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

Pac 12: Week 12

Arizona State (5-5 / 3-4) vs Washington State (2-8 / 0-7)

In last years game Arizona State faltered late with a missed 21 yard field goal and a fumbled kick off return, which ultimately led to a 37-27 defeat and a snapped 7 game winning streak in the series against WSU.  However, Washington State has lost their last four games in Tempe, including two straight shutouts (31-0 in ’08 & 42-0 in ’10).

Oregon State (7-2 / 5-2) vs California (3-8 / 2-6)

Last year when these two teams played Oregon State self-destructed deep inside Cal territory, as they fumbled at the 3 yard line, and were intercepted at the Cal 4 & 20 yard line.  This ultimately led to a 23-6 Cal win.  Cal is just 3-10 all time vs Oregon State, and have not won two in a row in this series since 97-98. The last time these two teams played in Corvallis, Oregon State won decisively (35-7).

Colorado (1-9 / 1-6) vs Washington (6-4 / 4-3)

The last time these two teams faced off in Boulder, Washington needed a few late scores to squeak a narrow 3 point victory.  Colorado has lost 3 straight games in this series, including a 52-24 defeat last year.

Oregon (10-0 / 7-0) vs Stanford (8-2 / 6-1)

Stanford has lost 5 straight games in Eugene, and have not won against Oregon overall since ’09.  Heading into the second half the last time these two teams met in Eugene, Stanford enjoyed a 7 point lead, but Oregon shut them out and turned them over 3 times in the second half to take a 52-31 victory.  This game will decide the winner of the Northern division in the Pac 12.

UCLA (8-2 / 5-2) vs USC (7-3/ 5-3)

SC has won five straight games vs the Bruins by an average margin of 32-7.  In fact, last year SC destroyed the Bruins by a score of 50-0, as well as a 28-14 win in ’10.  SC admitted that this game was their “bowl” game over the past two years, as they have been on probation.

Posted in Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, PAC 12, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington State |

Sully’s Six Pack of Winners

USC 7-3 -4 @ UCLA 8-2: USC is 2-2 on the road this season… and while one can argue that the Rose Bowl is hardly a road game for SC ; ….. none-the-less, it is the home of the Bruins and when playing in “the Grandaddy of them all”  … UCLA is 4-1! The winner of this game will represent the South Division in the PAC 12 Championship Game. Look for SC to play its best game of the year and get a second shot @ the Mighty Ducks! Sully Says: take SC and give the Bruins 4!

Northwestern 7-3 @ Michigan State 5-5 -6.5: The simple truth about the Spartan season is they can not score. They have lost 4 Big Ten Games by a total of 10 points (OSU 17-16, Michigan 12-10, Iowa 19-16 in 2 OTs, & Nebraska 28-24). While Northwestern’s problem is they are unable to win close games … the key here is the Cats play everyone close! They lost to Nebraska, 29-28, @ home and Michigan, 38-31 in OT @ the Big House … and … they had the lead with 16 seconds to play, 31-28, when the Wolverines hit a Hail Mary and then kicked a FG to force OT! Look for MSU to win … but not cover! Sully Says: Take the 6.5 points and the Northwestern Wildcats!

Purdue 4-6 -7 @ Illinois 2-8: Illinois is bad … really bad.. and getting worse! While Purdue has a chance to right the ship with wins in Champaign vs the Illini and @ home against Indiana in week thirteen. If the Boilers win out … they can finish 6-6 and head for a second bowl in as many years. Purdue is coming off its best win of the year, a 27-24 triumph in Iowa City! Sully Says: go with Purdue and give the Illini as many as they want!

South Florida 3-6 @ Miami 5-5 -7: A win here and Miami can go bowling in December! While, USF is still alive … barely … for the bowling season … but must win their final three contests. This is not only a game between in-state rivals … it has several other factors that up the ante! Recruiting for starters …. this region of  south Florida … may have the best talent anywhere in the country! Besides that …don’t forget a guy named Holtz (Catholics vs Convicts and all that nonsense) adds a little more flavor to an already spiced up game! Sully Says: Miami will find a way … give USF the 7 and ride with the Hurricanes!

OSU 10-0 @ Wisconsin 7-3 -3: Neither one of these teams have been very impressive this season. A strange thing to say about two teams that have combined for 17 wins in 2012. It is rather the way that they have won or how they responded to better teams on their schedule. People who are suspect of Notre Dame and how good they actually are … should get a load of how OSU has managed to stay unbeaten … Purdue, MSU, Indiana… to name a few head scratcher wins for the Bucks. The Key is they win … Bucky … does not … losses to Oregon State, Nebraska, & MSU in OT have left us wondering why the Badgers are favored by 3? Sully Says: take OSU and the 3 points!

