College Football

[Carey]

10 minutes ago, Crs97 said:

It’s ridiculous that the CFP even felt the need to justify their decision.  Alabama had a worse record.  Period.  Nothing else needed to be said.  I don’t mind a coach advocating for his team, but Saban’s entitlement is OTT.

Alabama having a worse record is not a reason, period.  Otherwise, they would've put in Cincinnati and Central Florida in the past, and more important, Florida State would've been the top team and faced Ohio State in 2014-2015 instead of travelling to Pasadena to get crushed by Oregon.

That [win/loss record] is a factor, but that alone does not exclude them from the conversation.  And chances are, it will be proven as such on New Year's Eve (just like in 2016).  OTOH, Ohio State might prove that they belong (a la 2014, 2020).

Alabama is only in this spot now because Tennessee, LSU, Oregon, and USC all vomited when they could least afford to.  The Tide are a great team, but they weren't that good this year.  Yes they lost on the road by 4 total points, and OSU gave up at home, but Bama wasn't so dominant.  I think they still would lose to Georgia this year.  They probably would have lost the SEC Title Game, but THREE LOSS LSU got the nod since the rules exclude LSU's loss to Florida State.

Ohio State wasn't a clear choice overall, but between them and Bama is was decisive enough.  More than just the record, it's the body of work

Time for New Year's SIX Dates

Orange Bowl:  Clemson vs Tennessee [12/30]

Sugar Bowl:  Kansas State vs Alabama [12/31]

Cotton Bowl: Tulane vs USC [01/02]

Rose Bowl: Penn State vs Utah [01/02]

Peach Bowl: Ohio State vs Georgia [12/31] *

Fiesta Bowl: TCU vs Michigan [12/31] *

Here is the sixth CFB Playoff rankings.  The final one includes Washington in 12th place.  Not a snub for a NY6 bowl, but as are the rules, the highest ranked GOF (Group of Five) team gets that "glorified" game.  Tulane finished in 16th place.

While the times are a non-issue for the New Year's Eve games, I think the Georgia/OSU should've been the first game.  Not sure I'd want to lose (or win) a game to end/start a calendar year.

* Playoff Semi-Final

Edited December 4, 2022 by Carey
Rankings Reasoning

[PepSinger]

12 minutes ago, ChitChat said:

I'm not sure why Finebaum has turned into an ass, but any coach in Saban's position would lobby for his team.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained,  and it builds confidence with his players that he has their backs.

He turned into an ass because he is a Tennessee fan, and the TN fanbase have been assholes all season. I listened to his show last season and this season, and I have definitely noticed a difference. He, like the rest of their fanbase, is bitter, which is why it gives me great pleasure that Alabama is 6th, and they are 7th.
 

TN fans constantly invade Alabama fan spaces, especially on Twitter, and it’s annoying as fuck. At this point, I hate their fans more than I do Auburn fans, which is REALLY saying something. 

[PepSinger]

21 minutes ago, Carey said:

Ohio State wasn't a clear choice overall, but between them and Bama is was decisive enough.  More than just the record, it's the body of work

I agree with what Rece Davis said on ESPN. He said that he actually didn’t think there were any good choices for the 4th slot, but the committee did what they felt was right.

[roamyn]

2 hours ago, ChitChat said:

I'm not sure why Finebaum has turned into an ass, but any coach in Saban's position would lobby for his team.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained,  and it builds confidence with his players that he has their back

LOL

Coming from a B1G fan, I think he’s mellowed.  He was more an ass when he was up in the SEC’s butt.

It’s all abt perspective I guess.

[PepSinger]

Paul can kiss my Alabama ass

[AimingforYoko]

I think OSU can move the ball on Georgia, but can they stop them? That's been the question all year for them. I'd like to see the best NC game and that's Michigan-Georgia.

[Chit Chat]

Kirby Smart learned from the best. I have no doubt that they will be hoisting the National Championship trophy when it's all said and done!

[Salacious Kitty]

I hope he goes home empty handed. My most fervent wish is that the fucking SEC is shut out. Since I have family currently attending Michigan, I will root for them, but if they lose to TCU, I will be the Horned Frogs' biggest fan. That can honor my girlfriend who went to grad school there. 😁

[xaxat]

Cincinnati and Louisville are playing in next week's Wasabi Bowl. This morning Cincinnati announced that they have hired the Louisville coach.

