FBS National Championship Game

I guess I should wrap this thing up.

There has been no desire to keep writing, especially about a game I had no rooting interest in.

Alabama vs. Clemson

In the end, it may have been the best game, which it should have been. I watched most of the game and it was a great back and forth match up.  Ultimately it came down to a flaw in Clemson's kick coverage that I'm sure one of Nick Saban's minions noticed in non-stop video study in some secluded dungeon underneath Bryant Denny Stadium.

Bama won by having the ball one more time than Clemson and this onside kick provided it.

Clemson would score late but it was the one extra possession and score that won the game for the Tide. With Alabama's shut out of Michigan State, I thought this would be a lower scoring game - the Spartans had to be kicking themselves after seeing the Tigers manage to put up 40.

When a play makes the Nick-tator smile, you know it worked perfectly. 

Alabama 44  Clemson 40

That's that, the Tide win again, their fourth championship in seven years.

Game notes:

-This game didn't start until after 8:30 and since it was a work day, I dozed off a time or two but did see most of it.

-How does Alabama do it year after year?  Recruiting 30 year-old players. Meet A'Shawn Robinson.

 The football guide claims Mr. Robinson is 20 years old. In 2006 maybe. I don't want to say parents change their children's birth certificates but parents change their children's birth certificates.  Cha-ching Mrs. Robinson.

-What I Ate:  A pork cutlet, some leftover pasta and a salad. Not bad for a Monday.

-Player swag:  Iconic gift   I have no idea what that is.  Maybe a picture of Saban's pact with the devil.

-BowlQuest Souvenir:  Every year I find a bowl game memento on ebay, this year a trucker style cap from the 1988 Rose Bowl.

  Boy No. 2 wanted to know if he could wear it.  No.

-Thanks to Vinny Moses for creating the blog logo. 

BowlQuest out, probably forever.          

Questy Awards

It's been a week since the worst bowl season I can remember ended and only because the NFL playoff game is so awful I'm finishing up the blog with some Questy Awards.

My awards for the good, the bad, the ugly and the unusual of the 40 games that made up the two week schedule.

Biggest idiots:  The FBS bowl organizers who insisted on growing the postseason to 40 games, and then having them all played in a two week span.  Add in the absolute stubbornness of keeping the playoff games on New Years Eve and it's a perfect storm of crap.  How can there be so many games and so few are memorable?  Dial the bowl season back to about 30 games max (and that's too many) and try to get the playoff games off New Years Eve (not going to happen.)

Best Game:  That's easy, the Alamo Bowl with Oregon blowing a 31 point lead to TCU and then losing in overtime. The Ducks were utterly clueless after their starting quarterback Vernon Adams went out with an injury at half.

Rough night for that guy.  Runner up, Pinstripe Bowl with Duke and Indiana going to overtime.

Worst Game:  This is tough, so many games to choose from.  Most of them were bad or boring.  There was Cincinnati getting demolished by San Diego State in the Hawaii bowl, really ugly on Christmas Eve.  There was the St. Petersburg Bowl which was just mind numbingly dull.  Let's not forget Iowa refusing to defend Stanford's Christian McCafferty and getting knocked out in the Rose Bowl.  Of course, Michigan State getting blanked by Bama in the Cotton Bowl, I haven't forgotten that one.

 But the worst game was easily Boise State's destruction of Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl.  Northern Illinois had 33 yards of total offense - 33!  Their only score was on a kick return. The Broncos scored 21 in the first quarter and kept pouring it on.

 I think Northern Illinois paid ESPN to credit another school with the loss in the electrifying Hot Topic segment.

 I don't blame NIU, I'd try to make people think UNI jumped to the FBS.  And the thing is, Northern Illinois is a good team.

Best player name - for a second year, Ge'Money Brown from Western Kentucky.

 I may be wrong, but I believe Mr. Brown gave himself that name in honor of the movie New Jack City. He will be missed when he graduates.

Dumbest Play:  For every team that attempted a fake field goal, they all failed.  It's a bowl game, just go for it for God's sake.

