Frickin' Saban - 15 yard penalty and then ND scores and beats the spread ......  

Ohio State is kicking some serious butt in the 1st half .... 

Some crazy stuff today.

Anybody have Georgia -6.5 second half?  LOL  Lucky you!  I had a bad line at 7 and turned a loss into a push (safety sack on final play after Cincy kickoff man took knee at his own 2 yardline on KO with :02 left after UGA had just kicked game winning FG to go up by 1).  UGA wins by 3 and outscores Cincy 2nd H by 7!

Alabama 1st H should've lost, which I think had won 10 of 11 entering today I think?  ND had awful kick, might've been tipped, Bama goes into lockeroom up 21-7 laying 12.5 1st H.

Ohio State flat out DOMINATED!  OL and DL was men vs boy stuff.  Wow. 

Nice win for Northwestern, Auburn kinda a mess, but always gotta feel good for NW.

Congratulations to OSU on their amazing victory.  I think Clemson thought they could just cakewalk over them on their way to the championship?  OSU must've just felt that they had something to prove.  Regardless - congrat's on their trouncing of Trevor Lawrence and company.

Having said that, I still do not think they deserved their spot with a 6 game season - even if they win out over my own University of Alabama.  Maybe the abbreviated season afforded them with freshness and fewer injured and worn players?  But again, congratulations!

I was glad to see Georgia's last second ... miracle.  Auburn?  I didn't understand the new coach going for a field goal instead of trying to gain the 2-3 yds for a score late in the 1st half.  Auburn wasn't in the runnin' for anything, here!  He was coaching conservative in a game where he could've let his team play balls to the wall and had some fun.  I remember when Northwestern was the butt of every college football joke!  Congrat's to them, too! 

Posted by: @sang

Frickin' Saban - 15 yard penalty and then ND scores and beats the spread ......  

Bama should have covered that but thankfully (for me) they didn't. I didn't think ND would lay down and they didn't. Looked bad for them at the start but I give them some credit.

And I hate ND. They get more press here than all of the Illinois colleges combined. Granted it is ND, but still...

I had a great day yesterday. Hit every game I bet. I did kind of chicken out on the Ohio St game and bought a half point which obviously didn't matter. Good for them I guess. And I hate them more than I hate Notre Dame (It's a Meeechigan thing 😛). It'll be interesting if they win it all after only playing six games this year.

Northwestern looked great. I'm really happy for them. I can't believe how they turned around that program in one season. They were laughable last year. And now the NFL is after Fitzpatrick? Really? Hope he is smart enough to stick around.

I never liked the expression "they just wanted it more", but if it is ever going to apply to a game, then put it on Ohio State.  I did feel that Ohio State had something to prove and their postgame comments indicated such too.  Ohio State wanted it and Clemson looked like they expected it.  Big difference.

A lot of people were using the OSU - NW performance to explain how OSU was going to play vs Clemson.  I saw plenty of people drawing conclusions from how Miss State beat Tulsa and Tulsa almost beat Cincy therefore Georgia was going to whip Cincy.  It never works like that. 

Lou Holtz has said a lot of weird and dumb stuff through the years, but the truest thing he ever said is "you get a different team every week".  Fact.  The highs the lows, ups the downs, sometimes the gameplan and execution is perfect, sometimes the players aren't as into the game, sometimes the flow of the game effects it one way or the other.  Or in college more than pro, what's going on in the heads of the players off the field that impacts how they are playing on the field.

It is going to be very difficult for Ohio State to duplicate that performance again vs Alabama. 

Alabama could've beaten Notre Dame by 45 if they wanted to.  The game was a total mismatch as could be seen after 1 quarter.  The outcome of the game was known the only thing to be determined was the final score and you could visibly see Alabama playing different their last drive of the 2nd Q through the entire 2nd H.  Everyone knew ND was going to backdoor that game because Alabama's coaching and play was going to allow them to do it.  And ND never rolled over, they never gave up.  They knew what they were up against.  I think ND did the best they could and in the end they earn some respect for how they fought.  But there is often a difference between earning a cover and being allowed to or given a cover as an underdog.  Don't get me wrong, I win plenty of undeserved covers...it's part of how the whole betting thing works.  Winning money on Notre Dame yesterday felt kind of like stealing, as in, not a wise investment but it worked out.  That is how a lot of it goes.  Alabama interested and dialed in entire game?  They may not have punted.

