The Fave 5: Explosivo

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5. Exploding Turf

Erik Harlow rescued the Big Ten title game from exploding turf on Saturday. For 15 minutes, America held it’s breath while this turf doctor repaired a chunk of the field in the stadium that replaced the Hoosier Dome. For his efforts and for the exploding turf that gave the country’s lamest conference some life, allow me to chime in with JJ Watt and the rest of the nation and give Erik Harlow and the exploding turf a big “Dilly Dilly!” The game wouldn’t be the same without you!

4. Indestructible Stadiums

Just over 30 years ago Hulk Hogan body slammed Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania 3 inside the Pontiac Silverdome and the Earth shook, completely changing the landscape of sports forever. While the enormous impact of that body slam has been felt by us all 30 years later, one thing that nobody ever talks about is how Hogan and Andre blew the roof off of the building (literally) but they did not destroy the Silverdome. It was still standing then and on Sunday morning when a contracted demolition company tried to implode the Silverdome for the city of Pontiac, Michigan to make way for a strip mall or parking lot, the Silverdome was still standing. If the 8th Wonder of World being body slammed by the strongest force in the Universe couldn’t knock this stadium down, what made them think some dynamite could?

3. Splash Plays

In a rivalry game it is hard to figure out exactly what will give one team the edge when they are evenly matched and the intensity is constant. The Saints came up with more splash plays separating them from Carolina on the scoreboard and in the NFC South Divisional standings. Plays like Taysom Hill’s special teams tackles and Mark Ingram’s 72 yard scoot have been happening all year. Being able to make those plays on top of consistent positive gains is what makes you more than mediocre.

2. Mark Hudspeth

While the end of his tenure comes with a steady decline from where he once had the team, Mark Hudspeth needs to be remembered as the coach who put Ragin’ Cajun football on the map. Four straight 9-win seasons was unheard of before Hud took over the program. Even though his final three years in Lafayette were marred with inconsistencies on the field and petty controversies off of it, Hud was a great head coach who raised the bar in a place that had no bar.

1. Big Ten Schadenfreude

“It just means more in the SEC” finally makes sense! The “more” is MORE teams in the College Football Playoff! Alabama and Georgia occupy two of the four spots. The Big 12 champion Oklahoma Sooners took another and the reigning defending National Champion and ACC Champion Clemson Tigers have the other spot. That means that the “so-called” best conference this season isn’t even in the playoff? I have 4 words for Ohio State and the entire Big Ten: BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR!