Sully's Big Blog! Commentary on College Football, Weekly Games, And Strange Statistics!

Capital One Bowl 2013 South Carolina vs Wisconsin

Bowl History:  The Capital Bowl has been around since 1947, known as the Tangerine Bowl (1947 to 1982), the Florida Citrus Bowl (1983 to 2002) and the Capital One Bowl 2003 to present! The first game was played on January 1, 1947… in which Catawba beat Maryville, 31-0! Last year’s game was won by Georgia over Nebraska, 45-31! The Conference tie-ins are the SEC & the Big Ten and the Bowl payout is $4,550,000.00!

Teams: Wisconsin: Conference Affiliation: Big 10; Overall Record 9-3, Conference Record 6-2, Divisional Record 3-2 (Big Ten’s Leaders Division) vs South Carolina Conference Affiliation: SEC; Overall Record 10-2, Conference Record: 6-2, Divisional Record 4-2 (SEC’s East Division)

Bowl Location: Orlando, Florida … played @ the Citrus Bowl, the seating capacity @ the facility is 65,538. Last year’s game which featured Nebraska and Georgia, was attended by 59,712.

Day, Date & Time: Wednesday, 1/1/ 2014 @ 12:00p.m.

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): Wisconsin: Iowa 28-9 & BYU 27-17; South Carolina: UCF 28-25, Missouri 27-24 in OT, & Clemson 31-17.

Worst Losses: Penn State 31-24; South Carolina: Tennessee 23-21!

Common Opponents: None!

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: Wisconsin -1

Offensive Team Data: South Carolina; Total Yards,  454 YPG; Passing Yards,  249 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  205 YPG; Scoring Average,  34 PPG, Turnovers,  1.25 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 42.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 81% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 69%

Offensive Team Data: Wisconsin; Total Yards,  487 YPG; Passing Yards, 204 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 283 YPG; Scoring Average  36 PPG, Turnovers,  1.25 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 41.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 81% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 71%

Defensive Team Data: South Carolina; Total Yards,  345 YPG; Passing Yards,  203 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  142 YPG; Scoring Average,  20 PPG, Turnovers,  2.17 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 37.2%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 83% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 61%

Defensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  293 YPG; Passing Yards,  191 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  101 YPG; Scoring Average,  15 PPG, Turnovers,  1.5 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 30.6%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 73% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 37%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take USC’s total yards on offense, add it to what Wisconsin gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Wisconsin’s total offense, add it to what South Carolina gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, Wisconsin …. 416 to 374

Passing Yards: Advantage, South Carolina …. 221 to 204

Rushing Yards: Advantage, Wisconsin …. 213 to 153

Scoring: Advantage, Wisconsin…. 28 to 25

Turnovers: Advantage, South Carolina … 1.38 to 1.71

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Wisconsin… 39.45 to 36.65

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, Wisconsin … 82% to 77%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage,  Wisconsin … 66% to 53%

Individuals to Watch: South Carolina: QB Connor Shaw 2135 Passing Yards, 21 TD’s & 1 INT & RB Mike Davis Rushing Yards 1134 & 11 TD’s; Wisconsin: QB Joel Stave 2414 passing yards, 20 TD’s & 12 INT’s, WR Jared Abdrederis 73 receptions, 1051 receiving yards, and 7 TD’s & RB Melvin Gordam 1466 rushing yards & 12 TD’s

Sully Says: #’s do lie … South Carolina by more than a TD .. but less than 10!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, Big Ten, SEC, South Carolina, Wisconsin |

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 2013 Michigan vs Kansas State

Bowl History: The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl  …. the NCAA certified this Bowl in 1989 and the game has been played annually since that time! This Bowl has had a variety of sponsors: Domino’s Pizza (1989-90), Weiser Lock (1991-95), Insight Enterprises (1996-2011) & in 2012, Buffalo Wild Wings.   The first game in this bowl series took place on December, 31, 1989 … Arizona beat North Carolina State, 17-10 while last years game featured, Michigan State and TCU, a game won by the Spartans (MSU), 17-16! The 2011 game, is best remembered for … the ESPN Skycam crashing on to the field and almost taking out Iowa’s WR , Marvin McNutt! This 2011 addition of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, (last year known as the Insight Bowl) had the best attendance in its history, 54,247! Finally, the conference tie-ins are Big Ten /Big 12 & the Bowl Pay out is $3,300,000.00 per team!

Teams: Conference Affiliation: Big 10; Michigan: Overall Record 7-5, Conference Record 3-5, Divisional Record 2-3 (Big 10’s Legends Division) vs Kansas State: Conference  Affiliation: Big 12; Overall Record 7-5, Conference Record: 4-5!

Bowl Location: Tempe, Arizona @ Sun Devil Stadium, the seating capacity @ the facility is 71,706. Last year’s game which featured Michigan State and TCU, was attended by 44,617.

Day, Date & Time: Saturday, 12/28/2013 @ 9:15

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): Michigan: Notre Dame 41-30; Kansas State: Texas Tech 49-26

Worst Losses: Michigan: Nebraska @ Home 17-13; Kansas State: North Dakota State 24-21

Common Opponents: None!

