Conference Championships

Conference Championships

 

       With Bowl season just around the corner, it's conference championship week for some conferences. At this point I want to check and see how my preseason picks compare to the teams actually playing for their conference championship.

 

    Preseason SEC picks: Georgia vs LSU. 
  
    Actual Matchup: Georgia vs Bama
 

    Preseason ACC picks: Florida State vs Virginia Tech

    Actual Matchup: Florida State vs Georgia Tech
 

    Preseason Big 12 pick: Oklahoma

    Actual Team (as there is no Big 12 Championship Game) Kansas State.
 

    Preseason PAC 12 picks: Oregon vs USC

    Actual Matchup: Stanford vs UCLA
 

    Preseason B1G Ten picks: Nebraska vs Wisconsin

    Actual Matchup: Nebraska vs Wisconsin


     I was pretty close with most of the matchups, except the PAC-12. They proved to be a deeper conference than I anticipated this season.

     Let the predictions begin.

 

     I will start with the B1G Ten, Nebraska vs Wisconsin. This game isn't getting much attention, but it could go down as a classic. I think the color red will dominate the stadium, unless these two teams to decide to wear their terrible alternate uniforms that they introduced earlier this season. Nebraska is favored by three points. They have the team to get this done, but it's all about execution. That is where they have struggled this season. The Cornhuskers have the turnover bug as well. Whether it's interceptions or fumbles, this team struggles with holding onto the ball. They have had some bright moments and then there have been some really dark moments.
      Wisconsin may not have the record to show it, but they have come a long ways since their terrible start to the season. The Badgers will give the Huskers all they can handle. In this case, I don't think the point spread is as far off as it has been before. As long as the Cornhuskers can hold on to the football they should pull through. Nebraska wins, 24-20.

     

     Let me get the Big 12 out of the way. There isn't a championship game, but I did have a pick for the conference. I really thought Bob Stoops would pull his team to another Big 12 Title, but as he has done before, he found a way for his team to lose a couple games they shouldn't have. Oklahoma was my favorite. West Virginia was my close second. Neither one of those teams were any match for the real champion of the Big 12. Kansas State took care of business this season (except when it came to Baylor). Kansas State has to play Texas, and while a conference championship isn't on the line for the Longhorns, Mac Brown knows his team still has something to prove this season.

     For Kansas State, this is a chance for Collin Klein to get back in the hunt for the Heisman. If he has a big game against Texas and they win, then Klein will have put himself in good position to win the Heisman Trophy. Kansas State is favored by 10.5 points. I say Kansas State wins 35-17. Klein will put on a good show.

      PAC-12 Championship, Stanford vs UCLA. I couldn't have been more wrong on my preseason picks for this conference. Oregon blew it. The Ducks had the inside track to the BCS Title game and that may have been the distraction that derailed their season.
       USC on the otherhand, flushed their shot down the drain, along with their season. The Trojans just don't have the depth to compete with the big teams right now. They had the playmakers, but the depth at offensive line and defensive line proved to be their biggest flaws. It cost them in a big way.
        Stanford against UCLA. Who saw that coming? If somebody told you that Oregon wouldn't be in the PAC-12 Championship, would you really have bought that? These two teams met last week and Stanford made a pretty loud statement in that game...... 35-17 in favor of the Cardinal. I'm not sure that the Bruins can make up the difference and win this game. They may play better and keep the score closer, but it won't be enought to win this game. Stanford wins, 28-20.

      ACC Championship, Florida State vs Georgia Tech. Yes, Georgia Tech made it. With North Carolina and Miami under a post season ban, that left Georgia Tech as the next team to be able to play. They Yellow Jackets are 6-6 on the season and that could be why tickets are selling for a little over $4 this week. Yep, $4. The sad part is that I think Georgia Tech has a real shot in this game. FSU may be the big favorite, but the Noles have been struggling for over a month now. Both of these teams are coming off losses to their in-state rivals. Georgia Tech had little hope against the Georgia Bull Dogs. Florida State had plenty of talent to hang with the Gators, but in the end there were some flaws that have been there all season......and they were highlighted in this one game. 
       FSU is favored by 14. I am not buying that at all. This game will either be a blowout in favor of FSU, or it will be a tight game with the Yellow Jackets coming up with the upset. Florida State has several issues they have been and will be dealing with. Mark Stoops is headed to Kentucky. 'Tank' Carridine (the Noles leading tackler) is out with a torn ACL. Not to add to that...... Jimbo Fisher's name is being tossed around at a couple of other schools for their next head coach. Many would ask why he would even think about leaving. Well, if he loses this game, he better be packing his bags. The fan base is starting to get tired of the frustrating losses in which FSU has been heavily favored in 90% of their losses over the last three seasons.
      On paper, FSU should blow Georgia Tech out. I just can't see that actually happening with the way FSU has been playing for awhile now. FSU wins, but it may not be pretty. 31-21.

