Winston Investigation Update

Winston Investigation Update

 

    We are now in week three of this strange story, and it has had several twists recently that begin to raise questions against the accuser. Here is quick recap of what we know at this point, minus as much speculation as possible.

 

• Incident happened 11 months ago (a year ago Dec. 7)
• There was a relationship between Winston and the alleged victim.
• DNA test, was leaked by an unknown source, matches Winston
• Jansen, Winston's attorney, says that the defense has never said that his client didn't have sex with the accuser.
• Accuser has made claims that the TPD told her not to pursue the case against Winston because Tallahassee is a "football town" and the backlash would be huge, and she would be 'raked over the coals'.
• We now know that whoever leaked the story to the Tampa Tribune had the actual case number. This indicates that it would most likely be somebody close to the case.... Otherwise they would have just said "look for any case involving FSU football player named Jameis Winston". TMZ got a hold of the case by doing just that.... Searching public records with Winston in the report.
• State Attorney Meggs has said the case could take only two weeks to investigate, but now says it will most likely run through Thanksgiving week and into the first week of December.

 

   Now for the un-confirmed side of the story..... Meaning that I won't believe it until I get it from the State Attorney or one of the two other lawyers involved (and as of right now, I have a hard time believing the accuser's lawyer). Remember these next few points are NOT confirmed, but the signs are there to support that there is some truth to them.

 

• Winston's Attorney may have text messages between Winston and the Accuser.
• There have been reports of phone records indicating the accuser has tried calling Winston several times AFTER the alleged assault took place.
• Details from the Rape Kit have shown very minimal evidence of forced action (unless there is more we aren't being told at this point).
• The two witnesses, that Jansen has referenced several times, we have heard that one is a football player, and the other is? Some reports have said that it was the accuser's roommate, and some have said that it was just another football player. Jansen has not commented on the identity of his witnesses (which by the way, is very professional and by the book). Funny how that info isn't being leaked.
• Un-confirmed reports have said that the night this all happened, the accuser actually began to throw punches at Winston after she found out that Winston had another girlfriend. The story goes on to say that it was her roommate and Winston's roommate that had to pull her off of Winston. And this is why she might have bruising or other signs of forceful action.

  Interesting..... And we all still have so many questions.... One question I have been asking since the story broke and the accuser withdrew from FSU almost three weeks ago..... "Why did she stay on campus for TWO MORE SEMESTERS after she was 'raped'?" First off, why would she want to be anywhere near her attacker? Then, why would she go to Florida State games and cheer on the football team lead by her alleged attacker? Perhaps the bigger question..... Why would her family, especially her father, allow her to stay at FSU when it appeared that Winston was never going to face charges? I'm not a father, but I know I wouldn't allow my child to continue to go to that college with the alleged attacker being on campus at the same time..... And you better believe I wouldn't have waited ELEVEN MONTHS before going to the media or making some phone calls to the police department. The reports of the accuser breaking off contact with police are very accurate. Phone records show no calls between the accuser and the police department over those months (other than what we have been told, a couple calls made between the incident and February). Think about this, if you had a loved-one that was sexually assaulted, would you let it sit for nearly a year? Or would you be talking with the investigation AT LEAST once a month until this investigation was completed or escalated to the next level?

 

    My thoughts on this? Yeah, I think the reason it is taking State Attorney Meggs so long to get to his decision is because he can't find enough of anything to charge Winston..... In other words, Meggs is making sure he has done everything in his power to make sure the investigation will be thorough and just, before he makes his decision. The accuser's attorney will 'scream' as loud as the media will allow her to when Winston is exonerated. Meggs will go through some scrutiny from the accuser and her family.... but in the end, he will have made the right decision. Then, the next item to take care of will be possible charges against Winston's accuser. Yes, that's speculation at this point, but it is a real possibility.

 

    Hopefully we hear some good news in a week.....

 

    Check back later this week for CollegeFootball2Day's Key Games and Picks.... It's rivalry week.... It's the last week of the regular season.... Big games ahead. Heisman Race.... and much more to come.

 

  Send me your questions/comments/thoughts on anything college football. Be a part of CollegeFootball2Day's Reader Question segment.... Send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. Don't forget to give us a 'LIKE' and a 'SHARE'.

 

     

Week 13 Recap

Week 13 Recap

 

     Wow, the upsets just keep pouring in...... Baylor falls to Oklahoma State, which might not be a big surprise, but it's still big and it eliminates yet another undefeated team. Oregon getting embarrassed by Arizona has to be the biggest upset of the weekend. I knew coming into the season that this game (along with the Stanford game) would be their toughest test(s)..... But really? Did anybody see Oregon getting blown out in the regular season? What else happened over the weekend?

 

    North Carolina and Florida State put up 80 points. Yep..... EIGHTY POINTS. North Carolina did that against Old Dominion, impressive for North Carolina, but not so much in the big picture. Florida State? Yeah, it was Idaho...... But it should be pointed out that FSU was playing their 2nd and 3rd string..... and even their scout team got some playing time..... Okay, maybe not their scout team. The Noles' defense continues to dominate. Yeah, I get it.... most of you want to call out that FSU isn't playing a difficult schedule..... But let me draw your attention to what FSU's defense is really doing. They have set a new school record for TD's scored by their defense, which was last set in 1988. That's right.... All those dominant teams during their amazing run through the 1990's doesn't measure up to what they have done this season. Florida State plays their rival, Florida, this weekend. The game is in the Swamp.

 

 

 

    Speaking of the Gators...... Sorry Gator fans, but Georgia Southern? GEORGIA SOUTHERN!?!? A team that has losses to Wofford, Samford, and Furman...... Georgia Southern is that team that you pay $500k to come to YOUR HOUSE so you can have an easy win...... Guess what? In the words of Lee Corso "Not so fast my friend!" And they did it without even completing a forward pass..... Wait a minute, say that again... Okay, Georgia Southern beat Florida without completing a forward pass.  So is Muschamp's job safe? Whoa wait, what did I just hear? Wait, Gators are blaming this loss on injuries? No, no.... Just no..... You can't use that excuse here. An FCS team shouldn't be able to beat your 3rd or 4th string team. An FCS team's starters are the guys you didn't recruit because they weren't good enough to be third string anywhere else. I think you might start to wonder if this team has quit on Mushchamp. Oh and by the way, good luck with Florida State this week.

