Trying to figure out who is going to play in what bowl this year is nearly impossible. The SEC is a mess because of so many teams with either the same or similar records. Here is my best shot at the SEC affiliated bowls and then the BCS bowls:
Capital One Bowl:
Iowa v. LSU
After LSU lost to Ole Miss, the Rebels were probably going to spend New Year's Day in Florida, however, after losing yesterday, LSU moves back into the top non-BCS spot.
Cotton Bowl:
Ole Miss v. Nebraska
Ole Miss heads back to the Cotton Bowl and Nebraska is rewarded for a strong finish in the Big 12. If Nebraska upset Texas in the Big 12 title game, this could end up being Missouri.
Chick-fil-A Bowl:
Georgia v. Clemson
There are a lot of teams at 7-5 in the SEC, so this is where things will go crazy. I think the CFA Bowl takes Georgia to increase the local hype on the game. Plus, a matchup with Clemson would be a throw back game for both schools and this might be one of the best games of the bowl season. If Clemson wins the ACC title, Georgia Tech would play here and the CFA Bowl would probably take Tennessee over Georgia.
Outback Bowl:
Tennessee v. Northwestern
Tennessee gets a New Year's game and Northwestern gets a nice trip and a beating. This is what happens when the Big 10 gets two teams in the BCS.
Liberty Bowl:
Arkansas v. Houston
This game would be a big draw for both schools and would be very entertaining. Again, there are about 6 teams that can go in these mid-level games, but logistically this would make sense.
Music City Bowl:
Kentucky v. Boston College
Again location would help this game. Kentucky would travel well to Nashville, and Boston College seems to always be a good bowl team.
Papajohns.com Bowl:
Auburn v. Connecticut
There really aren't words to explain how sad it is that this bowl exists...
Independence Bowl:
South Carolina v. Texas A&M
There's nothing as beautiful as Shreveport, LA in mid-December.... I really hope that UGA doesn't end up here.
BCS BOWLS
National Championship Game:
Alabama v. Texas
This would be a great game whether Bama or Florida plays here, I think Bama gets by the Gators and punches their ticket for the big game.
Sugar Bowl:
Florida v. Cincinnati
This would be a match up between an undefeated Bearcat team and a one loss Florida team. Tim Tebow's last game will be huge no matter where the Gators are playing.
Orange Bowl:
Georgia Tech v. Penn State
I think this game would be really great. Tech deserves a good opponent and Penn State had a solid season.
Fiesta Bowl:
TCU v. Boise State
The Fiesta Bowl could have the only other matchup of undefeated teams other than the national title game. This would be a spectacular game and a big stage for both of these programs to play on.
Rose Bowl:
Ohio State v. Oregon
Please wake me up when this game is over... The Big 10 and Pac 10 should really look at the reality of the college football world and open their minds to playing in a place other than Pasadena.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Morning After
WE ARE GEORGIA!
And last night this team that has underachieved and disappointed all season long finally proved and earned the title of Georgia Bulldogs. Take the Georgia/Georgia Tech angle out of it and just listen to the facts:
An unranked 6-5 team went on the road to their arch rivals home field and upset the number 7 team in the country.
That's a great ending to a bad season.
Georgia played like successful Georgia teams have since the Vince Dooley Era. Georgia made an obvious attempt to establish the run and stuck with that philosophy all game long. Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had their best games of their careers in the same game, and the offensive line played just like we thought they would all season.
For the first time all season, Joe Cox was used properly. Cox's early season success against South Carolina and Arkansas had made the coaching staff think that he could throw the ball around the field, but that is not the quarterback he is. He managed the game last night and made some big plays in the passing game, but he wasn't asked to win the game, he was simply asked not to lose it. Alabama almost won a national championship last year with a similar philosophy, and I think this season could have been much better had the coaching staff not taken 13 weeks to figure out that we need to run the ball to be successful.
Despite the win against Tech, a few things still have to happen in Athens. Willie Martinez isn't going to be fired because of one game, and he shouldn't be saved by one game either. I'm sure Willie is a good man, but its time for a new philosophy and a new face leading the Georgia defense.
