The Fraud Five by Mike Kern – Week 8 in College Football

October 19, 2025 –

Mike Kern’s Fraud Five

And for the first time in three weeks it’s not all about Penn State. Imagine that!

Miami — In case you haven’t notice Friday nights have become a graveyard for ranked teams. This one was no different. Hey Louisville ain’t bad. Still, Canes probably be losing to Cards at home. Even by just three points. And their Heisman caliber quarterback shouldn’t be throwing four interceptions. Including one at end that could have bailed them out.

Nebraska — If Matt Rhule was auditioning for the Happy Valley gig (and I don’t think he really has to), scoring six points at Minnesota might not have been the best way to do it. 

Florida State — Did this team really beat Alabama?  Was favored by 17 at Stanford. Lost by 7. That’s 9 straight ACC losses, if you’re still keeping track. Flew 3,000 miles for that?

Memphis — Was favored by three touchdowns at winless UAB, which fired its coach earlier in the week. Lost by 7. I know the Tigers lost their QB in the third quarter but still … 

Old Dominion — Repeat offender. Lost at James Madison, 63-27, in a pick-em spot. After just losing at Marshall by 24 as a two-TD fave. 

Dishonorable Mention

Appalachian State – Lost at home to Coastal Carolina, which stinks, as a 10-point fave. BTW App State is at ODU next week as a 2 TD underdog. Can’t say you weren’t warned.

We don’t do near-misses here at FF, but Texas (once again), Virginia and even Buffalo came close to making it too. I mean Buff almost lost at UMass, which might be worst team anywhere, laying 17. Hey there’s always more weeks to go. Because you never truly do know, even when you think you do.