Central Michigan and the Crazy Bahamas Bowl Finish

((ht: espn.com))

Okay, other than the trip to the Bahamas, we have no idea why a bowl game is played there. And based on the video, it appears nobody actually went to the game.

But boy TV viewers were treated to one of the craziest games and finishes in a long, long time.

Western Kentucky won the game over Central Michigan 49-48. But not before the Hilltoppers nearly lost it.

The Chippewas, down 49-14 scored 34 straight points in the 4th quarter, coming within one on one of the craziest plays we've ever seen. QB Cooper Rush heaved the ball downfield on a hail mary throw. One of his receivers Jesse Kroll caught it in traffic and began a series of laterals which ended in a Titus Davis scoring the Central Michigan touchdown at the buzzer.

Rather than settle for a bowl game tie, the Chippewas went for the 2-point conversion and win. It failed.

Rush set a bowl game record with 7 TD passes overshadowing Western's QB Brandon Doughty who threw for 486 yards and 5 TD's.

Central Michigan Told Their Team Bowl Plans In A Very Special Way

((HT: Jay McDowell/The Score))

Chip, chip, Chippewa...

Now here's the way to tell your team that you're going bowling in a really cool place...

Even if you're still playing Western Kentucky...

It came down to six places and, then, only two...

Here's how Dan Enos told his team they were playing one more game...


See, the HQ told you it was cool...

ICYMI: Western KY Ends Unbeaten Run for Marshall 67-66 in OT

((ht: foxsports.com))

You can call a football game that starts with a pre game brawl crazy. But what do you call a game that started that way and ended on an overtime 2-point conversion making the final score 67-66?

That scenario played out Friday in Huntington, West Virginia as Western Kentucky put an end to Marshall's unbeaten run this season, beating the Thundering Herd by a point.

Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty threw for 8 TD's (Yes, 8) which topped the 7 thrown by Marshall QB Rakeem Cato.

The 8 TD's for Doughty gave him the lead for most TD passes in the FBS with 44.

Leon Allen ran for 237 yards and 2 scores for the Hilltoppers as well.

But the game did not end until the second O.T when after scoring last in the period, Hilltopper Head Coach Jeff Brohm decided to go for the 2-point conversion and the win. He did that because his kicker got hurt earlier in the game.

Doughty completed the conversion, hitting Willie McNeal in the end zone to win the game, give the announce team and statisticians a breather.

The loss for Marshall ends their unbeaten run at 11. The Thundering Herd were trying to become outsiders who got into the College Football playoff.

That idea ended sometime Friday afternoon.

Highlights from FOXSports:

Remember The Name Brandon Doughty

((HT: WBKO-TV))

All he did last night for Western Kentucky was break records all night long in their game against Bowling Green...

Doughty threw for a school-record 569 yards and six TD's as the Hilltoppers beat Bowling Green State 59-31 in the head coaching debuts of Jeff Brohm and Dino Babers.

Brohm's Hilltoppers had a school-record 702 total yards against the defending MAC champions.

Here's the wrap on all the records...

Here's One For You: Could Petrino Return To Louisville...??? (He's A Finalist...)

Brian Brohm, Michael Bush, and Elvis Dumervil have already endorsed the idea...

And the fans of U of L football are looking at Bowling Green, Kentucky for another head football coach...

Their old football coach...

WDRB-TV's Eric Crawford brings the notion forward in an interview with AD Tom Jurich and taking info from past conversations...

And it has to be someone who can build on the program that Charlie Strong took over from Steve Kragthorpe... and Robert Petrino, Esquire's first term at Papa John's:

Jurich can't hire a coach who will take short cuts. While Petrino built a great record in his time here, his main concern was building his resume for bigger and better things. U of L benefited from that, but once Petrino and his personal brand of coaching were gone, it suffered.

Jurich is going to have to decide whether Petrino not only is in it for a longer haul at Louisville, but whether he's going to build it for a longer haul.

Academic requirements are tougher now than they were when Petrino arrived. You can take fewer risks. But with the new conference affiliation, new doors are open and more rewards are possible.

Crawford maintains Petrino is a changed man- and a changed coach...

And he has been successful at every college stop... just don't mention the pros and his time in Atlanta where he turned tail and ran before the season was over...

