BOULDER'S GOLDEN BOY CHANGING; NEUHEISEL'S IMAGE IS LOSING SHINE.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF 

For Rick Neuheisel, the golden boy of Boulder, those routine feelers that come every January from NFL teams are looking increasingly attractive.

There are cracks forming in the youthful coach's squeaky clean image, a natural occurrence whenever your team loses a big game.

Everyone has been mesmerized by Neuheisel's recruiting ability at Colorado, which includes taking kids on ski trips during their campus visits and stealing some of Southern California's top prospects away from alma mater UCLA and USC.

But another story is emerging in Boulder, at least on days when JonBenet Ramsey isn't the only topic of conversation.

Following the Buffs' embarrassing 27-3 loss to Michigan, Neuheisel suddenly appeared to be a mere mortal on the sideline.

It's becoming a dirty big secret that Neuheisel is 8-5 against Top 25 opponents and seems to get routinely thrashed by Big 12 rival Nebraska.

In the past three of his five losses as Colorado's head coach, the Buffs have scored no more than 13 points and have rushed for 70, 51 and 49 yards. Colorado didn't scored a touchdown in the past two defeats to the Cornhuskers (four field goals at Nebraska).

``We got our tails whipped. We are not yet a very good football team,'' Neuheisel said after losing to Michigan. ``We have to make the necessary adjustments so we can grow. We certainly can't put our heads in the sand and act as if we are unaware of what just took place.''

Worse for the golden boy's image, he even tore into quarterback John Hessler during the loss to Michigan.

``I don't know that I can change who I am overnight. But I'm not going to get in his face on game days any longer,'' Neuheisel said. ``I felt badly about that. Obviously, he and I were both frustrated, and I normally come down on that side of things when I feel like a guy's not concentrating. But I don't know that it helped him, so I do take responsibility for that.

``I do not want to go down as a coach who points fingers. I am fully aware of the lack of production (and) I take responsibility for it. John is trying as hard as he can.''

Hessler, after receiving a call from Neuheisel the day after the Michigan game about the matter, admitted Neuheisel's ranting ``did affect me a couple of times. It's not something I need to come to the sidelines and worry about. A change was needed. It will create a better relationship.''

Neuheisel reiterated that he and Hessler ``have a great relationship. . . . He and I both know it, regardless of what is said outside the relationship.''

An interesting aside from the Colorado media guide: Players were asked to respond to different goofy questions, one of which was, ``Rick the Genie grants you one wish. What would it be?'' Hessler's response: ``That he would yell at somebody else.''

Whether or not Hessler regains his confidence, it's clear that Neuheisel's offense does not resemble the Buffs offense from the previous two years.

In two games, Colorado (1-1) is averaging 284.5 yards in total offense and 17 points. Last year's final averages: 452.1 yards and 29 points. The '95 season averages: 486.6 yards and 36.9 points.

When the Detroit Lions contacted Neuheisel after last season, it was not considered a serious job possibility. But the next NFL team that calls will probably get a much more receptive Neuheisel.

Big money: Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett attended the Nebraska-Washington game with Microsoft kingpin Bill Gates in Seattle last weekend. Buffett suggested to Gates that they bet each other's houses on the outcome of the game.

Buffett couldn't have lost. He still lives in the original house he bought in Omaha for $31,000 in the 1950s. Gates is building a state-of-the-art, techno-friendly house near Seattle estimated to be worth $43 million.

Transfer talk: With Marques Tuiasosopo apparently firmly entrenched as Washington's No. 2 quarterback, don't be surprised if former Burroughs High School star J.K. Scott transfers.

Tuiasosopo was supposed to play safety in college, but insisted on getting a chance at quarterback. He might even start for the Huskies if Brock Huard's ankle is still a problem when Washington plays Arizona State on Oct. 4.

Scott will also have to worry about Washington state high school seniors Jared Jones and Luke Huard (Brock's brother), two of the top prospects in the nation. Both list Washington atop their lists and will get native-son treatment, much like Tuiasosopo.

Does this ever end? Ohio State coach John Cooper was upset with everyone after the Buckeyes blew a 28-0 fourth-quarter lead in their 28-20 win over Arizona.

He even found a new scapegoat.

``The whole stadium was pathetic today,'' Cooper said. ``The coaches, the players and the fans, they just sat there on their butts.''

Heisman climbing: For the second time in less than a month, Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch won the CNN/SI National Player of the Week award.

This time it came after a 24-of-32, 334-yard, school-record seven-touchdown performance in a 49-7 romp over Indiana.

Previously, Couch won the award after completing 36 of 50 passes for 398 yards and four scores in a 38-24 victory over Louisville.

In three games, Couch has completed 99 of 143 passes for 1,081 yards with 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Two for one: North Carolina coach Mack Brown is listing quarterbacks Oscar Davenport and Chris Keldorf as co-starters despite better play from Davenport, who has completed 36 of 50 passes this season with four touchdowns.

Davenport started for the first time this season in Saturday's 40-14 victory over Maryland.

Keldorf, the ACC quarterback of the year in '96, has not been able to move the offense as consistently as Davenport.

``It is great competition in practice for both,'' Brown said. ``Chris Keldorf came in in the third quarter and played really well. I think he deserves to be in that mix. We'll watch them in practice, and if one guy looks like he's feeling more pressure during the week we may start the other guy.''

SCOTT WOLF'S TOP 10

1. Florida (3-0) Since when is beating Tennessee considered an accomplishment?

2. Penn State (3-0) They're bland, boring and undefeated.

3. Nebraska (3-0) Thanks for exposing overrated Washington as a fraud.

4. Florida State (3-0) How did Clemson score 28 points on that defense?

5. North Carolina (3-0) Best team in country that can't decide who QB is.

6. Ohio State (3-0) Buckeyes won't be happy until they lose a game.

7. Michigan (2-0) Standing in line for chance to thump Notre Dame.

8. Auburn (3-0) Tigers better not celebrate LSU upset with Central Florida next.

9. Michigan State (3-0) USC take note. This is how to play physical football.

10. Tennessee (2-1) Give Manning the Heisman, and get these guys off national stage.

Five more to watch: Iowa (3-0), Virginia Tech (3-0), Washington State (3-0), Georgia (3-0), Clemson (2-1).

THE LIST

Of the five national titles, based on the Associated Press poll, won by Florida schools the past 10 years, all five have accounted for more than 60 percent of their offense through the air. Here's how the past 10 national champions stack up:

Year Champion Pass Total Pct.

1996 Florida 334 504 67

1995 Nebraska 157 556 29

1994 Nebraska 138 478 29

1993 Florida State 326 548 60

1992 Alabama 153 362 43

1991 Miami 295 441 67

1990 Colorado 160 431 38

1989 Miami 310 454 69

1988 Notre Dame 130 388 34

1987 Miami 232 392 60

Note: Yardage totals are per-game averages. Pct. is percentage of passing yards in total offense.

Best Bet

Notre Dame at No. 6 Michigan

The increasingly embattled Bob Davie is staring at another embarrassing loss with a trip to Ann Arbor. Since Notre Dame fans are already out of patience with QB Ron Powlus, reserve quarterback Jarius Jackson could get a chance to play.

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Box: SCOTT WOLF'S TOP 10 (see text)