Also, going into next season, Aaron Murry will need a similar game plan as last night to be successful. Both running backs will be back next year, and the offensive line will be a year older (hopefully anchored by Trenton Sturdivant). The red-shirt freshman quarterback will need the pieces around him to help take the pressure off a young player who will make mistakes.
The honest truth about next year is this. With an inspired defense, there is no reason Georgia can't be right back at the top of the SEC East next year. Florida is losing Tebow for sure, and there could be up to 26 Gators who will either graduate or take their talent to the NFL. Florida will not be a bad team, but to think that they will be the dominant team that they have been over the past two years, would be crazy.
Georgia's win last night was fun for Georgia fans who have sat through a very difficult season. Hopefully last night and a victory in the bowl game will signal the beginning of the next chapter of Georgia football.
And last night this team that has underachieved and disappointed all season long finally proved and earned the title of Georgia Bulldogs. Take the Georgia/Georgia Tech angle out of it and just listen to the facts:
An unranked 6-5 team went on the road to their arch rivals home field and upset the number 7 team in the country.
That's a great ending to a bad season.
Georgia played like successful Georgia teams have since the Vince Dooley Era. Georgia made an obvious attempt to establish the run and stuck with that philosophy all game long. Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had their best games of their careers in the same game, and the offensive line played just like we thought they would all season.
For the first time all season, Joe Cox was used properly. Cox's early season success against South Carolina and Arkansas had made the coaching staff think that he could throw the ball around the field, but that is not the quarterback he is. He managed the game last night and made some big plays in the passing game, but he wasn't asked to win the game, he was simply asked not to lose it. Alabama almost won a national championship last year with a similar philosophy, and I think this season could have been much better had the coaching staff not taken 13 weeks to figure out that we need to run the ball to be successful.
Despite the win against Tech, a few things still have to happen in Athens. Willie Martinez isn't going to be fired because of one game, and he shouldn't be saved by one game either. I'm sure Willie is a good man, but its time for a new philosophy and a new face leading the Georgia defense.
Also, going into next season, Aaron Murry will need a similar game plan as last night to be successful. Both running backs will be back next year, and the offensive line will be a year older (hopefully anchored by Trenton Sturdivant). The red-shirt freshman quarterback will need the pieces around him to help take the pressure off a young player who will make mistakes.
The honest truth about next year is this. With an inspired defense, there is no reason Georgia can't be right back at the top of the SEC East next year. Florida is losing Tebow for sure, and there could be up to 26 Gators who will either graduate or take their talent to the NFL. Florida will not be a bad team, but to think that they will be the dominant team that they have been over the past two years, would be crazy.
Georgia's win last night was fun for Georgia fans who have sat through a very difficult season. Hopefully last night and a victory in the bowl game will signal the beginning of the next chapter of Georgia football.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Just In Time!
With not a moment to spare, let's talk about the only game that matters in the Peach State today.
Georgia travels to Atlanta tonight with only one thing on their mind: ruin Tech's season.
Even a win tonight for the Dawgs will not save Georgia's season. Win or lose the Dawgs will be playing in a bowl game that no one will watch and less people will care about. There would be only one thing that would come out of beating Tech tonight. The satisfaction of beating Tech.
In the past, I have told people that I don't think Georgia should play Tech. Dawg fans expect to beat Tech every year. So you either meet expectations or you lose to Tech (like Georgia did last year) and ruin your season.
The opposite is true this year for Tech. They have nothing to win tonight. Their big game is next week against Clemson. Win that game, and Tech will be playing in the BCS for the first time. However, if Tech were to lose tonight, their confidence would take a big hit going into the ACC Championship. Lose the ACC Championship Game, and you go from the Orange Bowl and possibly beating an undefeated Cincinnati team, and finishing the season in the Top 5, to falling to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl again, and probably losing to LSU.... again!
I've heard a lot of Tech people taking this game for granted. They think, look at Georgia, they are 6-5, they lost to Kentucky, Georgia stinks.
I'm going to say this, and Tech fans won't like it, but it is the bare-knuckle truth.
As good as Tech is this season, they would be 8-4 at best in the SEC. You saw what happened last year against LSU. Tech doesn't have the team speed to hang in the SEC. They lose to Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, probably Auburn, and tonight......
GEORGIA!