     Now for the game that decides who plays Notre Dame in the BCS Title Game. SEC Championship, Alabama vs Georgia. Mark Richt has a chance to get his team to the National Championship. This is as close as they have ever been. The question could be whether it's a distraction or not. Richt was on the hot seat just under two seasons ago, but look at him now. Their only loss came in a very ugly showing against South Carolina (at the time, South Carolina had been playing lights out). Georgia certainly has their work cut out for them in this one.
      Alabama is coming off a huge win over a terrible Auburn team. Their focus will be key in this game. Nick Saban takes great pride in getting his team focused, and he is very good at it. Their loss to Texas A&M wasn't a fluke. This Crimson Tide team hasn't been tested enough this season. And when they have been, we see games like the LSU game, or the A&M game. In reality, Bama was outplayed in the LSU game. Sure, they got the win, but it was not in the fashion you would expect from a juggernaut (which Alabama has been made out to be on several occasions).
      My guess is that Alabama just isn't as good as they were in 2009 or 2011, and the East division might be a little higher than the previous two seasons. This will be a great matchup. Georgia has a great passing attack. Their defense has been getting better every week. They have some momentum coming into the game. As for Alabama, a chance for a repeat will be what motivates them. Bama is favored by 7.5 points. I want to pick Georiga, so bad. But I know Nick Saban will have his guys more than ready. Tough pick in this one, especially with so much on the line. Ahhhh whatever, I am picking the Bull Dogs. Georgia wins, 27-21.



      Check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE'. Don't forget to send in your Heisman predictions. You can send in your questions/comments to jeremy.cf2@yahoo.com. Enjoy the games this weekend, there should be some good ones.













Reader Questions

Coaching Changes and Reader Questions

 

       The news got out yesterday, after some speculation, that Mark Stoops will be the next head coach at Kentucky. Mark Stoops has served as the defensive coordinator at Florida State the last three seasons, and has done an amazing job in a very short amount of time.

 

       Other teams that are still looking for a new head coach include Tennessee, Auburn, NC State, Colorado, and Boston College. Out of those schools listed I think Tennessee will be the next school to name their new head coach. Who? Only the AD may know, and I don't think he has a clue.

 

        Now for your questions and comments. I asked for some Heisman talk from you, but it seems as though Tuesday's look at Florida State's football may have rubbed some fans the wrong way. I received some feedback from a few of you on the issue, and I'm ready to tackle your comments/questions.

 

       Many of you replied with the "10-2 record, what else do you want?" Others responded with "we have a chance to win the ACC and play in a BCS bowl".

 

       Okay, if you are happy with a 10-2 record....Can't argue with that record, right? It's a 10 win season..... That hasn't happend very often in the last decade. But you know you have to put a * next to that record, right? Why? Because the ACC is at an all time low. This team did not perform any better than last season. The difference is the teams the Noles have played. Clemson didn't improve from last season, but they got to 10 wins because of who they played. The ACC is in shambles this season, and FSU fans are blinded by the 10-2 record. "Yeah the Noles are back, we got 10 wins!" Look at the teams they played.....and they still couldn't go undefeated through the ACC. If the mark of success is 10 wins every season, then sure Jimbo has done a good job. But I am not one of those fans who will be blinded by that stat. ANY coach could come to FSU and win 10 games. With the amount of talent FSU gets every year, I could coach them to 10 wins (okay that may be a stretch, but you get my point). Nick Saban could've came in this season for FSU and won the National Championship, easily. Les Miles could do the same thing (and I think Les Miles is a pretty big joke, but he has success in a better conference).

 

     Jimbo Fisher when he took over at FSU, "you never want to be the guy that follows the legend (Bobby Bowden); you would prefer to be the guy who comes after the guy who followed the legend."

 

     That comment says it all. Sure, people are going to have higher expectations ( I am one of them), but that comes with the territory. The talent level at FSU is at the highest it's been in over a decade, and somehow FSU could'nt go undefeated through what has been the worst season for ACC teams in over a decade.

 

       If that doesn't make you look at things a little differently, then maybe this will...... ACC Championship tickets are $4 on Stub Hub. Yes, I understand part of that is Miami fans, Duke fans, and maybe Virginia Tech fans selling off their tickets.....but really, $4? The ACC is in the toilet and FSU couldn't go undefeated through the conference. Something is wrong with that. Is it motivation? Is it lack of focus? What is it? If it's not Jimbo Fisher, then please tell me what the problem is?

 

        Oh, the Noles are going to a BCS bowl (assuming they beat Georgia Tech). You know who the Noles will be playing in the Orange Bowl? The Big East Champion. I guess that will give Fisher some credibility, right? WRONG. Florida State will continue to lose respect (what they have left of it) in polls every year until they can prove that they are deserving. It starts with Jimbo Fisher. He will be heading into his 4th season and the seat should be warm if it's not already. For now, he better beat Georgia Tech, and win their bowl game. Then he can turn his focus over to finding a new defensive coordinator (and a offensive coordinator, if Noles fans are lucky).

 

 

        I didn't get any Heisman comments/questions, but thanks for the FSU discussion. It's Conference Championship Week, check back later this week for my picks, and breakdowns of the big games this weekend. Questions, comments, or predictions? Send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day

 

      

Frustration in Tallahassee?

The Seminoles' Struggles; What Went Wrong?

 

       FSU entered the season as a top ten team, and now they will be fighting to finish tenth, at best. They started out strong, taking down conference foe, Clemson. After Clemson, though, the flaws started to make their presence known.

 

        The Noles struggled against South Florida, but many thought that was a trap game and dismissed it as a fluke. The very next week they blew a 16 point lead and lost 17-16 to NC State. The frustration in Tallahassee after that game was at an all time high, since Bowden was forced out. Many fans called out Fisher, saying he needed an offensive coordinator. Fisher quickly fired back with, "it was a lack of focus and execution".  Then came Boston College, a game that looked like FSU had pulled itself back together and was ready for the rest of the season. They had their focus back. They looked confident on offense, but was that because of who they were playing?

 

      Florida State then traveled to Miami, where they struggled, again. The whispers started up again. The frustration was mounting, again. Was this the true identity of the team? Were their flaws just masked by their inferior opponents? Surely not, because this was the team that was destined to make a title run in 2012, right?

