How do you beat Texas?

Since pretty much everybody and their brother has already picked Texas to beat Ohio State by a landslide, I figured I would try to piecemeal what I think it would take to beat this great Texas team.

 

First go get a wide receiver named Michael Crabtree and a QB named Graham Harrell.  Wait they play for Texas Tech and they beat this Longhorn team.  So I guess that means if we were playing Tech, they would beat us worse then Texas is going to?  The ball is not round and there are plenty of funny bounces out there.

 

Seriously, Texas is a very good team but teams and individuals have good days and bad days, just ask Alabama.  Here are few of my suggestions for Ohio State to have a chance against the Longhorns:

 

Let’s start with the defense because if they can’t stop the Texas O, this game is over.  The D line needs to stay home and play the run by holding down their assignments.  Keep the linemen off of the LBs and let them make the plays but if you get a chance to hit Colt McCoy hard, take it.  LBs and DBs need to be sure tacklers.  McCoy and the running backs are thick below the waist and can break weak arm tackles to pick up the big yards.  Don’t let anything behind you especially the safeties.  Third down is where the Bucks can make an impact.  If they hold them in third and long situations, the can win some of the field position battles which again is going to be a huge key in this game.  Make McCoy beat you with his arm and if there is a chance at a take-away don’t miss it.

 

Offensively the Bucks need to play their best game of the year.  Flawless in play calling, execution and effort.  I think people are looking for some kind of cute two QB deal and some trick plays because without them, the Bucks don’t have a chance.  Don’t believe it!  The Bucks can run the ball on this Texas D but the line will have to play even more physical than they did at MSU.  They have speed so don’t try to run Beanie or Terrell outside.  Keep Beanie and the rest of the RBs between the tackles, straight at them negates their speed.  Take the ball and decision making out of Pryor’s hands.  Let him gain confidence by throwing the short play action passes where he can run if he doesn’t have it and hit it if it is there.  Find the tight end early in the possession.  Make the safeties keep an eye on him and the WRs will find more room to work.  If we get tricky and try to focus on Terrell, I’m afraid we are in for another long January evening.  But if we go there to play football and let the seniors and the leadership to take this team and let the young studs run and play, it could be a really fun game. 

 

Still don’t know how all the pundits think we are sure to lose and I can’t tell you that the Buckeyes will win, but let’s at least play the game and see.  One point is all it’s going to take.

Story By Buckeye Legends

Heisman 2008

I have followed the Heisman Trophy presentation since I was old enough to hold a football and have always felt that it was one of the greatest awards ever presented to an athlete other than a Gold Medal in the Olympics.  I like the fact that it is only voted on by past winners and certain media (not so sure about this one since Lee Corso gets a vote) and these are the people that really follow college football and look for more than just stats.  The award has always stood for what is generally considered the best College player and usually ends up being a pretty good person in the process ( minus a couple including OJ).  There have been a few missteps where I thought there was clearly a better choice (ala Keith Byers over Flutie) but you can’t argue too hard against the choice.

 

This year must have been a considerable challenge because I think that there were some very worthy candidates.  Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Chase Daniel, Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and the rest.  It’s getting harder and harder to not choose a QB because they do so much more than they used to.  They run the ball, call plays in the no huddle, throw the ball very efficiently, reduce turnovers and lead their teams to wins.  Running backs and receivers almost have to have a phenomenal season and do more then just run and catch.  Defenders are pretty much out of it just because they can only get so much attention on the national stage and can be eliminated when teams play away from them.

 

I obviously don’t have a vote, but I was pretty high on Colt McCoy.  I felt that he did so much for his team in so many ways that he seemed to be the most valuable to his team that was ranked in the top five all year.  Throwing for over 77% is incredible for as many passes as he threw and limiting his turnovers to fewer than 10 is almost mind boggling.  Then you throw in that he ran for 550+ yards especially in key third down situations, he generated 75%+ of his teams offense.  Tebow was much the same but he also had a serious RB in Percy Harven who took some of the production off his shoulders.  Harrell and Daniel were also deserving and at least should have been invited to the presentation but I guess plane tickets are just too expensive these days.

