SPORTS FOLDEROL

  Before you think  JOEL KLATT  has spent too much  (air)time with  GUS JOHNSON  … which helps to  explain a seemingly over-zealous take (that follows) on  Indiana U., winning its first football championship … be  advised the Fox analyst might not be far from the truth. “ This is the best thing that’s happened to college football  in a long time. This could be the most consequential  national champion in my lifetime,” said Klatt, 43, on   COLIN COWHERD’s  “The Herd” Monday.  “ What it has led to is a golden age of college football. The  product has never beem better. There’s never been more  parity. It’s remarkable … it’s profound … and only  history will look back on this with the size and  momentum it deserves.  “ I cannot remember a time in college football when we  needed this more. Every fan base in America can wake up  this morning and say, ‘Heck, we can do this, too.” So, Klat...

  The NFL doesn’t like it when coaches go off on the officiating, invariably handing out stiff fines for negative post-game remarks, right or wrong So … it will be interesting to see how much Buffalo’s   SEAN McDERMOTT  is hit for his comments in the  aftermath of Saturday’s 33-30 overtime loss to Denver in  the first round of the playoffs. The William & Mary alumnus was especially steamed  over an interception (that wasn’t) by the Broncos’    JA’QUAN McMILLIAN , who took the ball away from  receiver  BRANDON COOKS  after (as?) he hit the  ground. Referee  CARL CHEFFERS  gave the ball to Denver  without checking the replay, which seemed strange given,  if for no other reason, the importance of the game. “ It’s a shame,” McDermott was quoted as saying.”The  fans deserve an explanation. The players certainly  deserve an explanation. It’s a shame when a call like that  dtermines a game … and ...

  First things first … a tip of the “IT’S WEIRD BEING THE SAME AGE AS OLD PEOPLE” cap to   STEVE WYCHE , former Times-Dispatch sportswriter (1989-90), for being named to the Black College Hall of Fame ’s Class of 2026. His colleagues at the NFL Network certainly seemed pleased. From Minneapolis, who grew up in St. Louis, an alumnus  of Howard U., Wyche, 59, was NFL Falcons’ beat writer  four years for thr Atlanta Journal-Constitution before  joining the NFL Network in 2008. **** Sorry, but I don’t get the euphoria over U.Va.,  landing Missouri QB  BEAU PRIBULA  from the transfer  portal. He had one really impressive game, passing for  334 yards and three touchdowns (no INT) in a win over  Kansas. Otherwise, his numbers overall were average. In 10 games this past season, Pribula threw for 1,941  yards and 11 touchdowns (9 INT). He ran for 296 yards  and six TD. In week 9 against Vanderbilt, the 6-2, 212  pounder suffe...