(Actually, Mark predicted all the bowl games here, and I plugged in his predictions into my tournament algorithms. That is if the games turns out like he predicts, the tournament will turn out as presented below. Usually I use Stewart Mandel's picks, but I cannot find picks with a score or margin of victory by Stew this season. If they are out there, let me know)
ESPN's Mark Schlabach and I have our predictions for the two First Round games and the four Bowl games in the ten team tournament:
First Round Shreveport:
Mark: Iowa over Houston by 2
Me: Iowa over Houston by 3
First Round Chicago:
Mark: Notre Dame over TCU by 1
Me: TCU over Notre Dame by 4
Orange Bowl:
Mark: Clemson over Iowa by 8
Me: Clemson over TCU by 6
Sugar Bowl:
Mark: Ohio State over Oklahoma by 1
Me: Ohio State over Oklahoma by 3
Peach Bowl:
Mark: Alabama over Notre Dame by 12
Me: Alabama over Iowa by 11
Rose Bowl:
Mark: Stanford over Michigan State by 2
Me: Stanford over Michigan State by 3
Final Four in San Antonio:
Mark: Clemson vs Ohio State; Alabama vs Stanford
Me: Clemson vs Ohio State; Alabama vs Stanford
Monday, December 28, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Semi-Finals on New Year's Eve? *sigh* the College Football Playoff still cannot get it right
So much promise, but the College Football Playoff decides to play both Semi-Final games on New Year's Eve. So then New Year's Day gets capped off with, drum roll please, a meaningless Sugar Bowl, with Ole Miss versus Oklahoma State. I think. I just know it is an SEC team against a Big XII team.
Does the Playoff think bringing back "tradition" means putting the games on the same day every year? That tradition never held even in the good old days. Orange Bowl was on both New Years Eve and New Year's night (but I don't think ever at 4 pm, like this year. Otherwise, how could we have the nighttime halftime extravaganzas like the video below!). The Fiesta Bowl was on Christmas Day, the Cotton Bowl all over the calendar, the Sugar Bowl head to head against the Rose Bowl, and who knows where the Peach Bowl has been.
So here is my solution, as I have to save the college football establishment from itself. Again.
Okay, we keep the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl as the last game of the night. If one of them has the Semi-Final game, they play on New Year's night, otherwise New Year's Eve. Whoever else has a Semi-Final, then they play 1pm on New Year's Day, got it? Let's pair the Rose Bowl with the Peach Bowl for Semi-Finals. In years when they have the Playoff games, Peach Bowl at 1pm, Rose Bowl at 5pm on New Year's Day (the Rose Bowl will be the same time, same day, every year). A non-playoff Sugar Bowl can follow them. We can start next year, pairing the Rose and the Peach. The Fiesta has had a lot of years in the spotlight and the Championship game this year, so they can wait a bit. That's it, that's the plan, please reconvene. You are welcome!
Does the Playoff think bringing back "tradition" means putting the games on the same day every year? That tradition never held even in the good old days. Orange Bowl was on both New Years Eve and New Year's night (but I don't think ever at 4 pm, like this year. Otherwise, how could we have the nighttime halftime extravaganzas like the video below!). The Fiesta Bowl was on Christmas Day, the Cotton Bowl all over the calendar, the Sugar Bowl head to head against the Rose Bowl, and who knows where the Peach Bowl has been.
So here is my solution, as I have to save the college football establishment from itself. Again.
Okay, we keep the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl as the last game of the night. If one of them has the Semi-Final game, they play on New Year's night, otherwise New Year's Eve. Whoever else has a Semi-Final, then they play 1pm on New Year's Day, got it? Let's pair the Rose Bowl with the Peach Bowl for Semi-Finals. In years when they have the Playoff games, Peach Bowl at 1pm, Rose Bowl at 5pm on New Year's Day (the Rose Bowl will be the same time, same day, every year). A non-playoff Sugar Bowl can follow them. We can start next year, pairing the Rose and the Peach. The Fiesta has had a lot of years in the spotlight and the Championship game this year, so they can wait a bit. That's it, that's the plan, please reconvene. You are welcome!
Quick, turn on the 2015-2016 BCS College Football Tournament Selection Show!
Welcome to the 2015-2016 College Football Tournament selection
show, sponsored by Planters Nut-rition Chocolate Nut Protein Mix. Now to the ESPN Studios, with Rece Davis,
Mark May, and Lou Holtz.
RECE: Welcome
everyone to this year’s College Football Tournament selection show, and, well,
the old gang is back together. Look who’s
here, coach Lou Holtz, how are you doing coach?
LOU: Well I am just pleased as punch to be here. It has been a very exciting football season
this year, and should be a great tournament.
RECE: Well, let’s go through what we know, and what we don’t
know, but will determine in the next few minutes. We
know these five conference champions are in: Alabama, Clemson, Michigan State,
Stanford, and Oklahoma. Another
automatic qualifier will be the top conference champion among the other five
conferences, who do you think will get that bid Mark?
Mark: The spot has to go to Houston, champion of the
American Conference, no doubt. Western
Kentucky will be a very, very distant second to them. Remember, four years ago, Houston was looking
at a top six seed in the tourney, but Southern Miss stunned them in the
Conference USA championship game, but Houston will make it in this season,
probably as a ten seed. It is interesting that every season, we think we have found the team that will earn this "Group of Five" bid. First it was Central Florida, we figured with a coach like George O'Leary, they would be the yearly choice. Then we thought after last season, oh, it will be Boise State every year with their successful history. I think we are learning that the "Group of Five" slot may just go to a different school over and over again.
