Welcome back to The Campus Game.
The 2009 college football season ends tonight when the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide faces the number two Texas Longhorns in the BCS national championship game.
College Football Royalty
Webster's defines "Royalty" as being of an elite class and the description aptly applies to these programs.
Football in Texas is part of the cultural fabric of the Lone Star state, from dusty small towns to college campus towns to the big cities. How many states have books written and television programs produced about high school football programs (Friday Night Lights and the Odessa-Permian Panthers)?
At the professional level, the Dallas Cowboys are perhaps the elite franchise in the NFL, boasting a huge new futuristic stadium. The Houston Texans are very popular, and the state is in the Super Bowl host rotation.
College football is so popular in Texas that the state hosts five bowl games, sent two teams to BCS games this season, and provided six bowl teams.
Of those college squads, the Longhorns are by far the most popular (their merchandise sales actually lead all of college football on an annual basis). Texas is widely recognized as having won four national titles (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005).
If there is a state to match Texas for football passion, it's Alabama.
With no professional sports competing for attention, college football is a twelve-month topic in the heart of Dixie. Alabama-Auburn discussions stay heated all year from Muscle Shoals to Mobile Bay and Dothan to Decatur, but no school and football team is more closely identified with its state than the Crimson Tide.
The state's most revered citizen of the twentieth century was a football coach (if I have to tell you who, you should probably stay out of the state).
Because of excellence dating back to before the Great Depression of the 1930s, and through the civil rights upheavals of the 1960s and 70s, the Tide football program became a source of pride statewide and across the South generally.
The program claims twelve national titles, and while that figure is considered perhaps a bit inflated, you get the picture. This program - like that of Texas - belongs to college football's elite.
The Politician and the General
Two of college football's best coaches will lead their teams into the title game.
Mack Brown of Texas looks, talks, and acts like a politician. Watch him during interviews ... always calling the interviewer by name, keeping his composure, smiling, sure to compliment his Longhorns and their opponent. It would seem natural if he were to start passing out campaign buttons.
At Alabama, Nick Saban is more general than politician. Saban is so intense, he seems to bristle all the time. He's not likely to call an interviewer by name because he probably doesn't know the person's name (there is a hilarious video clip of Saban in the NFL calling a player "Frank" until a coach corrects him that the player's name is "Cliff" ... to which Saban replies "that's what I called him!").
Personalities aside, these are two of the best.
Brown won the 2005 national title with an epic victory over a USC team that featured two Heisman winners (Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush). Saban, widely regarded as the best defensive tactician in college football, also won a national title when his LSU team upset Oklahoma in 2003.
The History
These teams have a history against one another (Texas leads 7-0-1), but they've only met three times in the past forty-five years (1965 Orange Bowl, 1973 Cotton Bowl, 1982 Cotton Bowl). Each was a close, tough game with Texas coming out on top by 4, 4, and 2 points.
While the 1982 game was memorable mainly for being the last major bowl appearance for Bama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant (the Cotton was considered one of the four majors at the time), the most famous of the games was that '65 Orange Bowl.
The game was the first big bowl game played at night, and fans were treated to a sensational game between the nation's two best teams of the era. From 1961-64 Texas was 39-3-1 with a national title under Darrell Royal. During the same time frame, Alabama was 40-4 with two national crowns under the Bear.
In the Orange Bowl, Tide QB Joe Namath - injured much of the season - came off the bench to lead an Alabama comeback that fell short when Namath was stopped by Longhorn great Tommy Nobis (among others) on a quarterback sneak late in the game. Well, at least Longhorn fans (and the refs) think he was stopped. Had instant replay been around, Tide fans believe the verdict would have been overturned. The final was 21-17.
Georgia Boys
An interesting plot in the game tonight features the defensive coordinators.
Will Muschamp (Texas) and Kirby Smart (Alabama) are both former Georgia players of similar background. Muschamp was an undersized, rugged, over-achiever at linebacker for the Bulldogs, and Smart was a similar type defensive back.
Both men learned at the foot of defensive master Saban, and they present multiple fronts, coverages, and blitz schemes. Watching them match wits tonight will be fun.
Tonight's Game
Alabama has been the nation's best and most consistent team all season. If both teams play their best, Alabama wins. The Tide's performance against Florida in the SEC title game was the most impressive of the year by any team.
Texas was more up and down, but they got to the title game. With all due respect to Heisman winner Mark Ingram of Alabama, Texas QB Colt McCoy is the most important offensive player on the field in this game. His ability to run could offset pressure the Tide might bring.
The SEC is undefeated in BCS championship games and conference teams will be seeking an unprecedented fourth straight title.
Alabama is unlikely to match the intensity of the SEC championship game over Florida (which featured the best two teams in the country), and Texas should play much better than the Horns did in the Big 12 championship.
Still (and with a personal seven-game correct prediction streak in BCS title games on the line) ... I'll go with Alabama.
Enjoy the game.
Professor's Pick: Alabama
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
College Football Bowl Bonanza
Professor's Picks
Happy Holidays and welcome back to The Campus Game.
Below is the lineup for all 2009-2010 college football bowl games (listing courtesy of the Rivals website). Each game has an active link ... if you want more information about the game, simply click on the name of the bowl.
Professor's Picks for all bowls except BCS bowls after Jan. 1 are now posted.
For those interested in taking part in a bowl prediction contest, let me recommend Phil Steele's site ... it's great.
Enjoy!
* All times Eastern
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Fresno State vs. Wyoming
Dec. 19/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Albuquerque, N.M.
Professor's Pick: Fresno State
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
Rutgers vs. UCF
When: Dec. 19/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Professor's Pick: Rutgers
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee
When: Dec. 20/8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: New Orleans
Professor's Pick: Southern Miss
LAS VEGAS BOWL
BYU vs. Oregon State
When: Dec. 22/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Las Vegas
Professor's Pick: Oregon State
POINSETTIA BOWL
Utah vs. California
When: Dec. 23/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Diego
Professor's Pick: Utah
HAWAII BOWL
SMU vs. Nevada
When: Dec. 24/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Honolulu
Professor's Pick: Nevada
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL
Marshall vs. Ohio University
When: Dec. 26, 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Detroit
Professor's Pick: Ohio
MEINEKE CAR CARE
North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh
When: Dec. 26/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Charlotte
Professor's Pick: Pitt
EMERALD BOWL
Boston College vs. USC
When: Dec. 26, 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Francisco
Professor's Pick: USC
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Clemson vs. Kentucky
When: Dec. 27/8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Professor's Pick: Clemson
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Texas A&M vs. Georgia
When: Dec. 28/5 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Where: Shreveport, La.
Professor's Pick: Georgia
EAGLEBANK BOWL
Temple vs. UCLA
When: Dec. 29/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Washington, D.C.
Professor's Pick: UCLA
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Miami vs. Wisconsin
When: Dec. 29/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Professor's Pick: Miami
HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Idaho vs. Bowling Green
When: Dec. 30/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Boise, Idaho
Professor's Pick: Idaho
HOLIDAY BOWL
Nebraska vs. Arizona
When: Dec. 30/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Diego
Professor's Pick: Arizona
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Houston vs. Air Force
When: Dec. 31/noon
TV: ESPN
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
Professor's Pick: Air Force
SUN BOWL
Oklahoma vs. Stanford
When: Dec. 31/2 p.m.
TV: CBS
Where: El Paso, Texas
Professor's Pick: Stanford
TEXAS BOWL
Navy vs. Missouri
When: Dec. 31/3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Houston
Professor's Pick: Missouri
INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota vs. Iowa State
When: Dec. 31/6 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Where: Tempe, Ariz.
Professor's Pick: Iowa State
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
When: Dec. 31/7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Atlanta
Professor's Pick: Virginia Tech
=================================
OUTBACK BOWL
Northwestern vs. Auburn
When: Jan. 1/11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Tampa, Fla.
Professor's Pick: Auburn
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Penn State vs. LSU
When: Jan. 1/1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Professor's Pick: LSU
GATOR BOWL
Florida State vs. West Virginia
When: Jan. 1/1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Where: Jacksonville, Fla.
Professor's Pick: FSU
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
When: Jan. 2/noon
TV: ESPN2
Where: Toronto
Professor's Pick: South Florida
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
Connecticut vs. South Carolina
When: Jan. 2/2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Birmingham, Ala.
Professor's Pick: South Carolina
COTTON BOWL
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
When: Jan. 2/2 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Arlington, Texas
Professor's Pick: OK State
LIBERTY BOWL
East Carolina vs. Arkansas
When: Jan. 2/5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Memphis, Tenn.
Professor's Pick: Arkansas
ALAMO BOWL
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
When: Jan. 2/9 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Antonio
Professor's Pick: Texas Tech
GMAC BOWL
Troy vs. Central Michigan
When: Jan. 6/7 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Mobile, Ala.
Professor's Pick: Troy
=================================
BCS MATCHUPS
ROSE BOWL
Ohio State vs. Oregon
When: Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
Professor's Pick: Oregon
SUGAR BOWL
Florida vs. Cincinnati
When: Jan. 1/8:30 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: New Orleans
Professor's Pick: Florida
FIESTA BOWL
Boise State vs. TCU
When: Jan. 4/8 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Glendale, Ariz.
Professor's Pick: TCU
ORANGE BOWL
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
When: Jan. 5/8 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Miami
Professor's Pick: Iowa
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Alabama vs. Texas
When: Jan. 7/8 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
Friday, December 11, 2009
College Football Bowls 2009-2010
Happy Holidays and welcome back to The Campus Game.
