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September 26, 2007

Across Football: Rumors and Momentum

Looking around college football....(pardon the lack of external links. the internets are not cooperating with me today)

Texas A&M and Coach Fran
Watching the TAMU vs. Miami game last Thursday, I was struck by the complete lack of preparation the Aggies seemed to show. The first thing that jumped out at me was the Aggie DBs tapping their helmets in the first quarter for their subs to come into the game. Seriously? You're that poorly conditioned that you can't make it through the first drive without a blow? The next thing you noticed was the nonsensical decision making. Clock management, play calling and player utilization looked baffling. The Texas media has joined the Aggie fan base in asking incredibly difficult questions of Coach Fran. No way that he makes it to next year.

Gundy's Rant
By now, you've seen OSU Coach Mike Gundy's world class rant against the local reporter/columnist who dared criticize OSU QB Bobby Reid. First off, I've read the columnist's article. I thought it was the sort of bush league innuendo driven article that you would see on a petty, small minded blog or message board. It quoted almost no one and made numerous references to "rumblings" and "rumors." I hope that I wouldn't run an article that weak on this site, and I've got zero credibility to begin with. In other words, I think Gundy was justified in being pissed.

HOWEVER, there is a time and a place for everything. As a coach, you don't go into a post-game press conference following your team's biggest win in years to throw a tantrum like this. All the post-game discussion has been about the article and not the impressive win his team landed. Second, if you're going to attack a reporter, you've got to do it either (A) behind closed doors in front of her editor or (B) in an extremely well thought out fashion. Gundy did neither, and he came off as a half cocked loon. It's not the coaching equivalent of Howard Dean's scream, but it's just as confidence inspiring. Update with all relevant links.

Notre Dame
At what point does their epic implosion stop being a story? I record ESPN College Football Live everyday, and I enjoy it. Other than Mark May's condescending tone and the cross promotional Disney, Inc. stuff, it's pretty solid. I've also enjoyed the daily ND updates just b/c the attention their misery generates humors me. But at what point does the 0-fer streak stop becoming a story? My guess: Never. The story will simply shift to one of "When does ND grow impatient with Weis and his blustering?" I think the Irish's struggles make Washington/Willingham fans of us all.

USF
On Friday, the South Florida Bulls will take their shot at West Virginia in front of a sold out Raymond James Stadium (their first in history). Consider the bowl possibilities for College Football's newest player:
  • Orange Bowl: If they win the game Friday night, they've got the inside track on the Big East title. An Orange Bowl bid isn't automatic, but just the thought of these guys rising up so quickly to play on their state's biggest stage is amazing.
  • Gator Bowl: A second place finish in the Big East could land the Bulls in Jacksonville. Possible opponent? Miami. You think the state wide media wouldn't have a field day with that one.
  • Meinke Car Care (Tire) Bowl: USF could end up here against someone like FSU. Again, it would be an incredibly entertaining draw.
Within the SEC, the most interesting team to watch this week is probably Alabama as they take on FSU in Jacksonville. It'll be interesting to see how the Tide handles the let down. I'm expecting a 60/40 pro-Bama crowd for this one.

Oh...and the New Orleans paper asks..."Who does LSU get if Les Miles goes to Michigan?"

Disagree?

pwd

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a rather uninspiring list.

The first thing that jumps out is the absence of three men--Tyrone Nix, Ellis Johnson, and Charlie Strong. All three would be excellent hires and should keep the stout defense at LSU.

Bobby Johnson, Jim Levitt, and Jeff Bower deserve consideration.

Of the guys on the list, the one that really sticks out as a good pick is Gary Patterson. Excellent defenses and has recruiting ties all over Texas already.

Anonymous said...

I also wonder if why this writer thinks southern ties are a prerequisite.

Urban Meyer and Nick Saban should have debunked that myth already.

Anonymous said...

Tommy Bowden??? You gotta be kidding me! He can't do shit in the crappy ACC, much less the SEC - he'd never make it.
No Division titles, no ACC titles, mediocre bowls...Somehow, I just don't see that as the future for LSU.
If he ends up at the top of the list, God help LSU.

Astronaut Mike Dexter said...

Whom should LSU go after if the Wolverines bogart Les Miles?

Well, Nick Saban, of course. It would be one of college football's all-time greatest mindf%$ks. And it would probably elevate Bama-LSU to the most vicious rivalry in football history, easily eclipsing UM-OSU or even Bama-Auburn.

Unlikely to happen, but it's still fun to think about.

Anonymous said...

Jax is host to the largest FSU club in the country. The Seminole fans have had this one circled for years. They will equal, at least, the Tide crowd. BTW, they will have more seats than the GA-FL game and thus set a new attendance record.

Anonymous said...

I've been scouting Applebee's locations in China for the last couple of weeks, so it's good to catch up on college football...

But why no love for the hometown Jackets? I was hoping for an update on the Choice/Bennett Heisman campaigns. Or a breakdown of why James Johnson is actually better than Calvin Johnson. I know this is a UGA blog, but can't you respect the home team when we're on finally a roll? 4-0 baybee!!!

Anonymous said...

Willingham got the shaft by ND. And now Chucky is paying ND back for Ty. Always a Huskie fan with Willingham there, give him time. Look what Chuck did with Tys recruits and look at what Chucky recruited now....it speaks volumes.

Anonymous said...

Tom:

I dont know what they sprinkled on your egg drop soup in China, but please add THAT to the menu at Applebee's.

Or are you posting from that parallel universe the guy on the Hive was talking about a couple of days ago?

4-0, indeed.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

Smitty said...

I think South Florida would scare FSU and Miami. Its one of those games where you get nothing for winning but if you lose to the Bulls you would be in a world of trouble.

Anonymous said...

LSU will hire Butch Davis.

Anonymous said...

First off, Bo Pellini should and will get the first call for that job should it come open. Of the other names on that list, only two are even remotely viable: Rodriguez and Patterson. That the others would even be mentioned boggles the mind. That's just somebody with no clue grasping at straws.

I agree with Unknown Stuntsman that Charlie Strong and Tyrone Nix deserve and should get long, hard, serious looks.

Anonymous said...

Hey Fallenhero,
Cocaine is a hell of a drug but I recommend not using it before making a comment.

You have no clue what you are talking about.
Willingham is a terrible coach/recruiter. I will admit that Weis hasn't gotten the job done this year but you can't ignore the fact he sent ND to two BCS games in his first two years.

People who stick up for Willingham are either A]stupid, B)don't know all the facts, C)just hate Notre Dame.

I'm going to say you are all 3.

 
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