Monday, August 24, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 5
Commentary
Predictions, preview of 1998 season
By Richard Rosonblatt The Associated Press
With so much talk about the Bowl Championship Series, let's not forget there's a regular season ahead, records to break and history to make.
It all begins next week with four games and two coaching debits — Louisiana Tech at Nebraska (welcome, Frank Solich), Purdue at Southern California (welcome, Paul Hackett), Colorado State at Michigan State, and Florida State vs. Texas A&M.
Here's a look at the 1998 hotshots, hot spots, sure shots and long shots.
HEISMAN HOPES
BEEGMAN HOPES
1. Ricky Williams, BR, Texas — If
he breaks Tony Dorsett's career rushing record — he needs 1,928 yards — he's a Heisman shoo-in Teammates have to help by win ning more games than they lose.
2. Cade McNown, QB, UCLA — left-hander starts out as top quarterback candidate after leading nation in passing efficiency and Bruins to 10 wins in a row in 1997.
3. Amos Zereoue, RB, West Virginia — Tough to bring down, piles up lots of yards and touchdowns but still has to produce big numbers in big games. Biggest test is early, Sept. 5 vs. No. 1 Ohio State.
4. Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky — Can a losing team produce a Heisman winner? It's only happened once — Paul Hornung, Notre Dame (1956), but this junior has the passing touch to make a run at the trophy.
5. Dauntte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida — Have to believe his numbers will be impressive enough to earn a trip to New York. Also, the schedule's easier this time around.
IN THE HUNT: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin; Donovan McNabb, Syracuse; Kevin Faulk, LSU; Joe Germaine. Ohio State.
FAR FIVE (with an entry)
FAB FIVE (with an entry)
These guys could be Heisman candidates, but every member of this quintet is special in another way — each is capable of breaking open a game at any time and in a variety of ways. Herewith, our most exciting players to watch:
1. J.R. Redmond, TB-KR, Arizona
State — Finally has tailback position to himself. In two years of shared job, he gained 1,166 yards (5.6 yards per carry). Also will get a look at safety.
2. Dautte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida — Considered among top pro prospects, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound senior has single-handedly put the Knights on the football map. Just ask Nebraska. Can run, pass and pass on the run.
3 and 3a. Kevin Johnson/Quinton Spotwood, WRS-KRs, Syracuse — Whenever these guys get the ball, via pass, punkt or kickoff, don't blink. They could be in the end zone that fast.
4. Sedrick Irvin, RB, Michigan State — Tough to tackle, and can turn short gains into touchdowns as well as any back in the nation.
5. Michael Bishop, QB, Kansas State .. Set all kinds of school
records for passing—and running—last season. His college record, counting two years in junior college, is 35-1. He makes big plays when all seems lost.
W A T C H
FOR: Travis
Minor, RB,
Florida State;
Joey Hamilton,
Georgia Tech;
Bishop: Predicted to help Wildcats with big plays in 1998
Ryan Kealy, QB. Arizona State; David Boston, WR, Ohio State.
GARGANTUAN GAMES
GARGANTUAN GAMES Each year, we look back to see which regular-season games helped decide the national title. Last season, there was Florida over Tennessee, LSU over Florida, Michigan over Penn State, Nebraska's miracle over Missouri, Michigan's annual victory over Ohio State and Florida over Florida State. In 1998, keep an eye on these games:
1. Ohio State at West Virginia (Sept.5)
2. LSU at Florida (Oct. 10)
4. Michigan at Ohio State (Nov.
21)
3. Nebraska at Kansas State (Nov.
14).
zona (Nov.27).
5. Florida at Florida State (Nov.
21)
NOTABLE GAMES
ALSO: Michigan at Notre Dame (Sept. 5). Notre Dame at Arizona State (Oct. 10). Arizona State at Ari-
These games may not determine the national champion, but there's more to the sport than just finishing No.1.
1. Texas at UCLA (Sept, 12)
Remember 66.37
2. Bowling Green at Penn State (Sept. 12) — Joe Paterno should get career win No. 300.
3. Missouri at Nebraska (Oct. 24)
    - Huskers pulled off miracle catch to force overtime in last year's 45-83 victory over Tigers.
4. Florida at Georgia (Oct. 31)—Gators to avenge 37-17 loss to Bulldogs — first victory for Georgia over Florida since 1989.
4. Army vs. Navy (Dec. 5) — We have goose bumps already.
It's fine to be ranked in the Top 25 entering the season, but a peek at the schedule shows the road to Tempe, Ariz., may be a lot tougher for some teams.
TOUGH ROAD TO TEMPE
1. Texas — Here's the task for new coach Mack Brown: At UCLA, at Kansas State and at Nebraska — all Top 10 teams. There also are two big rivalry games to deal with vs. Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
2. Missouri — Tigers may beg for mercy at the end of the season, with road games at Ohio State, Nebraska, Texas A&M and a home game vs. Kansas State.
3. Notre Dame — By Irish standards this may not be the toughest task, but home games vs. Michigan and LSU and road games vs. Michigan State, Arizona State and USC are a tall order.
4. Michigan State — Spartans had their chance last year, now they have to play the Big Ten biggies on the road — at Michigan, at Ohio State and at Penn State. Toss in nonconference games against Colorado State and Notre Dame and a trip to Oregon.
4. Michigan — The defending AP national champs open at Notre Dame and then play host to Syracuse before Big Ten home games against Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin. The finale is at Ohio State.
1. Nebraska — Let's hear it for the 'Huskers — nonconference games against Louisiana Tech, Alabama
MINOR TURBULENCE TO TEMPE
Birmingham and California. Toughest Big 12 game is at Kansas State. The others, vs. Missouri, Texas and Colorado, are in Lincoln.
2. Ohio State — If Buckeyes win opener at West Virginia, they could sail through schedule until finale vs. Michigan (at Columbus). Buckeyes are 1-8-1 vs. Wolverines under coach John Cooper.
3. Arizona State — What luck, no UCLA on the slate, but Arizona looms in season finale at Tucson. Rough games are in Tempe — vs. Washington and Notre Dame.
4. West Virginia — Mountaineers appear the best of the Big East, with toughest game at home against No. 1 Ohio State in the opener. League games vs. Miami and Syracuse are in Morgantown.
5. Kansas State — As usual, Wildcats have three thumpable nonconference foes — Indiana State, Northern Illinois and Northeast Louisiana.
Nebraska's at home, too, although the last time K-State beat Huskers in Manhattan was 1959.
1. Prairie View --- 77 consecutive losses.
STREAKING
2. Illinois — A school-record 17 consecutive losses, with No. 18 likely at Washington State. Beware Sept. 12, when the Illini play host to I-AA Middle Tennessee State.
3. Nebraska opens the season with a 14-game winning streak, the longest in the nation. Michigan is next with 12, followed by UCLA at 10.
4. Notre Dame-Navy: The Irish, after sweating out a 21-17 win last year, have an NCAA-record 34-game winning streak against the Midshipmen. The teams play Nov. 14.
4. Nebraska over Kansas State/Nebraska over Kansas The Cornhuskers have won 29 straight over both the Wildcats and the Javhawks.
5. Penn State — When the last time the Nittany Lions started a season with a two-game losing streak? It was 1989 after closing the 1988 season with losses to Pittsburgh and Notre Dame.
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