Good enough—again: Southern California isn't yet as powerful as it was last season, but the Trojans emerged from High Stakes Saturday as front-runner to make it to the Orange Bowl

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004 by Matt Hayes

2 Oklahoma quarterback Jason White has regressed from last season. This has nothing to do with teams blitzing him or the Sooners concentrating more on the run with fabulous freshman Adrian Peterson. This has everything to do with White missing throws and not finding open receivers. Before anyone says OU's running game will make up for it, let me introduce you to David Greene. Much like White, Georgia's quarterback inexplicably has struggled this season, and his poor play against Tennessee might have cost the Dawgs a shot at the national title. Don't think White isn't capable of melting down in a big game. A multiple-turnover game on the road against a Big 12 team that knows how to play OU (read: Oklahoma State) could end the Sooners' hopes for a New Year's in Miami.

3 Aaron Rodgers is the best in a long line of star quarterbacks under Jeff Tedford. The California coach has tutored NFL first-round picks Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, David Carr and Kyle Boiler--and none has Rodgers' natural ability, arm strength, pocket awareness and release. He's accurate--he tied an NCAA record with 23 straight completions last week against Southern California--because no matter where or how he throws, his mechanics are flawless. Whether scrambling or sliding and finding time in the pocket, he always squares his shoulders and never changes his throwing motion. He's more mechanically sound now than most NFL quarterbacks, and the junior will be the first quarterback taken in next April's draft if he leaves school early.

4 It's time to start giving Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders respect. For years, Sanders has been the focus of critics claiming the Vols' offense either was too predictable, had no identity and couldn't play catch-up. The reality is this: Sanders works within the confines of coach Philip Fulmer's conservative philosophy. Given that, it's all the more impressive how Sanders has prepared freshman quarterback Erik Ainge to play in the nation's toughest conference. Just when it appeared Ainge was exposed in a loss to Auburn, he bounced back in the first road game of his career by throwing for two touchdowns and no interceptions in an upset of Georgia.

5 Letdown games can ruin a season. Last weekend alone, Georgia lost as a heavy favorite after a big win against LSU, and Purdue fought off a bad Penn State team after a big win at Notre Dame. College football is a game of emotion and motivation. Stay mentally focused, or lose games you shouldn't. It's that simple.--M.H.