He's had two bowl eligible seasons for the Hilltoppers, including an appearance in the Little Caesar's Bowl in 2012...
((HT: ESPN))


But can Jurich get past the past (so to speak) and look to a future with Petrino all over again...???

That's the question...

He's one of the three finalists for Jurich and interviewed Tuesday... according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach through his Twitter...

College Football Preview: Sun Belt Conference

SUN BELT CONFERENCE

Talk about a conference in flux, gone are FIU, FAU, Middle Tennessee and North Texas to Conference USA.  Welcome Georgia State and Texas State to the SBC however the conference remains in transition.

Western Kentucky is playing its final season in the Sun Belt and headed to C-USA.  Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State and Idaho join in 2014. 

Recently the Sun Belt Conference has earned a reputation of scaring the bejesus out of SEC teams, sometimes succeeding.  Do you think BCS schools Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Baylor are a bit uneasy with Louisiana-Monroe on the schedule this year?

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS                                                                                                           2012 Record: 1-10, 1-7 in CAA

Georgia State ended their Football Championship Subdivision era bottoming out at 1-10 and getting pounded in the Colonial Athletic Association with one win in conference.  That was a 41-7 win over Rhode Island.  Not the ending former GSU head coach Bill Curry wanted to end his career with.

Georgia State begins a new era in 2013.  The Panthers have moved up to the FBS level and a member of the Sun Belt Conference. 

There is also a new head coach in Trent Miles who has worked one miracle.

WHAT TO LIKE ABOUT GEORGIA STATE:

TRENT MILES: If ever there was a coach who could resurrect a flat lined football program it’s Miles.  He took over a near dead Indiana State program that had won one game in three years.  After winning just one game in his first two seasons as the head coach of the Sycamores Miles turned the program around with three consecutive winning seasons. 

The track record is there so there is reason for optimism for Panther fans.

WHAT GEORGIA STATE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

OFFENSE: The Panther offense was awful last season.  Georgia State averaged only 17.4 points per game in their final season in FCS.  Former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski runs the GSU offense now as the new offensive coordinator.  You can bet Jagodzinski will be drawing up plays to get the ball in the hands of senior wide receiver Albert Wilson, the best playmaker on the team.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

At least the program can pay the bills after trips to West Virginia (Sept. 14^th) and at Alabama (Oct. 5^th).  Chattanooga (Sept. 7^th) and South Alabama (Nov. 30^th) appear to be the most winnable games on the docket.

OSG’s TAKE:

Wilkie: I love the hiring of Trent Miles but his first year at GSU might be an oh – for.

Phil: Good coaching staff, profitable schedule, not near enough athletes. May eventually be competitive, but not this yr.

Jon: I think the Miles era will be another painful one in the Georgia Dome

SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS                                                                                                           2012 Record: 2-11

The transitional period is over for the Jaguars, they can compete for the Sun Belt Championship.  That won’t happen this year.

WHAT TO LIKE ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA:

JUCO TRANFERS: Head coach Joey Jones is going the junior college route to find some size for his defense which wasn’t bad last year, just small.  Nine JUCO transfers are expected to either start or contribute significantly.

THEY HAVE A QUARTERBACK: His name is Ross Metheny and Joey Jones has put his trust in Metheny that he can provide the explosive plays (30 to 40 yard plays) that was lacking last season. 

WHAT SOUTH ALABAMA NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

JUST NOT THERE YET: It’s up to the JUCO transfers as how much South Alabama improves from their 2-9 record last season. 

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: South Alabama has some of the Sun Belt big boys Arkansas State, Louisiana- Lafayette and Western Kentucky at home.  Going 2 of 3 against those teams and that might mean challenging for an upper division finish. 

OSG’S TAKE:

Wilkie: South Alabama is on the right track.  They will be better than last year but I’m afraid the final won-loss record might not reflect it.

Phil: Again, growing pains abound. They are on the right path, but it’s a bigger jump from small to large than most think. It will eventually come, but not this year. 4 wins or more will be huge achievement.

Jon: Agree. Joey Jones has been there since the beginning and I have the feeling he’ll be there for the long-term. The administration has put a lot of trust in him. And they’ll need a lot more…

TEXAS STATE BOBCATS                                                                                                            2012 Record: 4-8

Welcome to the Sun Belt Texas State.  The highlight of the 2012 season was upsetting Houston 30-13 in week one but couldn’t back that up the rest of the year. 