RECE: Coach, another way to be an automatic qualifier is to
be an independent in the top eight in the BCS rankings. Can you think of a team that might qualify
that way, Lou?
LOU: Boy do I! Notre Dame has had a just spectacular season,
and they will earn an automatic spot as an independent. Great job Irish!
RECE: So that is seven projected automatic qualifiers, and
that means three at-large spots are open.
Mark, who do you think gets those?
MARK: Ohio State and Iowa are definitely in. Iowa may have been a question mark before the
Big Ten Championship game, but they played Michigan State down to the wire,
they are definitely in. So that leaves
one spot for a number of two-loss teams.
RECE: And those teams are Texas Christian, Florida State,
Northwestern, and Oklahoma State. Who
will take that last spot?
MARK: Rece, I was
leaning to TCU, but now I think it will be Florida State. Florida State really dominated Florida in their
last game, whereas Texas Christian’s offense was basically non-existent in the
second half again Baylor in their finale.
It took the rules of overtime to give TCU field position to finally
score, in an absolutely putrid second half performance. So I think the Seminoles momentum brings them
into the tourney.
LOU: Well, I disagree.
It has to be the defending champion Texas Christian. Mark, the rain made the weather conditions
just terrible for both teams in that TCU-Baylor game, the rain was just a
downpour. You cannot blame the players
for that. TCU barely, just barely lost
to Oklahoma with their backup quarterback, on the road, no less. Texas Christian has to be there.
RECE: And another unknown is, who will make the top six, and
avoid a first round game? It seems clear that Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, and
Michigan State will be in the top four, but we have Ohio State, Iowa, and
Stanford that want those final two spots of the top six. Who do you think it will be, Mark?
MARK: I think it will
be Ohio State and Stanford, and Iowa playing in the First Round. Stanford as conference champs of the Pac-12
will get the nod over Iowa.
LOU: No Mark, it has to be the two one-loss teams, and that
is Ohio State and Iowa. Iowa played such
a great season, undefeated and then a last minute loss in the conference
championship. No way Iowa plays a First
Round game.
RECE: Guys, it is time to get all of our questions answered,
and go to Brent Musburger in Glendale, Arizona to learn who is in and where
they play. Brent?
Let's go to tournament Commissioner Nelson, who will reveal this year's tournament. Commissioner..."
COMMISIONER:
Thank you Brent. It is my yearly pleasure to announce the teams that
will be playing in the 2015-2016 BCS College Football Tournament.
In the First Round, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the seventh seed, the Hawkeyes of the University if Iowa, a Big Ten at-large, will play the tenth seeded University of Houston Cougars, champions of the American Athletic Conference.
The other First Round game will be played in Chicago, where the eighth seed and automatic qualifying independent, the Irish of Notre Dame University, will take on the ninth seed, and at-large team from the Big XII Conference, the defending champion Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.
In the First Round, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the seventh seed, the Hawkeyes of the University if Iowa, a Big Ten at-large, will play the tenth seeded University of Houston Cougars, champions of the American Athletic Conference.
The other First Round game will be played in Chicago, where the eighth seed and automatic qualifying independent, the Irish of Notre Dame University, will take on the ninth seed, and at-large team from the Big XII Conference, the defending champion Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.
So let's move onto the BCS Bowl quarterfinals. Either Texas Christian, Iowa,
or Houston will move on to the Orange Bowl, to play the top seed,
the Tigers of Clemson University, champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The
winner of the Sugar Bowl, will take on the winner of the Sugar Bowl,
which will feature the fourth seed, champion of the Big XII conference,
the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University, and fifth seeded at-large from the Big Ten Conference, the Buckeyes of Ohio State University.
Either Notre Dame, Iowa, or Houston will move on to the Peach Bowl, to play
the number two seed, and champion of the Southeastern Conference, the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama.
The
Orange Bowl winner will take on the winner of the remaining
quarterfinal game, the Rose Bowl, which will feature the third seed,
champion of the Big Ten Conference, the Michigan State Spartans, who
will play the sixth seed, champion of the Pac-12 Conference, the Cardinal of Stanford University.
The
winners of the BCS quarterfinals will meet in San Antonio for Football's
Final Four, and the winner of the semi-finals will play for the BCS
championship, right here, in Glendale, Arizona.
BRENT:
Thank you Commissioner, it shapes up to be yet another exciting
tournament. Two questions. What was the bubble team that was closest to
make the field, and secondly, how close was it between Stanford and Iowa for that last spot in the top six?
COMMISH: Florida State was the last team out of the tournament, but was not particularly close to Texas Christian in the standings for the last
at-large slot. As far as the top six goes, in fact Iowa finished sixth in a razor thin margin over Stanford. It was so close, Stanford was sixth during the entire weekend until the last of six computer rankings came into play. So it was very close. If we allowed both Ohio State and Iowa in the top six, then we would have had to have one of them play Michigan State. We felt in unfair to the Spartans to have won their conference and then have to play one of those teams again so soon, that it would have diminished their accomplishment. And as conference champion, Stanford also merited inclusion in the top six. We went back and forth, but I feel that we would have made this decision 99% of the time.
BRENT: Thank you Commissioner, and now back to Rece at the studio.
(microphones pick up unsuspecting continuing conversation)
BRENT: Good job Commissioner. You did fine.
COMMISH: I feel like I am getting better at this TV part every year, whew!
