Daily Blog • January 27th, 2010

In Monday's Blog I gave you the teams with the best odds to win the 2010 national championship courtesy of The Hilton in Las Vegas. In today's blog is the current list for Returning Starters for each team in 2010 broken down by offense, defense and special teams. The * on the offense number denotes that the starting QB is returning. Below the alphabetical list I broke down teams with the most/least returning starters followed by a conference by conference breakdown.

Please make sure to check out our team schedules for next year. On the left side of the home page under 2010 click on Schedules/13 Year Logs and go to your favorite conference to get schedules for all your teams for 2010. Click on any game to get all the games played between the two teams in the last 13 years with complete statistics including first downs, rushing, passing, sacks, TO’s and much more.

Because we want all the information to be complete and accurate as possible, if you see any games we have missed for next seasons’ schedules or if there have been any recent changes to your favorite teams 2010 schedule please email Brandon@philsteele.com and we’ll get it corrected.

Also don’t forget to check out our Spring Central section to get 2010 schedules, coaching changes, who’s back/who’s not and all the NFL Draft early entrants.

I will be back later this week with all the Senior Bowl/Pro Bowl coverage you need to prepare you for this weekend's games. On Monday I will expand on the Hilton's odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship and give you a breakdown of each of the 50 teams including key starters back/lost.

2010 Returning Starters

Team
OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
 CONF
Air Force
5*
6
1
12
 MWC
Akron
6*
9
2
17
 MAC
Alabama
8*
2
0
10
 SEC
Arizona
7*
4
2
13
 PAC 10
Arizona St
4
4
2
10
 PAC 10
Arkansas
9*
7
2
18
 SEC
Arkansas St
6
5
1
12
 SUN BELT
Army
8*
8
2
18
 INDEP
Auburn
7
8
1
16
 SEC
Ball St.
11*
8
2
21
 MAC
Baylor
6*
6
2
14
 BIG 12
Boise St.
11*
10
2
23
 WAC
Boston College
8*
6
1
15
 ACC
Bowling Green
4
4
1
9
 MAC
Buffalo
5
9
2
16
 MAC
BYU
7
4
2
13
 MWC
California
8*
6
2
16
 PAC 10
Cent Michigan
7
5
1
13
 MAC
Cincinnati
6
5
2
13
 BIG EAST
Clemson
6*
6
2
14
 ACC
Colorado
8*
7
1
16
 BIG 12
Colorado St
2
5
2
9
 MWC
Connecticut
8*
7
1
16
 BIG EAST
Duke
8
6
2
16
 ACC
East Carolina
5
3
0
8
 CUSA
Eastern Michigan
8*
7
1
16
 MAC
FIU
8
5