I don't have the X's and O's to explain it. And maybe its a fan's perspective, but that is what I am. Georgia will win tonight for one reason and one reason only.
WE ARE GEORGIA!
You are Tech, so sign our paychecks! But we win at football. You got one last year, that is the one you get! Tonight will be the beginning of the turn around for this program. We have nothing to lose for the first time in a long time, and that is bad news for Tech.
WE ARE GEORGIA!
We own this state. We haven't lost in Atlanta since 2003 and that was to LSU. We haven't lost to Tech in Atlanta since the last millennium!
WE ARE GEORGIA!
And tonight we are going to prove it.k
GO DAWGS! SIC 'EM!
Georgia travels to Atlanta tonight with only one thing on their mind: ruin Tech's season.
Even a win tonight for the Dawgs will not save Georgia's season. Win or lose the Dawgs will be playing in a bowl game that no one will watch and less people will care about. There would be only one thing that would come out of beating Tech tonight. The satisfaction of beating Tech.
In the past, I have told people that I don't think Georgia should play Tech. Dawg fans expect to beat Tech every year. So you either meet expectations or you lose to Tech (like Georgia did last year) and ruin your season.
The opposite is true this year for Tech. They have nothing to win tonight. Their big game is next week against Clemson. Win that game, and Tech will be playing in the BCS for the first time. However, if Tech were to lose tonight, their confidence would take a big hit going into the ACC Championship. Lose the ACC Championship Game, and you go from the Orange Bowl and possibly beating an undefeated Cincinnati team, and finishing the season in the Top 5, to falling to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl again, and probably losing to LSU.... again!
I've heard a lot of Tech people taking this game for granted. They think, look at Georgia, they are 6-5, they lost to Kentucky, Georgia stinks.
I'm going to say this, and Tech fans won't like it, but it is the bare-knuckle truth.
As good as Tech is this season, they would be 8-4 at best in the SEC. You saw what happened last year against LSU. Tech doesn't have the team speed to hang in the SEC. They lose to Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, probably Auburn, and tonight......
GEORGIA!
I don't have the X's and O's to explain it. And maybe its a fan's perspective, but that is what I am. Georgia will win tonight for one reason and one reason only.
WE ARE GEORGIA!
You are Tech, so sign our paychecks! But we win at football. You got one last year, that is the one you get! Tonight will be the beginning of the turn around for this program. We have nothing to lose for the first time in a long time, and that is bad news for Tech.
WE ARE GEORGIA!
We own this state. We haven't lost in Atlanta since 2003 and that was to LSU. We haven't lost to Tech in Atlanta since the last millennium!
WE ARE GEORGIA!
And tonight we are going to prove it.k
GO DAWGS! SIC 'EM!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Day the Decline Started
Over the past couple of days I've spent a lot of time thinking about this football season for the Georgia Bulldogs. These thoughts led me to start thinking back to what can now be looked at as the "Glory Years" of the Mark Richt Era.
2002-2006 were without a doubt the best seasons for Georgia under Coach Richt. During that time, Georgia was 53-13 which is a winning percentage of .803. In the SEC, the Dawgs were 31-12 or a winning percentage of .721. From 2002-2006 Georgia lost only one game outside of the SEC, to West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl in 2006. In that same time frame, 02-06, Georgia lost only 3 games by more than 10 points. Georgia won 2 SEC titles (02, 05) and played in the SEC title game in 2003 losing to eventual national champion LSU.
Over the past 2 1/2 seasons Georgia's record is 26-9 which is a percentage of .743 and 15-7 or .682 in the SEC. Too many numbers for you? Okay well I have a few more so bare with me. From 07-09, Georgia has lost 6 times by 10 or more points. That is double the number of losses in half the time!
Penalties have been a sore spot around Athens the past few years, so here are some numbers that won't make you feel any better. From 2002-2006, Georgia averaged 60.66 penalty yards per game. From 2007-2009 that number has gone up to 69.33. Now that might not seem like a lot on the surface, but when you play in the SEC 10 yards per game is a big deal. Georgia's penalty yards per game has gone up every year since 2006, and the 2009 Dawgs are on pace to commit 77.3 penalty yards per game, which would be the highest under Coach Richt.
