November 24, 2002
Say Anything
ESPN The Magazine | |
For a guy who canned Bob Knight, who replaced him with the first African-American head coach in Indiana University history, who prides himself on making a stand, new NCAA president Myles Brand didn't exactly break any new ground with his recent comments regarding a D-IA playoff. Any more tepid and you'd have 2-day-old dishwater.
When USA Today asked Brand about his views on the subject, the NCAA president laced up the tap shoes and performed that bureaucratic favorite, "Blah, blah, blah."
Brand: "That's highly controversial, and the survey information shows that in Division I-A, 50 percent of the schools and presidents like it and 50 percent don't. The BCS has made some progress. . . but I think that's a question that needs serious discussion within the NCAA and especially within the conferences."
Of course, it's highly controversial; otherwise half of America's sports talk shows would be running Emergency Warning System tone during much of their broadcasts. And the survey results might be split 50-50 between the Ivory Tower crowd, but the Joe Fan numbers are probably in the, oh. . . 100-0 in-favor range.
In other words, enough with the "needs serious discussion" stuff. We liked the Brand who wasn't afraid to go against the grain, even if it meant enduring the wrath of FOBs (Followers of Bob). If he thinks the BCS is worth salvaging, fine -- then say so. If he thinks the BCS needs to be put in a burn bag and replaced by a playoff system, then say so. Say something. Anything beats the dreaded "serious discussion" escape hatch.
19. Tin Cup
With its victory at Houston (wave goodbye to Cougars coach Dana Dimel), South Florida finished its regular season with a 9-2 record and the possibility of spending the holidays at home.
Unless you're Notre Dame, life as a football independent is about as fun as getting your chest hairs waxed. You're rarely on TV. You're constantly looking to fill out your schedule (hello, Charleston Southern). You've got no bowl tie-ins.
South Florida athletic director Lee Roy Selmon can tell you all about the bowl situation. He's been working the phones the last couple of weeks, introducing himself and his program to any bowl director who will take his call. Here's the USF short bio: six years ago there was bupkus, now there's a legitimate D-IA program worthy of a bowl invite.
Don't take our word for it. Ask Bowling Green. The Bulls beat the former top 25 MAC program by 22 about a week ago. Ask East Carolina, Southern Miss, Sun Belt champion North Texas, Northern Illinois -- all losers to South Florida. Even ask Oklahoma, which could manage no more than a 17-point win against the Bulls at Norman.
So USF is 9-2 and looking, actually half-begging, for a bowl invitation. The Bulls aren't picky. All they want is a bowl patch stitched on their jerseys and a chance to show America they're worth the trouble.
"We're just waiting to see how everything plays out," said Selmon, just after boarding the Bulls charter bus for the airport.
Selmon has perfected his bowl pitch. He tells the bowl directors about the Tampa area population base, the size of its television market, the growing interest in the program. But bowls, as an Orange Bowl official so eloquently said recently, have to put "asses" in the seats.
No problem, said Selmon. According to Selmon, the USF student government has committed $50,000 toward any postseason ticket purchases (Bowl-Gate?). That's a start.
"We're prepared to market to our fans," Selmon said. "People are calling left and right. Whatever we need to do, we'll get it done. From the grassroots level, to the ones who buy large blocks of tickets. . . we'll get it done. We'll go door to door."
Or they could try something Bulls coach Jim Leavitt suggested after the win against Houston.
"Maybe I should run naked through the streets of Tampa with a sign that says, 'We need to go to a bowl,''' Leavitt told reporters.
Depends where the sign is held.
Anyway, Selmon and Leavitt won't have to worry so much about begging for a bowl next year. USF joins Conference USA, which has five bowl tie-ins this season.
18. Professional Advice
We asked a prominent player agent a simple question: If Wisconsin wide receiver Lee Evans and Tennessee wide receiver Kelley Washington wanted to know what to do -- return to school next season or make themselves available for the NFL Draft -- what would he tell them?
Evans, who led the Big Ten in receiving in 2001, might have been the first wide receiver taken in the most recent draft. But he decided to remain at Madison and then promptly tore up his knee during the spring game. Persistent swelling in the surgically repaired knee prevented Evans from playing this season. Then came news last week of another surgery that could sideline Evans until May.
