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72 Hours of Toasty Goodness. 11.25.08 A three-day bender for Orange Nation.  
Well, this certainly feels different, doesn't it? Here's some perspective on the "extended play" misery of Syracuse athletics (and for this argument we'll ignore the lax title and all the unbelievably profitable and successful Olympic sports of Dr. Doom): Graduating seniors on the Hill (class of '09) have witnessed one, two, three and four-win football seasons, zero NCAA tournament victories and two NITs. Like, zoinks Scoobs. That's a four-year stench which would make George W. cringe. But the last 72 hours have been quite delightful for us proud denizens of Orange Nation. Saturday night, Groobers pulls one of the most memorable rabbits ever out of the Syracuse top hat with a last-second, comeback victory on college football's hallowed grounds (did I just write that?). Here's how it looked from the Fizz's corporate luxury suite, in the upper deck, outside, on icy wooden benches. Then last night, Jim Boeheim and co. walk into Kansas City's CBE Classic and get the ever-elusive "quality win." Even the Midwest's respected college basketball columnist Blair Kerkhoff of the Star was impressed with the victory over #18 Florida, 89-83. National TV. Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley are in the house. Everyone rejoices. What in the name of Marathon Oil AAU is going on? Boeheim playing a ranked non-conference team? Outside of upstate New York? Cornell, Colgate, Albany, Binghamton and SUNY-Potsdam just called. They want their checks back. In the midst of an already promising hoops season, Orange Nation also gets to play fantasy athletic director. Who would you hire as the next football coach?   FIZZ AUDIO: Scout.com's Rich Cirminello stumping for Glen Mason as the next coach of the Orange. 
Rich Cirminello, Collegefootballnews.com on The D.A. Show last night: ex-Gophers coach Glen Mason. "I'd love to see somebody take a run at Glen Mason. That's the type of name I'm looking for. Not a lot of sex appeal, but he's done it before, turning programs around. That's what Syracuse needs right now." Mason's record is not quite Bob Devaney: 47-54-1 at Kansas. 64-57 at Minnesota before being canned after '06. Alas, beggars can't be choosers. Three Music City Bowls in four years doesn't sound so bad for a program like ours. Eh, forget coaching candidates for a minute. This feeling of pride doesn't last long around the 13244 zip. Soak it in. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Win One for the Groober.11.24.08 A photo-journal of an Orange pilgrimage to South Bend. 
When the Fizz boys decided to earmark Syracuse-Notre Dame as an Orange roadie, we expected snow, ghosts and bad coaching. We went three-for-three. But who knew SU wouldn't be the only victims of questionable coaching on this day? For those across Central New York who could not make the trip, fear not. Orange Nation represented (reasonably) well. The upper corner of the South end zone was dotted with orange, a thousand or so gritty die-hards braving the icy night of the Indiana cornfields for a lame-duck coach and another 2-8 football team. The precious few SU fans who had made the trip were definitely the drunkest in the building (present company may have been included). A group of orange-clad roughnecks stood on the concourse for most of the game, smoking cigarettes, sneaking pulls off their flask and chanting "Let's Go Orange!" At one point during the game, while talking with a family of Orange fans sitting directly behind us I mentioned the Fizz blog. To which one wonderful young lady beamed, "I waste time at work on your site all the time!" Magic. For the record, even if the Orange had lost this game by the expected four touchdowns, it would have been well worth it. The half-foot of snow that fell overnight, sub-arctic temperatures and grey overcast skies reminded us how Syracuse football used to feel. When I started chatting with the Orange ruffians during halftime, I mentioned, "Well, I guess this is how Archbold felt." To which one of them responded, "Yeah, my dad's always like, 'Archbold was so great.' After today? You kidding? F--- that!" My sentiments exactly. Imagine watching Greg Robinson's last four years without feeling in your extremities. You'd have a better crowd to watch Andrew Robinson get hair plugs at the Carousel Mall. 