 

    Vanderbilt does it again. This time it was in Knoxville. UT is no different than they were a year ago. A win over an inconsistent South Carolina team is all they can hang their hat on this season..... It begs the question, how many recruits change their mind by Signing Day? Look, all I am saying is that if I was a 4-star or 5-star recruit, I would eliminate Tennessee from my list. Why? Because this team isn't going anywhere any time soon. Vanderbilt runs the state of Tennessee at this point. Congrats to Vandy and Coach Franklin.

 

    LSU owns Johnny Manziel. That's right. The Tigers understand what it takes to take down Manziel. It was a great performance by LSU's defense, but I think the more impressive performance was by LSU's offense. Their offense held on to the ball and kept A&M's on the sidelines. I hope Aggie fans get used to seeing a game like this.... Because A&M just isn't going to be any good once Manziel leaves. And from what I hear, Mr. Football isn't going to hang around another season before entering the draft.

 

    Duke didn't exactly handle Wake Forest the way I expected, but who cares? Duke is 9-2 and they control their own destiny when it comes to the ACC Coastal division. A win over North Carolina puts them in the ACC Title Game against Florida State. If they are able to do that, then I think David Cutcliffe should be in the running for Coach of the Year. Congrats to Duke, thus far.

 

 

    That's it for today. The Winston case looks like it will continue to drag through Thanksgiving week. All of you who went ahead and tagged Winston as guilty, this better be a WAKE UP CALL to you..... If Winston was guilty, then the charges would already be in place and Winston would be arrested. It is now to the point that State Attorney Meggs is checking out all the lose ends and double checking everything to ensure that he has done his job before Winston is exonerated.

 

    Check back tomorrow, I will have a FULL look at the Winston Case, and the possible impact this will have on the Heisman race. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE' and a 'SHARE'. Also, join our friends over at www.fans25.com and join the discussion.

 

    

 

       

Week Key Games and Picks

Week 13 Key Games and Picks

 

   We are down to the final two weeks of regular season college football. And there are always some good matchups down the wire. So here are this week's key games and picks.

 

Duke at Wake Forest

   The Blue Devils have a chance to get to 10 regular season wins. That's right..... It's not a misprint. Duke is 8-2 with two very winnable games left. Wake Forest and North Carolina are the remaining games left for the Blue Devils. Every week, David Cutcliffe has his team gaining confidence. I think the biggest test for Duke is dealing with success. They are 8-2, can they finish strong and win the ACC Coastal Division? I like Duke in this game and I think they get the win and improve to 9-2.

My Pick: Duke

 

Baylor at Oklahoma State

   This is a great matchup. Both teams have different things that compliment each other. Each team's strengths play to the other in such a way, I think this game goes down to the wire. If you like offense then I would highly recommend this game. I think 80+ total points will be scored in this game. And I really think Oklahoma State will give Baylor problems...... But can they upset Baylor? You know, we are down to the wire where some upsets occur where you least expect them.... I just don't know if Oklahoma State can hang with Baylor's offense for ALL four quarters, though.
My Pick: Baylor

Vanderbilt at Tennessee.
   ANCHOR DOWN! Vandy heads into Knoxville this weekend, and they still have a lot to prove. If they can pull off the big win in Knoxville, you have to begin to wonder if James Franklin sticks around at Vanderbilt much longer. If the right job came calling, does he remain committed to Vanderbilt? He has accomplished so much in a short period of time at Vanderbilt..... But one accomplishment has escaped Franklin thus far..... A win in Knoxville. If he has his guys ready for this game, there is no reason they shouldn't come away with a win. Vandy teams of old would lay an egg in this game.... They would crumble under pressure.... But Franklin says he is changing the culture at Vanderbilt. And you know what? I am going to start buying into the ANCHOR DOWN hype....
My Pick: Vanderbilt

Texas A&M at LSU
   Big game for both teams. LSU handled Manziel last season, so you have to figure Manziel has something for the Tigers this year, right? I think he realizes that he is still a heavy favorite for the Heisman. With Winston's mess continuing to get worse, I think it just sets up really well for Manziel to put up the big numbers in these last couple of weeks leading up to the Heisman vote. But if LSU wins this game and hands the Aggies their third loss of the season, does Manziel still deserve to be in the hunt with that many losses? Time will tell..... And I think it is a very safe assumption to say that Texas A&M would have eight or more losses if Manziel wasn't their QB. The 'Heisman' type impact is there..... This game will be important in the eyes of voters, and I really think the Aggies have to win this game. But it's hard to pick against LSU at home.
My Pick: LSU

    That's it for this week's key games and picks. I know, I know.... Not a long list, but when #1 and #2 aren't playing anybody worth mentioning, it makes it a little more difficult in picking some key games.... Idaho and Chattanooga don't exactly make the cut.

    Check back tomorrow for more developments in the Jameis Winston investigation. The latest has the DNA connection made between Winston and the accuser. Winston's Lawyer released a statement basically saying that doesn't surprise him, and this encounter between his client and the accuser was consensual. In my opinion, nothing has come out in the last week that either party has been surprised by.... So, charges or no charges? That's what we all want to know..... And while I try to remain positive and stand behind a player who is innocent until proven guilty, I am starting to wonder when the charges are coming. Like I said earlier this week, there will be a "new" piece of information that will be released to the media every day until this case is closed. It's not that it's new to the case, it's the fact that it is new to us.
 
    Patience is key here, and obviously hoping that this case is taken care of in the right way. If is was sexual assault, then get him out of there. If it wasn't, then put the story and case away.

   

 



Week 13 College Football Chatter

Week 13 College Football Chatter

 

     Plenty of stories out there this week, but one story in particular continues to grab the top spot. The Jameis Winston situation is getting more and more confusing by the day. And after a week of this investigation being reopened, Winston still has not been questioned by Police..... or even listed as the prime suspect. However, there have been little 'crumbs' of information tossed to the media each day.....