Meanwhile, Washington all but declared himself eligible for the 2002 draft after a 64-catch, 1,010-yard season, but then changed his mind. Last week the 23-year-old sophomore underwent successful spinal fusion surgery that will sideline him for about three months. He was hurt during the Oct. 12 game at Georgia.
Now what?
"First of all, I'd tell them they should have come out last year when they would have been lock first-round picks," said the agent, who partly blames Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez and Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer for not insisting the two players take the first-round NFL money. "Now I'd tell them to stay in school another year."
The reasons: Evans didn't play at all this season, and Washington was plagued by injuries until he was finally shelved for good. . . surgeries don't help your NFL standing. . . "And they won't be able to know their (NFL draft) status early enough (to make an informed decision).
"The safest thing to do is come back to school."
17. Kentucky Blue
Kentucky is bowl eligible, but can't go anywhere because of NCAA probation. School officials toyed with the idea of treating the Wildcats' Nov. 30 trip to Tennessee as a bowl game of sorts -- you know, maybe bus down to Knoxville a few days early, see the sights, put together a bag of "bowl" goodies (watch, sweat suits. . . that sort of thing). UK just wanted to make the last game special for its players, much like Bama is doing with its season-ending trip to Hawaii (the Tide also is ineligible for postseason play).
But Kentucky officials soon discovered that any perks for a regular season game would violate the NCAA's "extra benefits" rules.
16. Down Time
Iowa finished its regular season Nov. 16 at Minnesota, which means the 11-1 Hawkeyes could go at least 45 days, maybe as many as 48 days, before their next game. The Hawkeyes' postseason destination won't be decided for sure until the final BCS standings are released, though the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl looks like the probable spot. With lots of help (losses by Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Georgia) Iowa could conceivably squeeze its way into the Jan. 3 national championship.
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| Kirk Ferentz and Iowa are likely headed to the Rose Bowl. |
"We've pretty much got it mapped out," said Ferentz.
Six-and-a-half-week layoff or not, the Hawkeyes said they'll be ready.
"We're unbelievably together," said Iowa senior guard Ben Sobieski. "I don't think any period of time (off) is going to affect us. This team doesn't get rusty."
15. Couch Potato Coaches
Knucklehead fans and dry wall rested a little easier Saturday as Miami of Ohio assistant coaches Jon Wauford and Taver Johnson continue to serve time on football's Elba.
Wauford is the RedHawks defensive coordinator who allegedly did a Dick Butkus on a Marshall fan moments after Miami's Nov. 12 last-second loss at Huntington. And Johnson did a fairly nice imitation of John Daly -- The Troubled Years, when he damaged the visiting coaches box. Wauford was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery. Johnson came clean and said he trashed the place. Both men were suspended by the school and restricted from any contact with the team until further notice. That meant no practices, no meetings, no game, no nothing.
So, with defensive coordinator Wauford and linebackers coach Johnson banished to their couches or bleacher seats, this is how it worked when Miami played Central Florida at Oxford Saturday: RedHawks head coach Terry Hoeppner, who used to be the team's defensive coordinator, signaled in the defensive calls. Defensive line coach Brian George oversaw the run defense, and defensive backs coach Joe Palcic oversaw the pass defense.
Something didn't click. The RedHawks lost to UCF, 48-31.
14. Tempe, Here We Come
A few weeks ago at Neyland Stadium, one of the Miami sports information department directors brought UM school president Donna Shalala into the Tennessee press box. The personable Shalala chatted with reporters for a few minutes and then made her way to her seat. But before she left, someone asked where she was taking her next road trip with the Hurricanes.
Shalala didn't hesitate.
"The Fiesta Bowl," she said.
13. Player Of The Week
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| Penn State's Larry Johnson was just the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. |
All he did was run for 279 yards and four touchdowns before the bands played at halftime. Had JoePa wanted to see history (as if surpassing the 2,000-yard mark for the season wasn't enough), Johnson could have played the second half and probably broken the all-time single-game D-IA rushing record.
Runners-up
Big day for Davis and Badgers. Davis rushed for 301 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries to beat Minnesota. By doing so, Wisconsin became bowl eligible, avoided a tie for last place in the Big Ten, and won back Paul Bunyan's Axe (does Babe know?).
