The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 17

1 CURTIS ENIS NHL 5C Scoreboard 5C Basketball 6C Won't play in Citrus Bowl Page 2C ft a hi i iirtr i WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1997 Vols Burdens heavy for 1 Jeff Legwold Only win over Huskers can erase snubs A lit fa Michigan, Nebraska or Tennnessee? 3-part series Today: Tennessee "we're just playing for respect" Center Trey Teague hissed the term "national media" in the same disgusted tone he would utter the phrase "child molester." "The world knows who should have won the Heisman," receiver Andy McCullough added. "The way people see it," receiver Marcus Nash said of the Orange Bowl, "it's a mismatch." In other words, the general atmosphere here? We wuz robbed. "All the things he did for Tennessee, all the things he did for college football it gave you a sick feeling," Price said of Man- Turn to PAGE 2C, Column 1 By MIKE LOPRESTI Gannett News Service KNOXVILLE They are not happy campers here in the Smokies. Not happy about Peyton Manning's second place in the Heisman voting, which has kept the letters to the editor and the talk shows crackling with anger since Dec. 13.

Nor about being a two-touchdown underdog to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, which they consider an insult to a team ranked No. 3. Nor about being considered a poor cousin to the glittering reputations of Nebraska and Michigan, the other teams in the national championship hunt. "Right now," receiver Peerless Price said, I Tomorrow: Nebraska. I Friday: DELORES DELVIN FILE Jonathan Brown and UTa defensive front will have reason to celebrate if they can slow Nebraska's attack.

The '97 season is over for the Oilers, an 8-8 record considered a disappointment. What's next? ON YE Two Cup divisions hot topic NASCAR split called unlikely By LARRY WOODY Sporls Writer With new superspeedways begging for races and fans pleading for tickets to sold-out events, there is speculation the Winston Cup series' might split into two divisions creating twice as many races. But NASCAR says dont count on it "To my knowledge that hasnt been discussed here," NASCAR public relations director Jeff Motley said yesterday. "You keep hearing about it, but it's just talk." But Denis McGlynn, president of Dover (Del.) Downs, which along with Gaylord Entertainment is planning a million superspeed-way in the Nashville area, said a two-division circuit has been discussed at high levels. "It was a hot topic at a meeting in New York a couple of weeks ago," McGlynn said.

"There were 125 major members of the racing community represented, including CBS television. It's fair to say everybody wants more races, but there is a concern that going to two divisions would dilute the product I tend to agree." Nashville Speedway President Bob Harmon, who will operate the new track, does not rule out a two-division series in the future. "I learned a long time ago you never say never in this sport," said Harmon, who has promoted stock car races for more than 40 years. Although the new Nashville track's initial seating will be only 50,000, far too small to host a Winston Cup race, Harmon noted: "You dont choose a site for a racetrack. The track will be built so that it can be expanded to in a heartbeat." Most racing insiders are confident a Winston Cup race in Nashville could draw 200,000 fans.

But getting a race is the problem and the competition just gets tougher. New superspeedways opened this season in Texas and California, and another in Las Vegas will join the circuit in 1998. Miami has a track ready, and a $160 million facility is being built in Kansas City. Denver, Chicago, St. Louis and northern Kentucky have projects in the planning stages.

With the schedule saturated, for Nashville to get a Winston Cup race some existing tracks will have to lose one, or else the series will have to be split into two divisions. "I cant see splitting the field," driver Sterling Marlin said. "When fans go to races, they want to see all the top drivers competing against each other. I dont think they'd go for Dale Earnhardt in one division and Jeff Gordon in another." Marlin said a more realistic solution would be to "take away some races from some other tracks and move them to these bigger tracks that are being built" Two Winston Cup races are on road courses, which are not as popular with fans. Marlin said doing away with those races, which require special cars, would save teams about $160,000 a season.

