CFW Week 20 Result - Michigan is your national champion

 CFW Week 20 Result – Michigan is your national chamnpion

Corum, Edwards running + Defense =

Victory for the Michigan Wolverines

 

And throw in the reliability and dependability of quarterback J.J. McCarty to boot.

 

Michigan scored 14 points in the first quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 34-13 win over Washington. The Wolverines established themselves on their first three possessions in the first quarter. Primarily due to the running of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, Michigan scored a touchdown on each of its first two possessions and a field goal on its third possession. That put them up 17-3 over the Huskies.

 

With 0:42 on the clock in the second quarter, Washington got back into the game on a three-yard touchdown pass from Michael Penix to Jalen McMillan. That made the score 17-10. But that would prove to be Washington’s only touchdown of the game. A game in which Michigan never trailed.

 

The Huskies received the kickoff to start the second half. However, on their first play, Penix threw the first of his two interceptions in the game. Washington kept Michigan out of the end zone, but the Wolverines did kick a 38-yard field goal. That put Michigan up 20-10. Washington followed with a 45-yard field goal of their own to close the gap to 20-13. But that would be the Huskies final score of the game.

 

For the remainder of the third quarter (about nine minutes), and for the first seven-eight minutes of the fourth quarter, the two teams played defense. The game became a punting contest. However, with 7:09 to go in the final quarter, Michigan’s Corum broke through for a 12-yard touchdown run. The Wolverines increased their lead to 14 points – 27-13.

 

Then, less than four minutes later, Corum scored again on a one-yard run. With 3:37 remaining in the game, Michigan went up 34-13. When the game was over, Blake Corum had rushed for 134 yards and Donovan Edwards rushed for 104 yards. Individually, Corum and Edwards had more rushing yards than Washington had as a team. Corum was named the game’s offensive MVP. The Huskies only had 46 yards rushing.

 

During the season, Washington averaged 38 points a game. Michigan held the Huskies to 13 points. Much of that is due to the pressure the Michigan defense put on Washington quarterback Michael Penix. Throughout the entire game, Penix never got in sync. His specialty – downfield passes – was never a threat to the Wolverines. In the second half, Washington only scored on one of its seven possessions. And that was just a field goal. Michigan defensive back Will Johnson was named the game’s defensive MVP.

 

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy did what he had to do – play a stable game without any mistakes. He didn’t throw any interceptions. And at the appropriate moments, he came through with a first-down pass or a first-down run when Michigan needed it.

 

Michigan ended up with 443 total yards to 301 for Washington. The Wolverines had 303 rushing yards. The Huskies had 255 passing yards. Rushing, Michigan averaged 8 yards per carry. Washington averaged 2.3 yards per carry.

 

Michigan won its first national championship since 1997. The Wolverines finished 15-0 for the first time in school history.

 

Attendance at the national championship game in NRG Stadium in Houston was 72,808.

 

Throughout the second half, my WVU Mountaineer and Georgia Bulldog friend Bob Darden and I were messaging each other after almost every play, commenting on the action.

 

Washington and Michigan will meet next on October 10, 2024, in Seattle, as Big Ten Conference opponents.

 

 

Charles Kelly is leaving Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado to become a co-defensive coordinator at Auburn. A native of Ozark, Alabama, Kelly is a graduate of Auburn where he played defensive back for the Tigers in the late 1980s. Also at Auburn, coach Hugh Freeze fired his offensive coordinator, Philip Montgomery.

 

LSU coach Brian Kelly hired Missouri offensive coordinator Blake Baker for the same position at LSU.

 

Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter who entered the transfer portal early last week has changed his mind and will remain at Liberty. Apparently, life in the portal didn’t provide any opportunities for Salter. Or Liberty upped his NIL money.

 

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has entered the transfer portal.

 

Former Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger, the most prolific quarterback in FCS football this past season, is transferring to Miami (Florida). Poffenbarger passed for 3,603 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2023. Miami failed in its attempt to get former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward. Howard signed with Ohio State and Ward decided to enter the NFL draft. 

 

Reports surfaced that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is interested in two NFL jobs – the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers. Stay tuned!

 

Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff revealed yesterday that he and members of the selection committee received death threats over Florida State’s exclusion from the playoff. Hancock said the threats were serious enough that he notified the FBI. He said it was the first time in the 10-year history of CFP that he or selection committee members received death threats. 

 

Florida coach Billy Napier has hired Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. At Florida, Roberts will be a co-defensive coordinator.

 

 

Actor and singer David Soul, who became famous playing the role of Detective Hutchinson in the television series “Starsky & Hutch,” died last week in London. “Starsky & Hutch” ran from 1975 to 1979. He appeared in a number of other television shows and movies. As a singer, Soul had a No. 1 hit with “Don’t Give Up On Us” in early 1977. The song spent 19 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the winter and spring of 1977. In the fall of the same year, he had a minor hit in the U.S. with “Silver Lady.” In Great Britain, “Silver Lady” reached No. 1 on the U.K. charts. Soul moved to England in the mid-1990s, where he continued to sing and appear on television and in film. He also forged a new career in the theater. In 2004, Soul obtained British citizenship. A native of Chicago, David Richard Solberg was 80.

 

German soccer player and manager Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed “Der Kaiser,” died on January 7. Beckenbauer is one of nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cub and the Ballon d’Or. As a player, he played for Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) from 1964 to 1977 and for the New York Cosmos from (North American Soccer League) 1977 to 1980. He managed the West German national team from 1984 to 1990 and Bayern Munich from 1993 to 1996. Beckenbauer was twice named the European soccer player of the year. He is one of three men to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager. A native of Munich, Germany, Franz Anton Beckenbauer was 78.

 

Touchdown Tom

January 9, 2024

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

(Note: The next and final CFW of the season – CFW Farewell 2023 – will be posted Monday morning, January 15.)

 

 

Week in Review

 

FCS (Division I-AA) Championship Game

 

South Dakota State 23, Montana 3 – Attendance in Frisco: 19,512

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“They’re a good team. We just didn’t execute in the moments when we needed to. It’s just about executing. I don’t feel like they did anything. I feel like we beat ourselves,” Washington quarterback Michael Penix, on the loss to Michigan.

 

I know what the score looks like. But I feel like that fine line was right there again tonight and we weren’t that far off. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we’re a good enough football team to go out there and win a national championship,” Washington coach Kalen DeBoer.

 

“I feel like this has been the perfect happy ending,” Michigan running back Donovan Edwards.  

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

CFW Week 20 Forecast - Fate of the Group of Five coaches

 CFW Week 20 Forecast – Fate of the Group of Five coaches

Will it be Karma for the Pac-12?

 

But, in future thinking, is it an all-Big Ten championship?

 

The Washington-Michigan national championship game will be played Monday night in Houston’s NRG Stadium. If the game lives up to its hype and is close, this will be the best college football playoff in the 10-year history of the event. Michigan is a 3.5 favorite.

 

In the semifinal games earlier this week, both came down to the final play of the game before they were decided. In the end, Michigan beat Alabama by seven points in overtime (27-20), and Washington beat Texas by six points (37-31).

 

In each of the past nine playoffs, we have never had three close games. At least one, if not two or three of the games were blowouts. Last year, the semifinals were close, but the final was a rout.

 

It’s interesting if you look at this year’s playoff from next year’s perspective. If you do, there were two teams from the Big Ten and two teams from the SEC in the CFP. On July 1, Washington will join Michigan in the Big Ten and Texas will join Alabama in the SEC. That being said, you could look at Monday’s national championship game as an all-Big Ten battle.

 

They say there is something highly satisfying when karma strikes. Well, with this being the last year of the Pac-12 Conference, it would be karma for the Pac-12 if Washington wins. Getting a national championship in the last year of the conference, as we have known it, would be highly satisfying and oddly unique. The Pac-12 all but disintegrates on July 1, 2024, as it becomes the Pac-2.

 

Something else that is strangely unique is the outcome of the coaches of the Group of Five teams who have appeared in each of the New Year’s Six bowls.

 

As the highest-ranked Group of Five team in a New Year’s Six bowl, Liberty was a big disappointment this year – definitely a disappointment to the Group of Five conferences. Liberty lost to Oregon, 45-6 in the Fiesta Bowl. That’s the worst performance by a Group of Five team in the 10-year history of CFP’s New Year’s Six bowls.

 

During the 10 years, the Group of Five is 4-5 against the Power Five in their New Year's Six bowl competition, and 0-1 in their college football playoff competition. Last year, Tulane beat USC, 46-45 in the Cotton Bowl. At the end of this season, Tulane coach Willie Fritz accepted the head coaching position at Houston. Fritz needs to beware.

 

The Group of Five won the first two competitions against the Power Five in 2014 and 2015. That first year, Boise State beat Arizona, 38-30, in the Fiesta Bowl. Boise State was coached by Bryan Harsin. A few years later, Harsin became the head coach at Auburn. The Auburn gig did not work out well for Harsin.  

 

The next year, 2015, Houston knocked off Florida State, 38-24, in the Peach Bowl.  Houston was coached by Tom Herman. Two years later Herman became the head coach at Texas. The Texas gig did not work out well for Herman.

 

Then, in 2017, UCF downed Auburn, 34-27, in the Peach Bowl. UCF was coached by Scott Frost. After that game in 2017, Frost accepted the head coaching job at Nebraska. The Nebraska gig did not work out well for Frost.  

 

There seems to be a pattern here. The coach who beats the Power Five team in a New Year’s Six bowl gets hired by a Power Five school. But he doesn’t do well at the Power Five school and gets fired. That’s why Willie Fritz needs to beware.

 

By the way, in that UCF-Auburn game, the Tigers were coached by none other than Gus Malzahn. Three years later, Malzahn was fired by Auburn and hired by UCF. Malzahn just completed his third season with the Knights.

 

Four of the five losses to the Power Five were much closer than Liberty’s 39-point loss to Oregon. In 2016, Western Michigan lost to Wisconsin, 24-16, in the Cotton Bowl. Western Michigan was coached by P.J. “Row Your Boat” Fleck. After the 2016 game, Fleck was named the head coach at Minnesota, where he just completed his seventh season with the Gophers.

 

In 2018, UCF fell to LSU, 40-32, in the Fiesta Bowl. UCF was coached by Josh Heupel. Three years later, Heupel became the head coach at Tennessee, where he just completed his third season with the Vols.

 

The following year, 2019, Memphis lost to Penn State, 53-39, in the Cotton Bowl. Memphis was coached by Mike Norvell. After that game, Norvell became the head coach at Florida State, where he just completed his fourth season with the Noles.  

 

And in 2020, Cincinnati fell to Georgia, 24-21, in the Peach Bowl. The following year, in 2021, Cincinnati became the first and only Group of Five team to make the college football playoff. In the semifinal game that year, in the Cotton Bowl, the Bearcats lost to Alabama, 27-6. Cincinnati was coached by Luke Fickell. Fickell just completed his first season coaching Wisconsin.

 

There seems to be a pattern here. The coach who loses to the Power Five team in a New Year’s Six bowl gets hired by a Power Five school and succeeds.   

 

So that says Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell will eventually get hired by a Power Five school and succeed. Stay tuned!

 

In retrospect, Liberty, like Florida State, had no business being in a New Year’s Six bowl. But rules are rules, and you have to follow them. Liberty and Florida State should have been pitted against each other in something like the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the Camellia Bowl or the Toastery Bowl. Surely, I gest.

 

Speaking of Liberty, Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter has entered the transfer portal. I’m sure Kalter would like to land at a Power Five school, if not a stronger Group of Five school. He has the numbers to get picked up by a Power Five school. This past season, Kalter passed for 2,876 yards and rushed for 1,089 yards. Those are impressive numbers. However, he wasn’t always playing against impressive competition. 

 

Another quarterback who entered the transfer portal has found his new home. Former Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson has transferred to UCF. And former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard announced he is transferring to Ohio State.

 

LSU coach Brian Kelly fired four members of his defensive staff, including defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Matt House. Also getting the pink slip were safeties coach Kerry Cooks, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. LSU’s defense in 2023 was 108^th in the country, giving up 417 yards a game.

 

Likewise, North Carolina coach Mack Brown fired two members of his defensive staff. Tar Heels defensive coordinator Gene Chizik was terminated, along with defensive line coach Tim Cross. In 2023, North Carolina’s defense was 98^th in the country, giving up 404 yards per game.

 

And Oklahoma coach Brent Venables fired his defensive coordinator Ted Roof and replaced him with Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley.

 

Former NFL quarterback Frank Ryan died on New Year’s Day. Ryan played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams (1958-1961), the Cleveland Browns (1962-1968) and the Washington Redskins (1969-1970). He led the Browns to the NFL title in 1964. Ryan played college football for Rice, where he graduated with a degree in Physics. During the offseason in the NFL, he obtained his PhD. After his NFL career, he became a professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Sportswriter Red Smith once wrote that the Browns’ offense had a quarterback who understood Einstein’s theory of relativity and 10 teammates who didn’t know there was one. Later Ryan went to work for the U.S. government in Washington, DC. He then became the athletic director at Yale and also taught mathematics there, eventually becoming a vice president at Yale. He finished his institutional career as a professor at Rice. After teaching at Rice, he became a director at several U.S. companies. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Frank Beall Ryan was 87.  

 

Touchdown Tom

January 5, 2024

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

(Note: The next CFW – CFW Week 20 Result – will be posted Tuesday morning, January 9, the morning after the national championship game.)

 

 

Touchdown Tom’s Prediction for Monday’s National Championship Game

 

Washington (14-0) vs. Michigan (14-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Monday, ESPN – With both teams undefeated, this has to be the best national championship we could have hoped for. Not only are Washington and Michigan undefeated, but also, they are the only undefeated teams left. As we well know, Florida State and Liberty both lost their bowl games. So that leaves the Huskies and the Wolverines to fight it out for perfection. Both teams generally have no problem scoring. Michigan averages 36 points a game and Washington averages about 38 points a game. They say that Michigan can only run. The Wolverines can’t pass. But Michigan averages 60 more yards a game passing than running. Washington, meanwhile, is definitely a passing team. The Huskies are the No. 1 passing team in the country. The Huskies average 350 yards a game through the air and only 124 yards on the ground. Michigan is definitely the stronger defensive team. The Wolverines hold opponents to 10 points a game. Michigan is No. 1 in the country in total yards allowed (244.5 yards) and No. 2 in the country in passing yards allowed (150 yards). But can Michigan’s defense contain Husky quarterback Michael Penix. He is the No. 1 passer in the country, passing for 4,648 yards this season. Washington’s defense gives up 24 points a game. That’s an advantage to Michigan. So, it will be the Purple and Gold against the Blue and Maize in the title game. Harry the Husky against…., against....oh that’s right, Michigan doesn’t have a mascot. You can’t win the national championship without a mascot – Washington 29, Michigan 26.

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“That’s the worst offensive performance I think I’ve seen Alabama have in my adult life,” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, on Alabama’s loss to Michigan.

 

“I’d say 80 percent of the teams in college football steal signs. It’s just a thing about football. It’s been around for years,” Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

CFW Week 18 & 19 Results - Michigan (14-0) vs. Washington (14-0)

 CFW Week 18 &19 Results – Michigan (14-0) vs. Washington (14-0)

A first, six turnovers, 42 points in the 4^th

quarter, Schrader and Cook, Prieskorn’s

receptions, Iowa doesn’t have a defense,

and how about those semifinal games!

 

Whew!

 

The final 17 bowl games of the holidays had their good moments and their bad moments. At times we were in misery with boredom. At times we were overwhelmed with excitement. At times we thought the dull moments would never end. At times there was never a dull moment.

 

Rutgers got its first win ever over Miami (Florida). Oklahoma turned over the ball no less than six times. For the ultimate in excitement, nothing was more thrilling than the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl – Clemson and Kentucky put 42 points on the board, as the lead changed hands five times in the final 15 minutes.

 

Nothing was more incredible than the fourth quarter play of Missouri’s Cody Schrader and Brady Cook in the Cotton Bowl. Those two guys played inspired football. They were simply amazing. They were the gutsiest players of the bowl season. However, Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn was pretty amazing too. Just ask James Franklin. Iowa found out the hard way that it really doesn’t have a defense. Tennessee put 35 points on the Hawkeyes.