 

      Then came along Duke. Well, FSU did what they always do to Duke. A 48-7 thumping that seemed to calm fans down a bit. It's funny how a team can struggle one week and get all kinds of criticism, but then follow it up with a blow-out win over a team that they are supposed to beat and suddenly the criticism stops.

 

      Following the Duke win, FSU had a BYE week before playing at Virginia Tech on a Thursday night. The Seminoles should be focused, right? They've had almost two weeks to prepare for this game. The game should be perfect, right? There should be no signs of panic or distress, right? Well, it didn't help that is was a Thursday night game. FSU struggles on Thursday night games, no matter who they play. But this should've been different.....this team had plenty of time to prepare. The Noles escaped with a win. They scored on a last minute touchdown which gave them the edge. After this game, the whispers were no longer whispers. It was almost a full on riot. Some fans were calling for Fisher's job, while others were screaming for the hire of an offensive coordinator. Jimbo Fisher looked into the cameras and members of the media.......and simply said the media was being a little too hard on him. "We came into Blacksburg and got a win, that's something we should be very proud of". Really? We as Nole fans should be proud that our team looked horrible on national television against a team that had a losing record? Okay Coach Fisher, I will take that into consideration later in the season.......perhaps maybe when you make remarks on how you think the BCS isn't giving your team enough credit.

 

       Within two weeks of Fisher making remarks about the BCS, his team had to face Florida in Tallahassee. This was Florida State's chance to gain the respect from the haters in the media and the rest of the college football world. This was Jimbo Fisher's chance to silence his critics. This was the big stage that many fans were waiting for all season long. How would FSU respond? How would Fisher prepare his team?

 

       It was 13-3 at halftime. The Noles couldn't move the ball consistently. The defense had been on the field for more than a quarter in the first half. What more could FSU do wrong? Then the third quarter started, and FSU showed signs of life......or did they? Sure, they scored 20 straight points to take the lead, 20-13. But was that because Florida State turned the corner, or because Florida made some mistakes? From that point on, it became clear that FSU could only move the ball if Florida made mistakes. The final score was 37-26, thanks to a last second run by Manuel in which the Gators let him score. Say what you want about the game, but this was Florida State's game to lose and they found a way to lose it. Florida State turned the ball over FIVE times, but that should come with little surprise..... Florida State has fumbled 12+ times in a 4 game stretch. Their offense has turned the ball over almost 3 times a game this season. So I ask you, with all this talent at Florida State, who do we hold responsible for what is happening on the field? Is it the players? Maybe to an extent.....but in the end it has to be coaching. How the players perform on the field reflects the coaching they have received. There is a very real problem at Florida State. If the players aren't focused for a game, that's coaching. If the game plan doesn't work, that's coaching. If the talented players aren't performing to their potential, that's coaching.

 

      I have no doubt that Jimbo Fisher can run an offense.......as an offensive coordinator. But can he be the head coach too? Even Nick Saban, who prides himself as a defensive minded coach, has a defensive coordinator. Maybe it's not just the head coach responsibilities getting in the way of Fisher. Maybe there is something more that we don't know about. We can't speculate on what we don't know.....we have to go by what we know. And as of right now, we know that this Florida State team had all the talent in the country, and somehow, Fisher managed to lead his team to a 10-2 record. In a season in which the ACC is playing its worst football ever, Fisher managed to lose to a mediocre NC State team. Believe me..... If the Seminoles struggle against a 6-6 Georgia Tech team in the ACC Title game, Fisher had better start packing his bags.

 

       Wednesday is Reader Question Segment. You send me your comments/questions and I address them here. Send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post them to our facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. Don't forget to send me your Heisman picks. 

Rivalry Week Recap

Rivalry Week Recap

 

       One team is BCS Title game bound. Notre Dame got the big win on the road against USC to remain undefeated. They will face Alabama or Georgia. The Irish are the nation's last hope to take down the SEC. And, I would just like to apologize to Notre Dame. I have picked them in every game except two. I thought I learned my lesson.

 

          The ACC proved it belongs at #5 in conference power rankings. The ACC went 0-4 against the SEC on Saturday. Clemson had their shot but couldn't come up with the big plays they are so used to getting. Florida State fell flat on their face against Florida. The Seminoles had one quarter in which it looked like they had turned the corner. Later this week I will have a more detailed look at what has gone wrong in Tallahassee in the last two months. Here is a hint: Jimbo Fisher's seat might be getting a little warm.

 

         Stanford and UCLA played their game......and they get to do it again in the PAC-12 Championship game. What happened to Oregon? At least they beat the Beavers. It could've been chaos in the state of Oregon if the Beavers had found a way to win. On the bright side, Oregon will still get an at large bid to a BCS bowl.

 

         What about the SEC? How did they fair this weekend? Well, we know how they did against the incredibly football challenged ACC, but what about the rest? LSU had trouble with Arkansas, but they got the win. Tennessee got their first win against an SEC team (Kentucky).  Maybe UT should think about a move to the BIG EAST. Oh, and Alabama? Do we have to go there? It was Auburn, come on.

 

         Here is the fun part of the weekend..... So many coaches lost their job all in one weekend. So let the coach search begin for the following teams: NC State, Boston College, Auburn, Colorado, Purdue, Arkansas (was there any question about Arkansas?), oh and the UT Vols started their search at the start of the season. Speaking of coaches being fired......not that it has to do with Chizik being fired......BUT, the NCAA is now invesitigating Auburn and their coaches......AGAIN. I'm sure all the haters will have fun with this one. 'SCAM NEWTON' strikes again. Right now, all we know is it has to do with recruiting violations and possibly some other issues. One specific issue that has been reported by ESPN is that a player's grades were changed in high school. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be interesting.

