College Football Week 19 – After 4 months of football, it’s Alabama-Clemson
Bowl week was like a box of chocolates;
You never knew what you were going to get
Christian McCaffrey should have won the Heisman Trophy. Ideally, the four-team playoff should have consisted of Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Stanford. Miranda Lambert should never have attempted to sing “Desperado.” The Stanford band will never win an election in Iowa. And what was with all those lopsided scores? But they saved the best for the last.
Monday, December 28, Swamp Mama and I needed some serious R&R. Having driven home from the panhandle the day before, we were recuperating from five days with the grandkids.
Getting out of bed Monday morning was a challenge. And once we were out of bed, we didn’t want to go anywhere outside of the kitchen and family room. It was the perfect day for watching some football. Swamp Mama had dibs on the sofa and I staked out a claim on the recliner. Recuperation had begun.
Two bowl games were awaiting our viewing. The first game, the Military Bowl between Pitt and Navy, provided lots of entertainment. Most of the entertainment was provided by Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds.
Navy won the game, 44-28. Reynolds set two NCAA records in the game. First, in scoring three touchdowns, the Navy quarterback set the FBS record for most career scrimmage touchdowns (rushing or receiving). With 4:19 remaining in the game, Reynolds scored his third touchdown of the day – a 19-yard run to set the record at 88 touchdowns during his career.
Earlier, Reynolds set the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback in FBS history. When the game was over, the Middies quarterback had rushed for 144 yards to give him 4,559 career rushing yards. Reynolds averaged 6 yards a carry against Pitt. He is an amazing football player.
During the game, word broke that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops hired Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. Gran will be the new OC for the Wildcats, replacing Shannon Dawson, who was fired by Stoops at the end of the season.
Kentucky’s offense was rather anemic this past season – 79th in rushing yards (162 per game), 80th in passing yards (209 per game), 89th in total yards (372 per game) and 95th in points scored (24 per game).
Somehow, I found enough energy to make a pot of my lentil and sausage soup. The soup became the source of nourishment for Swamp Mama and me the rest of the day.
The second game Monday, the Quick Lane Bowl from Detroit between Minnesota and Central Michigan, wasn’t as exciting as the Military Bowl. Instead, it was a defensive battle. But, all-in-all, it was a close and intriguing game. The outcome of the game was in doubt until near the end. Minnesota beat Central Michigan, 21-14.
In winning, Minnesota became the third of the three 5-7 teams, playing in bowl games, to win. San Jose State (5-7) beat Georgia State, 27-16, in the Cure Bowl. Nebraska (5-7) beat UCLA, 37-29, in the Foster Farms Bowl. And Minnesota made it a perfect threesome.
Swamp Mama and I were refreshed on Tuesday. So much so that we drove down to Vero Beach to do some shopping and take in a movie – “The Danish Girl.” The movie was a good story – the acting and cinematography were superb. But you need to have an open mind if you see it.
Tuesday was a busy day for bowl games with four on the agenda. We returned home in time to catch the second half of the first game – the Armed Forces Bowl between California and Air Force. When we turned on the game at the half, Cal was winning, 35-21. The Bears went on to win, 55-36. Cal quarterback Jared Goff had an amazing game, passing for 467 yards and six touchdowns.
Next up was the Russell Athletic Bowl from nearby Orlando. Swamp Mama and I went to the Russell Athletic Bowl five years ago in 2010. West Virginia lost to NC State, 23-7. Not one of my fonder memories.
This year, Baylor was playing North Carolina in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Bears were playing the game without their No. 1 quarterback (Seth Russell), their No. 2 quarterback (Jarrett Stidham), their No. 1 running back (Shock Linwood) and their No. 1 and first-team All-American receiver (Corey Coleman). All four players were out with injuries.
In spite of the handicap, Baylor beat North Carolina, 49-38. The Bears not only beat the Tar Heels, they racked up 756 total yards on the Heels’ defense. Speaking of Heels, defense was North Carolina’s Achilles heel this season. North Carolina had an offense, but the Tar Heels had no defense. In fact, North Carolina didn’t play anybody all season until the Heels met Clemson in the ACC title game and Baylor in the bowl game. Clemson scored 45 points on North Carolina and Baylor scored 49 points on the Heels.
The Texas Bowl between LSU and Texas Tech came on next. During this game, we were switching back-and-forth, on commercials, between the ballgame and the “The Kennedy Center Honors” program.
At one point, watching “The Kennedy Center Honors,” we caught Miranda Lambert singing The Eagles’ “Desperado.” Or I should say, attempting to sing “Desperado.” She butchered the song. She must have been wearing Blake’s Gildan underwear. I kept thinking, where’s Linda Rondstadt when you need her.
