I've always kind of wondered which of the "big six" conferences would field the most complete starting lineup of fantasy studs, but it took a rainy, cold week in April for me to actually do the research. The results range from downright scary to seriously pitiful. The ACC checks in at a solid third. Without further ado ...

You can make a case for Manning as the best fantasy quarterback option. But the real prize here are the running backs. Just look at some of the guys left off the squad: Auburn's Stephen Davis (Carolina), Florida's Fred Taylor (Jacksonville), Tennessee's Jamal Lewis (Baltimore), Tennessee's Charlie Garner (Oakland). And there's more where that came from. The Volunteers also have a couple of nice receivers that didn't make the cut: Peerless Price (Atlanta) and Donte' Stallworth (New Orleans). What? No Florida receivers? More on that later ...

Tough choices on the board here, but I went with potential over past performance, for the most part. Vick over Syracuse's Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia) is splitting hairs. And if you think Martin's better days are behind him, take Boston College's William Green (Cleveland) instead. There's not much depth at receiver, but we're looking for the best starting lineup. There's even a nice second option at tight end: Miami's Bubba Franks (Green Bay).

The obvious downfall to this team is its running backs, which only beat out the Pac-10 for quality (it's a wide margin, though!). That receiving corps is arguably the best here, and you can sub Clemson's Rod Gardner (Washington) in for one of those three if you want.

Take Indiana's Trent Green (Kansas City) at quarterback if you want. The running backs aren't as strong as you might think, with George on his last legs and touchdown vultures Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams stealing all of Bennett's goal line work in Minnesota. Nice receivers left on the bench: Michigan State's Derrick Mason (Tennessee) and Charles Rogers (Detroit), Wisconsin's Chris Chambers (Miami) and Ohio State's Joey Galloway (Dallas). Sorry Terry Glenn (Ohio State and Dallas), but no props for you.

The quarterback and receivers are downright laughable. But that, my friends, is one hell of a corps of running backs, probably the best of the bunch. It is the Big 12's saving grace and the only reason they aren't in last place. Interestingly enough, Holmes was Williams' backup at Texas, which raises the question: What's the best collegiate running back tandem of all-time? Without research, Oklahoma State teammates Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, and Notre Dame's pair of Jerome Bettis and Rickey Watters come to mind. Virginia Tech "untouchables" Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones recently parted ways. And I'm sure when it's all said and done, N.C. State's soon-to-be remarkable one-two punch of T.A. McClendon and Darrell Blackman (whenever he actually qualifies) will go down as one of the greats!

You're not going far if those are your starting running backs (yes, Canidate was the second-best guy I could find). You've got to love the options at tight end, where Gonzalez and Heap allow you to keep the overrated Keyshawn Johnson (Southern Cal, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) on the bench (thank God for the flex position!). Too bad Washington State's Jason "Mmm-Bop" Hanson (Detroit) got beat out at kicker. ... When you've got two Bungles in your lineup, you know you're in trouble.

Gator-rific!
Well, I promised, now I must deliver ... If this outstanding group doesn't render the old Baysden adage "Thou shall not draft a Florida receiver" obsolete, we don't know what will. Not a bad apple in the group, I say! Draft early and often!