With the watershed win in the 1984 Orange Bowl, Miami vaulted from Independent obscurity to the first of its five national championships. The three decades since have been dominated by the Sunshine State's big three: Miami, Florida and Florida State. The programs have combined for nine titles and been championship factors each season.
The Florida Gators reasserted the state's title grip with a stunning blowout of favored Ohio State in January's BCS Championship game. But the tide is turning. The rise of other state schools is stealing recruits from the big three and beginning to make headlines of their own.
The University of South Florida in Tampa, a newcomer to the Big East, vaulted to No. 5 in the latest national polls while Central Florida (in Orlando) is a coming power in Conference USA and Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton), led by former Hurricanes coach Howard Schnellenberger, is another program on the rise.
What does it mean for fantasy owners? Fresh options. Don't be afraid to grab a player off one of these neophyte programs. They are better than you think and already storming the national stage. Here are a few studs to consider now:
GREG CARR
FSU, WR
Comment: Carr recorded 12 TDs a year ago and has emerged as a deep threat in the ACC once again. Despite an unsettled quarterback situation, Carr has 17 catches for 400 yards and 2 TDs in five games. He's averaging a remarkable 23.5 yards per reception.
GRAIG COOPER
Miami, RB
Comment: Freshman back is starting to steal carries from another young stud, Javarris James. Cooper is a home run back who already has 418 yards and 3 TDs on 73 carries. He's averaging 5.7 yards per carry, so look for him to get more touches. But the Hurricanes aren't a bad play as a running back unit. James has 382 yards and four scores.
MATT GROTHE
USF, QB
Comment: Big East offensive rookie of the year is even more of a dual threat this fall. Grothe has completed 86 of 143 passes for 909 yards and 5 TDs while rushing for 246 yards on 65 carries with two more scores. Few players have his big-play potential.
KEVIN SMITH
UCF, RB
Comment: Sensational back has the Knights looking bowl-bound for the second straight season. Smith has 882 yards on 146 carries — good for 5.9 yards per carry — and 11 TDs in five games. The tough back ran for 156 yards and a 1-yard TD in a loss to East Carolina on Saturday.
RUSTY SMITH
FAU, QB
Comment: Smith was named Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the week or the second time this season after an encouraging performance against nationally-ranked USF. Smith completed 23 of 47 passes for 259 yards and 3 TDs against the Bulls. Just a sophomore, he's thrown for 1,548 yards and 12 TDs in six games.
TIM TEBOW
Florida, QB
Comment: Tebow has made the transition from gimmick to full-blown phenomenon and SEC defenses can't stop him. The quarterback was a run-first option in short yardage a year ago. He can still run, racking up 539 yards and 9 TDs on 105 carries. But he's been just as explosive a passer, completing 97 of 148 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs in six games. Scary!
