College Football
Week 15 – Cristobal to Miami; Venables to Oklahoma
Playoff, bowl
spots set, and Georgia has no pass defense
That’s right. Georgia has no pass defense. The Dawgs had us fooled. They had everybody fooled but Alabama. The Crimson Tide wasn’t fooled. Bryce Young passed for 421 yards, as Alabama rolled past Georgia, 41-24, in the SEC championship game.
Coming into the game, Georgia was 12-0 and No. 1 in the country. But those 12 wins were over teams whose offenses had the worst passing yards per game in the country. Out of the 130 FBS teams, here is where Georgia’s opponents rank in passing yards: Clemson (103rd), UAB (91st), South Carolina (97th), Vanderbilt (104th), Arkansas (73rd), Auburn (58th), Kentucky (71st), Florida (39th), Missouri (66th), Tennessee (54th), Charleston Southern (not an FBS team), and Georgia Tech (95th).
And then, and then, and then, along came Alabama. The Tide are 7th in passing yards per game, averaging 347.9 yards. And Bama got 421 passing yards against Georgia. That’s right. Alabama wasn’t fooled. The Tide knew where Georgia’s weak spot was. And they took advantage of it. Big time.
As a follow up, looking at the three top polls (CFP, AP and Coaches) going into conference championship weekend, there was not one Top 20 team Georgia had played – until the Dawgs played Alabama. Chew on that one.
Yes, the College Football Playoff is set. The CFP committee’s selection of the four teams in their seeded positions are – 1. Alabama, 2. Michigan. 3. Georgia and 4. Cincinnati.
In the semifinals, Alabama will play Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Michigan will play Georgia in the Orange Bowl on December 31 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The two winners will meet on January 10th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In the other four New Year’s Six Bowls, Pitt plays Michigan State in the Peach Bowl, Oklahoma State plays Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, Utah plays Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and Baylor plays Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is a loser. How else do you explain a first and goal on the one-foot line with less than 90 seconds to go in the game and the Big 12 championship on the line, a potential spot in the college football playoff on the line and not being able to punch the ball across the goal line in four tries. Not being able to move it one foot. That’s nothing but a lack of intensity, poor execution, poor play calling and poor coaching.
When the Big 12 championship game came to an end, Oklahoma State was on the one-foot line. Baylor upset the Cowboys, 21-16 in the game. Hats off to Baylor coach Dave Aranda. He and his staff coached a terrific game. Hats off to the Baylor defense too. And to think at preseason, Baylor was picked to come in eighth, mostly ninth, place in the Big 12. Only Kansas was picked to come in below Baylor.
Michigan made its case to be ranked No. 1 in the final playoff rankings. The Wolverines demolished Iowa, 42-3, in the Big Ten championship game. Iowa kicked a 22-yard field goal late in the first quarter and that was the only points the Hawkeyes could muster. Iowa never saw the end zone for the entire game.
Cincinnati finished the season with a pristine 13-0 record. The Bearcats were the nation’s only FBS team to finish undefeated. But the playoff game against Alabama awaits. Cincinnati downed Houston in the American Athletic Conference title game, 35-20.
College football Week 14 began Friday night with two conference championship games – one an offensive shootout and the other a rematch that was a carbon copy of the first game.
In the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, UTSA and Western Kentucky combined for 1,124 total yards in their Conference USA championship shootout. UTSA outdistanced Western Kentucky, 49-41. In a losing effort, WKU quarterback Bailey Zappe passed for 577 yards.
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Utah made the second game look much like the first game in the Pac-12 Conference championship. During the season, back in November, Utah beat Oregon, 38-7. Friday night Utah beat Oregon, 38-10. The Utes limited the Ducks to 221 total yards. The victory sends Utah to the Rose Bowl.
In the other conference championship games on Saturday, Northern Illinois jumped all over Kent State, building up a 38-10 lead and going on the beat the Golden Flashes, 41-23, to win the Mid-American Conference championship.
