Whether you're lounging at a tailgate party, standing in a rowdy bar, commiserating among co-workers or -- in "What's Hot, What's Not" tradition -- on a date, you don't want to get caught spouting last season's conventional wisdom about this season's biggest college football issues. While you scour ESPN.com's complete college football preview, be sure to file away the talking points below:
| WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2003 |
| Category |
Hot |
Not Hot |
| Heisman promotional campaign |
Jared Lorenzen's "J-Lo and J-Lo" poster idea |
Eli Manning's "I'm not campaigning" campaign |
| Hot QB in Texas |
Reggie McNeal (Texas A&M) |
Chance Mock (Texas) |
| Blood-boiling rivalry |
Miami vs. Big East |
Miami vs. Virginia Tech |
| Road-trip mecca |
The Swamp (Florida) |
Reser Stadium (Oregon State) |
| Coaching search |
More due diligence |
SEC hiring practices |
| Uniforms |
Oregon's "lightning yellow" |
However Nebraska is tweaking 'em this year |
| Player violation |
Academic fraud |
Missing curfew |
| Underground Heisman candidate |
Anthony Davis (Wisconsin) |
Kellen Winslow (Miami) |
| Ohio State's biggest problem |
Target on chest |
Expectations |
| Please give him more pub |
Brad Smith (Missouri) |
Maurice Clarett (Ohio State) |
| Poll to respect |
Online by fans |
Computers |
| Coaching style to emulate |
Tressel's all-business |
Neuheisel's buddy-buddy |
| Cripes, he's still in college? |
John Navarre (Michigan) |
Chris Rix (Florida State) |
| Bandwagon team to root for |
Arizona State |
Iowa |
| Sideline fashion statement |
Wear a tie |
Wraparound sunglasses |
| Player hairstyle |
Cut short |
Cornrows |
| Mascot |
Auburn's Tiger |
Maryland's Turtle |
| Mr. Excitement |
Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt) |
Reggie Williams (Washington) |
| Retro jersey to be seen in |
Kirk Herbstreit |
Charlie Ward |
| Biggest shoes to fill |
Carson Palmer (Matt Leinhart) |
Willis McGahee (Frank Gore) |
| Two-way |
Chris Gamble (Ohio State) |
Pagers |
| Special teams gimmick |
Onside kicks |
Fake field goals |
| "He's Due" coach |
Chuck Amato, NC State |
Mike Price |
| Conference to watch |
ACC |
Big East |
| BCS hot-button |
Coaches' poll |
Media poll |
| Prototype QB |
Doesn't make mistakes |
Calls his own plays |
| Game-day eye candy |
Women's soccer car-wash fundraiser |
Sorority pledge class |
| Tailgate mixer |
Hot chocolate |
Sports drink |
| Sleeper |
Virginia |
Minnesota |
| Colorado BMOC |
Running back stable |
Jeremy Bloom |
| "Smart mob" gathering |
Post-game field rushing |
Pre-game pep rally |
| Champion |
Wisconsin |
Oklahoma |
