Official 2015 College Football Week 7 thread

[cartman]

Here's the matchups between Top 25 teams this week:

UCLA at Stanford
Iowa at Northwestern
Alabama at Texas A&M
Michigan State at Michigan
Florida at LSU

[Honolulu_Blue]

The three straight shutouts have Michigan fans in a complete frenzy at the moment. Harbaugh Mania is at it's current peak (it still has room to grow). That said, if they don't beat Michigan State next week all of this will turn to dust and ash...

Should be interesting.

Michigan State hasn't looked impressive at all, but Dantonio is really, really good at getting his team up for this game. He's a master of it. (Tip of the hat to Mike Hart.)

While it's hard to say just how good BYU, Maryland, and Northwestern really are, shutting teams out isn't easy. OSU just played Maryland and gave up 28 points.

[Butter]

OSU has always been susceptible to giving up the big play though. They continue to stick with Luke Fickell as one of the Defensive Coordinators despite evidence that he is terrible at it. It's almost as if they are rewarding him for sticking through and being the temporary coach after the Tressel departure... or trying to keep him quiet.

I honestly think they are keeping him on to keep him quiet. Because there is no reason the Ohio State defense should be this poor with the players they have.

On the UM side, I had a feeling something like this would happen. Hoke was getting players, but his ability to coach them was non-existent. Getting a real coach in and instilling belief is really all they needed with the group they have. That and a real offense. Rudock will be exposed.

Success is not yet guaranteed, but it would be hard not to see Michigan going at least 9-3. After that, the sky is really the limit. Key after that is just keeping Harbaugh from going full Harbaugh, and making it not like a 3 or 4 year flameout.

[Kodos]

The Michigan-Michigan State game should be great. Looking forward to it.

Hopefully, IU can have Sudfeld and/or Howard back for Rutgers. That's a very winnable game if we don't trot out Diamont and Redding again.

[Logan]

Not the same Michigan State team as a result of all the injuries they've experienced, plus the attrition and loss of Narduzzi is really showing on defense. I've watched and love their defense for a few years now, and trust me when I say, the Rutgers offense would never have done what they did Saturday against another year's team. Leonte Carroo should have had 300 yards receiving.

[Logan]

Bielema should be suspended for this.

Bret Bielema appears to instigate penalty on Alabama player, flops and celebrates - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/12/9506999/bret-bielema-penalty-cam-robinson-alabama-flop-penalty)

[Kodos]

Guy is a total asshat.

[Chief Rum]

Bielema should be suspended for this.

Bret Bielema appears to instigate penalty on Alabama player, flops and celebrates - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/12/9506999/bret-bielema-penalty-cam-robinson-alabama-flop-penalty)

It's funny how the true pieces of shit in college football coaching are almost cartoonishly evil. It doesn't feel like the range along the scale of good and evil is so high in other sporting professions.

[MacroGuru]

Cincy @ BYU - We may be on a 3rd string QB Beau Hoge, a true freshman OR Koy Detmer, JR. if Tanner can't go this week.

This game worries me, ECU exposed our pass D.

[Suicane75]

Koy Detmer, JR.

God, I feel so old.

[Chief Rum]

God, I feel so old.

Wanna feel even older?

UCLA and USC (among others) are currently recruiting Keyshawn Johnson Jr.

[Butter]

Kinda glad Bielema went to the SEC, allowing me to consolidate my hate into more easy compartments.

[Solecismic]

The three straight shutouts have Michigan fans in a complete frenzy at the moment. Harbaugh Mania is at it's current peak (it still has room to grow). That said, if they don't beat Michigan State next week all of this will turn to dust and ash...


In 2007, Lloyd Carr was getting ready to retire, and Appalachian State happened. It was around then that coaches who couldn't adapt to smaller, faster matchup-creating offenses couldn't fake it anymore. The next week Oregon visited and the team gave up - which none of us had ever seen at Michigan before.

The AD panicked when he botched the Les Miles acquisition. We know the rest. So it has been eight years of not being Michigan football - 55-46 over that span (30-34 in the conference).

There's a lot of frustration. But this is a fan base that's absolutely rabid about the team. They're ready to believe in someone again. Having a Bo Schembechler quarterback who was the son of an assistant here and has come back after being in the Super Bowl... he's already royalty.

He doesn't have to beat MSU to keep momentum going. He just has to look like he knows what it will take to beat MSU and OSU. And it's really all about OSU. Under Schembechler-Moeller-Carr, Michigan was 30-9 against MSU - and that was a distant second to the 20-17-2 they had against OSU.

As long as the bubble doesn't burst and it's one of those blowouts where the offensive and defensive lines look completely overmatched, the mania will remain.

[lungs]

Kinda glad Bielema went to the SEC, allowing me to consolidate my hate into more easy compartments.

Imagine having him coach your favorite team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Bielema is also the name I heard mentioned on sportstalk more than once this weekend as an example of what UGA needs instead of Saint Richt.

Increasingly I think the locals have figured out that CMR isn't the answer. "Then who IS?" remains much more open for debate.

[Logan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Florida will announce this afternoon that QB Will Grier has been suspended for the rest of the season for a violation of NCAA rules.</p>&mdash; Mike Huguenin (@MikeHuguenin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeHuguenin/status/653622172125151236">October 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

First rumor I saw on Rivals was a positive PEDs test.

[Butter]

Bielema is also the name I heard mentioned on sportstalk more than once this weekend as an example of what UGA needs instead of Saint Richt.

Increasingly I think the locals have figured out that CMR isn't the answer. "Then who IS?" remains much more open for debate.

I don't know how Richt has survived for 15 years... still riding on the back of a 2005 SEC Championship, I guess.

[CU Tiger]

I know Coach Richt a very small amount.
We went on a mission trip together (accidentally, not like I knew he would be there) a few years back and spent 14 days living side by side, talking God, football, children and business during "down time".

I am convinced from that interaction that I don't know many people who I would consider better examples of quality human beings and fine Christians. I also left that interaction wondering if it was possible for that characterization to co-exist alongside the trait "Great Football Coach"

I'm still not sure. I hate everything UGA, everything. But I have a TON of respect for Coach Richt. It's funny he and Tommy Bowden are pretty close and I would say that CMR is a better CTB in every aspect but overall the basically the same.

I think both would be FANTASTIC AD's, though I doubt either ever holds that title.

[Logan]

Do you think Richt would ever take a job outside of SEC country?

[Eaglesfan27]

Wanna feel even older?

UCLA and USC (among others) are currently recruiting Keyshawn Johnson Jr.

I took a class with Keyshawn... I really do feel old!

[Butter]

Imagine having him coach your favorite team.

I mean I've got Urban Meyer coaching Ohio State now. This is not a position I am thrilled about. But they did win a freaking national title, so I can't really complain about it now, can I?

[CU Tiger]

Do you think Richt would ever take a job outside of SEC country?

Personally I dont think he'll ever coach again.

These guys who grew up with Papa Bowden see the toll it took on his family life and thats why they were so family focused, I think.

I think Mark is too committed to never quitting for the shear sake of not quitting to ever quit without a NC, but probably mentally partially checked out.

[Atocep]

Bielema should be suspended for this.

Bret Bielema appears to instigate penalty on Alabama player, flops and celebrates - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/12/9506999/bret-bielema-penalty-cam-robinson-alabama-flop-penalty)

Reminds me of the Marshall basketball coach that pretended to have a heart attack after getting bumped by a player running down the court.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I know Coach Richt a very small amount.
We went on a mission trip together (accidentally, not like I knew he would be there) a few years back and spent 14 days living side by side, talking God, football, children and business during "down time".

I am convinced from that interaction that I don't know many people who I would consider better examples of quality human beings and fine Christians. I also left that interaction wondering if it was possible for that characterization to co-exist alongside the trait "Great Football Coach"

I'll certainly give you a ton of room for a different interpretation of the man since you'd have exponentially more personal experience & actual time with him.

