The Fake Lonnie Finch

I could care less about the inside politics at Texas A&M. I'd just be excited to have Justin Wilcox geographically closer to us. It puts us in better stead to hire him if Dodge falters again in 2010.

Wow. Cutcliffe makes Duke competitive in football...and some of our fans pooh-pooh him as a coach. Amazing.

I know this goes agains the grain, but I don't think Dodge has to get to 7-5 to save his job. Follow me: -Be realistic about out of conference. We can be 1-3 or 2-2 pretty easily. I think a full year of conditioning under Charr gets us the "four quarter legs" we need to stop Army's run game. We almost did it last year. I also, looking at what Rice has returning, don't see them setting the world on fire. Clemson and Kansas State...reality is reality, they beat us. No tears shed there. -In conference, if we can get to 4-4, I'd say keep Dodge even if he's 1-3 out of conference and finishes 5-7...or even 2-2 OOC and goes 6-6. To me, either of those scenarios is realistic for keeping Dodge for 2011. I'm not making excuses for Dodge or setting the bar low. You all know that from my well-documented criticism of the man's coaching decisions at this level. And, I think that the hole he finds himself in is of his own making due to his poor initial assistant coaching choices, underestimation of the speed of the game at this level, and questionable (stubborn) playcalling in what should be obvious, "play the percentages" types of situations. Make no question about it. We are 5-31 over the past three years because of his decisions. Not because of "Darrell Dickey's players" or "he inherited a mess" or any other lame excuse that is constantly proven wrong at other donwtrodden program that somehow seem to turn it around in a season or two (the examples are legion and not worth repeating here again). But, even given his first three disasterous seasons, he still has chance to get this thing right. And, that's where this OC hire comes into play. I honestly don't believe that in year three of Deloach the defense will regress. We gave up 47.6 a game in 2008, 36.1 last season - a decrease of 11.5 a game. The offense went from 20.0 a game in 2008 to 26.6 in 2009, just over the 24.8 we scored per game in 2007. The thing is, you look at how we did in the red zone and in pressure situations - the fumbles, the interceptions, the absurd playcalling in short yardage situations. It seems to me that if Dodge had someone in his ear encouraging him to "play the percentages" more in those situations, we'd pretty easily get to 30+ points a game, and (obviously) have a better shot at winning more games. What I mean is: -on third and one, have a credible QB dive, or halfback dive package from under center...and with the benefit of fullback to block for the halfback. -on first and goal inside the five yard line, have a set of power running plays to move the ball five yards in three plays or less... a touchdown is worth six whether it's run in or thrown in. -if pinned in the opponents end zone run a high percentage run play designed to get some room. It all sounds so boring, but it's so fundamental. Everyone else does it. You can sling it around all you want in other situations. But, get your first downs and touchdowns when they are there for the taking. "Grab the low hanging fruit," as the annoying young business Chris Chris would say (or text, I guess it is, these days). I believe the right hire gives Dodge the angel on his shoulder to counter the devil who is telling him to run option with Nathan Tune in Troy's end zone...or not hand the ball to his best offensive player when trying to nail down games. The Sun Belt isn't the SEC, so it should be doable (and should have been doable long ago, actually). If we are competitive there with a 4-4 or 5-3 record (or better) and can win an out of conference game or two, I think - and I will defend - Dodge for the 2011 season. P.S. - Deep in my heart, I love Todd Dodge because he answered my hamburger question last year, so I know he's human. I just wish he'd pull his head out of his backside in certain offensive situations. It would help tremendously.

We can only hope.

And, this one is real new - they won't field a team until 2012. It'll be like a two year, paid vacation for Ford.

Speaking of defensive minded coaches who should be our head coach, Texas A&M has interviewed Boise State DC Justin Wilcox. That's good. If A&M hires him, he'll have a year under his belt recruiting the state when we hire him next November.

I'll do it. What does it pay? Can I keep my day job?

He said it would take Riley about three decades of coaching to produce his first conference title winner?

I'm tired of us not firing Todd Dodge and hiring Jim Leavitt yesterday.

Look, if we really do get the offense changed and win six games in 2010, Dodge will be here in 2011 - and, rightfully so. It would be proof that he can see beyond his own ideas. That's important at this level. You can't be a cowboy in FBS schools. You need people around you who really know what they are doing. Coach Petersen did it for years at Air Force. I think if Dodge would switch him over and really let him game plan as an equal, we'd be hard to stop. I think Leftwich would also be a good choice. On the other hand, if we get George promoted or hire another ding dong who simply defers everything to Dodge's liking, we'll get the same garbage we've gotten to the first three seasons - unable to convert third and fourth and a yard, running option out of the end zone on the conference's top defense, getting in the red zone and throwing interceptions in the end zone, poor ball handling leading to untimely fumbles. Something's got to change. The offensive line advantage ends after this season. We'll be young there again in 2011. We need someone who can tap the advantage we should have in experience in 2010 on the offensive side of the ball. We wasted nine returning defensive starters in 2007 due to poor coaching choices. I hope we don't do the same in 2010 on the offensive side of the ball.