Back to the Texas Bowl, LSU clobbered Texas Tech, 56-27. It was close for a while, but the Tigers ran away from Tech in the second half. LSU’s Leonard Fournette – 212 yards rushing – looked like the Fournette from earlier in the season. He had his groove back. Whatever problems LSU had at the end of the season, they appear to have dissipated, at least temporarily.
As for Texas Tech, I’m wondering if Kliff Kingsbury could be wearing out his welcome in Lubbock. I’m thinking if things don’t get better at Texas Tech next season, the favorite son Kingsbury could be looking for a new home. Swamp Mama would be devastated.
Back to “The Kennedy Center Honors,” the best part was at the end – the salute to Carole King. What tapestry! All the great songs, including Aretha Franklin singing “A Natural Woman,” were really spectacular.
Squeezed in between the Russell Athletic and the Texas Bowls was the Arizona Bowl between Colorado State and Nevada – the bowl nobody knew about. Locally, it was carried on WRDQ out of Orlando.
The Arizona bowl was an oddity in that it was played between two teams from the same conference – the MWC. At least Colorado State and Nevada are from different divisions in the MWC. And they didn’t meet during the season. In a close one, Nevada scored a touchdown with 1:06 remaining in the game to beat Colorado State, 28-23.
Colorado State is coached by former Georgia quarterback and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Colorado State fans better hope that Bobo doesn’t end up like Will Muschamp and Ray Goof…..I mean…..Ray Goff – also former Georgia players.
Wednesday was another busy day – four games. In the first encounter, Auburn played Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. Let me tell you, Auburn’s defense never looked better. It’s amazing how much things improve when you get Will Muschamp out of the picture.
Auburn beat Memphis, 31-10. Auburn’s defense kept Memphis’ offense out of the end zone. The lone Memphis touchdown was a pass interception returned for a score. Speaking of Auburn’s defense, after the game, word broke that LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is the new DC at Auburn. What is it with defensive coordinators leaving LSU? – John Chavis last year and now Kevin Steele this year.
Like the Texas Bowl and “The Kennedy Center Honors,” I had to share the Birmingham Bowl with the West Virginia-Virginia Tech basketball game. I was glad I did. The Mountaineers won, 88-63, in Blacksburg. I do believe there were more West Virginia fans than Hokies in Cassell Coliseum.
In the first of the two SEC vs. ACC encounters, Mississippi State beat NC State in the Belk Bowl, 51-28. NC State had no running or passing game. Miss State only had a Dak Prescott game. But that’s all the Bulldogs needed. Prescott passed for 380 yards and he was the Bulldogs leading rusher with 47 yards.
The tables were reversed in the other SEC vs. ACC game. The ACC won. Louisville beat Texas A&M, 27-21, in the Music City Bowl. Just as the Belk Bowl was the Dak Prescott show, the Music City Bowl was the Lamar Jackson show. The Louisville quarterback accounted for 453 yards – 227 passing and 226 rushing.
Urban Meyer broadcast that he has been contacted by an NFL team. In other news, Ohio State asked Urban how much more money he would like to have.
In the nightcap on Wednesday, Wisconsin kicked a late field goal to beat USC, 23-21, in the Holiday Bowl. The Badgers beat the Trojans for the first time in seven tries. USC may regret its quick hiring of Clay Helton. The Trojan coach is 0-2 since being elevated from interim coach to full-time coach.
New Year’s Eve began with a shocker. Houston…..yes, Houston…..beat Florida State 38-24. FSU quarterback Sean McGuire couldn’t tell the difference between garnet and white. McGuire threw four interceptions. And to make matters worse for the Noles, running back Dalvin Cook was held to 33 yards rushing. Cook averaged 1.8 yards per carry. Some idiots actually thought Cook should have been a Heisman finalist.
News broke from San Antonio, that TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin was arrested and charged with a felony. Boykin allegedly struck an employee in a bar and then allegedly slugged a San Antonio police officer. This occurring at 2 a.m. TCU coach Gary Patterson suspended Boykin for the Alamo Bowl.
In the first of the two playoff games, Oklahoma embarrassed the Big 12 big time. Clemson smacked the Sooners, 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. This after OU lost to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl last year, 40-6. You would have thought the Sooners would have been fired up.
Maybe Bob Stoops needs to find a new occupation. Stoops has become the Mark Richt of Oklahoma. Just when you think he’s taking you there, he lets you down.