That said, I'm not sure how often I've run across anything I felt like was a more highly polished fraud than the Saint Richt image. The concession that I will make is that the image that's often propigated around here does not seem to be one of his making so much as one that's been invented around him. The difference, perhaps, is that the mythical image is what Richt would (sincerely) like to be and could differ from how he would describe himself candidly.

[bronconick]

Florida's Will Grier suspended a year for roids. Dude went from 172 to 215 last offseason, so he wasn't very subtle

[CU Tiger]

I'll certainly give you a ton of room for a different interpretation of the man since you'd have exponentially more personal experience & actual time with him.

That said, I'm not sure how often I've run across anything I felt like was a more highly polished fraud than the Saint Richt image. The concession that I will make is that the image that's often propigated around here does not seem to be one of his making so much as one that's been invented around him. The difference, perhaps, is that the mythical image is what Richt would (sincerely) like to be and could differ from how he would describe himself candidly.

My sole experience was in a very insulated existence. So that may cloud my perception. I can say there were no TV cameras, no reporters and miserable conditions and he as there helping kids and had I not have approached him knowing who he was he never mentioned his occupation to anyone.

Now I dont follow UGA nearly as closely as you do by deafult.

The only character smudges I'm aware of are the (frequent) transgressions of his players who always seem to remain with the program or get second chances.

In that regard I'd say he is guilty of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt to an extreme. I think he is like your grandpa and just doesn't see anyone as evil, because he himself isn't. What I think he is guilty of, from those conversations and my other observations, is managing/leading from the top of the Ivory Tower. I dont think he gets in the weeds with his players. On a given night when football is over he seems to be a "get home to the family and raise the drawbridge" type. I'll contract that with Dabo at Clemson who tries to walk a similar path but many nights after the midnight oil is extinguished he can be found shooting hoops or a game of pool with his players either at his house or theirs. Trying to lead from the front line if you will.

I'll give Richt credit for suspending players, even for "big" games" when called for and not giving up or abandoning a kid. A kid that will usually let him down again In such cases I think you (and many, many others) would say "told you so, thats why you should have cut him the first time" where I think Richt is genuinely surprised and disappointed he was let down. I think he takes on basket cases, at times, just to be a reclamation project and when he fails, he does so spectacularly.

Dang that's longer than I intended. But my thoughts.

[MizzouRah]

Florida's Will Grier suspended a year for roids. Dude went from 172 to 215 last offseason, so he wasn't very subtle

Just read that.. that's a HUGE loss for Florida.

[Chief Rum]

I took a class with Keyshawn... I really do feel old!

Did he talk as much in person as he seemed to in the media?

[tarcone]

Iowa traveling to Northwestern. An Iowa will almost seal the division title with their remaining schedule.

Go Hawks!!!!

[Logan]

Sark fired.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sark fired.

Yep, inevitable after yesterday.

[MrBug708]

Yep, inevitable after yesterday.

Inevitable after the second loss. An undefeated SC still has drunk Sark as coach

[BillJasper]

Sark fired.

Why not just fire him yesterday then? Seems like the whole sending him to rehab was done for show.

[Eaglesfan27]

Why not just fire him yesterday then? Seems like the whole sending him to rehab was done for show.

They had to consult legal before they fired him.

[murrayyyyy]

Why not just fire him yesterday then? Seems like the whole sending him to rehab was done for show.

Reports are that more things they didn't know about before the suspension have come out. Odds are Sark wasn't truthful (shociking)

[murrayyyyy]

Imagine having him coach your favorite team.

You called? :banghead:

For those who need a recap of the past coaches before him:

1) "Smile" 4-8
2) Bangin' volleyball players 34-17
3) What, Ole Miss called? 75-48
4) Put Clemson on probatino so I'm sure he can win here 26-30-1
5) Can you take over for hte year because see 6 3-6-1
6) Lost to The Citadel at home. 9-15

This gets us back to 1989. If we fire him then we have wasted 2 more years. I hope he grows up one day but I doubt if it happens. I will say this for him, he's not scared of calling a play to try to win a game instead of playing hold the ball which I like about him.

[MrBug708]

Reports are that more things they didn't know about before the suspension have come out. Odds are Sark wasn't truthful (shociking)

I think it's silly to think the AD didn't know what was going on. I'd imagine it's the lawyer issue. It's not like Sark suddenly started drinking before games. That he showed up drunk to practices. It's just they no longer are in the national title hunt and need to make a change.

But two fired coaches in the middle of the year. And after games where Kessler had multiple interceptions. The last time he had more than an interception in a game was the ASU game where Kif got fired. Their pool of candidates is going to be tough due to getting fired quickly.

Im sure the reported list for USC coaches will be something like this:
Chip Kelly
Art Briles
Gary Patterson
Jack Del Rio
Bob Stoops

I'm sure the actual list will look like this:
Gene Chizik
Kyle Wittingham
Bo Pelini
Todd Graham
Pat Fitzgerald
Tom Herman

[RainMaker]

I'd love to see Fitzgerald go somewhere that he can get better talent, but I highly doubts he leaves Northwestern. Also don't think USC is a good fit for him.

[tarcone]

I'd be schocked if Fitzgerald left NW. I think he is a lifer.

Fitz fun fact. He was playing at NW in 95 and he broke his leg against Iowa and didn't get to play in the rose bowl. He tries to punish Iowa every time they play beauteous of this. I think he blames Iowa. :)

[dawgfan]

I'll throw out another name they should consider - Bryan Harsin.

[Zinto]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is retiring per source.</p>&mdash; Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThayerEvansSI/status/653736882254143488">October 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

I will be sad if this is true.

[BillJasper]

I'll throw out another name they should consider - Bryan Harsin.

Is he ready for the Big Top?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is retiring per source.</p>&mdash; Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThayerEvansSI/status/653736882254143488">October 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

I will be sad if this is true.

Time catches up to us all. He was an entertaining coach, going all the way back to the Tampa Bay Bandits.

[bronconick]

I'd pay if they could get him to do Gameday and have Corso retire.

[BillJasper]

I just hope Spurrier isn't sick. Seems odd for someone like him to leave in the middle of the season.

[MizzouRah]

I just hope Spurrier isn't sick. Seems odd for someone like him to leave in the middle of the season.

Me too.. hope he's just decided it was time to retire and enjoy his family.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Steve Spurrier is retiring immediately as South Carolina’s football coach | The State (http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article38886768.html)

[BillJasper]

I wonder if Maryland makes a play for Frank Reich after the season?

[CU Tiger]

Spurrir quit just so he can hang onto the never had a losing season after her 1 at Duke tagline.

Supposedly he mentioned that stat twice to the team tonight.

[dawgfan]

Is he ready for the Big Top?
Yeah, good question. He's a Boise guy, so hard to know how much he'd be OK dealing with the LA media circus and parade of boosters, not to mention the Showtime lifestyle. I'm also not sure if he's a "sexy" enough name for the USC boosters.

[MacroGuru]

Kyle Wittingham


I would love to see him end up at USC. Cause I then think Utah would offer Sitake the HC position. I would have to talk to Kalani and see if he would take it, he wasn't happy with Chris Hill when he left for Oregon State.

[Butter]

Spurrir quit just so he can hang onto the never had a losing season after her 1 at Duke tagline.

Supposedly he mentioned that stat twice to the team tonight.

I'm trying to imagine a more selfish way for him to get out than to quit during a game week, with basically no succession plan in the middle of a bad season during a time of turmoil for the program.

I can't come up with anything. I guess it's good that he tells them now that he has no interest in coaching anymore, but aside from that this is really a pretty horrible way to leave a program.

I wonder if SCAR takes down the banners and various materials around their stadium that they erected for him prior to their next home game?

When I heard he was retiring, I told my wife I was actually worried for Clemson because that would likely mean that his very last game at SCAR would be going against the Tigers in a game that holds no meaning for them other than to beat their rival and win a last game for Spurrier. But since his resignation was "immediate", they won't even have that to play for.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I just hope Spurrier isn't sick. Seems odd for someone like him to leave in the middle of the season.

This was my first reaction too.

