NEWS & NOTES: Sept. 17
Editor's note: Here is Mel's early look at the national-title chase (and more) in the Big 12, SEC, Pac-10, Big Ten, Big East and ACC.
More conference breakdowns (C-USA, MWC, WAC, MAC, Sun Belt plus indies)
Even at such an early stage of the 2001 college football season, you can begin to see indications that teams will either surpass or fall short of the predictions and opinions that were circulating before the outset of the campaign.
BIG 12
Defending national champion Oklahoma is off to a 2-0 start, with a swarming defense led by LB Rocky Calmus and safety Roy Williams causing all kinds of problems for the opposition. While you would expect this group to perform at a similarly high level the rest of the way, keep in mind that North Carolina and Air Force didn't provide a true test of the Sooners' capabilities. That will change Oct. 6 at the Cotton Bowl when the they square off against Texas.
While I believe strongly that the defending national champion should always open the following campaign as the No. 1 team in the polls, I went on record in August with a prediction of Texas and Miami (Fla.) to meet in the Rose Bowl.
While Texas is also 2-0, victories against New Mexico State and North Carolina weren't exactly awe-inspiring. Junior QB Chris Simms still needs to gain consistency, which is really the key to Texas' chances of making a run at the national title. Also keep in mind that his primary options at wide receiver, Roy Williams and B.J. Johnson, are just sophomores. While they are both gifted performers, the Longhorns are still looking to hit their stride on offense.
The key to the Longhorns' season is whether they begin to reach an optimal level on Oct. 6 at the Cotton Bowl (vs. Oklahoma). That's because the schedule from that point on is extremely favorable for Mack Brown's squad, although the Big 12 championship game figures to match either Oklahoma or Texas against Nebraska.
Even though the Cornhuskers are 3-0, I'm not convinced they are national-championship material. Playing Notre Dame at home with two games already under their belt was a huge advantage against an Irish squad that was opening its season. But any time you have a super blue-chip option QB like Eric Crouch, a talented and deep secondary paced by senior CB Keyou Craver and an extremely favorable regular-season schedule, the possibility exists that the 'Huskers will be heavily in the mix, with their key game also coming against Oklahoma at Lincoln on Oct. 27.
SEC
In the SEC, Florida appears to have the right blend of talent to put together another outstanding season. The key performer is QB Rex Grossman. He has looked sharp in the early going, but the competition strengthens dramatically in the weeks to come.
Remember, over the years it's been proven that you need star power at QB to win the national championship.
PAC-10
The Pac-10 figures to boil down to UCLA and Oregon. I've been impressed thus far with the Bruins. Winning on the road is a difficult chore in college football, and they've come out with a pair of victories in hostile territory. If highly skilled senior RB DeShaun Foster can shake the durability concerns and sophomore wideout Tab Perry continues to shine, the Bruins' offense could be top notch. At 6-3 and 220 pounds, Perry provides underrated junior signal caller Cory Paus with a top-flight option in the passing game. The front seven on defense looks strong as well, highlighted by DE Kenyon Coleman and LB Robert Thomas.
In senior QB Joey Harrington, Oregon has a proven clutch performer. If the defense evolves into a solid group, the Pac-10 championship could end up being decided at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 10 when the Ducks face UCLA. One note of caution: Two weeks before the UCLA game, the Ducks go on the road to face Washington State. Based on what I've seen in the early going, Mike Price's Cougars could be an extremely dangerous opponent, especially at Pullman.
BIG TEN
The Big Ten remains wide open. I'll stick with my preseason choice of Illinois. QB Kurt Kittner wasn't as accurate as we've normally seen (there were windy conditions) in a surprisingly tough 17-12 victory over Northern Illinois, but he's a super blue-chip collegiate QB who benefits from the major lift provided by sophomore wideout Brandon Lloyd.
Against Northern Illinois, Lloyd hauled in six receptions for 126 yards. At 6-2 and 190 pounds, Lloyd combines ideal size and outstanding speed (second-fastest player on Illini) with top-flight pass-receiving skills. Thus far, he's been one of the most impressive receivers in the nation.
If the Illini defense holds up, Ron Turner's squad figures to be in the mix the entire way. On the horizon is a battle with Michigan at the Big House on Sept. 29. The Wolverines let one slip away on the road at Washington but figure to be in the hunt for the Big Ten championship the entire way.
BIG EAST
Miami (Fla.) has the necessary components to win a national championship, while Virginia Tech now has to overcome the injury loss of skilled RB Lee Suggs. While the Hokies' defense is outstanding, the pressure is on QB Grant Noel to make some plays in the passing game. Fortunately for the Hokies, their schedule is extremely favorable, with Miami forced to travel to Blacksburg for the regular-season finale Dec. 1.
ACC
In the ACC, the expected three-horse race between Florida State, Georgia Tech and Clemson is taking shape. But injuries at wide receiver have already played a factor for each squad. The Seminoles have lost Anquan Boldin and Robert Morgan; Georgia Tech lost Nate Curry; and Clemson lost Kevin Youngblood.
At Florida State, QB Chris Rix appears to have the overall skill to eventually make his mark as one of the country's more effective collegiate signal callers. A redshirt freshman who is working through the growing pains, Rix is a gifted athlete with the arm strength and athleticism to present all kinds of problems for the opposition.
When things break down, Rix can improvise and create a positive play with his legs, something that the Seminoles didn't have during the Chris Weinke era.
