Top Ten Bowl Games to Watch: 2017

The Best Games to Watch This Bowl Season

1.  College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl: #1 Clemson Tigers vs. #4 Alabama Crimson Tide: New Year's Day at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN  

For the 3rd year in a row, Clemson will face Alabama in the playoffs, this time in a Semifinal Game.  The coaching staffs and a majority of players on both sides are familiar foes, but a few newcomers will have their own part to play on how this battle out.

Although he was on the team last year, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant has yet take a snap against Alabama.  Fortunately, he has plenty of great teammates that can make his first game against the Tide a successful one.  Travis Etienne, Tavien Feaster, and Adam Choice are an excellent trio of running backs which Bryant can have confidence handing the ball to.  More importantly, Clemson possesses a strong cadre of receivers led by the hero of last year's championship win Hunter Renfrow and the reliable Deon Cain.  I don't have the space to list all the other fine receivers that make this receiving corps the best in the nation. 

However, the best thing going for the Tigers could be their defensive line headlined by projected 1st round draft pick Christian Wilkins and his teammate at defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.  They have the potential to get as much pressure on Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts as the Auburn defensive line got on him in their dominating victory. 

Of course, Alabama usually comes up with great performances in postseason games so Hurts, running back Bo Scarbrough, and the Alabama offensive line could very well turn this game into a shootout. 

In the end, I think Clemson will win by 7.

2. College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl: #2 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #3 Georgia Bulldogs: New Year's Day at 5 p.m. on ESPN  

Oklahoma has the decided advantage in this game at the quarterback position, as the Sooners have the newest Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield throwing passes.  Mayfield completed over 71 percent of his passes, throwing for 4,340 yards, 41 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.  He is the engine that makes the entire team run, and when Mayfield is firing on all cylinders, the Sooners can beat anyone in the country.  Mayfield has created enough offense to dominate Ohio State, defeat rival Oklahoma State, and whip TCU, twice!  Rodney Anderson is a great workhorse at the running back position and Mayfield has plenty of excellent receivers to dish the ball out to.  The big question revolves around the Oklahoma defense.  Can the Sooners come up with a defensive stop at the critical moments of the game?

Oklahoma's defensive coordinator will certainly be have his hands full dealing with the duo of talented Georgia running backs, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.  While their offensive line has not always given them enough room to run, like when they got walloped by Auburn in the regular season, Chubb and Michel can certainly make defenses pay dearly when given space, which they did when they took revenge on Auburn in the SEC Championship Game.  The Bulldogs also have a solid quarterback in Jake Fromm, but he is a freshman and doesn't have the experience or raw talent that Mayfield has.  Georgia's defense is brimming with great players but I don't think they are great enough to contain the nation's best player Baker Mayfield.      

My pick: Oklahoma by 3.

3.  Cotton Bowl: #5 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #9 USC Trojans: 12/29 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

The single thing on every analyst's mind regarding this game is how very motivated Ohio State will be coming into this game.  Whether correct or not, the entire team feels slighted by being left out of the playoffs.  Senior quarterback J.T. Barrett has been the most outspoken member of the team concerning this, and, as the unequivocal leader of the Buckeyes, his teammates will feed off his angst and channel it into putting up a strong showing against USC.

I need to pause to say that despite being an avid Buckeyes fans, I understand why they were kept just out of the playoffs.  Ohio State was dominated in an early season loss to Oklahoma, but more glaring was a late season loss to Iowa.  One week after notching a huge comeback victory over Penn State, the Buckeyes traveled to Iowa and got their butts handed to them by the Hawkeyes.  Barrett tossed 4 interceptions while the Ohio State defense gave up 55 points!  In the end, a conference title was not enough to make the Playoff Selection Committee overlook of the ugliest losses by a top 25 team this season.

However, I think the Buckeyes will be more than ready to put this behind them and come out ready to play.  Barrett, running back J.K. Dobbins, and a solid offensive line will make a big impact in the game.  On the other side of the ball, linebacker Malik Harrison and safety Damon Webb are lynchpins of a defense that is capable of going toe-to-toe with a great quarterback.

That great quarterback would be USC's Sam Darnold.  Despite having major turnover problems early in the year that sent his Heisman campaign into a ditch, Darnold responded by leading his team to a PAC 12 Championship down the stretch.  I think he will finish the year with a strong performance that won't quite be enough to defeat a ticked off Ohio State team.

My pick: Ohio State by 10.

4.  Fiesta Bowl:  #9 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. #11 Washington Huskies: 12/30 at 4 p.m. on ESPN 

This battle out in Arizona pits teams that finished in 3rd place of their respective conferences.  Both Washington and Penn State were prime contenders to win their conference and snag a playoff spot.  However, a pair of losses by each team sent their potential paths to the playoffs into a field of cactus. 

For Washington, their first defeat was a rather embarrassing one, losing to poorly regarded Arizona State 13-7.  The Huskies were definitely on the outside looking in after that and Stanford stuck a fork in their chances when they defeated them 30-22. Still, Washington is formidable as quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin provide plenty of fuel for the Huskies' offense.  Additionally, the Washington defense can seem like a pack of hungry dogs when they are fully focused.  

Penn State's 2 losses came at the hands of 2 very good top 25 teams in consecutive weeks.  Prior to this, the Nittany Lions were ranked #2 in the nation and their star running back Saquon Barkley was at the top of the Heisman watch list.  But after Ohio State's successful 4th quarter comeback against the Nittany Lions and a upset loss to Michigan State, Penn State's time in the limelight ended with a resounding crash.  Nevertheless, quarterback Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley are plenty capable to right the ship and end the season with a close victory that will make December 30th a fiesta for Nittany Lions fans. 

My pick: Penn State by 6.

