Eugene, OR (U-WIRE) -- It's been a while.

Since our last rendezvous, we've had National Champions, Heismans, Major League Baseball trades, recruiting news, etc.

So much to cover, so little space, so why not get crackin'?

That's right, Randy Moss' infamous "mooning" celebration has grabbed headlines and the lead topic in my column.

Why? I have absolutely no idea.

Anyone even remotely close to me knows my level of affection for No. 84. I've been a loyal supporter of Randy's since he burst onto the scene in his junior high days.

And while I do not condone or brush aside each of his careless mistakes, I have a difficult time understanding the brouhaha over the latest incident.

In a day and age where sex, drugs and violence are so easily and often consumed by the television viewer, talking heads like Joe Buck and Chris Berman (a personal favorite) have lashed out at Moss for his "outlandish" stunt after scoring his second touchdown of the day against Green Bay on Sunday.

After a touchdown catch, Moss motioned with his hands downward from his hips to his knees, resulting in the simulation of him pulling down his pants and mooning the Packer nation.

On the heels of Moss' "abandonment" of his team with two seconds remaining of the regular season finale against the Washington Redskins, the mooning at Lambeau drew a firestorm that only a controversial figure like Moss could draw.

What would the public reaction be if clean-cut all-American boy Brett Favre did such a "classl ess" act?

Sure, maybe Favre would never run into the end zone and "moon" Vikings fans, but what about the slitting throat gesture Favre was told to stop using in 1999?

I'm not sure how Moss' celebration can negatively affect the world (although his 'fro probably affected the tides in some way), but I would believe slitting someone's throat would have a far greater impact.

Moss will always be Moss. He'll always find a way to stir the pot and create controversy, but in the end, he just wants he and his teammates to come out on top.

He's fine being the center of attention, both good and bad, especially if it means people like Mike Tice get spared questions about his job status and the Vikings' late season collapse.

And while things like the mooning incident continue to get replayed 24 hours a day, clips like Moss catching a touchdown and taking the time to search for a young boy in a wheelchair sitting in the stands so he can hand him the ball will remain sealed in a vault somewhere.

In other football news, Tuesday's edition of the DA featured a column by sportswriter Nick Tolomeo, who argued that the current college football format was fine as is.

I couldn't agree more.

While I certainly would be intrigued by a playoff format (I did not agree with Tolomeo's arguments of the Division I-AA playoffs carrying no meaning), the logistics of it are not very realistic at this point.

Furthermore, the BCS served its function very well this year by deciding which two teams were to play for the national championship. It's too bad that wasn't backed up by a competitive national title game.

An eight-team playoff would generate the most excitement, especially when you consider the first round matchups would've been USC vs. Virginia Tech; Oklahoma vs. Georgia; Auburn vs. Utah; and Texas vs. California. But for now, I'm content. Playoffs will enter the picture when college football is prepared, and the plus-1 idea has the potential to create more confusion, chaos and controversy. And finally, as an avid fan of college football recruiting, I feel it is time to give my prediction on the final destination of Jason Gwaltney. For those out of the loop, Gwaltney is a 5-foot-11, 235-lb. running back from Long Island. Most recruiting services have Gwaltney rated among the top tailbacks in the country.

As a senior, he piled up 2,377 yards and 37 touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 2,601 yards and 45 touchdowns.

Despite the lure of top programs, Gwaltney committed to West Virginia University in February, along with his half-brother Scooter Berry.

Throughout the year, however, Gwaltney began to waver on his commitment before finally reneging on his verbal in December. After official visits to WVU, USC, Ohio State, Michigan State and UCF, Gwaltney narrowed his top three schools to the Trojans, Buckeyes and Mountaineers.

Last weekend, Gwaltney wrapped up his official visits by taking a final trip to Morgantown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. He's in San Antonio this week preparing for the U.S. Army All-American game. My prediction is Gwaltney will end up at USC.

With the off-the-field troubles at Ohio State, and Gwaltney's desire to play at the highest level (eliminating WVU), he will commit to the Trojans either this weekend or on Signing Day on Feb. 2.

USC has received no other commitments from running backs in this year's class, and the top-rated back, Jonathan Stewart, crossed the national champs off his list this week. Stewart is probably aware that Gwaltney is the guy Pete Carroll covets.

Furthermore, after Gwaltney's visit this weekend, WVU received a pair of commitments from potential running backs Steve Slaton and Jatavious Best. With Pennsylvania running back Ed Collington already in the fold, and Gwaltney's desire to be the only back in his team's class, I think the writing's on the wall.

(C) 2004 Oregon Daily Emerald via U-WIRE