Best Son:  Boy No. 2 stepped up and caught one of the 40 games.

 He took one for the team and watched the Heart of Dallas Bowl. He could have taken a few more.

 I'll give him a spot here to recap BowlQuest:  "I think it's time to stop.  Just watch the good ones."  I think he's right.

Best Thing I Ate:  If you're a serious BowlQuest reader you know I really forego any kind of nutrition during the games. I'll choose my go-to snack for many of these games, Snyder's of Hanover jalapeno pretzel bits mixed with Kirkland Virginia peanuts from Costco. 

Yeah, that's the stuff.  Those are easily the best peanuts I've ever eaten.  Just $6.59 for the 2.5 pound can, that is the best bargain in the store.

Best Thing I Drank - you'd think maybe strong coffee or Red Bull, possibly water to stay hydrated.  Ah, no.

There is only one way to get through BowlQuest and Wild Turkey got me through.

That's probably enough, this bowl season stunk.  I think this will be the last year of doing this, I'm actually ruining my down time from work.  Still one game to go, not technically a bowl game though.  I can't say there is much interest in the national championship between Clemson and Alabama.  I'll speak for most Americans because I'm that presumptuous - we're sick of Bama and no one cares about Clemson.  This game has the least hype and excitement of any championship game in many years.  It's a giant "who cares?"

Alamo Bowl/Cactus Bowl

After a lot of games and posts, I've run out of juice.  Quickie here, which is too bad because Game No. 39 was the best of them all.

TCU vs. Oregon

Two teams that started the season in the top 10.  Still a great post season match up but then TCU's quarterback Trevone Boykin went out a drinkin' and wound up punching a cop.  Back up QB, big swing to favor Oregon, especially with their quarterback Vernon Adams back.

Halftime, 31-0 - blow out city baby.  I watched the full first half and we switched over to watch the Penguins hammer the Islanders on NHL Network.  Pens win 5-2.

Flipped back, Oregon's Adams is hurt and all hell breaks loose.  TCU, behind their back-up came all the way back to tie the game 31-31 at the end of regulation. That ties the single biggest comeback in bowl history.  This would go to triple overtime.

Simple amazing win, TCU 47 Oregon 41.  Everyone and their brother had to flip their pool pick to Oregon.  We all lost.

My pick, Oregon, of course.

Game notes:

-TCU head coach switched from a black shirt to a purple shirt in the second half.  That evidently helped. I supposed it couldn't hurt.

-Not only did Oregon lose it's starting QB, they're starting center was out and the backup center and QB could not get dialed in- I've never seen more messed up snaps.  That was a big factor in Oregon's loss, especially in overtime.

-What did I eat.  Some Grippo's barbeque chips and the leftover chicken wings from New Year's Eve.

-Player swag:  Solid - Beats Studio Wireless headphones; Fossil watch; $125 Best Buy gift card; team panoramic photo; commemorative mini-helmet.

West Virginia vs. Arizona State

-I did what I needed to do, which was watch a full quarter of this game.  Unfortunately it had to be the second quarter because the Alamo Bowl went so long in overtime and I wasn't turning that off.

There was some unconventional scoring in the quarter I watched, I just don't remember who did what. I was bleary eyed from four straight games,

I did read that ASU coach Rich Rodriguez Todd Grantham really botched using a two point play, contributing to the loss.

West Virginia 43  Arizona State 42

My pick:  Arizona State, it was a damn home game.  Learn when to go for two.  My Yahoo picks record, a putrid 20-and-20.

Game notes:

-What did I eat?  Nothing, I was almost asleep.

-Player swag:  Gift suite; Fossil watch; Ogio Excelsior backpack.  Whew, I was worried these guys wouldn't be getting a Fossil watch.

There you go, 40 bowls in two weeks, only need boy No. 2 to watch one game.  Only thing left, Clemson and Alabama for the title.  Maybe another post or two leading up to the game, probably the Questy Awards.

