ShareThisWith a convicted ponzi schemer blowing the lid on one of the biggest sports scandals in ages, it's no wonder it seems like college football is giving corporate America a run for its money in the scandal department.
Fallout from an off-season plagued by dreadful decisions by players -- and at least one revered coach -- has been unprecedented.
Eight Miami players -- including quarterback Jacory Harris -- have been suspended in the wake of Nevin Shapiro's revelations from prison.
Shapiro claims he provided 72 Hurricane athletes improper benefits, including cash, prostitutes, entertainment, jewelry and bounties for on-field play, from 2002 to 2010.
Sadly, suspensions may continue to mount as the season unfolds, depending on the outcome of an NCAA probe into so-called street agent Willie Lyles' association with several college football programs.
Two of those programs -- No. 3 Oregon and No. 4 LSU -- are playing in the season-opening primetime event Saturday in Dallas. Others under investigation for possible NCAA rule breaking include Southern Cal, Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
LSU's junior wideout Russell Shepard has already been suspended indefinitely for compromising the integrity of the Lyles investigation. LSU's starting quarterback, Jordan Jefferson, was suspended after allegedly kicking a man in the face outside a Baton Rouge bar.
Add Oregon's dynamic playmaker Cliff Harris to the suspensions list, and the marquee matchup's luster fades -- a bit.
The "Cowboys Classic" was, after all, supposed to be showcasing their tremendous on-field talents, not their off-field indiscretions.
But as bad as it might seem for fans of Oregon and LSU, especially LSU's, there's reason to stop lamenting.
Jefferson, for reasons unknown to The Unbalanced Line, was expected to have a breakout season.
He's a mobile quarterback -- though not even remotely comparable to Michigan's Denard Robinson --but his 2010 passing numbers were paltry (118-of-209, 1,411 yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions).
Jefferson's backup, Jarrett Lee, is also an experienced senior who, despite not being the starter, played a key role in three Tiger victories last season -- over Tennessee, Florida and Alabama. Against the Gators, he threw the game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining.
The other LSU player suspended in connection with the bar fight, Josh Johns, is a backup linebacker whose absence shouldn't have any impact. Shepard is another story; he was expected to be Jefferson's No. 2 target behind Rueben Randle.
Even with Jefferson and Shepard suspended, there's no shortage of talent at LSU. But the Tigers can't match Oregon at the skill positions.
Oregon will be without Harris, a sensational cornerback/punt returner who was suspended after being cited for driving 118 miles per hour with a suspended license. But the Ducks have a backfield featuring two Heisman contenders in quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James, who led the nation with 1,731 yards in 2010 (21 TDs and 5.9 ypc).
The Unbalanced Line likes Oregon to keep its national title hopes alive in Dallas.
Despite the deluge of suspensions and looming Lyles probe, there's still plenty to get excited about: the chase to the national crown, the Heisman race (Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is back for his senior season!), the revamped Pac-12 with the addition of Utah and Colorado, the Big 10's expansion to 12 with Nebraska and the conference championship game that accompanies it, the reemergence of No. 6 Florida State and No. 16 Notre Dame among the power elite, and Boise State's persistent quest for a spot in the BCS national championship game.
With 16 returning starters, Oklahoma appears poised to add to its record four BCS title game appearances. Quarterback Landry Jones is among the leading preseason Heisman contenders, and Ryan Broyles may be the nation's best wide receiver.
A Sept. 17 game at Florida State and a season-ending clash with No. 9 Oklahoma State Dec. 3 in Stillwater will likely determine the Sooners' BCS fate.
After No. 5 Boise wins its season-opener Saturday against No. 19 Georgia in Atlanta, the Broncos' only formidable foe remaining will be No. 14 TCU Nov. 12 on Boise's blue field. With 14 returning starters, including quarterback Kellen Moore -- also a leading Heisman contender -- Boise has a real good shot to, finally, earn a spot in the title game.
No. 18 Ohio State probably would have been in the national title picture if not for the boneheaded decision by quarterback Terrell Pryor and four other key Buckeye players to sell autographed merchandise and memorabilia. It led to Pryor quitting the team, the five-game suspension of the other four and the firing of coach Jim Tressell.
No. 2 Alabama will make a run, but won't get it done, regardless of whether coach Nick Saban settles on A.J. McCarron or Phillip Sims at quarterback. A great defense won't compensate for an inexperienced quarterback, not in the SEC.
Maybe a Big 10 team will enter the picture, but it's doubtful, unless Wisconsin, Nebraska or even Penn State rises above expectations.
From the Pac-10, Stanford could -- with Luck -- emerge as a national title contender.
But overall, talent-wise and schedule-wise, it looks like Oklahoma will play Boise for the title.
The Broncos beat the Sooners -- albeit in pretty incredible fashion -- in overtime, 43-42, in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
Might history repeat itself?
Let's just hope the ultimate national champion doesn't face a Reggie Bush-like outcome down the road.
(Contact John Tucker at jtucker(at)unionleader.com)
UNBALANCED LINEMust credit New Hampshire Union LeaderColumn
