|
Sport Sections |
|
|
| | |||||
| Monday, October 2 Even the top four teams have weaknesses By Mike Tirico Special to ESPN.com | |||||
| The clock's running and it's four-down territory. Here we go.
First down I've said from the start of the season that everyone in the major conferences would lose a game this year, and I'm not backing down now. I have not seen an unbeatable team yet this season. So what are the vulnerabilities of the teams in my top four: Florida State -- No offensive weakness, no weakness on the defensive front seven. The Seminoles' pressure man-to-man coverage with their cornerbacks against great wide receivers could be a recipe for defeat. But I do not think the other two teams in the ACC Bowden division -- Clemson (son Tommy as coach) and North Carolina State (longtime assistant Chuck Amato as coach) -- will be the threats even with their passing attacks. Miami and Florida will be the two teams that could pass on the Seminoles.
Chris Weinke sat down for our meeting last week with an apple-flavored Blow Pop in his hand. He spoke like an NFL quarterback, coach or television analyst. Yet when his teammates -- seven, eight or nine years younger -- were also in the discussion, Chris was just as comfortable. Weinke's age -- by now, everyone knows he's 28 -- and a near career-ending neck injury provide lots of perspective compared to a 21-year-old stud athlete who has not faced that kind of adversity. That said, I think Weinke is getting as much from being around the traditional college-age players as they are from him. Ask college professors or those of us who find themselves in a university atmosphere often; there is something intoxicating (no pun intended) about being around the energy of college kids with dreams that have not been muted by the world's reality. Weinke may not be a Hall of Famer in the NFL, but he has the ability, seasoning and, more importantly, the attitude to succeed on Sundays. College football is better because he came back to try for a second straight ring. Third down What is the key to victory? Coaching, personnel decisions, play-calling and home field are all often mentioned and certainly fit as part of the equation. But without question, games are won and lost in the living room. On the couch where the recruiting pitch happens makes a difference between good teams and championship teams. Go back to Saturday at the Big House when Michigan beat Wisconsin. Wolverine receiver David Terrell and Badger cornerback Jamar Fletcher put on a great head-to-head battle all afternoon. A broken play led to a scrambling Drew Henson throwing a pass to Terrell in the back of the end zone. Terrell's leap over all the other outstretched hands and arms for the game-winning catch illustrates the reason why Michigan is alive in the Rose Bowl chase and why Wisconsin is on the outside. The team with the better athletes wins nine out of every 10 games. The coaches' work on the couch at a recruit's home goes the furthest toward keeping them off the psychiatrist's couch. Fourth down After the wave of admitted inaccurate calls, there was a great cry for instant replay in college football from coaches to announcers. I continue to remain shocked that people who know this sport would think this is even possible. Even though it seems like every game is on television, it is not. Let's take a "what if" scenario, and indulge me on this because it will call for your imagination. Florida State is trailing Duke in the fourth quarter of their game later this season (a game not televised by the ACC's three television partners: ABC, ESPN or Jefferson-Pilot). The Blue Devils have a pass in the end zone ruled incomplete. But replays for the tape-delayed Seminole broadcast on the Sunshine Network (a Florida cable channel) show a touchdown. Since this is Florida State's home broadcast, would that replay be shown to the officials? Now, in no way do I question the Sunshine Network's journalistic credibility -- this could happen with Marshall, Florida or any other school that has a regional cable network produce their own broadcast for tape delay usually on Sunday morning. But I think you see my point. Since not every game is broadcast on live television and those broadcasts are not necessarily produced by an independent broadcaster with no direct contractual affiliation to either team, replay in college football is a complete impossibility. My Top Ten 1. Florida State 2. Nebraska 3. Virginia Tech 4. Kansas State 5. Ohio State 6. Clemson 7. Michigan 8. Miami 9. Oregon 10. Auburn Note: Beware of Northwestern. The Wildcats' schedule gives them a chance to be a Rose Bowl factor, with their three toughest remaining tests (Purdue, Michigan and Illinois) all at Evanston. | ALSO SEE Wojciechowski: Movers and Shakers Harig: Gators losing their bite What you might have missed | ||||
|
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities at ESPN.com. |