Became the leading passer in Pac-10 history during 52-21 win against UCLA. Palmer finished with 19 completions, 254 yards, four touchdowns and no picks in the victory. In USC's last seven games, Palmer has passed for nearly 2,300 yards and has 23 TDs and only five interceptions. Think offensive coordinator Norm Chow has made a difference in Palmer's career?
The freshman ran for 191 yards in stunner of Iowa State.
Igber had 226 yards and a touchdown in Big Game-win against Stanford. Stanford's band dressed, but did not figure in this one.
Only second player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season.
Five field goals, including the game winner, in upset of Washington State.
Griffin recorded his third 200-yard game of the season with 207-yard effort in win against Texas Tech.
No. 4 on the Tigers depth chart, but after his 126 yards in Iron Bowl, No. 1 in Auburn hearts.
Forsey had 187 yards and four TDs as BSU clinched the WAC title.
The Buckeyes are a different team with the true freshman in the lineup. He finished with 119 yards and a TD (as well as a crucial catch) in the win against Michigan, and did it while nursing an injured shoulder.
Honorable Mention
Oklahoma State QB Josh Fields, Utah RB Brandon Warfield, Miami RB Willis McGahee, San Diego State WRs J.R. Tolver and Kassim Osgood, Tennessee RB Cedric Houston, Ball State RB Marcus Merriweather, Notre Dame QB Carlyle Holiday, Oregon State RB Steven Jackson, Virginia QB Matt Schaub, Ohio State S Mike Doss, Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, North Carolina State RB T.A. McLendon.
12. Coaches Of The Week
Tuberville is down to his third-team running back -- and still wins the crucial Iron Bowl at Tuscaloosa against a very good Alabama team. And Edsall's UConn team pulls off one of the upsets of the year by beating late, great Iowa State. The Huskies finish the season with a 6-6 record.
Runners-up
Tressel probably belongs with Tuberville and Edsall. Tressel leads the Buckeyes to their first-ever 13-0 season, a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl appearance, and beats Michigan for second consecutive year. Statue of him soon to be erected in Columbus.
Two weeks ago, when the Huskies were 5-5 and still had to travel to Oregon and Washington State, we predicted U-Dub wouldn't win a sixth game. It was an obvious motivational technique, of course. The Huskies beat Oregon by 28 and ended Washington State's national championship hopes in triple overtime Saturday. You're welcome, Rick.
Honorable Mention
NC State's Chuck Amato (We like the lug, but when the stadium lights come on, lose the Highway Patrol sunglasses, Chuck.) . . . Eastern Kentucky's Roy Kidd. The legendary Kidd, 70, is retiring after 39 seasons at the D-IAA program. He won what was likely his final game last Thursday with a 45-20 victory against Tennessee State. Until his season officially ends, he is the third-winningest active coach in college football, behind Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden. . . . Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. The bigger the game, the better his teams play. Just ask Texas Tech after OU clinched Big 12 South. . . . Cal's Jeff Tedford. Cal finished 1-10 (0-8 in Pac-10) last year, 7-5 (4-4 in conference) this year. . . . Utah's Ron McBride. If nothing else, McBride's final win was a nice way to leave. The defeat of rival BYU gave the Cougars their first losing season in 29 years. . . . . East Carolina's Steve Logan leads Pirates to upset of TCU. . . . Notre Dame's Tyrone Willingham recorded his 10th win, the most ever by an Irish first-year head coach. . . . Clemson's Tommy Bowden beat South Carolina -- again.
11. Public Speaking 101
Bo knows pregame speeches. Former Auburn Heisman winner Bo Jackson addressed the Tigers before the Iron Bowl Saturday. Among other things, Jackson told the Auburn players he'd heard the Tigers had no chance against Bama. Final score: Auburn 17, Bama 7.
Tommy knows pregame speeches. Former LA Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda addressed the Clemson Tigers before their annual grudge game against South Carolina. Lasorda entered the game with an undefeated record as a pregame college football speaker. Final score: Clemson 27, South Carolina 20. The streak lives
10. Joe Namath, He Isn't
Memo to Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall: Please, no more promises.
