August 16, 1999 | Tim Layden
Steve Spurrier's guys may think of themselves as underdogs, but other teams who do risk getting Gator-bit
Schedule strength: 19th of 114
For the first time in his tenure with the Gators, Spurrier has a club that is mildly suspect and inexperienced. And he's loving it. This could be the surprise team of the year.
No longer intimidated by high-ranked opponents, the Aggies and their fierce defense should strike fear in others
Schedule strength: 50th of 114
The Aggies are capable of winning the Big 12 championship game and going to a major bowl.
The powerful Yellow Jackets have with it takes to make history repeat
Schedule strength: 54th of 114
Hamilton can carry the team only so far. If the defense can't improve on last season's shaky performance, the Yellow Jackets will be spending New Year's at home.
Gary Barnett knows he must toughen up the Buffaloes if they're to return to glory
Schedule strength: 55th of 114
Moschetti and a swarming defense will put Colorado in contention in the Big 12, but unless the Buffaloes somehow discover a running game, they will go no further.
All eyes will be on Ron Dayne as he goes for the NCAA career rushing record
Schedule strength: 65th of 114
The lack of an established passing game will prevent the Badgers from returning to the Rose Bowl.
The success of a new option offense will determine the pluck of these Irish
Schedule strength: 20th of 114
Jackson and the defense will keep the Fighting Irish in most games, but they will be hard-pressed to match last season's 9-3 record.
The Hurricanes are stoked for the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, and Florida State
Schedule strength: 32nd of 114
The schedule is challenging, but the Hurricanes have the talent and depth to compete. A New Year's Day bowl may be in the cards.
The Bruins have the nation's top receivers, but who will throw them the ball?
Schedule strength: 6th of 114
This is a year for the Bruins' young talent to develop. UCLA will put a scare in some good teams, but it won't be a serious national championship contender until next year.
The Wolverines are loaded up front but must avoid early-season stumbles
Schedule strength: 3rd of 114
Back-to-back meetings with Penn State (away) and Ohio State (home) will be too big a hurdle for the Wolverines to clear.
With a one-two punch at quarterback and running back, the Tide should be up
Schedule strength: 5th of 114
The Crimson Tide might win the SEC West crown but won't get past the SEC East winner in the conference championship game.
A freshman quarterback could put some flash in the Hokies' offense
Schedule strength 70th of 114
If Vick helps the offense catch up with the defense, Virginia Tech will be looking at 10 wins this season.
These Dawgs'll hunt if they can surround their young quarterback with some talent
Schedule strength: 43rd of 114
A weak nonconference schedule will prove to be fool's gold. Georgia could match last year's 9-3 record; improving upon it is unlikely.
The Trojans ride in with an eclectic mix of offensive weapons and a retooled D
Schedule strength: 12th of 114
A more experienced Palmer and an improved running game will help the Trojans challenge for the Pac-10 championship. Winning that crown, however, will be another story.
Ricky who? The Longhorns won't be shot on talent despite losing Williams
Schedule strength: 25th of 114
Sans Williams, the Longhorns won't win any championships this season, but it's only a matter of time before the nation's top recruiting class turns Texas into a power.
The Boilermakers got fat on a light schedule but now must play the big boys
Schedule strength: 8th of 114
Give Brees a ground game, win two of four in October, and Purdue will be playing in a bowl.
It took a Nutt to lead the Razorbacks out of the wilderness and into bowls
Schedule strength: 47th of 114
Stoerner and his teammates, have the talent and motivation to go where they could have gone in '98: the SEC championship game and a BCS bowl.
An inexperienced offense means the Wildcats will have to score with defense
Schedule strength: 68th of 114
K-State is no one-year wonder and could go to a New Year's Day bowl, but its best chance to win a national title came—and went—last year.
The Thundering Herd may play at a small school, but it has big ambitions
Schedule strength: 113th of 114
The Thundering Herd has a shot to be undefeated and will go as far as Pennington's golden right arm carries it.
The Sun Devils hope their offense can cover up sins committed by their defense
Schedule strength: 10th of 114
With a healthy Redmond and an improved defense, the Sun Devils should earn their third bowl berth in four seasons.
