50 Best of the Non-BCS: Number 39

In the immortal words of Lost creator J.J. Abrams: "Yes, I have a plan." Of course we have no way of proving that we have a plan for how the next 38 players will be ranked, but nevertheless our countdown rolls on, as we dip into the 30's with a stellar talent who just happens to be playing on a really, really bad defense. #39: DE Frank Zombo, CMU

The Verdict: While it is tempting to look at Zombo's teammate and Central Michigan's leading returning tackler in Nick Bellore (148 tackles in 2008) as the best player on the Chippewas defense, one has to keep in mind that the CMU's defense is designed in such a way that the middle 'backer position routinely puts up ridiculous statistics. That's not to say Bellore is purely a 'compiler,' but when you consider the career of his predecessor (Red Keith) and take into account CMU's atrocious pass defense last year, you'll soon find that Bellore wasn't exactly Dick Butkus. The best player on the Chippewas defense last year was in fact Zombo, who was second in the conference in sacks (nine) and tackles for a loss (15.5). A first-team All-MAC selection, Zombo is the kind of player who simply cannot be blocked by a single offensive lineman, combining great pass rush ability with run stopping bulk. Up to 280-pounds for the 2009 season, Zombo could see time on the interior of CMU's line in an attempt to shore up an otherwise benign defensive front.

Past Players: [#50: Navy LB Ross Pospisil] [#49: Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews] [#48: Wyoming DT John Fletcher] [#47: BSU WR Briggs Orsbon] [#46: EMU QB Andy Schmitt] [#45: Marshall TE Cody Slate] [#44: LA Tech WR/KR Philip Livas] [#43: CSU Gaurd Shelly Smith] [#42: Wyoming FS Chris Prosinski] [#41: SMU receiver Emmanual Sanders] [#40: UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe]