The Ole College Try

Small sample size, but some important points I wanted to make, so you get a column.

Game of the Week

Navy 31 - Army 7.  Actually, not a good game at all, but it was the only one on the menu!

Best Team Performance

Navy Midshipmen.  Despite giving up a touchdown to their most hated early in the first quarter, Navy thoroughly dominated Army to win 31-7.  Despite an allowing 78 yards to Army on its scoring drive, the Midshipmen held Army to a total of 148 yards, or just 70 more yards for the rest of the game.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Army Cadets.  The Cadets were bombarded by Navy and lost 31-7, and only gained a total of 148 yards.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  Perry rushed for 304 yards (an Army-Navy game record) and scored 2 touchdowns all while literally quarterbacking the potent Navy rushing attack.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

Jacob Springer, LB - Navy Midshipmen.  Springer finished the game with 7 total tackles (4 solo), and even more importantly 1 sack.  The sack is important because Army only attempted to pass 8 times (6 pass attempts/2 sacks).

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Bijan Nichols, K - Navy Midshipmen.  Nichols was successful in all 4 of his PATs, and was 1-2 in his field attempts (including the only successful field goal of the game).

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

No goats this week, as the game played out exactly as people thought it would.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

No goats this week, as the game played out exactly as people thought it would.

Breakthrough Performance

Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  Who else?

Finally

Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  Again, who else?

Impact Injury

N/A

Team Rising

Navy Midshipmen.  The 23rd ranked Midshipmen will travel to Shreveport, Louisiana to play Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl.

Team Falling

Army Cadets.  Army finished the season 5-8.

Player(s) to Watch

Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  Who else?

My New Favorite Player

Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  Who else? Actually, it is because of this story, Perry was not even on the roster his first season, but when the Midshipmen were hit with some injuries his freshman year, Perry was asked to join the team for some depth.

Players of the Week

5.  Christian Anderson, RB - Army Cadets.  Anderson finished the game with 56 yards rushing and a touchdown, the Cadets' only score.

4.  Diego Fagot, LB - Navy Midshipmen.  Fagot finished the rivalry game with 8 tackles and 1 sack (again, on 8 dropbacks for Army).

3.  Jamale Carrothers, RB - Navy Midshipmen.  He rushed for 75 yards and 1 TD, while also catching a pass (for 1 yard) and another score.

2.  Jacob Springer, LB - Navy Midshipmen.  See above.

1.  Malcolm Perry, QB - Navy Midshipmen.  See above.

(No Longer) Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU Tigers (1) v. Oklahoma Sooners (4)/ (2) Ohio State Buckeyes v. (3) Clemson Tigers

Remaining Unbeatens

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State

Remaining Winless Team

Akron - Only winless team on the year, as Akron has finished its season.

Rant(s) of the Week

For those of you spouting off about the investigations into the "white power OK hand signal" used in the stadium in the Army-Navy game, just know that your defense of the "circle game" is way off base.  First, in the circle game, the object is to make someone look at the circle as it is placed somewhere on your body below the waist.  If you could just do the OK sign anywhere, people would always look.  Second, more than one person would not be doing the circle game at the same exact time, and at the same exact time as the camera was being pointed at them (the object is one person trying to make others look at "the circle", not everyone doing "the circle".  Third, yes using the OK sign as a white supremacist symbol started as a troll on 4chan, but the trolling actually caught on with white supremacist groups, who now use it as their own.  So, 4chan trolled themselves, basically.  And, fourth, there is a well-documented history of white supremacy in the service academies.  Look it up, it isn't hard to find.  In fact, Army, the United States Military Academy, just dropped one of its long-standing mottoes - "God Forgives, Brothers Don't" - because it was created as a motto by white supremacist gangs.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's questions were:

1.  Ohio State's wide receiver K.J. Hill broke the school career reception record in the Big 10 Championship game.  Which Buckeye receiver's record did he break?

2.  LSU's Joe Burrow set the single season SEC record for most touchdown passes thrown.  Which SEC quarterback had the previous record?

The answers are:  David Boston, who had 191 career receptions; and Drew Lock, who threw for 44 touchdowns in 2017.

Match up(s) to Watch

Bowl games start this week, but I couldn't figure out if I wanted to write the matchups to watch for this week, or for the whole Bowl Season.  Lucky for you, I decided the whole Bowl Season.  Why?  Who knows - it's my column.

6,  USC Trojans v. Iowa Hawkeyes (San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl).  Both teams have played better than the recognition they received this year, plus the Holiday Bowl is usually zany. This game may kill that history.

5.  SMU Mustangs v. Florida Atlantic Owls (Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl).  This bowl game has changed its name from the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Yes, Seriously), so it is picked just so I could type Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl.  It also features two relatively exciting teams whose type of play could lead to an exciting shootout - even without Lane Kiffin on the sidelines.  Plus, this might be the last time FAU is relevant with Willie Taggert taking over next year.