There is certainly a magnitude of a game when you walk through those gates. Like Wrigley or Fenway, the home of the Irish feels uniquely undisturbed. Wooden bench seats covered in ice? Yeah, I'm guessing that's how it also felt for Paul Hornung's groupies fifty years ago. Touchdown Jesus smiled down upon the Orange, although instead of signaling "touchdown," he might have been throwing his hands up in disgust at another uninspired Charlie Weis outfit. You know it's a different kind of gameday by the little things. When the tickets arrived in the mail, Knute Rockne graced the front of each stub. Needless to say, I would love for tickets to Senior Day at the Dome next season to have Coach P on them. The game itself couldn't have worked out better for the Orange. Without the possibility of Groobers (gasp) saving his job, Syracuse silenced a frozen Irish crowd, already pessimistic about the Charlie Weis era. It wasn't like the Orange were brilliantly coached Saturday evening. Up by a touchdown in the waning seconds of the first half, SU decided to inexplicably throw a pair of sideline passes which fell incomplete and stopped the clock. This, of course, allowing Notre Dame to race downfield in approximately 14 milliseconds to score the tying touchdown. 
You have to love Syracuse football. Not happy with a touchdown lead on the road at the half. The adjustments in the secondary were also abysmal. Weis and co. realized early on they could pick on the Orange cornerbacks. By the end of the game, from the upper level we could hear Jimmy Clausen shout, "I'm throwing this bomb to YOU!"... and complete it. However, when the dust settled, the Orange had a shocking 24-23 win and Weis had effectively out-Robinsoned G-Rob himself. An apathetic team on the sideline. A defensive inability to stop the same play (run off-tackle) all game long. A blown two-score lead in the fourth-quarter. Sound familiar? As a text from my buddy Kelly O. aptly put it following the game: "You just witnessed the 'win one for the Groober' game." [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Will Allen Tells It Like It Is.11.20.08 The former-Orange(men) on change we can believe in. 
When the Fizz last spoke to Will Allen three weeks ago, he humbly admitted he doesn't follow college football closely enough to have had a candidate to replace Groobers. But yesterday we caught up with him again. Did he think G-Rob should be fired? Aw-hell-yeah! "I don't wanna be on camera saying it's about time, but it's about time. I mean, I think it's time. We gotta get that thing turned around and I think we can get it turned around." The relief Orange Nation felt upon Sunday's announcement must be child's play compared to the ecstasy former players were feeling. As fans, we're allowed to pop in and pop out as we choose. Monday though Friday, we toil at desk jobs and lay brick and sell insurance. Saturdays, we plop on the Laz-y-Boy and watch bad Big East football. FIZZ LINKS: Will Allen admits the G-Rob plug needed to be pulled. For these guys, they lived it. Summer practice in brutal ninety-degree heat on South Campus. Biting winds and rock-hard artificial turf in Morgantown. Wearing your Orange football badge of honor in embarrassment the last four years. Yeah, I'd say it was about time. Dr. Doom's papyrus reads with the usual suspects: Randy Edsall, Turner Gill, Skip Holtz. The Fizz is formerly endorsing Oregeon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. 
But a new name has cropped up: Rob Ianello, recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame. Ianello was tight ends coach at the University of Wisconsin (eh), before being named receivers coach and recruiting coordinator under Charlie Weis (double eh). B-U-T... "In 1999 Ianello was named one of the top 10 recruiters in the nation by ESPN.com and one of the top six recruiters in the country by The Sporting News." Hallelujah! We found our man! Saturday, November 22, 2008: The Ianello Bowl! [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Dorf on Fighting.11.19.08 Did Groobers plant this news item? 
