Well, here we are. The final weekend of the college football regular season.
It would be real easy to be sad but we're not. Because we keep thinking about all of the Mo' Money we've been making!!
We're finishing really really strong this season. We went 6-2 last Saturday hitting on THREE REALLY HUGE UPSET SPECIALS.
We took Georgia Tech over Georgia. Cha Ching!
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| Mo Money adding up |
We picked Kentucky knocking off Louisville. Cha Ching Ching!
And Vandy beating Botch Jones and his band of merry Vols. Cha Ching Ching Ching.
That's a whole lot of CHING and a whole lot of Mo' Money....just in time for the holidays...gotta restock the liquor cabinet, get a few Cubanos, and get baby a new pair of shoes. You know what I'm talking about. Uh huh.
Before we get to our GREAT EIGHT™, we have a quick retrospective section comprised of words and wit from a few of our fellow scallywags. So, freshen your drinks, sit back and enjoy.
REAR VIEW MIRROR....a look back at the 2016 season
Remember back in August when your team was undefeated and you were pretty excited about the upcoming season? If you were like me, you felt real good about your favorite teams and you probably circled certain dates on the calendar for big games and must-wins.
Fast forward to Conference Championship Weekend. Still feeling good about your team? Or did your guys crash and burn back in September?
We'll you're not alone. A few folks still have plenty to crow about while others are slumped over in their Lazy Boys counting the days to March Madness or spring training.
In any event, we've asked a few of our loyal long time compadres to share a few thoughts looking back on the 2016 season.
There were no ground rules, thus each contributor chose his/her own way to express their feelings. I've resisted editing the submissions but had to make a few minor edits. One submission, from Buffy in Boston, is still on the shelf. Note to Buffy: I think you need help. Seriously.
From Kenny Clyde
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| Roll damn Tide Roll |
From the SEC Network in August: "There might not be a team in college football that can survive a schedule that includes road games against Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Though it will be a disappointing season by Saban standards, going 3-2 over that stretch is still to be commended."
Somebody forgot to tell Saban.
Some random thoughts....
1. Florida's next. The Tide has not allowed a touchdown in 17 quarters. The Gators have scored just one offensive touchdown in 10 quarters. 35-0 anybody?And don't think we're not in their heads from last year... CB Austin Appleby on facing the Tide's Jonathan Allen: "We're going to have to get a plan for him and the rest of those guys on that defense." And Gator coach McElwain's take about what makes Allen so disruptive? "Probably genetics. They've got a bunch of creatures that play at a high level consistently."Can scheme and inferior athleticism beat genetics? Coach Mac's already answered that.
2. Bama is a coach killer. Ask Miles, Chizik, Tuberville, Battle, Nutt. Our biggest competition over the past five years has come from Baton Rouge. Now they've replaced a guy with a .826 SEC winning percentage with a guy at .372. A guy that was 5-7 against the Tide for a guy who is 0-4. No wonder Mike is sick.
3. People want our coaches. McElwain. Smart. Now Tiffin. Best line about that speculation? "Oregon is the best hope for Kiffin. He would fit right in with all their swag, flavor of the day unis and the desire to score 40 because their defense gives up 35. And the best part about Kiffin's chances at Oregon is that he'd never have to face Saban..."
4. And we keep reloading.... Ever hear of Najee Harris? Dylan Moses? Alex Leatherwood? Jerry Jeudy? Markail Benton? How about Tua Tagovailoa??? Freak plays QB and DE.
How does this happen every year? Saban's had 20 minute Sunday night FaceTime chats with Tagovailoa and his parents since 2015.
So, here's to Clemson, Washington, and Ohio State. Good luck and Roll Tide!
From Father O'Benowitz
I must confess. Me Fighting Irish are so bad this season it gets me hot under me collar. And to think that we have all of this God given talent running around South Bend it makes me want to puke. There. I feel better now. Year after year we bring in all these strapping young lads brimming with spirit and passion and so so handsome. And we are blessed with the best facilities that money can buy. But we always seem to fall short. Thank the Lord we still have that great TV contract with NBC. Whoa. What? Expiring next year? Oh. Hail Mary, full of grace, bless our endowments and team to be.
From Jumping Jacket
A tale of two seasons – that’s what Tech fans endured through the 2017 season.
After a 3-3 start this fall, including dismal performances to Clemson and Miami, Paul Johnson turned his crew around to finish on a 5-1 stretch. After the lackluster start, it’s still crazy to think that GT went 2-2 against its “Big Four” rivals in the Tigers, Hurricanes, then-ranked #14 Virginia Tech and Georgia. The finale against the Bulldogs, capped with a last-minute touchdown for the win, is sure to give Jacket fans a warm feeling throughout the winter – and giving CPJ some points with his new boss, AD Stansbury.
