Random Thoughts Nov. 30

Some random thoughts while trying to push the pug out from under the blanket.

-Watched most of the South Florida-Central Florida game last night with a couple of thoughts in mind: Would George O'Leary still be the coach at Notre Dame?  How would the program look now?  Since George was fired for misdeeds involving his resume, the Irish have had Tyrone Willingham, Charlie Weis, and Brian Kelly.  The Irish have had some success, including an undefeated regular season last year, but also suffered a 2-10 season.  The BCS appearances have not gone well for the Irish, either.

Central Florida has built some success, culminating in an 11-1 record this year.  His team played very poorly last night, turning the ball over five times, but showed a lot of resilience.  They are a legitimate BCS team, and can secure their berth with a win next week in the American Conference Championship game next week at SMU.

It is a second line FBS program, but the eight years in Orlando have shown O'Leary was a worthy candidate for the job in South Bend.  I remember when the situation was happening in 2004, a co-worker, named Sean O'Hara, said "They fired an Irishman for getting drunk and telling a lie?  None of us would be employed if everyone did that."

-Alabama-Auburn has the potential to be a great game...if the media hadn't interfered.  The amount of talk about Auburn and their level of competence has me thinking two thoughts: First, is Auburn really that good?  Second: Does the sporting media want Alabama to lose or just be challenged?

Auburn has greatly improved over the last couple of seasons, but they are not in Alabama's league for talent.  A win would probably be a fluke, but a possible fluke when there are 18-22 year-old males involved.   The game being played at Jordan-Hare Stadium is Auburn's best chance.  The way Alabama has been drilled removes most of the possibility.  The Tide doesn't do anything special: they just do it better.

The second question requires a little thought.  Alabama has not been threatened all season.  Even Texas A&M scored points, but the inevitable eventually happened.  The media should be rooting for Alabama, as well as Florida State and Ohio State.  One of the three getting locked out of the National Championship game has been a boost to the media in the past, and would do it again.  People won't watch your business if there's nothing of interest to say:  Alabama is the only team of the three that could remove the interest, by being so much better.

A playoff involving these three and a deserving fourth team would generate incredible interest and hype.

So...am I off base?