With only a few weeks to go before the first game of the season, college football producer J. Darin Darst invited senior writer Dennis Dodd and writer/producer Tony Mejia into a chat room to discuss some of the biggest topics heading into the 2004 college football season.
Here is the transcript of their conversation:
J. Darin Darst: Welcome guys ... OK, right off the bat ... who are you picking to play in the Orange Bowl for the national title?
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| Texas' season once again hinges on the coaching decisions of Mack Brown.(Getty Images) |
Darst: I'll say Oklahoma vs. Southern Cal. The Trojans are very strong and nobody on their schedule scares me. Oklahoma is the safe pick -- almost the entire offense returns.
Dodd: Sooners honks are saying this is at least the most talent Bob Stoops has had. Someone will get USC in that league. Can't see them going undefeated.
Tony Mejia:: My choice is the team with the easiest road, Southern California, playing perennial underachiever Texas. Which probably sets up our first debate as I open myself up to abuse for taking the Red River Shutouts.
Dodd: Wow. You've definitely got a set, my friend. Texas has lost four in row to Oklahoma, two of them giving up 60-plus.
Darst: Texas has talent, but we've seen how far their talent has taken them before. Chalk up another 10-2 season for Mack Brown.
Dodd: Look for the usual quarterback controversy at Texas. Chance Mock will be in for Vince Young as soon as things go bad against Arkansas. Then, it's on -- again.
Darst: Every year I see Texas as a potential national title team, and every year I see them disappoint me.
Dodd: New defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is on the hot seat before the season even starts. He will make a Butkus Award winner out of Derrick Johnson, but I'm not sure he can hold Oklahoma under 50.
Mejia: Robinson is calling for more aggressive sets, and they do have exceptional talent to work with, especially with the best middle linebacker in football.
Dodd: A linebacker who will be blitzing more, something Texas was afraid to do under Carl Reese.
Mejia:: The key will be Vince Young, who wasn't quite ready to be last year's X-factor. Dennis, do you think Mack Brown's inability to make a decision over the past few QB controversies has served to derail his teams? Wouldn't he be better served just picking Young and letting the chips fall where they do. Mock is the senior, but he can't beat Oklahoma ... Young can. At least potentially.
Dodd: That's an easy yes. Mock was dropping hints that he was transferring last year. So Brown throws him into the Holiday Bowl knowing there is every chance those might be his last snaps for the team. He tries to keep everyone happy. That's impossible.
Darst: We will all wait and see -- until then, circle Oct. 9 on your calendar.
Darst: Any team out there that you think will be the "surprise" team?
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| Geoff McArthur and California might challenge USC for the Pac-10 title.(Getty Images) |
Mejia:: Love Cal. I agree Tedford is the key. He seems to have the right idea as to how to run a program and his ability to communicate with his QBs is as good as there is in college football today. I like Minnesota a lot. They avoid Ohio State and could be a huge factor in the Big Ten race if they can sneak out of Michigan or Wisconsin with a win. The offensive line returns nearly intact, and their RBs are the best in the conference. If they find a way to stop teams, look out.
Darst: Don't laugh, but I see Louisville as a top 10 team. If they can improve their defense a little bit, this team will easily go 10-1. The only tough game on their schedule is at Miami. I really like Stefan LeFors and J.R. Russell.
Dodd: As long as Glen Mason is there, Minnesota will always be a Top 25 team. Louisville should be the favorite in C-USA and very well could finish in the top 10. Good pick.
Darst: Speaking of C-USA for a second. This conference has really improved. TCU, Memphis, Louisville, Southern Miss are all solid teams.
Dodd: Too bad, too. C-USA reaches its zenith in its last year in its current form. South Florida, Cincy and Louisville leave next year for the Big East. C-USA is the best non-BCS league this year, but take a good look, it's going away soon.
Darst: Which team is most likely to earn the "overrated, over-hyped" tag this year? Just like Auburn did last season.
