Shooting from the lip

Looking back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports ...

Worst job
Just wondering, but could Brent Musburger possibly have made any more mistakes calling Sunday's Little League World Series finale? He messed up the count, the number of outs and even tried to dramatically call a home run that turned out not to be a home run. Analysts Dusty Baker and Orel Hershiser were great. Too bad their partner wasn't.

Biggest ripoff
Seen that NFL commercial for the opening of the season between Peyton Manning's Colts and Reggie Bush's Saints? Cute idea, having the two in the same hotel and ordering outrageous items from room service to be sent to the other's room. Yeah, I really like it, but I have to say I liked it even more the first time I saw it when the NHL did it with Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin last winter.

Most honest analyst
I've gone back and forth on this Tiki Barber-ripping-Eli Manning mess. Finally, I've decided that while Barber doesn't earn points for being a good guy, he does earn points for being a good broadcaster. NBC hired Barber, in part, to give un­biased insight and analysis. Maybe Barber took the low road in criticizing Manning, but it was his opinion and, after all, that's what he's getting paid to give. Better to honestly rip someone than do what so many ex-jocks do — which is to never say anything bad about anyone even if they have some dirt.

Biggest turnaround
For months the Michael Vick controversy has created a divide between races, cultures and parts of the country. But this was interesting from Sunday morning's Outside the Lines on ESPN. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Jeff Schultz said he wrote a column last week, basically calling Vick a "coward'' for lying about this whole mess. Schultz said the reaction from readers ran about "20-to-1'' in favor of the column. Had he written the column about six weeks ago, Schultz said, "I would’ve worried about starting my car.''

Best statements
As I said, the Vick controversy has plenty of gray area for many because, well, it is a black-and-white issue. But on Sunday's Sports Reporters, Howard Bryant came on strong, telling everyone to read the investigation reports of what Vick allegedly did to dogs.

"And if it doesn’t horrify you,'' The ESPN columnist said, "then you don’t have a soul.''

Will Vick ever play again? The earliest he would is probably at age 30. Assuming he is allowed back, who knows if he'll have any football skills left after sitting out, perhaps, three seasons. But Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan said it's more about whether Vick ever shows contrition, which he really hasn't done yet. Ryan said his return will depend on "who he is going to be, not what kind of football player he is.''

Best historical comment
ESPN basketball analyst Bill Walton, talking about the United States dominating the FIBA Americas basketball tournament: "This has become more lopsided than the Battle of the Alamo.''

Worst reporting
Shame on Fox baseball pregame show analyst Kevin Kennedy, who is usually solid, but was out of line Saturday. The subject was Twins lefty Johan Santana, who appeared to pull himself out of a game after striking out 17 (three short of tying the record) in eight innings on Aug. 19. Kennedy said Santana was wrong unless he and manager Ron Gardenhire had discussed how much longer he would pitch. Fox analyst Eric Karros seconded Kennedy’s remarks.

Here's my beef: The pregame show was Saturday. Santana's game was the previous Sunday. That means Kennedy had almost six full days to call Gardenhire or Santana, or get someone at Fox to check on it. Why not do a little reporting and get the facts before you rip a guy on national television?

Biggest shoutout
ESPN NASCAR analyst Rusty Wallace, talking about Saturday night's race at Bristol: "It's definitely the most exciting race anybody ever goes to. The track is amazing, the fans are amazing. If you're ever going to win one, Bristol's at the top of the list.''

That's his opinion and it's more educated than mine. But I think I might go with a little race called the Daytona 500.

Oddest event
The U.S. Open tennis tournament is the latest sporting event to incorporate a skills competition. Sunday had goofy events like hitting targets and so forth. It actually was somewhat entertaining, as were some of the musical guests. And it got me thinking about how all these sporting events, such as the NFL and NBA and NHL, are trying to look hip in, what I can only guess, is an attempt to attract younger viewers, especially kids. If that's the case, then perhaps these events should be on early enough in the day for kids to actually watch. I guarantee there will be an incredible U.S. Open match in the next two weeks that won't end until 1 in the morning.

Best scoop
Fox baseball insider Ken Rosenthal reported that Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter turned down a $14-million a year contract and wants Ichiro money, which is like $18-million a year. Rosenthal is always full of good stuff, and I don't understand why Fox doesn't lean on him more.

