COLLEGE FOOTBALL ’93 : NATIONAL OVERVIEW : Season Should Be a Kick for Bowden

Interested in saving time? Presenting the Cliff Notes version of the 1993 season in easy-to-predict weekly form:

WEEK 1

* Games Worth Watching: Aug. 28--Florida State vs. Kansas in the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium.

* A Nation Turns Its Lonely Eyes to . . . : Scott Bentley, the Florida State freshman kicker who chose the Seminoles instead of Notre Dame (his father’s alma mater), Washington (where he was escorted around town by a Seattle Seahawk cheerleader), Miami (where he was shown a display of national championship rings, as if they were the crown jewels) and nearby Colorado (Bentley is from Aurora, a suburb of Denver).

Considered the best kicking prospect in years, Bentley won’t have too much pressure on him. All he has to do is make every field goal, including those against archrival Miami.

Florida State, which has lost only three games--two to Miami, one to Florida--in the last two seasons, was denied probable national titles in 1992 and 1991, thanks to last-second missed kicks against the hated Hurricanes. Heartless Miami fans waved signs. Read one: “Wide right . . . The gift that keeps on giving.”

* It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time: Calling it a tremendous opportunity, Kansas Coach Glen Mason happily agreed to the Kickoff Classic matchup against the Seminoles. Mason is right. It is a tremendous opportunity . . . to get waxed and buffed by FSU on national television. The Seminoles have scored 48, 44 and 45 points in their last three season openers.

Little-known Fact: Since the Kickoff Classic began in 1983, no participating team has finished that season as national champion.

* So It Is Written, So It Is Done: Our preseason top 25--1) Florida State, 2) Alabama, 3) Texas A&M;, 4) Ohio State, 5) Nebraska, 6) Tennessee, 7) Michigan, 8) Syracuse, 9) Miami, 10) Colorado, 11) Arizona, 12) Stanford, 13) Notre Dame, 14) Washington, 15) Florida, 16) USC, 17) Georgia, 18) Penn State, 19) Clemson, 20) Arizona State, 21) North Carolina, 22) Oklahoma, 23) Brigham Young, 24) Wisconsin, 25) Hawaii.

WEEK 2

* Games Worth Watching: Aug. 29--USC vs. North Carolina in the Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium; Sept. 4--Stanford at Washington; Boston College at Miami; Texas at Colorado; Minnesota at Penn State.

* Little-known Fact: After criticizing the Washington football program for a lack of integrity, an apologetic Stanford Coach Bill Walsh sent Husky Coach Don James and UW Athletic Director Barbara Hedges each a case of fine wine. Considering the Pacific 10 Conference’s two-year probation ruling, James and Hedges might need the vino. The suddenly retired James will at least have plenty of time to drink it.

* Mr. Happy Replaces Mr. Sappy: You need waders to survive a conversation with new-old Trojan Coach John Robinson these days. Of course, it beats the alternative. According to Robinson, USC will leave Notre Dame with a victory--did he mention which year or what sport?--and soon regain its rightful place in future Rose Bowls and atop the polls. Meanwhile, former USC coach Larry Smith is telling anyone who will listen that Fresno State could win it all this season.

* Let The Heisman Hype Begin: Don’t send the statuette to the engraver’s shop just yet. San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk, who makes his 1993 debut against Division I-AA newcomer Cal State Northridge Sept. 4--and won’t that be a great game--is the favorite, but not overwhelmingly so.

Include Syracuse quarterback Marvin Graves, Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward, Nebraska running back Calvin Jones, Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley and Texas A&M; running back Greg Hill on the short list.

The longshots: Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler and Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier.

* Pasadena State of Mind: Penn State makes its Big Ten football debut. Coach Joe Paterno says he wants to coach a Rose Bowl team before he retires. Now he gets his chance to try.

* Hello, My Name Is . . . : Frank Costa, Miami quarterback. Costa replaces Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta, whose departure might not be such a terrible thing--that is, if history repeats itself. Each of Miami’s four national titles have been won with a first-year quarterback, beginning with Bernie Kosar in 1983, Steve Walsh in 1987, Craig Erickson in 1989 and Torretta in 1991.

Costa, nicknamed “Costaverde” because of his resemblance to former Hurricane Heisman winner Vinnie Testaverde, isn’t the only quarterbacking newcomer. Five other teams in our top 25 will have first-year quarterbacks, including Florida, Washington, Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

WEEK 3

* Games Worth Watching: Sept. 9--Temple at Eastern Michigan; Sept. 11--Notre Dame at Michigan; Washington at Ohio State; Georgia at Tennessee; Clemson at Florida State; Texas A&M; at Oklahoma; USC at Penn State; Hawaii at BYU; Baylor at Colorado.

