New Coaches Find Early Success

After months of off-season trash talk between Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer, college football pundits and fans alike were predicting a beat down of epic proportions when Tennessee took on Florida in Gainesville this past weekend; the official spread from Vegas was even a large 30 points. Yet the Vols were able to keep it respectable, even close. And while no coach or player would ever admit to a “moral victory,” the 23-13 loss against Florida was exactly that, a moral victory. Tennessee didn’t have the talent to outright beat Florida at home – most teams don’t. But by keeping the final outcome respectable Kiffin was able to walk out of the Swamp with his head held high, all the while continuing to foster belief that with a few more solid recruiting classes, Tennessee can reassert itself in the SEC and challenge the Gators on an annual basis.

Later Saturday night, Auburn defeated West Virginia at home 41-30 to improve to 3-0 on the year. Auburn’s offense – which one year ago infamously managed only a single field goal in a win at Mississippi State – had 400 total yards. You may recall that when Gene Chizik was introduced last winter, the hire was widely criticized following a 5-19 three year stint at Iowa State (fans even greeted the new Tiger’s head coach at the airport with boos). Those same fans certainly do not seem to be booing now, but if Auburn starts to falter in conference play, they’ll turn vengeful again in a hurry.

Some 3,000 miles away another first year coach, Washington’s Steve Sarkisian, pulled off a shocking 16-13 upset (and tangible victory) over USC. It didn’t hurt that Sarkisian happened to be USC’s former DC and snipped a few assistants from the Trojans on his way out last winter. Nonetheless, for a team that didn’t win a single game last season Sarkisian has made a GARGANTUAN impact and has instantly restored the Huskies as a credible opponent, and one that should reach a bowl game this season.

And one state south, after possibly the worst head coaching debut in college football history, Oregon coach Chip Kelly has found a way to right what seemed to be an already sunken ship, winning two straight at home against Purdue and 18^th ranked Utah. The Ducks host Jahvid Best and a hot Cal team this weekend; thanks to the Huskies the winner will find themselves in the Pac 10 driver’s seat.

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