WHY DO SCHOOLS FALL IN HATE?

November 22, 2010

It’s one of my favorite times of the year, and it has nothing to do with turkey. It is rivalry season in college football. The time of year when good seasons can become great, when disappointing seasons can be saved and when coaches can buy themselves an extra year of employment. It’s what separates college football from every other sport.

Only in college football can a win or loss against your arch-rival completely alter the perception of just how successful your season was. Don’t believe me? Ask former Ohio State Coach John Cooper how important it is to beat your rival. He averaged ten wins a season in Columbus. He also won a Rose Bowl. However, his record against Michigan was awful. He was let go.

Rivalries can be created a few different ways. Most times contempt builds between schools that are located a short distance from each other. I’ve long felt in-state rivalries are the most intense and bitter. Say what you will about Michigan-Ohio State, if you root for either and live in that state, your neighbors are much more likely to pull for the same team as you. If a new family moves onto your street in Alabama, you have no idea whether they will open the door and yell, “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle!” In state rivalries pit family members against each other.

A traitor can kick a rivalry up to a whole new level of hatred. When Ohio State assistant Bo Schembechler took the heading coach job at Michigan, the protege of Woody Hayes did just that. The Wolverines upset previously unbeaten OSU in 1969 and the “Ten-Year War” was born.

Proximity is not completely necessary to have a rivalry with another school. In some cases, rivalries can develop when two teams are both good for a period of time and play meaningful games against each other each year. Most of the time, those rivalries are temporary, but it doesn’t mean they are any less intense. Take the Colts-Patriots games in the NFL. In 2000, or at any point prior to the turn of the century, how interesting were games between those two franchises? Now, every time they square off it is must see TV.

In college football, the equivalent series to me would be Notre Dame-Miami. In the late 1980s thru 1990, those two programs were competing for the national championship each year. At that time, it was the game of the year in college football. Miami fired up the Irish fans by destroying ND in Gerry Faust’s last game as head coach 59-7. The flames were fanned by the Golden Domers a few years later when students popularized t-shirts that billed the upcoming game with the Canes as “Catholics vs. Convicts.” There is no question the two sides had quickly grown to think of each other as rivals. Then the series stopped. Each school fell off the national radar, and it is now a five year footnote in history.

People say you can’t manufacture a rivalry. That is true. Although, you can manufacture one with a little luck. When Penn State entered the Big Ten, the head coach of Michigan State at the time requested that PSU be the yearly end of season game for the Spartans. A trophy was even created that would go to the annual winner of the contest. Entering Saturday’s game, the Lions have won 13 of the 17 meetings since they joined the Big Ten. No Nittany Lion fan thinks of MSU as a rival. It is simply the last game of the season. The Big Ten school that gets the blood boiling of most PSU fans is Michigan (with Ohio State a clear second). Why? Michigan beat the Lions nine times in a row. Think about it. If you reverse the results of all Penn State games with the state of Michigan, PSU has two budding rivalries. If MSU was consistently ending Penn State’s seasons with losses (some of which have been down right embarrassing), PSU fans would seethe at the sight of the green and white.

Conversely, if the Maize and Blue had gone over a decade without a win against the Nittany Lions, and if they had felt cheated by officiating on more than one occasion, you can guarantee the match-ups with Penn State would be a lot higher on the Wolverines list of priorities. It would not be as important as the Ohio State game, but there is no doubt that constant losing by a program that feels superior will get a rivalry going.

I’ve been told by former Pitt Sports Information Director turned ESPN analyst Beano Cook that the Pitt-Penn State series meant more to PSU than Pitt, “until Joe Paterno got there and beat Pitt ten years in a row.”

So how do you grow the perfect rivalry? Take two schools in the same state or at least region, preferably a short cab ride apart. Have each school dominate the series for a while (or if one school has more history and tradition than the other... have them lose over and over to the inferior little guy). Once hatred is established on each side, play games with championship implications for another decade. If you can get a coach from one team to take a head coaching job at the other school, that would be great. Otherwise, the best high school player in that state has to turn his back on his home school and go the hated rival.

