FORT WORTH, Texas - (KRT) - An off-season of scandals, turmoil and controversy turns to the on-field work of determining a national champion. The 2003 college football season begins this week, and this season's team of destiny will be determined in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.
(Note: One team of destiny has already been identified. Alabama is on its third coach since December as first-year coach Mike Shula took over in May. He replaced Mike Price, who replaced Dennis Franchione. Price never coached a game for the Crimson Tide after he allegedly had an encounter with exotic dancer Destiny Stahl during a golf outing in April.)
But forget the lap dances and the lurid tales of the off-season. The season begins Saturday with two games - California plays at Kansas State in the Black Coaches Association Classic and Division I-AA Grambling State is at San Jose State in the Martin Luther King Literacy Classic.
Oklahoma opens as the preseason No. 1, while defending national champion Ohio State is No. 2.
Based on that early prognostication, the national championship in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 will match the Sooners and the Buckeyes. Considering that both OU coach Bob Stoops and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel are Ohio natives, the Buckeye state would have another seminal sports event to celebrate.
Miami and Virginia Tech begin their final seasons in the Big East Conference before moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Further conference realignment stories will provide plenty of background noise.
Perennial powers Nebraska, Penn State, Florida State, Florida and Alabama will be trying to get their grooves back. `Bama, which was 10-3 last season, is again banned from postseason play because of NCAA sanctions.
Top story lines
Maurice Clarett: The sophomore running back at Ohio State figured to enter the season as the top candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. But off-the-field issues involving possible academic improprieties and filing a false police report could keep Clarett off the field. He has yet to practice and likely will miss the team's season opener against Washington on Aug. 30.
Year of the receiver: College football often is flush at a certain position. This year it's receiver. There are the Williams triplets - Roy at Texas, Reggie at Washington and Mike at Southern Cal. Add Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, Oklahoma State's Rashaun Woods, LSU's Michael Clayton, Wisconsin's Lee Evans ... well, you get the idea. And don't forget Miami (Fla.) junior Kellen Winslow Jr., a wide receiver in a tight end's body.
The ACC-Big East feud: The Atlantic Coast Conference raided the Big East to add Miami and Virginia Tech starting next season. That off-season tiff should make the nonconference games between the two leagues more interesting: Wake Forest at Boston College, Aug. 30; Syracuse at North Carolina, Sept. 6; and West Virginia at Maryland, Sept. 20.
Team shuffling: The ACC's expansion has left the Big East searching to add at least two more football schools. The Big East also is trying to decide if it wants to remain in its current state or whether its football schools will split from Big East schools that don't play Division I-A football. Expect a season's worth of rumors and stories about the next round of conference musical chairs.
Power outages: Since 1982, Nebraska (two), Penn State (two), Florida State (two), Florida (one) and Tennessee (one) have combined to win eight national titles. Last year, those teams combined for a 41-26 record. The Huskers appear to have fallen the hardest. Nebraska was 7-7 last season and was not ranked in "The Associated Press" preseason poll for the first time in 33 years.
Circle the calendar
Each college football season has its ebb and flow. This year's high tide could occur Oct. 11. That could be moving day for a number of teams that will wake up Oct. 12 either focused on a national championship or simply hoping to salvage their season.
The top games that day:
Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas: The Red River Shootout should again be between Top 5 teams. The past three years, the Sooners have won and put themselves in position to win a national championship. Two years ago, the Longhorns nearly recovered from their loss to OU to reach the title game.
Miami at Florida State: The Hurricanes are still steaming after their double-overtime loss to Ohio State in last year's title game. The Seminoles have dropped three in a row in the series. After consecutive mediocre seasons, Florida State needs a victory here to restore order.
Auburn at Arkansas: The Tigers are a preseason Top 5 team, but there are many who doubt coach Tommy Tuberville's team. Auburn could well be undefeated going to Fayetteville. If so, expect the Razorbacks to be snorting fire.
