Sports

Watching Lane Kiffin Lose In Person Was Everything I Hoped It Would Be

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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Watching Lane Kiffin get smacked around by my Wisconsin Badgers didn’t disappoint.

Early Saturday morning I made my way up to Madison to catch the Badgers’ football game against Florida Atlantic. I had a couple options for games I could attend this year, but I was locked in on watching Kiffin’s first major football game since returning as a head coach.

Kiffin is a football legend, and for all the wrong reasons. He was fired from the Oakland Raiders after becoming the youngest NFL coach in modern history; he ditched Tennessee after a season; he was fired from USC on the tarmac after a loss to Arizona; and was booted from Alabama by Nick Saban a week before the national championship. Add in all the stories about his alleged Joey Freshwater persona, and we have one of the most entertaining people to ever enter the football world.

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

First thing’s first, upon getting to Madison I slugged a couple beers and then headed over to the stadium. I’ve only been back to Madison a couple times since graduating, and I’d forgotten how attractive the women are compared to what we usually get in D.C. The Big Ten produces the best football, and without a question, it also produces the best women.

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Davis III #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers makes a catch in the first quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Davis III #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers makes a catch in the first quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

After taking some time to walk around, we settled in our seats and watched the Badgers beat FAU 31-14. I must admit, FAU looked a lot better than I would have expected. They were able to keep it interesting early. The Owls forced the Badgers’ defense to work, and exposed some holes in the secondary.

Having said all of that, Kiffin getting rocked is always fun. His team was overmatched, as they should have been, and they were dominated down the stretch.

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Daniel Parr #13 of the Florida Atlantic Owls throws a pass in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Daniel Parr #13 of the Florida Atlantic Owls throws a pass in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Could Kiffin turn FAU into a competitive program? Without a doubt. That team on the field today looked solid for its level of competition, but don’t count on Kiffin sticking around too long. Ole Miss is probably going to have a coaching job open at the end of the year. I’ve seen the women down there too, and I find it hard to believe he’s going to be able to resist the call of Oxford.

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