Lee you bought the half, was your line 6.5 bought to 7?

I had an Ohio State fan tell me the line dropped to 6.5 and I monitor up to 28 online sportsbooks at sportsbookreview.com and all 28 had 7 or 7.5.

Wondering if you had a local influenced number to reflect a certain preference for how people were betting.

I had Ohio St at 7.5, Ohio St 1st H and 1st H Under.  The Under got blown out of the water.  Then I came back 2nd H and played on Clem-8 which I do that kind of stuff often.  Watered down the overall winning, but sometimes you get lucky and hit both sides.

Congratulations to BAMA Offensive Coordinator, Steve Sarkisian on being named the new head coach at Texas!

As a DEVOUT Alabama fan/alum - yes, it smarts to see him go right before the Championship game with OSU.  At the same time - and taking the high road, I can think of no better deserving candidate for this or any other head coaching position.  No word yet on whether he'll be present for the OSU game.  He's the last person on the staff that I'd want to see go, but this is certainly an upward career move.  God bless ya, Sark!  

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/01/what-steve-sarkisian-to-texas-means-for-alabamas-national-title-hopes.html

EDIT:  Good news for this season of BAMA ball - Sark has indicated that he will be on the sidelines for the Championship game!  https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/01/steve-sarkisian-expected-to-become-texas-head-coach-per-reports.html

Hmmmm .... interesting ....  

So @nebish, are our picks locked in or can they still be changed?   If not, looks like it comes down to the tie breaker......

Posted by: @nebish

Lee you bought the half, was your line 6.5 bought to 7?

I had an Ohio State fan tell me the line dropped to 6.5 and I monitor up to 28 online sportsbooks at sportsbookreview.com and all 28 had 7 or 7.5.

Wondering if you had a local influenced number to reflect a certain preference for how people were betting.

I had Ohio St at 7.5, Ohio St 1st H and 1st H Under.  The Under got blown out of the water.  Then I came back 2nd H and played on Clem-8 which I do that kind of stuff often.  Watered down the overall winning, but sometimes you get lucky and hit both sides.

I think I might have screwed that up but I won so no big deal.

And you seriously look at that many sports books?!?! Wow! 😲 

Posted by: @rusty

Congratulations to BAMA Offensive Coordinator, Steve Sarkisian on being named the new head coach at Texas!

 

 

Would you really want to coach Texas? Doesn't take much to get canned there. I think they fire coaches for farting in their sleep. 😮 

@lee  I'm not sure I'd want to coach anywhere these days!  Alum's and boosters tellin' ya how to do your job, blue-chippers who jump ship after 2 seasons, high stress from high expectations ... it's enough to make ya fart in your sleep!  

Sometimes, it takes the right guy for the job.  Some are built to handle the environment and can thrive and survive in it.  There is probably no more stressful gig with higher expectations than the University of Alabama position.  10-1?  That's considered a losing season!  Nick Saban seems to relish that environment.  

Like Alabama, Texas is a "football school".  Given the leeway (no meddling from school Presidents, Deans, aforementioned alum's and boosters) a GOOD coach can RECRUIT a good team and perform accordingly.  I do believe Sarkisian is a good fit for the task.

Speaking strictly from a career-salary position - win, lose or draw, he'll likely out-earn the university Prez X 2 (maybe more).  Nah, I wouldn't want that kind of stress ... but I'd like to have 2 - 4 years of that salary!  😉 

Posted by: @sang

Hmmmm .... interesting ....  

 

So @nebish, are our picks locked in or can they still be changed?   If not, looks like it comes down to the tie breaker......

That shouldn't have happened, not sure why. This is everyone's first time with their site. I like it but you can't lock the final 10 or so picks without warning. 

I would expect it will now unlock for us to make our final game pick, we'll have to see. 

Posted by: @lee

Posted by: @nebish

Lee you bought the half, was your line 6.5 bought to 7?

I had an Ohio State fan tell me the line dropped to 6.5 and I monitor up to 28 online sportsbooks at sportsbookreview.com and all 28 had 7 or 7.5.

Wondering if you had a local influenced number to reflect a certain preference for how people were betting.

I had Ohio St at 7.5, Ohio St 1st H and 1st H Under.  The Under got blown out of the water.  Then I came back 2nd H and played on Clem-8 which I do that kind of stuff often.  Watered down the overall winning, but sometimes you get lucky and hit both sides.

