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Making their (trade)mark
Posted: Sunday December 23, 2001 3:37 PM
By Stewart Mandel, CNNSI.com
For all the uproar over college football's postseason disorder, there is at least one group which stands to benefit: merchandisers.
By maintaining a system where multiple teams can claim themselves national champion each season, the people who make their living off clever T-shirts and bumper stickers are kept awfully busy.
You may remember 1993, when Florida State finished No. 1 despite losing to fellow one-loss team Notre Dame. Irish fans proudly donned attire proclaiming their team "1993 national champions -- as determined on the field." Penn State's Beaver Stadium prominently touts its 1994 No. 1 ranking -- from the New York Times. And 1990, 1991 and 1997 were those rare seasons where designers could print up two sets of championship hats ahead of time -- and not have to throw any away.
Thus, in preparation of the various outcomes that may result following the Rose and Fiesta Bowls, we offer these moniker suggestions (and ask only for a small cut of the loot in return).
Nebraska beats Miami, Colorado beats Oregon
Colorado T-shirt:
"2001 co-national champions. But c'mon, you saw the game."
Nebraska T-shirt:
"Hey, we'll take it."
Maryland T-shirt:
"Colorado -- national champs from Oct. 27 on."
Nebraska beats Miami, Oregon beats Colorado
Nebraska bumper sticker:
"Oregon? Never heard of them."
Oregon 100-foot billboard:
"2001 national champs. Even on the East Coast."
Illinois shot glass:
"Why this year??"
Finally, if Miami beats Nebraska
Miami T-shirt:
"Just did it."
BYU key chain:
"So that's an undefeated season."
Maryland bumper sticker:
"Our coach can beat up your coach." (Or better yet, "eat up.")
Florida screen saver:
"Our coach has as many national titles as Miami's."
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Rev up the message boards
Quarterback controversies -- aren't these supposed to end before the season? This one's almost over, yet there's Mack Brown revisiting the Chris Simms-Major Applewhite issue, Gary Barnett holding daily updates on Craig Ochs-Bobby Pesavento, and Georgia Tech fans are more interested in using the Seattle Bowl as A.J. Suggs' debut than George Godsey's finale. All that's left is for Florida's Brock Berlin to come off the bench and throw for 300 yards against Maryland, then tell reporters he wasn't serious about transferring.
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Ugly headlines out of Boulder
There's nothing coaches hate more than distractions. That's why they install most of the game plan before hitting the bowl site, where players might be distracted by the amusement parks, chili cook-offs and other bowl-week events. But what Colorado is going through right now is much more serious than your usual distraction. A female student has alleged she was gang-raped at a party attended by football players and recruits. No names have been mentioned, and coach Gary Barnett says no one will be suspended for the bowl. But the investigation continues, and questions are going to continue to come up -- questions far more serious than "Do you deserve a share of the national championship?"
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They've got next
Bowl games are often viewed as a prelude to spring practice, a transition from one season to the next. It's no coincidence that many future stars are launched the previous winter, guys like Eli Manning at last year's Music City Bowl or Miami's Clinton Portis in the Sugar. Best possibilities for this season: Miami FB Willis McGahee, Purdue QB Kyle Orton, Ohio State RB Lydell Ross or one of Tennessee's three freshman tailbacks (Cedric Houston, Derrick Tinsley and Corey Larkins).
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HOT: Byron Leftwich
Sure to be on every 2002 preseason Heisman list after ending 2001 with a 41-of-71, 577-yard, nobody's-gonna-stop-me bowl performance.
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NOT: Brandon Hance
Drew Brees' successor lasted nine games at Purdue, where he was so eager to bolt town he didn't bother to stick around for the Sun Bowl. (Though who, if not required to, would?) The Boilermakers' top two QBs now against Washington State now are both true freshmen. |
HOT: Pittsburgh
After starting 1-5, the Panthers won six in a row and, if they had about five more games, would surely have had a claim to the Rose Bowl.
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NOT: Georgia Tech
Since Thanksgiving, the Jackets have lost two games, their head coach and 1,000-yard rusher. Happy holidays, guys.
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HOT: Bowl ticket offices
Due to carefully planned matchups of nearby or intriguing teams, numerous non-title games were quick sellouts, including the Orange, Sugar, Citrus, Outback, Cotton and Alamo.
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NOT: Illinois' ticket office
School being sued by fans who were confirmed Sugar Bowl tickets purchased on the university's web site, only to be given refunds when demand (26,000 requests) far surpassed supply (15,000 allotted). One word, people: scalpers.
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Holiday Bowl: Washington vs. Texas, Friday
In this game last year, (not to be confused with this year's Oklahoma or Colorado games), Texas QB Chris Simms threw four interceptions. Fortunately for the Longhorns, tests have shown that one cannot be picked off from the sideline, where Simms will be standing during this one. Also fortunately for UT, Washington's defense will be tired. It's believed Miami didn't stop scoring on the Huskies until roughly mid-December.
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Liberty Bowl: Louisville vs. BYU, Dec. 31
Marshall and East Carolina set the record by combining for 125 points in the GMAC Bowl. If anyone can break it, it's these two. Clearly, BYU plays no defense and should get torched by Louisville QB Dave Ragone, but the Cougars can score 50 themselves without breaking a sweat. The game begins at 4 p.m. EST, and with any luck, will end before 2002. |
Rose Bowl: Miami vs. Nebraska, Jan. 3
After finishing first and third in the Heisman voting, respectively, QBs Eric Crouch and Ken Dorsey square off for the whole ball of yarn. Too bad the running backs will dominate on both sides. Nobody thinks Nebraska has a chance, which, based on the way this season has gone, means the Huskers will probably win by 30.
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All season long, we predicted, mostly erroneously, who would get here. Time to try picking the scores.
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| Rose: Miami 27, Nebraska 21 |
Fiesta: Oregon 37, Colorado 20 |
| Sugar: Illinois 36, LSU 22 |
Orange: Florida 41, Maryland 20 |
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Each week during the season, this space was devoted to your comments on a particular issue. The last topic: Which bowl game are you most looking forward to?
Insight.com, most definitely. While KSU is just now righting the ship, Syracuse has looked good all season. The rematch of the '97 game looks to pit a strong defense in K- State's front line and secondary, against the well-balanced offense of the Orangemen. And to think that it won't be that far from the site of the previous meeting, Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.
Jason, Manhattan, Kan.
The Orange Bowl, featuring the Maryland Terrapins -- because I've been a Terp season football ticket-holder for 34 years -- and it's the answer to a prayer! Fear the Turtle, Gator fans!
Joe Trocino, Hamilton, Va.
The Gator Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Florida State.
A matchup of two great teams, trying to salvage disappointing seasons, plus I am a VT grad and my brother is an FSU student.
Pete Monahan, Virginia Beach, Va.
After watching the Bucks run over Michigan, I'm looking forward to the Outback Bowl. Can't wait for Tressel to do something (else) that Cooper had some problems with. ... winning a bowl game!
Lowell Weiss, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Stewart Mandel covers college football for CNNSI.com.
Got a comment, question or scoop for him? Click here.
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