Super Bowl Update

Believe it or not, Chris Pickett was eventually called for a face mask on this play (AP photo). Pretty sure both were guilty, but the fact was that Troy should have had Rainey for a loss of about 5-7 on the play instead of what it ended up being.

But that's how it went for the Trojans. WKU lined up and just physically whipped Troy's tail. They didn't do anything tricky. Troy just wasn't physical enough to stop it. That's the story of Troy's season. They just aren't good this year. Most will be back next year. They can get bigger and stronger. But this year, just not very good. No other way to explain 3-8.

Troy players felt like they didn't get any help from the refs. One drive in particular - Troy was down 16, driving, but a hold and 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called. The second, after Troy had went from 2nd and 20 to 3rd and 1, was called on Corey Robinson and looked questionable. Sure, Robinson's a fiery kid, but I doubt he'd be talking trash to the opposing sideline DOWN 16.

You can read Robinson's comments on the officiating in THIS GAME STORY.

Bear in mind that Robinson said this unprovoked, and I gave him 2 chances to take it back. Good thing Roger Goodell's not the commissioner of the Sun Belt, but you have to feel his frustration. The game was chippy all around, but it was Troy who was getting called for the personal fouls. Meanwhile, after one chippy session where Sun Belt refs threw no flags, WKU linebacker Andrew Jackson took his helmet off, during a drive. Nothing - no call. Troy scored on the drive, so eventually no big deal.

Chris Anderson was called for celebrating a touchdown, but he saluted after scoring, so that appeared legit. You can't do that when the rules are stated like they are.

But when you're good and you're at home, you get the calls. Troy was once good, and got most of those calls. Remember that crazy "disconcerting signals" call last year for Troy against UL-Lafayette?

Read THIS NOTEBOOK as well.

Plenty of injuries, of course from WKU pretty much beating up the Trojans physically. Kanorris Davis with a dislocated ankle, and he's out for the year but should be ready for next year. Kyle Wilborn didn't play, and probably won't play next week for what Blakeney called "the worst shoulder in the history of football" (just bad luck with shoulder injuries). His replacement, Jimbo Arnold, hurt his foot. Even the kicker, Michael Taylor, has a hamstring injury and had to leave the game. Jimmie Anderson (ankle) and John Robles (concussion) were forced out as well.

Not sure of their statuses for the finale at Arkansas State.

Speaking of WKU, why isn't Willie Taggart getting mentioned for all those head coaching jobs like Hugh Freeze and Mark Hudspeth? WKU hammered ULL, but because of geographics, ULL is going bowling and WKU may not be. WKU should have beaten Arkansas State, but got stuffed on a late drive with the lead and allowed ASU to drive the field and score.

No one wants to play WKU. They aren't fancy, but they will line up and wear you down. It's like Alabama and LSU does to all those teams in the SEC, though their talent is at a much higher level compared to the rest of their conference. Not quite sure how WKU will do when Bobby Rainey graduates, but most of the team is back next year and they'll be even bigger and stronger.

In my opinion, Willie Taggart is the Sun Belt Coach of the Year. Bobby Rainey is the Player of the Year/Offensive Player of the Year, and I'd have to look at stats, but Andrew Jackson is probably the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

***Eric Thomas and Chandler Worthy are really, really good players. Thomas' 1-handed catch was 10X better than the one he had vs. North Texas and Worthy made a great catch and run for a TD. Chris Anderson looked good as a receiver on his TD catch, and Corey Johnson, though he still hasn't found the end zone, is finding his niche at the Y-WR. Troy needs a few more playmakers at WR and should get that with the anticipated return of Jamel Johnson and Chip Reeves, plus some WR commits that look impressive.