[BillJasper]

Mark Dantonio quickly tosses aside South Carolina discussion | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/13/mark-dantonio-quickly-tosses-aside-south-carolina-discussion/)

Interesting name I hadn't thought of. But, another thought, if Southern Cal is looking for stability, maybe Dantonio isn't a bad place to start looking.

[Kodos]

Why on earth would he leave MSU, where he has been quite successful, to go to South Carolina, where nobody (not even the ol' ball coach) has been more than moderately successful?

[BillJasper]

Why on earth would he leave MSU, where he has been quite successful, to go to South Carolina, where nobody (not even the ol' ball coach) has been more than moderately successful?

It is his alma mater. So I guess that is where they're connecting the dots.

[HomerSimpson98]

You called? :banghead:

For those who need a recap of the past coaches before him:

1) "Smile" 4-8
2) Bangin' volleyball players 34-17
3) What, Ole Miss called? 75-48
4) Put Clemson on probatino so I'm sure he can win here 26-30-1
5) Can you take over for hte year because see 6 3-6-1
6) Lost to The Citadel at home. 9-15

This gets us back to 1989. If we fire him then we have wasted 2 more years. I hope he grows up one day but I doubt if it happens. I will say this for him, he's not scared of calling a play to try to win a game instead of playing hold the ball which I like about him.

LOL

If USC is smart, they throw a shit ton of money to Sumlin. Here's to hoping they dont.

[HerRealName]

It is his alma mater. So I guess that is where they're connecting the dots.

This is interesting, I had no idea he was a SC grad. I had it stuck in my head that he played at one of the Ohio MAC schools for some reason.

[dawgfan]

LOL

If USC is smart, they throw a shit ton of money to Sumlin. Here's to hoping they dont.
They went after him last time and it didn't work.

[murrayyyyy]

Is it too soon for Tom Herman?

If I'm So Cal I throw mad money at Whittingham or Kelly first.

[MrBug708]

They should but they wont

[bob]

If USC is smart, they throw a shit ton of money to Sumlin. Here's to hoping they dont.

Which USC? USCw or USCe? This is starting to get confusing.

[BillJasper]

Holy Shit!!!

Former Texas A&M WR Thomas Johnson arrested on murder charge | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/13/former-texas-am-wr-thomas-johnson-arrested-on-murder-charge/)

[CU Tiger]

Isn't Whittingham like a very devout Mormon who holds a high office in the LDS church?

IOW, it would literally take an act of God to get him out of Utah.

If Sumlin leaves aTm, I'm betting Chad Morris is hired within the hour.

Strong to SC is my worst case as a Clemson fan.
The word down here is Smart is the odds on favorite, which I am hopeful will happen as I see him as Will Muschamp 2.0

[Eaglesfan27]

Isn't Whittingham like a very devout Mormon who holds a high office in the LDS church?

IOW, it would literally take an act of God to get him out of Utah.

If Sumlin leaves aTm, I'm betting Chad Morris is hired within the hour.

Strong to SC is my worst case as a Clemson fan.
The word down here is Smart is the odds on favorite, which I am hopeful will happen as I see him as Will Muschamp 2.0

Kirby Smart to University of Southern California or to South Carolina?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Poor Maty. He just can't stop digging holes.

Mizzou’s Maty Mauk caught favoriting tweets that were critical of Drew Lock | The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article38970087.html)

[CU Tiger]

Kirby Smart to University of Southern California or to South Carolina?

South Carolina

FWIW I stick by the sentiment that USC is in California and Carolina is in Chapel Hill

So if you see USC from me it is So Cal and

SC is South Carolina.
or USCjr, or Carlsjr, or USC-least are also SC references.

:D


FWIW I know nothing out west, but doesnt Chip Kelly to USC just make too much sense not to happen?

[MrBug708]

Kelly hates recruiting and boosters.

[Butter]

The word down here is Smart is the odds on favorite, which I am hopeful will happen as I see him as Will Muschamp 2.0

I agree. I am keeping my fingers crossed for that and not Fuente from Memphis or Herman from Houston.

[MacroGuru]

Isn't Whittingham like a very devout Mormon who holds a high office in the LDS church?

IOW, it would literally take an act of God to get him out of Utah.


Devout, yes. Holding a high office in the church no.

Right now, things are going good on the field for him but there is a major beef with him and the AD. The AD is saying money is tight, hence the reason he lost the bulk of his staff this offseason, because Dr. Chris Hill wouldn't pony the $ up to keep them or renew their contracts, which in turn caused them to think about loyalty to them and the school. Kalani turned down other D1 jobs as a DC (I know of a few in the SEC and the ACC) to stay at Utah.

For Whitt, I think it will boil down to what happens right after the season is over with him and the AD.

[HomerSimpson98]

If Sumlin leaves aTm, I'm betting Chad Morris is hired within the hour.



I sure as hell hope not.

[BillJasper]

Classy outfit they're running at SoCal...

Steve Sarkisian reportedly learned of firing via email, texts on way to rehab | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/14/steve-sarkisian-reportedly-learned-of-firing-via-email-texts-on-way-to-rehab/)

They already had an interim coach in place, so they could've waited to release the news they were terminating Sarkisian until they got in contact with him.

[dawgfan]

Classy outfit they're running at SoCal...

Steve Sarkisian reportedly learned of firing via email, texts on way to rehab | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/14/steve-sarkisian-reportedly-learned-of-firing-via-email-texts-on-way-to-rehab/)

They already had an interim coach in place, so they could've waited to release the news they were terminating Sarkisian until they got in contact with him.
Haden is proving himself to be a scumbag.

[molson]

So he's reading text messages and emails, but he's not noticing anyone trying to call him?

There's not really an ideal time to fire someone in a scenario like this.

[Logan]

I'm guessing he didn't have his phone turned on while on the plane, so he missed the calls, but the texts/emails came through when he turned them on.

Either way, I don't blame Haden there...a) Sark made his bed with his reported actions and b) when you make a decision on something like this, it gets out so quickly that I doubt he would have been able to get to him first if he waited until he knew he was off the plane.

I do blame Haden for Sark being there after August though.

[CU Tiger]

I sure as hell hope not.

Why?
He would be a home freaking run.

[dawgfan]

Either way, I don't blame Haden there...a) Sark made his bed with his reported actions and b) when you make a decision on something like this, it gets out so quickly that I doubt he would have been able to get to him first if he waited until he knew he was off the plane.
What was the rush? Why couldn't Haden have waited a few more hours or even a day to have the common decency to tell Sark directly?

[molson]

What was the rush? Why couldn't Haden have waited a few more hours or even a day to have the common decency to tell Sark directly?

I'm sure people would complain if he "waited" until after Sarkisian checked into rehab before firing him. Heck, people were complaining when he wasn't fired the same day he was placed on leave.

I blame the guy that showed up drunk for work.

[dawgfan]

I'm sure people would complain if he "waited" until after Sarkisian checked into rehab before firing him. Heck, people were complaining when he wasn't fired the same day he was placed on leave.

I blame the guy that showed up drunk for work.
Sure, but there's plenty of blame for the AD that acted like someone could go through treatment while remaining a full-time head coach.

Sark made his bed and he has to live with it, but Haden has acted like a scumbag. He didn't give two shits about Sark getting better - he wanted to have an easy out if Sark didn't win enough.

[BillJasper]

Sure, but there's plenty of blame for the AD that acted like someone could go through treatment while remaining a full-time head coach.

Sark made his bed and he has to live with it, but Haden has acted like a scumbag. He didn't give two shits about Sark getting better - he wanted to have an easy out if Sark didn't win enough.

+1

If Haden actually cared, they would've sent Sarkisian to rehab at the first sign of trouble. Not waited until the season was on the rocks.

[molson]

I think people just really don't like this Haden guy. It's not his responsibility to make sure Sark treats his alcohol problem. He's his employer, not his father.

