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My, my, my – how the mighty have fallen.

Couple of years ago, Dennis “The Mercenary” Franchione was college football’s golden boy.&#160 Brought TCU back from the doldrums of Pat Sullivan, brought Alabama back to respectability after taking a proverbial dump on the Frog faithful, then was expected to do the same with Texas A&M after doing the same thing to the Crimson Tide fans.

Except for one minor detail, as Kevin Sherrington notes:&#160 Aggie supporters haven’t quite seen the results he produced at his last two stops.

He’s a good coach. Organized, driven, inventive. Proved it at several stops, notably TCU. And most Texas media figured it was only a matter of time before he did the same at A&M.

Only it hasn’t happened. Certainly not this season. He’s nearly three years into his dream job, working under a deal that pays him $2 million a year through 2012, and what have the Aggies gotten for their money?

A 16-16 record. And it doesn’t look like the returns will be any better any time soon.

Welcome to the big time, Denny baby.&#160 That water isn’t quite as easy to swim in when it’s up around your eyeballs, now is it? (snicker)

On to the PFW.&#160 Or what I wish would be a PFW.&#160 Hell&#153 – I have two teams off this week, and it’s still&#160 not gonna be a PFW.

Because this week, my Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets take on the likely district champions in the Southwest Raiders Rebels tonight at 7:30. (No, you PC bastards in the NAA(L)CP – I don’t kowtow to your sniveling little whims.&#160 I grew up with them being called the Rebels; I grew up with their symbol being the Confederate flag; that’s what they will always be to me.&#160 Just like you people will likely always be whiny little fuckheads.&#160 Deal with it.)

Anyway, Southwest is head & shoulders better than Heights at this juncture, so I expect a Rebel squash.

Saturday evening, the TCU Horned Frogs play for the Mountain West conference championship when the Colorado State Rams come to town.&#160 It will not surprise me if CSU wins this game, since I think the Rams are bigger and faster than the Frogs.

Then again, I didn’t think the Frogs would beat BYU either, so…Anyway, give me the Frogs and eight.

Saturday night LSU continues its two-week working vacation when Appalachian State comes in for the requisite drubbing.&#160 The Tigers could start third-stringers and still squash this Division I-AA outfit.&#160 If the final margin is less than 42 points, calls will emerge for Les Miles’ head.

The Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma Sooners are both off this week.&#160 In honor of that fact, Barry Switzer will attempt to pass another gun through airport security. (grin)

We’re back, likely Sunday, for a mini-recap.