Below is the lineup for all 2009-2010 college football bowl games (listing courtesy of the Rivals website). Each game has an active link ... if you want more information about the game, simply click on the name of the bowl.
Professor's Picks for all bowls will be posted soon.
Below is the lineup for all 2009-2010 college football bowl games (listing courtesy of the Rivals website). Each game has an active link ... if you want more information about the game, simply click on the name of the bowl.
Professor's Picks for all bowls will be posted soon.
Enjoy!
* All times Eastern
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Fresno State vs. Wyoming
Dec. 19/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Albuquerque, N.M.
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
Rutgers vs. UCF
When: Dec. 19/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: St. Petersburg, Fla.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee
When: Dec. 20/8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: New Orleans
LAS VEGAS BOWL
BYU vs. Oregon State
When: Dec. 22/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Las Vegas
POINSETTIA BOWL
Utah vs. California
When: Dec. 23/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Diego
HAWAII BOWL
SMU vs. Nevada
When: Dec. 24/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Honolulu
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL
Marshall vs. Ohio University
When: Dec. 26, 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Detroit
MEINEKE CAR CARE
North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh
When: Dec. 26/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Charlotte
EMERALD BOWL
Boston College vs. USC
When: Dec. 26, 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Francisco
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Clemson vs. Kentucky
When: Dec. 27/8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Texas A&M vs. Georgia
When: Dec. 28/5 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Where: Shreveport, La.
EAGLEBANK BOWL
Temple vs. UCLA or Army
Scenario: If Army beats Navy Dec. 12, Army plays Temple. If Army loses to Navy, UCLA plays Temple.
When: Dec. 29/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Washington, D.C.
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Miami vs. Wisconsin
When: Dec. 29/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Orlando, Fla.
HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Idaho vs. Bowling Green
When: Dec. 30/4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Boise, Idaho
HOLIDAY BOWL
Nebraska vs. Arizona
When: Dec. 30/8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Diego
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Houston vs. Air Force
When: Dec. 31/noon
TV: ESPN
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
SUN BOWL
Oklahoma vs. Stanford
When: Dec. 31/2 p.m.
TV: CBS
Where: El Paso, Texas
TEXAS BOWL
Navy vs. Missouri
When: Dec. 31/3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Houston
INSIGHT BOWL
Minnesota vs. Iowa State
When: Dec. 31/6 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Where: Tempe, Ariz.
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
When: Dec. 31/7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Atlanta
OUTBACK BOWL
Northwestern vs. Auburn
When: Jan. 1/11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Tampa, Fla.
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Penn State vs. LSU
When: Jan. 1/1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Orlando, Fla.
GATOR BOWL
Florida State vs. West Virginia
When: Jan. 1/1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Where: Jacksonville, Fla.
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
When: Jan. 2/noon
TV: ESPN2
Where: Toronto
PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL
Connecticut vs. South Carolina
When: Jan. 2/2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Birmingham, Ala.
COTTON BOWL
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
When: Jan. 2/2 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Arlington, Texas
LIBERTY BOWL
East Carolina vs. Arkansas
When: Jan. 2/5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Memphis, Tenn.
ALAMO BOWL
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
When: Jan. 2/9 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: San Antonio
GMAC BOWL
Troy vs. Central Michigan
When: Jan. 6/7 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Where: Mobile, Ala.
BCS MATCHUPS
ROSE BOWL
Ohio State vs. Oregon
When: Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
SUGAR BOWL
Florida vs. Cincinnati
When: Jan. 1/8:30 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: New Orleans
FIESTA BOWL
Boise State vs. TCU
When: Jan. 4/8 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Glendale, Ariz.
ORANGE BOWL
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
When: Jan. 5/8 p.m.
TV: Fox
Where: Miami
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Alabama vs. Texas
When: Jan. 7/8 p.m.
TV: ABC
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
College Football 2009 Week 15
Ruminations on the Passing Scene
December brings mixed feelings for college football fans.
The Christmas holidays mark the end of the regular season and those wonderful weekly Saturday football bonanzas of games from morning to night. No more College Gameday, no more tailgating, fewer trips to campus.
We are not Scrooged however!
Like a little boy looking forward to Santa bringing a sleigh full of gifts, college football fans now get ready for a month's worth of bowl games.
Welcome back to The Campus Game ... where every college football bowl game - from the New Mexico on December 19th to the title game on January 7th - is like opening a great gift on Christmas morning. To those who think there are too many bowls - bah humbug! No such thing.
Christmas Comes Early to T-Town ...
Alabama fans got an early Christmas gift from St. Nick (Saban) when the Tide rolled over Florida in the SEC title game and earned a date with Texas to settle the national championship.The game was sweet redemption for the Tide.
A year after losing to Florida with similar stakes on the line, Alabama out-prepared, out-hit, and out-played the Gators from start to finish. Bama is now a victory away from earning a first national crown since 1992.
The game with Texas pairs two of the nation's premier and storied programs.
Not So Fast My Friend
That signature comment from ESPN's Lee Corso should apply to all those who believe Alabama will easily handle Texas in the BCS title tilt.
Since the BCS format started after the 1998 season, at least half the games have been won by teams given little chance at victory.
Here is a brief recap with upsets in bold:
1999 Tennessee 23 FSU 16 ... Odd as it may seem more than a decade later, the SEC champs were considered not much of a match for the powerful Seminoles.
2000 FSU 46 Virginia Tech 29 ... This game held to form as the Noles whipped the Hokies despite a scintillating performance from Tech's Michael Vick.
2001 Oklahoma 13 FSU 2 ... The Sooners were considered an upstart under 2nd year coach Bob Stoops. If you think FSU benefitted from playing weak conference competition during the 1990s - you'd be right.
2002 Miami 37 Nebraska 14 ... Canes lived up to billing and easily beat Huskers (who didn't even win conference).
2003 Ohio State 31 Miami 24 ... perhaps the most well-known of the upsets, the Buckeyes prevailed in OT.
2004 LSU 21 Oklahoma 14 ... few gave Bengal Tigers (and coach Nick Saban) a chance against mighty Oklahoma but SEC champs shut down Sooners (many experts thought USC should have been there instead of LSU).
2005 USC 55 Oklahoma 19 ... this one held to form as the great Trojan team with Leinart and Bush crashed the Sooner Schooner.
2006 Texas 41 USC 38 ... Longhorns and Vince Young staged yet another upset against what some were calling the greatest team ever.
2007 Florida 41 Ohio State 14 ... remember when many pundits (most notably Kirk Herbstreit - who's apparently only for a rematch when the Big Ten and Bucks are involved) called for a Michigan do-over against OSU. The underdog Gators quieted such talk quickly and thoroughly.
2008 LSU 38 Ohio State 24 ... Once more, an upset. LSU lost its last game but pulled out the SEC championship and got the BCS bid. The underdogs from the bayou outclassed Ohio State.
2009 Florida 24 Oklahoma 14 (this was a tossup) ... Oklahoma boasted one of the great offenses in college football history averaging over 50 points (and more than 60 down the stretch), but Florida shut them down and won a tight game.
More on this topic in another column ... but don't bet the house just yet Tide fans.
Notre Dame Coaching Carousel
Hire Brian Kelly.
Perhaps by the time you read the Irish will have wised up enough to go ahead and hire the best guy for the job. The man is young enough, driven enough, and successful enough to handle all the attention and pressure.
SEC Announcers
Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson announce the CBS SEC game of the week and while they are likeable enough, the league could do better.
Lundquist is at heart a Southwest Conference/Dallas Cowboys guy with (at least in my opinion) a somewhat limited knowledge of the SEC and its heritage (although he has a wonderful overall grasp of college football history).
He is also slipping just a bit ... as only one example, during the SEC title game did you catch the mistake during a discussion of teams that have won three national titles in four years (only Minnesota in the late 1930s and Notre Dame in the late 40s have done so). Verne mentioned those old Irish teams with Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis! If you don't know that's a mistake leave this site immediately! ... just kidding, but those two Heisman Trophy winners actually played at Army during the WWII years.
Danielson didn't even correct him (hopefully from politeness rather than not knowing).
Here's a suggestion for CBS/SEC ... Ron Franklin on play-by-play, Tommy Tuberville as analyst, and how about sports talk radio's Paul Finebaum as sideline host or special commentator? All southern, all knowledgeable about the SEC, all professional and very candid.
Bowl Season
Check back soon for the bowl schedule and Professor's Picks for all the bowl games!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
SEC Championship Game 2009
Championship greetings from snowy north Georgia.
That's right, it's snowing in Dixie this morning. And while weather poses no threat to the SEC Championship Game, tucked snugly into Atlanta's climate-controlled Georgia Dome an hour south of the current snow line, the falling flakes provide a perfect storm for a perfect conference championship between Alabama and Florida.
Both teams are perfect record wise.
Alabama and Florida arrive in Atlanta ranked as the top two teams in national polls with matching 12-0 regular season records. Each prevailed in one truly tough game (a win at LSU for Florida and a win at Auburn for Alabama). Each team also got a bit lucky and survived a fluke challenge in games that should not have been so close (Bama vs. Tennessee and Florida vs. Arkansas). Since the first week of the season, most college football fans expected these two to go undefeated and they met expectations.
Both teams have perfect pedigrees.
Alabama boasts the South's grandest football history. The Crimson Tide owns 25 SEC titles, far more than any conference rival. Bama backers claim 12 national titles and while the figure might be a bit inflated due to the "mythical" nature of college football championships nobody can claim more. We all know about the man in the houndstooth hat.
