The Hook: 3 Things to Know
Miami is for Real
College gameday was on the scene in Miami Gardens to watch the #4 Miami Hurricanes defeat in-state rival Florida Gators 26-7. Miami’s defense looked stellar, holding pre-season Heisman favorite DJ Lagway to a paltry 12-23 for 61 yards through the air. Miami has a week off before a marquee matchup against Florida State, its last real test until (likely) the ACC Championship game.
Bloomington Blowout
It was the first time since 1950 that Indiana and Illinois played in a ranked matchup. Early fireworks, consisting of an Indiana blocked punt and an Illinois 75-yard TD pass in the first quarter, made it seem like the start of an instant classic. The #19 Hoosiers would put on for their home crowd with a final score of 63-10 in a surprising rout of the #9 Illini. “We broke their will,” -Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti said in the postgame press conference.
Transfer Portal Winners and Losers
Conference realignment and the transfer portal have paid dividends (on and off the field) for #11 Oklahoma. Transfer QB John Mateer powered the Sooners to a 24-17 victory against SEC founding member #22 Auburn.
Across the country, Mateer’s former school, Washington State, is reeling from being left out of a power conference and having its top players from 2024 poached by P4 programs. They fell 59-24 in a non-conference edition of the Apple Cup vs Washington on Saturday.
The Ladder: Coaching Carousel
Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry was fired the day after their 45-26 drubbing at the hands of relative minnow Old Dominion last week. An 0-3 start to the season and 16-24 in four years didn’t cut it, sending him packing with a $6 million buyout. Here is my complete prediction for the ripple effect of the Brent Pry firing:
VA Tech HC: USF HC Alex Golesh
I’d love this hire for the Hokies. Brent Pry was a former DC, and Golesh is an offensive guru best known for the gaudy numbers put up in his tenure as the OC at Tennessee from 2021-2022.
USF HC: UGA DC Glenn Schumann
Georgia DC and Kirby Smart’s right-hand man for much of his career finally gets his chance to run a program.
UGA DC: UGA Safeties coach Travaris Robinson
I think Georgia stays in-house for this hire. T-Rob is one of the best recruiters in the country.
UGA Safeties: Houston Safeties coach Josh Christain-Young
The Gem in Willie Fritz’s staff levels up to Athens.
Houston Safeties: Ridge Point HS HC Rick LaFavers
This is where it gets a little off the rails, but I think Houston takes a chance with a longtime Houston-area High School HC to get a recruiting edge on defense for years to come.
Ridge Point HS: Prophetic AI Account Executive David Ash
Remember him? I think the Houston native and former Texas QB makes a pivot from b2b software sales and reunites with his first love: Houston HS football.
Prophetic AI AE: Hook & Ladder writer David Keller
Filling the shoes of a Longhorn QB legend was hard for David Ash; filling the shoes of a former Longhorn QB selling software in Austin will be just as difficult for me. However, I believe in myself and am excited for this new chapter.
Hook & Ladder writer: Brent Pry
The Daily Script is looking for someone with ball knowledge and free time. Look no further than the former VA Tech Head Coach, I’m happy to show him the ropes before I move to Austin.