 

    Lets look at some of the details that we know at this point.

 

• This case has been dormant for 11 months.
• Winston has not been questioned by Police.
• Two Witnesses have been cooperating with Police and have turned in their side (we were told by Jansen that their accounts fit Winston's side of what happened that night).
• State Attorney Meggs has said that they should have the investigation completed within a couple weeks.
• The accuser's attorney says that a police officer told their client that she might want to consider not pursuing charges because of the possible back-lash she would get from residents of Tallahassee.
• No DNA testing has been done on Winston.
• The first description released of the suspect in question described the perpetrator as 5'9 to 5'11..... Winston is listed as 6'4.
• SA made comments to a newspaper that he thought that witnesses have had time to gather their stories, thus making this case more difficult to investigate.

   So why is this coming out now? It has also been released that the family of the victim knew the case went into a 'dormant' phase back in February.... If that's true, why not bring this into the open back then? Why did a media outlet bring this story out now and not back when Winston was originally investigated? One day it seems that the case has nothing to stand on, then the next day it seems as though felony charges are just around the corner...... Only then to have another piece of information that further clouds this whole story. The scariest part of this story for many fans? Yeah, it might not actually be whether Winston gets charged with anything or kicked off the team..... I think it's the fact that we may never know the answers to a lot of the questions we have at this point..... The timing bothers me more than anything..... As a Florida State fan, however, I do want justice to be done. If Winston did break the law, then yes, I want it taken care of in a timely manner...... Just like, if he didn't do anything wrong, I want it taken care of in a timely manner.

 

    Here is a scenario that bothers me and might bother thousands of fans out there from Florida State and other programs.... Let's say he did it and he is taken off the team. FSU would then, more than likely, lose the BCS Title game (if they still went). But that's not the part that bothers me..... It would be the fact that this whole season could have been avoided if the case was handled and brought out last year when it happened, or even by spring. Why wait until FSU is 10-0? Why wait until FSU has this path to the BCS Title game? This isn't the scenario where somebody is trying to smear FSU and Winston.... This is the scenario if he is guilty.... It's not like this was a cover up.... It's on record that the Police were involved, the University knew about it, and Winston's attorney was involved.  So for those of you who think this was a cover-up by the University and others involved, that just doesn't hold any water.

 

    Tomorrow is another day, and I am sure we will hear some kind of response, or even a new piece of information will be released that will further cloud this story. I guess the strange part about this case is that I think all of what has come out and will come out over the next week (or however long this takes) is already common knowledge to those involved in the investigation; i.e. the lawyers, the police, Winston, etc.....

 

    Okay, moving on..... As promised, your questions will round out today's College Football Chatter segment. Each week I tackle your questions and comments. If you have a question/comment or predictions, send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day.

 

    Noles4Life writes: This Winston thing is a mess. How does this play out for FSU and Winston? It seems to me that something happened that night, but maybe she was okay with it until later that night. Either way this turns out, I want to know why this has been on the back-burner for almost a year.

 

    That's about how I feel. I know how I would like this situation to play out, but I don't know how it will actually go. As I said today, this story gets tougher to understand every day. The worst case scenario is, obviously, Winston is charged and suspended from the team. How about if he is charged and then it gets to court and he is found not guilty, or even worse, the charges are dropped? That's what makes this story so crazy..... Some cases are clear cut and dry, and we can see where it is heading...... But this? Yeah, I don't think anybody outside the investigation has a clue where this is headed.... And I even question if anybody within the investigation has a clue...

 

    Jason in Tennessee writes: My Heisman watchlist in order:

1. Manziel 2.Winston 3.Aj McCarron And I think Winston drops out of the race because I think he won't even go to New York for the presentation. Too many questions with Winston. Manziel is putting up crazy numbers. If his team was unbeaten, there is no question he gets the Heisman again.

 

    I find it interesting that you still have Winston in your top 3, even though you think he won't go to New York. If you think Winston is out of the race, who is your next guy? You are right, though. Winston doesn't get the invite because of all the uncertainty that surrounds his situation right now. Too many voters have already decided that they won't be voting for Winston. Now, if this situation gets resolved (in favor of Winston, of course) before conference championships, then I think Winston jumps right back up there with Manziel.

 

    Anonymous writes: What do you think of Urban Meyer's comments on the BCS not being a fair system? I think he makes a good point. Ohio State deserves a shot at the Title this year.

 

    First off, as many analysts have pointed out, Ohio State has not beaten a top 10 team since..... what, 2010? How many ranked teams have they beaten this season? And I mean teams that are currently ranked..... Northwestern comes to mind, and Ohio State struggled to beat them..... Northwestern has a losing record now and is unranked. Urban Meyer is learning something that he should have already known..... When he was at Florida, the Gators got the benefit of playing a tougher schedule..... And they were rewarded for that..... Sorry Urban.... but the B1G Ten is not the SEC. In fact the B1G Ten is WAY DOWN this season. Ohio State has put together an impressive run over the last couple seasons, but that doesn't mean that they deserve a shot.

 

    Thanks for the questions and comments. Check back tomorrow for CollegeFootball2Day's Key Games and Picks.... And of course if there is any more developments in the Winston investigation, I will post them as well.

 

    Don't forget to check out our friends at www.fans25.com. Join the discussion and talk any sport 24/7.

 

 

 

   

 

 



Week 12 Recap

Week 12 Recap

 

     I know you didn't miss that game winning touchdown pass by Auburn with 25 seconds left..... Crazy! And it just sets up nicely for the 'Iron Bowl'. Who could have predicted that this year's Alabama-Auburn game would be a top ten matchup? Not even Auburn fans saw this coming...... So what else happened in Week 12?

 

    By now, we have all heard about the Winston investigation at Florida State. This was supposed to be a HUGE distraction for Winston and Florida State, but it certainly didn't translate into that on the field. Sure, I get it, it was Syracuse........ But this isn't a little misdemeanor investigation either.... This is a very serious investigation that could ultimately decide the season for Winston and Florida State. Instead of getting caught up in the clutter and distractions, Winston went 19-21 passing with 2 TD passes. And as I said last week, I will reserve judgment until we know the facts. FSU won 59-3. First time since 1988 that a team has scored 59 or more points and held the opposing team to 3 or fewer points in back to back weeks. FSU was that team in 1988. Congrats to FSU for their first undefeated in conference record since 1999.