Kansas State at Oklahoma State: On Oct. 4, the Wildcats play at Texas. If they win in Austin, reloading for a trip to Stillwater won't be easy. And if Oklahoma State opens the season with a victory at Nebraska, the Cowboys will stamp themselves as a serious contender in the Big 12 South.
Georgia at Tennessee: In recent seasons, the Southeastern Conference East Division was decided when Florida played Tennessee. This year, though, the East title could come down to this game in Knoxville.
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh: Both teams have September challenges. The Irish play at Michigan and at Purdue, the Panthers at Texas A&M. But it's not inconceivable that both teams could be undefeated going into this game. If so, the winner steps up as a darkhorse national championship contender.
Coaching shuffle
There will be 18 Division I-A schools with new coaches this season. "Fort Worth Star-Telegram" college football writer Wendell Barnhouse takes a look at the changes:
School…Former coach…2003 coach….Barnhouse comment
Alabama…Dennis Franchione….Mike Shula(ASTERISK)….First-year coach faces challenges
Ball State….Bill Lynch….Brady Hoke…..Lynch canned after 6-6 season
Baylor……Kevin Steele….Guy Morriss….Get used to Big 12 basement
Bowling Green….Urban Meyer…..Gregg Brandon…Meyer left behind solid talent
East Carolina…Steve Logan….John Thompson….Defensive coordinator gets shot
Houston….Dana Dimel…Art Briles….Briles returns to save alma mater
Kentucky….Guy Morriss…..Rich Brooks….Was successful in stint at Oregon
La.-Monroe….Mike Collins….Charlie Weatherbie….Former Navy coach gets another shot
Louisville….John L. Smith…..Bob Petrino….Assistant has big shoes to fill
Michigan State…Bobby Williams….John. L. Smith….A proven winner at mid-majors
Oregon State….Dennis Erickson….Mike Riley….Returns to Corvallis, Ore., from NFL
Texas A&M….R.C. Slocum….Dennis Franchione….Is this coach Fran's last stop?
Tulsa…..Keith Burns….Steve Kragthorpe….Inherits one of I-A's worst teams
UCLA…..Bob Toledo….Karl Dorrell….Must overcome inexperience
Utah…..Ron McBride….Urban Meyer….Lateral move from Bowling Green
Washington….Rick Neuheisel….Keith Gilbertson….Former Cal coach a late replacement
Washington State….Mike Price…..Bill Doba…..Defensive coordinator moves up
Wyoming…..Vic Koenning…..Joe Glenn….Successful at Division II, I-AA
(ASTERISK)Mike Price was hired to replace Franchione but was dismissed before coaching a game.
Audibles
Miami of Ohio junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pronounced: Rath-lis-berg-er) on how his name has been mangled:
"I think it has been mispronounced every single time. It's so much easier than people think."
New Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, who takes over a team that is 9-37 in its past four seasons:
"There's some days I think to myself, `What did I get myself into?' But there are a whole lot of days I think to myself, `This is exactly where I want to be.' I'm an optimist. I wouldn't have taken this job if I wasn't an optimist."
Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, on the Southeastern Conference West Division:
"Who do you pick first? You've got LSU. How do you not pick them first? Auburn is two-deep now, so how do you not pick them first? And Alabama ... Alabama still has a football team."