5. Peach Bowl: #7 Auburn Tigers vs. #12 UCF Knights: New Year's Day at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN

As I have said in previous years, I have a great respect for teams from the non-Power 5 Conferences who exceed expectations.  This year's team are the American Conference Champion UCF Knights.  They are the only undefeated team in the nation which is truly incredible considering the Knights are just 2 years removed from a embarrassing winless season.  The resurgence of UCF football has much to do with their prowess on offense.  They lead in the nation in points per game thanks to Hawaii born quarterback McKenzie Milton and the two men often lined up behind him, running backs Adrian Killins and Otis Anderson.  Milton has thrown for almost 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns, and also runs the option extremely well.  The only weakness is their defense, which was solid most of the year but gave up chunks of yards at the end of the year.

And the leads me right into the key for Auburn in this game: the health of Kerryon Johnson.  Johnson is a very effective runner when healthy and I don't think UCF's defense could stop him from singlehandedly taking control of the game.  However, Johnson has been really banged up lately and could still be hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered against Alabama.  Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is good but only seems to be great when the run game is working.  Plus, their enthusiasm in the Peach Bowl could be considerably lower than UCF's as the Tigers missed out on the playoffs after losing the SEC Championship Game to Georgia.

My upset pick:  UCF by 3. 

6. Orange Bowl: #6 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #10 Miami Hurricanes: 12/30 at 8 p.m. on ESPN

I chose this as the least interesting New Year's Six Bowl because of the recent disappointments each team has gone through after losing in their respective conference championship game.  Miami got absolutely steamrolled by Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, losing 38-3 thanks to their offense which struggled mightily.  Wisconsin's potential undefeated season and spot in the playoffs was ruined when their comeback effort against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game fell short and they were defeated 27-21.

Just from their respective scores you can tell that Wisconsin preformed far better on offense.  The Badgers' offensive line is capable of clearing space for freshman tailback Jonathan Taylor to run.  Additionally, Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook has been more consistent of late than Miami quarterback Malik Rozier.  I think Miami's problems on offense will continue and Wisconsin will win comfortably.

My pick: Wisconsin by 17

7. Camping World Bowl: #19 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. #22 Virginia Tech Hokies:  12/28 at 5:15 p.m. on ESPN

Played in Orlando's Citrus Bowl Stadium, this bowl game features one of my favorite quarterbacks.  Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph is a committed Christian and has led his team with integrity, proving over the two years he has been the starter that he is a consistent and accurate passer.  Helping Rudolph at every turn is top notch wide receiver James Washington.  Just this year Washington accumulated an astounding 1,423 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.  Adding to the Cowboys' offensive firepower is speedy running back Justice Hill.  Unfortunately, Oklahoma State's defense is weak which is why they lost 3 key games to TCU, Kansas State and rival Oklahoma.  

Lining up against them are the Hokies of Virginia Tech who possess a talented defense that has given up only 13.5 points per game.  On offense, they have freshman quarterback Justin Jackson who some believe will take a big step forward in 2018 and have the opportunity to lead his team in a spot in next year's playoffs.  However, I'm focusing on this year's bowl season.  Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma State's offense is simply too much for Virginia Tech to handle.

My pick: Oklahoma State by 14

8. Holiday Bowl: #16 Michigan State Spartans vs. #18 Washington State Cougars: 12/28 at 9 p.m. on Fox Sports 1

This is a battle of teams that struggled with inconsistency for much of the year.  Michigan State's season has been a rollercoaster.  On the 4th weekend of the season, the Spartans lost by 20 in a important early season contest against Notre Dame.  Two weeks later, they defeated rival Michigan in a hard fought 14-10 victory.  Then, in late October, they suffered an upset loss to Northwestern, which was honestly the defeat that hurt them the most.  They followed that up by upsetting Penn State but the damage was already done.

Washington State's season was even harder to predict.  Their season started better than expected when they upset juggernaut USC, a game which I covered.  They also downed another  PAC 12 Conference frontrunner in Stanford, but inexplicable losses to Arizona and Cal stole their thunder.  Finishing the year with another terrible performance in their yearly rivalry game with Washington left a bad taste in the mouths of Cougar fans.

It seems to me that Washington State's season ended on a worse note than Michigan State's which gives the Spartans an advantage.  Plus, the solid run game that the Spartans have is more reliable than the Cougars' air raid offense.  The choice is clear.

My pick: Michigan State by 13.

9. Dollar General Bowl: Toledo Rockets vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers: 12/23 at 7 p.m on ESPN 

This is actually a rematch of a bowl game I previewed for readers last year.  In the thrilling contest between these two last year, Camellia Bowl 2016, Appalachian State won by a matter of feet.  Late in a close game, the Mountaineer kicked a field goal with a few minutes remaining.  Toledo responded by moving down the field to set up a field goal attempt of their own with mere seconds to play.  The ball rocketed off of the foot of Toledo's kicker but just missed sneaking inside the upright.  The cheers of the Mountaineer players and fans filled the air as the ball hit the ground.

The quarterbacks on each side are the same as last year.  The Rockets have 3,000 yard passer Logan Woodside and the Mountaineers have 2,000+ yard passer Taylor Lamb.  However, Toledo has the advantage running the ball as their running back Terry Swanson has gained 400 more yards than Appalachian State's Jalin Moore.  Also, Toledo longing to avenge last year's defeat will be a powerful motivator.

My Pick: Toledo by 6.

10.  Alamo Bowl: #13 Stanford Cardinal vs. #15 TCU Horned Frogs: 12/28 at 9 p.m on ESPN 

Both teams are looking to tack a quality bowl win onto the end of a season that fell short of true success. Stanford lost twice to rival USC, once in the regular season and once in the PAC 12 Championship Game.  Couple that with an unexpected loss to Washington State and Stanford's season certainly fell short of expectations. 

For TCU, things were nearly identical.  They lost twice to Oklahoma in the regular season and Big 12 Championship Game and were also upset by Iowa State.