Lastly, get yourself a cool trophy to play for each season. One that is easily recognizable and has a catchy name. The Old Oaken Bucket, the Jeweled Shillelagh and Floyd of Rosedale are all up for grabs this weekend. Do those games have each of my suggestions for growing a rivalry? No. But who cares? As long as you hate someone that hates you back... it’s that perfect time of year.

Bowl Projections:

BCS Championship Game - Auburn (SEC Champ) over Oregon (Pac 10 Champ)

Rose Bowl - Wisconsin (Big Ten Champ) vs. Boise State (At-large)

Sugar Bowl - LSU (At-large) vs. Ohio State (At-large)

Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech (ACC Champ) vs. TCU (At-large)

Fiesta Bowl - Nebraska (Big 12 Champ) vs. Pitt (Big East Champ)

Capital One Bowl - Michigan State vs. Alabama

Outback Bowl - Iowa vs. South Carolina

Cotton Bowl - Oklahoma vs. Arkansas

Gator Bowl - Penn State vs. Florida

Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Mississippi State vs. NC State

Champs Sports Bowl - Miami vs. Notre Dame

Games of the Week:

Auburn @ Alabama - The 2010 Iron Bowl is the biggest game left on the college football schedule. Can Cam Newton finish off a perfect regular season or will the Tide finish a disappointing season by knocking their rivals out of the title game? Last year, the Tigers came within two minutes of ruining Bama’s perfect season. This one appears to be a shootout with Auburn averaging 42.8 points a game and Alabama scoring 35.3 a game. But this is a rivalry game, and a bitter one at that. I think Auburn ekes out a tough one to stay perfect.

Arizona @ Oregon - The Ducks can also take one more step towards Glendale with a win here over the Wildcats. They will still have their Civil War match-up next week with Oregon State, but Oregon can clinch the Pac Ten’s BCS bid with a victory. Considering Oregon managed only 15 points last week (with one TD coming on special teams), their high octane offense will be looking to make up for its poor performance last week. Zona has some offensive fire power themselves with QB Nick Foles, but in Eugene, I’ll take the Ducks to stay perfect.

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State - They call this rivalry series Bedlam. That would imply pure chaos. This series has been anything but bedlam. In the previous 104 meetings, the Sooners have won 80. That’s right 80! This year, the Cowboys are actually favored and advance to the Big 12 Championship game with a victory. Oklahoma is playing well as of late, and they are very comfortable playing with high stakes. Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part (hoping for one last Oklahoma-Nebraska championship game before the Huskers bolt for the Big Ten), but I’ll take big brother to continue its dominance of this series.

BOISE SAVES THE BCS

November 16, 2010

It is a question that has been asked all season. It was asked all summer. In fact, it has been asked every where college football is discussed since last season ended. Is this the year a non-BCS conference team plays for the national championship?

It almost happened last season. TCU was packing for Pasadena and a date with Alabama when Big 12 referees put one second back on the clock for Texas. That relegated TCU to the Fiesta Bowl and a match-up with fellow BCS party crasher Boise State. The two sides played a tight and entertaining game that Boise won 17-10. With the Broncos returning 20 starters, the debate began over whether or not BSU had built enough of a reputation to be a top five team at the start of 2010. They had.

TCU began the season ranked in the top ten and quickly climbed up right behind Boise. The Horned Frogs had 16 starters back. Plus, one of their big non-conference games would be the same Oregon State team that Boise would play. Throw in the fact that TCU plays in the tougher Mountain West Conference and TCU was once again a threat to play for the crystal football.

After TCU throttled Utah two weeks ago, it looked like if any non-BCS conference team was going to finish one or two in the polls, it would be the guys in purple. However, TCU followed up that 40 point win with a 40-35 home win over San Diego State. The vaunted TCU defense gave up more points Saturday to the Aztecs than they had surrendered in the previous six games combined. That coupled with some of TCU’s “big” wins no longer looking as impressive has allowed Boise State to close in on the number three spot in the polls.

With one game remaining against 1-9 New Mexico, the Horned Frogs are unlikely to hold off a Boise team that still plays Fresno State and #18 Nevada. That means one slip up by Auburn (either at Alabama or in the SEC Championship Game) or by Oregon (versus Arizona or at arch-rival Oregon State) and Boise stands the best chance of playing for all the marbles.

