European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday August 17, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 23college football 90 via 1 i he a f of Ion top by de Shearer Atlanta apr Miami was College footballs team of the 1980s. What about the conference of the decade the strongest claim belongs to the Southeastern. During the 1980s, the Sec had the Best winning percentage against outside opponents .690 plus the most bowl appearances 56bowl victories 29 and heis Man trophy winners Herschel Walker of Georgia and to Jackson of Auburn. Although the Sec produced Only one National Champion Georgia 1980 during the decade that was As Many As any other conference. The Sec also led All leagues in top 20 appearances and was the Only conference with three teams in last years final top 10. A Mosi conferences have got two really Strong programs but top to Bottom there Isnit one close to the Sec Quot Florida state coach Bobby Bowden said. Florida state is an Independent but the seminoles Are considering joining the Sec. The league just lured Arkansas from the Southwest conference and further expansion is expected. Arkansas coach Jack Crowe said the Razorbacks will have a much harder time winning in the Sec than they did in the Sec. A a we re going from first place in the Southwest conference to fifth in the Sec Quot he Saidi Tennessee Auburn and Alabama lied Miami coach Dennis Erickson had a Sweet finish to the 1989 season winning the sugar bowl and the National championship. If 1 for the Sec title Iasi season and this years race should be just As close. Auburn has to replace quarterback Reggie Slack but the tigers return their two top rushers highly touted offensive lineman de King and a hard hitting defense. A a Wco re not a finished product by any Means a coach Pat Dye said. A but we have the makings to be a Good football  Tennessee coming off a surprising 11-i season will feature running Back Chuck Webb the leagues second leading rusher last season. Alabama under new coach Gene Stallings should have an explosive offence with quarterback Gary Hollingsworth and 1,000-Yard runner siran Stacy. But the tide has to fill huge holes on defense created by the departure of linebacker Keith Mccants nos guard Willie Wyatt and cornerback John Mangum in the Atlantic coast conference Vir f inia and Clemson Are expected to Battle or the championship. Virginia which tied Duke for the league title last season wants Moore of the same this season a specifically the pass catch combination of quarterback Shawn Moore and receiver Herman Moore. Shawn was the nations fourth leading passer last year. Herman set a school record with 10 to catches. Clemson starts the season with a new coach and an old style. Ken Hatfield left Arkansas to replace Danny Ford who resigned following an Mcaa investigation of the c Lemson program Hatfield will stick with the same fall control offence and attacking defense that made Clemson a National Power under Ford despite the strength of the Sec the two Best teams in the South May once again be independents. Miami won the National championship last season while Florida state finished third. Both figure to contend for the National title again this season. The hurricanes offence will be led by Craig Erickson who passed for 2,007 Yards and 16 touchdowns last season despite missing three games with a broken Finger. The teams biggest problem Wilt be replacing Corte. Kennedy and Greg Mark the anchors of last years dominating defense. Florida state must replace quarterback Peter Tom Willis and tailback Dexter Carter but the seminoles have plenty of Talent returning on offence the defensive Leader is linebacker Kirk car a Ruthers who led the team with 145 tackles last season. Last year Florida state handed Miami its Only defeat. The rematch takes place oct 6 at Miami. A notre Dame plans to win with air apparent by Thomas p. Wyman South Bend ind. Apr can notre Dame survive on a Rickless diet the question will be answered this season when the fighting Irish take the Field without quarterback Tony Rice. Under Rice a leadership the past two seasons notre Dame won 24 of 25 games captured one National championship and narrowly missed another. Now the Mantle has been passed to kick Mirer a powerful passer who has never started at notre Dame. With Mirer at the controls expect the Irish to throw the Ball More than they did in the Rice Era which featured a neatly unstoppable ground game. A compared to what the fans saw the past few seasons we re going to seem like an Aerial circus a notre Dame coach Lou Holtz said. Although Mirer is Only a Sophomore he is the most experienced quarterback on the team. When second Stringer Jake Kelchner was dismissed from school for academic reasons a pair of freshmen became the top backups but Don t feel sorry for Holtz who May still Luve the most talented roster in the country. Ricks wallers who rushed for loto inh Rick Mirer Downs last season Wilt be joined in the Backfield by Tony Brooks returning after a one year suspension. Brooks was notre Dames second leading rusher during the 1988 National championship season when he decides to pass Mirer will have two terrific targets in speedy rag hib a a rocket Ismail and powerful Derek Brown. Ismail a flanker who is also a Fine kick returner and runner is a legitimate Heisman trophy contender the 6-foot-7, 240-Pound Brown May be the Best tight end in the country. The Success of the ground game May depend on the development of an inexperienced offensive line where Center Mike held and guard Tim Ryan Are the Only returning starters. On defense notre Dame could be dominating. Linebacker Michael Stonebreaker whose name reflects his hard hitting style returns after being forced to sit out last season for violating school rules. Also returning after a year off is tackle George Williams who could t play last season because of academic problems All american Chris Zorich is Back at nos guard while another All american Todd Lyght w ill spearhead the secondary. Holtz is As upset that notre Dame did t win the National championship last season after going 12-1 against the toughest schedule in the country. The title went to once beaten Miami which handed the Irish their Only defeat. The rematch Tak m oct. 20. Is Pat lace a is i the Bend Irish flanker Raghib Ismail might skyrocket in this season s Heisman i Rophy rare