Speaking of letting you down, Clemson punter Andy Teasdall didn’t let Dabo Swinney down in this game. Remember the ACC title game against North Carolina when Teasdall made an unwise decision to run with the ball instead of punting it on 4th down? He was tackled way short of the first down line. He also was embarrassed on national TV as the camera caught Swinney screaming and yelling at Teasdall. Swinney wasn’t a happy camper.
On a 4th down play early in the game against Oklahoma, Teasdall executed a perfect fake punt, passing to defensive lineman Christian Wilkins for a 31-yard gain and a first down. Swinney was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Teasdall was a hero. Two plays later, Clemson scored a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead. Redemption is sweet.
In the second playoff game, Alabama made mince meat out of Michigan State. The Crimson Tide destroyed the Spartans, 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl. Unlike Oklahoma, Alabama was fired up. After losing to a Big Ten team (Ohio State) in the playoffs last year, the Tide got its revenge this year – big time.
So, Oklahoma and Michigan State had no business being in the playoffs.
Alabama and Michigan State played the last game of 2015. Tennessee and Northwestern played the first game of 2016. Happy New Year! The Vols and the Wildcats met in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. Tennessee took Northwestern outback to the tune of 45-6.
An hour later, over in Orlando, the Big Ten got back at the SEC. Michigan dismantled Florida in the Citrus Bowl, 41-7. This, a Michigan team that wasn’t supposed to have an offense. This, a Florida team that was supposed to have a defense. Could have fooled me.
So, Florida finished the season losing its last three games, only scoring a total of 24 points in those three games – 8 points a game. The Gators began the season 6-0 under Will Grier and finished the season 4-4 under Treon Harris. Was Harris that bad of a quarterback? Or was Jim McElwain that bad of a coach? Or both? Good thing Florida had Grier for the first six games or the Gators might not have been in a bowl. Then again, if Grier hadn’t taken PEDs, who knows what might have happened.
In the Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State put down Notre Dame, 44-28, making that Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan State seem even stranger. How did it ever happen? Ezekiel Elliott knows.
After Michigan and Ohio State gave the Big Ten something to cheer about, Iowa came along. The Hawkeyes took a pummeling from Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Stanford beat Iowa, 45-16. Late in the third quarter, the Cardinal led the Hawkeyes, 38-0.
Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey set a Rose Bowl record for all-purpose yards with 368, including 172 yards rushing. On the game’s first play from scrimmage, McCaffrey scored on a 75-yard pass reception. He also became the first player in Rose Bowl history to have at least 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. How did McCaffrey not win the Heisman?
And how can you not like the Stanford band? The band upset Iowa fans during its halftime show by depicting FarmersOnly.com – an online dating site, while forming the face of a frowning farmer. Then in an effort to show the Midwestern way of life, the band depicted cow tipping. Already down 35-0 at halftime, Iowa fans had more than they could take. They were booing like crazy. Where’s Ted Cruz when you need him?
After losing its defensive coordinator to Auburn, LSU announced that it hired Wisconsin DC Dave Aranda to be the Tigers new defensive coordinator. Wonder how long Aranda will last in Baton Rouge? Maybe a while – Aranda signed a three-year contract for $1.3 million a year with LSU.
In the last of the New Year’s Six bowls, it was another lopsided game. I went to bed early in the third quarter. I couldn’t take it anymore. Where was the Stanford band when you needed them? Ole Miss made amends for last year’s 42-3 Peach Bowl loss to TCU. The Rebel Black Bear Landsharks slapped Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl, 44-20.
After 14 days of bowl games, the final day was here. Four more games and it would all be over for the bowls, leaving only the national championship game left to be played. In the first of the four bowls on January 2, Georgia hung on to beat Penn State in the Tax Slayer Bowl, 24-17.
During the game, we learned that Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is leaving the Bulldogs to join Mark Richt at Miami in the same position. The coordinators remain on the move. Meanwhile, in Memphis, the Big 12 continued to take it on the chin as Arkansas beat Kansas State, 45-23, in the Liberty Bowl. Was it Bill Snyder’s last game coaching K-State?
By early Saturday night, 38 bowl games had been played. There were still two games to go. After several days of romps, routs and blowouts, everyone was disgusted and dissatisfied with all the lopsided scores. On the two biggest days for the bowls – New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – the scores were 38-24, 37-17 and 38-0 for the three games on December 31, and 45-6, 41-7, 44-28, 45-16 and 44-20 for the five games on January 1.
The final two bowls each matched teams from the Big 12 against the Pac-12 – TCU vs. Oregon in the Alamo Bowl and West Virginia vs. Arizona State in the Cactus Bowl. At 6-2, the Pac-12 was looking good. At 1-4, the Big 12 was looking bad.
