CFW Week 17 Results/Forecast – Cignetti is AP Coach of the Year
At last, the 31-day CFP begins
College football’s version of March Madness begins this weekend. Instead of 68 teams, college football just has 12 teams in its Madness. But it takes 31 days to crown a champion in football. It only takes 20 days to crown a champion in basketball’s March Madness.
Yeah, the anxiety of watching and waiting to see who wins the championship in football begins December 19 and ends 31 days later on January 19. And it seems even longer because of all the moaning and groaning we go through every year, debating and arguing over who made the playoff and who didn’t.
Hey, out of 136 teams in FBS football, we were only arguing over one team – Notre Dame. That’s not bad – one team out of 136. I’d say the selection committee did a pretty good job. Most likely next year there will be 16 teams in the playoff. That may alleviate things somewhat. Maybe, but don’t count on it. Next year, I’m sure we’ll still be debating and arguing over some team or teams that didn’t make the playoff. After all, it’s human nature. And we’re only human.
Well, the moaning and groaning is over – I think. The first round of the College Football Playoff begins Friday night – #9 Alabama at #8 Oklahoma. You couldn’t ask for a better game to open the playoff. This is a rematch for these two SEC foes. Oklahoma won during the season, 23-21. If OU wins Friday night, it will make it three-straight wins for the Sooners over the Tide. An Alabama loss won’t bear well for Tide coach Kellen DeBoer.
Saturday is going to be an awesome day. You get to lie on the couch and watch TV from 12 noon to 11 p.m. – 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. if you throw in College GameDay.
The remaining trio of first round games on Saturday begins with what should be the best of the three games – #10 Miami at #7 Texas A&M. Quarterbacks Carson Beck and Marcel Reed could put on one heck of a show. If Miami loses, Notre Dame will say, “Told you so.”
The next two first round games could turn out to be routs – #11 Tulane at #6 Ole Miss and #12 James Madison at #5 Oregon. I believe Tulane and James Madison are capable of giving Ole Miss and Oregon a run for their money. But the ball would have to bounce in the Green Waves’ and Dukes’ favor. Tulane and James Madison definitely need some breaks.
Should the Tulane-Ole Miss game get out of hand, you can always switch over to ABC for the FCS championship semifinal game between Montana and Montana State. I guarantee you the Grizzlies and the Bobcats will provide an exciting game. During the season, Montana beat Montana State 31-28.
Likewise, should the James Madison-Oregon game get out of hand, you can switch over to ESPN2 and catch the other FCS championship semifinal game – Illinois State at Villanova.
This is a diverse weekend. In addition to the CFP first round games, we have three bowl games being decided. Thursday night it’s Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl. Both teams have pretty decent quarterbacks. This was Missouri State’s first season as an FBS team.
Friday morning, Kennesaw State takes on Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Like Missouri State, this was Kennesaw State’s first season as an FBS team. Western Michigan has a running-passing quarterback – Broc Lowry.
Friday afternoon, it’s Memphis vs. NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl. This should be a good warm up for the Alabama-Oklahoma game. It also should be a high-scoring game if you like offense.
Tuesday night, the season’s second bowl game was played in Montgomery, Alabama – the Veterans Bowl. In a snoozer, Jacksonville State beat Troy, 17-13. The game was close, but the two offenses were so sluggish it was hard to stay awake.
The bowl parade continued Wednesday night in the Cure Bowl in Orlando. Old Dominion took advantage of five South Florida turnovers. The Monarchs beat the Bulls, 24-10.
In the final game Wednesday night, Delaware beat Louisiana, 20-13 in the Ventures Bowl. Louisiana had one final drive down the field in the closing stages. Delaware stopped the drive on their own 8-yard line, as time expired for Louisiana.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning announced he will be back with the Longhorns for the 2026 season. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway and Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced they are entering the transfer portal.
