According to a story in the Idaho Statesmen newspaper, the cover athlete for NCAA 08 Football has been chosen, and it's not who you might think. While either Calvin Johnson, Troy Smith, and Brady Quinn seemed like a sure bet when EA Sports announced they would be naming their cover athlete on March 2, it seems the publisher has pulled a "Statue of Liberty" on practically everyone and is going with Boise State QB Jared Zabransky.

　　Anyone who saw the improbable, amazing, and thrilling conclusion to Boise State's defeat of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl knows that Zabransky's got skills behind center (though you could make a case that the fearless play-calling of coach Chris Petersen would make him a fine candidate for the cover as well). Still Zabransky has got his little piece of videogame history, as the only non-BCS conference player ever to make it on the cover of the series.

　　I'm also assuming that, should EA confirm this news, it will mean that the hook-and-ladder, flea flicker, and Statue of Liberty will all become major features of the NCAA 08 playbook. Also, no word on whether you'll be able to propose to your girlfriend on the sideline post-victory, only to have it ruined by Fox's Chris Meyers. We can only hope...