Virginia Tech 4-6 -10 @ Boston College: Frank Beamer will not win ten games this year for the first time since the 2003 season. If his team does not win out, they will not make a bowl in the 2012 season. This is simply unacceptable in Hokieville! Feeling the heat, the Hokies responded with an excellent effort against FSU last week before falling 28-22. The Seminoles beat BC, 51-7, in week 7 @ Doak Campbell! Va Tech will take no prisoners vs the the Eagles this week and in-state rival Virginia next week! Sully Says: take the Hokies and give BC the 10!   

 

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners |

Pac 12: Week 11

Arizona (5-4 / 2-4) vs Colorado (1-8 / 1-5)

All time, Arizona is a shocking 1-13 vs Colorado.  Last year they never led the game in a crushing 48-29 loss.  Colorado is 7-0 all time in Tuscon, but they have not playing in Tuscon since 1985 (14-13 victory).  With that in mind, it is perhaps worth mentioning that they are just 2-21 in their last 23 conference games.

SC (6-3 / 4-3) vs Arizona State (5-4 / 3-3)

The last time SC played ASU  was last year, where despite leading 22-21 well into the third quarter, they were blown out by a score of 43-22.  This is because SC turned the ball over 4 times.  SC has not lost back to back to Arizona State since 1996/1997.  The last time these two teams met in LA, which was in 2010, SC needed a late FG to win the game by a score of 34-33.

California (3-7 / 2-5) vs Oregon (9-0 / 6-0)

While Oregon did win the last time these two teams met in Berkeley, by a narrow 15-13 margin, they are just 1-3 in their last four trips here.  Many felt that in a controversial game plan that saw Cal players seemingly fake injury that Jeff Tedford had laid out the blueprint for beating Oregon.  However, last year Cal was soundly defeated in Eugene by a score of 43-15.

Stanford (7-2 / 5-1) vs Oregon State (7-1  / 5-1)

Last time these two teams met Stanford was up just 17-13 late in the third quarter, but they cruised to victory behind three straight Andrew Luck led touchdowns to defeat the Beavers by a score of 38-13.  It marked Stanford’s first win at Oregon State in 7 years.

Washington State (2-7 / 0-6) vs UCLA (7-2 / 4-2)

The home team is 4-1 in this series over the past five games. Last year WSU surrender an 8 point lead, and following a late fourth quarter interception, they were defeated by a score of 28-25.  UCLA has won four straight games vs WSU by an average margin of 20 points.  The last time these two teams faced off in Pullman, UCLA won by a score of 43-7.

Washington (5-4 / 3-3) vs Utah (4-5 / 2-4)

While Utah is 0-7 vs Washington by an average score of 25-9, they have not played in Seattle since 1979 (41-7 Washington victory).  Last year Washington walked into Utah’s stadium and won 31-14, despite leading by a score of only 10-7 at half.

Posted in Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, PAC 12, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State |

ACC: Week 11

Florida State 7-1 / 4-1 @ Virginia Tech 4-5 / 2-3: Va Tech is 2-13 all time vs FSU but won the last time the teams played, 44-33. The visitoy is 0-2 in the last 4 ACC games. In the last six games they have played in two regular season games, two ACC championship games, & bowl games. The Hokies need to win 2 of their last three or it will be the first time in 19 years that they will not play in a bowl game!

Maryland 4-5 / 2-3 @ Clemson 8-1 / 5-1: Maryland has lost three in a row, after winning its first two conference games. Meanwhile, Clemson is trying to keep  pace with FSU, both the Seminoles and Tigers are tied with one loss each in the ACC. That said, Clemson lost to FSU, 49-37 and thus Florida State has the tie breaker, if both teams finish the season @ 7-1 in league play! Last year, Clemson made the second greatest comeback in school history, trailing, 35-17, manage to win the game, 56-45!

Wake Forest5-4 / 3-4 @ NC State 5-4 / 2-3: Wake has not been very successful in Raleigh, going 1-12 in their last 13 visits to Carter-Finley Stadium. The home team is 14-2 in this series … including winning the last five in a row! Last time the Demon Deacons traveled to Raleigh, they got hammered, 38-3 and true to home field advantage, Wake won last years tilt @ BB&T Field, 34-27!