 

Sam Bradford was a very good choice.  His numbers were staggering even with a solid Oklahoma running game (2 x 1000 yard rushers).  He seems to be well liked by his teammates and even as a sophomore he is consider the leader of the No. 1 team in the country.  Throwing for 48 TDs, rushing for 5, 4464 yards and a 68% completion percentage is a phenomenal year in any ones book.  He is a solid student and seems to be a well rounded young man.  He will be a great addition to the Heisman Club. 

 

So with pretty much all of these guys coming back and probably a few more thrown into the mix, next year’s Heisman Watch will probably start at the Bowl Games and will be just as intense and pressurized as this year’s.

 

Congratulations to Sam Bradford!

Go to Source

A Little Refresher: Top Five Bowl Games of Last Year

5. Gaylord Music City Bowl—Kentucky 35, Florida State 28

This game stayed very close the whole way through as both teams swapped touchdowns throughout the first half ending the half tied at 14. Kentucky quarterback, Andre Woodson had a huge game passing for over 350 yards and four touchdowns.

Florida State scored a touchdown with just over two minutes left in the game to put the Seminoles within a touchdown, but after getting the ball back with around a minute to go, they couldn’t tie the game up with another touchdown.

 

4. Konica Minolta Gator Bowl—Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28

After the first half it seemed like Virginia would cruise on back home with the Gator Bowl after a 21-7 lead, but a Texas Tech comeback ended those hopes.

Graham Harrell had a big game as usual, passing for over 400 yards, and so did his favorite receiver in Micheal Crabtree who had over 100 receiving yards. The Red Raiders scored their last 17 points within the last four minutes which included a game-winning field goal with two seconds left.

 

3. Chick-fil-A Bowl—Auburn 23, Clemson 20 (OT)

A back-and-forth game the whole time, Auburn ended up getting the last touchdown in this overtime battle. Auburn’s new spread offense helped them gain all of 423 yards, and gave them a big win over Clemson.

For Clemson, CJ Spiller and James Davis both had big games, but Clemson could only manage to get a field goal in overtime which wasn’t enough for the win.

 

2. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl—East Carolina 41, Boise State 38

East Carolina kicker, Ben Hartmen, made a 37-yard field goal as time expired to stun the Boise State Broncos.

Boise State looked like they would pull off another miracle, after they scored a defensive touchdown off of a fumble recovery as with under two minutes to play.

East Carolina’s running back, Chris Johnson who’s now playing for the Tennessee Titans was the obvious player of the game as he accounted for 408 total yards.

 

1. Capital One Bowl—Michigan 41, Florida 35

Nobody gave Michigan any chance in this game, but the Wolverines came out fired up and ready to play in this intense game. Although Florida’s offense proved almost unstoppable, the Gators couldn’t shut down Chad Henne or Mike Hart.

Michigan got a field goal and a touchdown within the last five minutes which was enough to be named the Capitol One Bowl champions.

Go to Source

College Postseason: The Miseducation Of Lisa Horne

Lisa Horne wrote an article expressing that the dominant conferences were weaker than the Big XII Conference. Then people wanted to know what she was basing this off of. Was it because they didn’t have enough BCS NC possible teams in the show? Was it in regards to the Heisman? Or is it because there wasn’t as much controversy in those conferences as there is in the Big XII Conference?

After watching her try to defend her defense of the Big XII Conference, I wanted to let the B/R Nation decide. But I did some quick research on this season’s bowl games and found something interesting.

ACC: 10 Postseason Representatives

• Wake Forest (Eagle Bank Bowl vs. Navy)
• North Carolina (Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. West Virginia)
• Florida State (Champs Sports Bowl vs. Wisconsin)
• Miami (Emerald Bowl vs. Cal)
• NC State (PapaJohns.com Bowl vs. Rutgers)
• Maryland (Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl vs. Nevada)
• Boston College (Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl vs. Vanderbilt)
• Georgia Tech (Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. LSU)
• Clemson (Konica Minolta Gator Bowl vs. Nebraska)
• Virginia Tech (Orange Bowl vs. Cincinnati)

SEC: 8 Postseason Representatives

• Vanderbilt (Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl vs. Boston College)
• LSU (Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Georgia Tech)
• South Carolina (Outback Bowl vs. Iowa)
• Georgia (Capital One Bowl vs. Michigan State)
• Ole Miss (AT&T Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech)
• Kentucky (AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. East Carolina)
• Alabama (Sugar Bowl vs. Utah)
• Florida (BCS National Championship vs. Oklahoma)

