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A quarterback, please! You have to wonder about the Ol' Ball Coach. South Carolina's Steve Spurrier has had to largely rely on his defense during his three seasons at South Carolina.
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He comes into 2008 toting a career-long five-game losing streak and more uncertainty at quarterback. The battle boils down to police favorite Garcia and Chris Smelley, a part-time starter last season.
On the positive note, Spurrier did team with Sterling Sharpe to win the Chick-Fil-A Alma Mater golf tournament. At least the OBC's swing hasn't gone away.
Coach-in-waiting: Sounds a little medieval doesn't it? Until 2007 you never heard that term in college football. Now you can't smash a clipboard without hitting some betrothed coach or another.
• Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will take over for Bobby Bowden at some future date.
• Joker Phillips will be the guy at Kentucky when Rich Brooks steps down.
• Former Eastern Kentucky head coach Danny Hope will assume the job at Purdue when Joe Tiller retires after next season. Hope joined Purdue as associate head coach for 2008.
Heisman candidates: These guys did nothing to hurt themselves in the spring:
1. Tim Tebow, Florida: Playing with the flu, the defending Heisman winner threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game.
2. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: Older and wiser after an amazing redshirt freshman season. Comfortable in the new no-huddle.
3. Chase Daniel, Missouri: Might have even more weapons this season. Wisely played only half of the spring game.
4. Pat White, West Virginia: The key to the Mountaineers' and Bill Stewart's kickoff season.
5. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia: Along with Caleb King, Knowshon forms a deadly backfield combination.
Don't need no stinkin' contract
We'll see how recruits react to Joe Paterno coaching without a contract after his current deal expires following this season.
The prospects don't look good.
• The 81-year-old coach made his first in-home recruiting visit earlier this year. Despite descending Mt. Nittany to recruit Terrelle Pryor, he did not land the super recruit. JoePa's 2008 class was ranked 43rd (by Rivals).
• Six players were suspended during the spring. That total included Chris Bell who was kicked off the team after pulling a knife on a teammate in the dining hall. (Quick, someone nominate this guy for the Perrilloux)
• Linebacker Sean Lee is out for the season after shredding his knee.
For the love of God, noooo ...: Yes, they're at it again, those pesky Buckeyes. Losers of two consecutive BCS title games, dominators of Michigan and the Big Ten. With 18 returning starters and a soft Big Ten ahead, how do you pick against them returning to a third consecutive BCS title game?
This year's Boise State or Hawaii is ...: It's hard to pick against BYU. Ten of 11 starters return on offense. Coach Bronco Mendenhall isn't shy, calling 2008 "The Quest for Perfection." For those of you too young to remember, BYU used to be a Top 25 team. This year, it might be an Orange Bowl team.