Florida floundered for decades before winning a conference championship. That changed when the guy in the visor showed up. Steve Spurrier started winning in 1990; since then the Gators have been the league's glamor guys for nearly two decades. Should this team win a national title, it'd be the Gators' third in four years and fourth since 1996.
Both teams have great coaches.
For my money, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban are the two best coaches in the country. More similar than not, even though one is known more for defensive toughness (Saban) the other for offensive imagination (Meyer), rarely do these two leaders allow their teams to be outflanked from a strategy standpoint.
Both teams have great players.
Some college football fans suffered Tim Tebow fatigue as early as three seasons ago, but the Gator quarterback is the face of college football - and the sport could not ask for a better representative. The guy punishes opponents on the field and does missionary work off it. He runs and passes. He preaches and teaches. He's the best college football player in the country. Period. Sprinkling the Florida roster are Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, Riley Cooper, the Pouncey twins, Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden ... these guys only seem to have been there a decade.
Alabama brings its own campus-full of talent. Mark Ingram is no worse than the second-best running back in America, Rolando McClain may be the best linebacker, Terrence Cody the most dominant defensive lineman, and Julio Jones the most physically imposing receiver. Toss in two of the nation's best special teams players in returner Javier Arenas and kicker Leigh Tiffin and we are playing a de facto all-conference all-star game at the Dome today.
Both teams have great fans.
The Georgia Dome RV lots were already nearly full yesterday, school flags on full display, crimson colors clashing proudly with bright blue and orange hues. Alabama supporters slightly outnumbered Gator backers yesterday morning, but it is a shorter drive east to Atlanta than north from the Sunshine State. The dome will be evenly split this afternoon.
So ... great records, great pedigrees, great coaches, players, and fans.
Now, who will win?
Trends for most of the season favored Alabama.
The Crimson Tide seemed more dominant than Florida, just as solid on defense as the Gators, but more varied and effective on offense. Florida rarely seemed to find an offensive stride, dinking and dunking and riding Tebow, the big bull Gator, on punishing drives instead of unleashing the lightning quick attack we're used to.
Trends this week favor the Tide.
Bama got an extra day of rest and preparation after playing the Iron Bowl on Friday, while Florida played a late Saturday afternoon game. Then, star Florida defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap ran afoul the law this week and will miss the championshp game due to suspension, a big blow to the Gator pass rush and psyche.
The revenge factor also favors Alabama.
The Gators spoiled an undefeated Tide team is this game last season and don't think Nick Saban has forgotten. He's probably been scheming since December, awaiting a chance to atone for the loss and play for a national title.
So, the Tide would seem to be the pick.
I'm going with the Gators.
Here are three reasons:
1. Mental Toughness ... Florida under Urban Meyer always rises to the occasion. This particular team has played under enormous pressure since they were virtually anointed as this year's champs after last season's national title. The road has not been smooth, but they have shown the mental toughness to navigate it well. When bad things happen in this game - as they will for both squads - Florida appears more apt to handle them.
2. Playmakers ... this is a close call, but Florida just seems to have a few more playmakers, especially on defense generally (although the loss of Dunlap is significant) and in the secondary specifically. I would not be surprised to see a Gator DB turn in a game-changing play.
3. You knew this was coming ... Tim Tebow. How can you go against the face of college football? The Gator quarterback is simply the sport's greatest winner and with the game on the line, with an undefeated season on the line, with a potential third national championship on the line ... expect Tebow to win.
Professor's Pick: Florida
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Professor's Picks - Championship Week
2009 Record
Final Regular Season Record: 144-55
Last Week's Record: 12-5
Comment: Rivalry week predictions garnered about a B, which is probably the season long grade as well. Not Dean's List material, but solid passing marks.
Best Pick: The Egg Bowl is a prof's favorite and Miss State came through with the upset win over Ole Miss.
Worst Pick: Rarely is being wrong on a pick more enjoyable than when the alma mater (Georgia) knocks off the arch rival (Georgia Tech).
Championship Game Picks
Since the professor truly is in final exams right now, this is a Cliff's Notes version of Prof's Picks for championship week. Headed to the SEC title game on Friday and Saturday and perhaps will have a special game preview posted before kickoff.
Enjoy the games!
ACC Championship (Saturday at 8:00 ET - ESPN) ... Georgia Tech and Clemson face off in Tampa with the winner earning an Orange Bowl berth. Tigers outplayed Jackets in second-half of a loss earlier this season, and that familiarity with the option should help again. Professor's Pick: Clemson
Big 12 Championship (Saturday at 8:00 ET - ABC) ... Nebraska plays Texas at Cowboys Stadium and the Cornhuskers will try to deny the Longhorns a trip to the BCS title game. Colt McCoy of UT might lock up a Heisman Trophy with a big performance. Professor's Pick: Texas
Big East Championship (Saturday at 12 Noon ET - ABC) ... While not a formal league title game, unbeaten Cincinnati travels to Heinz Field for a game with Pitt that decides the Big East winner and the league's BCS bowl bid. Will this be Brian Kelly's last game leading the Bearcats before heading to South Bend? (Yes). Professor's Pick: Cincinnati
Conference USA Championship (Saturday at 12 Noon ET - ESPN2) ... High-scoring Houston meets solid East Carolina on the Pirates home field in Greenville (NC) where ECU tries to earn a second straight conference crown and trip to the Liberty Bowl. Tough call and good game. Professor's Pick: Houston
Mid-American Conference Championship (Friday at 8:00 PM ET - EPSN2) ... The mighty MAC determines its champion with a Friday night fight between Central Michigan and Ohio at Ford Field in Detroit. The MAC champ earns a return trip to Motown for the Little Caesar's Bowl (formerly the Motor City). Professor's Pick: Central Michigan
PAC-10 Championship (Thursday at 9:00 PM ET - ESPN) ... Yet another informal league championship game, the Civil War between Oregon State and Oregon takes on more urgency than usual as a trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl awaits the victor. The game is Thursday night at Oregon. Professor's Pick: Oregon
SEC Championship (Saturday at 4:00 ET - CBS) ... For the second straight year Alabama and Florida meet at the Georgia Dome to settle the conference championship and send a team to compete for the national championship. Check back later in the week for the title game preview!
See you at kickoff!
Final Regular Season Record: 144-55
Last Week's Record: 12-5
Comment: Rivalry week predictions garnered about a B, which is probably the season long grade as well. Not Dean's List material, but solid passing marks.
Best Pick: The Egg Bowl is a prof's favorite and Miss State came through with the upset win over Ole Miss.
Worst Pick: Rarely is being wrong on a pick more enjoyable than when the alma mater (Georgia) knocks off the arch rival (Georgia Tech).
Championship Game Picks
Since the professor truly is in final exams right now, this is a Cliff's Notes version of Prof's Picks for championship week. Headed to the SEC title game on Friday and Saturday and perhaps will have a special game preview posted before kickoff.
Enjoy the games!
ACC Championship (Saturday at 8:00 ET - ESPN) ... Georgia Tech and Clemson face off in Tampa with the winner earning an Orange Bowl berth. Tigers outplayed Jackets in second-half of a loss earlier this season, and that familiarity with the option should help again. Professor's Pick: Clemson
Big 12 Championship (Saturday at 8:00 ET - ABC) ... Nebraska plays Texas at Cowboys Stadium and the Cornhuskers will try to deny the Longhorns a trip to the BCS title game. Colt McCoy of UT might lock up a Heisman Trophy with a big performance. Professor's Pick: Texas
Big East Championship (Saturday at 12 Noon ET - ABC) ... While not a formal league title game, unbeaten Cincinnati travels to Heinz Field for a game with Pitt that decides the Big East winner and the league's BCS bowl bid. Will this be Brian Kelly's last game leading the Bearcats before heading to South Bend? (Yes). Professor's Pick: Cincinnati
Conference USA Championship (Saturday at 12 Noon ET - ESPN2) ... High-scoring Houston meets solid East Carolina on the Pirates home field in Greenville (NC) where ECU tries to earn a second straight conference crown and trip to the Liberty Bowl. Tough call and good game. Professor's Pick: Houston
Mid-American Conference Championship (Friday at 8:00 PM ET - EPSN2) ... The mighty MAC determines its champion with a Friday night fight between Central Michigan and Ohio at Ford Field in Detroit. The MAC champ earns a return trip to Motown for the Little Caesar's Bowl (formerly the Motor City). Professor's Pick: Central Michigan
PAC-10 Championship (Thursday at 9:00 PM ET - ESPN) ... Yet another informal league championship game, the Civil War between Oregon State and Oregon takes on more urgency than usual as a trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl awaits the victor. The game is Thursday night at Oregon. Professor's Pick: Oregon
SEC Championship (Saturday at 4:00 ET - CBS) ... For the second straight year Alabama and Florida meet at the Georgia Dome to settle the conference championship and send a team to compete for the national championship. Check back later in the week for the title game preview!
See you at kickoff!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
College Football 2009 Week 14
Best and Briefest
Is it over already?
Seems like just yesterday that the August sun blazed, everybody's team was undefeated, and toe met leather to kick off the 2009 college football season.
Now, it's a gray and gloomy forty-five degrees here in north Georgia, empty tree branches rustle as the final leaves of fall blow away, and a steady rain pours.
Seems even Mother Nature realizes the end of sport's best and briefest regular season is upon us and has given us weather suitable for the occasion.
Welcome back to The Campus Game where you can always brighten your mood by visiting for some college football news and notes.
