The Buzz- College Football really kicks off with Big Four Preview

By Sean Mossman College football finally makes its 2000 debut this weekend, but it just doesnâ€™t feel right. Augustâ€¦ and football. I suppose it is nice that we actually have some

Friday, August 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

By Sean Mossman

College football finally makes its 2000 debut this weekend, but it just doesnâ€™t feel right. Augustâ€¦ and football.

I suppose it is nice that we actually have some games that mean something this weekend, but the number of kickoff college football games continues to grow. Is there that much interest in them? I say no. The real start of the season is next weekend, especially for â€œBig Fourâ€ fans.

Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tulsa finally get to hit players they donâ€™t have to eat with next Saturday. In Sepember! A month that actually ends with â€“ber. That is, after all, the real prerequisite for interesting football.

The other problem with these â€œpreseasonâ€ games is that they are rarely played on a college campus. Of the five games this weekend, three are played in NFL stadiums. Thereâ€™s no atmosphere at The Meadowlands. Players canâ€™t rub a rock as they enter the stadium in Jacksonville. And, if you think the NFL guys are going to let a buffalo or horse run onto their turf at Arrowhead, think again.

No, the real start of football is next Saturday. Fans in this part of the country want to watch, complain about and overanalyze â€œBig Fourâ€ football. The News on Six Sports will stoke those competitive fires Sunday at 10 p.m. The annual â€œBig Four Previewâ€ highlights all the big stories and players to watch for the 2000 season.

University of Arkansas- â€œThe Actorâ€

Ryan Rahal takes a look at Razorback tailback Cedric Cobbs. Cobbs is listed by many preseason magazines as a favorite for all-conference honors. What you may not know about Cobbs is that he has talents that donâ€™t involve carrying pigskin.

Cobbs is also an accomplished singer and aspiring actor. Rahal looks at how the senior balances life on the field with life on the stage.

University of Oklahoma- â€œThe Candidateâ€

He burst onto the college football scene as the quarterback who finally returned OU to bowl-glory. How does Josh Heupel follow up his amazing junior year? Some think it could be by winning a Heisman Trophy.

Mike Wolfe catches up with man who could shatter career passing marks for the Sooners in only two years. See how he spent his summer working towards an even better year in 2000.

Oklahoma State University- â€œThe Athleteâ€

Tony Lindsay looked like Michael Vick before even Vick did. After storming onto the college football scene as a freshman, a season that ended with an Alamo Bowl bid, Lindsay has struggled with injuries. Two years of missed games and disappointing outcomes has Lindsay focused on going out a winner.

Ryan Rahal profiles the Cowboys signal-caller and his bid to return to his freshman form. Will a new offensive system return the Cowboys to a bowl game, and can Lindsay be the man to lead them there?

The University of Tulsa- â€œThe Coachâ€

Thereâ€™s no denying that Keith Burns has brought optimism to the TU football program. Now, can he bring wins as well? He says his program will pass state-rival OSU soon. How does he plan to do that?

KOTV Sports Director John Holcomb chats with the fiery leader of The Golden Hurricane. Holcomb and Burns dissect the bold predictions and talk about what it takes to re-build a stagnant program.

Your Chance to Weigh In

Like I said earlier, one of the favorite pastimes of area fans is analyzing their favorite football team. Thatâ€™s where The News on Six sports crew comes in. You can ask questions of the guys who talk to the coaches and players every week. Just click on Johnâ€™s Mailbag at the left hand side of your screen. Send John, Mike and Ryan your questions about anything in the world of sports and the crew will answer them every week on The Sunday Sports Special.

You can also vote for which â€œBig Fourâ€ team you think will have the best season. Check out the Sports Fan Poll every week for a different question. This week is the â€œBig Fourâ€, next week could be the high schools, the pros or any issue in the world of sports.

Enjoy this hot weekend of football as much as you can. But, remember, the real season begins Sunday with the Big Four Preview.