Big XII: 7 Postseason Representatives

• Missouri (Valero Alamo vs. Northwestern)
• Oklahoma State (Pacific Life Holiday Bowl vs. Oregon)
• Kansas (Insight Bowl vs. Minnesota)
• Nebraska (Konica Minolta Gator Bowl vs. Clemson)
• Texas Tech (AT&T Cotton Bowl vs. Ole Miss)
• Texas (Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State)
• Oklahoma (BCS National Championship vs. Florida)

Big Ten: 7 Postseason Representatives

• Wisconsin (Champs Sports Bowl vs. Florida State)
• Northwestern (Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Missouri)
• Minnesota (Insight Bowl vs. Kansas)
• Iowa (Outback Bowl vs. South Carolina)
• Michigan State (Capitol One Bowl vs. Georgia)
• Penn State (Rose Bowl vs. USC)
• Ohio State (Fiesta Bowl vs. Texas)

Big East: 6 Postseason Representatives

• South Florida (St. Petersburg Bowl vs. Memphis)
• West Virginia (Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. North Carolina)
• Rutgers (PapaJohns.com Bowl vs. N.C. State)
• Pitt (Brut Sun Bowl vs. Oregon State)
• UConn (International Bowl vs. Buffalo)
• Cincinnati (Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech)

Pac 10: 5 Postseason Representatives

• Arizona (Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl vs. BYU)
• Cal (Emerald Bowl vs. Miami (FL))
• Oregon (Pacific Life Holiday Bowl vs. Oklahoma State)
• Oregon State (Brut Sun Bowl vs. Pitt)
• USC (Rose Bowl vs. Penn State)

And this is just the main conferences. How do you think the smaller conferences did this seaason?

Mountain West: 5 Postseason Representatives

• Colorado State (New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State)
• BYU (Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl vs. Arizona)
• TCU (SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl vs. Boise State)
• Air Force (Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl vs. Houston) 
• Utah (Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama)

WAC: 5 Postseason Representatives 

• Fresno State (New Mexico Bowl vs. Colorado State) 
• Hawaii (Sheraton Hawaii Bowl vs. Notre Dame)
• Louisiana Tech (Independence Bowl vs. Northern Illinois)
• Nevada (Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl vs. Maryland)
• Boise State (SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl vs. TCU)

So when you do the simple mathematics of who is in the bowl games, the Big XII is not as dominating as Lisa wants them to be. She gave so much credit to Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell (who royally got the shaft in the Heisman) but none to Mack Brown, Mike Leach or Bob Stoops. It’s always good to be the quarterback, but you can’t be a great QB without a great coach to teach you the fundamental basics.

But it was a team effort that got a majority of these teams into their respective bowl games. But to just single out one player or position as the reason of their success is downright dumb. In regards to the SEC being dominant, I’m surprised no one threw former Tennessee Quarterback Peyton Manning’s name in the mix if you’re going to do name dropping.

Regardless, the Big XII is in as much trouble this bowl season as everyone else. And even though no one has flat out said that Oklahoma will slaughter Florida or vice versa, you have to know that someone wants to start the fireworks.

It’s good that you know stats and everything, Lisa, but the facts do not support your main argument. You called the SEC weak this season, but really didn’t give a reason to their weakness. You just went on about how great the quarterbacks of the Big XII look in their uniforms. But the numbers aren’t the only thing that people look at. They look at who has proven themselves to be a leader.

In all honesty, all four quarterbacks involved in the Heisman Chase have proven themselves to be leaders. But after tonight, only one will hold up the Heisman…and Tebow would much rather have a National Championship. And we all know about the Heisman Curse.

So here’s a better poll question: Who has been the stronger conference and who has been the weaker conference this year?

Go to Source

Jenkins wins Thorpe Award

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins was named college football’s best defensive back Thursday when he won the Jim Thorpe Award.

Jenkins finished ahead of Eric Berry (Tennessee) and Taylor Mays (USC).

 

“This is something I’ve had my eye on for some time,” Jenkins said. “And it’s not just about stats. If it was, I wouldn’t be here. It’s about leadership, and setting an example, too. You can’t imagine what this means to me. I was a semifinalist last year, and I’ve wanted to win it ever since.”