Overall, after winning only 3 games in 2015, the Ramblin’ Wreck reaching eight wins seems like a mighty feat by this 2016 squad. Still, with an All-ACC QB leading the offense, Tech die-hards will wonder if this is as good as it gets on the Flats in a conference that gets tougher every year. October and November helped CPJ’s cause, but long term success will require more consistency, better play in the trenches and – most recently – keeping star players from transferring.
From KirbyGirl
The beginning of an era… 2016 marked the first season with rookie head coach Kirby Smart. As Georgia fans watched the Yellow Jackets leave Sanford Stadium with remains of the famous hedges in their mouths it’s safe to say things didn’t start out well. Georgia ended the regular season with a 7-5 record, including losses to foes GT, Florida and Tennessee.
Quarterback Jacob Eason proved to be a true freshman, with signs of greatness along with inexperience. Eason left Georgia fans wanting more. Time will tell if he will develop into the saving grace the Bulldawgs hope and expect – and with more of Smart’s recruits in place next season, the sky could be the limit.
This 2016 team lacked talent, consistency and a will to win. But with a year under his belt, his system in place and his players “buying in”, Smart could very well be the guy to lead UGA where Mark Richt never could.
From Mister Big Ten
Tis the season to be thankful…Thank
You Big 10.
I’m an SEC guy but my heart is in the old Big 8 Conference. Sooner born and Sooner bred.
The Oklahoma Sooners football team suffered two humiliating losses in the early part of the season. The prognosticators’ long-standing tradition of ranking OU higher than they should made those losses look like upsets. In fact, OU was overrated – it probably wasn’t a very good football team when the season started and it had some major kinks to work out in those first several games. Like so many teams not called Alabama, OU had offensive line issues and the defense didn’t do a good job of stopping the push at the line, rushing the passer, tackling, or covering. During the next few games (frankly, I stopped paying attention) the team started to get healthy, get experience, and play “Oklahoma football.” Because of improved line play, Dede Westbrook took off, Mayfield was able to be a playmaker again, and Mixon and Perine began pounding on the ground. OU wore out Baylor in Norman on a crisp November Saturday.
There are some seasons when your team has talented players but no leadership, chemistry or player cohesiveness. Sadly this was the case for the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2016 season. Chuck Rounsaville, Publisher of the Ole Miss Spirit described a teams personality and focus as the "it" factor and this edition of the Ole Miss Rebels just didn't have that special attitude or enough healthy players needed to Kick Ass in the SEC West division..Hugh Freezes first four teams had that "it" factor as Ole Miss was scratching and clawing their way back to national football relevance. The Rebs defensive linebacker and secondary was depleted by graduation, key injuries, and young players forced to play earlier than expected..oh yeah and I forgot to add, recruiting misses on stud linebackers and defensive ends during the last couple of years showed how important "crootin" the talent level to compete in the toughest division in the toughest conference in college football is to your win/loss column. On the plus side the Rebs young players have had a year of OJT and should grow up for the 2017 season. With QB Chad Kelly's season ending knee injury, Shea Patterson was thrown in the fire and showed us that he has all of the tools needed to become one of the most exciting players in Ole Miss football History.
From Rocky Top
There were these two fellars standing on a bridge, a-goin to the bathroom. One fellar said, "The water's cold" and the other fellar said, "The water's deep." I reckon one fella come from Tennessee. Get it?
From Bayou Bengal
The appointment of Ed Orgeron (or DACOACHO as I enjoy referring to him) has been, ah, polarizing to say the least. There are at least two different camps the LSU fan may find him or herself in: one, a state of joy and delight in the fighting Tigers locking down a coach who loves his players and staff (and is loved back, most importantly), can recruit circles around most others, and is a DELIGHT to listen to during interviews. I find myself in this camp.
The other camp is, how you say, the opposite of that. The narrative here runs that LSU settled for Orgeron when they didn't get Jimbo or Tom Herman, and instead went for the security blanket who barely won 10 games in 3 years at Ole Miss . Basically, this was not the "sexy" hire many of the LSU loyal had hoped for.
Time will tell how this saga, which has been as close to a Telemundo daytime soap opera as you might dream of, will play out. For right now, we have a bowl game to focus on (potentially with the aforementioned FSU Jimbos...), and the biggest rollercoaster of a season since, well, last season, to recover from. Yet hope springs eternal, and a win in whichever bowl game we get (Citrus, it looks like from here) sure would be a positive place to start. Now if that legendary former Rocky Top head coach, Lane Kiffin, can just bring his spread offense magic to the bayou....