Utah State shocked San Diego State to win the Mountain West Conference title. Aggies quarterback Logan Bonner was 29-of-42, passing for 318 yards and four touchdowns, as Utah State pummeled San Diego State, 46-13. It was a great win for first-year Utah State coach Blake Anderson.
In Lafayette, Louisiana, soon-to-be Florida coach Billy Napier bid farewell to Rajin’ Cajun fans with a 24-16 win over Appalachian State. The victory gave Louisiana a 12-1 season and the Sun Belt Conference title. The game was Napier’s last, coaching the Rajin’ Cajuns. He will not be coaching Louisiana in its bowl game. By the way, Napier’s contract at Florida is a seven-year deal for $51.8 million – $7.4 million a year.
The Pitt-Wake Forest game for the ACC championship was a close contest in the first half. The Panthers led the Demon Deacons at the break by just three points – 24-21. The second half, however, was a different story. Pitt shutout Wake Forest, 21-0, and went on to beat the Deacons, 45-21.
In Saturday night’s final game – a regular season game that had been postponed due to COVID – California got the best of USC, 24-14.
In the final AP and Coaches Polls before the bowl games, five Group of Five teams are in both polls. In the AP and (Coaches) Polls they are Cincinnati 4 (4), BYU 12 (14), Louisiana 16 (17), Houston 21 (21) and UTSA 24 (25).
The final CFP rankings are out. Here’s how I would have voted: 1. Michigan, 2. Alabama, 3. Georgia and 4. Cincinnati. My first six out are: 5. Baylor, 6. Notre Dame, 7. Ohio State, 8. Pitt, 9. Ole Miss and 10. Utah.
The coaching carousel got more interesting last week as we learned that Brian Kelly is leaving Notre Dame to take the job at LSU. Kelly, 60, became the coach of Notre Dame in 2010. In 12 seasons with the Irish, he was 113-40 – 11-1 this season. Prior to Notre Dame, Kelly was the head coach at Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State. His overall record is 263-96-2.
We also learned that Temple fired head coach Rod Carey. After three seasons with the Owls, Carey was 12-20 – 3-9 this season. Prior to Temple, Carey was the coach of Northern Illinois (2012-2018).
Meanwhile in Seattle, Fresno State coach Kalen DeBoer was named the new coach of the Washington Huskies. In two seasons at Fresno State, DeBoer was 12-6 – 9-3 this season. Prior to Fresno State, he was the offensive coordinator at Indiana. DeBoer is 47.
And Virginia Tech named Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry its new coach. Prior to Penn State, he was a defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt, Georgia Southern and Louisiana. Pry, 51, is a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania and graduated from high school in Lexington, Virginia.
Louisiana Tech named Texas Tech offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Sonny Cumbie its new head coach. Cumbie, 40, was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at TCU prior to Texas Tech. In college, Cumbie played quarterback at Texas Tech.
Kentucky defensive coordinator Jon Sumrall has been named the new coach at Troy. Sumrall, 39, is a former linebackers and special teams coach at Troy.
Notre Dame responded quickly to the loss of Brian Kelly to LSU. The Irish have elevated their defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to the head coach position in South Bend. Freeman, 35, just completed his first season as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. Prior to Notre Dame, he was Luke Fickell’s DC at Cincinnati.
He’s back. Former West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez has been hired as the new coach at Jacksonville State. Jacksonville State is an FCS school transitioning up to FBS. The school will be competing in Conference USA in a couple years. This past season, Rodriguez has been Terry Bowden’s offensive coordinator at ULM.
Not all coaching changes were hirings last week. Another coach was fired and one stepped down. Colorado State fired Steve Addazio, while Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall announced he was stepping down after Virginia’s bowl game.
