Moral victories are for losers. If you’re happy because your team kept it close against a supposedly superior opponent, either you don’t expect much or your team stinks. Such was the case with my beloved Ole Miss Rebels last week when they hung in with Tennessee only to lose a fourth quarter lead and lose 21-17.

The fact that Tennessee won isn’t that surprising. They’re ranked in the top 15 and were coming off a win at then-No. 3 Georgia. Barring a total collapse, they will win the SEC East and play Auburn in the SEC Championship for the right to a BCS bowl game. But after a slow start to the game, Ole Miss stood toe-to-toe with the Volunteers, coming back from 14-0 down to lead 17-14 in the fourth quarter. To lose after such a strong, methodical comeback was bitterly disappointing. I’ll not be convinced that I should be happy that the Rebels made it a good game. It’s great that they covered the 10-point spread easily, putting a little extra folding money in my pocket, but close losses are the worst.

I’d rather get beat 30-0 than lose by three or four. In a blowout, you can put it behind you and turn your efforts to drowning your sorrows or chasing some skirts. You can write off that kind of loss a lot easier than a comeback. But comeback losses in which your team makes a coaching blunder or dumb penalties are the worst.

The part of that game that really got my blood boiling came early on, when Tennessee lined up to punt only to discover the gift of gifts – Ole Miss had only 10 men on the field and had completely neglected to cover one of the gunners. Volunteer punter Dustin Colquitt just had to make an easy toss to the totally wide-open receiver for an easy conversion, and the next play was a touchdown run that put UT up 14-0. I’m no Knute Rockne, but even I can tell you that you’re not going to beat good teams if you make those idiotic mistakes. That is so bush league.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that putting up with this kind of frustrating loss is my lot in life, something I’m going to have to deal with from time to time – after all, I am a Saints fan also. If the NFL kept a “Wasted Talent” stat, New Orleans would lead the league almost every year. The Saints have an impressive collection of offensive ability on the roster, but a combination of shoddy defensive play, turnovers and penalties usually end up killing them. Jim Haslett should be drawn and quartered for allowing his squad to commit the kinds of ridiculous penalties the Saints continue to commit. You can pretty much count on a bevy of false starts and a few roughing the passers to be called, and the Saints managed an unacceptable offsides on a kickoff in a crucial situation late in their loss to Minnesota.

But enough about the terrible things my teams do. I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Vinny Testaverde for blowing my bet on the Cowboys last Sunday. Dallas was sitting on a push, up three late in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh. On a third and long, Vinny wilted in the face of the Steeler blitz to such a degree that he fumbled without being hit. They actually scared him into fumbling. The Steelers got great field position after the fumble return and scored the winning touchdown shortly thereafter. Way to go, Vinny. Seriously, this is an experienced NFL quarterback. How in God’s name can you just drop the ball?

I’ll leave you guys to ponder that one. Happy wagering this week. My advice – don’t bet against Auburn this year. They’re dangerous.