O-H-I-O

What an improbable, unpredictable and enjoyable season college football gave us.  The new playoff system worked perfectly (unless you're a TCU fan...), giving us a true national champion, crowned last night.

While not technically a bowl game, I somehow forced myself to watch one more game.

#4 Ohio State vs. #2 Oregon

Any time a team turns the ball over four times, they'll likely lose but these Buckeyes were charmed, on their third quarterback, overcoming an early season loss at home and getting better with each game, mostly.  They earned and deserved the trophy, simple as that.

It took a couple Oregon drives for the Ohio State defense to adjust and all but shut down the Ducks offense except for that one long pass play for a score in the the 3rd quarter.  This felt like a "downhill" game for most of the night.  Like the Buckeyes were running downhill on both sides of the ball while Oregon struggled to get anything going, running uphill most of the game.

A truly masterful job of coaching and preparing his team by Urban Meyer and his staff.  Oregon looked dazed by the speed and size of the Bucks defense.

I watched the whole game, of course - there's no more college football until Labor Day weekend.

Ohio State 42  Oregon 20

Take Aways

*I picked on Ohio State a lot for the loss to Virginia Tech and felt they should not have jumped TCU.  Obviously that was wrong.  Looking back on what they overcame, the loss to Virginia Tech isn't that hard to imagine, but having Penn State take the Buckeyes to overtime is.   Penn State was lousy - it really was the only game that could have derailed the Ohio State season. 

*Hard not to think Urban Meyer is the best coach in college football.  Just a tremendous job overcoming losing two quarterbacks this season.

*It will be really interesting to see what happens with the three quarterback situation at Ohio State in the off season.  My guess is Braxton Miller transfers because he can play immediately after missing all of this season.  Lots of schools will be interested - Wisconsin, Auburn, Oregon, Florida State all come to mind right away, probably a lot more. Even if that does happen, Meyer will still have to do with a possible QB situation with two guys who both can obviously play.

*Michigan State was the only team to play both of these squads, the Spartans only two losses.  Not a bad season for Sparty, especially since MSU put up 37 points on that same Ohio State defense.

*Top two teams to start next season - Ohio State, TCU, in that order.

What did I eat:  A Costco frozen pizza doctored with pepperoni and peppers.

My pick:  Oregon.  As previously mentioned, I did win my bowl picks pool with a record of 27-12.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed my ramblings.  I'll see you back here in December.

The Questies

Has it been nearly a week without a bowl game?  I'm having withdrawals, hard as that may be to believe.  And without further ado, this year's Questy Awards, for the good, the bad and the stupid of 38 bowl games.

-Best Conference:  The Pac 12, easily.  The league was 6-2 in bowl games, with most of the wins by large margins and the two losses by eight points each.  The SEC won seven games but they sent 12 teams to bowl games.  Kentucky and Vanderbilt, for shame!

-Worst Conference:  The SEC, specifically the SEC West. Every team in the SEC West made a bowl game and five lost.  The worst loss, probably LSU losing to Notre Dame, a team that would have been the worst team in the SEC West.

-Worst Pick (by me):  Colorado State over Utah in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. The Utes put a 45-10 beating on the Rams.

-Strangest Player Name:  Not even close.

 I see you there Ge'Monee Brown.

-Best Fat Guy Touchdown:  La'Quan McGowan of Baylor against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.

 Baylor was clowning at this point in the game, thinking they had the win locked up.  Oops. Still, the guy rumbled.

-Best Hit:  Same game, Michigan State's Tony Lippett de-cleating of the Baylor kicker after the Spartans block of what would have been the game winning score.

 -Greatest comeback.  Nope, not Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl or Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.  It was Central Michigan, Christmas Eve Day in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl.  The Chips put up five touchdowns in the fourth quarter including three in the final 3:04.  The last TD came on a hook and lateral.  That play never works...

 Central Michigan went for the win on a two point conversion and failed because of course it did.  They ran a fade play on the two point conversion and lost 49-48.  More on the fade later. 

-Bloodiest injury:  South Alabama's coach getting kicked in the face by his own player.

 Runner up, this BYU player after the ugly fight that ended the Miami Beach Bowl.

-Best performance you didn't see:  Toledo's Kareem Hunt running for 271 and five touchdowns in the Go Daddy Bowl.  This is the game that also had a player tossed for threatening an official.  Go Daddy!