 

 

 

    Alabama might have been caught looking ahead..... Luckily it was against Mississippi State, otherwise we might have had an upset at #1 in the ranks. It's either the Tide looking ahead, or it really is that Alabama just isn't as good as they were last season (or previous seasons). The SEC as a whole is down this year. Sure, fire the "7 ranked teams in the BCS stat" at me, but come on..... Georgia is down. LSU is the biggest question mark in the conference. Florida is in the gutter. South Carolina hasn't had a consistent performance yet this season. And people are saying that Auburn is the second best team in that conference..... Auburn needed a tip drill to beat a bad Georgia team. Alabama may be the best team in the country (at this point), but that doesn't mean the conference is at the same level they have been in recent years. No doubt, BAMA has separated themselves from the rest of the SEC....

 

 

 

    USC is on a roll! Trojans upset Stanford, just wow.... How bad does this make Lane Kiffin look? So it turns out the missing link at USC didn't really exist at all..... Lane Kiffin couldn't get this team winning..... Why? "Scholarship Reductions make it difficult." Right, tell USC that now..... This makes it a little tougher when comes to finding their next head coach..... Sources have confirmed that Jack Del Rio interviewed at USC.... Come on USC! You can do better than that!.... Oh well, we'll see where this coach hunt goes soon enough.

 

 

     Duke took care of Miami.... That just happened! Miami has caught a little bit of the 'injury bug'. Duke Johnson was a huge part of the Hurricanes' offense, and without him this Miami team struggles. But don't let this down play what Duke has accomplished. Duke is 8-2 and controls its destiny in the ACC Coastal race. This is just crazy.... Basketball season has started but fans at Duke are pumped about football right now..... What's wrong with that picture? Congrats to Duke.

 

 

   It was a wild week for college football. Check back for more updates, and Reader Question segment is coming on Wednesday.

 

   You can send your questions and comments to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com

   

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Week 12 Key Games and Picks

 

 

Week 12 Key Games and Picks

 

  Week by week, the regular season goes by and some teams fall and others rise. Are there any potential upsets this week? Time will tell.... Avoiding the drama that broke in Tallahassee in the last 24 hours, here is a look at this week's key games and picks...

 

 

Georgia Tech at Clemson (Thursday Night)

   This is a big game for the Yellow-Jackets. Believe it or not, there is a four-way tie in the Coastal division of the ACC, so every game is HUGE. Clemson hasn't looked as strong since their loss to Florida State, but I think they get it back on track and score lots of points on Thursday night. Bad news for Georgia Tech, I think this game will eliminate them from the ACC Coastal division race.

My Pick: Clemson

 

Michigan State at Nebraska.

  The Cornhuskers have had a couple 'feel good' wins the last couple weeks, but this will be a true test for their offense. The Spartans have a very tough defense, and I think that will be the difference in this game. It may not be a fun game to watch if you like offense, but it should still be interesting.

My Pick: Michigan State

 

Oklahoma State at Texas.

   Well, Mac Brown just keeps winning.... Who saw this coming after their horrible losses earlier in the season. If you are a Longhorn fan, are you a little upset that Mac Brown might be saving his job with each win? This has to be the strangest up and down season for a coach. Fans calling for his job, rumors of Saban's wife house shopping in Austin, and so many other distractions for this program...... Amazingly enough, he has pulled things together and Texas is in the driver's seat in the BIG 12. And I can't find myself picking against them in this game either.... Oklahoma State is tough, but I think the Longhorns will just keep winning.

My Pick: Texas

 

Miami at Duke.

  In case some of missed my STAT OF THE SEASON (thus far)..... Duke is BOWL ELIGIBLE, again..... and the Florida Gators still need two wins to become bowl eligible. A lot is on the line in this game. Duke could win the ACC Coastal division..... Yeah, it's true. But again, there is a four-way tie in the Coastal. Miami and Duke are two of those teams. Both need to win, and have somebody lose.... Duke is in the best shape as they have a tie-breaker win over Virginia Tech. I am a Noles fan, and I realize we would like to play a solid Miami or Virginia Tech team..... But I am really pulling for Duke. I think it would be cool to see Duke win the Coastal division. It's like watching Vanderbilt become a relevant program in the SEC.  My Pick: DUKE BLUE DEVILS!

 

Georgia at Auburn.

   Auburn has drawn some attention the last few weeks. And as crazy as it sounds, they could be that one team that ruins Alabama's season..... But lets focus on Georgia first.... Georgia still has some fight left in the tank..... I'm just not sure it's enough fight to take down Auburn. The Tigers have an exceptional run game and I think that will be the biggest key in this game.

My Pick: Auburn

 

Texas Tech at Baylor.

   I know the Red Raiders have improved, but does anyone see Baylor slowing down in this game? Nope, I didn't think so... and I am going to keep this simple....

My Pick: Baylor

 

Stanford at USC.

  The Cardinal is a 3-point favorite..... Only 3? Are we underestimating Stanford after their dominant win over Oregon? Sure, USC looks like they have turned over a new leaf since Lane Kiffin was let go, but are they really good enough to beat Stanford? I can't bring myself to pick USC. Stanford just looks too physical to fall to the Trojans.

My Pick: Stanford

 

Florida at South Carolina.

   If you are a Gator fan, do you still want Will Muschamp around? The Gators are 4-5 on the season and still have this game with South Carolina and the final game of the season with Florida State coming to the Swamp. Injuries have been a big reason for Florida's struggles, but come on..... At some point pride has to come into play and players have to say 'enough is enough.' The final month of the season doesn't look good for Florida. I have them losing this game and obviously the Florida State game doesn't look promising. South Carolina wins big in this one.....

My Pick: South Carolina

 

That's it for this Week's Key Games and Picks. Don't forget to check out our friends at www.fans25.com and join the discussion.

