The Fraud Five by Mike Kern – Week 4 Edition

September 24, 2023

I have to admit the favorites aren’t making it easy on me, but I’ll try to do my best. It happens.

Colorado — Not trying to pick on Buffs, who’ve been the story of the season so far. Thanks, Prime Time. And they were a three-touchdown underdog at Oregon. Plus they were playing without their second-best player. And they do have Southern Cal next. Still, it was 35-0 at halftime. Good thing they scored late to get within 42-7. It’s almost OK. They only won once last year. But like I said, I had a dearth of viable candidates, which unfortunately has been a theme so far. Nevertheless, we have to do what we do. It’s in the rules.

Coastal Carolina — Bad news for my Chanticleers fan in Myrtle Beach. His team gave UCLA all it could handle a few weeks back. But this time, in prime time on a Friday night, they were seven-point faves at home against Georgia State and lost 30-17. Not what he was expecting. He wasn’t the only one.

South Alabama —This is when you know I’m really digging deep. But hey, anyone’s eligible. The Jaguars, who had won by 33-7 at Oklahoma State, were favored by 16 against visiting Central Michigan. They lost, 34-30, after leading 14-0. They then got outscored, 27-3, and gave up the winning TD with 13 seconds left. That shouldn’t happen. I mean, the MAC is usually the MAC.

Minnesota — Was an 11-point fave at Northwestern, which of course was back to being Northwestern after quite an offseason. Gophers were up 31-10 after three quarters. They lost in overtime, 37-34, after Wildcats tied it on an 11-yard pass with two seconds to go in regulation.  Not good.

Iowa’s offense — I mean, haven’t we really seen enough of this by now. Good thing the coach’s son remains the offensive coordinator. So they lost at Penn State, 31-0. And it was so predictable. I know the Nits were ranked seventh. But it was their first shutout over a Top 25 opponent since the 1999 Alamo Bowl (24-zip against Texas A&M). Hawkeyes completed six passes for 56 yards. They rushed for 20, on 17 carries. They lost four fumbles. Please, somebody make it stop.

Dishonorable Mentions

Michigan State — Just because. Thanks, Mel Tucker. Hope you at least cashed some of those checks.

Indiana — I usually don’t do this when teams actually find a way to survive, but I felt compelled. Why ask why? Hoosiers were favored by 16 at home versus Akron, which stinks. Ask Temple. IU won, by two on a conversion pass in the fourth OT. Off a trick play. It needed a 71-yard run by Akron with 31/2 minutes to go in the fourth quarter to extend things. Anyway, I warned you it was a lean week.