When you look at these numbers, you have to wonder one thing: What happened? How did this program go from greatness to mediocrity in such a short amount of time?
Now let me say one thing before we get into this. I'm not a fair weather fan. I love the Dawgs and will be watching games and following the team if they go 1-11. I'm not overreacting either. This program was one of the 10 best in the nation consistently for the majority of this decade. Even teams that have found recent success like Alabama, Texas, and Georgia Tech would kill to have Georgia's record in the last 10 years. However, the fall from grace has been dramatic and sudden, and there is, I believe, one moment that started the decline.
Saturday October 27, 2007. Jacksonville, Florida. Altell Stadium.
Georgia v. Florida:
Knowshon Moreno dives over a pile of players, extending his arms and the football across the goal line to score a touchdown and give Georgia a 6-0 lead over the defending national champion Gators. The entire Georgia team then storms the field to celebrate. Georgia fans in Jacksonville and all over the country celebrated too. Everyone watching knew that they had just seen something they would never forget.
Georgia goes on to win the game that day, and upon further review, the storming of the field seemed like it had changed something around the Georgia program. Things felt differently. A couple of weeks later, the Dawgs marched out between the hedges donning black jerseys for the first time in school history, and proceeded to hand Auburn a whipping they won't soon forget. The Blackout was the appropriate follow up to the storming of the field, and now, even ESPN was saying that something had changed for Georgia that day in Jacksonville.
The rest of the 2007 season was like a fairy tale, with Georgia winning out and finishing the season as the number 2 team in the country. When the polls came out in August of 2008, Georgia was ranked #1 preseason by the AP, also a first in school history. The entire world now bought into the storming of the field and what it meant for the Dawgs. Georgia had rushed the field that day in Jacksonville and announced to the entire world that they were now a player, not just in the SEC, but for the National Championship! Nothing could stop them now.
Funny thing happened, reality struck the Dawgs and man did it hurt. In this case, reality showed its face in the form of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide rolled into Athens in September and they were greeted with darkness. Another Blackout was called to push the Dawgs over the top. Bama rolled out of town with a huge victory and the Dawgs hopes for a national title. One month later, reality would appear again in Jacksonville as those same Gators who were on the opposing side of the storming of the field, decided to reclaim what they felt belonged to them, by crushing Georgia 49-10. The final nail in the coffin came between the hedges against Tech. I can't even talk about that one.
This season has obviously been a huge disappointment. 5-4 is unacceptable in Athens and the way Georgia is losing is almost as bad as the losses themselves.
I believe that the storming of the field in Jacksonville was misinterpreted by the entire Bulldog Nation, and even the head Bulldog himself. Mark Richt had come to Athens with his calm demeanor and good morals and taught us that an even keeled approach would produce results. In one moment, that philosophy was thrown out the window in favor of a high octane, high energy approach that had Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected waving his arms at the crowd to make noise on 3rd downs.
We all wanted to believe that the storming of the field was a turning point for the Dawgs that would signal a time of more wins and a national championship coming to Athens. But the truth can be seen clearly now.
The high energy Dawgs play out of control and commit stupid penalties. The high energy Dawgs get down on themselves and can't make 2nd half comebacks like the calm Dawgs did in 2001 against Tennessee or in 2002 against Auburn. The high energy Dawgs need gimmicks like black jerseys or black helmets to get up for games.
If you wear the Red and Black every Saturday, if you march out on that field between the hedges, if you put that "G" on your helmet, then you shouldn't need a black jersey to get ready to play the #1 ranked Gators who whipped you like school girls last year!
Instead of leaders like David Greene and David Pollack we get guys like Rashad Jones and Brian Evans who want to jump up and down on the field when they make a hit on a guy 25 yards down field. Instead of dancing and congratulating each other, maybe they should recognize that the chains are moving for the first down your opponent just got, and the receiver you just hit has a big smile on his face.
Its time for some changes in Athens. I don't care whether those changes come with the assistant coaches, the players, the people that take the tickets, or the people who pick up all that trash after the games. I am an alumni of the University of Georgia and I want something to change.
We hear every year about these great recruiting classes. It is obvious that there is as much talent on the field at Georgia as there is at almost any other school in the country. The problem is not the talent, the problem is the philosophy.