Since the Nov. 2 loss to Pittsburgh, when Hall declared afterward, "I guarantee it: we will not lose another game," the Hokies have suffered two consecutive defeats, one in OT to a so-so Syracuse team, and then last week's heartbreaker to West Virginia. An 8-0 Va. Tech start has become an 8-3 record with games still left against Virginia and Miami.
9. Dorsey Or McGahee?
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| Ken Dorsey was the unanimous Heisman pick in an informal team sampling. |
Meanwhile, Miami sophomore running back Willis McGahee rushed for 159 yards and scored twice in that same game and, in the process, broke Edgerrin James's record for most UM rushing TDs in a single season. It was McGahee's eighth 100-yard game for the season and featured a 69-yard TD run.
So naturally, when we asked several Miami players to fill out an imaginary postgame Heisman ballot, the mini-vote was unanimous: Dorsey.
Center Brett Romberg, Dorsey's roomie, long ago went on the record picking Dorsey. Sophomore tight end Kellen Winslow did the same thing after the Pitt game.
"He just wins," said Winslow. "My second choice would be Willis. Dorsey's been consistent. Not that Willis hasn't."
Defensive end Jerome McDougle picked Dorsey over McGahee. "Just because he's a senior," he said.
Safety Maurice Sikes checked in too.
"Dorsey," he said without hesitation. "That's our leader. We feel like we need him to win. Willis would be No. 2."
Sikes' choice didn't have anything to do Dorsey being an upperclassman. "It wouldn't make any difference if Willis had won (the Heisman) last year."
Instead, Sikes said Dorsey simply makes the UM offense work. His reasoning: you could replace McGahee with backups Jason Geathers or Jarrett Payton and the Hurricanes would still be an effective rushing team. Not as spectacular, but effective. But lose Dorsey, he said, and UM would have problems.
8. Dorsey Or McGahee -- Part II
So just for the heck of it, we called a couple of Big East Conference defensive coaches for their expert opinion. This time the votes were split.
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| Opposing coaches say Willis McGahee is a 'special, special player.' |
That said, the same assistant picked Dorsey as his Heisman pick.
"He's smart, has so much savvy and knows where to get the ball," said the assistant. "He's a winner. Everybody says he has a great supporting cast. Yeah, he does. But he does what he needs to do with them. He has all the intangibles. I think he's the leader of that football team, too."
Fair enough.
Counterpoint?
"I'd take McGahee," said the other Big East assistant. "He's just a special, special player. Dorsey is a great player, but his biggest asset is his mind. With McGahee, every run, every time he touches the ball you're scared that he'll break it. We have great players and we hit him and they just melted off. You see that every week with McGahee. With us, we said you had to stop their run first."
7. Stat Of The Week
Penn State's Larry Johnson had 279 rushing yards and four touchdowns. . . with 2:38 still left in the second quarter of Saturday's 61-7 rout of Michigan State.
6. Quote Of The Week
"No, I don't watch football."
-- Miami's McGahee, when asked if he'd watch the Michigan-Ohio State game. Ohio State will face the Hurricanes in the BCS Championship if UM wins out. "We're not worried about who we play," McGahee said.
5. Shorties
Even if Miami had lost to Pitt -- and it did look a bit dicey for the 'Canes during the first half and late in the game -- Fiesta Bowl reps still planned to make the rounds in the UM locker room. John Junker might not look good in banana yellow (who can, in those crossing-guard-colored Fiesta Bowl polyester blazers?), but the Fiesta prez and CEO is no dummy. A one-loss Miami team could still reach Tempe and the BCS championship. . . . Don't be surprised if you hear Jim Leavitt's name mentioned for other jobs during the next month or so. Leavitt, a former assistant on Bill Snyder's staff at Kansas State, has done a wonderful job at South Florida. "We have scheduled to talk after the season," said Selmon. "We want to make sure that he's comfortable here." Good idea. . . . Here's one of the reasons we're Kirk Ferentz fans. After Iowa beat Minnesota and clinched at least a tie for the Big Ten championship, Ferentz was carried off the field by his players. His reaction? "Realistically, we should be carrying the players off," he said. . . . Hawaii coach June Jones has never been afraid to say what's on his mind. His latest comment of note: Warriors quarterback Timmy Chang will win a Heisman before he leaves the program. Chang, a sophomore, entered Saturday's game against Cincinnati fourth in the country in total offense. "He'll win the Heisman Trophy if he maintains what he's doing," Jones told reporters. "What's the pressure? If he does what he's doing right now, he'll win it." Knowing Jones, he was serious about the prediction. But he was also making sure the rest of the country didn't forget about his guy. Can't say we blame him, especially after Chang led Hawaii to a come-from-behind win against the Bearcats. . . . Wishful thinking: Texas Tech officials met earlier last week to discuss preliminary arrangements for the trip to the Big 12 Championship game in Houston. So much for that after the 60-15 loss to Oklahoma. . . . Wisconsin finished 2-6 and Minnesota finished 3-5 (and hasn't won a game since October 19), respectively, in the Big Ten, and both teams are guaranteed spots in bowls.
