Why do the people in the media sensationalize tragedies so much?  Why is it so hard to just report the news and be done with it?  Why does it have to drag out for weeks?

Omaha, my hometown, was thrust into the national news by a 19 year old kid.  This kid's only reason for shooting and killing people was because he wanted to go out famous.

Five or ten years ago, this kid would have just killed himself and it would have been over.  In this day and age, being depressed is boring.  Everyone is depressed.  In this day and age, psychotic is the only way to be cool.

The media is not to blame for this kid's problems, but they are to blame for his solution.  I believe that if our country's "dirty laundry" was not aired, hashed over, and rehashed over and over, then this particular tragedy would have only cost one life instead of nine.

The media is a prostitute, and this kid is its latest pimp.

You find yourself the new head coach at a prestigious football school, and the team you are coming from has earned a chance at the national championship.  What do you do?  Coach Pelini's team is in need of a salvaged recruiting class.  Pelini's old team needs to get ready to play for the national championship.  It would seem that giving these two tasks an honest amount of focus would be near impossible, if even possible. 

Couldn't LSU let Pelini off the hook on this decision?  Why couldn't they say "Thanks Bo, we got it from here?"  That way LSU would be guaranteed a coach that had no other football distractions. 

LSU would like for Bo Pelini to fulfill his defensive obligations through the national championship game.  I don't blame them.  Pelini's defenses have been among the best in the country over the last 3 years for LSU.  Pelini gives LSU the best shot at a great defensive showing against the Buckeyes, but at what cost to Nebraska?  There is a dead period for recruiting at the end of December, but until then is he supposed to turn his back on LSU to recruit for Nebraska?

By staying on the LSU staff, Pelini will be hurting himself at Nebraska.  Bo will not be able to devote as much time as he can to recruiting for his team next year.  What if LSU has a very bad showing in New Orleans on defense?  Wouldn't the logical excuse be that Pelini didn't focus enough on LSU?  Wouldn't that be detrimental to his recruiting efforts around the country?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Wouldn't the exposure at the national championship game give Pelini an edge?  Every few minutes, the announcers will talk about Pelini's great history as a defensive coordinator and his future as head coach at Nebraska.  As long as LSU's defense is solid, this kind of exposure is priceless.

So, what is it going to be?  Both sides of the decision have a downside, but I feel that Pelini fulfilling his defensive coordinator duties at LSU has a great upside for Nebraska in the amount of Prime-Time TV exposure. 

I wonder what an LSU fan has to say about this decision Pelini has to make. 

Well, well, well. Isn't that interesting?  Ohio State and LSU playing for the national championship has to be a dream match-up for the fat-cats in the smoke-filled rooms.  It couldn't have worked out better, right?  My hat is off to the fat-cats.  You really have to admire their resolve and unflappability in stressful situations.The people in the smoke-filled rooms must have been feeling somewhat nervous with the potential match-up between Missouri and West Virginia.  I don't believe it would have been anything close to a ratings bonanza.  I would venture to guess it would have been a little tougher to get the millions of dollars, the fat-cats are used to, for the advertising spots because of the smaller followings of these two teams. 

I am a firm believer that what frightens these puppet-masters is the threat of losing money.  Therefore, they will support and guide events towards the most lucrative outcomes.  Ohio State and LSU will certainly have many, many people watching.  It will be a great game.  I will be watching.  But what does it prove?  It proves nothing.  It does not provide us, the fans, with a true champion.  It is because this will be a great game that there will be no change in the current bowl system. 

My problem with the way things are run in Division-1 football is why these guys, fat-cats, are so frightened of trying anything new.  Wouldn't a playoff strengthen the ratings for some of the smaller market teams?  

If West Virginia had made it through a 3 rounds of playoffs, wouldn't they create a bigger following?  Wouldn't the ratings shoot through the roof?  If Hawaii was able to knock off a team like Oklahoma in the first week of a playoff, then wouldn't it be safe to assume that the next week there would be even more people watching Hawaii's game?  I am not looking forward to the Hawaii/Georgia match-up, but if Hawaii would have had to get through a few playoff games, then I would probably be very excited for the game. 