Two years ago in Jacksonville, Georgia said look at me world and we got everyone's attention. We got the attention of the media who voted us number one going into 2008. We got the attention of the fans who have supported this team so well since 2001. We got the attention of the President of the University, who demanded a playoff after we got shafted in 2007. We got everyone's attention, and we haven't done anything with it.
Oh yeah, we also got the attention of the refs, and they just love us now. Now, Georgia has the reputation of being dirty and disregarding the rules. You want to know why the refs through that flag against LSU, because we stormed the field in Jacksonville! These guys have pride too, and when you disregard them, they take it personally.
You can't unring a bell. Jacksonville happened. All we can do know is get ready for the rest of this season, and try to turn it around next year.
But, the man I want to see lead the Dawgs out on the field Saturday night is the man that broke those Rocky Top hearts in 2001 with a hobnail heard 'round the South. The man that called for that pass to Micheal Johnson in the back of the end zone against Auburn in 2002, and sent the Dawgs to the SEC title game. The same man that had that calm look on his face in 2004 when Georgia pounded LSU between the hedges after losing to the Tigers twice in 2003. The man who held the team together in 2005 after DJ Shockley got hurt and we lost 2 straight games, only to come back and win the SEC again. The man who had the guts to play a true freshman in 2006, and got to see that freshman upset the #5 Auburn Tigers in their house. The same man who felt that the team needed a kick in the pants in 2007, and sent the entire team on the field to celebrate.
That man knew then that every team was different and required different motivational techniques. I hope that man knows now that what this team and this fan base need is the cool, calm, and collected hand of a leader, not a head cheerleader with a headset.
2002-2006 were without a doubt the best seasons for Georgia under Coach Richt. During that time, Georgia was 53-13 which is a winning percentage of .803. In the SEC, the Dawgs were 31-12 or a winning percentage of .721. From 2002-2006 Georgia lost only one game outside of the SEC, to West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl in 2006. In that same time frame, 02-06, Georgia lost only 3 games by more than 10 points. Georgia won 2 SEC titles (02, 05) and played in the SEC title game in 2003 losing to eventual national champion LSU.
Over the past 2 1/2 seasons Georgia's record is 26-9 which is a percentage of .743 and 15-7 or .682 in the SEC. Too many numbers for you? Okay well I have a few more so bare with me. From 07-09, Georgia has lost 6 times by 10 or more points. That is double the number of losses in half the time!
Penalties have been a sore spot around Athens the past few years, so here are some numbers that won't make you feel any better. From 2002-2006, Georgia averaged 60.66 penalty yards per game. From 2007-2009 that number has gone up to 69.33. Now that might not seem like a lot on the surface, but when you play in the SEC 10 yards per game is a big deal. Georgia's penalty yards per game has gone up every year since 2006, and the 2009 Dawgs are on pace to commit 77.3 penalty yards per game, which would be the highest under Coach Richt.
When you look at these numbers, you have to wonder one thing: What happened? How did this program go from greatness to mediocrity in such a short amount of time?
Now let me say one thing before we get into this. I'm not a fair weather fan. I love the Dawgs and will be watching games and following the team if they go 1-11. I'm not overreacting either. This program was one of the 10 best in the nation consistently for the majority of this decade. Even teams that have found recent success like Alabama, Texas, and Georgia Tech would kill to have Georgia's record in the last 10 years. However, the fall from grace has been dramatic and sudden, and there is, I believe, one moment that started the decline.
Saturday October 27, 2007. Jacksonville, Florida. Altell Stadium.
Georgia v. Florida:
Knowshon Moreno dives over a pile of players, extending his arms and the football across the goal line to score a touchdown and give Georgia a 6-0 lead over the defending national champion Gators. The entire Georgia team then storms the field to celebrate. Georgia fans in Jacksonville and all over the country celebrated too. Everyone watching knew that they had just seen something they would never forget.
Georgia goes on to win the game that day, and upon further review, the storming of the field seemed like it had changed something around the Georgia program. Things felt differently. A couple of weeks later, the Dawgs marched out between the hedges donning black jerseys for the first time in school history, and proceeded to hand Auburn a whipping they won't soon forget. The Blackout was the appropriate follow up to the storming of the field, and now, even ESPN was saying that something had changed for Georgia that day in Jacksonville.
