Like It Is

At this point, college football just a mirage

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scores a touchdown during double overtime of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 in Knoxville, Tenn. Oklahoma won 31-24. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scores a touchdown during double overtime of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 in Knoxville, Tenn. Oklahoma won 31-24. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Most college football players are already on campus, even though they don't officially report for fall practice for another 10 days or so.

For football-starved fans, this two-week dead period is akin to walking across the Mojave Desert -- barefoot and with no water.

Not fun.

College football fever is already running high and people want information. The truth is, the only good news right now is no news.

If a player or school is in the headlines, it is usually because someone broke team rules or laws.

Still, the interest in college football is amazing. And, it is easy for SEC fans to sit on their thrones that look like recliners and make predictions about the greatness of their league. Most of it is justified, but there is other football out there with interesting story lines and players.

Here's a look at five college football players outside the SEC to keep an eye on this year:

5. GREG WARD, HOUSTON COUGARS QB

Ward, a three-star recruit out of Tyler, Texas, played quarterback in high school but spent more time at receiver during his freshman season at UH. It didn't take new coach Tom Herman long to move the 5-11, 185-pound dual threat back to quarterback. Ward led the Coogs to a 13-1 record, passing for 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he also ran for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Cougars' only loss last season was at UConn when Ward sat out because of injuries. Ward rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another in the Cougars' 38-24 victory over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.

4. BAKER MAYFIELD, OKLAHOMA SOONERS QB

Mayfield walked on at Texas Tech and started as a true freshman, then walked on at Oklahoma and had to sit out a year because he was an intraconference transfer. Mayfield was worth the scholarship he earned when he got on the field last season, passing for 3,700 yards, 36 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

3. JABRILL PEPPERS, MICHIGAN WOLVERINES LB

Peppers, 6-1, 208 pounds, is a freakishly fast strongside linebacker, who outrun all the other Wolverines, according to reports out of their camp in Florida. He was a cornerback in high school, and he drops back in coverage with ease. He had a slow start at Michigan, but last year had 37 unassisted tackles and broke up 10 passes. He's big, strong, fast and one of the main players second-year coach Jim Harbaugh is counting on this season.

2. CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, STANFORD CARDINAL RB

McCaffrey touched the ball 31 times per game last season as a running back, receiver and returner. Think Peyton Hillis with even more speed. McCaffrey, an accomplished pianist, is like a thoroughbred with a great bloodline. His dad played professional football and his mom was a college soccer player. He set a new record for all-purpose yards as a sophomore with 3,864, besting Barry Sanders' 3,249 yards. He was second in the Heisman voting last season and can usually be seen late Saturday nights.

1. DESHAUN WATSON, CLEMSON TIGERS QB

Watson was the first FBS quarterback to pass for more than 4,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 last season. He led his team to 14 victories and a showdown with Alabama for the national championship when he passed for 405 yards and ran for 73 against one of the stingiest defenses in the country. But the Tide, thanks in large part to special teams play, won 45-40. Watson was third in the Heisman voting but will be one of the favorites going into this season.

Sports on 07/26/2016

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