WHAT TEXAS STATE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

DEFENSE: Michael Orakpo (Brother of NFL star Brian Orakpo) joins the Bobcats after transferring from Colorado State and should make an impact on a defense that had a tough time against the run last season.  Part of the reason was David Mayo missed the last five games of the season with a knee injury.  This unit should be much better.

WHAT TEXAS STATE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

OFFENSIVE LINE:  The O-Line gave up 28 sacks last season.  That has to change for Texas State’s offense to be successful.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: Of the Sun Belt big boys only Western Kentucky comes to San Marcos.  Wyoming pays a visit to the Texas plains so that might be a winnable game that might raise an eye brow or two.

OSG’S TAKE:

Wilkie: Head coach Dennis Franchione is optimistic this team might have a breakout season.  I’m not sure I share that but they will be a pain in the backside in their first season in the Sun Belt.

Phil: Better, but yet again, a long way to go....

Jon: Agree again… pain for everyone, but it won’t translate into a lot of wins…

TROY TROJANS                                                                                                                             2012 Record: 5-7

During Larry Blankney’s 22 seasons as head coach at Troy he never experienced back to back losing seasons until now.  In 2011 Troy was 3-9 and in 2012 the Trojans finished 5-7.  Troy will be trying to avoid a third losing year in a row.

WHAT TO LIKE ABOUT TROY:

COREY ROBINSON: Robinson is a four year starter with an impressive body of work that includes 10,258 career passing yards, the nation’s active leader.  Robinson had some injury issues last year so he must stay healthy.  Robinson has some skill on the edges to throw to.  Eric Thomas is his favorite target and caught 55 passes last year. 

WHAT TROY NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

OFFENSIVE LINE: Terrance Jones is the lone holdover from 2012 and he’s moving from right tackle to left tackle to protect Robinson’s blind side.  It will be a work in progress.

DEFENSE: The Trojan defense finished dead last in the SBC last year so there’s nowhere to go but up.  Generating a decent pass rush has been an issue.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: It doesn’t favor Troy.  The Trojans road games include SBC heavyweights Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette.  Plus Troy travels twice to Mississippi (vs. Mississippi State on Sept 21^st and Ole Miss Nov. 16st.) and at Duke (Sept. 28^th).

OSG’S TAKE:

Wilkie: Troy will avoid a third straight losing season for Larry Blankney because Corey Robinson is that good but they will have to outscore opponents.

Phil: No D= not enough wins. A .500 team if there ever was one. Outscoring people only works in the Big 12 and Pac 12.

Jon: I see a lot of Nintendo scores for Blakeney and Troy this year, and that may be the only reason they are over .500

ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES                                                                                                                                                                                
2012 Record: 10-3, Sun Belt Conference Champions

The Bryan Harsin era has begun in Jonesboro, ASU’s third head coach in 4 years.  You can’t blame Hugh Freeze or Gus Malzahn.  They parlayed their successful seasons at ASU into head coaching jobs in the SEC.  If this is a stepping stone job for Harsin then he picked the right place and the cupboard isn’t bare at ASU.

THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT ARKANSAS STATE:

PLEATHORA OF TALENT OUT THERE: Arkansas State has some players. Tennessee transfer David Oku gained 1,061 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and could top those numbers in his senior season.  The receiving corps is solid led by 2012 SBC Freshman of the Year J.D. McKissic who had 1,022 yards receiving yards.  The Red Wolves also return a solid defense that’s tough to score points on.

WHAT ARKANSAS STATE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

WHO’S GOING TO PLAY QUARTERBACK: Ryan Aplin won’t be walking through the door for ASU this year.  The battle is joined between Phillip Butterfield and Fredi Knighten.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: ASU has ULM and Western Kentucky on the road.  Troy and Louisiana Lafayette travel to Jonesboro.  ASU has two SEC schools on the schedule, at Auburn Sept. 7^th and at Missouri Sept. 28^th, winnable SEC road games. 

OSG’S TAKE

Wilkie: Whoever wins the QB competition between Butterfield or Knighten and there isn’t much of a drop off at that position then the Red Wolves might repeat as SBC champions.  . 