0
13
 SUN BELT
Fla Atlantic
4
9
1
14
 SUN BELT
Florida
6
7
2
15
 SEC
Florida St
8*
4
2
14
 ACC
Fresno St
7*
9
1
17
 WAC
Georgia
10
6
2
18
 SEC
Georgia Tech
7*
9
2
18
 ACC
Hawaii
6*
7
2
15
 WAC
Houston
9*
6
1
16
 CUSA
Idaho
6*
10
2
18
 WAC
Illinois
5
7
2
14
 BIG 10
Indiana
8*
4
2
14
 BIG 10
Iowa
6*
8
0
14
 BIG 10
Iowa St.
8*
4
1
13
 BIG 12
Kansas
7
7
2
16
 BIG 12
Kansas St
7
6
2
15
 BIG 12
Kent St
9*
7
2
18
 MAC
Kentucky
5*
7
1
13
 SEC
Louisiana
5*
9
2
16
 SUN BELT
Louisiana Tech
7*
6
2
15
 WAC
Louisville
8*
6
0
14
 BIG EAST
LSU
6*
4
2
12
 SEC
Marshall
7*
7
1
15
 CUSA
Maryland
7
4
2
13
 ACC
Memphis
7
4
0
11
 CUSA
Miami (Fla.)
6*
8
2
16
 ACC
Miami (OH)
10*
9
1
20
 MAC
Michigan
7*
8
0
15
 BIG 10
Michigan St
7*
7
1
15
 BIG 10
Middle Tenn
8*
6
1
15
 SUN BELT
Minnesota
9*
2
1
12
 BIG 10
Mississippi
4
6
1
11
 SEC
Mississippi St
7
8
2
17
 SEC
Missouri
9*
9
1
19
 BIG 12
Navy
8*
5
2
15
 INDEP
Nebraska
8*
8
2
18
 BIG 12
Nevada
9*
7
2
18
 WAC
New Mexico
5
5
0
10
 MWC
New Mexico St
8*
7
2
17
 WAC
North Carolina
8*
9
2
19
 ACC
North Carolina St
7*
5
1
13
 ACC
North Texas
10*
8
1
19
 SUN BELT
Northern Illinois
8*
9
1
18
 MAC
Northwestern
8
6
2
16
 BIG 10
Notre Dame
6
9
2
17
 INDEP
Ohio State
9*
6
0
15
 BIG 10
Ohio University
6
6
2
14
 MAC
Oklahoma
9*
4
2
15
 BIG 12
Oklahoma St
4
4
2
10
 BIG 12
Oregon
10*
7
1
18
 PAC 10
Oregon St
8
8
1
17
 PAC 10
Penn St.
7
5
1
13
 BIG 10
Pittsburgh
4
6
2
12
 BIG EAST
Purdue
6
5
1
12
 BIG 10
Rice
8*
8
1
17
 CUSA
Rutgers
6*
6
2
14
 BIG EAST
San Diego St
9*
6
1
16
 MWC
San Jose St
9*
7
1
17
 WAC
SMU
9*
6
2
17
 CUSA
South Carolina
8*
7
2
17
 SEC
Southern Miss
4*
9
2
15
 CUSA
Stanford
8*
6
2
16
 PAC 10
Syracuse
8
10
2
20
 BIG EAST
TCU
9*
7
2
18
 MWC
Temple
9*
8
1
18
 MAC
Tennessee
4
7
2
13
 SEC
Texas
6
7
1
14
 BIG 12
Texas A&M
8*
9
2
19
 BIG 12
Texas Tech
7*
6
2
15
 BIG 12
Toledo
6
6
1
13
 MAC
Troy
7
4
2
13
 SUN BELT
Tulane
8*
4
0
12
 CUSA
Tulsa
9*
4
2
15
 CUSA
UAB
7
8
2
17
 CUSA
UCF
7
6
2
15
 CUSA
UCLA
8*
5
2
15
 PAC 10
ULM
6*
4
1
11
 SUN BELT
UNLV
8*
7
0
15
 MWC
USC
5*
6
1
12
 PAC 10
USF
9*
4
1
14
 BIG EAST
Utah
7*
4
2
13
 MWC
Utah St
7*
8
1
16
 WAC
UTEP
7*
4
1
12
 CUSA
Vanderbilt
5*
5
1
11
 SEC
Virginia
7
7
2
16
 ACC
Virginia Tech
8*
5
0
13
 ACC
Wake Forest
6
7
2
15
 ACC
Washington
10*
8
2
20
 PAC 10
Washington St
8*
8
2
18
 PAC 10
West Virginia
7
9
1
17
 BIG EAST
Western Michigan
7
7
2
16
 MAC
Wisconsin
10*
6
2
18
 BIG 10
WKU
9*
9
1
19
 SUN BELT
Wyoming
8*
7
2
17
 MWC