 

And finally, the two CFP semifinal games were barn burners. One game came down to a 4^th-and-goal on the Michigan 3 in overtime, and the other game came down to a 4^th down on the Washington 12 in the last second of the game.

 

 

It seems like I had no sooner finished watching the end of Oklahoma State-Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl in the wee hours of December 28, when I was turning on Boston College-SMU in the Fenway Bowl later that morning.  

 

The Texas Bowl ended at 12:30 a.m. ET, Thursday morning and the Fenway Bowl began at 11:00 a.m. ET, Thursday morning. In between games, I managed to get a little bit of sleep. Such is the life of a bowl junkie during the holidays.

 

Fenway Park in Boston got the rain on Thursday that the Military Bowl in Annapolis had the day before. If it was a Red Sox game, it would have been postponed. But football players are tough. They can play in any weather.

 

At least the Boston College players can. The Eagles beat SMU in the Fenway Bowl, 23-14. Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos had a field day, mostly in the fourth quarter. Castellanos passed for 102 yards and ran for 156 yards. He got help on the ground from teammate Kyle Robichaux. Robichaux rushed for 89 yards. No, the rain didn’t bother the Eagles.

 

Moving from one baseball stadium to another – Fenway to Yankee – the Pinstripe Bowl was next on Thursday’s agenda. The rain had ceased in The Bronx, but the skies were still overcast. The dreary weather didn’t bother Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights were fired up. Rutgers beat Miami (Florida), 31-24. The win not only gave Rutgers its first winning season (7-6) since 2014, but also, it gave the Knights their first win ever over Miami. Going into the game, Rutgers was 0-11 against the Canes.

 

Miami coach Mario Cristobal went from 5-7 in 2022 to 7-6 in 2023. Two seasons with the Canes and Cristobal still has a losing record at 12-13. That doesn’t sound like Super Mario to me.   

 

During the Duke’s Mayo Bowl the previous night, ESPN’s broadcasters Matt Barrie and Dan Mullen, along with sideline reporter Harry Lyles, went overboard promoting the mayonnaise condiment. During breaks in the game, the three of them were spreading Duke’s mayonnaise on everything from Krispy Kreme donuts to pepperoni rolls. And then they ate the mayonnaise covered donuts and rolls. More disgustingly, they made sounds like the cooks do on TV when they taste their creations, “Mmmm!” “Yummm!” “Ahhhh!” To many West Virginians, spreading mayonnaise on a pepperoni roll is a mortal sin.  

 

That was Wednesday night. On Thursday night, the ESPN broadcasters calling the Pop-Tarts Bowl went above and beyond the Duke’s Mayo crew. Amish Shroff, Andre Ware and sideline reporter Paul Calcaterra were spreading all sorts of condiments and sauces and sprinkling all sorts of seasonings on Pop-Tarts. They were as bad, if not worse, than the Duke’s Mayo team. I kept waiting for them to spread Duke’s mayonnaise on a Pop-Tart.  

 

Swamp Mama and I use Duke’s mayonnaise. That’s what we buy. But I’m not sure I have ever had a Pop-Tart in my life. If I have, it was so long ago, I forgot about it.  

 

Let’s just hope that Heinz Ketchup or Dijon Mustard don’t start sponsoring a bowl game. I can only imagine what that would be like.

 

Meanwhile, back to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, it was a clear night in Orlando. Kansas State downed NC State, 28-19. The Wildcats never trailed in the game. Both teams ended their seasons at 9-4.

 

The final game Thursday night was the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Just when we thought Oklahoma coach Brent Venables had turned the corner this season, we found out differently. Arizona beat Oklahoma, 38-24. Venables used to be the king of defense. Now, I’m not sure he knows how to spell defense. I think he caught the Lincoln Riley disease at Oklahoma.

 

Interestingly, both teams – Arizona and Oklahoma – in the Alamo Bowl were playing their last football game in their current conferences. This summer, Arizona leaves the Pac-12 for the Big 12, while Oklahoma moves from the Big 12 to the SEC. 

 

The next day, if you weren’t fully awake when the Gator Bowl began, you definitely were when the game was over. Clemson and Kentucky provided the wildest and most entertaining fourth quarter I have ever seen in football. Combined, the two teams scored 42 points in the final 15 minutes of the game – five touchdowns and two field goals. The lead changed hands five times. Ultimately, Clemson scored a touchdown with 0:17 remaining in the game and beat Kentucky, 38-35. It was a wild finish.

 

After all that excitement, the Sun Bowl was a dud. Notre Dame demolished Oregon State, 40-8. Poor Oregon State was playing without seven starters. They had either opted-out or entered the transfer portal. The Beavers also were playing with a third-string quarterback.

 

With chilly temperatures and gray skies on Friday afternoon in Memphis, there was an upset in the Liberty Bowl. Memphis, playing on its home field, knocked off Iowa State, 36-26. The Tigers racked up 530 total yards. They came to play. Obviously, Iowa State didn’t.

 

There is a good reason why the Ohio State marching band spells out script “Oshit,” instead of script “Ohio,” before the Buckeyes play an SEC team in a bowl game. Entering the Cotton Bowl game Friday night, Ohio State was 1-12 against SEC teams in bowl games. Well, you can now make that to 1-13. Missouri beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, 14-3. Following the game, Ohio State fans trashed Buckeyes coach Ryan Day on social media.

 

Ohio State has lost two-straight games (to Michigan and Missouri) and both losses came either late in the second half or in the fourth quarter. Against Michigan, the Buckeyes were tied 17-17 with the Wolverines as late as 2 minutes to go in the third quarter. Ohio State lost to Michigan, 30-24. Against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes led Missouri 3-0 as the fourth quarter began. Ohio State lost, 14-3. Sounds like Ryan Day doesn’t have his players in shape. On the other hand, no one could have stopped Brady Cook and Cody Schrader in the fourth quarter.  

 

Cam Ward, the former Washington State quarterback who entered the transfer portal, reportedly has his eyes on Miami (Florida) and Florida State. However, Ward supposedly wants a $7 million NIL guarantee, or he says he will enter the NFL draft.

 

Meanwhile, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei reportedly has his eye on Florida State. Uiagalelei began his college career at Clemson, then transferred to Oregon State where he played this past season. He entered the transfer portal a few weeks ago. 

 

Two days and nine bowls to go. First up on Saturday was the Peach Bowl – Ole Miss vs. Penn State. Where did Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn come from? Prieskorn was Mr. Everything for the Magnolias in their 38-25 win over the Nittany Lions. Prieskorn had 10 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Anything thrown near him he could catch – one handed, two handed, whatever. After the game, Penn State fans took to the Internet to slam Nittany Lions coach James Franklin.

 

Every bowl season, there is always one SEC team that embarrasses the conference. This season it was Auburn. Hugh Freeze is a good football coach. But you never know what he will do, what he won’t do, or who he is talking to on the phone. Obviously, Freeze didn’t do much to prepare his team for the Music City Bowl. Maryland downed Auburn, 31-14. It was embarrassing – for the SEC.

 

Then there was the Orange Bowl – Florida State vs. Georgia. Need I say more? Actually, the CFP selection committee did get it wrong. Florida State should have been matched against Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl. Georgia should have been matched against Oregon in the Orange Bowl.  

 

If it wasn’t obvious to you on December 3 why Florida State wasn’t selected for the college football playoff, then it should be perfectly clear to you now – 63-3. Georgia beat Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl. It was sad and it was bad. It was a terrible scene for college football.

 

Sadly, the outcome of the Orange Bowl was a quintessential reflection of what’s wrong with college football today – opt-outs, transfer portal, NIL, too many bowl games, committees, etc., etc. College football is getting out of control. Somebody needs to say, “STOP, we need to fix this.” It won’t be easy, nothing ever is, but it needs to be done. It needs to be fixed. Before it’s too late.  

 

Unbelievably, before the game, the Florida State players were boasting that Florida State should be declared the national champions if the Seminoles are the only remaining undefeated team after all the bowl games are played. Well, yeah, I guess they could pull another UCF. Not.

 

Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn was so disappointing in the game that FSU coach Mike Norvell must have been on the phone at halftime pleading with transfer portal quarterbacks Cam Ward and D.J. Uiagalelei to transfer to Florida State. He’ll likely get one of them.

 

The Orange Bowl was so dreadful, I switched over to the Arizona Bowl in the second half. Toledo was playing Wyoming in Tucson. It provided some relief as Toledo and Wyoming were in a close and exciting game. Wyoming kicked a field goal with 0:01 left on the clock to beat Toledo, 16-15. Wyoming coach Craig Bohl retired a happy man.

 

Sunday was a much-needed day of rest before the final five games on New Year’s Day.

 

NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Cale Yarborough died on New Year’s Eve. Yarborough is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships, winning in 1976, 1977 and 1978. In high school, he played halfback on the football team. Afterwards, he played four years of semi-pro football. Yarborough was offered a tryout with the Washington Redskins. A native of Timmonsville, South Carolina, William Caleb (Cale) Yarborough was 84. 

 

Watching television on Sunday, you couldn’t help but miss the network advertisements promoting the various New Year’s Eve shows. You know, the shows where they have all these bands and singers performing in New York City, Nashville, etc., as they count down the time to midnight.

 

During one of the promotional ads early Sunday evening, the bands and singers who would be performing later that evening were listed. Swamp Mama said, “Do you know any of those groups?”

 

I responded, “No, I’ve never heard of any of those bands or singers.”

 

I went on to say, “That’s either a reflection of how bad those groups are or how old I am.”

 

Actually, I am familiar with Green Day. Back in the mid-1990s, Rockledge Gator and I were on a business trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia. We met Green Day in the lobby of our hotel. The members of the rock band were checking in at the same time we were. The truth be known, Rockledge Gator and I would not have known who they were had the hotel desk clerk not revealed them to us. The Green Day guys were good natured about it. Rockledge Gator and I were like, “Who are they? What do they do?”

 

And then there was the time at the Oakley Court Hotel near Windsor, England, when golfer Seve Ballesteros was staying in the room next to mine. But I digress.

 

Happy New Year!

 

I love New Year’s Day. It’s one of my favorite days of the year. How can you not like it? College football on the first day of the year. There’s nothing better. Throw in the Rose Parade for some icing on the cake. Then just sit back and sip some champagne or prosecco. Throw in a good charcuterie board of cheese, crackers and other snacks. Maybe an Irish Mule or two.

 

The first kickoff of 2024 took place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida – Wisconsin vs. LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl. LSU was playing without its Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels declared for the NFL draft and opted-out. Backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier got off to a slow start. But Nussmeier came around, as LSU took care of Wisconsin, 35-31.

 

Then it was Oregon vs. Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl. Liberty, as expected, turned out to be the other Florida State in the New Year’s Six bowls. They didn’t belong either. Oregon crushed Liberty, 45-6. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix threw five touchdown passes.

 

Yesterday afternoon, word surfaced that former Oregon State quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is transferring to Florida State. Mike Norvell got his quarterback. Meantime, former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward declared for the NFL draft. Obviously, Ward couldn’t convince Florida State or Miami to give him a $7 million NIL commitment.  