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: Kansas State -3.5

Offensive Team Data: Michigan; Total Yards,  380 YPG; Passing Yards,  251 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  129 YPG; Scoring Average,  34 PPG, Turnovers,  1.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 3.86%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 91% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 82%

Offensive Team Data: Kansas State ; Total Yards,  421YPG; Passing Yards, 227 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 194 YPG; Scoring Average  33 PPG, Turnovers,  1.92 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 47.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 87% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 73%

Defensive Team Data: Michigan ; Total Yards,  366 YPG; Passing Yards,  227 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  139 YPG; Scoring Average,  27 PPG, Turnovers,  2 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 38%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 85% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 51%

Defensive Team Data: Kansas State; Total Yards,  364 YPG; Passing Yards,  220 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  144 YPG; Scoring Average,  24 PPG, Turnovers,  2.17 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 41%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 90% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 59%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Michigan’s total yards on offense, add it to what K-State gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Kansas State’s total offense, add it to what Michigan gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, Kansas State …. 394 to 372

Passing Yards: Advantage, Michigan…. 236 to 227

Rushing Yards: Advantage, Kansas State…. 167 to 137

Scoring: Advantage, Kansas State…. 30 to 29

Turnovers: Advantage, Michigan … 1.92 to 1.96

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Kansas State … 42.9 to 39.8

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, Michigan … 90.5% to 86%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage, Michigan … 70.5% to 62%

Individuals to Watch: Michigan:  QB Devin Gardner 2960 Passing Yards, 21 TD’s & 11 INT’s & WR Jeremy Gallon 80 Receptions, 1284 yards, & 9 TD’s; Kansas State: QB Jake Walters 2198 yards passing, 15 TD’s & 9 INT’s & WR Tyler Lockett, 71 receptions, 1146 yerds receiving &  8 TD’s

Sully Says: The Big 12 played 8 BCS opponents out of conference and went 4-4, (including 2 of the 4 wins that were against SMU, who was not in a BCS conference until this year … AAC) Take the Wolverines and and the 4 points … Michigan wins outright!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, Big 12, Big Ten, Kansas State, Michigan |

Texas Bowl: Minnesota vs Syracuse 2013

Bowl History: This bowl is not to be confused with the current Belk Bowl  (formally known as the Meineke Car Care Bowl … which is played in Memphis, Tennessee). The official name of this event is the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas! There have been two other bowls played in Houston; the Houston Bowl, 2000 to 2005 & the Bluebonnet Bowl, played from 1959 to 1987. The current Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas is not an extension of either of these bowls and traces its origins to 2006! The first game in this bowl series was played between Rutgers & Kansas State, won by Rutgers, 37 to 10, on December 28, 2006! Last year’s bowl game champion …  was/is Texas A&M, who stopped Northwestern, 33-22, on December 31, 2011! The conference tie-ins are Big 12 / Big Ten and the bowl payout is $1,700,000.00 per team!

Teams: Minnesota: Conference Affiliation: Big Ten; Overall Record 8-4, Conference Record 4-4, & Leaders Division 2-3….  vs ….   Syracuse:  Conference Affiliation: AAC; Overall Record 6-6 & Conference Record 4-4, & Atlantic Division Record 4-2!

Bowl Location: The Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas is played in Houston, Texas! The hosting arena is Reliant Stadium, the home field for the NFL’s, Houston Texans! Reliant Stadium has a has a seating capacity of 71,054 & last year’s game (2012), played between Texas Tech & Minnesota … won by TT 34-31 …. drew a crowd 50,386.

Day, Date & Time: Friday, 12/27/2013 @ 5:00 p.m. CST

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): Minnesota beat Nebraska 34-23 & PSU 24-10; Syracuse: beat BC 34-31 & Maryland 20-3!

Worst Losses: Minnesota: Michigan 42-13; Syracuse: Georgia Tech 56-0 & Northwestern 48-27

Common Opponents: Penn State & Northwestern … Minnesota beat both of these teams ( NW 20-17 & PSU 24-10), while Syracuse lost to both of them (NW 48-27 & PSU 23-17)

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: Minnesota -4

Offensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  343 YPG; Passing Yards,  142 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  201 YPG; Scoring Average,  27 PPG, Turnovers,  1.25 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 41.8%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 95% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 73%

Offensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  375 YPG; Passing Yards, 181 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 194 YPG; Scoring Average  23 PPG, Turnovers,  1.58 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 37.8%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 84% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 68%

Defensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  372 YPG; Passing Yards,  217 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  156 YPG; Scoring Average,  22 PPG, Turnovers,  1.5 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 35.6%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 74% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 50%

Defensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  370 YPG; Passing Yards,  230 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  140 YPG; Scoring Average,  26 PPG, Turnovers,  2.08 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 32.2%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 81% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 50%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Minnesota’s total yards on offense, add it to what Syracuse gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Syracuse’s total offense, add it to what Minnesota gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, Syracuse …. 374 to 357

Passing Yards: Advantage, Syracuse …. 199 to 186

Rushing Yards: Advantage, Syracuse …. 175 to 171

Scoring: Advantage, Minnesota …. 27 to 23

Turnovers: Advantage, Syracuse  … 1.54 to 1.67

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Minnesota … 37% to 36.7%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, Minnesota … 88% to 79%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage, Minnesota … 62% to 59%

Individuals to Watch: Minnesota: QB: Phillip Nelson 1288 Passing Yards, 9 TD’s & 6 INT’s & RB Davis Cabb 1111 rushing yards & 7 TD’s! Syracuse: QB Terrel Hunt 1450 passing yards, 10 TD’d & 8 INT’s & RB Jerome Smith 840 yards rushing & 11TD’s!