 

In other awards Thursday:

 

• Tim Tebow won the Maxwell Award for the second year, edging Texas’ Colt McCoy and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell for the honor given to college football’s best all-round player.

 

• Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford beat out Harrell and McCoy for the Davey O’Brien Award, which is given to the top quarterback.

 

• McCoy was the Walter Camp Player of the Year, leading the All-America team.

 

• Michael Crabtree, a Texas Tech sophomore, won his second straight Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver.

 

• Running back Shonn Greene of Iowa won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back, finishing ahead of Knowshon Moreno of Georgia and Javon Ringer of Michigan State, who will meet in the Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day in Orlando.

 

• The Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) was won by Andre Smith of Alabama.

 

• Rey Maualuga of USC won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player over James Laurinaitis of Ohio State and Aaron Maybin of Penn State.

 

• Matt Fodge of Oklahoma State won the Ray Guy Award (best punter) and Graham Gano of Florida State the Lou Groza Award (best kicker).

 

• Nick Saban was selected the Coach of the Year after leading Alabama to the SEC championship game and a 12-1 record.

Go to Source

College Football Bowls 2008/2009: Mitch’s First Early Leans

As I look around the Internet, I see a lot of people making their bowl picks and BCS Bowl picks. I was wondering if I could borrow their crystal ball.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I know my readers and viewers of my videos expect a lot more from me than looking at a lineup of games and just saying who I think will win or cover. They want me to sit down and do the homework and show them why I am leaning one way or another.

While I’m not right all the time, and some weeks not right much of the time, most weeks I’ve done pretty well in the picking department, and I hope my analysis has been spot-on all the time. Regardless, I know that at The College Football Place, over 350,000 people a month stop by, and a good bulk of them really know their college football.

While not everyone is brave enough to enter my free picking contest, those that do as a unit have a much higher winning percentage than just about any expert out there. That in itself is a testament to the community we have formed.

I am hoping that tonight or possibly today I’ll have a chance to send out the entries for the free bowl picking contest for those already signed up. For those not signed up yet, you have until the games kick off on Dec. 20. It’s easy, free, and we even have prizes.

So with no picks in place, it doesn’t mean I have come up with any opinions or leans as they are referred to, as I have several—some are stronger than others. While just because I’m leaning one way or another is no guarantee that is how my final pick ends up, it’s generally a good indication.

Please keep in mind though that a few weeks ago in the forum I was leaning Alabama, and then when I did my homework and wrote up the pick, I ended up taking Florida. While it’s rare, it happens, but when it does you are always given plenty of notice to move things around.

In any event, here are a few games I’m leaning one way or another and my reasoning. Please feel free to comment or hit the forum, as I’ve found when we do this together, the more we are all in agreement the better our record is. Our poll was well over 70 percent this season, probably North of 80 percent against the spread.

Here are a few games I’ve been looking at already and some early leans.

Texas Tech is a mere -5 1/2 against Ole Miss, dropping from the 7-7 1/2 range. I guess beating Florida at Florida several months ago means that much to Ole Miss, but it doesn’t get held against the Gators too much?

I have yet to figure this one out, but the big argument and what is helping us out having to lay less points is people are under the impression that Ole Miss is a good team. This just in: They aren’t. Ole Miss ranks 62nd in the country against the pass, and that’s 11th in the SEC for those keeping score of SEC stats.

Anyone still like the Rebels’ chances against Graham Harrell and company? Be my guest to step up to the betting window and knock the line down even further, because the rest of us are laughing at you.

Ole Miss beat a total of three bowl teams this year: the aforementioned Florida, LSU, and Memphis. Memphis was 6-6 with one of those coming against a I-AA opponent, and LSU was 7-5 with one win coming against a I-AA opponent. Texas Tech lost one game total in a brutal Big 12 this year. I think Houston Nutt’s boys may be in over their heads by a ton in this mismatch.

Boston College is -3 against Vandy. This line has moved from -4. For those who didn’t watch the second half of the season this year, Vandy lost six of their last seven games and barely made it to a bowl game. They even lost to Tennessee, which wasn’t an easy thing to do this year—just ask the Wyoming Cowboys and their 120th-ranked defense.

