Last night, BYU hosted in-state upstart Utah State. Halfway through the first quarter, BYU had a 4th and 1 on the USU 39. Curiously, the Cougars called a pass play. Disaterously, Utah State picked six its way to a 7-0 lead that would never be relinquished in a 45-20 thrashing to retain the Old Wagon Wheel. For Utah State, the occasion was momentous as one has to go back to 1974 for the last time the Aggies tallied back-to-back victories in the rivalry.
BYU coach, Kalani Sataki, may need a realtor in 7 weeks. When BYU upset vaunted Wisconsin earlier this year, Mormon ecstasy prevailed. Now back to earth with a 3-3 record and fresh off a self-confessed “butt whipping” to its supposed little brother, Sataki must be worried. Coming off a 4-9 record in 2017, he reminds exactly nobody of the legendary Lavell Edwards (who ironically went to Utah State). Worse, his style of football is boring, the polar opposite of the Edwards’ pass-first style that propelled BYU out of its historical doldrums.
However, his situation is sunny compared to that of Bowling Green’s Mike Jinks. With probably the worst defense in football, BG heads 37 miles north today to take on Toledo in the annual battle for Northwest Ohio. The underrated series is tied 39-39-4. Bowling Green is deservedly a 22-point dog. If the Falcons cannot be competitive in this game, the Odyssey predicts Mr. Jinks will be the first in-season firing– perhaps in 24 hours or so. If Bowling Green chooses to keep him, the decision will be as curious as to way green is not one of their school colors. The Odyssey notes that Western Kentucky, located in another Bowling Green, also eschewed green as a school color. Their color selections are as confusing as why there are so many cities named Bowling Green.
We were tempted to put a 3rd coach, Louisville’s Bobby Petrino, on this list after last night’s listless performance. The Cardinals held a 2-3 Georgia Tech team to 66 points in Louisville. This disaster came after Petrino threw away a game against Florida State last Saturday. With 2 minutes left and with Louisville having a first down on the Florida State 20, nursing a 24-21 lead, Petrino called for a pass play instead of a series of runs that would force FSU to use all their time outs. Shades of last night’s BYU game. Pick six!! If not for Petrino’s previous successes, we would put him on the scorch seat. Instead, his derriere is just hot. Ah well, if he is fired, his buyout will enable the character-challenged Petrino to purchase as many motorcycles as he wishes.