Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Top Ts By GEORGE MORRIS Asst. Sports Editor Oklahoma. trying to erase the stigma of a two-year NCAA probation. has been picked the nation's top college football team in a poll of GAMECOCK sport swriters. The Sooners. who were voted number one by the final Associated Press football poll, were banned from post-season bowl par ticipation due to recruiting in fractions. The United Press In ternational coach's poll also refused to recognize the un defeated, untied Big Red. GAMECOCK writers gave the Possibly the best player in the country is (Oklahoma) halfback Joe Washington nod to Oklahoma with five of six first place votes and 119 of 120 possible votes. Runner-up to the Sooners is Alabama, which received the other first place vote. Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan followed in the voting, while Rose Bowl champion Southern California rounds out the top five. Oklahoma, which returns twelve starters and 28 lettermen from 1974, is so talent-rich at all but a (ew positions they have an ex cellent chance of doing just what we're predicting. The best of these returnees, and possibly the best player in the country this year is halfback Joe Washington, who ran for 1,350 yards last year and has a good chance to win the Heisman Trophy if he can repeat that performance. The Sooners also return quar terback Steve Davis, who has never lost a game while piloting Oklahoma's wishbone offense, and split end Tinker Owen, whose ability at that position has caused Sooner fans to quit thinking of him as Steve Owens (former Heisman Trophy winner) brother. A pair of All-America can didates, Terry Webb and Mike Vaugn head a strong offensive line, while linemen Leroy and Dewey Selman return on defense. If the Sooners can get through a tough schedule (including Pittt, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma St., Missouri and Nebraska) un scathed, they will finally get their chance to prove themselves in a bowl. If Oklahoma falters, Alabama is the most logical choice for the national crown. Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide has entered bowl games the past two years ranked number one, only to see national championships slip out of their fingers. As usual, 'Bama is deep at all positions, especially on offense, where eight starters return. Senior quarterback Richard Todd will direct the wishbone attack, while fullback Calvin Culliver and venty ...Oklahc halfback Willie Shelby are the best of a virtual army of running backs Bryant has at his disposal. When Alabama puts the hall in the air, which they do more tipan most wishbone teams, sophombre split end Ozzie Newsome should be doing most of the catching. All Americas Leroy Cook and Woodrow Lowe are around to keep the defense tight. Ohio State and Michigan follow as the next best bets to capture the top spot, and their game in Ann Arbor on Nov. 22 should be another humdinger. Many polls are picking Michigan to nose out the Buckeyes for Big Ten honors this year, but GAMECOCK writers decided to go with tradition. Not only does OSU return Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffen, quarterback Cornelius Greene and wingback Brian Bashnagel, they still have lovable Woody Hayes coaching and the habit of spoiling Michigan's Rose Bowl hopes. But if Michigan proves us wrong, don't be too surprised. The defense, led by nose guard Tim Davis and tackle Jeff Perlinger, might just be the best in the nation. The offense, though hurt by the loss of quarterback Dennis Franklin, will be plenty potent. Backs Gordon Bell and Rob Lytle gained 1850 yards between them last year, and junior Mark Elzinga s considered a mere than adequate replacement for Franklin. Southern California, the GAMECOCK's number five pick, has an outside chance at the national crown this year. However, replacing Anthony Davis, Pat Haden, Richard Wood, J.K. McKay and Jim Obradovich Nill keep Trojan coach John ,WcKay plenty busy. There's plenty of talent around, of course, ncluding flanker Sheldon Diggs ind offensive tackle Marvin Powell, and SC should walk off Nvith another Pac-8 crown, but the rrojans can only be considered a ongshot for top honors. Auburn, with quarterback Phil Gargis, fullback Secdrick McIn tyre, and offensive linemen Dave Dstrowski and Ronnie Jones will have a highly explosive offense, but a graduation denleted defense oma leads c GAMECOCK TOP TWENTY 1( Oklahoma (5) 119 2) Alabama (1) 108 3) Ohio State 99 4) Michigan 96 5) Southern California 82 6) Auburn 76 7) Nebraska 74 8) Notre Dame 73 9) Penn State 72 10) Texas A&M 71 11) Texas 61 12) North Carolina St. 51 13) Michigan State 48 14) Florida 34 15 Arkansas 22 16) tie Arizona St. 19 Pittsburgh 18) Baylor 18 19) Maryland 15 20) tie Miami (Ohio) UCLA Also receiving -votes, listed alphabetically: Arizona, Boston College, Clemson, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma St., Stanford, Ten nessee. could keep Shug Jordan's Tigers just a step below Alabama in the Southeastern Conference, the same old story they have faced before. However, this is Jordan's last year as a coach, so Auburn might make up with desire what they lack on defense. Nebraska faces the same situation in the Big