Well...that...and there are no ding dong schools in the SEC like he sees in the MWC. You get no break in the SEC. Even the "bad" teams often play the lead dogs close.

Okay, I read Vito's article. It doesn't say that he totally discounts hiring from within, but that he's going to take his time and look around. He does say that it's possible that the move could come from within. My guess is, barring Petersen, the move from within would either be Leftwich or Gandy. Or, unfortunately...George, who also came straight off a high school sideline. If George is ultimately the call, we'll have our answer on whether or not Dodge will hire someone who challenges him to build a more credible college gameplan. This, I fear most.

I like both Calhoun and Patterson. But, they are not coaches who can succeed in the SEC, which is heavy on defense and the run game. Calhoun would be way out of his league there. Patterson's defense works great where he is. But, it's unlikely his unorthodox defense would stand up week after week in the SEC where teams pound you relentlessly. Plus, the college football world has now seen Patterson under the klieg lights, and it wasn't great. I think Patterson understand that, barring verbal or physical abuse of player, he could have his million dollar job at TCU until he goes to his grave. Patterson against BCS schools: 2001 Nebraska 21, TCU 7 Texas A&M 28, TCU 9 2003 TCU 13, Arizona 10 2004 TCU 48, Northwestern 45 Texas Tech 70, TCU 35 2005 TCU 17, Oklahoma 10 TCU 27, Iowa State 24 2006 TCU 17, Baylor 7 TCU 12, Texas Tech 3 2007 TCU 27, Baylor 0 Texas 34, TCU 13 TCU 38, Stanford 36 2008 TCU 31, Stanford 14 Oklahoma 35, TCU 10 2009 TCU 30, Virginia 14 TCU 14, Clemson 10 Patterson's 11-5 against BCS conference schools - but, he's never coached against an SEC school. Plus, his penchant for recruiting is pretty much limited to finding diamonds in the rough around Texas. There's not much of a national presence on the TCU roster. Tennessee needs a guy who can continue to bring in guys nationally, which has been part of what makes colleges like Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Nebraska successful despite their smaller populations. I'd think Tennessee goes with a former head coach for that region who is currently without a job. Or, with an assistant or coordinator with an equally big name program.

Disappointing, but not surprising. Still, this hire will show how much, or little, control Dodge is willing to give up in order to really field a competitive team in 2010...and save his job. I have my doubts. But, Ford gone is still the best news out the program in a long time for those of us tired of watching high school offense at the college level. Dodge/Ford's offensive is the ultimate in trying to fit a square peg into a round hole at this level. The hire will show whether or not Dodge is finally serious about installing a college-worthy offense.

You guys tried this last year. It isn't new. Schools have used limosines for decades. My buddy who played at UNLV had Air Force's Fisher DeBerry pull up to his house in a limo back in the early 90s.

This is where we find out whether or not Dodge can set aside his ego and hire (or move) someone who will really change the offense for the better - even if it means using fullbacks and tight ends. I hope we get Petersen over to that side of the ball and see more of the Air Force-type offense mixed in that he used so successfully up there. I've said for months that we have some of the pieces already here, but they are just misplaced. I hope Petersen will get consideration for the OC job. This is such a positive development. It's like I came to the office and had that feeling of getting to open a present on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day!

Interesting post gleaned from a student commenting on the Lane Kiffin firing and why students were mad...but, it sounds like she was mainly mad at having to pay a fee regardless of whether she was interested in football: "Yes, students do have to pay. We have to pay an "activity fee" which is about $600 per semester. That covers entry into all campus sports among other campus productions. The fee is mandatory, and most scholarships don't cover it because it's not part of tuition. There are several students whose daddies pay for everything, and they have no clue how much money is involved in their "education"... but for the people who attend UT and have to pay for it themselves, we are very aware of having to pay for the football games." Can you imagine an activity fee of $600 at UNT? I agree that some fee is necessary if you are going to make some entertainment and athletic events free, or very cheap, to students. I'd say $600 is quite steep, though.

YES! FINALLY! Now, move Peterson over to the offensive side of the ball where he belongs and go get us a secondary coach. Or, in the alternative, give Carlton Buckels full control of the secondary and go hire a full time special teams/tight ends coach.

He's here for a fourth year...so, there's plenty of time. He and his coaching staff always provide plenty of material throughout the year. When it's third and long and Riley is in Clemson's end zone, standing in the shotgun and the high school Todds dial up an option...when it's first and goal from the two and Riley stands in the shotgun and throws an interception in the end zone...when Riley is scrambling and holding the ball like a loaf of bread and fumbles it away.... Oh yes, my friend, there will be plenty of (repeated) instances for deconstruction of our offensive genius and his sidekicks. Dodge & Company are like the Everlasting Gobstopper of erroneous coaching decisions. Here's a screen capture of Todd discussing his offensive philosophy with the apprentice Todd: "You see, in the option game, if it's blocked correctly, there is only one man to beat! So, call it anywhere on the field against any defense in any stadium in any game, regardless of down and distance or score! But, remember...always, always, always call it from the shotgun!"

