Keys to the Big Games
Week Four, Sept. 24
USC vs. Oregon---college fotball ---
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By John Harris---college fotball ---

a. Ordinary name, extraordinary game – He leads the Trojans in receiving yards, averaging a whopping 28.5 yards per catch. Reggie Bush, right? Nope. He’s tied for the lead in receptions. Ah, Dwayne Jarrett, correct? No. He’s averaging a whopping 157 yards per game. Um, don’t know. How about the Trojans ‘unsung hero’ Steve Smith? Oh yeah, him. Sure, Smith is a huge piece to this USC machine, but teams often forget how valuable he is to Matt Leinart and this offense. But, in preparing for this offense, the first two names that come up are Bush and Jarrett. Double cover Jarrett. Nearly everyone else on Bush. If Smith hurts us, so be it. Well, if that’s the attitude that teams have, Smith is going to break every USC single season record by the fifth week of the year. The junior looks almost effortless running his routes and could get open in a phone booth, but if Oregon is going to let someone beat them, it’s going to be Smith. There isn’t a Duck corner on the roster that can stay with #2 throughout this game, and if he lines up on the same side as Bush, Leinart will have him open all game long. With much of the coverage rolled to Bush, Smith can work the open zones all day long. Take for instance, the circle route with Bush on the same side as Jarrett that we drew up earlier this week. If Smith is the receiver on the other side of the field, when he runs a crossing route, he’ll have all kinds of room to catch and run, as the two foci (Bush and Jarrett) of the Oregon defense run, essentially, decoy routes. You pick your poison with USC, and most don’t pick Smith. Bad move. Bad, bad move.---college fotball ---
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b. Oh my darling, it’s Clemens time – USC has probably not seen a dual threat QB like Kellen Clemens in a long time. Maybe Jason White. Okay, just kidding, but it’s probably been since the beginning of the 2004 season when they tangled with Bryan Randall of Virginia Tech. And, in that game, Randall did have some success on scrambles early and used his tight ends in the passing game. Clemens is a lot like Randall, but throws the ball better than Randall and that could ultimately be what troubles this USC defense. How Clemens can incorporate all areas of the field in the passing game and all of his talented receivers will be a big key to this game. Along similar lines with Jarrett and Bush, USC can’t double Demetrius Williams, Cameron Colvin and tight end Tim Day, so the pressure will be on Clemens to find the best one-on-one matchup. Clemens is growing ultra-comfortable in OC Gary Crowton’s offensive scheme, and he’s been solid going through his reads to find the open man. If USC has a weak spot to exploit, it’s the secondary, a group that lost another member – Terrell Thomas to an injury. But, weak is obviously relative; however, Clemens is a hot QB, and USC has to harness him in to keep the track meet in check.---college fotball ---
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c. Feeling Edgy – The health of Duck DE Devan Long will be a big key for Oregon defense. The talented DE sat out the last two games, recuperating from a knee sprain, but his presence does a couple of things. One, the most obvious aspect of him being in the lineup is the edge pressure that he can put on USC QB Matt Leinart. If Oregon has a chance at all to stop this USC offense, Leinart has to put his track shoes on. In other words, the Ducks have to chase him out of the pocket all night long. No pun intended, but Long has the quickness and explosion off of the corner to get into Leinart’s ‘kitchen’. Sure, he’s not at 100%, but even at less than full strength, Long is tough for offensive tackles to get their hands on. The other, perhaps unforeseen aspect, is that if Long plays, Matt Toeaina can move back inside, alongside Haloti Ngata, to get immense middle pocket pressure. Ngata is such a beast that he can push the pocket back into Leinart very easily, but Toeaina is extremely hard to block because of his quickness. With those two getting push in the middle, Long then locks down the edge, and Leinart has very room to move and step and throw.---college fotball ---
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Conclusion – All week long, the football cognoscenti has talked about the USC offense. Taking it a step further, the talk has been about the Trojans being the best offense in the history of college football. As lofty as that talk has been, how on point those discussions have been will be determined this Saturday in Eugene. The bad news for the Ducks is that they are that good. The Ducks have two chances to win – engage in a track meet. Well, make that one chance – dominate time of possession, 45 minutes or more. On the other hand, maybe no chance is a better answer. USC – 49 vs. Oregon – 24---college fotball ---
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Perspective Piece
Florida vs. LSU, Oct. 15---college football---