Saddest news
Speaking of Fox's baseball broadcast, you might have noticed that usual pregame host Jeannie Zelasko was absent Saturday. She was attending the funeral of her father. Chris Rose did an admirable job in her chair.

Best "Whatever happened to … ''
Remember Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson? ESPN's Outside the Lines caught up with him Sunday. He's coaching the Mexican National Team. Richardson lost his job at Arkansas in part for saying the school, the media and fans mistreated him because he is African-American. He sued the school (unsuccessfully) over charges of discrimination. These days, it's hard to argue that discrimination is keeping him out of college basketball. Bob Knight and Bob Huggins have been given second chances, but Richardson, who is only 65, has never even been interviewed for a college job despite one national championship and three Final Four appearances.

Best upcoming event
For me, the U.S. Open — or tennis in general — doesn't have the pizzazz it had 20 years ago. The days of McEnroe, Borg, Connors, Lendl on the men's side and Navratilova, Evert, Austin and, later, Graf were the golden age of tennis, in my opinion. Yet, I'll watch the tennis this week for two reasons: John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. No analysts in any other sport are as informed and entertaining as these two. By the way, Mc­Enroe's brother Patrick is as solid as they come, too, and he also will be a part of the CBS coverage.

Random thoughts
Three things I thought last weekend:
1. The new Lightning logo doesn't look any different to me than the old one. If you're going to change it, why not go crazy?
2. One final note regarding the Orioles losing 30-3 to Texas last week: The Baltimore Ravens did not give up 30 points in a game last season.
3. I was going to write something this week about the Bucs broadcast, but it's hard to write anything when you can barely keep your eyes open. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. I hate preseason football.

NFL vs. College football -- Which one is better?

Which is better, college football or the NFL? Let's break it down.

Traditions
Dotting the "i'' at Ohio State. Tailgating at Ole Miss. Clemson touching the rock. Chief Osceola's flaming spear. Texas A&M's 12th man. Sure, grilling a brat in the snow in Green Bay sounds kind of cool, but nothing beats the traditions of college football. EDGE: College.

Fans
College football fans are as passionate as anyone with allegiances dating back generations. But, come, one, wearing a wedge of cheese on your head? Dressing up like a dog and eating dog bones? Remember those guys who used to put on pig noses and dresses? It takes a sick, sick person to do such things. In this case, sick is good. EDGE: NFL

Coaches
College has some legendary figures, such as JoePa, the Head Ball Coach, Bobby Bowden. But NFL coaches are borderline psychotic. Jon Gruden is at work by 3:30 in the morning. Think of Bill Cowher, the former and you can bet future head coach, spraying spittle on his players, coaches and officials. Then there's the class of Tony Dungy. EDGE: NFL

Games
Pro players are better, but that doesn't mean the actual games are better. No single NFL regular-season game is super critical. Every NFL can afford two or three losses. But in college, one lost could dash your national title hopes. Two or three losses and you're making plans for the PapaJohns.com Bowl. EDGE: College.

Playoffs
What playoffs? If you're a college fan, that's what you say. The NFL playoffs are riveting. In fact, the day of the conference championships rank among the best days of the sports year. EDGE: NFL.

Stadiums
Name one truly classic NFL stadium. Go ahead, I'll give you a week to think of one. Most of them are nice and swanky and all, but they lack true charm and character. Meantime, the country is littered with great college stadiums such as Ohio State's Horseshoe, Michigan's Big House and cathedral of all football stadiums, Notre Dame Stadium. I mean, if it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me. EDGE: College.

Mascots
The best NFL mascot isn't even around anymore. I'm thinking of that big lug who used to wear that Vikings getup and stand in subzero temps. But in college, we have Notre Dame's Leprechaun and the USC Trojan. Colorado has an actually buffalo running wild. How about that Nebraska guy with the humongous head? And, lastly, the ugliest but coolest mascot in all of sports: Georgia's bulldog named UGA. EDGE: College.

Nicknames
Some NFL nicknames lack originality and/or sense. It seems every NFL nickhame was the first that came to mind. Steelers? Seriously, I don't think that's even a real word. Jets? We're naming a team after an airplane? When was the last time you saw a Bear wandering Rush Street? At least colleges try -- Tar Heels, Hoosiers, Demon Deacons. EDGE: College.

