2008 Woodie Awards
Surprise Contenders Seek to Crash BCS
Matt Matsumura
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Sports
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The 2007-2008 college football season has finally arrived in full swing. The season officially started about a month ago, but cupcakes aside, Division 1-A heavyweights have played few meaningful games. Not counting the Michigan, Louisville and Wisconsin debacles, Sun Belt and 1-AA opponents usually don't play on an even field with BCS contenders. The end of September means the beginning of the conference schedule, and therefore competitive play.
After early-season slaughters of traditional powerhouses turned sacrificial lambs known as Miami, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Tennessee (twice), every college football fan in the country knows about the six biggest contenders for the BCS Championship. LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia and California have emerged as the clear favorites to challenge for a spot in the big game. None of the six register as much of a surprise, as talent and tradition would indicate. But just behind the top six, and eternally talented Texas and Ohio State, lie several upstart programs and big questions. The darling of the group is Rutgers, whose football program experienced a shocking revival under Super-Coach Greg Schiano last year. Not to disappoint, the Scarlet Knights return with Heisman hopeful RB Ray Rice and a much-improved QB Mike Teel to make a very competitive bid for the Big East's BCS slot this season. Here's a closer look at Rutgers and the other surprise contenders:
No. 10 Rutgers (4-0)
QB Mike Teel leads the country in passing efficiency. Not Louisville's Brian Brohm, Hawaii's Colt Brennan or Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, but the oft-maligned backfield-mate of RB Ray Rice. Sure, Rutgers hasn't played college football's best (Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State), but the Scarlet Knights came into the season with an improved passing attack that features Teel and WR Tiquan Underwood. Underwood has already tallied 500 receiving yards. Rice is picking up where he left off from last year, with 431 yards and eight touchdowns thus far. Like last year, the Knights are playing solid defense. Team New Jersey won't face a serious challenge until they play the Bulls from South Florida on October 18th. The Big East title will be on the line the week after when Rutgers hosts West Virginia. With the exception of a dangerous game at Louisville's Papa John's Stadium, the Knights play their biggest foes at home. Rutgers has the talent and schedule to complete the miracle.
After early-season slaughters of traditional powerhouses turned sacrificial lambs known as Miami, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Tennessee (twice), every college football fan in the country knows about the six biggest contenders for the BCS Championship. LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia and California have emerged as the clear favorites to challenge for a spot in the big game. None of the six register as much of a surprise, as talent and tradition would indicate. But just behind the top six, and eternally talented Texas and Ohio State, lie several upstart programs and big questions. The darling of the group is Rutgers, whose football program experienced a shocking revival under Super-Coach Greg Schiano last year. Not to disappoint, the Scarlet Knights return with Heisman hopeful RB Ray Rice and a much-improved QB Mike Teel to make a very competitive bid for the Big East's BCS slot this season. Here's a closer look at Rutgers and the other surprise contenders:
No. 10 Rutgers (4-0)
QB Mike Teel leads the country in passing efficiency. Not Louisville's Brian Brohm, Hawaii's Colt Brennan or Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, but the oft-maligned backfield-mate of RB Ray Rice. Sure, Rutgers hasn't played college football's best (Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State), but the Scarlet Knights came into the season with an improved passing attack that features Teel and WR Tiquan Underwood. Underwood has already tallied 500 receiving yards. Rice is picking up where he left off from last year, with 431 yards and eight touchdowns thus far. Like last year, the Knights are playing solid defense. Team New Jersey won't face a serious challenge until they play the Bulls from South Florida on October 18th. The Big East title will be on the line the week after when Rutgers hosts West Virginia. With the exception of a dangerous game at Louisville's Papa John's Stadium, the Knights play their biggest foes at home. Rutgers has the talent and schedule to complete the miracle.
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