Dumpster Fires of the Week: The heat is on Cal's defense
Wow, in a week without a deep lineup of compelling games (we are almost through the cupcake portion of scheduling), there was a mad rush to make this vaunted list. So, we have some big programs failing badly, some old favorites, some new challengers and nature itself trying to put out the burning garbage.
1. California's fourth quarter defense
36 points.
Cal gave up 36 points in the fourth quarter.
Cal was up 31-13 on Arizona when the fourth quarter started. The offense scored two touchdowns in the final frame. It wasn't enough.
'Zona ended up winning on a 45-yard pass with no time left on the clock. To add fuel to the fire, Cal's athletic department had already sent out a celebratory victory email.
2. North Carolina's defense for an entire game
70 points.
UNC gave up 70 points to East Carolina.
Yes, the college UNC students refer to as "Easy U" curb stomped the Tar Heels to the point of putting up nearly 800 yards of total offense. Just an embarrassing loss for the Larry the Hat era in Chapel Hill. Seventy points now stands as the most points ever given up in school history.
3. Clemson redefining clemsoning again
You know you have issues when college football fans have turned your university into a verb (e.g., Cal really clemsoned that game with Arizona).
Against Florida State, Clemson:
- Missed a short field goal that was a virtual extra point;
- Missed another field goal after the Tigers' center snapped the ball five feet over the quarterback's head on third-and-goal on the FSU 1;
- Gave up a long TD pass after a defensive back fell down in the fourth quarter while leading by seven; and
- Fumbled the ball back in field-goal territory to the Seminoles with less than two minutes left to play.
Finally, on a 4th-and-1 try in overtime, Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris made a terrible play call that got stopped for no gain, all but guaranteeing an FSU win.
Clemson clemsoned its way out of a huge win that could have set up an ACC title for the Tigers.
4. Florida’s awful offense and the potential end of Coach Boom
Alabama smashed UF on Saturday after the Crimson Tide stopped turning the ball over and donating points to the punchless Gators.
For the third year in a row, UF looks awful on offense. Will Muschamp brought in a new offensive coordinator to fix things, but the Gators still appear terrible. It’s like the QB curse that haunted the end of Mack Brown’s time at Texas infected Muschamp and spread to Gainesville.
And while the UF offense was awful, 'Bama passed all over the defense as well.
I’m guessing that UF might not go bowling again -- and that the school will soon be looking for a new coach.
5. Michigan
Michigan’s football program looked like it was drowning on Saturday. After two games against Power 5 conference opponents, the Wolverines still haven't scored an offensive touchdown. This is with a new offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, who was supposed to get the best out of QB Devin Gardner.
Instead, the offense seems to be regressing. Coach Brady Hoke has few playmakers and a bad offensive line to show for four years on the job and three of his own recruiting classes. It’s never a good sign when coaches regress with their own talent base.
Bad clouds were clearly looming over the program on Saturday, as the Ann Arbor sky opened up with lightning and rain in the fourth quarter that flooded the Big House field. Hours later, the final eight minutes of the game were played, and Utah finished its domination of Michigan, 26-10.
Honorable mention due to so much Dumpster Fire action:
*Missouri losing to Indiana at home -- IU just lost to Bowling Green, which lost to Wisconsin by 60 last week.
*The Kansas State kicking game -- Cost the Wildcats possibly their best non-conference win ever in Manhattan.
*FSU's Jameis Winston coming out in pads -- Kid is blind to his own foolish behavior.
*Hawaii -- For finally making Colorado football look “good.”
-Atlantasooner