Overtimes
Basically, the NFL determines overtime games by a coin toss. More than 60 percent of the teams that win the coin toss get the ball and win. At least in college, both teams get the ball. EDGE: College.

Players
Most college players bust their rear ends for a chance to get an education. NFL players are spoiled millionaires who do nothing but complain to the media. But you know what? We in the media like guys who whine. You might hate T.O., but you can't help but listen to some of the stuff that comes flying out of his mouth. EDGE: NFL.

Music
In the NFL you get piped-in versions of the Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake and the one song that makes you want to drive an ice pick into your ear: YMCA. But in college, we get the fight songs: Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, We Are The Boys from Ol' Florida and the greatest college song ever, Rocky Top. EDGE: College.

Halftimes
The NFL gives you scantily clad cheerleaders dancing to hip-hop. College gives you marching bands. I'm not even going to get into the middle of this debate. EDGE: Even.

Announcers
John Madden is pure genuis. So is Terry Bradshaw. They're NFL guys. And college has lost all the great ones. Now that Keith Jackson is gone and Brent Musburger isn't, college football just isn't the same on TV. EDGE: NFL.

Final score: College football wins 7-5-1. But good thing they don't play on Sundays. Because that's the day I watch the NFL.

Shooting from the lip

Most boring broadcast
We all know fans must pay regular-season prices to go to NFL preseason games. I think the league should pay the fans to watch this junk. And the only good thing about watching it on TV is you can switch channels. The Bucs games have become boring. Chris Myers and Charles Davis are normally solid announcers, but they don't exactly fill the evening with especially deep or insightful analysis beyond what our eyes can see. Channel 8 would be better served calling more often on sideline reporter J.P. Peterson, who spends more time around the team than Myers and Davis, who have other jobs, and can offer more and better perspective.

Having said all that, the Channel 8 pregame show is good, especially the work of Doug Graber, right, a former Bucs defensive coach. His "Chalk Talk'' segment is the best thing going on the show. Saturday, he broke down footage of No. 1 pick Gaines Adams and revealed mistakes even the die-hard football fan is not smart enough to pick up. Yet Graber explained in terms the casual fan could understand.

Biggest doubts
ESPN football analyst Merril Hoge likes Bucs QB Jeff Garcia. You just get the feeling he doesn't think a whole lot of the rest of the team.

"The thing that concerns me in Tampa is the lack of a ground game, the pounding of the rock, the consistency there,'' Hoge said. "Jeff Garcia cannot win games consistently by improvising all day. Tampa must find a consistent running game and play better defense if Tampa has any hopes of having a season where they can go to the playoffs.''

Best point
On ESPN's Sports Reporters, Bob Ryan pointed out that this is a big week for the United States' basketball team as it tries to qualify for the Olympics. And even if it does, there's no guarantee it can win a gold medal even with the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. As Ryan also astutely pointed out, the United States is not the defending champion in either the Olympics or the world championships. "We are the champions of nothing,'' Ryan said. "We invented this game, but now it belongs to the world.''

  Hottest broadcast team
Check out tonight's game between the Colts and Bears. Yeah, it's a rematch of the Super Bowl, but that's not why you should watch. Listen to the broadcast team of Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski. I know a lot of football fans were down on Kornheiser, the Washington Post columnist and co-host of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, last season. I was a fan of his from the start, but I also thought the reason so many didn't like him wasn't really his fault. I just thought he and Joe Theismann had a tough time playing off one another. Just like Howard Cosell had "Dandy'' Don Meredith, Kornheiser needed someone a little more playful than the too-serious Theismann. Tune in to Kornheiser and Jaworski tonight on ESPN and I think you'll see a difference.

Harshest call-out
Fox baseball pregame panelist Eric Karros is never afraid to say what's on his mind, which makes him one of the better players-turned-broadcasters in the business. I think Fox needs to expand his role so we can get even more of him. Well, Saturday, he laid into the fans of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"They have the best record in the National League, and they've had two sellouts,'' Karros said. "Opening day and a game against the Red Sox, and most of those people probably came to see the Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have had four sellouts! Come on, people (in Arizona), support your team!''

