Nebraska will need Bobby Newcombe to stay healthy and create a running threat.

You might not have seen enough of him due to injuries or playing time. But for his team to get over the top this season, the player has to make a huge impact. There might be better players on his team, but the following players have the ability to step up and push their team toward a great season (listed in alphabetical order):

Steve Bellisari/Austin Moherman, QBs, Ohio State
The Buckeyes' quarterback situation is still a question mark between the two sophomores, and how that plays out remains to be seen. Their defense is very talented, and they have a number of players back. But the offense, after losing Joe Germaine to the pros, has to go back to the drawing board in terms of developing another quarterback. They are loaded on offense, with Michael Wiley, Jonathan Wells, Matt Keller, Ken-Yon Rambo and Reggie Germany, but the Buckeyes have to have a trigger man, whether it's Bellisari or Moherman, to come through and play well.

Leland Gayles, CB, Arizona
I think the offense is in great shape with Trung Canidate, Ortege Jenkins and Keith Smith. But for the Wildcats to live up to their hype, defense is the key. The biggest priority is replacing Chris McAlister and having two bona fide cornerbacks who can cover man to man, especially in the Pac-10. They need to keep Marcus Bell healthy at linebacker, and Gayles, the cornerback replacing McAlister, needs to step up. The Wildcats have built their defense around blitzing, pressuring and attacking. Gayles will need to play at a comparable level to McAlister in order for Arizona to continue playing aggressive defense.

Doug Johnson, QB, Florida
The Gators are a team people have forgotten about due to a lot of graduations on defense. They also lost defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. People are thinking, "Well, Florida will just have to outscore people." I see Johnson just playing consistent -- not trying to do too much, and not trying to worry about a quarterback controversy. The quarterback job is his. He has the tools around him at running back and receiver; Travis Taylor is one of the top two or three receivers in the country. Johnson simply has to put the ball in play. He has a couple of years under his belt. He's seen the top of the mountain and the bottom of the valley, and it's his chance now to show some leadership and consistency. If he does that, the Gators will have an outstanding chance. By the way, don't doubt the Gators defense this year. I think they'll be back.

Kenny Kelly, QB, Miami
Will the Hurricanes be able to replace Edgerrin James? That's taken care of with James Jackson and Najeh Davenport. The 'Canes have a very solid offensive line, and Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne are back at receiver. Defensively, they bring a lot of experience back. Everything seems to be in place except Kelly. Miami fans found out a little of what he could do last year. But I think people want to see him take it up another notch. Butch Davis said, based on raw ability, Kelly might be one of the best quarterbacks Miami has ever had.

Bobby Newcombe, QB, Nebraska
You could almost have a tandem of Newcombe and DeAngelo Evans. But if you have to go with one player, it's Newcombe. Nebraska has a very good opportunity this year to have a fine season because of the returning players and their schedule, not to mention that there's a little fire in Lincoln because of what happened last year and how a lot of people are kind of writing them off. There's sort of a "we'll show you" mentality. So everything is set for them to have a good year. The big question will be Newcombe's health. He can go the distance every time he touches the ball because the 'Huskers run the option and throw the ball. Still, people question his ability to throw, and I think he's looking forward to proving all those doubters wrong. His health is imperative for Nebraska to chase a national title because of his ability to do so much with the football, both running and throwing.

Kevin Thompson, QB, Penn State
It seems like every other year, the schedule works in the Lions' favor. They have some tough games with Arizona and Miami on the road, but they get Ohio State and Michigan at home and don't have to play Wisconsin. Their defense, loaded with outstanding athletes, will keep them in every game. But for Penn State to win a national title, they need a consistent passing game. That comes down to play calling and giving Thompson and their offense a chance. The Lions can't play old Penn State football -- run on first down, run on second down, then throw on third. They have to open up the offense. I think Thompson's the key because he's the leader. He is motivated to prove his critics wrong, so look for Thompson to have ay good year. Look at '93 season for Kerry Collins compared to the '94 season. I'm not saying Thompson will progress in a similar fashion, but it's typical of Penn State quarterbacks to go through some growing pains in their first year as a starter.

Raynoch Thompson, LB, Tennessee
It would be easy to pick Jamal Lewis or the receiving corps the Vols need to develop. But what separated Tennessee last year were the intangibles, leaders like Al Wilson. Wilson is now in the NFL; hopefully, for Tennessee fans, the torch has been handed to Thompson to provide that same leadership. He's comparable to Wilson as a playmaker, and his teammates look up to him. Thompson has to be willing to accept the responsibility for being the emotional and spiritual leader. Last year it was easy for the Vols to get motivated because people doubted them. This year it will be difference because people now are saying that Tennessee is great. The Vols have to find a new way to get motivated, and that's 85 percent of the game. In addition to making plays, Thompson will be one of the players responsible for the leading and motivating.

Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
Tech has a friendly schedule; the Hokies' tough games will be in Blacksburg. They bring their entire front seven back, so their defense will be incredible. They have some talented skill people, like Shyrone Stith at running back and Ricky Hall at receiver. When I spoke to coach Frank Beamer about his quarterback situation, he got really excited about Vick. He's a redshirted freshman with the ability to run and throw. It's just a matter of how well he adapts to playing at the Division I level and whether he can live up to all the hype.

Chris Weinke, QB, Florida State
Any time you hear rumblings that Bobby Bowden has the most talented team he's ever had in Tallahassee, you cringe. Be very worried for the rest of the college football world. The Seminoles are loaded in every aspect of the game. When receiver Peter Warrick decided to come back, he headlined the most talented receiving corps in college football. The big question mark is Weinke. No. 1, is he going to be healthy? No. 2, is he going to be able to play up to the abilities he showed last year? If he does that, and I think he will, the 'Noles will be on their way toward playing in the Sugar Bowl.

Travares Tillman, FS, Georgia Tech
For Georgia Tech this year, it would be very easy to say Joe Hamilton and Dez White are the difference-makers. But I think that's a given. People expect them to play well and to put up numbers. But for the Yellow Jackets to be able to compete this year and perhaps win 10 or 11 games, they need to play better defensively. Last year defense was their Achilles heel; they gave up a record amount of points and yardage. Tillman provides leadership and great playmaking ability. With him quarterbacking the defense, he has to take it upon himself to be the leader and make them play a lot better this year.

Kirk Herbstreit is a college football analyst for ESPN.