Phil: One of the leagues powers. If the system is indeed staying the same, they’ll be a tough out for anybody. All they need is some defense.

Jon: I think Ark State will be in the mix again this year for the title… and they may scare someone along the way outside the SBC

LOUISIANA RAJIN’ CAJUNS                                                                                                                              2012 Record: 9-4

Mark Hudspeth has revived this program. He’s 18-8 in his two seasons as the head coach of the Rajin’ Cajuns.  Hudspeth might be the next SBC head coach that is hired by a BCS school and a bit surprised it hasn’t happened yet. 

WHAT TO LIKE ABOUT LOUISIANA – LAFAYETTE:

ENJOY THE BROADWAY SHOW: Junior Terrence Broadway performed to rave reviews in 2012 setting school records for total offense (3,616 yards) and completion percentage (65.4).  Junior Alonzo Harris is the Cajuns’ best back gaining 881 yards last year.  If Louisiana-Lafayette can find some go-to receivers the Cajun offense would be loaded.

WHAT NOT TO LIKE ABOUT LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE:

DEFENDING THE PASS: ULL was dead last in the SBC last season against the pass and gave up way to many big plays through the air.  There will be pressure on the Cajun defensive backs to cut down on allowing explosive plays.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

The Cajuns open the season at Arkansas and at Kansas State so a 0-2 start might be likely.  After that they must go to WKU and Arkansas State.

OSG’s TAKE:

Wilkie: Louisiana-Lafayette may have to outscore opponents to win and they are perfectly capable of doing that.  The Cajuns will challenge for the SBC title

Phil: Have to be careful here (wife is alum). Hudspeth may be best coach in league. He’s stabilized a very inconsistent team. Lots of talent back and Mr. Broadway may be the leagues best. If D shows up, they play for title. End of debate.

Jon: I think it’ll be Lafayette and Ark State again challenging for the title. One goes to New Orleans, the other to Mobile…

WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS                                                                                                                                2012 Record: 7-6

Goodbye Willie Taggart, hello Bobby Petrino.  There’s a lot of baggage their but Bowling Green, KY might be the perfect place for Petrino to rehab his coaching career.  Petrino will have some decent tools to work with.

THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY:

BOBBY PETRINO:  Love him or hate him Petrino can really coach and he has some outstanding offensive players in place.  Running back Antonio Andrews is a special talent.  Andrews gained 3,161 all-purpose yards last season, only Barry Sanders had surpassed over 3,000 all-purpose yards in a single season.  Andrews damn near had 2,000 yards rushing falling a few hundred yards short.  Petrino loves to use tight ends in his offense and WKY is well stocked there.

WHAT WESTERN KENTUCKY NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

FRONT FOUR:  WKY defense must replace its entire front four which was outstanding last season.  That’s going to put some pressure on All-SBC middle linebacker Andrew Jackson to make plays. 

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

Western Kentucky opens with back to back game against SEC schools.  WKY opens the season in Nashville against Kentucky, the Hilltoppers defeated the Wildcats in Lexington last year and it’s a winnable game again.  Then it’s off to Knoxville to battle Tennessee, could be winnable.  November might be the determining factor for WKY in the Sun Belt title race with three road games in a row that month against conference foes.

OSG’S TAKE:

Wilkie:  I get the feeling the Hilltoppers want to win now because Bobby Petrino won’t be there long term is that happens.  Even with all his transgressions college football’s big boys will be willing to take a chance on Petrino, he’s that good a coach.  I expect WKY will be challenging for the SBC championship and may just win it.

Phil: They will be better, and scary. The description fits a Petrino team even if it’s not his players. Like most teams in Sun Belt, good offense wins. Just needs D to show up and make an occasional stop. They’ll play for title next yr.

Jon: I think it may take a season for Petrino to get his way with his players (and not Taggart’s) in Bowling Green. They’ll finish third and next season will be the one to pay attention to for a title- and a Petrino exit.

LOUISIANA – MONROE WARHAWKS                                                                                                                                                           2012 Record: 8-5

After defeating Arkansas last year the Warhawks were mid-major darlings.  ULM looked like Sun Belt Champions last year until injuries took their toll.  With key elements returning ULM looks poised to win the SBC.