Looks like the transfer portal is going to be full of good quarterbacks – D.J. Lagway, Dylan Raiola, Brendan Sorsby, Aidan Chiles, Drew Mastemaker, Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt. Other quarterbacks who are potential members of the transfer portal are Josh Hoover, C.J. Bailey, Darian Mensah, and Bryce Underwood, among others. Seven of this year’s 12 College Football Playoff teams are using transfer quarterbacks.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti won the AP Coach of the Year Award. It’s the second-straight year for Cignetti to win it. He beat out Texas Tech’ Joey McGuire, Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea and Virginia’s Tony Elliott for the award.
Just when we thought the coaching carousel had all but stopped, it started going around again. Ohio University fired head coach Brian Smith for cause on Wednesday. The school said Smith violated his contract by “engaging in serious professional misconduct and for participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.” Smith went 8-4 in his first season as the Bobcats head coach.
So add Ohio to Michigan and Missouri State as the three schools looking for a new coach. Michigan said earlier this week that they plan to announce their new head coach by December 31. Ohio is the 33rd school who will have a new head coach next season.
He led South Carolina to its first-ever bowl win in 1994. Former South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill died. That first bowl win was a Carquest Bowl victory over West Virginia. Swamp Mama, Princess Gator, her boyfriend and I were at the game. Taneyhill played for South Carolina from 1992 to 1995. A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Steve Taneyhill was 52.
In college football, he coached at California and Illinois. In the NFL, he coached the Oakland Raiders. Mike White died on Sunday. White coached California from 1972 to 1977. In 1975 he coached the Golden Bears to the co-championship of the Pac-8 – the school’s first conference title in 18 years. He coached Illinois from 1980 to 1987. In 1983, Illinois won its first Big Ten title in 20 years, with a perfect 9-0 conference record and an overall record of 10-1. He coached the Raiders for two seasons – 1995 and 1996. In 1999, White was on the coaching staff of the St. Louis Rams when they won the Super Bowl. A native of Berkeley, California, Michael Kavanaugh White was 89.
Happy Holidays….Merry Christmas….Happy Hanukkah….Season’s Greetings
Touchdown Tom
December 18, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Review of the Last Three Bowl Games
Snoozer – (in the Veterans Bowl) – Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Troy 27, Jacksonville State 24). I don’t know if it was good defense or bad offense, but neither offense played like it wanted to win. As the fourth quarter began, Jax State trailed Troy, 13-10. At the 10:06 mark in the fourth quarter, Jax State scored its go-ahead and winning touchdown. Neither team could score in the final 10 minutes of the game. Jax State quarterback Caden Creel was 14-20-0, passing for 173 yards and one touchdown. Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease threw two interceptions. Combined, the two teams had less than 500 total yards. Neither team had more than 100 yards rushing. Attendance in Montgomery: 15,721
The mighty Quinn – (in the Cure Bowl) – Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10 (Touchdown Tom said: South Florida 31, Old Dominion 27). Playing under an interim coach, South Florida looked lost and undisciplined. The Bulls lost their coach at the end of the season when Alex Golesh became the head coach at Auburn. They missed him. USF actually led at halftime, 10-7. But the Bulls failed to score in the second half. ODU added 17 more points in the second half. ODU quarterback Quinn Henicle passed for 127 yards. More importantly, Henicle ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns. ODU running back Devin Roche rushed for 100 yards. The Monarchs killed USF on the ground. ODU had 255 yards rushing to 55 yards for USF. Attendance in Orlando: 15,036
The Blue Hens are clucking – (in the Ventures Bowl) – Delaware 20, Louisiana 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Delaware 31, Louisiana 30). Delaware took a 7-0 lead at the 0:18 mark in the first quarter. The Blue Hens held the lead for the remainder of the game – building it up 20-3 halfway through the third quarter. Then Louisiana mounted a rally, scoring 10 unanswered points. Trailing 20-13, the Ragin’ Cajuns had a chance, but Delaware held. Louisiana dominated the stats – first downs, total yards, passing yards. The Cajuns even had a 7-minute advantage in time of possession. However, Louisiana had three turnovers. Delaware had none. Attendance in Mobile: 17,234
Last Three Bowl Game Picks: 1 winner, 2 fumbles (33.3 percent)
Total Bowl Game Picks: 2 winners, 2 fumbles (50 percent)
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
Jacksonville State’s Caden Creel – 14-20-0-173 (1TD).