In any event, BC went 9-4 and had won four straight before losing to Virginia Tech in the ACC championship. Many feel that if BC didn’t suffer the late season injuries they had, they probably would have gone to a BCS Bowl game. Let me rephrase this so you understand it better: Their QB got knocked out and they played a guy with no experience and still managed some wins. BC with preparation in this one should easily dominate.

Also, for those looking at the conference matchup alone, the ACC got the best of the SEC this year, especially late in the season. Did I mention Vandy has the 104th-ranked offense and BC has the 18th-ranked defense? This may get ugly.

See the rest of Mitch’s First leans of the 2008/2009 college bowl season.

Go to Source

NCAA and Big 12 Both Need Fixing

Fix the Big 12—and the NCAA

Go to Source

Three Big Ten players named AFCA All-Americans

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The American Football Coaches Association announced its 2008 All-America team today, and three Big Ten players made the list.

Iowa junior running back Shonn Greene, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis and Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins all were among the honorees. Laurinaitis was selected for the second consecutive season.

Greene ranked second nationally in rushing average (144.1 yards per game). Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno edged Michigan State’s Javon Ringer for the other spot on the All-America team.

Ohio State has the second most selections (56) to the AFCA All-America team, trailing only Oklahoma, and the Buckeyes have the most repeat winners (13).

Offense

Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
WR	Michael Crabtree*	6-3	208	So.	Texas Tech	Mike Leach	Dallas, Texas (Carter)
WR	Dez Bryant	6-2	215	So.	Oklahoma St.	Mike Gundy	Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin)
TE	Chase Coffman	6-6	255	Sr.	Missouri	Gary Pinkel	Peculiar, Mo. (Raymore-Peculiar)
OL	Andre Smith	6-4	330	Jr.	Alabama	Nick Saban	Birmingham, Ala. (Huffman)
OL	Brandon Carter	6-7	350	Jr.	Texas Tech	Mike Leach	Longview, Texas (Spring Hill)
C	Antoine Caldwell	6-3	305	Sr.	Alabama	Nick Saban	Montgomery, Ala. (Lee)
OL	Michael Oher	6-5	318	Sr.	Mississippi	Houston Nutt	Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian)
OL	Andy Levitre	6-3	317	Sr.	Oregon St.	Mike Riley	Ben Lomond, Calif. (San Lorenzo Valley)
QB	Graham Harrell	6-3	205	Sr.	Texas Tech	Mike Leach	Ennis, Texas (Ennis)
RB	Knowshon Moreno	5-11	208	So.	Georgia	Mark Richt	Belford, N.J. (Middletown South)
RB	Shonn Greene	5-11	235	Jr.	Iowa	Kirk Ferentz	Sicklerville, N.J. (Milford Acad. [Conn.])

Defense

Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
DL	Brian Orakpo	6-4	260	Sr.	Texas	Mack Brown	Houston, Texas (Lamar)
DL	Terrence Cody	6-5	365	Jr.	Alabama	Nick Saban	Fort Myers, Fla. (Riverdale)
DL	George Selvie*	6-4	242	Jr.	South Florida	Jim Leavitt	Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest)
DL	Michael Johnson	6-7	260	Sr.	Georgia Tech	Paul Johnson	Selma, Ala. (Dallas County)
LB	James Laurinaitis*	6-3	240	Sr.	Ohio St.	Jim Tressel	Hamel, Minn. (Wayzata)
LB	Rey Maualuga	6-2	260	Sr.	USC	Pete Carroll	Eureka, Calif. (Eureka)
LB	Brandon Spikes	6-3	245	Jr.	Florida	Urban Meyer	Shelby, N.C. (Crest)
DB	Eric Berry	5-11	195	So.	Tennessee	Phil Fulmer	Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside)
DB	Rashad Johnson	6-0	186	Sr.	Alabama	Nick Saban	Sulligent, Ala. (Sulligent)
DB	Malcolm Jenkins	6-1	202	Sr.	Ohio St.	Jim Tressel	Piscataway, N.J. (Piscataway)
DB	Alphonso Smith	5-9	190	Sr.	Wake Forest	Jim Grobe	Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee)

Specialists

Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
P	Kevin Huber	6-1	220	Sr.	Cincinnati	Brian Kelly	Cincinnati, Ohio (McNicholas)
PK	Louie Sakoda	5-9	178	Sr.	Utah	Kyle Whittingham	San Jose, Calif. (Branham)
AP	Percy Harvin	5-11	195	Jr.	Florida	Urban Meyer	Virginia Beach, Va. (Landstown)

*-2007 All-American
Go to Source

Why Shonn Greene, Not Graham Harrell, Should Be a Heisman Finalist

Before I start getting hate mail from all those Red Raider fans, yes, I know he’s had a record-breaking season and all that good stuff, and I’ve seen his stats numerous times. Harrell did complete 408 passes on 568 attempts for 4,747 yards with 41 touchdowns, though he did have more yards and touchdowns last year, by the way.

