Southern California is trying to make history, and if it does, the controversy will only come within a computer.
On the field this season, instant replay will become as much a part of the college football fabric as halftime bands
and Keith Jackson.
Yes, USC goes after an unprecedented third consecutive Associated Press championship with a quarterback (Matt
Leinart) going after back-to-back Heisman Trophies, accomplished only once, by Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974-75. Unfortunately, national titles aren’t nearly as clean-cut as
individual trophies.
The Bowl Championship Series, developed in 1998 to determine the top two teams for a national title game, has instead developed massive debates four of the past five years.
Once again, the BCS has been tweaked. The Associated Press media poll, citing a conflict of interest (not to mention near death threats to its voting members), pulled out of the BCS formula. In its place is a Harris poll from 114 former coaches, sports administrators and media members.
However, Harris may soon find that predicting the outcome of political races isn’t nearly as difficult – or dangerous – as picking the nation’s top 25 football teams.
The BCS ranking wasn’t the only slice of college football altered. The Atlantic Coast Conference expanded again and separated into divisions. Five other conferences changed their look. And if anyone sees any mountains around Texas Christian, the new Mountain West school, let us know.
With new South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier kicking off the season tonight against Central Florida, here’s a primer on
the 2005 season.
BEST BETS TO LEAVE EARLY
Reggie Bush, TB, Southern California: The NFL craves his type of elusiveness, and he would have been a top-five pick this year. The NFL doesn’t view him as an every-down back, but which GM could stand the heat of passing on a potential gamebreaker?
Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green: Some in the NFL think Jacobs, who’s faster and may have a stronger arm, could be a better pro than Matt Leinart. If Jacobs repeats his 4,002 yards passing and 41 TDs with four interceptions, we’ll find out who’s taken higher.
Laurence Maroney, TB, Minnesota: He gained 1,000 yards each of the past two years while sharing time with Marion Barber III. Barber is gone to the Dallas Cowboys, and Maroney has his line back.
Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan: With Braylon Edwards gone, Breaston will be the prime target for Chad Henne, who will only get better as a sophomore.
Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State: He’s small but runs a 4.3 40 and should get single coverage with speedy sophomore Ted Ginn Jr. on other side
HEISMAN TROPHY HOPEFULS
Reggie Bush, TB, Jr., Southern California: The guess here is he’ll be used more and voters will lean more toward the spectacular rather than the steady if USC runs the table again.
Matt Leinart, QB, Sr., Southern California: If USC goes unbeaten again – and with its schedule, it should – the “steady” quarterback who won the award last year must be a leading contender. His arm also is healthier.
Adrian Peterson, TB, So., Oklahoma: There’s no more freshman prejudice for voters this year. Then again, there’s also no Jason White at quarterback to take away the pressure.
Vince Young, QB, Jr., Texas: His Heisman campaign started with last season’s Rose Bowl win over Michigan. It will continue only if he comes up big in beating Oklahoma.
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, So., Ohio State: He ran four punts back for TDs and has been called the most exciting player in college football. He also has Santonio Holmes to divert the attention of secondaries.
PLAYERS ON THE HOT SEAT
Vince Young, QB, Jr., Texas: He had better be a Heisman candidate. In two games against Oklahoma, he has gone 19-of-44 for 221 yards and two interceptions, and the Longhorns are looking at a five-game losing streak to their archrival.
Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Sr., Clemson: So much promise and so little delivery for two years. Whitehurst would benefit more if he had a running game and receivers who could catch.
Brian Brohm, QB, So., Louisville: All-everything out of high school, he showed potential last year backing up Stefan LeFors. Now Brohm is in charge, and Louisville is favored to win Big East in its first year.
Dusty Dvoracek, DT, Sr., Oklahoma: He got booted from the team last year after an off-field brawl and has undergone counseling for drinking. He must anchor a line that lost both its ends. He will be watched closely on and off the field.
D.J. Shockley, QB, Sr., Georgia: You’ve waited three years for your chance and you only completed 43 percent of your passes when you had chances. Now all you must do is replace the NCAA’s winningest quarterback in David Greene. And Georgia fans have long memories.
COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT
Gary Pinkel, Missouri, fifth year, (22-25 overall, 12-20 Big 12): Besides the fact that he has tried to turn one of the nation’s best running quarterbacks into Dan Marino, Pinkel has alienated QB Brad Smith’s father and boosters. Pinkel even bolted one Quarterback Club luncheon. Still, AD Mike Alden swears he wants to break Missouri’s impatient mold.
Rich Brooks, Kentucky, third year, (6-17, 2-14 SEC): The administration forced him to can his offensive coordinator, Ron Hudson, after the team finished third to last nationally in total offense. Brooks is next on the gallows,
and getting drilled by in-state rival Louisville in the opener, again, won’t help.