Sully Says: Minnesota is not only better against common opponents (PSU & Northwestern) the Gophers have won the last two times these teams met, 2009, 23-20 & 2012, 17-10! Minnesota wins and covers the 4 points!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, ACC, Big Ten, Minnesota, Syracuse |

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 2013

Bowl History:  This bowl was established in 2001 with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts sponsoring the game from 2002 through 2004, during that time the bowl was officially known as the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl. In 2005, due to damage by Hurricane Katrina, the Superdome was unavailable and the game site was moved to Cajun Field on the University of Louisiana Lafayette’s Campus. In 2006, R&L Carriers took over sponsorship and have presented the Bowl to/through the present!.  The inaugural game was played on December 18, 2001, Colorado State beat North Texas, 45-20. The defending champ from the 2012 rendition is UL Lafayette, who beat East carolina, 43-34, in front of the largest crowd to attend any of Wyndham or R&L New Orleans Bowls, ….. 48, 828! The Mercedes-Benz Superdome capacity is 73,208.  Conference Tie-ins, Sun Belt & C-USA (Mountain West back-up)  and payout per team is $500.000.00!

Teams:  Conference, C-USA, Tulane: Overall Record, 7-5, Conference Record, 5-3, Divisional Record 4-2 vs Louisiana Lafayette: Conference, Sun Belt; Overall Record, 8-4; Conference Record 5-2 … Sun Belt does not have Divisional play!

Bowl Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, in New Orleans, Louisiana is the home site of the game . R&L Carriers, the sponsor of the bowl, is a global transportation service company. As mentioned, the game has been played every year at the Superdome since its conception in 2001, with the lone exception of 2005, due to damage …done to the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina!

Day, Date & Time: Saturday , 12/21/2013 @ 8:00 p.m CST

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): Tulane: East Carolina 34-31 in OT; Louisiana: Western Kentucky 37-20

Worst Losses: Tulane: South Alabama 41-39; Louisiana: South Alabama 30-8

Common Opponents: South Alabama; Louisiana & Tulane both lost to the Jaguars!

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: Pick em’ Game

Offensive Team Data: Louisiana; Total Yards,  423 YPG; Passing Yards,  215 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  208 YPG; Scoring Average,  35 PPG, Turnovers,  1.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 51.3 %; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 88% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 72%

Offensive Team Data: Tulane; Total Yards,  304 YPG; Passing Yards, 176 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 128 YPG; Scoring Average  25 PPG, Turnovers,  1.75 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 41.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 73% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 55%

Defensive Team Data: Louisiana; Total Yards,  405 YPG; Passing Yards,  237 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  168 YPG; Scoring Average,  27 PPG, Turnovers,  1.75 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 42.4%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 80% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 51%

Defensive Team Data: Tulane; Total Yards,  353 YPG; Passing Yards,  233 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  120 YPG; Scoring Average,  21 PPG, Turnovers,  2.75 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 39.4%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 72% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 43%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Arizona’s total yards on offense, add it to what Nevada gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Nevada’s total offense, add it to what Arizona gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, Louisiana…. 388 to 355

Passing Yards: Advantage, Louisiana …. 224 to 207

Rushing Yards: Advantage, Louisiana …. 164 to 148

Scoring: Advantage, Louisiana ….28 to 26

Turnovers: Advantage, Tulane… 1.57 to 2.21

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Louisiana … 45.35% to 39.35%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, Louisiana … 80% to 77%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage, Louisiana … 58% to 53%

Individuals to Watch: Tulane: QB Nick Montana; 1654 yards passing, 14 TD’s, & 9 INT’s & WR Ryan Grant; 70 receptions, 926 yards, & 9 TD’s! Louisiana … Terrance Broadway, 2276 Passing yards, 19 TD’s & 10 INT’s & RB Alonzo Harris, 868 rushing yards & 13 TD’s!

Sully Says: C-USA is the stronger league … Tulane finds away in this very close game!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, AAC, C-USA, Louisiana, Sun Belt, Tulane |

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2013

Bowl History: This Bowl began in 1997, (formally known as the Humanitarian Bowl) Conference tie-ins … A MWC squad vs a team from the MAC. Cincinnati beat Utah State in the Bowl’s inaugural game, 35-19, while the defending champion, Utah State, beat Toledo, 41-15, in 2012 rendition of pass the Potato. Bowl Payout … $750,000.00 to both teams!

