Across the country college football programs are gearing up for spring ball and the 2010-11 season. Here’s a few players to keep an eye out for in the coming season.

 Dion Lewis -Pittsburgh -Sophomore - Running Back

Dion Lewis finished last year with the third most rushing yards in the NCAA as a freshmen for head coach Dave Wannsted’s Pittsburgh Panthers. Their were only three games all year where the Albany, NY native didn’t break the 100-yard mark. Lewis was named the National Freshmen of the Year by CBS and the Sporting News. Look out for Lewis to be in the Heisman race this season.

 Case Keenum - Houston - Senior - Quarterback

No one’s numbers last season in college football were anywhere close to the stats Case Keenum put up for the University of Houston. The senior helped the Cougars go 10-4 last season, but still has a lot to prove after a dismal performance in the Armed Forces Bowl against Air Force. Keenum probably could have been a high draft pick this season, but another year in college certainly won’t hurt his development.

 Von Miller - Texas A&M - Senior - Defensive End 

Mike Sherman and the Texas A&M Aggies will be glad to have Von Miller back in College Station for next season. Miller was projected as second to third round draft pick for the upcoming NFL Draft, but decided to return to school for his senior year and get his degree. Miller had the most sacks in the nation with 17 and can play either as a defensive end or linebacker. The Aggies defense this year should be pretty scary with Miller back.

University of Michigan head football coach Rich Rodriguez is in trouble again. The NCAA has published its conclusion stating the Wolverines violated NCAA rules in the first year and a half in Rodriguez’s reign in Ann Arbor. Players were required to practice more than the allotted time for collegiate players to practice during the season and off season. “Rich Rod” hasn’t been a hit on the field either with his Wolverines going 8-16 during his two seasons in the job. Michigan may pull emulate USC by inflicting self-imposed sanctions to lessen the apparently unavoidable NCAA sanctions that will be decided in August. Michigan’s athletic director David Brandon gave Rodriguez a vote of confidence stating that his job is safe in 2010, but if the former West Virgina head coach doesn’t have a good season this year it could be his last at U of M.

The rich keep getting richer in college football as the SEC Conference brought in the large number of the country’s top ranked prospects again this year. ESPN ranked the recruiting classes of reigning National Champions Alabama #3 and 2008 National Champions Florida #1. Auburn (#4), LSU (#8), and Tennessee (#9) round out the top ten of ESPN 2010 recruiting class rankings. Florida got a number of the most highly recruited players in the country with the signing of 4 five-star recruits all of you play on the defensive side of the ball. Don’t expect anyone to have an easy time moving the ball on the Gators in the years to come. Alabama nabbed the #1 ranked quarterback in the country Phillip Sims and two of the most highly ranked defensive ends. With Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU all have strong recruiting seasons the rest of college football has a lot of catching up to do on the SEC in terms of bringing in the nation’s most talented high school players.

The Golden-Domers of South Bend are getting what they paid for when they hired Brian Kelly as Notre Dame’s head football coach: change. You can say what you want about Charlie Weis, but he did bring in big name recruits while Kelly has so far this recruiting season gone after lesser coveted recruits that can play multiple positions. The flash of the big names like Jimmy Clausen and Michael Floyd didn’t help the Fightin’ Irish last year very much as Charlie Weis was fired after a terrible 2009 season.

Kelly over his career has helped turn around two Division I programs in Central Michigan and Cincinnati. The 48-year-old coach won two Division II National Championships with Grand Valley State, a Mac Championship with Central Michigan, and this past season had Cincinnati playing in a BCS bowl game. Brian Kelly might be doing things differently, but he does have a track record for success. Notre Dame will be one of the most scrutinized teams in the NCAA this year as everyone waits to see how Brian Kelly fares in his first year at the Irish’s helm.