For millions sports fans out there, this sounds great. “The little guy finally gets their shot at the title. That’ll show the old boy network that runs college football and the BCS.” There in lies the mistake. It amazes me how many intelligent sports fans either don’t see the flaw in rooting for this scenario, or if they do see the flaw, they are all talk. They say they want the BCS to go away, but they root for the very scenario that will save it.

The key flaw in the current system in college football is NOT a simple “there should be a playoff, not a one game with hand picked participants.” What you are basically saying there is add more teams to your championship. That is something that traditionalists (myself included) easily shoot down because the more teams that make it, the less important regular season games become.

The argument that would carry the most weight is “every team does not have a shot at the title.” It’s a make believe championship for the winners of a few major conferences, and the rest have no chance to participate. That argument has enough steam that the government has started to take a peek as to whether or not this is legal. Hey, there’s lots of money at stake. If this is truly a rigged game for the big boys, that could be the powder keg that eventually blows up the system.

However, if Boise State (or TCU) for that matter finishes in the top two of the final BCS poll, they are not a BCS buster. They are a BCS savior. Why should the government or anyone else look into the legality of this any more? The little guy would have just proven that they do in fact have a chance to make the championship game. Getting a non-BCS conference team in the championship game does not ruin the system, it proves it works.

As a matter of fact, TCU and Boise State have been so close to playing for the national title the last two years, BCS officials could actually point to how close they got and say, “If Texas missed that field goal, TCU would have made it. It took a perfect season from two major conference teams to keep you out.” Heck, that happens to other big programs too. Ask Auburn about 2004.

Is it fun to see an underdog get a shot at the title like Rocky Balboa facing Apollo Creed? Absolutely. But, you can’t have that and complain the system is unfair at the same time.

Games of the week:

Ohio State @ Iowa –The Hawkeyes chances for the Rose Bowl and the BCS went out the window when Dan Persa completed what would turn out to be his final pass of the 2010 season. The Hawks now have two league losses and three over all. OSU’s resume was being questioned going into last week’s game with Penn State. While, the Buckeyes did turn it on the second half, it took a tipped pass TD and two pick sixes to beat the Lions. A season that began in Iowa City with so much promise is hanging by a thread. They have one last shot at a signature win. That coupled with the fact that OSU has not impressed me much this year has me taking the Hawkeyes to make this a two horse race to Pasadena between Bucky Badger and Sparty.

Nebraska @ Texas A&M – The Aggies have jump started their offense since they gave the ball to junior Ryan Tannehill. Since making the switch at QB, A&M is averaging 41 points per game and still has a shot at winning the Big 12 South. Tannehill will be tested this week against a Nebraska defense that is second in the nation in passing yards per game. Last Saturday in a 20-3 win over Kansas, Big Red allowed 87 total yards with only 15 coming thru the air. College Station is a tough place to win. Nebraska does not want to leave the Big 12 going 0-2 against the state of Texas. I think they eke out a win, but this one could go either way.

Virginia Tech @ Miami – Has anyone else noticed that the Hokies have won nine straight? I doubt it. Most people laughed them off when they fell to Boise and James Madison in a span of five days. Now, they are one win away from clinching a spot in the ACC Championship game. A loss here, and Randy Shannon will be brought up all through the off season in the “coaches on the hot seat” debate. Every one that gave him credit for some great recruiting classes will be wondering why they are still losing four games a season. Miami is athletic. It will take more than that to beat Va Tech the way they are playing. I’ll take the Hokies.

JOEPA’S TOP TEN

November 10, 2010

Another week. Another milestone. Another retrospective. This week, in honor of Joe Paterno’s 400^th win, we look back at the ten most significant victories of his career. Keep in mind that significant and memorable are two separate things. The 48-14 win over Pitt in 1981 is certainly memorable, but how significant was it for Joe and the program? Two are joined together at the number seven slot to once again honor the mathematically challenged league that is the Big Ten.

10. Penn State defeats Maryland 15-7 in 1966 – In order to reach 400 victories, you must begin with one. On September 17, 1966, former assistant Joe Paterno won his first game as head coach. The Lions would score one touchdown that day to go along with one field goal and three safeties. A goal line stand late in the game would preserve the win. Joe Paterno would torment the Terps and their fans for decades going 25-0-1 against Maryland. It was important to make a good first impression after replacing Rip Engle. Considering Penn State would lose three of its next four games, this win was pretty significant for Paterno.

