Commentary
West Virginia's dynamic duo among top game-breakers
Originally Published: August 27, 2007
By
Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.
This is not a Heisman Trophy preview. That's why there's no mention of USC quarterback John David Booty or Michigan running back Mike Hart. Instead, it's a look at the 10 biggest game-breakers in college football. Some of the other Heisman candidates may make a greater impact over the course of the 2007 season, but these dynamic athletes are best-equipped to swing a game's momentum with just one touch:
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Darren McFadden is the most versatile talent in the game today. He was in on 16 of the Razorbacks' 55 touchdowns in 2006 -- 14 as a runner, three as a passer, one as a receiver and one on a kickoff return. Sure, Florida's Percy Harvin would take him in a 40-yard sprint and Cal's DeSean Jackson would de-cleat him with an open-field juke. But there isn't a player in college football -- including Harvin and Jackson -- that can take over a game in as many capacities as McFadden. If Mom is correct about her son's intention to leave Fayetteville after this season, don't be surprised if McFadden becomes the first running back selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft since 1995 (Ki-Jana Carter) -- he is that special. 2. Pat White, QB, West Virginia
With Ohio State's Troy Smith (Ravens) in the NFL, Pat White takes over the reins as the nation's most prolific dual-threat quarterback. As evidenced by his career rushing totals of 2,171 yards and 25 touchdowns, White has been an electrifying running threat since he took over the job as a redshirt freshman in 2005. But after studying his two seasons as a starter on film, it becomes obvious that White didn't truly master coach Rich Rodriguez's spread attack until last fall. In addition to much-improved mechanics as a passer, White shows far better patience and field vision when asked to pop back and throw. There's no telling how potent White and the Mountaineers' offense will be in 2007 if their triggerman continues to advance.
Darren McFadden is the most versatile talent in the game today. He was in on 16 of the Razorbacks' 55 touchdowns in 2006 -- 14 as a runner, three as a passer, one as a receiver and one on a kickoff return. Sure, Florida's Percy Harvin would take him in a 40-yard sprint and Cal's DeSean Jackson would de-cleat him with an open-field juke. But there isn't a player in college football -- including Harvin and Jackson -- that can take over a game in as many capacities as McFadden. If Mom is correct about her son's intention to leave Fayetteville after this season, don't be surprised if McFadden becomes the first running back selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft since 1995 (Ki-Jana Carter) -- he is that special. 2. Pat White, QB, West Virginia
With Ohio State's Troy Smith (Ravens) in the NFL, Pat White takes over the reins as the nation's most prolific dual-threat quarterback. As evidenced by his career rushing totals of 2,171 yards and 25 touchdowns, White has been an electrifying running threat since he took over the job as a redshirt freshman in 2005. But after studying his two seasons as a starter on film, it becomes obvious that White didn't truly master coach Rich Rodriguez's spread attack until last fall. In addition to much-improved mechanics as a passer, White shows far better patience and field vision when asked to pop back and throw. There's no telling how potent White and the Mountaineers' offense will be in 2007 if their triggerman continues to advance.
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2007 College Football Preview
The long wait for the start of the 2007 college football season is finally over. Get ready for the season with an in-depth look at the teams, trends, players and coaches. Index
Features
• Forde: Arkansas' favorite son also rising
• Forde: Welcome to Trickeration Nation
• Albright: Glanville has Portland State all shook up
• Maisel: Boise State part of quiet revolution
• Edwards: BCS system needs update ![]()
• Forde: QBs face burden of proof in '07
• Schlabach: Biggest shoes to fill this season
• Maisel: (Southern) State of the Game
• Schlabach: Hot or Not for 2007
• Ivan Maisel's preseason All-America team
• Heisman Watch: Voters go Hog wild
• SportsNation: Rank the Heisman contenders Fearless Forecasts
• Experts: Conference title projections
• Maisel/Schlabach: Bowl predictions
• McShay: Don't sleep on these teams
• Games to watch: National | Conference Campus Confidential
• Forde: Woodson stepping out of the shadow
• Schlabach: Shhhh! Uncovering 2007's secrets
• McShay: Seven secrets from the film room
• Feldman: Saturday's secret agents revealed
• EA Sports: Trick play simulations
• Arkansas: Wildhog formation

• Boise State: Statue of Liberty

• LSU: Flea flicker

• Texas: Wide receiver pass

• USC: Halfback pass
ACC Features• Schlabach: ACC needs quality Miami, FSU
• Schlabach: Wright, Freeman still battling at Miami
• Schlabach: Wake sets bar high for encore
• Schlabach: Five ACC predictions Big East Features
• Maisel: What's next for the Big East?
• Maisel: USF's QB exudes old school cool
• Maisel: Five Big East predictions Big Ten Features
• Schlabach: Michigan seniors return on a mission
• Schlabach: Downsized Hill means supersized play
• Schlabach: Big Ten at the crossroads
• Schlabach: Five Big Ten predictions Pac-10 Features
• Forde: Now is the time for UCLA
• Forde: Five Pac-10 predictions
• Maisel: After long wait, Turner ready for stardom
• Maisel: Ten Little Trojans running backs
• Feldman: DeSean Jackson's born identity
• Maisel: Saban snapshot reveals double feature
• Higgins: Spurrier, Gamecocks thinking big
• Schlabach: SEC balance of power shifts East
• Schlabach: Five SEC predictions Coaching Corner
• Schlabach: Coaches on the hot seat
• Schlabach: Rise of the assistants
• McShay: Assistant coaches on the rise
• McShay: Position coaches who deliver
• Kickoffs, timing rules highlight changes
• McShay: Changes put premium on specialists
• College Football Live: Impact of kickoff rule

• Joe Tiller: Kickoff changes raise safety issues

• College Football Live: Matter of time
Campus CallESPN.com will hit eight practice sessions to get an early pulse on the season. Check out what's happening on campus.
• Aug. 7: Gators looking for bite on D
• Aug. 6: ND's Weis plays respect card |
McKnight makes USC debut
• Aug. 5: Brown resolute in face of Texas' troubles
• Aug. 4: WVU has speed to burn
• Aug. 3: Taylor made Jacket
• Aug. 2: Hokies begin road back to normalcy
• Aug. 1: Report day is still a thrill for Tuberville
- Khan Jr.: Is Texas A&M a BCS title team?
- Haney: Gamecocks' BCS path | Talent ranks
- Luginbill: Five instant-impact freshmen
- Kiper: Top prospects for 2014, by position
- Recruiting: Michigan tops 2014 class ranks