The Cardinal have a decided advantage at running back with Heisman finalist Bryce Love who tallied almost 2,000 yards this year.  TCU's top running back doesn't even have 1,000.  Although the Horned Frogs have the better quarterback in Kenny Hill, Bryce Love will be too much for them to handle.

My pick: Stanford by 10 (sorry, Zack).

Championship Week 2017

Results of Last Week's Championship Games to Watch

1.  ACC Championship: #1 Clemson Tigers vs. #7 Miami Hurricanes 

This was Clemson’s 3rd straight appearance in this championship game and their experience showed.  Quarterback Kelly Bryant and the Tigers clawed their way down the field on their first possession, covering 68 yards in 10 plays.  Freshman running back Travis Etienne used his senior-level toughness to muscle his way into the endzone on the final play of the drive.  

Miami's offense, still trying to shake off the cobwebs from a terrible game against Pittsburgh, was forced to punt on their ensuing drive.  However, Clemson punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled while trying to receive the punt and Miami recovered.  The Hurricanes managed to get a single first down, but could not get into the endzone.  Forced to kick a field goal, Miami attempted a 46 yard field goal, but kicker Michigan Badgely missed it and the Hurricanes came up empty.

Things would get far worse for Miami as 7 plays later Clemson doubled their lead on a 11 yard TD run by Bryant.  The valiant Tigers added another touchdown early in the 2nd quarter after the Hurricanes' offense sputtered like an engine on a jalopey.   At the half, Clemson led 21-0 and would put up 17 more unanswered points in the 3rd quarter.

Clemson put in their backup quarterback early in the 4th quarter, proving Head Coach Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff knew they had totally outclassed the opposition.  Better luck next year, Miami!

Final Score: Clemson 38, Miami 3

2.  #4 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #8 Ohio State Buckeyes 

The major storyline coming into this championship game was the health of Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett.  He suffered a knee injury in last week's game against Michigan and the injury was severe enough to warrant a minor knee surgery.  His status was listed as questionable.  But, though a combination of the miracle of modern medicine and sheer willpower, Barrett would start at quarterback.

Even more unexpectedly, Barrett would proceed to light up the scoreboard in the first half.  He threw 2 long touchdown passes in the 1st quarter alone, lengthened by excellent yardage after the catch by wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Parris Campbell. 

However, Barrett was not mistake-free, as, in between the TD passes, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Ohio State added more points to the scoreboard in the 2nd quarter thanks to the Ohio State offensive line clearing a path for J.K. Dobbins to break off a 77 yard run.

Dobbins was tackled 1 yard short of the goal line and Barrett ran into the endzone on the next play.

Wisconsin's only offensive points came on a field goal late in the 2nd quarter, due to the fact that Ohio State's defense had completely bottled up Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.

The Badgers made a game of it in the 2nd half, mainly because of the improved play of quarterback Alex Hornibrook.  Hornibrook led Wisconsin on a 11 play touchdown drive and threw a good pass on the 2 point conversion attempt to get his team within 3.  However, the Buckeyes' defense held firm on 2 pivotal drives in the late stages of the 4th quarter, securing an Ohio State victory.

The Ohio State are back as champions of the Big Ten!

Final Score: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21

Most Exciting Championship Game of the Week 

American Athletic Championship: #14 UCF Knights vs. #20 Memphis Tigers 

With a trip to the Peach Bowl on the line, both teams, or the offenses at any rate, played at an extremely high level.  Through almost 3 full quarters, 72 total points had been scored and over 1,100 yards of total offense had been recorded.  UCF had a 38-34 lead and possession of the ball starting at their own 15 yard line.  Much as they had multiple times before, the Knights began charging down the field again.  The first play was a 23 yard dash around the right side of the defense by running back Adrian Killins Jr.  UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton followed that up with a 32 yard completion to seldom used receiver Michael Colubiale.

Two plays later, Milton launched a perfect pass to receiver Dredrick Snelson who caught it despite being locked in tight coverage.  With how well Milton was throwing the ball, I was not surprised at all that the pass was completed.

Memphis missed a field goal on their next drive and UCF took advantage by going 57 yards in 10 plays before making a field goal.  Now trailing by 14, the situation was looking desperate for the Tigers.  However, the Memphis offense channeled that negative energy by working to spring running back Tony Pollard on a 66 yard TD run.

UCF's red-hot offense cooled down on their next drive, punting after 7 plays.  Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson took the opportunity given to him and started to shred the UCF defense again.  Second string running back Patrick Taylor Jr. supplemented Ferguson's passes with 18 yards on 3 carries and the Tigers sauntered their way to the Knights' 10 yard line.  Top receiver Anthony Miller ran an excellent fade route on the next play and Ferguson found him for a game-tying touchdown.

The Knights went three-and-out on their ensuing drive, giving Memphis a golden opportunity to go down the field on a game-winning drive.  However, thanks to a crucial holding call against the Tigers, Memphis was forced to kick a long field gielf that freshman kicker Riley Patterson  was not able to make.  Only 28 seconds of regulation remained and the game soon went to overtime.

Memphis got the ball first and overcame 15 yards of penalties to score 7 points on another touchdown from Ferguson to Miller.  UCF responded with a 4 play drive that hit paydirt when Milton ran the option and pitched the ball to Adrien Killins who snuck inside the pylon for a touchdown.

Order of possession flipped in the 2nd overtime and the Knights had the next crack at reaching the endzone.   A ten yard completion by Milton plus a roughing the passer penalty on Memphis put the ball at the ten yard line.  Two plays later, running back Otis Anderson used a 2nd effort push to plunge it for a 1 yard TD.

The pressure was now on Memphis to keep the game going.  At first, they were up to the challenge, converting a 4th down to keep their hopes alive.  However, two plays later, defensive end Shaquem Griffin, got pressure on the quarterback, forcing Ferguson to throw before he wanted to.  The pass was well short of Ferguson's intended target and was intercepted by UCF defensive back Tre Neal, ending the game.

