Let's get it started
Arizona-Penn State showdown highlights wild weekend
Posted: Monday August 30, 1999 10:20 AM
By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI
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Joe Paterno and the No.4 Nittany Lions plan to rise to No.1 at the end of the season. AP
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Give birth to triplets. Take the SAT five times. And play the entire, painful 82-game NBA season, plus training camp and playoffs. All are things you could have accomplished during the nine months and one week since Utah State last played a football game.
The Aggies are used only to illustrate just how unfairly long the off-season can be for college football fans.
Mercifully, it's time for the games to resume, and can anyone remember a more significant opener than this year's No. 3 Arizona-No. 4 Penn State dandy? These "classics" often have all the excitement of an "E! true Hollywood story" -- Michigan's last-second TD against Virginia in '95 notwithstanding.
But even 11 LaVar Arringtons couldn't produce a full-fledged blowout of high-flying Arizona. The game should invoke some of that December drama in a month normally reserved for strikeouts, not stiff-arms. The weekend's other major matchups -- sans Kansas-Notre Dame -- are also loaded with intrigue, so in the words of a certain, overexposed man-of-justice, "Let's get it on!"
| Week 1 Previews |
| Matchup |
Key Stat |
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(4) Arizona (12-1 in '98) at (3) Penn State (9-3) Saturday, 1 p.m. (ABC)
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16-1: Arizona's record since an overtime loss to conference champ Washington State in October '97.
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| Players to Watch |
Trung Canidate, RB, Arizona. Averaged staggering 7.0 yards per carry last year but faces toughest defense of his career in Lions.
Kevin Thompson, QB, Penn State. Senior starter must impress early to avoid fans' pleas for backup Rashard Casey. |
| Analysis |
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If Penn State's extremely talented "D" contains Canidate and the explosive Wildcats, PSU should be in fine shape. Arizona's defense is solid, but the Lions should be able to run around the field behind speedy sophomore Eric McCoo. Beaver Stadium will be a huge advantage as well.
Trev Alberts' pick: Penn State |
| Matchup |
Key Stat |
Kansas (4-7) at (18) Notre Dame (9-3)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (NBC) |
.867: Notre Dame's winning percentage in 109 season openers . |
| Players to Watch |
David Winbush, RB, Kansas. Junior busted through with 268 yards in last year's Colorado game.
Grant Irons, DE, Notre Dame. The nation's top defensive prospect coming out of high school in '97 moves up from LB and should be a dominant force. |
| Analysis |
| There is a pervading feeling that this is not your father's Notre Dame team. True, there is a dearth of superstars on the Irish, but Jarious Jackson is still a phenomenal playmaker. Third-year KU coach Terry Allen could sure use a breakout win in South Bend a la Gary Barnett with Northwestern in '95.
Trev Alberts' pick: Notre Dame |
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| Matchup |
Key Stat |
Louisiana Tech (7-5) at (1) Florida State (10-2)
Saturday, 5 p.m. (ESPN2) |
590: Tim Rattay's passing yards in last year's opener against Nebraska. |
| Players to Watch |
Tim Rattay, QB, Louisiana Tech. Only David Klingler and Ty Detmer (both 1990) have thrown for more yards in a season.
Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State. After raising eyebrows all spring, Reynolds will inherit FSU's defensive playmaker role.
| Analysis |
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Not that we condone it, but bet the over! Even FSU's rock-solid defense (214.8 avg. yards allowed in '98) can't completely silence the gunslinger Rattay, but Chris Weinke, Peter Warrick and Travis Minor should also be good for touchdowns galore.
Trev Alberts' pick: Florida State |
| Matchup |
Key Stat |
N.C. State (7-5) at (17) Texas (9-3)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2) |
211: Combined rushing yards in '98 by returning Longhorn RBs. |
| Players to Watch |
Lloyd Harrison, CB, N.C. State. One of ACC's premier cover men will have his work cut out against crafty Longhorn ends.
Kwame Cavil, WR, Texas. Previously overshadowed by Wane McGarity but capable of making big play after big play.
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| Analysis |
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Ricky Williams is gone, but don't expect Mack Brown to drastically change direction. The Longhorns will go to Hodges Mitchell or Ricky Brown on the ground, setting up Major Applewhite for his quiet heroics. An improved defense will get after star Wolfpack QB Jamie Barnette.
Trev Alberts' pick: Texas |
| Matchup |
Key Stat |
(12) Miami, Fla. (9-3) vs. (9) Ohio State (11-1)
Sunday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC) |
3: Career completions by Ohio State's quarterbacks. |
| Players to Watch |
James Jackson, RB, Miami. Last year he was a backup to Edgerrin James, yet Jackson has already hinted at Heisman aspirations.
Austin Moherman, QB. Ohio State. No pressure, but your two predecessors went a combined 32-5. |
| Analysis |
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There's no discernible advantage for either team. Both are replacing anchors (James and QB Scott Covington for the 'Canes; QB Joe Germaine, WR David Boston and LB Andy Katzenmoyer for the Bucks), but are still loaded on both sides. Look for a big debut from Miami QB Kenny Kelly, who looks to counter an OSU attack led by blazing RB Michael Wiley.
Trev Alberts' pick: Miami |
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