9. Penn State defeats Pitt 48-24 in 1966 – This victory over the Panthers would be the start of a ten game winning streak in this series. Pitt didn’t despise Penn State until Joe Paterno came along and whipped them for a decade straight. To make it more embarrassing to Panther fans, the Lions won those ten games by an average score of 39-13. This victory would be the impetus for one of college football’s great rivalries, particularly from 1976-1986 when the two schools played for five national titles between them.

8. Penn State defeats Ohio State 29-27 in 2001– The only milestone victory on my list is #324. JoePa passed the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant in dramatic fashion. Trailing Ohio State 27-9 in the 3^rd quarter, the 1-4 Lions scored three quick touchdowns to take the lead. With under three minutes remaining PSU blocked a Buckeye FG try to preserve the win, making Paterno the winningest coach in major college football history. Anyone who was there will tell you it was one of the most enjoyable days ever spent at Beaver Stadium.

7. Penn State defeats Michigan 31-24 and two weeks later throttles Ohio State 63-14 in 1994 – Penn State’s first season in the Big Ten was very successful. The Lions went 10-2 with a bowl victory over Tennessee. However, the two losses came at the hands of the Big Ten’s bullies, Michigan and Ohio State. They had long controlled the conference (and still do) with their regular season meeting usually determining the league’s representative in the Rose Bowl. In their second year in the Big Ten, the Lions went undefeated. It was the first perfect season in the conference in twenty-five years. By winning in Ann Arbor and by destroying OSU, Paterno served notice that the new kid on the block could bully right back.

6. Penn State shuts out Ohio State 19-0 in 1978 – Prior to 1978, Joe Paterno had three perfect seasons as head coach of PSU but zero national championships. Mostly because “eastern football” was not respected nationally. In September 1978, the Lions played Ohio State in Columbus. There was no return trip scheduled by the Bucks. It was a one-shot deal for respect. The Lions went into Ohio and blanked the Buckeyes 19-0 behind a fierce pass rush from Bruce Clark and Matt Millen. In November, the still perfect Nittany Lions would be voted #1 for the first time in school history. In January they would play Alabama for the national title. Going on the road and dominating a historic and respected program like Ohio State on their field was another step toward earning the nation’s respect.

5. Penn State beats Ohio State 17-10 in 2005– Following a 3-9 record in 2003 and a 4-7 record in 2004, PSU President Graham Spanier and Athletic Director Tim Curley visited Joe Paterno’s home and asked him to resign. JoePa told them if he could keep his staff around, they had good senior leaders and some incoming playmakers that would turn it around. After a 5-0 start, the nation watched in primetime as the Lions battled preseason Big Ten favorite OSU. Penn State would win 17-10. That night Joe Paterno showed Spanier, Curley and all of the doubters he could still get the job done, and PSU rejoined the nation’s elite programs.

4. Penn State whips Texas in the 1972 Cotton Bowl 30-6 – After back-to-back perfect seasons in 1968 and 1969, the Lions watched Texas claim the top spot in the polls. The little eastern school who didn’t play anyone finally lined up against the Longhorns in Dallas on New Year’s Day 1972. PSU held the Horns to 242 yards of offense and hammered them in their home state. It was vindication for Paterno and Penn State fans, and it sent a message to the rest of college football that said Penn State could compete with the nation’s elite.

3. Penn State beats Miami 17-8 in 1967 – After going 5-5 in his first season as head coach, PSU lost the opening game of the 1967 season to Navy 23-22. The following week in the Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes, Paterno replaced defensive upperclassmen with sophomores like Dennis Onkotz and Steve Smear. The youth movement was successful. PSU would leave South Beach with a 17-8 win. After falling 17-15 to #4 UCLA the next week, Penn State would not lose again until September of 1970. Those young sophomores would be the backbone of the unbeaten teams of 1968 and 1969.

2. Penn State upsets Miami 14-10 in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl – It was the ultimate test of Paterno’s “Grand Experiment.” It was the polite, quiet and educated Nittany Lions against the one team in college football that was the complete opposite, the loud, brash, camouflage wearing showboats from Miami. Penn State was supposed to be no match for Vinny Testaverde, Michael Irvin, Jerome Brown and company. If the Canes had rolled over the Lions as most expected, what would have became of JoePa’s legacy? We’ll never know, thanks to one of the greatest defensive team performances in college football history.

