I had the fortunate opportunity to travel to New Orleans to support our UC  Bearcats at the Sugar Bowl. I have to say, I think I performed better than the Bearcats: I consumed 88 oysters — a personal best over three days.

But the big question in my mind is: Would things have been different if Brian Kelly had been coaching?

The answer is yes. We wouldn’t have won but it would have been competitive for a half or so.  There’s a reason why Kelly rather than Jeff Quinn has been calling and inventing the plays for the 19 years or so the two were together: because Kelly is a genius at it and Quinn is not.

Another factor was that all the emotions were going against us in this game: the Gators were pumped up because Saint Urban was stepping down from his throne (or at least taking a leave of absence) whereas all the UC coaches — except Kerry Coombs — were headed off to do their own thing.

Combs, by the way, deserves a lot of credit for giving up bigger money at Notre Dame to stick with UC.  My hope is someday he’ll be our head coach.