This is December 2nd, and the final week of regular season 1-A football. Get ready for college football at full throttle. Even though we are at full throttle, I'll pilot this speed demon in our Internet road trip.
WEEK 14 - SATURDAY SYNOPSIS
The majority of games played today were either conference championship games or heated rivalries. A Top 5 school took a saddening loss as the door is pretty much wide open for a few other teams to play for a National Championship. A few games were completely low in scoring. One team picked up a huge win in a conference championship game including two big rivalries on both American coasts.
FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION GAMES
Remember I said that my Game of the Week are all conference championships. I changed my mind. An upset in today will be the Game of the Week. So let's begin with the SEC and move on.
--- Championship Package ---
*+x SEC Conference Championship Game: Georgia Dome; Atlanta, GA x+*
"The Last Ride" #8 Arkansas -Razorbacks- vs. #4 Florida -Gators-
This has been a real surprising year of college football. Whoever would have thought that Arkansas would make so much noise this season? Who would have thought that Georgia would stumble? Or what about Kentucky returning to Bowl action in almost a decade? Let's try to stay within SEC talk here. Welcome to Atlanta where the players play and footballs fly like every day. Hip-hop and pop cultures call it "the A.T.L." Some call it "Hot-lanta." But it's football action in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Falcons have struggled this season in the pro ranks. The Atlanta Hawks are the damndest disappointment usually every year in recent times. Nothing like Atlanta Braves baseball or Atlanta Thrashers hockey. You can go due north of Atlanta to enjoy racing at Road Atlanta. You can enjoy regular racing on this course or even the famed Petit Le Mans, the youngest bigtime endurance in the world. It's also the hometown (not birthplace) of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit. There isn't really much college football in Atlanta except Clark Atlanta University (Division 2), Morehouse College (Division 2) and of course, Georgia Tech. You also have a school considering football with Georgia State University. They may get their football soon since the CAA will sponsor football as the Atlantic 10 will drop football. But on to this game in the SEC. Kind of sucks that Georgia didn't get to play at the Georgia Dome in playing in front of their home state folk. Let's meet two teams that didn't stumble (and I greatly respect Georgia). Arkansas was the little SEC team that could. NO ONE could have scripted Arkansas to be the class of the SEC West against teams like their rivals at LSU. Did you? Probably not. You were likely thinking Arkansas would be Mississippi State-bad. But the Razorbacks shown to be an incredible surprise. To my knowledge, Arkansas has never won the National Championship. I even checked in my Sports Illustrated College Sports Almanac (accurate as of 2002-2003), and they were nowhere to be found as far as National Champions in football. Let's meet the collegiate squad that Georgia hates- Florida. Florida's been on a thrill ride. They are the defending National Champions in men's basketball. Their football team is ready to potentially go to a BCS Bowl Game. Times are happy in Gainesville. Some of you may know that I have great respect for Urban Meyer. He is a magician. He'll make the unreal look completely real and feasible. Feasible for Florida would be the Buckeyes looking into the eyes of the Florida Gators for the title. Meyer took one team to a BCS bowl. Can he take this one to a much higher ground? Any of you remember that song by Creed called "Can You Take Me Higher?" Florida's going to somebody's BCS Bowl. Which one they will go to depends on the results of the Bowl Selection Show on Sunday night. (38-28; #4 Florida)
*+x Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game: Alltel Stadium; Jacksonville, FL x+*
"Jack Daddies" #1? Wake Forest -Demon Deacons- vs. #1? Georgia Tech -Yellow Jackets-
The ACC title game is going to take place as a surprising year of college football continues. While the SEC saw its share of weird stories, the ACC is no different. Some things still remain the same. For example, Duke football is the Savannah State of 1-A even though Savannah State actually WON some games this season. Duke is as bad as Stanford (Stanford report coming later in this report). Let's look at other ACC teams. Miami has REALLY struggled, even to the point of being involved in (but not starting) that infamous brawl against Florida International. Staying in Florida, Florida State had a living nightmare of a season. It was a nightmare in which they've fell pretty far and pretty bad. Maryland had a pretty good season. Just too bad Virginia Tech hasn't done impressively well like when the Vick brothers were under center. Now let's meet the two teams vying for conference honors. Answer me this... since when were YELLOW Jackets blue? The pride of Atlanta is in Jacksonville and ready to make some noise. The Yellow Jackets wanted to wear navy blue jerseys. Yellow Jackets covered in blue... sounds strange. But hey. GT could have been wearing hot pink or baby blue jerseys and would STILL be known as the YELLOW Jackets. Okay, now for a not-so-weird team. I normally thought Wake Forest was a highly-competitive team capable of great things. Turns out, they've been bad for a long while. They are almost like the Rutgers of the ACC. The Demon Deacons have had their best season in ages... literally. Trust me when I say that they've been so bad for so long. I believe this is their first-ever 9 or 10 win season in school history. This program goes all the way back to the 1890s(?). NEVER a season this good in a long while. They know what Top of the Mountain feels like, and they are enjoying it. But it will be even enjoyable if Wake Forest squishes Georgia Tech. And they did just that. The score is like a high-scoring baseball game. Georgia Tech has a pretty good baseball team, but they couldn't bat the Home Run ball over Wake Forest. (9-6; Wake Forest) *upset!*/*big win nominee*
