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Friday, December 13, 2002
Weekend preview
By Mike Diegnan
BCSfootball.com
There are only six games, but the opening weekend of the 2000-2001 college football season will give us an opportunity to take a look at some of the top contenders for the FedEx Orange Bowl.
BYU vs. No. 2 Florida State (ABC, Saturday, 8 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| At age 28, athletes are often reaching the prime of their professional athletic careers. For FSU quarterback Chris Weinke is looking to become the oldest Heisman Trophy winner ever. He starts his campaign against a BYU defense that will be scrambling following the loss of linebacker Rob Morris. |
Marvin Minnis: No one is going to fill the void left by All-American Peter Warrick, but Minnis is FSU's leading returning receiver and will start in Warrick's old flanker position. While Anquan Boldin may eventually become the Seminoles' most dangerous weapon, the 6-foot-1 Minnis will open the year as its most dependable option. |
Florida State is treating this game like an exhibition and as a way to swing voters their way past Nebraska. Though a contender for the Mountain West Conference title, BYU just doesn't have the firepower on either side of the ball to keep up with the Seminoles. |
Iowa at No. 9 Kansas State (Saturday, 2 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| With Joe Hall ineligible, the bulk of the Kansas State running game shifts to David Allen. There are questions whether or not the 5-foot-9 return specialist can carry the ball effectively on a consistent basis. He led the team in rushing just twice last season and only twice carried the ball more than nine times. |
Jonathan Beasley: The senior quarterback has great weapons in receivers Quincy Morgan and Aaron Lockett and running back David Allen, but Wildcats fans will not stand pat for Beasley's dismal numbers against Nebraska last year: 3-19-100. Especially with Michael Bishop-clone Eli Roberson waiting in the wings. |
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz must have been shaking his head all winter when he looked at the schedule. In addition to their Big Ten schedule, the Hawkeyes also travel to Nebraska on Sept. 23. At least Iowa will host Western Michigan in two weeks because K-State doesn't lose games to outmanned opponents. |
Georgia Tech at No. 10 Va. Tech (ESPN, Sunday, 8 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Is there anyone in the country not interested in seeing what Michael Vick will do for an encore? Georgia Tech's defense will have its hands full trying to keep the most exciting player in the country in check. |
Nathaniel Adibi: The 6-foot-3, 242-pound defensive end will play opposite sophomore Lamar Cobb as the Hokies look for a new set of bookends similar to Nagurski Award winner Corey Moore and All-Big East selection John Engelberger. Adibi was a heralded recruit coming out of high school in Hampton, Va. |
It will take a while for the young Virginia Tech defense to jell, but Vick and the offense will continue where they left off last year. The offensive line returns four starters and Vick's favorite target, André Davis, should have another banner year following his 27.5 receiving average last season. |
No. 16 USC vs. No. 17 Penn St. (ABC, Sunday, 2:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Can USC save the Pac-10? Penn State embarrassed Arizona and the league in last year's Pigskin Classic. The Trojans feel the pressure of redeeming the ailing conference. |
Rashard Casey: Whether or not you agree he should be playing, Casey is among the most talented quarterbacks in the country. It won't be known until he throws his first pass or eludes his first rush how the controversy surrounding his arrest will affect him. |
Carson Palmer and USC will try to attack the Lions' inexperienced defense, but the key to the game will be whether or not Eric McCoo can keep the pressure off Casey. In losses to Michigan and Michigan State late last season, McCoo rushed for just 58 yards on 16 carries. |
New Mexico at Texas Tech (Saturday, 8 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Texas Tech's Mike Leach makes his head coaching debut. The offensive genius who guided Kentucky's "Air Raid" offense and the rise of Oklahoma's Josh Heupel last season, Leach will set loose with three to five receivers this season with sophomore gunslinger Kliff Kingsbury. James Wegener is the fastest receiver on the squad, but there will be plenty of passes to go around. |
Ricky Williams: After tearing his ACL in the first game last season, Williams returns for his final season in Lubbock. The "other" Ricky Williams should shine in the one-back offense as teams are forced to concentrate on the pass. |
Lots of points. New Mexico's defense surrendered 30 or more points in half of their games last season and that was with Brian Urlacher on the squad. A thin secondary will be racing all day to keep the Red Raiders from putting up 40 this weekend. |
All game times Eastern
Mike Diegnan is editor of BCSFootball.com.
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