* Temple at Eastern Michigan? Ron Dickerson, a former Clemson assistant, travels to Ypsilanti for a game against Ron Cooper’s team. Cooper, a former Notre Dame assistant, and Dickerson are first-year head coaches. They also make up two-thirds of all the African-American Division I-A head coaches.

* See Bill Run (And Dennis. And John.): Colorado Coach Bill McCartney is at it again. A year after installing a state-of-the-art passing attack--Colorado quarterbacks threw for a Big Eight-record 3,271 yards and receivers Michael Westbrook and Charles Johnson each had 1,000-plus-yard seasons--McCartney is massaging his offense to include an actual running game.

Why? McCartney won nine games with the passing attack, but he won a national championship with the I- formation. The Buffaloes averaged 103.5 yards rushing last year, compared to a 227.2 average in 1991. Baylor will discover the difference.

As for Miami Coach Dennis Erickson, Week 3 gives the Hurricanes an open date and more time to tinker with a new two-back offense. With lots of depth at running back and the memory of Alabama’s 34-13 Sugar Bowl victory--Alabama had 290 yards rushing, Miami 75--still painfully fresh, Erickson has vowed a change in philosophy.

* Predicted Stat of Interest: After two games, USC’s Robinson will have called Student Body Right 212 times. Out of habit, Robinson will accidentally insert assistant coach Charles White into the lineup. White will rush for 134 yards in 29 carries and score twice.

* Little-known Fact: Miami’s Erickson asked Norv Turner, Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator, for help in redesigning the Hurricane offense.

WEEK 4

* Games Worth Watching: Sept. 18--Colorado at Stanford, Tennessee at Florida, Arizona at Illinois, Nebraska at UCLA, Missouri at Texas A&M;, Syracuse at Texas.

* Rules Were Made To Be Broken: The NCAA rules committee, which wanted to pump up the offense, deserves a light pat on the back for moving the hash marks two yards toward the middle of the field. It might not sound like much, but those two yards will provide offenses, especially option attacks, more operating room. Kickers will also benefit from the change, thanks to fewer attempts from harsh angles. By Week 4, they’ll be writing thank you notes to the committee.

* Bruins Ruined? UCLA opened against an improved Cal team. This week it plays Nebraska, a team the yahoos in Lincoln always tout as a national championship contender. This year the yahoos may be right. Next week the Bruins face San Diego State. The week after that, BYU. Then Washington. Then a better-than-you-think Oregon State team. Then Arizona, Washington State, Arizona State and USC. If this isn’t one of the most demanding schedules in the country, it’s close.

* Little-known Fact: At Nebraska, they know the stat by heart: Cornhusker Coach Tom Osborne hasn’t won a bowl game since the mostly meaningless 30-15 victory over Louisiana State in the 1987 Sugar Bowl.

* Upset of the First Third of the Season: Improved Missouri, which hasn’t won a nonconference game on the road since 1981, will beat Texas A&M; at College Station. The Tigers played the Aggies tough last year on the road in a 26-13 defeat and catch A&M; the week after its game against Oklahoma and the week before it opens its Southwest Conference schedule.

WEEK 5

* Games Worth Watching: Sept. 25--Miami at Colorado, UCLA at Stanford, Arkansas at Alabama.

* Semi-unknown Players Worth the Price of Admission (that’s because you’re rarely, if ever, going to see them on national TV): The best quarterback in the Big Ten? Northwestern’s Len Williams. The best all-purpose player in the Big Ten? Northwestern’s Lee Gissendaner. The best nonconference quarterback (hint: he’s better than anyone at Notre Dame right now)? Memphis State’s Steve Matthews. The best quarterback in the SWC? Rice’s Bert Emanuel. The best quarterback Larry Smith ever saw? Fresno State’s Trent Dilfer. The best wide receiver in the Western Athletic Conference? With no apologies to San Diego State’s Darnay Scott, the choice is Wyoming’s Ryan Yarborough.

* Oink Update: You might not agree with Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles’ Byzantine methods--Jack Crowe certainly doesn’t--but he hired a proven, if not slightly tarnished, full-time replacement in Danny Ford.

Ford was hired last season as a coaching “consultant,” which is Broyles-speak for, “The job is yours as soon as I can figure out what to do with interim coach Joe Kines.”

Kines was kept on as defensive coordinator and Ford, who initially said he had no interest in the job, was presented the keys to the Razorback machine. Ford isn’t fancy, but he knows how to put together a solid staff. He also stresses defense, which happens to be Arkansas’ strength this season. Alabama won’t beat the Razorbacks by 27 points this time around.

