| | If you are a Tennessee Volunteer football fan, bring your Gator boots to The Swamp this weekend, it's going to be a long day on Saturday, says ESPN football analyst Beano Cook.
During his weekly Beano's Beat chat show, Cook explained why he is picking the Gators in the big matchup. He also talks about the Penn State rushing attack and the quarterback situation in Nebraska.
Check out this Sept. 15 chat transcript and read whom Cook says is the best college football player of the '90s. You might be surprised.
| |  | | Beano says Florida fans are some of the loudest in the country. |
Beano Cook: This is the type of day that a college football fan must love. Four teams involved in two games
where the two winners emerging as possible national champions.
Bob: Do you think that the anemic running game that Penn State has displayed the first three games will hurt
them at Miami and in the Big Ten? If you take away the the big running plays (reverses) the running
game has produced few yards.
Beano Cook:
If they play the way they have the first three games it will hurt them. I didn't realize it was that much below par,
but think about the Fields reverse and how much that gained in the opener. We will answer the
question of which team will win only once: Penn State will win. Remember, one reason we feel
that way is the officials are from the Big Ten. In 1991, Miami won 26-20 at Miami in a televised game interrupted many times by the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings. The final stats revealed that
Penn State was penalized three times for 15 yards while Miami was hit 11 times for 124 yards.
As I have said many times, the Big Ten officials take care of their own the way a lioness protects
her newborn cubs.
Maverick: Please give us your thoughts on Nebraska's moves this week and the effect that Evan's
departure will have on their season.
Beano Cook:
Nebraska always has running backs who can play. They have more backups than the San Diego
Chargers, and better performers too. Crouch has been solid so far, and they will use Newcombe as a
receiver and return specialist to utilize his speed and skills.
I AM CANE: Do you think Miami's linebacker core is better than PSU's?
Beano Cook:
No. Miami's is very good, but there are pro teams that don't have a linebacking corps as good
as Penn State's with Arrington and Short.
VolFan77: All right Beano, let's get to the game. What's your Florida-Tennessee prediction?
Beano Cook:
The Vols last won in 1971, but there were a number of years where they did not play each
other, so that can be a bit misleading. This is strictly a homefield pick ... Florida will win.
John: I'm sure everyone will want to know your feelings about the PSU-Miami game Saturday, but my
main interest is in Joe Paterno's comments from yesterday's press conference stating that other
Penn State players said LaVar Arrington blocked the Pitt punter after he punted the ball, but
was called for a personal foul. Upon further review, what's your take on this?
Beano Cook:
The Penn State fans defend Arrington, but Pittsburgh fans are critical of him. If he played for
Pittsburgh, than the Panther fans would defend him and the Nittany Lions would criticize him. It
depends where you sit. Will this hurt his chance for the Heisman? No. Joe Paterno faces a
docile press except in Philadelphia. The papers west of Philadelphia have become followers of
Penn State football and not necessarily reporters. This used to be true in the south, but no
longer. In every state in the south, there are critics and second-guessers of the football teams.
For the record, the best sports sections in this country are in Florida, as a state. I'm sorry to
those other 49 states. No team in college sports is covered more on a daily basis than Florida
football.
By the way Connecticut basketball is like the mob, the only other team which gets as much ink.
Notre Dame on game day has a lot of coverage but they come in on Friday.
Go Blue: Any thoughts on Michigan-Syracuse?
Beano Cook:
Michigan is looking for revenge here after last year's surprise. This is a tough call. If you put a gun to my head, I'd flip a coin. I think
Michigan will win but it wouldn't stun me if Syracuse won. Michigan still has to go to Wisconsin,
Michigan State and Penn State, so Lloyd Carr has a tough job.
Reed: Is Georgia Tech legit or what?
Beano Cook:
Yes, this is a legit team. Losing at Florida State by six points says something. Tech did not fold.
One of the best November games will be Georgia-Georgia Tech.
Ga Dawg: Why is everyone neglecting Quincy Carter as a factor in the Heisman race? He is the best QB in
the state, and in the SEC.
Beano Cook:
See me after the Tennessee and Florida games. Carter is very talented, a great athlete as we
knew, and he still may be a Heisman factor. We'll see.