  

Jameis Winston Investigation

 

 

 

Jameis Winston Investigation

 

     If the TMZ story wasn't frustrating already, I usually do my Key Games and Picks on Thursdays.... I'll get to those later, but now I am going to attempt to shine some light on this situation that so many people have already tagged Winston as guilty. I have been researching this story since it broke yesterday..... And guess what? The case (that was closed in February) was re-opened..... ready for it? It was re-opened last Friday morning, less than 24-hours after Oregon lost and FSU had a clear path to the BCS Title game..... And Winston became a serious Heisman frontrunner.

 

    If that FACT alone wasn't enough to get you to question this story, then you really are ready to tag a 19 year-old kid as guilty for something that we have no proof that he did or didn't do. Okay, so the timing is the first 'strange' clue in this case. It took 11 months for this story to break. The University was aware of this situation back before spring practice began. If there was any question of Winston being guilty then, you would think that somebody else would have been getting the reps with the first team offense, right? This story STINKS of an attempt to smear a kid and a program. I encourage all fans to read the whole story. Don't sit back and judge this kid based off a story on TMZ.

 

   More facts that you will see out there, and maybe have heard a little on ESPN, Winston has not been questioned by Police, and the suspect description says the perpetrator is between 5'9 and 5'11..... Seriously, Winston is 6'4. Some might say that's not too far off.... Really?!?! Come on.... I know 5'9 to 5'11 is pretty close BUT 6'4? You don't confuse somebody being 5'9 to 5'11 with somebody who is 6'4.... It just doesn't happen. This may seem like splitting hairs..... Oh and speaking of splitting hairs..... Some reports have even included a more in depth description of the suspect they are looking for, and it includes the phrase 'straight haired'.... Sorry Winston didn't and doesn't have straight hair (while at Florida State).

 

    Now let me clarify where I stand on this. If he is guilty of a crime, then yes, he needs to be charged and prosecuted. Until then, I reserve judgment and I look at this situation for what it appears to be at this point. Simply, an investigation that hasn't proved that Winston is guilty of anything. In fact, I go back to my first complaint about this situation.....  Why is it surfacing now? Why does this come out when Winston and Florida State are at their highest point of the season. If a crime was committed 11 months ago and the investigation then closed in February, why are we hearing about it now? Where was the story back when this happened initially? If Winston was a suspect back then, why didn't we see anything during spring camp about this story?

 

    You don't have to be a Florida State fan to look at the facts we have at this point and think "this story just doesn't fit". So before we all want to tag this kid as guilty, wait until he is charged and convicted of something. Innocent until proven guilty is the way it works.

 

    Nobody around Winston or Florida State seems to think Winston will be charged with anything. He is still getting reps with the first team offense. If there was any worry, wouldn't somebody else be getting the reps? My concern, ultimately, is that if Winston isn't charged with anything, he is still going to go through so much criticism. What if he didn't do anything wrong? What then? Should the people who helped get this story out there be held accountable for smearing a kid's name and character? If nothing comes of this investigation, there won't be an apology from anyone for destroying a reputation..... And that is why the media is so screwed up. If the media had to stand by what they were reporting, then we might not have some many stories that have no weight to them surfacing. Our media is so quick to throw somebody under the bus, why can't we as a society be just as quick to throw the media under the bus when a story is shot down? If we don't hold the media accountable for what they report, then we can expect to see more stories like this. Winston might be guilty..... He might be innocent. But until he is proven guilty, I support Winston.

 

  Check back later for my Key Games and Picks.

 

    

BCS Discussion

The Final Weeks of the BCS

 

    We are down to the final weeks of the BCS. Will there be any more big moves down the stretch? If the play-off started this season who would be in the mix? Plenty of questions remain in play in these final weeks of the regular season. Here is a look at some 'what ifs' and some 'it could happen' scenarios.

 

    What if Alabama slips up and loses to Auburn? Or if they lost in the SEC Championship? Is Ohio State next up even though they have yet to play a team currently ranked? Obviously FSU would move to #1 in this scenario, but I am not so sure Ohio State would be a sure #2. Baylor is making a strong case for that spot. Stanford? Well that would be interesting, but I think Stanford's loss to Utah out weighs their signature win over Oregon.

 

    What if the BCS computers start to show Baylor more love down the stretch because of their schedule? Could the BCS move Baylor to #3 and have them right on the heels of Florida State for #2? Yeah it could (and it might) happen, given the schedule Ohio State has left.

 

    Here we go, what if the play-off started this season? Besides FSU and Alabama, what other two teams get in? It's almost like there is a three-way tie for those two slots. Stanford has a legit argument as a one loss team. Would the undefeated schedules be enough for Ohio State and Baylor? The committee has already said that strength of schedule will be a significant factor. With that understood, Ohio State doesn't have the schedule. How would they decide when it comes down to four undefeated teams and a one loss team ranked ahead of one of the undefeated teams? That's where we are right now. Stanford is still ahead of Baylor..... I know we will hear plenty about this possibility next season once the play-off system is in place. But in all actuality, I really hope it is pretty clear who should be in and who shouldn't. There seems to be this hope that opening it up to four teams will eliminate the controversy of who should be playing for the Title..... However, I think it could create a bigger mess than what we have already experienced with the BCS era.

 

    FSU will play Ohio State for the BCS Title game. Alabama will fall to Auburn and it will leave the SEC on the outside looking in at the FINAL BCS TITLE GAME. Likely? No, not really.... But IT COULD HAPPEN.

 

    Alabama will play Baylor for the BCS Title game. Wow, what bad BCS Title game this would turn out to be, or so it would look that way..... FSU could have that one bad game down the stretch and lose to Florida or lose the ACC Title game. Ohio State will get left out because of their schedule. Stanford gets passed up by Baylor because of the one loss to Utah..... Yeah this a pretty weak 'it could happen'..... but IT COULD HAPPEN.

 

    Ohio State will play Baylor in the BCS Title game. Yep, FSU and BAMA will lose in the final stretch, leaving Baylor and Ohio State at the top. Talk about a horrible matchup? Yeah this would take the cake..... IT COULD HAPPEN (but lets hope it doesn't).