BRENT: Yes, you did fine. And thank you for allowing me to continue hosting
this presentation, but why did you have to have Lou Holtz back on also. It is going to start looking like a charity event for demoted ESPN employees. Are you going to bring in Bill Simmons too?
COMMISH: No Brent, though I really like Bill's writing, I think he comes across a bit grating as a broadcaster. He should stick to the scribe role.
BRENT: Thank you Commissioner. And next year consider replacing Coach Holtz, I think it would be for the best.
(back to the studio)COMMISH: No Brent, though I really like Bill's writing, I think he comes across a bit grating as a broadcaster. He should stick to the scribe role.
BRENT: Thank you Commissioner. And next year consider replacing Coach Holtz, I think it would be for the best.
RECE: So Mark, what do
you think?
MARK: I think it is a very well balanced bracket, and should
be a great tournament. We thought
Oklahoma-Ohio State might be a bowl match-up, and that game has to be the
marquee game of New Year’s Eve and Day.
But I think all the games will be competitive, except Alabama in the
Peach Bowl. I don’t think any of those
teams can oust Alabama. They can punch
their tickets for the San Antonio Semi-Finals right now in Tuscaloosa.
LOU: Well, I am just shocked that the tournament committee placed
Iowa, the team that earned a top six seed, into the First Round. The system determined that Iowa was in the
top six, yet the committee placed them seventh, just because they wanted a
Michigan State-Stanford Rose Bowl I bet.
I feel so sorry for the Iowa team, the coaches, and the fans.
MARK: Coach, I thought what the Commissioner said made a lot
of sense. It was razor close between Stanford and Iowa,
and I agree with him about Michigan State.
If Iowa and Ohio State make the top six, the Spartans have to play one
of them in the Bowl game, and that is not fair to them, having to play a team
it just beat again. They did the right
thing.
RECE: So let’s make some predictions. Mark, give me some teams
that you think could go all the way.
MARK: Rece, I think the conversation begins and ends with
Alabama. I think this is their year, and
Nick Saban will take home the trophy.
Possible dark horses for me have to be on the other side of the bracket
from Alabama. So I think Ohio State has
the tools to win it all, watch out for Urban Meyer. And if we were to predict a decade ago, which
Pac-12 would be in four straight Rose Bowl, and win three straight, and now be
in their fifth of the last six Rose Bowls, who would have guessed
Stanford? They were in three straight
Final Fours and a National Championship runner-up, you always have to take
Stanford seriously, even if they play Alabama.
RECE: And their only loss in that span of four straight Rose
Bowls was to Michigan State. Well, the
Cardinal get a rematch.
LOU: You know, no one
is talking Clemson. By golly, they are
undefeated, number one seed. I see
Clemson as a top seed, with a chip on their shoulder, with no repect.
And that is a dangerous combination. As a dark horse, I like Notre
Dame. They barely, barely lost to Clemson and
Stanford, both games on the road. But
now Notre Dame has no more road games!
They get to play TCU in Chicago.
So, I think the Irish can really shake things up.
MARK: That Notre Dame-TCU game should be very interesting,
it can go so many ways. Also, don’t
forget the tenth seed Houston. Every
year we tend to dismiss them, but two years ago, Central Florida in that slot
came within one point of Mizzou, and last year tenth seed Boise State made it
to Football’s Final Four. So, watch out
for Houston.
RECE: Another thing about Houston, they are the only team of
the ten that has not recently been in the tournament. This is a year with a lot of schools with
recent tournament experience. Alabama is in their fifth consecutive tournament, leading the way for longest current streak. I think
that is why it seems quite unpredictable, with a lot of potential
champions.
So let's look at the brackets one more time:
FIRST ROUND:
In Shreveport, LA:
7 Iowa
10 Houston
In Chicago:
8 Notre Dame
9 Texas Christian
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Orange:
1 Clemson
TCU/Iowa/Houston
Sugar:
4 Oklahoma
5 Ohio State
Peach:
2 AlabamaNotre Dame/Iowa/Houston
Rose:
3 Michigan State
6 Stanford
SEMI-FINALS in San Antonio
?
?
?
?
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Glendale, Arizona
?
?
BCS National Championship: Texas Christian soldiers onward, defeats Oregon 45-33 to take crown
After traveling to Pasadena to beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, and then defeating Alabama in Atlanta, Texas Christian was able to keep it local for the National Championship game. About 20 miles from campus, the Horned Frogs hopped down to Arlington for the Championship game at AT&T Stadium.
But Oregon’s offense also showed up in Texas, behind Heisman winner Marcus Mariota at quarterback. With the elements of both Mariota and TCU QB Trevone Boykin, an explosive reaction took place for a Championship full of fireworks.
Oregon started the scoring with a field goal, but TCU answered on the ensuing kickoff with a 98 yard return for touchdown by Ranthony Texada that sent the Horned Frogs fans bursting into pandemonium. Mariota marched the Ducks right back down the field, and threw an 18-yard TD pass to Byron Marshall, as Oregon took a 9-7 lead after a failed extra point. Then Boykin drove the Horned Frogs down the field for a 42 yard Jaden Oberkrom field goal , and TCU re-took a 1 point lead. The first frame wasn’t even over yet when Mariota hit Devon Allen for a 9-yard TD pass and Oregon was up 16-10.
But the Horned Frogs had a corner on all the second quarter scoring, on a 17 yard TD pass from Boykin to Josh Doctson, followed by a Boykin TD run from 2 yards out, and the Fort Worth fans cheered TCU into the locker room with a 24-16 lead.