UCF players and coaches ran across the field in wide arcs, the stadium shaking from the cheers of a packed house of fans.  The Knights were champions, completing their epic turnaround from winless in 2015 to undefeated Champions of the American Conference just two years later.  They are truly worthy of a trip to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.

Final Score: UCF 62, Memphis 55

  

Final College Football Playoff Committee Rankings

1. Clemson Tigers

2. Oklahoma Sooners

 
3. Georgia Bulldogs

 
4. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Committee has made their picks and I fully support their decision.  Clemson will face Alabama in the playoffs the 3rd year in a row, this time in a Semifinal Game at the Sugar Bowl.  Oklahoma will take on Georgia in the Rose Bowl.  The winners will go head to head in the National Championship Game played at the Atlanta Falcons' new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  Of all the potential outcomes, one thing is clear: Its going to be epic!

Rivalry Week 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #6 Auburn Tigers 

A shocking statistic told by ESPN's Ryan McGee was that Head Coach Nick Saban had never fielded a team that had defeated an Auburn team with 9 or more wins.  And guess what?! Auburn was sitting on a 9-2 record coming into the game.  Would this time be any different?

It was definitely going to be a tough test for Alabama either way.  Auburn's offense was certainly dual-threat with quarterback Jarrett Stidham and running back Kerryon Johnson providing plenty of offensive firepower.
  

Both teams traded punts to open the game with Auburn having the third possession of the game.  The Tigers got the ball at their own 6 yard line, but they were undaunted by the long field in front of them. A 15 yard run by Kerryon Johnson got Auburn a 1st down and the Tigers soon followed that up with a 25 yard completion from Stidham to receiver Nate Craig-Myers.  Six plays later, Auburn had reached Alabama's 3 yard line but faced a 3rd down.  On the crucial play, was Kerryon lined up as quarterback and caught a shotgun snap.  He started to run towards the mass of defenders guarding the entrance to the end zone.  But he stopped suddenly, and like Tim Tebow did nearly 10 years ago, Johnson hopped into the air and threw a weak lob towards the back of the endzone.  Wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers was wide open and he caught the ball easily for the 1st touchdown of the game.

The next two drives ended in fumbles for both teams after which came a pair of three-and-outs. Alabama finally got on the board with their next possession which ended in a long TD pass by quarterback Jalen Hurts.  Eight and a half minutes of game clock later and Auburn tallied a field goal just before the half.

Tigers fans were thankful to be taking a 10-7 lead going into halftime, but the lead would soon be erased.  The Tide scored a touchdown only 5 plays into the 3rd quarter when top running back Bo Scarbrough cranked off a 21 yard scoring run.  Auburn responded by scoring a field goal on their ensuing drive and they were by no means done scoring in the game.

The next two possessions by the Tigers ended in touchdowns, much to the chagrin of Crimson Tide fans.  The first touchdown came on an one yard plunge by Kerryon Johnson the play AFTER he suffered a minor injury to his left arm.  (Talk about determination!)  Auburn's final points were scored when Stidham braved a goal line collision to score a 16 yard TD run.  Meanwhile, Alabama's offense sputtered repeatedly, the  result of poor play by the Tide and a stout Tigers defense.  

After all this, Auburn led 26-14, a lead that seemed safe oddly enough.  Alabama's last real chance to get back in the game was derailed by 2 botched snaps in a row, a pair of blunders that were downright comical.  

Excitement built steadily within Auburn's home stadium until the clock finally ran out and the fans flocked onto the field.

Final Score: Auburn 26, Alabama 14

With their 2nd upset of top ranked Alabama in the last 4 years, saying "Thank you, Auburn," just isn't enough.  I think I'm going to buy an Auburn T-shirt and shout "War Eagle!"

The one downside for Auburn was running back Kerryon Johnson suffered a right shoulder injury in the 4th quarter which could seriously hurt their chances of defeating Georgia in next week's SEC Championship Game. 

Additionally, something that detracted from my enjoyment of this game was the obviously pro-Alabama bias of CBS commentator Gary Danielson.  He was so biased that it irritated everyone I was watching the game with.  I thought this was CBS, not the Alabama Sports Network!  Ok, rant over.

2. #2 Clemson Tigers @ #24 South Carolina Gamecocks 

Clemson defeated South Carolina in dominating fashion in last year's Battle for the Palmetto State 56-7.  South Carolina was itching to repay Clemson with a loss that would ruin their chances for a 2nd straight national championship.

Clemson failed to score any points in the first quarter but the defense picked up the slack when defensive back Ryan Carter intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers offense got going in the second quarter when they mounted a successful drive that ended with a short touchdown run by running back Tavien Feaster.  Then Clemson extended their lead when quarterback Kelly Bryant connected on a touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.  (Renfrow caught the winning touchdown in the Tigers' championship win over Alabama last January).  Holding a 21-0 lead at the half, the Tigers made sure the Gamecocks wouldn't even smell a hint of a comeback.  Bryant again found Renfrow for a touchdown pass early in the third quarter, putting Clemson up 27-0.  A touchdown run by freshman sensation Travis Etienne rounded out the scoring for the powerful Clemson Tigers.  South Carolina scored 10 meaningless points in the 4th quarter to make the score look a little .better but everyone in the stadium knew the Tigers were still Kings of the Palmetto State.

Final Score: Clemson 34, South Carolina 10

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

USF Bulls @ #15 UCF Knights

Arguably the most important late season football game in Florida was this contest between rivals Central Florida and South Florida.  The winner would keep their hopes of reaching a major bowl game alive.

The first 3 1/2 quarters of this game were quite thrilling, but it was the end of the game that was truly spectacular.

In the waning stages of the game, UCF had the ball and a one point lead with four minutes left.  The first 3rd down of their drive came up quickly, but the Knights converted it thanks to a pass interference penalty on the Bulls.  Two plays later, UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton completed a deep pass to wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith for 30 yards.  