 

    Obviously I could go all day with different scenarios for the BCS, but lets hope we get the matchup that we all want to see..... If you are a Buckeye, then you will be left out.... The Nation wants to see FSU vs Alabama. Lets face it. Sure, the Oregon matchup was intriguing to some because they couldn't see that Oregon's defense couldn't handle the power run game.....But we all know that if there is a team as close to what Alabama is right now, it has to be Florida State. Sorry Buckeyes, Alabama would pound the ball right down your throats just like Stanford did to Oregon. Baylor? Yeah, ditto.

 

    The BCS discussions are always fun.... Along with your Heisman picks, I want to see what some of you think about some possible BCS matchups.... Send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day.

 

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Week 12 College Football Chatter

Week 12 College Football Chatter

 

     Week 11 claimed its victims. Oregon losing to Stanford was by far the biggest game of the weekend..... But let shift gears a little bit and look at the Heisman race. Mariota did something you can't do as a Heisman hopeful... and that's have a bad game and lose late in the season. Mariota should still get an invite, but I just don't see him winning it.

 

    So who is at the top of the list? Manziel? Winston? Alabama's AJ McCarron? The four letter network seems to have it down to just two players, and they insist it should just be a two man race at this point. Winston or Manziel? Those two seem to have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. The case can be made for Manziel. He is putting up bigger numbers than last season, however, he has thrown more interceptions..... Does that damper his other stats? He also has two losses this season. His fault? No, of course not..... A&M's defense clearly is the only reason they aren't ranked #1 in the nation.

 

    As far as Winston is concerned? He just needs to put up solid numbers in the Noles' final few games. It would even go a long ways if he could put up BIG numbers against Florida in the swamp. Even then, I still think Manziel has the better chance. Manziel still has some big games ahead and he could continue to put up the Heisman numbers. But let me put another twist on this...... Which player means more to their team? Yeah, it's still a tight race looking at that way too, but I think the edge goes to Winston on that scale. There is no question that if Winston is taken out of the equation at FSU, then the Noles are not undefeated at this point.... EJ Manuel had as much talent around him (if not more) and the Noles still couldn't get through the month of October...... Winston raises the bar for FSU. He is a leader for both the offense AND the defense. Manziel? No, just no..... He may be a leader for the offense, but he is not a leader for the defense.... Nor does he attempt to be. Don't get me wrong, Manziel is putting up crazy good numbers, the stats don't lie. Mariota puts up great numbers..... But what separates Winston from both of those guys is the leadership qualities. It is very clear in my opinion that Winston means more to his team than either one of the others.

 

    Who is your Heisman favorite? Who wins? Give me your Heisman list. Send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day.

 

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Thursday Night Football Recap

Thursday Night Football Recap

 

     Wow, what a night of football!!!! Baylor turns out to be who we thought they were all season..... And what about Stanford? If there is one thing I can take away from that game...... Oregon just isn't big enough on defense to play with teams that can run the ball between the tackles. And I want to emphasize that I have thought that all year long, and now it's a proven fact.

 

     Before I get caught up in all the Stanford vs Oregon game, let me get what I have to say about Baylor out of the way. I thought this game would be closer than it was, and I still had Baylor winning...... But a blowout? Nope, I didn't see it happening. So, Baylor, I apologize for under-estimating you. And Oklahoma? Some of you who have followed CollegeFootball2Day since last season might remember how I have said that Bob Stoops just isn't the guy for the job anymore. He finds a way every year to lose games that he shouldn't and then his team self-destructs down the stretch..... This year he loses to a very average Texas team, and now his team gets blown out by Baylor. I get it, though.... it's hard to fire a guy who wins 9 or 10 games every season, but this guy isn't getting the Sooners back to a National Title game any time soon.

 

Oregon's Season

 



 

     Okay, now the Oregon at Stanford game. First off, Seminole Nation can send a big 'Thank You' card to Stanford for knocking off Oregon. I'm not saying FSU doesn't deserve to be where they are, but if Oregon won last night, FSU would be on the outside when it came down to the BCS Title game. Stanford just lined up and ran the ball down Oregon's throat. And I think another 'THANK YOU' card needs to be sent to Stanford...... From who, you ask? FROM OREGON. Yep that's right. The Cardinal saved Oregon from having to deal with Alabama's run game. Attention Oregon Fans! If you think your Ducks struggled against the run from Stanford, what do you think Alabama would have done to you? Alabama is bigger and faster than Stanford. Yeah, that guy Gaffney from Stanford? He is small compared to what Alabama's running-backs are like..... From Stanford: "Your Welcome, Ducks."

 

    You know, watching Oregon and Stanford last night reminds me a lot of watching Alabama and LSU. Out west, Oregon and Stanford are the ' BAMA and LSU'. No, they don't have the championships...... But their games hold the same value. Title implications are on the line when these two face off..... Conference Titles are on the line..... They are mirror images of what Alabama and LSU are like nearly every season. Now don't misunderstand me, I still think BAMA is better than either team, and LSU is better than Oregon..... LSU and Stanford would be a cool matchup, though.

 

    What a way to start the weekend..... And there is more to come. Nothing is set in stone yet. Anything can happen, TO ANY TEAM. Alabama has to beat LSU and win the rest of their schedule. FSU has a very favorable schedule remaining.....but they have to play the games and win. Otherwise we would go ahead and send these two to the BCS Title Game. And the way the BCS rankings work, anything can happen.

    Check back Monday for Week 11 Recap. 

Week 11 Key Games and Picks

Week 11 Key Games and Picks

 

 

   Ahhhh yes, the ever so important week 11 of the 2013 College Football Season..... Big games that we have had circled since the preseason polls came out..... That's right...... It's the Bama vs LSU, and Stanford vs Oregon games that we are watching so closely this week..... All the other games seem so insignificant, and that's the beauty of college football in November.

 

 

    Oklahoma at Baylor.