The Horned Frogs continued to jump on the Ducks and the cheering continued as Boykin hit Desmon White for a 71 yard TD pass play to further extend the TCU margin. The third quarter scoring continued as TCU added two touchdowns and Oregon added a TD and field goal, and the Frogs held a 45-26 lead going into the final 15 minute frame.
Mariota ran in another Duck TD in the fourth but it was too little too late, as #5 seed Texas Christian held off a game Duck team, winning the National Championship 45-33.
FINAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State 20
9 Mississippi 3
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama 35
8 Michigan State 34
Rose:
4 Ohio State 28
5 Texas Christian 42
Orange:
2 Florida State 20
10 Boise State 30
Fiesta:
3 Oregon 60
6 Baylor 41
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
1 Alabama 20
5 Texas Christian 28
3 Oregon 20
10 Boise State 15
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
3 Oregon 33
5 Texas Christian 45
But Oregon’s offense also showed up in Texas, behind Heisman winner Marcus Mariota at quarterback. With the elements of both Mariota and TCU QB Trevone Boykin, an explosive reaction took place for a Championship full of fireworks.
Oregon started the scoring with a field goal, but TCU answered on the ensuing kickoff with a 98 yard return for touchdown by Ranthony Texada that sent the Horned Frogs fans bursting into pandemonium. Mariota marched the Ducks right back down the field, and threw an 18-yard TD pass to Byron Marshall, as Oregon took a 9-7 lead after a failed extra point. Then Boykin drove the Horned Frogs down the field for a 42 yard Jaden Oberkrom field goal , and TCU re-took a 1 point lead. The first frame wasn’t even over yet when Mariota hit Devon Allen for a 9-yard TD pass and Oregon was up 16-10.
But the Horned Frogs had a corner on all the second quarter scoring, on a 17 yard TD pass from Boykin to Josh Doctson, followed by a Boykin TD run from 2 yards out, and the Fort Worth fans cheered TCU into the locker room with a 24-16 lead.
The Horned Frogs continued to jump on the Ducks and the cheering continued as Boykin hit Desmon White for a 71 yard TD pass play to further extend the TCU margin. The third quarter scoring continued as TCU added two touchdowns and Oregon added a TD and field goal, and the Frogs held a 45-26 lead going into the final 15 minute frame.
Mariota ran in another Duck TD in the fourth but it was too little too late, as #5 seed Texas Christian held off a game Duck team, winning the National Championship 45-33.
FINAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State 20
9 Mississippi 3
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama 35
8 Michigan State 34
Rose:
4 Ohio State 28
5 Texas Christian 42
Orange:
2 Florida State 20
10 Boise State 30
Fiesta:
3 Oregon 60
6 Baylor 41
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
1 Alabama 20
5 Texas Christian 28
3 Oregon 20
10 Boise State 15
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
3 Oregon 33
5 Texas Christian 45
Atlanta Semi-Finals: Extreme tourney make-over; #1 and #10 seeds go down as TCU and Oregon advance to the Championship Game
Game 1: #5 Texas Christian 28, #1 Alabama 20
Alabama rolled in from Tuscaloosa to nearby Atlanta, and racked up many more yards than
Texas Christian, but the Horned Frogs turned big plays into points, and
advanced to the Championship Game.
Alabama scored first on Adam Griffith’s 27 yard field goal
mid-way through the first quarter. But
TCU struck pay dirt as Trevone Boykin hit wide open RB Aaron Green on an
80-yard TD pass play, and the Horned Frogs grabbed the lead, 7-3.
Early in the second frame, Blake Sims answered for the Tide,
and hit Kenyan Drake on a 25 yard touchdown pass, and Bama grabbed the lead
back. However, TCU defensive back Chris
Hackett’s 69 yard interception return for a diving to the pylon TD mid-way
through the second quarter gave TCU a 14-10 halftime lead.
The Tide came out rolling in the second half, as Blake Sims scored
from 3-yards out to give the lead back to Alabama with 6 minutes left in the
third. A 43-yard Griffith field goal in
the early moments of the fourth put Bama up 20-14, and tide seemed to favor a
Nick Saban win.
But a crazy play midway through the fourth turned the tide
for TCU. Horned Frog QB was sacked,
fumbled, and Alabama recover, and ran the fumble to near the TCU 20, as it
looked like Bama would be in control.
But the Bama defender fumbled, and Boykin recovered. It was a 29 yard loss, but TCU had the ball
back. Another big play ensued, as Boykin
hit Deante' Gray for a 70 yard pass down to the three-yard line, and two plays
later, Green plowed in for a touchdown. Instead of scoring a touchdown or field goal
to extend a lead, the Tide found themselves down 21-20 with six minutes
remaining.
The Horned Frogs were not done as TCU’s Trevorris Johnson scored
on a 28-yard touchdown run, and lead 28-20 with just under four minutes
remaining. Alabama never seriously
threaten, and Texas Christian advanced.
Home cooking awaits as Fort Worth’s TCU will vie for the championship in
the palatial home of the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas.
Game 2: #3 Oregon 20, #10 Boise State 15
Game two was featured Heisman winner quarterback Marcus
Mariota versus the always interesting Boise State Broncos, back again at Football’s
Final Four. At first, it seemed like it
would be a Duck scorefest, as Oregon took the opening drive straight down the
field, capped with a Keanon Lowe TD on a 7 yard pass from Mariota, and
expectation of a game that would short out the electronics of the score board
seemed perfectly reasonable. However,
most of the first half involved an aggressive Oregon defense forcing turnovers,
but also Oregon offense forced mainly to punt, unable to take advantage. With less than a minute in the half
remaining, Oregon finally scored again on an Aidan Schneider 26 yard field goal,
and the Ducks held the 10-0 halftime lead.
