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Sporting News, The, August 18, 1997

ATLANTIC COAST

Predictions

1. Florida State 2. North Carolina 3. Clemson 4. Virginia 5. Georgia Tech 6. Maryland 7. NC State 8. Wake Forest 9. Duke

Big games

Florida State at North Carolina, November 8. If the Seminoles are to falter in league play, this appears to be the spot. The Tar Heels are loaded -- but when's the last time they won a true big game?

North Carolina at Clemson, November 15. The Tigers own the Heels, winning 13 of 16 and the past seven at Clemson. Two good defenses will be on display.

Florida State at Florida, November 22. There's no reason to think this won't have a bearing on the national title race -- again.

Player of the year

Clemson's Raymond Priester is one of the best -- albeit unknown -- running backs in the nation. Given the Tigers' solid offensive line and iffy passing game, Priester again will have to carry the offense. He's up to it.

BIG TEN

Predictions

1. Penn State 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Michigan State 5. Northwestern 6. Iowa 7. Wisconsin 8. Illinois 9. Minnesota 10. Purdue 11. Indiana

Big games

Iowa at Ohio State, October 4. If the Hawkeyes are legitimate Rose Bowl contenders, they will have to prove it in this game. Iowa has won two of its last four games in the Horseshoe.

Ohio State at Penn State, October 11. Since joining the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions have won one of four meetings between these powers -- and that was in 1994, when Penn State went 12-0. The Nittany Lions are itching to pay back last year's 38-7 humiliation in Columbus, Penn State's worst whipping since 1984.

Michigan at Penn State, November 8. The Wolverines stole their meeting in 1993, but Penn State has won three straight. If the teams are as good as some suspect, this game could be for more than a Rose Bowl berth.

Player of the year

Cornerback Charles Woodson, a junior who doubles as a receiver, was Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1995 and a consensus All-American last season. What's next? Some Michigan fans think the Heisman. Woodson certainly will receive plenty of national attention with games against Colorado, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Northwestern and Penn State.

BIG 12

Predictions

North Division 1. Colorado 2. Nebraska 3. Kansas State 4. Kansas 5. Missouri 6. Iowa State

South Division 1. Texas 2. Texas A&M 3. Texas Tech 4. Oklahoma 5. Oklahoma State 6. Baylor

Big games

Colorado at Texas, October 25. One of two tough road games for the Buffaloes (Michigan on September 13 is the other). This could be a preview of the Big 12 Championship game.

Nebraska at Colorado, November 28. This game likely will be for the Big 12 North title, as the Buffaloes are seeking their first win over the Cornhuskers since 1990.

Texas at Texas A&M, November 28. This one ought to decide who will represent the Big 12 South in the league's championship game.

Player of the year

An academic and athletic All-American, Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom passed on the NFL to return for his senior season. The Cornhuskers have only three defensive starters back, but Wistrom is the biggie.

BIG EAST

Predictions

1. Syracuse 2. Miami 3. Virginia Tech 4. West Virginia 5. Boston College 6. Pittsburgh 7. Rutgers 8. Temple

Big game

Miami at Florida State, October 4. This huge intrastate rivalry will come at a defining moment in the Hurricane's season. To make matters more interesting, Miami will be coming off a tough conference home date against West Virginia.

Miami at Virginia Tech, November 8. This game will determine who will get the inside track on the Big East title. The Hurricanes will arrive in Blacksburg, Va., looking to avenge last year's 21-7 loss at home.

Syracuse at Miami, November 29. Syracuse watched its chances for a Big East title and Alliance Bowl bid go up in smoke with a 38-31 loss against the Hurricanes in the Carrier Dome. This time, the Orangemen look to return the favor at the Orange Bowl.

Player of the year

Considered the conference's best Heisman Trophy candidate, Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb has myriad targets to hit and is supported by a decent line and running game. This may be the year he returns the Orangemen to national prominence.

MID-AMERICAN

Predictions

East 1. Marshall 2. Ohio 3. Miami 4. Kent 5. Akron 6. Bowling Green

West 1. Eastern Michigan 2. Central Michigan 3. Ball State 4. Toledo 5. Western Michigan 6. Northern Illinois

Big games

Marshall at West Virginia, August 30. Every football fan in Huntington, W.Va., is giddy over the fact Marshall's opening game as a Division I-A school is against in-state rival West Virginia. The giddiness should subside by halftime.

Miami at Ohio, November 8. The fierce in-state rivals may be battling in a de facto title game for the East Division crown.

Eastern Michigan at Marshall, October 25. This may be a preview of the MAC's inaugural league title game, which will be played December 5 in Huntington.

Player of the year

The MAC has had many great running backs during the 1990s, and Central Michigan junior Silas Massey is on the way to becoming one of the league's all-time best. He rushed for more than 200 yards in three games last year and will work behind another good line.