4.  Memphis Tigers v. Penn State Nittany Lions (Goodyear Cotton Bowl).  The battle of the Big Cats, as Memphis takes the Group of 5 spot in the New Year's Bowls. Memphis is great, and should have won their only loss - as a horrible call led to them losing - the subject of one of my earlier rants.  Too bad Mike Norvell is leaving for Florida State, as he was really building something in Memphis.

3.  Minnesota Golden Gophers v. Auburn Tigers (Outback Bowl).  I am interested in seeing a rugged Minnesota team play the speedier Auburn Tigers.

2.  Georgia Bulldogs v. Baylor Bears (AllState Sugar Bowl).  Baylor's only two losses came to the Oklahoma Sooners, one of those in overtime.  Georgia's two losses include a defeat at the hands of LSU.  Both LSU and Oklahoma play each other in the semifinals.  What does that have to do with this game?  Nothing.

1.  Clemson Tigers v Ohio State Buckeyes (PlayStation Fiesta Bowl).  The best game in the bowl season (except for the finals - unless Oklahoma defeats LSU).

Trivia Question of the Week

What is the all-time record for the Army-Navy game?

The Ole College Try

The Conference Championships sorted out the entire college football playoff for us, with no real arguments as to the contenders.

Game of the Week

Oklahoma Sooners - Baylor Bears 23 (Big 12 Championship Game).  The Baylor Bears proved that this season was not a fluke as they played favorite Oklahoma to a virtual draw, once again.  The Sooners scored a touchdown in overtime that Baylor, playing with a third string quarterback whose name was not even on the depth chart provided to the media - Jacob Zeno, could not reciprocate.  Jalen Hurts once again is a conference champion, although this time of the Big 12 and not the SEC, but wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was the showstopper.  I am certain he will make my All-American team later this month.

Best Team Performance

Clemson Tigers.  Not only did the overwhelming favorites in the ACC Championship game beat Virginia, they destroyed them 62-17.  Trevor Lawrence passed for 302 yards, Travis Etienne rushed for 114 yards and Tee Higgins had 182 yards receiving as the Tigers annihilated the Cavaliers, sending them to their doomed Orange Bowl game against Florida.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Hawaii Rainbows.  I don't want to pile on too much on the Virginia Cavaliers here, so Hawaii gets the nod as they lost to Boise State in a non-competitive Mountain West Championship 31-10.

A special mention goes to the Utah Utes, who underwhelmed in their 37-15 defeat at the hands of Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship.  Had Utah won, it would have been a really interesting discussion as to whether Utah or Oklahoma would receive the final playoff berth.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

CeeDee Lamb, WR - Oklahoma Sooners.  Lamb finished the Big 12 Championship game with 8 catches for 173 yards, but honestly, with only 1 71 yard catch in the first quarter he takes this award.  Check it out here.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

LSU Tigers.  This is a collective award this week, because after being somewhat maligned for giving up a large amount of points, the LSU defense has buckled down and tightened up, allowing Georgia to only score 10 in the SEC Championship game.  LSU will be heavy favorites in the national semi-final.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

I was really hoping that someone would make or miss a kick that would cause chaos for the playoffs, but that didn't happen.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Utah Utes.  They could have made the playoff scenarios way more interesting, but they did not.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Kyle Wittingham, Utah Utes.  Same as above, we simply just wanted to see chaos, and Utah failed to deliver.

Breakthrough Performance

C.J. Verdell, RB - Oregon Ducks.  On a team led by supposed to have been the overall number 1 draft pick last year quarterback Justin Herbert, Verdell dominated the Pac-12 Championship game by gaining 208 yards and scoring 3 TDS on 18 carries.

Finally

Trevor Lawrence, QB - Clemson Tigers.  It seems incredulous to say that a national championship winning quarterback is "finally" playing well, but truth be told, he started slowly, and even when he played well as of late, Clemson has not been challenged.  In the ACC championship game, Lawrence looked like Lawrence, going 16-22 for 302 yards and 4 TDs.

Impact Injury

Tua Tagavailoa, QB - Alabama.  The biggest "what if" of the season.

Team Rising

Baylor Bears.  Yes, they lost in the Big 12 Championship game, but by following up their narrow loss to Oklahoma just weeks ago, with taking them to overtime in the Big 12 Championship game, Baylor proved that they are a legitimate team and were a legitimate playoff contender this year.

Team Falling

Utah Utes.  I should not have to type it out again.