A screen pass was called on the following play and receiver Otis Anderson took it in for a 23 yard touchdown.

Only 2 minutes remained, meaning that the UCF defense just needed to play disciplined and victory would be theirs.  But it soon became apparent that Central Florida needs to work on their defensive awareness.  On the 2nd play of the drive, USF star quarterback Quinton Flowers lofted a long pass to receiver Darnell Salomon who caught it and raced into the endzone for a 83 yard touchdown.  USF scored a two point conversion using a nifty pass and the game was tied.

Hardly any time had elapsed on the clock so Central Florida still had 1 1/2 minutes to respond.  UCF kick returner Mike Hughes received the ensuing kickoff.  The announcers had said multiple times how dangerous a returner Hughes was, but he had yet to show it.

But at this pivotal moment, when his team needed him most, Hughes delivered.  He caught the ball at the 5 yard line halfway between the sidelines.  Hughes initially followed the pathway his blockers made for him.  Then he dodged left, then left again, before outrunning the kicker on the way to a jaw-dropping 95 yard touchdown. 

A few UCF players followed Hughes into the endzone while everyone on the Central Florida sideline celebrated with wild abandon.  

Of course, USF still had time to work some late-game magic, but UCF soon forced a fumble and recovered, guaranteeing their victory.

I've got to say that this exhilarating ending proves how epic rivalry week is.

Final Score: UCF 49, USF 42

Top 2 Championship Games to Watch

1.  ACC Championship: #1 Clemson Tigers vs. #7 Miami Hurricanes

Will Clemson prove once again they can beat the best of the best or will Miami snatch an upset win and their first ever ACC Championship?

My pick: Clemson!

2. Big Ten Championship: #4 Wisconsin Badgers vs. #8 Ohio State Buckeyes

Three years ago, Ohio State obliterated Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game, allowing them to leapfrog other teams and sneak into the playoffs.  The Buckeyes would capture the National Champion that year.

Will Ohio State come up with another dominating performance and unexpectedly jump into the playoffs?  Or will Wisconsin show that their undefeated regular season was no fluke?

My pick: My heart says Ohio State but my brain says Wisconsin. 

Week 12 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch 

1.  Western Michigan Broncos @ Northern Illinois Huskies 

This Wednesday night contest gave viewers all the excitement one would expect from a battle of two of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference.   

After a quarter and a half of play, the game was deadlocked at 14 points apiece. The most eye-catching play of the 1st half came when Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith made his mark on the game.  Smith is undersized for a typical defensive lineman yet more than makes up for it with speed and agility.  When teammate Reece Goodard sacked Western Michigan's quarterback, the ball popped loose.  Sutton Smith picked up the ball and with his speed it was no surprise that he turned the fumble into a touchdown.

Northern Illinois' chances of winning actually began to shrink when Western Michigan scored 14 straight points in the 3rd quarter.  Now trailing by 7, the Huskies knew they had to take control of the 4th quarter and that's exactly what they did.  Northern Illinois scored 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter, the first on a touchdown run by star running back Jordan Huff and the second on a great touchdown pass by quarterback Marcus Childers.  The Broncos did tally a field goal in the final quarter of play but this was simply not enough to deny the Huskies a victory.

Final Score: Northern Illinois 35, Western Michigan 31

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

#19 NC State @ Wake Forest Deacons 

Hoping to guarantee a 2nd place finish in the ACC Atlantic, the Wolfpack were taking this year's Wake Forest team very seriously.  The Deacons had been hampered in previous years by lackluster offenses, but this year they were putting up over 31 points per game.  Despite possessing a solid defense, the N.C. State offense, led by senior quarterback Ryan Finley, knew they would have to score plenty of points to have a good chance of winning.

This certainly helps to explain a decision made on N.C. State's first drive.  After 8 plays, the Wolfpack had reached the Wake Forest 36 yard line but were facing 4th and 2.  Instead of trying a long field goal, Head Coach Dave Doeren decided to keep the offense on the field to go for it.  Finley threw the ball towards wide receiver Jakobi Meyers but the pass fell incomplete.

Wake Forest took advantage of the turnover on downs by flexing their muscles on offense.  Quarterback John Wolford threw a pass on the 2nd play of the drive to receiver Tabari Hines, a completion which netted 39 yards.  Three plays later, running back Matt Colburn broke a tackle in the redzone before dashing into the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown.

N.C. State responded with a long drive fueled by the determined running of Nyheim Hines and two completions by Finley that totaled 41 yards.  Wolfpack running Jaylen Samuels sprinted into the redzone on an 11 yard touchdown of his own to even the score.  John Wolford was still feeling it though, and the game was not tied for long.  Wolford went 4 for 6 on the ensuing possession for 43 yards.  The last pass got the ball across the goal line on a 21 yard play-action pass from Wolford to Hines.

The scoring ceased until the 2nd quarter when the Wolfpack clawed their way down the field on a 12 play drive that ended on a short TD run by 3rd-string running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr.  Watching N.C. State score was something of a catalyst for the Wake Forest offense.  The Deacons went 3/4ths the length of their field in 9 plays, taking the lead back on a 2nd TD reception by Tabari Hines.  Soon after, the half ended.

Wake Forest's offense surprisingly went three-and-out on the first possession of the 2nd half.  N.C. State seized the opportunity and startex off their drive with a 20 yard run by Samuels.  Seven plays later, Finley fired a pass into the front left corner of the endzone where wide receiver Emeka Emezie, though well covered, hauled it in with one hand for the touchdown.

The scoreboard displayed the same numbers for a while due to 4 straight three-and-outs.  The last three-and-out was committed by N.C. State deep in their own territory and the resulting punt set Wake Forest up with great field position. Wolford completed a deep pass to former high school classmate Chuck Wade on the first play of the drive to propel the Deacons into the redzone.  However, Wake Forest would have to settle for a field goal after 3 unproductive plays.

