College showdown

In the beginning of the 2002 College Football Season, if the average Ohio State Buckeyes' fan would be asked if he or she thought their team would make it to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Az., they would either think you're crazy, pushing it a little too far, or jump up and down while screaming and chugging beer.

But, in the championship game last year, where every tackle was a big deal, every yard seemed like a mile closer to glory, the Buckeyes proved all of the fans, reporters and football analysts wrong.

That's the glory of college football. They have teams, some better then others in various aspects of the game, all striving for one common goal, victory.

When these varied team-to-team qualities clash on the field, anything can happen. The expected win or loss, an upset or one helluva game.

That's what brings us to ask this very familiar question, one that can be a hope for the underdogs, a prayer for the powerhouses, and the question that makes many, many, many college football analysts or fans seem like complete morons, or seem like geniuses.

Which team will make it the championship this year? Simple as that? Which team will be victorious, whether they're playing the Miami Hurricanes or Rice?

When this question first pops into our head, we think of the recent undefeated for almost three seasons straight -- the Miami Hurricanes.

With their quarterback, Ken Dorsey, being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, and the loss of their dominate running back, Willis McGahee to the draft, can the 'Canes keep up their reputation of total domination?

Will the loss of McGahee mean more passing game, which allows the opposing defense to set their DB's farther back, or will Miami be blessed with yet another un-godly player, that can take McGahee's place, and possibly follow in his foot-steps, such as Tyrone Moss?

Moss (having no relation to the Vikings wide receiver has a 33" vertical jump, benches 290 pounds and earned All-State mention last year in Florida.

Ohio State. Yup, they won last year. Luck? Maybe. Can they do it again? Probably not. It's just something about Craig Krenzel, QB for the Buckeyes, that just doesn't have a special shine about him.

Sure, he's a good player. But, he doesn't have the team leadership, or the special qualities to raise a team on his shoulders, during the good, and bad times.

Almost half of the games won by the Buckeyes last year were decided within a single touchdown or less.

On the plus side, kicker Mike Nugent also returns, one of the most highly sought-after kickers in all of College Football.

Maurice Clarett, who was injured much of last year with shoulder problems, has just a good as shot to the Heisman Trophy as anyone out there.

This kids good... real good.

Oklahoma, ranked No. 1 in the pre-season poll, definitely has a legitimate shot at the title.

With freshman such as explosive WR's Marquis Johnson and Tristen Ross, Oklahoma, with the best freshman class coming into the 2003-04 season, is going to only get much wiser and better.

Watch out, Oklahoma just may be the next Miami Hurricanes, but better, a lot better.

With those being the obvious picks or choices, teams such as Texas, Virginia Tech, and USC have very good chances as well, but something tells me this is going to be a breakout year not only for Oklahoma, but for Oklahoma's national powerhouse for years to come.