The football program is in a terribly awkward spot. Greg Robinson has been fired. Rejoice. However, the indominatable Groobers has refused to leave the sideline (even if he's no longer employed to remain on the sideline). He will coach in the final two games... and continue to act as though nothing is different. Except that, ya know, he's been fired. Orange Nation is essentially living through their own filming of "Ghost." We are all Demi Moore, watching the phantasm of G-Rob tightrope between two dimensions. How do we listen to Groobers with a straight face as he analyzes the Notre Dame front-seven? The man has been fired! It's like the crazy guy on Salina Street telling everyone how he just talked to James Dean yesterday. So, last night's news that a woman has accused Eric Devendorf of hitting her is a little unsettling. Violence against women is a serious issue and the Fizz would never take something like this lightly (especially since the SU hoops team doesn't have the best track record with this type of thing). However, the initial details are a little puzzling. "Syracuse University student Kimberly Smith, 20, is accusing Devendorf of hitting her in the face with a closed fist early in the morning of November 1st. Smith told Syracuse police she was driving on Walnut Avenue around 3:00 a.m. when several people began kicking her car. When she got out to ask them to stop, Smith says Devendorf walked up to her and struck her in the face." 
Now, I'm no Lieutenant Dan on CSI: Syracuse, but this seems like a strange account. First, several people started kicking her car? What does it take to provoke a group of people to start kicking any car? And how slow would you have to be driving to allow said group of people to attempt to kick your car? Two m.p.h.? Five, tops?And if a group of people were kicking your car, would your decision be to stop the car and get out? Wouldn't the best defense be to continue driving? You are equipped with a 2,000-pound automobile. They are using their feet. Second, while the Dorf has certainly had his share of poor decisions on the court, how inexplicable would it be to start kicking a random person's car, then punch her in the face when she got out to ask them to stop? The surreal timing and nature of the story begs the question: Did Groobers plant this to take the eyes off him? Greg Robinson, the ghost whisperer. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Revisionist History.11.18.08 Orange Nation must always remember to Wikipedia. 
The obit section of the newspaper is not for reopening old wounds. Upon someone's passing, we always focus solely on their positives, ignore all of the negatives. When Richard Nixon died, news talkers spoke of his incredible international diplomacy, glossing over Watergate and impeachment. Gene Upshaw's passing celebrated his Hall of Fame playing career and huge negotiation victories for the player's association, nothing about his ugly battles over medical compensation for old contemporaries. As we watch Greg Robinson pack up his little orange office (not for another two weeks, argh) history is once again smiling upon the deceased. As much as it can. There's no way to defend Groobers' obscenely heinous record which put Orange football in the same zip code as Baylor and Duke. But the same old, tired defense keeps sprouting up: He was a really, really nice guy. I suppose it's Orange Nation's way of burying some of the angst and finding humanity in someone else's pain. Which is noble. Kind of. But to single-handedly leave the program in tatters by the side of the road is anything but respectable. No matter how many hands he shook and babies he kissed along the way. The real trap is feeling guilty for wanting a change four years ago. From today's Post-Standard: "Remember those days in 2004 when all those loud Orange partisans were absolutely convinced that Paul Pasqualoni was what was weighing the program down? That Coach P had to be thrown out for the 'good old days' to return? Be careful what you wish for." That's revisionist history. It's indirectly defending Dr. Doom's hiring, instead of directly defending the firing. At the time, Pasquoloni's program had hit a plateau. His first ten years were marked with dynamic teams, Top-25 rankings, NFL-star recruits. But A.D. (after Donovan) it was clear, the program needed a blood transfusion. Fans were frustrated. Orange football was lethargic. In the wake of Groober's firing, it's unfair (and irresponsible) to wish Coach P was never removed. SU had to make a change. It just made absolutely the wrong one. R.I.P. Syracuse Coach G. Robinson, 2004-2008. "A really, really nice guy." [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
The End.11.17.08 Syracuse football has finally been sent to the glue factory. Thank you. 