Player(s) to Watch

Justin Fields, QB - Ohio State Buckeyes.  Of the two quarterbacks who have not played in the playoffs previously (Lawrence and Hurts having won championships), Justin Fields is the only first year starter.  And, with apologies to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Travis Etienne, Fileds has the best running back on his team, which means Ohio State will have an opportunity to go far, perhaps even win, the championship if Fields plays well.

My New Favorite Player

Jacob Zeno, QB - Baylor Bears.  Zeno, an apparent fourth, fifth or sixth string quarterback who was not even listed on the team depth chart sent to the media prior to the Big 12 playoff game, entered the game after an injury to the starting quarterback and poor performance by the backup.  Although Zeno did not set the world on fire, he helped keep Baylor in the game with his 2-6 for 159 yards and 1 TD.  Good by you Mr. Zeno.

Players of the Week

6.  Levi Lewis, QB - Louisiana Rajun Cajuns - Lewis was 24-46 for 364 yards and 4 TDs as Louisiana fell to Appalachian State 45-38 in the Sun Belt Championship game.

5.  Tee Higgins, WR - Clemson Tigers.  Higgins caught 8 passes for 162 yards and 3 TDs as Clemson coasted to the ACC Championship.

4.  Joe Burrow, QB - LSU Tigers.  Burrow was 28-38 for 349 yards and 4 TDs as LSU defeated Georgia 37-10 in the SEC Championship game.

3.  C.J. Verdell, RB - Oregon Ducks.  See attached.

2.  J.K Dobbins, RB - Ohio State Buckeyes.  Dobbins rushed for 172 yards and scored 1 TD in Ohio State's Big 10 Championship win over Wisconsin Badgers.

1.  CeeDee Lamb, WR - Oklahoma Sooners.  See above.

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU Tigers (1) v. Oklahoma Sooners (4)/ (2) Ohio State Buckeyes v. (3) Clemson Tigers

Remaining Unbeatens

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State

Remaining Winless Team

Akron - Only winless team on the year, as Akron has finished its season.

Rant(s) of the Week

Damn you Utah Utes!!!

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's question was:

Since the Iron Bowl was important this week, the question is how many consecutive times has Auburn won the Iron Bowl when the game was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and both teams entered the game ranked in the AP Poll?

The answer is 7.

Match up(s) to Watch

1. Army v. Navy - Not only is this a phenomenal game to watch year-in-and-year-out, it is also the only game next week.

Trivia Question of the Week

Two questions this week:

1.  Ohio State's wide receiver K.J. Hill broke the school career reception record in the Big 10 Championship game.  Which Buckeye receiver's record did he break?

2.  LSU's Joe Burrow set the single season SEC record for most touchdown passes thrown.  Which SEC quarterback had the previous record?

The Ole College Try

Rivalry week part 2, and oh what a week it was!.

Game of the Week

Auburn Tigers 48 - Alabama Crimson Tide 45.  a big rivalry game, between two Top 15 teams ends up being way more exciting than these games usually are. Ninety-three points scored, a controversy (the Auburn field goal at the end of the first half), trickery and the resulting whining (the punt line-up and the resulting 12 man on the field penalty), and a missed field goal knocking Alabama out of the playoffs!  Super, super exciting!

Best Team Performance

Ohio State Buckeyes.  Playing a supposedly resurgent rival (Michigan), and utterly destroying them 56-27.  A 300 yard passer (Justin Fields), a 200 yard rusher (J.K. Dobbins) and a 100 yard receiver (Garrett Wilson) virtually locks Ohio State into the number 1 seed (especially since the committee no longer has to worry about a 1-4 LSU-Alabama rematch in the semi-finals.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Miami Hurricanes.  Consecutive losses to Florida International and Duke are a horrendous way to finish the season.  Will probably lose to an inferior team in an inferior, irrelevant bowl.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

J.K. Dobbins, RB - Ohio State Buckeyes.  Dobbins finished with 211 yards rushing, 48 yards receiving and 4 TDs in Ohio State's rout of Michigan.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

Jonathan Greenard, DE - Florida Gators.  Greenard had 3 sacks against Florida State, and probably would have had more if the rest of the defense also didn't dominate the Florida State offensive line (and playcalling).

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Jalen Reagor, KR - TCU Horned Frogs.  Reagor's return touchdown in the loss against West Virginia was his second of the year, the first person to do this for TCU since 2012.  This gives him the spots over Jaylen Waddle only because I like the way he spells "Jalen" better.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Elijah Moore, WR - Mississippi Runnin' Rebels.  Moore caught a 2 yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left in the game that brought the Rebels within an extra point of tying The Egg Bowl with Mississippi State at 21.  However, Moore decided to act like he was a dog (presumably a bulldog) and lifted his leg mimicking urination.  He received an unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yard penalty, and Luke Logan ultimately missed the longer extra point so Mississippi - and Moore - lost the game.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Nick Saban, Alabama.  He gets caught by a unique fake punt formation and has his team called for a 12 man on the field penalty that gives Auburn a first down late in the fourth quarter.  Without that penalty, a precious minute and a half do not run off the clock, giving Alabama at least a closer field goal to tie the game, if not a touchdown.