After missing the 2009 season because of a battle with rare form of cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma, Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich suited up for practice Thursday. Herzlich underwent treatments of radiations and cemotherapy in 2009 and announced this past September that he was cancer free. ESPN ran stories on the inspirational 22-year-old who throughout his year battling the disease supported team mates on the Boston College sideline, met with cancer patients, and raised over $200,000 for cancer research.

Herzlich in 2008 was an All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year winner, and NFL draft prospect leading the Golden Eagles in tackles and the nation in incterception by a linebacker. Though back to full health it is unclear if Herzlich will be able to return to Boston College’s starting lineup. Nonetheless, when Herzlich runs out on to field Alumni Stadium in all his pads for the first time since his bout with cancer he will be subject to a standing ovation.

A couple years ago, the Tennessee Volunteers reached out to Lovie Smith, the coach of the Chicago Bears, to be their coach. Now the Vols have found their way to have a big Lane Kiffin debacle. Kiffin pledged his fealty to the team and it just wasn’t enough. They weren’t good enough, their scouting just wasn’t quite good enough. Instead, Kiffin suddenly decided to choose the USC job. Meanwhile, a bunch of other possible coaches, including the coach from Duke and other places, have turned down the job in the last few days. For whatever reason, rumors surfaced yesterday that Lovie Smith was being approached. There were reports of a jet and a limo on the way to Chicago to meet him. Just now, howver, I heard that an athletic director from Louisiana might have just decided to take the Tennessee job, so perhaps all these different rumors amount to nothing at all.

The Georgia Tech Yellowjackets finally hit the top this year when they won the ACC and played in a bowl game. They hadn’t had that honor before, but they are finally feeling like they are a major player in the college football world. Let’s first give them a round of applause. They also have another problem moving forward though. They are going to lose three star players to the NFL draft. This isn’t all that surprising, because that’s what generally happens at this time of year, and lots of dominant teams end up struggling after the loss of top players each year. This year might be particularly tough for Georgia Tech, as they haven’t had the opportunity to have long-term success with anyone but these three players. I’m interested to see what they decide upon.

When Texas and Alabama took the field last night in California during the national championship, it looked like a good duel between Colt McCoy and McElroy and Ingrahm. But within a few minutes of kickoff, McCoy got a shoulder injury that led him to be sidelined for the rest of the game. He tried to come back, he tried to help call plays. But even the best play isn’t going to work if the talented player can’t be on the field. His replacement Garrett Gilbert was very good, especially considering that he hadn’t played much in a long time. He hasn’t started a game since high school probably. Meanwhile, McElroy and his team put together a very nice game, winning 37-21 in the end. Congrats to them and we wish both teams the best in the future.

The Boise State Broncos were against TCU this season in the Fiesta Bowl. They wanted to get a win, but they were stuck on their 33 yard line and a 4th down. They brought out a play that you almost never see. It’s called the “Riddler”, where the punter comes out and fakes a punt and throws a pass. It ended up being a 30 yard strike, getting the first down and setting up the winning touchdown. The Broncos were undefeated this season and it’s because they have strange plays like this. I have to say, the punter did an amazing job with that throw, since they don’t usually get a chance to make a pass, let alone with the pressure, from the defenders and from the situation. This would have been a huge problem if he’d missed his mark, because of the field position. But it was an exciting game and congrats to Boise State for their talented play and good coaching!

Even though there are dozens of games in the next couple of days in college football, there is one story that has been dominating the conversation recently. Texas Tech has been covered with the Coach Mike Leach scandal. One of his players, who happens to be the son of a famous ESPN correspondent, claims that he was made to stay in a dark room during practices after a concussion a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, the coach says that it was just a regular room that was kept dark and it’s better for the player who’s having headaches. Either way, the coach wanted to lead his team in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, but he’s been fired. They’re desperately seeking an injunction to let him coach, but it seems doubtful now.

Otherwise, just enjoy some of the great bowl games, even though there are some coaching changes for some of the teams. There are some great possibilities for very talented teams.