Hopefully Sark will learn in treatment that Haden isn't responsible for all of his personal problems. The fact that this claim even got out that Sark learned of his firing on text and email probably means that Sark was frantically telling people this as he's driving to rehab. Probably because he sees himself as a victim, which is pretty common at this stage of recovery. It really doesn't matter how he was told, I'm sure Haden was under pressure to get the job done as soon as that became the decision and it cleared legal. That's usually how things go in large organizations, that's what the lawyers advise you, you don't delay decisions like that for days or weeks, you get it done and you move on. Sark could very well have been avoiding the calls.

[BillJasper]

I think people just really don't like this Haden guy. It's not his responsibility to make sure Sark treats his alcohol problem. He's his employer, not his father.

Hopefully Sark will learn in treatment that Haden isn't responsible for all of his personal problems. The fact that this claim even got out that Sark learned of his firing on text and email probably means that Sark was frantically telling people this as he's driving to rehab. Probably because he sees himself as a victim, which is pretty common at this stage of recovery. It really doesn't matter how he was told, I'm sure Haden was under pressure to get the job done as soon as that became the decision and it cleared legal. That's usually how things go in large organizations, that's what the lawyers advise you, you don't delay decisions like that for days or weeks, you get it done and you move on. Sark could very well have been avoiding the calls.

But what exactly would it have hurt to make sure to talk to the coach before releasing a statement to the media?

I'm not saying they shouldn't have fired Sarkisian (though if he is 5-0, Haden doesn't give a shit about the alcoholism), but there was a right way to handle it and Southern Cal missed the mark by a mile.

[molson]

But what exactly would it have hurt to make sure to talk to the coach before releasing a statement to the media?

I'm not saying they shouldn't have fired Sarkisian (though if he is 5-0, Haden doesn't give a shit about the alcoholism), but there was a right way to handle it and Southern Cal missed the mark by a mile.

Once a decision had been made, the lawyers don't like the organization to sit around and allow allow anything to change their analysis. Firings happen fast at big organizations. Haden even said he texted Sark and his people (and I'm sure all of that is documented).

What if he was avoiding calls and texts and wasn't going to take any in rehab? Is USC supposed to just wait until November? And then fire a treated Sark after Sark did everything he could to improve the situation? I think if you're the head coach of a giant football school it's on you to be in a position for your employer to reach you, even when you're on leave. You don't get to disappear for a day when you're the head coach of USC (unless you tell everyone where you'll be and where you're going and how they can reach you).

Edit: This is such addict behavior. Get out of touch so things can't go smoothly, and then make sure, on your way to rehab, that everyone knows how you've been mistreated. It's a pretty common dynamic that is really destructive to families and groups that have addicts in them, to try to make others around you the bad guy to minimize and detract from your own problems. Families have to tolerate it to an extent but USC just needed him gone ASAP. (And ya, they shouldn't have hired him at they should have at least fired up previous times he was drunk on the clock).

[JPhillips]

I understand why they fired him. I don't understand what the suspension was about if they planned on more.

[HomerSimpson98]

Why?
He would be a home freaking run.

Aggie or not, I dont think you could sell, with a straight-face, an SEC West team contender, with a rabid fan base and a bunch of money flowing into the program (thanks Johnny!) a coach that has a grand total of 6 D1 coaching games under his belt. And he's 1-5. Granted its SMU, true. But we arent exactly rebuilding and dont need a complete program overhaul.

[murrayyyyy]

I understand why they fired him. I don't understand what the suspension was about if they planned on more.

Odds are that you suspend someone immediately so they can't get in the middle of an investigation into allegations.

If (and this is playing the part of Hayden) you to Sark to get help after the booster meeting blow up and Sark has lied to you about being intoxicated at the ASU game or the practice then you suspend immediately and interview the other coaches/player. With 125 pairs of eyes, someone will tell you the truth eventually.

Also I know everyone says Hayden should be watching Sark but there are other parts of the athletic department he has to oversea.

And lastly, Sark had a problem identified and didn't have any desire to take care of his problem.

[HomerSimpson98]

Who the F cares how they fired him?? The rules are simple, he knew them, he broke them, bye bye. Its not the way I would have done it but come on.

[CU Tiger]

Aggie or not, I dont think you could sell, with a straight-face, an SEC West team contender, with a rabid fan base and a bunch of money flowing into the program (thanks Johnny!) a coach that has a grand total of 6 D1 coaching games under his belt. And he's 1-5. Granted its SMU, true. But we arent exactly rebuilding and dont need a complete program overhaul.



I understand your position, but lets look at it another way.

He has been a D1 OC for 4 years. Had a Top 10 offense nationally everyone of those 4 years. He has been a HC for 6 games and in those 6 games his team has scored more points than they did in all 12 last year.

He is a proven recruiter. He is a BAUCE in TX high school coaching circles. Coaches would hand deliver TX best to College Station to play for Morris.

Give him 3 more years at SMU and aTm will be scared to play them.

[BillJasper]

Who the F cares how they fired him??

The next potential guy might. Like I said, I had no issue with them firing him. I just thought they should have talked to him before releasing a statement to the media.

I don't understand the rush to make it public?

[Logan]

The next potential guy might. Like I said, I had no issue with them firing him. I just thought they should have talked to him before releasing a statement to the media.

I don't understand the rush to make it public?

Having players and assistants talk about how he coached drunk speeds up the process.

[CU Tiger]

The next potential guy might. Like I said, I had no issue with them firing him. I just thought they should have talked to him before releasing a statement to the media.

I don't understand the rush to make it public?

Think this through a little bit with neutral eyes.

You have a coach, one you now know is a known alcoholic and out of control, however at this moment he is still an employee of the University and you cant find him to notify him that his employment status has changed. Plus you have no proof that he has been terminated. If he is driving drunk and hits and kills/injures someone the University may have exposure, especially if he is in a University vehicle.

This is a classic scenario where you HAVE to publicly fire him just to disassociate.

[HomerSimpson98]

I understand your position, but lets look at it another way.

He has been a D1 OC for 4 years. Had a Top 10 offense nationally everyone of those 4 years. He has been a HC for 6 games and in those 6 games his team has scored more points than they did in all 12 last year.

He is a proven recruiter. He is a BAUCE in TX high school coaching circles. Coaches would hand deliver TX best to College Station to play for Morris.

Give him 3 more years at SMU and aTm will be scared to play them.

We've chatted on here a few times about him and I like him (except he refers to himself in the 3rd person in interviews :) ). Ive told you that SMU is a cesspool and I dont think anyone can win there with consistency. The whole Larry Brown fiasco proves that. If he is there in 3 years, he needs to fire his agent.

[CU Tiger]

I understand and agree with you, however I can tell you with absolute certainty that he does not. You have to remember his age and where he is from etc. He graduated and started his coaching career during the Pony Express era. In his mind that is the "normal" for SMU and the last 25 years have been an aberration. He truly believes he can win a National Championship there, and knows with the big money that is around there that if he does he will be rewarded handsomely.

Let me put it this way. In a private conversation with nothing to gain he said "This was the dream scenario for me. No way was I taking those other options. I wasn't going to North Carolina State(though he interviewed), nor Vanderbilt(though he interviewed), not even Florida(he talked but never formally interviewed). None of those places were better than what I had here as an OC. But SMU, now that is different. That is home. That is Texas. That one was special.

Let that sink in... in his mind this pecking order existed:
SMU HC
Clemson OC
Florida HC

I'm telling you he will stay there unless/until UT/aTm/Baylor/TCU come calling.

And he will win there. Look at what he is doing with a cast of misfit toys. Then look at who is visiting and coming there...

I LOVE Kevin Sumlin as a Coach. I think in time he will play for a NC there. I am positive Morris would win multiple there.

[bronconick]

There's no "good" way to fire a guy in Sark's situation. Haden does now have fired two coaches midseason, but USC is still a premier job so I don't think he'll be poison to prospective coaches.

[cartman]

That Owusu catch last night was redonkulous.

[Karlifornia]

That Owusu catch last night was redonkulous.

I'm about to read my favorite book today: All Quiet on the Westwood Front

I know they have had injuries and such, but always feels nice to see the two fighting siblings down south get swept.