He’ll probably win team MVP. Actually, I’d give that to Michael Crabtree. (Sorry, Longhorn fans! Had to bring him up.)

You are probably wondering how someone could replace one of the heads of the three-headed monster of the Big 12: Harrell, Bradford, and McCoy. Well, that would be the only running back in Division 1 football who has rushed for 100 yards in every single game this year. (His season-low was actually 103 yards.)

He is Shonn Greene of Iowa, the team who upset previously-undefeated Penn State. He also played in a conference where they decided to play defense. I cannot say the same for the Big 12.

The Big 12 had 12 quarterbacks throw for more touchdowns than interceptions—that’s every starting quarterback in the conference. No other conference can claim such a thing, with five of the 12 quarterbacks throwing for more than 28 touchdowns. That is just too much for one conference, and it must indicate that the Big 12 recruits great quarterbacks (some are) and that their defenses simply are not very good.

In addition, nine teams in the Big 12 average over 30 points a game, including 4-8 Baylor. Catch my drift? Each team was beating each other up during those high-scoring Big 12 conference games, with Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Texas going 1-1 against each other.

Go to Source

Ten Top 10s After Week 13 in College Football

Top 10 Teams

1) Alabama—I’ll be as shocked as anyone if they occupy this spot on Dec. 7.

2) Utah—Undefeated and the run away winner of the Holy War

3) Boise—Survived a scare but got it done.

4) Ball State—Will WMU be their undoing?

5) Oklahoma—Just a tough call.

6) Texas—Beat No. 5.

7) Florida—I’m sure their fans won’t like this too much but what am I supposed to do?

Penn State—Looks like they are the odd man out.

9) USC—I like the Defense, if they lose it will be the Offense’s fault.

10) Oregon State—These guys haven’t lost in a long time.

 

Top 10 Games This Past Week

1) Buffalo 40, Bowling Green 34 —Just when you thought it was over…

2) Oregon State 19, Arizona 17—The Beavers never led until the final gun sounded.

3) Ball State 31, Central Michigan 24—Everything we thought it would be and more.

4) Purdue 62,, Indiana 10—That’s the way to send out your retiring coach.

5) Syracuse 24, Notre Dame 23—What can you even say?

6) Boise 41, Nevada 34—Not really as close as the score.

7) Northern Illinois 42, Kent State 14—Not a great game but we had a hoot in the chat room.

Boston College 24, Wake Forest 21—BC showed guts even with their QB going down.

9) Cincinnati 28, Pittsburgh 21—Congrats to Brian Kelly and the Bearcats on their Big East title.

10) Washington State 16, Washington 13—Eyes glued to the TV watching the worst College Football has to offer.

 

Top 10 People I Am Thankful For This Year

1) My Wife—A true testament to patience and understanding.

2) The readers,  people, and the community of The College Football Place—350,000 unique visitors a month and growing every day, I am truly humbled.

3) Jordan—I hope everyone gets a chance in their life to work with someone who truly gets it.

4) Baby Tate—Not only the most knowledgeable and most informed person at Bleacher Report, also just a class act.

5) Yaro Starak—While he reminds me it was my dream, he helped me realize it.

6) Zander Freund—Unyielding supporter and defender of free speech and freedom of the press; I respect the heck out of that.

7) Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden—College football is better with these guys in it.

Gideon Shalwick—Gave me the confidence to add video to my blog; this is how most people recognize me.

9) The gang I grew up with—We knew at a very young age that football was a special game.

10) The people of Chicago—The best city to live in in the world!

 

Ten People Who Had A Bad Week

1) Charlie Weis—Not going to be fun in South Bend.

2) Ty Willingham—Not the way you want to go out.

3) Mike Leach—His team had NO answers.