I think I might have screwed that up but I won so no big deal.

And you seriously look at that many sports books?!?! Wow! 😲 

Yeah, I love the process of sports betting as much as actually winning. It's easy those. A single website has them all listed. I have an old school local so I don't actually bet online, just we use the online books for updated numbers. If I like a team, usually a dog, I can monitor what way the line is moving with price or points to whether I should wait to bet or grab a number now. 

Having the best number is crtitical as dozens of games per year come down to the half point. When we used to go to Vegas I would walk a mile for a half point. Of course you could always but it for double juice or something but when in Vegas shopping for lines was a big part of the fun. 

Season's over now. I never care about the title game much. I had a heartbreaking season ending loss last night's Orange Bowl. Best team on the field for most of 3 qrt lost by 14. But that's gambling. 

https://classic.sportsbookreview.com/betting-odds/

Posted by: @nebish

I never liked the expression "they just wanted it more", but if it is ever going to apply to a game, then put it on Ohio State.  I did feel that Ohio State had something to prove and their postgame comments indicated such too.  Ohio State wanted it and Clemson looked like they expected it.  Big difference.

 

I can't help but feel like Dabo's arrogance permeated the whole team.  That + the lights out performance from Fields. 

It was obvious, too, that Cincy really wanted their game and felt they had something to prove.  Those guys were sky high but that type of emotion seems to become a detriment - especially if you're not used to having to get that jacked - that subsides later in a game, especially a close one.  I refer you to the recent Braves/Dodgers series. I'll readily admit I sat with my jaw agape when they broke off that 75 yard run to start the 2nd half because and started to think "this can't be happening."  The half-wit pundits (I know, that doesn't narrow it down) gave UGA a big win and then they just can't bring themselves to admit that UC is better than, arguably, 8 SEC teams.  And, so, we have to hear their crap to justify why the game was closer than they predicted it to be.  Can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with Luke Fickell and can't completely understand why he isn't getting more love on other coaching vacancies. 

As someone who sat in the Superdome to watch an un-motivated Georgia team get manhandled by Texas, it's got to be one of the more frustrating experiences - akin to dealing with the customer service of your cable company.

Posted by: @nebish

Posted by: @sang

Hmmmm .... interesting ....  

 

So @nebish, are our picks locked in or can they still be changed?   If not, looks like it comes down to the tie breaker......

That shouldn't have happened, not sure why. This is everyone's first time with their site. I like it but you can't lock the final 10 or so picks without warning. 

I would expect it will now unlock for us to make our final game pick, we'll have to see. 

I didn't try it, just wondered.  Didn't notice if anybody was changing their picks, but it was weird that we had to make all the picks, including the championship game and spread without knowing who was in it.....  

Posted by: @hoffcl

Posted by: @nebish

I never liked the expression "they just wanted it more", but if it is ever going to apply to a game, then put it on Ohio State.  I did feel that Ohio State had something to prove and their postgame comments indicated such too.  Ohio State wanted it and Clemson looked like they expected it.  Big difference.

 

I can't help but feel like Dabo's arrogance permeated the whole team.  That + the lights out performance from Fields. 

 

It was obvious, too, that Cincy really wanted their game and felt they had something to prove.  Those guys were sky high but that type of emotion seems to become a detriment - especially if you're not used to having to get that jacked - that subsides later in a game, especially a close one.  I refer you to the recent Braves/Dodgers series. I'll readily admit I sat with my jaw agape when they broke off that 75 yard run to start the 2nd half because and started to think "this can't be happening."  The half-wit pundits (I know, that doesn't narrow it down) gave UGA a big win and then they just can't bring themselves to admit that UC is better than, arguably, 8 SEC teams.  And, so, we have to hear their crap to justify why the game was closer than they predicted it to be.  Can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with Luke Fickell and can't completely understand why he isn't getting more love on other coaching vacancies. 

 

As someone who sat in the Superdome to watch an un-motivated Georgia team get manhandled by Texas, it's got to be one of the more frustrating experiences - akin to dealing with the customer service of your cable company.

Good to hear from you Chris!~Happy New Year!

That was a great game!  Cincinnati is very good.  Pretty sure they were without their best DB, a safety I think.  I researched the Georgia absences due to opt out several weeks ago and my conclusion was that the guys behind them on the 2-deep were just as productive, or in some spots even moreso.  Definitely the front 7 I don't think Georgia had any drop off at all.  The 80 yard run was a fluke, but yeah, man that guy was fast, surprised to see him out race everyone.

