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Mobile not necessarily better
Remember how the mobile quarterback began the season as all the rage? Now that the season is about to end, look at what's happened. Michael Vick of Virginia Tech got hurt running the ball. Woody Dantzler of Clemson suffered a foot injury that curtailed his effectiveness, too. Maybe the game hasn't changed so much after all. Running passers really do get hurt -- with the exception of Indiana's Antwaan Randle El, who has had another magnificent season. When Randle El and Drew Brees of Purdue play against each other Saturday, at stake will be not only the Old Oaken Bucket but also the position as All-Big Ten quarterback. Purdue may wind up with the wooden pail, but Randle El ought to get a pretty good consolation prize. Give the big guy a chanceThere's a lot more riding on Saturday's Georgia Tech-Maryland game than you might think. Yellow Jackets offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen, the guy who turned little Joe Hamilton into an award winner, has molded George Godsey into a top quarterback just as head coaching jobs are opening up.Four years ago, Friedgen couldn't even score an interview at his alma mater --Maryland. The school hired Ron Vanderlinden, who just missed a bowl game last season. This year the Terps are 5-5 and must upset the Yellow Jackets in order to qualify for a bowl. Regardless of who wins, Friedgen deserves a shot at a head coaching job. Check out his record.
Lito in '01Go ahead and argue over whether this year's Heisman Trophy should go to Josh Heupel of Oklahoma or Chris Weinke of Florida State. I've got a compromise candidate, if not for this season, then for 2001: Florida cornerback Lito Sheppard. All he does is turn games around.The sophomore jump-started the Gators' comeback at Tennessee by returning an interception for a touchdown. He prevented Georgia from taking a 15-point lead before halftime with an interception that he returned 61 yards to set up the Gators' tying touchdown. And last week, he returned a punt for a touchdown only seconds before halftime and broke South Carolina's heart. The expectations for Sheppard will be much greater next season. He had best get ready. Sports Illustrated senior writer Ivan Maisel covers the college football beat and appears Saturdays on CNN's "College Football Preview." Click here to send a question to his mailbag.
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