Ncaa Copied Preview Thread: Part Deux

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from websites:

enjoy.

SEC:

We're starting to find out the value of a successful SEC coach.

The coaches of the two SEC division favorites are indentured to their teams for quite a while. Not that Mark Richt or Tommy Tuberville are complaining.

Tuberville got a raise and an extension after a 9-4 season in 2002. But with the security and big money came this caveat: If Tuberville leaves for another job, he owes Auburn $3 million.

Richt just signed an eight-year contract with Georgia that calls for a $1.5 million buyout for each year left on the contract through 2007, plus an $800,000 buyout for each year from 2008-2010. That means if Richt left today, he'd owe the school $8.4 million.

Call it the Dennis Franchione Clause, after the former Alabama coach bolted the Crimson Tide in the offseason. It also sends a message in the football-crazy SEC that if you've got a good coach, you'd better keep him.

Georgia and Auburn are favored to meet in the SEC title game. Of course, as we've seen, fortunes can change quickly in this volatile conference. Tuberville is protected. He'll get $3 million if he is fired, plus $200,000 for each year of the contract he completes. Richt ($1.5 million) is now third in the conference behind Phil Fulmer ($1.65 million) and Nick Saban ($1.6 million).

How do they lose? When it comes to coaches at that level, they don't.

Predicted order of finish:

SEC East

1. Georgia: Betting Richt and his staff are able to assemble an offensive line that lost every starter. That is one of the few weaknesses. It will be interesting to see how Richt works D.J. Shockley in with David Greene at quarterback.

2. Tennessee: Anybody else think the Vols are underachieving? Casey Clausen hasn't become the dominating quarterback he was touted to be. The running game is too mediocre considering the allegedly great offensive linemen that are recruited. Defense is counting on too many "ifs." For the moment, Tennessee has been passed by Georgia, Auburn, maybe even LSU.

3. Florida: The Gators are a croc. OK, had to get that media guide cheap shot out of the way. If Ron Zook had a known quantity at QB, his identity-challenged freshwater carnivores might be picked as high as second in this division. The Wide Snouts are at least a year away, but will fans wait that long?

4. Kentucky: A modest $250,000 raise would have kept Guy Morriss. Instead, AD Mitch Barnhart outbid exactly no one for Rich Brooks. Expect a backslide.

5. South Carolina: Lou Holtz might be nearing the end of his career. Will he have enough energy for the Gamecocks to make another bowl run?

6. Vanderbilt: AD Todd Turner ought to wake up every morning and kiss that BCS contract.

SEC West

1. Auburn: The Tigers can win with their incredible depth at running back, but if 6-foot-6 QB Jason Campbell comes through, they could be a national championship contender.

2. Louisiana State: The dark horse SEC pick. The Tigers' toughest games are at home. There is talent oozing from every position. Saban certainly has all the pieces in place. Auburn comes to Baton Rouge on Oct. 25 in an emotion-filled grudge match. Auburn has won three of the past four meetings.

3. Arkansas: Houston Nutt always makes noise about opening up the offense, then relies on an old SEC saw -- a pounding running game. Nothing wrong with that. It got the Hogs to the SEC title game last year.

4. Alabama: Too many question marks. If Mike's last name weren't Shula, would any first-year SEC coach be expected to finish in the top three?

5. Mississippi: Too much Eli hype and not enough defense.

6. Mississippi State: The walls are collapsing around Jackie Sherrill and the program.

SEC championship game: Auburn over Georgia

Defensive player of the year: David Pollack, DT, Georgia

Offensive player of the year: Michael Clayton, WR, LSU

Coach of the year: Nick Saban, LSU

 

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BIG TEN PREVIEW:

The three biggest questions in college football:

What's Maurice Clarett doing with $6,000 worth of gear stolen out of his car during a "test drive?"

Is the ACC about to annex Iraq too?

Who's better this year, the SEC or Big 12?

No. 3 has become a question for the ages, or at least in the 21st century. SEC loyalists were at first offended when it came up in 2000 after Oklahoma won the national championship. Now they have to deal with it.

The Big 12 started off with three teams in the top five of the coaches' poll. Big 12 South bowl teams went 4-0 in bowls last season, more victories than the entire SEC. We can debate the depth of each conference (Vanderbilt and Mississippi State vs. Baylor and Missouri), but the fact remains the Large Dozen at least has gotten close to the top of the sport's food chain.

It annually has top-five contenders, if not preseason No. 1s (see Oklahoma). In 1998 it went 1-2 in the Heisman (Ricky Williams, Michael Bishop) and had the runner-up in 2000 (Josh Heupel).

This year the race probably will go down to the last week of the season. Auburn has to play Alabama in its last regular-season game. A week after Florida, Georgia has Auburn.