By Matthew Zemek

There’s a very refreshing dimension to this huge battle between the Gators and Tigers this Saturday in Baton Rouge: there will be no more excuses for anyone.---college football---

For Florida, any realistic chances of winning the SEC East are on the line in this game. Yes, it’s fair to say that Urban Meyer should not have been expected to reach Atlanta and the SEC title game in year one of a very complex transition process—involving the tutelage of Chris Leak, a natural dropback passer, in a spread-option offense designed more for a running quarterback—but Meyer is the “it” coach in college football, so the expectations of a Gator fan base starved for a return to SEC supremacy are still very high and very intense. Those expectations ride on the outcome of this game, which needs to be captured by Florida if the Cocktail Party is to mean anything (anything beyond the always-existing significance of a rivalry game, that is). ---college football---

The reason why the Gators are in such a must-win position entering this contest—at least in terms of the SEC East—is that Meyer’s boys got undressed by Alabama two weeks earlier, in a loss that wasn’t shocking so much as the manner in which the game was lost. The ease and thoroughness with which the Tide smothered the spread option sent a loud alarm signal to Meyer while giving the rest of the SEC confidence that this much-discussed offense won’t cut it in America’s most cutthroat conference. After a sloppy game against Mississippi State, this LSU tilt represents—for Meyer and his offense—the ultimate opportunity to prove the worth of the spread option.---college football---

Every offense—upon installation and implementation—will struggle at some point. The lack of execution, the absence of a natural crispness and rhythm, and the struggle for players to feel comfortable all factor into the growing pains of a complex new system. Throw in the presence of stacked, speedy defenses, and you have a recipe for the kind of indecent exposure Florida’s offense suffered in Tuscaloosa.---college football---
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A meeting with an LSU defense that is tremendously quick gives Florida a chance to get it right, in a put-up-or-shut-up (at least for 2005, anyway) moment of considerable drama and significance. The college football world didn’t know Alabama had fully returned to prominence before the Tide took the field against the Gators nearly two weeks ago. LSU, on the other hand, has resided in the upper echelon of college football powers over the past four seasons. So as Florida takes the field in Tiger Stadium, there’s very little mystery about the stakes involved for the spread option: it will either address the weaknesses Alabama revealed to the nation, or it will get swarmed and swamped yet again by another fast defense. Mind you, this won’t be a final verdict on the system itself and its long-term viability in the SEC, but this most certainly will be a verdict on the spread option in terms of Chris Leak’s ability to run it. ---college football---

In other words, no more excuses for Florida’s offense. It will either rise to meet the moment or be exposed a second time. And you know what they say about the difference between one and two: the first time’s an accident, the second time’s a trend.---college football---

But on the matter of excuses, they’re also gone for LSU football and head coach Les Miles.---college football---