Someone please tell Groobers not to let the ice scraper hit him on the way out. Good lord, that was painful. I was talking about the interminably syrupy press conferences of both Robinson and Gross, but that last sentence could also sum up the last four years of our lives. Bud Poloquin wrote until the bitter end that Greg Robinson was a nice guy, it just didn't work out. Some blindly blessed readers echoed that sentiment on the Syracuse.com message posts. Dr. Doom continually pointed out how good a person Groobers has been through all of this. Let's please cut the chicken scrap. Welcome to the real world, Greg and Darryl. Let's take off the rosy SoCal sunglasses you jokers have been wearing upon arrival at our funeral. Good guy? Who the hell cares? The program is in shambles. First, Robinson is in straight denial. He says he feels no remorse in the way he is leaving this program. Really? Recruiting is a black hole, high school ties have been severed throughout the region, kids are opting for MAC schools at an alarming pace. National prestige is at an all-time low. A permanent seat at ESPN.com's "Bottom Ten" table. A five-minute piece on the fall of the program on "College Football Gameday." A weekly punchline coast-to-coast. 
The fan base is miserable. Record low crowds have turned out this season, under 20,000 fans for Northeastern (one of the only wins), attendance in the twenties for Pitt and UConn, less than half the fans that used to pack the Dome for every conference game. A talent abyss. Zero NFL draftees last season, the first time in two decades. Less than a half-dozen legitimate starters for a BCS conference program. Three Big East wins in four years. Four total wins over BCS conference teams over that tenure. Robinson should leave town on the next unmarked snow plow south on I-81, never to show his face in football again. Groobers also said he doesn't feel like he failed, he merely "ran out of time." Yeah, by what clock? There was not even a marginal improvement from Year One to Year Four. Talent was still awful. Coaching was still atrocious. The win total (you know, which most would use as a decent measuring stick) leapt from one to two, '05 to '08. On Robinson's schedule, Syracuse would be bowl eligible sometime around 2052. As for Gross, he will tell anyone who listens just how clear the hire was four years ago. In fact, Dr. Doom referenced this incredible "pedigree" approximately 346 times during his meet with the media tonight. 
Don't let Gross fool anyone into thinking Robinson's hiring was a "scientific risk, a hypothetical high-percentage move," as he stated today. He suggested he didn't hear anyone question the move when it happened. Really? There was no skepticism about a first-time head coach who was FIRED from a defense that had won back-to-back Super Bowls? A man who was FIRED again at his next stop for his unit being unable to force ONE punt in a playoff game? I sat at Robinson's dismissal press-conference in Kansas City, January '04. The media in the Heartland is a tad less blood-thirsty than say, Philadelphia. That afternoon, you would have thought Robinson clubbed baby seals outside of an elementary school and held nuns hostage for their tithing. The media was relentless in questioning how a man in charge of an NFL defense could be bitch-slapped all season and then fail to force ONE punt in 60 minutes of football. No one with an iota of football acumen could walk away from that moment and believe Robinson was fit to coach anything more than linebackers at San Angelo Tech. To suggest there was no risk in hiring Greg Robinson to RUN A PROGRAM is either denial or complete fabrication to save one's own hide. Thank goodness Orange Nation is finally allowed to move on, to once again dream about Champs Sports Bowls and six-win seasons. It's a lot better than enduring these two clowns squirt more water in our eyes. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Suffocating11.16.08 Orange Nation gasps for air as the Groobers Error ends. 