Notre Dame 9-0 @ Boston College 2-7 / 1-5: This is a battle between the only two Catholic Schools playing FBS football! This game has been one of streaks, from 2001 through 2008 BC won 6 in a row (teams do not play every year), since then ND has won 3 straight! Last time the Irish visited Boston they came away with a 31-13 vicory! Please note; BC has twice ended Notre Dame’s last two attempts @ an undefeated season!

Georgia Tech 4-5 / 2-3 @ North Carolina 6-3 / 3-2: GT is 12-2 vs UNC in the last 14 games but the visitor is just 2-7 in the last 9 meetings (true away games … not neutral sites). The Yellow Jackets are in danger of not being bowl eligible for the first time in 16 years; after the UNC game, the Wreck face Duke @ home and then take on Georgia @ Sanford Stadium in Athens!

Miami 5-4 / 4-2 @ Virginia 3-6  / 1-4

Last time these two teams played here Miami trialed 17-0, but managed to come back to get them game close.  However, they ultimately lost by a score of 24-19.  Over the past five seasons, Virginia is 3-2 vs Miami, including 2 straight victories.

 

Posted in ACC, Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest |

Sully’s Six Pack of Winners Week 11

Louisville -2.5 @ Syracuse: Louisville heads to Syracuse with an unblemished record @ 9-0! Of their nine wins, 6 have been by ten or fewer points! None-the-less, this teams finds ways to win, while the Orange seem to find ways to lose. Syracuse is currently 4-5 and all of thier losses have been by less than two scores! Sully Says the trend continues … take the Cardinals and give Syracuse the 2.5!

Purdue @ Iowa -3.5 Iowa is coming off three straight losses, the last two on the road; while Purdue has lost five in a row … 3 of the 5 contests were @ home. Iowa has had a disappointing season but still can become bowl eligible by winning 2 of their remaining 3 games. That said, this game is critical to that end, as the other two remaining games are @ Michigan and Nebraska at home. Needless to say, these games will be major challenges for the Hawks and having to win only one the contests (Michigan or Nebraska) greatly increases the odds that they go Bowling in December! Sully Says: Take Iowa @ home and give the Boilermakers the three and half! 

Missouri @ Tennessee -3.5: Tennessee players know their very popular coach’s job is on the line these next three weeks. If they win out, the Volunteers will finish 7-5 and be bowl eligible. While it is true that their sixth win of the season will make them eligible for the bowl season … a loss in the last three (Missouri, Vandy, & Kentucky) will leave them with a 2-6 SEC record. We believe that 3-5 in SEC play will allow Coach Dooley another year … 2-6 … roll the dice. So… this Tennessee team will leave nothing in the lockroom these next few weeks! Sully Says: Take Tennessee & head to the bank!  

Penn State @ Nebraska -7: Nebraska … if the Cornhuskers win out … they are  in the Big Ten Championship game vs ? on December 1st! That means the Huskers will need to beat Penn State this week, Minnesota @ home next week, and then handle the Hawks in Iowa City to end the regular season! Rex Burkhead, Nebraska power running back….. playing status is questionable for the Nittany Lion game come Saturday. A potential loss that will hurt … but not stop the Huskers from covering the 7! Meanwhile, Penn State … is going nowhere …. any time soon! Sully Says: Nebraska is hungry for a Big Ten Crown in its second year in the league … Take the Huskers and give to the Lions!

Vanderbilt @ Old Miss -3: Old Miss is playing at a much higher level since Hugh Freeze (new Head Coach from Arkansas State) arrived on Campus. This win vs the Commodores will leave the Rebels bowl eligible, after a two year absence from post-season play. While Vandy has won the past 2 games … this is clearly a different Ole Miss team in 2012. This Mississippi team played Bama 33-14 (gave Bama its best game prior to LSU) and battled A&M before falling, 30-27!  Sully Says: Give Vandy the three and take Ole Miss @ home!

Tulsa -2.5 @ Houston: The Golden Hurricanes have set cource for Texas with the intend to do a little Cougar hunting! Tulsa enters the game with a 7-2 record, having battled Arkansas last week through four quarters, before losing, 19-14! The loss was the Hurricanes  first since Sept 1 (Iowa State, 38-23), they had won 7 straight games and clearly had their chances to win against an SEC team last week! Meanwhile, Houston having lost its coach (Kevin Sumlin to A&M) and record setting QB (Case Keenum) has struggled this season … posting a 4-5 record to date! Sully Says: Take Tulsa on the road and give the Cougars the 2.5 @ home!