WHAT TO LIKE ABOUT LOUISIANA – MONROE:

KOLTON BROWNING: He’s back and he’s healthy.  Browning was off to a special season until a leg injury sidelined him and the Warhawks lost two important games against Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State.  The last impression you have of Browning was his three interception performance in a loss to Ohio in the Independence Bowl.    Browning is way too good for that and should have a SBC Player of the Year time season.

WHAT LOUISIANA-MONROE NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON:

DEFENDING THE PASS:  ULM’s defensive backs have talent and can stick a running back but gave up big plays from good passing offenses.  It didn’t help either that the Warhawk pass rush was not as consistent as it should be.  It’s very fixable because it’s a talented group.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

ULM opens at Oklahoma, they won’t win that one.  Two weeks later the Warhawks head to Winston-Salem, NC to face Wake Forest, which could be winnable.  Then take on Baylor in Waco, TX, last year ULM lost a wild one to Baylor 47-41 so put that in the winnable column.  Western Kentucky and Arkansas State must come to Monroe, a big plus.  ULM closes on the road against rival ULL. 

OSG’s TAKE:

Wilkie:  This is ULM’s time, my favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference. 

Phil: Could be an all-Louisiana title game. Solid squad that would not have finished last in the SEC last season. They’ll scare everyone they play. And they should. If they go 2-1 vs. Big Boys, they’ll be bowling...

Jon: Sorry, I take it back. Ark State, Lafayette, and Monroe will be ahead of Western. Monroe could be bowl eligible by the end of it all and could make it to Detroit or another far-flung place.

SBC Champions:

Wilkie: Louisana-Monroe – This is a deep and talented football team.  The Warhawks are built for a special season.

Phil: Ragin-Cajuns. (I have to say this)

Jon: Lafayette

Western Kentucky Is Playing With Fire Hiring Bobby Petrino

Western Kentucky athletic director Todd Stewart is taking a chance with Bobby Petrino, who was introduced today as the new head coach at Western Kentucky. 

Stewart knows he’s hiring a proven winner and a coach respected by his peers but also a coach carrying heavy baggage and many napalmed bridges.

Ask Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich who did his best to make Petrino one of the highest paid coaches in college football.  Petrino constantly pledged his commitment to Louisville while secretly meeting with other schools about their job openings.

After signing a lucrative deal with Louisville during the 2006 season Jurich saw Petrino bolt for the NFL after receiving a 5 year, 24 million dollar deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Ask Falcons owner Arthur Blank if that was a wise investment.  Petrino didn’t even stay his first season bolting for Arkansas after giving his word to Blank that “You have a head coach.” 

At least Arkansas did the next day and the Falcons were in limbo.

Finally ask Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long.  Who saw Petrino elevate the Razorback football program only to see a motorcycle accident take a, pardon the pun, a complete left turn.

It uncovered an extra marital affair with Jessica Dorrell who had been hired by Petrino as Student-Athlete Development Coordinator. 

To make a long story short Petrino never owned up to his mistakes and Long had no choice but to fire him.

Todd Stewart is now Petrino’s boss and obviously is aware of his employment history but you can’t blame him for this hire.  Willie Taggart had upgraded the Hilltopper program and became a hot commodity one South Florida landed.

Bobby Petrino was looking to rehabilitate his career, Stewart wanted to keep the momentum going with the football program.

In a way I guess the two parties needed each other but will this one end badly too.

(Thanks WHAS-TV)

Bobby Petrino Visiting Western KY...? (UPDATED: He Got Hired)

Various sources, including Kentucky Sports Radio, are saying that Robert Petrino, Esq. is visiting the Western Kentucky campus since the Hilltoppers are looking for a replacement for Willie Taggart.

Taggart moved on to South Florida after leading WKU to a bowl appearance...

Petrino would, probably, be better served being an assistant for his brother Paul at Idaho- but that's just us...

More when we know more...

1435 UPDATE: According to Chad Bishop of the Bowling Green Daily News, the job is his:

The Daily News has learned from a Western Kentucky University source that former Louisville, Arkansas and Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino will be announced as WKU's head coach at 4 p.m. today at the Jack Harbaugh Club at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

Western Kentucky Survives Wild Game Against Troy

Those of us at the OSG HQ love a good Sun Belt Conference match-up.  Thursday Night’s Western Kentucky – Troy game qualifies and it was entertaining.

