A little Heisman talk to lead this week's mailbag:
From Jeff in Atlanta: All we hear about are quarterbacks. Is there any way Knowshon Moreno can win the Heisman this year?
Feldman:
Moreno has a decent shot, I think. There are two key factors that need to happen for him to become a favorite: He needs to have a big game (again) against Florida, and he also needs Colt McCoy to backslide. McCoy is putting up unthinkable numbers this season and has been so impressive that I don't think UT has to go undefeated for him to win the trophy. However, if McCoy isn't sharp against Texas Tech, that could be the window Moreno and a few others (Tim Tebow?) need.
It helps that Moreno came into the season with plenty of buzz. Truth is, he's having an even better 2008 than he did last year with his yards-per-carry jumping almost a full yard to 6.2 despite playing against an O-line that has been shuffled around all season because of injury. The downside is that if UGA wins out, his QB, Matthew Stafford, might become his toughest competition. Stafford has been terrific in the last few weeks. This UF game will be a great test for Stafford, Moreno & Co., since the Gators' D has allowed only 15 plays of 20 yards or more, tied for second fewest in the country.
From Vincent in Columbus, Ohio: There are numerous calls for Jim Tressel to give up playcalling duties for Ohio State, even some local columnists. Would it beneficial for coach Tressel to bring in new blood to the staff?
Feldman: Tressel has done a great job in Columbus, but it seems that OSU could use the change in offensive direction. Things can get stale over time, and players can drift into a lull. Coaches can, too. The other thing that has been surprising is just how much the Buckeyes' O-line has struggled in big games in the last two-plus seasons.
From Ryan in Lincoln, Neb.: What's going on with Nebraska's defense? They seem to not have the same defense as they used to and are giving up to many big pass or run plays. They barely beat Baylor. How much longer do Husker fans have to watch the defense give up those big plays?
Feldman: It all starts with recruiting. Bo Pelini is a sharp defensive mind, but they just don't have the depth and the kind of athletes across the depth chart that they once had in Lincoln. There simply aren't enough difference-makers in terms of guys who can win one-on-one matchups and can take advantage of situations where they're not only in position to make a play, but also change momentum with a big play.
From Chris in Boston: Wow! I almost fell off my chair in disbelief! Bruce, you've actually given UConn some love with your comments on Donald Brown. He should be getting way more attention but the "experts" just don't believe we play football in Connecticut, or at least the type that impresses them.
Feldman: He is a great back. As I wrote the other day, I'm on the bandwagon. People need to see him more than once to really get a sense of how skilled a back he really is. The thing he's battling is that he plays for a program very few people have a pulse on because it's new to the mainstream and in a league a lot of people don't take very seriously. Right now, that's just the reality of UConn football. Maybe Brown is like the Cliff Robinson of the school's football program.
From Dean in NYC: How good of a job is Clemson, compared to say Washington, Syracuse and Auburn, and where do you think we look for our new coach?
Feldman: I think Clemson is a big-time job. It has great facilities, a rich tradition, proximity to a good recruiting base and you can win a league title there realistically. Plus, Tommy Bowden left behind plenty of young talent, much more than what the new coaches at Washington and Syracuse will have. I also think it's a better situation than what Auburn would be, should Tommy Tuberville be out of there. Replacing Tuberville would be really tough, considering the guy dominated his archrival, won a lot of top-10 games and didn't have any major run of guys getting arrested off the field. Not to mention you'd have to go up against a full-throttle Alabama now that Nick Saban has them on blast.
As for the new guy, I know Lane Kiffin is very interested and his strong recruiting background is a good selling point. Other options: Cincy's Brian Kelly, Tulsa's Todd Graham and then a couple of buzz-worthy assistants, Virginia Tech's Bud Foster and Texas' Will Muschamp. A potential wildcard in the mix is Houston Nutt, who is now at Ole Miss, although word is he's had some frustrations with Rebels AD Pete Boone. Nutt also spent plenty of time at Oklahoma State, the same place where Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips used to work. Nutt is a winner, and I think he realizes he has a better chance to win league titles in the softer ACC than he does at Ole Miss in the SEC.
From Mike in Las Cruces, N.M.: In your last blog you mentioned that the SEC lagged behind the Big 12 this year, noting that (as I recall) after LSU, the SEC has a bunch of "Nebraska-type" teams. What exactly is a "Nebraska-type" team? Rebuilding? Desperately clinging the last vestiges of relevance? Full disclosure -- I am a Husker fan, and no, if you say less than glowing things about the 'Skers I will not drive slowly past your house at night on my tractor (or my Corolla).
Feldman: In that case, I really meant a 7-and-5-ish, decent team, but not really a legit top-25 program. The kind of team that has a good name because of the program's profile historically, but now is in a transition phase. That said, if I'm an NU fan, I'm excited about Pelini's taking over and getting things cranked up. And thanks for saving me from the Corolla cruise-by.
RANDOM STUFF
• We know how much the Rose Bowl loves the idea of its Big Ten vs. Pac-10 matchup, but sources say reps from the bowl aren't thrilled with the prospect of an Ohio State-USC rematch. In fact, they want no part of it. Word is that this year, the Rose Bowl folks would prefer to match USC against the Big 12's second-place squad.
• Cal's O-line has been hit hard by injury, writes Jonathan Okanes:
"It's looking more and more like Cal's offensive line is going to be a big storyline against Oregon. As expected, coach Jeff Tedford confirmed Donovan Edwards will get his first career start at right tackle because of the injuries to starter Chet Teofilo (ankle) and backup Matt Laird (shoulder).
"But the situation is getting worse. It now looks like right guard Noris Malele wont' [sic] be able to go because of a sprained ankle suffered at the beginning of practice Tuesday. Malele was still in a boot Thursday and missed practice again. Tedford stopped short of completely ruling him out, but it doesn't appear realistic that he will play."
Scary thought for Edwards, since his first start will come against Oregon defensive ends Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu, who have combined for 14 sacks on the season.
• Speaking of the Ducks, there's another great Matthews emerging as a star in college football. In addition to USC's standout DE-OLB Clay Matthews comes his kid brother, Casey:
"His father is Clay Matthews Jr., who was an All-American linebacker at USC before playing 19 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Cleveland Browns. His uncle is Bruce Matthews, the NFL Hall of Famer; his grandfather also played in the NFL, and two of his older brothers played at USC, including Clay, a senior defensive end with the Trojans this season. Matthews, whose father was his defensive coordinator at Oaks Christian High, said he learned Oregon's defensive schemes quickly last year, part of the reason he played as a true freshman. When senior John Bacon went down with a knee injury last season, Matthews became the starter -- until he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury."
• I didn't include the Pitt-Notre Dame game in my weekly picks for ESPN.com, but I'll say here that I'm expecting an Irish win. ND has an impressive group of receivers, and if Pitt can give up six TD passes to Mike Teel, I think the Irish are going to have a big offensive day. Pitt's best hope is that the Panthers' pass rush, which is good, can really swarm Jimmy Clausen.
• I'd never seen any of the "Luke and Skip" videos until my buddy Pete Thamel forwarded me their link. It's good stuff. Turns out, "Luke and Skip" are two actual Furman football players. One is Chris Rogers, a fifth-year senior, and the other is Patrick Sprague, a recent graduate. Their videos, posted on YouTube, are supposed to lampoon the mannerisms of some Paladins coaches.
Bruce Feldman
