The Central Florida Classic has become the largest football classic among all of the historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  The attendance of 73,000 that was announced last year put the Central Florida Classic right at the top of all the football games in the HBCU community.  Beyond that, it has grown to be the most intense display of rivalry that one will find in college football anywhere:  Bethune-Cookman University versus Florida Agricultural &?Mechanical University (FAMU).

According to Dr. James Ammons, who assumed his position as President of FAMU on July 2, 2007, the Classic has begun to generate the growth in funding that is expected of a classic of that magnitude.  In 2006, each of the two universities received $1.4 million.  Say he, “One of the issues we have in terms of growth of revenue is TV.  Although there is a deal with ESPN, that deal does not generate the kind of revenue that we see with some of the bowl games, especially those that are held at the Florida Citrus Bowl.”  Having said that, Dr. Ammons concedes that there is positive growth and direction in terms of what the universities are receiving.  “We’ll just continue to move forward as we try to it to the level where it should be,” he stated.

Speaking to the city’s plane to renovate the stadium, Dr. Ammons that they will continue to fill up the stadium and hopefully when the renovations are complete, “We’ll be able to put even more people in the stands.”

Each year, there is talk the the Classic could be moved to another city sometimes in the future.  Dr. Ammons said that this is ann issue that both universities would address when the time comes.  The current contract does not end until 2011.  “We still have a ways to go.  For the time being, we have a contract with the Florida Sports Foundation with Walt Disney World being the major sponsor.”  He added that meanwhile, they will work toward maximizing the benefits of the contract that is already enforce.

Says Coach Rubin Carter, “We are always optimistic here it’s habit with us at FAMU to look forward to winning games.  We have 18 starters from last year’s team.  If we can stay healthy we will have a great season.” 

Although, the Central Florida Classic is a game that a lot of people point at, Carter is not looking that far down the road.  We are just in the beginning of the season we have eight games in front of us before the Central Florida Classic.  We’ve won the classic for the last two years.  But the Central Florida Classic is the game that people use to determine how big you are.  If you win that game, you’re kings of Florida for another 365 days.”

This year Carter is looking at Albert Chester, his senior quarterback who is back this year to help carry the team to the top.   Chester has won most valuable player ?(MVP)  for the past two years.  Last year,  he was the leading passer in the conference.  Two years ago, he got an exciting come-from-behind win. “...But we did not have to go through too much drama for last year’s win.  Chester has really grown in position.” 

Vernon Wilder, a junior middle line backer was the team’s leading tackler last year with 89 tackles for the season.

Tyronne McGriff, senior defensive end was all conference as well as Wilder.

As far as the Central Florida Classic goes, According to Carter, it has brought approximately 700,000 fans to the stadium with seven straight games of over 70,000 each.

The Central Florida Classic has been played ten times in Orlando, FAMU has won seven.  Bethune-Cookman won three straight between 2000 and 2004.

On the other side of the equation is Bethune-Cookman University, new school name with the same old philosophy for the 2007 Wildcats. 

As Bethune-Cookman UNIVERSITY takes the field for the first time ever, the Wildcats will be playing with the same style and same philosophy as always.  The style is the vaunted “Wyattbone”, while the philosophy is win … play hard … all out … every play.  The Wildcats are expected to run more of the option in 2007, but the air game that was reinstituted from past years in 2006 will still be an option as always.

Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr. enters into his 11th year at the helm of the Wildcats program, but he is coming off of his first losing season since 1997 … an act of his play in which he is not expecting an encore performance.  There were several different things that attributed to last year’s 5-6 record, but the road traveled has been repaved, and the Wildcats are set to travel back down the winning highway once again.

As always, the defense should be kicking in high gear, but it will be the offense, ironically, that will draw question marks to start the season.  The Wildcats lost a quarterback [Jarod Rucker], two offensive lineman and an all-star receiver [Eric Weems], forcing them to look elsewhere for that offensive explosion that has been plentiful in the past with the likes of Weems, Allen Suber and Pa’Tell Troutman … just to name a few.  But if one thing is for sure, Alvin Wyatt will find a way to make his offense spark and eventually fire up like none other.

The Offense
With just three starters returning to the offensive line, blocking will be the question mark for the patented “Wyattbone” offense this season.  The Wildcats will be looking for junior Reubin Mordecai to be ready to lead as an O-lineman this season after making the move from the defensive line during the summer of 2006.  All-MEAC contender Deron Barnes will also provide some leadership as a junior at the center position.  The rest, however, is up to grabs … so to speak.
           
Coach Wyatt will look towards Jimmie Russell for the senior leadership on the offensive side of the ball as he heads into the 2007 campaign as the starter of choice, but two other quarterbacks will be giving chase in the end.  Corey Council will be looking to provide the thrills on the outside in the A-back position, taking over for Eric Weems—now with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.