(Foreword: Don’t forget Texts From Game Day. I’m bummed last week’s edition was done in by the Raymond James cell phone chaos, but I’m confident we can keep the ball rolling!)
Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which would like to thank Steve Kragthorpe. People wonder if Krags perhaps went over the line with some comments he made this week about his rumored job status as well as his opponent tomorrow.
The first one, I think, is hilarious. The second one? Well, it’s harmless. And needed. And maybe that’s the problem.
What happened to WVU v. Louisville? Imagine if he said that in 2007. What if Bob Petrino had said that? A hard hat would indeed be a necessity for the game … and likely not enough protection. The sad truth today is this game has no spice to it and even if Kragthorpe was trying to pepper it with some zingers, it didn’t really work.
This was once the highlight of the Big East season and an annual matchup the conference suits could gather around and say, “Hey, this is going to work out for us.” Now? “Geez, is that John Congemi?”
I know the teams aren’t going to be dynamos every year, but this has happened so fast. Obviously, there was 2006. Two years ago a Louisville player allegedly spit in Pat White’s face and Pat was pissed. Then Louisville more or less acted as if it didn’t happen while Pat begged to differ. A year later Pat set the NCAA career rushing record for quarterbacks — and went way out of character and openly taunted Louisville on one touchdown run.
Now WVU is nearly a three-touchdown favorite. One coach is fighting for his job and the other is fighting a restless fan base. The game is on the Big East Network and you’re possibly looking at a crowd under 55,000 tomorrow.
Nothing short of the Energizer bunny leading Louisville out on the field will immediately restore the fervor. “What if Louisville wins?” you say. So what? Three years ago, sure, that was a big deal because it kept WVU out of the national title picture. This year? I hardly think anyone will foster a disdain for the Cardinals if they keep WVU out of the Car Care Bowl.
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, hold yourself accountable!
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