My kind of day. Nothing but GAMES. ALL. DAY. #perfect (yes, I did just go twitter hashtag on you)
Review: FLORIDA STATE 18 Notre Dame 14 √
This one was scary to begin with if you were cheering for the Seminoles. For the second day in a row, there was an offensive struggle in a bowl, as the Fighting Irish went into halftime up 7-0, courtesy of a Zeke Motta fumble recovery returned to the endzone during the second quarter. Things weren't looking much better in the second half for the Seminoles as Michael Floyd caught a TD pass for the Fighting Irish to put them up 14-0, but it wasn't just any catch. He bobbled it multiple times, repeatedly tipping it to himself, and eventually got the grab and the score. After that, however, it was all FSU, at least on the scoreboard. The Seminoles scored 18 unanswered in the second half, and it could've been more had either of the Noles 2-point conversions been successful. Sometimes that can come back to haunt you, but FSU had just enough to get to 9-4 on the year.
Remember the Alamo Bowl, and it won't be hard to do.
Review: BAYLOR 67 Washington 56 √
The game I was waiting for. My new favorite, RG3, playing in likely his last collegiate outing. What an outing it was. Not necessarily for him, but it was an outstanding game if you like offense. If you don't, then it was a long night for you. With 8 touchdown scoring drives under two minutes in this game and one under two minutes for a field goal, there was no question this game would come down to who had the ball last, who made a mistake, or who made a defensive stop. I know, that's a lot of options, but they're all grouped together. During the opener of SportsCenter last night after the game, it was well put, "Wait, Baylor just scored again." In an offensive output like this, clearly defense is non-existent, or just about. While a Washington fumble in the third quarter did seem to be a momentary momentum switch, a defensive stop on a 4th and 8 try by the Huskies, late in the fourth quarter, at the Baylor 39 yard line sealed the game for the Bears as they were up 60-56 at the time. Three plays, 61 yards, and 52 seconds later, Terrance Ganaway got into the endzone for the fifth time in the game, as he rushed for 200 yards of the Bears 482 rushing yards. The bowl record for total offense in a game was set with 1,397 yards between the two schools. Five plays covered 50 yards or more. 17 total touchdowns, another record. There are too many records to list them all, but one stat ESPN put out on SportsCenter last night, since November 1st, the Baylor football team and men's and women's basketball teams have yet to lose a game, going 30-0. Unbelievable. All in all, a crazy night. I'm glad I stayed up for it.
After a set of games like those, can today live up to it? It starts early, and it'll be a day full of action.
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Preview: BYU v. Tulsa
The Armed Forces Bowl has historically had high scoring matchups. With the exception of last season, the previous three had reached 60+ points. After last night's Baylor game, I don't think this can live up to it. BYU has scored over 40 in their last three games, and Tulsa scored over 35 six times this season. Who knows, they might make it to 60 combined. BYU lost two of their first three matches, then reeled off five wins and finished the season 9-3. Tulsa's four losses came against squads inside the top 10 when they faced them, which is nothing to look down on. I've got the Cougars coming away with this one.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Preview: Rutgers v. Iowa State
Iowa State, about all I know about them is what I remember of 5-19 from years ago. This year they're 6-6. They opened the season with three straight wins, followed by four straight losses. They beat two top 25 teams this season (finishing at 2-5 against top 25 teams) including routing Texas Tech, as the Cyclones won 41-7, and the most notable game of the season for Iowa State was the one that changed the BCS title picture as they beat Oklahoma State in overtime, 37-31. Pretty sure most people remember where they were when that game was decided, at least I do, because it caused major chaos for the BCS. Rutgers only faced one top 25 team in West Virginia, who they lost to 41-31. They did finish 8-4 though, but lost their final game against Connecticut, 40-22. Despite the records, I'm going with Iowa State. They seem to know how to get it done when it matters most and I believe they'll be ready for this game.
Franklin American Mortage Music City Bowl
Preview: Mississippi State v. Wake Forest
The SEC finally gets a chance to play. Both these teams playing tonight barely got to .500 on the season and made it to bowl eligible. Wake Forest lost four of their last five including the season finale against the Bulldog's SEC foe, Vanderbilt. Vandy handed the Demon Deacons a 41-7 loss. State won three of their last five but suffered tough losses to two top 10 teams in Alabama and Arkansas in back to back weeks. Both these teams will be looking to end with a winning season, and only one will get the victory needed to do so. This is the first time these two schools have ever met on the gridiron. It might not be as much of a thriller as some of the earlier matches, but I'm looking for a good showing. I'm going against my own rule, and I changed my pick to Mississippi State.
Insight Bowl
Preview: Iowa v. Oklahoma
The final game of the night. It'll be another late one as this doesn't start till 9 central. Oklahoma is still the 14th ranked team in the nation despite losing two of their last three. Losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State knocked the Sooners out of BCS bowl contention, but a loss tonight to Iowa could leave them out of the final top 25 for the second time in three years. Iowa is 7-5 and they did beat Michigan when they were the 15th ranked team in the nation. Oklahoma is right there near that mark, and might be on a bit of a let down since they aren't playing in the bowl they had in mind. They might have a slow start, but I believe the Sooners come away with the victory tonight.
Sorry for being so lengthy, but there was a lot to cover!
No comments:
Post a Comment