It seems that the start of the 2010 college football season is just around the corner. As all the conference media days wrap up, thoughts turn toward two things: the start of practice and who will be in the opening top 25 poll.
Since the calendar is turning from July to August, the start of practice is only a few days away. That means it is also time to look at the teams who will make up my top 25 poll.
The 2010 season begins September 2nd.
There is no top 25 poll that everyone agrees with. Fans nearly always think a team is ranked too high or too low. Also since the USC Trojans are not allowed to be ranked in the coaches poll, I left them out of my rankings as well.
The flip-side of being ranked is not being ranked at all. No top 25 poll will ever make every fan happy because there are nearly always some teams they think should be ranked that are not.
To solve the problem of teams not being ranked, I have decided to add ten teams that could crack the top 25 before the end of the season. Also, I have decided to include five sleeper teams that could be a surprise.
For those who disagree with where teams are ranked, feel free to comment on what your top 25 teams are. There will never be complete agreement but I welcome thoughts and opinions and I realize that this 25 will more than likely be wrong at the end of the season.
So without further ado here are my top 25 college football teams:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last season it was the offense that needed to be retooled, but this season it will be the defense. Nick Saban will have his defense where it needs to be by the end of the season. Until that happens the offense has Greg McElroy, Julio Jones, and returning Heisman winner Mark Ingram to carry the load until the defense finds its legs.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Big Ten had two BCS victories and Ohio State was able to break the Pac-10’s strangle hold on the Rose Bowl. Jim Tressel might be able to open his offense completely if Terrelle Pryor plays this season like he played in the bowl game. Tressel always fields a stout defense as well.
3. Boise State Broncos
Boise State finished last season undefeated but unable to play for a national title. If the Broncos can get past Virginia Tech in the season opener, and with 20 returning starter, including quarterback Kellen Moore, a spot in the title game is possible.
4. Texas Longhorns
Mack Brown lost a ton of talent from last year’s national runner up. But like Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, etc., Texas does not rebuild, they just reload. Garrett Gilbert might be outstanding as the starting quarterback with a full off-season as the number one guy.
5. TCU Horned Frogs
Last season TCU finished the regular season undefeated and earned their first BCS bowl game bid as well. That team lost to last year’s other BCS buster Boise State. Sixteen starters return from last year’s team including quarterback Andy Dalton.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma was decimated by injuries last year and a magical year that could have been was ruined in the first game. This season a healthy and experienced Landy Jones takes over for Sam Bradford. Bob Stoops’ squad will be healthy and back to challenge in the Big-12 and the nation this season.
7. Florida Gators
The John Brantley era beings in Gainesville this season after Tim Tebow moved on to the NFL. Florida has a lot of talent to replace but Urban Meyer has stock piled talent. This program should not slip as bad this season as it did after Meyer’s first national championship.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes were rolling to a Big Ten title until Ricky Stanzi was injured. That still did not stop Iowa from winning nine games and the Orange Bowl over Georgia Tech. Kirk Ferentz has built this program to contend and 2010 should be another great year for Iowa.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech has quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams returning, plus Darren Williams should be back from injury. The Hokies defense will have to be rebuilt but defensive coordinator Bud Foster should have no problem do that. This could be head coach Frank Beamer’s best team since Michael Vick lead this program to the national championship game.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers could have the best offensive line in the Big Ten. Wisconsin also has running back John Clay and quarterback Scott Tolzien returning this season. Bret Bielema has this program headed in the right direction and should challenge for the conference title.
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
This team has to be rebuilt with several starters on both sides of the ball needing to be replaced. Georgia Tech does have quarterback Josh Nesbit returning to run coach Paul Johnson’s triple option. If Nesbit can become a better passer their might be no limit to what the Yellow Jackets can do this season.
12. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks lost the Rose Bowl and then spent the off-season making news for all the wrong reasons. Running back LaMichael James and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli both got arrested after the season and Masoli got kicked off the team. The Pac-10 is wide open and the Ducks could win the conference again.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has to find a replacement for Daryll Clark and until they do the offense will fall on the shoulders of Evan Royster. The Nittany Lions also have to rebuild the defense. Joe Paterno should be able to keep this program competitive in 2010.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
Offense should not be a problem for Bobby Petrino with Heisman contender Ryan Mallett returning. If the Razorbacks can find a defense to match their offense this team will be a player in the SEC. Arkansas will have to outscore opponents if they cannot find a defense to match their offense.
15. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh has to replace quarterback Bill Stull and three offensive linemen as well as holes on the defense. The Panthers do have arguably the best offensive player in the Big East in Dion Lewis. Dave Wannstedt should be able to compete in a wide open conference that could be won by up to four teams.
16. LSU Tigers
A big season is expected out of Les Miles and LSU after a couple of years of not meeting expectations after winning a title in 2007. Talent should not be a problem for the Tigers if the top recruiting classes pan out. On the field the pressure will be on Jordan Jefferson and if he can develop.
17. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers showed improvement last season making the Big-12 championship game. This is Nebraska’s final season in the conference and Bo Pelini would like to leave the conference in style. The offense needs to improve and the defense needs to replace Ndamukong Suh the best player in college football last year.
18. Miami Hurricanes
Miami navigated a brutal opening schedule to show the promise of what Randy Shannon’s program could be and once was. This season Jacory Harris needs to make better decisions if this team is going to take the next step. The Hurricanes could challenge for an ACC title this season.
19. Washington Huskies
Steve Sarkisian got the best news out of any college coach when Jake Locker turned down entering the NFL draft to return to school. This team improved greatly in year one of the Sarkisian era and should make even more improvement with 20 returning starters. Locker returned to finish the rebuilding job he started last season and could in 2010 finish the job.
20. Georgia Bulldogs
Mark Richt finished last season on a high note beating in-state rival Georgia Tech and Texas A&M in a bowl game to end the season. Georgia has to break in a new starting quarterback for the second season in a row. The good news for the Bulldogs is that all five offensive line men are back but the defense needs to be retooled as well.
21. Missouri Tigers
The defense will need to be reworked for a second year in a row but Gary Pinkel accomplished the same job last season. Missouri should be fine on offense with Blaine Gabbert returning. The Tigers can win the Big-12 North if the Cornhuskers slip.
22. Stanford Cardinal
Jim Harbaugh had Stanford fans thinking big things after beating USC and Oregon in back to back weeks. Things could be even better this season with Andrew Luck returning for the Cardinal. This team still has to find a replacement for Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart at running back. More good news for this team is that seven starters return on defense.
23. Connecticut Huskies
Last season this team had to endure tragedy after the death of a player. Randy Edsall got this team to compete week-in and week-out afterwards. In a weak Big East the Huskies could be contenders. Connecticut fans should be even more excited with sixteen starters returning this season.
24. Oregon State Beavers
This team has to replace quarterback Sean Canfield who has moved on to the NFL. What the Beavers do have is both Rodgers brothers Jacquizz and James returning. Mike Riley will have to break in a new man under center quickly with the first game of the season being against TCU.
25. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies bring back nearly their entire defense but the unit needs to improve. Offensively Jerrod Johnson should be improved this season. Mike Sherman will have to replace three offensive linemen. This team could be a dark horse in the Big-12.
Ten teams that could break into the top 25 at some point this season :
1. North Carolina Tar Heels— Defense should be good but scoring points on offense is the question.
2. Navy Midshipmen— 10 wins last season was no fluke but Ricky Dobbs has to become a better passer.
3. Clemson Tigers— The C.J. Spiller era has ended but the Kyle Parker era begins.
4. Auburn Tigers— If Gene Chizik can find some defense to go along with his offense the Tigers could be the dark horse of the SEC.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys— How well Kendall Hunter carries the load will dictate how well this team does.
6. Florida State Seminoles— No Bobby Bowden as the Jimbo Fisher era begins in Tallahassee.
7. Utah Utes— Program looks to continue their winning ways after a 10-3 season last year.
8. Kentucky Wildcats— If Joker Philips can get the ball in the hands of Randall Cobb this team can make some noise.
9. Houston Cougars— Case Keenum will keep Houston in the headlines all season long.
10. BYU Cougars— Max Hall needs to replaced but this team has talent.
Five teams that could surprise in 2010:
1. Ball State Cardinals— This team returns 21 starters.
2. Miami (OH) Red Hawks— This team returns 20 starters.
3. Army Cadets— This team returns 18 starters from a team that won five games.
4. Mississippi State Bulldogs— Year two under Dan Mullen sees 17 starters return.
5. Idaho Vandals— Despite what the Boise State president says this team has 18 starters back and could challenge BSU.
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The start of college football is right around the corner. The countdown to kickoff begins with the SEC media days in Hoover, Alabama.
The football media has now turned its attention to the other BCS conferences.
It is time to start discussing players to watch for the Heisman Trophy. For the third straight year and the fifth time since 2000, the reigning winner returns with a chance to win the award for second time.
Alabama’s Mark Ingram is the returning winner and the only player with a chance to join Archie Griffin as the only two-time winners. While Ingram is trying to win his second award, USC’s Reggie Bush might be losing his.
Here is a look at five players from each BCS conference who could be a Heisman contender. Along with a look at five players from non-BCS conferences that could be in the running for the award.
One quick note, I did not include any defensive players or offensive linemen. Most Heisman contenders and winners come from the skill players on offense.
(Note: To cut down on the length of this article, I am splitting it up into three articles. This last part will cover the Pac-10, SEC, and the non-BCS conferences. )
Click here to read part one on the ACC/Big-12 and click here to read part two on the Big East/Big Ten.
Pac-10 Heisman Contenders To Watch
5. James Rodgers, WR, Oregon State Beavers
Rodgers is a threat to score in every phase of the game. He can be dangerous as a receiver, kick returner, or in the rushing game.
Last season, Rodgers caught a school-record 91 passes for 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, plus he added 303 rushing yards. Rodgers was seventh in the nation and led the Pac-10 with 179.1 all-purpose yards per game.
A couple of things could derail Rodgers' Heisman hopes. The first is that Oregon State is breaking in a new quarterback after the departure of Sean Canfield and his brother Jazquizz could end up with more press.
4. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon Ducks
James made the best of the situation after starting running back LaGarrett Blount melted down after the Boise State game. Instead of getting spot carries, James went on to set a freshman Pac-10 record with 1,546 yards on 230 carries with 14 touchdowns.
A home run threat, James led the nation with 21 carries over 20 yards and four carries that went for more than 50 yards. James also added 186 receiving yards on 17 receptions.
After Jeremiah Masoli was kicked off the team for theft and a drug citation, Oregon will have to lean on James even more. This should help his Heisman chances since he will be the focal point of the Ducks offense.
3. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
Luck will try to improve on an impressive freshman performance of 2,575 yards with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also added 358 yards on the ground on 61 carries with two touchdowns.
The only downside to Luck’s freshman year was that he missed the Cardinal’s bowl game after an injury to a finger on his throwing hand in the last game of the year against Notre Dame. Without Luck, Stanford lost to Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl.
Luck will try to avoid a sophomore slump and win the Heisman. The departure of Toby Gerhart could have the biggest impact on Luck’s chances of winning the award.
2. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State Beavers
Can anyone forget Rodgers coming out party on an ESPN Thursday night game against the USC Trojans? Rodgers followed up that performance last season with 1,440 yards on 273 attempts and 21 touchdowns.
Rodgers also added 522 receiving yards on 78 receptions with a touchdown. He is also the only two-time All-Pac-10 team back for the 2010 season.
With the departure of Sean Canfield, Rodgers will have to carry the load even more this season. That should increase his chances of winning the Heisman if he can stay healthy.
1. Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies
Had he declared for the NFL draft after last season, Locker might have been the No. 1 pick and most thought he was certainly entrenched in the top five. Last season, he passed for 2,800 yards with 21 touchdowns, but he also had 14 interceptions.
Locker also added 388 yards on the ground in 112 carries and added seven rushing touchdowns. He is also an accomplished baseball player who has been picked twice in the baseball draft and is currently under contract with the Los Angeles Angles.
Washington returns 10 starters on offense and should be even better in year two under Steve Sarkisian. As long as Locker can stay healthy, he will be in the Heisman conversation all year long.
Other Pac-10 Players To Watch
- Matt Barkley, QB, USC Trojans
- Nick Foles, QB, Arizona Wildcats
- Shane Vereen, RB, California Golden Bears
- Nic Grigsby, RB, Arizona Wildcats
- Kevin Riley, QB, California Golden Bears
SEC Heisman Contenders To Watch
5. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
Jones returns to the national champions to help with their bid to repeat. Last season, Jones 596 yards on 43 receptions with four touchdowns.
After a subpar sophomore season, Jones looks to rebound in 2010. The one player who could help with that is Greg McElroy, who is going into season two as the starting quarterback.
Two things will hurt Jones chances at the Heisman. The first is that current winner Mark Ingram is on the same team and Jones' poor 2009-10 season puts him behind in the Heisman hype.
4. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky Wildcats
If Cobb played for nearly any other SEC team but Kentucky (namely, Alabama, Florida, or Georgia), he would be a major Heisman contender. Cobb is the one player in the SEC who is a threat to score on every touch of the ball and every phase of the game.
During his time with the Wildcats, Cobb has played at wide receiver, quarterback, and running back, plus as a punt and kick returner. Last season, 447 receiving yards on 39 receptions, 573 rushing yards, 653 combined punt and kickoff yards, 89 passing yards, and 15 combined touchdowns.
Cobb should be a national superstar but does not get the hype playing for Kentucky. That still should not stop Cobb from making a statement this season and a run at the Heisman.
3. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Bulldogs
Green was nearly unstoppable last season until injuries slowed down what could have been an outstanding season. Because of those injuries, Green’s sophomore season did not match his freshman season.
Still, even after missing three games last season, Green had 808 yards on 53 catches with six touchdowns. That also includes the fact that Georgia was breaking in a new starting quarterback.
Green will be a Heisman contender if he can stay healthy for an entire season. One down side is that for the second year in a row the Bulldogs starting quarterback will lack game experience.
2. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas Razorbacks
If not for the number one guy on our list, Mallett would be the top player to watch in the SEC. He is the only quarterback in the conference who is a certain NFL prospect.
After sitting out the 2008 season because he transferred from Michigan, Mallett threw for 3,627 yards with 30 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. For Mallett to be a Heisman contender, the Razorbacks win total must improve.
In the defensive-crazed SEC, Arkansas puts up video game numbers on offense. Improving against the SEC’s best would help Mallett. Last season, the Razorbacks lost to perennial powerhouses of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and LSU.
1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
The returning Heisman Trophy winner has to be the favorite to win once again in 2010-11. Ingram's cause is helped even more since he will also be trying led Alabama to back-to-back national championships.
One thing to remember about Ingram is that he has only fumbled twice in his career and only lost one of those fumbles. Last year he rushed for 1,658 yards, adding 334 yards receiving with 20 combined touchdowns.
The only thing that could derail Ingram’s Heisman hopes is that he won the award last year. Only one player has ever award the twice—Ohio State great, Archie Griffin.
Other SEC players to watch
- Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Jordan Jefferson, QB, LSU Tigers
- Mike Hartline, QB, Kentucky Wildcats
- Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina Gamecocks
- John Brantley, QB, Florida Gators
Non-BCS conference Heisman Contenders
5. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU Horned Frogs
Dalton led TCU to an undefeated regular season in 2009-10 in the Mountain West Conference and the first BCS appearance for the Horned Frogs and the third for the MWC. Last season, he had 2,756 passing yards, 512 rushing yards, and 26 combined touchdowns.
