COLLEGE FOOTBALL ’90 : COMMENTARY : Questions of Perspective : Twenty Ways to Look at the Upcoming Season

And now, 20 things you ought to know before venturing into the 1990 college football season:

1: Your program is a shambles. Your team hasn’t been on television since Kukla, Fran and Ollie. It hasn’t made a bowl appearance since teams traveled by train. As athletic director, you need to hire a new coach who can recruit, win quickly, stay off probation, charm the media, satisfy the alums and fill the stadium. Money is no object.

Where will you find such a man?

May we suggest Tallahassee, Fla., current residence of the finest college coach in America, Bobby Bowden.

Before he arrived at Florida State in 1976, the Seminoles had won four games in three years. Since then, Bowden-led FSU teams are 122-40-3, including a 9-3-1 bowl record and not a postseason loss since 1982. An accident, it isn’t.

There is no better recruiter than Bowden. He is as disarming as a puppy, as convincing as George Will. Parents love him. Players respect him. His pen is always busy on national signing day.

Bowden’s Seminoles almost always score lots of points, confound opponents with the obligatory set of FSU trick plays and feature just enough defense to challenge annually for a national title. Three top-three finishes in as many years prove that much. And did we mention that only Penn State’s Joe Paterno has more victories among active college coaches?

In short, Bowden, 60, is the best coaching package in the business. No wonder FSU signed him to a lifetime deal during the off-season.

2: I admire/despise Notre Dame football. How many times will the beloved/hated Irish enter my living room through the magic of television? I wish to cheer/jeer them.

Notre Dame will get more air time this fall than Tom Brokaw, the sign-off tone and Mr. Belvedere combined. The Irish play eleven regular-season games, all of which will find their way onto the tube. Five will be network shots, there will be two ESPN appearances and four visits to SportsChannel America, a pay-cable network.

A bowl game, of course, means another shot at prime time, to say nothing of the recruiting benefits and weekly paydays from TV’s cash register.

Is it beginning to make sense that Notre Dame, sort of the Tom Cruise of college football, decided to ditch the CFA for its own television deal? The Irish will have all of their games televised by NBC next season.

3: What might Cal State Long Beach fans expect from George Allen in his first year as coach?

That it might be his last.

The 49ers begin what is sure to be a long, but memorable season by visiting the aptly named Death Valley at Clemson. The powerful Tigers could score a point for every candle on Allen’s most recent birthday cake, which means a 72-0 walloping. Whatever the exact outcome, it will be a pitiful sight.

This is a Long Beach team that couldn’t play a spring game because it lacked enough healthy bodies. Ten starters are gone from a 49er squad that finished 4-8 last year, that allowed 33.9 points and 451 yards a game. The Under-the-Hill Gang doesn’t have a chance.

4: What teams will burst upon the scene in 1990, making a mockery of those know-it-all preseason polls?

OK, perhaps we over-reached on our 1989 choice of Prairie State as national champion. This year we stick with more familiar names.

Three teams and one longshot to remember when participating in the weekly office football pool (and remember, for entertainment only):

Georgia--A rookie coach last season, young Ray Goff never looked entirely comfortable as the successor to legendary Vince Dooley. The Bulldogs finished 6-6, losing to Syracuse in the Peach Bowl. But Goff recruited nine of the top 100 prep players in the country, several of whom could provide immediate help.

Goff’s staff is excellent and his depth chart features 16 returning starters, among them all but one of the offensive linemen. The Bulldogs have the best pair of linebackers in the Southeastern Conference--Norman Cowins and Morris Lewis--and a tough enough schedule (at Auburn, at LSU, at Clemson) to earn them notice should they produce some upsets.

Houston--Under normal circumstances, you would dismiss the chances of a team that lost Coach Jack Pardee and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Andre Ware to the NFL. But left behind was John Jenkins, the former assistant and mastermind of Houston’s run-and-shoot offense, and running back Chuck Weatherspoon, an All-American waiting to happen.

Add to that the emergence of David Klinger as Ware’s replacement. Klinger completed 43 of 62 passes for nine touchdowns and more than 700 yards in Houston’s first spring scrimmage. And wide receiver Manny Hazard, the best receiver in the Southwest Conference, is back. If the Cougars can find some defensive help, this could be the surprise team of the year.

Louisville--Remember Howard Schnellenberger? Led Miami to a national championship and then disappeared off the face of the earth? Yes, well, he’s in Louisville, where the Cardinals are trying for their third consecutive winning season and a bowl invitation.

For a pleasant change, the Cardinals play six games at home, as opposed to the four they played at Louisville last year. And it wouldn’t hurt if Schnellenberger could devise a way to beat heralded West Virginia or Pitt on the road, too. At his disposal are 27 seniors, 13 of them starters.

