Here's a look at how they're doing mid-way through the season. All stats are as of October 27, 2001.
Starters
QB: Carson Palmer (Junior, USC). Palmer is 2-5 as a starter and simply hasn't lived up to the expectations brought about by his phenomenal play as a backup in his freshman year. He has completed 129 of 216 attempts (59.7%) for 1,738 yards, which is only 8 yards per attempt. For his 9 touchdowns, he has thrown 8 interceptions. His QB Rating is 133.7, which isn't bad, but certainly isn't an All-American number.
RB: Damien Anderson (Senior, Northwestern). Anderson has proven to be the stud everyone thought he would be. In 142 rushing attempts, he has gained 634 yards (4.5 yard avg.) and 7 touchdowns. He also has 13 receptions for 107 yards (8.2 avg.). However, defenses are beginning to key on him successfully. He hasn't posted a 100-yard game since September 22 against Duke.
Ken Simonton (Senior, Oregon State). Simonton was expected to be a workhorse this season, and he hasn't done too poorly for himself. He's amassed 434 yards on 112 carries (3.9 yard avg.) and 5 touchdowns. He also has 10 catches for 61 yards. Unfortunately, he has only had one game in which he carried the ball 30 or more times (September 8 @ New Mexico State,) so he's had little opportunity to build momentum.
WR: Ashley Lelie (Sophomore, Hawaii.) This kid is amazing. Only a sophomore, and he has 46 catches for 699 yards (15.2 avg.) and 7 TDs. Very good future on his horizon.
Lee Mays (Senior, UTEP). Mays has only 32 receptions this season, but has made them count, gathering 499 yards (a 15.6 yard average), but only one touchdown. He has also carried the ball twice for 11 yards.
TE: Jeremy Stevens (Junior, Washington). Stevens has only played in two games this season, and has only caught 3 balls for 37 yards (12.3 avg.).
OL: Brett Williams (Junior, Florida State); Fred Weary (Freshman, Tennessee); Brian Ottney (Sophomore, Michigan State); Toniu Funoti (Junior, Nebraska); Bryant McKinnie (Senior, Miami).
P: Brooks Barnard (Junior, Maryland). Barnard has surpassed even my lofty expectations of him, and has rightly been named a Ray Guy Award Finalist. He has punted 36 times for 1,601 yards (44.5 yard avg.), including 10 in the 20, and has forced 4 fair catches. That may be low, but consider that he only has 4 touchbacks this season. He could also play quarterback for Grimace's Gamebreakers. His QB Rating of 133.6 is only one-tenth off of Carson Palmer's, though he's only 1 of 1 for 4 yards.