When the Tigers lost to Tennessee, the Bayou Bengals faced a situation that, on every conceivable level, simply could not lend itself to legitimate, normal football analysis.---college football---
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In the week after Hurricane Katrina, LSU players lost an average of SEVEN POUNDS. Any rhythms, any normal preparation routines, any natural processes of football evolution and development within a team context, basically went out the window for the Tigers in September. The huge first-half emotions of the Tennessee game, combined with an emotionally exhausted crowd and severe limitations on the players’ conditioning, all helped create the physical and mental fatigue, the cramping and sluggishness, that contributed to the Vols’ late comeback in Baton Rouge (that, and a heroic Rick Clausen). In the wake of such a bizarre game played under such evidently weird circumstances, Les Miles deserved precious little criticism for his handling of the game. Sure, the Tigers’ first-year head coach made mistakes, but no coach could have been able to fully account for the cramping and the emotional rollercoasters that played a very real part in the avalanche that buried his team against Tennessee. Much of the situation was Miles outside Les’ control.---college football---
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So with the Katrina-influenced past serving as prelude, we now arrive at the point in the 2005 season where LSU has been able to settle into reasonably normal football routines. The Tigers are regularly playing on Saturdays in games that are (gasp!) not being suspended, postponed or rescheduled in terms of days or time slots. Conditioning routines are being established, and the week-to-week focus of LSU players has been able to increasingly shift back to football... maybe not totally, but a lot more than what September enabled the Tiger players to do, up and down their roster.---college football---
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This Florida game—as the biggest contest since the Tennessee loss—represents the first authentic test of Les Miles’ coaching quality. The circumstances, as they pertain to football, are now appreciably normal, meaning that any mistakes Miles makes deserve to be subjected to withering scrutiny. The Tennessee aftermath demanded that Miles get a free pass, but now, the season truly begins for LSU’s coach. Unlike the Tennessee game, Miles will merit criticism if his team’s bugaboos persist: if the Tigers continue to turn the ball over; if there are game management issues at the end of halves; if fitness becomes an issue in the fourth quarter; and if the Tigers sit on and blow an early lead, the lines of angry Tiger fans will justifiably be Miles long. Why? Because a loss in this game means that LSU could beat Auburn the following week and yet still sit behind their rivals from Alabama, who would be able to take home the SEC West by winning the Iron Bowl against the Crimson Tide in late November. LSU needs this game for the West just as much as Florida needs this one for the East.---college football---
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The margin of error is gone. So are the excuses. One offense is on the firing line, pitted against a coach whose honeymoon period deserved to last through the Katrina September, but which has now ended as well.
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Gators. Tigers. One will be exposed, the other redeemed.
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How refreshing indeed.---college football---
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USC, Notre Dame head weekend college football slate

This weekend is set for another round of big college football games. Here's a look at five that will get a lot of attention. - College Football -

1. No. 1 Southern California at No. 9 Notre Dame. The game, televised on NBC on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., is a potential stumbling block for the Trojans, who are after their unprecedented third consecutive national title. - College Football -

2. No. 24 Colorado at No. 2 Texas. OK, we're going to say it until the Longhorns run the table -- which game will Mack Brown's squad lose that it shouldn't? The Buffaloes are coming off an impressive victory against Texas A&M and can play spoiler. - College Football -

3. No. 10 Penn State at Michigan. Will the Nittany Lions have a letdown after this past week's win against Ohio State? - College Football -

4. No. 5 Florida State at Virginia. The Cavaliers have given the Seminoles a difficult time in the past and FSU is yet to play a complete game against a quality opponent. - College Football -

5. No. 13 Florida at No. 8 LSU. A loss pretty much knocks the Gators from the Eastern Division title mix. LSU needs a victory to keep pace with Alabama and Auburn in the Western Division. - College Football -

-- Ken Bradley, FLORIDA TODAY

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Boilers vow to bounce back after pasting

In the aftermath of Purdue’s lopsided loss to Notre Dame, defensive end Rob Ninkovich summed up the state of the Boilermakers. - - College Football - -

“There’s only one direction to go right now, and that’s up,” he said.

After consecutive losses, Purdue will try to pick itself up when it returns to Big Ten play against Iowa on Saturday. The Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1) will try to avoid falling to 2-3 for the first time under Joe Tiller. - - College Football - -

“We’re soul searching. We have to find what the big problem is,” Ninkovich said on Tuesday. “This week is the the most important week of practice we’ve ever had. We’ll see who’s focused on what we need to accomplish, and who’s not.”