Joe Paterno, Penn State, 40th year, (343-116-3, 57-39 Big Ten): He received a four-year extension through 2008 after last season, but his crumbling fan base may dissolve after another flop job. The defense returns nine starters. The
offense has great young recruits. Penn State is picked in the middle of the Big Ten. This year, there is no excuse not to do better.
Gary Schiano, Rutgers, fifth year, (12-34, 3-26 Big East): He beats Michigan State one week and loses to New
Hampshire the next. The defense is so slow, Tony Soprano could play safety. A decent offense has everyone back, so improvement on 4-7 is a must.
Tom Craft, San Diego State, fourth year, (14-22, 9-12 MWC): Three consecutive losing seasons, and the Aztecs could be worse this year. The defense, a strong suit a year ago, lost seven starters. He does return TB Lynell Hamilton, all-league in 2003, who sat out 2004 with a broken ankle. But Craft has a new watchdog in AD Jeff Schemmel.
NEW COACHES WITH A CHANCE TO SHINE
Urban Meyer, Florida: All Ron Zook had to do was hang on for one more year and he would cash in on THE year Florida fans expected. Turns out, UberMeyer will take advantage of 14 returning starters, an All-America QB waiting to happen in Chris Leak and good receivers.
Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh: Departing Walt Harris left the ex-NFL coach a top-notch passing game and eight returning starters on offense. Wannstedt’s background is defense, which is why Pitt’s fat and unhappy D shed much poundage this offseason.
Les Miles, Louisiana State: The Tigers are picked to win the SEC West, with every starter back on offense and seven on defense. He kept offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher for a smooth transition and doesn’t play a road game against a team with a winning record last year. But he’s at LSU, so Miles had better win.
Tyrone Willingham, Washington: The main reason is the shoes Keith Gilbertson left to fill could fit a hamster. Anything close to .500 will make Willingham a savior. He also has good chance at long-term success because of Washington’s tradition, still-rabid fan base and underrated high school talent in the state.
Mike Sanford, Nevada-Las Vegas: The coordinator of Utah’s spread offense will put his imprint on a program that tired under John Robinson. Sanford has a promising QB in Shane Steichen and most of the O-line back. Now if Sanford could only add some magic to that putrid defense.
NEW COACHES LIKELY TO NEED COUNSELING
Dick Tomey, San Jose State: Is his idea of an explanation point on his fine career to save a program that averaged 6,000 fans a game last year and boasts one winning record since 1992?
Brent Guy, Utah State: The football budget is in the bottom 10 in college football and the facilities are, well, on the bottom. The city of Logan’s high school has a better weight room. Not to say Guy is short on personnel, but two starting linebackers will likely be walk-ons.
Terry Hoeppner, Indiana: How lame is the MAC when the coach of a two-time defending division champion leaves for a school without a winning record in 11 years? He’s Indiana’s third coach in five years – and their leading rusher, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, transferred to Mississippi.
Kyle Whittingham, Utah: He was a fine defensive coordinator, but Urban Meyer made Utah famous with his spread offense, and not only are he and Sanford gone, but so is QB Alex Smith. Whittingham has sophomore Brian Johnson to win a Mountain West Conference where Utah is favored.
Ron Zook, Illinois: Kids grow up in Florida dreaming about being a Gator. Kids no longer grow up in Illinois dreaming of becoming an Illini. Zook had a reputation for being undisciplined at Florida. That won’t work at a school that finished 97th in total defense.
FIVE TEAMS TO WATCH
Purdue: Forget that the entire defense returns. Forget that two receivers return and QB Brandon Kirsch looked good as Kyle Orton’s backup. Forget that Purdue is ranked only fourth in the Big Ten. Why Purdue should surprise is Michigan and Ohio State aren’t on the schedule and Purdue gets Iowa at home.
Boston College: Picked second to fourth in the ACC Atlantic, BC has probably the best pass rusher in the nation in Mathias Kiwanuka, nine starters on offense, plus, does anyone get more out of his talent than Tom O’Brien? Also, no Miami and it gets Florida State at home.
Georgia Tech: Quarterback Reggie Ball is maddeningly inconsistent, but when he’s on, he’s very good.
Sensational receiver Calvin Johnson is always on, and nine starters return on a defense that was ranked 12th.
Penn State: Yes, it’s time JoePa and the Nittany Lions return from the dead. He has quietly recruited well recently, and his defense never gave up more than 21 points last year. He has an experienced senior quarterback in Michael Robinson. Paterno may finally pay homage to freshmen and play super receiver recruit Derrick Williams.
Texas A&M: A confounding loss to Baylor sent the Aggies to a 1-4 season-ending skid. Don’t look for a repeat. Dennis Franchione has QB Reggie McNeal, who is getting Heisman talk, and has 18 players who started at least eight games a year ago.
