Conference call. (Insider: college football).

Derek Anderson, Oregon State

Fair or not, Oregon State, coming off a 5-6 season, suddenly is being considered a one-hit wonder in college football. That's where Derek Anderson, a strapping 6-6, 234-pound question, enters the mix.

He was Dennis Erickson's first big recruit to Corvallis. Anderson is a strong-armed quarterback who has all the tools to be successful. That's in direct contrast to Jonathan Smith, OSU's mighty-mite quarterback the last three years. Smith, a holdover from Mike Riley's tenure, led OSU to back-to-back bowl seasons in 1999 and 2000.

Not only does Anderson, a sophomore with just 41 career pass attempts, have to follow that, he has this to carry around: Erickson says Anderson could be the best quarterback he has coached. Ever. "I can't get too emotional about it," Anderson says. "If you start letting things like that get in your head, you've got problems."

The transition will be eased somewhat by bruising tailback Steven Jackson and an emerging group of receivers that gives the Beavers enough deep speed and athleticism to form a dangerous passing game. That is, if Anderson progresses like many believe he will. If he doesn't, the Beavers' downward slide will continue.

Willie Simmons, Clemson

It has been almost two years since Willie Simmons threw four touchdown passes in relief of Woodrow Dantzler in a comeback victory ...