Teams: Buffalo; Regular Season 8-4 / MAC Conference Record 6-2 (tied for 2nd in the East Division of the MAC) & 4-1 in the East Division vs San Diego State; Regular Season Record 7-5 / MWC Conference Record 6-2, & 3-2 in the West Division!

Bowl Location: The game is played annually in Boise, Idaho @ Bronco Stadium on the campus of Boise State University! Stadium capacity is 33,500 … Highest attandence, 2002, 30,446 … Boise state beat Iowa State, 34-16… Lowest attandance, 1997, 16,289, when Cincinnati beat Utah State, 35-19!

Day, Date & Time: Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 4:30 CST!

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): Buffalo; beat Ohio (7-5), 30-3; San Diego State; Boise State 34-31 in OT

Worst Losses: Buffalo: Baylor 70-13; San Diego State; Eastern Illinois 40-19

Common Opponents: Ohio State…. Buffalo lost 40-20 & SDSU lost 42-7

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: Buffalo -1

Offensive Team Data: San Diego State; Total Yards,  422 YPG; Passing Yards,  262 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  160 YPG; Scoring Average,  28 PPG,  Turnovers,  2.33 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 40.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 71% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 46%

Offensive Team Data: Buffalo; Total Yards,  402 YPG; Passing Yards, 230 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 172 YPG; Scoring Average  31 PPG, Turnovers,  1 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 40.6%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 74% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 68%

Defensive Team Data: San Diego State; Total Yards,  393 YPG; Passing Yards,  260 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  133 YPG; Scoring Average,  32 PPG, Turnovers,  1.33 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 39.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 95% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 85%

Defensive Team Data: ; Total Yards,  376 YPG; Passing Yards,  217 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  160 YPG; Scoring Average,  22 PPG, Turnovers,  2.33 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 33.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 72% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 50%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Arizona’s total yards on offense, add it to what Nevada gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Nevada’s total offense, add it to what Arizona gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, San Diego State …. 399 to 398

Passing Yards: Advantage, Buffalo …. 245 to 240

Rushing Yards: Advantage, san Diego State …. 160 to 153

Scoring: Advantage, Buffalo …. 32 to 25

Turnovers: Advantage, Buffalo … 1.17 to 2.33

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Buffalo …  39.9% to 36.9%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, Buffalo …  84.5% to 71.5%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage, Buffalo … 76.5% to 48%

Individuals to Watch: Buffalo: QB Joe Licata, 2628 passing yards, 21 TD’s & 7 INT’s & RB Brander Oliver … 1421 yards rushing & 15 TD’s; SDSU: QB Quinn Kaehler … 2796 Passing yards, 27 TD’s, & 9 INT’s & RB Adam Muema 1015 rushing yards & 12 TD’s

Sully Says: Buffalo!!! The MWC is slightly stronger than the MAC top to bottom … but not so much this year … with Boise State being down and Fresno being indifference to playing defense (San Jose State putting 62 on them recently) This is a pick em game and the numbers favor Buffalo!

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners, Buffalo, MAC, Mountain West, San Diego State |

AdvoCare V100 2013 Independance Bowl Boston College vs Arizona

Bowl History: The Independence Bowl became one of the First Bowls to recognize the significance of using a sponsor’s name in the official bowl title  …..  to generate more $’s in off-setting the economic costs of running a college football bowl game! Thus born … the Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl in 1990 ( a side effect, however unintended, of using this particular sponsor …. was that the fans began referring to  second tier bowls as “Weedwhacker Bowls”) There have been a host of sponsors for the Independence Bowl: Weedeater (1990-96), Sanford (1998-2000), MainStay Investments (2001-03), PetroSun (2006-07), … AdvoCare Car (2009 to present)! The current … official …. name for the Bowl is …. AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl! The first game featured, McNeese State (a member of the Southland Conference and a FCS Affiliate … 63 scholarships awarded as opposed to a FBS program that gives 85 Scholarship … this game took place before the current rules/guidelines were in place) 20  vs Tulsa 17, played on December 13, 1976! Last year’s game had Ohio (MAC Team) pounding ULM (SBC), 45-14, on December 28, 2012! The Bowl conference tie-ins are the SEC & ACC and the Bowl Payout is $1,100,000. 00!

Teams: Boston College: Conference Affiliation: ACC; Overall Record 75-4, Conference Record 4-4, Divisional Record 3-3 (Atlantic Division of the ACC)   ….  vs ….   Arizona:  Conference Affiliation: PAC 12; Overall Record 7-5; Conference Record 4-5, South Division record 2-3!

Bowl Location: The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl is played in Shreveport, Louisiana! The hosting arena is Independence Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 53, 000! That said, last year’s game’s (2012) actual attendance was 41,853 or 78.97% of capacity!

Day, Date, & Time: Tuesday, 12/31/2013 @ 11:00 a.m. CST

Network: ESPN

Best Wins: BC: beat Va Tech, 34-27  Arizona beat Oregon, 42-31 in OT.

Worst Losses:  BC: USC 35-7;  Arizona: Arizona State, 58- 21

Common Opponents: USC…  BC lost 35-7 Arizona lost 38-31

Las Vegas Hotsheet: Arizona -7

Offensive Team Data: Ohio: Total Yards, 436 YPG; Passing Yards, 234 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 202 YPG; Scoring Average 31 PPG, Turnovers, 0.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 42.5%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 79% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 50%

Offensive Team Data: Arizona: Total Yards, 397 YPG; Passing Yards, 296 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 160 YPG; Scoring Average 329PPG, Turnovers, 2.08 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 34.2%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 94% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 67%

Defensive Team Data: Ohio: Total Yards, 396 YPG; Passing Yards, 230 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 166 YPG; Scoring Average 26 PPG, Turnovers, 1.83 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 44.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 91% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 71%

Defensive Team Data: Louisiana Monroe: Total Yards, 407 YPG; Passing Yards, 272 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 136 YPG; Scoring Average 28 PPG, Turnovers, 2.0 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 42.6%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 78% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 62%

Sully’s Game Simulator: is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will perform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Ohio’s total yards on offense, add it to what ULM gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking ULM’s total offense, add it to what Ohio gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage: Ohio 421 to 419

Passing Yards: Advantage: ULM 263 to 253

Rushing Yards: Advantage: Ohio 169 to 156

Scoring: Advantage: ULM 31 to 30

Turnovers: Advantage: Ohio 1.34 to 1.58

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage: ULM 46.3% to 42.6%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage: ULM 87% to 79%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage: ULM 73% to 56%

Individuals to Watch: Louisiana’s QB, Kolton Browning, is a rising star in the college game; passing for 2830 yards … 27 TD’s to 7 picks ….despite missing almost two full games they (ULM) went 7-2 in their last 9 games … you got it .. the two he missed… they lost …. ULL 40-24 (injured in this game) & Arkansas State 45-23! He was also their leading rusher 441 yards and 7 TD’s … ULM will go as Browning goes … No Question!! Brent Leonard has emerged as Browning favorite target,  catching 97 balls (7th best in the country) for 1,042 yards & 10 TD’s! Ohio will hit back through the likes of Beau Blankenship (2nd Team All-MAC), the nations 10th leading rusher ….  averaging 125 yards per game!  While the Bobcat’s QB, Tyler Tettleton, has thrown for 2513 yards, 16 TD’s & 3 INT’s!

Sully Says: ULM comes in riding a 2 game winning streak (North Texas, 42-16 & FIU, 23-17 in OT) while Ohio stumbles in having lost three in a row (see worst losses)! You have to give the coaching edge to Ohio’s, Frank Solich, as he has been there & done that (114-63 including this year’s 8-4 overall record …..  in his 6 years at Nebraska …. he was 58-19 & then … those dopes fired him)!  Meanwhile, Todd Berry, ULM’s Coach, has just experienced his first winning season at ULM (8-4 /career record including this year is 22-55 … @ ULM 17-19) Check out ULM in Red Zone penetration / scoring TD’s  …. significantly better than Ohio,  ULM 74% to Ohio 50% (see Offensive Game Data Above) for the season and when compared to/against one another (in the Game Simulator Above) …. the gap remains significant 73% for the Warhawks to the Bobcats 56%. This fact and Browning’s play … leads to  ….  Sully’s CFP saying …. ULM will win and Cover the 7 spot!

Posted in 2012 / 2013 Bowl Game, ACC, Arizona, Boston College, PAC 12 |

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl 2013

Bowl History: The Bowl (formally known as the Las Vegas Bowl … 1992 thru 2008 & then the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl 2009 to 2012) was founded in 1992 has been played every year since its inception! The current conference tie-ins are with the PAC 12 & Mountain West Conferences! The first game found Bowling Green beating Nevada, 35-34 while the 2012 defending Champ, Boise State (who beat Washington last year, 28-26) will not be making its 4th straight appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl! The new sponsor, Royal Purple is an American Manufacturing Company that produces lubricants for automotive, industrial & Marine use… They became the official sponsor of the bowl on September 25, 2013!  Payout per team is $1,000,000.00!

Teams: USC; PAC 12 Conference, Overall Record 9-4 /  Conference Record, 6-3 Divisional Record 3-2 in the South Division…vs Fresno State; Mountain West Conference; Overall Record 11-1  / Conference Record 8-1 / Division Record 5-1!

Bowl Location: The Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl is played annually in Las Vegas, Nevada @ Sam Boyd Stadium (actually in Whitney, Nevada) which has a capacity to seat 40,000 fans! The game’s highest attendance came in 2006, BYU vs Oregon, 44,615 fans attended this Battle … won by BYU, 38-8!

Day, Date & Time: Saturday, 12/21/2013, 2:30 CST

Network: ABC

Best Win(s): Fresno State, Boise State 41-40 & Rutgers 52-51; USC, Stanford 20-17

Worst Losses: Fresno state; San Jose State 62 Fresno State 52; USC, Washington State 10-7

Common Opponents: Hawaii & Utah State, … USC, 30-13 over Hawaii & 17-14 win vs USU; Fresno State beat Hawaii, 42-37 & USU 24-17!