Mejia:: I think the urgency that saved Tommy Bowden's job at Clemson won't be there, and the Tigers will fall on their faces against the revamped ACC. I've seen some mention Clemson as a potential top 10 team, but I just don't see it. A grueling three-game road stretch that sees them go to Texas A&M, FSU and Virginia will have them talking buyout clauses by early October.
Darst: I see the Florida Gators having another down season. The Gators are ranked 10th in the coaches poll. This coming from a team that lost five games each of the past two seasons. The secondary is going to have four new starters and the schedule is brutal -- at Tennessee, at Florida State, Georgia and LSU. This could be it for Ron Zook.
Dodd: Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Utah.
Darst: You both have two picks I also agree with: Clemson and Missouri. Lots of publications are picking Missouri to win the Big 12 North, but it isn't going to happen.
Dodd: The last time Missouri won nine games was 1969. That's what it will take to win the Big 12 North. ... Iowa loses its quarterback (again), its best rusher and best lineman. ... Wisconsin has Anthony Davis and an offensive line, not much else, and Urban Meyer is Notre Dame's next coach but it will be hard to win 10 games again at Utah.
Dodd: I really like Florida. Clearly the second-best team in the East and if it beats Florida State again, who knows. I think Leak has a breakout season.
Darst: Chris Leak is definitely a superstar and the best QB in Florida, but still, Zook hasn't proved anything in the SEC.
Mejia:: So, is this it for Ty Willingham?
Dodd: Trust me, even Willingham doesn't think he'll last until next season. Not much talent. His personality is grating. Offense still hasn't made the shift to West Coast offense. It will be another long season for the Irish.
Darst: Speaking of coaches ... which new coach is going to have the most success in his first season?
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| Former Alabama coach Mike Price takes over at UTEP.(Getty Images) |
Darst: If Croom can bring Mississippi State back to a bowl, the SEC just got a whole lot tougher.
Dodd: His discipline is working wonders. I look at that schedule and can pick out six wins -- Tulane, Maine, Vandy, UAB, Kentucky and Arkansas or Mississippi.
Mejia:: I think both of those rebuilding jobs have way too much work to be completed before either of those schools even thinks bowl. My choice, for the question posed, is Nebraska's Bill Callahan. He'll get the Huskers to a bowl and I'm not sure any of the other 13 guys will. I do see your point though. Mississippi State, Arizona, UTEP, UCF and Army have put their programs in the hands of the right men, so it's only a matter of time.
Dodd: I like Nebraska to go 7-4 and be one of the most fun teams to watch this year. Callahan is changing a culture, not just an offense. Children of the Corn are eating it up.
Mejia:: I wonder what it's been like to be a prep drop-back passer in that state for the past few decades ...
Dodd: That's the point. There haven't been any prep drop-back passers in Nebraska in the past few decades.
Mejia:: Exactly.
Dodd: They all became defensive backs or insurance salesmen.
Darst: We got new coaches, but what about new conferences? Is the ACC now the powerhouse of college football? Or is it the SEC or Big 12?
Dodd: Speaking of overrated ... The ACC has to play some games first. What a novel concept.
Dodd: I think there is the possibility that Miami and Florida State could cancel each other out. Virginia Tech is in decline. Clemson isn't quite ready. Don't forget that the ACC is the only BCS league never to have two teams in the BCS.
Darst: I still say the SEC is the best conference, but the ACC is closing ground in a hurry. We all know Miami and FSU are great, but teams like Maryland, Clemson, Virginia are being ranked in the Top 25 and then you still have Va. Tech, N.C. State, Georgia Tech and then Boston College next year.
Mejia:: I think it's going to change from year to year, but as for this year, I'm sticking with the tried and true SEC. Georgia, LSU and Auburn can all contend for a national title, and you've got your quality second-tier group in Tennessee
Darst: I agree, Mejia ... LSU and Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, etc. all make the SEC the powerhouse that it is.