Breakthrough Performance

Kylin Hill, RB - Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Despite the above error on the part of Elijah Moore, Kylin Hill was a big part of why the Bulldogs won The Egg Bowl.  Hill rushed for 132 yards, setting up all of State's touchdowns.

Finally

We can stop discussing this Alabama team, as its defense was clearly not up to par this year, surrendering over 45 to LSU and Auburn.

Impact Injury

Tua Tagavailoa, QB - Alabama.  It is still Tua. Makes me wonder what this game would have looked like with Tagavailoa, although Mac Jones did play wonderfully.

Team Rising

Utah Utes.  After their 45-15 victory over Colorado guarantees them a spot in the Pac-12 championship game, their playoff destiny is mostly in the hands of the Utes.  Yes, they would have to beat Oregon, but that is up to them.  They are likely in the playoff ahead of the Oklahoma/Baylor winner (especially if it is Baylor, which would split the season series between the two).  Can the Utes take care of business and beat the Ducks?  We shall see.

Team Falling

Alabama Crimson Tide.  This is the first time that Alabama will miss the college football playoffs since its inception in 2014.

Player(s) to Watch

Jalen Hurts, QB - Oklahoma Sooners.  The Big 12 championship game all depends upon whether the second half against Baylor Jalen Hurts shows up, or the first half against Baylor Jalen Hurts shows up.  If it is the former, Baylor and Utah fight for the last playoff spot (assuming LSU defeats Georgia).  If it is the latter, Oklahoma lays its claim to the last playoff spot.

My New Favorite Player

Elijah Moore, WR - Mississippi Runnin' Rebels.  Despite the fact that his celebration cost his team the game, the manuever that started the "Piss Miss" was hysterical.

Players of the Week

5.  Jonathan Greenard, DE - Florida Gators.  See above.

4.  Jamale Carothers, RB - Navy Midshipmen.  Carothers gained 188 yards and scored 5 TDs in Navy's 56-41 defeat of Houston.

3.  Jaylen Waddle, WR - Alabama Crimson Tide.  Waddle caught 4 passes for 98 yards and 3 TDs, and also returned 3 kicks for 132 yards, including a 98 yard touchdown.

2.  Bryce Perkins, QB - Virginia Cavaliers.  In Virginia's 39-30 victory over in-state rival Virginia Tech, Perkins was 20-33 for 311 yards and 1 TD, ad also ran for 164 yards and 2 more TDs  His performance gets Virginia a date with Clemson in the ACC Championship game.

1.  J.K. Dobbins, RB - Ohio State Buckeyes.  See above.

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU Tigers (1) v. Utah Utes (4)/ (2) Ohio State Buckeyes v. (3) Clemson Tigers

Remaining Unbeatens

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State

Remaining Winless Team

Akron - Only winless team on the year, as Akron has finished its season.

Rant(s) of the Week

Why are we penalizes celebrations?  If someone scores and gets specifically in the other team's face, OK, that is unsportsmanlike.  But, other than that, it is just a celebration.  Sometimes they are great, sometimes they are funny, sometimes they are questionable, and sometimes they are just stupid.  But, let the kids celebrate.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's question was:

With two sacks against Penn State, Ohio State defensive end has set the school record for sacks in a season with 16 1/2 (despite being suspended for 2 games).  Whose record did he break?

The answer is Vernan Gholston.

Match up(s) to Watch


5.  Cincinnati v. Memphis (American Conference Championship) - A rematch of last week's game in which Memphis prevailed.  Memphis, if it wins, will be the Group of 5's representative in the New Year's Day bowls.  A Cincinnati win opens the door for Boise State or Appalachian State.

4. Utah v. Oregon (Pac 12 Championship) - Utah has the opportunity to make the playoffs with a win, whereas Oregon has its sights set on the Rose Bowl.  Oregon should be favored, but Utah's defense is tough.

3. Ohio State v Wisconsin (Big 10 Championship) - A Wisconsin victory throws the entire playoff scenario into chaos, and possibly (but not likely) knocks Ohio State out of the playoff.  

2.  Baylor v. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship) - Both teams have 1 loss, and the winner could be playoff bound if this win is convincing enough, and if LSU defeats Georgia.  Baylor looking for revenge after losing to Oklahoma just weeks ago.

1. Georgia v. LSU (SEC Championship) - Easily the best game on the books.  A Georgia win likely puts two SEC teams into the playoff.  An LSU win makes the fight for spot number 4 (assuming Ohio State and Clemson victories) incredibly interesting.

