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College ball saves the day for sports
By Jim Gleitman
Assistant Sports Editor

I know you are disappointed, maybe even frustrated. This summer had all the excitement of watching paint dry. Tiger didn’t win the slam, and though I was pleased to see Ernie Els win the Claret Jug, I was pulling for history.

Speaking of history, baseball has all but signed its resignation. There are arguments for both the players and owners, but in my mind the game of baseball needs a change. I am not fazed – the players may be planning a strike August 30, but I have already shown myself the door.

Not to worry sports fans, all hope is not lost. College football has surfaced to fill the void of quality sports entertainment and provide a large dose of drama that has been absent for the past months. August 30 might close the book on baseball, but it also opens a new chapter in college football.

Last season was somewhat backwards as Florida State posted an 8-4 record, Maryland carried a four-leaf clover to a BCS game and Alabama got shafted by the NCAA. Come on, who doesn’t have the NCAA in their back pocket? Ahem … Phillip Fulmer. Through all of these so called atrocities, college football once again reminded us of the reason we get excited come autumn — the drama.

So who takes the cake this year? Who walks away from Tempe, Ariz., crowned the National Champs? Certainly the Big 12 and the SEC conferences are the most dominating in the country, but this year’s winners of the coveted Sears trophy will not be reside in either of them. No, the national champions will be coming from none other but the ACC. Don’t get your hopes up; I am not saying the Deacs are going to be top dogs. I said there would be drama this year not miracles. Ralph Friedgen’s Terrapins will not be making reservations in Tempe either, as he will soon realize Cinderella never made a sequel. This year’s champs will come from the sunshine state and though there are some questions, the Seminoles will come out on top.

Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of teams that have legitimate chances of winning the national championship, but through all of the excitement, BCS controversies and routine upsets, the ‘Noles will, in the end, come out unscathed.

I realize Miami is ranked No. 1 in both the ESPN/USA Today poll and the Associated Press poll, but I predict the Hurricanes will not be No. 1 come Jan. 3. First off, it is very difficult to repeat as National Champions. The last team to accomplish this feat was Nebraska in 1994-95. After their championship run last year, Miami sent a caravan of 11 players to the NFL draft. In doing so, they lost their entire offensive line and must find a way to protect Heisman hopeful quarterback, Ken Dorsey. Dorsey is 26-1 as a starter, but he is a much different quarterback when the opposition can get to him. Just ask Virginia Tech last season before they lost by two points due to a dropped two-point conversion. The Hurricanes have a very difficult schedule with away games against Florida and Tennessee, along with a home match up with Florida State.

Another contender for the title is Tennessee. All of the top five teams are playing each other this year, but Tennessee has the benefit of facing these big games on their own turf. The Volunteers play Florida, Miami and rival Alabama – but all of these contests are in Knoxville. The early tango with Florida Sept. 9 and a trip to Athens, Ga. to take on the Bulldogs will prove to be the big tests for Philip Fulmer’s squad. There are questions in the running game and the defensive line, but don’t be surprised if the Vols wind up National Champions.

I never thought I would concede this early, but all of my fellow Longhorn fans must suffer another year. Texas could quite possibly have the most talented team on the field, providing them with a solid shot at the title.

Sophomore running back Cedric Benson ran for a freshman school record of 1,000 yards last season and he didn’t even play in the first six games. Couple the running attack with a wide receiver corps that might be the best in the nation and the Horns are going to be scary good. The defense, which was ranked an overall No. 1 last year, should be better as the secondary has improved. Questions come at the quarterback position where senior Chris Simms has faltered in previous big games.

Why don’t the Horns win this year? Mack Brown’s squad faces a very difficult schedule. An Oct. 12 meeting with Oklahoma, followed by a visit to Nebraska and another away game at Kansas State could knock the Horns out of the race. Nevertheless, my fellow Texans there is still hope. Hook Em’.

Oklahoma is one of the teams that will be traveling to Tempe, Ariz., to compete in the Fiesta Bowl for the national championship. According to Head Coach Bob Stoops, the Sooners are holding their fastest and best defense he has ever had. Roy Williams, last year’s best collegiate safety, and Rocky Calmus, the best linebacker, do not return this year. The country is waiting to see how Stoops’ prediction will come through. The Sooners have a joke of a schedule other than the Oct. 12 date with Texas.

However, questions lie at the quarterback position where junior Jason White, who is recovering from a knee injury, has very little experience. Backup quarterback, Nate Hybl, has a slow release and does not have the coaches’ confidence. However, talent runs thick in Oklahoma and Stoops’ squad will make it to Tempe, but they will not win the title.

Your National Champs this season will be Florida State. Forget last season’s 8-4 record posted by an injury-ridden team. Quarterback Chris Rix is a year improved and the return of several talented players will have the Seminoles crowned No. 1. Rix will be protected by an offensive line which returns every starter. The last time Bowden had this luxury he won the title.

Running behind this experienced line is junior halfback Greg Jones, who is possibly the greatest ballcarrier in the nation. Granted, Florida State squeaked by Iowa State in their opener on Aug. 24 on a goal line stand, but that was before they had a 24-0 lead. I guarantee Bowden will work on improving his defense and making sure his team plays four quarters.

Besides, how fitting would it be that the team which uses "Let’s Roll" (passenger Todd Beamer’s quote before attacking the hijackers of flight 93 on Sept. 11), wins the national championship? Bowden’s boys lost to Oklahoma in the 2000 national title game, but this year will prove different and the Seminoles will get their revenge.

College football is here once again sports fans. Let the drama begin.