WEEK 6

* Games Worth Watching: Oct. 2--Boston College at Syracuse, Notre Dame at Stanford, USC at Arizona.

* The Holtz Truth: Irish Coach Lou Holtz was at his tap-dancing best last April as reporters tried for the impossible: a straight answer. Who would be the starting quarterback--senior Kevin McDougal, junior Paul Failla or perhaps freshman Ron Powlus, considered the No. 1 recruit in the country?

Holtz, who had just watched McDougal and Failla in the annual spring Blue-Gold game--Powlus was at Notre Dame Stadium that day as a spectator--muttered something about having to watch the film and then said, “I didn’t see anything from Powlus today that impressed me.”

That was then. Deciding the apprenticeship of Powlus is complete, Holtz will stick the freshman into the lineup this week against the Cardinal. Take a seat, Mr. McDougal.

* Schedule Update: By the end of Week 6, Stanford will have played Washington, a solid San Jose State team, Colorado, UCLA and Notre Dame. Your defending national champion, Alabama, will have fallen out of bed and beaten Tulane, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Louisiana Tech and South Carolina.

WEEK 7

* Games Worth Watching: Oct. 9--Miami at Florida State, BYU at UCLA, Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas.

* Coaching Update: This season there are 13 new coaches, most of them wondering, “My gawd, what have I done?” Their projected records by week’s end: USC’s John Robinson, 4-2; Pittsburgh’s Johnny Majors, 0-5; Colorado State’s Sonny Lubick, 0-6; Arkansas’ Danny Ford, 2-4; Arkansas State’s John Bobo, 1-5; Baylor’s Chuck Reedy, 4-2; Eastern Michigan’s Ron Cooper; 1-4; Auburn’s Terry Bowden, 4-1; San Jose State’s John Ralston, 0-5; Houston’s Kim Helton, 1-4; Temple’s Ron Dickerson, 2-3; Wake Forest’s Jim Caldwell, 2-3, and Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer, 5-1.

* Little-known Fact: The last time Miami lost two consecutive games was in 1984. Boston College beat the Hurrianes on Doug Flutie’s “Hail Mary” pass, 47-45, then UCLA beat Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, 39-37. Today will mark the start of the next time. Florida State will beat the Hurricanes today, then Syracuse will beat them Oct. 23.

WEEK 8

* Games Worth Watching: Oct. 16--Stanford at Arizona, Washington at UCLA, Tennessee at Alabama, Michigan at Penn State, Notre Dame at BYU.

* Corky Visits Tuscaloosa: Tucson Citizen columnist Corky Simpson, the only Associated Press voter to pick Alabama No. 1 from Day 1 in 1992, was invited to the Tuscaloosa campus last February. Once there, he attended the team’s awards ceremony. About 15,000 fans crammed into Coleman Coliseum for the event. When tickets ran out, a local cable station put it on pay-per-view.

When Coach Gene Stallings introduced Simpson to the crowd, the columnist got a standing ovation. The next day, after serving as grand marshal of a victory parade, Simpson took part in a pep rally attended by 80,000 fans. Then he signed autographs for more than hour.

“I didn’t even know I had an autograph until I went to Alabama,” he said. “It was like a feeding frenzy at a trout hatchery.”

Then he was escorted off the makeshift stage by four state troopers who later asked for his autograph and picture. During Simpson’s stay, Stallings gave him an Alabama jersey, complete with his name on the back and the No. 1.

Since then, an Alabama fan has written Simpson asking for his favorite recipe. Another ‘Bama booster asked for permission to sell a T-shirt with Simpson’s name on it.

Simpson’s pick in 1993? “In my heart, I think Florida State is the best team in the country,” he said.

* Why Arizona Will Win the Pac-10 title and Penn State Won’t Win the Big Ten crown: Same reason--quarterback Dan White. Penn State had him, but he transferred. Arizona got him and he’ll start.

WEEK 9

* Games Worth Watching: Oct. 23--Syracuse at Miami, Arizona State at Stanford, Fresno State at BYU, USC at Notre Dame.

