Two weeks into the season and talk is rampant of coaches on the hot seat. I know you have your list of candidates, as do I. My top five consist of Lane Kiffin, Mack Brown, Kirk Ferentz, Terry Bowden, and Bobby Hauck.
Lane Kiffin, where do I start. How about with the late Al Davis. Everyone, including myself, thought that Davis was off his rocker when he came out with his comments after he fired Lane Kiffin, saying he was a flat out liar. Turns out that Al Davis was spot on with his assessment of Kiffin. Take into account how he left Tennessee after just one season for the USC job, and it was easy to tell that Kiffin and controversy seemed to go hand-in-hand. Now, in his fourth season at USC, the wheels seem to be falling off the wagon, especially with last week's loss to Washington State. I'd day that what goes around comes back around; and, when Pat Hayden eventually fires Kiffin this year, the circle will be complete. When fans start adding "Kiffin" to the right of the words "Fire Lane," you just know that the end is near. Also, when the attendance was 15,000 short of a full house for the home opener last week, how many empty seats will there be for this week's contest with Boston College. USC will be lucky to have the stadium at 50 to 60 percent full.
Mack Brown - The year started out with so much promise; and after two weeks, and an utter embarrassing loss to BYU, Brown is feeling the heat. So what does he do, he tries to deflect the heat by firing his defensive coordinator. Note to Mack: You had better beat Ole Miss this weekend, as well as everyone else coming into the Oklahoma game; and if you lose the OU game, it had better be a close one. Otherwise, your time will be up as the Longhorn head cheese.
Kirk Ferentz - Can you name another coach who makes as much money as this joker does (3.65 million per year), and does less. I didn't think so. For Iowa, the dilemma is simple, Ferentz is signed to this contract through the 2020 season. OUCH, that's a lot of cheese. Still, I think that if this season continues to be a train wreck, Iowa will find a way to buy out his remaining contract. For Ferentz to survive this season, he must win at least eight games. As of now, I don't see eight wins with the schedule that is left for the Hawkeyes.
Terry Bowden - Bowden was supposed to be the savior for Akron and be able to breathe life into the Zips football program. In his first season (last year), he went 1-11, and the year before that, Akron went 1-11. In order for Bowden to to make it to another season, he will need to at least break even, this year. He's currently 1-1; however, last week's squeaker over Dolly (James) Madison, an FCS school, 35-33, leaves him on shaky ground at best.
Bobby Hauck - This one I think is a done deal. He will finish the season, and be fired at the end. I don't care if it is UNLV, this is his fourth season and his record is 6-34. End of story
Tennessee @ Oregon (10) - Two weeks into the football season and there are only two unbeaten teams left in the SEC East, and Tennessee is one of them; Missouri is the other. After this week, there will be only one unbeaten left in the East because Missouri has an open date. Let's face it, Tennessee isn't leaving Eugene with a win. In my opinion, the Ducks are the best team on the planet, where college football is concerned. Come Saturday, the Volunteer faithful will revert back and say :"wait till next year;" like they always do. The Ducks swim away; and rather fast I might add, with a victory over Tennessee, 52-19.
Vandy @ South Carolina (9) - The ole ball coach isn't losing two in a row, count on it. Plus, we are talking Vanderbilt here. I do realize that Franklin has done more than a credible job for the Commodores; but, stroking out a victory over a bunch of angry gamecocks ain't happening, at least not this week. Look for Spurrier's team to trounce Vandy, 38-21.
Louisville (8) @ Kentucky - Cardinals vs the Wildcats, or should I say the Mildcats. If we were talking basketball, I'd say that Kentucky might be up to the occasion; but, since it's football, no way. The Cardinals have too much fire power on both sides of the ball. Look for Teddybear Bridgewater to add another notch in his belt as he marches towards New York to accept the Heisman trophy. The Ville over Kentucky, 38-17.
Mississippi State @ Auburn (7) - What does 1 year/10 months/and 14 days, have in common with Auburn: It's the last time that Auburn won an SEC game; which by the way was over the other school in the SEC from Mississippi, Ole Miss. Time for the Tigers to step up to the plate and gain some respectability. If they can keep the turnovers at two or less, they will win this game. I just hope that the Eagle doesn't have a repeat performance of what happened the last time Mississippi State came a calling. Ole Spirit crashed into the window of one of the sky boxes while circling the stadium during its pre-game ritual. Tigers over the Dogs, 31-23.
Ole Miss @ Texas (6) - What the heck was that last week in Provo, Utah. Now, that's what I call a train wreck. This is the same Texas team that killed Ole Miss in Oxford, last year by a score of 66-31. Mack better have that train back on the track, or he can start packing and working on his retiring address. As for Ole Miss, I believe that the Rebels will keep the score a little closer than last year's; nevertheless, in the end, the Longhorns might just find a way to squeeze out a victory. Mack sure hopes that they do. Horns over Mississippi, 37-27.
UCLA (5) @ Nebraska - The Bruins have had a bye week coming into this contest with the Cornhuskers. Let's face it, Nebraska's "D" isn't scaring anybody. I saw where Notabugeater referred to the infamous Black shirts as the Pink shirts (Nebraska's defense). Last year, I picked Nebraska to win at UCLA and lost, so this year, I'll take UCLA to win at Nebraska; which means I'll lose again. Anyway, if the same defense for Nebraska shows up that played in the Wyoming game, it will be a long day for the Cornhuskers. Bruins over Nebraska, 38-33.
Alabama (4) @ Texas A&M - Here's another example of a team with a porous defense; the Aggies. A&M's defense is giving up more than 270 yards per game on the ground. Guess what, Alabama loves to run the football. If you can manage a few long sustaining drives, Johnny Manziel doesn't have the opportunity to score very many points. Speaking of points, A&M's defense is allowing 30 points per game, and that's against Rice and Sam Houston State. Look for the Tide to gig the Aggies, 33-20.
Wisconsin @ Arizona State (3) - Neither of these teams have given up a point this season. That situation has to change come Saturday night. Neither of these teams have played anyone of merit, this season. That too will change come Saturday night. The biggest concern will be the heat; Arizona State is used to it, and Wisconsin isn't. Look for the Sun Devils to stick a fork in the Badgers, 39-31.
Central Florida (2) @ Penn State - The knights have looked good on both sides of the ball, this season. Now, if they can overcome the fear of playing on the road at a huge venue, it might go a long way for them in terms of respectability. George O'Leary will have his team ready. If they stay out of trouble early (turnovers), I like their chances of taking this one from the Nittany Lions, in Happy Valley, 23-21.
Iowa @ Iowa State (1) - Now, to the "it doesn't matter game of the week," or "who cares game of the week." Unless you are from the state of Iowa, no one else cares. As for Iowa, they did manage to hang on for their dear lives against Missouri State (FCS school), last week, 28-14. Meanwhile, the boys from Ames were taking a week off trying to figure out how they lost to Northern Iowa (another FCS school). I'm taking the home team on this thriller; cough, cough, Cyclones over the Hawkeyes, and Ferentz's seat continues to boil, 19-16.
Well that puts the wraps on another attempt at the ole college pick'em game. Remember, as you can tell from my previous two weeks, I'm average at best, so please tread at your own risk. Hope everyone has a great and safe weekend. Enjoy the games, and may your favorite team win, as long as it's not Texas A&M. Until next week, Roll Tide
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