 

During the season, Iowa had no offense. But the Hawkeyes had an outstanding defense. Or so we thought. Tennessee beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, 35-0. Until the Vols came along, Iowa had not played anybody with an offense. Stats can be misleading. Such is life in the Big Ten West.

 

The Rose Bowl was simply amazing. It was a classic. Alabama and Michigan kept us entertained and on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. Both teams held leads at one time or another during the game, but no team ever led by more than seven points. When the clock expired, the teams were tied – 20-20. Michigan beat Alabama in overtime, 27-20 (OT). After getting knocked out in the semifinals the past two years, the Wolverines have finally made it to the championship game.

 

The Pac-12, in its final season of existence, will have a team in the national championship game. Washington beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl, 37-31. The game reminded me so much of the first Oregon-Washington game played during the season. Washington won that game 36-33. In that game, the teams went back-and-forth trading touchdowns – tit-for-tat. It was much like that between Washington and Texas in the Sugar Bowl.  

 

So, the last of the 41 bowl games have come to an end. They are over until next season. But we do have a national championship game to play – Michigan vs. Washington. May the best team win.

 

And the committee actually had Florida State 5^th and Georgia 6^th? We don’t need committees.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Touchdown Tom

January 2, 2024

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

(Note: The next CFW – CFW Week 20 Forecast – will be posted Friday morning, January 5.)

 

 

Review of the Last 17 Bowl Games

 

Eagles soar (in the Fenway Bowl) – Boston College 23, SMU 14 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 30, Boston College 26). SMU scored all 14 of its points (two touchdowns) in the second quarter. The Mustangs led the Eagles at halftime, 14-10. The score was still 14-10 as the fourth quarter began. That’s when BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos took charge. The Eagles scored two touchdowns in the final 12:22 of the game and beat SMU, 23-14. The teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats. However, SMU was the better passing team and BC was the better rushing team. Attendance in Boston: 16,238

 

The Canes were turned into syrup (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Rutgers 31, Miami (Florida) 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 24, Rutgers 22). Early in the second quarter, Rutgers had a 14-0 lead over Miami. At halftime, the Knights led, 14-10. Early in the third quarter, Miami took its only lead in the game at 17-14. Five minutes later, Rutgers went back on top at 21-17. The Knights never trailed again, building up a 31-17 lead in the fourth quarter. The Canes got their final touchdown with 0:27 left in the game. Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai rushed for 163 yards and one touchdown. Miami was the better passing team. Rutgers was the better rushing team. Miami controlled possession 34:28 to 25:32. Attendance in The Bronx: 35,314

 

Wolf trap (in the Pop Tarts Bowl) – Kansas State 28, NC State 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 27, NC State 26). Kansas State took a 7-0 first quarter lead and never trailed for the rest of the game. In the second quarter, the Wildcats extended their leads to 14-0 and 21-7. K-State led 21-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, NC State got serious and scored the next nine points. The Wolfpack trailed the Wildcats, 21-19, as the fourth quarter began. Both teams tightened up with strong defensive play for a while. Then with 2:48 on the clock, K-State scored the final touchdown of the game. NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong rushed for 121 yards and one touchdown. Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens rushed for 151 yards and one touchdown. K-State dominated the stats. Attendance in Orlando: 31,111

 

Remember the turnovers (in the Alamo Bowl) – Arizona 38, Oklahoma 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 31, Arizona 27). This game had three swings. First Arizona came out swinging hard, taking a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter. Then Oklahoma jumped on the swing, scoring 24 unanswered points. Midway through the third quarter, the Sooners led 24-13. But Arizona was last on the swing. The Wildcats scored 25 unanswered points in the final 15:02 of the game. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns. OU running back Gavin Sawchuk rushed for 134 yards and one touchdown. The two teams combined for 943 total yards. OU had 562 of those yards. Arizona only had 29 yards rushing. The Sooners were severely crippled by six turnovers – three fumbles and three interceptions. Arizona ended its season at 10-3. Attendance in San Antonio: 55,883

 

It wasn’t over till it was over (in the Gator Bowl) – Clemson 38, Kentucky 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 26, Kentucky 21). With seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Kentucky led Clemson 21-19. In fact, Kentucky had led Clemson since the 7:44 mark of the second quarter. With 6:45 to go in the fourth quarter, Clemson went up on Kentucky, 27-21. Its first lead since the 10:17 mark in the second quarter. With 6:12 to go in the game, Kentucky retook the lead – 28-27 over Clemson. With 4:20 on the clock, Clemson went back on top of Kentucky, 30-28. Then with 2:39 left in the game, Kentucky went back ahead – 35-30 over Clemson. Finally, with 0:17 remaining on the clock Clemson retook the lead – 38-35 over Kentucky. Kentucky had 17 seconds to win the game, but Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary threw an interception. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik passed for 267 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. Tigers running back Phil Mafah rushed for four touchdowns. Kentucky’s Leary passed for 306 yards – two touchdowns and two interceptions. Clemson dominated the first downs – 24 to 12, and possession – 35:14 to 24:46. Kentucky had 398 total yards. Neither team had a running game. Clemson ended its season at 9-4. Attendance in Jacksonville: 40,132

 

The Beavers were overcast (in the Sun Bowl) – Notre Dame 40, Oregon State 8 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 28, Oregon State 23). This was a reasonably close game in the first half. Notre Dame led at the break, 14-0. Then the Irish poured it on in the second half. Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angell passed for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Oregon State only managed two yards rushing and 10 first downs. ND dominated ball possession 40:11 to 19:49. Notre Dame ended its season at 10-3. Attendance in El Paso: 48,223