Envelope, please
A look at the preseason favorites for college football's 2003 individual awards:
Heisman Trophy
1.Eli Manning, QB Mississippi
2.Philip Rivers, QB North Carolina State
3.Roy Williams, WR Texas
4.Cody Pickett, QB Washington
(NOTE: Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett's status in doubt)
2002 winner: Carson Palmer, Southern Cal
Davey O'Brien (quarterback) 1. Eli Manning, Mississippi; 2. Philip Rivers, North Carolina State; 3. Ell Roberson, Kansas State; 2002 winner: Brad Banks, Iowa
Doak Walker (running back) 1. Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech; 2. Frank Gore, Miami (Fla.); (NOTE: Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett's status in doubt); 2002 winner: Larry Johnson, Penn State
Biletnikoff (wide receiver) 1. Roy Williams, Texas; 2. Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh; 3. Reggie Williams, Washington; 2002 winner: Charles Rogers, Michigan State
Nagurski (defensive player) 1. Teddy Lehman, LB; Oklahoma; 2. Karlos Dansby, LB Auburn; 3. David Pollack, DE Georgia; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Outland Trophy (lineman) 1. Vince Wilfork, DT Miami (Fla.); 2. Tommie Harris, DT Oklahoma; 3. Jake Grove, C Virginia Tech; 2002 winner: Rien Long, Washington State
Lombardi (lineman, linebacker) 1. Tommie Harris, DT Oklahoma; 2. David Pollack, DE Georgia; 3. Tony Pape, OT Michigan; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Butkus (linebacker) 1.Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma; 2. Karlos Dansby, Auburn; 3. Jonathan Vilma, Miami (Fla.); 2002 winner: E.J. Henderson, Maryland
Thorpe (defensive back) 1. Derrick Strait, Oklahoma; 2. Nathan Vasher, Texas; 3. Chris Gamble, Ohio State; 2002 winner: Terence Newman, Kansas State
Dave Rimington (center) 1. Vince Carter, Oklahoma; 2. Jake Grove, Virginia Tech; 3. Alex Stepanovich, Ohio State; 2002 winner: Brett Romberg, Miami (Fla.)
John Mackey (tight end) 1. Kellen Winslow, Miami (Fla.); 2. Joel Dreessen, Colorado State; 3. Heath Miller, Virginia; 2002 winner: Dallas Clark, Iowa
Ted Hendricks (defensive end) 1. David Pollack, Georgia; 2. Claude Harriott, Pittsburgh; 3. Kenechi Udeze, Southern Cal; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Groza (kicker) 1. Mike Nugent, Ohio State; 2. Nick Browne, TCU; 3. Nate Kaeding, Iowa; 2002 winner: Nate Kaeding, Iowa
Ray Guy (punter) 1. Cody Scates, Texas A&M; 2. Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee; 3. Andy Lee, Pittsburgh; 2002 winner: Mark Mariscal, Colorado.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6596946.htm
(Note: One team of destiny has already been identified. Alabama is on its third coach since December as first-year coach Mike Shula took over in May. He replaced Mike Price, who replaced Dennis Franchione. Price never coached a game for the Crimson Tide after he allegedly had an encounter with exotic dancer Destiny Stahl during a golf outing in April.)
But forget the lap dances and the lurid tales of the off-season. The season begins Saturday with two games - California plays at Kansas State in the Black Coaches Association Classic and Division I-AA Grambling State is at San Jose State in the Martin Luther King Literacy Classic.
Oklahoma opens as the preseason No. 1, while defending national champion Ohio State is No. 2.
Based on that early prognostication, the national championship in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 will match the Sooners and the Buckeyes. Considering that both OU coach Bob Stoops and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel are Ohio natives, the Buckeye state would have another seminal sports event to celebrate.
Miami and Virginia Tech begin their final seasons in the Big East Conference before moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Further conference realignment stories will provide plenty of background noise.
Perennial powers Nebraska, Penn State, Florida State, Florida and Alabama will be trying to get their grooves back. `Bama, which was 10-3 last season, is again banned from postseason play because of NCAA sanctions.
Top story lines
Maurice Clarett: The sophomore running back at Ohio State figured to enter the season as the top candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. But off-the-field issues involving possible academic improprieties and filing a false police report could keep Clarett off the field. He has yet to practice and likely will miss the team's season opener against Washington on Aug. 30.
Year of the receiver: College football often is flush at a certain position. This year it's receiver. There are the Williams triplets - Roy at Texas, Reggie at Washington and Mike at Southern Cal. Add Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, Oklahoma State's Rashaun Woods, LSU's Michael Clayton, Wisconsin's Lee Evans ... well, you get the idea. And don't forget Miami (Fla.) junior Kellen Winslow Jr., a wide receiver in a tight end's body.