In two seasons with Colorado State, Addazio was 4-12 – 1-3 last season and 3-9 this season. Just two years ago, Addazio was fired by Boston College where he had coached for seven seasons. Mendenhall had been Virginia’s coach for the past six seasons. His record with the Cavs was 36-38 – 6-6 this season. Prior to Virginia, Mendenhall was the head coach at BYU for 11 seasons where he was 99-43.
Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is leaving the Ducks’ program to become the head coach at Akron. Moorhead, 48, has been the OC at Oregon for the past two seasons. Prior to Oregon, he was the head coach at Mississippi State (2018-2019) and at Fordham (2012-2015). Moorhead is also a former offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Penn State and Connecticut.
It’s not over yet, but here is the latest in the coaching carousel. To date, 19 schools fired their coach, five coaches left on their own to take the same position at another school and one coach stepped down – resigned. That means at least 25 teams will start the 2022 season with a new head coach.
Six schools are still in search of a new coach. They are FIU, Duke, Louisiana, Fresno State, Colorado State and Virginia. Who knows what will happen at FIU. Fired coach Butch Davis said that the administration at FIU is trying to sabotage the football program.
Reports Sunday evening have Oregon coach Mario Cristobal in talks with Miami to become the coach of the Hurricanes. However, at this point, Miami has not fired Manny Diaz. Miami has given Cristobal a deadline of midday Monday to accept its offer. If the Canes can’t land Cristobal, they will keep Diaz for another season. Stay tuned!
Similarly, Oklahoma is trying to finalize a deal with Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables to become the Sooners new coach. Before coming to Clemson in 2012, Venables was on the Oklahoma staff. He’s a Midwesterner who was born in Kansas and played college ball at Kansas State. And it’s official – the Oklahoma Sooners got their man. Brent Venables is the new coach of Oklahoma.
Back at preseason, there were 42 bowl games scheduled to be played at the end of this season. But before the season began, the Red Box Bowl played in Santa Clara, California, canceled. The cancelation left 41 bowls on the docket. That means 82 teams could go to bowl games. As it turns out, 83 teams qualified to play in a bowl game. To keep one team from being left out, the NCAA oversight committee has approved a one-time only bowl game to be added to this season’s lineup. This move ensures that all teams that finished 6-6 or better can play in the postseason. So all 83 bowl-eligible teams will play in a bowl this season. The 84th team will be Hawaii. At 6-7, Hawaii didn’t technically qualify for a bowl, but since the Rainbow Warriors won 6 games they are being allowed to play to make for an even number of teams. The one-time only bowl will be played in Frisco, Texas.
In a rare event, Maryland fired basketball coach Mark Turgeon after just eight games into the season. Is basketball trolling football? A football coach getting fired early in the season has been commonplace. But basketball? The Terps are 5-3.
Remember “Waterloo?” (Not Napoleon’s, nor ABBA’s). And “B.J. the D.J.?” They were No. 1 hits for Stonewall Jackson, not the Confederate general, but the country music singer. Jackson died Saturday. Between 1958 and 1973 he placed 44 singles on the country charts. “Waterloo” was his biggest hit, reaching No. 1 in 1959, and crossing over to the pop charts as a Top 10 song, reaching No. 4. “B.J. the D.J.” was a No. 1 hit in late 1963. He was a member of the cast of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 60 years. Jackson was 89.
