Letters

I strongly disagree with the college football rankings in your
scouting reports. Northern Illinois is definitely a top 105 team
this season.
--DOUG KEITH, St. Petersburg, Fla.

THE BIG KAT

Your cover story about Ohio State omni-backer Andy Katzenmoyer
reminds me of another break-the-mold, once-in-a-lifetime
linebacker of yesteryear (Kataclysm, Aug. 31). No, not Dick
Butkus, not Jack Lambert, not Lawrence Taylor. I'm afraid it's
Brian Bosworth.
JOHN ACREE, Cheverly, Md.

I've got three words for Katzenmoyer (and his mother):
career-ending injury. Even if he survives his junior year and
signs a rich contract, will he have the intellectual and
emotional resources to build a new life if--god forbid--he
becomes unable to play football?
JOYCE MACDONALD, Louisville

Katzenmoyer describes himself as a "new breed" of athlete. But
with his low grades and DWI arrest, he sounds like the same old
breed of college football player to me.
DEAN DUANE, Highlands, N.J.

Coach John Cooper should spend more time counseling his players
on the importance of an education and on ways to contribute to
society other than on the football field.
CHRISTIE KELLY, Los Alamos, N.Mex.

I'm not sure which disgusted me more--the fact that Katzenmoyer's
parents couldn't care less that he is academically deficient or
that you chose to put him on your cover.
NICK ARMSTRONG, Naperville, Ill.

Nice picture of Katzenmoyer on the cover. Hope he can find
someone to read him the article.
RUSS EMELANDER, Hudsonville, Mich.

Perhaps in your next issue we should read about Rick Reilly's and
Austin Murphy's college course loads and their respective
academic averages. Leave Katzenmoyer alone.
THOMAS ORR, Ridgefield, Conn.

RUNNING THE OPTION

Tim Layden overlooked one of the nation's most proficient option
attacks (Back to the Option, Aug. 31). Last year Rice, which
runs the spread option, finished second in the nation in
rushing, behind Nebraska.
JASON R. WILLIAMS, Houston

In 1994 Ohio University was 0-11. In '97, three years after
coach Jim Grobe took over and installed the option, the Bobcats
were 8-3. It has brought hope of a bowl-game bid back to Athens.
BRIAN AYRES, Albany, Ga.

THE PERFECT CHOICES

As a Tennessee fan I was dismayed that the Volunteers weren't
viewed as one of the top four producers of wide receiver talent
(The Perfect Team, Aug. 31). What about Alvin Harper, Carl
Pickens, Cory Fleming, Joey Kent and Marcus Nash?
CHARLES RAND, Los Angeles

Florida's wideouts are the best in the last decade, but I don't
understand why you did not include Syracuse's receivers as
runners-up. In the past 10 years the Orangemen have boasted the
likes of Rob Moore, Rob Carpenter, Qadry Ismail, Marvin
Harrison, Quinton Spotwood and Kevin Johnson.
MIKE KELLEY, Syracuse, N.Y.

North Carolina produces the best defensive tackles? Among the
many who have played with distinction for the Miami Hurricanes
are Russell Maryland, Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp.
ANTHONY LEWIS, Mesa, Ariz.

I am baffled at how Clemson's rich linebacker tradition failed to
receive even runner-up recognition. The Tigers have six former
linebackers playing in the NFL, including Levon Kirkland, Ed
McDaniel and Wayne Simmons. Kirkland and McDaniel were Butkus
Award nominees.
JAMES L.WARD JR., Columbia, S.C.

I was dismayed that you left out Penn State as one of the top
programs for tailbacks. The Nittany Lions have produced two top
five picks in the NFL draft in the last five years, Ki-Jana
Carter and Curtis Enis, both tailbacks.
CAITLIN COSLETT, Philadelphia

NUMBERS, NUMBERS

Cooper is a great coach, but how can you pick Ohio State as the
No. 1 team in the country when the Buckeyes can't win their own
conference title (Scouting Reports, Aug. 31)?
JERRY MUZAR, Norman, Okla.

It's deja vu all over again. The cover of the 1974 college
football preview issue featured another number 45 from Ohio
State, soon-to-be two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin.
The Buckeyes failed in their national championship bid that
year. Archie went on to win the Heisman, however.
PAT DRLIK, Mansfield, Ohio

MCNOWN'S MERITS

What a touching story (A Moving Experience, Aug. 31). Sadly,
Cade McNown's dad doesn't get it. Sports dads need to learn that
young people live their lives for themselves.
DAVE GORDON, Sacramento

WILLIAMS IS WORTHY

It saddens me that you can so easily dismiss Ricky Williams of
Texas from the Heisman (Crib Sheet, Aug. 31). Williams was the
best rusher and scorer in the nation last year. Just because the
Longhorns are not ranked in the Top 25 does not outweigh the
fact that he has the ability to again lead the nation in yards
and points. He was in the top five in the Heisman race last year
while playing on a 4-7 team.
KARLY KUHN, Austin