Some random notes on week four of the college football season.
Day Back on Track
— Ryan Day got a much-needed win against Notre Dame. With a loss, the fans and boosters would begin questioning him even more than they are now with the back-to-back losses to Michigan and playoff eliminations. His job is an impossible one — win every game until Michigan with zero praise or accolades, beat Michigan, win the Big Ten title game, and then the national championship. Anything less is a failure. There are no higher expectations in all of college football, and for a coach who is 49-6 in his tenure, it seems unfair. The Notre Dame win was gritty but also ugly, and this offense won’t be able to accomplish all of those things needed above.
Brian Ferentz Needs to Go
— The joke has to end in Iowa. Brian Ferentz needs to go as the OC, and this nepotism is hurting the legacy of Kirk Ferentz. He’s going from legendary and long-tenured coach to the guy who wouldn’t fire his inept son, and it’s sad to see. Sadly, sometimes you’re remembered more for what you did at the end than during the majority of your career, and this isn’t playing out well. And yet — they could still win the Big Ten West because it’s so horrible.
Mike Elko>>>>>Deion Sanders
— Mike Elko has done a job more impressive than Deion Sanders, and no one is heaping praise on him. He took over a Duke team that was 5-18 the two previous years, made them 9-4 last season, and they are 4-0 with a couple wins over teams with a pulse. And he’s done it without gutting his roster and with academic restrictions that would make Deion choke. Where’s the national media attention?
More Sports News
Dabo Needs to Embrace the Portal
— Dabo Swinney has a good team with a lot of talent, but the avoidance of the transfer portal is looking more and more ignorant daily. He lost to FSU, whose leading passer, rusher, five leading receivers, and pass rusher were all landed in the portal. Think about that.
Washington is the Pac-12’s Best Team
— The Pac-12 is absolutely loaded this season, and it’s a shame the powers that be let this conference get flushed down the toilet. USC is going to be a real problem in the Big Ten, but honestly, I’d be more scared of Washington if Kalen DeBoer stays. That offense is nasty. If they have an off day, they aren’t good enough defensively to win against a team with an offense, but if they are clicking, there is no team — Ohio State included — who can hand with them.
Van Dyke Back on Track
— Kudos to Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke. After a horrible and injury-laden season last year, he’s rebounded very well with 11 TD passes and only one pick. His performance in the windy conditions at Temple shows me he’s completely back with all the arm strength we became accustomed to in 2021.