Trivia Question of the Week

Since the Iron Bowl was important this week, the question is how many consecutive times has Auburn won the Iron Bowl when the game was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and both teams entered the game ranked in the AP Poll?

The Ole College Try

This was week 13, or more importantly, the first of two consecutive weeks of rivalry games.  Who knows what can happen in a rivalry game?  Well, almost everyone as most games played out according to form.  Which ones did and didn't - stay tuned.

Game of the Week

Yale Bulldogs 50 - Harvard Crimson 43.  Now, for those of you that think that i am biased for picking a game with my alma mater, this is NOT a biased selection.  This truly was the game of the week.  It was tremendous.  And, the bad guys won, so you know it had to be good for me to select this game.  Harvard jumped out to a lead, was up 17 with like 6 minutes left, and up 14 with just over a minute left.  A touchdown, recovered onside kick, and a touchdown sent the game to overtime - IN THE DARK.  Let me emphasize this - THE YALE BOWL DOES NOT HAVE LIGHTS.  Now, why was the game scheduled to end in the dark if there are no lights?  It wasn't.  Students protesting and demanding for divestment from fossil fuel and climate change causing companies did a sit-in at halftime, causing a 48 minute delay.  43 people arrested.  In overtime, Harvard scores on the first play.  Yale scores to tie the game, and then scores again in the second overtime to go up 7.  Harvard gets into a 4th and 5, where coach Tim Murphy calls a bubble screen, which gains 4 1/2 yards to come up just short.  Yale secures a share of the Ivy League title, despite fumbling into the end zone on the first drive, but somehow replay gave the ball back to Yale, which eventually scored a field goal.   Yale quarterback Kurt Rawlings can play on Sunday.

Best Team Performance

Utah Utes.  Other teams had bigger wins, and still other teams had more impressive wins, but Utah, with an opportunity to clinch their division with only one loss (which Oregon failed to do on the other side of the conference), Utah defeated Arizona 35-7, giving up only a meaningless fourth quarter touchdown.  If Utah can win the Pac-12, they would be in contention for the last playoff spot with LSU (if Georgia wins the SEC), or with Alabama and Oklahoma (if LSU wins the SEC). Solidly doing what they had to do, can bring Utah into the playoff discussion.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Oregon Ducks.  The exact converse of Utah, the Ducks laid an egg when given the opportunity to stay in the playoff discussion, falling 31-28 to the Arizona State Sun Devils, helped at least in part by 2 consecutive fourth quarter interceptions by Justin Herbert.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

Kedon Slovis, QB - USC Trojans.  The freshman QB, paying in his first rivalry game, was 37-47 for 515 yards and 4 TDs.  He spread the ball around well, as four different receivers gained at least 100 yards in the game as USC outdistanced UCLA 52-35.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

Xavier McKinney, DB - Alabama Crimson Tide. McKinney had only 3 tackles, but 2 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, as Alabama destroyed Western Carolina 66-3.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Coby Bryant, CB - Cincinnati Bearcats.  Temple scores a touchdown to cut Cincinnati's lead to 13-6 in the fourth quarter, where Bryan returns the extra point for a 2 point defensive conversion to put the Bearcats up 15-6.  A later touchdown by Temple brings Cincinnati's lead down to the 2 point conversion, keeping the 10-1 Bearcats in the conversation for Group of 5 New Year's Bowl game.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Every Harvard student that protested at halftime of the Harvard-Yale game.  You made the game finish in the dark, where Harvard could only try short passes and runs to try to tie the game.  You suck!

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

Tim Murphy - Harvard Crimson.  I get why you called the screen on 4th and 5 in double overtime, nobody could see if the pass was much longer, and, a first down was only a half a block away.  But, why did you try on onside kick in the fourth quarter up 17, giving Yale good field position to get that first score needed to start a comeback?  Don't you know Yale invented the onside kick?

Breakthrough Performance

Aiden Borguet, RB - Havard Crimson.  The first-year running back gained 269 on 11 carries, but he had 243 on his first 6 carries, with 4 TDs, to single-legedly push Harvard into its lead against Yale in his first ever appearance in THE GAME.

Finally

Bud Foster, DC - Virginia Tech Hokies.  Finally his last home game.  After coaching at Virginia Tech for 12,749 years, Bud Foster is finally retiring, and his last home game is a 28-0 shutout. Can coordinators make the College Football Hall of Fame?

Impact Injury

Tua Tagavailoa, QB - Alabama.  It is still Tua.