Liberty Bowl

Second game of the day on the final day of bowls.  Not a lot of interest here especially with Michigan State playing basketball at the same time.

This game features possibly the worst mascot in all of college football and that's saying something, Penn State's Nittany Lion looks like he's wearing an old brown bathrobe.

That's Willie.  Is he a man with a Wildcat head or Wildcat with a man's body?  And was he eligible to play, the Wildcats could have used him.

Arkansas vs. Kansas State

That's a lot of "Kansas" in this game.  The Wildcats had to win their last couple games to reach 6-6 while the Hogs season highlight was stealing a win in overtime from Ole Miss.  If Arkansas had won the Rebels would have played Florida in the SEC Championship game.  Would Alabama have made the playoff is they didn't play for the league title?  Arkansas may have saved the Tide's season.

I had no interest in this one and just did my minimum, one live quarter but unfortunately it had to be the second quarter because the Gator Taxslayer Bowl went late and the game in Memphis had already started.

The Hogs had a decent lead by the end of the half and they put the game away with two touchdowns in the fourth.

Arkansas 45  Kansas St. 23

My pick:  I took the Hogs.

Game notes:

-During the game, the ratings started coming out for the Big Six bowl games on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  Playing on a Thursday afternoon and all blowouts did not equal ratings success.  Next year's playoffs games will be on a Saturday so that should help.

-Arkansas wore red chrome helmets.

 Not sure if I like the chrome look - kind of seems like a Christmas ornament.  Arkansas should be set up pretty well next season, but always tough in the SEC West.

-Spartans beat Minnesota, nice road win. 

-What I ate:  Nothing

-Player swag:  A free car battery check?  No - a pretty good haul actually; Bass Pro Shops gift card and shopping trip; custom-made Oculus Pro Team HD binoculars; Bulova watch; Nike athletic shoes, sport sandals, sunglasses and custom-made backpack; commemorative game ball.

 Nice going Bulova, getting past Fossil in the watch game.

Just two more to go.

Tax Slayer Bowl

What, the...a game with some suspense at the end, what is this?  The old Gator Bowl is what it is, now brought to you by an online tax company.  I will give Taxslayer some credit, they seemed like a one-and-done sponsor but have stuck around for a few years.

Penn State vs. Georgia

Georgia coach Mark Richt is out, fired, and off to Miami to coach the Hurricanes.  Penn State with little to no offense with a quarterback who may fly to the NFL if he doesn't get killed behind his terrible offensive line.

Can't start this game without a pregame ride onto the field by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Taxslayer celebrity endorser.

 
Despite a lot of rain in the southeast, the field in Jacksonville must have been well enough to have Dale drive out there.  They should leave the car out there, play around it.

You'd think after all the bowl watching I'd cash in one live quarter and be out but I'm in all the way on this one.

I'm like this guy, but without the blood or athletic ability, and old.  Penn State's offense sputtered around as usual, finally leading to their quarterback Christian Hackenberg getting knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury.

The game had all the look of a blowout with Georgia taking a 17-3 lead to half. After the half, Georgia increased the lead to 24-7 but Penn State found some offense behind their back-up QB.  The Nittany Lions put up two scores in the fourth and we've got a game.

It goes to the end on a Penn State Hail Mary play but Georgia actually defended it correctly (a college football oddity) and that's game.  Tough spot for the backup quarterback, trying to run the hurry up.  Penn State wasted a bunch of time in the final minute.  Overall, a game that was pretty ugly but turned competitive - probably all that can be asked for from these two teams.

Georgia 24  Penn State 17

My pick:  Georgia, I'm on a late winning streak, record to 25-12.

Game notes:

-I don't think Christian Hackenberg is coming back to Penn State.  He has taken a beating behind that offensive line.  He may as well go to the NFL and hold a clipboard for a while.

-At halftime, ESPN studio commenting guy Danny Kannell went with the turtleneck look.

As a large headed man, I can be fairly certain we're not ready for the turtleneck to make a comeback.