[MacroGuru]

Gonna be a shootout tonight between Cinci and BYU. If BYU is smart, they lean on the big boys to help them pound it out with a gimpy Tanner.

[BishopMVP]

Wow. 6 first half turnovers by Boise, down 38-10 to Utah State late in the first half. (Maybe a 7th turnover just now - under review.) EDIT - 7th turnover gets overturned on review, so Boise throws a tipped 90-yard pick 6. 45-10 at halftime. 2nd half comeback not looking good now.

Tom Herman also looking better and better by the game. Idk if he's actually this good as a coach, but he can certainly get video game numbers out of a QB.

[Suicane75]

It really strikes me how much more I enjoy Saturdays than Sundays this time of year. So many intriguing matchups tomorrow. Really excited for Ole Miss/Memphis.

[tarcone]

I agree. But not only because of matchups, but also the variety of the game. Not everyone runs the same thing. You get all types of offenses and defenses.

[General Mike]

Memphis looking good in regular season

[MrBug708]

Fuente is going to get paid by some school. USC?

[tarcone]

Iowa up 33-10 early in the 4th. We lost our starting RB in the 1st quarter. Our back up has 4 rushing TDs. Good stuff.

[tarcone]

Iowa wins 40-10.
Iowa had almost 300 yards rushing with our 3rd string RB getting over 200 of them.
We also are missing both starting tackles, our best defensive lineman and our best WR. And our QB has a groin issue and was gimpy all game.

Don't discount Iowa. This is a legit team.

[NobodyHere]

Iowa wins 40-10.
Iowa had almost 300 yards rushing with our 3rd string RB getting over 200 of them.
We also are missing both starting tackles, our best defensive lineman and our best WR. And our QB has a groin issue and was gimpy all game.

Don't discount Iowa. This is a legit team.

Can I discount Ole Miss? :p

[tarcone]

Man, I thought Ole Miss was going to be a quality team this year. They have been very disappointing.

[tarcone]

Michigan is going to need Rudock to make some plays today. That won't be good for Michigan.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Man, I thought Ole Miss was going to be a quality team this year. They have been very disappointing.

Seemingly inexplicable too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And the CPJ magic continues in Atlanta.

PITT DRIVE TOTALS: 14 Plays, 31 Yards, 7:49 TOP
That's the formula for a game-winning 56 yard field goal.

There's nothing to say about the state of GT football that I haven't already said. Don't tell me about injuries, tell me how one fluke season every 5-10 years justifies keeping that sonofabitch on the sidelines. North Avenue football is a fucking dumpster fire at this point.

[Suicane75]

Seemingly inexplicable too.

They've lost to two good teams.

[JonInMiddleGA]

They've lost to two good teams.

first of all, there is no excuse -- EVER -- for a major conference team to lose to Tiger High. Period. And I say that even with knowing that I'll end up forced to rank them in my top 25 next week. And no matter what ranking Florida has / ends up with, I've watched that team, it's one of the worst highly ranked teams I've seen since the last time the Gators went on a run like this. It's nothing short of a coaching miracle what they've done thus far afaic.

But it's not really the losses, it's the manner of them. They beat Bama, then struggled for quite a while against a woeful Vanderbilt. Then utterly destroyed by UF, a win over a high school team, and then today.

It's very much as though they beat Bama and then decided well fuck it, our work here is done.

[General Mike]

So Indiana banned Rutgers band from playing at the game. Seems pretty bush league to me.

[lungs]

Iowa wins 40-10.
Iowa had almost 300 yards rushing with our 3rd string RB getting over 200 of them.
We also are missing both starting tackles, our best defensive lineman and our best WR. And our QB has a groin issue and was gimpy all game.

Don't discount Iowa. This is a legit team.

Yep, Iowa is better than I anticipated. I do believe three better teams are in the Eastern division, though.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So Indiana banned Rutgers band from playing at the game. Seems pretty bush league to me.

Couldn't find anything on this, what's the backstory?

[heybrad]

The targeting call on Michigan was ridiculous. He was pushed into the QB.

[cuervo72]

Yeah, switched over just as they were replaying that - really weak.

[General Mike]

Why do these teams run out of shotgun on 4th and 1?

[General Mike]

And why do I support these shitty teams?

[JPhillips]

Houston vs Memphis could be a big game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Why do these teams run out of shotgun on 4th and 1?

I'm seeing that at the HS level pretty frequently now too (we do it sometimes even). It's about comfort for both C and QB mostly I think. Might be other reasons & situations, but that seems to be the main thing.

[cartman]

If you want a coach for the first 5 or 6 games of the season, Kevin Sumlin is your man.

[digamma]

And the CPJ magic continues in Atlanta.

PITT DRIVE TOTALS: 14 Plays, 31 Yards, 7:49 TOP
That's the formula for a game-winning 56 yard field goal.

There's nothing to say about the state of GT football that I haven't already said. Don't tell me about injuries, tell me how one fluke season every 5-10 years justifies keeping that sonofabitch on the sidelines. North Avenue football is a fucking dumpster fire at this point.

Thanks for supporting the team. Thumbs up!

[General Mike]

I'm seeing that at the HS level pretty frequently now too (we do it sometimes even). It's about comfort for both C and QB mostly I think. Might be other reasons & situations, but that seems to be the main thing.

I guess that makes sense on some level, but I feel like you should be able to impose your will in that situation. Heck just let your 6'4 QB go for a sneak when it's that short of a situation.

[General Mike]

Leonte Carroo doing yeoman's work. 5 catches for 106 yards and 2 TDs in the first half.

Rutgers up 27-24 at halftime after being down 24-13. Sudfeld and Laviano have combined for 517 passing yards in the first half.

I knew I should have bet the over.

[tarcone]

Yep, Iowa is better than I anticipated. I do believe three better teams are in the Eastern division, though.

I don't doubt that, talent-wise. But Iowa has a really good defense and can run the ball. They would (will?) give the East division teams a game.

Iowa always gives MSU and UM fits and beats them regularly. OSU, on the other hand, has a lot more talent than Iowa. And Iowa always struggles with them.

And, if this Michigan score holds, who would have said Michigan and Iowa would be in the front seat for the B1G title game at this point o the season?

[SirFozzie]

Three plays in a row being reviewed, first two reversed against Michigan TD's. If this one also gets reversed, Harbaugh is going to go serial killer on the ref squad

[SirFozzie]

TD stood but then ANOTHER call goes against Michigan. .

Does the video ref have money on Sparty???

[HerRealName]

TD stood but then ANOTHER call goes against Michigan. .

Does the video ref have money on Sparty???

It looks more like the on field refs have money on Michigan. That was not a TD on any of the three TDs called on the field. How that last play was called a TD when forward progress stopped and the RB was pushed backwards is bizarre. Also, that was a catch called out of bounds on the MSU possession. It's a clown show out there.

[tarcone]

Can anyone hold Baylor to under 60?

Can't wait for the Baylor/TCU game

[SirFozzie]

Jim Harbaugh is going to have to choke a ref bitch :)

[Julio Riddols]

That QB at Memphis is making a name for himself. Moves well, throws well, seems to be a strong decision maker. Size too. Was fun watching him play today.

[JPhillips]

Run, big boy, run!

[SirFozzie]

I wouldn't want to be the refs of the Mich-MSU game when it comes time to get their reviews from the Big 10 this week. :)

[HerRealName]

Great game between two even teams. It just happens to be officiated by a Jr. High crew. I keep expecting to see Witvoet making penalty announcements it's so bad.

[miked]

Leonte Carroo doing yeoman's work. 5 catches for 106 yards and 2 TDs in the first half.

Rutgers up 27-24 at halftime after being down 24-13. Sudfeld and Laviano have combined for 517 passing yards in the first half.

I knew I should have bet the over.

Flood needs to go ASAP. The way we are constantly outplayed after halftime and have once again given up over 600 yards. We actually won some conference games last year, I can't see us winning 1 this year.

[HerRealName]

This MSU-UM game has to come down to a MSU FG attempt of any length.

[miked]

And the CPJ magic continues in Atlanta.

