Conference Call

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 1999

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT: BIGGEST SURPRISES

No one had East Carolina pegged as a Top 25 team before the season. But there are the 6-1 Pirates--at No. 24--after a 52-7 win over Tulane.

A big key has been the play of quarterback David Garrard, a 6-3, 240-pound sophomore who can run and pass. Fullback Jamie Wilson has spearheaded the ground game for a team that was picked to finish fourth in Conference USA by THE SPORTING NEWS. Making East Carolina's performance more remarkable is the fact the team has had to overcome the devastation of Hurricane Floyd, which forced many players out of their living quarters. Games at Houston on Saturday and against NC State on November 20 are the biggest challenges remaining for a team that has a good chance to finish 10-1 and advance to its first bowl since 1995.

Right on East Carolina's heels as the nation's most surprising team are Hawaii and UNLV. The 5-2 Rainbows (June Jones) and 3-4 Rebels (John Robinson) have benefited from new coaches after going winless in 1998.

Top Surprises

ACC: Maryland. Winning turnover battle.

Big East: Boston College. Good running game helps.

Big Ten: Minnesota. Benefiting from soft schedule.

Big 12: Oklahoma. Passing game has been a big lift.

C-USA: East Carolina. Dangerous offense.

Mountain West: UNLV. Defense isn't getting mauled.

Pac-10: Stanford. Balanced offense is good.

SEC: Mississippi State. Defense has been deadly.

WAC: Hawaii. Wide-open offense is the key.