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: USC -6

Offensive Team Data: USC ; Total Yards,  392 YPG; Passing Yards,  218 YPG; Rushing Yards,  174 YPG; ScoringAverage,  29 PPG, Turnovers,  1.15 TPG;  Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 32%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 92% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 67%

Offensive Team Data: Fresno State ; Total Yards,  572 YPG; Passing Yards, 410 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 162 YPG; Scoring Average  45 PPG,  Turnovers,  1.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 43.8%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 97% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 79%

Defensive Team Data: USC; Total Yards,  341 YPG; Passing Yards,  214 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  127 YPG; Scoring Average,  21 PPG,  Turnovers, 1.54 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 36.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 63% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 51%

Defensive Team Data: Fresno State ; Total Yards,  426 YPG; Passing Yards,  278 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  148 YPG; Scoring Average,  29 PPG,  Turnovers,  1.75 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 37.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 86% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 67%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take USC’s total yards on offense, add it to what Fresno State gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking FSU’s total offense, add it to what USC gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, Fresno State  …. 457 to 409

Passing Yards: Advantage, Fresno State …. 312 to 248

Rushing Yards: Advantage, USC …. 161 to 145

Scoring: Advantage, Fresno State …. 33 to 29

Turnovers: Advantage, USC … 1.45 to 1.61

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, Fresno State … 39.95% to 34.55

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, USC … 89% to 80%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage, USC … 67% to 65%

Individuals to Watch: Fresno State; QB Derek Carr, 4866 Yards Passing, 48 TD’s & 7 INT & WR Davante Adams, 122 Receptions, 1645 receiving yards, & 23 TD’s! USC; QB Cody Kessler, 2623 passing yards, 16 TD’s, & 6 INT & Nelson Agholor, 51 Receptions, 824 receiving yards, & 4 TD’s!

Sully Says: this is a battle for California … SC is the “Big Boy” on the block and really needs to step up and put Fresno State in its place. These teams have not met in the past  six years,  … yet … a telling game … is … the San Jose Game in which the Spartans put 62 points on the Bulldogs … in a game Fresno needed to win to keep its BCS hopes alive! Take USC and give FSU the 6!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, Fresno State, Mountain West, PAC 12, USC |

TJL 2013 Bowl Predictions

TJL’s BOWL PREDICTIONS

TJL is a Blogger on Sully’s CFP

Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Colorado St – 34
Washington St – 43

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
(20)Fresno St – 34
(25)USC – 33

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Buffalo – 21
San Diego St – 41

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
LA-Lafayette – 33
Tulane – 31

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl
East Carolina – 28
Ohio – 27

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Boise State – 45
Oregon State – 52

Little Caesars Bowl
Pittsburgh – 21
Bowling Green – 38

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah State – 27
(23)N. Illinois – 41

Military Bowl
Marshall – 20
Maryland – 35

Texas Bowl
Syracuse – 13
Minnesota – 28

Fight Hunger Bowl
BYU – 22
Washington – 40

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers – 17
Notre Dame – 31

Belk Bowl
Cincinnati – 45
North Carolina – 37

Russell Athletic Bowl
Miami(FL) – 34
(18)Louisville – 35

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
Michigan – 43
Kansas St – 23

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Middle Tennessee – 21
Navy – 30

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Ole Miss – 37
Georgia Tech – 31

Valero Alamo Bowl
(10)Oregon – 52
Texas – 17

National University Holiday Bowl
(14)Arizona St – 33
Texas Tech – 34

AdvoCare V100 Bowl
Arizona – 23
Boston College – 45

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Virginia Tech – 35
(17)UCLA – 30

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Rice – 14
Mississippi St – 31

Chik-fil-A Bowl
(24)Duke – 35
(21)Texas A&M – 38
TAXSLAYER.com Gator Bowl
Nebraska – 31
(22)Georgia – 51

Heart of Dallas Bowl
UNLV – 41
North Texas – 23

Outback Bowl
Iowa – 13
LSU – 34

Capital One Bowl
(19)Wisconsin – 41
(9)South Carolina – 40

Rose Bowl
(5)Stanford – 24
(4)Michigan St – 41

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
(15)UCF – 31
(6)Baylor – 47

Allstate Sugar Bowl
(11)Oklahoma – 41
(3)Alabama – 43

AT&T Cotton Bowl
(13)Oklahoma St – 35
(8)Missouri – 31

Discover Orange Bowl
(12)Clemson – 45
(7)Ohio St – 43

BBVA Compass Bowl
Vanderbilt – 23
Houston – 28

GODADDY Bowl
Arkansas St – 16
Ball St – 30

BCS National Championship
(1)Florida St – 55
(2)Auburn – 62

Posted in SULLY'S cfp |

Gildan New Mexico Bowl 2013

Bowl History:  The Bowl was established in 2006, the conference tie ins are … the PAC 12 & Mountain West … first game was played December 23, 2006… San Jose State beat New Mexico, 20-12 and last year’s game was won by , who beat , ! Prior to 2011, the Bowl was simply known as the the New Mexico Bowl. Last year, 2011, Gildan (Clothing Manufacturer) became the official sponsor and thus the official name of the bowl …. Gildan New Mexico Bowl! The game is one of the earlist played bowls, always scheduled before Christmas. The Payout for each team is $750,000.00!