The rest of the 2007 season was like a fairy tale, with Georgia winning out and finishing the season as the number 2 team in the country. When the polls came out in August of 2008, Georgia was ranked #1 preseason by the AP, also a first in school history. The entire world now bought into the storming of the field and what it meant for the Dawgs. Georgia had rushed the field that day in Jacksonville and announced to the entire world that they were now a player, not just in the SEC, but for the National Championship! Nothing could stop them now.
Funny thing happened, reality struck the Dawgs and man did it hurt. In this case, reality showed its face in the form of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide rolled into Athens in September and they were greeted with darkness. Another Blackout was called to push the Dawgs over the top. Bama rolled out of town with a huge victory and the Dawgs hopes for a national title. One month later, reality would appear again in Jacksonville as those same Gators who were on the opposing side of the storming of the field, decided to reclaim what they felt belonged to them, by crushing Georgia 49-10. The final nail in the coffin came between the hedges against Tech. I can't even talk about that one.
This season has obviously been a huge disappointment. 5-4 is unacceptable in Athens and the way Georgia is losing is almost as bad as the losses themselves.
I believe that the storming of the field in Jacksonville was misinterpreted by the entire Bulldog Nation, and even the head Bulldog himself. Mark Richt had come to Athens with his calm demeanor and good morals and taught us that an even keeled approach would produce results. In one moment, that philosophy was thrown out the window in favor of a high octane, high energy approach that had Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected waving his arms at the crowd to make noise on 3rd downs.
We all wanted to believe that the storming of the field was a turning point for the Dawgs that would signal a time of more wins and a national championship coming to Athens. But the truth can be seen clearly now.
The high energy Dawgs play out of control and commit stupid penalties. The high energy Dawgs get down on themselves and can't make 2nd half comebacks like the calm Dawgs did in 2001 against Tennessee or in 2002 against Auburn. The high energy Dawgs need gimmicks like black jerseys or black helmets to get up for games.
If you wear the Red and Black every Saturday, if you march out on that field between the hedges, if you put that "G" on your helmet, then you shouldn't need a black jersey to get ready to play the #1 ranked Gators who whipped you like school girls last year!
Instead of leaders like David Greene and David Pollack we get guys like Rashad Jones and Brian Evans who want to jump up and down on the field when they make a hit on a guy 25 yards down field. Instead of dancing and congratulating each other, maybe they should recognize that the chains are moving for the first down your opponent just got, and the receiver you just hit has a big smile on his face.
Its time for some changes in Athens. I don't care whether those changes come with the assistant coaches, the players, the people that take the tickets, or the people who pick up all that trash after the games. I am an alumni of the University of Georgia and I want something to change.
We hear every year about these great recruiting classes. It is obvious that there is as much talent on the field at Georgia as there is at almost any other school in the country. The problem is not the talent, the problem is the philosophy.
Two years ago in Jacksonville, Georgia said look at me world and we got everyone's attention. We got the attention of the media who voted us number one going into 2008. We got the attention of the fans who have supported this team so well since 2001. We got the attention of the President of the University, who demanded a playoff after we got shafted in 2007. We got everyone's attention, and we haven't done anything with it.
Oh yeah, we also got the attention of the refs, and they just love us now. Now, Georgia has the reputation of being dirty and disregarding the rules. You want to know why the refs through that flag against LSU, because we stormed the field in Jacksonville! These guys have pride too, and when you disregard them, they take it personally.
You can't unring a bell. Jacksonville happened. All we can do know is get ready for the rest of this season, and try to turn it around next year.
But, the man I want to see lead the Dawgs out on the field Saturday night is the man that broke those Rocky Top hearts in 2001 with a hobnail heard 'round the South. The man that called for that pass to Micheal Johnson in the back of the end zone against Auburn in 2002, and sent the Dawgs to the SEC title game. The same man that had that calm look on his face in 2004 when Georgia pounded LSU between the hedges after losing to the Tigers twice in 2003. The man who held the team together in 2005 after DJ Shockley got hurt and we lost 2 straight games, only to come back and win the SEC again. The man who had the guts to play a true freshman in 2006, and got to see that freshman upset the #5 Auburn Tigers in their house. The same man who felt that the team needed a kick in the pants in 2007, and sent the entire team on the field to celebrate.