Teams with Most Returning Starters

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
 CONF
Boise St.
11*
10
2
23
 WAC
Ball St.
11*
8
2
21
 MAC
Miami (OH)
10*
9
1
20
 MAC
Syracuse
8
10
2
20
 BIG EAST
Washington
10*
8
2
20
 PAC 10
Missouri
9*
9
1
19
 BIG 12
North Carolina
8*
9
2
19
 ACC
North Texas
10*
8
1
19
 SUN BELT
Texas A&M
8*
9
2
19
 BIG 12
WKU
9*
9
1
19
 SUN BELT

Boise will bring back 23 starters from last years 14-0 Fiesta Bowl winning team led by Heisman candidate QB Kellen Moore who threw for 3536 yds (64%) and a 39-3 ratio last year. The Broncos only starter not returning from last year is CB Kyle Wilson.

Ball St looks to improve upon their 2-10 record from last year with 21 starters back including all 11 back on offense.

Miami Oh had a rough season in '09 under 1st-yr HC Mike Haywood going 1-11. In 2010 however Haywood will welcome back 20 starters including 10 on offense.

Syracuse will return 20 starters back from last season's 4-8 team including 10 back from a defense that gave up just 219 total ypg in its final 3 games.

Washington was one of the most improved teams in the country going from 0 wins in '08 to 5 wins last year. In 2010 HC Sarkisian welcomes back 20 starters including the unexpected return of QB Jake Locker who statistically had his best year in'09 throwing for 2800 yds (58%) and a 21-11 ratio.

Teams with Fewest Returning Starters

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
 CONF
East Carolina
5
3
0
8
 CUSA
Bowling Green
4
4
1
9
 MAC
Colorado St
2
5
2
9
 MWC
Alabama
8*
2
0
10
 SEC
Arizona St
4
4
2
10
 PAC 10
New Mexico
5
5
0
10
 MWC
Oklahoma St
4
4
2
10
 BIG 12
Memphis
7
4
0
11
 CUSA
Mississippi
4
6
1
11
 SEC
ULM
6*
4
1
11
 SUN BELT
Vanderbilt
5*
5
1
11
 SEC

East Carolina returns only 8 starters from last year's CUSA Championship team. The Pirates also lost HC Skip Holtz who left for USF. New coach Ruffin McNeill will probably be looking at a rebuilding year in 2010.

Bowling Green had a nice season last year going 7-6 and coming just seconds short of winning the Humanitarian Bowl. 2nd-yr coach Dave Clawson will have to replace 7 starters on both offense and defense including NCAA record-setting WR Freddie Barnes and QB Tyler Sheehan.

Colorado St lost its final 9 games in '09 and returns only 9 starters back in 2010.

Alabama returns just 10 starters from last year's national championship team. However, 8 are back on offense including Heisman winner Mark Ingram, QB McElroy and WR Jones. HC Saban loses 9 starters on D but that side of the ball is his specialty.

Conference By Conference Returning Starters

ACC

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
North Carolina
8*
9
2
19
Georgia Tech
7*
9
2
18
Duke
8
6
2
16
Miami (Fla.)
6*
8
2
16
Virginia
7
7
2
16
Boston College
8*
6
1
15
Wake Forest
6
7
2
15
Clemson
6*
6
2
14
Florida St
8*
4
2
14
Maryland
7
4
2
13
North Carolina St
7*
5
1
13
Virginia Tech
8*
5
0
13

North Carolina returns the most starters in the ACC with 19 including 9 from a defense that allowed just 270 ypg and 17 ppg in '09. Several players passed up chances to be selected in the 1st couple of rounds including OLB Bruce Carter, DT Marvin Austin and LB Quan Sturdivant. The players are staying in hopes of leading the Tar Heels to their best season since ’97.

Despite losing a total of four players (2 off, 2 def) to the NFL including DE Derrick Morgan (55 tkl, 12.5 sk, 6 tfl), S Morgan Burnett (85 tkl, 4 pbu, 4 int), RB Jonathan Dwyer 1395 rush (5.9 ypc) and WR Demaryius Thomas 1154 yds (25.1 ypc!) Georgia Tech returns 18 starters from last year's ACC championship team including QB Nesbitt.

Duke enjoyed their best season since '94 by winning 5 games in '09 under 2nd-yr coach Cutcliff. Despite losing QB Lewis the Blue Devils will return 16 starters in 2010.

Big 10

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Wisconsin
10*
6
2
18
Northwestern
8
6
2
16
Michigan
7*
8
0
15
Michigan St
7*
7
1
15
Ohio State
9*
6
0
15
Illinois
5
7
2
14
Indiana
8*
4
2
14
Iowa
6*
8
0
14
Penn St.
7
5
1
13
Minnesota
9*
2
1
12
Purdue
6
5
1
12

Wisconsin returns 18 starters from last year's 10-3 team including 10 from an offense that avg 417 ypg (most since '94) and 32 ppg.

Northwestern went to their 1st New Years Day Bowl (Outback) since '96 and will welcome back 16 starters in 2010. The Wildcats do lose their QB Mike Kafka but backup Dan Persa did see some action when Kafka was hurt in midseason.

This will be a critical season for Michigan coach Rodriguez after going just 8-16 in his 1st two years in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines do have 15 starters returning including QB Forcier.

Defending Big 10 Champ Ohio St returns 15 starters as QB Terrelle Pryor is back along with 8 other starters on offense. While the defense does lose 5 starters they reload that side of the ball year after year with 8 consecutive seasons allowing less than 20 ppg.

