The Countdown, Part V

Today we get set to kick off a new season of college football with the final installment of The Countdown. Some familiar names are in the Top 5, but there is a big surprise at No. 1. 5. Oklahoma — Quarterback Landry Jones spurned the NFL for another shot at a national title and Sooner Nation couldn’t be more thrilled. They are also thrilled to be getting back tailback Dominique Whaley, now that his ankle injury has healed. Ryan Broyles is gone, but the receiving corps is still solid with Kenny Stills, Trey Metoyer, and Lacolton Bester. Throw in a veteran offensive line, anchored by Gabe Ikard and offense shouldn’t be a problem for the Sooners. But the defense was a problem at times last year, which is why head coach Bob Stoops brought back his brother, Mike, to run the defense after eight years as head coach at Arizona. Stoops will have to deal with the loss of two all-Big 12 defensive ends, but has a trio of tackles to build around. Corey Nelson has all the potential in the world at linebacker, but big questions remain in the secondary where only cornerback Demontre Hurst is a known commodity. 4. Oregon — The Ducks no longer have quarterback Darron Thomas or running back LaMichael James, but the Quack Attack should still put up points. Hawai’i native Marcus Mariota beat out Bryan Bennett for the starting quarterback spot last week, and the backfield has two electrifying playmakers in Kenjon Barner and the versatile De’Anthony Thomas. Up front, Oregon is young but adequate, although the receivers will have to step up if the Ducks’ offense is to be elite once more. The defense could be one of the best in school history, led by all-conference end/linebacker Dion Jordan. The 6-foot7, 240-pounder recorded 7.5 sacks last year while linemen Taylor Hart and Wade Keliikipi can play as well. Michael Clay will lead the linebackers while John Boyett and Terrance Mitchell are standouts in the secondary. If the Ducks can win at USC on Nov. 3, they’ll have a shot at a Pac 12 title and possibly a national championship. 3. Alabama — For the first time in a long time, the Tide may have to rely on it offense to win games. Quarterback A.J. McCarron threw for

Trojan senior player Tanner Sexton presented Whitten with an other envelope containing more than $500, which had been collected at the gate. “It’s amazing,” Whitten added. “I can tell they all have hearts. All I can do is thank them.” “It was just sort of a group effort,” said Gordon Lee teacher and cheerleading coach Mandy Sturdivant, adding that the $3,600 was raised in just four days. “We had talked about taking up donations at the gate for the scrimmage, and one thing sort of led to another, and it just grew from there. It started with just the high school, but it ended up spreading to the middle school and elementary school because everyone just wanted to help and make a difference. “I was hoping we might make $1,000, maybe $1,500, but by Tuesday, we already had $1,000, and the kids just kept saying ‘we’re going to come on strong at the end’, and they did. They certainly exceeded my expectations.” Gordon Lee senior cheerleader Courtney Ramey said her squad joined forces with the high school’s journalism class on the bake sale/donation fundraiser. “Just the fact that our schools could come together on such short notice and raise all this money for someone in another community, it just touches my heart,” she said. “This is amazing.” Brian Whitten teared up when asked what the gesture meant to him and his family. “Like I’ve told everyone, there’s no words than can express the way we feel and all the gratitude we have,” he said. “It’s just amazing how everyone, not just our community, but Chickamauga and all the surrounding communities, have come together to help us. It’s just awesome.” LaFayette head coach Tab Gable said the whole team got a lift by seeing their teammate on the sidelines once again. “It was really a class act by Gordon Lee with the money and all,” he added. “It’s just great when you see two schools, especially rivals, get together like that. It was the best part of the night.” Trojans have some major holes that need shoring up. They have a pair of freshmen All-Americans up front, and an AllAmerican safety in T.J. McDonald, but overall, the Trojans are just average, not great, and it got worse for the Trojans last week when senior corner Isiah Wiley was ruled academically ineligible for the season. Still, with its athletes and highpowered offense, USC should win and win a lot. (Tie) 2. LSU — Just like USC on defense, the Bayou Bengals have too many questions on offense to be considered a solid No. 1. Junior Zach Mettenberger should give an instant boost to the passing game, but it’s still unknown how the former Georgia signee will do in his first season as an SEC starting quarterback. He’ll have a trio of solid runners in the backfield, good receivers, led by Odell Beckham, Jr., and a strong offensive line, but Mettenberger is the key. No real questions remain on defense. Yes, the loss of the Honey Badger hurts, but it hurts more on special teams than anywhere else. LSU is still as strong as ever, especially along the line where Sam Montgomery and Barkevios Mingo lead the nation’s deepest set of run-stoppers and pass-rushers. Kevin Minter is back at linebacker, and the secondary will remain physical and aggressive with corner Tharold Simon and safety Eric Reid. ———