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CBS First Team Is Better But Not Great In Tenn.-Florida Telecast

No. 6 Tennessee 20 No. 2 Florida 17 OT

Two weeks ago, I found CBS’ No. 1 college football team of Sean McDonough, Terry Donahue and sideline reporter (sic) Mike Mayrock dull and uninspiring in the Ohio State-West Virginia telecast.

Saturday night, though, the CBS telecast was better. McDonough conveyed the intensity of the game in his call, Donahue was more analytical but still needs to be more critical, while Mayrock proved himself to be the worst sideline reporter since General George Custer’s deputy told the general that they were winning the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

But I’ll get to Mayrock later...

One could sense from the beginning of the telecast that the whole CBS crew had recovered from its early season stumbles. From the studio, where host Lou Holtz explained why Florida coach Steve Spurrier would consider alternating quarterbacks every play, to Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium, where an excited McDonough greeted viewers, CBS was ready for this game.

McDonough, whose voice doesn’t always rise to the level of play, seemed more in tune with this game. McDonough described every big play, from Florida’s fumble at the goal line in the first quarter to the Gators missed field goal in overtime at the end, with proper emotion and intensity.

Because Florida was switching quarterbacks every play, McDonough had to keep mentioning who was taking the snap. While I’m sure this was a nuisance for McDonough, he certainly was up to the challenge, keeping viewers informed on who was behind center on nearly every play.

It wasn’t a perfect game for McDonough, who mixed up the downs a couple times and occasionally was slow in announcing players’ names, but it was a strong one.

As for Donahue, it is obvious that he knows college football because he made many insightful points.

I just wish Donahue would express his opinion more freely and, at proper times, be more critical. For example, a Florida receiver lost the ball after catching it, and officials called it an incompletion and not a fumble. Over the replay, Donahue just redescribed the play, never saying whether it was a good call, bad call or too close to call. In situations like that, viewers want to know what Donahue thinks.

Later in the first half, after Florida made a critical third and 22, Donahue said this over its replay, “Well, you talk about Florida coming back with a huge third-down play. John Chavis, defensive coordinator at Tennessee, it’s his worst nightmare. ‘He said we got to be able to stop them on third down.’”

First, that tells us nothing about how the receiver got open, who blew the coverage and why. Second, what defensive coordinator in any football game at any football level isn’t going to say before the game, “We got to be able to stop them on third down.?”

And then late in the fourth quarter, on fourth and one, Tennessee appeared like they were going for it but actually just tried to draw Florida offsides. Anyway, before that, McDonough asked Donahue what he thought about the going for it in that situation, to which Donahue mumbled something about doing what your gut tells you. McDonough, unsatisfied with that answer like everyone else watching, then asked Donahue straight up, “What would you do?”

“I would punt,” Donahue finally said. The problem is he should have volunteered that opinion before McDonough asked any questions, and he certainly should have said that after the first question.

Donahue knows his stuff and is eloquent enough to make his point; he just has to get more comfortable using his knowledge and talent to express his opinions and to criticize when mistakes are made.

And then there’s sideline reporter Mayrock, who is simply brutal. Check out these three awful questions to Tennesse coach Philip Fulmer, who just won his second game against Florida after losing five straight games:

(Unfortunately, I was too shocked by the stupidity of the questions to copy them word-for-word, so I’m paraphrasing them below.)

Question 1: Is this the biggest win in Tennessee football?

Mayrock gets the over-hype award with this question. How can you call a win in the second game of the season the most important one ever to a program that has appeared in and won numerous bowl games. The correct question would have been “Is this the biggest win in Fulmer’s Tennessee career?”

Question 2: Did your offensive line just wear Florida down?

While Tennessee certainly ran the ball better this game than it has in recent games against Florida, the offensive line wasn’t the key to the game. Especially as the game continued. I mean Christopher Reeves moves his legs better than Tennessee moved the ball in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tennessee’s defense and its ability to get five turnovers was the difference.

Question 3: Do you now have that Florida monkey off you back?

Uhh, earth to Mayrock, Fulmer won, so that usually removes any of those proverbial monkeys.

Questions missed by Mayrock include getting Fulmer’s comments on winning the first two games of the season on late-game field goals, the inspired play of his defense and what does this win mean for Tennessee’s season.

Mayrock had similar silliness with Florida coach Steve Spurrier before halftime, when he didn’t ask him anything about the touchdown the Gators had scored seconds before halftime. I’m sure coaches hate doing those interviews anyway, but Spurrier seemed even more annoyed by Mayrock’s questions.

Overall, though, CBS’ telecast was better than the first week. The network showed more graphics, giving viewers important information (such as third down success, rushing yards and a Florida quarterback comparison) at appropriate times.

As for the announcers, McDonough is approaching mid-season form, Donahue needs to work on adding bite to his comments and Mayrock should be benched.

Is this a compliment?: Donahue said early in the game, “Steve Spurrier is probably the only coach in college and pro football that would rotate quarterbacks by downs.”

Boy Scout Award (i.e. being prepared): As soon as Tennessee cornerback Gerald Griffin came in to replace injured teammate Dwayne Goodrich, McDonough told how Griffin had a terrible game against Florida last year and “has been on a milk carton since.” CBS, though, later dropped the ball by not alerting viewers that Goodrich had returned until he almost intercepted a pass.

Halftime show: CBS’ halftime report was better, although Tim Brando should just do the highlights instead of letting Craig James or Lou Holtz do some of them, ala Fox’s Terry Bradshaw. Neither one of them, especially Holtz, is good at it. Also, why is James trying to be so funny? I don’t remember him being this annoying in his attempt for humor.

Grade: B-, better but still plenty of room for improvement.

Last week: To see George's review of ABC's Syracuse-Michigan, click here.
To see George's picks/previews of this week's games, visit Saturday Selections.

Bob Lorenz and Trev Alberts focused on #6 Tennessee against #2 Florida, #7 LSU-Auburn, #5 Kansas State-Texas and #21 Missouri vs #1 Ohio State in the half-hour program.

Here's some quick hits from Saturday's show:

Top stat: In their last five victories against Tennessee, Florida has turned 18 Volunteers turnovers into 55 points.

New era at UT: According to reporter Tim Layden in Knoxville, Tennessee is focusing on having "no stars," thriving without QB Peyton Manning, LB Bernard Little and RB Jay Graham.

Prediction I: Alberts said "If Jamaal Lewis carries the ball 30 times, the Volunteers will win" against Florida.

Coming around: Alberts, who has been critical of Syracuse Donovan McNabb, complimented the quarterback for his maturity and said he deserves to be a part of the Heisman Trophy race.

Prediction II: Alberts said Kansas State "will blow out" Texas, holding Ricky Williams to less than 100 yards.

Top tip: Alberts' disclosure that Auburn thinks they match up better against scatbacks like LSU's Kevin Faulk (whom they face this week).

The feature: Jim Huber delivered a well-done piece about former Florida running back Willie Jackson Sr., whose son Terry is a running back at Florida. Another son, Willie Jackson, Jr., recently starred at wideout for the Gators and all three men have worn or wear #22. Huber has a nice touch in reporting such features and this particular subject was quite interesting. Kudos to Jim.

Grade: B- Well done but the team didn't hit as many games as they could have and Alberts wasn't as strong with his predictions. (Randy)

ArmchairQB.com focused solely on CNN's college football show this week. Next week, our review of "College Football Gameday" will return - although Curry Kirkpatrick's feature this week on Daunte Culpepper and his stepmom was easily the show's best feature of the year so far. (George)