* Coaches in Possible Need of Their Remax Agents: Kentucky’s Bill Curry. Starting 1993, three seasons . . . 11 victories. Even football-dead Kentucky can only take so much. Thing is, Curry is worth the wait. Louisiana State’s Curley Hallman. Two seasons . . . seven victories. Once-feared Tiger Stadium is as gentle as a kitten these days. Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer. Four losses in 1989, five in 1990, six in 1991 and eight in 1992. Clemson’s Ken Hatfield. Another 5-6 season and he’s a Death Valley memory. Duke’s Barry Wilson. Blue Devil Athletic Director Tom Butters is a patient man--remember, he stuck it out with Mike Krzyzewski--but Wilson is pushing his luck. Ohio State’s John Cooper. Habit. Navy’s George Chaump. Anchors aweigh and Chaump away if the Middies go 1-10 again. Nevada Las Vegas’ Jim Strong. Strong is as popular as snake eyes.

WEEK 10

* Games Worth Watching: Oct. 30--Arizona at UCLA, Washington at Arizona State, Nebraska at Colorado, Florida vs. Georgia at Jacksonville, Michigan at Wisconsin, Penn State at Ohio State.

* Polyester Suit Sittings: Two and a half months into the season and the bowl coalition still can’t be explained in 50 words or fewer. Just remember this: 1) Teams will be chosen for the alliance bowls (Cotton, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, Hancock and Gator) by using the Associated Press and CNN/USA Today coaches’ poll. Last year it was just the AP poll. 2) The Atlantic Coast Conference champion and Big East Conference champion are guaranteed spots in three of the four major bowls--Orange, Cotton or Sugar. 3) If the No. 1- and No. 2-ranked teams happen to be members of the coalition and aren’t champions of the SEC, SWC or Big Eight conferences, they will automatically meet in the Fiesta Bowl for the national championship.

* Best Bowl Rumor: As soon as the Big Eight agreement ends with the Orange Bowl Jan. 2 1995, the conference plans to send its champion to the Fiesta Bowl.

WEEK 11

* Games Worth Watching: Nov. 6--Stanford at USC, Ohio State at Wisconsin.

* Little-known Fact: Not since Dec. 18, 1988, when the Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers, 38-16, have John Robinson and Bill Walsh coached against each other. Walsh gets revenge today.

* The Buckeyes vs. Bucky: Bucky Badger, that is. Wisconsin will start the game against Ohio State 6-2 or 7-1. Even if it loses to the Buckeyes (which it will), Wisconsin is assured of its first bowl game since 1983.

WEEK 12

* Games Worth Watching: Nov. 13--Florida State at Notre Dame, Mississippi State at Alabama, USC at Washington, Hawaii at Fresno State.

* Five Reasons Florida State Will Beat the Irish at Notre Dame Stadium: 1) Bobby Bowden’s teams are road warriors, having gone 44-13-2 the last 10 years. The victims of note: Texas A&M;, Florida, Michigan, BYU, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Miami (occasionally) and in 1981, Notre Dame; 2) The Irish lost six players to the NFL. That’s too much to replace too soon; 3) Ron Powlus’ growing pains; 4) FSU takes these sod games seriously; 5) The Seminoles are better.

WEEK 13

* Games Worth Watching: Nov. 20--Yale at Harvard, San Diego State at Fresno State, Alabama at Auburn, Ohio State at Michigan, Oklahoma at Nebraska, Arizona at Arizona State, California at Stanford, UCLA at USC.

* Why They’re Worth Watching: Harvard-Yale: original The Game. The Aztec-Bulldog game could be for the WAC championship. Alabama-Auburn: As Keith Jackson would say, “Oh, Nellie. They’ll be pinning their ears back for this one.” Then again, maybe he wouldn’t. Ohio State could be 10-0 before the game, lose, and some Buckeye fans will call for John Cooper’s scalp. Sooners-Cornhuskers: Oklahoma Coach Gary Gibbs began the season 1-10-1 against Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. The Wildcat-Sun Devil game will feature two of the best defensive players in the country: Arizona nose tackle Rob Waldrop and Arizona State end Shante Carver. Cal-Stanford: The Big Game. UCLA- USC: Do you believe in miracles? UCLA does after last season’s 38-37 victory.

* Welcome To The Club: By Week 13, Iowa’s Hayden Fry, Nebraska’s Osborne and BYU’s LaVell Edwards will have reached or surpassed the 200-victory mark. Only 11 other coaches--Penn State’s Paterno and Florida State’s Bowden being the only other active coaches on the list--have won 200 or more games.

WEEK 14

* Games Worth Watching: Nov. 25--Texas at Texas A&M.; Nov. 27--Florida State at Florida.

* Little-known Fact: For the second consecutive season and third in the last five, college football attendance suffered a decrease. In Division I-A, 1992 attendance was down nearly 500,000.

JANUARY 2, 1994

* And the winner is . . . : Florida State will beat Syracuse in the Fiesta Bowl. Bobby Bowden will have his championship at last.