FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2007 · TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2007
3
NATIONAL
OVERVIEW
— By Sam Ross Jr., Tribune-Review
.881
1
Knute Rockne’s winning percentage at Notre Dame.
13
Single-game Division I-A takeaway record (Georgia Tech vs. Georgia, Dec. 1, 1951) — 5 fumble recoveries/8 interceptions.
17
Most fumbles by one team in a game (Wichita State vs. Florida State, Sept. 20, 1969) — 10 lost.
6,397
Ron Dayne’s record career rushing total at Wisconsin (1996-1999).
5 HEISMAN HOPEFULS
TOP 5 CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS
DARREN MCFADDEN
2
JOHN DAVID BOOTY
3
STEVE SLATON
4
COLT BRENNAN
5
MIKE HART
1. USC — Pencil in the Trojans each year and, more often than not lately, they’ll be there. 2. WEST VIRGINIA — The big game, Nov. 8 vs. Louisville, is in Morgantown. Fingers will be crossed that Steve Slaton and Pat White stay healthy. 3. MICHIGAN — Two big hurdles stand in the way of the Wolverines — beating Ohio State and winning a bowl game after losing the past three of each example. 4. LOUISIANA STATE — A brutal schedule that includes a nonconference game with Virginia Tech and conference games with Florida, Auburn and Arkansas argue against a title run. 5. FLORIDA — The defending champs have to replace some key contributors, including nine defensive starters. But if those highly touted recruiting classes pan out, Urban Meyer’s team could make a run for a repeat.
KEY GAMES
VIRGINIA TECH AT LSU 9:15 p.m. Sept. 8 If the ACC is going to bounce back from a sub-par season, the Hokies are going to have to carry the banner. USC AT NEBRASKA 8 p.m. Sept. 15 Nebraska, desperate to get back in the national picture, has the No. 1 team coming to town. FLORIDA AT LSU 8 p.m. Oct. 6 Defending national champion Florida meets aspiring national champions in Baton Rouge. OKLAHOMA AT TEXAS TBD Oct. 6 Both are Top-10 teams in preseason polls and should be unbeaten ahead of this Big 12 showdown. USC AT CALIFORNIA 8 p.m. Nov. 10 The Cal Bears, ranked No. 12 in the preseason polls, are top-ranked USC's toughest Pac-10 competition.
ARKANSAS running back He does it all, producing touchdowns as a rusher, receiver, passer and return man. Plus, he benefits from being the unchallenged star on the Arkansas offense.
USC quarterback The Trojans will challenge for the national title and USC players have won three of the past five Heismans — Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004) and Reggie Bush (2005).
WVU running back He’s electric and primed for a huge year, as are the Mountaineers. But quarterback Pat White may split the vote.
HAWAII quarterback Although he does most of his damage when the nation sleeps, 5,549 passing yards, 58 TD passes and a 72.6 completion percentage in 2006 stamp him as a Heisman hopeful in ’07.
MICHIGAN running back If Michigan is as good as advertised, Hart will be a reason and benefit accordingly. Like Slaton, he could be hampered by quarterback Chad Henne being a Heisman candidate.
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES, REUTERS
CONFERENCE RANKINGS
TOP 5
1. SEC
Florida is the defending national champion and among six conference teams ranked in the Top 25 of major preseason polls this year.
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2. Big Ten
The poor bowl showings of Ohio State and Michigan last season hurt, but those two teams and Wisconsin are all in the Top 10 of the coaches’ preseason poll this year.
Back To School SpecialS
Going On Now
Get Your New Look For School Contacts, Eyeglasses, Frames How important is your child’s sight?
Children should receive their first eye exam at the age of six months, then again when the child turns three. Subsequent exams should be given before the child starts school, then every two years after that. Based on family history or other indicators, your eye care professional may recommend a more frequent exam schedule. Many eye disorders, including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and amblyopia (lazy eye) can occur in early childhood, and may affect your child’s ability to learn. A comprehensive eye exam can detect these and other disorders. In between eye exams, you can take an active role in monitoring your child’s vision. For instance, regularly ask your child to describe the way he or she sees objects up close or at a distance (across a room or street). The child may not realize if his or her vision is not clear and sharp. Additionally, look for the following signs that your child may have vision problems: • squinting • one or both eyes turning in, out, up, or down • head turn or head tilt • frequent headaches • inability to copy notes from a blackboard • reversals of words or letters • frequent rubbing of eyes or tearing • eye redness or crusting of eye lids/lashes • eye pain • disinterested in close work, such as coloring or reading • sitting very close to the television (indicating that he/she can’t see if made to move back)
3. Pac 10
USC is a perennial national championship contender. Cal and UCLA should be Top-20 teams. Beyond that, it’s uncertain.
4. Big East
This is a conference on the upswing, with West Virginia and Louisville eliciting national championship mention. The revitalization of Rutgers helps, too.
5. Big 12
Texas and Oklahoma are the big two, with Nebraska still trying to climb back into the conference title picture.
MIDDLE OF THE PACK
6. ACC
Virginia Tech is considered a Top-10 team, but the declines of the Florida State andMiami programs have sapped this conference’s overall strength.
BOTTOM 5
7. WAC
Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma was a statement game. Both the Broncos and Hawaii are Top 25 teams in the preseason polls.
9. Conference USA
The Big East raid that claimed Louisville, South Florida and Cincinnati gutted this conference.
8. Mountain West
TCU, at No. 22 in both major preseason polls, gives the conference some national recognition.
11. Sun Belt
Florida International and Arkansas State, two punching bags for hire who show up on the Penn State schedule this season and next, call this conference home.
10. MAC
When the Big East tossed out Temple, the MAC welcomed the hapless Owls. That says it all.