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News & Notes

• Sophomore sensation RB Maurice Clarett is being interviewed by the NCAA for his finances, possibly due to his connection with Ohio basketball superstar, and friend, LeBron James. Clarett was also the focus of a New York Times article printed Sunday which claimed the back received assistance in passing an African Studies class before the Fiesta Bowl. Clarett helped Ohio State win that game 31-24 over Miami (FL). According to one source, Clarett gave the NCAA investigator satisfactory answers, but if things change and Clarett loses part or all of his 2003 eligibility, it will shake up college fantasy draftboards.

• The ACC will challenge the NCAA’s rule that only conferences with 12 members can hold championship games. With Miami and Virginia Tech joining the ACC next season, the conference will have 11 members. The ruling could also open the door for the Big 10, which also has 11 participating football schools.

• Fantasy GMs 2003 college fantasy football package is now live! If you haven’t signed up for our services yet, sign up now to take advantage of all we have to offer. Subscribers will receive preseason player profiles (coming soon), conference analysis from our staff of college writers, and FOUR reports per week during the regular season. Our rates are so low that your paperboy can afford them! For more details on how to subscribe, check out the site at www.fantasygms.com.

• Former Alabama Head Coach Mike Price has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the university. Price and his lawyers claim that he was not given due process when his contract was terminated, and that his civil rights were violated. Price was fired for alleged misconduct when he was on a golf outing. Price also filed a $20 million lawsuit against Sports Illustrated for publishing an article about the event.

• Former Florida State QB Adrian McPherson may attend South Florida in an attempt to resurrect his collegiate career. McPherson was recently placed on probation by a judge after facing some hefty jail time, and must now attend a school before receiving word from the NCAA regarding his eligibility.

• Fantasy GMs is the host of the web’s top college fantasy football expert league. Check out our college home page during the season to see who the experts like from week to week.

 • Reserve DE Khreem Smith was suspended by Oklahoma State for allegedly threatening his girlfriend. Smith was arrested by police on June 22 and July 1 for two separate incidents.

Positional Battle (Wisconsin Receivers)

The Badgers would have had one of the Big 10’s most dangerous wide receiving corps even without the return of Lee Evans. Youngsters Jonathan Orr, Brandon Williams and Darrin Charles all displayed promise in 2002. Orr caught 47 passes for 842 yards and eight touchdowns in place of Evans, who blew out his knee in the spring game. In 2001, Evans was the conference’s top receiver, setting a record for receiving yardage (1,545). Many scouts felt Evans would be a top draft choice that year, but he decided to return to Wisconsin , and ultimately paid for that decision. Whispers that he would return by midseason never came to be, and his rehab lasted a lot longer than first anticipated. But Evans is back to health, and if he regains his 2001 form, he should be one of the nation’s top three receivers. Orr had a few big games in 2002, especially during a 27-7 win over UNLV in which the freshman caught seven passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. Williams matched Orr’s 47 catches last year, but for nearly 300 fewer yards and six fewer touchdowns. He produced two big games (125 yards against West Virginia and 83 yards against Illinois ), but was irrelevant for fantasy owners in every other contest. Charles, the team’s biggest receiver at 6-6 and 206 pounds, only caught 20 passes, but could see an increased role this year, even with Evans’ return. Charles’ best effort came in the Badgers’ bowl win over Colorado , where he caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Many Wisconsin fans will remember that game more for Orr’s mistake than Charles’ success, as Orr nearly let the game slip away with a late dropped ball. On the very next play, Charles caught a 30-yard fourth down pass from QB Brooks Bollinger which helped send the game into overtime. Bollinger is no longer with the program, but the receivers may be better off with Jim Sorgi, who has seen plenty of game action during his stay at Wisconsin . While Bollinger was a great leader on the field with good running ability, Sorgi is a much better pure passer, and it should show in the passing offense.

Star on the Rise (Wali Lundry)

Lundry is part of a young offensive unit that surprised a lot of teams in 2002. This season, he may be the cornerstone of the offense now that standout WR Billy McMullen has moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles. As a true freshman last year, Lundry gained 699 yards and scored a total of six touchdowns (four rushing, two receiving). What most fans remember him for, however, is his bowl performance against West Virginia where he rushed for 127 yards, had 76 receiving yards, and scored two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. An excellent receiver, Lundry had 53 catches (second only to McMullen) for 359 yards. He also had 100-yard performances against Akron , North Carolina and Virginia Tech. The reason fantasy owners should be optimistic that Lundry’s numbers will grow is that he only carried the ball 20 times twice during the regular season (Colorado State and Virginia Tech), and there is reason to believe that this year there may only be two games in which he doesn’t see the ball that much. Lundry will be helped this season by QB Matt Schaub (who grew by leaps and bounds in 2002) and a solid returning offensive line. Schaub will keep defenses honest with his arm, while the 212-pound Lundry hits them in the gut with his rushing.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The top returning scorer from last season is Bowling Green ’s QB Josh Harris, who rushed for 20 touchdowns and was on the receiving end of two others. Harris’ 134 points ranked fifth in scoring last season behind Brock Forsey (192), Willis McGahee (168), Lee Suggs (144) and Larry Johnson (140).

College Fantasy Football Question of the Week

Will Nebraska have a winning season this year and what about the WSU Cougars?

It would be tough for Head Coach Frank Solich and the Cornhuskers not to improve upon their 7-7 season of a year ago, when they lost big to teams like Penn State and Iowa State before ending the year on a three-game skid. Both the offensive and defensive units will have to adapt to new coordinators in 2003. Barney Cotton should try to open up the passing game a bit, but the team’s starting quarterback, Jamaal Lord, is of the more traditional Nebraska mold at the position — run as much as you can and pass only when you have to. The team will need RB David Horne to have a big year if they are to be successful. Last year’s top back entering the season, senior Dahrran Diedrick, fizzled after posting impressive numbers in 2001. The Huskers will only ride as far as Lord and Horne can take them, but the team could win as many as eight games with a favorable schedule. For fantasy owners, both of the above mentioned returning players could be strong backups on a roster, but are not worth a starting spot in any lineup.

The Cougars lost almost their entire offense, or so it seems. Gone are QB Jason Gesser, RB John Tippins and receivers Mike Bush and Jerome Riley. Thankfully for Cougars fans, the team’s best rusher (Jermaine Green), best receiver (Devard Darling) and a majority of the offensive line returns. But Gesser’s departure will hurt a lot. The team is pinning their hopes on QB Matt Kegel, who only had 40 attempts last season. Darling may be a fantasy consideration, but the uncertainty of Kegel makes the junior wide out a huge question mark.

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