This game might be the next biggest game to the other two already mentioned. We finally get to see if Baylor is who they appear to be in the rankings. Oklahoma will be the best team that Baylor has faced all season..... And I don't think Baylor hangs 70 points on the Sooners. It almost reminds me of last season's West Virginia team.... The Mountaineers looked unstoppable and like a BCS contender, and then they ran into some tougher opponents. I don't think Baylor falls apart like West Virginia did, but they will struggle down the stretch, in my opinion. Tough pick here, but I am going to roll with Baylor. My Pick: Baylor

 

    Oregon at Stanford.

Fans are already crowning the Ducks as the victors of this game. So why even play the game? I'll tell you why..... Because anything could happen. That's why we play every game. A player could fumble at the worst time..... A player could twist his ankle. A blocked field goal could change the entire outcome of the game. A team's defense could have a bad night..... And NO team is invincible. We have all seen this before. Oregon puts up crazy numbers and then they have that ONE game that they struggle to get it done. Don't get me wrong.... Oregon passes the 'eye test'. They are crazy good, but can they win at Stanford? Can they win ALL their games and have no let downs? And as I have done here in this paragraph, so has the media..... We have made this game all about Oregon, and you know what? I think Stanford knows they can put themselves right back in the BCS Title race by getting a victory over the Ducks. Great game in the works for tonight.... I really think Oregon gets it done tonight, though.  My Pick: Oregon Ducks

 

    Virginia Tech at Miami.

Miami is coming off a pretty tough loss to Florida State. Duke Johnson is gone for the rest of the season. If there was another game besides the FSU game that the Canes needed Johnson, it's this game. The Hokies may be struggling this season, but it's not because of their defense. Logan Thomas could be the one to blame over the last few weeks.... Some think this game could be medium to high scoring.... I don't see Virginia Tech giving up more than 21 points in this game. Miami has an 'okay defense' and mix that with Logan Thomas struggling, and I think you get a low scoring defensive struggle...... My Pick: Miami Hurricanes.

 

    LSU at Alabama.

Okay, so this is a pretty big game from what I've heard. And if I'm not mistaken, I think LSU has won 6 of the last 8 meetings AT Alabama. Intriguing little stat. The Crimson Tide have finally started to gel again. Earlier in the season, they looked a little lost at times.... compared to the last couple seasons anyway. But they look like they have really got things going again.... Or has it been the teams they have played over the last few weeks? And here is a question... Why does it seem like Alabama gets a BYE week every season right before their big game with LSU? You know what, I say move this matchup to September. I want to see who can have their team ready EARLY in the season...... ANYWAY, I just don't think Les Miles and the Tigers are ready for this game. They gave Bama all they could handle last season, but I'm not sure that Saban will let that happen again this season. However, I haven't given an upset pick for this week.... Yep, I will take LSU. You never know what could happen with Les Miles. My Pick: LSU Tigers

 

     FSU at Wake Forest.

Yeah, I know, it's Wake Forest..... But we have to watch every game down the stretch. Can FSU remain focused over the next 4 or 5 games. The Noles have to control what they can control..... Prepare every week like it's the biggest game of the season. Nobody is talking about the revenge factor here....  What? Yes, the revenge factor.... FSU traveled to Wake Forest two years ago and lost on the road. It was a tough loss. Key players suffered injuries and it was a turning point of that season. This year, FSU will take care of business like they should. Winston will continue to improve and dominate like he has in every game. My Pick: Florida State


    That's it for this week's key games and picks. Check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE' and a 'SHARE'. Don't forget to check out our friends at www.fans25.com and join the discussion. 

Reader Questions Week 11

Reader Questions Week 11

 

    As always, this segment is on you. You send in your questions/comments and I tackle them here. If you have a question or comment and want to see it here, send it in. You can send it to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to out Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. Alright, let's get to it.....

 

   Brian writes: First time sending a question, but I have been following the blog since the start of the season.... Your latest BCS post is very well done (short but to the point), I have to agree with you that there is a lot of football left, and especially the idea that Miami could make it back into the top ten before they face FSU again in the ACC Title game. But my question is what about Ohio State? Is there anything they can do or are they just out of luck? Thanks.

 

    You know, there really isn't much the Buckeyes can do. For starters they have to keep winning big. Their strength of schedule has hurt them really bad this season..... And it's not their fault. They have to play the schedule in front of them. If anyone wants to put blame on somebody, blame the rest of the Big Ten. The rest of the conference has been terrible. I wouldn't count Ohio State out of the mix, though. Like I pointed out in  my last post about the BCS, do you remember the scenario last season? Alabama was ranked 4 or 5 in the BCS with about two weeks left in the regular season...... It looked like the SEC was out of luck when it came to getting into the BCS Title game...... but no, wait a minute, teams that weren't supposed to lose ended up losing..... When the dust settled, Alabama found themselves in the BCS Title game. So, like I said yesterday, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. Everyone seems to think that it would be Alabama vs Oregon, or Alabama vs FSU, or Oregon vs FSU...... But there is one matchup that doesn't get much attention (and it could happen), FSU vs Ohio State.... Yeah, it's not likely, but it is still a possibility. Back to your question though, all Ohio State can do is keep winning and winning big. Get those 'Style Points' as they call it.

 

     Noles4Life writes: Okay, so I get it.... The BCS is going to shuffle around a couple more times before the regular season ends, but does FSU have a shot at staying ahead of Oregon? And since you are a Noles fan, if FSU was going to the Title game who would you rather face?

 

     Oh boy, I was hoping we could avoid that question...... As far as FSU staying ahead of Oregon? If the Ducks blow out Stanford on Thursday night, then the Ducks jump FSU and I think they stay there until at least the conference championships, where then I think FSU will have one more shot at taking #2 back.... As I said yesterday, if Miami wins out and meets FSU again in the ACC Title game, FSU could get another meaningful victory that could give him the edge...... But what if Stanford takes Oregon down to the wire? Does Oregon move ahead of FSU if they barely beat Stanford? Now as far as who I would rather play? Yikes, honestly I am not afraid of either one. It just depends on the type of game I am interested in watching. Do I want to watch a shoot out that ends with the score being in the 40+ points? Or do I want to see a clash of two very physical football teams that play a style of football that has been KNOWN to win Titles? Saban or the Ducks' offense? Saban can game plan anybody if you give him a month to prepare. The Ducks don't care about game planning, they just line up and try to run by you..... You know what, I'd rather take on Bama..... Not because I want FSU to be the team that dethrones the SEC power (okay maybe a little)..... But think about the advantage that FSU would have in this matchup.... "What advantages you ask?" Florida State has two coaches from the 'Saban Tree'. Jimbo Fisher worked with him at LSU, and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has been under Saban at Alabama...... I find that to be a couple HUGE advantages.... Having the athletes is one thing, but having the coaching staff that knows what Saban's process in preparation is another animal..... So yes, as much as it might scare some fans out there, I say bring on the team that we know the best behind the scenes.....