Best interview
The best, hands-down, no-doubt-about-it, feel-good story of the baseball season is the return of the Cardinals' Rick Ankiel. You might remember Ankiel as the promising left-handed pitcher who suddenly developed Steve Blass disease, meaning he started throwing pitches behind batters, over the backstop, into the ground — everywhere but near home plate. So he quit pitching, went back to the minors as an outfielder and despite injuries and personal obstacles, has made his way back to the majors, where he totaled three homers in his first three games.

"I just look forward,'' Ankiel said during ESPN’s Sunday Conversation with Peter Gammons. "The past is the past. You can't change it. I just look forward to looking forward.''

Best graphic
My new favorite graphic is the little radar chart ESPN uses for the Little League World Series. It shows the actual speed of a pitch, but then quickly translates the speed to its major-league equivalent.
For example, a pitcher from Texas on Saturday threw a 72-mph pitch, but because of the distance, it was just like a 96-mph major-league fastball.

Best guest
I love it when New York Times columnist Selena Roberts is on ESPN's Sports Reporters. She brings a little different perspective than the usual crew of Mike Lupica, Bob Ryan and Mitch Albom. And even though all three are pros at that show and all three shared the stage with Roberts on Sunday, Roberts was the MVP. Her best line  was when talking about whether the Redskins’ Joe Gibbs was still a decent coach: "I can't tell if he's an 8-track or he has moved to the iPod generation.''

Speaking of NASCAR
Sunday's race in Brooklyn, Mich., was postponed because of rain, so ESPN filled the afternoon with a rerun of last week's race at Watkins Glen, N.Y. That's the best the World Wide Leader can do? A repeat from a week ago? I know it was an exciting race, but you would think ESPN could produce some original NASCAR programming or even rerun some old Sports Centuries or documentaries about NASCAR instead of showing something most race fans probably don't want to watch again. Look at it this way. If an NFL game were postponed, I'd rather watch NFL Films than a game that was on last week.

Best exchange
ESPN pulled a fast one on NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty, pulling out old video of Daugherty with the Cleveland Cavaliers in one of the worst mustaches since the invention of the mustache.
Daugherty: "That was baaad. That was sweet. Look at that, man.''
Rusty Wallace: "You look mean there, buddy.''
Daugherty: "Big, mean and ugly.''

Random thoughts
Three things I thought of this weekend:
1. Vinny Testaverde just might play until he is 90.
2. It's great to see the Cubs and Cards making the National League Central race close. And while I love Lou Piniella wouldn't it be nice to see a new team like the Brewers in the playoffs?
3. If I never have to watch another NFL preseason game again, I'll be a happy man. Of all the sports, the NFL has the worst exhibition season.

The best baseball announcers

Longtime Yankees announcer Phil "Scooter'' Rizzuto died this week, joining other legendary announcers in that big press box in heaven, announcers such as Mel Allen, Red Barber, Russ Hodges, Bob Prince, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray and Jack Buck.

There aren't many legends left, but there are some. Here's my look at 10 legendary baseball announcers who are still active.

  Vin Scully
Los Angeles Dodgers
This smooth-as-silk voice has been calling games since 1958 and just might be the best who has ever done it. Even now, at age 79, Scully is a master, weaving nostalgia, trivia and insider information all the while never losing track of the game at hand. And he does it with a vocabulary and style that is deep, as well as dramatic without ever being over the top. His sense of timing and knack of picking exactly the right word are practically flawless. What makes him remarkable is he is considered the best yet never really had a signature call.

Harry Kalas
Philadelphia Phillies
Calling the Phils since 1971, Kalas is not always the smoothest, but his nearly out-of-breath, got-to-squeeze-in-two-more-words style makes him a fan favorite. Also, we can still hear him passing out his postgame awards: "That's a case of Tastykakes for Michael Jack Schmidt.''

Bob Uecker
Milwaukee Brewers
Juuuust a bit outside. From his classic scenes in Major League to his hysterical interviews with Johnny Carson to his Lite beer commercials ("I must be sitting in the front row!''), Uecker — who humorously dubbed himself Mr. Baseball — has become a national cult favorite. But, you know, he is also one of the best broadcasters in the business, as any longtime Brewers fan will tell you. His trademark is his deadpan comedic delivery ("A couple of grand slammers and the Brewers are right back in this thing,'' he once said during a game in which Milwaukee trailed 8-0). But he also can call dramatic victories, too, with his own special flair.