Championship Week
The end of the regular season brings us to championship week and several conference crowns will be determined over the weekend.
The championship chase includes:
ACC ... Georgia Tech and Clemson face off in Tampa with the winner earning an Orange Bowl berth.
Big 12 ... Nebraska plays Texas at Cowboys Stadium and the Cornhuskers will try to deny the Longhorns a trip to the BCS title game.
Big East ... Unbeaten Cincinnati travels to Heinz Field for a game with Pitt that decides the Big East title and the league's BCS bowl bid.
Conference USA ... High-scoring Houston meets solid East Carolina on the Pirates home field in Greenville (NC) where ECU tries to earn a second straight conference crown and trip to the Liberty Bowl.
Mid-American ... The mighty MAC determines its champion with a Friday night fight between Central Michigan and Ohio at Ford Field in Detroit. The MAC champ earns a return trip to Motown for the Little Caesar's Bowl (formerly the Motor City).
PAC-10 ... The Civil War between Oregon State and Oregon takes on added meaning as a trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl awaits the victor. The game is Thursday night at Oregon.
SEC ... For the second straight year Alabama and Florida meet at the Georgia Dome to settle the conference championship and send a team to compete for the national championship.
Several conferences have already determined a champion ... Big Ten (Ohio State), Ivy (Penn), Mountain West (TCU), Sun Belt (Troy), and WAC (Boise State).
Be sure to read Professor's Picks for predictions on all the championship games.
Varsity vs. Jayvee
Remember those high school days when the varsity team got to square off with the junior-varsity (jayvee) squad?
Whether it be basketball, football, or baseball, the old veteran juniors and seniors would show the frosh and sophomores who was boss. The jayvees would take their licking and know their place.
The ACC knows its place this week.
SEC = Varsity
ACC = Jayvee
When South Carolina spanked Clemson and Georgia rambled over Georgia Tech in rivalry games last weekend, both ACC division champs headed to the conference championship game smarting from losses to middling SEC teams.
Dabo Swinney of Clemson and Paul Johnson of Tech each made nice efforts to return the focus toward the conference titles and the Orange Bowl, but much damage was done to the league's reputation (the ACC has still never landed more than one team in a BCS bowl).
It will be particularly interesting to see how Paul Johnson of Tech handles losing in the future.
So far he has not handled it very well.
After the Georgia loss, the likeable (but curmudgeonly) Yellow Jacket head coach bristled when reporters asked him about his questionable play-calling at the end of the game (with nearly two minutes left and Tech in UGA territory, Johnson called for three straight long passes instead of running the ball with his vaunted triple-option attack). A short fourth-down pass was dropped and the ball game was over.
Johnson followed up his post-game sneering by telling Tech fans to respond to taunts from Georgia fans by punching them in the face and getting a thicker skin. OK, he was being sarcastic about the punching, but Paul appears a little prickly and might need thicker skin himself.
Perhaps he's unused to criticism.
Johnson never played college ball, so he's never faced the scrutiny or pressure his players do every week.
He's also been treated with kid gloves by the Atlanta press since taking the Jacket job.
The Tech loss came after a week (and really a whole year) of over-the-top fawning by the Atlanta media toward PJ (The Campus Game had an article a couple weeks ago entitled "Paul not Perfect" poking fun of such coverage).
While no one doubts how good he is and that he is likely to keep Tech a contender for years, Paul certainly proved he's not the perfect coach with those calls late in the loss to Georgia. He proved it after the game too.
Hope he doesn't punch me in the face for saying so.
Bobby Bowden
College football lost another grand old coach this week when Florida State shoved Bobby Bowden out the door.
80 years old. 388 wins. 44 years as a college football head coach. Those numbers are unlikely to be seen again.
Bowden's forced retirement (and that's what it was regardless any political correctness you might hear from FSU) leaves Joe Paterno as the last truly legendary coach working at a Division I school (treasure him while you can). Joe Pa fought off the wolves snapping at him a few years ago, but "Saint Bobby" could not.
On a more positive note, several legends in the making still roam the college sidelines each Saturday ... Bob Stoops, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Mack Brown, Pete Carroll, Jim Tressel, and others should be around a long time to come.
Notre Dame Search
Is ND still relevant?
Does it strike anyone else as humorous when a national sports entity like ESPN devotes hours and hours of coverage and commentary to the Irish then asks whether the Gold Domers are still significant in contemporary college football?
Go to any major national college football columnist, website, or newspaper and see if they are mentioning the Irish. You bet they are.
As for the candidates to replace Charlie Weis ... and I write this as a long-time ND follower and fan (dating to the old Notre Dame football replays with Lindsey Nelson and Paul Hornung - look them up if you don't know them) my concern is that Irish AD Jack Swarbrick not botch the search as has happened with the last three ND hires.
Bob Davie was not ready for prime-time when Lou Holtz left (perhaps most evidenced by Davie soon being hit with an age-discrimination lawsuit by one of his own coaches for comments made to a fan publication).
Tyrone Willingham was a consolation (booby) prize when George O'Leary's resume turned out to have inaccuracies on it. Willingham had been moderately successful as a head coach, but his recruiting efforts and work ethic apparently were not up to par and after a strong first eight games he faded quickly.
Charlie Weis was probably about the fifth choice for ND when he was hired five years ago (after Urban Meyer and others either turned down the Irish or used them to get pay raises).
My hunch is that Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly will get the job ... if the timing of the Bearcats' game with Pitt doesn't make him feel pressured to push ND away prematurely.
Since Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer are out of the picture based on their own comments, the other candidates probably include:
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern): Young, attractive, articulate, and energetic coach would be a good choice.
Randy Edsall (U Conn): Edsall would be a nice fit with Notre Dame in part because his solid, down-to-earth personality contrasts strongly with that of Charlie Weis. He also favors a strong running game and stout defense, traits admired by many Irish faithful.
Jim Harbaugh (Stanford): This pick would sure light a fire under ND fans eager to take it to USC and Pete Carroll. Harbaugh is fiery and his teams are very physical.
Unless Stoops is stonewalling or a big-name sleeper pick (like Tony Dungy) emerges, the guess here is the Irish will offer and land either Kelly, Fitzgerald, Edsall, or Harbaugh (in that order). Butch Davis of North Carolina might also get in the mix.
Heisman Trophy
The best college football player in America is Tim Tebow.
Had I a vote for the Heisman (which I do not), he would get it. No player means more to his team than Tebow and it is not even close.
Now, do I think Tebow will join Archie Griffin as the only man to win two Heismans?
No.
Colt McCoy probably already has it locked up for a couple reasons.
First, while the award is supposed to be based only on the current season, it often takes on a "lifetime achievement" aspect. McCoy has been part of the holy trinity of college quarterbacks the past three seasons ... Tebow won his, Sam Bradford won his, now McCoy will win his.
Second, Tebow and Alabama running back Mark Ingram may cut into the other's support just a bit, while McCoy has no significant rival in the Southwest. Stanford's Toby Gerhart has made a nice run at the trophy and might challenge McCoy for some western votes, but it's doubtful he can overtake the Longhorn.
Of course, the SEC title game gives Tebow and Ingram one last prominent stage this weekend.
My guess as to the Heisman results:
1) Colt McCoy
2) Toby Gerhart
3) Tim Tebow
4) Mark Ingram
Professor's Picks
The Championship Week edition of Professor's Picks will be posted by the end of the week.
See you at kickoff!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Professor's Picks Rivalry Week
2009 Record
Overall: 132-50
Last Week: 10-4
Comment: The old alma mater (Georgia) stopped a twenty-game SEC winning streak on the picks by falling to Kentucky between the hedges. Professor seeks to finish strong the next couple weeks of the season.
Best Pick: With a big assist to Les Miles, Ole Miss pulled out the win over LSU as predicted; the Rebels probably need only to win the Egg Bowl for a holiday trip to Orlando.
Worst Pick: Maybe those Bob Stoops to Notre Dame rumors have something to them, because the Sooners got bushwhacked by Texas Tech.
Here are this week's SEC picks and all the weekend's rivalry games too.
Enjoy!
SEC PICKS
Friday, November 27th
Alabama (11-0, 7-0) at Auburn (7-4, 3-4)
1:30 p.m. CT
CBS Sports
Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
Comment: Crimson Tide heads to SEC title game win or lose, but a victory clinches a second straight unbeaten regular season and keeps BCS title hopes afloat. It will not be easy on the Plains, but Bama gets the nod. Professor's Pick: Alabama
Saturday, November 28th
Clemson (8-3) at South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
12 p.m. ET
ESPN
Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
Comment: Steve Spurrier has really struggled against Clemson in the Battle of the Palmetto State (going 1-3), and the professor questions whether the old ball coach takes the game very seriously. Clemson and head man Dabo Swinney do.
Professor's Pick: Clemson
Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3) at Mississippi State (4-7, 2-5)
11:21 a.m. CT
SEC Network / ESPN 360.com / ESPN GamePlan
Scott Field (55,082)
Comment: If the professor was college football commish for a day, the Egg Bowl would be played on Thanksgiving Night where it goes real well with one last turkey sandwich. Don't expect this game to be a turkey; should be plenty of scoring. Upset special.
Professor's Pick: Miss State
Florida State (6-5) at Florida (11-0, 8-0)
3:30 p.m. ET
CBS Sports
Florida Field (88,548)
Comment: Florida best be on letdown alert what with the emotions of sending off the greatest Gator of 'em all, the looming SEC showdown with Alabama, and the pressure of national championship expectations. Might be scary for a while.