Eight, where, despite such talented personnel as fullback Tony Davis and center Rik Bonness, the Cornhuskers should face another year of fr sutration, courtesty of Oklahoma. Notre Dame is the top-rated independent in the GAMECOCK poll. The Irish may have lost coach Ara Parseghian, but Dan Devine proved at Missouri he is a top rate coach. Running back Art Best, split end Kevin Doherty and defensive end Steve Nichaus will be Devine's mainstays. Penn State should once again be the class of east coast football, but lack of a proven field generaf could hurt. Wingback Jimmy Cefalo, who averaged 6-2 yards per carry last year, and a veteran offensive Ine are expected to carry the hase for na Hittany Lions' hopes. Texas A&M, for years the joke of the Southwestern Conference,are nothing to laugh at anymore. Returning 16 starters from last year's 8-3 squad, this could finally be the Aggies' year. Halfbacks Bubba Bean and Skip Walker are expected to carry the offensive load, helped by a good offensive line. But Texas, the number 11 pick, should not be expected to roll over and play dead for their traditional rival. Darrell Royal has one of the best wishbone quarterbacks in the country in Marty Akins. If Royal can shore up problems in his defensive secondary, the Longhorns might make another trip to the Cotton Bowl. The The continuing rise to prominance of Atlantic Coast Conference football is illustrated by our pick of North Carolina State as number 12. The Wolfpack of fense will be paced by the pass catcch combination of Dave and Don Buckey and a traditionally strong offensevwe line. The back field lost a lot when Staf Fritts and Roland Hooks graduated, but tte has good replacements and a better defense to compensate. If the Wolfpack can survive road trips to Penn State and Michigan State, they could be top ten material. Michigan State, which shocked the nation with their upset of Ohio State last year, is once again a Big Ten contender. Coach Denny Stoltz calls senior quarterback kharles Baggett the best in the country. With Baggett, a swift runner and improving passer, and fullback Levi Jackson in the back field the Spartans can move the football against anybody. Rebuilding an offensive line and linebacking unit are all that stand in Doug Dickey's way to another excellent season at Florida. Ex perienced quarterbacks Don - Gaffney and Jimmy Fisher return, and the two threw only six in terceptions last year while gaining 1,066 yards in the air. Arkansas, the number 15 selection, will ditch their wishbone offense in favor of the more ver satile veer attack. Ike Forte, perhaps the best Arkansas runner since Dickey Morton, will lead a potent ground game. If the passing tional title game improves with the switch in formations, the Razor backs might just find themselves in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. Arizona State and Pittsburgh tied for the 16th position. State, which slipped to a mediocer 7-5 record season last year, returns 16 starters from that team. Halfback "Fast" Freddie Williams and quarterback Dennis Sproul lead an always potent Sun Devil offense, while All-America cornerback Mike Haynes will bolster an im proved defense. Pittsburgh returns an excellent offensive backfield and wide receivers, but losses at quar terback and offensive line could Oklahoma will get their long awaited chance to prove how great they are. Expect them to make the most of it keep the Panthers offense tame. Heisman Trophy candidate Tony Dorsett and running mate Elliott Walker make up the best one-two running punch in the nation, so you can expect Pitt to challenge Penn State for football supremacy in the East. Baylor, last year's surprise winner of the Southwestern Con ference, will be strong again this year, but a brutal schedule will make it almost impossible for them to repeat. If junior quar terback Mark Jackson can fill the spot vacated by graduated Neal Jeffrey the Bears will challenge for league honors. Baylor is certainly no pushover. Losing 16 starters to graduation will keep Maryland from repeating at Atlantic Coast Conference champs. The offense, with wingback John Shultz and tailback Rick Jennings, has the potential to be as good as it.was last year, so the Terps will remain competitive. Miami of Ohio andUCLAtied for the number 20 position. Miami has the nation's longest non-losing streak (23 games) and the disturbing tendency to whip bigger schools whenever they play them. Quarterback Sherman Smith and wingback Randy Walker return to pace the offense. The defense, one of the best in the nation last year, won't be quite as good. But no matter what anyone says, the Redskins play big-time football. On paper, UCLA might not be expected to break even this year. But coach Dick Vermeil raided the junior colleges for talent, par ticularly on defense. The offense, led by quarterback John Sciarra, is solid, while the defense is un proven. As goes the defense, so goes the Bruins this year. Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech and quite a few more will be pushing for a spot in the final top twenty, the only one that really matters. But as for number one, Oklahoma will get their long awaited chance to prove how great they are. Expect them to make the most of it.