The recent suffocation of the Syracuse offense has been poetic. It's exactly how Orange Nation feels. Once again Saturday, SU's attack couldn't have moved the chains against CBA's freshmen eleven. The vaunted UConn defense (eerily reminiscent of the '85 Bears... minus the Hall of Famers part) held the 'Cuse to 51 yards passing. Fifty-one. Cameron Dantley had an evening that would make Ryan Leaf pop an illicit Xanax: Four-of-sixteen attempts, 38 yards, one pick. Andrew Robinson looked sterling as well: Two-of-seven, 13 yards, two picks. It should be noted Dantley has 57 total passing yards in the last two games combined (which is roughly his dad's point-total for an '83 game against the Nuggets). And he's the starter. It's refreshing that Groobers has brought this team together in such a close-knit way as he heads out the door. For four long years, the defense has been the wayward step-child of the program. Robinson's defensive wizardry has yielded points like an arena team. Now, the defense and the offense can bond together in misery. Not to be left in the cold, the special teams has joined the pity party: a punt blocked and another returned for touchdowns by the Huskies. (It's not as if the SU athletic department even noticed. The front-page of suathletics.com Saturday night was women's cross country. They're like the White House p.r. staff. The war in Iraq is going quite well, thanks!) Groobers greatest achievement is only being shown now, a mere two weeks before his inevitable exit. Rendering every part of the football program utterly useless. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
The Hookah Pokey11.14.08 The future is unfiltered for Syracuse football. 
There are some in Orange Nation wondering what the enduring legacy of Groobers reign will be. Even if his tenure (mercifully) ends after this season, we will have watched four worse years than the Hoover administration. To many, the football program's cabinet has been left bare. An enormous talent void. A recruiting black hole. A forlorn fan base. Enter Mikhail Marinovich and Niko Rechul. Both are freshman on the football team, Marinovich (yes, brother of the failed Todd) a defensive end, Rechul a punter. And both are putting their savvy business minds to good use. The two are owners of Hollywood Hookah on Marshall Street and the future of Orange football. Glorious find from our good friend Pete Thamel (Class of '99) and the NYTimes.com college football blog (via the Daily Orange): "Since I've been to so many, I know what to do, what not to do, what's good hookah, what's bad hookah," says Marinovich. "And between being on the football team, practicing every day, and then handling school, a lot people think, 'Oh, Mikhail, you don't have time to go out and have fun.' And then we took on this whole thing of opening a hookah lounge." Lest you think football responsibilities put too much demand on this young tandem, think again! They're doing the Hookah Pokey, too. But Marinovich and Rechul are not merely content being the Cheech and Chong of the Hill. They're looking to be Cheech and Chong AND the future of the football Orange. Rechul: "We've had people say things like, 'We heard football players were starting this place and we're surprised that it's so nice.'" Nice indeed, boys. There are some naysayers who believe no respectable head coach would take the reigns of this program. Too many potholes, too few bright spots. However, with Marinovich and Rechul the future is always... well, hazy. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Charlie Tuna'd11.12.08 The lone goal of the SU football season? Getting Charlie Weis fired. 
The screeches and hand-wringing surrounding Notre Dame football has once again kicked into high-gear. The Irish are a middling 5-4, in the midst of a two-game losing streak and having been shut out by Boston College 17-nil. Widespread panic regularly sweeps over Touchdown Jesus (pronounced "Hay-zoos") whenever the Golden Domers fail to win national championships (which has basically been the last two decades, thanks). But as Charlie Weis assumes play-calling responsibilities in a desperate attempt to salvage another mediocre season as an independent, battling heavyweights such as Stanford, San Diego State and Washington, the next two weeks may decide Weis' fate. Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock takes a sarcastic jab at Weis' timing to take over the offense: "The undersized Middies are giving up just 27 points per game to Division I opponents. The 2-7 Orangemen are nearly as stingy, surrendering just 37 points per outing." Wow, we can't even be referred to by our proper nickname. What up, 2003? 
There are some that suggest a loss this weekend to Navy might be enough to cost Charlie Tuna his job. Others scoff, saying the buy-out from Weis' obscene ten-year contract extension is far too much to wield the axe now. But let's go ahead and predict the Midshipmen knock off the Irish this weekend for the second straight year ('07: Navy 46. ND 44.), could November 22nd in South Bend be make or break for the Weis Man? Certainly a loss to Navy kicks up the delirium in South Bend to ear-splitting levels. A nothing-to-lose I've-already-been-fired Greg Robinson team strolling into town could be dangerous. More than likely, Notre Dame beats Navy comfortably and the Groobers-led Orange get mashed 42-13 in two weeks. Weis remains employed and portly. However, the Fizz will be in South Bend that day hoping we see the last of both coaches on their respective sidelines. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Look Who's Talking Too.11.11.08 An announcement has finally come on G-Rob. Kinda. 
