College Football 2020

[Sonnie]

Yeah... guess they didn't practice at all. Roll Tide!

 

[JStewart]

“As had been expected since Tuesday afternoon, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been cleared to play in the Big Ten championship game versus the Northwestern Wildcats on Dec. 19.

Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde and ESPN's Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg have reported that the Big Ten is amending a previously announced rule that mandated schools must complete a minimum of six contests during the pandemic-shortened campaign to be eligible for the league title game. The news comes one day after Ohio State, at 5-0 overall and ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, had its upcoming showdown with the rival Michigan Wolverines canceled due to COVID-19 issues impacting Michigan. “

From: https://www.yardbarker.com/college_...onference_championship_game/s1_13132_33524123

Yeah. Like there was ever a chance OSU wouldn’t play in the Big 10 Championship. How would they explain leaving their best team out of it? Drama over. Yawn.

 

[Sonnie]

lol... really... Who didn't know this was coming.

Here's the solution... Clemson edges out Notre Dame... Florida edges out Bama... these four teams are in, OSU is out.

I can't see playing only 5 regular season games as sufficient to be in the playoffs. They didn't play enough games to lose one of their best receivers, and/or have to play a game or two without their QB.

But then again, it really won't be about "fair" during a COVID ridden season... it is what it is.

 

[JStewart]

Here's the solution... Clemson edges out Notre Dame... Florida edges out Bama... these four teams are in, OSU is out.

OSU is in. Bama losing to the Gators is not an option! (But I don't need to tell you that!)

 

[JStewart]

Week 15 TV

Friday, Dec. 11

North Texas at UTEP | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
Arizona State at Arizona | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Nevada at San Jose State | 10 p.m. | CBSSN — San Jose State and Buffalo are the only remaining undefeated teams not in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. This game will also be played in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County. On top of that, the winner of this game would be in line for the Mountain West title game next week.
Charlotte at Marshall — CANCELED

Saturday, Dec. 12

No. 1 Alabama at Arkansas | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Illinois at No. 14 Northwestern | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 9 Georgia at No. 25 Missouri | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Utah at No. 21 Colorado | 12 p.m. | FOX
Rutgers at Maryland | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Minnesota at Nebraska | 12 p.m. | FS1
Michigan State at Penn State | 12 p.m. | ABC
Wake Forest at Louisville | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan | 12 p.m. | ESPN3
Western Michigan at Ball State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ — If you're into seeing a division clincher, check this out. The winner of this will meet Buffalo for the MAC crown next week. While WMU played in the conference championship game in 2016, Ball State hasn't made it to that point since 2008. Since losing to Miami (Ohio) in their first game, the Cardinals have put together four wins in a row.
UAB at Rice | 1 p.m. | ESPN3
Akron at Buffalo | 2:30 p.m. | CBSSN

No. 13 Coastal Carolina at Troy | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ — Keep it going, Coastal. One week after defeating No. 13 and then-undefeated BYU with ESPN's College GameDay watching, the Chanticleers hit the road to meet Troy. Coastal still has a chance to make a New Year's Six game — a dominant rout here would keep that dream well alive.

Central Michigan at Toledo | 3 p.m. | ESPN3

Navy at Army | 3 p.m. | CBS — In recent years, this game got Saturday to itself. That's not happening in 2020 because of COVID schedule adjustments, but Army-Navy remains must-see football. Navy may be on a four-game losing streak coming in and the Black Knights are 7-2, but don't be shocked if this is close.

