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Stop talking! Enjoy the games

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Posted: Friday September 03, 1999 07:34 PM

CNN/SI college football analyst Trev Alberts answers your questions weekly during the season, including on-air during CNN's College Football Preview, Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. ET.

To submit a question, click here.

Another season is about to start up, which means another year of debating the way college football chooses its national champion.

Mark my words -- you'll never hear me talk about it after this column.

I, too, was one of those guys who had a lot of fun bashing the BCS last year. I found it funny and ridiculous, and so, probably, did those two guys in Seattle whose little computer poll suddenly had a say in the national title. As Sammy Sosa would say, "'Vat a grveat country!"

But now, it's time to forget about it, the BCS is just the way it is. I want a playoff like everybody else, but if college football is going to turn down that $1.3 billion offer from ISL, it's obviously not going to happen any time soon.

In the meantime, all our talking about it is taking attention away from the great stories that take place on the field. All the debate last year overshadowed what were two great football teams, Tennessee and Florida State, who deserved to be in the Fiesta Bowl, and deserved to get us all to shut up!

On to your questions ...

What is your opinion of Florida's defense? Please don't be like all the talking heads out there that don't look past the returning starters stat!
-- J.M., Gainesville, Fla.

While maybe not the strength of its team, to say that Florida won't compete for the SEC East title on account of its defense is a big mistake. There's a lot of difference between a Top 5 team and a Top 25 team when it comes to the emphasis put on returning starters. Take Florida State, where last year's two starting corners are fighting for their jobs this year. Yes, normally having one returning starter on defense would be a factor, but at Florida, when you're consistently beating teams by scores like 52-17, some of the second-string guys get out there and finish with 25 or 30 tackles. Plus, you know those guys have talent or they woudn't be at Florida to begin with.

Since Jerry Sandusky is retiring and with Penn State looking at a great season, will Joe Paterno think about stepping down?
-- Chris Etzel, Hershey, Pa. I asked Jerry Sandusky, "If you win the national title this year, does Joe Paterno step down?" And he just laughed. He's having too much fun. There's such stability with that program, and improvements to the facilities and stadium, and I think he wants to be a part of it. Let's face it, he doesn't have the hardest job in the world. He probably looks at that roster every year and thinks, "Geez, look at these guys! How can I walk away from this?"

Trev, As a student walking around the campus of Georgia Tech, you can feel the excitement in the air. Do you believe that Heisman-hyped Joe Hamilton can lead us to the promised land, or is he just a talented, experienced senior quarterback in a year where the position is down from most seasons?
-- Ryan Kikendall, Hartford City, Ind.

I think Joe Hamilton deserves all the Heisman hype he can get. I'm a huge fan of their offensive coordinator, Ralph Friedgen. He has developed a scheme that makes Hamilton look maybe even better than he is. Friedgen's got five different offenses he puts in his mini-packages, and he runs each one until you figure out a way to stop it. The problem for Georgia Tech is its ability to stop people -- last year it was getting a whole lot of 45-38 type wins.

Trev, How do you see the Arkansas Razorbacks finishing this season? Their offensive line is very questionable, but other than that I see them being very solid behind QB Clint Stoerner and coach Houston Nutt.
-- Brad Young, Monett, Mo.

Arkansas has a decent shot at the SEC West title just because it's so wide open, but what made that team so special last year was its veteran offensive line. They were able to run the ball and make Cliff Stoerner better. They've got Chris Chykuma back at running back as well as Stoerner's leadership style at QB, but more importantly Houston Nutt is a great motivator. They'll have a good season, just not a sgood as last year.

Why hasn't UVA's Thomas Jones gotten any press? He leads the ACC in rushing last year and then that guy at FSU (Travis Minor) gets more press. What's the deal?
-- Bryant Lear, Roanoke, Va.

Thomas Jones is the best running back in the ACC, but the problem is, he hasn't had the people around him. With a new quarterback and no real receivers, it will be easier for teams to stop Jones because he's their main focus. Now picture a Thomas Jones-type player in Florida State's backfield. It's not as easy for teams to stop him because he's surrounded by threats at every position that you have to defend.

 

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