Professor's Pick: Florida
Arkansas (7-4, 3-4) at LSU (8-3, 4-3)
6 p.m. CT
ESPN
Tiger Stadium (92,400)
Comment: LSU must be reeling after losing a wacky game to Ole Miss (although to be fair the Rebels had outplayed the Tigers the whole game), and Arkansas comes in primed to move up in the SEC West pecking order. Bayou Bengals have a way of responding, so let's go with them.
Professor's Pick: LSU
Tennessee (6-5, 3-4) at Kentucky (7-4, 3-4)
7 p.m. ET
ESPNU
Commonwealth Stadium (67,942)
Comment: Bowl positioning will be on the line when two pretty physical squads square off. Saturday nights in Lexington are not easy, so consider this a tossup.
Professor's Pick: Tennessee
Georgia (6-5, 4-4) at Georgia Tech (11-1)
8 p.m. ET
ABC / ESPN2
Grant Field (55,000)
Comment: How sweet would an upset be for the Bulldogs? Georgia Tech swaggers in as ACC Coastal champs, headed for the conference championship, with a potential south Florida bowl trip on the holiday docket. The Dogs straggle into Atlanta after blowing a two-touchdown lead against Kentucky at home, minus their best player (WR A.J. Green), with a fan base holding a pocketful of pink slips designated for every assistant coach wearing red and black. Even the Dog mascot died. Tough year gets tougher for the Classic City canines.
Professor's Pick: Georgia Tech
Open: Vanderbilt (2-10)
RIVALRY AND GAMES OF INTEREST
Thursday
8:00 PM ET No. 3 Texas at Texas A&M ... Longhorn QB Colt McCoy has a losing record against Aggies, but should even that up Thanksgiving night. Professor's Pick: (Picked Earlier) Texas
Friday
3:30 PM ET Nebraska at Colorado ... Huskers on way to Big 12 title game but cannot overlook Buffs. Professor's Pick: Nebraska
7:00 PM ET No. 9 Pitt at West Virginia ... a Pitt win in the Backyard Brawl sets up a Big East showdown against Cincy next week, but this could be a dangerous fight for the Panthers. Professor's Pick: Pitt
10:00 PM ET Nevada at No. 6 Boise State ... Broncos could be left out in BCS cold even if they tame the Wolfpack. Professor's Pick: Boise State
Saturday
12:30 PM ET No. 12 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma ... Bedlam carries big-time risk-reward for OK State because Cowboys probably BCS bound with a victory. Professor's Pick: OK State
1:30 PM ET Southern Miss at East Carolina ... C-USA East title on line when Golden Eagles swoop into Greenville to face the purple Pirates. Professor's Pick: East Carolina
3:30 PM ET Missouri vs. Kansas ... Border War might be last stand for Mark Mangino who will fall victim to political correctness (and a bad season) as much as anything else. Professor's Pick: Missouri
5:00 PM ET No. 21 Utah at No. 19 Brigham Young ... the Holy War is the only matchup of top-25 teams this rivalry weekend. Professor's Pick: Utah
6:30 PM ET Washington State at Washington ... Apple Cup is a bit sour as Wazoo is perhaps worst team in a BCS conference. Professor's Pick: Washington
8:00 PM ET Notre Dame at Stanford ... Charlie Weis brought some criticism on himself for being too mouthy too early, but the personal stuff sometimes goes overboard. Jim Harbaugh could probably get the Irish job if he wanted it, but figures to stay at Stanford (until Michigan or the NFL comes calling). Professor's Pick: Stanford
Overall: 132-50
Last Week: 10-4
Comment: The old alma mater (Georgia) stopped a twenty-game SEC winning streak on the picks by falling to Kentucky between the hedges. Professor seeks to finish strong the next couple weeks of the season.
Best Pick: With a big assist to Les Miles, Ole Miss pulled out the win over LSU as predicted; the Rebels probably need only to win the Egg Bowl for a holiday trip to Orlando.
Worst Pick: Maybe those Bob Stoops to Notre Dame rumors have something to them, because the Sooners got bushwhacked by Texas Tech.
Here are this week's SEC picks and all the weekend's rivalry games too.
Enjoy!
SEC PICKS
Friday, November 27th
Alabama (11-0, 7-0) at Auburn (7-4, 3-4)
1:30 p.m. CT
CBS Sports
Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
Comment: Crimson Tide heads to SEC title game win or lose, but a victory clinches a second straight unbeaten regular season and keeps BCS title hopes afloat. It will not be easy on the Plains, but Bama gets the nod. Professor's Pick: Alabama
Saturday, November 28th
Clemson (8-3) at South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
12 p.m. ET
ESPN
Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
Comment: Steve Spurrier has really struggled against Clemson in the Battle of the Palmetto State (going 1-3), and the professor questions whether the old ball coach takes the game very seriously. Clemson and head man Dabo Swinney do.
Professor's Pick: Clemson
Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3) at Mississippi State (4-7, 2-5)
11:21 a.m. CT
SEC Network / ESPN 360.com / ESPN GamePlan
Scott Field (55,082)
Comment: If the professor was college football commish for a day, the Egg Bowl would be played on Thanksgiving Night where it goes real well with one last turkey sandwich. Don't expect this game to be a turkey; should be plenty of scoring. Upset special.
Professor's Pick: Miss State
Florida State (6-5) at Florida (11-0, 8-0)
3:30 p.m. ET
CBS Sports
Florida Field (88,548)
Comment: Florida best be on letdown alert what with the emotions of sending off the greatest Gator of 'em all, the looming SEC showdown with Alabama, and the pressure of national championship expectations. Might be scary for a while.
Professor's Pick: Florida
Arkansas (7-4, 3-4) at LSU (8-3, 4-3)
6 p.m. CT
ESPN
Tiger Stadium (92,400)
Comment: LSU must be reeling after losing a wacky game to Ole Miss (although to be fair the Rebels had outplayed the Tigers the whole game), and Arkansas comes in primed to move up in the SEC West pecking order. Bayou Bengals have a way of responding, so let's go with them.
Professor's Pick: LSU
Tennessee (6-5, 3-4) at Kentucky (7-4, 3-4)
7 p.m. ET
ESPNU
Commonwealth Stadium (67,942)
Comment: Bowl positioning will be on the line when two pretty physical squads square off. Saturday nights in Lexington are not easy, so consider this a tossup.
Professor's Pick: Tennessee
Georgia (6-5, 4-4) at Georgia Tech (11-1)
8 p.m. ET
ABC / ESPN2
Grant Field (55,000)
Comment: How sweet would an upset be for the Bulldogs? Georgia Tech swaggers in as ACC Coastal champs, headed for the conference championship, with a potential south Florida bowl trip on the holiday docket. The Dogs straggle into Atlanta after blowing a two-touchdown lead against Kentucky at home, minus their best player (WR A.J. Green), with a fan base holding a pocketful of pink slips designated for every assistant coach wearing red and black. Even the Dog mascot died. Tough year gets tougher for the Classic City canines.
Professor's Pick: Georgia Tech
Open: Vanderbilt (2-10)
RIVALRY AND GAMES OF INTEREST
Thursday
8:00 PM ET No. 3 Texas at Texas A&M ... Longhorn QB Colt McCoy has a losing record against Aggies, but should even that up Thanksgiving night. Professor's Pick: (Picked Earlier) Texas
Friday
3:30 PM ET Nebraska at Colorado ... Huskers on way to Big 12 title game but cannot overlook Buffs. Professor's Pick: Nebraska
7:00 PM ET No. 9 Pitt at West Virginia ... a Pitt win in the Backyard Brawl sets up a Big East showdown against Cincy next week, but this could be a dangerous fight for the Panthers. Professor's Pick: Pitt
10:00 PM ET Nevada at No. 6 Boise State ... Broncos could be left out in BCS cold even if they tame the Wolfpack. Professor's Pick: Boise State
Saturday
12:30 PM ET No. 12 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma ... Bedlam carries big-time risk-reward for OK State because Cowboys probably BCS bound with a victory. Professor's Pick: OK State
1:30 PM ET Southern Miss at East Carolina ... C-USA East title on line when Golden Eagles swoop into Greenville to face the purple Pirates. Professor's Pick: East Carolina
3:30 PM ET Missouri vs. Kansas ... Border War might be last stand for Mark Mangino who will fall victim to political correctness (and a bad season) as much as anything else. Professor's Pick: Missouri
5:00 PM ET No. 21 Utah at No. 19 Brigham Young ... the Holy War is the only matchup of top-25 teams this rivalry weekend. Professor's Pick: Utah
6:30 PM ET Washington State at Washington ... Apple Cup is a bit sour as Wazoo is perhaps worst team in a BCS conference. Professor's Pick: Washington
8:00 PM ET Notre Dame at Stanford ... Charlie Weis brought some criticism on himself for being too mouthy too early, but the personal stuff sometimes goes overboard. Jim Harbaugh could probably get the Irish job if he wanted it, but figures to stay at Stanford (until Michigan or the NFL comes calling). Professor's Pick: Stanford
Thursday, November 26, 2009
College Football Rivalry Week TV Schedule
Thanksgiving Weekend Television Schedule
The National Football Foundation has posted the college football television schedule for rivalry week.
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Bonus Professor's Pick
Thanksgiving Night Game
8:00 PM ET No. 3 Texas at Texas A&M ... Longhorn QB Colt McCoy has a losing record against Aggies in the Lone Star State , but should even that up Thanksgiving night.
Professor's Pick: Texas
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Professor's Picks
Check back Friday morning for Professor's Picks!