 

         While NCAA investigations are on my mind; when will Miami know their fate? Last I heard was that the NCAA was still very active in getting to the bottom of the scandal that has hit the University of Miami like a category 5 hurricane. You get it? You know because they are the Hurric......ok nevermind. I'm sure the NCAA just wants to keep us on the edge of our seats so that we have something to talk about during the off-season.

 

         The drama just keeps building. There will be so much going on this off-season, that it may just fly by faster than any other in the last decade. New coaches, NCAA investigations, Conference changes, etc. It almost feels like another season is about to start, and it's not even bowl season yet.

 

     Another topic I haven't given much attention to is the Heisman Race. Who wins it this year? 'Mr Johnny Football'.....Nope, I am afraid not. Freshman aren't allowed to win, right? That's the way a lot of voters feel anyway. What about Klein of Kansas State? He may be in the best position to win because he has another game in which he could move up in the race. So who else is hot right now? Give me your Heisman favorites. Either send them to me (jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com) or post them to our facebook page (www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day). I think that will make for a good topic on Wednesday for my Reader Question segment. 

Rivalry Week Key Games and Picks

Rivalry Week Key Games and Picks

 

 

      It's one of the most anticipated weekends in all of college football. It will decide who gets the bragging rights for the next 365 days. It's the weekend where predictions mean nothing, but we do it anyway. For rivalry games, records are out the window. Anything can happen. It doesn't matter how bad a season is going for one team or the other........ This one game could make or break the season. That's what rivalry games are all about.

 

       So, predictions mean nothing, right? We'll see......

 

 

        Michigan at Ohio State. The Buckeyes don't know how to lose. They seem to get exactly what they need from all sides of their team. When the offense is down, the defense steps up. When the defense is down, the offense steps up. I think this game will be no different for them. The Buckeyes will finish the season undefeated. OSU over Michigan, 31-20.

 

 

        Georgia Tech at Georgia. If the Bulldogs win this game, it will set the stage for a big time game against Bama. There will be national title implications.....no doubt about it. For  G-Tech, they will be looking for some momentum before their ACC Title game......yes that's right. G-Tech (6-5) will be playing against FSU for the ACC Title. Miami self-imposed another season of bowl bans, and North Carolina is on a bowl ban as well. Georgia is favored by more than 14 points. And it certainly could get ugly if the Bulldogs bring their 'A' game. Bulldogs win, 38-17.

 

 

         Oregon at Oregon State. BIG GAME. The Beavers are looking for respect, and the only way they are going to get it is through the Ducks. The Beavers boast the #1 rush defense in the PAC-12. Oregon State will be hyped for this game. The storyline for this game? It has to be the Oregon Ducks possible hangover from their loss to Stanford. How will the Ducks respond? Is their season over because of the loss to Stanford?  I think the Beavers have what it takes, and I think the timing is perfect. Beavers get the upset, 34-31.

 

 

 

 

 

       

          South Carolina at Clemson. The Gamecocks have to be real careful. Clemson's offense is very dangerous. All it takes is one play by Sammy Watkins, or De'Anthony Hopkins. They can strike in the blink of an eye. This is one of two big chances for the ACC to make a statement against the SEC. Clemson has come close, but they still can't find that perfect game against the Gamecocks. I think it ends this year. Clemson's offense won't be contained, and they win in a close game...... Tigers 24-21.

 

 

           Florida at Florida State. ACC vs SEC. For the first time since 2000, both teams are ranked in the top ten coming into this game. The Noles are looking for respect in the BCS polls, and the Gators are trying to keep national title hopes alive. Yes, there might be national title implications with this game. It falls on Notre Dame in a big way, but both these teams have an outside shot at getting to the BCS Title game. If FSU plays their 'A' game, the Gators don't stand a chance. The Noles have too much firepower on offense. However, if FSU doesn't come out focused, and they let Florida hang around, it will be a close game down to the wire......and Florida tends to win those type of games (at least that's the way it has been going this season). Both teams are hungry. This may be the biggest game on Saturday. For Florida State, it's about respect, it's about getting that 3rd consecutive win over Florida in as many years; this game is bigger than conference championships. For the Gators, it's about snapping the losing streak to the Noles, it's about taking back the edge in recruiting. Can the Noles break the Gators' will early in the game? Will the Gators' offense move the ball against the toughest defense they have faced all season long? This is the one game I am leaving out of the picks. Predictions don't mean anything, right?  Okay, okay.......I will do it this way: FSU wins if their offense plays their 'A' Game. Gators win if the Noles' offense plays terrible, AKA Fisher screws up the play-calling (which has happened numerous times this season). It's the Noles' game to lose.

 

 

 

       Notre Dame at USC. Whew, two weeks in a row the #1 team has fallen. Will the Irish make it three? This is a very scary game for Notre Dame. This is the season for them. They have all the advantages in this game (so did Oregon and Kansas State, or so we thought). USC will be without Matt Barkley, or will they? It's Lane Kiffin, that's all I should have to say. It wouldn't shock me at all if Barkley was in the game wearing a different jersey number.....If you don't get that, google 'Lane Kiffin switching jersey numbers'. And.....I hope the refs remember to check the air pressure on USC's footballs before (and during) the game. All jokes aside, USC has a chance to erase a rough season with a big win over the #1 team in the nation. Lane Kiffin loves these types of games. He lives for these games. This won't be a walk in the park for the Irish by any means. In fact, I am calling it now, USC upsets Notre Dame. Trojans 20, Irish 17. AND MORE BCS MADNESS!

