1. I wrote here yesterday that No. 4 Kansas State may have a BCS problem for canceling a game with No. 3 Oregon this season. Wildcat fans rushed to their team’s defense, saying the cancellation had been mutual. Since I first heard that Kansas State bailed from Ducks coach Chip Kelly, I went back to Eugene. Oregon executive assistant AD Dave Williford told me that when the 2011 Cowboys Classic offered a slot against LSU, Oregon asked Kansas State to reschedule. Kansas State, needing to go to a nine-game Big 12 schedule, said, let’s just call off the home-and-home, and Oregon agreed. Parse that as you will.
2. It makes sense that Kansas State is tied for the FBS lead in fewest penalties per game. Coach Bill Snyder is known for his discipline and attention to detail. It makes sense that Navy and Air Force rank third and fourth, respectively, and if I have to explain that, we’re both in trouble. But there at No. 5 is Boston College, winless against FBS competition. Give credit to head coach Frank Spaziani and his staff, and give credit to his players, and then, yes, parse that as you will.
3. The last time that Clemson played Wake Forest on a Thursday night, in 2008, a 12-7 Deacs victory dropped the Tigers to 3-3 (1-3 vs. FBS) and cost coach Tommy Bowden his job. “Oh my goodness, it was a long night and a long trip back,” said then-receivers coach Dabo Swinney. On the following Monday, he became the interim head coach. This Thursday, Swinney takes Clemson to Wake Forest as the defending ACC champion. “Sometimes,” Swinney said, “I sit and I reflect and I’m blown away by how quickly life can change.”