Wisconsin at No. 16 Iowa | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
Houston at Memphis | 3:30 p.m. | ESPNU

No. 17 North Carolina at No. 10 Miami | 3:30 p.m. | ABC — UNC and the Hurricanes didn't make the ACC Championship game, but the winner here will feel a lot better about this season. The Tar Heels did beat rival NC State and previously ranked Virginia Tech, but they're still looking for a signature win. Miami, which has won five in a row since falling to Clemson, fits that role.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
Duke at Florida State | 4 p.m. | ACC Network
Appalachian State at Georgia Southern | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
Boise State at Wyoming | 6 p.m. | CBSSN

LSU at No. 6 Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN — No, LSU isn't anywhere close to what it was last year. That's obvious. But Florida can't look ahead to the SEC Championship Game showdown with No. 1 Alabama. The Gators are in a win-out situation to make the College Football Playoff, plus Kyle Trask (and Kyle Pitts) are looking for Heisman votes.

No. 22 Oklahoma State at Baylor | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Louisiana Tech at TCU | 7 p.m. | FS1

No. 15 USC at UCLA | 7:30 p.m. | ABC — A USC victory would put the Trojans into the Pac-12 title game, but a Colorado win followed by a USC defeat would give the Buffaloes the division title. USC is now the Pac-12's highest ranked team in the CFP at No. 15. However, rival UCLA has won two in a row.

Auburn at Mississippi State | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
Virginia at Virginia Tech | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Utah State at Colorado State | 9:30 p.m. | CBSSN
San Diego State at No. 18 BYU | 10 p.m. | ESPN2
Fresno State at New Mexico | 10:30 p.m. | FS2
Stanford at Oregon State | 10:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Cal at Washington State | 10:30 p.m. | FS1
UNLV at Hawai'i | 11 p.m. | Spectrum Sports PPV
Michigan at No. 4 Ohio State — CANCELED
Ole Miss at No. 5 Texas A&M — POSTPONED
No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 24 Tulsa — POSTPONED
No. 11 Oklahoma at West Virginia — CANCELED
Purdue at No. 12 Indiana — CANCELED
No. 20 Texas at Kansas — CANCELED
Incarnate Word at Arkansas State — CANCELED
Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green — CANCELED
Ohio at Kent State — CANCELED
Washington at Oregon — CANCELED

Strange this season without both Auburn and LSU ranked somewhere in the top 25.

We previously determined that LSU was not devoting this season to a win over the Tide. A win over Florida will change the feel of this season for them. Gaux Tigers.

Hoping the Tide enjoy their scrimmage with Arkansas and sit their starters early!

 

[Sonnie]

Arkansas is pretty good... they may give the Tide some grief... but maybe not too much.

I was born in Troy and that's where my main business is... it is also the official business address for AV NIRVANA, LLC. The Troy Trojans play Coastal Carolina this weekend mentioned above. I listened to the coach for Coastal on ESPNU coming home from Troy this evening. Interesting how he brought them from 5-7 last year to 10-0 this year. BYU slapped Troy around pretty well... laid 41 points on them, so I'm thinking Coastal will lay waste to them as well. Of course being from Troy, living most of my life there, I'm a Troy fan. Loved it when they beat LSU a few years back. They've come a long way. We see a lot of the players come into the gun shop, and my wife has rented to several of the players over the years. I don't do the games, although I use to go a good bit back when I was younger, as we lived just a few blocks from the stadium for over 10 years.

 

[JStewart]

What the heck is a Chanticleer anyway? Oh, it’s a rooster. Game Cocks already taken, huh?

My best to your hometown team today.

 

[JStewart]

@Sonnie , I wasn’t able to watch the Troy game. Was it as close as the final score suggests?

 

[Sonnie]

I don't really know. I know it was 14-0 Coastal, then I saw 14-13... then 21-13 and that's the last I heard. It looks as though it was rather close the entire ballgame though... surprising.

 

[JStewart]

Nice job Florida throwing a shoe and throwing the game. That 57 yard LSU field goal in the fog to ultimately win it was pretty awesome too. LOL. One of the weirder endings to a game!

 

[Sonnie]

That was truly a crazy game... and Florida gave it away a few times.

I watched previews of the Troy game and it was down to the end... Troy actually had the lead near the end and Coastal was able to drive and score, then Troy fumbled on their last drive. Coastal might have been looking past Troy to the championship game. It probably shouldn't have been that close.