 

 

      Other rivalry games going on this weekend (Two Minute Drill)

 

 

Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State. My pick, BOOMER SOONER!!

 

Stanford vs UCLA. My pick, THE CARDINAL!

 

Alabama vs Auburn. Now, wait a minute.....this game could be close, right? Maybe we should talk about this game for a minute.....What? No good? Nobody thinks the Tigers have a chance in this game? Come on now! It's a rivalry game, right? Anyting could happen, right? Well yes and yes to those questions, but I don't think you can really apply them to this game. ROLL TIDE! Bama wins, 35-10.

 

      Thanks for reading, and sorry this was posted later than usual. I have been on the road for most of the day, trying to get to Tallahassee for the 'BIG GAME'. It should be a great Saturday in college football. Have a great weekend.

Reader Questions Week 13

Reader Questions Week 13

 

      With the BCS in a mess, and it being rivalry week, there should be some good questions/predictions out there. Lets see what you've got for me this week.

 

        Jason Thompson writes: Ok, I see your frustration with the BCS, but just how much worse do you think it could get? You realize that if Notre Dame doesn't win this week, that the SEC will have the BCS Title game all to themselves, no matter who wins the SEC?

 

        Thanks for your question, Jason. You're right, it couldn't get much worse. The rest of the country is tired of seeing the SEC get all the credit for beating up on eachother. The SEC feels they have earned it with the track record they have built over the last six years.  Only one team from the SEC, in my opinion, has earned that much respect. The rest of the SEC is riding the wave. Alabama is the only team that deserves the credit they are getting (I still think it may be a little too much). If Notre Dame falls to USC, then Notre Dame has real problems, and they shouldn't be anywhere in the top ten. USC will be without Matt Barkley, and that should really help the Irish. Right now, it looks like Bama vs Notre Dame in the Championship game. I hope this is what you were looking for, Jason.

 

         Timothy writes: You're a Noles Fan, so I want to say congrats to the Noles for the win they will get this Saturday against my Gators. Do you really think it could go the other way? Our offense is terrible. We struggle against bad teams. If it was in the Swamp, I'd say we had a chance.....but I am not feeling it this year.

 

         Thanks? I think you underestimate your Gators, and I hope you didn't use your real name here, because some Gator fans might hunt you down after that. First, I won't give my prediction on the game until Friday. It's a rivalry game and anything can happen. If Florida State plays their 'A' game, then you are right, the Gators don't stand a chance (even with their 'A' game). Really though, the chances of FSU playing their 'A' game is about as good as the game being a shut-out in favor of FSU. If you had asked me at the start of the season, I would have said this game wouldn't mean much because the Gators weren't supposed to be ranked, let alone in the top 5. Florida didn't get high in the rankings by playing bad all season long. They got it done against solid teams. I would gladly trade records against top 10 teams. FSU has played ONE top 10 team this season, and it was Clemson. Florida has played LSU (win), South Carolina (win), Georgia (loss). While I think that at least two of those teams are overrated, it doesn't change their ranking at all. All I can say is relax and enjoy the week with family and enjoy the food. The game will be a good game either way. Just be glad that the game is back to having meaning again. What's better than Florida vs Florida State when both teams are ranked in the top 10?

 

         Next question came withouth a name.

This is totally off from what you have been talking about recently, but what about Vanderbilt? They are bowl eligible, AGAIN! And they could win 9 games. I know they aren't in the big picture, but it's big because it's VANDY! Your thoughts?

 

      Thanks for the your thoughts on Vanderbilt. Yes, it is nice to talk about Vanderbilt around Thanksgiving and it not be the punchline to a joke. But lets not get too carried away here. When I read your email, I knew I had to dig a little bit and find some interesting stats on Vanderbilt. I found one stat that must be brought into the open. At this point of the season, with only one week of regular season play left, there are 0 (ZERO) bowl eligible teams that Vanderbilt has beat...... Let me word that another way..... Of the 7 (SEVEN) teams Vandy has beat, 0 (ZERO) are bowl eligible teams. To make matters worse, if Vanderbilt beats Wake Forest this weekend that will make it 8 (EIGHT) teams that are not bowl eligible. For me, that stat is a HUGE eye-opener. They play in the SEC, and they have a pretty good conference record. Even the wins against SEC teams aren't impressive because none of them are headed to a bowl game (at this point). This actually is more evidence to show that the SEC is not where it has been in recent years.

       Let me get back on track with what you originally were asking me about. Ahhh yes, Vanderbilt going to a bowl game for the second straight year. Good for Vandy. Rumor has it, that they will be playing in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl......which is a pretty significant bowl......even more so for Vanderbilt. Coach Franklin has done a great job in his first two years. I hope he sticks around so he can get Vanderbilt to their first SEC Championship game. Was that too much? No, I really think Vanderbilt is within five or six years of that happening. The key will be recruiting, and UT staying in the dumps. As long as Franklin can pull in some recruits over the next couple seasons, I really think he could have this team where nobody ever thought they would be in a short amount of time. 

 

      Only three questions this week. I hope everybody has a Happy Thanksgiving. Check back on Friday for my key games and picks for the week. I will be traveling to Tallahassee, Florida for the BIGGEST GAME of the weekend. For those of you who are traveling, be safe.

 



Florida State vs Florida

Seminoles and Gators

 

 

      This week is rivalry week for many teams, but many of those games won't mean as much as the Florida State vs Florida rivalry. Finally, both teams are ranked in the top ten, and the game is back to having the intensity that it had in the 90's (or so it looks that way at this point).

