All eyes on QBs in Orange Bowl

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 9:30 a.m.

MIAMI -- The folks at ABC probably couldn't have planned it any better.

Wednesday night's Orange Bowl between undefeated Oklahoma (12-0) and defending national champion Florida State (11-1) at Pro Player Stadium isn't only for at least a share of the national title, it also features QBs that finished 1-2 in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Florida State's Chris Weinke, the nation's top passer (4,167 yards/347.3 yards per game) and the only three-year starter at quarterback for the Seminoles under Bobby Bowden, edged Oklahoma's left-handed senior Josh Heupel, winner of the prestigious Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the national leader in passing percentage (66 percent), by just 76 votes to win college football's most coveted award last month.

So it's only natural that the spotlight will be on the quarterbacks on Wednesday night. After all, if not for the remarkable play of Weinke and Heupel, it's doubtful either team would be thinking about winning a national title.

"He's unflappable," Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said of Heupel, who completed 256 of 389 passes for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. "He's very calm, serene. But I'll tell you this, he's incredibly intense and confident. He's a great competitor. You don't win as much as he has without being very competitive, and he is."

Although slowed by a torn bursa sac in his left (throwing) elbow late in the season -- Stoops says Heupel is fine now -- Heupel was at his best in big games, completing 94 of 140 passes (.671) for 1,212 yards, five touchdowns and just three interceptions in five games against nationally ranked teams: Texas, Kansas State (twice), Nebraska and Texas A&M.

"I don't know if we've seen a better quarterback all year long," Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "There may not be a better quarterback ... unless it's the one we practice against every day. He seems to be a pretty good one, too."

No kidding.

If not for a severe neck injury Weinke suffered late in his sophomore year against Virginia, Florida State might be trying to three-peat on Wednesday night.

The Seminoles had to use backup Marcus Outzen in the national title decider in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl and lost to Tennessee, 23-16.

When asked on Monday if he saw something missing from the sidelines during that loss, Andrews didn't hesitate.

"Chris Weinke wasn't there," Andrews said. "Do you think we wouldn't have beaten them if Chris Weinke was there? I don't think there is any doubt about it. I'd play them with their third string quarterback any time. That's what we had."

Weinke underwent major surgery to repair ligament damage, a ruptured disc and to remove a bone chip that was lodged against a nerve in his neck after suffering the severe injury in the first half of the Virginia game. He had thrown 208 passes without an interception at the time of the injury and passed for 2,487 yards and 19 touchdowns that season.

He came back last season to lead FSU to a perfect 12-0 mark and a 46-29 victory over Michael Vick-led Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans as the Seminoles garnered the second national championship in school history. Weinke completed 20 of 34 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns in the title-game victory over the Hokies.

The 28-year-old former Toronto Blue Jays minor league first baseman decided to return for his senior year despite the fact he probably would have been a first- or second-round NFL draft pick last year. But Weinke said he wanted to try to win back-to-back national championships.

The 6-5, 228-pounder completed 266 of 431 passes for 4,167 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. And he's one win away from getting that second national championship.

"He's just a tough, tough guy," said outgoing FSU offensive coordinator Mark Richt, who recently accepted the head coaching job at Georgia. "He's tough physically, tough mentally and loves the game. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to be great, and he has a desire to be great. You don't find that in a lot of guys."

Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Chuck Long doesn't believe Heupel will be out to prove Heisman Trophy voters wrong on Wednesday night.

"I don't believe he'll get caught up in a personal battle with Weinke," Long said. "That's just not his style. His style is for his teammates and the team first. And he'll do whatever it takes to win, and that includes running the football.

"It's not all about stats with him and trying to outperform the other quarterback. That's just not him."

The same could be said for Weinke.

"I am very proud to have won the Heisman Trophy, but I would really like to leave FSU on a winning note," Weinke said. "Winning back-to-back national titles ... it's been a while since a team has accomplished that feat."

The wait could be over late Wednesday night.