That man knew then that every team was different and required different motivational techniques. I hope that man knows now that what this team and this fan base need is the cool, calm, and collected hand of a leader, not a head cheerleader with a headset.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I'm Back!
Sadly real life got in the way the past couple of weeks, responsibility isn't everything its cracked up to be. But now I'm back, and I'll be here to get you through the rest of the college football season.
November.... the time when the pretenders fade away and the real title contenders step up to claim their destiny.
Only one week into November, and pretenders are dropping left and right. Yesterday, Iowa, the King of Pretenders lost at home to Northwestern. Not only does the loss drop Iowa out of the National Title conversation (if you were talking about them in the first place), but now Iowa may drop all the way out of the BCS.
Another pretender, Oregon, had a let down after their big win against ESPN's favorite pretender, USC. Oregon got blasted yesterday by Stanford, and now the PAC 10 is an absolute mess. What is the 5th tie breaker in the PAC 10? Maybe the tie breaker is that if USC is tied with anyone, USC wins because they are USC... if that isn't the tie breaker, then they should look into it.
Thankfully, we have a clear picture to the National Title game. As it should be, the SEC Championship game will be a national semifinal, with either Florida or Alabama advancing to play Big 12 Champion Texas. Throughout the year, these three teams have been the best, and two of them are going to play for the title. Texas has the benefit of not playing a good team for the next three weeks, and having to play the likes of Nebraska or some other also-ran from the Big 12 North in the Big 12 title game.
On a quick local note, Georgia took care of business yesterday against Tennessee Tech. Just like 2006, when the Dawgs finished the season by beating 3 ranked teams, Georgia needs to finish strong this season. The game against Auburn this Saturday is everything. Win against Auburn, beat Kentucky, and get revenge against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Go to the Chick-fil-A Bowl and play Miami. Nothing wrong with that ending, lets just hope it goes that way.
Now for the fun stuff. Here are bowl projections for the BCS and Capital One Bowl with some explanation.
Capital One Bowl:
LSU v. Iowa
This would be a rematch of a very exciting Capital One Bowl from 2005. LSU lost on a last second Hail Mary from Iowa. This could also be Penn State from the Big 10.
Orange Bowl:
Georgia Tech v. Cincinnati
Tech should win the ACC title game against a weak opponent from the ACC Coastal or is it the Atlantic... who knows, who cares, Tech wins and goes to their first BCS game in school history. They should be meeting and undefeated Cincinnati team in Miami. A win by the Jackets in the Orange Bowl and Tech could be looking at a Top 5 finish, and Paul Johnson will have the Jacket nation talking National Championship in 2010.
Sugar Bowl:
Florida v. TCU
So here's the thing. I think Alabama will beat Florida in the SEC title game. Obviously it would only make sense for Sugar Bowl to replace Bama with Florida. The problem is that going into Saturday, Notre Dame, Penn State, and USC were battling for at large bids into the BCS. Notre Dame and Penn State both lost on Saturday and Oregon lost which would put USC into the Rose Bowl. By default, at this point, you have to let TCU into the BCS. There just aren't any other teams.
Rose Bowl:
USC v. Ohio State
Jim Tressel has never been to the Rose Bowl at Ohio State. He has played in 3 National Title games, but never a Rose Bowl. USC plays in the Rose Bowl every year that they don't play for the National Title. Even though this would be a rematch from earlier in the season, when USC beat Ohio State, this is a classic Rose Bowl matchup, and there won't be any other game on at 4 in the afternoon on New Year's Day, so people will watch it.
Fiesta Bowl:
Boise State v. Oregon
Boise will make it to the BCS, TCU going to the Sugar is the reach. I searched for another team to play in this game other than Oregon, but unless I'm going crazy, there isn't one. The Ducks would travels well, and will share the PAC 10 title with USC. The only reason this game might not happen, is that it would also be a rematch from the first week of the season. I just can't figure out who else could go here.
