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 Nowhere for Arizona to run
Posted: Thursday August 26, 1999 12:14 PM
I don't know about you, but these last few months have been brutal for me. OK, so I'm not a big baseball fan. But do you smell it? It's big-time college football, and it happens this week! The Arizona Wildcats head into their Pigskin Classic battle at Penn State with their highest preseason ranking ever. But the Wildcats will be the first top-five team to fall. Arizona is loaded offensively with two solid quarterbacks and Trung Canidate at running back. But Penn State's defense is awesome. I asked Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky a simple question this week: "If you were an offensive coordinator playing against Penn State's defense, where would you attack?" The silence that followed said it all. I like Penn State at home. The Meadowlands welcome Ohio State and Miami in the Kickoff Classic. The Canes are hungry to prove that they belong in the nation's elite, and Miami offensive coordinator Larry Coker told me this game is pivotal. Coker said QB Kenny Kelly has the chance to be special, RB James Jackson is helping the staff forget about the loss of Edgerrin James and wide receiver Santana Moss makes the offense complete. Ohio State's defense is good, but I like the Canes in the first upset of the season. Kansas versus Notre Dame. All right! Well, maybe it's not a marquee matchup, but it is an interesting game. New Notre Dame offensive coordinator Kevin Rodgers told me QB Jarious Jackson is progressing well at picking up his offense. But look for a healthy dose of safety-turned-running back Tony Driver up-the middle in this game. Kansas returns only three starters on defense and is particularly vulnerable to the run. Notre Dame wins big at home. Florida State entertains Louisiana Tech in the game Auburn was too scared to play. But Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews told me he's having no problem motivating his troops. The Bulldogs' Tim Rattay has led the nation in total offense the last two seasons, and he gave Nebraska a scare last year throwing for 590 yards and four TDs. However, this Seminole defensive backfield is so good and so deep. Andrews told me last year's starters at corner are in the fights of their lives to retain their jobs. Plus, he called junior Derrick Gibson the best safety he has ever coached. Throw in the best defensive line in college football, and you can see why this Seminole team will roll over La. Tech.
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