Awkward.

[Popples]

[PepSinger]

We deserved every bit of that SEC Shorts this week. Well done. LOL

[Xeliou66]

Anthony Richardson leaving Florida and declaring for the NFL draft. Big mistake IMO, he’s wildly inconsistent and not a good passer, he completed 53% of his passes this season, that’s poor, he’s a weaker version of Marcus Mariota IMO and Mariota doesn’t have what it takes to be an NFL QB, so Richardson will be a total bust. Any GM who drafts him before the 5th round would be a total fool IMO, this guy is not an NFL caliber QB, and Richardson is a dummy for leaving when he could’ve returned and had a chance to play a lot better next season.

And this leaves Florida in a very interesting position for the Las Vegas Bowl, since their backup QB has been arrested on child porn charges and will obviously never play again. So the Gators will be starting a QB who hasn’t thrown a pass this season.

[AimingforYoko]

6 hours ago, Popples said:

Best YouTube comment: "Saban was campaigning like he lived in Georgia."

[Popples]

Who do we think is winning it?

[AimingforYoko]

A little surprised Hooker wasn't a finalist. His numbers were right there, even with the season ending injury.

[Xeliou66]

I’m certain Caleb Williams will win the Heisman. He has the best numbers and is probably the most dangerous player IMO. 

[galaxygirl76]

On 12/4/2022 at 2:18 PM, Salacious Kitty said:

A comprehensive list of bowl games.

Teams TBD, but you can get an idea where your school may end up. Unless you're my alma mater, then you sit home eating gruel. 

Iowa will be playing Kentucky again in a replay of last year's bowl game. Unfortunately for Kentucky, our quarterback had season ending surgery so he won't play against them.

6 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

 So the Gators will be starting a QB who hasn’t thrown a pass this season.

Sounds like Iowa. Kirk is allergic to letting the second and third stringers getting time unless he's forced to(ISTG he let Padilla in the OSU game just to tell the fanbase 'see he ain't better than Petras!'), so since our second string QB entered the portal the third QB will play against Kentucky.

[Carey]

For the Heisman, I'd go Caleb to if I had to pick now.  I think it depends on whether the voters made their decisions before Championship Saturday.  

I'm not surprised Hooker was snubbed.  Pretty similar thing happened with Dixon 15 years ago.  Just above borderline candidate but got hurt late in the year.

Corum from Michigan also didn't get an invite.  Their fans are pissed, to which I'll laugh.  You go to win, and not to make an appearance.  Bryce Young wasn't winning this year, but I would've loved to see him get to New York as the reigning champ.  Especially since he returned, though he wasn't eligible for the NFL (a la Winston in 2014)

[twoods]

57 minutes ago, Xeliou66 said:

I’m certain Caleb Williams will win the Heisman. He has the best numbers and is probably the most dangerous player IMO. 

Definitely. Look how crappy their offense was after he got injured. He was tearing that defense apart in the first. 

[xaxat]

This year I really wish there was a dominant defensive player, because the offensive options for Heisman, while accomplished, are no overwhelming.

[Carey]

7 minutes ago, xaxat said:

This year I really wish there was a dominant defensive player, because the offensive options for Heisman, while accomplished, are no overwhelming.

At least the voters pick people other than quarterbacks, unlike the NFL for their annual MVP award

[roamyn]

I don’t know.  After watching Stetson Bennett last year, and this, I think he might deserve the award.  But to me it’s definitely between Stetson and Caleb.

CJ shouldn’t even be there, but I’m glad Corum wasn’t invited. 😆😆😆👍

[Phebemarie]

9 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

So the Gators will be starting a QB who hasn’t thrown a pass this season.

As an Oregon State fan, I feel disappointed for the Beavers.   I just read 20 players from Florida have opted out of the game.  I hope the game isn't forfeited, and Beavers win by default.  Don't get me wrong, I want the Beavers to win...I just think it will be a hollow victory (especially if the game isn't played at all).

[Chit Chat]

10 hours ago, Phebemarie said:

As an Oregon State fan, I feel disappointed for the Beavers.   I just read 20 players from Florida have opted out of the game. 