August 16, 1999 | Compiled by John Walters
OUR RANKING, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
August 16, 1999
Conferences are listed in order of strength. Each team's SI national ranking is in parentheses
August 16, 1999
Jan. 1 Rose Bowl, at PasadenaJan. 1 Orange Bowl, at MiamiJan. 2 Fiesta Bowl, at Tempe, Ariz.Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl, at New Orleans
August 16, 1999 | Compiled by B.J. Schecter
LOWER DIVISION RANKINGS
August 16, 1999
THE NBA
Brink of DisasterThe Clippers made some nifty late moves to plug a looming talent drain
NEW COACH Doc Rivers lobbied hard to keep Penny Hardaway, but by the time Magic ownership relented, Hardaway had made up his mind to go to the Suns. Rivers also wasn't thrilled with the package...
August 16, 1999 | Stephen Cannella
Strong ArmedUnderappreciated starters have kept the injury-plagued Astros on top
Tigers manager Larry Parrish says he's considering giving rookie righthander Jeff Weaver a month off to rest his arm and regain his early-season form. Weaver, who began the year 6-3 with a 2.89...
Young slugger Erubiel Durazo has added razzmatazz to the Diamondbacks
Fingers CrossedAfter two near misses, Team Yates has a Winston Cup title in sight
213%The increase in Pontiac's top five finishes on the Winston Cup tour thus far this season (25) compared with last season (eight). Pontiac's four wins are already double last season's total.
Congratulations, Los Angeles, you're the worst sports city in the country! Arsenic for everybody!
September 4, 1989
August 16, 1999
David Robinson may have been blessed with size and talent, but his values are what I respect the most.—DAN EASTMAN, Baton Rouge
August 16, 1999
Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer. They may be mailed to The Editor, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, New York,...
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6Hours that famed Cubs fan Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers shouted his trademark "Sosa woo! Grace woo!" from a Schaumburg, Ill., condo balcony before police arrested him.
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A memorabilia dealer is selling so-called DiMaggio deathbed balls, priced between $1,200 and $1,500, that the Yankee Clipper signed shortly before he died.
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FELIPE ALOUExpos manager, on Youppi, the mascot the team's ads call the biggest Expo: "If he was the best, we would have traded him by now."
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Cedrick Banks, ChicagoBasketballCedrick, 17, was named tournament MVP after scoring 37 points to lead the Illinois Hawks to the national AAU boys' championship. Cedrick, a 6'2" guard, scored 23 of...
August 16, 1999 | Tom Verducci
In this longball era, there was nothing cheap about run to his 500th home run, which confirmed his place among the game's power-hitting elite
Graphic Evidence suggests that Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. have the upward mobility to overtake Hank Aaron as baseball's career home run leader. Griffey is on the fastest track of all time,...
August 16, 1999 | Gary Smith
During a three-day footy-fest in Sydney, the author didn't have much luck convincing two mates that the NFL game measured up to two Australian brands.
Whoa, Nellie! Expect the unexpected—even when it involves familiar faces—in what promises to be a wild and woolly year
August 16, 1999
Blessed with the speed, power and skills to play on Sunday right away, these magnificent performers remain Saturday's heroes-at least for this year
This Miami tight end, only a junior, has left lasting impressions on would-be tacklers
If his surgically repaired knee holds up, the Tennessee back will be hard to bring down
Grandma knew best when she nudged this Florida State defensive end into football
After carrying Wisconsin to a Rose Bowl win, this power back will bowl over the drafters
August 16, 1999 | Tim Layden
A quarterback from Texas is marked for greatness and leading a turnaround at, of all places, Purdue
August 16, 1999 | Devid Fleming
Add this big, quick tackle to the list of Alabama's storied offensive linemen
This Louisville quarterback is smart and tough—like an old Cardinal named Unitas
This Penn State defensive lineman makes regular stops in the opponent's backfield
This superlative Florida State wideout is, like Mark McGwire, a constant home run threat
August 16, 1999 | Tim Layden
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