If Texas survives Oklahoma on Oct. 11, it has to go to Texas A&M on Nov. 28. Oklahoma has the weight of the world on its shoulders.

"Why, can teams play any harder against us?" said Bob Stoops when asked about pressure.

No, but Oklahoma can put the Big 12 on top, for bar-bet purposes only, by winning the whole enchilada again this year.

Predicted order of finish:

South Division

1. Oklahoma: If QB Jason White stays upright, the Sooners are favorites. If not, they might be in trouble, because there is no serviceable backup. Best defense Stoops has ever had, which is saying a lot. Watch out for junior college transfer Donte Nicholson at strong safety.

2. Texas: More weapons than the Third Infantry but it won't matter unless the 'Horns win on Oct. 11 in Dallas.

3. Oklahoma State: Cowboys are talking big about opener at Nebraska. The memory of their last victory in Lincoln is only 40 years old.

4. Texas A&M: R.C. Slocum left Dennis Franchione a great quarterback situation (Dustin Long, Reggie McNeal). Just ask him.

5. Texas Tech: Mike Leach had to replace four coaches and the program's best-ever quarterback, Kliff Kingsbury. Replacement B.J. Symons only needs 10,000 yards to catch him.

6. Baylor: Could things be any worse for this school and program?

North Division

1. Kansas State: Ell Roberson needs to complete half his passes and find a go-to receiver. Other than that, nothing is preventing this from being the best season in K-State history.

2. Missouri: It drops real quick in the North after the Wildcats. The Tigers could finish second at 7-5. Whatever the outcome, preseason All-Big 12 quarterback Brad Smith will be entertaining.

3. Nebraska: Ever see a Lincoln Continental get totaled? You'll get a glimpse this year as the Huskers continue to slide.

4. Colorado: This is the kind of year when Gary Barnett surprises everyone. Few big names and a brutal schedule: Colorado State, UCLA, Washington State and Florida State before October.

5. Iowa State: Cyclones went 7-7 with Seneca Wallace, let's see what they do with an improved defense.

6. Kansas: Outclassed against most Big 12 opponents. The worst thing about quarterback Bill Whittemore is that he can't be Big 12 newcomer of the year anymore. After leading the Jayhawks in passing and being second in rushing, Whittemore can't do it all again.

Big 12 championship game: Oklahoma over Kansas State

Defensive player of the year: Lance Mitchell, LB, Oklahoma

Offensive player of the year: Ell Roberson, QB, Kansas State

Coach of the year: Gary Pinkel, Missouri

 

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BIG TEN:

In case you hadn't noticed, the Big Ten is back.

The league that failed to put a team in the final top 10 rankings for two consecutive years rebounded nicely. Ohio State won the national championship. Iowa made it two in the BCS by going to the Orange Bowl. Michigan was the third team to win at least 10 games, and ol' JoePa didn't do badly, posting nine victories at Penn State.

The league capped it off by going 5-2 in bowls. This year the top four teams all could win it. Ohio State is a given. Michigan is favored by a lot of folks to overtake the Buckeyes. Barry Alvarez gets Lee Evans back and will never let the Wisconsin defense slide. Don't forget Purdue, where Joe Tiller has changed the Boilermakers' personality.

Predicted order of finish
1. Ohio State: Weird situation. No one knows if Maurice Clarett will be back. If he is, that means the entire offense is back. The defense is loaded. The Buckeyes could actually be better than 2002 but they aren't the preseason No. 1.

Conference Power Rankings
Rk Conference Rk Conference
1 SEC 7 MWC
2 Big 12 8 C-USA
3 Big Ten 9 MAC
4 ACC 10 WAC
5 Pac-10 11 Sun Belt
6 Big East NR Independents
2. Michigan: Lines forming now for general admission to the Ohio State game. If the Wolverines are able to stick it to the Bucks on Nov. 22, they could be in line for the national championship.

3. Wisconsin: Deep on offense again. Anthony Davis (1,555 yards) might have been the best back in the league, not Clarett. Best part about the schedule is no Michigan!

4. Purdue: No. 1 offense and No. 1 against the pass in the Big Ten (49.8 percent opponents' completion rate) in 2002. Tiller brought the modern forward pass to the conference, now he is bringing balance.

5. Minnesota: Glen Mason's best Gophers team. Unless an atomic bomb hits, Minnesota will be 4-0 going to Penn State on Sept. 27.

6. Penn State: Too many questions in Happy Valley. Larry Johnson is gone. JoePa is obsessed with officials. Three starters on the D-line have departed. Putting everything on Zack Mills isn't fair, or possible.

7. Iowa: That crash you heard was the Hawkeyes dropping out of the national picture and first division of the Big Ten. Rebuilding year for Kirk Ferentz. Of course, that's what everyone said last year.