 

       From a statistics view, it will be a game of two very different teams.

     

FSU ranks 7th in scoring offense (scoring 43 points a game)

UF ranks 80th in scoring offense (scoring 25 points a game)

 

FSU ranks 5th in scoring defense (giving up 13 points a game)

UF ranks 3rd in scoring defense (giving up 12 points a game)

 

     The defense is clearly something both teams have in common, however, the offense is a very different story. Those stats may be a little misleading. FSU has done that against greatly inferior teams. Florida has done it against stronger teams (or so the BCS would have you believe). You can't ignore everything about Florida's schedule. They too, have played very weak teams, but they have struggled against those teams. Bowling Green comes to mind (a game in which Florida won 27-14), LA, Lafayette is another that jumps out ( Florida escaped 27-20 just a couple weeks ago). So, it's clear that Florida has its weaknesses and growing pains that they have been dealing with since the start of the season. To make matters a little more interesting this week, Florida's Jeff Driskel will be nursing an injury he suffered recently. At this point, Florida says he will play, but will he be 100%? If not, does Florida's offense stand a chance against Florida State's defense? The same defense that held Florida to only seven points in the swamp a year ago.

 

     Florida State has just about every advantage you could ask for as a head coach. The game is on your field. You have the more talented offense. Your team puts up huge numbers at home. You have the leadership of a senior QB. Your defense is anchored by two very good defensive ends that are both first round NFL draft picks. So, what's not to like about your chances? Other than the fact that it's a rivalry game and anything could happen, really, what does FSU have against them right now?

    

     I can point to a couple of problems that have been brewing all season long. Coaching, and themselves. The play-calling has been a very sensitive issue in Tallahassee. Jimbo Fisher has come under fire in recent weeks about his ability to call the offense and be the head coach. A game on Thursday night against the Hokies may have made matters even worse for him.

 

 

      A game in which FSU was coming off a BYE week and should have been very focused. Not only that, but FSU should have been more than ready to execute their offensive strategy. The Noles escaped the game with a last minute TD to go up 28-22 with just under a minute to play. Sure, it was a Thursday night game (FSU has one of the worst Thursday night records in all FBS since 2000), but the expectations were much higher than what fans saw that night in Blacksburg. It's not just the game against the Hokies. Try to find a Seminole fan that doesn't blame Fisher for the loss against NC State. I haven't found one yet. On the flip side of that game against NC State, there has to be a point where the players take over. There has to be that point where the talent and depth is just too much for the other team (like NC State for example). Where was that against NC State? If FSU really has all that talent, shouldn't it make up for coaching in some situations?

 

      I still believe that FSU's offense is looking for that ONE game, that they can say they put it all together. It wasn't the Clemson game, as some would point out. Fans are still waiting for that ONE game that they can see that their team has the better skilled players. The receivers are as deep as they have ever been, and maybe deeper (even deeper than what they had in the 90's). The QB position is solid (not the best with EJ Manuel, but he is the 2nd best they have had since Chris Weinke). They have the runningbacks. Now is the time to see that translate into some big time plays against a big time rival.

 

 

      FSU had its problems last year against the Gators in the Swamp, but FSU got the win. Many of the Noles' problems were injuries. Chris Thompson was out for the game last year (and sadly, he will miss this year's game as well with a different injury). The next runningback up was Freeman (who was also nursing an injury during that game). FSU's offensive line was in shambles. They had three freshman playing in that game. It didn't end there, their wide receivers were plagued with injuries as well. So, while FSU couldn't crack 100 yards against the Gators last season, they did come away with the 21-7 victory (thanks to their defense).

 

     This year, FSU looks healthy, minus the absence of Chris Thompson. They have all their play-makers on offense. The offensive line is experienced and healthy. There are no excuses on offense this year.......except that Jimbo Fisher will be calling the plays. Until he gets that signature win against a high ranked rival, his name will come up when people start asking what went wrong for FSU.

 

      It will be a very exciting game, and I am sure you ready for me to give a prediction......but it's Tuesday. I don't do predictions on Tuesdays. So much can happen between now and Saturday. Like, Driskel may or may not start. There could be an injury to a key player during practice this week. Anything could happen. So, I will let you all talk about it, and why not send me your predictions for my Wednesday Reader Question Segment?

 Send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day.



Week 12 Recap

BCS Shake-Up Late in the Season

 

     Welcome back, Alabama. Who would've thought that Bama would be back in the Title race after a win over Western Carolina? Okay, it had nothing to do with who they played....... It had everything to do with #1 and #2 falling in the same weekend. We all knew there was a chance for this to happen, but I think we all pretty much ruled it out (except Bama fans). And that's where we went wrong. My picks suffered for it.

      I went 3-2 for the weekend. Oregon and USC let me down. Thankfully, Vanderbilt put the smackdown on Tennessee. That led to the firing of Coach Dooley on Sunday. So, UT Fans, there is some positive to take away from the loss to Vandy.

      So much has happened this weekend. It looked like it was going to be one of the softer weekends of football this season and it turned into one of the biggest weekends of the season. The last time both #1 and #2 fell in the same weekend was back in 2007 (and it happened TWO times that season which helped #7 LSU get to the BCS Title Game) If you think the BCS Title game is a lock now, you have another thing coming. Notre Dame certainly has the clear cut advantage, but the Irish still have USC on the schedule. However, USC will be playing without Matt Barkley. That makes the game a little bit easier for the Irish.