4. LJ For HT
Larry Johnson wins the Heisman Trophy? It's a notion that is gaining considerable strength, much like Johnson during the second half of the season.
Yeah, OK, Johnson averaged about 70 yards in Penn State's losses to Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan. That's not great, but it's no disgrace, especially against an undefeated Buckeyes team that will play in the national championship, or a Hawkeyes team that could play in the Rose Bowl, or a 9-3 Michigan team that will play in a nice bowl. And if you believe everything Joe Paterno says, those three losses could have, should have been wins if not for those nutty Big Ten game officials.
In his first six games, Johnson averaged about 105 rushing yards. In his last six, he has averaged about 233 yards. He now has four 200-yard games and broke the 2,000-yard season barrier in the home finale against comatose Michigan State.
Johnson bought his offensive linemen some chow earlier last week. "They had to work some of those calories off (Saturday)," said Johnson, who spends about half of every interview thanking his O-line, fullbacks and anyone else who throws a block for him.
Michigan State's Charles Rogers, who would have been in New York next month for the Heisman ceremony had his team not imploded this season, said he has become a Johnson convert. "He's got my vote for the Heisman," Rogers said afterward. "I saw firsthand what he could do."
The question is, will enough real voters see the same thing?
3. Heisman Trophy Race
Bring a coat and tie to the Yale Club: Miami RB Willis McGahee, Penn State RB Larry Johnson, Iowa QB Brad Banks, USC QB Carson Palmer, Colorado RB Chris Brown.
Moving up: Oklahoma RB Quentin Griffin.
On the radar: Miami QB Ken Dorsey, West Virginia RB Avon Cobourne, Boise State RB Brock Forsey.
Slipping: Washington State QB Jason Gesser, Marshall QB Byron Leftwich.
Thanks for stopping by the booth: Texas Tech QB Kliff Kingsbury.
2. Whatever Happened To. . .
. . . Iowa State?
After seven games, the Cyclones were 6-1 with wins against Iowa, Nebraska and Texas Tech, and a near-win against Florida State. Since then, ISU has lost five of its last six games, including Saturday's shocking season-ending defeat to little-regarded Connecticut.
One Hack's Weekly Elite
Fiesta Bowl Matchup
Miami vs. Ohio State -- Buckeyes booking hotel rooms for Fiesta Bowl. 'Canes still have two games left: at 4-7 Syracuse, at home against reeling Virginia Tech.
3. Oklahoma -- Sooners poised to take Miami's place if Hurricanes gag.
4. Iowa -- Hawkeyes waiting for final word on bowl destination.
5. USC -- Trojans are huge UCLA fans this week. Need Bruins to beat Washington State for Rose Bowl invitation.
6. Kansas State -- We believe. Wildcats have outscored last five opponents, 253-30.
7. Georgia -- Off this past week, face Georgia Tech before SEC Championship.
8. Notre Dame -- UCLA coach Bob Toledo says Irish will lose to USC.
9. Washington State -- Can Cougars get over U-Dub hangover?
10. Florida -- Makes list because of attrition.
Waiting list: Texas, Colorado, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, Pittsburgh.
Gene Wojciechowski is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine. He can be reached at gene.wojciechowski@espnmag.com.
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