2009 College Football: Three Burning Questions

The incredibly thrilling, occasionally frustrating world of college football is back, ready to take us through a tremendously exciting regular season before the lousy, criminally unfair BCS takes over. Nonetheless, I'm excited. Here are three burning questions that will play a major role in the 2009 college football season:

1. Will Boise State finally get some BCS love?

Boise State opened their season last night on the blue turf with the biggest game they've had in years, a showdown with fourteenth-ranked Oregon. It was a make-or-break game for Chris Petersen's Broncos. They needed to win if they have any hope of playing in a BCS bowl game. It was a sloppy affair between two noticeably unpolished teams, but in the end Boise State prevailed, with sights set on an undefeated season.

First of all, it is wildly presumptuous to assume that Boise State will run the table. In order to go undefeated, the Broncos will need to play a hell of a lot better than they did on Thursday night. But just for the sake of argument, lets assume that Boise finds a way to go through the season unscathed. Will they then receive some much-deserved BCS love? Due to the horrific litany of BCS blunders, I wouldn't expect much love if I were a Boise fan. But if the BCS wants to reshape its severely tarnished image, it would be wise to reward an undefeated Boise State team.

2. Can Tim Tebow lead Florida back to the promise land?

The answer, of course, is yes. I am sometimes turned off by the Christ-like treatment the media gives to Tebow, but there is no denying the fact that he is the nation's best, most disciplined quarterback. Tebow plays with great fire and passion, and he uses the criticism of his doubters as fuel that makes him even better. Even with the loss of wide receiver Percy Harvin, Urban Meyer's Gators are widely expected to repeat as champs. It would be their third title in four years, and would further cement Tim Tebow's status as an all-time great. But there are several teams that are determined to knock Florida off the throne.

Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns and Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners will be satisfied with nothing short of a national championship. Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide, Frank Beemer's Virginia Tech Hokies, and Houston Nutt's Ole Miss Rebels all have similar aspirations. And even though USC is led by an inexperienced freshman quarterback (Matt Barkley), any Pete Carroll team is always a national title contender. So I agree that Florida will be celebrating another BCS championship, but their fate is not as clear-cut as some may think.

3. Can Jahvid Best add Heisman Trophy Winner to his resume?

Absolutely yes. While Florida's Tim Tebow, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, and Texas' Colt McCoy are the Heisman favorites, it would be foolish to count out Cal's junior running back Jahvid Best. Best is a freak of nature on the football field, a lightning fast superstar with serious NFL potential. Best told Sports Illustrated that he modeled his game after Reggie Bush, and I think Best is even better than Bush. Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears have big aspirations this season, and with all due respect to quarterback Kevin Riley, Cal's success rests firmly on the shoulders of Best. When all is said and done, Jahvid Best should be in New York City as a Heisman candidate.


So there you have it! Let the games begin!