Little did we know but excitement was about to come. However, it was slow in coming. In the Alamo Bowl, it looked like the same old, same old as Oregon scored four touchdowns and a field goal in the first half to lead TCU 31-0 at the break. The Horned Frogs were playing under second string quarterback Bram Kohlhausen who was filling in for the suspended Trevone Boykin. Yet another blowout was in progress – ho-hum. Or was it?
In the second half, Kohlhausen and the Horned Frogs came alive, while Oregon became anemic. Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams had left the game near the end of the first half with a head injury. He didn’t return. TCU scored 17 points in the third quarter. The Frogs trailed the Ducks 31-17 entering the fourth quarter.
In the final period, Oregon remained lifeless. With 7:45 remaining in the game, TCU kicked a field goal and trailed, 31-20. With 3:32 to go, the Frogs scored a touchdown and made a two-point conversion. TCU now trailed, 31-28. With 0:19 on the clock, TCU kicked a 22-yard field goal – 31-31. Overtime!
The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime and field goals in the second overtime. Finally, in the third overtime, TCU scored and Oregon didn’t. Game over – the Horned Frogs won in three overtimes, 47-41. What a comeback!
In the Cactus Bowl, the excitement wasn’t slow in coming. The West Virginia-Arizona State game was close throughout. At the end of the first quarter, WVU led ASU, 9-3. With 9:52 to go in the second quarter, the Sun Devils took a 10-9 lead. Four minutes later, the Mountaineers went back up, 16-10. At halftime, WVU led ASU, 22-18.
In the third quarter, the lead changed hands four times. As the fourth quarter began, the Mountaineers led the Sun Devils, 36-32. With 4:46 remaining in the game, ASU took a 42-36 lead. Two minutes and twenty-seven seconds later, WVU retook the lead at 43-42. But there was still 2:19 left on the clock. The Mountaineers defense was going to have to hold the Sun Devils. They did – game over. West Virginia won.
The Cactus Bowl was the second heart stopper of the day for West Virginia fans. Earlier, the Mountaineers basketball team beat Kansas State on the road in Manhattan, 87-83, in two overtimes.
So after so many romps, routs and blowouts, they saved the best for the last. The wins by TCU and West Virginia improved the Big 12’s bowl record to 3-4, while the losses by Oregon and Arizona State diminished the Pac-12’s bowl record to 6-4.
Among the conferences, the SEC finished with the best record in the bowls at 8-2. The AAC had the worst record at 2-6. The Big Ten was 5-5 and the ACC was 4-5.
As a result of bad and/or embarrassing bowl losses, something tells me five coaches are going to enter the 2016 season on the hot seat – Cincinnati’s Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury, NC State’s Dave Doeren, Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin and Oregon’s Mark Helfrich.
On my list of the best and gutsiest performances by quarterbacks in the bowl games are Louisiana Tech’s Jeff Driskel, Navy’s Keenan Reynolds, Boise State’s Brett Rypien, California’s Jared Goff, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Alabama’s Jake Coker, Arkansas’ Brandon Allen, TCU’s Bram Kohlhausen and West Virginia’s Skyler Howard.
And likewise the most dominating running backs were Western Michigan’s Jamauri Bogan, Baylor’s Johnny Jefferson, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, Arkansas’ Alex Collins, Georgia Southern’s Favian Upshaw and LSU’s Leonard Fournette.
Yeah, Christian McCaffrey should have won the Heisman. Oklahoma and Michigan State had no business in the playoffs. Miranda Lambert should have kept her mouth shut, and I can’t wait to see what the Stanford band does next season.
Speaking of next season, let’s hope the bowl games aren’t so lopsided.
Recuperated?….are you kidding! Swamp Mama and I need another week of R&R. That West Virginia game ended awful late at night. Ended? Hell, it didn’t start until late at night. It ended sometime in the morning?
And we still have the big one to go next Monday – Alabama-Clemson. I think we can go ahead and declare Alabama the national champions. Stay tuned!
Happy New Year!