-Worst performance by a team:  Oklahoma, completely falling apart in the Russell Athletic Bowl, losing 40-6 to Clemson.  The Sooners have to be the biggest disappointment of the year, being ranked 4th to start the season and crapping the bed to finish.  How long of a rope does Bob Stoops have in Norman? This was also the worst game. 

-Dumbest Play:  Easy, this guy from Iowa.

 And speaking of coaches and how much rope they have, how much longer will Iowa fans put up with Kirk Ferentz?  That guy is pulling down around $3.5 million a year and has a $13 million buyout.  Iowa had a very favorable schedule in the wide open Big 10 West and finished 7-5.

-Worst play in a big game:  The only thing missing from this Jameis Winston fumble is the Benny Hill music.

 -Worst play teams kept running over and over:  The end zone fade.  What a low percentage play.  Roll out the quarterback and give him options. 

-Best game:  Michigan State's miraculous comeback in the Cotton Bowl, beating Baylor 42-41.  Sure, Houston had a bigger comeback in the Armed Forces Bowl but, come on, it was against Pitt.  Baylor was ranked 5th and was chewing up the Spartans defense until the fourth quarter turnaround.  And did you really think I would pick any other game?

-Best thing I ate:  Mrs. Keith's pork roast, home made macaroni and cheese and sauerkraut on New Year's Day.  What a way to cap off a great win but with a great meal.

 Sorry, we ate it all.

-Most Valuable Son:  Boy #1.  He watched the boring Citrus Bowl between Minnesota and Missouri.  Boy #2 watched more of the games but he watched while I did.  That don't count Boy #2.  And yes, I only invoked the "son can watch a game:" rule once.  I did the other 37 myself.  Not sure if I should be proud of that.  

-Best Bowl Swag;  Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, $447 Best Buy Gift Card and a wing eating competition.

  The Gophers out ate the Tigers by 690 wings!

-Worst Bowl Swag:  The Camellia Bowl souvenir pylon.  One of these.

 Weak although I'm watching for one to show up on ebay.  Nothing yet. 

-Best pick:  Oklahoma State over Washington in the Cactus Bowl.  Everyone in my bowl pool took the Huskies.  That sealed up the win for me. $35 baby!!

Well, one game to go, Oregon vs. Ohio State in the National Championship Monday night.  The new playoff worked great, can't wait until next year.

GoDaddy Bowl

Last of the official bowl games, officially football-ed out.

Toledo vs. Arkansas State

I watched the full second quarter and turned it off.  Lots of scoring in the first half, no idea of the final.  Let me look it up.

Wow. I missed a basketball game evidently. 

Toledo 63  Arkansas St. 44 

My pick:  Toledo.  Now 27-11, I think I have the bowl picks pool locked up. Yup, just checked that too. 

National Championship game next Monday.

Birmingham Bowl

Rainy, stormy Saturday - nothing else to do (I could clean the garage) besides watch bowl game #37.

East Carolina vs. Pittsbur...oh wait, Florida.

It just doesn't seem right for this lousy game to be played in disintegrating Legion Field  without the Panthers.  They're back in Pittsburgh trying to figure out how they blew a 25 point lead in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Another game with an interim coach, this time for the Gators who showed Will Muschamp the door. Incoming coach Jim McElwain showed up in the ESPN booth in the first half, probably glad he was out of the rain.

I watched 100% of this game - sad. But here's the thing, it was entertaining. It was messy, ECU had about 146 plays on offense and that was probably a good thing because Florida lost their starting QB and it was better to keep their defense on the field.

Pirates with the opening score and then Florida hit for three including a pick six.  21-7 at half.

ECU kept it close with a third quarter score.  Florida pushed it to 28-14 and ECU couldn't find the end zone, the game coming to an end with another pick of ECU QB Shane Carden.

The Pira-ette wasn't happy with that last pick. And a half "surrender cobra" from dude.

Florida 28  ECU 20

Notes

-East Carolina ran 101 plays (that's a lot) to Florida's 71.  ECU had plenty of chances, they couldn't convert.

-There is absolutely no point for having this game, and in one of the worst stadiums in America.

The surrounding neighborhood is a bit sketchy too.  I parked in that neighborhood for a U2 concert once.  The guy who took my money promised he wouldn't box me in.  That was a lie. I may have hit a few vehicles angling my way out of his, or someone's, yard.

