Mike Huguenin

Here’s a look at the 10 most explosive players in the nation heading into the season. (The statistics cited come from the NCAA statistics website and from cfbstats.com, a site that can keep a true fan busy for hours.)

Good coaches always have contingency plans in case some top underclassmen go pro, and we're just a few weeks away from seeing a lot of those contingency plans put in place.

Part of what makes the bowl season entertaining is that numerous players who perform outside the national focus get to show off their talents without other games impinging on the spotlight.

Everyone knows about LSU cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. That means Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward doesn't get the notice he deserves.

Penn State's Devon Still, Illinois' Whitney Mercilus and Michigan State's Jerel Worthy became star defensive linemen in the Big Ten this season. But Purdue's Kawann Short put up excellent numbers in the same league.

By now, most casual fans know all about Oregon's LaMichael James, the 2010 Heisman runner-up and the nation's top returning rusher from last season.

Here's the real test: Can you name the returning player with the second-highest rushing total from last season?

East Region

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Marquette

WHERE: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

Here's a look at the conference tournaments that begin Tuesday:

BIG SOUTH

WHEN: March 1, 3, 5

Here is a list of the new offensive coordinators for the upcoming season in major college football, listed by league. (One important note: Coordinators at schools with new head coaches weren't included.)