Today’s blog continues my in-depth look at my New and Improved Experience Chart. For 7 years I had listed an experience chart, which broke down the number of seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen each team had in the two deep and rated the teams experience level with a formula I devised. Last year, I made the experience chart FIVE TIMES better. I am just listing the senior starters, and the seniors in the two deep and the points accumulated by using the system in the magazine (pg 311). In tomorrow’s blog, I will break down each number of starters for the junior, sophomore and freshman classes. The 2nd factor that goes into my overall chart is the % of yards returning which I featured in the April 28th blog. Another factor listed is the % of lettermen returning which I broke down over the Memorial Day weekend and yesterday I discussed the % of tackles returning. Today I will look at the number of career starts returning for offensive lineman.

When most folks judge a team for the upcoming season they look at the QB, RB and WR's that are returning. A few may take the time to look at star defensive players that are back (those with a lot of sacks or interceptions). However, very few look at the offensive line and yet the team that controls the line of scrimmage wins the game more often than not.

This year Georgia returns all five starters from last year and as a unit returns 155 career starts. The Bulldogs are led by All-American candidate OT Clint Boling and OC Ben Jones was 2nd Tm All-SEC LY. Their 12 sacks allowed LY were the fewest in the SEC and they are my #1 rated OL.

Florida St comes in at #2 on the list with 146 career starts and are led by All-American Rodney Hudson who could be the top OG in all of college football this year. The Seminoles also return OC Ryan McMahon who is one of the top centers in the country.

FAU is at the bottom of the list with 0 career starts back which obviously makes their OL my biggest concern on a team that has the ability to make some noise in the Sun Belt this year. Air Force has just one career start on this year’s OL which is the 2nd fewest. However, service academies do a great job with inexperienced units and they may be better than expected.

Now experience on the O-line is not the only criteria for an offensive line’s potential for the next year. You have to add in the Blue Chips, how last year’s line performed (ypc rushing and sacks allowed), size, etc. That is how a team like Florida can be just #32 in career starts returning but rated as my #4 OL this year.

Here are the OL career starts returning for all 120 teams:

Please check PhilSteele.com everyday to get my Top 30 Countdown, which posted #16 Notre Dame yesterday. Thru June 16th, I will post both magazine pages on a new team ranked in the Top 30 and you can get an early look on how I breakdown your favorite team. Remember those magazine pages are available for only 24 hours for you to download. Today, Auburn comes in at #15.

Also the official on sale date of the magazine is June 8th, but some people have already seen them in the bookstores and the cost is just $8.95. We did get a shipment into our offices yesterday and if you want to order thru the offices the cost is $13.70 with postage. Call 1-866-918-7711 or visit the PhilSteele.com store to order yours today

I will be back tomorrow with the final look at the Experience Chart.

Only 92 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE FIRST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME!!!