PITT DRIVE TOTALS: 14 Plays, 31 Yards, 7:49 TOP
That's the formula for a game-winning 56 yard field goal.

There's nothing to say about the state of GT football that I haven't already said. Don't tell me about injuries, tell me how one fluke season every 5-10 years justifies keeping that sonofabitch on the sidelines. North Avenue football is a fucking dumpster fire at this point.

I mean, they've made 2 conference championships in 3 years and are sending folks to the NFL, what more do you want? They've lost some pretty fluky games this year. You want to see dumpster fire, try Rutgers.

[HerRealName]

It would be hilarious if a ref called a defensive holding or pass interference on 4 and 19.

[kingfc22]

Well at least Harbaugh went to my favorite collegiate team...

[SirFozzie]

Oh.

My.

God.

[cuervo72]

That was unreal.

[Scoobz0202]

HOYL FUFCKINGWE

[kingfc22]

Ummmm...wow.

[miked]

Well, this got interesting. RU has rallied back and is now tied 52-52 with IU. Kyle Federico has missed an XP and had one blocked, and RU failed a pair of 2-pt conversions.

[Julio Riddols]

That's one of those plays that will play back for decades.

[Dutch]

Holy crap...waiting for the FLA-LSU game and just witnessed that!!!

[JPhillips]

That's one of those plays that will play back for decades.

The good news is that they won't play the App St play anymore?

[bhlloy]

Not sure I've ever seen anything like that. If he'd fallen on it they probably still win.

[Jas_lov]

Wow. That's about the only thing that could have happened for Michigan St to win. Punter should have just fallen on it after he dropped it.

[HerRealName]

Can we get this guy's reaction?

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/e9bJjnAbZOO/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

What an awful way to lose a game.

[Julio Riddols]

I love that gif more than just about anything.

[General Mike]

Well, this got interesting. RU has rallied back and is now tied 52-52 with IU. Kyle Federico has missed an XP and had one blocked, and RU failed a pair of 2-pt conversions.

Oh man that was nuts. My heart can't take many more of those.

And now I have to watch the Mets.

[JPhillips]

I really feel for the punter. That's going to take a long time to get over.

[Dutch]

I love that gif more than just about anything.

lmao...yeah, pretty solid response from that kid.

[Julio Riddols]

I think we could put up 40 on Indiana with a random group from this board and a week of practice.

[tarcone]

That was crazy. Just an unbelievable ending.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I mean, they've made 2 conference championships in 3 years and are sending folks to the NFL, what more do you want? They've lost some pretty fluky games this year. You want to see dumpster fire, try Rutgers.

Are you really seriously counting "two" conference championship appearances in 3 years when one of those is a 7-7 season? A year where their bowl eligibility was in question as I recall.

Before this season, the past five years they're 39-28 (aside from last season's fluke they're 28-25 over that span) and 2-3 in bowls, 1-4 vs Georgia.

Add in this season and .500 is here during that span. In other words, aside from last season's magic, the program is mired in meh.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks for supporting the team. Thumbs up!

I've been withe 'em since Pepper F'n Rodgers, who was at least entertaining. And when you literally couldn't give away tickets (okay, that's been most of my lifetime, granted). I also knew when it was time for Bill Lewis to go .. same as it's time for CPJ to get his oversized ego & undersized ability the fuck out.

If that's too plain for some weak-willed GT folks, so be it. The number of fucks I give who that bothers approaches a negative number. At least I give enough of a damn not to accept mediocrity as their potential. At this point anyone NOT on board with cleaning out this sinking ship is part of the damned problem just as much as the football staff.

[cmp]

Maybe I should just be done with sports. Still can't believe that Michigan finish. So depressing.

[BishopMVP]

Maybe I should just be done with sports. Still can't believe that Michigan finish. So depressing.It wasn't Michigan's year anyway. Before you get too depressed just think where Michigan football was a year ago.

Is Pat Haden faking fainting spells now so people give him a little bit of sympathy?

[tarcone]

On ESPN, there is a video of Lazard from Iowa St. Going 74 yards f a TD. The title of the video says "Iowa goes 74 yards for a touchdown"

I hate ESPN

[jbergey22]

I am sure the Punter had extra instructions "kick the ball out of bounds" or "kick the ball high" which took his focus from just catching the damn ball. Very tough for Michigan fans to stomach I am sure but like a previous poster said the future is very bright with Harbaugh running things now. From last year to all but beating a top 10 team this early in the Harbaugh regime is a very positive sign.

[booradley]

Maybe I should just be done with sports. Still can't believe that Michigan finish. So depressing.

I broke my jaw it hit the ground so hard

[cmp]

If it wasn't Michigan State it wouldn't be as bad. I know as Michigan fans were supposed to say the OSU game matters more but I don't personally know any Buckeye fans. But I know a bunch of State fans who will be sure to remind me of this finish til next October.

[tarcone]

Losing to little brother is the worst.

[MrBug708]

I'm sure it was legit when Haden collapsed, but it certainly makes it easier for him to step down as AD for health reasons

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia with a 9-6 win over Missouri that seems to have been like the SEC version of Wake vs BC.

And I have to give Florida a lot of credit for their effort against LSU.

[JonInMiddleGA]

VERY interesting to see one of the local TV sportscaster (Fred Kalil, now at Ch 46, for those who know Atlanta) pretty much call out CPJ just now after the game story. Said hefty buyout or not it might be time to consider doing just that if things don't turn around AND referenced the old "don't point the finger, point the thumb" adage about taking responsibility but "apparently Paul Johnson doesn't live by that credo".

For a consistently blase Atlanta TV sports media (hell, virtually non-existent in the past few years), that was shocking. I don't know that I've ever heard anyone from Atlanta TV call out anybody like that for any reason.

[MizzouRah]

Georgia with a 9-6 win over Missouri that seems to have been like the SEC version of Wake vs BC.

And I have to give Florida a lot of credit for their effort against LSU.

Mizzou returns an INT right off the bat to the 1 yard line and can't score a TD. Pretty much sums up our pathetic offense this season.

What a job by our defense though.. feel for those guys. Not that Georgia has a slouch defense.. but we would be getting KILLED if it wasn't for our defense as we can't even convert a 3rd down.

[Solecismic]

Coach Nickerson should have had Rifleman take a knee rather than handing off to Salvucci.

There are days like this when I vow never to see another college game.

[Eaglesfan27]

That was brutal to watch.

[bhlloy]

Utah trying to make the Michigan punter feel better. That was bizarre

[Kodos]

Only IU could blow a 25-point second half lead like they did. I just finished watching. I feel sick. The strange thing is, I had a bad feeling about the punt that started off the landslide. Sure enough, it goes over the punter's head and is returned for a TD. This is the kind of loss that could submarine the rest of our season.

[Kodos]

Holy shit. Just saw the MSU win. Awesome! Makes me feel a bit better after a horrid, horrid Indiana loss.

[Julio Riddols]

Holy shit. Just saw the MSU win. Awesome! Makes me feel a bit better after a horrid, horrid Indiana loss.

When you give up over 500 yards a game, you don't deserve a single win in my opinion. Its incredible how bad the Indiana defense is.

[tarcone]

When do the playoff rankings come out?

[Kodos]

When you give up over 500 yards a game, you don't deserve a single win in my opinion. Its incredible how bad the Indiana defense is.

They give up way too many big plays.

[General Mike]

They give up way too many big plays.

Turnovers and not being able to give the defense a breather late in the game didn't help

[bob]

Top 12 basically play off over the last 5-6 weeks to see who gets in the top 4. Not including any conference championship games:

1. Ohio State (Mich St.)
2. Baylor (TCU)
3. Utah (-)
4. TCU (Baylor)
5. LSU (Alabama)
6. Clemson (FSU)
7. Michigan State (Ohio St)
8. Alabama (LSU)
9. Florida State (Clemson)
10. Stanford (Notre Dame)
11. Notre Dame (Stanford)
12. Iowa (-)

[bob]

Top 12 basically play off over the last 5-6 weeks to see who gets in the top 4. Not including any conference championship games:

1. Ohio State (Mich St.)
2. Baylor (TCU)
3. Utah (-)
4. TCU (Baylor)
5. LSU (Alabama)
6. Clemson (FSU)
7. Michigan State (Ohio St)
8. Alabama (LSU)
9. Florida State (Clemson)
10. Stanford (Notre Dame)
11. Notre Dame (Stanford)
12. Iowa (-)

Note that with more upsets, Florida, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., and Texas A&M are hovering outside that, also with games against each other and the list above. Some good games ahead.