Big 12

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Missouri
9*
9
1
19
Texas A&M
8*
9
2
19
Nebraska
8*
8
2
18
Colorado
8*
7
1
16
Kansas
7
7
2
16
Kansas St
7
6
2
15
Oklahoma
9*
4
2
15
Texas Tech
7*
6
2
15
Baylor
6*
6
2
14
Texas
6
7
1
14
Iowa St.
8*
4
1
13
Oklahoma St
4
4
2
10

Missouri returns 19 starters back from last year's 8-5 team that actually exceeded preseason expectations. QB Gabbert who threw for 3593 yds (59%) with a 24-9 ratio returns along with 8 other starters from an offense that avg 412 ypg and 29 ppg.

Texas A&M also returns 19 starters from last year's 6-7 team including 8 back from an offense that avg 466 ypg and 33 ppg. Defensively the Aggies hope to improve from last year (426 ypg, 34 ppg) with 9 starters back.

Defending Big 12 North Champ Nebraska welcomes back 18 starters including 8 from a defense that gave up just 272 ypg and 10 ppg last year.

Big 12 Champ Texas has 14 starters back from last year's #2 team but will be without the services of several key players including QB McCoy, WR Shipley and DB Thomas.

Big East

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Syracuse
8
10
2
20
West Virginia
7
9
1
17
Connecticut
8*
7
1
16
Louisville
8*
6
0
14
Rutgers
6*
6
2
14
USF
9*
4
1
14
Cincinnati
6
5
2
13
Pittsburgh
4
6
2
12

Syracuse will return 20 starters back from last season's 4-8 team including 10 back from a defense that gave up just 219 total ypg in its final 3 games.

West Virginia returns 17 starters including RB Devine who rushed for 1465 yds (6.1) and 13 TDs last year.

Defending Champ Cincinnati returns just 13 starters from last year's 12-1 team and also has a new coach in Butch Jones. QB Pike will not return but backup Collaros got significant action starting in place of Pike last year.

CUSA

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Rice
8*
8
1
17
SMU
9*
6
2
17
UAB
7
8
2
17
Houston
9*
6
1
16
Marshall
7*
7
1
15
Southern Miss
4*
9
2
15
Tulsa
9*
4
2
15
UCF
7
6
2
15
Tulane
8*
4
0
12
UTEP
7*
4
1
12
Memphis
7
4
0
11
East Carolina
5
3
0
8

Rice returns 17 starters from last year's 2-10 team that improved as the season went on.

SMU returns 17 starters including QB Kyle Padron who threw for a SMU-record 460 yards leading the Mustangs to a 45-10 victory over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. It was SMU's first bowl in 25 years.

East Carolina returns the NCAA's fewest amount of starters (8) and has to replace HC Holtz who left for USF.

Indep

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Army
8*
8
2
18
Notre Dame
6
9
2
17
Navy
8*
5
2
15

Army returns 18 starters from last year's team that won 5 games which was the most since 1996. Army welcomes back 8 starters on offense that will have to improve upon last years 275 ypg and 15 ppg performance.

Notre Dame returns 15 starters but will have to replace QB Clausen and WR Tate and have a new coaching staff. The Irish defense which returns 9 starters must improve from last year's unit which gave up 398 ypg (most in Irish history) and 26 ppg.

Navy returns 15 starters from last year's 10-4 team including 8 on offense led by QB Dobbs who ran for 1203 yds and scored 27 rush TD's an NCAA- single season record for a QB.

MAC

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Ball St.
11*
8
2
21
Miami (OH)
10*
9
1
20
Kent St
9*
7
2
18
Northern Illinois
8*
9
1
18
Temple
9*
8
1
18
Akron
6*
9
2
17
Buffalo
5
9
2
16
Eastern Michigan
8*
7
1
16
Western Michigan
7
7
2
16
Ohio University
6
6
2
14
Cent Michigan
7
5
1
13
Toledo
6
6
1
13
Bowling Green
4
4
1
9

Ball St looks to improve upon their 2-10 record from last year with 21 starters back including all 11 back on offense.

Miami Oh had a rough season in '09 under 1st-yr HC Mike Haywood going 1-11. In 2010 however Haywood will welcome back 20 starters including 10 on offense.

Defending Champ Central Michigan returns just 13 starters and must replace record-setting QB LeFevour and HC Jones who left for Cincinnati.

Bowling Green had a nice season last year going 7-6 and coming just seconds short of winning the Humanitarian Bowl. 2nd-yr coach Dave Clawson will have to replace 7 starters on both offense and defense including NCAA record-setting WR Freddie Barnes and QB Tyler Sheehan.