N.C. State began their ensuing drive with a safe handoff to Jaylen Samuels. However, this would turn out to be anything but safe when Wake Forest linebacker Demetrius Kemp jarred the ball loose from Samuels' hands, after which Wake Forest recovered.  But then the turnover bug bit the Deacons on the next play when Wolfpack defender Shawn Boone intercepted Wolford's pass.

The Wolfpack managed to hold onto the ball for the next 19 plays, thanks in large part to converting 3 third down conversions and a 4th down conversion, most of which occurred because of great decisions by Ryan Finley.  Over 8 minutes after the drive began, N.C. State kicker Kyle Bambard made a 25 yard field goal to knot the score at 24 apiece.

When the Deacons scored a touchdown on their next drive in less than half as much time, it was clear which offense was performing better.  The Wolfpack were having to stretch and claw for each yard whereas the Deacons were once again moving the ball at will.  However, the momentum would begin to shift when N.C. State blocked the extra point.

Channeling that small victory into forward progress, Finley and the Wolfpack offense marched down the field slowly but surely.  It was looking like N.C. State might score a touchdown and take the lead on the extra point!  On the 14th play of the drive, receiver Emeka Emezie caught a pass from Finley and appeared to have enough speed to reach the endzone.  But just before he did, Demetrius Kemp ran in and forced an even more important fumble.  Wake Forest would recover the ball in the endzone, thereby taking control of the game.

The Deacons did go three-and-out on their ensuing possession, giving the Wolfpack a tiny chance to mount a game-winning drive with 41 seconds.  Seconds slipped off the clock too quickly for N.C. State and their chances soon rested on a half-baked Hail Mary attempt.  Finley's final pass was intercepted and Wake Forest were declared the winners.

This weekend many top teams faced opponents they could easily dominate, sometimes referred to as cupcake teams.  However, N.C. State's schedule served them up a slice of black [Wake] forest cake, a late-season dish that did not taste sweet to the Wolfpack.

Final Score: Wake Forest 30, N.C. State 24

Top Games to Watch: Rivalry Week

1.  #1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #6 Auburn Tigers 

Will the Auburn Tigers dethrone the vaunted Crimson Tide in epic fashion like they did in 2013 when Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 100 yards on the last play of the game?  Or will Alabama win again and continue their boring dominance that is making college football more and more like the predictable and uninspiring game played by the NFL?

2.  #2 Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina Gamecocks

Can the Tigers continue on the trail to appearing in the College Football Playoffs for the third year in a row by winning their final game of the season?  Or will South Carolina trip up Clemson and remove one of the few teams who have a reasonable chance at challenging the Tide from the playoffs?

Week 11 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch 

1.  #6 TCU Horned Frogs @ #5 Oklahoma Sooners 

A game that pitted the two best teams in the Big 12 Conference turned out to be very one-sided. 

Oklahoma possesses the best offense in the nation as quarterback Baker Mayfield and his squadron of receivers have made mincemeat of opposing defenses since the first game of the season.  The Sooners began this game with a productive drive that ended in a great 49 yard field goal by kicker Austin Seibert.  

The Horned Frogs responded in excellent fashion with a drive that was as fast as it was exhilarating.   Quarterback Kenny Hill completed a pass to wide open running back Kyle Hicks who zigged and zagged his way down the field for a 62 yard gain.  TCU found the endzone on the next play when running back Darius Anderson broke through the defensive line and ran in for a 13 yard touchdown.

But not about to disappoint the home crowd, the Sooners offense was getting set to light up the scoreboard.  Mayfield completed 3 of 4 passes during the drive for 63 yards, the bulk of which came on a 46 yard completion to CeeDee Lamb. Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson zoomed into the endzone for a 15 yard TD and the Sooners led 10-7.

The Horned Frogs hopped into the redzone on the ensuing possession after just 4 plays but could not break into the endzone.  Backup kicker Ryan Graf came up to attempt a 25 yard field goal, which I found strange because starting kicker Jonathan Song appeared to not be injured.  Graf made the 25 yarder but it was called back after a false start penalty on TCU.  The ball was moved back 5 yards due to the penalty and Graf went on to miss the 30 yarder.

It's never a good idea to come up empty in the redzone against the Sooners and the Horned Frogs paid dearly for it.  Baker Mayfield again completed 3 of 4 passes, this time for a total of 80 yards!  The last completion was a brilliantly placed pass to tight end Grant Calcaterra who caught it in the back of the endzone for an awe-inspiring touchdown.   Mayfield's 1st touchdown pass of the day proved why he is one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the nation.  

Mayfield continued to be red-hot the rest of the first half, while the TCU offense was cold as ice most of the time.   Oklahoma scored touchdowns on 3 of their next 4 possessions while TCU could muster only 7 points in that span.  All 3 of Oklahoma's touchdowns involved running back Rodney Anderson.  The first was a 25 yard touchdown run by Anderson.  The next 2 were completions from Mayfield to Anderson, where the speedy running back made sweet moves after the catch to score eye-catching touchdowns.

The score at the break saw Oklahoma holding a massive 38-14 lead and the 2nd half would do little to change that. 

Final Score: Oklahoma 38, TCU 20

2.  #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #7 Miami Hurricanes 

Also vying for the position of the most highly anticipated matchup of the weekend was this showdown in south Florida.  Notre Dame and Miami are longtime rivals, having competed in a series of very important and sometimes contentious games in the 80's and 90's.   Just how important were the games in that time frame? Well, the winners of Notre Dame vs. Miami in '87, '88, and '89 went on to WIN the national championship!

After a break of many years, this matchup had returned to being nationally relevant and one team used the opportunity wisely.

The best way to illustrate how the game went is to describe what has become known as the Miami turnover chain.  The turnover chain is a golden and diamond-studded piece of hardware awarded, albeit temporarily, to a member of the Miami defense who secures a turnover.