It's hard to make news when there is no news. Especially when there actually is news, but you're trying hard to insist there is no news and that becomes the news. Welcome to the House of Mirrors known as Syracuse athletics. Now you see Dr. Doom. Now you don't. As Orange Nation awaits with not-so-baited breath for the other grimy beaten up sneaker to finally drop on the Groobers Error, Doom had a prepared statement. "Syracuse University has not made an announcement regarding the football program. We are focused on the final home game and our senior day." It's mere semantics. By issuing this statement, Gross made a different announcement. That the university is well aware we are all waiting on the real announcement. Certainly, he couldn't issue a statement bringing back Robinson for another season. The student body would set fire to Marshall Street and begin looting J. Michael shoes. But essentially what Doom's prognosis translates to is, "Robinson has been fired. We know that. You know that. He knows that. But we're gonna wait until after Senior Day so we don't potentially have a Tennessee-Wyoming debacle." 
Which is fairly humorous in it's own regard; the fear that making a premature announcement might somehow endanger the program via fans turning ugly at the Dome, the team playing miserably for a lame-duck coach, recruits backing out, etc. There is no further collateral damage that can be done. This ship is taking water at a frantic pace. Nothing could harm this program any more than the last four years already have. Recruiting is at an all-time low. Fan interest has turned into apathy. National respect has hit rock-bottom. Alumni and former players have been suggesting replacements for three months. The smart play is to cut the cord immediately, thereby saving you from yourself. Of course, the smart play is not in Dr. Doom's playbook. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Are We Done Yet?11.09.08 Robinson vs. Schiano. The rivalry that never was. 
Greg Robinson tried so hard to create a heated rivalry with Rutgers. Unfortunately, it always came off as a pathetic and misguided attempt by little brother to beat up big brother, ending with big brother keeping little brother at arm's length with a palm to the face. Groobers will go down in history as the only Syracuse head coach never to defeat the Scarlet Knights. It's a series dating back to 1914. That's 94 years of SU-RU football, thank you very much. For one-quarter Saturday afternoon, Groobers looked like he would pull the Who?-dini act for one more week; disappearing with an unexpected victory and staving off the Grim Reaper. But 14-0 quickly evaporated in Piscataway. Before Orange Nation blinked, Rutgers had outscored the Orange 35-3 the rest of the way. The 'Cuse is now ineligible for a bowl (cough, cough) at (2-7, 1-4). Knowing a post-season berth was likely the only thing that could have saved Groobers job, isn't it finally time to officially pull the plug? Clemson has done it. Washington has done it. Tennessee has done it. Syracuse has employed a consultation firm to seek candidates, but has yet to admit anything publicly. Let's all move on, wish Groobers the best of luck as linebackers coach at Cal-San Luis Obispo and begin repairing the collateral damage to a forlorn program. In memorandum of Robinson's disastrous tenure, the Fizz looks at his public humiliation at the hands of Rutgers. 2006: Calling the Knights a one-year wonder and bragging about recruiting in the state of New Jersey. "Paul Pasqualoni was here 14 years. We got five (recruits) in one year. That would be 70 if we were here that long. We're going to recruit their tails off. They're (Rutgers) a one-year wonder. Do I like them? No. The recruiting thing -- you wait and see." 2007: Entering the field against Rutgers behind "The Sopranos" theme song. 2008: Playing the Scarlet Knights fight song during practice all week. Four games. Four losses. Outscored by a combined 142-47. Are we done yet? [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
I Am Billy Edelin.11.07.08 On the eve of the hoops season, which Orange are you? 