This feels good.  I think I may have hit on something the media has missed out on reporting.  Who's the Village Idiot now!

The big news coming out of Lincoln, Nebraska was that Tom Osborne named himself Interim Head Coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  It was stated that this move was made to maintain the continuity of the recruiting process for Nebraska.  Ok, I buy that, but what makes that newsworthy?  Are the media outlets trying to imply that Osborne is contemplating getting back into coaching?  At first glance, I did not see the importance of this story.

It took my feeble mind a little time to realize that the important part of this story was not printed in black and white.  The important part is that the search for a head coach is over. 

Why would Tom Osborne come home to Lincoln to recruit if he had not found a head coach?  If the deal has not been finalized, then how could he be focused on anything else?  What good is recruiting kids to a school that doesn't have a head coach?  It does not make any sense for Osborne to be on the recruiting trail if someone had not accepted an offer to be the next head coach of the Husker Nation.

So, the question is who will be introduced as head coach and why is it not being announced immediately?

     To the best of my knowledge, the only positively confirmed interviews have been with Bo Pelini, Turner Gill, and Jim Grobe.  Let us assume that these are the only interviews that have transpired.  That will narrow down the "who" part of the question.

As far as the "why" part, we can only assume that the person who has accepted the position has some pressing obligations to wrap up before the announcement can be made.  Of the three candidates, who has pressing obligations?  Turner Gill's team, Buffalo, is not bowl eligible and has no more games this season, so we can count him out.  Jim Grobe possibly has a bowl to prepare for, but Wake Forest's season is over until then.  Without a game to prepare for immediately, it would seem unlikely that an announcement would not be made and an interim head coach be named for Wake Forest.  That leaves us with Bo Pelini.  He has LSU's biggest game of the season to prepare for.  With all the trouble LSU has had in games lately, it would seem prudent to downplay and suppress any distractions this week.  Somebody should have told Les Miles that.

Your Village Idiot has come to the conclusion that Bo Pelini will, again, be the next head coach at Nebraska based upon logical deduction of the facts over the last week.

My uncanny inability to prognosticate upcoming matches on the football field is well documented.  (Just ask my jubilant bookie)  I have been bestowed with the "Kiss of Death" designation among my friends.  I am telephoned by friends and family and solicited for my picks on upcoming games.  I am begged not to pick favorite teams of my so-called friends.  I like to talk, so I try to go on and on about why I like the team I like, but often enough I get cut-off and my picks are demanded without reasons.  Am I not human?  Do I not have feelings?

In this forum I can explain my feeble thought processes involved in my bad decision making skills without being cut-off.  What I hope to achieve here is that someone will read my picks and go the other way.  Here is the moment everyone has been waiting for. 

The Kiss of Death's picks.

(7-4) Rutgers +2.5 @ (5-6) Louisville (59.5) - At first glance I liked Rutgers, but I investigated a bit further.  Louisville is at home.  Louisville needs this game to become bowl eligible.  Rutgers is not the team they were last year.  Rutgers barely got by Louisville last year with a much better team.  Kiss of Death likes Louisville and the under. Stop the presses! I covered the side!! I would bet that will be one of the few times this week.  (1-0 against the side, 0-1 against the number.)

(7-4) Fresno State -13 @ (4-8) New Mexico State (67) - NMSU is bad but improving.  Coach Hal Mumme is starting to stir up some excitement with his wide open offense.  At no point can you count the Aggies of NMSU out of a game.  The biggest problem is the fact that they do not sustain many long, time-consuming drives.  It is usually 3 and out or 5 plays and a TD.  Fresno State was not competitive in only one game all year.  That was against a healthy Oregon team.  Fresno State has put together a good year against mediocre teams.  I expect Fresno State to win, but not cover the 13 on the road.  Kiss of Death likes New Mexico State and the under.  Look at that! I covered the side and the number! (2-0 against the side, 1-1 against the number)