No one kept the turnover chain for long on Saturday, as there were plently of turnovers to go around.  Three different players were given the chain in the first half alone, as 3 Miami defenders snagged an interception.  Shortly after Miami took a 7-0 lead, Jaquan Johnson grabbed the first interception off Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush.  Two plays later. the Hurricanes extended the lead when quarterback Malik Rozier used a couple nifty moves to score a 15 yard touchdown. 

Early in the 2nd quarter, Miami's lead became 17-0 after a field goal by Michael Badgely.  Later in the quarter, defensive back Malek Young intercepted a pass, setting up the Miami offensive with a very short field.  The Hurricanes would be held to a field goal but their lead extended to 20.    

Wimbush kept on struggling mightily which became most apparent when he was intercepted again late in the half by freshman defensive back Trajan Brady. Brady raced down the right sideline and returned the interception for a touchdown, giving Miami a 27-0 lead at the half.

Defense for Miami continued to be strong in the 2nd half, holding Notre Dame to a grand total of 8 points.  Overall, it was like a gale-force wind had come into the stadium and blown the Fighting Irish all the way back to Indiana.

Final Score: Miami 41, Notre Dame 8

Most Exciting Game of the Week

#15 Oklahoma State Cowboys @ #21 Iowa State Cyclones 

Both teams were coming off a disappointing loss and were looking to bounce back and keep themselves in the race for the Big 12 title.

Scoring came at a steady pace in the 1st half.  Each team scored 3 touchdowns, knotting the score up at 21 all going into halftime.  The biggest development came when Iowa State's quarterback Kyle Kempt got injured at the end of the Cyclones' 2nd to last drive of the half.  Quarterback duties for Iowa State the rest of the way would have to be shared between running quarterback Joel Lanning and pocket passer Zeb Noland.

Action in the 2nd half got started in a hurry during the opening drive by the Cowboys.  The usual suspects, quarterback Mason Rudolph and running back Justice Hill, fueled the drive.  During the drive, Rudolph completed 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards while Hill's 4 carries for only 8 yards eventually caused the Cowboys to stall in the redzone.  Oklahoma State kicker Matt Ammendola converted the resulting field goal but Iowa State now had a chance to take the lead.

Despite being a backup, Zeb Noland performed admirably well, completing 3 of 4 passes for 25 yards.  Aided by a total of 25 yards of penalties assessed against the Cowboys, this was enough to get the ball into the redzone for the Cyclones.  Iowa State running back David Montgomery ran the ball on the next 2 plays, bull rushing his way into the endzone for a touchdown on the 2nd.

With Iowa State now leading 28-24, the teams traded punts on the next 2 possessions.  One minute remained in the 3rd quarter when Oklahoma State's next productive drive began.  As he has countless times this year, Rudolph threw a pass over the middle to a wide-open receiver.  Receiver Jalen McCleskey caught the ball and used his speed to reach the left side of the field and tightrope the sideline all the way down to the 1 yard line.  After this 81 yard gain, Justice Hill barrelled his way into the endzone to give Oklahoma State a 31-28 lead.

On the Cyclones' ensuing drive, Noland picked up where he left off, completing each of his first 3 passes to get the Iowa State offense down to the Oklahoma State 28 yard line.  On the resulting 1st and 10, Montgomery gained 6 yards on a running play after which running quarterback Joel Lanning entered the game. Lanning caught the shotgun snap on the next play, but instead of running, he threw the ball towards the endzone where top receiver Allen Lazard was locked in tight coverage.  Lazard was close to the sideline and the defensive back was all over him.  Despite this, Lazard managed to tip the ball away from the defender and caught the ball with his other hand for the touchdown.  Iowa State fans pumped their arms and jumped up and down with wild abandon.

Oklahoma State's next drive ended in a field goal that brought the Cowboys within 1.  Iowa State responded with a touchdown drive powered by more stellar play by Noland and another touchdown run by Montgomery.

With their opponents now leading 42-34, Oklahoma State knew they had to act fast.  Rudolph proved he is the leader of this team by remaining cool, calm, and collected.  He started off the drive with a 22 yard completion to star wide receiver James Washington.

Rudolph connected with his receivers on 2 of his next 3 passes and, aided by a 22 yard run by Hill, the Cowboys looked to be headed for the endzone again.  A 30 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcell Ateman confirmed my suspicions.  Oklahoma State went for 2 and cashed in on a short run by Hill.

Unexpectedly, the Cyclones went three-and-out on their next possession and the Cowboys would make them pay.  Rudolph remained dominant against the Iowa State defense, making sure his team would take the lead with yet another touchdown drive.

Now trailing 49-42, Iowa State's offense didn't get moving again until their last chance drive at the end of the 4th quarter.   Despite reaching the Oklahoma State 4 yard line, Iowa State came up short of the comeback when Noland's pass was intercepted in the endzone.

The faithful and resilient Iowa State fans soon left the stadium, bravely stomaching another heartbreaking loss.  Despite this defeat, Iowa State is still playing their best football in years and I'm sure their loyal fan base will have a lot to cheer about in the future.

Final Score: Oklahoma State 49, Iowa State 42


   

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 12

1.  #20 NC State Wolfpack @ Wake Forest Deacons

Wake Forest is fresh off of scoring 54 points in a blowout win over Syracuse while N.C. State just defeated Boston College after losing 2 in a row.  Will the Wolfpack claw their way to a 2nd straight road win, making this their best season in recent memory?  Or will Wake Forest notch a win over a top 25 team?  

My pick: NC State 

2. Western Michigan Broncos @ Northern Illinois Huskies 

I gotta give some love to the Northern Illinois Huskies.  Due to a string of injuries to their quarterbacks in the last couple years, the usual quality of play from the Huskies has fallen off.  But they have bounced back this year, with a 6-4 record through 10 games including a win over power 5 opponent Nebraska.