      To make matters a little more cloudy, Alabama still has Auburn and the SEC Title game against Georgia. Don't down play the game against Auburn. The Tigers may be terrible this season, but the one thing they have on their mind to save their season, is beating Bama. It's a rivalry game, and anything could happen (I get it, it won't be much of a game, but I had to try to add some suspense to the game). Take a minute and think of the chaos it would create in the SEC if some how, some way, Bama lost to Auburn. It would create a 3-way tie in that division. Texas A&M, LSU, and Bama would all be tied. Obviously there isn't much of a chance of that happening, but boy oh boy, it would make one BIG MESS.

     

 

       Here are the current BCS Rankings:

 

1. Notre Dame
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Florida
5. Oregon
6. Kansas State
7. LSU
8. Stanford
9. Texas A&M
10. Florida State

 
       This week could shake up the BCS again. FSU takes on Florida. If FSU pulls that game off, where do you put FSU? Many would argue that they are the most underrated team in the Top 10. Even if FSU lost, more people feel like they should stay in the Top 10. Notre Dame has that game against USC. Then we have conference championships coming up in the following week. It's sad to see the season coming to a close, but at least there has been plenty of excitement down the stretch. I'm sure there is plenty more to come over the next couple weeks.

        One piece of news that might have gone under the radar for some, Miami self-imposed another year of post season bowl bans. Meaning, the Hurricanes will not be playing Florida State on Dec. 1 for the ACC Title. Instead it will be Georgia Tech vs Florida State. That makes the game a little more interesting. Florida State has already played and beat Miami, so a rematch may not have been as interesting. Instead, FSU will face Georgia Tech for the first time in 3 years.

        

     Staying in the ACC, Maryland is headed to the B1G Ten. Yes, from the bottom of the ACC, to the bottom of the B1G Ten. Enjoy it, Terrapin fans. Oh, and I hope you have been saving your money. Last I checked, it will cost you $50 million to leave the ACC. This is a move that actually helps the ACC. Not just in the money area, but out with Maryland and in with Notre Dame? Yeah, I think that's a great move for the ACC. Notre Dame will be a partial member to the ACC in a couple years, and while Notre Dame is down playing it this year, they are expected to be the next FULL member of the ACC within a couple of seasons after being partial members. Think of it happening around the 2015 to 2016 season (after the Playoff System is in full swing)

      Well, that's it for today. Wednesday is on YOU! Send me your questions/comments/reactions. jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com And I will post them in our segment on Wednesday. Check us out on Facebook, www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. So much has happened this past weekend, I better get some good questions from you. Send me your predictions. Anything college football. Send it in.




Week 12 Key Games and Picks

Week 12 Key Games

 

      The season's end is drawing closer and closer. Only a couple more weeks remain for regular season games and then it's conference championships. My record up to this point of the season is 45-19, (70% isn't bad).

 

     This week's picks are going to be a little different. Because there are so many 'weak' games being played, I will have the Key Games to Watch, and the Snoozer Games.

 

     First, the Key Games to Watch:

 

     USC at UCLA. The Trojans have struggled for most of the season. They haven't had the depth to finish the big games, and they have looked sloppy at times. UCLA, on the other hand, has had a surprising season thus far. The have won some big games, but at the same time, they are a team going through growing pains. The Bruins could really screw things up in the PAC-12 with a win on Saturday. USC may not be ranked in the top ten anymore, but this is still a huge game for them, and they will be hungry for the win. UCLA will want this game pretty bad, as well. The Bruins want that respect. It's a tough game to pick. The Trojans' defense is struggling right now, and I feel that the Bruins have an offense capable of keeping the game close. However, the Bruins' defense will have to shut down a certain Heisman candidate (or two). USC has playmakers all over the field on offense. That will be the difference in the game down the stretch. USC wins 35-24.

 

 

    

      Stanford at Oregon. This game, by far, may be the biggest because it does have national implications. With a convincing win, Oregon could find itself on top of the BCS. That's right, we could see a flip-flop at #1 and #2. Kansas State faces Baylor and that could end up hurting the strength of schedule points this week. Oregon has the best offense in the country, and I think it would take the best defense in the country to slow them down...... I think that is about all somebody could do right now. There is no stopping it. A team could only hope to slow them long enough to keep it close. USC tried playing that game with them, and we saw how that turned up. What makes this game a little more interesting; seeing how a team that beat USC earlier in the season (Stanford) plays against this Oregon team. While both teams have beaten the Trojans, only one of them did it with great defense. Stanford kept USC from throwing the crazy numbers. I'm not sure the Cardinal can do it here, but it should still be a fun game to watch. Ducks win, 49-30.

 

 

   

      Oklahoma at West Virginia. Where in the world did West Virginia go? Can you remember the last time they won a game? October 6th. Since then, they have dropped 4 straight games. Why? Well, it may have something to do with their defense that ranks 121 in scoring. The Mountaineers are giving up an average of 40+ points a game. This was supposed to be the year for them, right? Maybe they should have stuck with the 3-3-5 defense? Who knows? Things don't get any easier this week for them. Oklahoma has a pretty good offense, and to make matters worse for West Virginia.......the Sooners have a respectable defense as well. There is always that possibility that it could turn into a shoot-out, but I think the Sooner's defense will keep Geno Smith contained. West Virginia will drop their 5th game in a row. Sooners win, 45-28. (Hey Mountaineer fans, you ever see the movie Titanic?)