The Hilltoppers overcame a 10 point first half deficit and a wild second half to defeat the Trojans 31-26.

Here’s the highlights (Thanks WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL)

 

WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

An upper shoulder injury, sure looked like Corey Robinson was concussed and didn’t know where he was.  By the way, Robinson was leading the Sun Belt in passing coming into this game.

Back to the game, Western Kentucky, who has a win over Kentucky from the SEC, is on a roll.  The Hilltoppers have won three in a row and 2-0 in the Sun Belt. 

“This was a good win for us, and we're looking forward to getting back home next week." Western Kentucky head coach Willie Taggart said.

That home game next week is against Louisiana – Monroe, you remember the Warhawks.

WKU quarterback Kawaun Jakes is efficient and doesn’t make mistakes.  Thursday night Jakes completed a season-high 21 of 31 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns, the third time this season Jakes threw for a hat trick in touchdowns.

The Hilltopper defense is pretty good too.  WKU leads the Sun Belt in total defense averaging 290 yards per game.  WKY gave up 374 yards to Troy which was above average but came up with the plays they needed. 

That Hilltopper might be enough to put WKU on top of the Sun Belt at the end of the year

Western Kentucky Upsets Kentucky

For the second week in a row the Sun Belt Conference prevails over an SEC team on the road.  Last week it was Louisiana-Monroe coming back to stun Arkansas, now Western Kentucky shocks Kentucky in overtime 32-31 in overtime.

Here’s how WKY head coach Willie Taggart feels about the win. (Thanks WTVQ Lexington, Kentucky)

Coach Taggart your Hilltoppers did paint Lexington, Kentucky red with the programs first win over Big Blue ever.

WKU won with one of the wildest finishes to an overtime game.  After a Kentucky touchdown of open the overtime period, WKU marched and scored a touchdown on their first OT possession.

WKU rolled the dice and went for two and the gamble paid off with some trickery.  Hilltopper quarterback  Kawaun Jakes threw a lateral to Antonio Andrews, who turned and threw left back to Jakes. Jakes was able to pick up the ball just before it hit the turf and ran into the end zone for the game-winning two point conversion.

Check it out yourself from the game highlights. WKU’s game winner is at 2:20 (Thanks WKUSports.TV)





Here’s how Kentucky head coach Joker Phillips saw WKU’s game winner.

“I saw a bubble screen throw-back..” Phillips said.”… we're in man-to-man coverage, only guy you don't have a man accounted for is the quarterback. Great play. Great play by the -- I thought we had the first guy down. He broke a tackle and was able to get it out to the quarterback. He's the only guy that we don't have covered in man-to-man coverage.”

One thinks Joker Phillips’ seat his getting a little warmer after this loss to Western Kentucky.

Or as Lexington Herald-Leader Columnist John Clay puts it, Joker Phillips has officially gone from the hot seat to blistering.

Saban Not Pleased With Team And Lack Of Respect...

For Western Kentucky...

Yep, that's right...

Don Kausler from al.com was at the Wednesday presser for Saint Nick and he was quite upset on a couple of fronts- one believable, one not so much...

Watch for yourself...

A lack of respect for Western Kentucky...???
Well, yeah...

First and foremost, Bobby Rainey isn't around anymore to hand the ball off to since he's in Baltimore. That takes care of your offense... and the Hilltopper defense versus Alabama...???

You know the answer...

The practice Saban is hot about...???
Understandable... the HQ gets that entirely...

Ah, college football season...

College Football: Sun Belt Coaches Poll

Here's how the 10 head coaches of the Sun Belt Conference predict as the outcome of the season:

1. FIU - 92 (5)
2. Arkansas State - 85 (2)
3. Louisiana-Lafayette - 81 (2)
4. WKU - 70 (1)
5. Troy - 60
6. Louisiana-Monroe - 47
7. Middle Tennessee - 42
8. North Texas - 36
9. Florida Atlantic - 23
10. South Alabama - 14

No surprises, FIU and Arkansas State will battle it out for the SBC title.  Louisiana - Lafayette is getting respect as is Western Kentucky. 