4. Dwight Dasher, QB, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last season, Middle Tennessee became the first Sun Belt team to win 10 games and the Blue Raiders won their first-ever bowl game in school history over Southern Mississippi. Dasher was a big reason for the dream season with 2,789 passing yards, 1,154 rushing yards, and 36 combined touchdowns.
3. Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy Midshipmen
Ask Ohio State fans if Dobbs belongs on this list after he nearly led Navy to a win over the Buckeyes. Notre Dame fans will tell you Dobbs belongs on this list after the Midshipmen went in to South Bend to earn a victory.
Last season, Dobbs led Nave to a nine-win season and a bowl victory and if he becomes a better passer, he could be a Heisman contender. In the Navy triple option, Dobbs rushed for 1,192 yards and passed for 1,031 yards with 33 combined touchdowns.
2. Case Keenum, QB, Houston Cougars
Keenum has put up video game like numbers for the past two seasons at Houston. The quarterback gives the Cougars their first Heisman contender since David Klingler finished third.
Last season, Keenum passed for 5,671 yards with 44 touchdowns and only 15 interceptions. He also added 158 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the C-USA champions.
1. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State Broncos
Moore is the only quarterback besides, Greg McElroy, to be undefeated at the end of last season. The Western Athletic Conference was treated to its third BCS appearance and second in BSU history.
Moore will try to bring the WAC its first Heisman winner in BSU’s final year in the conference. Last season, Moore had 3,536 passing yards with 39 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while only getting sacked three times the entire year.
Other non-BCS Conference Players To Watch
- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada Wolf Pack
- Vai Taua, RB, Nevada Wolf Pack
- Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State Broncos
- James Cleveland, WR, Houston Cougars
- Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple Owls
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(Special shout-out to my good friend and college roommate Brian McFarland, who informed me student researchers do not get paid for their work)
The discussion of agents in college football has been front and center in college football since the NCAA began to investigate Reggie Bush at USC. The Trojans got the NCAA sledgehammer dropped on them by college football’s governing body.
Even before the hammer fell the Trojans saw head coach Pete Carroll jump to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. That left USC raiding Tennessee for Lane Kiffin, part of the coaching staff during the Bushcapade) for a new head coach.
When the NCAA did rule on USC they banned the Trojans from post season play in 2010 and 2011, the loss of 10 academic scholarships for the next three years, and more. The school even had to disassociate its self from Bush and basketball star O.J. Mayo.
USC had to give back the replica Heisman Trophy at the same school that still has O.J. Simpson’s trophy. Even after all of the negative publicity “the Juice” has brought on himself and the university.
So, even before the Bushcapade could die down just in time for the start of college football season, the NCAA was able to go on the war path.
Before I put the conspiracy theorist in me on hold let me say this: strange how Kiffin leaves the SEC and next Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina, Georgia all end up in under NCAA investigation.
First to come to light was that Florida Gators star offensive lineman Maurice Pouncey took $100,000 between the SEC Championship game and the Sugar Bowl. Pouncey through a lawyer denied taking any money and that his brother, Mike, who is still at Florida took any improper benefits as well.
The second and possibly the biggest player/agent scandal involved a party thrown and an undisclosed agent in South Beach section of Miami. Already players from four different universities have been implicated in the mega agent party.
Defending national champions Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Marcel Dareus has been accused of going to an agent’s party. Also accused of attending agents’ parties this summer is Georgia Bulldogs star receiver A.J. Green, South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Weslye Saunders, and North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Marvin Austin along with wide receiver Greg Little.
Just about every player involved has denied any wrong doing so far and most their coaches have said they have talked to their players. All of this information about players and agents flooded the airwaves just in time for the start of SEC Media days.
Instead of talking about football or national championships the coaches on the first of the three day of SEC Media Days focused their attention on agents. Alabama head coach Nick Saban in particular chided agents.