8. Michigan State: John L. Smith will eventually start troubled Jeff Smoker at quarterback, but the Spartans will miss the postseason two straight years for the first time since 1992.

9. Illinois: The bottom dropped out last year. Jon Beutjer will be better at quarterback but there are too many holes elsewhere. The opener against Missouri is huge. Illinois lost it last year and never recovered.

10. Indiana: Ten consecutive years without a bowl.

11. Northwestern: Randy Walker is on the hot seat. The school is still in court re: Rashidi Wheeler. On the field, the Wildcats are the old Wildcats.

Defensive player of the year: Stuart Schweigert, S, Purdue

Offensive player of the year: John Navarre, QB, Michigan

Coach of the year: Joe Tiller, Purdue

 

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ACC:

How strange. While the ACC spent the offseason looking (awkwardly) to the future, the prognosticators are stuck in the past.

Florida State is favored to win the ACC, again, by most experts mainly just because it is Florida State. They don't see that Bobby Bowden's program is sliding. There have been nine losses the past two seasons. The defense doesn't have the corners to play physical press defense. The quarterback is a flake.

In short, there is little tangible evidence that the Seminoles can defend their conference title. And with Miami and Virginia Tech coming into the league, it might be a while before they win one again.

For now, it's a brave new world in the ACC. Maryland is quickly ramping up to FSU's level. Virginia is on a roll with a young team. North Carolina State is loaded on offense. It all adds up to, swallow hard here, a fourth-place finish for the Seminoles.

Predicted order of finish:

1. Virginia: The best is yet to come with seven sophomore starters. Al Groh will have to replace WR Billy McMullen, but RB Wali Lundy could take up the slack with 1,000 yards on the ground and 60 or so catches. Groh's pure-pro approach to the game has the Cavs buying in. Expect them to be 6-0 going into the Florida State game.

2. Maryland: Ralph Friedgen has established himself as the league's best coach year in, year out. The shame of it is Friedgen had to wait so long to prove himself. Looks like another 10-victory season. Flying under the radar is Bruce Perry, who could run for 1,300 yards after returning from an injury.

3. North Carolina State: The best season in school history (at least emotionally) could be followed up by an even better one. QB Phillip Rivers is at the top of his game. If RB T.A. McClendon is healthy there will be enough of a 1-2 punch to let the nation's No. 14 defense come around after losing eight starters.

4. Florida State: Most of the season hinges on Chris Rix. If he develops into a typical FSU quarterback, then the 'Noles might be OK. But early games against Maryland, Colorado and Miami won't let him ease into the job.

5. Clemson: T. Bowden under pressure. Another seven-victory season won't get it. Maybe not even eight.

6. Wake Forest: Why can't Jim Grobe win seven again? His solid staff effectively runs a finesse offense and gimmick defense. Wake should feel lucky to have such an up-and-comer.

7. North Carolina: John Bunting is averaging seven losses a season, and QB Darian Durant can't do it by himself.

8. Duke: The dark days will end. The 25-game ACC losing streak has hung around Carl Franks' neck like a noose. With 20 returning starters, a case can be made for five victories if everything falls right.

9. Georgia Tech: Could Tech be any less relevant? Chan Gailey put together a so-so first season (7-6), got drilled by Georgia and has to choose between two mediocre quarterbacks (A.J. Suggs and Damarius Bilbo)

Defensive player of the year: Michael Boulware, LB, Florida State

Offensive player of the year: Philip Rivers, QB, North Carolina State

Coach of the year: Al Groh, Virginia

 

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PAC TEN:

This isn't the year.

The Pac-10 goes about five deep in quality teams. It got two teams into the BCS last year. It has four new coaches. It has a couple of Heisman candidates. It doesn't, however, have a chance to win the national championship.

That means a lot, because the Pac-10 is the only major conference not to have team in the BCS title game. It hasn't won so much as a split national title since 1991. In fact, its last outright champ was Southern California in 1972.

Thirty years and counting ...

There will be plenty of flash, especially an epic battle between Southern Cal and Washington for the Rose Bowl berth, but no title.

Predicted order of finish:

1. Southern California: Pete Carroll has taken the QB out of the equation in the Pac-10 race. Foes will have to overcome his excellent defense first. Still, we can't wait to see who replaces Carson Palmer (sophomore Matt Leinart, junior Matt Cassell or Purdue transfer Brandon Hance). And sophomore receiver Mike Williams could be an All-American.

The point is, you had better get the Trojans this year, because once the offense becomes formidable again, Southern Cal will once again be dominant with Carroll's recruiting classes kicking in.

2. Washington: Keith Gilbertson is Mike Shula without the hand-wringing. The Huskies got "lucky" when Rick Neuheisel was fired because they had the perfect in-house guy. Gilby was on the staff in '91 when U-Dub shared the title.