(6-6) Miami (Ohio) +3 @ (7-5) Central Michigan (67.5) - Central Michigan is sitting atop of the MAC-West Division.  Miami OH is second in the East.  If Miami wins, then there is a three way tie for first place in the MAC.  Miami, Central Michigan, and Bowling Green will all be 6-2.  Bowling Green lost to Miami and did not play Central Michigan.  And you thought the BCS was complicated.  I will pick to keep it simple.  Kiss of Death likes Central Michigan and the over.  My oh my!  I am going out to buy a lottery ticket. (3-0 against the side, 1-2 against the number)

(5-6) Arizona +9 @ (9-2) Arizona State (57.5) - Which of these teams has the most to lose from this game?  Arizona becomes bowl eligible with a win over their hated in-state rival.  Arizona State has an outside shot at a BCS bowl, right?  I can't keep track of it all, but I believe they are in the running for a BCS bowl if they win.  The only question is if Arizona's offense will be able to do anything against a very good Arizona State team.  Kiss of Death likes Arizona State and the over. Here we go with start of something bad. (3-1 against the side, 1-3 against the number)

(6-5) Cal -13 @ (3-8) Stanford (51) - Again we have another underachieving team fighting to become bowl eligible.  I really like this rivalry.  The Bay Area Brawl.  The Battle for the Bay.  Whatever it may be called, I like it.  This year Cal has disappointed many a PAC-10 fan, but they are going bowling.  Stanford had the win of the year in the PAC-10 over USC.  They should be happy with that.  Kiss of Death likes Cal and the over. Here we go, that's more like it.  (3-2 against the side, 1-4 against the number)

(4-8) Washington +14 @ (11-0) Hawaii (74) - I don't understand why some people think that this will be a test for Hawaii?  It is at home.  Washington can score, but their defense is anemic.  Hawaii has everything to prove.  Washington can't even get bowl eligible.  Kiss of Death likes Hawaii and the over.Half a win, I'll take it. (4-2 against the side, 1-5 against the number)

 (4-7) Pitt -28 @ (10-1) West Virginia (58.5) - I was asked in the comments where this game is on my list.  Personally, I would not bet this game (too many points), but I will be more than happy to give my pick.  Kiss of Death likes West Virginia and the over. That is the kind of pick I know well. (4-3 against the side, 1-6 against the number)

(5-6) UCLA +20 @ USC (46.5) - This one is another request.  For the same reason, I would not put money down on this one.  Kiss of Death likes UCLA and the under. This is getting scary. (5-3 against the side, 2-6 against the number.)

ACC Championship

        VS    

(10-2) Virginia Tech -4.5 vs (10-2) Boston College (46.5) - I think this game has the best chance of being the most entertaining of the day.  You have a great QB in Matt Ryan for Boston College going against a more than capable defense for Virginia Tech.  I fully believe there is some great football being played outside of the SEC, Big 12, and PAC-10.  I am really looking forward to this one.  Kiss of Death likes Boston College and the under. Now that is more like it. (5-4 against the side, 3-6 against number.)

SEC Championship

             VS   

(9-3) Tennessee +7.5 vs. (10-2) LSU (60.5) - This is a tough one.  I struggled with this one for a while.  What is important to these 2 teams?  LSU may have an outside (way outside) chance to still dance in the NC game.  Let's face it Tennessee is just happy to be there.  With the way their season was going, everyone in Knoxville will be happy it is not a blowout.  What about Les Miles' future?  How much of a distraction is Nebraska's courtship of Pelini going to be a factor?  That is too many questions for me.  Kiss of Death likes Tennessee and the under. Well, would you look at that! (6-4 against the side, 4-6 against the number.)

Big XII Championship

             VS    

(10-2) Oklahoma -3 vs (11-1) Missouri (67) - Oklahoma is coming off a thrashing of in-state rivals Oklahoma State.  Missouri is coming off a 4th quarter rally by a very, very talented Kansas team.  Missouri is hot.  They have played a couple games on the biggest stage in college football, and I believe they are ready to take on Oklahoma at a neutral site.  If Mizzou can limit turnovers, they stand a better than average chance to win.  The Kiss of Death likes Mizzou and the over. This one wasn't even close. (6-5 against the side, 4-7 against the number)

That is not as bad as I usually do.  My bookie is happy because I will make out a loser due to me posting the juice.  Guido, your welcome.