From today's Post-Standard: "The Orange, coming off a 28-21 upset of Louisville, needs to win its remaining four games to become bowl eligible." Rolling my eyes. "The inspiring victory over the Cardinals aside, the fate of head coach Greg Robinson hangs in the balance." Dizzy spells. Preparing to pass out. Bowl eligibility? The fate of Groobers hangs in the balance? Reality check: It's hoops season for Orange Nation. Look no farther than the P-S's annual basketball preview issue, with beat reporter Mike Waters' prediction of the NCAA's second-round and Donna Ditota and Bud Poloquin putting the Orange in the Sweet 16. On the record, Dr. Doom has predicted a national championship three-peat. This season alone. So there. Which leaves us with the faint smell of 1970s dust at Manley Field House. So, on the eve of the hoops season The Fizz presents to you the "Quizilla" survey: "Which '02-'03 Syracuse basketball player are you?" It's random (rogue google search found it). Confusing (there's a song called "Cuse Yourself?"). And irreverently endearing ("Make Love, Not Warrick"). Whatever. Apparently, the Fizz most closely resembles Billy Edelin. Which is nice considering he was accused of rape and sexual harassment, left the team for undisclosed reasons, dropped out from Mountain State University within a week and was cut from a Belgian team named Verviers-Pepinster. So which player are YOU? (Ya know, because we're still bowl eligible and all). [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Please Keep Moving.11.06.08 Nothing to see here, folks. Will Allen doesn't care about SU football either. 
On a perfect fall day in Upstate New York ten years ago, Will Allen became a goat.It shouldn't have gone that way. Allen was flagged for a phantom pass-interference call on 4th-and-7 to keep #10 Tennessee's hope alive. Tee Martin orchestrated a drive which culminated in the game-winning field goal. Volunteers 34. Orange(men) 33. Tennessee would go on to win the national championship. Syracuse had an unforgiving and unfortunate loss. Should've never happened. A decade later, Philip Fulmer has been forced out and SU football is wheezing towards two wins. The Fizz was a goofy sophomore at the time, slamming two white-hots with both ketchup, mustard and onions thank you, in front of Sadler Hall on his way into the Dome. Allen's absurd flag left an indelible mark. FIZZ LINKS: Will Allen stopped watching SU football a long time ago. Another one bites the dust. The Fizz caught up with Allen in the Dolphins locker room ten years later. His old coach, Paul Pasqualoni, is his new defensive coordinator. A much maligned Miami secondary held Broncos game-breaker Brandon Marshall to two measley catches. Allen also broke a pick-6 to help the 'Phins steal a win in Denver. So how much 'Cuse does the former Orange(men) corner watch? None. "I don't watch them. I don't plan on watching them. Hopefully they get that thing turned around." 
Does Allen avoid the Orange because of how miserable the football is? "Yeah. But on Saturday's I don't watch much football anyway. If there's a big game on, maybe. But on Saturdays I finally get a chance to sit down and spend time with my family and that's what I do." And let's face it: Syracuse is never the big game. Seems like every former Orange(man) is stumping for his favorite candidate for next head coach (see: Konrad, Rob). Allen? "Nah, I wouldn't even expect them to call me or ask me. What do I know about who should be the next head coach?" Fair. Although, the same could be said for Dr. Doom. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Voting for Change.11.04.08 On Election Day, Dr. Doom rocks the vote. 