 

 

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners |

Big Ten Preview: Week 11

Wisconsin (6-3  / 3-2) vs Indiana (4-5  / 2-3)

Wisconsin has won in this game 7 straight times by an average score of 51-17, though the last time the Badgers were here they only narrowly escaped by a score of 31-28.  Last year Wisconsin annihilated the Hoosiers by a score of 59-7, and Indiana has dropped four straight home finales.

Illinois (2-7 / 0-5) vs Minnesota (5-4 / 1-4) 

Last year Illinois was handled by Minnesota easily, as they were defeated by a score of 27-7, and they managed just 18 yards in the entire first half of the game.  In 12 games against Minnesota, the Illini are just 3-9, including losing four of their last five at home to the Gophers.  The Illini have not won in Minneapolis since 2001.

Michigan (6-3 / 4-1) vs Northwestern (7-2 / 3-2)

Last year Michigan was down by 10 points at the break, but they went on to score 28 straight unanswered points to win by a score of 42-24.  Michigan has defeated the wildcats in 9 of their last 11 match-ups.

Iowa (4-5 / 2-3) vs Purdue (3-6 / 0-5)

Last year Iowa forced Purdue into some tough mistakes, as they had four turnovers and a blocked punt in a game that they never even trailed in (31-21 final).  The Hawkeyes have won 6 straight games at home vs Purdue.  Purdue is 6-18-1 vs Iowa all time, and just 1-11 in Iowa city.

Nebraska (7-2 / 4-1) vs Penn State (6-3 / 4-1)

Last year Nebraska opened up a 17-0 lead against Penn State, but ended up just barely hanging onto the win (17-14 final).  Defeating Penn State last year was the highest ranked for that the Cornhuskers had defeated since 1999!  All-time this series is tied up at 7-7.

Posted in Big Ten, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin |

SEC: Week 11

LSU 7-2 / 3-2 @ home vs Mississippi State 7-2 / 3-2: The last time State beat LSU, in Baton Rouge, was in 1991. The Bulldogs have lost to LSU the last ten times they have traveled to Louisiana! That said, the Tigers have won this game 12 straight times, including last year’s, 19-6, victory in Starkville. Both teams enter the game with identical records in both the conference & overall play! Last week, LSU lost a heartbreaker to Bama, 21-17, while MSU was hammered by A&M, 38-13!

Texas A&M 7-2 / 4-2 @ Alabama 9-0 / 6-0: Bama is 3-1 vs A&M, with the last meeting taking place in 1988, a 20-10 Tide victory. Alabama is 18-4 vs SEC opponents @ home in the last four years (2-0) this year! To make matters more challenging for A&M, they are 4-9 in their last 13 games vs ranked teams away from home! This will be the third straight SEC road game for the Aggies and while they have won the first two, Auburn, 63-21 & MSU 38-13, this time …. the face the nations # 1 ranked team!

Arkansas 4-5 / 2-4 @ South Carolina 7-2 / 5-2: Arkansas has beaten USC three straight times by a margin of at least 16 points! Last time the Gamecocks played the Razorbacks, in Columbia, they got hammered, 41-20. SC will also be without their star runner, Marcus Lattimore, out for the season with a knee injury. Carolina is out of contention in the East, as Florida finished 7-1, so their win over Georgia (35-7), currently 6-1, will not assist them to that end!

Georgia 8-1 / 8-1  @ Auburn 2-7 / 0-6: How the mighty have fallen … two years removed from their championship run; Auburn is 0-6 in the SEC and 2-7 overall. To make a bad situation worse, they have to play the best team in the Eastern Division of the SEC, Georgia this week and follow that up with the best team, not only in the Western Division of the SEC… but the best team in the country … Alabama!

Vanderbilt 5-4 / 3-3 @ Ole Miss 5-4 / 2-3:  A really big game for both teams as they climb their way back to respectibility in the Mighty SEC! Vandy, with a win on Saturday has a real shot at a winning record in the conference, as thet end their SEC season @ home, against a struggling Tennessee. While for Ole Miss, a win gives them a shot … be it a long shot … as they have to play @ LSU & them take on a very good Mississippi State team at home! The Rebels need to win two of the next three to avoid a losing record in the powerful SEC West!