Team Rising

Oklahoma Sooners.  I know that it is hard to say that a team ranked 9th in the country is rising, but after defeating TCU 28-24, and with Ohio State's victory over Penn State, the Sooners are back in playoff contention.  Should LSU defeat Georgia in the SEC championship game (and Clemson and Ohio State take care of business), there will be only a few teams left for the last playoff spot, and that includes Alabama (if they defeat Auburn), Utah (if it wins the Pac-12), and Oklahoma - which has Oklahoma State and Baylor (for the second time) remaining. Given a possible conference championship for Oklahoma, it should have the advantage over Alabama.

Team Falling

SMU Mustangs.  One of the last 7 undefeateds after starting 8-0, SMU lost to Navy 35-28, its second loss of its last 3 games.  Once a contender for the Group of 5 spot in the New Year's Day Bowl game, SMU has slipped to also-ran status, as Cincinnati, Memphis, Boise State and Appalachian State remain at 1 loss.

Player(s) to Watch

Kurt Rawlings, QB - Yale Bulldogs.  Although he has played his last collegiate game since the Ivy League prohibits its football teams from playing in the I-AA, I mean FCS, playoffs (because the schedule interferes with finals for most of the schools), Rawlings went out with a bang in The Game, going 33-53 for 417 yards and 3 TDs, while gaining another 62 yards and an additional TD on the ground.  I HATE HIM!   

My New Favorite Player

Aiden Borguet, RB - Harvard Crimson.  He has SPEED.  Not Ivy League speed, but real speed.  His 4 touchdowns came on runs of 47, 59, 60, and and 67 yards.  I cannot wait to watch him run rampant through the Ivy League the next three years, despite starter Devin Darrington returning for his senior year.

Players of the Week

5.  Zack Moss, RB - Utah Utes.  Moss gained 203 yards on 26 carries, and scored 1 TD in Utah's 35-7 win over Arizona.

4.  Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin Badgers.  He gained 222 yards on 28 carries, with 1 TD as Wisconsin defeated Purdue 45-24, and putting Wisconsin in a must-win against Minnesota for the division championship.

3.  Jayden Daniels, QB - Arizona State Sun Devils.  The freshman QB threw for 408 yards and 3 TDs as Arizona State dashed Oregon'a playoff hopes 31-28.

2.  Kurt Rawlings, QB - Yale Bulldogs.  See above.

1.  Kedon Slovis, QB - USC Trojans.  See above.

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU Tigers (1) v. Oregon Ducks (4)/ (2) Ohio State Buckeyes v. (3) Clemson Tigers

Remaining Unbeatens

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State

Remaining Winless Team

Akron

Rant(s) of the Week

I understand the students felt like they were doing a good deed in protesting in favor of climate change, and asking for the divestment of school monies from companies that contribute to climate change, but boy was that the worst protest ever - and in contributed to Harvard losing the game.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's question was:

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor eclipsed the NCAA record for most rushing yards through a junior season.  Whose record did he break?

The answer is Herschel Walker.

Match up(s) to Watch

5. Virginia Tech v. Virginia - The intrastate rivalry is increasingly important as the winner claims the ACC Coastal title and the opportunity to upset Clemson in the ACC Championship game.

4.  Cincinnati v. Memphis - In what could be the most exciting game of the weekend, Cincinnati has already clinched its division, whereas Memphis is tied with Navy.  A Memphis win sets up a re-match next week.

3.  Wisconsin v. Minnesota - The winner of this game wins the division, and the opportunity to play Ohio State for the Big 10 Championship.  If that winner is Minnesota, they would remain in playoff contention.  If it is Wisconsin, just the chance they could beat Ohio State could bring chaos to the playoffs.  

2.  Ohio State v. Michigan - Michigan has been playing incredibly well as of late, and if there was ever an interesting time for the underdog in this rivalry to pull out an upset - this would be it.

1.  Alabama v. Auburn - Last week was not much of a challenge for Mac Jones, or shall we say, Tua's replacement.  This game will show whether Alabama can play without Tua Tagavailoa, as Auburn's defense is outstanding and the Tigers/War Eagles/Plainsmen are at home. Although Auburn's offense has been stymied by exceptional defenses (Florida/LSU), Alabama's defense this year is not exceptional.  Does that increase Auburn's chances to win?  You bet.  Will they?  We shall see..

Trivia Question of the Week

With two sacks against Penn State, Ohio State defensive end has set the school record for sacks in a season with 16 1/2 (despite being suspended for 2 games).  Whose record did he break?

The Ole College Try

I usually try to use this write-up as an analysis of this week's games, however, since I missed last week's write-up, and since last week included Alabama-LSU, I am certainly going to be dropping in references to both of the last two weeks.