It is disappointing to see players on any team opt out of the Bowl games.  I'm not sure how many will do the same with Bama.  We'd like to see the number of teams in the playoffs expanded and make those the Bowl games, so maybe the players will feel like they've got something to play for.  The Bowl games are starting to lose their importance because of the number of players opting out.  We hate seeing teams put in a half-effort in the Bowl games.  They used to have such significance!  

Phebemarie:  Although my son went to Alabama (Bama fan for life), he now lives in Oregon and also roots for the Beavers.  He went to one of their games a few years ago and had a lot of fun.  We try to pay attention to their schedule too.  

[roamyn]

17 hours ago, roamyn said:

I don’t know.  After watching Stetson Bennett last year, and this, I think he might deserve the award.  But to me it’s definitely between Stetson and Caleb.

CJ shouldn’t even be there, but I’m glad Corum wasn’t invited. 😆😆😆👍

Ok I was wrong abt CJ.  After looking at their stats, CJ & Caleb are tied for the most TDS, but Caleb has the greater yardage.  It’s just that CJ was on fire for mist of the season and then seemed to peter out the last few games, and he threw more INTs.  So I guess he does deserve the invitation, but I don’t see him winning the Heiseman.  IMO it’s between Caleb and Stetson.

But if heart, grit & carrying your offense were factors, Max would win.

[mojoween]

If the 12 team playoff format was in place this year, based on the new format, Clemson would be the 3-seed.  I find that to be very silly.

[roamyn]

3 hours ago, mojoween said:

If the 12 team playoff format was in place this year, based on the new format, Clemson would be the 3-seed.  I find that to be very silly.

Not necessarily.  UGA, TTUN, Utah & K-State probably have the better champion resumes, over Clemson.  Then it would be Clemson and maybe the MAC champion. They didn’t state the ACC champ automatically gets a spot in the top four, right?

[mojoween]

This article was in my paper today and said that the top 4 conference champs get byes, and based on the rankings, that would be Georgia, Michigan, Clemson and Utah.

Future playoff

[mojoween]

I’m guessing ten years ago on this date Johnny Manziel won the Heisman, and I had some thoughts about it…

Ugh no.  A stupid freshman should not win the Heisman.

[Carey]

Quick pick.  Really a cheap, petty hedge for Army/Navy with Navy winning, Army covering, and the under 32.5 being the total.  Would totally have pushed there, but FanDuel has been adding the point 5 for at least most of their numbers all year to force a decision from yours truly.

Here's another hedge (albeit to a lesser extent).  Williams wins the Heisman, but I'd go with Bennett if I had to pick someone else other than Williams.  Caleb got hurt but it was in a title game.  Stenson would've been someone I'd make a January prediction for to obtain a big payout if it hit (a la Burrow).  That actually was the case in early 2021, except one would have had to wager more than people may have done with Burrow 2 years prior.

The good news about this year's Heisman award is that there is no clear-cut winner.  We'll probably know before it's revealed, but in past years, the eventual winner was obvious at least a week or two before Heisman night

[xaxat]

I have relatives who went to West Point and Annapolis and know people who played on both teams, so every year I just root for a close game.

Edited December 10, 2022 by xaxat

[Carey]

Army wins in Double OT.  First OT as the other 7 ended in a tie.  Sorta a surprise that there haven't been more games ending in regulation.

Man, I love Army/Navy. You might get a pick or a bet wrong & be upset/mad about it. However, it lasts a minute before you're satisfied for the year's best football game full of class. It's against people who battle for a day & are tight the other 364 days.  Unlike several other games, this may be the only one where any bitterness goes away real quick to where you appreciate the game and what everything related to it is all about

[Carey]

Non-shocker: Caleb Williams is your 2022 Heisman winner.  Though, prior to this evening & TBH, it wasn't as obvious as past winners.  Sure NBC tweeted (and deleted) their tweet early for some reason, but if you watched the entire show, the structure gave it away throughout the hour anyway

[Salacious Kitty]

I only watch the last 5-10 minutes. Tonight, I got caught up in stuff and missed the window. Glad the voters did the right thing. Fight on! ✌

[Chit Chat]

We heard that Bryce Young and Will Anderson will play in the Sugar Bowl.  Woot!  I hope that's true.  I don't want to see any of them risk injury, but on the other hand, I think it's really important to the team and the fans if they'd play.  Of course, only they can decide what's best for them, but I really respect them for honoring the Bowl game and finishing the season in this way.  