GAMES TO WATCH
Texas at Ohio State, Sept. 10.: Ohio State has the best linebacker corps in the nation, including Air Force-transfer Anthony Schlegel, and must do what rival Michigan couldn’t do: stop QB Vince Young. Texas has possibly the best secondary in the country and must stop speedy Ted Ginn Jr.
Tennessee at Florida, Sept. 24: A Texas loss at Ohio State should put Tennessee No. 2 in the nation going into Gainesville, and a questionable secondary will get tested by Urban Meyer’s spread offense. The winner will likely win the SEC East.
Texas vs. Oklahoma at Dallas, Oct. 8: Mack Brown has lost five straight to Oklahoma and has yet to play for a national title. Oklahoma has played for the past two. This game could determine who plays in the next one.
Michigan at Iowa, Oct. 22: Everyone points to Ohio State-Michigan in the regular-season finale, but Iowa lurks in the Big Ten at No. 3. Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes have 31 wins the past three years, and this year they should actually have a running game.
Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 19: They’re Nos. 6 and 4 now, respectively. Michigan must win at Iowa and Wisconsin. Ohio State must beat Texas and Iowa at home. If form holds, this could be a ticket for the biggest Rose Bowl date in their histories.
IMPACT TRUE FRESHMEN
Rashad Jennings, TB, Pittsburgh (Lynchburg Christian Academy, Forest, Va.): Enrolled in January and took over the starting job after 1,978 yards on 10.3 per carry as a prep senior. Scored 56 TDs last two years, and two older brothers played in the NFL.
Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State (Roosevelt HS, Greenbelt, Md.): How good is he? Coach Joe Paterno might actually play him. Paterno would rather play tuba players than freshmen. Williams has 4.24 speed and last year accounted for nine TDs running, 13 passing and 11 receiving.
Justin King, CB, Penn State (Gateway HS, Monroeville, Pa.): King won’t contribute as much as Williams but could be bigger down the road. He’s the top cornerback prospect in the nation out of suburban Pittsburgh and will back up an already strong secondary.
Kevin Grady, TB, Michigan (East Grand Rapids (Mich.) HS.): Mike Hart led the Big Ten in conference rushing (151.8 ypg), and Grady is pushing him for the job. Grady holds Michigan state marks for most career yards (8,431), touchdowns (151) and consecutive 100-yard games (24).
Patrick Turner, WR, Southern California (Goodpasture HS, Nashville, Tenn.): He’s running second-team behind Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith but will be in the rotation of USC’s high-powered offense. A year ago Turner caught 56 passes for 955 yards and 12 TDs.
BEST QUARTERBACK BATTLES
Paul Thompson, Jr., vs. Rhett Bomar, Fr., Oklahoma: Jason White’s backup the last two years, Thompson is steadier and more experienced and got the nod to start from coach Bob Stoops with a week left in camp. Bomar, the top prep QB in the nation two years ago, is a spectacular passer and looks to get playing time.
Justin Zwick, Jr., vs. Troy Smith, Jr., Ohio State: Zwick, who has nursed a sprained ankle, will start the opener
against Miami of Ohio because Smith is suspended for taking money from a booster. But the Buckeyes think Smith is best for the job and say he will likely start against Texas on Sept. 10.
Drew Weatherford, Fr., vs. Xavier Lee, Fr., Florida State: Lee missed a recent scrimmage with a sore shoulder, and Weatherford threw for 401 yards. Lee has never taken a snap in a college game, and Weatherford has taken one. It remains a dead heat.
Erik Ainge, So., vs. Rick Clausen, Sr., Tennessee: Edge Ainge. Coach Phillip Fulmer says Ainge will start – but both quarterbacks will play Sept. 3 against UAB. But it isn’t a given that Ainge will start in their second game at Florida. Stay tuned.
JaMarcus Russell, So., vs. Matt Flynn, So., vs. Ryan Perrilloux, Fr., Louisiana State: Russell started half the games last year, had the best spring game and has a slight edge over Flynn, a better runner, and Perrilloux, the Michael Vick-type superstar prospect signed away from Texas.
OFF-FIELD CAREERS AND HOBBIES
Lance Bennett, WR/KR, Jr., Indiana: The music major from Brooklyn cowrote the biggest hit off “Men in Black II” soundtrack, “Black Suits Comin’ (Nod Ya Head).” Fourth in the nation in kickoff returns, Bennett teamed with two brothers
to write the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl theme song.
Josh Amstutz, DB, So., Texas A&M: Before walking on at A&M, he joined the Marines and was shot in Iraq, earning a Purple Heart.
Hunter Herring, OT, Sr., Baylor: Fought as an amateur in mixed martial arts in Holland, where he was 5-0. Younger brother of Heath Herring, a world-ranked mixed martial artist nicknamed “The Texas Crazy Horse.”
Owen Daniels, TE, Sr., Wisconsin: The meteorology major occasionally works at local TV station as a weather forecaster.
Anthony Schlegel, LB, Sr., Ohio State: Hunts wild boar – with a knife.
