People are misunderstood all the time. Sometimes some people just hear what they want to–they just hear bits and pieces. It became evident to me Thursday afternoon while reading feedback of last Tuesday’s column, some things I said were misunderstood. First of all, I stand behind what I said then. I am not going to apologize, nor will I retract what I said, but I want to make sure people understand what I was trying to say. The fact is, I write an opinion column–therefore, this is my opinion. If some of you want to go to the lengths of actually withdrawing your donations from the university unless I am removed as sports editor, as one gentleman threatened to do, that’s your problem. People are entitled to their opinions, and that was mine. Don’t think for a second I enjoyed writing that column, because I didn’t. I am just as mad and frustrated with the football team as many of you are, but I am also able to balance emotion and rationality.
The truth is, whether you want to believe it or not, 2-4 is not a good record. To me, this would all be a non-issue if we were losing close games, but we’re not. The talent is there, the work ethic is there, but it’s not showing up on the field. I fully understand the work that goes into a season–the work and dedication the players and coaches put into everything. What I don’t understand is why we’re not seeing it on the field.
Don’t get the idea that I’m jumping off the bandwagon. No one else should, either. I still believe that this team has the TALENT to turn the season around and win some games. The only thing remaining to be seen is whether these players can do what it takes to make it happen. I know I’m a journalist, but I’m still a student here, and I’m still a fan. I still believe.
Notes from around the country
* “So long to the orange and the whi-i-ite”–Oklahoma fans can sing a part of the “Texas Aggie War Hymn” this week because for the third year in a row the Oklahoma Sooners overcame their underdog staus and beat Texas, this time by a score of 35-24. Texas led 14-3 at one point in the first half, and 17-11 in the third quarter, until the Sooners exploded for 24 unanswered points before UT scored a meaningless touchdown late in the game. For Texas QB Chris Simms in his final game against the rival Sooners, he threw no touchdowns and three interceptions and completely lost his shot at the Heisman–again. Oklahoma heads home to face the red-hot Iowa State Cyclones, and Texas will travel to Manhattan to take on the Kansas State Wildcats next Saturday at Wagner Field.
* “Wide right…er, left”–Three times the Florida State Seminoles have lost to the Miami Hurricanes on field goals that sailed wide right. Saturday, it happened again–sort of. FSU kicker Xavier Beitia missed a game-winning 43-yarder wide LEFT, and the ‘Noles went home crying for the second time this year. As for Miami, they still cling to top spot in the polls and will really not be tested again until they meet No. 3 Virginia Tech on Dec. 7.
* “Swamped”–LSU went to Florida and won 36-7. No, that’s not a typo. LSU really did beat Florida 36-7 in the Swamp on Saturday. The Tigers are returning to championship form now, but as for the Gators? Well, we may actually get to see the number four in the loss column. I know for a lot of people, a sight like that is plenty welcome. Are they calling for Zook’s job yet, by the way?
* “Give that Dawg a bone”–As hard as it is to believe Georgia got their first win over a top 10 team at home since beating Alabama in 1977 this weekend by beating Tennessee 18-13. The Vols were without quarterback Casey Clausen this week, but that didn’t stop the big orange from putting up a big fight between the hedges this weekend. UGA is still undefeated and heads into what should be a walk-over victory next weekend against Vanderbilt.
* “Here we go again”–It’s time for the BCS standings to come out again. Yes, this failed experiment of college football is once again about to take over water cooler discussions in offices around the country, because outside of Miami, no one is really sure how the standings are going to line up. The standings SHOULD have Miami in the top spot, followed by Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Oregon and Notre Dame in that order. Notice I said they should read that way. Knowing the BCS, they probably won’t.
* “Top Dawgs”–OK, so I don’t actually have game balls to give out, but I’m going to give some out anyway. I’ve decided to give a game ball to one deserving MSU player and another to a deserving player from around the country. This week’s game ball reserved for a special MSU Bulldog goes to freshman dog safety Darren Williams. Williams had three picks in the 11-8 win over Troy State on Saturday. Like I said, he’s a FRESHMAN. This week’s national game ball goes to Oklahoma tailback Quentin Griffin. Griffin ran for 248 yards and two scores in OU’s 35-24 win over Texas.
* “Hunting for Heisman”–Now that Chris Simms and Rex Grossman are out of the race, it has become wide open again. Miami’s Ken Dorsey and Iowa State’s Seneca Wallace seem to be the front runners thus far, but Charlie Rogers from Michigan State, Willis McGaheee from Miami and even freshman sensation Maurice Clarett from Ohio State are still in contention for college football’s top prize.