Fifty things you should know about College Football 2004.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Ed Barkowitz

PHILADELPHIA _ Oklahoma's Jason White has a chance at a second Heisman, but he's not even the top candidate in his league. There's a Steve Spurrier back in the college ranks and the Big Ten will be looking at things more closely than any other league. That's just a sampling of the annual course load that is the 50 things to know about college football.

1. Once again, adjustments were made to the BCS formula. Under the new system, the Associated Press, coaches and computer polls have equal weight in determining who plays in the BCS championship game (Orange Bowl, Jan. 4). Last year, when Southern Cal and LSU split the championship, computer polls were worth 75 percent. "This will be easier to understand, much more accurate and will serve us better," says Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen. "Will we get into trouble again? Probably."

2. Former Villanova star quarterback Brett Gordon continues his climb up the coaching ladder as a graduate assistant at Mississippi. He joins defensive coordinator Chuck Dreisbach, a 1976 Villanova grad, and offensive coordinator John Latina, a former Temple assistant. The Rebels are at Alabama in an ESPN2 night game on Sept. 11.

3. Micheal Spurlock has the pleasure of following Eli Manning as the Ole Miss quarterback. Spurlock's talents in the option have caused the Rebels to adjust the offense.

4. While Maurice Clarett preps in Texas for another shot at the NFL draft instead of his junior season, Ohio State will lean on its defense and a popular yet untested quarterback named Justin Zwick.

5. Colorado has had a tumultuous offseason, including some nine allegations of sexual assault involving players or recruits. "We know we're under the microscope," says Buffaloes quarterback Joel Klatt. "Only a few times in a man's life do you get the opportunity to be under the microscope and respond. We look forward to the challenge."