Doug Flutie isn't the all-time greatest
We speculated a few days ago (along with some readers) about how the final two spots of the ABC/ESPN Top 25 College Football Players of All Time list would be filled out with announcements made during their bowl games on Jan. 1.
Early in the Rose Bowl telecast, they announced No. 1:
Harold E. "Red" Grange, aka the "Galloping Ghost" and "Wheaton Iceman" who played halfback, punter and returner for the University of Illinois from 1923-25.
Just as we suspected. There's even a book on Grange coming out this year that should be worth checking out.
Apparently, Lou Holtz had a vote in this. He's probably not only the sole person alive in the ABC/ESPN family to have seen Red run, but likely coached him on the freshman team as well.
Who's No. 2?
They took Barry Sanders, the former Oklahoma State standout and single-season rushing leader.
Our vote went to O.J. Simpson.
Others thought Flutie (since there was the ABC bias) was on the short list.
Matt Leinart (considering Vince Young made it at No. 10)
Marcus Allen (first over 2,000 yards)
Paul Hornung (since reputation and hype seems to be a big deal) ...
Ron Dayne (the all-time college leading rusher and two-time Rose Bowl MVP)
Tommie Frazier (former Nebraska star QB)
At best, the list is worth a discussion (how did Charles Woodson and Charley Trippi make it, but Leinart, Simpson, Allen and Dayne didn't)?
At worst, we have no idea how it was put together, why it was put together or what recourse there is for anyone who wants to lodge a complaint.