 

   Only had two questions this week. Don't forget to check back tomorrow afternoon for CollegeFootball2Day's Key Games and Picks. Thanks for the questions. Check out our friends at www.fans25.com and join the discussion. 

BCS Week 3

BCS, AP Poll, Coaches Poll

 

 

 

    In the latest BCS Standings, Florida State jumped Oregon for the #2 spot again. Obviously, most experts and fans believe that Oregon will jump Florida State after they beat Stanford on Thursday night this week. People are so ready just to go ahead and move them ahead of FSU, why even play the game? Has anyone even thought of the scenario if Oregon needs overtime to beat Stanford? What if Oregon doesn't dominate and they only win by a point? Here is a look at the polls for this week:

 

BCS Poll

1. Alabama

2. Florida State

3. Oregon

4. Ohio State

5. Stanford

6. Baylor

7. Clemson

8. Missouri

9. Auburn

10. Oklahoma

 

 

USA Today Coaches Poll

 

1. Alabama (54)

2. Oregon (5)

3. Florida State (3)

4. Ohio State

5. Baylor

6. Stanford

7. Clemson

8. Oklahoma

9. Missouri

10. Auburn

 

AP Poll

1. Alabama (52)

2. Oregon (2)

3. Florida State (6)

4. Ohio State

5. Baylor

6. Stanford

7. Auburn

8. Clemson

9. Missouri

10. LSU

 

    Florida State has made up some ground in both of the human polls. The AP gave FSU six first place votes and the Coaches gave FSU three votes. However, the Noles won't have hardly any more chances to earn more style points or impress voters with the schedule they have left. The only game that could get more voters to support FSU, is their regular season game in the Swamp against the Gators. That, and the ACC Title game against a potential top ten Miami team again. Everyone forgets that Miami could sneak their way back into the top ten if they keep winning and some other teams fall. If that happens, then you have a Florida State team that will have played in THREE top ten matchups, one on a neutral field, one at home, and one on the road...... There is no telling what that would do for the Noles in polls.

 

    Look, it's simple.... How many seasons have we all have debated what the BCS would do with three or even four undefeated teams at the end of the season? It happens almost every year. There is plenty of football left that anything could happen. Alabama could slip up against LSU, or even Auburn. Oregon could beat Stanford and then choke in their conference title game...... Florida State could slip..... Everybody wants to go ahead and say that Alabama and Oregon are playing for the BCS Title game in January..... HELLO!!!! It's November...... It's the first week of NOVEMBER!!! Teams still have four, or five games left on their schedule...... Why play the rest of the season if everyone is ready to go ahead and crown the teams to play for the BCS title? Every year at this time, and sometimes sooner, we all want to panic about the five or six teams that are undefeated...... And we start speculating who will get left out..... Anyone remember last season? How about when it was clear with just two weeks left in season that no SEC team would make it to the BCS Title game? Remember that? Alabama was in the back seat hoping that somebody would lose a game they shouldn't..... And sure enough, two or three teams tripped, and somehow Alabama found themselves right there in the BIG GAME..... If you are having trouble smelling what I am shoveling out here...... My point is that there is way too much football left for anybody to panic or celebrate. Let's revisit this in three or four weeks when the scenario is a little more solid.

 

     Reader Question Segment is tomorrow. Send in your questions, comments, or predictions. Let me know what you think will happen with the rankings. Anything College Football, Send it in.

Send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day. Don't forget to give us a 'LIKE' and a 'SHARE'. You can also join the discussion at www.fans25.com. Thanks and check back tomorrow afternoon.

Week 10 Recap

Week 10 Recap

 

    Another great week of college football is in the books. A couple teams let me down in my picks, but the important games turned out right. Georgia still has something left in the tank, and Florida is a total train wreck. The biggest matchup of the week? Florida State hosting Miami..... Florida State doesn't care who they are playing, they are going to score 40+ points. So here is a look back at what happened this past weekend......

 

    Michigan looked lost from the opening kickoff. Michigan State's defense proved to be the key factor in this game, as the Spartans took care of the Wolverines with little to no problems. The Wolverines aren't who I thought they were to start the season.

 

    Nebraska ruins my pick by throwing a 'Hail Mary' at the last second and getting the win. Northwestern out-played the Huskers for much of the game but they just couldn't hang on at the last minute. It was a must win for Bo Pelini in my opinion. He is flirting with the 'hot-seat', and a loss to Northwestern would have had him on it for sure.....

 

    Georgia came out strong and built a lead early...... and yes, they survived Florida's attempt at a comeback. It also didn't help that Georgia started missing the little things in the second half. And it wouldn't be right for me to include this game in the recap without telling all the Gator fans 'I told you so'....... I TOLD YOU SO! Georgia is coached better, and they have the better QB.

 

    Florida State dominated Miami..... Surprise! Winston had his worst game of his career and still had a QBR of 90+. I mean seriously, this guy loves playing in big games. He made two bad throws in the first half that resulted in INTs and points for Miami..... How does he respond? He tells his team at half that he promises to he won't turn the ball over the rest of the game..... Well, Winston kept his promise and he only threw two incomplete passes the rest of the game. Another statement win for FSU, and it moved them up to #2 in the BCS for the second time this season..... A few more flip-flops in the BCS aren't out of the picture for FSU and Oregon.

 

 

 

    That's it for the recap. Tomorrow will be a look at the BCS poll and AP Poll. Reader Question Segment will be on Wednesday this week. Send in your questions/comments to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day And don't forget you can join the discussion at www.fans25.com.