Mark: Any thoughts on the situation at Notre Dame? Several Domers are concerned that Bob Davie
doesn't have the leadership nor the experience to lead Notre Dame back to national
prominence. Do you think they are slipping back into the abyss of the Faust era?
Beano Cook:
Remember this -- in the mid-'20s, Notre Dame followers were beginning to criticize Knute
Rockne a little bit. In 1942, when Notre Dame tied and lost early, the critics jumped on Frank
Leahy. Be patient. Next year is Notre Dame's year. The Irish will make a run for the national
title next year. Quit your complaining, you could have gone to Vanderbilt and then you would
have something to complain about. The one consolation would be you would get a darned good
education.
G: What are your thoughts on the Clemson Tiger team and Tommy Bowden that beat up on
Virginia this past weekend? Can the Tigers compete this soon or is Virginia that bad?
Beano Cook:
I wasn't surprised. I thought Clemson would be vastly improved. After the Marshall defeat, I
wasn't quite sure, but now I feel the Tigers will have a decent year. Give Tommy Bowden some
early credit. Losing a close one to Marshall isn't a horrible setback. Marshall has a good team.
Bowdoin PBears: Top three in the Heisman race right now? Would you agree Dayne, Arringon, and Warrick?
Beano Cook:
Drew Brees, Warrick and Dayne would be the top three for me right now, in that order. Brees
is pretty great, isn't he? Ross-Ade Stadium is a pretty good scene there, too. I've seen a few
games there.
Higgins: Speaking of Notre Dame, how about the game against Michigan State this week? Do you think they will
play them as hard as they played Michigan?
|
COOK'S FILE
|
|
Cook, who joined ESPN in March 1986, serves as a college football studio commentator and occasional sideline reporter. He also offers college football commentary on ESPN Radio. Cook came to ESPN after four years (1982-85) at ABC Sports as a studio commentator during its College Football Association telecasts. From 1977-82, he worked in public relations for CBS Sports. From 1974-77, he was a sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times; the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins; public relations director for the Mutual Radio Network and he also toured with VISTA. He was ABC Sports NCAA press director from 1966-74.
|
|
Data
|
Beano Cook:
Notre Dame better win it. They should win it, though Michigan State is unbeaten and playing
better. The Irish could easily be 3-0. That early-season game against Kansas has helped, hasn't
it! Just kidding.
Squirm: Who do you think has the best defense in the country?
Beano Cook:
I haven't seen them all, but it would be difficult not to pick Penn State. It is a bit too early to tell.
M: The SEC West looks wide open to me. Is this the year DiNardo gets it together at LSU and wins
the West?
Beano Cook:
It certainly does look wide open. I do advise DiNardo and his staff to have a good year and this
home game vs. Auburn is basically a must-win for LSU.
Jeff: What do you think of the Ohio State quarterback situation? Is Bellasari for real? By the way, did you see
the block he put on the UCLA lineman on the reverse? Not many QB's have that toughness.
Beano Cook:
Bellasari starts this week against Ohio U. I think he can get the job done, though Moherman isn't
bad.
Murph: What do you think of Kansas State? Can they do it again --- win at least nine games for the seventh
straight year?
Beano Cook:
Could, but unlikely. The play at Texas and Nebraska. Don't make plans to go to the BCS.
Nathan: Florida has given up 53 points in its first two games vs. subpar teams. Do you think Tennessee
could put some big numbers against this young defense?
Beano Cook:
Yes, the offense is capable of that, sure. Tee Martin, Jamal Lewis and company can score and
there is enough veteran leadership to be there. It is ironic that Tennessee vs. Florida has
developed into such a terrific rivalry. It's because of Steve Spurrier. When he graduated from
high school in Tennessee, he would have been a Vol if they were using a T formation. Instead he
went to Florida and won a Heisman. He knew he wasn't a single wing QB. For this, Florida is
grateful. I picked Florida earlier simply because of home field.
Hokie: If the VT Hokies can go undefeated, do they stand a realistic chance of winning the national
championship?
