Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 9, 2008 12:54:50 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/columnists/blair_kerkhoff/story/436612.html
College football’s regular season was better than the bowls
By BLAIR KERKHOFF | The Kansas City Star
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
•Stanford’s Mark Bradford went up high for a touchdown grab that changed the season. The 41-point-underdog Cardinal upset mighty Southern California 24-23 and threw open the top ranking.
•A month earlier, Appalachian State’s Corey Lynch blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt and sealed the first victory by a Division I-AA program over a ranked Division I-A team, No. 5 Michigan.
•In a season filled with lasting memories, return to Nov. 24. Kansas City becomes the center of the college football universe when No. 2 Kansas meets No. 3 Missouri. More than 80,000 pack Arrowhead Stadium for a sight to behold. Based on ranking, this was the biggest game of the regular season and the most important game in one of college football’s oldest and most bitter rivalries.
THREE BEST GAMES
•Navy 46, Notre Dame 44, 3OT
Coming off a loss to Delaware, the Midshipmen didn’t figure to be up to the challenge of ending a 43-game losing streak to the Irish. But Navy stuffed Notre Dame’s two-point conversion after the third overtime touchdown and sent the academy into delirium.
•Kentucky 43, LSU 37, 3OT
Wildcats quarterback Andre Woodson staked his Heisman claim by leading Kentucky to one of the biggest victories in school history. This one had LSU fans scratching their heads over coach Les Miles, who needed a touchdown in the third overtime and called four straight running plays.
•Arkansas 50, LSU 48, 3OT
Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards as Arkansas pulled off the stunner at Death Valley that was thought to have derailed LSU’s national-title hopes. But the dominoes fell just right for the Tigers, who made the most of their second chance.
THREE BIGGEST SURPRISES
•Kansas. The Jayhawks were the surprise of the 21st century.
•Illinois. Forget the Rose Bowl pratfall. Remember the victory at Ohio State.
•Virginia. Many close victories followed opening-game loss at Wyoming.
THREE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
•Notre Dame. From BCS to oblivion.
•California. From a chance at No. 1 to a 6-6 regular season.
•Louisville. The Cardinals turned out to be Brian Brohm and little else.
TOP THREE PLAYERS
•Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The game’s dominant defensive force could be the overall No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Dorsey changes the way teams play offensively, and now he’s wearing a national championship ring.
•Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Being college football’s first 20/20 player — passing and rushing touchdowns — allowed Tebow to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. A national championship run is expected in 2008.
•Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri
Daniel took the Tigers to the next level with a strong arm and an array of talented receivers. Missouri loses All-American tight end Martin Rucker but returns All-American wide receiver and return specialist Jeremy Maclin.
THREE IN THE HOT SEAT, 2008
•Greg Robinson, Syracuse. Nice victory over Louisville. Not much else in a 7-28 career.
•Tim Brewster, Minnesota. After one season? Yes. Nobody expected 1-11 just one year after the Gophers went bowling.
•Mike Stoops, Arizona. Nice finish to this season; now must build to improve 17-29 career mark.
College football’s regular season was better than the bowls
By BLAIR KERKHOFF | The Kansas City Star
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
•Stanford’s Mark Bradford went up high for a touchdown grab that changed the season. The 41-point-underdog Cardinal upset mighty Southern California 24-23 and threw open the top ranking.
•A month earlier, Appalachian State’s Corey Lynch blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt and sealed the first victory by a Division I-AA program over a ranked Division I-A team, No. 5 Michigan.
•In a season filled with lasting memories, return to Nov. 24. Kansas City becomes the center of the college football universe when No. 2 Kansas meets No. 3 Missouri. More than 80,000 pack Arrowhead Stadium for a sight to behold. Based on ranking, this was the biggest game of the regular season and the most important game in one of college football’s oldest and most bitter rivalries.
THREE BEST GAMES
•Navy 46, Notre Dame 44, 3OT
Coming off a loss to Delaware, the Midshipmen didn’t figure to be up to the challenge of ending a 43-game losing streak to the Irish. But Navy stuffed Notre Dame’s two-point conversion after the third overtime touchdown and sent the academy into delirium.
•Kentucky 43, LSU 37, 3OT
Wildcats quarterback Andre Woodson staked his Heisman claim by leading Kentucky to one of the biggest victories in school history. This one had LSU fans scratching their heads over coach Les Miles, who needed a touchdown in the third overtime and called four straight running plays.
•Arkansas 50, LSU 48, 3OT
Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards as Arkansas pulled off the stunner at Death Valley that was thought to have derailed LSU’s national-title hopes. But the dominoes fell just right for the Tigers, who made the most of their second chance.
THREE BIGGEST SURPRISES
•Kansas. The Jayhawks were the surprise of the 21st century.
•Illinois. Forget the Rose Bowl pratfall. Remember the victory at Ohio State.
•Virginia. Many close victories followed opening-game loss at Wyoming.
THREE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
•Notre Dame. From BCS to oblivion.
•California. From a chance at No. 1 to a 6-6 regular season.
•Louisville. The Cardinals turned out to be Brian Brohm and little else.
TOP THREE PLAYERS
•Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The game’s dominant defensive force could be the overall No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Dorsey changes the way teams play offensively, and now he’s wearing a national championship ring.
•Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Being college football’s first 20/20 player — passing and rushing touchdowns — allowed Tebow to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. A national championship run is expected in 2008.
•Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri
Daniel took the Tigers to the next level with a strong arm and an array of talented receivers. Missouri loses All-American tight end Martin Rucker but returns All-American wide receiver and return specialist Jeremy Maclin.
THREE IN THE HOT SEAT, 2008
•Greg Robinson, Syracuse. Nice victory over Louisville. Not much else in a 7-28 career.
•Tim Brewster, Minnesota. After one season? Yes. Nobody expected 1-11 just one year after the Gophers went bowling.
•Mike Stoops, Arizona. Nice finish to this season; now must build to improve 17-29 career mark.