Said running back Brandon Jones: “We haven’t wanted it that bad, but the attitude changes. It starts today.” - - College Football - -

Amid all the gloom and doom, Tiller retained optimistic.

“That’s the way I think getting up in the morning,” he said.

“What are your options? We have to get back to fundamentals on both sides of the ball, get back to work and get the guys better. It’s not like there’s a waiver wire.” - - College Football - -

The play of the defense has remained at the heart of the problems. After Laurence Maroney and Minnesota ran roughshod over the Boilermakers, Brady Quinn and the Irish shredded them.

“I think the single-biggest thing that is most disturbing as coaches is that we’re not playing at a high energy level,” Tiller said. “Is it that they think they have experience and think plays will come their way? Perhaps it is. - - College Football - -

“The thing that makes you scratch your head the most is the effort level. It’s not for 60 minutes, but there have been lapses in the game where the effort level was not what we’re used to seeing. When we have to coach effort, we’re in trouble.”

The pass defense, in particular, has continued to be leaky. The secondary has made mistakes, but its burden also has been increased by the lack of a strong pass rush. - - College Football - -

And though Drew Tate is no Quinn, the elusive Iowa quarterback is no slouch, either.

“They have an experienced quarterback and receivers, and they’ll probably throw the ball around,” Tiller said. “I can’t imagine anyone who’s seen us play would do any different.”

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz downplayed Purdue’s various maladies, including its defensive woes.

“One of their constants has been their defense,” he said. “Everyone likes to talk about their offense and offense in general, but defense has always been a strength of theirs and, frankly, they’re not that far off. - - College Football - -

“They are an outstanding football team, recent events aside.”

Like the Boilermakers, the Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1) had lofty expectations entering the season, and both teams have disappointed so far.

“We have to worry about ourselves, we can’t focus on our opponents,” Tiller said.

“We’re going to keep stepping to the plate, keep taking our cuts and see if we can make something positive happen. We’re not going to send up the white flag. We’re going to keep trying different combinations and keep working.” - - College Football - -

Stewart Ray "Red" Faught, pioneering football coach, dies

Associated Press

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Stewart Ray "Red" Faught, who coached Franklin College's football team for 32 seasons and helped pioneer the high-flying run-and-shoot offense, has died. He was 81.

Faught, who died Friday, coached Franklin from 1957-88, producing teams known for lining up from sideline to sideline and airing it out. - College Football -

"His quarterbacks would throw the ball as soon as they stepped off the bus, and they wouldn't stop throwing until they stepped back on," said Don Treibic, a friend of Faught's and the former announcer of Grizzliesfootball games.

"He wanted to win games, and he felt that was the way to win them," Treibic said.

At least 50 of his former players became coaches, including Indiana University head coach Terry Hoeppner.

Hoeppner, Treibic and former NFL quarterback Jeff George were among the close circle of friends who visited Faught in his final hours Friday. - College Football -

"He was my second father and mentor," Hoeppner said. "I wouldn't be where I am today without Coach Faught, and I always called him that. He was my coach."

Faught's "Red Shoot" offense helped one of the smallest schools in its conference become successful. - College Football - - College Football -

When he retired in 1988, Faught had amassed 18 winning seasons at Franklin - more than all 14 of his predecessors combined dating back to thecollege's first football season in 1886.

He closed with a career record of 160-139-6, which at the time ranked fourth in NAIA Division II victories. - College Football -

Faught became the offensive coordinator for one of Franklin's fiercest rivals, Georgetown College in Kentucky, from 1990 to 1992. He was there in 1991 when the team went 13-1 and won the NAIA national championship.

In 1999, Franklin College named its stadium in honor of Faught, who was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. - College Football -

Visitation will be at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home on Tuesday. He will be remembered Wednesday during a service at Franklin College's Spurlock Center, with burial with military honors at Greenlawn Cemetery.

FSU fans must be ready to hit road, spend money
Tallahassee is a long trip for supporters, and hotels and gas drive up the cost.