I thought that Cincy would be able to matchup with their D and I thought especially in the 2nd H the Cincy D was really strong with their blitzes and adjustments.  Fickle + Freeman is a great combo.

A lot of people are killing Fickle for the 3rd down call when trying to kill the clock.  I think the much bigger issue was snapping the ball with :10 left on the play clock on 2nd down.  The 3rd down play, I knew Cincy was going to have some kind of play to try and win the game right there.  He wouldn't be content to just run right into the line and watch the clock tick down then punt.  In hindsight that maybe would've won them the game.  The 3rd down throw reminded me a lot of the 1996 Big Xll Title game when Texas did that on 4th down trying to kill clock in a game vs Nebraska.  The play is legendary and that is exactly what the Cincinnati play would've been if it worked, but it didn't and you have to try plays like that in games you can't just keep them hidden in the playbook.

Fickel's one season as Ohio State's head coach might have some people reluctant and then too, he might be waiting for the perfect opportunity to open up.  Maybe he would go for an Iowa State if Campbell moves on.  Or maybe he wants to be back in the Big Ten at the right school...say something like a Penn St if it were to open at some point.  I think he is really happy at Cincy and just biding his time.  Maybe Ohio State will come calling again if Day does something else.  He has grown quite a bit as a coach and leader since he left Columbus.

Cincinnati is definitely better than over half of the SEC, who really after a handful of teams ain't all that.  One of the reasons I thought UNC had a decent shot vs A&M was you know A&M is a strong team, but since they beat Florida, their final 8 or something games were all against average or bad teams.  Their win vs Auburn was kinda, yeah whatever...beat up on Tennessee and South Carolina and stuff Mississippi State..whatever. 

Georgia is very good and Cincy proved to be just about on their level actuallly.

Only way people were going to really give Cincinnati credit is if they would've won. 

The way the rankings broke this year would make you laugh if it wasn't so sad.  They just never ever will ever let a team like Cincinnati crash their party.  Why share the money and exposure when they can rig the system to get what they want.  Pretty slick when you get to write the rules and always just interpret them different to always get the outcomes you want.  And then there are thousands of people ready to defend it.  When Cincinnati beat Tulsa on a time expiring FG in the AAC Title game, the same time Florida and Alabama were going blow-for-blow in their second half, people had seen enough "see Cincinnati can barely beat Tulsa"  "you have to be joking if you think they are one of the 4 best teams in the country" "Clemson, Ohio State, insert blue blood team name, would be favored by 20+ over Cincinnati".  Well....the committee gave us two ACC teams.  How'd that work out?

I'm way past the point of caring about the college football championship post season.  Fortunately I still really love September-November and the bowls, even the meaningless ones with Georgia State playing Western Kentucky are must see TV for me.  Alabama vs Ohio State, I could watch that, or I could watch some South Park reruns or something too.

Posted by: @nebish

Posted by: @hoffcl

 

 

Good to hear from you Chris!~Happy New Year!

 

That was a great game!  Cincinnati is very good.  Pretty sure they were without their best DB, a safety I think.  I researched the Georgia absences due to opt out several weeks ago and my conclusion was that the guys behind them on the 2-deep were just as productive, or in some spots even moreso.  Definitely the front 7 I don't think Georgia had any drop off at all.  The 80 yard run was a fluke, but yeah, man that guy was fast, surprised to see him out race everyone.

 

I thought that Cincy would be able to matchup with their D and I thought especially in the 2nd H the Cincy D was really strong with their blitzes and adjustments.  Fickle + Freeman is a great combo.

 

A lot of people are killing Fickle for the 3rd down call when trying to kill the clock.  I think the much bigger issue was snapping the ball with :10 left on the play clock on 2nd down.  The 3rd down play, I knew Cincy was going to have some kind of play to try and win the game right there.  He wouldn't be content to just run right into the line and watch the clock tick down then punt.  In hindsight that maybe would've won them the game.  The 3rd down throw reminded me a lot of the 1996 Big Xll Title game when Texas did that on 4th down trying to kill clock in a game vs Nebraska.  The play is legendary and that is exactly what the Cincinnati play would've been if it worked, but it didn't and you have to try plays like that in games you can't just keep them hidden in the playbook.