[bob]

VERY interesting to see one of the local TV sportscaster (Fred Kalil, now at Ch 46, for those who know Atlanta) pretty much call out CPJ just now after the game story. Said hefty buyout or not it might be time to consider doing just that if things don't turn around AND referenced the old "don't point the finger, point the thumb" adage about taking responsibility but "apparently Paul Johnson doesn't live by that credo".

For a consistently blase Atlanta TV sports media (hell, virtually non-existent in the past few years), that was shocking. I don't know that I've ever heard anyone from Atlanta TV call out anybody like that for any reason.

I took my daughter to the game yesterday (one advantage of the debacle this season was 1st row seats for 20 bucks). I've been following the team since I was freshman in '97. I've never seen a more "couldn't care less" crowd. Zero buzz on campus at all.

I'm not sure what to think of Tech as a program at this point. They can't afford to fire him due to the extension for at least a few seasons. And when he does leave, they will likely suck for a few years during the personnel transition as long as the new coach doesn't stick with that offense.

Realistically I'm not sure what the ceiling really should be for Tech. But I do know that the fans would likely be more forgiving if CPJ wasn't such an unlikable asshole that just knows he's right all the time. Reminds me of Charlie Weis.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I took my daughter to the game yesterday (one advantage of the debacle this season was 1st row seats for 20 bucks). I've been following the team since I was freshman in '97. I've never seen a more "couldn't care less" crowd. Zero buzz on campus at all.

My last game in person (and my son's first) was the great Gardner-Webb near debacle a few years ago. Honestly, I haven't had the slightest desire to be at a game in person since. Granted, outside of HS football, I've never been big on the actual game experience pretty much anywhere so that's not entirely just a Tech thing.


Realistically I'm not sure what the ceiling really should be for Tech. But I do know that the fans would likely be more forgiving if CPJ wasn't such an unlikable asshole that just knows he's right all the time. Reminds me of Charlie Weis.

Amen to the latter part for sure. As for the former, I don't entirely know either. What I do know is that if you accept a ceiling of basically 7-8 wins avg over 4 years then, well, how much point is there? Given modern scheduling with 1-2 wins over I-AA teams plus 12 game seasons, plus bowl games, that's virtually the definition of mediocrity. You're playing .500 ball against peers and can still win 7.

[CU Tiger]

This guy gets paid to write this...
College Football News Rankings: Week 7 No. 1-128 | College Football News (http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/college-football-news-rankings-week-7-no-1-128)

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://onlineathens.com/sports/college-sports/2015-10-17/fletcher-page-malcolm-mitchell-helps-uga-overcome-no-schott-offense

I know the game was ugly but the tone in the local coverage here was pretty rough.

Here's the headline to that story I linked
Malcolm Mitchell helps UGA overcome 'No Schott' offense

Among the interesting lines

In a working offense and with an SEC-level quarterback, Mitchell’s speed and skills would stretch the field in the passing game and lead to glory and touchdowns.

Instead, he’s stuck doing the dirty work while Brian Schottenheimer calls for Greyson Lambert to make quick throws around the line of scrimmage.

It was almost No Schott in Sanford — Part Two.

and

It’s seemingly always field goals.

And it’s Mitchell that wills Georgia into position.

It makes you miss Mike Bobo. It makes you miss Aaron Murray.

“(Aaron) could tell me before the play where he was going to throw the ball, where I was going to be open and I’d be like, OK,” Mitchell said. “He’d go out there and do it.”

That’s not what the Georgia offense has now.


While that may not seem like much, it's among the harshest critiques I've ever seen in the Athens paper. Local media knows which side its bread is buttered on so for them to go after Schottenheimer that hard I can't help but wonder if he's already on his way out the door.

[JPhillips]

This guy gets paid to write this...
College Football News Rankings: Week 7 No. 1-128 | College Football News (http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/college-football-news-rankings-week-7-no-1-128)

I know it's all about clicks, but how can you rank a team #1 and start the justification with this:

This is hardly the best-looking team in college football

[bob]

As for the former, I don't entirely know either. What I do know is that if you accept a ceiling of basically 7-8 wins avg over 4 years then, well, how much point is there? Given modern scheduling with 1-2 wins over I-AA teams plus 12 game seasons, plus bowl games, that's virtually the definition of mediocrity. You're playing .500 ball against peers and can still win 7.

I think in a 4 year cycle give their schedule, 10, 9, 9, and 7 - 8 wins should be the measuring stick. Maybe you catch lightning and pull an 11 win season like last year, and maybe you have a bad year and drop to 5 - 6 once a decade, but the ACC isn't exactly a murderers row.

I just hope neither Mercer or Georgia Southern beat Tech next year.

[BillJasper]

Just like Florida State last year, I feel you're the champs and No.1 until someone knocks you off or you have a significant shift in talent.

For me, Ohio State is still No. 1.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think in a 4 year cycle give their schedule, 10, 9, 9, and 7 - 8 wins should be the measuring stick. Maybe you catch lightning and pull an 11 win season like last year, and maybe you have a bad year and drop to 5 - 6 once a decade, but the ACC isn't exactly a murderers row. I tend to agree. Problem there might be the fact that the 35-36 wins in 4 years standard you just set (and that was pretty much what I was thinking initially) represents a mark that has only been done twce since the middle of Bobby Dodd's tenure.

O'Leary had 35 wins from 98-01, the Gailey/Johnson combo did it '06-'09 ... and that's it. Every other 4 year sequence comes up short, and in fairness I'll note that includes the years around national championship in 1990.

Also worth noting here IMO is this little tidbit: 98-01 stretch saw them go 3-1 against Georgia, 06-09 they were 1-3. In my lifetime, they're 13-36 against them for a .265 winning percentage.

Maybe that's really the question here: is it fair or reasonable to expect anything more than them being in the largely meaningless large mass of so-so programs/teams? And every graduating class beating Georgia only once? If that's the case -- and the history and the numbers suggest that it might be the reality -- then I'm just not sure how much emotional investment that's worth to me at this stage of my life. Maybe they just simply belong in the same category with a lot of other things now, a casual water cooler topic and an occasional "that's cool, good for them".

I just hope neither Mercer or Georgia Southern beat Tech next year.

Georgia Southern on their schedule will pretty much always worry me I think.

[bob]

Maybe that's really the question here: is it fair or reasonable to expect anything more than them being in the largely meaningless large mass of so-so programs/teams? And every graduating class beating Georgia only once? If that's the case -- and the history and the numbers suggest that it might be the reality -- then I'm just not sure how much emotional investment that's worth to me at this stage of my life. Maybe they just simply belong in the same category with a lot of other things now, a casual water cooler topic and an occasional "that's cool, good for them".

I'll admit when I started being a GT fan likely deludes my thoughts on things. Took me 5 years to get through Tech with co-oping, so 98-01 was right in my college years and the beginning of my fan hood.

Tech basketball has largely moved to "who cares" status in the Atlanta area, and football isn't too far behind.

[cuervo72]

Maybe that's really the question here: is it fair or reasonable to expect anything more than them being in the largely meaningless large mass of so-so programs/teams?

As an outsider, that's where I'd put them. They're a Saturday filler team.

(And I generally like GT, would root for them in most matchups, and would put them on the fairly short list of places I'd like to see my son go [interested in aerospace eng.])

[bronconick]

This guy gets paid to write this...
College Football News Rankings: Week 7 No. 1-128 | College Football News (http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/college-football-news-rankings-week-7-no-1-128)


It's no ESPN's FPI, though. They have USC 6th, Ole Miss 9th, and Tennessee 13th.