Louisiana Lafayette 5-3 / 3-2 @ Florida 8-1 / 7-1: Florida has to sit, watch, & wait for the outcome of the Georgia / Auburn game to know its fate! If Georgia loses, the Gators go to the SEC Championship Game, if Georgia wins, the Gators stay home in the Swamp for the December 1st championship game! While a Bulldog win will leave the teams with identical records (7-1) … Georgia won head to head battle … always the tie breaker in the SEC … when just two teams have the same record! Florida is currently 4-0 vs ULL and winning the games by an average of 43 points!

Missouri 4-5 / 1-4 @ Tennessee 4-5 / 0-5: Tennessee has not won a game in the SEC this season and their head coach Derek Dooley is under seige. he really needs to win the Vols final three games to hold on to his job!  If he manages to go 7-4 and 3-5 in the SEC … I think he survives … if not …… he will not be back! That said, their opponents are helpful, Missouri, Vandy, & Kentrucky, when one considers the quality of teams in the league…. this schedule gives them their best chance to win 4 in a row  (beat Troy last week) to end the season! Note … this is the first meeting ever between these teams!

Posted in Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, SEC, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt |

Week 10 Sully’s Six Pack of Winners

Sully’s Six Pack of Winners 3-3 this week… 

Air Force -7 was 22-2 vs Army and had covered the 7 points the last five times the teams played … until this past week-end … a 41-21 crash landing by the Falcons… Hard to figure!

MSU +2 was in good shape to win & cover until thy gave up a 4th & ten and then were …… victomized by a pass interference call @ the end of the game … lost the game 28-24 …. as Nebraska scored as time expired…

Arkansas -7 had beaten Tulsa 17 straight times and while winning for the 18 straight time, 19-15 …. had their chances to cover …. did not do so!

The other three games were spot on!

Clemson was giving Duke 13.5 … won & covered 56-20,

Va Tech was giving Miami 1.5 … We predicted  Miami would win straight up and they did so … 30-12!

Oregon beat SC 62-51 … SC was getting 8 points… Sully said take the Ducks and give the points… Oregon won and covered…

Sully’s CFP is 34 & 25 vs the spread 

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners |

Sully’s College Football Page Wrap-Up: Week 10

Survive and Advance!

It wasn’t easy, and in some cases it was down right ugly, but in week 10 the college football world held its collective breath as the nations four premier teams all found a way to keep their dreams alive, as Alabama escaped LSU, Oregon outscored SC, ND squeaked by on 3OT, and K-State walked away with win, but a concussed star QB.

 

What We Learned:

Alabama is not invincible.  There are teams out there that can challenge them, and the talk of them being able to beat teams in the NFL is utterly outrageous.  That said, Alabama proved yet again why they are the best college football team in the nation this year. With their backs against the wall in the absolute hardest place to win in the country, they found a way.  That is what championship teams do.  Nobody gets out of a season untested in today’s game, and on Saturday night, Alabama was tested.  They passed with flying colors.

Additionally, we also got a good glimpse into what kind of team Notre Dame is.  Before even looking at the opponent, we have to hand Notre Dame some credit.  They played very poorly, but they found a way.  If a team wants a BCS year, they need to find ways to do that.  Notre Dame did.  The Irish defense had its worst outing of the year, and Brian Kelly went back to playing musical chairs with the QBs – not a good recipe for victories, but hey, they were tough enough to get past it.  That said, does anyone truly believe that ND is a top 2 team?  I sure do not.  Boy have they gotten better, and it looks like they finally hired a coach that can get them in championship discussions, but as we have maintained much throughout the year, they are not quite there.  Yet.  If all four teams were to finish the regular season undefeated (unlikely), it is our feeling that Oregon would deserve to play Alabama in the National Championship game.

What Stood Out:

Oregon’s err….defense?  We get that SC is a great offense.  Best QB, best two WRs, really decent backs, but 51 points?  That is not championship football, and outings like that set off the warning bells for us here at   http://sullyscollegefootballpage.com  We immediately dropped West Virginia in our poll earlier this year when they gave up 63 points to Baylor, and while we are not giving Oregon the same treatment because it was SC, 51 points is still a concern.  A big one.  We have been touting the improved Oregon defense all year, but on Saturday nobody saw it, which begs the question of whether it is even there.  If a team wants to be competitive enough with Alabama to have a chance to win, our advice would be to take a look at what LSU did – TACKLE.  If a team misses tackles like Oregon did this past weekend, they have NO shot at beating Bama.  Oregon has the potential, perhaps more than anyone in the country, to upset Alabama on a neutral field, but they had better play flawlessly if they want a chance to do that.  What they did this weekend will not be close to enough.

