Rock Bottom

Florida Atlantic University hit rock bottom in their program's history this past Saturday night. FAU lost 41-7 on Saturday night to Florida International University in the most embarrassing effort in the program's history. FAU has dominated the Shula Bowl in the past. FAU came into the game 8-1 against FIU.

FAU not only was overmatched, but were clearly out coached. They had multiple personal fouls and mental errors, such as false starts and illegal formations. The team lacked discipline throughout the game. Senior Defensive End Jamere Johnson was thrown out of the game for bumping an official in the 4th quarter. Howard Schnellenberger apologized to FAU's students, fans, and the university for the effort against FIU.

Heading into half-time FAU was down 31-0, with the nail in the coffin coming from a 97 yard punt return by T.Y. Hilton. FAU looks to be heading towards a winless season. With New Mexico winning this past weekend FAU is now the only winless team in the nation.

This season can be attributed to a lack of recruitment. FAU continually has been at the bottom of the Sun Belt in recruitment classes the past few seasons. This is unacceptable due to the recruiting depth in South Florida. This could be due to playing in Lockhart Stadium, but it seems it might be beyond that. FAU has been out coached every game this year. Only one game has been close during the losing streak that is over the course of two years now.

A season that was supposed to be a celebration to welcome a new era to FAU has become a disaster. Howard Schnellenberger brought the new stadium to campus, but may never win a game there.

Shula Bowl

Florida Atlantic University has a chance to continue their dominance over Florida International University in the Shula Bowl today. FAU took the game last year against the eventual conference champions. FIU comes in as 18.5 point favorites, but this could be the game FAU is able to put a victory on the board. FAU needs keep in check TY Hilton or this game could get ugly for FAU.

Last week Graham Wilbert saw all but one drive against Arkansas State. If Wilbert comes out struggles look for FAU to insert Redshirt Freshman Stephen Curtis. With a victory FAU could put FIU's bowl hopes in jeopardy. FIU is coming off a loss from the surprising Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

This could be the game FAU finds a victory, but I do not see that happening. FIU has the best player in the conference with TY Hilton. Hilton has a chance to score every time he touches the ball. FAU does keep the game close, but in the end FIU pulls away in the 4th quarter.

Prediction:

FIU 34 FAU 17

A Sad Ending to Paterno

Joe Paterno's career might be about to come to end at the University of Penn State. But it will not be the farewell tour many would have thought. Bobby Bowden was forced out at Florida State, but he was able to say good bye to the sport he coached for so many years.

For Paterno this comes under much different circumstances. Penn St. has not enjoyed the success on the field like they have in the past. In 2002 former coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted a young boy in the shower around the age of ten. This was during a football camp at State College and then Graduate Assistant walked in in the assault Mike McQueary. McQueary still is on staff at the university as Wide Receivers coach.

Paterno who testified in the grand jury hearings and is not a target of the investigation. Paterno though has been chastised by the Police Commissioner by not doing anything to stop the abuse. Sandusky has had a retirement package since 1999 with the university including having a parking spot and working out on campus until last weekend.

The University continued to let Sandusky run his sport camps at the Behrend Campus just outside Erie through 2008. The camp aimed for kids from 4th grade to high school.

As details to continue to come out about the knowledge Paterno had about Sandusky's sexual assault could be extremely important how Paterno is remembered. Paterno brought Penn St. to the forefront in College Football and has the most wins all time among head coaches. Joe Paterno may not get the farewell that his career deserves, but if he had knowledge of the these actions by his former assistant coach it may be what his farewell deserves to be.

FAU Falls Flat

Florida Atlantic football fell to 0-8 this past weekend against after losing 39 to 21 to Arkansas State. This was the Homecoming game for FAU against the Sun Belt leading ASU. FAU came into the game 17 1/2 point underdogs. FAU played tough through 3 quarters including take a 21 to 18 lead in the 3rd quarter, but everything fell apart after that. It was the first lead FAU has held in a game since they lead Auburn 3-0.

Graham Wilbert took most of the snaps during the game that many thought Stephen Curtis would begin to see more action. Curtis only had one drive during the game. The star on the offensive side of the ball was once again Alfred Morris who had 163 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground.

ASU jumped out to an early 15-0 nothing lead in the first quarter. QB Ryan Aplin had a stellar performance with 249 yards passing and 5 total touchdowns for the Red Wolves. Aplin was able to keep the FAU off balance who was inconsistent throughout the game.

FAU continues to be winless this year and will head back to the road for the Shula Bowl this week. FAU has a chance to break the winless streak to a team that FAU has dominated in the history of the match-up.

Game of the Century

When Louisiana State and the University of Alabama face off Saturday at 8 PM it will be a match-up of the top two teams in the country. Many are calling this the game of the century like they did when Notre Dame and Florida State faced off in 1993.

This will be must watch television because the level of talent on both schools rosters. This game may end deciding the national championship if the winner can get through the rest of the brutal SEC schedule.

My Prediction:
LSU 27 Alabama 23