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Clutch non-BCS players to watch

August 1, 2008 1:13 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

The following are five clutch performers to watch this season. Again, there are far more than five players who could make clutch plays this season, but these five are the best for their team's success. These are in no particular order.

Max Hall, QB, BYU – Several BYU quarterbacks have made clutch plays to make the Cougars great and Hall has a chance to carry on that legacy. The schedule sets up nicely for BYU to make a run at another undefeated season.

Eugene Jarvis, RB, Kent State – No one is expecting a lot out of Kent State this year, but Jarvis could be the spark the team is looking for. He is the nation's top returning running back and could be the MAC's Offensive Player of the Year.

Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State – Fresno State will go as far as Brandstater will take them, and it won't be easy with a brutal nonconference schedule. He'll need to pull out some clutch wins to keep Fresno State afloat.

Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State – Johnson was plagued by injuries last year, but says he can return to 2006 form this season. Johnson has been the team's catalyst for the last few years and will need to return to that form to return Boise State to the top of the WAC.

Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic – Smith led the Owls to the Sun Belt championship last year and has the talent to do it again. The Owls are just starting to gain national attention, but a great season by Smith could make FAU a non-BCS sleeper.


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