Touchdown Tom
January 4, 2016
Review of Last Week’s Bowls
The Panthers were Shanghaied – (in the Military Bowl) – Navy 44, Pitt 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Navy 29, Pitt 27). Navy was all over Pitt. The Panthers took a 7-0 lead on the opening kickoff. Then Navy scored 31 unanswered points and led Pitt, 31-7, with 8 minutes to go in the third quarter. The Middies had 590 total yards to 335 for the Panthers, and 31 first downs to 17 for Pitt. Navy also dominated time of possession – 42 minutes to 18 minutes. Navy not only had more rushing yards than Pitt (417 to 198), but also more passing yards (173 to 137). Two Middies rushed for more than 100 yards – Keenan Reynolds (144 yards) and Chris Swain (114 yards). Attendance in Annapolis: 36,352
Gophers snack on Chipps – (in the Quick Lane Bowl) – Minnesota 21, Central Michigan 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Minnesota 27, Central Michigan 26). Close throughout, the lead changed hands four times in the game. Late in the fourth quarter, CMU led, 14-13. Minnesota scored its go ahead and winning touchdown with 4:26 remaining in the game. Minnesota had 381 total yards to 249 for CMU. Attendance in Detroit: 34,217
The Bears took the Falcons out for a game of Goff – (in the Armed Forces Bowl) – California 55, Air Force 36 (Touchdown Tom said: California 31, Air Force 25). Cal quarterback Jared Goff picked the Air Force defense apart, passing for 467 yards and six touchdowns. As expected, Cal dominated the passing game and the Falcons dominated the running game. Attendance in Fort Worth: 38,915
Briles was all smiles – (in the Russell Athletic Bowl) – Baylor 49, North Carolina 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 34, North Carolina 30). The teams were even in the second half – 21-21. But Baylor dominated the first half – 28-17. Baylor also dominated the stats: 756 total yards to 487 for the Heels and 38 first downs to 28 for the Heels. And the Bears dominated time of possession: 37 minutes to 23 minutes. Two Bears ran for more than 100 yards – Johnny Jefferson (299 yards) and Devin Chafin (156 yards). Plus Baylor’s Terrence Williams added another 97 yards rushing. As a team, Baylor had 645 yards on the ground. Attendance in Orlando: 40,418
Bobo got a Booboo – (in the Arizona Bowl) – Nevada 28, Colorado State 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Colorado State 26, Nevada 22). Colorado State had two brief – very brief – leads in the game. Halfway through the second quarter, the Rams took a 7-6 lead. Twenty-six seconds later, Nevada retook the lead at 13-7. Then late in the fourth quarter, CSU took a 23-22 lead. Two minutes and 34 seconds later, the Wolf Pack retook the lead at 28-23. Except for the score, CSU dominated the game. The Rams had 532 total yards to 345 for Nevada. CSU had 30 first downs to 18 for Nevada. Attendance in Tucson: 20,425
The Tigers caught the Raiders in a net – a Fournette – (in the Texas Bowl) – LSU 56, Texas Tech 27 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 37, Texas Tech 35). LSU had a balanced attack (384 yards rushing; 254 yards passing). Texas Tech only had a passing attack (370 yards passing; 29 yards rushing). That was the difference in the game. LSU could counter Tech’s passing game, but Tech couldn’t counter LSU’s running game. In short, the Red Raiders didn’t have a Leonard Fournette. The Tigers’ Fournette rushed for 212 yards. Attendance in Houston: 71,307
Aubie gives Memphis the rub – (in the Birmingham Bowl) – Auburn 31, Memphis 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 27, Memphis 24). Auburn grabbed a 10-0 first quarter lead. Memphis evened it up in the second quarter – 10-10 at the break. But Memphis never scored again, as Auburn added 21 points in the second half. Auburn dominated the play with 405 total yards to 205 for Memphis, and 25 first downs to 12 for Memphis. Auburn’s defense shut down Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. Lynch only managed 104 yards passing. Attendance in Birmingham: 59,430
The Dak attack – (in the Belk Bowl) – Mississippi State 51, NC State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 35, NC State 26). Early in the second quarter, Miss State had built up a 21-0 lead. But by midway through the second, NC State came back to trail by only 7 – 21-14. Miss State then extended its lead to 31-14 at the half. Halfway through the third quarter, NC State made it a 10-point game at 31-21. Miss State exploded for 21 unanswered points to put the game away with a 51-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs had 569 total yards to 426 for the Wolfpack. Miss State’s Dak Prescott passed for 380 yards and four touchdowns. Attendance in Charlotte: 46,423
