Blame it on the Badgers

Indeed - if Wisconsin had beat Ohio state there would likely not be much of a controversy today. But they didn't, so there is.

Who is this CFP committee anyway? Currently it is made up of 13 members consisting of former head coaches (5), current or former athletic directors (5), a university president (1),  a former sports reporter (1), and a former NCAA executive (1). A good mix although I'd prefer more former head coaches. Most played college football at some time and most have recusals (not allowed to vote for certain teams due to alma mater or family playing for the team).

Did they get it right?
Probably. A good argument could have been made for Wisconsin, Bama, USC and even Ohio State (yes - in that order). All things considered I imagine that the margins between those teams were micro-thin. I wish I knew by how many votes Bama got in, though.
Was Alabama included because of history or brand?
Probably. They may not be considered by everyone as one of the top four teams, but their coach is. My guess is that is what carried them into that #4 slot.
Why not Wisconsin?
Indeed, why not? They can make just as good a case as Bama (except the coach). A weak schedule, one loss to a ranked team, no conference champ.
Why not Ohio State?
Because they are inconsistent. My guess is that the primary reason was by HOW MUCH (31 points) and WHEN (in November) they lost to un-ranked Iowa. Yes, they did beat 12-0 Wisconsin. But remember all the fuss about Wisconsin not "beating anybody" and that was what kept them from climbing the polls until the final week? So Ohio State beat the team that didn't "beat anybody", and that, coupled with their inconsistency, just didn't carry enough weight.
Did the committee just not want the Big10 to embarrass the system - again? Maybe, but we'll never know. (2015 semi-final Alabama over Michigan State 39 - 0; 2016 semi-final Clemson over Ohio State 31 - 0).
What about the top three?
Probably right and in the right order. But one should note (and this is my UGA bias coming out and looking only at the W-L column), that Clemson's 1-loss was to still un-ranked Syracuse, Oklahoma's 1-loss was to still un-ranked Iowa State, but Georgia's 1-loss was to Auburn, who finished #7, and that loss was avenged.

I'll be the first to say that the current system is the best we've had and a stepping stone in the right direction. Still flawed, but what would college football be like without the ranking controversy?

ENDZONE
To BYU: Was Ty Detmer really the best choice for the scapegoat? Second year as a college coach, using a 4th string QB the last three games and whatever string RB. All the while designing and redesigning plays for guys that were not supposed to see much playing time (if any at all). Was OC play calling really the root cause of the terrible season? Just asking...

That One Game

I imagine as each team winds down its regular season they all think of "that one game" they wish they could re-do or take back. Especially your 1-loss teams like Georgia, Miami, Bama and Oklahoma. But I'd bet even the multiple loss teams reflect on the "one that got away" that may not have changed the season or gotten them to a bowl game but it would have made the losing season a little more bearable.

If Alabama had beat Auburn: Yet another perfect regular season.
If Georgia had beat Auburn: Perfect regular season for the first time since 1982.
If Miami had beat Pitt: Perfect regular season for the first time since 2002.
If Oklahoma had beat Iowa State: Perfect regular season for the first time since 2004.
If BYU had held on to beat Utah: The worst season since 1955 would not feel so bad (plus their rival would feel really bad losing to the worst Cougars since 1955).

And I'm sure each player carries in his pocket a memory of "If I had just ________" then we would have scored and won. As does as every coach, trainer, and athletic director. Even the fans think if they had just worn their lucky undies like last time then the team might have won.

One game. A lifetime memory. Just part of the greatest game around and the way the ball bounces sometimes. Don't let it ruin your day or season or life. Learn from it, let it go, move on. There's always next year.

Humble Pie

We all have to eat it at times and it's good for the soul. It's not always tasty, in fact it doesn't taste good at all. But it does improve our "health".

Auburn was prepared for Georgia. They watched more tape, had a better game plan, had a backup plan, and maintained the momentum. Georgia went into that game a little too high on their laurels and were humbled by a team that wanted it more. Kudos to War Eagle and hopefully the humble pie the Dawgs had to eat made them a healthier team going forward.

Ohio State ate it losing to Iowa. Oklahoma has nibbled at it in various close games. Syracuse fed a slice to Clemson. And there have been others and many more will be served up some humble pie. And BYU? Well, they've been eating it all season. Even game 1, which they won, was humbling because they almost lost to an FCS school. And every time we think they've hit bottom, they find a new bottom. A loss to Hawaii next week would ice the cake for the worst season since the 40's. Yikes!