As always, GEAUX TIGERS.
From Mister Touchdown (TD)
12 Days of wishes for a Merry Michigan State Spartan Christmas 🎄:
Your GREAT EIGHT™ for Week Fourteen
#1 Alabama vs #15 Florida...by now you know the routine. Until someone knocks off Bama, Bama is our team. But wait, not so fast. The 24 point spread is just too too tasty to ignore. After all, this is the SEC Championship Game where an underdog might have a little something extra left in the tank. So...take Florida and the points in an UPSET SPECIAL.
#7 Oklahoma vs #11 Oklahoma State...okay, so the Big 12 still resides in the backwoods of college football with no conference championship game, forgoing several extra millions of dollars it could surely use. Oh, where was I? Take Stoop's Sooners in this one. And quit yakking about Bob Stoops getting fired, puhlease.
#6 Wisconsin vs #8 Penn State...this is for the Big Ten championship. How many of you gave the Badgers a chance back in August? Be honest now..show of hands. Well, the Badgers are for real and tomorrow night they will kick James Franklin's butt back to the Music City. Badgers beat the Nittany Lions.
#3 Clemson vs #19 Virginia Tech...the ACC championship is on the line. Anything could happen, right? Not tomorrow night. Dabo's Tigers seal the deal and head to the CFP. Take the Tigers over the Hokies.
Baylor vs #14 West Virginia...the 'Neers screwed the pooch in their lost to Oklahoma, but a win tomorrow would give them ten wins for the season, just the ninth time in school history. The Mountaineers are heavy favorites in this one and we agree. West Virginia, mountain momma, wins over the Waco whackos.
Temple vs #20 Navy...you gotta like the US Naval Academy. The middies look so sharp in their crisp uni's. And they run the option like it's nobody's business (sorry Paul Johnson). The Midshipmen will beat the Owls for the American Athletic Conference trophy.
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky...you know we're desperate when we include this match up. But it's the end of the season and we don't want Conference USA peeps to give a bunch of grief. So...take the Hill Toppers in this one. Should be a good one for anyone that really gives a damn.
Kansas State vs Texas Christian...neither team fits the typical Big 12 mold of lots of offense and no defense. These two teams are actually pretty good when it comes to playing tough defense. This game will be tight but we give the nod to Gary Patterson who will coach in his 202nd game, the most in TCU school history. Take the Horned Frogs in this one.
From Father O'Benowitz
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| Mercy please |
I must confess. Me Fighting Irish are so bad this season it gets me hot under me collar. And to think that we have all of this God given talent running around South Bend it makes me want to puke. There. I feel better now. Year after year we bring in all these strapping young lads brimming with spirit and passion and so so handsome. And we are blessed with the best facilities that money can buy. But we always seem to fall short. Thank the Lord we still have that great TV contract with NBC. Whoa. What? Expiring next year? Oh. Hail Mary, full of grace, bless our endowments and team to be.
From Jumping Jacket
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| We beat uGa |
A tale of two seasons – that’s what Tech fans endured through the 2017 season.
After a 3-3 start this fall, including dismal performances to Clemson and Miami, Paul Johnson turned his crew around to finish on a 5-1 stretch. After the lackluster start, it’s still crazy to think that GT went 2-2 against its “Big Four” rivals in the Tigers, Hurricanes, then-ranked #14 Virginia Tech and Georgia. The finale against the Bulldogs, capped with a last-minute touchdown for the win, is sure to give Jacket fans a warm feeling throughout the winter – and giving CPJ some points with his new boss, AD Stansbury.
Overall, after winning only 3 games in 2015, the Ramblin’ Wreck reaching eight wins seems like a mighty feat by this 2016 squad. Still, with an All-ACC QB leading the offense, Tech die-hards will wonder if this is as good as it gets on the Flats in a conference that gets tougher every year. October and November helped CPJ’s cause, but long term success will require more consistency, better play in the trenches and – most recently – keeping star players from transferring.
From KirbyGirl
 |
| Wait till next year |
The beginning of an era… 2016 marked the first season with rookie head coach Kirby Smart. As Georgia fans watched the Yellow Jackets leave Sanford Stadium with remains of the famous hedges in their mouths it’s safe to say things didn’t start out well. Georgia ended the regular season with a 7-5 record, including losses to foes GT, Florida and Tennessee.