 

 

 

     Tennessee at Vanderbilt. Oh boy, what a game this could turn out to be for Vandy. They are already bowl eligible, but Coach Franklin says that's not enough. While the future is uncertain at UT, Vandy's future has never looked better. Coach Franklin says his team still has a long way to go, but they are on the right track. Can Tennessee's season get any worse? What if I said Dooley was still your coach for next season? That may be worse than a loss to Vanderbilt. Still, it should be a very exciting game to watch. I'm not sure what Dooley is coaching for, whether it's to remain the coach at least until the end of the season, or to see if he can get fired before the end of the season. Vanderbilt is the favorite (by 3 the last I checked). However, I am not sold on Vandy. I guess the bigger question is: which Vols team will show up? You know what? I'm taking Vandy. They are the positive team coming into the game, and maybe that will be the difference. Vanderbilt wins, 27-21.

 

 

    Well, that's really all I have on my radar for this weekend (for games that really matter, anyway) One game that has meaning but should be a blow-out is FSU vs Maryland. FSU secures its place in the ACC Championship game with a win on Saturday. To make things interesting, Maryland is all out of QBs. Read that again. They are down to their 5th choice at QB. Their 5th choice happens to be listed as a linebacker on the depth chart. Injury after injury has forced the Terrapins to take the next best QB on the team, and it just so happens he plays linebacker. His jersey number is 31. Shawn Petty is the starting QB for Maryland this week. That should make things interesting. Seminoles win, 42-10.

 

 

 The Snoozer Games of the Week

Two Minute Drill

 

Jacksonville State at Florida. (Really?)

 

Georgia Southern at Georgia. (Come on! That's a huge rivalry!)

 

Ole Miss at LSU. (At least it's a Conference game, right?)

 

Wofford at South Carolina. (Wofford, again?)

 

 Sam Houston State at Texas A&M (Who? Oh, It's another rivalry)

 

Wake Forest at Notre Dame. (Meh)

 

Alabama A&M at Auburn (I think Auburn got their Alabama's mixed up)

 

And the SNOOZER OF THE WEEK.........................

 

Western Carolina vs the #4 team in the BCS, Alabama!

(I guess Bama needed a 'Get Well Soon' game after Texas A&M)

 

Way to go, SEC! You managed to have EIGHT teams represented in the SNOOZER GAMES OF THE WEEK....oh and it's WEEK 12. Nothing like padding the stats late in the season.

 

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day

Also, submit your questions/comments to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com for my Reader Question Segment next Wednesday. Any team, any conference, you pick.

 

   

Reader Questions Week 12

The Road to the BCS

     Yesterday I told you I wanted to hear your thoughts about the BCS, and some of you came through for me. This segment is on you, so lets get it going.

 

 

     Question from Facebook, Stephen asks: Do you really think that Alabama isn't the best team in the nation? They could beat anybody in the BCS Title Game.

 

     I'm not sure, Stephen.....Ask Texas A&M what they think. Bama is a very solid team with very few flaws. I think there are a few teams that could play in the BCS Title game. That's why we are going to a playoff system in a couple seasons. I think Alabama got what was coming to them. They're good, but with the schedule they had? They should be undefeated. LSU was their biggest test of the season, and one could argue that it was their only test of the season (before the Texas A&M game, obviously).  In fact, everybody thought that Alabama would roll the former Big 12 team. To answer your question, I think Bama has flaws, not many, but just enough to keep them from being the best. Thanks for the question.

 

    Lamar from Florida writes: Oregon, Kansas State, Notre Dame.. Which of them has the best offense/defense?

 

    Wow, good question. Obviously Oregon has the best offense, but they don't have the best defense (that's where their offense picks up the slack). Notre Dame's defense passes the 'eye test'. So where does K State fit in? I'd have to say that Kansas State has the best combo. They have a good defense, nothing spectacular, but they have held their own against some good offenses. The Wild Cats have a pretty good offense too. It's not what Oregon has, but again, it's consistent. They can score a lot of points and give teams a lot of different looks with Klein's dual threat ability. I want to make sure I am not misunderstood. OREGON has the best offense of the three. Notre Dame has the best defense of the three. Kansas State has the best combination of both.

 

    Timothy writes: I've read most of your posts about the BCS, maybe I missed a couple.....but I wanted to know what your thoughts are on the BCS. Do you think it's a good system or are you glad to see it coming to an end?

 

     You know, I think the system would be okay if it didn't show favortism from what teams have done in the past. Example being the SEC. I won't say that the SEC is not the best conference (read that sentence again) It is a great conference, but this year I think it is a little overrated. And, I don't want to chase that rabbit in this discussion. The system was better than it was before the BCS came about. However, as times change, and powers change......the system needed to be changed as well. This playoff system will only cause more change in later seasons down the road. Who thinks it will stay at a FOUR team playoff for as many years as the BCS has been in place? I think we will see an EIGHT team playoff within a decade. And rightfully so. The BCS is just outdated. Not to bring my team into the discussion, but FSU is ranked behind Clemson in the computer polls. How does that make any sense at all? FSU beat Clemson. Sure the Noles lost to NC State, but that doesn't change the head-to-head result. What will be interesting is if Clemson beats NC State this weekend, will Clemson jump over FSU in the BCS?

 

    When people talk about the flaws in the BCS, they always focus on the top three or four teams. Sure, they are the only teams that matter when it comes to deciding the National Champion...... but people forget about how skewed the rest of the rankings look. There is so much debate of who should be #1 right now, what about who should be ranked 5, 6, or 10? So, to answer your question, I don't like the BCS, but I'm sure the playoff system won't solve everything, either.

 

    Thanks for all the questions. If you have a question, please send it in to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. Check out our poll question on our Facebook page as well. Which team has been the biggest surprise (good or bad) this season? My key games to watch and picks will be posted later this week.