The ACC-Big East feud: The Atlantic Coast Conference raided the Big East to add Miami and Virginia Tech starting next season. That off-season tiff should make the nonconference games between the two leagues more interesting: Wake Forest at Boston College, Aug. 30; Syracuse at North Carolina, Sept. 6; and West Virginia at Maryland, Sept. 20.
Team shuffling: The ACC's expansion has left the Big East searching to add at least two more football schools. The Big East also is trying to decide if it wants to remain in its current state or whether its football schools will split from Big East schools that don't play Division I-A football. Expect a season's worth of rumors and stories about the next round of conference musical chairs.
Power outages: Since 1982, Nebraska (two), Penn State (two), Florida State (two), Florida (one) and Tennessee (one) have combined to win eight national titles. Last year, those teams combined for a 41-26 record. The Huskers appear to have fallen the hardest. Nebraska was 7-7 last season and was not ranked in "The Associated Press" preseason poll for the first time in 33 years.
Circle the calendar
Each college football season has its ebb and flow. This year's high tide could occur Oct. 11. That could be moving day for a number of teams that will wake up Oct. 12 either focused on a national championship or simply hoping to salvage their season.
The top games that day:
Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas: The Red River Shootout should again be between Top 5 teams. The past three years, the Sooners have won and put themselves in position to win a national championship. Two years ago, the Longhorns nearly recovered from their loss to OU to reach the title game.
Miami at Florida State: The Hurricanes are still steaming after their double-overtime loss to Ohio State in last year's title game. The Seminoles have dropped three in a row in the series. After consecutive mediocre seasons, Florida State needs a victory here to restore order.
Auburn at Arkansas: The Tigers are a preseason Top 5 team, but there are many who doubt coach Tommy Tuberville's team. Auburn could well be undefeated going to Fayetteville. If so, expect the Razorbacks to be snorting fire.
Kansas State at Oklahoma State: On Oct. 4, the Wildcats play at Texas. If they win in Austin, reloading for a trip to Stillwater won't be easy. And if Oklahoma State opens the season with a victory at Nebraska, the Cowboys will stamp themselves as a serious contender in the Big 12 South.
Georgia at Tennessee: In recent seasons, the Southeastern Conference East Division was decided when Florida played Tennessee. This year, though, the East title could come down to this game in Knoxville.
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh: Both teams have September challenges. The Irish play at Michigan and at Purdue, the Panthers at Texas A&M. But it's not inconceivable that both teams could be undefeated going into this game. If so, the winner steps up as a darkhorse national championship contender.
Coaching shuffle
There will be 18 Division I-A schools with new coaches this season. "Fort Worth Star-Telegram" college football writer Wendell Barnhouse takes a look at the changes:
School…Former coach…2003 coach….Barnhouse comment
Alabama…Dennis Franchione….Mike Shula(ASTERISK)….First-year coach faces challenges
Ball State….Bill Lynch….Brady Hoke…..Lynch canned after 6-6 season
Baylor……Kevin Steele….Guy Morriss….Get used to Big 12 basement
Bowling Green….Urban Meyer…..Gregg Brandon…Meyer left behind solid talent
East Carolina…Steve Logan….John Thompson….Defensive coordinator gets shot
Houston….Dana Dimel…Art Briles….Briles returns to save alma mater
Kentucky….Guy Morriss…..Rich Brooks….Was successful in stint at Oregon
La.-Monroe….Mike Collins….Charlie Weatherbie….Former Navy coach gets another shot
Louisville….John L. Smith…..Bob Petrino….Assistant has big shoes to fill
Michigan State…Bobby Williams….John. L. Smith….A proven winner at mid-majors
Oregon State….Dennis Erickson….Mike Riley….Returns to Corvallis, Ore., from NFL
Texas A&M….R.C. Slocum….Dennis Franchione….Is this coach Fran's last stop?