Mejia:: Florida, Arkansas ... not to mention, the passion is always there. I don't think ACC and think passionate about football. Maybe in a decade, but not now.
Darst: The SEC also doesn't have any North Carolinas or Dukes.
Dodd: SEC and Big 12, again.
Darst: Do you guys have an early pick for the Heisman Trophy?
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| Quarterback Matt Leinart is the favorite to claim the Heisman Trophy.(Getty Images) |
Darst: I really like Kansas State's Darren Sproles, but I don't think he is going to have a better year than he did last season, do I have to go with Leinart. It's hard to pick against the QB who is going to throw 40 TDs for the No. 1-ranked team.
Darst: No way Jason White wins the Heisman Trophy. With all his injuries, he might not make it through the season.
Dodd: White could throw for 5,000 yards this year and not even be invited to New York. Fool me once, shame on you ...
Mejia:: In my book, he shouldn't have won it last year. I agree, Leinart has to be considered the favorite, with Sproles, Wisconsin's Anthony Davis and a few of the other big-number guys getting play.
Dodd: If you must have a dark horse, Georgia's David Pollack. If he gets 20 sacks and Georgia is ranked No. 1 ...
Darst: True ... Cedric Benson might surprise, especially if he finally lifts Texas past Oklahoma.
Dodd: Ahhhh, Benson is an average back. Nothing special.
Darst: Average backs who put up 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns get invited to New York.
Mejia:: Vince Young is my dark horse, for reasons mentioned above. And yes, provided fickle Mack lets him play.
Dodd: He'll have to learn how to read defenses and complete 60 percent of his passes and quit relying on his athleticism to get him out of trouble.
Mejia:: That's right, but imagine the possibilities if he puts in the work. Maturity is a wonderful thing.
Dodd: I'll take 2,000 passing and 1,000 rushing over maturity any day. Look, this kid is great. I think Mack can't make a decision on the position.
Darst: Speaking of Texas and Oklahoma, besides their meeting on Oct. 9 -- what are some other games you are looking forward too -- and you all better say LSU at Georgia on Oct. 2.
Mejia:: Right off the bat, Miami/Florida State is a gem, especially as a conference game. Given the uncertainty surrounding both QBs, it could be a barometer for how both seasons go.
Dodd: I wrote down some in anticipation of this question so you're going to have to live with my list:
- FSU at Miami, Sept. 6: This game has been on TV more often than Last Comic Standing.
- Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 18: Leak Bros. meet.
- Oklahoma at Kansas State, Oct. 16: There's already a backup on Kansas 177 in anticipation.
- LSU at Georgia, Oct. 2: Georgia rolled up almost 500 yards in the first meeting last year and lost.
- Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 20: Any questions?
- Southern Miss at Nebraska, Sept. 11: The Midwest Coast offense gets its first test against a name opponent.
- Michigan at Notre Dame, Sept. 11: Ty on the hot seat.
- Texas at Arkansas, Sept. 11: Texas will be favored by at least a touchdown, and then struggle.
- Cal at USC, Oct. 9: Are the Bears' in USC's kitchen?
Mejia:: My other game, and this one is early too ... defending co-champ LSU spoils your Georgia showdown by falling at Jordan-Hare on Sept. 18. Bank on that.
Darst: Mejia already picking an upset -- Auburn downing LSU. I love it.
Darst: One last question, the first game of the year is only a few weeks away. What's your prediction for Southern Cal vs. Virginia Tech?
Darst: I think the Hokies are going to really struggle this season -- Southern Cal 38, Va. Tech 17.
Dodd: USC 28-13. Va. Tech will struggle on offense this season.
Mejia:: I agree, USC flexes its muscle early against a Va. Tech team that's going in ranked mostly on reputation. Too many question marks to go up against that good a team that early.
Darst: Well, I think we all agreed on this -- Southern California is the favorite to win the national title, and as usual, Texas might have the most talent, but the season all hinges on the coaching of Mack Brown. Thanks, guys. Enjoy the season.