Teams: Washington State vs Colorado State

Bowl Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Bowl is played @ University Stadium (Capacity 39,224 … Highest Attendance 2006 … 34,111 …. Lowest Attandance …. 2008 …. 24,735) on the campus of the University of New Mexico.

Day, Date & Time: Saturday, 12/21/2013, 1:00 p.m. CST

Network: ESPN

Best Win(s): WSU: beat USC 10-7 & Arizona 24-17; CSU: Did not beat a team that made a Bowl Game!

Worst Losses: WSU: Lost to Stanford 55-17 & ASU 55-21; CSU: Lost to Colorado, 41-27 (the Buffs won 3 games in 2013)

Common Opponents: No Common Opponents…

Las Vegas Hotsheet Favorite: WSU -4.5

Offensive Team Data: CSU; Total Yards: 478 YPG; Passing Yards, 273 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 205 YPG; Scoring Average: 35 PPG, Turnovers, 1.15 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 44.3%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 88% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 65%

Offensive Team Data: WSU ; Total Yards,  404 YPG; Passing Yards, 337 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 67 YPG; Scoring Average, 30 PPG, Turnovers, 3 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 39.2%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 65% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 59%

Defensive Team Data: CSU; Total Yards,  401 YPG; Passing Yards,  250 YPG;  Rushing Yards,  151 YPG; Scoring Average, 28 PPG, Turnovers, 1.62 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 35%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 83% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 59%

Defensive Team Data: WSU; Total Yards, 424 YPG; Passing Yards,  238 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 186 YPG; Scoring Average  31 PPG, Turnovers, 1.92 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 35.4%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 78% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 58%

Sully’s CFP Game Simulator is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will preform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take CSU’s total yards on offense, add it to what WSU gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking WSU’s’s total offense, add it to what CSU gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage, CSU …. 451 to 403

Passing Yards: Advantage, WSU …. 294 to 256

Rushing Yards: Advantage, CSU …. 195 to 109

Scoring: Advantage, CSU …. 33 to 29

Turnovers: Advantage, CSU … 1.5 to 2.3

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage, CSU … 40% to 37% 

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage, CSU … 83% to 74%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage CSU, … 62 to 59

Individuals to Watch:

WSU, QB Connor Halliday … has passed for over 4000 yards, 28 TD & 21 INT… & WR Gabe Marks … 69 Receptions, 770 yards & 6 TD’s!

CSU, QB Garrett Grayson … passed for over 3300 yards, 21 TD & 10 INT … & RB Kapri Bibbs …  has rushed for over 1500 yards, 6.2 YPC & 28 TD’s!

Sully Says: Numbers do lie … Take WSU and give CSU the points… PAC 12 vs MWC … These #’s were earned in very different Leagues … PAC 12 is far and away the superior Conference!

Posted in 2013/2014 Bowl Games, Colorado State, Mountain West, PAC 12, Washington State |

FCS Playoffs 3rd Round

People who want a D-I Tournament / Playoff should know … there already is one. The FCS has a 24 team playoff which began last weekend, 11/30/13. Eight teams received a Bye into the second round while 16 teams squared off in eight games. Here are the results of the first round and what’s up next in the 2nd round!

Lafayette, 5-7 overall / 4-1 in conference play, winner of the Patriot League traveled to New Hampshire, a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) runner-up @ 8-4 / 6-2. The Leopards (Lafayette) basically were handed their lunch by the Wildcats, a 45-7 whipping!. New Hampshire now moves on to Orono, Maine, to take on the CAA Champ, the Maine Bears 10-2 / 7-1, who had a first round bye, ….. on the Bears home field, Alfond Stadium! These teams played the last week of the season and New Hampshire handed Maine their only conference loss, 24-3!

New Hampshire 41 Maine 27: The Wildcats from New Hampshire were out to prove their first win over the Bears from Maine was no fluke and did so in convincing fashion outgaining the Bears 495 to 384, winning the Turnover battle 2 to 1, & outperforming Maine on 3rd down conversions! Up Next: New Hampshire 9-4 is @ SE Louisiana 11-2 

Bethune-Cookman (10-3 / 7-1) a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) located in Daytona Beach, FL traveled to Conway, South Carolina to  challenge, Coastal Carolina, (11-2 & 4-1), the winner of the Big South Conference! B-C was out-scored by CC, 48-24! Coastal Carolina now heads west, to take on Montana, 10-2 / 6-2 from the Big Sky Conference, @ Grizzly Stadium!

Coastal Carolina 42 @ Montana 35: Coastal Carolina jumped all over Montana, building a 35-14 lead at the half and then held of the Grizzles to secure the 7 point win! Montana closed to 42-35 with 5 plus minutes to play, but SE Louisiana was able to hold the ball for the remainder of the game … running out the clock! Up Next: SE Louisiana 11-2 travels to 2 time defending champ, North Dakota State 12-0

Tennessee State 10-3 / 6-2 from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) took on Butler, 9-4 / 7-1, champions of the Pioneer Conference, in Indianapolis @ the Butler Bowl! Tennessee State pounded the Bulldogs, 31-0. Up next for TSU is Eastern Illinois, 11-1 / 8-0, the OVC Champs, the Tigers will travel to Charleston, Il and play the Panthers on their home field, O’Brian Stadium! These teams met earlier in the year at LP Field, a game won by EIU, 34-16!