Steve Elling and Tania Deluzuriaga
Sentinel Staff Writers

TALLAHASSEE -- When it comes to supporting Florida State, there are two things fans need: a good set of tires with a thick tread or a comparably fat wallet. Better still, both.

Fans packed the house on Labor Day to watch Florida State's season opener against Miami. For most, the logistics involved in attending any FSU home game qualify as a true labor of love.
Unlike earlier stops for games at South Carolina and Florida, Florida State is both geographically isolated and prohibitively expensive onfootball weekends. On the final leg of this 10-day college football road trip, we weren't the only ones who drove 1,200 miles and spent thousands of dollars to attend the game. - College Football -

Gas prices are sky high, area hotels boost prices and the campus is located 160 miles from the nearest major city, Jacksonville. If you want to attend an FSUfootball game, you're going to pay the price. Emphasis on pay.

"Are you gonna be tough, or are you going to be tough?" said Dwight Howard, who drove 21/2 hours home to Niceville after the game, which ended around midnight.

Given the popularity of the program, tens of thousands of fans were making similar jaunts for every home game. Some have to get creative when it comes to financing such ventures.

Mark Clark, 27, from Athens, Ga., and his best friend, Jeremy Cathem, 30, from Loganville, Ga., make the six-hour trek to every FSU home game. Clark, a student at the University of Georgia scalps his student tickets at two or three times their face value to help pay for his trips to Florida State, while Cathem padded his student loan to help cover his expenses.

"It was only $3.99 for 18-packs of Miller Lite so I'll save some money that way," Clark said.

By land or by air, the FSU devotees are paying a steeper price than ever. Russ Plumb, a Miami fan who lives in the Dallas area, spent about $600 on hotel and airfare to watch the game along with a couple of buddies. - College Football -

"Plus beer," he said. "Put a big question mark on the cost for that."

Since the game was on Monday night, the three-day weekend still wasn't long enough for many fans, who had to ditch work today while traveling home.

And if a cursory glance around one of the Doak Campbell Stadium parking lots is any indication, they travel from far and wide.

License plates from six states were seen in a span of 30 minutes, including the North Carolina tags of former FSU tight end Ryan Sprague. A starter on the 1999 national championship team, Sprague drove 71/2 hours to the opener with two infant children in tow. - College Football -

Now 27, he appreciates what fans went through for all those years watching him play.

"I remember them talking about that when I was here," he said. "There are no major towns, no airports, only one interstate."

Seeing as the highway in question, Interstate 10, is closed in three neighboring states, getting to the game was an even bigger challenge for some. What should have been a seven-hour drive for Tom Berniard turned into a 14-hour grind, including a 11/2-hour wait for gas in his hometown of Lafayette, La. - College Football -

"We had a real guilty feeling with all that's going on in New Orleans," said Berniard, whose son Geoff is on the team. "But we figured family is more important."

Once fans finally arrived in Tallahassee, the price tag keeps on climbing. As they have for years, many hotels require a two-night stay duringfootball weekends, frequently doubling or tripling the usual nightly rate.

"That should come under the state's price-gouging law," Howard said.

Demand clearly exceeded supply over the weekend because numerous hurricane evacuees had relocated to the area last week. - College Football -

Copyright © 2005, Orlando Sentinel

Katrina College Football

IRVING, Texas The Tulane-Southern Mississippi football game scheduled for Sunday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has been moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving because of the problems caused by Hurricane Katrina.Both schools were scheduled to end their seasons November 19th. - College Football -
Now, their opener will become their finale on November 26th.Tulane's football and women's soccer teams fled New Orleans on Sunday, making a nine and a-half hour bus ride to Jackson, Mississippi. They've been practicing at Jackson State University, although the storm cut power to the campus Monday afternoon after battering Louisiana and heading east. - College Football -

Copyright 2005 Associated Press.