Before the start of the college football season, I had a conversation with a friend about the best wide receivers in college football. Before the first game even started, it was a difficult list to put together. It seemed as if all the great receivers had gone pro, with six being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The receiver draft class included Darrius Heyward-Bey, Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt.

However with week five upon us, there has been some talented receivers step up. Below are my top ten receivers in college football. This list is not based on who has the best numbers so far, but rather who would you would want as your team’s number one wide receiver.

1. Dez Bryant, OSU – When the play starts, if the chain gang sees that Dez Bryant is NOT double-teamed, then they should just start moving the chains right then. Why waste time by waiting for the 20 yard reception.

2. A.J. Green, Georgia – If I was doing this list a week ago, Green would probably be 4 spots lower. But I had to move him up after witnessing Green carrying his team to victory with a 53 yard catch to set up the game-winning field goal after blocking Arizona State’s field goal on the previous possession.

3. Eric Decker, Minnesota

4. Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati – If you haven’t seen Gilyard play here’s all you need to know: lightning-fast receiver, has been known to turn 2 yard catches into 80 yard TDs, a big weapon in the return game.

5. Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas – He’s been involved in several off the field incidents (including a fight with the KU basketball team) and the uber-disciplinarian Mark Mangino hasn’t kicked him off the team. That’s how good he is.

6. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma – See Gilyard, Mardy.

7. Jordan Shipley, Texas

8. Greg Salas, Hawaii – He leads the nation with 601 receiving yards.

9. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss – He’s the best player in the country under 5’8”. Note: He’s also the best player under 5’9”.

10. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame – What does Floyd have in common with Adrian Peterson? They both broke their collarbone while making an amazing play that went for a touchdown.

Picks

Tulsa at Rice

Rice hasn’t given up less then 35 points to an opponent all season. The streak won’t end this week.
Tulsa  55  Rice  17

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

I will be attending this game in Jerry Jones’ new Taj Ma-Stadium. I hope they have wifi there. I’ve heard that I’m going to need to google “Arkansas Texas A&M score” frequently while watching the game.

Statistically the Aggies are the number one offense in the entire country. Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention that so far they’ve played New Mexico, Utah State, and UAB… Not that it matters, right??
Arkansas  45  Texas A&M  20

Oklahoma at Miami

When in doubt, pick the team with the better pass rush.
Oklahoma  27  Miami  20