Looking for a leader

Talent-rich Hurricanes need a strong personality

Last week, we began our discussion of the 2003 national title race by dissecting defending champion Ohio State, and for the record, I'd like it known I did not walk out halfway through writing that column, nor was I allowed to finish it orally.

This week, it would seem to make sense that we turn our attention to the runners-up. That is, unless we have for any requests for Rutgers. Anyone? Going once ...

With Miami, you never worry about the talent level. Sure, the Hurricanes had another eight guys drafted last spring, the kind of loss that would crush most teams. Oh well, they'll have another seven at least -- running back Frank Gore, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. , offensive lineman Vernon Carey, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams and safety Sean Taylor -- suiting up this fall.

What I do worry about with this year's team, however, is the intangibles.

The 'Canes have had several clear, powerful leaders in their locker room the past few seasons, be it blue collar Dan Morgan, outspoken Ed Reed or class clown Brett Romberg, not to mention the one constant, Ken Dorsey. Who will it be on this team? While the logical candidate is always the quarterback, Brock Berlin, however talented, has never been in the trenches with these guys.

Then there's the matter of what the Ohio State game did to Miami's mystique. A lot of teams who previously were scared at the mere sight of those uniforms may have renewed confidence after watching the way the Buckeyes manhandled the 'Canes physically.

Combine that with some legit competition in their own conference from Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh, plus a Florida State team that will be looking for serious revenge in Tallahassee, and I see the 'Canes being very good again -- but falling short of playing for another title.

As for this week's questions, I've gotta be honest -- you guys didn't give me a lot to work with. Seems people are still busy dreaming up fantasy realigned conferences. Aren't you guys bored with that yet?

Nevertheless, we press on ...

Hi, Stewart, I've been reading a lot about Notre Dame joining this conference, joining that conference -- I feel it's all for naught. Am I correct in assuming that with the NBC money, the tradition and, most importantly, the fan base, ND will NEVER EVER join a major conference because they don't need to?
-- Joe Okubo, Telluride, Colo.

I'd say that's an accurate assessment, except perhaps for the NEVER EVER part. The landscape of college football is always changing, and what holds true today may be completely off base next year, not to mention in 10 years, not to mention EVER. That said, Notre Dame won't be giving up its football independence any time soon for all the reasons you mentioned, plus all the annual rivalries (Purdue, Michigan State, USC et al.) they want to keep intact. Heck, the Irish had the closest thing to "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse" from the Big Ten a few years back and turned that down. The most realistic scenario is Notre Dame joining the new Big East in all sports but football and remaining a part of their bowl partnerships as well.

Who will be the next "sleeping giant" to awaken in college football? That seemed to be the theme last year, with Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and USC all having monster seasons.
-- Chris, Minneapolis

Good question. Not sure what your criteria is for a "giant," but I'd nominate Texas A&M. Though maybe not quite as high on the all-time wins list as the four you mentioned, the Aggies are as steeped in tradition as anybody, and I have little doubt Dennis Franchione will have them back in the top 10. Maybe not this year but certainly the next. He's the right guy to groom Reggie McNeal into a top-flight quarterback, and coordinator Carl Torbush has the credentials to restore the defense's Wrecking Crew prestige.

What's wrong with Florida State? Is it that the rest of the ACC is catching up or is Bobby Bowden not reaching his players anymore?
-- Chris Anderson, Richmond, Va.

As for the first part, yes, the rest of the ACC has been engaged in an arms race for several years now and it's resulted in programs like N.C. State, Virginia and Maryland catching up to the 'Noles in coaching and facilities while also closing the gap on talent. As for your other theory, here's a little news flash: It's been a long time since Bobby Bowden was the one charged with reaching his players. He admits himself he's mostly a CEO at this point, with the assistants doing most of the actual coaching. And in that regard, losing longtime staff members Mark Richt and Chuck Amato hit the 'Noles hard. Their replacements don't yet command that kind of respect with the players.

That said, I'd hardly rule out a return to dominance. The talent level is definitely still there. The kind of youthful mistakes that have plagued the 'Noles the past couple years should start to disappear as experience finally sets in this season. And Bowden made an excellent move this offseason when he hired ex-Baylor coach Kevin Steele as a defensive assistant. Highly respected during his time on Nebraska's staff in the early '90s, Steele could help reinstate some of the toughness that's been missing since Amato left.

Now that Army has announced its intentions to leave Conference USA before the 2005 season (which, coincidentally, is when the Big East plans to expand) what are your thoughts on adding Army and Navy (schools with obvious name recognition and followings) to the Big East?
-- Jon Persons, Fort Lee, Va.

I did find it more than a little curious the timing of Army's announcement, made the same week Big East presidents and athletic directors were meeting in Newark, N.J., to begin hatching their plans. There's no question Army would be a much more natural fit in a Northeast conference than one that presently stretches to Texas. And there's little to be gained by returning to independent status. However, impending concerns about the league's BCS status may make it too risky for the Big East to take on what are essentially two of the worst football programs in Division I-A. Especially since there's little reason to believe Big East membership would help either all that much -- there's only so many recruits out there suited for a service academy life, no matter the league.

Are there any scenarios where the University of South Florida gets into the Big East? I know there is talk about a couple other C-USA schools (Louisville, Cincinnati, etc.), but I would think that the Bulls' football program (9-2 after only two years in Division I-A) and the Florida talent base would be VERY attractive to the Big East Schools.
-- John, Tampa, Fla.

I think Big East officials would be very wise and forward-thinking to add South Florida. The long-term potential of that program is unreal. To think that in only the Bulls' second year in I-A, and only the sixth in their existence, they went 9-2, beat four bowl-eligible teams (Southern Miss, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, North Texas) and lost only to Oklahoma and Arkansas is mind-boggling. That said, I think there will be some resistance to the fact that it's a commuter school and some sentiment within the league to tighten its geographical reach after getting burned by Miami. USF will certainly be on the short list, but behind Louisville and Cincinnati, which means the Bulls' chances depend on how big the Big East wants to go.

I am sick of hearing you and and every other so called "expert" leaving out West Virginia when talking about the Big East and ACC. I mean, you talk about Pitt and Boston College and their options. Well, I do believe that WVU is the only one of these teams to make any national noise in the last 15 years. Why doesn't the ACC in all its glory want to pick up WVU and continue rivalries with Virginia Tech, Maryland and Miami?
-- The Mountaineer Man, Charleston, W. Va.

It's academic, my disgruntled friend. Specifically, academics. Football fans, especially the ones who e-mail me, can't seem to accept it, but the conferences don't look merely at football records when making expansion decisions (just see the Pac-10's comments about BYU in last week's 'Bag). It's the university presidents who ultimately decide, and whether deserved or not, West Virginia does not have the most sterling academic reputation, especially compared to the ACC's standards. My trusty resource on such matters -- the U.S. News & World Report 2003 college rankings -- lists WVU as a Tier 3 university, while all 11 ACC schools, Miami and Virginia Tech included, are rated Tier 2 or higher. Again, I'm just the messenger, Mountaineer fans. If you must write hate mail ... send it here.

Any good football questions, though, for next week's Mailbag, please consult the friendly italicized tagline below. That's all for now.

Stewart Mandel covers college sports for SI.com.

To send a question or comment for Stewart's Mailbag, click here.

 

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