STILLWATER, Okla. — A couple of minutes into Bedlam, throughout a timeout, a well-recognized tune got here wafting out of the audio system at Boone Pickens Stadium. The melody centered round a metropolis 630 miles away from right here, a spot among the many Louisiana swamps, within the coronary heart of SEC nation, amid the oak bushes rooted within the soggy floor.
I spent final night time within the arms of a woman in Louisiana
And although I am out on the freeway, my ideas are nonetheless along with her
Such an odd mixture of a lady and a baby
Such an odd state of affairs stoppin’ each hundred miles
Callin’ Baton Rouge
This wasn’t essentially an accident. It was a not-so-subtle jab from one rival, Oklahoma State, to a different, Oklahoma, whose coach, Lincoln Riley, was/is on the heart of LSU’s seek for a head soccer coach. The identical LSU that’s positioned in, after all, Baton Rouge.
About three hours after the tune stuffed this raucous orange-painted pit of faculty soccer, Riley’s staff collapsed late in a 37–33 rivalry loss that, if nothing else, lived as much as its identify. Oklahoma State returned a kickoff for a landing. Every staff scored a TD after the opposite muffed a punt. OU pressured a fumble that led to a security. In all, a whopping 23 factors have been scored off turnovers or particular groups miscues.
In the long run, the No. 10 Sooners (10–2) gave away a nine-point second half lead, their offense scoring zero factors within the second half in opposition to the seventh-ranked Cowboys (11–1), who march onward to subsequent weekend’s Huge 12 championship recreation in opposition to Baylor with their CFP hopes nonetheless firmly alive.
This story ought to in all probability be concerning the Pokes and their magical run this season. They possess one of many nation’s greatest defenses, an electrical quarterback and a high-flying working again. They’re enjoyable to look at. And so they’ll be given their due later this week forward of that assembly with the Bears (10–2)—a rematch of OSU’s 24–14 victory on Oct. 2.
For now, it’s time to name Baton Rouge, the place LSU followers, boosters and even some faculty officers have been left utterly surprised by Riley’s admission after the sport that he is, the truth is, not a candidate for his or her job.
Riley through the 2021 version of Bedlam.
Alonzo Adams/USA TODAY Sports activities
“I’m not going to be the subsequent head coach at LSU,” he mentioned when requested concerning the experiences linking him to the gig.
Let’s first get one thing straight. The experiences connecting him to the job—some even claiming he accepted it already—have been wholly unsubstantiated and, for probably the most half, not credible.
Nonetheless, this author spent six years in Baton Rouge, 5 of them protecting the soccer program. Over the past week or so, I’ve by no means witnessed the type of buzz out of that metropolis about one identify because the 2015 season, when the college was poised to rent Jimbo Fisher earlier than deciding to maintain Les Miles.
No matter occurred between LSU and Riley wasn’t a whole fabrication. Influential boosters and others across the college anticipated him to be this system’s subsequent chief. In spite of everything, how might he flip down an opportunity to be school soccer’s highest-paid coach?
If this Foolish Season has proven us something, it’s that cash—even sources, recruiting territory and convention affiliation—doesn’t at all times win out. It’s simply not price it, accepting a job at such a stress cooker. LSU has fired the final two coaches, every of whom gained a nationwide title.
Riley’s determination, if there even was one, wasn’t the primary. With three big-time openings obtainable this offseason—LSU, Florida and USC—coaches across the nation are standing pat, and getting paid to take action. Mel Tucker at Michigan State. James Franklin at Penn State. At Texas A&M, Fisher received a brand new contract earlier than the silliness even started.
Most anticipate Luke Fickell to stay at Cincinnati. Brian Kelly has made it publicly recognized that he doesn’t plan to depart. Dave Aranda has made a dedication to comply with a brand new contract at Baylor. Even Kentucky’s Mark Stoops shot down a query about him leaving Huge Blue Nation.
Generally, it’s simply not price it.
And so what now for the large three packages with open jobs? Iowa State’s Matt Campbell is a horny possibility who might make a transfer. At Florida, Louisiana’s Billy Napier has emerged as the highest candidate in a deal that could possibly be finalized quickly.
Is Napier now an possibility for the Tigers? Is Campbell heading to USC?
One factor appears sure: Baton Rouge might need known as, however Riley did not reply.
Extra Faculty Soccer Protection:
• Michigan Lastly Will get Its Second vs. Ohio State
• Bama’s Model of The Drive Retains Its CFP Hopes Alive
• Cincinnati’s Alternative of a Lifetime Is Inside Attain