BCS National Title Game:
Alabama v. Texas
This game would feature two great teams and two of college footballs greatest programs. Bama is probably the most consistent team in football and Texas is dynamic on offense and defense. I would expect this game to be very close and very low scoring.
Obviously, there is still a lot of football to be played, but as of now, this is where we stand. Have a great week!
November.... the time when the pretenders fade away and the real title contenders step up to claim their destiny.
Only one week into November, and pretenders are dropping left and right. Yesterday, Iowa, the King of Pretenders lost at home to Northwestern. Not only does the loss drop Iowa out of the National Title conversation (if you were talking about them in the first place), but now Iowa may drop all the way out of the BCS.
Another pretender, Oregon, had a let down after their big win against ESPN's favorite pretender, USC. Oregon got blasted yesterday by Stanford, and now the PAC 10 is an absolute mess. What is the 5th tie breaker in the PAC 10? Maybe the tie breaker is that if USC is tied with anyone, USC wins because they are USC... if that isn't the tie breaker, then they should look into it.
Thankfully, we have a clear picture to the National Title game. As it should be, the SEC Championship game will be a national semifinal, with either Florida or Alabama advancing to play Big 12 Champion Texas. Throughout the year, these three teams have been the best, and two of them are going to play for the title. Texas has the benefit of not playing a good team for the next three weeks, and having to play the likes of Nebraska or some other also-ran from the Big 12 North in the Big 12 title game.
On a quick local note, Georgia took care of business yesterday against Tennessee Tech. Just like 2006, when the Dawgs finished the season by beating 3 ranked teams, Georgia needs to finish strong this season. The game against Auburn this Saturday is everything. Win against Auburn, beat Kentucky, and get revenge against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Go to the Chick-fil-A Bowl and play Miami. Nothing wrong with that ending, lets just hope it goes that way.
Now for the fun stuff. Here are bowl projections for the BCS and Capital One Bowl with some explanation.
Capital One Bowl:
LSU v. Iowa
This would be a rematch of a very exciting Capital One Bowl from 2005. LSU lost on a last second Hail Mary from Iowa. This could also be Penn State from the Big 10.
Orange Bowl:
Georgia Tech v. Cincinnati
Tech should win the ACC title game against a weak opponent from the ACC Coastal or is it the Atlantic... who knows, who cares, Tech wins and goes to their first BCS game in school history. They should be meeting and undefeated Cincinnati team in Miami. A win by the Jackets in the Orange Bowl and Tech could be looking at a Top 5 finish, and Paul Johnson will have the Jacket nation talking National Championship in 2010.
Sugar Bowl:
Florida v. TCU
So here's the thing. I think Alabama will beat Florida in the SEC title game. Obviously it would only make sense for Sugar Bowl to replace Bama with Florida. The problem is that going into Saturday, Notre Dame, Penn State, and USC were battling for at large bids into the BCS. Notre Dame and Penn State both lost on Saturday and Oregon lost which would put USC into the Rose Bowl. By default, at this point, you have to let TCU into the BCS. There just aren't any other teams.
Rose Bowl:
USC v. Ohio State
Jim Tressel has never been to the Rose Bowl at Ohio State. He has played in 3 National Title games, but never a Rose Bowl. USC plays in the Rose Bowl every year that they don't play for the National Title. Even though this would be a rematch from earlier in the season, when USC beat Ohio State, this is a classic Rose Bowl matchup, and there won't be any other game on at 4 in the afternoon on New Year's Day, so people will watch it.
Fiesta Bowl:
Boise State v. Oregon
Boise will make it to the BCS, TCU going to the Sugar is the reach. I searched for another team to play in this game other than Oregon, but unless I'm going crazy, there isn't one. The Ducks would travels well, and will share the PAC 10 title with USC. The only reason this game might not happen, is that it would also be a rematch from the first week of the season. I just can't figure out who else could go here.
BCS National Title Game:
Alabama v. Texas
This game would feature two great teams and two of college footballs greatest programs. Bama is probably the most consistent team in football and Texas is dynamic on offense and defense. I would expect this game to be very close and very low scoring.
Obviously, there is still a lot of football to be played, but as of now, this is where we stand. Have a great week!
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