-This is the last we'll see of the SEC this season.  After a decade of dominance, the conference will not be part of a championship game.

 But don't tell Phylis from Mulga, Alabama that the SEC is down. She's a frequent caller to the Paul Feinbaum show - give a listen. 

 Phylis wasn't the only SEC fan to defend the conference, Auburn fan Tammy from Clanton, Alabama had her piece to say. 
 

 That's Tammy on the left, Phyllis on the right. Passions for the conference run high in Dixie.  Yama mama.

-What did I eat:  Lunch, a bowl of Marie Callender Chicken Chili and a few pieces of summer sausage.

-Bowl swag:   Oakley sunglasses; beanie; hooded sweatshirt; Big Game football but Tammy and Phyllis drove in to congratulate Florida for representing the SEC!!!!

My pick - Florida.  Bowl record improves to 26-11.

One more bowl game, the GoDaddy Bowl tomorrow night at 9:00.  Then the championship a week from Monday. BowlQuest almost complete.

Alamo/Cactus Bowls

The overspill of bowl season is in full effect with these two games on Friday night, like a 300 pound man trying to wear an XL t-shirt.  These games had to go somewhere and Friday night Jan. 2nd is all that's left.

#11 Kansas State vs. #14 UCLA

A lot more was expected of a loaded UCLA team but they struggled out of the gate and were beaten badly by Stanford in their finale. Another nice season for K-State, at one point the Wildcats were part of the playoff picture.

I walked in the door from work and got right down to business, losing interest in this game.

The Bruins jumped out to a big lead early and this had the look of another laugher but what's with the 31-6 score?  It's like a signal to the team being blown out to wake up and make a game of it. 

K-State fan was not having a good time. This fan look is called the "surrender cobra", the act of holding your head when your team is getting it's ass kicked.

UCLA held off a furious rally lead by K-State's quarterback Jake Waters and wide receiver Tyler Lockett.  Any NFL team looking for the next Antonio Brown would be wise to use a draft pick on Lockett, he catches everything and can fly.

Too little too late but at least the Wildcats didn't give up and made a game of it, giving the mainly purple clad crowd something to cheer about, a few too much to cheer about (see below).

UCLA 40  Kansas St. 35

Notes

-Great game for UCLA running back Paul Perkins with 194 yards rushing and a couple scores. He was the difference, overcoming the K-State defense and his own team's 15 penalties for 128 yards.  UCLA was practically K-State's MVP.

-Fans on the field!!

This was one of two K-State fans who ran on the field at the same time.  How do I know they were K-State fans?  Because there were no UCLA fans in the stands. The ESPN guys overdid the "fan on the field" outrage thing, that means you Brock Huard.

-What did I eat.  Quite a bit, I was hungry.  Peanuts with a cocktail or two, then reheated New Years leftovers - pork roast and Mrs. Keith's macaroni and cheese.  Still good.

-Bowl swag:  A bunch of stuff; GoPro Hero4 Silver camera and 32 GB memory card; Fossil watch; Oakley Works backpack; Schutt mini helmet; panoramic photo.  I'd make my panoramic photo of the fan getting splashed by the San Antonio PD.

My pick - Kansas State.  I thought UCLA, like their fans, would pull a no show.  Nope.

I went into full surrender cobra when this game came on right after the Alamo Bowl.  Okay, maybe not surrender cobra but "lay on the couch, covered in a blanket, probably going to fall asleep at some point cobra."

This is the former Dominos Pizza Bowl then Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl now sponsored by Ticket City, formerly the sponsor of the Heart of Dallas Bowl.There will be a test at the end of bowl season.

Washington vs. Oklahoma State

Two nice programs that had less than inspiring seasons, especially the Cowboys.  They lost five straight before stunning Oklahoma in the Bedlam game and earning the bowl bid.
I have no idea what the Huskies season was like, just above .500, like most years I suppose.

Yet another game on blowout alert, Oklahoma State shooting to a  24-0 lead.  I wasn't in the mood to stay awake for another furious but failed comeback so I hit the sack.  Houston used up all the "furious comeback" juice in the day.  Yup, the box score shows Washington put up 22 points to make a game of it but again, too little too late.

Oklahoma State 30  Washington 22

Notes

-Not much, you don't want to read any more stats.  Nice win for the Cowboys after a tough season.  They should be setup pretty well for 2015.