Nothing. Injuries only affect a game if a Longhorn player is injured. If any other team has injuries to an offensive player, they were just unable to break the Texas defense. Don't forget that we're talking about Texas, here. From the mighty Big 12. Remember Roy Williams' words after losing to Oklahoma for the fourth time in his four years as a starter: "They're not better than us. They're just not!" Longhorn fans would make great Information Ministers in Iraq. "Yes, McElroy had broken ribs and Ingram only played the equivalent of two quarters. But, our run defense is #1 in the country. Do not worry. We are better. We are winning!"

I like steak.

To really break down the Tide dominance, just keep these facts at your fingertips: In order to beat Texas, all Alabama had to do was: -Throw 11 passes, completing just six of them -Hand off to halfbacks 43 times...against the "#1 run defense in America" -Use their Heisman Trophy winning halfback for only one whole period (the first), parts of two others (second and fourth) and sit him for one entire period (third) -Oh, and, play great defense. How about that? Running the football and playing great defense = championship. And, your best player on offense doesn't even have to play the entire game. You can sit him for up to half a game and Texas still won't catch you. There's no worry because not only does Texas nor have the defense to stop your #1 halfback, but they will struggle with your #2, true freshman halfback as well. The Big 12 having prepared them so well to stop the run, you see.

And, what would it have been "if" Mark Ingram hadn't missed the equivalent of two quarters - the middle of the 2nd Quarter until about 6 minutes left in the fourth? The guy played the equivalent of half a game and still punctured the "#1 run defense" for 100+. Had Ingram not been injured most of the game, there would have been no "comeback."

Really? So, Tuberville going 13-0 in 2004 in the SEC was something anyone could have done? Any old "good guy" could do it? Todd Dodge is a "good guy" that isn't even treading water in the Sun Belt. I had a neighbor play for Buddy Teevins at Tulane, a "good guy" that somehow couldn't get it done either. Gosh, if only Tuberville and Pelini had the football intelligence of offense-banging "good guys" like Dodge and Teevens...imagine what success they would enjoy as coaches. It's also laughable to say Pelini rides Stoops' coattails. Pelini broke into the college game at Nebraska after nine years coaching in the NFL. Bob Stoops had nothing to do with Pelini getting an NFL job in 1994. And, Pelini was only at OU for one season - the year they shut out Vince Young, Cedric Benson, and roster full of other NFL players, 12-0. How has Bob Stoops fared against Texas since his older brother, then Pelini left? They're 1-4. Who was riding coattails at OU? I think it was Bob riding his older brother's coattails as well as Pelini's. Only on a North Texas message board would people look at the results Tuberville and Pelini have gotten out of various defenses and pooh-pooh it. The strong defensive expertise both bring will help the Big 12 shed its image as a defenseless, pass happy playground. Both have SEC championships under their belt and Pelini has a national title under his belt from his days at LSU. But, I mean, the SEC...pshht. How good could that conference really be? I mean, it only accounted for half of the national titles over the past 10 years. How could anyone learn anything about competitive football by coaching there? Especially defensive-minded dolts like Tuberville and Pelini. How will in the world will Tuberville and Pelini ever figure out how to contain offensive-minded coaches like Mike Gundy, Art Briles, Dan Hawkins, Gary Pinkel, and Mike Sherman? You just look at all of the Big 12 titles those guys have piled up with their tricked up offenses and just have to shake your head at hires like Tuberville and Pelini, right? It's startling that nine of the last 10 Big 12 titles were won by either OU or Texas, schools who have a head coach that came from the SEC (Bob Stoops, Florida) and a defensive coordinator that came from the SEC (Will Muschamp, Auburn). But, I mean, really...how much success can defensive-minded coaches straight out of the SEC realy be expected to bring? Tech and Nebraska, must not be looking at the recent history of the conference, right? You may notice that they hand out championship trophies for winning champions, not for piling up statistics in the passing game. With Tuberville and Pelini, the Big 12 is beginning to go back to its roots as a conference with tough defenses. And, OU and Texas, therefore, will face better in conference challenges as a result. And, thus, the conference will be legitimate again.

Let's be fair...Dodge was 2-10 in his first season, not 1-11. I mean, you know...how can you not give a guy like that a fourth year? For the record, I think Kelly probably has two wins in there somewhere in 2010. I'm just guessing, though. Seven home dates with Western Michigan, Tulsa, and Army in the slate...I think two wins is achievable. What a schedule - 7 home games, 2 at neutral sites, and 3 true away games. 2010 Notre Dame Football Schedule Sept. 4 PURDUE Sept. 11 MICHIGAN Sept. 18 at Michigan State Sept. 25 STANFORD Oct. 2 at Boston College Oct. 9 PITTSBURGH Oct. 16 WESTERN MICHIGAN Oct. 23 at Navy (at Meadowlands - East Rutherford, N.J.) Oct. 30 TULSA Nov. 6 Open Date Nov. 13 UTAH Nov. 20 ARMY (at Yankee Stadium - Bronx, N.Y.) Nov. 27 at USC