Football in Mouth: The Biggest Busts of the 2009 NCAA Season

(Brad Nessler calling the BYU-Oklahoma game)

"...and uh-oh, he's holding that right shoulder."

In those eight small words, the entire Boomer Sooner Nation winced, grimaced, and squirmed in their seats, because they knew their hopes of a chance to recapture a spot in a BCS Championship had just suffered a huge setback.

Oklahoma went from a possible contender to a spot in the Cotton Bowl.

Sure, a lot can happen, and while it does, Sam Bradford will be watching his Heisman chances dwindle. Meanwhile, his buddy Colt McCoy's stock is rapidly rising.

Tough break, Mr. Stoops and Mr. Bradford.

For all of you OU fans out there, here's the only consolation I can provide—you weren't alone on this pick.

Someone feeling BLUE?

Well, it isn't the people of Boise, Idaho. (Well, maybe they are too, but you know what I meant.)

Following the disappointment of a tough road contest for Oregon, the ensuing melee that followed will likely be etched in the memories of all sports fans for the remainder of the year.

The Ducks' back turned into a quack.

Byron Hout's few choice words about "whippings" would push a dangerously emotional LeGarrette Blount to LePunch-Out Hout and then continue to unleash his inner child—quite literally.

With LeGarrette out for the season, serving as a tackling dummy for the practice squad, Oregon is not only without a running back, they're also without a prayer of finishing within earshot of a BCS bowl.

Well, I guess if you take all the money he's being paid ($2 million) and actually put it all into his mouth, rather than into his wife's newest outfits, then I suppose we wouldn't be worrying about Nu'Keese Richardson, or Urban's Revenge, or any of the numerous UF/Tennessee quibbles that eerily resemble a Dawson's Creek episode.

But this is the college football landscape in the SEC, and Lane Kiffin is only a coach. Coaching takes time, and Rick Neuheisel came into Knoxville and wiped away the swagger that Lane's daddy was carefully building for him.

Tennessee is a 28.5-point underdog to the boys from Gainesville, and the chances of Tennessee making a statement this year ended when Jonathan Crompton threw his third INT against the Bruins from UCLA.

Maybe Lane should ask for some bailout money, because the way his career is heading, a big loss to Florida is gonna cost him.

Two quarterbacks transfer from Miami.

Robert Marve is at Purdue.

Jacory Harris is all that's left.

Problem? Only if you don't like to win.

Jacory silenced the naysayers by walking into a hostile Labor Day matchup with FSU and walking out with a W.

Now he's 1-0 in 2009, and the future is looking bright.

Pardon the pun, but a few injuries didn't "hurt" Miami's chances of going 3-1 or possibly 4-0 in their gauntlet of ranked opponents.

No. 14 Georgia Tech: at home, on Thursday Night, after a long rest.
No. 13 Virginia Tech: without Darren Evans, already a one-loss team.
No. 12 Oklahoma: Bradfordless, also one in the loss column.

Miami has arguably the toughest schedule of any team in recent memory, and with their luck suddenly changing—in the form of a speedy offense anchored by the young phenom Harris—they could end up doing the impossible: going 4-0 against four ranked opponents in a row.

It may be too soon to tell, but judging by the look of things, this Miami team seems to be invigorated, thanks in no small part to new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.

Randy Shannon, once a head coach looking at a possible last season in the Gables, now looks poised to rekindle the "Miami swagger."

Poor Ohio State.

What else can be said?

This game was theirs to lose...and they did, again.

Not even Terrelle Pryor could finally overcome the hurdle of so many losses to top-five teams.

Maybe USC has something in their drinking water. Maybe Ohio State was thinking too much. Maybe Pete Carroll is the next Bear Bryant. Who knows?

One thing is for certain: Ohio State went from a credible national contender to just another Ohio State team.

There is one silver lining though for all of you Buckeye faithful out there: You won't have to play USC again in the next four years, at which point Matt Barkley will be gone.

If that's not motivation to get to the Rose Bowl this year, I don't know what is.

Chin up Buckeyes—at least you didn't make my No. 1.

There aren't enough words to describe what Lou Holtz must be thinking right now.

Notre Dame will not play for a national title.

Meanwhile Michigan is sitting pretty at 2-0.

Heck, even Lou's old stomping grounds in Minnesota are undefeated.

Seems like Dr. Lou may need to write a stronger prescription, or maybe he's just trying to get his old job back.

Either way, Notre Dame making a national championship was perhaps the biggest flop of 2009.

That is unless someone out there thinks Florida will lose a game this year.