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The
Glass House Treatment Apparently, the new edition of UNC's Kenan Stadium must include indestructible glass walls. Interim head coach Everett Withers decided to drop a few tidbits of knowledge on anybody paying attention, to the effect that the University of North Carolina is the flagship school when it comes to academics within the state borders. All you had to do was compare UNC to anybody else around...and that included their rivals in Raleigh, where the "academic environment" was sub-standard to that in Chapel Hill. Needless to say, Everett must have completely forgotten about this little academic fraud case taking place right under his nose that has tarnished the academic integrity of a proud institution...not to mention opening the doors to an NCAA investigation which is in the process of slapping around the athletic department. Once NC State coach Tom O'Brien got news of the "Withers' Whiff", it was "go time" in Raleigh. To say that O'Brien made Withers look foolish would be an understatement. But what the Wolfpack coach did to Withers and his UNC football team on Saturday was an even bigger ass-kicking. NC State defeated the Heels for the 5th consecutive season and this time, they shut them out for good measure. It was the first whitewash of the Heels in the series since 1960! I'm hard-pressed to believe that anybody had a worse weekend in college football than Withers and his football team. The good news for UNC fans is that the college hoops season starts on Friday, and Roy Williams and Co. will be primed as the team to beat in all the land.....and the other good news for UNC fans is that they are a full year away from seeing Tom O'Brien and his Wolfpack football team again. I watched the "Game of the Century" between #1 LSU and #2 Bama. As far as the epic defensive slugfests, it was a classic......as far as "Game of the Century" match-ups, it left a lot to be desired, unless missed field goals and inept quarterback play are prerequisites. I enjoyed the game....the tension was obvious, the crowd was fabulous, and the defenses didn't disappoint. In the end, LSU survived in overtime, 9-6. I mentioned all of last week on my SiriusXM show that the biggest story of the game won't be the outcome, but where the loser will fall in the next BCS Standings. Bama lost and dropped to #3. I was very surprised. I thought both Oklahoma State and Stanford would jump the Tide. There's no question that Stanford will have the chance to do that this week if they can get by Oregon on "The Farm", and they still have a game with Notre Dame and a possible Pac-12 title game, too. But for everyone that discounted a potential rematch between LSU and Bama, I've got news for you.....it can happen.....easily. If it turns out that LSU wins out and Bama does the same along with a loss by OK State and Stanford, there is a distinct possibility that New Orleans will be the home of the SEC Southern Fried Football™ World Championship game. I don't like the fact that a team can play for a national title without being good enough to win their own conference championship. That is possible and allowable when you have a conference tourney or playoff system in place, like we do for March Madness.....but we all know the deal in college football. There's still a ton of football to be played, and there is a chance that LSU, OK State and Stanford could all lose by the first weekend of December......who knows, maybe it will be Boise State - Oregon in the title game? We've got to watch it all unfold in the next few weeks.....but the rematch debate between Bama and LSU is one that is more realistic than anyone could imagine. I was stunned to hear the news about former Penn State defensive coach Jerry Sandusky. I was sick to my stomach reading the details of the investigative findings surrounding his past. I'll wait until there is an official ruling on the man before giving my two cents.....but I pray to God that the truth is unveiled. I can only imagine what the people in Happy Valley and the Penn State community are going through, with this case. Unreal. Anybody miss the NBA? I didn't think so. I am curious to watch the Heels and Spartans on Friday night. After interviewing Roy Williams and Harrison Barnes at ESPNU for our ACC Basketball Special on SiriusXM, I came away thinking they are going to be incredible. It wasn't a matter of the coach and player being cocky; they weren't. But there was a sense in both guys that they know this can be an incredibly special team....and I think both Barnes and Coach Williams have a good handle on the situation. Staying healthy will be critical.....but I'm really curious to see them play on Friday. I'm heading down to Clemson on Saturday for the Tigers' game against Wake Forest. My girls wanted to see a game in Death Valley, so I'm taking off Saturday and heading down I-85 to show them my old stomping grounds. If that doesn't make you feel old, nothing else will. But I'm also excited to see Clemson play in person....they have been dynamic on offense, but they are coming off getting thumped by Georgia Tech. Something tells me that the week off is the perfect remedy for them to make another run at the end of the year. I love Jim Grobe, but I'm not sure his Deacs have the athletes to keep this one interesting....a Clemson win locks the Tigers into the ACC title game for the second time in three years. I can't wait to see some old friends in Tigertown on Saturday. |
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