Game of the Week

(Week 11) - LSU Tigers 46 - Alabama Crimson Tide 41.  LSU jumps out to a big lead, but Alabama claws its way back in the second half until an LSU touchdown puts the game out of reach, except for the bomb Alabama throws on the next play to make it 46-41 with just enough time left to make it interesting.  LSU cements the win with a couple of first downs and stakes its claim to the number 1 ranking.  Great play from all the great players, exciting scoring opportunities, controversial plays (Moss's first down catch).  This game had it all.

(Week 12) - Oklahoma Sooners 34 - Baylor Bears 31.  Baylor jumped out to a 28-3 halftime score, only for Oklahoma to come storming back behind Jalen Hurts, without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.  Oklahoma puts itself into the conversation for the final playoff spot with Georgia, Oregon, Utah and Penn State.

Best Team Performance

LSU Tigers.  They scored 46 on Alabama, enough said.  Yes, they gave up 41, but in such a slugfest that can sometimes be expected.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Maryland Terrapins.  The Terps lost 73-14 to Ohio State in Week 11.  There is no shame in losing to the Buckeyes this year, but the fact that the score was so lopsided, especially after scoring 79 and 63 in its first two games this year, is especially disappointing.  On this particular day, Maryland's football team gave up more points that Maryland's basketball team.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB - LSU Tigers.  Yes Joe Burrow was great, but LSU does not defeat Alabama without the exploits of Edwards-Helaire.  He gained 103 yards rushing and scored 3 TDs, and added 77 more yards receiving, on 9 receptions, and another touchdown.  He was the best player on the field.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

Terrel Bernard, LB - Baylor Bears.  In week 11, Bernard was a monster.  He totaled 19 tackles, including 1 sack and 3 for losses in Baylor's 29-23 victory over TCU to stay undefeated.  He followed that up with a 15 tackle performance against Oklahoma, which included 8 solo tackles, a sack, and 1 1/2 tackles for loss in Baylor's narrow 34-31 loss to the Sooners.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Matthew Trickett, K - Kent State Golden Flashes.  Trickett went 3-3 on field goals, including a 44 yard game winner, and 3-3 of extra points as Kent State defeated Buffalo 30-27 in week 12.  But, Trickett also set up his own game-winner by recovering his own perfectly executed onside kick.

Goat of the Week (Player Edition)

Offensive Line - Texas Longhorns.  If you can remember back to the beginning of the season, and one of the storylines was "Is Texas Back?"  That answer is a resounding "NO", and the offensive line is a major reason why.  Offering no holes for the Longhorn backfield, Texas amassed only 54 rushing yards in a 23-21 loss to Iowa State.  Out of those 54 yards, 27 were gained by quarterback Sam Ehlinger, but it took him 12 carries to even accomplish that.

Goat of the Week (Coach Edition)

P.J. Fleck - Minnesota Golden Gophers.  I do not want to place Fleck here, and in a large measure he does not deserve it, but, sometimes that is the position of the coach.  Fleck ran onto the field after an Iowa defender decked a Minnesota receiver.  Iowa drew a critical 4th down personal foul penalty, but then so did Fleck as he ran onto the field immediately after the play.  In Fleck's defense, he was not jawing with Iowa, or picking a fight with any of the players; it looked as if he was just trying to check on his downed-player, but, he was so fast and was on the field before any other coaches and trainers, that the officials had no choice but to flag him.  I still support what he did, but it helped cost the team in a 23-19 loss to the Hawkeyes, Minnesota's first.

Please note - I am not going to pile on Nick Saban for still having Tua Tagavailoa in the game when he dislocated his hip, as it was still the first half.

Breakthrough Performance

Brock Purdy, QB - Iowa State Cyclones.  Iowa State has had a nice season, going 6-4 after beating Texas 23-21.  But, after playing several close matches, Purdy broke out statistically with a monster against the Longhorns, going 30-48 for 354 yards and 2 TDs, in a game that was supposed to feature the quarterback on the other sideline Sam Ehlinger.

Finally

Shea Patterson, QB - Michigan Wolverines.  It seems like Patterson has been here before, having one good game after failing to live up to expectations all through college.  But, his 24-33 for 384 yards and 4 TDs performance in Michigan's 44-10 trouncing of Michigan State shows that perhaps, just perhaps, Michigan can finally compete with Ohio State this year.  (Doubtful, but perhaps.)

Impact Injury

Tua Tagavailoa, QB - Alabama.  It is still Tua.  This time the question is not whether Tua can be dangerous or close to 100%, but rather how good can Alabama be without Tua, as he will miss the rest of the season (and likely his Alabama career) after dislocating his him and the posterior fracture.

