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1- How did George O'Leary go from the head coach at Notre Dame to coaching Central Florida?
Going from being the new head coach at "The University of Football in America" to coaching the fifth best football team in the state of Florida is a tough pill to swallow. How did it happen? Well, on O'Leary's resume when he applied to Notre Dame he mentioned his Master of Science degree in education and his three letters in football at the University of New Hampshire. There are only two minor problems with that. O'Leary never got a masters degree, and he didn't letter three times in football at the University of New Hampshire. In fact, he didn't letter at all. Oops. I bet that was awkward. Next time you apply for the most scrutinized coaching job in America, stick to the truth, George. If that's your real name.
2- How big is the gap in talent between USC and UCF?
A lot of people think that if a school is in Florida, possibly the most football talent-rich state in America, they automatically have great players. This is not the case (see last year's game against South Florida). Other than Steven Moffett (UCF quarterback), I can only name one player that has ever donned the sacred black and gold of the UCF Knights - Daunte Culpepper. Unless Daunte still has a few hours of eligibility left, I like USC's chances. Like the joke says - O.J. should have driven the white Bronco to Orlando, because nobody would ever look for a Heisman trophy winner at UCF.
3- Will Spurrier wear the "Spur's Lid" or the visor?
This is the question that I've been losing sleep over for weeks. For those of you that missed it this summer, the Spur's Lid is the topless bucket hat Spurrier has been wearing to practice. It is basically like a visor, except it serves two purposes: it keeps the sun off your face, and, at the same time, makes you look like a huge dork. I can only hope that Mike McGee, in his last great move as USC's athletics director, slipped some sort of visor clause in Spurrier's contract. Seeing Steve Spurrier wearing the Spur's Lid was like seeing those pictures of pregnant Brittany Spears on Entertainment Tonight. Both were very traumatic for me, and I'd like to make sure they never happen again.
4- How will UCF respond to last year's 0-11 season?
If college football teams were animals, the 2004 Central Florida Golden Knights would have been the opossum. They played dead at home and got killed on the road (I'm sorry, but I've been waiting all summer to use that). We all know that coming back strong is a possibility (see USC circa 2000), but I don't think they will be improved enough to beat USC. People keep giving them the edge in experienced players, but when your only experience is losing 15 straight games and going 0 for 2004, that might not be a good thing.
5- Exactly how much will I eat in the press box before, during, and after the game?
Listen, I'll go ahead and say it. If tuition goes up again this year, you have me to thank. I'm not sure they knew what they were getting into when they gave me a seat in the press box, but I'm looking forward to the free food almost as much as the free football.
In a room full of serious journalists, I will try to represent the students of USC the best that I can. With that being said, if I show up to the post-game press conference with a napkin hanging from the collar of my shirt and barbeque sauce smeared across face...well...don't say I didn't warn you.
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