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Show Page 20 - THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, Football Section, Wednesday, August 26. 1992 , Bowl alliance affecttsSouftlrieastiec'n conference Showdown likely to detemine he's the only one that knows what Sugar Bowl invite - ATLANTA (AP) The Southeastern Conference gives college football a new twist in 1992 a playoff game to determine its champion and Sugar Bowl representative. If the season unfolds as expected, Alabama will win the Western Division and Florida the East, setting up a championship showdown at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 5. Coach Steve Spurrier of defending SEC champion Florida would like to see it blossom into a national playoff in Division "We're the only sport in the world that does not have a playoff or a tournament at the end of the season," he said. "I've always tried to figure out why we were right and everyone else was wrong. It would be as big as the Super Bowl if we could get it going. But it's not going to happen anytime soon. " It took expansion for the SEC to qualify for a conference playoff under NCAA rules. Conferences with 12 or more teams can split into divisions and hold a playoff to determine a champion. The SEC reached the requirement when Arkansas and South Carolina joined last year, completing the marriage with football eligibility this year. While the SEC is charting new waters with a playoff format, the Atlantic Coast Conference probably found its 1992 champion through expansion to nine schools. Florida State, a perennial power as an independent, makes its football debut in the ACC after participating in all other league sports last year. The Seminoles, who flirted with national titles in recent years, are favored to beat out Clemson for the ACC crown. The South lost one of its most successful teams through expansion when Miami of Florida joined the Big East Conference. The SEC hasn't won a national championship since Georgia's in 1980. The expansion schedule has each team playing eight conference five division foes and games three in the other division. performer, generate the offense. The only team expected to challenge Florida in the East is Georgia, led by three of the SEC's top performers at their positions quarterback Eric Zeier, running back Garrison Hearst and wide receiver Andre Hastings. Coach Johnny Majors has seen nine of his Tennessee Vols drafted by the pros in the last two years. He says this will be his youngest teams in 10 years or more. The Vols figure to finish third in the East, followed by Vanderbilt, Kentucky and South Carolina. Alabama went 11-- 1 last year the only loss a 35-- 0 drubbing at Florida. Coach Gene Stallings is so concerned about quarterback Jay Barker's lack of experience that he's considering using flanker David Palmer some at the position. "He can throw the football, has an excellent arm, and I think he's a very unselfish player," Stalling said. Palmer provided most of the of- fensive excitement for the Tide last year, thriving on receptions, reverses and kick returns. He also has an offseason drunken driving charge to resolve. Stallings says punishment Palmer might receive from the team, adding that he's not saying. With 19 starters back from last year's 5 team. Mississippi State figures to give Alabama its biggest challenge in the East. Auburn, a 7-- longtime power, should bounce back from last year's 6 team, but doesn't figure to seriously challenge the Crimson Tide. Louisiana State figures to finish fourth in the West, newcomer Arkansas fifth and Mississippi in the cellar. The ACC isn't ready to hand the title to Coach Bobby Bowden's Seminoles on a platter. "I don't care who you are, it's a lot different playing in a conference," Wake Forest coach Bill Dooley said. "When you're an independent, you can break up your tough games with cast games, but these days there aren't many easy games in the ACC." Bowdcn knows there will be a difference. "I've got to make the fans realize that winning the ACC championship is more important than 5-- beating Miami and Florida," Bowden said. "Our fans don't believe me right now, but they'll come around. You had better not underestimate the ACC." FSU lost such stellar performers as quarterback Casey Weldon, running back Amp Lee and defensive back Terrell Buckley. There is, as usual, plenty of talent waiting in the wings, as well as one of the nation's top linebackers, Marvin Jones. Clemson lost five offensive and defensive starters from last year's team that gave the Tigers a record and the school's 13th ACC title. Behind the Seminoles and Tigers, there is expected to be a real battle for third place among Vir- -1 a. enough to leave Duke and Wake Forest battling to avoid the cellar. Bill Lewis takes over a Tech team that went 5 in 1991 after capturing the UPI version of the nation title in 1990. Bobby Ross left Tech to become the coach of the San Diego Chargers. Maryland has the only other new coach in the league, Mark Duffner, who came from Holy Cross. 8-- Miami loses starter MIAMI (AP) Starting Miami offensive guard Brad Shirey is out for the season after breaking two bones in his right leg during a blocking drill. 270-pouThe strong another player over guard tripped when his right foot was caught, breaking his tibia and fibula Tuesday. His leg will be in a cast for eight weeks. "We're going to miss him on a higher level because he was drawing us together," offensive line coach Art Kehoe said. "It's a big loss, but we've got to hope somebody steps up." The injury to the fourth-yea- r junior leaves only one returning regular, Rudy Barber, on the offensive line for the national championship Hurricanes' season opener Sept. 5 at Iowa. flfr tl ft- '- rffl THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION MEMORIAL PROGRAM. mm m LTV q nnr 'apt A "We're going to have some bloody noses coming out of our conference," Auburn coach Pat Dye said. "It's not going to be easy for a Southeastern Conference team to have enough left at the end of the year to win a national championship." Shane Matthews is back to direct the Florida offense, but he'll be operating behind a new offensive line caused by the departure ol four 1991 starters. The Gators also have two new tackles on the defen- ginia. North Carolina State, Georgia Tech and perhaps North Caro-linMaryland should have r w. 'lAtK.-- MB MBSB - Vie Air Boss Shark. I ROB'S sive front. Spurrier says the new linemen have talent. The Gators also have star running back Errict Rhett and receiver Willie Jackson back to help Matthews, ihc returning FOR ALL YOUR ATHLETIC SHOE NEEDS Georgia Tech coach Bill Lewis takes over a program that went las! year. He replaced Bobby Ross who went to the NFL. 8-- 5 University Mall 225-441- 0 |