He has recruited many of the players and won't change things much after being officially hired in late July. The difference between the Holiday Bowl and Rose Bowl will be a defense that was 105th against the pass last year.

3. Arizona State: Quarterback Andrew Walter has made great strides under Dirk Koetter. The loss of receiver Shaun McDonald won't matter. There is enough to fill in. The defense had Terrell Suggs last year and still gave up 28 points nine times. Can Suggs' replacement (junior defensive end Jimmy Verdon) improve things?

4. Oregon State: Mike Riley set the stage for Dennis Erickson's success. Erickson returned the favor when he left for the 49ers. If not, quarterback Derek Anderson needs to prove he can produce against Big Ten competition. Tailback Steven Jackson (1,690 yards) won't be enough.

5. Oregon: It's one thing to be named the Ducks. It's another to throw up a Joey Harrington in downtown Manhattan. But those new puke-yellow Duck unis have to go!

6. UCLA: Karl Dorrell is getting completely overshadowed in L.A. by USC. It's scary to consider that a Pac-10 team might be carried by its secondary.

7. Stanford: Best offseason development was QB Chris Lewis being invited to Elite 11 camp. Buddy Teevens has to turn things around -- fast.

8. Washington State: Bill Doba gets a mulligan, but the Cougars will fall hard and fast after the lost of coach Mike Price and QB Jason Gesser.

9. California: Only eight returning starters from a 7-5 team. Season opener in the Kansas City heat against Kansas State followed by Southern Miss, Colorado State, Utah and Illinois. The rebuilding Bears could be 0-5 going into the USC game on Sept. 27.

10. Arizona: At least the Wildcats are consistent. They were last in the Pac-10 in rushing offense (last in the country) and rushing defense. Worse, there is no buzz about John Mackovic's beleaguered program.

Defensive player of the year: Matt Grootegoed, LB, USC

Offensive player of the year: Cody Pickett, QB, Washington

Coach of the year: Pete Carroll, USC

 

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BIG EAST:

How ugly will it get at Pittsburgh this year?

Miami and Virginia Tech long ago snubbed their noses at the Big East, leaving Pittsburgh as the most scorned program. Remember, the Panthers have won a national championship, shown an incredible commitment to facilities and held onto talented coach Walt Harris.

Yes, Pittsburgh deserves a shot somewhere in the BCS, but until the commissioners shuffle the cards in a couple of years, there is uncertainty. It will be hard to blame, then, if Pittsburgh fans dish out the invective when both the Hurricanes and Hokies visit within a three-week span in November.

Not only should the Panthers be in the thick of the conference race, but the emotion should be kicked up a notch by the last Big East visits from the two conference powers. Since 1984, Miami has won 13 of the past 14 meetings. Pitt has won the past two against the Hokies but still has lost seven of 10 overall.

That's a combined 4-20 punk job since 1984. Security!

Predicted order of finish:

1. Miami: In one way, the Big East has to be glad to see the 'Canes go. They are in an incredible "slump" after losing one of their past 35. It has only been since November 1999 that they lost a conference game.

The season hinges on the development of quarterback Brock Berlin, who could be better than Ken Dorsey. If the juniors come out, nine players could be drafted high.

X-factor? TE Kellen Winslow is still PO'd from the Fiesta Bowl. And when K2 is mad, bad things happen to the opposing secondary.

2. Virginia Tech: Heisman running back? Check. (Kevin Jones.) Two-way superstar? Check (DeAngelo Hall.) Anticipated legacy? Check (quarterback Marcus Vick.) Great special teams? Check (Seven blocks last year.) Soft early schedule? Check (James Madison, Connecticut, Rutgers.) Runner-up to Miami again? Check.

3. Pittsburgh: Rod Rutherford should be the best QB in the league. Larry Fitzgerald could be the best receiver in the country. Harris has the Big East's best staff. Don't be surprised if the program musters all its anger and upsets the hated 'Canes and Hokies in November and wins the league.

4. West Virginia: They snuck up on college football last year (9-4). Just between you me and Rich Rodriquez, the Mountaineers might equal that total this year. Quarterback Rahseed Marshall broke Michael Vick's Big East quarterback rushing record (666 yards). Quincy Wilson ran for 901 yards as Avon Cobourne's backup. The defense will be the key.

5. Boston College: One of the most consistent programs in the country. Four consecutive bowls, three consecutive victories. Five consecutive years with a 1,000-yard rusher. Tailback Derrick Knight should make those numbers five, four and six.

6. Syracuse: This program has absolutely no juice. Coach Paul Pasqualoni has just about run his course. Quarterback R.J. Anderson is just a guy. The option attack looks slow without better athletes. If Connecticut had been admitted this year, we could have picked it above the Orangemen.