*+x Big XII Championship Game: Arrowhead Pond; Kansas City, MO x+*
"Love to Hate" Nebraska -Cornhuskers- vs. Oklahoma -Sooners- (RIVALRY GAME)
Nebraska and Oklahoma hate each other. They hate each other even more since the two of them are now playing for a BCS Bowl Berth with a win. Here is an analogy of hate here: this is like two male celebrities (who simply don't like each other) fighting each other for the love of a hot supermodel. The two celebs are Nebraska and Oklahoma. The lady on the line? A BCS Berth. I often confuse Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. Only things I know about Kansas City, MO is that it's where you can find the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL and the Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos in the Mid-Continent conference. This city just remains a humble little place that hates the St. Louis Rams. Of course, there's that pathetic excuse for a baseball team, the Kansas City Royals (I have to be biased sometimes). But two teams aren't pathetic excuses. Let's meet them. The football Gods hexed Texas when Texas A&M shocked the Longhorns and took them out of Big XII Title game contention. They probably wished that there were ties in college football since they wish Oklahoma and Nebraska both lose. All Oklahoma had to do was beat Oklahoma State. Mission accomplished... welcome to Kansas City. We welcome Sooner fans of all kinds. They also welcomed Nebraska. The 1995 National Champions were ready to throw down against Oklahoma. Here's something I forgot to notice in typing this report- Texas A&M is what Oklahoma and Nebraska have in common. You see, Nebraska had to beat Texas A&M to clinch the Big XII North. Texas A&M beat Texas and hoped for Oklahoma to beat Oklahoma State. This Big XII love triangle resulted in the Cornhuskers playing against the Oklahoma Sooners. Who says you can't bring Jerry Springer to college football? (21-7; #8 Oklahoma)
-end "Championship Package")
Now on to other games and the new GAME OF THE WEEK:
--- I Love California Pack ---
"Hollywood Showdown" #2 USCal at UCLA (RIVARY GAME: for the Victory Bell) (GAME OF THE WEEK)
The pride of Los Angeles, California is on the line as two deeply hated rivals squared off yet again. The pride of Los Angeles is also on the line as the Lakers played at the Clippers would go at it later tonight. The game will be at UCLA's home field, the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is so beautiful. The view is wonderful. Just north of you would be the the Angeles National Forest. Pasadena isn't too far from a great Division 3 football team- Occidental College. You're also not very far from California State University-Los Angeles (Division 2, non-football). The UCLA Bruins are better known in men's basketball with over 11 National Championships. They are looking to slam dunk their hated rivals from the University of Southern California. USCal can be found in vincinity of Exposition Park. The university is to the south southwest of the Staples Center. For a long while, the Trojans have been the 1-A power of Los Angeles in football. They have roughly 10 or so National Championships including the sensational runs when Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush were lighting up America. But now, it's John David Booty trying to give USCal a big win over UCLA. As laughable as his name is, he's for real. But are the rest of the Trojans for real? A USCal win means that it's Ohio State vs. USCal for the National Championship. A UCLA win means that some other team is going to take the place for National Championship glory. And in a low-scoring game, UCLA pulls out perhaps the biggest win of their lives. (13-9; CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES) *upset!*
"Band Not Included" Stanford at #21 California (RIVALRY GAME: For the Stanford Axe)
You know, Stanford University may need their band to beat California. Stanford has been lethargic this season. Lethargic... meaning completely bad with no positive sense of direction. That's where the Cardinal have been and are headed since the California Golden Bears beat them yet again. (26-17; )
*** LITTLE KNOWN: Stanford and California have their fight songs in EA's NCAA March Madness series. However, the NCAA Football series doesn't have their fight songs. Instead, generic music is played instead.
* Fresno State at San Jose State (24-14; SAN JOSE STATE)
* Colorado State at San Diego State (17-6; SAN DIEGO STATE)
- end "I Love California Pack"
* Army vs. Navy (RIVALRY GAME: Battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy - Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia, PA)
Show some patriotism! It's time for the Army-Navy Game. It's nothing exciting in terms of sports since Navy has had Army's number the past few years. But the United States Military Academy has something Navy doesn't- National Championships. Army has three to Navy's empty trophy space for National Championships. For a team with three National Championships, this is a very disappointing Black Knights team. The Midshipmen have been on point in recent times, especially against Army. The winning streak continues for Navy over Army. This game was much closer than the normal blowouts Army would get. (26-14; Navy)
* Connecticut at #6 Louisville
A Louisville win and a West Virginia loss means that Louisville wins the Big East. Will they? We find out right now in this basketball matchup. I've said that Connecticut was on the rise. They are already on top in basketball. Now they need to see their Husky footballers try to take down Louisville. Papa John's Cardinal Stadium has no problem with Louisville fans getting loud in taking down any and all opposition. Hell, Ohio State could come down to Louisville and the crowd still will boo them right out of Louisville like heartless savages. The 'Ville is going to hit somebody in the mouth with their imposing offense. They'll make a football game look like a basketball game. It's what you get with the Louisville Cardinals. The Brohm family will continue dominating under center Louisville as Michael looks to beat this basketball power. No sweat. