 home runs from the hot corner. Helton and Giambi both announce they will retire at end of season, freeing up first base for 3B prospect Nolan Arenado who will move to 1B.
San Diego Padres– Carlos Quentin hits only 16 home runs. Cameron Maybin leads the team with 26 bombs and 38 steals. Edinson Volquez and Corey Luebke both tie with 15 wins but the Padres still struggle.
Los Angeles Dodgers– Dee Gordon hits well over .300 but Andre Ethier becomes the team’s MVP. Ethier his .328 and knocks in 108 runs while Kemp struggles to hit 25 home runs and doesn’t even reach 100 RBI. Kershaw wins Cy Young by a landslide.
Houston Astros– Jordan Lyles leads the team in wins with 13 and Jordan Schafer robs 23 bases. Unfortunately, a bunch of prospects get called up too early and end up having terrible numbers.
Chicago Cubs– Anthony Rizzo is a disappointment, hitting less than five home runs. Marmol gets traded along with Matt Garza (separate deals), leaving Jeff Samardzija to have the best season as a Cubs pitcher in 2012.
Cincinnati Reds– Aroldis Chapman eventually becomes the closer and strikes out over 100 as a reliever. Votto has a bad year after signing a monster contract, 20 HR and bats only .289. Chris Heisey leads the team as a platoon OF with 27 HR.
Milwaukee Brewers– Mat Gamel provides some pop with Prince Fielder gone. Braun has another 30/30 season, K-Rod gets traded and George Kottaras becomes everyday starting catcher.
Pittsburgh Pirates– McCutchen becomes elite, hitting 31 home runs and getting 34 steals, he earns the highest WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Erik Bedard doesn’t even start 21 games and James McDonald gets 197 K’s.
St. Louis Cardinals– Jon Jay has a breakout season and Wainwright gets 18 wins. David Freese loses his spot in the lineup and Matt Holliday only hits 18 homers. Jason Motte blows a bunch of saves and Fernando Salas takes over.
New York Mets– Jason Bay is back and hits 22 home runs. David Wright knocks 19 out of the park before getting traded to the Chi-Sox in exchange for Gavin Floyd and Alexei Ramirez.
Atlanta Braves– Michael Bourn hits an abysmal .268 but still steals 59 bases and scores 99 runs. Jason Heyward stays healthy all season and knocks out 38 home runs and wins the Home Run Derby.
Miami Marlins– Hanley Ramirez is runner-up for the NL MVP Award, hitting 33 home runs and knocking in 114. Ricky Nolasco rings up 132 batters and gets 16 wins. Miami Marlins win the division. Oh yeah, Giancarlo (formerly Mike) Stanton leads the MLB with home runs, dropping 48.
Philadelphia Phillies– As Chase Utley comes back, Jimmy Rollins gets hurt, leaving Freddy Galvis in the lineup and moving him back to his natural shortstop position. Hunter Pence is the unsung hero and hits a quiet 30 home runs.
Washington Nationals– 
AlexFarnworth 