The halftime instructions must have been persuasive in the
Oregon lockeroom, on both sides of the ball.
A Boise State interception lead to a Byron Marshall 70 yard TD reception
from Mariota, then a Bronco fumble on their next drive resulted in a Schneider
23 yard field goal, and voila, Ducks were in control 20-0.
The Ducks offense resumed its punt resulting drives, in addition
to one Mariota interception, but generally the Broncos could not
capitalize. Finally, the Boise State
broke the goose egg on the scoreboard, and Jay Ajayi finished the third quarter
with a 9 yard TD scamper, and Boise State’s two point conversion brought the
game to 20-8 entering the final frame.
Boise could not close the gap until the end of the fourth
quarter though. On their final drive of
the game, the Broncos finally showed their offensive prowess on a stellar movement
down the field, and Grant Hedrick masterfully passed BSU to scoring position. Ajayi scored from 1 yard out with 28 seconds
to play, and the score was 20-15.
However, Oregon easily recovered the onside kick, and advanced to the
Championship Game.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Sugar Bowl: Late TD gives top seed Alabama win over Michigan State, 35-34
Given the dominance of the SEC West, and particularly when Alabama is top-ranked in the Sugar Bowl, most assumed Michigan State would have little impact on this year's tournament, with Mississippi and Bama as early opponents. But Spartan coach coach Mark Dantonio's team showed themselves to be ready for a challenge, even against the mighty Crimson Tide.
But Bama was Bama early. Derrick Henry's 25 yard TD run and Amari Cooper's 15 yard TD pass reception from Blake Sims sandwiched a Michael Geiger MSU field goal, and Alabama led 14-3 at the end of the first frame. In the second quarter, T.J. Yeldon's 2 yard run provided another Bama score to extend the lead. But another Geiger field goal and a Jeremy Langford TD run cut the lead to 21-13 at halftime.
MSU kept coming in the third, a Connor Cook TD pass and a pick six on an interception by Sims shocked the Superdome crowd, and the Spartans were up 27-21.
However, Sims answered with 5-yard TD run and Bama regained the lead going into the fourth quarter, 28-27.
The score remained the same until just over three minutes to go, when a 65-yard Langford run for TD gave MSU the lead, and the shockwave returned to the Superdome. However, Alabama drove, capped by an Amari Cooper 6 TD pass pass from Blake Sims with under two minutes to go, and Alabama survived a Sugar Bowl scare.
Alabama will move on to their fifth appearance in six years at Football's Final Four, right down the road in Atlanta.
UPDATED TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State 20
9 Mississippi 3
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama 35
8 Michigan State 34
Rose:
4 Ohio State 28
5 Texas Christian 42
Orange:
2 Florida State 20
10 Boise State 30
Fiesta:
3 Oregon 60
6 Baylor 41
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
1 Alabama
5 Texas Christian
3 Oregon
10 Boise State
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
But Bama was Bama early. Derrick Henry's 25 yard TD run and Amari Cooper's 15 yard TD pass reception from Blake Sims sandwiched a Michael Geiger MSU field goal, and Alabama led 14-3 at the end of the first frame. In the second quarter, T.J. Yeldon's 2 yard run provided another Bama score to extend the lead. But another Geiger field goal and a Jeremy Langford TD run cut the lead to 21-13 at halftime.
MSU kept coming in the third, a Connor Cook TD pass and a pick six on an interception by Sims shocked the Superdome crowd, and the Spartans were up 27-21.
However, Sims answered with 5-yard TD run and Bama regained the lead going into the fourth quarter, 28-27.
The score remained the same until just over three minutes to go, when a 65-yard Langford run for TD gave MSU the lead, and the shockwave returned to the Superdome. However, Alabama drove, capped by an Amari Cooper 6 TD pass pass from Blake Sims with under two minutes to go, and Alabama survived a Sugar Bowl scare.
Alabama will move on to their fifth appearance in six years at Football's Final Four, right down the road in Atlanta.
UPDATED TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State 20
9 Mississippi 3
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama 35
8 Michigan State 34
Rose:
4 Ohio State 28
5 Texas Christian 42
Orange:
2 Florida State 20
10 Boise State 30
Fiesta:
3 Oregon 60
6 Baylor 41
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
1 Alabama
5 Texas Christian
3 Oregon
10 Boise State
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
Rose Bowl: TCU's hot start is too much for solid Buckeyes; Horned Frogs outlast OSU 42-28
Four seasons ago, Ohio State nipped TCU to reach Football's Final Four in a classic Orange Bowl. Now, #4 OSU and #5 Texas Christian were again battling in a key game against one-loss teams.
The difference in the game was the opening quarter. TCU's offense, defense, and special teams were running on all cylinders, whereas the Buckeyes were ready but started on slowly before they hit all gears. After a minute of play, Horned Frogs scored on a 31 yard pass to Aaron Green from reciever Kolby Listenbee to take the lead. Ohio State was game, but red zone moments fizzled as they were held to two Sean Nuernberger field goal's in the first quarter. TCU meanwhile added another TD on Aaron Green's 15 yard run to lead 14-6 after a quarter.
The second quarter scoring started on Josh Doctson 12 yard TD pass from TCU QB Trevone Boykin, and Horned Frogs were up 21-6. With three minutes to go in the half, OSU finally broke the plane, as Ezekiel Elliott scored on a 3 yard run. But TCU drove to score a TD before halftime, and held the 28-13 edge at the break.
