Pete
Fiutak
Q:
Your 2008 college football wish list ...
A:
10. Oklahoma vs. Ohio State in the Rose Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl. They
really might be the two best teams in the country, but I can't handle
the whining that'll ensure from early December until the first week of
January if either one plays in the national title.
9. In our new spread world, a downfield pass of more than 20 yards.
8. Another Oklahoman article ripping on an Oklahoma State player.
7. Another Kansas coming from out of nowhere to shock the world and keep
everyone on their toes.
6. Notre Dame to be really, really good, or really, really bad.
5. The teams that got screwed over by a coach leaving for a supposedly
bigger opportunity to be better.
4. The SEC to be half as good as its fans think it is, and CBS games
just as good as last year's.
3. Everyone who whines about a lack of a college football playoff be
forced to watch all five 2008 BCS games again. We all want some sort of
a playoff. Don't be fooled by NCAA-type proposals, it's not happening
any time soon. Just enjoy college football for what it is.
2. The BCS selection types thinks first about what the best matchups
might be and second about tradition and ticket sales.
1. A regular season half as good as 2007's.
Richard
Cirminiello
Q:
Your 2008 college football wish list ...
A:
When it comes
to a wish list, mine looks a lot like a teenager’s; not too much on it,
but each wish is pretty hefty.
1. Chaos. Maybe it’ll never influence the powers-that-be in the NCAA,
but then again, three or four unbeaten programs at the end of the
regular season just might create a tipping point in the debate over a
plus-one system in the BCS. While I’m making out my list, better make
those perfect programs Penn State, Florida, Oklahoma, and USC. If you
want change in the sport, you might as well have Joe Paterno, Urban
Meyer, Bob Stoops, and Pete Carroll as your spokesmen.
2. More civility from the nation’s head coaches. Is it just me, or
have coaches become increasingly incorrigible with the media over the
last few years? Although Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy became the poster
man-child of boorish behavior last fall, he’s far from alone. I realize
it’s a tough job that’s steeped in pressure and long hours, but lighten
up, fellas. You’ve got great gigs, making well over the national
average. Try curbing the holier-than-thou arrogance and outright
contempt for anyone that questions your methods, General. It’s gotten
old, and really annoying.
3. Parity, the sequel. The real beauty of 2007 was that no one was
safe, regardless of who was on the other sideline. That’s good for the
fans, the players, and the sport. A complete lack of predictability is
one of the things that made this one of the most entertaining seasons in
recent memory. Give us a second invite to the parity in 2008.
4. Access to complete blocking statistics. I know these are about as
easy to obtain as a Nintendo Wii, but wouldn’t it be sweet to have
statistical proof of which offensive linemen are truly getting it done
and which are getting destroyed? It’s the one position that’s so
difficult to accurately size up, something that frustrates me every
fall. Honest.
John
Harris
Q:
Your 2008 college football wish list ...
A: 1. Another 50
touchdown season from Florida’s Tim Tebow
2. Appalachian State getting title number
four and “Another {insert D1A team}” notch on its belt.
3. Arkansas’ head
coach Bobby Petrino looking for another job after a six win season, just
to confirm what a mercenary he’s become.
4. Rick Neuheisel and
Pete Carroll ‘battling’ (Clowns vs. Krumpers style) at mid-field before
the USC-UCLA matchup in the Rose Bowl.
5. Coach O on the
sidelines as close to Houston, Texas as possible.
6. The wishbone to
make a comeback.
7. The Rich Rodriguez
effect on the Big Ten, i.e. speedy, spread offenses that are fun to
watch.
8. The ACC to get some
respect after spending much of the last two years in the BCS conference
cellar.
9. Watching Texas
Tech’s Michael Crabtree for another 12 games to see if he can catch 150
balls in a single season. But, we’ll settle for 143, which would break
former Houston star Jason Phillips’ long-standing receiving record.
10. QB Mark Sanchez to
beat out Mitch Mustain at USC and force the former Springdale star to
transfer to Ole Miss and play for Houston Nutt.
11. Three undefeated
BCS conference teams, creating another season of absolute chaos in the
postseason.
12. Duke to have
multiple wins in a season
13. Texas to play some
pass defense.
Matthew
Zemek