The Fraud Five by Mike Kern – Week 5 Edition

The Fraud Five

September 29, 2019

The latest installment of Fraud Five, where some weeks are easier than others.

Maryland – It’s OK to lose to Penn State, even at home, as a touchdown underdog. But 59-0? I don’t think so. And doesn’t the Terps win over Syracuse seem like it happened years ago.

Virginia Tech – It’s OK to lose to Duke, even at home, as a slight dog. But 45-10? Again, not acceptable. And remember when Justin Fuente was thought to be a bright young coaching hire?

Nebraska – It’s OK for almost anyone to lose to Ohio State. Huskers were a 17-point dog at home on a Saturday night. Buckeyes scored touchdowns on five of their first six possessions. It was 38-zip at the half. And I thought Scott Frost was ready to take another step at his alma mater in year two. Some thought they might be able to even win the Big Ten West. Just as some thought quarterback Adrian Martinez might be able to sneak his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation. He threw three interceptions on his team’s first four possessions.

Washington State coach Mike Leach – Not because his team lost at Utah 38-13, the week after blowing a 30-some point lead against UCLA at home. Instead, it’s for him throwing his players under the bus, which he’s done before. Yo, I get it. Players have to play. But coaches have to coach. And it looks like he’s not doing a very good job of it the last six quarters. Just a thought. But of course it’s never his fault.

Clemson – Oops, never mind. You almost never get put in here for ALMOST losing. Yes, the defending national champions almost went down at North Carolina. It happens. But the way this stuff works, you don’t get dinged too badly for near disasters. Especially in conference road games. Just saying.

Dishonorable Mentions

Cal – Just when you figured maybe it was time to take unbeaten Bears at least semi-seriously, they lose at home to Arizona State, which was coming off a home loss to Colorado. Nothing egregious, but still not the best look. And now they have to go to Oregon.

Nevada – I don’t care who you are, you probably shouldn’t be losing 54-3 at home to Hawaii, even if the Rainbow Warriors are now 4-1. Nevada is 3-2, having opened with a win over Purdue before losing at Oregon 77-6. Hawaii ain’t Oregon, even though it had beaten Oregon State and Arizona at home (and lost big at Washington). For whatever it’s worth, the Wolf Pack was favored by a field goal, having pretty much owned the series.

Pitt – Panthers beat Delaware 17-14, on a fourth-quarter touchdown by their backup QB. The Blue Hens nearly lost to Penn the previous week. Good thing Pitt didn’t schedule Villanova, which is 5-0 for first time since winning that national title in 2009 and having beat two ranked FCS teams the last two weeks.

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