 

Fickel's one season as Ohio State's head coach might have some people reluctant and then too, he might be waiting for the perfect opportunity to open up.  Maybe he would go for an Iowa State if Campbell moves on.  Or maybe he wants to be back in the Big Ten at the right school...say something like a Penn St if it were to open at some point.  I think he is really happy at Cincy and just biding his time.  Maybe Ohio State will come calling again if Day does something else.  He has grown quite a bit as a coach and leader since he left Columbus.

 

Cincinnati is definitely better than over half of the SEC, who really after a handful of teams ain't all that.  One of the reasons I thought UNC had a decent shot vs A&M was you know A&M is a strong team, but since they beat Florida, their final 8 or something games were all against average or bad teams.  Their win vs Auburn was kinda, yeah whatever...beat up on Tennessee and South Carolina and stuff Mississippi State..whatever. 

 

Georgia is very good and Cincy proved to be just about on their level actuallly.

 

Only way people were going to really give Cincinnati credit is if they would've won. 

 

The way the rankings broke this year would make you laugh if it wasn't so sad.  They just never ever will ever let a team like Cincinnati crash their party.  Why share the money and exposure when they can rig the system to get what they want.  Pretty slick when you get to write the rules and always just interpret them different to always get the outcomes you want.  And then there are thousands of people ready to defend it.  When Cincinnati beat Tulsa on a time expiring FG in the AAC Title game, the same time Florida and Alabama were going blow-for-blow in their second half, people had seen enough "see Cincinnati can barely beat Tulsa"  "you have to be joking if you think they are one of the 4 best teams in the country" "Clemson, Ohio State, insert blue blood team name, would be favored by 20+ over Cincinnati".  Well....the committee gave us two ACC teams.  How'd that work out?

 

I'm way past the point of caring about the college football championship post season.  Fortunately I still really love September-November and the bowls, even the meaningless ones with Georgia State playing Western Kentucky are must see TV for me.  Alabama vs Ohio State, I could watch that, or I could watch some South Park reruns or something too.

Have to admit I was much more comfortable with the game, regarding opt-outs, when I heard about the offensive guys being available.  Check out this play Tyrique Stevenson makes on that pass play:

https://twitter.com/GeorgiaHeroes/status/1345107068135428096

I have to say, the play and its implications were lost on me because I was three sheets to the wind by this time in the game. I told my dad that while people were picking UGA in this game - no one was rooting for them outside of Athens.

Something tells me that Cincy would have played the same game against A&M.  A fully stocked Florida team probably would have been an overmatch.  Now, Ole Miss & Cincy would have been a good game.  Interesting how Georgia would have done against Indiana.  How did you feel about Indiana covering up their Big 10 logo?

This year was just so dealy-whampus it's hard to just not let it flow over you.  Personally, I'm over Alabama always being the championship but that comes as a surprise to no one, I'm sure.

Yeah, the ACC took it on the chin this bowl season that's for sure.

One of my fave podcasts is the Punt and Pass podcast w/ Aaron Murry and Drew Butler.  I just listened to them talking about how Fields' hit had him grimacing in pain like he'd just had a rib busted and then go out and throw darts.  I mean have we really heard anything about the diagnosis post game?  Have to say I haven't been paying attention all that much.

OK, so, finally alot of folks are talking about how close UGA fans are going to be to the ledge if Fields wins the Natty for OSU.  Me?  I've gotten past it.  yes, if he had stayed and, given Fromm's performance in '19, Fields probably would have taken over.  But that is way in the past.  Hard for me to imagine that Daniels will move on after just 4 games so, I'll be more excited about that next year - assuming it happens.

Happy New Year Buddy!

@hoffcl

Was a great play by Stevenson.  Saw he started 3 games this year, but he was behind Mark Webb as far as first one on the field at Star DB.  What is Star, S/LB hybrid?  All the guys I looked at for Georgia filling in for the opt outs I was like they'll be fine. 

I'm so tired of hearing about how Kirby screwed up the Fields thing, I can't imagine what it's like being a Georgia fan and having to constantly endure that. What's he supposed to do?  Bench the guy who just took them to the SEC Title a playoff win and a 3 point National Title loss, eh, forget it, no reason to get into it.  There's no way to know that the offense would struggle down the road.  With the benefit of hindsight, I'm sure Kirby would've done something different, but all the critics don't put themself in the moment and in the moment I am not going to critique Kirby over it.  Some people though, it's all they ever want to do.  Every time Fields does something good, out come the Kirby bashers.