 

[JStewart]

This one’s going up early!

No Jim, not just yet.

This week we get some great Conference Championship games though!!!
Have fun watching everyone.

Friday, Dec. 18

Nebraska at Rutgers | 4 p.m. | Big Ten Network
UAB at Marshall (CUSA Championship Game) | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Buffalo vs. Ball State (MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Purdue at Indiana | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Oregon at USC (Pac-12 Championship Game) | 8 p.m. | FOX

Saturday, Dec. 19

Ohio State vs. Northwestern (Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, Indiana) | 12 p.m. | FOX
Texas A&M at Tennessee | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Iowa State vs. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, Texas) | 12 p.m. | ABC
Florida State at Wake Forest | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
Washington State at Utah | 1:30 p.m. | FS1
Air Force at Army | 3 p.m. | CBSSN
Louisiana at Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt Championship Game) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
Ole Miss at LSU | 3:30 p.m. | SEC Network
Missouri at Mississippi State | 3:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Alternate)
Notre Dame vs. Clemson (ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 4 p.m. | ABC
Minnesota at Wisconsin | 4 p.m. | Big Ten Network
San Jose State vs. Boise State (Mountain West Championship Game in Las Vegas, Nevada) | 4:15 p.m. | FOX
SMU vs. UTSA (Frisco Bowl) | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Illinois at Penn State | 5:30 p.m. | FS1
Michigan at Iowa | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Michigan State at Maryland | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Alabama vs. Florida (SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Georgia) | 8 p.m. | CBS
Tulsa at Cincinnati (AAC Championship Game) | 8 p.m. | ABC
Stanford at UCLA | 8 p.m. | ESPN2
Oregon at Colorado | 9 p.m. | FS1
Arizona State at Oregon State | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
Arizona at California — CANCELED
Vanderbilt at Georgia — CANCELED

 

[Sonnie]

I'm not so sure that Florida loss to LSU was good for Bama... Florida has nothing to lose now... they can lay it all on the field.

Clemson may embarrass Notre Dame this time around. Trevor has something to prove.

 

[JStewart]

I'm not so sure that Florida loss to LSU was good for Bama... Florida has nothing to lose now... they can lay it all on the field.

Probably right about that! Roll Tide!

 

[Sonnie]

You are not supposed to say that... you are supposed to say comforting words to encourage me and make me feel better about it.

 

[JStewart]

You are not supposed to say that... you are supposed to say comforting words to encourage me and make me feel better about it.

Ok. Let’s try this then...
Probably right about that! Won’t matter anyway and it’ll be even sweeter when Florida gives ‘em their best shot and still gets stomped. Roll Tide!

 

[Sonnie]

I feel much better now.

 

[JStewart]

This won't hurt your feelings either...

SEC championship game preview: Anonymous coach feedback

AL.com talked to coaches and team officials from around the SEC to get their thoughts on the game.

www.al.com

 

[JStewart]

Well, that 4 point difference in the 4th quarter and a chance, no matter how small, for Florida to win it in their final possession was way too close for comfort! Luckily, Alabama managed to get it done.

The Bowl Games:
Dec. 21
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Appalachian State 56, North Texas 28
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
2:30 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 22
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Nevada vs. Tulane
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
3:30 p.m. | ESPN

Boca Raton Bowl
UCF vs. BYU
FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
7 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 23
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia Southern
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
3 p.m. | ESPN

Montgomery Bowl
Memphis vs. FAU
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
7 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 24
New Mexico Bowl
Hawai'i vs. Houston
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
3:30 p.m. | ESPN


Dec. 25
Camellia Bowl
Buffalo vs. Marshall
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
2:30 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 26
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
UAB vs. South Carolina
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
12 p.m. | ABC

Cure Bowl
No. 12 Coastal Carolina vs. Liberty
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
12 p.m. | ESPN

