GodsendJen

For a few days now I've listened to the talking heads at ESPN promote "Separation Saturday" on ESPN and ABC this Saturday.  For those of you who have a life they are referring to the weekend's college football schedule.  This is a great schedule for fans.  There are seven games where ranked opponents face off against one another, and as the name suggests it should do a bit to separate the contenders from the pretenders.  But really, do we need to brand it and turn it into marketing hype?  What's wrong with saying "This is a great weekend for good college football...real matchups not gimmies are on the schedule?"   Instead all you hear from the talking heads all week is "Separation Saturday....games at noon, 3 and 8 pm." And besides, if you are going to market it do it right.  Don't make it sound like the day a divorcing couple is packing up their belongings.  This guy has the right idea.  He assigns a theme, but then goes on to explain it.  (And Joe, if you read this you will have to forgive me for linking to the site of a Michigan fan. But that poster is good stuff. Just remember that ND won. <oops! Guess I got ahead of myself.>)

Of course my team plays a patsy (Duke) but that is ok.  We prefer to play our big games on weekend when we don't have to share the slate with 12 other schools.  Personally I'm looking forward to the Louisville Miami game.  Its important to my team that Miami take care of business at this game.  Louisville lovers have been singing the Cardinals praises since back in their time at Conference USA.  I just don't buy into it.  We beat them last year just as soundly as we beat the Moutaineers.  I think the hype surrounding these teams is a conspiracy to make the Big Least sound like a real conference when everyone who watches football should be able to tell its mostly smoke and mirrors.  I'm just sorry that Bud Foster didn't call up Ralph Friegdan on Wednesday and offer up some tips on smothering that Rich Rodriguez spread offense.