The Tom Herman Desperation Index: Week 6
By Ty Duffy
The 2016 college football season is progressing. Fanbases are getting upset. Here is the “Tom Herman Desperation Index,” a ranking of fanbases who do (or should) feel most aggrieved this week.
Texas: The Longhorns losing to Oklahoma State was not unanticipated. It’s too soon to kick the door shut on Charlie Strong. But, multiple leaks coming out under a new AD after this game, sending a more or less direct message to another coach in state, is not a good sign.
Oregon: Hiring Brady Hoke for his first defensive coordinator job has not gone so well for Larry Coker Mark Helfrich. Washington State cruised to a 51-33 win, the Ducks’ third-straight loss. Up next week? Washington. Oregon isn’t big enough to get into the Tom Herman sweepstakes, but is big enough for fans to think they will.
LSU: The Tigers already fired Les Miles, to get a leg up on big game coach hunting this offseason. Beating Missouri handily, while displaying real life offense, should take the edge off this season for fans. Sage Tiger fans may be hoping Coach O doesn’t do too well.
Purdue: The Boilermakers earned their fourth FBS win of the Darrell Hazell era against Nevada. They followed that up losing 50-7 at Maryland, who just rebooted with an exciting new head coach. Purdue fans aren’t even bothering to dream about Tom Herman. Maybe Les Miles?
Penn State: The Nittany Lions came from behind, twice, to beat Minnesota 29-26 in overtime at home. That was, no joke, the best Big Ten win of the James Franklin era. Penn State loyalists would probably still opt for Franklin though.
Vanderbilt: A narrow loss at home to Florida is not too embarrassing for Derek Mason. The Georgia Tech blowout looks worse in retrospect. Blowing the double-digit lead against South Carolina at home is a killer.
USC: The Trojans calmed down the Clay Helton talk, cruising to a 41-20 win at home against Arizona State. Fans have been more distracted by Pat Haden turning down Chris Petersen before hiring Sark. Blip or a turn around? Check in next week after USC plays a 4-1, ranked Colorado team at home.
Auburn: The Tigers followed up their win over LSU by rolling 58-7 over Louisiana-Monroe and running up 688 yards of total offense. Auburn’s upcoming stretch – at Mississippi State, Arkansas, at Ole Miss will be pivotal. Gus Malzahn needs at least two wins, if not all three.