7. Temple: As of Aug. 8, the Owls still didn't have a place to play and had not sold a ticket. No worries, Temple doesn't really have to find a home until Oct. 11 against Boston College. Four of the first five are on the road. The only "home" game is against Philly neighbor Villanova. Is the Palestra available?

7. Rutgers: If coach Greg Schiano ever gets this thing turned around, it will be the greatest reclamation project since they cleaned up the Jersey shore. There was a ray of hope last year when the Scarlet Knights played Miami tough for three quarters. This year the schedule is friendly with games against Army, Navy and Buffalo before October.

Defensive player of the year: Sean Taylor, S, Miami

Offensive player of the year: Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami

Coach of the year: Walt Harris, Pittsburgh

 

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MT west:

He inherited the job as a shaggy-haired, scatter-armed son of a ... Pro Bowl linebacker.

Bradlee Van Pelt looked more like Scooby Doo's best friend than a quarterback when he took over as Colorado State's QB a couple of years ago. He was flighty, meaning his balls took off as much as they burrowed into the ground.

Going into 2003, Brad Van Pelt's son has made himself an iron-fisted star. Van Pelt has Colorado State chasing its fourth Mountain West title in five years. He is a poor man's Michael Vick, leading the Rams in both passing (2,073 yards, 10 touchdowns) and rushing (819 yards) last season.

The conference player of the year gets a tremendous lift with running back Marcus Houston coming in. Houston transferred from rival Colorado and became immediately eligible in a stunning NCAA decision. Houston was heralded as a franchise back out of high school but is now just trying to salvage something from an injury-filled career.

Coach Sonny Lubick is such a superior schemer and recruiter in the Mountain West that his team might be the most prohibitive conference favorite in I-A.

Predicted order of finish:

1. Colorado State: Lubick's best years are when he has a returning quarterback. Replacing Cecil Sapp (1,601 yards) will be the biggest issue.

2. Brigham Young: Just a hunch that the Cougars are back after their first losing season in 30 years. Coach Gary Crowton stole defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall away from New Mexico. The offense (an astounding eighth in the MWC last year) will have to get better. Watch 5-foot-9 receiver Chris Hale and running back Marcus Whalen.

3. Air Force: Oh, the irony. A 44 percent passer (Chance Harridge) is the heart and soul of the flyboys. The flex bone is still the thing for Fisher DeBerry. Ten victories aren't out of the question.

4. New Mexico: Tough to figure. Defense is first in Albuquerque, but 10 of 11 starters return for Rocky Long on offense.

5. Utah: First-year coach Urban Meyer is a year, or two, away. He will be trying to run an up-tempo offense with the grind-it-out remnants left by Ron McBride.

6. San Diego State: They're calling Lynell Hamilton the best Aztecs back since Marshall Faulk. Great news except that coach Tom Craft loves to throw it all over the lot.

7. UNLV: It's no longer possible for John Robinson to fire himself. J.R. gave up AD duties in the offseason. Will that make a difference in his 20-27 record in four seasons at Glitter Gulch?

8. Wyoming: Joe Glenn could have made his jump to I-A at a better school. At least it's close (Glenn was a I-AA stud at Montana). In a league that struggles for respect, these guys will be the Mountain West whipping (Cow)boys.

Defensive player of the year: Brandon Ratliff, SS, New Mexico

Offensive player of the year: Bradlee Van Pelt, QB, Colorado State

Coach of the year: Sonny Lubick, Colorado State

 

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C USA:

The entry into Conference USA came one year too late for South Florida.

The Bulls went bowl-less after a 9-2 season mostly because they were an independent. They proved they belonged, going 4-0 against Conference USA foes. They were the first non-probation team to finish in the BCS top 25 ratings (No. 23) and not get a bowl bid.

Although the Bulls are depleted in their first year of Conference USA membership, they are better off in the long run. Conference affiliation will give South Florida a chance to go bowling every year.

It's just that it won't be this year. The loss of the Bulls' most talented player (quarterback Marquel Blackwell) and nine other starters will make this a rebuilding year.

Predicted order of finish:

1. TCU: You have to wonder where the Frogs would be had they, rather than Baylor, been invited into the Big 12. Dennis Franchione and Gary Patterson have built a consistent program that lures just enough Texas talent to dominate at this level.

Only 17 other programs have gone bowling each of the past five seasons. The defense has finished fifth, first, 24th and first nationally in the last four seasons. Tailback Lonta Hobbs rushed for 1,029 yards in only eight games last season.

The defense was No. 1 against the rush and second only to Miami in pass efficiency defense. The Frogs lose Conference USA player of the year LaMarcus McDonald. Six-foot-5 end Bo Schnobel (7? sacks) could earn that honor this year.

2. Southern Mississippi: Third-team All-American Rod Davis had 10? sacks and came back for his senior year. Uh, why? Davis should have gotten the message last year that college can kill. There were wrist, thigh, knee and hamstring injuries before a car accident before the bowl game.

