Exposing the real fallacies in today's college football
The intent was admirable, the delivery was disgraceful and the video was unforgettable.
Mike Gundy's rant reverberated throughout college football this week, as fans watched his three-and-a-half minute tirade on TV and YouTube. In case you were in a cave, the Oklahoma State coach exploded last Saturday for what he felt were inaccuracies in a column about his quarterback, Bobby Reid.
Though Gundy won points with fellow coaches and Cowboys fans, he came off looking like a boob to most objective observers. Besides turning the same color as his polo shirt, Gundy never clarified the factual errors, even when the columnist, Jenni Carlson, asked him to do so two later.
I won't be nearly as secretive in noting some of the real fallacies in college football. Let the rant begin.
Do voters ever pay attention to defense when filling out their preseason rankings?
If they did, teams like Michigan and Louisville wouldn't have been in the top-15. Both wooed voters with sexy offenses, but their defective defenses were exposed in embarrassing losses to Oregon and Syracuse.
It pains me to say it, but my beloved Cal Bears could join this group after a showdown at Oregon. Giving up 28 points to Colorado State and 27 to Arizona won't cut it.
Moving on to overrated coaches.
Charlie Weis botched Notre Dame's preseason preparation, thinking superior schemes could overcome massive personnel losses. The result is the worst start in team history, the worst offense in the country and an embarrassing return to "training camp" after three blowout losses.
Weis' allies point to recruiting residue left by Ty Willingham, but developing a competitive team at ND shouldn't be this difficult.
Iowa was supposed to rebound this season, but Kirk Ferentz has seen the injury report and the police blotter fill up with his players. The good times appear to be over for Ferentz, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, Maryland's Ralph Friedgen and Arkansas' Houston Nutt.
Other football fabrications include:
• TCU's defensive line (50th nationally against the run)
• Florida State's offense under coordinator Jimbo Fisher (89th in yards)
• BCS busters from non-guaranteed leagues (Hawaii is the only one left)
• The Big 12 North, led by Missouri and Kansas
• The Big Ten besides Ohio State and maybe Purdue
• Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Texas (soon-to-be), Wisconsin (soon-to-be), Cal (sadly, soon-to-be)
I should pull a Mike Gundy on myself after all the falsehoods I preached last week. After a 1-3 disaster, let's hope for better results.
Penn State at Illinois, 11 a.m., Big Ten Network
The skinny: Conservative play-calling doomed Penn State at the Big House. Now Anthony Morelli faces a legitimate defense. Pass the orange Kool-Aid, please.
Cal at Oregon, 2:30 p.m., ABC regional
The skinny: Cal hasn't won in Eugene since 1987 and will be without two defensive starters against prodigious Ducks QB Dennis Dixon. Here's hoping I'm wrong.
MSU at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m., Channel 7
The skinny: Wisconsin will stumble soon, just not today. The Badgers' D can contain Michigan State's Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick, forcing QB Brian Hoyer to beat them.
Alabama vs. Florida State, 4 p.m., Channel 2
The skinny: The teams meet for the first time in 33 years, and both offenses are struggling a bit. With two weeks to prepare, the 'Noles get back on track.