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Conference call

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004 by Pete Fiutak

Texas A&M

It's not as if Dennis Franchione all of a sudden can't coach. Aggies fans were tickled maroon when they snagged Coach Fran away from Alabama, thinking they got the next Bear Bryant. But the team has played like it has been coached by Tom Berenger. It's a common belief that former coach R.C. Slocum left the cupboard so bare when he was canned that no one could have done much with this team, but Franchione's track record of quick success raised expectation levels so high that Aggie Nation was pondering a Big 12 title run this year. That's asking too much, but a bowl isn't out of the question, even though overall team speed is lacking and the defense, despite its showing against Clemson, is unlikely to be confused with the old "Wrecking Crew" units. But there still are more than enough offensive playmakers working behind a solid line to expect a big improvement as the year goes on. The early problem has been injuries--quarterback Reggie McNeal playing through a banged-up thumb and running back Courtney Lewis missing time with a leg injury. When those two are healthy and teamed with lightning-fast wideout Terrence Murphy, the Aggies have enough weapons to challenge anyone in the league not named Oklahoma or Texas.

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Syracuse

It wasn't that long ago Syracuse was a major player in the Big East and regularly going to big-time bowls.

Declining attendance, an ACC snub and poor overall play have made Orange football more depressing than Jim Boeheim staring at a bottle of Rogaine. Yes, Boeheim has a better chance of growing a Donovan McNabb-esque blowout than football coach Paul Pasqualoni has of keeping his job next year, but that doesn't mean this is a dead team walking. Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes form one of the nation's scariest 1-2 rushing punches and are ready to break out once the quarterback situation calms down and a go-to receiver emerges. With a relatively easy schedule and enough athletes and decent players, Syracuse should be in the hunt for a bowl bid.

Michigan State

Maybe Michigan State is worried John L. Smith will accept another coaching job during a halftime, or maybe it's as simple as inconsistent quarterback play, but the Spartans aren't scaring anyone heading into Big Ten play. Once a starting quarterback emerges, this should be one of the conference's more explosive teams with a sleeper-good group of home run-hitting receivers and a defense that'll give up huge plays but will make up for it by forcing plenty of turnovers. What it boils down to is the quarterback play; Drew Stanton, Stephen Reaves and Damon Dowdell have tried to fill the void in leadership and production left by Jeff Smoker. Smith has taken teams far less talented than this to good bowls, and if a quarterback comes through, he'll find a way to get the job dune again.

Conference call

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004 by Pete Fiutak

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