Couple of other rants:
1. Again, why do voters and commentators want to give Ohio State a shot at the playoff? Do they deserve it after two losses, one of which was to an un-ranked team? They are unpredictable in a so-so conference. Remember the playoff loss a year ago, 33 to 0?
2. Baker Mayfield - hold your fire for Pet's sake. You are really, really, good but that temper and emotion will cost you at some point. Apologizing is the right thing to do but that gets old when you have to apologize multiple times for your flare ups. You may have just cost yourself the Heisman trophy and continued unchecked it could cost your team a shot at the championship. 

Relying on Your Opponent

First off, let me just say, again, that Ohio State is more pretender than contender. No doubt they have talented players and coaches, but I've always felt they were more lucky than good. Their inconsistency validates that (even though they have way more W than L). But somehow, voters just love to keep ranking them high, like a favorite blanket they just cant let go of.

Along those lines, each team in the college football ranking system relies somewhat on their opponents. If they beat up on all their opponents but their opposition has a bad season, suddenly you don't look so good. Case in point - Ohio State losing to un-ranked Iowa (now 6 - 3) looks bad, but now last weeks win over Penn State, who lost again, makes it worse. And now Oklahoma's win over Ohio State doesn't look as good, either. Voters see that and react accordingly.

You know you're doing something right
when the opposing coach makes this face.

Georgia has a similar problem. They are the only ranked team in the SEC-East. They have dominated their biggest division rivals, Florida and Tennessee, only to see those two teams continue to lose to lesser opponents (now 3 - 5 and 4 - 5, respectively). Of course, as a Dawg fan, I'll take the undefeated season and high rankings as long as they will last!

Is Georgia overrated? Probably not. They look and play like a complete team with talent, depth, and a smart coaching staff. But we'll have a much better idea after they face Auburn next week in the South's Oldest Rival. Auburn's two losses were by a touchdown to Clemson and LSU and this will give the Bulldogs a chance to make a statement if they can hang with the SEC-West team.

That's How I Like It

For Georgia fans: It has been a great ride this season and gets better each week. But let's get past Florida and then talk. The Dawgs have marched into the World's Largest Cocktail Party undefeated twice in the last 10 years only to humbled by their nemesis.

For BYU fans: This headline from Sports Illustrated "Best and Worst of MidSeason" article says it all (and this was before losing, again, to 1 - 6 East Carolina). But give 'em some credit - four of their losses were to teams that are currently ranked or "receiving votes". Nonetheless, they are having their worst season in 48 years. I'm glad Lavell is not around to see it.

"BIGGEST MYSTERY: WHAT HAPPENED TO BYU? The 1–6 Cougars are anemic on offense and have been blown out by at least 16 points in five of their six losses, only one of which came against a team now ranked in the Top 25 (Wisconsin rolled to a 40–6 win in Provo)."

=====================
In math, if A > B > C then A > C and that always works. But college football isn't math. And that is why we like it so much. Sometimes, and maybe even most of the time A > C but every once in a while C surprises both B and A.

That's what we've seen the last few weeks and that keeps it all interesting. We're not talking as much about FSU and Clemson as we were in August. We're starting to think that Penn State and Georgia might really have a shot at Bama. We've seen Clemson, Oklahoma, Auburn, and Washington State all lose to un-ranked teams. We watched Oklahoma come within a few seconds of doing it again and OSU within a few seconds of their second loss.

From Eric Single of SI:
"Six weeks into the season, it seemed like Clemson and Alabama sat on their own separate tier, ... never [to] stoop to the level of the mere mortals that populated their respective conferences. Now that the cracks in Clemson’s armor have been exposed, are we back to Alabama vs. the field? ... it would be hard not to make the Tide prohibitive favorites. But if Friday night taught us anything, it’s not to throw around that type of label lightly, no matter how strong the top teams look."

Give Bama credit but right now they remind of Rocky in Rocky III. They simply have not played anyone of significance. TA&M  maybe, and that was their closest game, but they might jsut be getting lulled into a easy run before having to actually work for a win as they come up on LSU, Auburn and likely Georgia. Do they have the coaching, talent and depth to handle it? Of course, but those areas may be just rusty enough to allow another team to expose them.

Others are possibly in the same boat: Wisconsin has not really been tested. Penn State has been tested but will have their hands full with Ohio State next week. TCU is marching through an average Big 12 slate. And we're also seeing the clearing of others who were probably not worthy of their ranking (USC, Utah, M State) which is usually what October exposes.