Buckeyes offense continued to strengthen as Michael Thomas scored on a dazzling tippy toe end zone catch on a 13 yard pass from receiver Evan Spencer to cut the lead to 8. But two quick Trevone Boykin TD passes to Kolby Listenbee (35 yards) and Josh Doctson (27 yards) kept the TCU side of the field buzzing, with a lead to 42-20.
In the fourth, a 47 yard TD pass to Devin Smith continued an excellent string of play Cardale Jones despite some early struggles, and the two-point conversion cut the lead to 42-28, but TCU successfully ran clock and kept the Buckeyes from scoring, and held on to the 14 point win.
Certainly, Ohio State has nothing to be ashamed of and will build on this for next season, but today was the day for Texas Christian to make up for that loss to OSU four years ago. TCU will move onto their first Football's Final Four in Atlanta, and meet the winner of the Alabama/Michigan State Sugar Bowl.
The difference in the game was the opening quarter. TCU's offense, defense, and special teams were running on all cylinders, whereas the Buckeyes were ready but started on slowly before they hit all gears. After a minute of play, Horned Frogs scored on a 31 yard pass to Aaron Green from reciever Kolby Listenbee to take the lead. Ohio State was game, but red zone moments fizzled as they were held to two Sean Nuernberger field goal's in the first quarter. TCU meanwhile added another TD on Aaron Green's 15 yard run to lead 14-6 after a quarter.
The second quarter scoring started on Josh Doctson 12 yard TD pass from TCU QB Trevone Boykin, and Horned Frogs were up 21-6. With three minutes to go in the half, OSU finally broke the plane, as Ezekiel Elliott scored on a 3 yard run. But TCU drove to score a TD before halftime, and held the 28-13 edge at the break.
Buckeyes offense continued to strengthen as Michael Thomas scored on a dazzling tippy toe end zone catch on a 13 yard pass from receiver Evan Spencer to cut the lead to 8. But two quick Trevone Boykin TD passes to Kolby Listenbee (35 yards) and Josh Doctson (27 yards) kept the TCU side of the field buzzing, with a lead to 42-20.
In the fourth, a 47 yard TD pass to Devin Smith continued an excellent string of play Cardale Jones despite some early struggles, and the two-point conversion cut the lead to 42-28, but TCU successfully ran clock and kept the Buckeyes from scoring, and held on to the 14 point win.
Certainly, Ohio State has nothing to be ashamed of and will build on this for next season, but today was the day for Texas Christian to make up for that loss to OSU four years ago. TCU will move onto their first Football's Final Four in Atlanta, and meet the winner of the Alabama/Michigan State Sugar Bowl.
Orange Bowl: Costly turnovers end the Seminoles' winning streak; Boise State shock wave continues, 30-20
#10 Boise State's shocking win over Mississippi State cost the Bulldogs a chance to take on what seemed to be a vulnerable #2, yet defending champion Florida State. The Seminoles had not lost since their Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama two years ago, but FSU built on that loss for a championship run last season. Certainly Boise State gave Florida State a nice path to the Semi-Finals up north in Atlanta.
And it felt like a Florida State breeze early. The Seminoles dominated, and although they seemed to throw away red zone opportunities at will, FSU outscored BSU 13-0 in the first, on two Roberto Aguayo field goals and a Karlos Williams 10 yard TD run. Boise State continued to seem over-matched in the second quarter, but at least kept Florida State off the scoreboard, and halftime remained 13-0.
The Bronces seemed upbeat in the second half, and some trickery led to a Jay Ajayi TD run, to cut the lead to 13-7. However, like the hare watching as the tortoise progressed, FSU responded with a Travis Rudolph 18 yard TD pass from Jameis Winston, and the lead was back to 13, and all seemed well. However, that TD was the only successful possession in a span of four fumble turnovers and an interception, giving Boise State field position that the Broncos probably could not have achieved on their own. After a Grant Hedrick TD pass for BSU, a scrambling Winston fumbled into the arms of Boise State, which ran it in from 58 yards, and shockingly, the Broncos took the 21-20 lead into the fourth quarter.
Turnovers continued to help Boise, and the Broncos kept rolling for another touchdown and field goal, as Florida State self-destructed, losing 30-20.
Boise State becomes the first #10 seed to reach Football's Final Four, where they will take on Oregon in Atlanta.
And it felt like a Florida State breeze early. The Seminoles dominated, and although they seemed to throw away red zone opportunities at will, FSU outscored BSU 13-0 in the first, on two Roberto Aguayo field goals and a Karlos Williams 10 yard TD run. Boise State continued to seem over-matched in the second quarter, but at least kept Florida State off the scoreboard, and halftime remained 13-0.
The Bronces seemed upbeat in the second half, and some trickery led to a Jay Ajayi TD run, to cut the lead to 13-7. However, like the hare watching as the tortoise progressed, FSU responded with a Travis Rudolph 18 yard TD pass from Jameis Winston, and the lead was back to 13, and all seemed well. However, that TD was the only successful possession in a span of four fumble turnovers and an interception, giving Boise State field position that the Broncos probably could not have achieved on their own. After a Grant Hedrick TD pass for BSU, a scrambling Winston fumbled into the arms of Boise State, which ran it in from 58 yards, and shockingly, the Broncos took the 21-20 lead into the fourth quarter.
Turnovers continued to help Boise, and the Broncos kept rolling for another touchdown and field goal, as Florida State self-destructed, losing 30-20.