The National Football Foundation has posted the college football television schedule for rivalry week.
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Bonus Professor's Pick
Thanksgiving Night Game
8:00 PM ET No. 3 Texas at Texas A&M ... Longhorn QB Colt McCoy has a losing record against Aggies in the Lone Star State , but should even that up Thanksgiving night.
Professor's Pick: Texas
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Professor's Picks
Check back Friday morning for Professor's Picks!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Paul not Perfect ... Ask about A-Pop
Recent media reports to the contrary, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is not the perfect football coach.
Just ask him about A-pop (since apparently none of the pundits will).
The annual Georgia-Georgia Tech battle looms at historic Grant Field Saturday night and the story's all about Paul.
Tech swaggers in at 10-1, ranked 7th in BCS standings, champions of the ACC Coastal Division, most likely bound for a big-time Florida bowl game.
All because of Paul.
Georgia staggers in at 6-5, freshly wounded from a second-half collapse against Kentucky, head coach Mark Richt on the business end of fan discontent for the first time since he arrived in Athens, a potential trip to shivering Shreveport souring the post-season.
All because of Paul leading Tech to a rousing victory in Athens last season.
At least that's the story scribes are selling us.
Heck, I bet Johnson even offed Uga.
This morning I learned from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mark Bradley that a couple years ago Paul hit the green on a par-5 with his second shot ... after his partner suggested he lay up.
Wow, move over Knute Rockne and back off Bear Bryant.
In the same section, I discovered from Jeff Schultz that Johnson had done a better job than Richt of developing a quarterback this season because Josh Nesbitt has outplayed Joe Cox. Schultzie failed to explain how the great JP might have rounded the slow-footed Cox into an option quarterback had Johnson inherited him instead of the multi-talented runner Nesbitt. But, I'm sure Bear - er I mean Paul - could've.
In online versions of the AJC, the esteemed Mr. College Football (Tony Barnhart - not Paul Johnson) claims PJ will bring the hammer down on Georgia should he get the chance, and Tony wonders whether the Dogs will have the heart to fight back and keep the game close.
Slow down fellas.
Paul Johnson is a very good coach, possibly on his way to becoming a great one.
Keep in mind he does have a losing bowl record and got completely outmaneuvered by the less-than-esteemed Les Miles of LSU in last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl.
While I'm a Georgia grad, I grew up pulling for Tech too, saw many games off North Avenue, have wonderful in-laws who are Tech people, love the triple-option offense, and sometimes still even cheer for the Jackets. So, my comments are not knee-jerk reactions because the Wreck is rambling along pretty good right now.
Still, local hero worship by Atlanta scribes to the contrary, Paul's not perfect.
Georgia just may need him to have an A-pop moment this weekend.
Read A Civil War: A Year Inside College Football's Purest Rivalry, John Feinstein's fine book about the Army-Navy game of 1995. While Johnson (Navy's offensive coordinator) comes across very well in the book, earthy, profane, funny, and smart ... he's also overly confident and bold. That boldness leads to a blunder that costs the Middies dearly.
Deep into the fourth quarter, Navy led 13-7 and drove to the Army one-foot line. Facing a 4th and goal, all the Midshipmen needed was a chip shot field goal (their kicker was 2-2 that day) to take a nine-point lead, forcing the Cadets to score twice to win the game - an implausible possibility.
As Navy head coach Charlie Weatherbie pondered what to do, Johnson came over the headset and exclaimed "We can score with A-pop ... they'll have so many people on the line it'll be wide open."
Rarely will such a smart coach make such a dumb call at such a bad time.
Navy was an option team. Same offense Tech runs today. The Middies had the ball on the one-foot line. Logic dictated the field goal, or - if the team decided to go for the TD - a quarterback plunge or fullback (B-back) up the middle. Instead, Paul Johnson called A-pop ... a short pass into the flats to one of the wingbacks (A-back in the vernacular).
All the Navy coaches with the exception of one supported Johnson's silly call. The pass fell incomplete and the game turned.
Army drove the ball 99 yards, scoring with just over a minute left in the game to win a 14-13 thriller, one of the best games in the storied series.
A-pop was the pivotal call in the game. Johnson blew it.
Paul Johnson's a good coach, perhaps on his way to being great.
He's also prone to being overly confident and bold.
Georgia needs PJ to have another A-pop moment this weekend.
He just might.
* Note: Wonder about the lone dissenter on the Navy staff oppposing Johnson's boneheaded call against Army? Defensive backs coach Gary Patterson, now head coach at TCU ... a team that might well face Georgia Tech in a bowl game. Maybe he'll remind PJ of A-pop.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
College Football Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Wishes
God ... The game is all your way, the secrets and the signals and
the system; and so for the break of the game and
the first play and the last. Our prayer of thanks.
Carl Sandburg Our Prayer of Thanks
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
Erma Bombeck
Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.
O. Henry
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Thanksgiving Football Quick Quiz
The Thanksgiving Week offers great rivalry games ... can you name the schools that play in these ten rivalries?
Backyard Brawl
Battle for the Golden Boot
Bedlam
Border War
Civil War
Clean, Old Fashioned Hate
Egg Bowl
Holy War
Iron Bowl
Sunshine Showdown
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Ain't that America
Welcome to The Campus Game where a second helping of turkey and dressing is a side course to the main dish of Thanksgiving week football.
We'll get to the quiz answers in just a minute, but as we gather with family and friends for food and football this holiday season we are enjoying a truly historical aspect of American culture.
College football and Thanksgiving have been linked together for well over a century.
By the 1880s, football had surpassed baseball as the most popular campus game, and (in these pre-bowl game years) the season typically ended with a big Thanksgiving Day game against a top rival. The same held true for high school football teams too.
So ... enjoy your feast and your football ... it's America.
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Quiz Answers!
Backyard Brawl: Pitt-West Virginia
Battle for the Golden Boot: LSU-Arkansas
Bedlam: Oklahoma-OK State
Border War: Kansas-Missouri
Civil War: Oregon-Oregon State
Clean, Old Fashioned Hate: Georgia-Georgia Tech
Egg Bowl: Ole Miss-Miss State
Holy War: BYU-Utah
Iron Bowl: Alabama-Auburn
Sunshine Showdow: Florida-FSU
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The Campus Game Top Ten Games (Thanksgiving Week)
10. Texas at Texas A&M: Longhorns take on Aggies and the "12th man" at College Station.
9. Utah at BYU: Only pairing of Top 25 teams over Thanksgiving weekend ... that's not right.
8. Southern Miss at East Carolina: Golden Eagles and Pirates settle the C-USA East title.
7. Florida State at Florida: Tim Tebow's last home game as Gators try to stay perfect.
6. Nevada at Boise State: WAC title on line as wily Wolfpack creeps onto the blue turf.
5. OK State at Oklahoma: Pokes are looking for a BCS bid but must get past in-state nemesis Sooners in Bedlam series.
4. Pitt at West Virginia: The Brawl looms large because Pitt is still in BCS bowl picture.
3. Georgia-Georgia Tech: Can Bulldogs recover and upset Tech after blowing a two-touchdown lead over Kentucky?
2. Ole Miss at Miss State: The Egg Bowl has few national ramifications (other than bowl implications), but is annually one of the hardest-hitting, most fun games to watch.
1. Alabama at Auburn: Tide travels to Plains with national title hopes on the line.
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Around the SEC and Professor's Picks
Check back later in the week for Around the SEC and Professor's Picks.
See you at kickoff!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Professor's Picks Week 12
2009 Record
Overall: 122-46
Last Week: 14-3
Comment: For the second week in a row, a pretty solid record highlighted by a perfect mark in the SEC (that's 15 in a row going back to the Auburn-Ole Miss game). The grade is somewhat inflated because the SEC picks have not been so difficult.
Best Pick: Many had Auburn beating Georgia between the hedges, but the Dogs pulled it out as predicted here. Also, Ole Miss came through with a victory over what had been a hot Tennessee team.
Worst Pick: Stanford had been a professor's favorite all season, but I went with USC to win ... to paraphrase Pete Carroll ... what's my deal? Also, Notre Dame did not win one for the Weis guy against Pitt.
Here are this week's SEC and selected national picks.
Enjoy!
SEC Picks
Chattanooga (6-4) at Alabama (10-0, 7-0)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,012)
Comment: If this was 1958 we might want to see this game; otherwise just a Tide tuneup before the Iron Bowl.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding - Bama
Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4) at Arkansas (6-4, 2-4)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock)(53,727)
Comment: Hog QB Ryan Mallett leads the league in total offense and Arkansas paces the conference in scoring, while Miss State ranks 10th in pass defense and 11th in total defense. The only team below the Bullies in scoring D? The Hogs, so it could be a high scoring day in Little Rock.
Professor's Pick: Arkansas
Florida International (3-7) at Florida (10-0, 8-0)
12:30 p.m. ET Florida PPV
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Comment: Like Alabama, the Gators also take a break from big-boy football before closing the regular season against an in-state rival (FSU Noles) next week.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding #2 - Florida
LSU (8-2, 5-2) at Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3)
2:30 p.m. CT CBS Sports
Vaught-Heminway Stadium (60,580)
Comment: The league's best game with bowl travel destinations on the line. Winner most likely goes to Orlando for the Cap One Bowl, with loser looking at Cotton, Chick-fil-A, Outback ... none of those scenarios is too bad. The Rebels are an up-and-down team coming off their most impressive win of the season (a 42-17 pasting of Tennessee). LSU played a lackluster game in dispatching Louisiana Tech 24-16. LSU has not impressed me all year, so I'll go with the Rebs.