Skip Caray
Atlanta Braves
Nothing was ever better than listening to Skip back when the Braves were just awful in the 1980s. If the Braves were getting pummeled late in the game, he started talking about what movie was on after the game. His sarcastic wit probably mirrored what the fans were thinking at home. Eventually, the Braves became good — really good, yet Caray never changed. He remains a solid announcer, nothing like the caricature his father, Harry, became, but a meat-and-potatoes announcer with that same dry humor.

Milo Hamilton
Houston Astros
Best remembered for calling Hank Aaron's 715th homer as a Braves broadcaster in 1974. Hamilton has bounced around the majors, starting with the Braves in 1966, moving on to replace the legendary Bob Prince in 1976, then onto the Cubs and eventually to Houston, where he has been the Astros' lead play-by-play guy since 1987. "Holy Toledo, what a play,''’ is his signature call.

Denny Matthews
Kansas City Royals
Has been calling Royals games since their inception in 1969. Baseball historian Bill James once wrote: "His voice has a pleasant timbre, which suggests a cheerful occasion. His inflection varies naturally so it's neither falsely enthusiastic nor boring. He has a dry, understated humor that drifts through much of his audience undetected. One cannot learn these things at a microphone; they are given.''

Ernie Harwell
Detroit Tigers
No longer a full-time announcer,  Harwell still comes out of retirement here and there to call a few innings. If we don't count Harwell, we certainly have a good replacement for the list: Ralph Kiner, who has been calling Mets games since the inaugural 1962 season. Sounds like the guy at the corner bar in occasional appearances, but that's his charm.

Lon Simmons
San Francisco Giants
Simmons has been yelling, "Tell it goodbye'' for most of the past 50 years. Simmons started calling Giants games way back when the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. He became a bay area icon, also calling games for the Oakland A's from 1981 to 1995, as well as San Francisco 49ers games. Inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame, Simmons remains a part-time announcer for the Giants.

Marty Brennaman
Cincinnati Reds
When you think of the Big Red Machine, you think Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench … and those in Cincinnati also think of the broadcast team of Joe Nuxhall and Marty Brennaman, who replaced a guy named Al Michaels as the Reds announcer in 1974. "Marty and Joe'' became an institution. In the glory days, fans of the Reds would always hear Brennaman say, "And this one belongs to the Reds.''

Jerry Coleman
San Diego Padres
Coleman, who has been calling the Padres for every year but one since 1972, is known almost more for his flubs than anything else. For example, "Rich Folkers is throwing up in the bullpen,'' and "McCovey swings and misses and it's fouled back,'' and "Johnny Grubb slides into second with a standup double,'' and, the best of all, "Hi, folks, I'm Jerry Reuss. No, I'm not. I'm Jerry Coleman.''

Dewayne Staats
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
One more … We have to add the Devil Rays' announcer to the list. Staats, on the left with partner Joe Magrane, often doesn't get mentioned among the legends even though he has been calling games for 31 years and has called more than 4,000. That's probably because he hasn't spent the majority of his career with just one team. Staats has called games for the Astros, Cubs, Yankees and now the Rays. We still love every time he says, " … a wave and a miss.''

Best 10 quarterbacks from Florida colleges

When it is all said and done, Florida's Tim Tebow might go down as the best college quarterback this state has ever produced. Although he has started an impressive resume, he's not even close to being the best. In fact, he can't even crack the top 10 or 15. The list is that impressive. So I offer my ranking of the best college football quarterbacks from Florida. And this has nothing to do with their pro careers. Our ranking is based on their performances in college.

1. Danny Wuerffel
Florida, 1993-96
His numbers are, in a word, sick. During four seasons, he completed 708 of 1,170 passes for a mind-boggling 10,875 yards and an equally mind-boggling 114 touchdowns — the second most in major-college history. His 163.56 passer rating is the best in college football history. He was a two-time All-American, a two-time quarterback of the year and the winner of the 1996 Heisman. For as impressive as this overall ranking of quarterbacks is, picking Wuerffel is a no-brainer. He is the best. By far.

2. Charlie Ward
Florida State, 1989-93
Regarded as the most decorated player in the history of college football, he won every award he was eligible for during Florida State's first national championship season in 1993. At the top of the list, of course, was the 1993 Heisman and the prestigious Sullivan Award, given annually to the best amateur athlete. In fact, Ward was only the third football player to win the award, which dates to 1930. Bottom line: Ward was 22-2 as a starting quarterback and is one of the most exciting college football players ever.