Our longshot: Missouri. Sure the Tigers went 2-9 last year, but they are loaded on offense.

5: Who will win the Heisman Trophy in 1990?

Who will win it and who should win are two different things.

Raghib (the Rocket) Ismail, Notre Dame’s all-purpose flanker, will sneak away with the statuette not because he’s necessarily the best player in the country (though, he’s close), but because of circumstances beyond his control.

For one thing, Ismail, as the centerpiece of the Notre Dame offense, will get plenty of chances to show off for the cameras--and Heisman voters.

Other Ismail advantages: A quarterback who can throw. Rick Mirer replaces Tony Rice, who could run the option, but couldn’t hit the side of the Convocation Center with a pass. Also, Ismail returns kicks better than anyone in college football. Hey, it worked for Irish alum Tim Brown, who left Notre Dame with his very own Heisman in 1987. His position? Flanker and kick returner.

Now then, on to our personal choice, Ty Detmer of Brigham Young.

BYU Coach LaVell Edwards says Detmer is the best quarterback in the country. We believe him after watching last year’s Holiday Bowl game against Penn State. Edwards also says Detmer, a junior, is more advanced in his development than any other BYU quarterback was at a similar stage, including Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco, Steve Young, Marc Wilson and Gifford Nielsen.

If Detmer can somehow lead BYU past Miami at Provo on Sept. 8, he has a chance to overcome Ismail and the Notre Dame mystique.

6: Who is the biggest fan of Texas A&M; football this year?

That’s easy: Jim Brock, executive vice president of the Cotton Bowl. Brock is no A&M; alum, but he’d like nothing better than to watch the Aggies sweep through their schedule untouched, win the SWC title and accept the automatic bid to spend New Year’s Day in Dallas.

The Cotton Bowl needs a helping hand. It hasn’t had a national championship game since 1982 and its agreement to extend automatic invitations to the SWC champ has been a disappointment. Assistance is on the way.

A&M; has the best running game in the country with fullback Robert Wilson and halfback Darren Lewis, and the Aggies are strong at linebacker and the offensive line. In short, this team could set the standard for a SWC resurgence in the national polls.

Of course, that’s if they decide to remain in the conference. Arkansas already has defected to the SEC, effective next June, with rumors of more moves to come.

Brock, last seen in the Aggie bookstore buying pompons, certainly hopes A&M; stays put.

7: Who will be the No. 1 NFL draft choice next spring?

If Ty Detmer decides to forgo his senior year at BYU (fat chance), then the smooth quarterback would be the logical choice. He oversees a pass-happy pro-set offense and no NFL team wins without a great quarterback. So there.

If Detmer stays put, then Notre Dame cornerback Todd Lyght is the favorite. Gifted coverage men are tougher to find than George Steinbrenner supporters.

Our longshot: Chuck Webb, Tennessee running back.

8: Is USC quarterback Todd Marinovich as good as advertised?

Some confessions are in order. We thought UCLA’s Bret Johnson, not Marinovich, would be the better college quarterback. Thus far, it is a hunch gone awry.

Marinovich became better with each start last season. He still has a tendency to look mechanical at times, but there is no doubting his feel for the game and his knack for making timely plays. By year’s end, Marinovich had completed 2,400 yards’ worth of passes, thrown for 16 touchdowns and earned All-Pac-10 honors as a freshman. He may improve on those numbers if a retooled Trojan offensive line can protect him.

And now a question of our own: Do you accept apologies, Todd?

9: Will Michigan football survive without Bo Schembechler as its coach?

Are you kidding? With Bo gone, the Wolverines’ chances of winning a bowl game and thus, a national championship, improve tenfold. Schembechler could do many things, but winning postseason games wasn’t one of them.

In Bo’s place is Gary Moeller, who spent 18 years as a Michigan assistant. So he knows how to hurl a headset at the turf, OK?

If Michigan can survive its first two games--at Notre Dame, UCLA at Ann Arbor--then the Wolverines may do what the basketball team did in 1989: win a national title with a rookie coach.

10: Which 10 coaches need a winning season to save them from the dreaded vote of confidence?

Three for sure: David McWilliams, Texas; Mike Archer, LSU; Fred Akers, Purdue.

McWilliams is 16-18 at Texas and has the distinction of having led the Longhorns to consecutive losing seasons for the first time in more than 50 years. McWilliams has watched some of the best talent in the state head for other schools, a development that hasn’t exactly endured him to Longhorn faithful. Unless there is a turnaround, McWilliams will earn a pink slip.

Poor Archer. He went 10-1-1 his first year, then 8-4, then 4-7. Now LSU fans, about as impatient a bunch as there is in the country, want Archer out. They may get their wish since LSU has only three starters returning on offense and five on defense. Never mind that four of last year’s losses were by six points or fewer.