Tulsa…..Keith Burns….Steve Kragthorpe….Inherits one of I-A's worst teams
UCLA…..Bob Toledo….Karl Dorrell….Must overcome inexperience
Utah…..Ron McBride….Urban Meyer….Lateral move from Bowling Green
Washington….Rick Neuheisel….Keith Gilbertson….Former Cal coach a late replacement
Washington State….Mike Price…..Bill Doba…..Defensive coordinator moves up
Wyoming…..Vic Koenning…..Joe Glenn….Successful at Division II, I-AA
(ASTERISK)Mike Price was hired to replace Franchione but was dismissed before coaching a game.
Audibles
Miami of Ohio junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pronounced: Rath-lis-berg-er) on how his name has been mangled:
"I think it has been mispronounced every single time. It's so much easier than people think."
New Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, who takes over a team that is 9-37 in its past four seasons:
"There's some days I think to myself, `What did I get myself into?' But there are a whole lot of days I think to myself, `This is exactly where I want to be.' I'm an optimist. I wouldn't have taken this job if I wasn't an optimist."
Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, on the Southeastern Conference West Division:
"Who do you pick first? You've got LSU. How do you not pick them first? Auburn is two-deep now, so how do you not pick them first? And Alabama ... Alabama still has a football team."
Envelope, please
A look at the preseason favorites for college football's 2003 individual awards:
Heisman Trophy
1.Eli Manning, QB Mississippi
2.Philip Rivers, QB North Carolina State
3.Roy Williams, WR Texas
4.Cody Pickett, QB Washington
(NOTE: Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett's status in doubt)
2002 winner: Carson Palmer, Southern Cal
Davey O'Brien (quarterback) 1. Eli Manning, Mississippi; 2. Philip Rivers, North Carolina State; 3. Ell Roberson, Kansas State; 2002 winner: Brad Banks, Iowa
Doak Walker (running back) 1. Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech; 2. Frank Gore, Miami (Fla.); (NOTE: Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett's status in doubt); 2002 winner: Larry Johnson, Penn State
Biletnikoff (wide receiver) 1. Roy Williams, Texas; 2. Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh; 3. Reggie Williams, Washington; 2002 winner: Charles Rogers, Michigan State
Nagurski (defensive player) 1. Teddy Lehman, LB; Oklahoma; 2. Karlos Dansby, LB Auburn; 3. David Pollack, DE Georgia; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Outland Trophy (lineman) 1. Vince Wilfork, DT Miami (Fla.); 2. Tommie Harris, DT Oklahoma; 3. Jake Grove, C Virginia Tech; 2002 winner: Rien Long, Washington State
Lombardi (lineman, linebacker) 1. Tommie Harris, DT Oklahoma; 2. David Pollack, DE Georgia; 3. Tony Pape, OT Michigan; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Butkus (linebacker) 1.Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma; 2. Karlos Dansby, Auburn; 3. Jonathan Vilma, Miami (Fla.); 2002 winner: E.J. Henderson, Maryland
Thorpe (defensive back) 1. Derrick Strait, Oklahoma; 2. Nathan Vasher, Texas; 3. Chris Gamble, Ohio State; 2002 winner: Terence Newman, Kansas State
Dave Rimington (center) 1. Vince Carter, Oklahoma; 2. Jake Grove, Virginia Tech; 3. Alex Stepanovich, Ohio State; 2002 winner: Brett Romberg, Miami (Fla.)
John Mackey (tight end) 1. Kellen Winslow, Miami (Fla.); 2. Joel Dreessen, Colorado State; 3. Heath Miller, Virginia; 2002 winner: Dallas Clark, Iowa
Ted Hendricks (defensive end) 1. David Pollack, Georgia; 2. Claude Harriott, Pittsburgh; 3. Kenechi Udeze, Southern Cal; 2002 winner: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Groza (kicker) 1. Mike Nugent, Ohio State; 2. Nick Browne, TCU; 3. Nate Kaeding, Iowa; 2002 winner: Nate Kaeding, Iowa
Ray Guy (punter) 1. Cody Scates, Texas A&M; 2. Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee; 3. Andy Lee, Pittsburgh; 2002 winner: Mark Mariscal, Colorado.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6596946.htm
