| |
NOMINEE |
THE SKINNY |
| Overrated |
Alabama |
This one is easy. Ranked third in the preseason, the Crimson Tide lost its opener at UCLA. The players were so sure they would go undefeated in 2000 that they never recovered from the loss. Coach Mike DuBose, who encouraged the high expectations, paid for not fulfilling them with his job. |
| Underrated |
Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel |
Without his guile, the Sooners would be playing Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl. With him, they're No. 1. |
| Annoying |
The BCS whiners |
Resign yourself to hearing every year about the absurdity of the system. What everyone forgets is that the debate is part of the fun. |
| Breakthrough |
Northwestern quarterback Zak Kustok and tailback Damien Anderson |
The Wildcats offense exploded upon the Big Ten. Michigan and Wisconsin are still trying to figure out what hit them. |
| Uplifting |
Penn State defensive back Adam Taliaferro |
Taliaferro's continuing improvement from the spinal injury he suffered at Ohio State in September offered some much-needed perspective on the Nittany Lions' disappointing season.
|
| MVP |
Auburn tailback Rudi Johnson |
Without the junior rusher, the Tigers would have had to buy a ticket to see the SEC championship game, or any other postseason game, for that matter. With him, the Tigers won the SEC West. Johnson rushed for 1,520 yards and Auburn averaged 32:31 in possession time. Old-fashioned, perhaps, but very effective. |
| Storyline to follow in 2001 |
Tennessee |
Tennessee rallied from a 2-3 start to a 8-3 finish and -- barring a decision by defensive tackle John Henderson to go pro -- will return virtually every important player next season. The one that's definitely leaving, tailback Travis Henry, will be replaced by veteran Travis Stephens. The Vols will be national championship contenders in 2001. |
