This week's list is about the biggest mystery men in college football, those guys who are being counted on to really take a big step up and emerge and potentially spark a big season.
1. Ben Olson, UCLA, QB: The Bruins are one of those "kinda trendy" picks you hear some people tout as a darkhorse title contender because they return 20 starters and did shut down USC last season. Having said that, this is also the same team that flopped in the bowl game right after beating SC, losing to a mediocre FSU team. There's also some added pressure around UCLA coach Karl Dorrell, given the number of changes over the years on his staff and a 29-21 mark entering his fifth season. Dorrell's offense ranked near the bottom of the Pac-10. It lacked an identity. Maybe Olson, the former all-everything QB recruit, can provide that. New Bruin offensive coordinator Jay Norvell brings a pure West Coast scheme and says Olson has been very sharp in camp. "He's never really been in a situation where he's been The Guy since high school and that has helped his comfort level tremendously," says Norvell, who calls Olson "the prototype" QB because the 6-foot-5, 228-pounder has a big arm, good feet and can really throw on the run. Now the challenge is for Olson's improved chemistry with the Bruins collection of athletic receivers to pile up points. An added boost, according to Norvell, has been the emergence of diminutive burner Terrence Austin.
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Bruce Feldman