3. Louisville: Star quarterback Dave Ragone is gone, but who cares? New coach Bobby Petrino will keep the good times rolling, or at least rolling in the same direction. The Cardinals will still be able to move the ball and have a hard time stopping it. Blue-chip recruit Michael Bush is hope for the future. A schedule that includes only three 2002 bowl teams is a hope for now.

4. South Florida: Bulls are 17-5 in two years in I-A. Coach Jim Leavitt will have them competing for the conference title in 2004. For a gauge on how close the Bulls are, catch the Oct. 10 game against TCU.

5. Cincinnati: Gino Guidugli is Conference USA's best quarterback. Now if Rick Minter could only find someone to catch it. That performance against Ohio State was unforgivable.

6. Tulane: Nothing much can be expected from a program that was almost euthanized over the summer. Coach Chris Scelfo was a trustee's vote away from having to give 85 players a release from their scholarships. Instead, president Scott Cowen fought back against the BCS bullies and blamed them for his $7 million athletic deficit. Where, Scotty old boy, is all that money your school made while going 12-0 in 1998?

7. Memphis: Best part about the faceless Tigers will be watching defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn's Chinese fire drill defense.

8. UAB: Fewer than 10 seniors on the roster playing in a tomb of a stadium (Birmingham's Legion Field). Never a threat.

9. East Carolina: Someone please explain why this school is a candidate to join the ACC. It is a combined 12 games over .500 since 1996. It is coming off a 4-8 season. It has no market (Greenville, N.C.). The salvation is new coach John Thompson, a legendary defensive mind in the South.

10. Houston: Look out for blossoming quarterback Barrick Nealy and new coach Art Briles.

11. Army: Sooner or later, even turning out heroes isn't enough. Coach Todd Berry has to be on the hot seat after only five victories in three years.

Defensive player of the year: Bo Schobel, DE, TCU

Offensive player of the year: Lonta Hobbs, RB, TCU

Coach of the year: Bobby Petrino, Louisville

 

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MAC:

You had better believe Miami (Ohio) is bitter. Might as well throw in the rest of the MAC, too.

The conference is sick and tired of Marshall's dominance. The Thundering Herd have won five of the past six MAC titles. Good players, good coach, but c'mon, give someone else a chance, someone who has an ax to grind.

Miami's 36-34 loss in November at Marshall ruined the season and shattered lives. Former Miami defensive coordinator Jon Wauford was blamed for socking a fan who had run on the field. A couple of assistants were admonished for tearing up the press box following some bad calls near the end of the game.

And the RedHawks haven't forgotten.

"My picture was in the obituary section of the local newspaper," Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. "I was Bear Bryant. I traveled with police protection. I couldn't leave the hotel."

Hoeppner said the uneasy feelings before the game were because of "extenuating circumstances." So much so, Hoeppner said, that there were threats and coaches were worried about their food being poisoned the night before the game.

"We're looking at each other going, 'Does it taste all right to you?' 'Yeah, does it taste all right to you?'" Hoeppner said. "I don't think it was from students. I don't think it was from that university. It was outsiders."

That backdrop certainly adds a new twist to the teams' meeting Nov. 12 at Miami. The RedHawks haven't been to a bowl since 1986 and missed out on their chance to win the MAC East last year.

They have the offensive weapons headed by NFL prospect Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. The question is whether a defense with only four returning starters can hold up.

Whatever the case, a change of scenery, from that garish Marshall green, would be much appreciated in the WAC.

Predicted order of finish:

West

1. Northern Illinois: Pinch yourself. The nation's best running back (Michael Turner) is straight outta DeKalb.

2. Bowling Green: The loss of coach Urban Meyer shouldn't hurt much. Offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon takes over with his favorite toy, quarterback Josh Harris.

3. Toledo: One of the most consistent programs in the MAC: one losing season since 1987. Third-year coach Tom Amstutz worked wonders in 2002. He'll need to do it again this year with only four returning starters on offense.

4. Western Michigan: Gary Darnell must love Kalamazoo. He had chances to bolt after playing for the league title in 1999 and 2000. Dominating defensive end Jason Babin was the MAC defensive player of the year in 2002.

5. Central Michigan: Five years and counting since the Chips finished in the upper half of this division. 6. Ball State: Friends are asking former Michigan assistant Brady Hoke why he took this job. Being able to say you coached at David Letterman's school is not enough. This former Cardinals linebacker has a long way to go.

7. Eastern Michigan: Talent and Jeff Woodruff's coaching staff have been upgraded, but the Eagles are still the MAC whipping boys. Allowed an astounding 47 points per game last year.

East

1. Miami (Ohio): This is the year. Marshall is vulnerable. Nine consecutive winning seasons. In the past eight seasons, the RedHawks have six victories over BCS conference schools.