[emma675]

The news does not sound great regarding Mississippi State coach: Mike Leach. 

[ItsHelloPattiagain]

4 hours ago, ChitChat said:

We heard that Bryce Young and Will Anderson will play in the Sugar Bowl.  Woot!  I hope that's true.  I don't want to see any of them risk injury, but on the other hand, I think it's really important to the team and the fans if they'd play.  Of course, only they can decide what's best for them, but I really respect them for honoring the Bowl game and finishing the season in this way.  

Crossing my fingers that this is true.  Bama just didn't get themselves together this year so finishing out the Sugar Bowl with Bryce and Will would just be the icing on the cake (a really flat cake that didn't rise to the occasion). 

[emma675]

Mike Leach has apparently died.

[xaxat]

People will remember him as an odd duck (his infatuation with pirates etc.), but his offensives concepts in the Air Raid  had a major influence on the game we see today.

[voiceover]

Heartbreaking news about Coach Mike Leach.  A true original.  One of those people who never met a stranger.  I grieve this unexpected loss for his family, his friends, his coaches & staff, and his players.

[PepSinger]

Terrible news. Just terrible. He was at a Christmas party on Saturday night, and now, he’s dead. I can’t even imagine how his family feels. Heartbreaking.

[Chit Chat]

RIP Coach Leach.  The SEC Nation (along with many others) is saddened by the loss.  

[Carey]

This sucks.  As mentioned, Coach Mike Leach was a character, and a rather big part of College Football.  Pretty good coach, and hilarious on (and off) the cameras.  I hope his family can find some peace and some strength during this very unexpected & difficult time.

[Xeliou66]

Terrible news about Mike Leach - he was one of my favorite coaches in CFB and a truly unique character. Always loved watching his high octane offenses. He’ll be missed. RIP to The Pirate.

[Carey]

College Bowl season starts today.  AM Football!  And on a weekday!  Woo hoo!

Unless it's a New Year's Six game or a game for the championship, it's not as glorified as before.  FWIW, the games that are played on New Year's Day (or January 2nd this year) other than the Rose or Sugar are okay.

Nevertheless, I'll pick the games.  All of them, but not right now.  Just UAB and Troy for the win.  I hope to address Saturday's slate later.  I'll get next week's on here tomorrow, and the rest of the stuff (post X-Mas games) next week.

So I have UAB beating Miami of Ohio and Troy over UTSA.  Really a legit coinflip.  No effort at all.  I'll see how many I get right when the season ends.  Today's double header starts at 11:30 on ESPN.  That's Eastern Time

[Xeliou66]

2 good bowls to get the bowl season started - UAB beat Miami OH in the Bahamas in a close one, and Troy came back and beat UTSA in the Cure Bowl, both Troy and UTSA had great seasons, that was a good battle, Trojans defense won it for them.

[Carey]

Oh wow.  Louisville & Cincinnati are starting at 11:00.  Thought it was 11:30 (though I tried to get my pick in for this game much earlier).  I'll still throw out one later.  Though most of these games are total wildcards, especially this one.  The only ones I'm putting effort into are the NY6 stuff & the one on 01/09/23

ETA: Cincy for the win

Edited December 17, 2022 by Carey

[Carey]

Aww no longer perfect on the season in terms of Bowl Games.  Haha!

Louisville routs Cincinnati 24-7.  Rather hilarious storyline between these two programs to be fair & honest!

I have Florida beating Oregon State.  Just a prediction; I probably ought to go the other way, but it doesn't matter since I suck at picking games involving the Gators

[Carey]

For the remainder of the Saturday bowl games, I'll go with Fresno State, Southern Mississippi, Southern Methodist, & North Texas.  Only people betting on these games truly care about them (over the CBS Sports Classic and the Saturday NFL slate)

[Carey]

Whoops!  Wrong thread.  I blame (the glory of) great sports on television featuring College hoops, college football and NFL football.  Plus some golf!

Edited December 17, 2022 by Carey
College Football and Pro Football aren't completely the same