The 1998 schedule consists of 33 points races, plus The Winston all-star race, the Busch Clash at Day-tona and an exhibition race in Japan for a total of 36 weekends. With seven weeks devoted to practice, Marlin said "only three or four races at the most" could be added to the schedule. "As far as I'm concerned, we could race about every weekend," Marlin said, "but it would work the crews to death. They dont have many days off right now; I dont think they can do much Adams, VU talk a lot, say nothing If the Oilers and Vanderbilt University keep sending up trial balloons at the current rate, they won't be able to even see each other by this time next month. To listen to team owner Bud Ad- ams, the Oilers might possibly, if it -isnt a big deal, want to use Vanderbilt Stadium for home games next season.

If, as he tells it, a lot of NFL owner types tell him he should, if the players want to, if the coaches want to. If it is part of "a lot of things" he says he has to consider. If, if and if. To listen to Vanderbilt it might possibly, if it isnt too big a deal, be willing to listen to what the Oilers have to say. If the university administration is in favor of it if it isnt too much use for the' stadium, if it isnt too big a problem in the neighborhood.

If, if and if. Adams then always reminds that he has a year left on his two-year deal in Memphis. Vanderbilt officials quickly counter that there are certainly some major obstacles to overcome before the university could commit to such a thing So, this is what it looks like in the search for a no-fault marriage. The Oilers have certainly made their own share of misery in their first year in Tennessee. They have made off-the-field mistakes and missteps by the pile, lost friends and failed to influence many people.

And the light finally went on when the Liberty Bowl was invaded by the Steeler nation. An angry Adams said Sunday he would think about leaving Memphis. An angry city, waiting to pounce on Adams as he tripped yet again over what he had said before, did just that. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, looks to already be guarding against the fear the Oilers will just wake up one morning having resigned themselves to the possibility Memphis cant possibly direct any more anger at them. That the Oilers will just come right out and say if Vanderbilt would have them they would come.

Then again, to say Vanderbilt is a little jumpy because it has had its own community relations troubles at times is to say the SAT scores of its incoming freshmen are above average. And as one who had a home address in the neighborhood around its campus, it is safe to say those living around the stadium probably wouldnt be all that thrilled at the idea of eight NFL Sundays tramping through their backyards. So now the two dance, both waiting for someone to be the first to call, both hoping blame isnt the last thing left in front of them on any bargaining table. Vanderbilt wants a grass field in its stadium, has several other athletic projects on the drawing board and has a mission statement that doesnt include much of what can be found in the NFL. The Oilers? Well, they need a home, need a place where they are not a punchline, which all too often these days is any place they have been.

And for once they need to make a decision. If Vandy's on the docket sit down and talk. If they're staying in Memphis, just say so. Until then, here's some advice gratis for the tip-toeing twosome. If you wonder what the other is thinking, try something novel, something you dont do very often.

Ask. Jeff Legwold Is a Tennessean sports writer and columnist. He can be reached at 259-8352. 7V A 11,1 Xj DEFENSIVE MVP: Marcus Robertson was an inspiration with big plays at safety. 1997 at a glance OFFENSIVE MVP Second-year running back Eddie George in a landslide.

Through an ankle injury and abdominal strain that were surely worse than he ever let on, he was the guy who carried the load. He averaged 3.9 yards a carry and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowi. DEFENSIVE MVP Free safety Marcus Robertson was elected defensive captain by his teammates and his penchant for big plays sparked the defense. -He returned two fumbles for touchdowns and matched Darryll Lewis with a team-high five interceptions. BIGGEST SURPRISE Rookie comerback Denard Walker started slow, but became reliable at a position the team absolutely needed someone steady.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT Third-year receiver Chris Sanders set career lows for receptions, yards, average per catch and TDs. Teams figured out how to slow the speedy deep-threat and much of the season he was frustrated by coverages. His route-running also has room for improvement. PAUL KUHARSKY FILE OFFENSIVE MVP: Running back Eddie George had another strong year and is the team's cornerstone. Team has offseason priorities in order change the nickname.