Will the Huskies show they are truly back to being one the best teams in the Mid-American Conference with a convincing home win?  Or will Western Michigan channel the confidence gained from last year undefeated regular season to show up strong on the Huskies' turf?

My pick: NOTHERN ILLINOIS

Week 10 2017

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch 

1.  #13 Virginia Tech Hokies @ #10 Miami Hurricanes

A pivotal contest for control of the ACC Coastal Division, this game started off slowly but would end up providing plenty of back-and-forth style action.  After a scoreless 1st quarter, Miami opened the scoring in the 2nd when quarterback Malik Rozier found the sure-handed Braxton Barrios for a 8 yard TD completion.  Minutes later, the Hurricanes extended their lead when running back Travis Homer tore through a hole in the line and sped down the field for a long TD run.

Virginia Tech's only points of the 1st half came on a great 50 yard field goal by reliable kicker Joey Slye.

Sloppy play by Miami in the opening stages of the 2nd half would help Virginia Tech cut into their 14-3 lead.  Early on in Miami's first possession, Rozier threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted and returned deep into Hurricanes' territory.  Five plays later, the Hokies found the endzone on a short touchdown run by freshman quarterback Justin Jackson.   Showing his inexperience, Rozier tossed another interception on the ensuing Miami drive, giving Virginia Tech a golden opportunity to take the lead and capture all the momentum. 

The Hokies made a couple first downs but were eventually forced into a 4th down by the determined Hurricane defense.  Virginia Tech elected to go for it, but a lost fumble on the all-important play ended any chance to keep the drive alive.  Miami grabbed control of the game two plays later when Rozier got back on track with a long completion to receiver Christopher Herndon IV that went for a touchdown.

From here on out, the Hurricane defense was the star of the show, sending the Hokies' offense into a tailspin.

Three of the next five Virginia Tech drives ended in turnovers, showing that the Miami defense had clearly gotten in their opponents' heads.  Miami added another touchdown in the 4th quarter, a touchdown run by Rozier to make sure yet another W could be stamped onto their record.

With this convincing victory, Miami remains undefeated, making next week's clash with Notre Dame into a playoff elimination game!

Final Score: Miami 27, Virginia Tech 10 

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

1.  #6 Oklahoma Sooners @ #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys 

This rivalry game is known simply as Bedlam and it certainly lived up to its name. Defensive coordinators on both sides were shaking their heads the entire day as veteran quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph and their corps of receivers sliced through opposing defenses like they were cutting through tin foil. Mayfield finished with 2 yards shy of 600 yards passing, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

His top target was Marquise Brown who caught 2 touchdowns and finished with 265 yards receiving on just 9 catches.

Rudolph's numbers were not too shabby either: he finished him with 448 yards passing, with a 5 touchdowns versus 2 interceptions.

As usual his favorite receiver was James Washington who caught 7 passes for 128 yards and the touchdown.

The best stat to describe how much of a shootout this game was the box score for the 2nd quarter, which showed that 28 points were scored by each team. Oklahoma State used their 28 2nd quarter points to bring the score to a 38-38 tie at the half.  The scoring slowed way down in the 3rd, with the only points being 10 for the Sooners.  Not about to let the game end in uninspiring fashion, the Cowboys fought back with yet more touchdown drives.  An Oklahoma touchdown scored in between meant the score was 55-52 in the Sooners' favor. 

With the 4th quarter clock ticking towards 00:00, the Cowboys started on a drive that could have given them the lead.  However, Oklahoma State was soon forced into a last chance 4th and 8.  On the play that decided the game, Rudolph lofted a deep pass toward receiver Tyron Johnson, going for a touchdown rather than just the first down.  Johnson was open in the endzone, but Rudolph's pass was too long, the ball sailing harmlessly out of the field of play.  Certainly unexpected, giving how well Rudolph had played all day.  Oklahoma State fans shook their heads in defeat, realizing that their team had missed yet another opportunity to defeat Oklahoma in a ranked matchup.  

Oklahoma scored a touchdown on a long run by Trey Sermon 2 plays later and victory for the Sooners was assured.

Looking back into the Cowboys' troubled history in games against the Sooners, I offer my sincerest condolences for their heartbreaking loss.

Final Score: Oklahoma 62, Oklahoma State 52

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 11

1.   #7 TCU Horned Frogs @ #5 Oklahoma Sooners 

 

Will Oklahoma return home after a nailbiting victory over Oklahoma State and beat the Horned Frogs, cementing their status as the best team in the conference?  Or will TCU's solid defense and their offense that is capable of being explosive be enough to upset Oklahoma and vault themselves up to the top spot in the Big 12? 

My pick: TCU (team loyalty definitely factored into my decision) 

2.  #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #9 Miami Hurricanes 

Yet again Miami is featured in this section, as they face their toughest opponent yet in Notre Dame.  Will the Fighting Irish prove they belong in the top 4 by coming down to South Florida and conquering the undefeated Hurricanes?  Or will Miami keep their hopes of an undefeated season alive with a win that would jump them up into the top echelon of playoff contenders?

My pick: Notre Dame

Extra Point 

Texas Longhorns @ #8 (at the time) TCU Horned Frogs   

Even though more than 100 combined points are scored in some games in the Big 12 Conference, others are (relatively) low-scoring affairs like this one.  The Horned Frogs built a 17-0 lead on a pair of Kyle Hicks touchdown runs and a short field goal by kicker Jonathan Song.  The Longhorns responded with a quick touchdown drive but that would be their only points of the game.  The TCU defense smothered the Texas offense the rest of the way, not allowing more than one 1st down on any the rest of Texas' possessions.   Darius Anderson extended the Horned Frogs' lead with a 31 yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter to seal the win.  This was a much-needed victory after last week's loss to Iowa State, giving them the confidence to potentially trip up the Sooners next Saturday.

Final Score: TCU 24, Texas 7