Tennessee State 10 Eastern Illinois 51: The Tigers were out to prove their 34-16 loss, at home, to EIU was a game that would have a very different ending the 2nd time around … it did. This time Eastern built a 37 -0 lead by half time and extended to 44-0 before State was able to get on the board! Next Up for EIU 12-1 hosts Towson 11-2

Sacred Heart (10-3 & 4-2), Northeast Conference Champion battled Fordham (12-1 / 5-1), from the Patriot League. The Pioneers fell to the Rams, 37-27 and now, Fordham heads to Towson, Maryland to take on the University of Towson (10-2 / 6-2), who tied for 2nd place in the CAA. 

Fordham 28 @ Towson 48: These teams battled to a 21-21 halftime tie … but it was all Towson in the second half! The Tigers outscored the Rams 27 to 7 in the second half of the contest holding Fordham to 32 total yards rushing! Up Next: Towson 11-2 heads for Charleston, Illinois to take on Eastern Illinois 12-1

Furman (8-5 / 6-2) from the Southern Conference, located in Greendale, South Carolina challenged in-state rival, South Carolina State (9-4 / 7-1) A MEAC Team from Orangeburg, South Carolina! The Furman Paladins outscored the SC St. Bulldogs, 14-3 in the 3rd quarter and went on to win by a margin of 10, 30-20! Next up for the Paladins is a cross country trip to two-time defending FCS champ, North Dakota State (11-0 & 8-0) from the Missouri Valley (MVC)!

Furman 7 North Dakota State 38: The Bison were up 10-7 at halftime, but the defending champs lowered the boom in the 2nd half out scoring the Paladins, 28-0! NDSU outgained Furman 516 to 327 in total yards and were an amazing 11-for 13 on 3rd down conversions! Up Next: NDSU 12-0 welcome SE Louisiana 11-2 to frigid Fargo … good thing they play in a dome … or this one would already be over!!!

Southern Utah (8-5 / 5-3) a Big Sky Affiliate headed south and a little East to play Sam Houston State (9-4 / 4-3) a powerhouse from the Southland Conference. Sam Houston had their way with the out-manned Thunderbirds, 51-20!  The Bearkats now head for Louisiana, to take on SE Louisiana (10-2 / 7-0), the champions of the Southland conference! In a game played earlier this year, Sam Houston State lost to the Lions, 34-21, turnovers were the difference in the game, as the Lions forced the Bearkats to give the ball up on 3 occasions while not dropping the rock at all!

Sam Houston State 29  SE Louisiana 30: This was the day’s best game coming down to the last minute of play … SE Louisiana trailing 29 to 24, scored on a 1 yard pass with 36 seconds left to play! Up Next: The Lions 11-2 travel North to the Bad Lands to take on the Bison of NDSU 12-0!

South Dakota State (9-4 / 5-3) from the MVC took on Northern Arizona (9-3 / 7-1) from the Big Sky Conference. The game was tied at half 7 all, but it was all Jackrabbits in the second half, as they scored 19 unanswered point to win pulling away, 26-7! SD State now heads west to take on another Big Sky Team, Eastern Washington, (10-2 / 8-0) the Champions of the Big Sky Conference! Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona did not meet on this year’s conference schedule … so no common opponent to use for comparison!

South Dakota State 17 Eastern Washington 41: This game was tied at half, 14-14, before the Eagles of Eastern Washington outscored the Jackrabits of SDSU 13 to 3 in the 3rd quarter & 14-0 in the final stanza! Up Next: EWU 11-2 hosts Jacksonville State 11-3

Samford (8-5 / 6-2) from the Southern Conference (SOCON) traveled to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on Jacksonville State (10-3 / 5-3) from the OVC! A bad idea, as the J-State Gamecocks hammered the Bulldogs, 55-14! The Gamecocks now head for Lake Charles, LA to take on McNeese State (10-2 / 6-1), the 2nd place Team of the Southland Conference!

Jacksonville State 31 McNeese State 10: J-State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and never looked back. The teams traded scores in the 2nd stanza … 10 points each in the 3rd & 4th quarters! Up Next: Jacksonville 11-3 heads west to take on Eastern Washington 11-2

This is a great Tournament and to well kept of a secret! Make sure you work some of these games into your TV football schedule … I think you will be surprised by the high quality of play!

Enjoy the Games!

Posted in Bethune-Cookman, Big Sky, Big South, Butler University, Coastal Carolina, Colonial Athletic Association, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Washington, Fordham University, Furman University, Jacksonville State, Lafayette University, Maine, McNeese State, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota State, Northeast Conference, Northern Arizona, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Pioneer Conference, Sacred Heart, Sam Houston State, Samford, South Carolina State, South Dakota State, Southeastern Louisiana State, Southern Conference, Southern Utah, Southland Conference, Tennessee State, Towson |