Impressive Rushers:
Delaware’s Jo Silver – 116 yards (1TD) and Old Dominion’s Quinn Henicle – 107 yards (2TDs).
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for The Next Three Bowl Games and Four Playoff Games
Missouri State (7-5) vs. Arkansas State (8-6) – (C-USA vs. Sun Belt) – Xbox Bowl (Ford Center – Frisco, Texas) – 9 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN2 – Remember the Bahamas bowl? Well it went kaput. The Xbox Bowl replaces the Bahamas Bowl. But the Xbox Bowl isn’t being played in the Bahamas. It’s being played in Frisco, Texas. This game is truly a tossup. Mo State is led by quarterback Jacob Clark. He passed for 2,895 yards and 24 touchdowns. Clark is about it for the Bears. They don’t have much else. Mo State was one of the worst rushing teams in the country and one of the best passing teams. Like Mo State, Arkansas State is good at passing and bad at running. Ark State quarterback Jaylen Rynor passed for 3,073 yards. Ark State receiver Corey Rucker caught 69 passes for 866 yards. The Bears send the Red Wolves packing – Missouri State 26, Arkansas State 24.
Kennesaw State (10-3) vs. Western Michigan (9-4) – (C-USA vs. MAC) – Myrtle Beach Bowl (Brooks Stadium – Conway, South Carolina) – 11 am ET, Friday, ESPN – Kennesaw State was an amazing team in 20025. Picked to finish last in C-USA, the Owls finished first. Kennesaw State is a scrappy team. They are led by quarterback Amari Odom. He passed for 2,385 yards. His favorite target is receiver Gabriel Benyard. He caught 55 passes for 898 yards. Western Michigan came on strong at the end of the season – winning five-straight games. The Broncos quarterback – Broc Lowry – is the leading passer and runner. Lowry passed for 1,683 yards and rushed for 940 yards. WMU is one of the worst passing teams in the country and one of the better rushing teams. This game is another tossup. The Owls have a hoot – Kennesaw State 23, Western Michigan 22.
Memphis (8-4) vs. N.C. State (7-5) – (AC vs. ACC) – Gasparilla Bowl (Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida) – 2:30 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – According to preseason expectations, both of these teams had disappointing seasons. More so Memphis than NC State. The Tigers lost four of their last six games. Memphis depends on quarterback Brendan Lewis. He passed for 2,567 yards. His favorite target is receiver Cortez Braham. Braham has 63 catches for 889 yards. The Tigers are generally good at putting points on the board. NC State hangs its hat on quarterback C.J. Bailey. He passed for 2,884 yards and 23 touchdowns. Wolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers rushed for 939 yards. Like Memphis, NC State generally puts up the numbers on offense. But the Wolfpack are suspect on defense. If you like offense, this could be a good one. The Wolves outrun the Tigers – NC State 28, Memphis 27.
(#9) Alabama (10-3) at (#8) Oklahoma (10-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – College Football Playoff, First Round (Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma) – 8 pm ET, Friday, ABC/ESPN – Of the four first-round playoff games, this is the first of two rematches. During the season – November 23 – Oklahoma upset Alabama 23-21. That game was in Tuscaloosa. So, the Tide will be out for revenge. Alabama has two good things going for it – the passing and its defense. One bad thing – the running game. It doesn’t exist . Or least, it hasn’t so far. The Tide rely on quarterback Ty Simpson. He passed for 3,268 yards and 26 touchdowns. At one time during the season, Simpson was a strong Heisman Trophy candidate. But in the end, he didn’t even make the top10 in the voting. A favorite receiver for Simpson is Germie Bernard. He had 57 receptions for 762 yards. Oklahoma comes into the game on a four-game winning streak. The Sooners are very similar to Alabama – no running game, but a good defense. OU quarterback John Mateer passed for 2,578 yards. He missed two or three games due to a hand injury. OU’s top receiver is Isaiah Sategna. He caught 65 passes for 948 yards. In the first meeting, Alabama outplayed Oklahoma. But the Tide had three turnovers. OU had none. A high Tide hits Norman – Alabama 24, Oklahoma 21.