4) Anyone still long the stock market—We touched 7500 on the Dow this week.

5) People who picked against me—I went 13-5 against the spread and 7-2 against the spread on my big picks.

6) Ron Zook—Great recruiter, bad coach.

7) The Miami Hurricanes—Back and on their way back mean two totally different things.

Tim Brewster—Not going to be the Coach of the Year

9) Mark Cuban—I don’t get it, this guy is worth how much?

10) Butch Davis—See “Ron Zook” (No. 6).

 

Top 10 Heisman Candidates

1) Tim Tebow—Why not?

2) Sam Bradford—The Texas Tech game was like an infomercial about him.

3) Rey Maualuga—I have no problem with it going to a defensive guy.

4) Colt McCoy—The accuracy this year has been unreal.

5) Knowshon Moreno—The best Running Back in the country.

6) Graham Harrell—Will get plenty of votes.

7) Michael Crabtree—Will be splitting votes with Harrell.

Beanie Wells—May be the best player.

9) Trevor Vittatoe—An inside joke, but really he’s no joke; give him another year.

10) Nate Davis—He’s had a heck of a year.

 

Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods

1) Turkey—It’s all about the bird; the star of the show.

2) Stuffing—Some call it dressing, I call it my second favorite.

3) Mashed Potatoes—Hello!

4) Corn—Anyone getting hungry?

5) Sweet Potatoes—Extra starch?, count me in.

6) Rolls—Hot, crusty, beautiful rolls.

7) Green Beans—Are these just for show?

Gravy—This should be it’s own food group.

9) Cranberries—Not everyone is a fan, I am.

10) Pumpkin Pie—Last but certainly not least.

 

Ten Favorite Games With Nicknames

1) The Backyard Brawl—Just a great name for a game.

2) Holy War—Sounds like a battle.

3) Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate—So what exactly do they mean?

4) The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party—The name was better than the game this year.

5) Civil War—War seems to be a good word for a named game.

6) The Game—Sounds like they mean business.

7) Bedlam—Always has been one of my favorites.

The Iron Bowl—Men of steel?

9) The Arch Rivalry—Played in St. Luis of course.

10) The Game—The Big Game was already taken.

 

Top 10 Trophies for Games

1) The Old Oaken Bucket—I just like saying it.

2) The Little Brown Jug—Another classic.

3) Paul Bunyan’s Axe—Looks very cool when they carry it around.

4) Chief Caddo Trophy—Just lovely at over 7 feet tall.

5) The Wagon Wheel—Anyone ever see When Harry Met Sally?

6) The Old Brass Spittoon—These guys kill each other for it, my wife wouldn’t let me bring it in the house.

7) The Iron Skillet—I saw one of these going for 35 cents at a garage sale recently.

The Beehive Boot—Who wouldn’t want to play for the Boot?

9) The Keg of Nails—Looks just like it sounds.

10) The Peace Pipe—This can get you arrested in 23 states.

 

Top 10 USA Today Preseason Teams From This Year

1) Georgia—The Dawgs were more bark than bite.

2) USC—May finish near this same spot.

3) Ohio State—Stumbled in the big games.

4) Oklahoma—Pretty close.

5) Florida—I wonder if the Gator fans gave these guys as hard a time as they give me.

6) LSU—Maybe No. 6 in the SEC?

7) Missouri—Never got over the hump.

West Virginia—Tough start and they were doomed.

9) Clemson—What exactly were they thinking?

10) Texas—The Longhorns were underrated for a change.

 

Ten Games I’m Looking Forward To This Week

1) Oklahoma State at Oklahoma—The Big 12 and another big game.

2) Florida at Florida State—Real Gator fans know this is no gimme.

3) Georgia Tech at Georgia—Should be a good game.

4) West Virginia at Pittsburgh—Panthers won as 29 point digs last year.

5) Oregon at Oregon State—These teams do not like each other.

6) Auburn at Alabama—Looks horrible on paper but you never know.

7) Notre Dame at USC—Anyone else looking forward to watching this?

Houston at Rice—Should be an offensive show.

9) Western Michigan at Ball State—Does Ball State stay perfect?

10) South Carolina at Clemson—The battle for the Palmetto State.

 

Visit Mitch anytime at The College Football Place.

Go to Source

Next Page »