 

The Tigers made Cy cry (in the Liberty Bowl) – Memphis 36 Iowa State 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 33, Memphis 24). Memphis scored on its first possession and went on to score two more touchdowns all in the first quarter. The Tigers led 19-0 as the second quarter began. Iowa State managed a small rally and pulled within 19-13 in the second quarter. Memphis added a field goal and led 22-13 at halftime. As the third quarter began, the Tigers continued to roll. Memphis built up a 36-13 lead. Again, the Cyclones managed a small rally and pulled within 36-26. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan passed for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht passed for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Cyclones receiver Jayden Higgins had 9 receptions for 214 yards. The teams combined for 976 total yards. However Iowa State had 0 rushing yards. Memphis ended its season at 10-3. Attendance in Memphis: 48,789

 

M-I-Z (in the Cotton Bowl Classic) – Missouri 14, Ohio State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 28, Missouri 26). For three quarters, watching this game was like sitting around, watching grass grow. At the end of the first quarter, Ohio State led 3-0. As the fourth quarter began, Ohio State still led 3-0. Combined, the teams had more punts in the first half than first downs. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Missouri’s offense decided to play football. Specifically, Tigers quarterback Brady Cook and running back Cody Schrader decided to play football. Those two guys were amazing in the fourth quarter. And Missouri’s defense continued to play good football, while Ohio State’s defense wore out in the fourth quarter. In all, Cook passed for 128 yards and one touchdown and Schrader rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown. As a team, Ohio State only passed for 106 yards and only rushed for 97 yards. Between the teams, there were 16 punts. Ohio State only had 12 first downs. Both teams ended their seasons with 11-2 records. Z-O-U. Attendance in Arlington: 70,114

 

Throw it to Prieskorn. He catches everything (in the Peach Bowl) – Ole Miss 38, Penn State 25 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 24, Penn State 21). Penn State took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. However, that was the only lead the Nitts ever held in the game. Ole Miss quickly tied the score at 3-3 and then went up 10-3. After a brief 10-10 tie, the Magnolias built up a 20-10 lead. Penn State made it close at 20-17, but that was all she wrote for the Nitts. Ole Miss scored 18 unanswered points and led 38-17 with 6:29 to go in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was 25-40-0, passing for 379 yards and three touchdowns. He and tight end Caden Prieskorn were the stars of the game for Ole Miss. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar failed to complete 50% of his passes. The teams combined for 1,050 total yards. Ole Miss was 540 of those yards. Ole Miss ended its season at 11-2. Attendance in Atlanta: 71,230

 

Aubie embarrasses the SEC – (in the Music City Bowl) – Maryland 31, Auburn 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 30, Maryland 24). Maryland jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. The Auburn players were so shocked they couldn’t get their act together. Maryland led 24-7 at halftime and 31-7 as the fourth quarter began. The teams were basically even in the stats, except for turnovers. Auburn had four turnovers. Maryland had one. Attendance in Nashville: 50,088

 

The committee got it right (in the Orange Bowl) – Georgia 63, Florida State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Florida State 17). This game was over before the teams got off the bus. The halftime score was Georgia 42, FSU 3. And it got worse in the second half. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns. But he only played part of the game. Backup quarterback Gunner Stockton threw two touchdown passes. The stats were embarrassing. Georgia had 36 first downs and FSU had 11. Georgia had 673 total yards and FSU had 209. Georgia ended its season at 13-1. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 63,324

 

Bohl retires a winner – (in the Arizona Bowl) – Wyoming 16, Toledo 15 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 25, Wyoming 22). In the first half, Wyoming had leads of 3-0 and 6-3. But Toledo led at halftime, 10-6. In the third quarter Toledo increased its lead to 15-6. But the Rockets went silent in the fourth quarter while the Cowboys came to life. With 8:37 to go in the fourth, Wyoming closed the gap to 15-13. Then in the closing seconds, Wyoming kicked a 24-yard field goal. Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley was 20-25-1, passing for 168 yards. Wyoming had 23 first downs to 14 for Toledo. The Cowboys also dominated possession 38:59 to 21:01. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Wyoming coach Craig Bohl, who was popular with Cowboys fans, retired after the game. Wyoming ended its season at 9-4. Attendance in Tucson: 30,428

 

We don’t need no Daniels – (in the ReliaQuest Bowl) – LSU 35, Wisconsin 31 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Wisconsin 18). Would you believe LSU trailed Wisconsin for almost 49 minutes in the game? Believe it. With 8:28 to go in the first quarter, the Badgers scored and went up 7-0. LSU trailed for most of the remainder of the game. It wasn’t until 3:04 to go in the fourth quarter that the Tigers went ahead for the first time – 35-31. Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passed for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai passed for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Badgers’ receiver Will Pauling had eight receptions for 143 yards. The teams combined for 998 total yards – 773 yards from passing. LSU ended its season at 10-3. Attendance in Tampa: 31,424

 

Flame out (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Oregon 45, Liberty 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 34, Liberty 23). Liberty scored first. Two minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the first quarter, the Flames went up 6-0. But that would be Liberty’s only score all game. Meanwhile, Oregon scored seven times – six touchdowns and one field goal. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix passed for 363 yards, completing 80% of his passes. The Ducks racked up 584 total yards. Oregon ended its season at 12-2. Attendance in Glendale: 47,769

 