(#10) Miami (10-2) at (#7) Texas A&M (11-1) – (ACC vs. SEC) – College Football Playoff, First Round (Kyle Field – College Station, Texas) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC/ESPN – This game would have been a rematch had Notre Dame finished 10th in the CFP rankings instead of Miami. But we all know that didn’t happen – much to Notre Dame’s chagrin. As a result, Miami is definitely challenged to beat Texas A&M. If the Canes don’t, the Notre Dame fans will say, ‘We told you so.” Miami should be a challenge for Texas A&M. The Canes offense is as good, if not better, than A&M’s. Miami has a better defense than the Aggies. The offense is handled by quarterback Carson Beck. He has some experience with playoff games. This season, Beck threw for 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns. His favorite receiver is Malachi Toney. Toney caught 84 passes for 970 yards. Texas A&M has a strong offense – very strong. The Aggie defense is so-so – not bad, but not good. The A&M offense relies on quarterback Marcel Reed. Reed passed for 2,932 yards and 25 touchdowns. Many were surprised that Reed did not finish in the top10 in the Heisman balloting. Reed’s favorite target is K.C. Concepcion. He had 57 catches for 886 yards. ACC vs. SEC pride on the line in this one. The Canes run out of wind – Texas A&M 27, Miami 26.
(#11) Tulane (11-2) at (#6) Ole Miss (11-1) – (AC vs. SEC) – College Football Playoff, First Round (Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, Mississippi) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, TNT/truTV – This is the second of two rematches in the first round games. Ole Miss won the first meeting, 45-10. It was 45-3 before Tulane scored its lone touchdown. That game wasn’t a contest. Whether, or not, Tulane can make this meeting a contest remains to be seen. Tulane depends on the play of quarterback Jake Retzlaff. He is the leading passer and rusher on the team. Retzlaff passed for 2,862 yards and ran for 610 yards. Tulane comes in on a 5-game winning streak. Ole Miss also enters the game on a 5-game winning streak. Ole Miss is one of the best passing teams in the country. And the Magnolias running game isn’t bad either. Ole Miss is led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He passed for 3,016 yards. Running back Kewan Lacy rushed for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns. Receiver Harrison Wallace caught 46 passes for 719 yards. In the first meeting, Lane Kiffin was coaching Ole Miss. Kiffin won’t be coaching the Magnolias in this meeting. He’s off to Baton Rouge. Will that make a difference? Probably not. Tulane is too late – Ole Miss 30, Tulane 24.
(#12) James Madison (12-1) at (#5) Oregon (11-1) – (Sun Belt vs. Big Ten) – College Football Playoff, First Round (Autzen Stadium – Eugene, Oregon) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, TNT/truTV – James Madison is riding an 11-game winning streak. The Dukes haven’t lost since September 6. That streak is probably about to end. But can JMU play well enough to frustrate the Ducks? The Dukes are traveling the farthest of all the First-Round visitors. The Dukes are a stronger running team than they are a passing team. They average 246 rushing yards a game. The leading rusher is Wayne Knight. He has 1,263 yards running. Quarterback Alonza Barnett has passed for 2,533 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Dukes are good on offense and defense. Oregon comes into the game on a 6-game winning streak. The Ducks depend on quarterback Dante Moore. He passed for 2,733 yards and 24 touchdowns. The running and receiving is spread around among several players. The Dukes drown in the Duck Pond – Oregon 28, James Madison 25.
FCS Semifinals
Montana at Montana Stte
Illinois at Villanova
Division II Championship
Harding vs. Ferris State
Division III Semifinals
Johns Hopkins at Wisconsin-River Falls
John Carroll at North Central
Quotes of the Week
“Forget the NFL, Diego Pavia would be a perfect WWE heel,” USA Today sports writer Jordan Mendoza.
“Bewildering,” Paul Finebaum’s one word description of Virginia Tech coach James Franklin.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
The next CFW – Week 17 Results/18 Forecast – will be posted Monday morning, December 22.
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