1. Penn State beats Georgia 27-23 in the 1983 Sugar Bowl – The second national championship was built up by the media to be good versus evil. What was right about college football against all that was wrong with it. The first national championship was about something else. It finally elevated the Penn State program to the best of the best. With three unbeaten (but uncrowned) teams, plus the Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama in January 1979, no win was more significant for Joe Paterno or Penn State than the night they finally climbed the mountain. Plus, by winning the 1982 national championship, PSU had the credibility it needed to play for the titles in 1985 and 1986 with a weaker schedule.

Bowl Projections

BCS Championship Game – Auburn (SEC Champ) over Oregon (Pac 10 Champ)

Rose Bowl – Wisconsin (Big Ten Champ) vs. TCU (At-large)

Sugar Bowl – LSU (At-large) vs. Boise State (At-large)

Orange Bowl – Virginia Tech (ACC Champ) vs. Ohio State (At-large)

Fiesta Bowl – Nebraska (Big 12 Champ) vs. Pitt (Big East Champ)

Capital One Bowl – Iowa vs. South Carolina

Outback Bowl – Michigan State vs. Alabama

Cotton Bowl – Oklahoma vs. Arkansas

Gator Bowl – Penn State vs. Florida

Chick-Fil-A Bowl – Georgia vs. Florida State

Champ Sports Bowl – West Virginia vs. NC State

Games of the Week:

South Carolina @ Florida – The handwriting is on the wall. It’s happening all over again. Every year, South Carolina looks great thru 6-7 games, and then they fall apart. The wheels haven’t come off yet, but they are wobbling. After getting smoked last week by Arkansas, the Gamecocks have one shot to try and reach the SEC Championship Game. Steve Spurrier has not made it to the final since arriving in Columbia. A loss here, and the Gamecocks may end up 7-5. The game is in Gainesville, but I think the ‘Ol Ball Coach finally gets it done.

USC @ Arizona –The Trojans have already dropped three of four. Now, they’ll play three of their last four games on the road. The season could turn ugly for Lane Kiffin real fast if they can’t get in a win in Tucson. Last year, Zona won the regular season finale 21-17 in the Coliseum. There’s no question USC can score. They’ve scored 31 or more in every game but one. Arizona’s QB Nick Foles is good. Matt Barkley is better. Expect another Pac Ten shootout. This one goes to the men of Troy.

Texas A&M @ Baylor – What can I say? It’s a slow week. The Aggies have rebounded nicely after losing three straight earlier this season. The offense is clicking, and they are coming off a great win over Oklahoma. The Bears lost last Saturday to Oklahoma State, giving the Cowboys a leg up in the Big 12 South. A&M is 21-2-1 versus Baylor since 1986, but both losses have come in the last six years. The Aggies are on a high. Baylor is down. I’ll take the more established program here. Aggies win, but expect a fight from an improved Baylor team.

THE TOP STEP

November 4, 2010

Evan Royster is now higher than anyone else. He became Penn State’s all-time leading rusher last Saturday night with a 150 yard performance against Michigan, passing Curt Warner for the top spot. He sits atop the record book… and the stairwell.

At the Student Bookstore on College Avenue, known as the Big Blue on the Corner, the top rushers and tacklers in Nittany Lion history are listed on the stairs that take you from one level of the store to another. Some of the stairs are even autographed.

For years, people will come to town at all times of the year and see Evan Royster’s name on the top step. But, how does he compare to some of the other backs that are now below him? Having been born in 1974, I have only seen certain backs on film. So, for these purposes, I’ll look back at the best I have seen. No offense intended to Lenny Moore, John Cappelletti or Lydell Mitchell.

Evan Royster – Royster had seen considerable playing time since the 2007 season and has started the last three years. He has one of the best yard per carry averages in PSU history despite not being feared as a break away back. His longest runs have come on plays where he comes through a hole at the line of scrimmage and finds no one. Royster is quick but not fast. He is tough but not powerful. He has great balance, which allows him to keep moving forward amidst traffic, but he was never the kind of back that could score from any where.