After the most recent defeat of Louisville, credit Darryl Gross for thinking outside the box. Saturday marked the second straight season the Orange has knocked off the Cardinals. Greg Robinson (Gross' hire) is now a disappointing 1-22 in the Big East when not facing Steve Kragthorpe. But G-Rob is a sterling 2-0 against Krags. "In the wake of our football team's victory this weekend, we have formally petitioned the Big East to schedule the Louisville Cardinals for each and every conference game of the season." Gross knows his critics may find this non-traditional, but the A.D. suggests history is on his side. "Our basketball team faces Georgetown twice per season, correct? Some years it's THREE times with the Big East tournament! So there is a precedent." Gross has admitted conference officials might be hesitant on such a drastic change, so he's making some concessions. "This is an election year. Whoever becomes the next president of our great nation will have to listen to both sides and make some compromises. I like to think of myself as one of the great leaders of this generation, therefore I have told the conference offices that SU will continue to schedule strong non-conference teams such as Buffalo and Northeastern." 
"We will also accept a home-and-home each season with Louisville until more radical scheduling changes can be implemented. That is, assuming, Steve Kragthorpe is still head coach." When asked about his athletic director's proposal, Robinson was initially hesitant. "Believe you me, Dr. Gross is an ideas guy. That's why he's done such a good job with the Olympic sports and stuff. I mean, he plucked me to be the head coach and I'd NEVER had ANY experience in that role before. But, I'm a little worried about the cross-country travel to Phoenix. That can be hard on the kids." Robinson was quickly corrected that the Cardinals his team just defeated are from Louisville, Kentucky not Arizona. "Oh! Yeah, then that makes sense. I wondered why the flight seemed so short last year. Sometimes it's hard ya know, because they both have red uniforms and birds on their helmets. But I certainly support Dr. Gross in every decision... uh, what was the question, again?" Cardinals message boards are reporting Kragthorpe was last seen filling out an application at a Parkwood, KY Chick-Fil-A. The Louisville athletic department declined repeated requests for comment. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
Donnie Darko.11.03.08 Reason to celebrate? Nope. Just ask Donnie Mac. 
It must suck to be Steve Kragthorpe. It must suck worse to employ Steve Kragthorpe. Louisville officials are wondering just how unremarkable their second-year hire is after Saturday's loss to Syracuse. Groobers has three Big East victories in four seasons. Two of them against Krags. A step in the right direction for the Orange? A sign of things to come? At very least, a reason to celebrate instead of mope, right? RIGHT? Um, not so much according to Orange Legend Don McPherson. The all-time great was honored at halftime at the Dome, in the house for the lone bright spot of the season. But Donnie Mac was Donnie Dark. From Poloquin's column in the P-S: "People in Syracuse and at Syracuse University need to have some reality about them. And the reality is that Syracuse University is not going to put a 10- or an 11-win team on the field every year. Eight wins is great. Seven wins is probably the standard." True, perhaps. Although, seven wins is a lot easier to swallow than the current standard of two. "A number of things have happened and Syracuse is not alone. Nebraska has struggled. Michigan has struggled. South Florida is as competitive as Miami and Florida State. And all of this is happening when the MAC Conference and Conference-USA have emerged. There are plenty of reasons why all of this has taken place and it would take a long time to dissect." 
Certainly true. Yet, the MAC and C-USA shouldn't be waxing the 'Cuse on a regular basis. And Nebraska and Michigan aren't looking at three conference wins in four years. "Syracuse is not Auburn or Alabama or a school that's going to pour tens of millions of dollars into the football program. Look what T. Boone Pickens has done at Oklahoma State. He gave $120 million and now Oklahoma State has a contender. But that's not Syracuse University. We're not LSU and this isn't the SEC. If people want to complain about the program, then open the checkbook because that's what it's going to take." The Fizz appreciates D-Mac's healthy dose of realism. T. Boone Vanessa Williams won't be cutting a check for new practice facilities. But while SU can't be Auburn or Alabama, it shouldn't be Temple or Baylor, either. "People have to remember that in 1986, the fans were calling for Coach Mac's head and 12 months later we were unbeaten and playing in the Sugar Bowl." Uh oh. Here comes the Donnie Mac Kool-Aid. "So things can turn around, but I don't think this is going to be that kind of turnaround." Whew. [Vent about this post in the Orange Fizz Forum]
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