Those of us at the OSG HQ are feverishly working on our College Football Previews.  Those will come out soon.

The Politics Of Dancing: Add Some More To The List

Horizon Detroit 1999
Summit League South Dakota State None
Sun Belt Western Kentucky 2009
Ivy League Harvard 1946
Big Sky Montana 2010
Northeast Long Island 2011
Patriot League Lehigh

The Jackrabbits from Brookings get in for the first time evah...
((HT: KELO-TV))


The Horizon goes to the Titans after their win over Valpo...
((HT: MyFoxDetroit))

Titans Are Dancing: MyFoxDETROIT.com

The Hilltoppers get in after a 5-11 start, more of a mention with the HQ after a 6th man violation in an overtime loss, a coach getting fired, and all that...???

They knocked off North Texas for the Sun Belt title and an appearance in the First group in Dayton...
((HT: WBKO-TV))


The Griz played at home and beat Weber State, but here's the preview of that game before the Big Sky title game...
((HT: KFBB-TV))


More when we have them...

Louisiana-Lafayette Uses Sixth Man - Literally - To Defeat Western Kentucky 72-70 In OT (Updated- Coach Fired))

Updated 10:55 a.m--Western Ky. has fired their coach, Ken McDonald, though they don't cite this story as the reason.

Short version--AD Ross Bjork says he didn't like the direction the program (5-11 this season) was heading.

Read the full, strange Western Kentucky statement RIGHT HERE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In college basketball the sixth man can affect the outcome of a game but usually its from the seats not on the floor.

Louisiana Lafayette had six players on the floor when the Cajins Elfrid Payton drove and hit a lay up with 3.4 seconds left to secure ULL's 72-70 overtime win over Western Kentucky.

Here's the video evidence. (Thanks WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, KY)

Western Ky. doesn't do much to assistant with 3 DWI's

Lance Guidry

Lost in the moral indignation about what is happening in Penn State is another somewhat disturbing story about a college football program's response to what appears to be a pretty serious problem as well.

Early Saturday morning in Baton Rouge, Lousiana, Western Kentucky defensive coordinator Lance Guidry was pulled over and charged with DWI. The stop, is apparently the 3rd time it has happened. Western Ky was in town to play the top ranked LSU Tigers.

Guidry was pulled over around 1 a.m and registered a considerable amount over the state limit for DWI.

Read the story of his arrest from LSUrevellie.com RIGHT HERE

According to a statement released Monday from WKY Head Coach Willie Taggart, Guidry was viewing high school games in the area and allegedly met-up with a friend afterwards.

Taggart didn't mention the drinking. He just said "This type of conduct is not acceptable and there will be disciplinary measures as a result, and they will be handled internally."


No...please coach Taggart! Please don't slap Guidry's wrist!

Athletic Director Ross Bjork (no relation) added this "I am personally disappointed in Lance's actions during our trip to LSU. Lance is a great football coach and has brought great energy to our team and defense since he arrived. He knows better of his responsibilities as a public figure."





Bjork went on to say it would have punished the players for Guidry to sit out the game vs. LSU and since he apologized, it was apparently ok. He also added that since Guidry was apologetic, that he "Owned this mistake" and would learn from it.

He also said a background check when Guidry was hired didn't turn up the previous incidents. (Right)

Ok.

This isn't quite the load of crap that Penn State tried to foist upon everyone, but it still stinks. Really....3 DWI's and that isn't enough to (a) Put you in jail or (b) Get you fired?

Sure, we get the WKU isn't exactly high up on the food chain, but when did it become OK to brush off what Guidry did? Would it have mattered had he hit and killed someone while driving? Something that easily could have happened.

Yes, it appears that Coach Guidry has a problem and needs some help. And he should not be allowed to drive a car again for the foreseeable future. But somehow, we are guessing that won't happen. We aren't going to preach naivety here but.

One DWI is bad. It happens. To a lot of well-intentioned people. If it happened to say...me...when I worked in a Newsroom, I would be fired. The 1st time. On the spot. And there would be no defense.

But if you are a college football coach at Western Kentucky...well, it apparently is alright. As long as nobody was hurt.

You should be as angry about this as we are, but we suspect with the other things going on in the world of College Football and because it is Western Kentucky, nobody will pay attention.