Not that this is anything new to you, Georgia is what Alabama used to be.  Bama has evolved and stayed on the cutting edge, ahead of the curve with offense and what it takes to win the biggest of the big games.  That is the question for Georgia if they can or will also evolve or if they think they can get to the mountaintop doing it the "old" way.  I mean it's funny...vs any team with a good offense, Bama doesn't stop anyone anymore.  Just outscore them.  I guess that is where the game has gone to.  Maybe it swings back the other way.

I start not following things too closely as the season winds down, so I don't fully know the storylines or quotes that are around the logo on Indiana's jerseys, but they could've put the bowl logo on the other side of the jersey by the apparel manufacturer's name.  Think they actually put it overtop of the B1G logo right?  They may've talked about it during the game, I was still wrapped up in the ending of the UK game for part of it (only a gambler or a Cats fan could watch that ugly ass game!) I don't know, but I'm sure Nebraska supports that move!  The Big Ten doesn't have many friends in Lincoln either. 

@nebish  I have no idea what that position is unless it's someone who functions as the "nickel" but is really a LB who functions as a DB on certain plays.

There are those on the Georgia boards who simply can't get over Fields leaving in terms of leveling criticism at Smart.  I hear you but in the Georgia fan mindset, the #2 is always better.  There are people who are already screaming for us to start the 5* wunderkind they're bringing in over Daniels - assuming he comes back.

The other big talk on those boards now is that Georgia has taken a step back each year since the Rose Bowl.  Me, I think they got a good one in OC as Monken and hope a spring practice, 2nd year of working w/ a QB and receiver corps will do them some good.  Defense doesn't concern me...yet.

Yeah, I read some excerpt where a former Indiana AD said they got screwed by the Big10 "system".  Then they coverup the league logo and say no disrespect intended.  Hmmmm, sometimes if it walks and talks like a duck eh?

Actually, here's the article:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2020/12/20/indiana-football-ex-iu-ad-fred-glass-iu-got-done-good-old-boy-big-ten/3986716001/

Wait, I thought you were a UT fan?  What's your take on what's going on there?  Also, how about this smoke around Dan Mullen?  Interested in the NFL and it appears his higher ups aren't all that concerned about it.  Finally, I see where Marshall pulled a Herman and fired their coach after taking them to Bowls in the last 4 years?

I can't help but think that there's gonna be a big explosion in the world of college football very soon.  With what is basically free agency among unpaid labor and salaries/buyouts for coaches getting astronomical.  It can't continue without some real reform, or attempt to clamp down on under-compensated labor.  I'll give ya it's an opportunity for an education but let's be fair, guys go to P5 schools to play in the NFL.  Which you don't need a college degree for to play, coach or own...Exhibit A: The Atlanta Falcons.  So, when that opportunity becomes somewhat real to them - why stay?  However, what I'll also give ya is that a college fan has a more vested interested in their team than the pro's.  The school is an institution that someone is/was actually part of and that allegiance is really personal.  So yeah, I get frustrated at the opt outs but how can I blame them?

Marshall fired Doc?  You can tell maybe that I am not following the stories now the season is over.  Once the bowls wind down I don't read or keep up anything until next season.  Which can be quite a surprise as I find out certain players have gone into the draft or transferred or a team has  new coach months after it actually happened.  But that's the way I do it.  Sometimes I check in during spring practices then not again til fall camp in the summer.  So a whole bunch of stuff is going to happen that I will have no clue about for a while.

I did read your Indy Star article.  I'm sure he is right about a lot of things.  Ranking Indiana in the top 10?  I no longer do my own rankings and barely look at the official ones so I don't know.  Technically IU was the 3rd best team in the Big Ten after Ohio State and Northwestern.  Should they have got a shot at the Fiesta over Iowa State?  Should Coastal Carolina have gotten the Fiesta over Iowa State?  Coastal was undefeated and beat one of the teams that ISU lost to.  I don't know any of that politics stuff.  I just watch and sometimes bet the games they schedule.  All that other stuff I've given up on trying to figure out.  I do know people love them some Iowa State and Matt Campbell.  I'm not surprised ISU was shown more affection compared to IU.  Should they?  Who knows.