3. Chris Weinke
Florida State, 1997-2000
His pro career has been so disappointing that it might overshadow just how good of a college player he was. A three-year starter, Weinke set 26 Florida State records, and his 79 touchdown passes put him, at the time, 12th on the college football list. He finished as the NCAA’s 18th all-time passer. His 32-3 record as a starter gave him the seventh-best winning percentage in major-college history. He led the Seminoles to an undefeated season and a national title as a junior, then followed that up with a senior season in which he led the nation in passing yards.

4. Ken Dorsey
Miami. 1999-2002
Miami is a quarterback factory, yet with all the greats it has produced, Dorsey has to be considered the best. He basically holds every significant career quarterback record, including total offense, passing yards, touchdowns, completions, attempts, victories, winning percentage and consecutive passes without an interception. But this is the hammer: He went a remarkable 38-2 as a starter, and, during that stretch, he threw a touchdown pass in a school-record 31 consecutive games. He didn't win a Heisman, but he was a finalist in 2001 and 2002. And he led the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship.

5. Daunte Culpepper
Central Florida, 1995-98
Despite playing for a small school that was brave enough to schedule some national heavyweights, Culpepper not only rewrote UCF's record books but placed his name on national record lists. His 73.6 completion percentage in 1998 broke an NCAA record held by Steve Young. He became just the third quarterback ever to surpass 10,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing. He finished sixth on the NCAA’s all-time total offense list for all divisions with nearly 12,500 yards. And he produced 108 touchdowns — 84 passing and 24 rushing. More impressively, he guided UCF to a 9-2 record as a senior, losing only at Purdue and at Auburn.

6. Vinnie Testaverde
Miami, 1983-86
His overall numbers don't compare with the others on this list, but you have to remember that he had to wait his turn behind a fellow named Bernie Kosar. When he did play, Testaverde was a beast, and after finishing fifth in the Heisman race in 1985, he put together one of college football's best seasons as a Heisman-winning senior in 1986. That year, Testaverde threw 26 touchdowns with only nine interceptions, and his 165.80 passer rating was the best in country. He went 10-2 as a starter his junior season and 10-0 as a senior until losing to Penn State in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.

7. Steve Spurrier
Florida. 1964-66
At the time, he set every school record for game, season and career passing and total offense. The two-time All-American and 1966 Heisman winner still ranks in the top 10 of most of the Gators' passing and offensive categories. That's impressive when you consider it probably isn’t fair to compare his passing totals to more modern-day quarterbacks simply because offenses weren’t designed the way they are today. (But Spurrier deserves credit for ushering in the pass-happy attack of today's college football.)

8. Steve Walsh
Miami, 1986-88
He lost only one of 24 games as a starter, and his 48 touchdown passes tied him with Vinny Testaverde for most in school history. He was only a sophomore when he led the Hurricanes to a   12-0 mark and the 1987 national championship. He finished fourth in the 1988 Heisman voting, but he was a first-team All-American and was named the Football News college player of the year.

9. Chris Leak
Florida, 2003-06
A year ago, it would have seemed inconceivable that Leak would be on the list. But, now, how could he possibly be left off? He was, after all, a four-year starter and finished as the Gators' all-time leader in career passing yards, which is quite the accomplishment considering the outrageous numbers posted by Danny Wuerffel. But it was last season's national championship that landed Leak a spot on this list. He outplayed Heisman winner Troy Smith in the BCS title game and gave the Gators their second national title.

10. John Reaves
Florida, 1969-71
When Reaves finished his stellar college career, he was the NCAA's all-time leading passer with 7,581 yards. And this came in an era when college football was ruled by 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Even still, the Tampa native can be found in the top 10 of most of the school's passing records, including career touchdowns (54) and completions (603).

The best of the rest
Shane Matthews, Florida, 1989-92
Craig Erickson, Miami, 1987-90
Bernie Kosar, Miami, 1982-84
Jim Kelly, Miami, 1979-82
Gino Torretta, Miami, 1989-92
Danny Kanell, Florida State, 1992-95
Gary Huff, Florida State, 1970-72
Rex Grossman, Florida, 2000-02
Freddie Solomon, Tampa, 1971-74