Week 5 and 6

BYU fans - we all signed up for it. We bought season tickets, added to our BYU gear collection, held out hopes, talked up the season ahead and maybe even ignored family to read up on the Cougs. No one held a gun to our heads. As a fan, it's the risk you take. We'll take the good years, the great years, the memorable years - but we have to take them all along with the down years. And we do it because we know they won't all be like that and we just love the game.

Not only is BYU 1 - 5 they are headed into two games (Mississippi State and East Carolina) that will likely make their record 1 - 7, making this is the worst season since 1968!

But - as a dual fan my Georgia Bulldogs have filled in the gap and are looking like a legit contender. And even though my alma mater BYU plays Miss State next week I'll actually be rooting for the MS Bulldogs because a loss to lowly BYU would drop Georgia's stock!

And here we are at the half-way-ish mark and the Top 10 is getting weeded out (games at this point in the season often produce the best surrender cobra pics). Louisville, Oklahoma and Michigan were humbled. TCU, Miami and Washington State are making a run for it and making things interesting. The Big 10 may be akin to the SEC of a few years ago when they all just knock each other out of playoff hopes. I think this is looking like the weakest year I can recall in the SEC. If things continue on as they have it appears that everyone except Bama, Auburn and Georgia is having a down year. (Of course, that could all change next week!).

Week 4 2017

May the Best Dawg Win
And that they did. It was not the dawg fight we all expected but Georgia collected its first statement game of the season with a rout of Mississippi State Bulldogs, 31 - 3. It was a statement game because M State routed highly touted LSU just a week earlier, 37 - 7. UGA's balanced attack, with a dominant defense, and spreading out the yards on the ground to four or five running backs, humbled the other bulldogs, big time.

Dominant
Georgia over Mississippi State. This doesn't seal anything for the SEC-East but it does give UGA some confidence as they head into SEC-East conference play.
Alabama over a confident Vanderbilt, 59  - 0. Maybe Bama felt they had something to prove since Clemson has been getting more first place votes.
TCU over OK State. TCU looks ready for a big year.

Not Dominant (ranked vs un-ranked teams)
Clemson, in the first three quarters against Boston College. They entered the 4th tied at 7, but turned it on to win 34 - 7.
Oklahoma almost gave away the game to 0 -3 Baylor. Great offense but they'll need a better defense if they expect to make a run.
Florida wins on a last second missed field goal by Kentucky (who probably would have gotten the field goal had it not been for a holding call a play earlier).
Penn State beat Iowa on the last play of the game with a TD pass, whew!

Week 3 2017

Clemson is for real...again. Maybe the 2017 plan was to rebuild their offense but they obviously had a better foundation to build on then pre-season writers thought. Though I'm still not counting out Washington, Clemson (and Bama of course) are three of my playoff bets.

Texas coming back? Don't count them out yet.
SEC-West suddenly weak? Maybe so. LSU lost. So did Ole Miss.
Florida-Tennessee offensive struggles? Yes, but we all loved the final minute which contained great examples of how to throw the bomb...and how not to defend the bomb.

Georgia had a chance to refine a few things against their annual FCS opponent in prep for their SEC slate. That slate starts next week against a surprising Mississippi State team that surprised LSU 37 - 7, jolting themselves into the Top 25.

Hey BYU...don't forget that you were shut out by LSU, who got throttled in Starkville, and you are headed to Starkville in four short weeks. Yikes!

And speaking of BYU, when I left the BYU - Wisconsin game at the start of the 4th quarter, there were also Badger fans leaving. That just added insult to injury. BYU just has not found any rhythm yet. The defense is hanging in there as best they can but the offense just cannot find the right mix. There was a great series in Q1 that lead to a tying field goal, but that was all Wisconsin needed to see and they all but shut down the BYU offense after that. It could be a really woeful season for us Cougar fans.

Week 2 2017

Once again, Ohio State was exposed (remember the playoff last year, 31 - 0)? How many times must they be exposed before we realize they are not that consistent? Good? Yes. Coach with a mastermind? yes. Consistently dominate? No, and  no again. I guess they'v earned the respect to "always" be in the title conversation since they have had some great success. But this year there were nay-sayers early on, nobody listened, and now the nay-sayers have their day.

And, of course, kudos to Oklahoma. That's a team that looks to have all the right parts this year.

Yep - I'm sure there
were plenty of
UU parties.

Georgia over Notre Dame with a freshman QB. The defense lived up to the pre-season hype allowing only 55 yards on the ground after NDs 300+ the week before. K Smart is doing something ... smart. Are they ready for the big time? I'd like to think so.