Beano Cook:
Favorable schedule, and if they go undefeated they would be a contender. It depends how they
finish in the rankings and how many teams also go unbeaten.
C_Lo: What are your top five teams right now?
Beano Cook:
1-Tennessee, 2-Florida State, 3-Nebraska, 4-Penn State, 5-Michigan.
Fitz: Got any Clippers' tickets yet?
Beano Cook:
I'm holding out this year for Nuggets' tickets. For the Atlanta Hawks game I've been offered two
sections.
Ralph: Is there any chance that Major Applewhite could win the Heisman?
Beano Cook:
Unlikely this year, but not totally impossible if he keeps posting great numbers and they keep
winning. The player nobody is mentioning is Eric Crouch at Nebraska and he's something else.
They play Texas and Kansas State and if he has great games against those two teams, watch
out!
Steve: Who is your favorite player of all time and why?
Beano Cook:
A tie. Johnny Lujack and Mike Ditka.
RCS: Why do you pick Florida because of home field but not Miami?
Beano Cook:
Good question. The Florida fans make a lot more noise. The Gator fans come to the game after
tailgating. The Miami fans come after sunbathing!
Dan: Any possibility, in the future, of top 25 polls not coming out until, say, after the third weekend in
September?
Beano Cook:
I will personally make an agreement to have the polls come out no earlier in October if you can
keep all the stories about the presidential race until three weeks before the election.
There are two things I don't read about until the day before they happen: the NFL draft (sorry, Mel Kiper) and the New Hampshire primary.
BeastLite: Why are all the ladies so effected by Herbstreit? You are just as handsome as he is.
Beano Cook:
I couldn't hit the open receiver; Kirk could!
SECfan: Which coaches are on the hot seat?
Beano Cook:
DiNardo is certainly on the hot seat. Mike Price at Washington State to the Rose Bowl two years ago, but he
may be feeling a little pressure, but it is not easy to win consistently there.
Steve: Who will go down as the best player of the '90s?
Beano Cook:
LaVar Arrington.
Terry: Will Texas A&M ever quite push through to that ultra elite level?
Beano Cook:
Good question. You're right, this is a team which has tried to get into the elite but it is going to
be tough in the same conference as Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma when it returns as a
national power.
Noles #1: Are you serious about Arrington?
Beano Cook:
Yes. Think about how few true college football stars there were this decade. You asked my
opinion, or at least somebody sending in a question did.
Rick: Do you think Notre Dame should have joined the Big Ten?
Beano Cook:
No.
Joe: Do you think that LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short can compare to Hugh Green and Rickey
Jackson when they were at Pitt? Hugh Green was one of the most dominant defensive players
ever but Rickey Jackson went on to have a much better professional career
Beano Cook:
I would say it's a toss-up, and I would favor Jackson and Green a little bit but not a bad
analogy.
James: After all the praise you gave Rick Mirer in college, do you think he can do anything for the Jets?
Beano Cook:
I said Steve Beuerlein would make it 10 years in the NFL and people laughed. Yes, I know
about the bad predictions too. I feel Mirer will be OK with the right coach, which he has now.
You're better off asking that question to Chris Mortensen, whom I like to call ESPN.com Chris!
Tom: Tommy Frazier was the best player in the '90s.
Beano Cook:
That's a pretty good selection. Listen, I am not saying I am right or wrong, just giving an opinion.
SoCalVol: Wouldn't you rather run through the T than dot the I?
Beano Cook:
I'd rather dot the "I" than hit the lottery. I would give a year of my life to dot the "I" as long as it
was not next year.
DavidPSU: Looking back at all of your national champion predictions over the years, how often have you
been right?
Beano Cook:
Last year I had Kansas State-Florida State for the national title. I haven't been right that often
but many people haven't been. Did anyone pick Miami in '83 or BYU in '84. A lot of people
start picking in November, but you have to pick in August. I said back then that Penn State
would beat Florida for the national title this year. If both Florida and Tennessee lose, my
replacement for next week will be Cosmo Kramer or Steve McGarrett.
By the way, if weather
permits, my pick of the week is South Carolina 21, East Carolina 16. Season record so far is
2-1.
Have a good week. We'll see you here again next week.
| |
|