Most memorable carry – I’d say the first PSU TD in the 2008 win over Michigan. With the Lions trailing 10-0 late in the first quarter, Royster took a handoff at the Wolverine 44 and ran straight ahead into the line of scrimmage. He got lost amongst the DTs of Michigan and the interior of the PSU line. However, no one had a hold of him. He kept his legs moving, spun off the pile and found nothing but daylight. His 44-yard TD kick started a struggling offense and got the crowd back in the game.

Tony Hunt – Hunt was not the TB people wanted to see when he was named the starter in 2004. Parkland High School grad Austin Scott had an amazing resume and was supposed to be the next great PSU tailback. For that reason, I think Hunt was under appreciated during his time at PSU. Hunt was bigger and stronger. He could get a tough yard and pick up a blitzing linebacker. He was less of a big play back than Royster.

Most memorable carry – For me it was the 4^th and 1 Hunt converted against Ohio State in 2005. In the second quarter with OSU leading 3-0, PSU called time out facing 4th and 1 at the OSU 36. Hunt got the carry and had Buckeyes shooting thru the line. Hunt fought through the first contact and got three yards. Three plays later, Derrick Williams gave the Lions a lead they would not relinquish.

Larry Johnson – LJ’s first three years seeing action, he split time with Eric McCoo and Omar Easy. Because of this, Johnson always felt he had to make a big play to try and stay on the field instead of just taking what the defense was giving him. If a play was there that could net five yards, LJ would try to spin or stutter step for a larger gain and wind up with two yards instead. Once the job was his in 2002, he was a beast. He had power. He had speed. It also helped that he closed the season against two teams (Indiana and Michigan State) that had just given up. His 2,000 yard season was still incredible.

Most memorable carry – It is still the only time I remember flashbulbs popping all around Beaver Stadium during a play. Needing just 23 yards to reach 2,000 for the season, Johnson took a short side toss, ran through an arm tackle and went 38 yards down the sideline for a score to reach the milestone in style.

Curtis Enis – Enis left for the NFL after his junior year. If he hadn’t, Royster would only be number two on the all time list. From 1995 to 1997, Enis was a horse. He came up big in a huge showdown with Ohio State in 1997 going for over 200 yards and scoring the go-ahead TD. He didn’t have blazing speed, but he was hard to catch. Once you did, good luck bringing him down. Enis had two of the thickest legs you’d ever seen churning up yards.

Most memorable carry – In that 1997 victory over Ohio State, PSU fought back from a 27-17 deficit for a 31-27 victory. The final tally was a give to Enis going to his right. #39 hit the hole hard, split four Buckeyes and left another grasping at air. The power and speed shown on that play epitomized Enis during his Penn State career.

Ki-jana Carter – Unstoppable. Carter could run you over. He could turn the corner faster than any player in blue and white I have ever seen. If you were looking at his back, he was going to get smaller and smaller real fast. Carter only started for two seasons at Penn State. His final year (1994) he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. How much was he helped by playing with Kerry Collins, Bobby Engram, Kyle Brady and the best offensive line in school history is still open for debate.

Most memorable carry – No question… Rose Bowl 1995. On Penn State’s first offensive play from scrimmage, Carter took a toss from Collins, came through the hole, lowered a shoulder to run over the safety and was gone. 83 yards later he had one of the most memorable TDs in Penn State history.

Blair Thomas – What might have been? Thomas was the 2^nd string TB and a kickoff returner his first two years at PSU playing behind D.J. Dozier. In 1987, Thomas tore his ACL in practice preparing for the 1988 Citrus Bowl game with Clemson. He would miss the entire 1988 season. Before the injury, Thomas used his speed to run away from defenses. In 1989 when he returned, he was bigger and stronger and ran with a different style. He was still phenomenal and ended up the number two pick of the NFL Draft.

Most memorable carry – In 1986, Thomas was put into the Syracuse game to give Dozier a rest. With the ball on the Penn State 7 yard line, Thomas took a toss and was gone… almost. He was caught by an Orange defender and slung down on the pylon. The referee marked Thomas out at the one. Making the 92-yard gain the longest non-scoring play from scrimmage in Penn State history. In a 42-3 thrashing, it was the play of the day.