Boise State becomes the first #10 seed to reach Football's Final Four, where they will take on Oregon in Atlanta.
Fiesta Bowl: Four quarter Duck attack takes down game Baylor; Oregon wins 60-41
Last year in their first tournament appearance, #6 Baylor defensive breakdowns cost them dearly in their Fiesta Bowl loss to #3 Alabama. This season, #6 Baylor looked much stronger, for the three quarters, but teams will need four strong quarters to defeat #3 Oregon and their Heisman QB Marcus Mariota.
But Baylor was up to the task for most of this day. The Bears started the scoring on KD Cannon 49 yard TD pass reception from Bryce Petty. As this game would go for three quarters, the opponent's offence responded, and Oregon took an 8-7 lead on a Royce Freeman 1 yard TD run, followed by Taylor Alie's pass to Christian French for the two-point conversion. Baylor unveiled its own trickery on a 53 yard TD pass from receiver Jay Lee to Corey Coleman, and of course, Oregon answered on Thomas Tyner's 1 yard run, and the Ducks led at the end of the quarter 15-14.
In the second quarter, Bryce Petty's 1 yard run gave the Bears the lead back, and Oregon then scored on a three yard Freeman run (conversion failed). But Baylor closed out the first half scoring with a Chris Callahan 25 yard field goal, and the Bears had the 24-21 locker room lead.
The game continued to see-saw in the third quarter with hot and heavy scoring in the southwestern shoot-out. Baylor scored three times on two Petty TD passes and a Callahan field goal, and Oregon put up three TDs, including two Mariota TD passes to Darren Carrington, and the Ducks led 42-41 entering the fourth.
However, the Baylor defense breakdowns and twice as many penalty yards caught up with the Bears, and Oregon's defense rose to the occasion in the fourth quarter to shut out BU. Two 20+ TD runs, one from Mariota and another from Tyner, a two-point conversion, and an Aidan Schneider field goals left Baylor in Oregon's scoring wake, and the Ducks won, going away, 60-41.
Oregon will move onto the Semi-Finals in Atlanta, and await the winner of the Orange Bowl between Florida State and Boise State.
But Baylor was up to the task for most of this day. The Bears started the scoring on KD Cannon 49 yard TD pass reception from Bryce Petty. As this game would go for three quarters, the opponent's offence responded, and Oregon took an 8-7 lead on a Royce Freeman 1 yard TD run, followed by Taylor Alie's pass to Christian French for the two-point conversion. Baylor unveiled its own trickery on a 53 yard TD pass from receiver Jay Lee to Corey Coleman, and of course, Oregon answered on Thomas Tyner's 1 yard run, and the Ducks led at the end of the quarter 15-14.
In the second quarter, Bryce Petty's 1 yard run gave the Bears the lead back, and Oregon then scored on a three yard Freeman run (conversion failed). But Baylor closed out the first half scoring with a Chris Callahan 25 yard field goal, and the Bears had the 24-21 locker room lead.
The game continued to see-saw in the third quarter with hot and heavy scoring in the southwestern shoot-out. Baylor scored three times on two Petty TD passes and a Callahan field goal, and Oregon put up three TDs, including two Mariota TD passes to Darren Carrington, and the Ducks led 42-41 entering the fourth.
However, the Baylor defense breakdowns and twice as many penalty yards caught up with the Bears, and Oregon's defense rose to the occasion in the fourth quarter to shut out BU. Two 20+ TD runs, one from Mariota and another from Tyner, a two-point conversion, and an Aidan Schneider field goals left Baylor in Oregon's scoring wake, and the Ducks won, going away, 60-41.
Oregon will move onto the Semi-Finals in Atlanta, and await the winner of the Orange Bowl between Florida State and Boise State.
First Round Detroit: Spartan defense shuts down Ole Miss; Michigan State prevails 20-3
When two strong defenses collide, the hits are hard and the scoring rare, which seemed appropriate in the blue collar city where Ford Field resides. The local fans were treated to a game of strong defense and Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook breaking the game open in the fourth quarter.
Both defenses were strong early, but #8 Michigan State scored in the first on Jeremy Langford's 2 yard TD run, and the Spartans led 7-0.
The game remained this way through three quarters, as #9 Ole Miss's offense struggled, but their defense kept them in the game.
Michael Geiger's field goal early in the fourth gave MSU a 10-0, but Mississippi finally scored on Gary Wunderlich's 27 yard field goal, to tighten to 10-3. But QB Cook and the MSU offense controlled the remainder of the game, and scored on R.J. Shelton's 11 yard run and another Michael Geiger field goal, and MSU won it 20-3. The MSU defense also ramped it up in the final frame, making a very long day for Rebel QB Bo Wallace.
The state of Mississppi's football fortunes rose in 2014, but ended abruptly in the tournament's First Round, with both Mississippi and Mississippi State going down. But Michigan State will go on, and head south to face #1 seed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Both defenses were strong early, but #8 Michigan State scored in the first on Jeremy Langford's 2 yard TD run, and the Spartans led 7-0.
The game remained this way through three quarters, as #9 Ole Miss's offense struggled, but their defense kept them in the game.
Michael Geiger's field goal early in the fourth gave MSU a 10-0, but Mississippi finally scored on Gary Wunderlich's 27 yard field goal, to tighten to 10-3. But QB Cook and the MSU offense controlled the remainder of the game, and scored on R.J. Shelton's 11 yard run and another Michael Geiger field goal, and MSU won it 20-3. The MSU defense also ramped it up in the final frame, making a very long day for Rebel QB Bo Wallace.