The Cardinals chirp, the Aggies burp – (in the Music City Bowl) – Louisville 27, Texas A&M 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 25, Louisville 23). Louisville jumped out to a 20-7 first quarter lead and then basically held on to subdue Texas A&M. The Aggies had a chance to score a go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes of the game, but they couldn’t pull it off – Louisville held. The teams were pretty even in the stats and time of possession. Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson passed for 227 yards and rushed for 226 yards. In his debut, Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak passed for 307 yards. Attendance in Nashville: 50,478
The Trojans couldn’t cut the Cheese – (in the Holiday Bowl) – Wisconsin 23, USC 21 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 27, Wisconsin 20). With 2:27 remaining in the game, Wisconsin kicked a 29-yard field goal to take a 2-point lead and win the game. Earlier, midway through the third quarter, the Badgers led USC, 20-7. But the Trojans rallied, scoring back-to-back touchdowns to take a 21-20 lead. Wisconsin’s defense held USC to 65 yards rushing. The Badgers also dominated time of possession – 37 minutes to 23 minutes. Attendance in San Diego: 48,329
Cook got cooked – (in the Peach Bowl) – Houston 38, Florida State 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 37, Houston 29). Houston took control from the start. Florida State found itself playing catch up throughout the game. The Cougars led 21-3 at the half. The Houston defense held FSU to only 16 yards rushing. FSU’s Dalvin Cook was a no show. The Noles’ Sean McGuire passed for 392 yards, but threw 4 interceptions. Attendance in Atlanta: 71,007
Boomer was a doomer – (in the Orange Bowl) – Clemson 37, Oklahoma 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 35, Clemson 33). Clemson dominated Oklahoma in total yards – 530 yards to 378 – especially in rushing yards – 312 to 67. The Tigers also dominated time of possession – 35 minutes to 25 for OU. The game was close at the half – Oklahoma led 17-16. But the Tigers skunked OU in the second half, outscoring the Sooners 21-0. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 187 yards and rushed for 145 yards. The Tigers Wayne Gallman rushed for 150 yards. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 67,615
Tide got the Spartans out – (in the Cotton Bowl) – Alabama 38, Michigan State 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 26, Michigan State 16). Alabama’s defense held Michigan State to a mere 29 yards rushing. Spartans quarterback Connor Cook completed less than 50% of his passes. Bama quarterback Jake Coker completed 83% of his passes. That was the story of the game. The Tide had 440 total yards to 239 for Michigan State. Attendance in Arlington: 82,812
The Vols were bloomin’, the Wildcats smelled like an onion – (in the Outback Bowl) – Tennessee 45, Northwestern 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 17, Northwestern 14). Tennessee led Northwestern 17-6 at the half and went on to skunk the Wildcats in the second half 28-0. Four interceptions doomed Northwestern. The Vols had 420 total yards to 261 for the Wildcats, and 27 first downs to 18 for Northwestern. Tennessee also controlled the clock – 34 minutes to 24 minutes. Attendance in Tampa: 53,202
The Gators were all pulp – (in the Citrus Bowl) – Michigan 41, Florida 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 16, Florida 14). Michigan led Florida at the half 17-7, and went on to skunk the Gators in the second half 24-0. Michigan had 503 total yards to 273 for Florida. The Wolverines had 28 first downs to 14 for the Gators. Attendance in Orlando: 63,113
The Irish were taking a siesta – (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Ohio State 44, Notre Dame 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 26, Notre Dame 18). Late in the second quarter, Ohio State led Notre Dame 28-7. But the Irish fought back to close the gap to 7 points at 28-21 midway through the third quarter. The Buckeyes woke up and increased their lead to 38-21. Early in the 4th quarter, ND trailed by 10 – 38-28. But that was as close as the Irish could get. The teams were reasonably close in the stats. Ohio State was the better rushing team. Notre Dame was the better passing team. Attendance in Glendale: 71,123
McCaffrey was an all-purpose flower – (in the Rose Bowl) – Stanford 45, Iowa 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 20, Iowa 17). It was all Christian McCaffrey and Stanford in the race for the roses. McCaffrey had 368 all-purpose yards and the Cardinal led Iowa 38-0 at one point in the 3rd quarter. The Stanford defense held the Hawkeyes to 48 yards rushing. Attendance in Pasadena: 94,268
