Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Nobody's perfect

Every top team has its weaknesses

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Tuesday August 17, 1999 08:26 AM

Virtually every preseason publication has the same top four teams -- Penn State, Florida State, Arizona and Tennessee. But after further review, I think each of these teams has legitimate weaknesses.

Penn State's schedule is tailor-made for a run at the championship: Ohio State and Michigan in Happy Valley and NO Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions boast the nation's best linebacking corps, they have a huge offensive line, quality running backs, and an experienced quarterback who has been a starter.

OK, so here is the potential problem. Last year Kevin Thompson completed only 53 percent of his passes and had more interceptions than touchdowns. Joe Paterno has said Thompson is his guy unless talented backup Rashard Casey comes on. No, JoePa, not now. This team needs the stability of one guy. Penn State should win the title no doubt, unless two guys end up playing quarterback.

Florida State is absolutely loaded, again. The Seminoles have 16 returning starters and the most potent offense in college football. Defensively, this unit gave up 11 points a game last year. That figure will be in single digits in '99. On paper there is no better team than Florida State. The problem is Florida State has been the best on paper the last 10 years and only has one national title to show for it.

Arizona is the West Coast flavor of the year, but I have a hard time justifying the Wildcats in the top four. Dick Tomey’s decision to play Penn State August 28th in the Pigskin Classic could backfire. Remember what happened to Arizona State last year? The Sun Devils lost to Washington in the season opener and never recovered emotionally. I promise you no matter how good this Arizona team is, it will not go to Happy Valley and beat JoePa. In the end, Tomey’s ability to refocus the cats after a certain loss will be his toughest job.

And then there is defending national champion Tennessee. Jamal Lewis is back, but you can only be a team of destiny once. I think last year was it for Tennessee. Then there is the hunger factor. After winning one title are the Vols willing to pay the price for the second? Plus, Tennessee visits one of my top four teams this year, Florida, and the Volunteers haven't won at The Swamp since 1971.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.