D.J. Dozier – Dozier was in a tough spot. He had to follow Curt Warner after the Lions had won the school’s first national championship. By late October of 1983, chants of “D-J, D-J” were echoing through Beaver Stadium. Dozier ran hard and had a great spin move. He never had the speed of some of the fastest guys on this list, but he was explosive because he ran so hard. He finished his PSU career as the first RB ever to lead the team in rushing four straight seasons.

Most memorable run – For a guy that shot thru a hole like he was fired out of a cannon. His last TD in blue and white was a typical Dozier score. On 2^nd and goal at the Miami six in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, Dozier took a toss going right, read his blocks, exploded through the hole, spun off a defender at the goal line to roar in for six.

Curt Warner – He could return kicks. He could line up in the slot and catch passes. He could juke you out of your shoes. He could stop on a dime and watch you flail past him, and he could just outrun you. I have never seen a more complete back than Curt Warner. He also recorded some of his best performances in the biggest of games. He out shined Heisman Trophy winners Marcus Allen and Herschel Walker in consecutive bowl games.

Most memorable run – From all there is to pick from, I’ll go with his second touchdown in the 1983 Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Warner took the handoff from Todd Blackledge and followed fullback Jonathan Williams through the line. Between the ten and the five yard line, three Bulldogs were closing in. Warner planted his right foot, cut backwards half a yard and to his left. All three guys in red went sailing past him as he kicked back into high gear to stay ahead of the defenders coming up behind him. Watching the play from the offensive backfield you see his amazing ability to stop at full speed and change directions.

So where does Royster rank? Warner and Carter are on another level entirely. I also think Enis was more feared. LJ was amazing, but only for one year. Royster was great from day one. If Thomas ran with Royster’s balance and agility, PSU beats Alabama in 1989 (If you don’t get that reference, go watch the play before Bama blocks the potential game-winning 18-yard FG). I will give Dozier extra credit for playing his whole career with absolutely no offensive help from a passing game. That puts Royster behind Warner, Carter, Enis and Dozier, but ahead of Thomas, Johnson and Hunt. That’s pretty good company.

Bowl Projections

BCS Championship Game – Alabama (SEC Champ) over Oregon (Pac 10 Champ)

Rose Bowl – Iowa (Big Ten Champ) vs. TCU (At-large)

Sugar Bowl – Auburn (At-large) vs. Boise State (At-large)

Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC Champ) vs. Michigan State (At-large)

Fiesta Bowl – Nebraska (Big 12 Champ) vs. Pitt (Big East Champ)

Capital One Bowl – Ohio State vs. South Carolina

Outback Bowl – Wisconsin vs. LSU

Cotton Bowl – Texas vs. Arkansas

Gator Bowl – Illinois vs. Florida

Chick-Fil-A Bowl – Georgia vs. Virginia Tech

Champ Sports Bowl – West Virginia vs. NC State

Games of the Week:

Alabama @ LSU –If Bama wins this game, we can officially call the Iron Bowl a national semifinal. Both teams have had two weeks to prepare for this game. LSU will hang with the Tide as they always seem to do. I’m not overly impressed with Alabama’s defense this season, and their two biggest struggles have been conference road games. LSU still may only be the fourth best team in the SEC West. I expect Bama to pull this one out with a late TD.

TCU @ Utah –Sorry, Boise. The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat to represent the little guys in a BCS Championship game. TCU has already passed the Broncos. Which means, a road win here over a top five team, and TCU will keep Boise State at arms length in the BCS rankings. No one has really paid attention to Utah since they beat Pitt opening night. Then again, who has TCU beaten since they defeated Oregon State in their opener? I think TCU is the better overall team. They are more experienced. Last year, this one wasn’t close (55-28 TCU). This year’s game will be closer, but I’ll still take the Horned Frogs.

Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Yup. Believe it or not, the winner of this game will have eight victories this year and will control its own destiny to win the Big 12 South. The Baylor Bears are on cloud nine after beating Texas in Austin last week 30-22. It was their first win over the Horns since 1997. The Cowboys will get back outstanding WR Justin Blackmon after the sophomore sat out last week’s game following a DUI charge October 26^th. Oklahoma State has won four straight in this series by a total score of 179-51. With this game in Stillwater, I think the Cowboys just have too much firepower. They’ll win a shootout.