Akers has 10 victories to show for his three years as Boilermaker coach. A .500 season is a must if he wants to be around for a fifth year. With Washington, Notre Dame, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State on the schedule, it doesn’t look good for Akers.

The seven other coaches aren’t in such dire straits, though a winning season would help each. A lot.

The seven: Jack Bicknell, Boston College; John Cooper, Ohio State; Ray Goff, Georgia; Chuck Shelton, Utah State; Lou Holtz, Notre Dame; Terry Donahue, UCLA and Jim Wacker, TCU.

11: Who plays the toughest schedule this year?

The same team that plays the toughest schedule just about every year, Notre Dame.

Holtz whines more than any other coach in the land, but on this point he is absolutely correct: the Irish take on anyone, anywhere. In 1990, Notre Dame will play seven teams that probably will finish in the top 25: Miami, Michigan, USC, Tennessee, Penn State, Pitt and Michigan State.

12: What game will determine who finishes the regular season ranked No. 1?

We absolutely, positively guarantee that we’re pretty sure the winner of the Florida State-Auburn game Oct. 20 will be atop the polls at regular season’s end.

13: Whatever happened to Oklahoma?

So quiet is Norman these days, that not a single Uzi shot has been heard from Bud Wilkinson Hall, home of the OU team. Turns out that the mild-mannered Sooners are taking the low-key approach as they serve out their NCAA probation. Television appearances are now allowed, but bowl games are a no-no until next season, when the sanctions officially end.

Gary Gibbs, whose name no one seems to remember, signed five junior college players, which means he’s going for immediate help. The Sooners may need it. The defense is formidable and the offense is dangerous, but Oklahoma still lacks the across-the-board talent that Nebraska and Colorado feature.

14: Who has the best nickname among this year’s players?

Raghib (the Rocket) Ismail is catchy, but our personal favorite is Tuxedo Tony Sands of Kansas who, as the nickname suggests, wears a tux to each game. Rented or purchased, we don’t know.

Sands is only slightly taller than the Jayhawks’ record last season, 5-6, as opposed to KU’s 4-7 mark. Still he gained 1,109 yards, fourth best in the run-happy Big Eight. Recruited by Miami, Sands chose Kansas, where he figured he would get more playing time. Too bad--the Hurricanes would have loved his act.

15: If Texas ends up firing McWilliams, who should they hire as his replacement?

Fresno State’s Jim Sweeney. Case closed. Sweeney has built a mini-dynasty during his 12-year stay at Fresno (97-39-1). Just think what he could do with a big-time program.

16: What teams will play in the major bowls?

Orange Bowl: Colorado vs. Miami.

Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M; vs. Florida State.

Fiesta Bowl: Tennessee vs. Nebraska.

Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. UCLA.

Florida Citrus Bowl: Clemson vs. Alabama.

Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. Notre Dame.

17: What Pac-10 team is most likely to make life miserable for UCLA or USC?

We like Washington’s chances, mostly because of its aggressive defense and Don James’ ability to milk the most out of a young quarterback. The Huskies also have a good enough offensive line to help ease the transition.

18: Could Notre Dame beat the Raiders?

Put it this way: We’d take Todd Lyght over anyone in the Raider secondary. Michael Stonebreaker would probably find a place in the Raider starting lineup as an inside linebacker. Nose tackle Chris Zorich is the meanest man in college football, so he would fit right in with Al Davis’ bunch. Defensive tackle George Williams would also find a spot on the Raider line.

As for the offense, who would you rather have running pass routes, Ismail or the Raiders’ Mervyn Fernandez?

Tight end Derek Brown probably will be a top-10, maybe top-five, pick if he makes himself eligible for next year’s NFL draft. Running back Dorsey Levens is no Bo Jackson, but at least he’d be available for the entire season. Guard Tim Ryan would fit in nicely as a Raider people mover. As for the rest of the Irish offensive line, it’s massive.

We’ll take Notre Dame and the points.

19: What preseason top 20 team will finish the year as a flop?

Alabama.

The Crimson Tide lost linebacker Keith McCants, as well as five other defensive starters. And although the offense is in better shape--10 starters return, including All-SEC performers Gary Hollingsworth and Siran Stacy--it will have to make do without mastermind coordinator Homer Smith, who returned to UCLA. Also gone is Coach Bill Curry, who made the mistake of not being Bear Bryant. New man Gene Stallings will find expectations equally disturbing.

Alabama’s schedule is difficult, too, what with games against Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Penn State and a desperate LSU team. A 6-5 season is our guess.

20: Who will win the national championship?

Notre Dame . . . will lose to Auburn in the Sugar Bowl, 13-10, in a battle of the undefeated. Afterward, Holtz, tired of the constant second-guessing that goes on at South Bend, will announce his resignation. A month later, he will be named coach of the Chicago Bears, replacing Mike Ditka.