2. Marshall: The difference is facing Central Florida and Miami on the road. The defense might have to carry the Herd while QB Stan Hill gets adjusted.

3. Central Florida: Coach Mike Kruczek's mouth got him in trouble last year. Now he might be able to back it up with Marshall and Miami at home to close the season.

4. Akron: All 11 offensive starters are back after the unit gained more than 5,000 yards and helped upset Marshall.

5. Kent State: The amazing Joshua Cribbs attempts to become the first I-A player to surpass 1,000 yards passing and rushing in three separate seasons.

6. Ohio: Bobcats have won only four of their past 18 games. Third-year coach Brian Knorr (5-18) must improve on last year's 4-8 mark.

7. Buffalo: It was laughable that the Buffalo president was one of those crowing for a place in the BCS. What exactly have the Bulls done to prove they belong in I-A?

MAC championship game: Northern Illinois over Miami.

Defensive player of the year: Nick Duffy, LB, Northern Illinois

Offensive player of the year: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (Ohio)

Coach of the year: Joe Novak, Northern Illinois

 

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WAC:

Say goodbye to the old WAC, which really is the new WAC since 1998.

Things are about to change, again, in the nation's most entertaining conference. Membership in the offensive-minded WAC has always been a Jerry Lewis Telethon.

Who is the next act?

Commissioner Karl Benson wants more teams in the Central time zone. That means if the Mountain West entices Hawaii and Fresno State to move after this season, then Benson already has his sights set on the likes of Houston, TCU and/or Tulane.

None of this should surprise. The league's six original members from 1962 (Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah) today play in three different leagues. The WAC will survive, in part because it is so entertaining.

There have been eight different champions in the past seven seasons (one tie). Five of the past 12 NCAA rushing leaders have come out of this league. Don't forget top draft choices LaDainian Tomlinson and David Carr in recent years.

Like 2001, Fresno State is this year's best team not in a BCS conference. Coach Pat Hill has established himself as a swashbuckler who will play anyone, anytime, anywhere. The point is not that the Bulldogs are 5-10 against BCS leagues since 1998, it's that they have the stones to play 15 of those teams.

If the Bulldogs leave after this season, cue the next act. This league is college football's version of Jerry's Kids.

Predicted order of finish:

1. Fresno State: The best set of skill players in the league. Paul Pinegar (20 touchdowns) was a pleasant surprise in replacing Carr. Receiver Bernard Berrian comes back after an injury. Rodney Davis set a school rushing record of 1,586 yards. The typical non-conference murderer's row against Tennessee, Oregon State and Oklahoma will only make the Bulldogs stronger for conference play. And if they pull off one or two upsets, look out BCS ...

2. Boise State: Is it the system or the players? Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie is one of only three returning offensive starters. Dan Hawkins is on a par with Hill as the league's best coach, which could mean a Nov. 21 showdown at Fresno for the conference title. The Broncos have won the past two meetings 35-30 and 67-21.

3. Hawaii: Coach June Jones has a fat new contract ($800,000 per year) and surprising quarterback Timmy Chang. One of the last pure practitioners of the run-and-shoot, Jones deftly produced 10 victories last year while his team was a minus-14 in turnovers. Oklahoma-Texas will overshadow it on the same day, but don't forget Fresno State at Hawaii on Oct. 11.

4. Nevada: A pair of 1,000-yard rushers (Chance Kretschmer, Matt Milton) and emerging receiver Nichiern Flowers are enough to make the Wolf Pack the dark horse pick to win it. Seventeen returning starters lead the league. Fourth-year coach Chris Tormey is quietly building a solid program.

5. San Jose State: Fitz Hill pulled off one of the best achievements in I-A last year, going 6-7 while playing nine road games. One of those was an upset at Illinois. The schedule is pared down to 11 this year, only six on the road.

6. Rice: Conservatives run in packs. Ken Hatfield claims he'll open up the option offense this year. Sure, and Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to run for governor. Oops ...

7. Louisiana Tech: Not much beyond quarterback Luke McCown. The season peaks on opening day against Miami.

8. SMU: If there is a coach to root for in these scandal-ridden times, it's Phil Bennett. Watch the former Kansas State defensive coordinator turn around the Mustangs after going 3-9 in his first season. He already signed nine of the top 100 players in February.

9. Texas-El Paso: Miners won the league in 2000 but haven't done much since. If Gary Nord is going to make a statement, it will have to come in the season opener at Arizona.

10. Tulsa: With Oklahoma and Oklahoma State on top, there are questions whether the Golden Hurricane should even field a I-A team. What does it say when your starting quarterback (Tyler Gooch) transfers to the Sooners: to play baseball!

