Let's have another once-in-a-lifetime season!

Sporting News, The, August 22, 1994 by Ivan Maisel

Our needs are few. Our hearts are pure. We ask only that this season be as unpredictable, heart-thumping, controversial and confusing as last season.

The 1994 season may be a harbinger of the future. The NFL will steal the underclass All-Americans, save for the infirm and the immature, but thank heavens for the mature. Charlie Ward came back for his senior season and look what happened. This year, Michigan tailback Tyrone Wheatley and UCLA wide receiver J.J. Stokes ignored the possibility of being first-round millionaires. Thank you and for your troubles, may you each appear in uniform in Pasadena, Calif., on January 2.

This is real life. We can't expect Wisconsin, West Virginia and Auburn to re-stage their miracles as if they were some sort of Nutcracker Suite and this were Christmas.

Maybe that's the point. It won't be the Badgers or the Tigers. It will be someone else. With so few All-Americans returning for their senior season, we will fall in love with new stars. Maybe this new system isn't so bad. With so few milestones, let's just head down the road and see where it takes us.

Cinderella: The Year After

Three reasons why Auburn won't go undefeated two years in a row:

1. At Florida.

2. At Alabama (in Birmingham)

3. At work searching for someone to replace four-year starter Stan White at quarterback. Junior Patrick Nix, the hero of last season's comeback victory over the Crimson Tide, is the leading candidate.

Four reasons why Wisconsin won't get back to the Rose Bowl this season:

1. At Michigan and at Ohio State on consecutive weeks.

2. Goodbye, at SMU. Hello, at Colorado.

3. Goodbye, Joe Panos, the offensive tackle who served as the glue of the team.

4. Injuries. They had very few last season. If that happens two years running, Badgers trainer Dennis Helwig could make millions consulting.

Twenty-seven reasons why West Virginia won't get back to the Sugar Bowl this season:

That's how many seniors the Mountaineers lost from the 11-1 team of 1993. Coach Don Nehlen lost a similar amount off the 11-1 1988 team. It took him five years to get back to the top.

It's not fair to refer to Arizona as a Cinderella any longer.

The Wildcats likely will be better than last year's 10-2, co-Pac-10 champion. The offense, which has improved from anemic to spindly, should display some muscle. The trademark physical defense should be as fierce as ever.

Outland Trophy winner Rob Waldrop has left, leaving the spotlight for end Tedy Bruschi and tackle Jim Hoffman. The secondary, led by safety Tony Bouie, is among the nation's best. Coach Dick Tomey accepted the challenge of opening at Georgia Tech on Thursday night, September 1, on national TV to keep his players from strutting into the season. Arizona gets UCLA, Cal and Arizona State in Tucson and doesn't play Washington. The stage is set.

Watch words

The Surprise Teams for 1994 (You Heard It Here First):

1. Illinois -- The Illini may have the best defense in the Big Ten. Johnny Johnson is an exciting runner and passer. Closing against Penn State and at Wisconsin means Illinois can control its own destiny.

2. Kansas -- Injuries ravaged the Jayhawks last season. This year they've got experienced depth and sophomore tailback June Henley. That should mean a return to the rankings.

3. Arkansas -- The Razorbacks play in the weak SEC West, their non-conference schedule is light and Danny ford knows how to win. Anything less than 7-4 with this schedule will be a disappointment.

Dream season ticket

You've won the lottery. Your Uncle Horace, liked by no one but you, rewards you from the Big Tailgate in the Sky with his entire inheritance. Your boss does an attitudinal 180, gives you the big raise and -- here's where we come in -- gives you the fall to do as you please.

It's your Dream Season, and we're going to help you plan it. Let's make a couple of ground rules. You can't visit any campus more than once. And you must spend one Saturday at a game that isn't Division I-A.

One other ground rule. Expect to gain 20 pounds. College football wouldn't be college football without eating. And eating. And eating.

* August 28: Nebraska vs. West Virginia at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. -- The game all of West Virginia wanted to see (last January 1). It's the Kickoff Classic, so kick off your dream here.

* September 3: Louisville at Kentucky -- Watch the birth of a cross-state rivalry. The Cardinals and the Wildcats haven't played each other since 1924. Coaches Howard Schnellenberger and Bill Curry have been thumping the tub in the hope that the state will remain interested in football beyond the start of basketball practice.

* September 10: Michigan at Notre Dame -- The best campus on a fall Saturday. Period. Go to the Quad for a pregame brat, cooked on a portable grill in front of this dorm or that. Sit in the 59,075 coziest seats in football (Cozy because each ticket gets about six inches of bench space). Wake Up the Echoes. Glance up to Touchdown Jesus. Sit up and take notice. You will never forget.

* September 17: Florida at Tennessee -- The split of the Southeastern Conference into divisions turned the War of the Orange into the hottest rivalry in the league. Witness in person the sideshow that is Steve Spurrier. His offense is never dull. The Vols may break into the top five under second-year coach Phillip Fulmer.