Professor's Pick: Ole Miss
Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7) at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4)
7 p.m. ET ESPNU
Neyland Stadium (100,011)
Comment: The Volunteers fell from grace very quickly last week on and off the field. Four Vol arrests (three for their part in an alleged armed robbery and one for shoplifting) overshadowed a terrible defensive performance at Ole Miss. Vanderbilt should provide a tough, but beatable, opponent this week. Vols get back to business and earn a bowl berth.
Professor's Pick: Tennessee
Kentucky (6-4, 2-4) at Georgia (6-4, 4-3)
7:45 p.m. ET ESPN2
Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Comment: Georgia played its best game of the year against Auburn last week, at a time Mark Richt and the Dogs really needed a lift. Expect the Dogs, who rank 11th in SEC rushing statistics, to try and run the ball at the Cats (who rank 11th against the run) with emerging freshman tailback Waushan Ealey. UK continues to play pretty well without starting QB Mike Hartline, as frosh Morgan Newton has played decently. Both teams may be without their best players ... multi-threat WR Randall Cobb of Big Blue and WR A.J. Green of Georgia. That probably hurts Kentucky more.
Professor's Pick: Georgia
OPEN: Auburn (7-4, 3-4), South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
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Selected National Picks
Connecticut at Notre Dame: Charlie is probably already gone, we'll see if his team is too. Professor's Pick: ND
Virginia at Clemson: Orange-hot Tigers can win ACC Atlantic division by unseating the Cavaliers. Professor's Pick: Clemson
Penn State at Michigan State: Don't count Joe Pa out of BCS berth just yet. Professor's Pick: Penn State
Kansas at Texas: Suddenly Mark Mangino feels the heat - from his Athletic Director no less ... don't remember all these complaints when Jayhawks made it to Orange Bowl. Professor's Pick: Texas
Oregon at Arizona: Ducks try to survive in desert against Wildcats. Professor's Pick: Oregon
Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Sooners usually arrest passing game of Red Raiders. Professor's Pick: Oklahoma
Cal at Stanford: "The Big Game" is the only one pitting top 25 squads this week. Professor's Pick: Stanford
Ohio State at Michigan: who cares about the records, it's one of college football's best rivalries. Rich Rod and the Wolves could really use a good showing. Professor's Pick: Ohio State
Overall: 122-46
Last Week: 14-3
Comment: For the second week in a row, a pretty solid record highlighted by a perfect mark in the SEC (that's 15 in a row going back to the Auburn-Ole Miss game). The grade is somewhat inflated because the SEC picks have not been so difficult.
Best Pick: Many had Auburn beating Georgia between the hedges, but the Dogs pulled it out as predicted here. Also, Ole Miss came through with a victory over what had been a hot Tennessee team.
Worst Pick: Stanford had been a professor's favorite all season, but I went with USC to win ... to paraphrase Pete Carroll ... what's my deal? Also, Notre Dame did not win one for the Weis guy against Pitt.
Here are this week's SEC and selected national picks.
Enjoy!
SEC Picks
Chattanooga (6-4) at Alabama (10-0, 7-0)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,012)
Comment: If this was 1958 we might want to see this game; otherwise just a Tide tuneup before the Iron Bowl.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding - Bama
Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4) at Arkansas (6-4, 2-4)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock)(53,727)
Comment: Hog QB Ryan Mallett leads the league in total offense and Arkansas paces the conference in scoring, while Miss State ranks 10th in pass defense and 11th in total defense. The only team below the Bullies in scoring D? The Hogs, so it could be a high scoring day in Little Rock.
Professor's Pick: Arkansas
Florida International (3-7) at Florida (10-0, 8-0)
12:30 p.m. ET Florida PPV
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Comment: Like Alabama, the Gators also take a break from big-boy football before closing the regular season against an in-state rival (FSU Noles) next week.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding #2 - Florida
LSU (8-2, 5-2) at Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3)
2:30 p.m. CT CBS Sports
Vaught-Heminway Stadium (60,580)
Comment: The league's best game with bowl travel destinations on the line. Winner most likely goes to Orlando for the Cap One Bowl, with loser looking at Cotton, Chick-fil-A, Outback ... none of those scenarios is too bad. The Rebels are an up-and-down team coming off their most impressive win of the season (a 42-17 pasting of Tennessee). LSU played a lackluster game in dispatching Louisiana Tech 24-16. LSU has not impressed me all year, so I'll go with the Rebs.
Professor's Pick: Ole Miss
Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7) at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4)
7 p.m. ET ESPNU
Neyland Stadium (100,011)
Comment: The Volunteers fell from grace very quickly last week on and off the field. Four Vol arrests (three for their part in an alleged armed robbery and one for shoplifting) overshadowed a terrible defensive performance at Ole Miss. Vanderbilt should provide a tough, but beatable, opponent this week. Vols get back to business and earn a bowl berth.
Professor's Pick: Tennessee
Kentucky (6-4, 2-4) at Georgia (6-4, 4-3)
7:45 p.m. ET ESPN2
Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Comment: Georgia played its best game of the year against Auburn last week, at a time Mark Richt and the Dogs really needed a lift. Expect the Dogs, who rank 11th in SEC rushing statistics, to try and run the ball at the Cats (who rank 11th against the run) with emerging freshman tailback Waushan Ealey. UK continues to play pretty well without starting QB Mike Hartline, as frosh Morgan Newton has played decently. Both teams may be without their best players ... multi-threat WR Randall Cobb of Big Blue and WR A.J. Green of Georgia. That probably hurts Kentucky more.
Professor's Pick: Georgia
OPEN: Auburn (7-4, 3-4), South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
-------------------------------------------------
Selected National Picks
Connecticut at Notre Dame: Charlie is probably already gone, we'll see if his team is too. Professor's Pick: ND
Virginia at Clemson: Orange-hot Tigers can win ACC Atlantic division by unseating the Cavaliers. Professor's Pick: Clemson
Penn State at Michigan State: Don't count Joe Pa out of BCS berth just yet. Professor's Pick: Penn State
Kansas at Texas: Suddenly Mark Mangino feels the heat - from his Athletic Director no less ... don't remember all these complaints when Jayhawks made it to Orange Bowl. Professor's Pick: Texas
Oregon at Arizona: Ducks try to survive in desert against Wildcats. Professor's Pick: Oregon
Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Sooners usually arrest passing game of Red Raiders. Professor's Pick: Oklahoma
Cal at Stanford: "The Big Game" is the only one pitting top 25 squads this week. Professor's Pick: Stanford
Ohio State at Michigan: who cares about the records, it's one of college football's best rivalries. Rich Rod and the Wolves could really use a good showing. Professor's Pick: Ohio State
Friday, November 20, 2009
Around the SEC Week 12
Ruminations on the passing scene ...
Bowl Bonanza
The bowl season will soon be upon us and every SEC team except Vanderbilt is still in contention for post-season play. Here is one early projection of where teams might go bowling.
BCS Championship Game (Pasadena): Winner of Alabama/Florida if they finish regular season unbeaten
Sugar (New Orleans): Loser of Alabama/Florida
Capital One (Orlando): LSU-Ole Miss winner
Outback (Tampa): LSU-Ole Miss loser
Chick-fil-A (Atlanta): Georgia
Cotton (Dallas/Arlington): Arkansas
Music City (Nashville): Tennessee
Liberty (Memphis): Auburn
Independence (Shreveport): South Carolina
Papa John's (Birmingham): Kentucky
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Gator Bowl Joins Bowl Destinations
In 2010, the Gator Bowl joins the list of SEC bowl tie-ins. The game will be another Sunshine State SEC-Big Ten showdown (like the Cap One and the Outback). Selection order has not been finalized, but the Gator traditionally pays out the most of any non-BCS bowl.
The Independence Bowl will no longer be tied in with the conference.
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Conference News and Notes (from SEC Office)
SEC Football Players of the Week
Games of Nov. 14
Offense: Ole Miss RB/WR Dexter McCluster
Defense: Florida CB Joe Haden
Special Teams: Auburn DB/RS Demond Washington
O Line: Alabama OG Mike Johnson
D Line: Kentucky DT, Corey Peters
Freshman: Georgia RB Washaun Ealey
• Florida became the eighth team since SEC expansion
(1992) to go through the regular season undefeated in
the conference (Alabama, at 7-0 this season, has one
conference game remaining.).
The list includes:
Alabama (1992, 1994, 2008)
Florida (1995, 1996)
Tennessee (1998)
Auburn (2004)
• With wins this past weekend, Arkansas, Georgia,
Kentucky and Ole Miss became bowl eligible. The SEC
now has nine bowl eligible teams with Tennessee
(needs one win) and Mississippi State (needs two
wins) still able to reach bowl eligibility.
• The SEC has a 37-6 non-conference record so far
this season. The 86.1 winning rate is tops in NCAA
FBS. The SEC has already reached the win total of
last season and needs to go 4-1 the remainder of the
regular season against non-conference foes to equal its
best winning percentage since the season was expanded
to 12 games (41-7 in 2006).
• Twenty (20) SEC football players are either semifinalists
or finalists for 11 post-season individual awards.
-------------------------------------------------
College Football on TV Week 12
The National Football Foundation has released this week's television schedule. The games are listed by conference home game.
