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Pick 6: Star players on struggling teams

By WTOP Staff

RALPH D. RUSSO
AP College Football Writer

The next time you turn on the television and see a couple of sub-.500 teams slogging along, desperately hoping to just get bowl eligible, don’t turn it off.

There is bound to be at least a few players out there worth watching.

Here are six star players who will be trying to lead their struggling programs to the postseason.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana. Simply put, Coleman was one of the most explosive players in the nation last season. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ high octane offense. He also led the nation in runs of 40 yards or more, and would have easily surpassed 1,000 yards if an ankle injury didn’t sideline him for three games. If Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon is the undisputed best back in the Big Ten, Coleman makes a good case for being No. 2. And if Indiana, which went 5-7 last season, can reach the postseason for the first time since 2007, Coleman’s star will shine even beyond the Big Ten’s newly expanded footprint.

Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas. The Razorbacks are rebuilding behind coach Bret Bielema, who wants to mimic the ground-and-pound style he won with at Wisconsin. Well, he has the backs to do it, even if the rest of the Hogs still need a lot of work. Collins ran for 1,026 yards as a freshman in 2013, and the only thing likely to keep him from surpassing that total in 2014 is Arkansas’ depth in the backfield. Jonathan Williams, a junior, is a bruiser, and Korliss Marshall, a sophomore, is a burner. Collins (5-foot-11, 218 pounds) is the whole package, and maybe the program’s most talented back since Darren McFadden.

Anthony Harris, S, Virginia. The senior had eight interceptions and made 80 tackles last season as the Cavaliers limped to a 2-10 season. He was one of the best defensive backs in the country, but didn’t rake in as many postseason honors as he probably deserved. Excellent safeties were in abundance in 2013, many on top teams. The Cavaliers might not be all that much better in 2014, but if Harris is as good as he was last season he won’t lack for recognition.

Ben Heeney, LB, Kansas. The senior middle linebacker is the leader of defense that just might be good enough to drag Kansas to bowl eligibility after four wins in two seasons under coach Charlie Weis. Heeney had more tackles per game (8.8) last season than any player returning to the Big 12. And he missed two games with a knee injury. The former high school safety and running back fits the mold of the smaller (6-foot, 230 pounds), sideline-to-sideline linebackers that are so vital to stopping all those Big 12 spread offenses. He should be very busy this fall.

Martin Ifedi, DE, Memphis. One of the best pass rushers in the country last season with 11 1-2 sacks for a 3-9 team. If the Tigers can make the jump to bowl eligibility in Year 3 under coach Justin Fuente, a strong defensive line should lead the way. Ifedi is the best of that bunch and should draw plenty of attention from opposing offensive lines.

P.J. Walker, QB, Temple. Walker grabbed the starting job about midway through his freshman season last year and almost immediately gave the Owls some credibility. They won only two of the last seven games he started, but the offense showed some serious life. Walker completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for three scores. Walker might be the most exciting player at Temple since Heisman Trophy finalist Paul Palmer.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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