QBs are the key in college football
We're lucky.
We're extremely lucky.
It's all about the quarterback, see, even in college football. And we have them, two of the best, right here in the Commonwealth, in the state's two biggest cities, in the state's only (for now) Division I-A schools.
Do some clicking on ESPN.com and there is Kentucky's
Andre Woodson, the senior signal-caller and first-team pre-season All-American as selected on the worldwide leader's Web site.
Now truck on over to your local newsstand. On the shelves is a gleaming glossy of Louisville's Brian Brohm, the senior signal-caller and ESPN the Magazine coverboy.
Don't think that's important? Then you didn't listen in yesterday to an ESPN teleconference, which featured the cable network's new Thursday night college football broadcast team of Chris Fowler, Craig James and Doug Flutie, who spent most of their time offering opinions based on the most important position on the field.
For example, the trio agreed that pre-season No. 1
USC Trojansno had the best talent in the country, plus the added advantage of returning its starting quarterback, John David Booty, something second-ranked LSU cannot claim.
They agreed Notre Dame will struggle, if for no other reason than the Irish don't possess a clear-cut quarterback to replace Brady Quinn.
"I don't think anybody with any credibility can say they are going to be a top-15 or top-20 caliber team," said James. "With a new quarterback, I don't see it."
They tabbed Hawaii as the most likely candidate to be this year's Boise State, in no small thanks to crackerjack quarterback
Colt Brennan.
"Hawaii is the 'it' team right now," said Fowler. "They have an offense that can score on anybody. Brennan is going to have a big year. They're a tough team to beat, especially in Hawaii."
James said a second sleeper could be Alabama, with John Parker Wilson back at quarterback and Nick Saban back in the college game as head coach.
"I think Alabama is a loaded football team with a coach who knows how to compete, especially in the SEC," said James.
James likes Oklahoma in the Big 12, "because their quarterback doesn't have to carry them." And he said Ohio State could be the sleeper in the Big 10 if, "their quarterback (Antonio Henton) turns out to be as good as they think he is."
If quarterbacks are so important, then why do most Heisman Trophy lists start with Arkansas' Darren Mcfadden and West Virginia's Steve Slaton, both running backs?
"The quarterbacks have opened it up for the running backs," said James, the old running back.
Just as Woodson hopes to open things up for Rafael Little and Co., and Brian Brohm hopes to open things up for Anthony Allen and Co.
Flutie on Woodson: "I think he's phenomenal. He can throw the football."
Flutie on Brian Brohm: "He may be the top NFL prospect coming out of the draft. He's been in a great system, but it will be interesting to see how things pan out with a new coach, especially early in the season when he might not be in his comfort zone."
That's when James jumped in.
"I don't think he'll get out of his comfort zone because (Steve) Kragthorpe is a great coach and will help him get through this, his senior year," said James. "The whole environment is set up for him to be successful. I'm a big Kragthorpe fan. I think it's set up for
Brian Brohm not to fail."
Just as both UK and U of L are set up to be successful this season.
Why?
They have the quarterbacks.