Though he was disgusted by the slew of Steelers fans at the Oilers' Liberty Bowl finale, he's probably not going to get his team to Nashville next year, either. But indications are that he will give Reese some money and some leeway. That's the kind of news that should translate into more talent which, in turn, should translate into more victories. Which, like Fisher always reminds us, will go a long way toward minimizing the other stuff. Fans might not get all they want, but the early indications are the Oilers will point their energies directly at their on-field product And for the first time in a while, the team's priorities might be better placed than those of the people to whom they are trying to sell tickets.

Bv PAUL KUHARSKY Sports Writer Winning, Oilers Coach Jeff Fisher said right from the start of the Oilers' ongoing odyssey, can cure everything. A debate over an improbable name change, a 200-mile commute to home games, temporary practice facilities with water-logged fields, mmmmamm even irrational bit- OILERS ON 3C terness over a star running back's ftTteSdhL HeismanTrophyvote The free-agent srtuaton. aU those things can be significantly turned down with winning. Eight wins and eight losses are not enough to flip conversation from all those other topics to the roster, to the growth, to the chances of challenging for the AFC Central title. When the Oilers' offseason plan kicks in, they hope it will begin to change the subject General Manager Floyd Reese and Fisher have long-awaited this point in their regime, when they've fully dug their way out from under the contracts they inherited, have put together a young nucleus and are finally ready and financially able to try to lure a few veteran stars to join the fray and lead the way.

Oilers fans should be pleased to hear Fisher say the team wants to "bring some people in who can help us immediately." They should also be pleased to hear him say: "We're not going to keep somebody around here because he's a nice guy or a good practice player." Owner Bud Adams probably isn't going to 2 commit to Vandy Dan Strieker, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound wide receiver from Cincinnati, and Jamie Byrum, a 6-4, Li Honor rolls The Tennessean today announces its All-Mid-state volleyball and cross country teams. Tomorrow, the All-Midstate football team will appear, with the inaugural Bibb Award winners, presented to the area's top Offensive and defensive players. Golf and girls soccer will complete the series Friday. Volleyball, cross country hon-orees, 4C. 235-pound center from Grove City, Ohio, made verbal commitments to Vanderbilt.

Strieker had Sports Editor: John Gibson, 259-8022 Assistant Sports Editors: Laurie E. Holloway, 259-8299 Michael Jones, 259-8013 Kevin Procter, 259-8014 Senior Writers: Jimmy Davy, 259-8298 David Cfimer, 259-8020 To report sports news: 259-8010 Sports fax: 259-8826 E-malltlps: fJsportslennessean.cm Mercer scores 28 Rookie Ron Mercer scored a career-high 28 points last night as Boston beat Charlotte 102-96. Also, Phil Jackson got his 500th coaching win as Chicago beat the L.A. Clippers 94-89. NBA, 6C.

Gamecocks hang on No. 10 South Carolina, which played most of the game without Melvin Watson (knee sprain), got past S.C. State 90-85. In other SEC play, No. 4 Kentucky routed American 75-52.

Colleges, 6C. Holyfield-Lewis hits snag Talks between Evander Holyfield and HBO broke down yesterday, thwarting attempts to unify the heavyweight title for the first time since 1992. Hopes for unification rose Monday when the promoter for WBC champion Lennox Lewis said a $50 million deal had been struck and the fight had been scheduled for April 25 in Las Vegas. But talks hit a snag when HBO, the network that has exclusive rights to Lewis' fights, and Holyfield's camp could not agree on how much money Holy-field, the WBA and IBF champion, would be guaranteed. HBO guaranteed Holyfield 650,000 pay- per-view buys and all of the profits above that mark, butvHolyfield reportedly wanted a 1 millic buy guarantee.

I If?" 1' AP nine touchdowns and 674 yards last season. Byrum plans to red-shirt next year Story, 2C; Vandy. commitments 5C. '7 Kentucky's Jamaal Magloire shoots over American's Jarion Childs..