WHAT A DIFFERENCE A MONTH MAKES, BAD KARMA? OH YEAH
What a difference a month makes. Just ask Kansas coach Mark Mangino. A month ago Mangino wondered why his quarterback, Todd Reesing, wasn't in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. The Jayhawks have lost every game since, falling to 5-5 & in danger of not becoming bowl eligible. The upcoming trip to Austin to play the 3rd ranked Longhorns & the season finale in Arrowhead against arch rival Missouri will certainly make it difficult for KU to get into the bowl discussion. If the 'Hawks lose out, that would mean a 1-7 Big-12 record, is Mangino in trouble?
What a difference a month makes. USC's Pete Carroll has to be shaking his head after his team were handed a 55-21 beatdown by Stanford. This represented the most points allowed by a Trojan team in school history. A month ago Carroll was whining about the 1st BCS Poll where his once-beaten Trojans were 'only' ranked 9th. Carroll said in his weekly news conference, "are they looking for the best record in college football or the best team?" The 8 teams ranked in front of USC were undefeated, the Trojans were one week off a loss to Washington, a team that was 2-16 in their last 18 games. The Trojans climbed to #7 before getting pounded by Oregon 47-20. They held off Notre Dame 34-27, Oregon State 42-36 & Arizona State 14-9 before Saturday's home game against Stanford. The Cardinal came into the L.A. Coliseum & simply knocked the snot out of USC. Late in the game, after another Stanford touchdown, Stanford went for a 2-point conversion. At the midfield postgame handshake Carroll asked Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh "what's going on?" To which Harbaugh was heard to say "what's going on with you?" It was apparent Harbaugh had struck a nerve & he liked it. Many of the PAC-10 coaches have remained silent while USC posted ridiculous whippings on many of the lesser teams in the conference. Carroll was upset at Harbaugh for the beating the Trojans absorbed Saturday? Think Paul Wulff is wondering "what's going on" with Carroll? USC has pounded the Cougars 69-0 last season. USC beat Washington 56-0 last year & then Carroll was annoyed when students rushed the field after the Huskies finally beat USC this season 13-10. He talked so big at the PAC-10 media day saying "I don't see any end in sight to our top-5 finishes every season". I half kiddingly said karma might get the Trojans, by golly, it appears it has struck with a vengeance.
Watching the Mizzou-Kansas State game Saturday, it was the Danario Alexander show. As I watched this 6' 5" 220 pound wide receiver, I saw a slightly slower version of Randy Moss. He can go up & snatch the ball, he doesn't get caught from behind by cornerbacks, he breaks tackles, he gets open & most importantly, he catches everything thrown his way. For those who don't know, Alexander was the starter ahead of Jeremy Maclin 2 years ago. Two knee operations & one on his wrist kept him sidelined, but now he's healthy & he's a real weapon. I doubt he can run a 4.4 like Moss did coming out of Marshall, but he out runs all the DB's in the Big-12 & last time I checked, that's what counts. He'll have some concern about his injury history for sure, but Alexander's a winner & he'll be playing on Sunday's in 2010.
Missouri is going to regret their 4th quarters against Nebraska & Baylor. It would be the Tigers in the Big-12 North driver's seat had they 'finished' in those games. Even if they had, they still can't compete with the power teams in the South Division. But with every recruiting class, there's fresh hope. The Tigers had 4 players drafted high last April & I see Sean Weatherspoon & Alexander going no later than round 2 next April, which only helps your recruiting.
If Notre Dame wants to get rid of Charlie Weis, which I think they will, it's gonna cost 'em. The word is something in the neighborhood of $14-18 million. Obviously with their NBC TV deal & keeping all of their bowl money, they can certainly afford it. Look for it to happen 2 weeks from today.
What a difference a month makes. USC's Pete Carroll has to be shaking his head after his team were handed a 55-21 beatdown by Stanford. This represented the most points allowed by a Trojan team in school history. A month ago Carroll was whining about the 1st BCS Poll where his once-beaten Trojans were 'only' ranked 9th. Carroll said in his weekly news conference, "are they looking for the best record in college football or the best team?" The 8 teams ranked in front of USC were undefeated, the Trojans were one week off a loss to Washington, a team that was 2-16 in their last 18 games. The Trojans climbed to #7 before getting pounded by Oregon 47-20. They held off Notre Dame 34-27, Oregon State 42-36 & Arizona State 14-9 before Saturday's home game against Stanford. The Cardinal came into the L.A. Coliseum & simply knocked the snot out of USC. Late in the game, after another Stanford touchdown, Stanford went for a 2-point conversion. At the midfield postgame handshake Carroll asked Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh "what's going on?" To which Harbaugh was heard to say "what's going on with you?" It was apparent Harbaugh had struck a nerve & he liked it. Many of the PAC-10 coaches have remained silent while USC posted ridiculous whippings on many of the lesser teams in the conference. Carroll was upset at Harbaugh for the beating the Trojans absorbed Saturday? Think Paul Wulff is wondering "what's going on" with Carroll? USC has pounded the Cougars 69-0 last season. USC beat Washington 56-0 last year & then Carroll was annoyed when students rushed the field after the Huskies finally beat USC this season 13-10. He talked so big at the PAC-10 media day saying "I don't see any end in sight to our top-5 finishes every season". I half kiddingly said karma might get the Trojans, by golly, it appears it has struck with a vengeance.
Watching the Mizzou-Kansas State game Saturday, it was the Danario Alexander show. As I watched this 6' 5" 220 pound wide receiver, I saw a slightly slower version of Randy Moss. He can go up & snatch the ball, he doesn't get caught from behind by cornerbacks, he breaks tackles, he gets open & most importantly, he catches everything thrown his way. For those who don't know, Alexander was the starter ahead of Jeremy Maclin 2 years ago. Two knee operations & one on his wrist kept him sidelined, but now he's healthy & he's a real weapon. I doubt he can run a 4.4 like Moss did coming out of Marshall, but he out runs all the DB's in the Big-12 & last time I checked, that's what counts. He'll have some concern about his injury history for sure, but Alexander's a winner & he'll be playing on Sunday's in 2010.
Missouri is going to regret their 4th quarters against Nebraska & Baylor. It would be the Tigers in the Big-12 North driver's seat had they 'finished' in those games. Even if they had, they still can't compete with the power teams in the South Division. But with every recruiting class, there's fresh hope. The Tigers had 4 players drafted high last April & I see Sean Weatherspoon & Alexander going no later than round 2 next April, which only helps your recruiting.
If Notre Dame wants to get rid of Charlie Weis, which I think they will, it's gonna cost 'em. The word is something in the neighborhood of $14-18 million. Obviously with their NBC TV deal & keeping all of their bowl money, they can certainly afford it. Look for it to happen 2 weeks from today.
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