How many times each Saturday does a college football player attribute his athletic success to God?

Whether it’s after a touchdown, sack or big win, there are many religious tributes throughout a game. Some players choose to bless themselves, while others get down on one knee or point to the sky.

So where should the line be drawn?

Well, according to the Rev. Kathryn Fraser Bell — the Interdenominational Protestant Campus Ministry Chaplain at Syracuse University — it shouldn’t. She said that praising God during a game is entirely appropriate.

‘I am very comfortable with athletes or anyone else praising God,’ Bell said. ‘It’s putting ourselves in context because our talent comes from God.’

The NCAA college football rulebook does not specifically prohibit or allow for religious celebration.

Rule 9, Section 2 does, however, address non-contact fouls. It prohibits: “Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves).

“After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead ball spot.’

As long as a player isn’t breaking those rules, Bell thinks everyone has the right to express his or her religion. Be it after a touchdown or after a loss, she believes public displays of emotion toward God are acceptable.

‘(Praising God) is absolutely OK,’ Bell said. ‘I would personally keep these displays of emotion to myself, but every person has the right to praise God as long as it does not downgrade someone else.

“If an athlete does something good and is excited about it, they should be able to attribute this success to God in a manner that they see fit.’

Bell, who hails from Iowa, is an Iowa and Iowa State football fan. She also frequently attends SU games. In a show of faith, we decided to ask Bell to pick some of this Saturday’s big games. Her picks appear above ours.

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Syracuse (+5.5) at Central Florida

Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN Plus

The Orangemen picked up a much-needed win in last Saturday’s 45-14 drubbing of Rutgers. But that’s Rutgers — the same team that is annually considered one of the Big East’s worst.

Still, the Orangemen’s defense finally stopped something, forcing five turnovers and allowing no offensive touchdowns. Quarterback Troy Nunes makes his second start of the season after throwing two touchdown passes in last week’s win.

Central Florida comes in having won three of it last four. Earlier in the season, the Knights nearly upset then-No. 24 Penn State on the road. In last week’s 28-17 win over Akron, UCF quarterback Ryan Schneider had his best game of the season, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

But riding momentum, the Orangemen will pull out a close one.

Bell’s Pick: Syracuse

Our Pick: Syracuse 24, Central Florida 21

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Pittsburgh (+13.5) at No. 3 Virginia Tech

Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

Heavily-favored Virginia Tech struggled at home last week before pulling out a 20-10 victory over Temple. The Hokies committed a season-high four turnovers, and running back Lee Suggs was held to 47 rushing yards.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has been hot. Two weeks ago, the Panthers nearly upset Notre Dame and, last week, they impressed in a 19-16, overtime win over Boston College.

If Virginia Tech continues its sloppy ways, Pittsburgh could pull off a huge road upset.

Bell’s Pick: Virginia Tech

Our Pick: Virginia Tech 16, Pittsburgh 13

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No. 13 Colorado (+12) at No. 2 Oklahoma

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Oklahoma, following wins over Texas and Iowa State, held down its No. 1 Bowl Championship Series ranking during its bye week. But the Big 12 North division-leading Buffaloes will be a big challenge.

Oklahoma needs to stop Buffaloes’ running back Chris Brown, who has emerged as one of the country’s best with 1,303 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

The Sooners will show some early rust, but they are one of the top teams in the country. Look for this one to get out of hand late.

Bell’s Pick: Colorado

Our Pick: Oklahoma 44, Colorado 20

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No. 23 Minnesota (+12) at No. 6 Ohio State

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Minnesota has come out of nowhere to emerge as a Big 10 title contender. Running back Terry Jackson became the first Golden Gopher to rush for 200 yards in back-to-back games with his performance in Minnesota’s 28-7 road win over Michigan State on Oct. 19.

Ohio State is 9-0, with wins over Wisconsin and Penn State in its last two games. Receiver Chris Gamble was given a start as a defensive back and came up with a third-quarter interception return for a touchdown that proved to be the difference in last week’s 13-7 win over the Nittany Lions.

The Golden Gophers may be surprising so far, but undefeated Ohio State on the road will be too much to handle.

Bell’s Pick: Minnesota

Our Pick: Ohio St 27, Minnesota 10

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Florida (+2.5) at No. 5 Georgia

Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

The Gators are coming off a much-needed bye week. They lost two in a row to Mississippi and LSU, and needed overtime against Auburn to avoid a third straight defeat.

The Gators need this win to have any chance to play for the SEC championship.

The Bulldogs are undefeated and were very impressive in the second half of last week’s 52-24 drubbing of Kentucky. The defense kept Kentucky scoreless after halftime, while quarterbacks David Greene and D.J. Shockley combined for six touchdown passes.

Florida is enduring one of its worst seasons in recent memory, and things aren’t about to get any better.

Bell’s Pick: Georgia

Our Pick: Georgia 42, Florida 13

Published on October 29, 2002 at 12:00 pm