Freeze froze the Cowboys – (in the Sugar Bowl) – Ole Miss 48, Oklahoma State 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 31, Ole Miss 30). This one was over at the half. Ole Miss led Okie State 34-6 at the break. The teams went tit-for-tat in the second half. Ole Miss racked up 554 total yards, while the Pokes only had 63 yards rushing. The Black Bears Chip Kelly passed for 302 yards. Attendance in New Orleans: 72,117
Uga taxed the Nitts – (in the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl) – Georgia 24, Penn State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 22, Penn State 16). Late in the third quarter, Georgia had a 24-3 lead over Penn State. The Dawgs looked like they were going to cruise to a victory. But the Nitts rallied, scoring two touchdowns, and trailed Georgia by 7 with 6:14 remaining in the game. On the ensuing drive, Penn State eventually held Georgia. But with less than 2 minutes left, the Nitts couldn’t get another score. The teams were pretty even in the stats – total yards, first downs and time of possession. Attendance in Jacksonville: 58,212
Pork rules – (in the Liberty Bowl) – Arkansas 45, Kansas State 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Arkansas 33, Kansas State 27). The game was close for three quarters. Entering the fourth quarter, Arkansas led K-State 31-23. But the Pigs ran away from the Wildcats in the fourth. Arkansas outscored K-State in the final period, 14-0. The Pigs dominated K-State in the stats – 578 total yards to 272 for the Wildcats, and 31 first downs to 14 for K-State. The Arkansas defense held K-State to 79 yards rushing. Arkansas’ Brandon Allen passed for 315 yards and the Pigs’ Alex Collins rushed for 185 yards. The Attendance in Memphis: 61,136
The Duck got a Frog in its throat – (in the Alamo Bowl) – TCU 47, Oregon 41 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 27, TCU 23). Oregon had a 31-0 halftime lead and never scored again until the first overtime. TCU never scored in the game until 4 minutes into the third quarter when the Frogs kicked a field goal. TCU went on to score 28 more points in the second half to tie the game at 31-31 by the end of regulation. Both teams scored a touchdown in the first overtime. Both teams kicked a field goal in the second overtime. TCU scored a touchdown and Oregon didn’t in the third overtime. The Frogs dominated the stats – 545 total yards to 419 for Oregon, and 27 first downs to 21 for the Ducks. TCU also controlled the clock – 36 minutes to 24 minutes. TCU’s Bram Kohlhausen passed for 371 yards. Attendance in San Antonio: 64,569
Mountaineers shoot the Sun out of the Devils – (in the Cactus Bowl) – West Virginia 43, Arizona State 42 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 33, West Virginia 30). The lead changed hands an unbelievable eight times in the game. WVU took the initial lead at 3-0 and had the lead at the end, 43-42. The With Arizona State leading, 42-36, the Mounties scored a touchdown on a 15-yard pass with 2:19 on the clock and went up 43-42. WVU’s defense dug in and the Mounties held on to win. The teams combined for 1,196 total yards – 676 for WVU and 520 for ASU. West Virginia’s Skyler Howard passed for 532 yards. The Sun Devils’ Mike Bercovici passed for 418 yards. Attendance in Phoenix: 39,321
Last Week’s Bowl Picks: 14 correct, 8 wrong (63.6%)
Total Bowl Results: 25 correct, 15 wrong (62.5%)
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
West Virginia’s Skyler Howard – 28-51-2 for 532 yards; California’s Jared Goff – 25-37-0-467; Arizona State’s Mike Bercovici – 29-52-0-418; Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott – 25-42-1-380; Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes – 28-56-1-370, and TCU’s Bram Kohlhausen – 28-45-1-351.
Also, Arkansas’ Brandon Allen – 20-26-1 for 315 yards; Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield – 26-41-2-311; Colorado State’s Nick Stevens – 22-42-0-310; Texas A&M’s Jake Hubenak – 28-48-1-307; Ole Miss’ Chip Kelly – 21-33-1-302, and Alabama’s Jake Coker – 25-30-0-286.
Impressive Rushers:
Baylor’s Johnny Jefferson – 299 yards; Louisville’s Lamar Jackson – 226 yards; LSU’s Leonard Fournette – 212 yards; Nevada’s James Butler – 189 yards; and Arkansas’ Alex Collins – 185 yards.
Also, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey – 172 yards; Baylor’s Devin Chafin – 156 yards; Clemson’s Wayne Gallman – 150 yards, and Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott – 149 yards.
Quotes of the Week
“Their defense can’t stop a nose bleed,” ESPN’s David Pollack, on the Texas Tech defense.
“Timeout, North Dakota State,” Belk Bowl referee’s announcement when North Carolina State took a timeout.
“Glad you liked our corn show, Iowa! Couldn’t tell, was that booing or mooing?,” the Stanford band on its Twitter account, following its halftime show in the Rose bowl.
“I don’t remember a bowl season in my life that was this unwatchable,” Colin Cowherd.
“Blowout Bowl season trudges on,” ESPN’s Chris Low.
“Another bowl, another blowout,” ESPN’s Danny Kanell.