What did I eat?  Some of these bread stick things from Costco that are kind of like "everything" bagels, but harder and drier.  I had some sort of artichoke dip with them, but not the kind with cream cheese, some other kind that did not look appetizing but was kind of okay.  We'll probably find the jar of this stuff in the back of the refrigerator in mid May and toss it.

Player swag:  Panasonic gift suite; Fossil watch.

Three more games to go today.  I don't think I've left the house in 48 hours.

36 down, 4 to go

Well, that slate of "Big 6" games was a stinking load - the only competitive game was the first one Thursday, with Florida State trying to come back against Houston and even that wasn't that close.

I know Harbs isn't happy with this year's games except the outcome in the Citrus Bowl. 

Jim's probably never happy with much.  I have a feeling he screamed at his kids for losing at Candyland.

What happened to back and forth games or defensive struggles?  Where is the pride in some of these teams, players and coaches?  Why are there no games on Christmas Day?

My guesses to the poor play.

1.  Too many bowl games.  Making the post-season is not special any longer.  A bowl used to be a reward for a very good season.  Now you have Missouri, at 5-7, saying "Thanks, but no thanks."

2.  Sticking with a game plan.  Look at Michigan State and Iowa.  It appeared they were unwilling or unable to change mid-course in game.  The Spartans and Hawkeyes needed to abandon their run games and go to some sort of spread or hurry up style of offense. For MSU, it was because they couldn't run on Alabama.  For Iowa, they got down too far too fast.

3.  The X-Factor.  The inability to know what some players are going to do when they're blowing off steam in the week leading up to the games, especially the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day games. Those players, just having finished finals and a 12-game season, are at the bowl city about a week before the game.  These are young guys who want to have fun.   Some of these cities are known for nightlife.

 Look at TCU - their star quarterback Trevone Boykin was drinking at a Pat O'Brien's in San Antonio around midnight.  Things got out of hand and he takes a swing at a cop.  After a short stay at a San Antonio police precinct, he was excused from playing in this game.  This isn't a lone instance - guys are out to have a good time, most just don't end with hitting a police officer and a night in jail.  Partying doesn't often equal quality play.

Four more games today - including TCU.  If you do a bowl pool, make sure you've switched your pick to Oregon.  The Horned Frogs are not only without Boykin.  Their best wide receiver is hurt too.

Sugar Bowl

One last game and I had little patience for another blow out.  Today's been a lousy day for football fans, except for this guy who kept ranting during Christian McCaffrey's post-Rose Bowl interview.

A grown man screaming "Heisman" Go home fella.

Mississippi vs. Oklahoma State

Blowout was the theme of the day and we had another one.  I was in no mood for more football so it was just the first quarter in its entirety and I was out.  We watched Ant Man, which was a lot of fun.  Paul Rudd did a nice job in a Marvel movie with more humor then destruction.  I think I'm all caught up on my Marvel movies now.

The Rebels just poured it on in the second quarter, scoring 24 points.  After Ant Man, we caught the end of the game.  Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly played well with three touchdowns, throwing to Laquon Treadwell, who is going to be a nice pro.

Ole Miss 48 Oklahoma State 20

My pick:  Ole Miss.  I picked 4 of 5 correctly today.

Game notes:

-Chad Kelly's uncle is Buffalo Bills great Jim Kelly.  Jim was there at the Super Dome.

 He was in the nosebleeds.  Nice camera work by ESPN to find him.

-I think the production team in New Orleans and in Bristol dozed off during this blow out.  The audio of the guys calling the game was buried by the crowd and marching band mics.  I don't think we missed much.

-What I ate:  a couple leftover Christmas cookies.  Mrs. Keith made a bunch.

-Player swag:  Fossil watch?  Yes!  Gift suite; Fossil watch; New Era Cap; commemorative coin.

New Year's Day games done, four more tomorrow and then the championship game on January 11th.

Don't forget, a free bloomin' onion at Outback tomorrow because of the Tennessee win, and you have to say "Outback Bowl."