Oh the line between the thrall of victory and the ignominy of defeat is so very wafer thin.
With 6:33 left in the Irish green gridiron battle last Saturday, the Engineers of Georgia Institute of Technology, then knotted at 21 with Florida State after a tying Seminole tally, began possession at their own 25.
Twelve plays of smashmouthian football later, kicker Aidan Birr split the proverbial uprights — OK it actually was ominously close to wide left but we’re working on poesy here — and the first startling upset of the college football campaign was in the books.
Which outcome had been foretold in, you know, this very space.
Full of joy, I ran some errands.
When I returned to my Stressless recliner and turned on the telly, I was flummoxed that New Mexico’s Lobos, whom I had not predicted would prevail, were then up 17 nil over FCS Montana State.
But, all’s well that ends well. So it has been writ, so shall it be done.
Adam Jones scampered 96 yards with 4:35 to play, pulling the Bobcats within striking distance. Then an 11 play, 89 yard drive taking all of 1:26 ended with Scottre Humphrey’s four yard bulldoze into the endzone for the winning score with but ten measly seconds left.
Later in Reno, the house was ahead. As usual. New ACC member Southern Methodist was behind 13-24 to Nevada entering the 4th. But a 98 yard drive ended with a score with 8:01 left. A safety added a couple points not long thereafter. A 34 yard TD strike with 1:18 left pushed the Mustangs to the win.
Hawai’i rolled as expected over Delaware State.
All of which joyous verbosity brings us to this: Yours Truly begins the season: four correct, none incorrect.
You can’t get ’em all right if you don’t get the entirety of Week 0 right.
Not that I have the slightest delusion of even approaching such an impossibility.
But it’s fun while it lasts.
This week’s winners:
North Carolina @ Minnesota. The over/under on how many games this campaign will be played before Tar Heel second-timer Mack Brown says this season is his last rodeo is, oh, seven. The inevitable, inexorable march to said moment starts in GopherLand. Minesoooooooooooooooota.
Clemson vs. Georgia (Atlanta). Dabo’s initial somewhat charming shtick wore off a number of seasons back. Even before he dug in his heels on the changing landscape of college football. He don’t need no transfers. Plus he’s got this challenging opener in the Dome against one of the faves to capture the CFP sometime this coming winter. Meanwhile Kirby Smart has seemingly seized the mantle of “Best in Biz” from now retired former mentor Nick Saban. I believe the continuing decay of shine on the Orange continues. Bulldogs.
Miami @ Florida. There are those we keep hyping despite performances and results that belie that premise. That QB whose name is hard to spell at Florida State who lost last weekend comes to mind. So too Mario Cristobal. Oft heralded, but only 74-73 career-wise, 12-13 in Coral Gables. Yet the adulations about the upcoming season abound for the ‘Canes. This Is The Year, it is said by many. Meanwhile Billy Napier, facing arguably the toughest schedule by any school ever, has The Hottest Seat In The Land. He’s only 11-14 in his two campaigns in Gainesville, and the Gator fans are suitably ready for Next. So, this intrastate is a veritable litmus test for these return to glory wannabes. My second hunch of the season. Napier’s seat cools a bit. Gators in the upset.
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M. Neither of these schools have ever been particularly admired at Seedy K Tower. TDJ. Golden Dome. Gipper. 12th Man. Paying a coach $95 million to go away. But, I do sort of root for Marcus Freeman and Mike Elko. The latter in his first game as head man in College Station. Of course, I’ll be watching. It is the sort of opening week battle we cherish. Edge to home team.
Florida International @ Indiana. We weigh in on this extra game for a simple reason. New Hoosier coach Curt Cignetti, after incredible success at James Madison, is arguably the cockiest coach ever to utter pre-regime promises. Must see stuff. A long list of coaches have experienced their careers withering and wilting in Bloomington. Lee Corso among ’em. This opener against the Pitbulls will only provide a hint of whether Cignetti’s promised future comes to pass. Beers and pizza for the Crimson and Cream at Nick’s to celebrate the W.
Southern Mississippi @ Kentucky. It seems like just yesterday that Sportsby, Ruffansore and I lounged in the latter’s multi TV viewing room, savoring the Golden Eagles 44-35 upset at Kroger Field. In ’16 it was, a smidge of research reveals. Heady day, that. Will Hall’s charges looked to be improved in ’22, winning a bowl game and upending Tulane. Last year, a daunting out of league schedule laid the Favres low. Florida State, Tulane. rising power Texas State, Mississippi State. 3-9. They may improve, but it will not be on display in Lexington. Cats.
Austin Peay @ Louisville. No Fly Williams, Governors, no chance. Yes, I know said former hoops star is mentioned whenever Peay comes up. It’s the only shtick I got about ’em. Alright, they do have some “famous” alums. Like Bob Harper, the fitness motivational guru on “The Biggest Loser.” Which is what they shall be in the L&N. Deal with it. An easy Cardinal W in it’s buy in opener.
— c d kaplan
Oh, what a difference a week makes. Just a few days ago, the self-anointed Swami of Frankfort Avenue, Mr. Seedy himself, was crowing and barking about his perfect record in Week Zero, picking winners in all of four games, only one of which being difficult to chose. When he announced earlier that he was yet again going to inflict his poor man’s imitation of Leonard Postosti on us with his view of college football winners, I refrained from comment knowing that it would not be long before I had documentation to go with my warning. And it didn’t take long. Week One. Ka-Boom! Inevitable disaster strikes. Sure, he picked the three local teams who were all playing the equivalent of Marshmallow U. But when it came to the big games of the day, Mr. Seedy achieved a winning percentage of .250, which is a record that will have Bookies salivating by the phone waiting for a call from some poor goober who took Seedy’s advice. A and M, the Golden Gophers and lord help us, Billy Napier’s collection of pitiful gridiron imitators, were all Swami Seedy’s stupendous selections. You have been warned. Reverse the Venture’s classic from years ago and “Run, Don’t Walk” from Seedy’s picks. Remember the words of the philosopher, Santayana, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it.” You have been warned.