The Fraud Five by Mike Kern – Week Two

September 8, 2024 –

Sometimes, it really is too easy. But you already knew that.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

And, well, Notre Dame — I have a few big-time Notre Dame friends. And they both said that this was one of, or maybe even THE, worst losses in program history. Which is, of course, a bold statement. They weren’t real happy. Hard to blame them. Somebody better check to make sure ND Harvey is OK. I worry. He doesn’t need this.

The Irish were a 28-point fave over Northern Illinois. They scored 14, in a 2-point loss at home on a late field goal. I know, it happens. But it can’t. NIU hadn’t beaten a ranked opponent since 2001 (No. 21 Alabama). And it was the first win by a MAC team over a top five team. EVER. They’re now 1-51. So try to digest all that, and what it might mean for a team and a fan base that has definite playoff aspirations and was coming off a win at Texas A&M. Makes me wonder about A&M. Anyway, life will go on. It inevitably does. But now ND might have to run the table to assure itself of getting into the new 12-team field. And even though the schedule appears relatively doable, there is that finale at Southern Cal. Oh well. And as my one friend pointed out, under third-year coach Marcus Freeman the Irish have also lost to Stanford and Marshall in recent years when they really shouldn’t have. But this was different.

Some teams should thank ND for taking them off the hook. But we’ll still give them a dishonorable mention, just because. And by the way, Temple did score its first touchdown. It just took eight quarters. Not that anyone is really counting any more.

Iowa — Holy Kirk Ferentz. His guys led 13-0 and then 19-7 at home against Iowa State. The Hawkeyes lost on a late FG. Nothing much changes.

Kentucky — Was a TD fave at home against South Carolina. Lost, 31-6. Wildcats had 183 yards and didn’t score in the closing 38 minutes.

Auburn — Was a two-TD fave at home over Cal, which I think now plays in the ACC. I’m never quite sure these days. Anyhow, Tigers lost 21-14. Good thing they scored first, and last.

North Carolina State — Wolfpack were ranked. Tennessee was ranked higher, and favored by like 10 on a neutral field (Charlotte). It seemed like maybe too much. It wasn’t. Vols won 51-10. Now that’s way too much. Helps explain why the line moved up from 5.

Michigan — Won’t pick on the Wolves too much, since they are the defending champs and did lose a whole bunch. And they were TD underdogs, even at the Big House, to a Texas team that they almost met in last season’s title game and does have a whole lot back. Still, it was 31-12. And UM’s TD came with two minutes to go. Good thing the Longhorns didn’t score in the last 17. Helps explain why the line moved up from 4.

So there you have it. See you again next week. Will try to do better, as always.