Touchdown Tom
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: Never underestimate the master – Alabama 41, Georgia 24 (SEC title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Alabama 24). Less than a minute into the second quarter, Georgia led 10-0. Still in the second quarter, Alabama scored 17 unanswered points and went up 17-10. Georgia scored and the game was tied 17-17. But at halftime, Alabama was up 24-17. Bama’s late second quarter score was the beginning of a 21-point run for the Tide. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama led 38-17. And so it went. Alabama racked up 536 total yards – mostly passing. Bama receiver Jameson Williams had 7 receptions for 184 yards. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, the Dawgs only bright spot in the game, had 10 receptions for 139 yards. Georgia dominated time of possession: 34:13 to 25:47. Attendance in Atlanta: 78,030
RUNNER-UP: Happy days are here again – Michigan 42, Iowa 3 (Big Ten title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 26, Iowa 17). The score was just 14-3 at halftime and 21-3 at the end of three quarters. Then the Wolverines poured it on in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points. Michigan had 461 total yards to 279 for Iowa. In the 11 years of the Big Ten championship game, it has been dominated by the Big Ten East. Wisconsin won the first two title games in 2011 and 2012. Since then, the Big Ten East has won nine-straight games. Attendance in Indianapolis: 67,183
REST OF THE TITLE GAMES: These boots were made for stalling – Baylor 21, Oklahoma State 16 (Big 12 title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 31, Baylor 27). Baylor scored all 21 of its points in the first half. Then the Bears held off Oklahoma State’s rally in the second half. Baylor led 21-6 at halftime and was outscored 10-0 in the second half. Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders threw four interceptions. Baylor won the game with only 242 total yards. Neither team could run the ball. Attendance in Arlington: 65,771
Still perfect – Cincinnati 35, Houston 20 (AAC title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 36, Houston 32). This was a close game at halftime. Cincinnati led Houston by just one point – 14-13. Then the Bearcats scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. Houston only had 86 yards rushing. Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The Bearcats only possessed the ball for 19:41. Attendance in Cincinnati: 37,978
Smelling Roses – Utah 38, Oregon 10 (Pac-12 title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 30, Oregon 27). In the Pac-12 championship game, Utah built up a 23-0 halftime lead and went tit-for-tat with Oregon in the second half. The two teams were within 23 passing yards of each other. The difference was in the ground game. Utah had 191 rushing yards to just 74 for Oregon. Both quarterbacks threw two interceptions each. The win sends Utah to its first ever appearance in the Rose Bowl. Attendance in Las Vegas: 56,511
No picks for Pickett – Pitt 45, Wake Forest 21 (ACC title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Wake Forest 38, Pitt 35). Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman threw 14 interceptions all season and four of those picks came Saturday night in the ACC title game. And Pitt took advantage of those picks. The Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett was 20-of-33, passing for 253 yards and no picks. Wake Forest began the season 8-0. Then the Deacons lost three of their last five games. Wake Forest just seemed to wear out at the end of the season. Attendance in Charlotte: 57,856
Napier goes out a winner – Louisiana 24, Appalachian State 16 (Sun Belt title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana 25, Appalachian State 23). Louisiana lost its first game of the season. Then the Rajin’ Cajuns reeled off 12-straight wins. Louisiana running back Emani Bailey rushed for 117 yards. Attendance in Lafayette: 31,014
A stunner – Utah State 46, San Diego State 13 (MWC title game) (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 33, Utah State 28). Utah State only rushed for 65 yards, but the Aggies passed for 318 yards. That was enough to beat San Diego State. Utah State led 14-3 at halftime. In the second half, the Aggies outscored the Aztecs, 32-10. At preseason, Utah State was picked to finish last in the Mountain Division of the MWC. Attendance in Carson: 13,445
The Roadrunner can Top Hills – (C-USA title game) UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Western Kentucky 30, UTSA 29). In the Conference USA championship game, UTSA built up a 28-13 halftime lead and then held off Western Kentucky’s second half rally. Early in the third quarter, UTSA led WKU, 42-13. Then the Hilltoppers scored 21 unanswered points to pull within 42-34. The lack of a ground game hurt the Hilltoppers. WKU had only -9 yards rushing. That enabled UTSA to control ball possession – 36:44 to 23:16. Roadrunners running back Sincere McCormick rushed for 204 yards. Three turnovers hurt WKU too. Attendance in San Antonio: 41,148
Just a flash in the pan – Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23 (MAC title game) (Touchdown Tom said: Northern Illinois 35, Kent State 27). Northern Illinois led 17-0 at halftime. Kent State’s offense woke up in the second half, but its defense didn’t. Time of possession strongly favored NIU – 40:01. Attendance in Detroit: 10,317
In the game I suggested you keep an eye on: California quarantined USC, 24-14.