MWC

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
TCU
9*
7
2
18
Wyoming
8*
7
2
17
San Diego St
9*
6
1
16
UNLV
8*
7
0
15
BYU
7
4
2
13
Utah
7*
4
2
13
Air Force
5*
6
1
12
New Mexico
5
5
0
10
Colorado St
2
5
2
9

The Horned Frogs return 18 starters from last year’s 12-1 team including 9 from an offense that avg 453 ypg and 38 ppg. The defense has 7 starters back but lose All-American DE Jerry Hughes and LB Daryl Washington.

Wyoming enjoyed their best season since 2004 under 1st yr coach Christensen and return 17 starters including QB Carta-Samuels who threw for 1953 yds (59%) with a 10-5 ratio as a true frosh.

Colorado St lost its final 9 games in '09 and returns only 9 starters back in 2010.

PAC 10

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Washington
10*
8
2
20
Oregon
10*
7
1
18
Washington St
8*
8
2
18
Oregon St
8
8
1
17
California
8*
6
2
16
Stanford
8*
6
2
16
UCLA
8*
5
2
15
Arizona
7*
4
2
13
USC
5*
6
1
12
Arizona St
4
4
2
10

Washington was one of the most improved teams in the country going from 0 wins in '08 to 5 wins last year. In 2010 HC Sarkisian welcomes back 20 starters including the unexpected return of QB Jake Locker who statistically had his best year in'09 throwing for 2800 yds (58%) and a 21-11 ratio.

The Ducks return 17 starters from last year’s Pac-10 championship team including 10 back from an offense that avg 412 ypg and 36 ppg.

Washington St suffered a ton of injuries last year and several younger players saw significant action. This year the Cougars return 18 starters and hope to improve upon last year's 1-11 season.

SEC

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Arkansas
9*
7
2
18
Georgia
10
6
2
18
Mississippi St
7
8
2
17
South Carolina
8*
7
2
17
Auburn
7
8
1
16
Florida
6
7
2
15
Kentucky
5*
7
1
13
Tennessee
4
7
2
13
LSU
6*
4
2
12
Mississippi
4
6
1
11
Vanderbilt
5*
5
1
11
Alabama
8*
2
0
10

Arkansas received good news when QB Ryan Mallett decided to come back for another year. Mallett threw for 3624 yds (56%) and a 30-7 ratio in ’09 and hopes to lead the Razorbacks to an even better season in 2010. TE DJ Williams (411 yds, 12.8) also passed up the NFL as the Razorbacks have 18 returning starters.

This will be a critical year for Georgia HC Richt who welcomes back 18 starters from last year's team that won 8 games the fewest since '01 Richt's 1st yr.

Alabama returns just 10 starters from last year's national championship team. However, 8 are back on offense including Heisman winner Mark Ingram, QB McElroy and WR Jones. HC Saban loses 9 starters on D but that side of the ball is his specialty.

Sun Belt

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
North Texas
10*
8
1
19
WKU
9*
9
1
19
Louisiana
5*
9
2
16
Middle Tenn
8*
6
1
15
Fla Atlantic
4
9
1
14
FIU
8
5
0
13
Troy
7
4
2
13
Arkansas St
6
5
1
12
ULM
6*
4
1
11

North Texas returns 19 starters from last year's 2-10 team including 10 from an offense that avg 27 ppg its highest since '03.

WKU went 0-12 in '09 but can only improve with 19 starters back including QB Jakes who threw for 1516 yds (61%) with a 9-9 ratio.

Defending Champ Troy returns 13 starters including 7 on offense. The Trojans however must replace QB Levi Brown who threw for 3868 yds (65%) with a 22-9 ratio.

WAC

OFF
DEF
ST
TOTAL
Boise St.
11*
10
2
23
Idaho
6*
10
2
18
Nevada
9*
7
2
18
Fresno St
7*
9
1
17
New Mexico St
8*
7
2
17
San Jose St
9*
7
1
17
Utah St
7*
8
1
16
Hawaii
6*
7
2
15
Louisiana Tech
7*
6
2
15

Boise will bring back an NCAA best 23 starters from last years 14-0 Fiesta Bowl winning team led by Heisman candidate QB Kellen Moore who threw for 3536 yds (64%) and a 39-3 ratio last year. The Broncos only starter not returning from last year is CB Kyle Wilson.

Idaho had their best season since '99 and will welcome back 18 starters including 10 back on defense.

Nevada returns 18 starters from last years 8-5 team including 9 back from an offense that avg 38 ppg anf 506 ypg.