Saban did not hold back on his thoughts of using strong language to condemn agents. Here is exactly what Saban thought of agents:
"I don't think it's anything but greed that's creating it right now on behalf of the agents," Saban said in a rant at the Southeastern Conference media days. "The agents that do this -- and I hate to say this, but how are they any better than a pimp?"
Calling agents pimps called a stir that followed the other coaches on day one since Saban was first up. Even Florida head coach Urban Meyer was drawn into the fray.
Meyer decided pimps, was too harsh a word to use about agents but he did say they were predators. By the end of day one SEC commissioner Mike Slive placed a gag order on coaches about agents.
But Slive still had took time to take a shot at Kiffin, plus join coaches and media with solutions to fix the problem of agents in college football. One of the biggest fixes called for was for the NFL and NFL Players Association to help fix the problem.
There were plenty of other fixes discussed, including taking away the licenses of agents who approach players to a change in NCAA rules involving agents and more. Still this is not a new problem.
This has been a problem that college football has faced for years. Not only is this problem an old one but it also brings up an old arguments as well.
Arguments like who is at fault the agents or the players, should college football players get paid to end the influence of agents. Answering these questions is not as hard as one thinks.
First of all no college football players or any college athlete should not get paid. The university and the athletes both get something out of their arrangement.
The idea that the university or coaches get a free work force is laughable. With a scholarship comes tuition, books, a stipend, room, and board.
The monetary value does not stop at the end of a college playing career either. Over a life time person with a bachelor’s degree will make twice as much as someone with a just a high school diploma.
For anyone who wants to make the argument that “most college athletes are not in school to learn.” That is the athlete’s problem.
No one is forcing these athletes not to go to class or to learn and earn their degree. If these athletes cannot do, college level work that is not a problem for the university.
It is a problem that started not at college level but while these kids were in high school. At that point it is high school coaches and teachers who should punished.
The other argument is that universities make millions off of college athletes and that is why they should be paid. Well, I have to put an end to this lame excuse.
I have a friend that does scientific research. Just for this article I called him up and asked him this question:
What happens if a student works on inventing something or helps make scientific breakthrough that makes the university money? Does that student get paid?
The answer he gave me was the bulk of the money goes to university, than the professor gets a small portion. But, and here is the part to pay attention too, students are not officially entitled to a share.
That is right my friends, the guys working hard in the class room get bent over just as bad as the athlete on the field. While I do not know how much research brings to each and every university, I am sure that the money universities did make would not be possible without students doing some the work.
So if a student helped invent a cure for cancer, that student would not be officially entitled to any of the money. No, matter how much work that student did on the project.
I know someone will catch this, “officially entitled” does not mean these students are not allowed to get paid. Honestly, I have to believe that few if any colleges pay students for the work they do in research.
So until everyone gets up in arms over these students not getting paid, they need to keep quiet about athletes getting paid. Athletes are no better than students doing work that could actually change the world.
Still this does not mean that agents get a free pass. Agents that approach athletes in school and offer them money or gifts definitely should be punished harshly and swiftly.
These agents not only lose their licenses but have to pay the school 10 times the amount they paid the athlete no matter if it was in gifts or cash, they cannot represent that athlete.
That does not excuse these athletes for taking money from agents. In this selfish, me first world, it has to be expected that some athletes will take money and gifts.
Does being a part of “the me first” generation excuse athletes when they take money or gifts and screw over their teammates. No, in fact instead of punishing the universities, the athlete should be forced to pay the university 10 times what the agent gave him.
This is where the NFL and the NFLPA come into play. It should be a part of the new collective bargaining agreement.
Doing this would not mean future athletes would have to pay for the screw-ups of past athletes. As long as the player who made the infraction was still a pro he should be subject this penalty.
Agents would stay away and athletes would think hard about taking money. Because the only thing either athletes or agents will be scared off is taking money away from them.
To answer the question both the agents and the players are to blame.
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