Quarterback Jacob Eason proved to be a true freshman, with signs of greatness along with inexperience. Eason left Georgia fans wanting more. Time will tell if he will develop into the saving grace the Bulldawgs hope and expect – and with more of Smart’s recruits in place next season, the sky could be the limit.
This 2016 team lacked talent, consistency and a will to win. But with a year under his belt, his system in place and his players “buying in”, Smart could very well be the guy to lead UGA where Mark Richt never could.
From Mister Big Ten
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| This could be our year |
What a season for the Big 10. 4 Teams ranked in the top 10 (THE Ohio
State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn State) and 6 amongst the top 25 (welcome
Iowa and Nebraska).
This weekend the Badgers head
into Indianapolis to battle the Nittany Lions for the Big 10 Championship game.
The Badgers now find themselves amidst the contentious arguments for teams
deserving a playoff berth.
Nonetheless, current predictions already have Wisconsin overlooked for a
spot in the playoffs given their two losses being to Michigan and THE Ohio
State. Let it be noted that the losses
were by two touchdowns combined.
A Big Kudos to coach Paul Chryst for
being named coach of the year in the big 10. In only his second season at the helm,
he has won 20 of 25 games and has quickly turned around a program as their third
coach in 5 years.
If the Badgers defense can help
the offense with some points on the board, and running back Cory Clement can
find his wheels early in the game, then the Badgers will
find themselves sitting pretty with an offer to the Graddaddy of Them All.
From Boomer Sooner |
| Sooner or later we gonna win |
I’m an SEC guy but my heart is in the old Big 8 Conference. Sooner born and Sooner bred.
The Oklahoma Sooners football team suffered two humiliating losses in the early part of the season. The prognosticators’ long-standing tradition of ranking OU higher than they should made those losses look like upsets. In fact, OU was overrated – it probably wasn’t a very good football team when the season started and it had some major kinks to work out in those first several games. Like so many teams not called Alabama, OU had offensive line issues and the defense didn’t do a good job of stopping the push at the line, rushing the passer, tackling, or covering. During the next few games (frankly, I stopped paying attention) the team started to get healthy, get experience, and play “Oklahoma football.” Because of improved line play, Dede Westbrook took off, Mayfield was able to be a playmaker again, and Mixon and Perine began pounding on the ground. OU wore out Baylor in Norman on a crisp November Saturday.
The
team has the look of a top ten team … no, I don’t think OU has any business in
the playoffs. The defense still is
lacking. Now, it’s time for OU, a
team that took its two losses the hard way, to play Oklahoma State, a team that
rightfully should have only one loss.
It has the makings of a great game to watch - two good teams who like to
score and put eleven players on the field when it’s their turn to play defense.
From Rockin Reb |
| Pour me another, brother |
There are some seasons when your team has talented players but no leadership, chemistry or player cohesiveness. Sadly this was the case for the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2016 season. Chuck Rounsaville, Publisher of the Ole Miss Spirit described a teams personality and focus as the "it" factor and this edition of the Ole Miss Rebels just didn't have that special attitude or enough healthy players needed to Kick Ass in the SEC West division..Hugh Freezes first four teams had that "it" factor as Ole Miss was scratching and clawing their way back to national football relevance. The Rebs defensive linebacker and secondary was depleted by graduation, key injuries, and young players forced to play earlier than expected..oh yeah and I forgot to add, recruiting misses on stud linebackers and defensive ends during the last couple of years showed how important "crootin" the talent level to compete in the toughest division in the toughest conference in college football is to your win/loss column. On the plus side the Rebs young players have had a year of OJT and should grow up for the 2017 season. With QB Chad Kelly's season ending knee injury, Shea Patterson was thrown in the fire and showed us that he has all of the tools needed to become one of the most exciting players in Ole Miss football History.
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| I reckon we fire ole Botch |
From Rocky Top
There were these two fellars standing on a bridge, a-goin to the bathroom. One fellar said, "The water's cold" and the other fellar said, "The water's deep." I reckon one fella come from Tennessee. Get it?
From Bayou Bengal
 |
| No smile for Miles |
The appointment of Ed Orgeron (or DACOACHO as I enjoy referring to him) has been, ah, polarizing to say the least. There are at least two different camps the LSU fan may find him or herself in: one, a state of joy and delight in the fighting Tigers locking down a coach who loves his players and staff (and is loved back, most importantly), can recruit circles around most others, and is a DELIGHT to listen to during interviews. I find myself in this camp.