BYU vs Utah, the Holy War, another close one and down to the last minute. The BYU defense was solid and consistent but that can only help so much. The offense is just stale - like they are still trying to find their way and find what works. But there are simply no stand out players on offense (yet). They had the ball, the time, the mojo, and the Utah defense was tiring ... but BYU could not execute the plays to pull off a last minute win. If there was a year that I expected Utah to be down this was the year - it may be while before BYU hands the Utes another L.

Not enough situations like this for BYU to win.

Week 1 2017

Yes - it was a doozy. Two fun comebacks (UCLA over TA&M, Tenn over GaTech), Alabama was, well, a lot like Alabama, close call for Ohio State, FCS over FBS, poll controversy, teams with big questions, teams with no answers, etc. But it all paled in comparison to the link below. That, for me, made the weekend great.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/uscs-blind-long-snapper-jake-olson-snaps-pat-49589889

Kudos to USC coaches and players. No need to say anything else.

Week 0: Pre-Season 2017

Here is BYU's pre-season game commentary and pre-season polls. I love watching how the top teams picked by those who work in the industry, fare throughout the season. I've included my Top 5. Although I know these polls are based on who is considered best right now, mine is an end-of-season prediction.

BYU vs Portland State
All I can say is I hope BYU was holding their cards close so LSU would have no idea how to prepare. I sure had no idea what they were doing. They looked un-practiced and execution on both sides, and special teams, was sloppy and inconsistent. Yes - there were moments where you could see potential talent but it was a very low key, uninspiring game.

Me:
1. Washington
2. Penn State (I just really don't want Urban Meyer in there again, but he is that good).
3. Oklahoma State
4. Alabama
5. Georgia (of course)

I don't think 'Bama or Clemson can put it all together, again. But I do think Chris Peterson just might.

SI Early Poll (from Jan 2017 issue)
1. Alabama
2. USC
3. Penn State
4. FSU
5. LSU

SI August Poll (AP poll)
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. FSU
4. USC
5. Clemson

Athlon
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. FSU
4. Washington
5. USC

USAToday
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. FSU
4. USC
5. Clemson

ABCNews
1. Alabama
2. FSU
3. Ohio State
4. USC
5. Clemson

Wrap-Up 2016

"All hail the underdog!" The CFP Championship game did not disappoint (unless you had big money on big, bad, Bama). The CFP has done well at matching up the best (probably) two teams and this year was no exception.

It was just a matter of time before Saban's continued success would catch him off guard. Make no mistake - he's the best in the business. But I think that the 2016 Bama team may have gotten lulled to sleep over the course of the season and went in a little too cocky (think 'Rocky III"). They had not faced a Clemson-esque team as evidenced by their inability to maintain their lead in the 4th as they had done all season through the SEC.

But Swinney and team were confident, especially the second half. A little shell-shocked the first half but they came into the 3rd with a confidence in their eyes and kept it (note Deshaun Watson's demeanor coming up to the line with 30 seconds left). They knew they were wearing Bama down and that they had Hurts and company figured out. Sark did a fine job calling plays but Clemson had done some serious late night studying, making the Bama offense too predictable (note the multiple times that Clemson's Ben Boulware was waving his teammates to where the play was going before the ball was snapped).

Allow me to opine about a few teams after seeing them in bowl games:
Georgia: Not a dominant or pretty win but they left us fans feeling good about next year.
BYU: Another nail biter, and also made fans feel good about next year.
Utah: Also a nail biter and fun game to watch, but worried about 2017.
Colorado: Whaaaaat?
Michigan: Whaaaaat?
Houston: The pre-season Cinderella team didn't make it home before midnight.
Idaho and CSU: A total of 111 points!
Boise State: Not the BSU we all expected.
Miami: Showed they have serious 2017 plans (if they can keep their QB).
LSU and USC: Leaving 2016 strong.
Penn State: Awww, darn. I like PSU.

And the playoff games:
Washington: We were all hoping, but no one really thought you were ready for Bama. Probably a year or two away from another shot like that.
Ohio State: Did. Not. Belong. Period.
Clemson (vs OSU): Absolutely un-believable, start to finish.

END-ZONE

A great article about the Joe Mixon fiasco by Lindsay Schnell (SI) written HERE.

Another Brent Musberger slip of the tongue resulted in this article HERE. And I must agree whole-heartedly with Christine Brennan on this. It's time for Musberger to hang it up and stop embarrassing himself and his boss.

Until next year!