Defensive player of the year: Isaac Sopoaga, DT, Hawaii

Offensive player of the year: Rodney Davis, RB, Fresno State

Coach of the year: Chris Tormey, Nevada

 

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my FAVE conference....

GO MEAN GREEN!!!!!

North Texas has its cover boy. There on the front of the Mean Green's media guide is defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy pictured with former North Texas great Joe Green.

Kennedy, a 5-foot-10, 315-pound senior, is arguably the best thing to come along in Denton since Mean Joe. His motor makes up for his lack of height and coordinators simply could not account for him. Kennedy had 10 sacks and finished second nationally tackles for loss with 25.

How many defensive tackles are their league's MVP? The North Texas success should continue this year with the defense leading the way. It allowed fewer than 10 points per game in conference play and held opponents scoreless in 27 of 52 quarters.

After a New Orleans Bowl victory over Cincinnati, coach Darrell Dickey went from being on the hot seat to being favored to win his third consecutive conference title.

That the league is considered the worst in I-A is hardly the point. Dickey is part of a Sun Belt that has turned into a curious league loaded with up-and-coming coaches (Rickey Bustle at Louisiana-Lafayette, Nebraska stole away New Mexico State's Barney Cotton) and a smattering of big-time players.

And North Texas is as close as it gets to domination at this level. The Mean Green have won 11 consecutive conference games, the second-longest streak in the country, and seven in a row overall.

That streak figures to end Aug. 30 in the opener at Oklahoma. But the game will be a commercial for Mean Green football, which gets most of its talent from Oklahoma and Texas.

Predicted order of finish:

1. North Texas: The offense was pretty vanilla last year but continues to open up with the emergence of quarterback Scott Hall.

2. New Mexico State: The season comes down to a Nov. 25 home game against the Mean Green for the New Orleans Bowl berth.

3. Arkansas State: Second-year coach Steve Roberts has the Indians on the right track, but seven road games will wear them out. The nation's second-easiest schedule (two I-AAs ) makes these guys a sleeper for eight victories.

4. Middle Tennessee: The play of quarterback Andrico Hines is the difference between second and fourth.

5. Louisiana-Lafeyette: Bustle will have to get it done with a lot of new faces. An old friend, special teams, will help him improve on a 3-9 debut in 2002.

6. Lousiana-Monroe: Makes Alabama's look like a stable coaching job in comparison. Charlie Weatherbie is the Indians' third coach since Game 4 of last season.

7. Idaho: Gave up at least 31 points 10 times last season. Fourth-year coach Tom Cable realigned his defensive staff. Quarterback Brian Lindgren would appreciate any defensive improvement.

8. Utah State: One-trick Aggies. Most of the pieces are missing from the nation's seventh-best passing attack last season. First season in The Belt is a rough one.

Defensive player of the year: Kennedy

Offensive player of the year: Brian Lindgren, QB, Idaho

Coach of the year: Dickey

 

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this is a conference....???

The independent is becoming a thing of the past.

This is Connecticut's last year before joining the Big East in 2004. Navy has been in discussions about forming a league that would include Army. Troy State is joining the Sun Belt next season.

Notre Dame continues to be the lone holdout and would-be crown jewel for major conferences. Both the ACC and Big East have shyly asked the Irish to join their leagues, like a freshman mustering the nerve to ask a senior to the prom.

"They put a high degree of importance on independence in football," Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese said. "I think there is going to have to be some set of circumstances that I can't imagine that is going to drive them (from independent status)."

Notre Dame is the key to the shifting landscape. If Tyrone Willingham keeps the Irish winning, then NBC most likely will renew the contract in 2005. In that case, there will be no reason for Notre Dame to share its money with a conference. And as long as their entry into a BCS Bowl remains fairly easy (top 10 finish, at least nine victories), the Irish won't need any prom dates.

Alphabetical order:

Connecticut: One of the hottest programs in the country. The Huskies won their last four games to finish 6-6, including a mind-boggling upset at Iowa State. UConn moves into new Rentschler Field this year with Big East membership looming. A 3-1 record is entirely possible when the Huskies go to Virginia Tech on Sept. 27.

Navy: The Midshipmen aren't good (2-10 last year) but they have been able to live off a 58-12 victory over Army during the offseason. If only the rest of schedule were that bad. Second-year coach Paul Johnson should be able to squeeze out a couple of victories this year with his spread offense.

Notre Dame: Another 10-victory season isn't out of the question. QB Carlyle Holiday should be more comfortable with Willingham's West Coast offense. The defense should be at least as good as the group that posted two shutouts in 2002. There won't be as many turnovers setting up short fields and touchdowns, but the offense should produce more.

Troy State: More than half the roster is first or second-year players. Failed Wyoming coach Vic Koenning arrives to coach the defense. The season starts with trips to Kansas State and Minnesota. There won't be much improvement on last year's 4-8 record.