Hopeless Hawkeyes (in the Citrus Bowl) – Tennessee 35, Iowa 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 17, Iowa 9). For a full quarter, it looked like this game was going to live up to its billing. The score was 0-0 as the second quarter began. However, in the second quarter, Tennessee cracked the Iowa defense. The Vols went up 14-0. In the second half, Tennessee continued to crack the Iowa defense. The Vols scored three more touchdowns. Meanwhile, Iowa’s offense continued to live up to its billing. The Hawkeyes were scoreless in the second half. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson rushed for 133 yards and one touchdown. Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill, who is fatter than Kelly Clarkson and slower than the seven-year itch, only completed 38.8% of his passes. Tennessee dominated the stats. Iowa dominated the turnovers with three. Tennessee ended its season at 9-4. Attendance in Orlando: 43,861

 

Epic game (in the Rose Bowl) – Michigan 27, Alabama 20 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 24, Michigan 20). Regardless of who you were cheering for, this was an epic game. To football purists, it was spot on – close, exciting, evenly matched, tied at the end of regulation. Neither quarterback threw an interception. The turnovers were balanced – one each. The penalties were balanced – three on one team, two on the other. Alabama scored first. Michigan scored last. Alabama’s leading rusher had 87 yards. Michigan’s leading rusher had 83 yards. The only imbalance was the seven-point difference at the end – and at the end of an overtime at that. When Alabama had 4^th-and-goal in overtime, I did not agree with the play that was called. I didn’t understand it. I thought they would have had Jalen Milroe roll out, along with a tight end, receiver or running back shooting through or along the line out ahead of him, giving Milroe the option to run or pass. Alabama fans trashed offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on social media after the game. They have to blame someone. Attendance in Pasadena: 96,371

 

The Pac-12 isn’t dead yet (in the Sugar Bowl) – Washington 37, Texas 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 26, Texas 23). Washington never trailed in the game, but it was tied three times at 7-7 in the first quarter, 14-14 in the second quarter and 21-21 at halftime. Washington jumped out to a 10-point lead in the third quarter – 31-21. The Huskies extended their lead to 13 points early in the fourth quarter – 34-21. Texas battled back, trailing 34-28 and 37-31. The Longhorns had the ball on the Washington 12, as their downs ran out and the time expired. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passed for 318 yards and one touchdown. Washington quarterback Michael Penix passed for 430 yards and two touchdowns. The teams combined for 1,030 total yards. Washington dominated possession 37:08 to 22:52. Attendance in New Orleans: 68,791

 

 

Final 17 Bowl Game Picks:  9 winners, 8 fumbles (52.9 percent)

Total Bowl Game Picks:     23 winners, 18 fumbles (56.1 percent)

 

 

 

Superlatives

 

Impressive Passers:

 

Iowa State’s Rocco Becht – 22-38-0 for 446 yards (3TDs); Washington’s Michael Penix – 29-38-0-430 (2TDs); LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier – 31-45-1-395 (3TDs); Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart – 25-40-0-379 (3TDs); Wisconsin’s Tanner Mordecai – 27-40-0-378 (3TDs), and Memphis’ Seth Henigan – 24-34-0-364 (4TDs).

 

Also, Oregon’s Bo Nix – 28-45-0 for 363 yards (5TDs); Arizona’s Noah Fifita – 24-38-1-354 (2TDs); Texas’ Quinn Ewers – 24-43-0-318 (1TD); Clemson’s Cade Klubnik – 30-41-1-264; Notre Dame’s Steve Angell – 15-19-0-232 (3TDs), and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy – 17-27-0-221 (3TDs).

 

Impressive Rushers:

 

Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai – 163 yards (1TD); Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos – 156 yards (2TDs); Kansas State’s D.J. Giddens – 151 yards (1TD); Oklahoma’s Gavin Sawchuk – 134 yards (1TD); Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson – 133 yards; Missouri’s Cody Schrader – 128 yards (1TD), and NC State’s Brennan Armstrong – 121 yards (1TD).

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“They have Laura glammed up.” Swamp Mama, on seeing Laura Ingram on TV prior to the Missouri-Ohio State game.

 

“He embodies what our team is, and what our team values are and how we operate,” Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, on the Tigers running back Cody Schrader.

 

“Those first three quarters were some of the worst football there has even been,” ESPN’s Pat McAfee, on the Missouri-Ohio State Cotton Bowl game.

 

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Alabama coach Nick Saban, after the loss to Michigan.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

 

P.S.

 

Not exactly college football related, but on the 2^nd day of the New Year, as college football fans were still celebrating bowl wins, commiserating over bowl losses, worrying about New Year’s resolutions and going back to work or school, the number one song in the country…

 

…80 years ago, this week in 1944, was “Paper Doll” by The Mills Brothers

 

…75 years ago, this week in 1949, was “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” by Spike Jones and His Orchestra

 

…70 years ago, this week in 1954, was “Oh, My Pa-Pa (O Mein Papa)” by Eddie Fisher

 

…65 years ago, this week in 1959, was “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by The Chipmunks with David Seville

 

…60 years ago, this week in 1964, was “There! I’ve Said It Again” by Bobby Vinton

 

…55 years ago, this week in 1969, was “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye

 

…50 years ago, this week in 1974, was “Time In A Bottle” by Jim Croce

 

…45 years ago, this week in 1979, was “Too Much Heaven” by The Bee Gees

 

…40 years ago, this week in 1984, was “Say Say Say” by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson

 

…35 years ago, this week in 1989, was “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison

 

…30 years ago, this week in 1994, was “Hero” by Mariah Carey