-I love the classic Ok. State Pistol Pete logo.

This may be the theme of my BowlQuest souvenir - something Pistol Pete.  I already bought a Cotton Bowl champs shirt and an MSU sweatshirt in probably the one color I don't own.

-Did you know Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was in that famous selfie from the Oscars? 

I missed him there the first 3,736 times I saw this picture.

-Bowl swag:  This stuff again; Fossil watch; Ogio Rogue backpack.

My pick - Oklahoma State.  Bowl record now 25-11, still clinging to 1st place in the bowl picks pool.

Are we done yet Keith?  No, there's a game today and another one Sunday night.  Don't worry, I'll watch them, you go about having a life.

TaxSlayer Bowl

Goodbye Gator Bowl, now replaced by a company that uses two capital letters in its name.

This game has had its fair share of sponsors in the past several years.  I guess TaxSlayer said "screw it" and just got rid of Gator.

Iowa vs. Tennessee

Another chance for the Big 10 to step up and shut up the SEC yard barkers. Win this game and the Big 10 goes 6-4 in bowl season and makes a case for being a stronger conference.  It's all on you Iowa!!

Yeah, maybe we shouldn't have left that up to Iowa. And this guy.

Already down 28-0, Iowa kick returner Jonathan Parker's brain told him to throw the ball back in bounds as he went out of bounds at the three yard line on a kick return.  Does he know the rules?  Did he think he was playing another sport? 

Iowa did have a furious comeback in the fourth, scoring three touchdowns.  Unfortunately it was 42-7 going into the fourth quarter.  You ain't no Houston, Iowa.

Tennessee 45  Iowa 28

Notes

-If you just saw the score, you'd think, okay, Iowa let this one get away.  Nope.

-I watched this game in the air studio, three full quarters.

-Weeeee!!! Rocky Top!!!! 'Murica!!!! 

 It's Rocky Top Big Boy. He has the right to vote.

-What did I eat:  Nothing, I was at work, working, doing work stuff.

-Bowl swag:  Panasonic gift suite; Fossil watch.  Players get to pick $400 of kind of crappy electronics.

My pick:  Rocky Top, but with the lowest confidence points, one.  Thought this one would be close.  I've been a lot of wrong the last two days.

Still to come, Alamo and Cactus Bowls tonight. 

Armed Forces Bowl

It took until the 33rd game of BowlQuest to get an interim head coach throw down.

Pittsburgh vs. Houston

Teams are often in transition during bowl season, coaches taking better jobs, schools unhappy with their 6-6 or 7-5 records.  Houston's defensive coordinator David Gibbs under the headphones after Tony Levine was shown the door meanwhile Pittsburgh HC Paul Crist is headed back to Wisconsin to take that job.

Michigan State DC Pat Narduzzi was at this game as he's taking over the Pitt job.  They could have used him calling defense today.  Yikes.

I watched the full first quarter at work, eating lunch. I was in the air studio to witness the total meltdown of the Pitt defense in the fourth.  Yikes again.

Let's look at the box score, shall we...

How does a team score three touchdowns in less than four minutes left in the game?  By converting two consecutive onside kicks.  Oh yeah, then Gibbs decided to go for two and the win.

And that's how Michigan State's comeback points record in the Cotton Bowl was erased in less than 24 hours.  And that's why I watch these games. A bowl record 29 points in the fourth quarter, an all time bowl record.

Houston 35  Pitt-ifulsburgh 34

Notes

-It was cold and raining at this game.  And people have to go back to work on January 2nd.  Not exactly a robust crowd in Fort Worth. 

I don't even know what team's stadium this is. TCU?

-Weird day at work.  Felt like a Monday, had to do Friday stuff, sales people kind of milling about.  I certainly wasn't wasting a vacation day to watch the Armed Forces Bowl.

-What did I eat:  Jimmy John's Vito (#5) with hot peppers and a bag of salt and vinegar chips.  Always go with the Vito.

 -The bowl schedule next season will move all these "extra" games to other days because New Years Days will be on Friday and the NFL playoffs will be that following weekend.  Here's an idea, play some on Christmas Day.  All day, noon to midnight.  Please.

-Bowl swag:  This stuff again; Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; beanie; Big Game football.

My pick - Houston, ha!

Three more games, one more at work.