The other camp is, how you say, the opposite of that. The narrative here runs that LSU settled for Orgeron when they didn't get Jimbo or Tom Herman, and instead went for the security blanket who barely won 10 games in 3 years at Ole Miss . Basically, this was not the "sexy" hire many of the LSU loyal had hoped for.
Time will tell how this saga, which has been as close to a Telemundo daytime soap opera as you might dream of, will play out. For right now, we have a bowl game to focus on (potentially with the aforementioned FSU Jimbos...), and the biggest rollercoaster of a season since, well, last season, to recover from. Yet hope springs eternal, and a win in whichever bowl game we get (Citrus, it looks like from here) sure would be a positive place to start. Now if that legendary former Rocky Top head coach, Lane Kiffin, can just bring his spread offense magic to the bayou....
As always, GEAUX TIGERS.
From Mister Touchdown (TD)
 |
| The beat goes on, baby |
12 Days of wishes for a Merry Michigan State Spartan Christmas 🎄:
- That somebody will finally beat Alabama and "Roll On The Tide" in the CFP this year because last year's 38 - 0 Bama beat down in the College Football Playoffs Final Four still stings!!!
- That 'Little Brother' will put a hurt on 'Big Brother' in Ann Arbor next year and improve the SPARTANS record over the Wolverines from 7 out of last 9 to 8 out of 10!
- Our entire 2017 Spartan Football roster will "Stay Healthy" and be as "Strong & Buff" as our mascot SPARTY!!!💪🏻
- Both running backs #3 LJ Scott & #24 Gerald Holmes will each rush over 1000 yards!!!🏃
- A new name for BIG 10 Conference that actually makes sense!😜
- BEAT NOTRE DAME and prove the IRISH 🍀 are once again overrated in preseason rankings!
- Green & White handkerchiefs for Jim Harbaugh to use while whining and crying to the media about refs and all the unfairness in this world after all Michigan Football losses!
- The entire SPARTAN NATION supports Coach Dantonio as he leads Michigan State in beating Norte Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and the Big10 Championship game to regain last year's title of "BIG 10 CHAMPIONS!"
- Another NFL caliber kicker like Michael Geiger!
- Another NFL caliber quarterback like Conner Cook!
- That Coach Dantonio will lead the Spartans to a perfect season!
- Stocking Stuffer ticket to next year's Bowl Series Championship game and the SPARTANS WIN!!!🏈
Your GREAT EIGHT™ for Week Fourteen
#1 Alabama vs #15 Florida...by now you know the routine. Until someone knocks off Bama, Bama is our team. But wait, not so fast. The 24 point spread is just too too tasty to ignore. After all, this is the SEC Championship Game where an underdog might have a little something extra left in the tank. So...take Florida and the points in an UPSET SPECIAL.
#7 Oklahoma vs #11 Oklahoma State...okay, so the Big 12 still resides in the backwoods of college football with no conference championship game, forgoing several extra millions of dollars it could surely use. Oh, where was I? Take Stoop's Sooners in this one. And quit yakking about Bob Stoops getting fired, puhlease.
#6 Wisconsin vs #8 Penn State...this is for the Big Ten championship. How many of you gave the Badgers a chance back in August? Be honest now..show of hands. Well, the Badgers are for real and tomorrow night they will kick James Franklin's butt back to the Music City. Badgers beat the Nittany Lions.
#3 Clemson vs #19 Virginia Tech...the ACC championship is on the line. Anything could happen, right? Not tomorrow night. Dabo's Tigers seal the deal and head to the CFP. Take the Tigers over the Hokies.
Baylor vs #14 West Virginia...the 'Neers screwed the pooch in their lost to Oklahoma, but a win tomorrow would give them ten wins for the season, just the ninth time in school history. The Mountaineers are heavy favorites in this one and we agree. West Virginia, mountain momma, wins over the Waco whackos.
Temple vs #20 Navy...you gotta like the US Naval Academy. The middies look so sharp in their crisp uni's. And they run the option like it's nobody's business (sorry Paul Johnson). The Midshipmen will beat the Owls for the American Athletic Conference trophy.
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky...you know we're desperate when we include this match up. But it's the end of the season and we don't want Conference USA peeps to give a bunch of grief. So...take the Hill Toppers in this one. Should be a good one for anyone that really gives a damn.
Kansas State vs Texas Christian...neither team fits the typical Big 12 mold of lots of offense and no defense. These two teams are actually pretty good when it comes to playing tough defense. This game will be tight but we give the nod to Gary Patterson who will coach in his 202nd game, the most in TCU school history. Take the Horned Frogs in this one.
MAKE MO' MONEY with MARK™