In the Huddle
Elsewhere around college football . . . Washington State extended the contract of coach Mike Leach through the 2020 season…. Texas A&M and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital have decided to part ways. The school announced that Spavital is leaving the program…. Penn State junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg announced he will leaving to enter the NFL draft this spring….NC State coach Dave Doeren fired his offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Touchdown Tom
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but at the start of a New Year with the bowl season complete and college football fans busy curing their hangovers, the number one song in the country…
…75 years ago this week in 1941 was “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
…70 years ago this week in 1946 was “Symphony” by Freddy Martin
…65 years ago this week in 1951 was “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page
…60 years ago this week in 1956 was “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford
…55 years ago this week in 1961 was “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley
…50 years ago this week in 1966 was “The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
…45 years ago this week in 1971 was “My Sweet Lord” / “Isn’t It A Pity” by George Harrison
…40 years ago this week in 1976 was “Saturday Night” by The Bay City Rollers
…35 years ago this week in 1981 was “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon
…30 years ago this week in 1986 was “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie
…25 years ago this week in 1991 was “Justify My Love” by Madonna
Not exactly college football related, but there were five passings of note last week – Meadowlark Lemon, Doug Atkins, Frank Malzone, Wayne Rogers and Natalie Cole.
Meadowlark Lemon, whose spectacular shots and vivid clowning were marquee features of the Harlem Globetrotters for nearly 25 years, died last week in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 83. A gifted athlete with an entertainer’s hunger for the spotlight, Lemon, who dreamed of playing for the Globetrotters as a boy in North Carolina, joined the team in 1954, not long after leaving the Army. Within a few years, he had assumed the central role as showman, taking over from Reece “Goose” Tatum, the Trotters’ long-standing crown prince. Lemon was a slick ball handler and virtuoso passer who specialized in trick shots. He was known for his charisma and comic bravado. Lemon played for the Globetrotters for 24 years, leaving the team in 1978. George Meadow Lemon was born in Lexington County, South Carolina, on April 25, 1932, and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1938. Following high school, Lemon briefly attended Florida A&M before joining the Army. He became Meadowlark after he joined the Globetrotters.
Doug Atkins, the Hall of Fame defensive end who manhandled offensive lineman and quarterbacks for 17 seasons in the NFL, most famously with the Chicago Bears, died last week at his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 85. Atkins played in the NFL from the early 1950s to the late 1960s. He not only was an All-American player at Tennessee, but also he played basketball there and won the Southeastern Conference high jumping title. Atkins played two years for the Cleveland Browns, 12 years for the Bears and three years for the New Orleans Saints. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Douglas Leon Atkins was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, on May 8, 1930. He played for longtime Tennessee coach Bob Neyland on the national championship team of 1951.
Frank Malzone, a six-time All-Star third baseman whose presence in the Boston Red Sox lineup tied together the team’s eras, linking Ted Williams’ with Carl Yastrzemski’s, died last week at his home in Needham, Massachusetts. He was 85. Malzone played with the Red Sox from 1955 to 1965. He is the only Red Sox third baseman to win a Gold Glove. Malzone hit 131 homeruns and had 716 runs batted in, both the most of any Red Sox third baseman. At the end of his career, Malzone played one season for the California Angels. Frank James Malzone was born on February 28, 1930, in New York City and grew up a Yankees fan. He began playing in the minor leagues not long after graduating from high school. Malzone served in the Army from 1952 to 1953. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox in September 1955. After his retirement as a player, Malzone worked for the Red Sox organization as a scout and instructor.
Wayne Rogers, the actor who played Trapper John McIntyre on “M*A*S*H,” one of the4 most popular television shows of all time, died last week in Los Angeles. He was 82. Rogers was on the show for just the first three of its 11 seasons. After M*A*S*H, Rogers was in the television shows “City of Angels” and “House Calls.” An Alabama native and a Princeton graduate, William Wayne McMillan Rogers was born in Birmingham on April 7, 1933. He played roles on other TV shows before “M*A*S*H,” including “Law of the Plainsman” and “Stagecoach West.” He spent the latter part of his life as a money manager and investor.
Natalie Cole, a jazzy singer who became a million-selling, Grammy Award-winning pop hit maker with her 1975 debut album, died last week. She was 65. Cole’s singing brought her million-selling albums in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s as she moved from her own generation to that of her parents. She won Grammy Awards for her 1975 hit “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and her 1991 technology assisted duet with her father, “Unforgettable.” Throughout her career, Cole struggled with heroin, alcohol and crack cocaine. Natalie Cole was born on February 6, 1950, to Nat King Cole and his wife, Maria. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1972 with a degree in child psychology. She was named Best New Artist at the 1976 Grammy Awards. Cole also did some acting, appearing in the television series “Grey’s Anatomy.”
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