Spring leaning: an early look at the powers to be

Sporting News, The, March 3, 1997 by Tom Dienhart, Mike Huguenin

Yeah, we know it's the height of college basketball season, but it's never too soon to talk about next football season. After aD, schools are beginning to gear up for spring practice. That said, here's an early look--a real early look--at the teams that could make up a preseason top 10. The list, for the most part, has the usual cast of characters and is presented alphabetically:

Colorado. Look for Jeremy Weisinger and John Hessler to battle for the quarterback job; the rest of the offense is fine. Defensively, seven starters return, but middle linebacker is a huge question mark. The schedule is loaded: trips to Michigan, Texas and Kansas State and home games against Wyoming, Texas A&M and Nebraska.

Florida. On paper, at least, the strong point appears to be defense: Six starters return (eight if you count guys who were injured), and eight of the top nine linemen are back. The question offensively is at quarterback, if the Gators get consistent play there, they will be fine. Freshmen will have to make an impact at receiver. Good news: Tennessee and Florida State must travel to Gainesville. Bad news: There are trips to Auburn and LSU.

Florida State. Despite losing the best pair of ends in the nation, the defensive line again will be a strength, with tackle Andre Wadsworth expected to move outside. Offensively, the biggest question is at tailback. Expect quarterback Thad Busby to remain the starter-and to be more consistent. The schedule is brutal: six road games, including trips to Virginia, Clemson, North Carolina, Southern California and Florida Yikes.

Nebraska. The key will be quarterback Scott Frost; the rest of the offensive components are in place. There could be some problems on defense, as only three starters return, including just one in the back seven. But the line, headed by end Grant Wistrom, should be excellent, which will lessen the pressure on an inexperienced secondary. The schedule is relatively easy (games against Akron and Central Florida), but there are two road games against likely top 10 teams (Washington and Colorado).

North Carolina. The Tar Heels will win with defense--again. Nine starters are back off a unit that was second in the nation in total defense. Offensively, the receiving corps could be the best in the ACC, and if Chris Keldorf has recovered from a broken ankle, the quarterback position will be in good hands. The questions are at running back and in the line. The Tar Heels will benefit from a kind schedule: Virginia and Florida State visit Chapel Hill.

Notre Dame. Most observers (and some players) think the team will be more at ease under Bob Davie and thus play better. Offensively, the running game will be strong, and Ron Powlus returns at quarterback (though some would say that's a minus). But where are the receivers? Defensively, the secondary again will be a question. There are trips to Michigan, Stanford and LSU, and tough home games against Michigan State and USC. The question: Can Davie get the full potential out of his team, something Lou Holtz did not do the past few seasons.

Penn State. Another wild card, as the Big Ten certainly appears wide open. The Lions' biggest advantage is an easy nonconference schedule and home games against Michigan and Ohio State. On the field, the biggest question is at quarterback, which should be a three-player race among Mike McQueary, Kevin Thompson and Rashard Case!. McQueary and Thompson are the type of traditional drop-back passers PSU has had in the past; Casey is more of an option guy but does have a strong arm.

Syracuse. Every time the Orangemen are talked up as a top l0 team, they fall flat. The key is QB Donovan McNabb. When he plays weD, the Orangemen always have a chance. The Orange must get more physical on defense. The schedule could be dicey, Syracuse must travel to Virginia Tech and Miami.

Tennessee. It's this simple: If Peyton Manning decides to return for his senior season, the Vols could contend for the national title. If he doesn't, it'll be a minor bowl in Florida--again--and a finish outside the top 10.

Washington. The Huskies would have been a contender for preseason No. 1 had tailback Corey Dillon returned for his senior season. Even without him, the offense will be solid. Defensively. the line-backers and a secondary that returns aD four starters should shine. The schedule is tough, with games against BYU, San Diego State, Nebraska, Arizona State and USC. One plus: AD but BYU will travel to Seattle.

The teams that were the toughest to leave out Ohio State, Texas and LSU. The Buckeyes have to replace eight defensive starters--bad news for a team that won with defense last season. Texas will be explosive offensively, but the defense--especially a secondary that needs four new starters--could be a problem. The bottom line on LSU: The Tigers have to develop an effective passing game to become a legit top 10 team.

The classroom is that way

The Houston Chronicle reported last week that Texas Tech tailback Byron Hanspard finished the fall semester with an 0.0 GPA. You can almost hear Dean Wormer repeating Bluto's GPA--zero-point-zero.