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Monday, November 12, 2007
Mark Richt has tapped into Erk Russell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five things we learned over the weekend:
1. Mark Richt has tapped into Erk Russell: For my money, the late Erk Russell was the best motivator of college football players who ever lived. Coach Russell knew how long a college football season is for players and that every now and then they needed a little something “extra” to get an edge for a big game. Richt has done that twice for Georgia’s players and the Bulldogs have rewarded him with vintage efforts against Florida and Auburn. It is part of Mark Richt’s maturation into a great head coach.
2. The rules don’t apply to Tim Tebow: After watching Florida’s quarterback score seven touchdowns (5 running, 2 passing) against South Carolina, I’ve finally decided this: All of the conventional rules we believe about college football do not apply to him. I’ve said all season that he could not carry the ball 20 times a game. I’ve said that Urban Meyer probably puts too much of the offensive burden on him. Well, maybe this kid is so special we have to think of a different set of rules for him.
3. The Zooker can coach a little, too: While he was at Florida Ron Zook was tagged as a guy who could recruit but could not coach a lick. After winning at No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday, the Illinois head coach showed that he might know a thing or two about coaching them up. If the Illini beat Northwestern and finish 9-3, wouldn’t it be fun if Zook’s team were matched up with Florida in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando? I’m just asking.
4. Kansas has convinced me: I keep waiting for the Jayhawks to come back down to Earth, which I thought they would do at Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Wrong again. If Kansas (9-0) wins out, they will have beaten Iowa State (3-8), No. 5 Missouri (9-1), and No. 4 Oklahoma (9-1) in consecutive weeks. That’s good enough for me. In that case they should jump No. 2 Oregon (8-1) into the BCS championship game.
5. I’m not sure Hawaii (9-0) will make it to the BCS: The Warriors barely beat Fresno State (37-30) late Saturday because quarterback Colt Brennan suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter. Hawaii did not move from No. 16 in the BCS Standings. They have to get to No. 12 to get an at-large bid, most likely in the Sugar Bowl. All this speculation about Hawaii may end Friday when the Warriors go to Nevada (5-4). Hawaii also has games left with Boise State (9-1) and Washington (3-7).
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