I'm not any more a Tennessee fan as I am a Southern Miss fan or a Boston College fan or an Oregon State fan.  Safe to say I'm just a fan of everyone.  I did come down to Knoxville for that spring game, but I'd go to anyone's spring game if given the chance.

Something feels like it is teetering at the top of college football.  Again, I've stopped caring about that too, just show me the schedule and I'll figure out who to watch.  So much BS...what's the point trying to keep up with it?  One thing though about kids go to P5 schools to get to the NFL and therefore should be paid.  I've never really been into the whole paying players thing.  Purdue doesn't have a Justin Fields.  Duke has a few NFL players each year, but rarely do kids go there as a stepping stone to the NFL.  Sure Arizona produces a couple NFL players here and there, but it's not like Arizona football is the same thing as USC football.  Everyone is different and different types of players go there for different reasons and while they share the conference money coming in...Oklahoma has more of it than Texas Tech.  Is there something that can make it all better, I'm fine with whatever that is.  Line the teams up and put em on TV...somebody else can figure out all that other stuff.

The big time programs aren't really what I'm into anyway.  Too much attention too much hype, I'm not into that.  If Power 5 and Group of 5 split I'd be way more into Group of 5 football.

FCS coming this spring!  You going to watch, is anyone, who will care?  Maybe I will got to some of our local games at YSU out of some kind of obligation to support it.  But I'm not going to follow any of it.  I devote my entire fall 7 days a week to football, I'm not going to set aside much of any time at all for a spring football season.

Possible reschedule of Championship game (heavy sigh) freakin' Covid, again.

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/01/covid-19-concerns-threaten-to-disrupt-national-title-game.html

Posted by: @rusty

Possible reschedule of Championship game (heavy sigh) freakin' Covid, again.

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/01/covid-19-concerns-threaten-to-disrupt-national-title-game.html

Delay might help Waddle's chances to play.  Not sure how serious they were about having him maybe play anyway....or if the risk of coming back from the injury is worth it vs potential for reinjury.

The rumor I heard earlier was that Clemson wasn't contract tracing their players and Ohio State got some covid from them.  That sounds like a bunch of made up OSU-fan Clemson bashing talk.

Regardless of how they got it, the potential of covid on the Buckeyes sounds real multiple DL players including starters.

@nebish To finally reach the end of this bizarre season ... and have the *Championship game (emphasis on the "*") scrubbed - after so many postponements, cancellations and abbreviated (6 game) seasons ... I guess this shouldn't really have been unexpected!

Re Jalen Waddle:  I'd love to see him one more time, but I'm not sure exactly what his capabilities would be.  Tactically, he could be a decoy enabling Najee Harris to run wild!  I'd sure love to see Waddle one more time in prime form! 

I hope the game takes place - sooner or later.  This season has been a roller coaster! 

Rain, shine or Covid - the show must go on ... I guess.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30657905/cfp-executive-director-bill-hancock-says-national-championship-game-go-scheduled

The bowl pick for the National Title game is unlocked.

I had to change the pick deadline.  A default of locking the remaining picks happened when the Rose Bowl kicked off.   I was not aware of that deadline unfortunately.  But you can make or change the final two picks now (side and total).

Sang, you're up there fighting for the win of the bowl segment!  With two picks left technically there are 4 users who could finish first depending how the picks go.

Looks like I made a big mistake changing to under - wish you would have left it closed....  

Well...I bet the under with real money!  Lost by 1 point!  But I did also take the 1st H Under (loss) and 2nd H Under (win).  I was fading everyone and their mother who said both teams were going to be in the 40s.  Thought Ohio State wouldn't score that much, but also didn't think Bama would crack 50.

One of the better Alabama teams I've ever seen.  Maybe 2019 Ohio State could've been more competitive, this Buckeye team is not as strong as last year's group despite what Buckeye fans will tell you.

It's funny, you know, being local here in Ohio everyone loves the Buckeyes, except me because you guessed it, I'm independent.  No favorites.

Anyway, they were all pessimistic after the Big Ten Title game then bam they beat Clemson and I hear Ohio State fans saying their roster is better than anyone in the country and they can go toe to toe with anyone.  Slow your roll their Buckeye fans.

I used to hate Miami Hurricanes when their dynasty was rolling and I never liked USC when they were on top, but honestly Alabama under Saban has never bothered me at all.  Their teams are so fundamentally sound, they don't showboat, they act and work professional, hell I don't care if they win 7 of the next 10 Titles, they deserve what they accomplish.