-------------------------------------------------
Reviews
Results for SEC Games Week of Nov. 14:
Ole Miss 42, Tennessee 17 (61,422 at Oxford)
Kentucky 24, Vanderbilt 13 (33,675 at Nashville)
Florida 24, South Carolina 14 (79,297 at Columbia)
Alabama 31, Miss. State 3 (58,103 at Starkville)
Georgia 31, Auburn 24 (92,746 at Athens)
LSU 24, Louisiana Tech 16 (92,584 at Baton Rouge)
Arkansas 56, Troy 20 (66,442 at Fayetteville)
-------------------------------------------------
SEC Games This Week
Professor's Picks Posted Tomorrow!
Schedule of SEC Games Week of Nov. 21:
Chattanooga (6-4) at Alabama (10-0, 7-0) 11:21 a.m. CT
*SEC Network / ESPN360.com / ESPN GamePlan
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,012)
Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4) at Arkansas (6-4, 2-4) 11:21 a.m. CT
*SEC Network / ESPN360.com / ESPN GamePlan
Little Rock, Ark. • War Memorial Stadium (53,727)
Florida International (3-7) at Florida (10-0, 8-0) 12:30 p.m. ET
Florida PPV / ESPN 360.com / ESPN GamePlan
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (88,548)
LSU (8-2, 5-2) at Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3) 2:30 p.m. CT
CBS Sports
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Heminway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field (60,580)
Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7) at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4) 7 p.m. ET
ESPNU
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium/Shields-Watkins Field (100,011)
Kentucky (6-4, 2-4) at Georgia (6-4, 4-3) 7:45 p.m. ET
ESPN2
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)
OPEN: Auburn (7-4, 3-4), South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
-------------------------------------------------
Previews
Schedule of SEC Games for Thanksgiving Week:
Friday, Nov. 27
Alabama at Auburn (1:30 p.m. CT / CBS Sports)
Saturday, Nov. 28
Arkansas at LSU (6 p.m. CT / ESPN)
Ole Miss at Mississippi State (11:21 a.m. CT / SEC Network)
Florida State at Florida (3:30 p.m. ET / CBS Sports)
Georgia at Georgia Tech (8 p.m. ET / ABC - ESPN2)
Tennessee at Kentucky (7 p.m. ET / ESPNU)
Clemson at South Carolina (12 p.m. ET / ESPN)
-------------------------------------------------
Professor's Picks
Remember to visit The Campus Game for Professor's Picks ... they will be posted early Saturday morning.
See you at kickoff!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
College Football 2009 Week 12
Hanging Half a Hundred
"What's your deal?" ... "What's your deal?"
(On-Field exchange between USC coach Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh of Stanford after the Cardinal beat the Trojans 55-21 last weekend)
While that exchange might win no prizes for lyricism or wit, it fits well within a century-old college football ritual.
Welcome back to The Campus Game ... where we know gratuitously hanging half a hundred on somebody is part of a grand college football tradition - running up the score.
Seems Pete got his dander up mainly because Haurbaugh went for a two-point conversion with 6:47 remaining and Stanford clinging to a scant 48-21 lead.
Now, Harbaugh can cite any reason he wants for piling on (and he told a few whoppers on the Colin Cowherd ESPN radio show this week), but the plain fact is he wanted to hang half a hundred on the Trojans and he eventually did even though the conversion failed; the Cardinal plunged in with a short TD at the 2:19 mark after an interception return.
Instead of denying his desire to rub it in, Harbaugh might have been better served to channel his inner Steve Spurrier.
The old head ball coach routinely ran up the score on opponents at Florida in the 1990s and didn't shy away from showing some swagger in doing so.
"Wanted to hang half a hundred on them" Spurrier crowed after the Gators trampled the Georgia Bulldogs (his favorite foil) 52-17 in 1995 ... at Sanford Stadium no less. The Georgia-Florida game is typically played in Jacksonville but was played on each campus once in the mid-90s while the Gator Bowl was renovated, and the visored one wanted to make sure he left Clarke County after having rung up the most points ever against the Dogs between the hedges (he did).
Haurbaugh, a Michigan man, could have also revisited an old foe of his alma mater.
Legendary Woody Hayes and Ohio State battered Michigan 50-14 on the way to the 1968 national championship. After the Buckeyes scored their last touchdown, Woody rubbed salt in the Wolverine wounds and had the Bucks line up for the 2-point conversion (it failed).
Asked afterward why he went for two, Hayes supposedly growled "because I couldn't go for three!"
That's the spirit!
If you're man enough to run up the score, be man enough to say you did.
Even old Woody pales when compared to the all-time score runner-upper.
John Heisman (yes, that Heisman) of Georgia Tech paid Cumberland College of Tennessee $500 to play the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta in 1916. He got his money's worth.
Seems Heisman wanted a bit of revenge because his Tech baseball squad lost a game 22-0 to Cumberland in the spring of 16. He earned his vengeance - ten times over.
Never passing or punting, Tech rambled to a tidy 32 touchdowns in a shortened game and won by the fabled mark of 222-0.
Woody, Spurrier, and Harbaugh would have been proud.
-------------------------------------
Professor's Bookcase
Before getting to this week's games, a few plugs for good football books (or sports books in general).
Earlier this season, I recommended The Real All-Americans by Sally Jenkins ... the story of Pop Warner, Jim Thorpe, and the Carlisle Indian School. I do so again; fine book and here's a review.
I am currently re-reading A Civil War, another in a long-line of sports books by the prolific John Feinstein (this one about the Army-Navy football rivalry). Want to learn about one of college football's greatest spectacles? This is your book.
As a fan of sports talk radio, I rank Paul Finebaum's show out of Alabama about the best around. Yesterday, he had the great Pat Conroy on the show. Conroy was there to talk about his latest book (South of Broad - have read it and it's good but very grim) but I want to mention My Losing Season, a terrific recount of his senior basketball season at The Citadel, a book I occasionally require my students to read. You can hear the interview with Conroy (it's very good) at Finebaum's website.
Finally, just finished Tall Tales. This is Terry Pluto's history of the early NBA. Not a football book, but an interesting and fun read - wonderful stories of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s when the earliest players seemed to play mainly for the beer, and coaches thought nothing of punching fans, officials, even team owners (the Celtics Red Auerbach once decked Hawks owner Ben Kerner before a game and wasn't even ejected) and sometimes each other.
Maybe good for Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh they didn't coach back then.
-------------------------------------
BCS Bowl Projections
The bowl season approaches rapidly, and BCS bowl selections will be most interesting this season.
Since there are two undefeated teams from non-BCS conferences (TCU and Boise State) and only the SEC clearly merits two teams in BCS bowls this may get a bit hairy.
Let's say the top three of Florida, Alabama, and Texas win out in the regular season and Texas wins the Big 12 title. The BCS championship would obviously pit Texas against the survivor of the SEC.
The selection order would then be as follows:
1. Sugar (for losing SEC champ to title game ... note that if Texas finished atop the standings the Fiesta would get first replacement pick)
2. Fiesta (for losing Big 12 champ to title game)
3. Orange (would already automatically have ACC champ so would choose foe)
4. Rose (would be set with PAC-10/Big Ten champs)
The Sugar would certainly take the SEC title game loser, but what about the Fiesta Bowl? Boise State? TCU? Big East champ? Big Ten runner-up? PAC-10 runner-up?
Here are this week's projections in order of selection:
BCS Title: Alabama/Florida winner vs. Texas
Sugar: Chooses SEC title game loser
Fiesta: Chooses Cincinnati if undefeated
Orange: Chooses TCU to face ACC Champ
Rose: PAC-10 vs Big Ten champs set
Sugar: Chooses Iowa or Penn State? Boise State?
Fiesta: Chooses Boise State ... or Oklahoma State if the Cowboys win out ... or Georgia Tech if the Jackets lose the ACC title game ... on and on!
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The Campus Game Top Ten Rankings (Week 12)
10. Stanford ... three losses is too many for this rank but playing great ball.
9. Ohio State ... Buckeyes best of a bad league.
8. Pitt ... Panthers are methodical but sound.
7. Boise State ... will Broncos be left out of BCS mix?
6. Georgia Tech ... can Jackets win a bowl when opponent has time to prepare for the option?
5. TCU ... Horned Frogs blasted Utah and should sail to a BCS bowl.
4. Cincinnati ... Bearcats keep churning out big wins, but did not look great against West Virginia.
3. Texas ... Longhorns look to cruise to national title game, but Nebraska might be worthy Big 12 foe.
2. Alabama ... Tide plays Chattanooga choo-choo this week before the Iron Bowl.
1. Florida ... mighty Gators get an FIU bye then close out regular season with Seminoles.
-------------------------------------
The Campus Game Top Ten Games (Week 12)
10. Connecticut at Notre Dame: Charlie is probably already gone, we'll see if his team is too.
9. Virginia at Clemson: Orange-hot Tigers can win ACC Atlantic division by unseating the Cavaliers.
8. Penn State at Michigan State: Don't count Joe Pa out of BCS berth just yet.
7. Kentucky at Georgia: Two bowl-bound SEC teams battle between the hedges.
6. Kansas at Texas: Suddenly Mark Mangino feels the heat - from his Athletic Director no less.
5. Oregon at Arizona: Ducks try to survive in desert against Wildcats.
4. Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Sooners usually arrest passing game of Red Raiders.
3. Cal at Stanford: One of few games pitting top 25 squads this week.
2. LSU at Ole Miss: Rebels wore out Vols and face shaky Bengal Tigers
1. Ohio State at Michigan: who cares about the records, it's one of college football's best rivalries.
Remember to visit later in the week for Around the SEC and Professor's Picks.
See you at kickoff!
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