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
No. 19 Louisiana vs. UTSA
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas, Texas)
3:30 p.m. | ABC

LendingTree Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State
Ladd-Peebles Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
3:30 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 28
Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
CANCELED

Dec. 29
Cheez-It Bowl
No. 18 Miami vs. No. 21 Oklahoma State
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5:30 p.m. | ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl
No. 20 Texas vs. Colorado
Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
9 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 30
Duke's Mayo Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Wisconsin
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
12 p.m. | ESPN

TransPerfect Music City Bowl
No. 15 Iowa vs. Missouri
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
4 p.m. | ESPN


Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Florida
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
8 p.m. | ESPN

Dec. 31
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
No. 24 Tulsa vs. Mississippi State
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
12 p.m. | ESPN

Arizona Bowl
No. 22 San Jose State vs. Ball State
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
2 p.m. | CBSSN

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
TBD vs. West Virginia
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4 p.m. | ESPN

Texas Bowl
TCU vs. Arkansas
NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
8 p.m. | ESPN

Jan. 1
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 8 Cincinnati vs. No. 9 Georgia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
12 p.m. | ESPN

Vrbo Citrus Bowl
No. 14 Northwestern vs. Auburn
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
1 p.m. | ABC

College Football Playoff semifinal — Game 1
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
4 p.m. | ESPN

Allstate Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal)
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Ohio State
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
8:45 p.m. | ESPN

Jan. 2
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
No. 23 NC State vs. Kentucky
TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
12 p.m. | ESPN


Outback Bowl
No. 11 Indiana vs. Ole Miss
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
12:30 p.m. | ABC

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
No. 10 Iowa State vs. No. 25 Oregon
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
4 p.m. | ESPN

Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 5 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 North Carolina
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
8 p.m. | ESPN

Jan. 11
College Football Playoff National Championship Game
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
8 p.m. | ESPN

 

[Sonnie]

Lotta good football... really liking the Georgia vs Cincinnati game... and Oklahoma vs Florida.

I hate to say it, but I think Clemson wins it all again this year. They just look like the most complete team to me. I think Bama can take ND (I think), but I just don't think we'll be able to score on Clemson like we have other teams. Bama's defense can't defend against a good quality passing attack. We've seen it time and time again. I don't understand how we can have such good defensive back recruits over the years and still be so terrible at defending the pass year after year after year. We need much better coaching in that regards. I'm afraid Trevor will light up the scoreboard on us. I could (and I hope I am) be wrong, but that's how I'm seeing it as of right now.

 

[JStewart]

I hate to say it, but I think Clemson wins it all again this year. They just look like the most complete team to me. I think Bama can take ND (I think), but I just don't think we'll be able to score on Clemson like we have other teams.

Hate to agree.

Bama's defense can't defend against a good quality passing attack. We've seen it time and time again. I don't understand how we can have such good defensive back recruits over the years and still be so terrible at defending the pass year after year after year. We need much better coaching in that regards.

I have to wonder if that’s the whole issue or if it’s just not really possible to stop some of the high power passing attacks we’re seeing? At least not possible without putting a lot more pressure on and disrupting the QB.

 

[Sonnie]

LSU had a pretty good defense against Clemson last year. They actually held Clemson to less points and yards than they did Alabama. They held Clemson to 25 points and Trevor to 234 yards passing. North Carolina held Clemson to 21 points... went for 2 points to win the ballgame and failed. There is a defense for these guys, but it hasn't been Bama. Bama has never done well against the best passing teams... especially these last few years.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm not liking the final 4 teams... seems to me that a 9-0 team (Cinci) should be in there.

 

[Sonnie]

I'm not liking the final 4 teams... seems to me that a 9-0 team (Cinci) should be in there.

1000% agree!

 

[JStewart]

I'm not liking the final 4 teams... seems to me that a 9-0 team (Cinci) should be in there.

I agree too, but who should be out?