Team Rising

Utah Utes.  Utah, having defeated UCLA 49-3, and covering a 45 1/2 points spread, sit atop the Pac-12 South with a 6-1 record, 9-1 overall.  They have two remaining conference games against bottom-dwellers Arizona and Colorado. Two wins there, and they should face the expected Pac-12 North champion Oregon Ducks.  Both sit at 6 and 7 in playoff rankings, but would likely jump Alabama into 5th, and likely make the playoffs if LSU defeats Georgia in the SEC Championship game (and likely not if Georgia defeats LSU).  Also, can you imagine Utah being favored by 45 1/2 over UCLA?  Amazing job with the program.

Team Falling

Alabama Crimson Tide.  First there was the devastating loss to LSU in week 11, and now the devastating loss of Tua Tagavailoa in week 12.  Will likely still be ranked number 5 in the playoff rankings (or at least should) after this week's 38-7 drubbing of Mississippi State, but Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma and Penn State are all nipping at their heels.

Player(s) to Watch

John Rhys Plumlee, RB - Mississippi Running Rebels.  Playing the LSU Tigers the week after LSU defeated Alabama could be a great time to take advantage of the Tigers overlooking an opponent.  That did not happen this week as LSU defeated Mississippi 58-37.  Despite the lopsided score, Mississippi running back Plumlee ran for 212 yards on just 20 carries, and scored 4 TDs.   

My New Favorite Player

Dameon Pierce, RB - Florida Gators.  Tom Petty, who is from the Gainesville, Florida area and who used to work for the University athletic department, died on October 2, 2017.  Ever since then, starting with the first home game after his death on October 7, 2017, the University of Florida has played I Won't Back Down for the crowd to sing just after the traditional playing of the alma mater, We Are the  Boys, between the third and fourth quarters.  (I know, it is know Jump Around at Wisconsin).  This past week, Pierce was on the field for I Won't Back Down, and after air guitaring and air drumming portions of the song, began to do the Stanky Leg.  To Tom Petty.  Definitely my new favorite player.

Players of the Week (Just Week 12)

It is a shame that I skipped week 11 as there were a ton of great performances See Ewards-Helaire, Clyde.

6.  Jalen Hurts, QB - Oklahoma Sooners.  Hurts led Oklahoma's incredible comeback win over Baylor by throwing for 297 yards and 4 TDs, while also rushing for 114 yards.

5.  Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin Badgers.  Taylor ran for 204 yards and 2 TDs in Wisconsin's 37-21 victory over Nebraska, setting the NCAA record for most rushing yards through a junior season.

4.  Tyler Huntley, QB - Utah Utes.  Huntley threw for 335 yards and 2 TDs in Utah's 49-3 thrashing of UCLA.  Amazingly, he did it on only 14-18 completions/attempts.

3.  John Rhys Plumlee, RB - Mississippi Running Rebels.  See above.  Would ordinarily be ranked higher, except Mississippi lost to LSU.

2.  Ja'Marr Chase, WR - LSU Tigers.  Chase hauled in 8 catches, for 227 yards and 3 scores as LSU defeated Mississippi 58-37.

1.  Joe Burrow, QB - LSU Tigers.  Three star performances in the same game, topped by Burrow's 32-42 for 489 yards and 5 TDs.

Predicted Playoffs/Championship Match Ups

LSU Tigers (1) v. Oregon Ducks (4)/ (2) Ohio State Buckeyes v. (3) Clemson Tigers

Remaining Unbeatens

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State

Remaining Winless Team

Akron

Rant(s) of the Week

Fans that do not understand the rules.  Yes, I realize that it looked like Moss was out-of-bounds before he caught the pass against Alabama.  But, he was ruled pushed out-of-bounds, and in that circumstance he is allowed to re-establish himself inbounds and be the first player to touch the ball on a pass.  You can disagree that he was pushed out-of-bounds, but please at least understand what the call is, and the rules pertaining to that call - before griping.

Last Week's Trivia Answer

Last week's question was:

President Donald Trump is expected to attend the Alabama-LSU matchup.  When was the last time a sitting President attended s regular season college game between the top 2 ranked teams, who played, and who was the President?

The answer is 1969, Texas and Arkansas, and Richard Nixon.

Match up(s) to Watch

5. Akron v. Miami (Oh) - The Zips are running out of opportunities to win a game this season, (plus it is a generally uninteresting week)..

4.  SMU v. Navy - This should actually be an incredibly exciting game.

3.  Pittsburgh v. Virginia Tech - This is one of the four games in the next two weeks that will determine whether Virginia, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, or Miami is slaughtered by Clemson in the ACC Championship game.  

2.  Harvard v.  Yale - The Game!  Enough said.

1.  Penn State v. Ohio State - The winner of this game wins the Big 10 East, and will earn the right to play in the conference championship game.  Winner is likely still in the playoff chase, while the loser is all but out (yes, even if it is Ohio State).

Trivia Question of the Week

This should be pretty easy, but, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor eclipsed the NCAA record for most rushing yards through a junior season.  Whose record did he break?