Week 14 Results: 5 winners, 5 fumbles (50 percent)
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe – 36-59-2 for 577 yards (4TDs); Alabama’s Bryce Young – 26-44-0-421 (3TDs); Georgia’s Stetson Bennett – 29-48-2-340 (3TDs), and Utah State’s Logan Bonner – 29-42-1-318 (4TDs).
Impressive Rushers:
UTSA’s Sincere McCormick – 204 yards (3TDs); Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford – 187 yards (2TDs). and Northern Illinois’ Jay Ducker – 146 yards.
TT’s Annual Picks
My choice for “Coach of the Year” from each FBS conference
ACC: Pat Narduzzi – Pitt;
(Runner-up): Dave Clawson – Wake Forest
My choice for the national “Coach of the Year”
- Dave Aranda – Baylor
- Luke Fickell – Cincinnati
- Jim Harbaugh – Michigan
If I had a vote for the Heisman Trophy, my ballot would be cast as follows
- Bryce Young – Alabama
- Kenny Pickett – Pitt
- Kenneth
Walker
– Michigan State
2021’s most surprising team or teams from each FBS conference
ACC: (tie) Wake Forest and Pitt
2021’s most disappointing team or teams from each FBS conference
ACC: North Carolina
Quotes of the Week
“I can promise you that you’re going to get the best out of myself. You’re going to get the best out of our staff, out of our players, and we’re going to put something on that field that you’re proud of. This is going to be the Mecca of college football,” new USC coach Lincoln Riley at his introductory press conference in Los Angeles.
Touchdown Tom’s Prediction for
Army (8-3) vs. Navy (3-8) – (Ind. vs. AAC) (East Rutherford, New Jersey) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – I know anything can happen in this game, but it sure feels like an Army year to me. I know the Cadets stole the wrong goat. And that’s a bad omen. However, Army won’t let the goat get to them. Army has a strong offense. The Cadets are 2nd in the country in rushing yards. They are averaging 35.5 points a game. Their defense is strong against rushing yards. Army is giving up 22.8 points a game. Conversely, Navy’s record was just the opposite of Army’s. The Middies only won three games. Two of those games they just won by a combined seven points – a three-point victory and a four-point victory. Like Army, Navy’s strength is rushing – 7th in the country. The Middies are terrible on defense – giving up 29.6 points a game. If Navy loses, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ken Niumatalolo steps down or is fired after the game. Even if Navy wins, he may step down. Navy has fallen off in recent years. Niumatalolo seems to have lost the fire he had when he took the Navy job. The Mule kicks the Tar outta the Middies – Army 26, Navy 19.
Your 2021 Conference Champions
ACC: Pitt
Touchdown Tom
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but with the gray skies of early December upon us, the college football season was fading fast. The fans were talking about new coaches, bowl games and the Heisman Trophy, while the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago this week in 1941 was “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller
…75 years ago this week in 1946 was “Rumors Are Flying” by Frankie Carle and His Orchestra
…70 years ago this week in 1951 was “(It’s No) Sin” by Eddy Howard and His Orchestra, and “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett
…65 years ago this week in 1956 was “Singing The Blues” by Guy Mitchell, and “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley
...60 years ago this week in 1961 was “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean, and “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes
…55 years ago this week in 1966 was “Winchester Cathedral” by The New Vaudeville Band
…50 years ago this week in 1971 was “Family Affair” by Sly and The Family Stone
…45 years ago this week in 1976 was “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)” by Rod Stewart
…40 years ago this week in 1981 was “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
…35 years ago this week in 1986 was “The Next Time I Fall” by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant
…30 years ago this week in 1991 was “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” by P.M. Dawn, and “Black Or White” by Michael Jackson
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