Moral Victories, Immoral Losses

JW,

Halfway through a first year in which he's managed to offend everyone but dwarfs, Mennonites, and the Knoxville Fireman's Association, University of Tennessee head football coach Lane Kiffin had this to say about Saturday's 12-10 loss to number two-ranked Alabama:

"I don't believe in moral victories. We should've won the game."

Cousin to the win by forfeit, the moral victory gets about as much respect as male cheerleaders, Survivor contestants, and the winner of the Meineke Car Care Bowl. But should that be so? And what does a college football win really mean? Let's take a Smarter look.

The Circumstances

Not since the Lin Elliott game has a loss been so decidedly the fault of a kicker. Forget the fact that junior Daniel Lincoln had already seen one kick blocked and another fall short earlier in the game. The 44-yarder that would have won it was so low that Tide nose guard Terrence Cody spent the post-game thanking God for his cup. Asked about his performance afterwards, Lincoln stated, "My leg is so weak that I should be cut from the team immediately." Or at least he should have. The fact of the matter is that any loss that comes down to one botched gimme counts as a win. At least in my book.

Recruitment

Let's face it. Tennessee isn't going anywhere this season, and a one-loss Alabama team that wins the SEC Championship is probably still playing for the BCS title. Other than bragging rights, this game was about Tennessee's national presence--about reminding recruits that the Vols still exist. Big-time high school players watch games and read (um, have read to them) national coverage. What they saw on Saturday was a Tennessee team that's very close to being ready to compete, a head coach whose flexibility led to the abandonment of the Cover 2 when it clearly wasn't working against the Wildcat, and a marching band that can play "Rocky Top" at decibels frightening to behold. A good day, to be sure.

The Fans' Perspective

Anyone who expected Lincoln to win the game simply hadn't been watching. Given the miracle that was the onside kick recovery and the subsequent drive, my confidence as Lincoln lined up was shockingly low. (I gave that last kick a 40% chance of success out loud and a 10% chance in my heart.) Still, the purpose of Saturdays in a down year is not necessarily to win the huge games but to convince yourself that the team is heading in the right direction. After playing tough against Florida, destroying Georgia at home, and taking Alabama to the buzzer, is there any doubt that Tennessee's in that category?

JW, your Mississippi State Bulldogs hung with Florida much longer than they should have. What's your take on the moral victory?

-GM

GM,

It's frightening how much time I've already devoted to Mississippi State football--part of one blog prior to today. We have our pick of all the sports, political, and day-to-day news out there, and you've left me to write about a piss-poor football program just because the school is my Alma mater. Fine. Let me first make two points, though.

One, the coaches seem to be echoing the media's unfounded sentiment that Florida and Alabama stumbled a little over the weekend. Texas, which received no first-place votes in last week's poll, now has seven. I assure you that neither a near-home loss to Tennessee nor an unconvincing win at Mississippi State is as bad as playing your first five games against unranked opponents, beating a mostly-Bradford-less Oklahoma, and only playing one other ranked team, and that's Texas' formula for going to the national championship game!

Two, a week after the SEC suspended some of its officials, both Lane Kiffin and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen were reprimanded by the SEC for criticizing the men in stripes. The steps that leagues go through to protect referees from verbal assault simply amaze me. Everything about the NFL, NBA, and NCAA are consumer-driven, so why don't we get to hear what coaches are really thinking in the postgame when that's what everybody wants?! In fact, I think officials who make game-changing calls should address the media afterward just like coaches and players who do. Everyone has a job. Why is theirs above scrutiny?

As for Mississippi State's "moral victory," I have to admit it was nice. You used to be able to pick one play at random, watch it, and realize why Mississippi State was the inferior opponent. Corners would get beaten twice in one play. Offensive linemen would cooperatively lead defenders to the quarterback. Wide receivers would chest bump passes as if to celebrate their arrival. Quarterbacks would toss the ball into a crowd and yell "200!" It was a mess--and a funny one, at that. On Saturday, State showed that ESPN2 didn't have to be sorry for coming to Starkville. We gave 'em three solid quarters, and that's more than ESPN got out of Auburn. Looks like somebody just beat Auburn.

-JW