The Fraud Five by Mike Kern – Week Four

Mike Kern’s Fraud Five

September 22, 2024

It was slightly slim pickings this week, but as always we tried our best.

North Carolina — Can’t be giving up 70 at home to James Madison, whether you were favored by 10 or not. Coach Mack Brown, who at least took all the responsibility, called it “embarrassing.” You think? It was 53-21 at the half. That’s a school record for UNC for most points allowed in 30 minutes. The final was 70-50. Good thing the Heels scored four of the last five touchdowns. Brown didn’t let his players talk afterward, a move I have never liked. They’re big boys, and they would’ve talked if they’d won 70-50. Anyway, their first-year defensive coordinator is former Temple (and Georgia Tech) coach Geoff Collins, for whatever that means. I was just duly noting, which I’ve been known to do.

Kansas State — Was favored by a touchdown at BYU. Lost 38-9. So much for being ranked 13^th.

Baylor — Gave up a Hail Mary TD pass from midfield on the final play of regulation at Colorado and then lost in overtime, on the 30th anniversary almost to the date of Kordell Stewart’s miraculous toss to Michael Westbrook to pull out a win at Michigan. Anyhow, Baylor had actually given up what would have been a TD on a similar heave on the play before, but the receiver dropped it. Then the fans stormed the field before the officials could review the game-ending fumble out of the end zone in OT. Yo, that might be semi-fraudulent too.

Houston — Lost 34-0 at Cincinnati. These teams used to play in the American. Now they’re part of the Big 12, for those trying to keep track at home. Cougars made it into Bearcat territory twice. They’ve now scored 26 points in four games so far this season. It wasn’t that long ago that they were pretty good. Oh well. Things change. And they can change in a hurry.

Speaking of which …

Northern Illinois — Weren’t the Huskies just beating Notre Dame, in South Bend? So I guess it makes sense that they went and lost to visiting Buffalo, 23-20, in OT. As 13-point favorites. Don’t ask. It’s what makes college football what it is. Sometimes you never really know.

Dishonorable Mention goes to Southern Cal. Not for losing at Michigan, 27-24, on a last-minute TD in a matchup of ranked conference opponents that once upon a time faced each other in eight Rose Bowls. No, it was the way it went down. The Wolves threw for 32 yards, while rushing for 290. On the decisive 89-yard TD drive, they threw twice. One was incomplete. They ran it eight times, including a 63-yarder that took them to the USC 17 with two minutes left. Welcome to the Big Ten. Bo would be proud. Hell, Harbaugh too for that matter.