SCFP Gusty Performances of the Week:

Zach Mettenberger – If someone was going to toss the rock for 298 yards and a 1-0 TD/Int ratio, at the beginning of the season the most popular guess probably would have been that Matt Barkley would do so against Bama on January 10th.  That isn’t how things shook out, as Mettenberger overcame questions about not just his team, but himself as the future QB of LSU on Saturday night.  He alone kept LSU in control of the game on Saturday night.  In fact, at one point LSU converted 7 third down conversions of 6 or more yards against Alabama.  7!  Doing that against Alabama is close to incomprehensible, but becuase of the Tigers new found vertical game, they did it.  Zach gets a giant pat on the back from us, and he showed why so many people thought he was going to be the answer to the poor offense LSU has displayed over the past few seasons.

Landry Jones – Jones is coming off of a tough week where his team lost to ND, and the questions about his legitimacy as an elite QB came back to the forefront of fans minds.  He answered by leading his team to a decisive victory over a much improved Iowa State team (compare coaches Gene Chizik 6-19 to Paul Rhodes 24-24 @ ISU) by throwing for 400+ yards and 4 TD’s.  Oklahoma is still alive for a BCS bowl game, and as you may have previously saw, we actually project them to play the guy up above in the Sugar Bowl.  Landry gets our second pat on the back for his gutsy play.

Johnny Manziel – Last but not least, and usually first (speed) is Johnny Football himself.  He kept up his trend of keeping A&M more than competitive in the nations best conference this week when he threw the ball for 311 yards, and ran for another 129.  Mississippi State was pansted yet again by a superior opponent (they were annihilated by Bama last week), and this time it was A&M.  Our advice to Manziel is to keep his phone booth handy, (Superman changes in a phone booth) because he is going to need to put on his superman costume, yet again, if A&M is to beat Bama on Saturday!

Christmas Wrapping:

Lets string this one up by simply saying this: Alabama is still the best team, but they are not going to walk into the championship game untested.  Besides A&M this coming Saturday, they still will likely need to face Georgia in the SEC Championship game.  Make no mistake about that one – it won’t be easy.  Georgia is superbly talented on both sides of the ball – talented enough that many of these Bama kids will see them again.  On Sunday.  When Georgia is cooking on both sides of the ball like they are now, I wouldn’t want anything to do with them.  However, if there is one team up to the challenge, it would have to be Bama.  That game, assuming it happens, is going to be highly exciting.  If Aaron Murray brings his A game, BCS chaos may ensue.

On the other side of the country, Oregon still seems to be the second best team, though, as we said, they need to play better defensively.  It was one game against a really good team – okay.  Now Oregon needs to show us something different by stopping teams.  They still need to play Stanford and Oregon State, so that is an opportunity they will get.  If college football were a beauty pageant (more than it already is) Oregon would have nothing to worry about, as Notre Dame and Kansas State are proverbial brides maids when it comes to their style of winning, but the key thing here is that they are winning.  Oregon has no breathing room for a slip up, because if they do, one of the other two teams just mentioned is going to be more deserving of a shot.  Plus, I don’t think any BCS Bowl game, especially the championship game, will mind taking Notre Dame, who happens to be the ultimate cash cow of college sports.   They do wonders for TV ratings.  The finish to this season is going to be quite a ride – can’t wait to meet you back here when it is finished!

Posted in Mike's Blogs |

Non BCS Bowl Games That SCFB Would Love to See

Texas vs Texas A&M – There has been a bit of a spat between these two over recent years, especially with the conference alignment issues, and there is the potential for these two teams to meet in the Cotton Bowl, as that bowl takes the SEC vs The Big XII every year.  It would be great to see this game happen.

Michigan vs Florida – Michigan has not been as good this year as many expected, but playing against Florida would be a great opportunity for them to not just right the ship this season and work to validate some of the improvements that they have made, but it would also bring some respect back into the Big Ten as a conference.  These two teams may well meet in the Capitol One Bowl, which features the SEC vs the BT annually.

Duke vs Tennesse – Seeing Duke in a bowl game is rare enough, but seeing them play against an SEC opponent is like finding a unicorn.  This woeful program has made some big steps under Cutcliff, and while Tennessee has regressed as of late, they are still Tennessee.  This could represent a huge opportunity for the Blue Devils.   The chance for this match up to occur could be found in the Music City Bowl, which features the ACC vs the SEC annually.

**As the season progresses, we will keep an eye out for any changes that could alter potential bowl match-ups.  Stay tuned!

 

Posted in Big 12, SEC, Texas, Texas A&M |