The state of Mississppi's football fortunes rose in 2014, but ended abruptly in the tournament's First Round, with both Mississippi and Mississippi State going down. But Michigan State will go on, and head south to face #1 seed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
First Round Salt Lake City Shocker!: Boise State ousts Mississippi State, 35-34
This season's tournament was supposed to be crazy, and if the first game is any indication, it is going to be a doo-zee! The general feeling was that #7 Mississippi State would visit Salt Lake City and get a nice little tune-up win over #10 Boise State to prepare for an invasion of the Orange Bowl to take on #2 Florida State. Instead, it is the Broncos who are awaiting the results of the First Round match-up between Michigan State and Mississippi to see if they will play top seed Alabama or Florida State in the next round.
A light rain with temperatures in the 40's greeted the teams as they hit the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium. But the Broncos offense was in high gear like it was summer on the Bonneville Salt Flats. BSU's Jay Ajayi started the scoring with a 56 yard TD run, and Broncos had the only score of the first quarter and led 7-0.
Mississippi State scored early in the second quarter on Evan Sobiesk's 32 yard field goal, but Boise answered with with the hot hand of QB Grant Hedrick, who completed a 57 yard TD pass to Chaz Anderson, and the Broncos were ahead 14-3. The Bulldogs responded on QB Dak Prescott's TD run from 5 yards out, and followed with another Evan Sobiesk field goal from 30 yards, and MSU was within one point, 14-13.
The Bulldogs seemed to gain control of the game as Mississippi State scored on a 42-yard Hail Mary on the final play of the first half to take the halftime lead 20-14.
And although BSU's offense slowed in the third quarter, the Broncos defense started to rise to the occasion in the second half. After the Broncos regained the lead on running back's Ajayi second TD, using their patented Statue of Liberty, a 16 yard run, BSU cornerback Donte Deayon picked up a Prescott fumble and ran it in the the TD. Boise State's lead was 28-20 entering the final quarter.
Mississippi State responded with a 7 yard TD pass from Prescott to De'Runnya Wilson, but Boise would not wilt either in the drizzle, and returned the favor and Ajayiran it in from 1 yard out for his third TD.
MSU would not go quietly as Prescott and Wilson connected again from 12 yards out, and the score was 35-34, BSU clinging to the lead.
Prescott was scrambling, trying to get the Bulldogs in field goal position in the last seconds, but was tackled by BSU sack specialist Kamalei Correa with his biggest takedown of the season on the game's final play, and Broncos held on.
Boise State magic lives, and after previous season tournament wins against Oklahoma, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Texas, the Broncos now can lay claim to an SEC win. BSU awaits results of the other First Round game, and will play Florida State in the Orange Bowl if Michigan State wins, or Alabama in the Sugar Bowl if Mississippi wins.
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State
9 Mississippi
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama
Michigan State or Boise State
Rose:
4 Ohio State
5 Texas Christian
Orange:
2 Florida State
Mississippi or Boise State
Fiesta:
3 Oregon
6 Baylor
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
A light rain with temperatures in the 40's greeted the teams as they hit the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium. But the Broncos offense was in high gear like it was summer on the Bonneville Salt Flats. BSU's Jay Ajayi started the scoring with a 56 yard TD run, and Broncos had the only score of the first quarter and led 7-0.
Mississippi State scored early in the second quarter on Evan Sobiesk's 32 yard field goal, but Boise answered with with the hot hand of QB Grant Hedrick, who completed a 57 yard TD pass to Chaz Anderson, and the Broncos were ahead 14-3. The Bulldogs responded on QB Dak Prescott's TD run from 5 yards out, and followed with another Evan Sobiesk field goal from 30 yards, and MSU was within one point, 14-13.
The Bulldogs seemed to gain control of the game as Mississippi State scored on a 42-yard Hail Mary on the final play of the first half to take the halftime lead 20-14.
And although BSU's offense slowed in the third quarter, the Broncos defense started to rise to the occasion in the second half. After the Broncos regained the lead on running back's Ajayi second TD, using their patented Statue of Liberty, a 16 yard run, BSU cornerback Donte Deayon picked up a Prescott fumble and ran it in the the TD. Boise State's lead was 28-20 entering the final quarter.
Mississippi State responded with a 7 yard TD pass from Prescott to De'Runnya Wilson, but Boise would not wilt either in the drizzle, and returned the favor and Ajayiran it in from 1 yard out for his third TD.
MSU would not go quietly as Prescott and Wilson connected again from 12 yards out, and the score was 35-34, BSU clinging to the lead.
Prescott was scrambling, trying to get the Bulldogs in field goal position in the last seconds, but was tackled by BSU sack specialist Kamalei Correa with his biggest takedown of the season on the game's final play, and Broncos held on.
Boise State magic lives, and after previous season tournament wins against Oklahoma, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Texas, the Broncos now can lay claim to an SEC win. BSU awaits results of the other First Round game, and will play Florida State in the Orange Bowl if Michigan State wins, or Alabama in the Sugar Bowl if Mississippi wins.
FIRST ROUND:
In Salt Lake City:
7 Mississippi State 34
10 Boise State 35
In Detroit:
8 Michigan State
9 Mississippi
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama
Michigan State or Boise State
Rose:
4 Ohio State
5 Texas Christian
Orange:
2 Florida State
Mississippi or Boise State
Fiesta:
3 Oregon
6 Baylor
SEMI-FINALS in Atlanta
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Arlington, Texas
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