2008 Woodie Awards
Surprise Contenders Seek to Crash BCS
Matt Matsumura
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Sports
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Projected Finish: 12-0, Big East Champion
No. 11 Oregon (4-0)
QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart have lit the West Coast on fire. Dixon is completing 68 percent of his passes for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns. The dual-threat also has 291 yards rushing with four touchdowns. His option partner Stewart has 503 yards and four touchdowns on just 65 carries. Not surprisingly, the Ducks are averaging over 48 points per contest and have topped 50 in their past two. There is no question that the uniform-challenged fowl can put up points, but can they stop anyone? Oregon's defense allowed 31 points to Jim Harbaugh's slinging Stanford Cardinals in the first half. If Michigan's defense were faster than airport security, RB Mike Hart would have tallied at least 200 yards to keep the game competitive against the Oregon sieve. Oregon will outscore most of their opponents, but not everyone in the talented Pac-10.
Projected Finish: 11-1, Co-Pac-10 Champions
No. 12 Boston College (4-0)
Former Head Coach Tom O'Brien left Chestnut Hill on bad terms, basically telling the country that he did all he could for the Eagles and that greener pastures lay ahead of him at North Carolina State. Well, here we are and BC is 4-0 including a resounding win over O'Brien's 1-3 Wolfpack. New offensive coordinator Steve Logan opened up the Eagle attack that features possible first-rounder QB Matt Ryan. The 6'5" 220 pound senior commands a downfield attack with a cannon arm. Boston College recorded their first impressive victory when they dispatched Georgia Tech in Atlanta 24-10, shutting down All-American candidate RB Tashard Choice. Three more conference wins may be enough to land them in the ACC Championship game.
Projected Finish: 10-2
No. 14 Kentucky (4-0)
Andre' Woodson is a steady quarterback who rarely ever throws interceptions. Fortunately, Woodson's streak of avoidance has taken a back seat to the impressive start of the Wildcats. Kentucky started the bluegrass party with a classic win over in-state rival Louisville in Lexington and followed with an even more impressive thrashing of the Darren McFaddens in Fayetteville. The Wildcats can do more than just sling it with the blue-chipper Woodson, as RB Rafael Little has established a formidable ground attack. Kentucky is worlds better under the tutelage of Rich Brooks, but this is still the SEC. Fortunately, Kentucky gets both LSU and Florida at home, but they are still LSU and Florida.
Projected Finish: 9-3
No. 11 Oregon (4-0)
QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart have lit the West Coast on fire. Dixon is completing 68 percent of his passes for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns. The dual-threat also has 291 yards rushing with four touchdowns. His option partner Stewart has 503 yards and four touchdowns on just 65 carries. Not surprisingly, the Ducks are averaging over 48 points per contest and have topped 50 in their past two. There is no question that the uniform-challenged fowl can put up points, but can they stop anyone? Oregon's defense allowed 31 points to Jim Harbaugh's slinging Stanford Cardinals in the first half. If Michigan's defense were faster than airport security, RB Mike Hart would have tallied at least 200 yards to keep the game competitive against the Oregon sieve. Oregon will outscore most of their opponents, but not everyone in the talented Pac-10.
Projected Finish: 11-1, Co-Pac-10 Champions
No. 12 Boston College (4-0)
Former Head Coach Tom O'Brien left Chestnut Hill on bad terms, basically telling the country that he did all he could for the Eagles and that greener pastures lay ahead of him at North Carolina State. Well, here we are and BC is 4-0 including a resounding win over O'Brien's 1-3 Wolfpack. New offensive coordinator Steve Logan opened up the Eagle attack that features possible first-rounder QB Matt Ryan. The 6'5" 220 pound senior commands a downfield attack with a cannon arm. Boston College recorded their first impressive victory when they dispatched Georgia Tech in Atlanta 24-10, shutting down All-American candidate RB Tashard Choice. Three more conference wins may be enough to land them in the ACC Championship game.
Projected Finish: 10-2
No. 14 Kentucky (4-0)
Andre' Woodson is a steady quarterback who rarely ever throws interceptions. Fortunately, Woodson's streak of avoidance has taken a back seat to the impressive start of the Wildcats. Kentucky started the bluegrass party with a classic win over in-state rival Louisville in Lexington and followed with an even more impressive thrashing of the Darren McFaddens in Fayetteville. The Wildcats can do more than just sling it with the blue-chipper Woodson, as RB Rafael Little has established a formidable ground attack. Kentucky is worlds better under the tutelage of Rich Brooks, but this is still the SEC. Fortunately, Kentucky gets both LSU and Florida at home, but they are still LSU and Florida.
Projected Finish: 9-3
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