Open season for colleges

Dorsey is one of the best quarter-backs in America

BBC Sport Online's Kevin Asseo previews the ones to watch in American college football this season.

Sundays in the USA may belong to American pro football and the NFL, but Saturday afternoon means college football, when hundreds of the nation's university football teams play before huge, raucous crowds.

The battle for the national championship appears to be wide-open this season, with a number of teams from across the country hopeful of reaching the title game at the Rose Bowl in January.

Meanwhile, the Heisman Trophy, given to college football's most outstanding individual player, is shaping up to be a competition among the nation's top quarterbacks.

Florida's "Big Three"

As usual, the "Big Three" universities in the state of Florida will play a huge role in determining the national champion.

The University of Miami Hurricanes finished the 2000 season as number two-ranked team in the country and hope quarterback Ken Dorsey duplicates his outstanding form of last year.

Florida Seminoles have lost Chris Weinke

Dorsey is one of the most exciting players in the nation and, if he can stay healthy all season, Miami may be able to ride on his shoulders all the way to the title game.

The Florida State Seminoles field another typically strong side, but what else would you expect from a team that has not finished outside the top five in the last 14 years?

Despite the loss of their offensive leader, quarterback Chris Weinke, the Seminoles boast a talented young line-up and will again be near the top of the rankings in 2001.

The University of Florida Gators have almost their entire starting line-up back from last year.

Head coach Steve Spurrier only needed to replace four of 22 starters, leaving the Gators with a deep, talented core of players.

However, it remains to be seen whether Florida can recover from last year's convincing losses to the Hurricanes and Seminoles and make a run at a championship.

Strong in the Midwest

The defending national champions, the Oklahoma Sooners, are again among the country's elite teams.

While last year's team owed its success to a high-powered offence, this year's side is centred around a stalwart defence.

Calmus is a fearsome defensive presence

Rocky Calmus is a fearsome defensive presence, probably the best linebacker on the university level.

Oklahoma's rivals, the Texas Longhorns, are putting their championship hopes on the arm of talented quarterback Chris Simms.

Simms and receiver Roy Williams are an explosive offensive duo who should combine for plenty of yards and touchdowns in 2001.

The Mighty Ducks

Last but not least in this year's list of title contenders are the University of Oregon Ducks.

The Ducks are led by this year's favourite to take home the Heisman Trophy, quarterback Joey Harrington.

Harrington has it all - speed, size, smarts, and a strong, accurate throwing arm. He is the backbone of a team that has a legitimate shot at winning the Ducks' first-ever national crown.

East v West

Expect this year's championship game to be a meeting of East and West, as Oregon and Miami clash for the title in the Rose Bowl on 3 January.

While the Ducks' Harrington will walk away with the individual prize after a Heisman Trophy-winning season, the Hurricanes all-around attack will prove too much for Oregon and the championship will once again have a home in Miami.