[bhlloy]

It's no ESPN's FPI, though. They have USC 6th, Ole Miss 9th, and Tennessee 13th.

That formula really heavily weights the bottles of tequila drank by the coaching staff on the way back from away games though, to be fair

[Suicane75]

This guy gets paid to write this...
College Football News Rankings: Week 7 No. 1-128 | College Football News (http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/college-football-news-rankings-week-7-no-1-128)

Don't really see much wrong with what he wrote. Ole Miss can't be that high based on their 2 loses, but other than that he's looking at it pretty logically.

I'd much rather a guy did it that way than just say, well Ohio State had the best talent coming into the year so let's just leave them at #1 until they lose, even if a bunch of other teams look better actually playing the game.

[Atocep]

Don't really see much wrong with what he wrote. Ole Miss can't be that high based on their 2 loses, but other than that he's looking at it pretty logically.

I'd much rather a guy did it that way than just say, well Ohio State had the best talent coming into the year so let's just leave them at #1 until they lose, even if a bunch of other teams look better actually playing the game.

WAY too much weight put on head to head results. Trying to make sense of head to head is how you end up with Texas as the 21st best team in the country.

[Suicane75]

Yeah, it gets silly at the end, but I think generally he gets the top half of the top 25 better than most others. And when Texas loses again it wont matter. Though I can the point of Texas' loses being against stellar competition, it's still 4 loses.

[Kodos]

Turnovers and not being able to give the defense a breather late in the game didn't help

Congrats on the win. Your team didn't give up when it would have been easy to.

[Logan]

Rutgers' Leonte Carroo has 21 receptions, 472 yards, and 9 TDs in 13 quarters of action.

[General Mike]

Congrats on the win. Your team didn't give up when it would have been easy to.

they showed a heck of a lot more heart then Scarlet Nation did, myself included.

[MacroGuru]

Heck of a week for Utah schools...

BYU beats Cinci with a strong 4th QTR

USU lays the smack down on Boise State

and

Utah remains undefeated and takes the ASU monkey off their back.

As much as it pains me to say this, Utah is having a special season so far.

[CU Tiger]

Yeah, it gets silly at the end, but I think generally he gets the top half of the top 25 better than most others. And when Texas loses again it wont matter. Though I can the point of Texas' loses being against stellar competition, it's still 4 loses.


I can't even give it that much credit.
Ole Miss is ranked 7th because they beat Bama who has beat...whom exactly? Oh yeah. UGA.

Arkansas is ranked 29th at 2-4 with a loss to Toledo...pretty much invalidates all other arguments at this point.

UGA is 31st at 5-2


Houston is 45th at 6-0

[BishopMVP]

Rutgers' Leonte Carroo has 21 receptions, 472 yards, and 9 TDs in 13 quarters of action.What's the inside read on that arrest/suspension? Was it a misunderstanding/something like him trying to break up a fight, or did he really assault a girl and they're letting him play because the coach needs W's?

[Logan]

What's the inside read on that arrest/suspension? Was it a misunderstanding/something like him trying to break up a fight, or did he really assault a girl and they're letting him play because the coach needs W's?

So it was a fight between his girlfriend (plus his mom) and his side piece who worked as a recruiting hostess. Snippets of video that came out showed Carroo pulling his own girlfriend out of the fight, and not his side piece who made the accusation. She also said he "picked her up and slammed her" to the ground which caused her to be "knocked out for 10 seconds", which wasn't on video. And the fact that she kept on fighting sort of hurt the knocked out claim. She also didn't have any visible injuries that you would expect if you've been body slammed into concrete.

Not sure if there was longer video not released publicly but the PD decided to drop the charges. And considering our entire secondary had been arrested by the same PD two weeks earlier, I don't think this was a cover-up.

[tarcone]

Sorry, guys, but I can't hold it in.
Iowa is 7-0 and going into their bye week. We beat NW missing our starting tackles, our #1 RB, losing our #2 RB early and our best D lineman. And our QB is battling a groin issue and was about 40%. And our best WR played about 3 plays.
After this break everyone but the D lineman should be back.
And here is the schedule:
Maryland
@ Indiana
Minnesota
Purdue
@ Nebraska

Holy smokes. We could go undefeated with this schedule. I'm worried about Indiana and Nebraska. Possibly Minnesota.

But 10-2 is the low end with 12-0 a real possibility.

I haven't been this excited about Iowa football since 2009.

Sorry for the fanboy post.

Might see a few more before this season is over.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Before TCU's game against Iowa State Saturday, TCU's QB Trevone Boykin took time before the coin flip to chat it up with Abby Faber, ISU's Kid Captain.

Faber was born at just 30 weeks and battles through cerebral palsy, but she's a fighter and her mom says she was even in a dance recital recently... Boykin apparently shared some kind words with her and while she surely still pulls for the Cyclones, you can bet she became a big fan of Boykin's as well...

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12106819_731669713643562_7867755812424331989_n.jpg?oh=1fec97570f501921547288db73eb773b&oe=56927BAA

[BillJasper]

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12106819_731669713643562_7867755812424331989_n.jpg?oh=1fec97570f501921547288db73eb773b&oe=56927BAA

The world needs more of this. A big :thumbsup: to Boykin.

[MizzouRah]

The world needs more of this. A big :thumbsup: to Boykin.

+ infinity

[MizzouRah]

Sorry, guys, but I can't hold it in.
Iowa is 7-0 and going into their bye week. We beat NW missing our starting tackles, our #1 RB, losing our #2 RB early and our best D lineman. And our QB is battling a groin issue and was about 40%. And our best WR played about 3 plays.
After this break everyone but the D lineman should be back.
And here is the schedule:
Maryland
@ Indiana
Minnesota
Purdue
@ Nebraska

Holy smokes. We could go undefeated with this schedule. I'm worried about Indiana and Nebraska. Possibly Minnesota.

But 10-2 is the low end with 12-0 a real possibility.

I haven't been this excited about Iowa football since 2009.

Sorry for the fanboy post.

Might see a few more before this season is over.

Nothing wrong with being proud of your team! It was great seeing them beat NW. Hope they do go undefeated!

[MrBug708]

Sorry, guys, but I can't hold it in.
Iowa is 7-0 and going into their bye week. We beat NW missing our starting tackles, our #1 RB, losing our #2 RB early and our best D lineman. And our QB is battling a groin issue and was about 40%. And our best WR played about 3 plays.
After this break everyone but the D lineman should be back.
And here is the schedule:
Maryland
@ Indiana
Minnesota
Purdue
@ Nebraska

Holy smokes. We could go undefeated with this schedule. I'm worried about Indiana and Nebraska. Possibly Minnesota.

But 10-2 is the low end with 12-0 a real possibility.

I haven't been this excited about Iowa football since 2009.

Sorry for the fanboy post.

Might see a few more before this season is over.

Time for a KF extension?

[dawgfan]

The world needs more of this. A big :thumbsup: to Boykin.
Good stuff. I don't know how many other programs do this, but for the last couple of decades the Huskies have hosted a "Lucky Dawg" for each home game - a kid who is an outpatient from the Seattle Children's Hospital or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. They get a sideline pass, get some time with the Husky head coach before the game and then walk out with the Husky captains to do the pre-game coin flip.

[Kodos]

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12106819_731669713643562_7867755812424331989_n.jpg?oh=1fec97570f501921547288db73eb773b&oe=56927BAA

Good stuff.

[HomerSimpson98]

And in case anyone else needed more reasons to like Boykin, I can spin this story.

The TCU spring game attracts about 5K-7K fans maybe more (I dont want this to turn into a pissing contest so yeah your school has more). Anyway, this spring he was coming off wrist surgery and did not play. Took my family to the game (its free!) and as we were walking to our seats on the concourse, we turn and lo and behold, here comes number 2, with his jersey on and cast on his left hand. Didnt say a word, but raises up his right hand to give my 6-year old a quick high-five as we walk past each other.

I am doing my best to make my boy bleed maroon and white, but this kid is making it harder. Big fan of his.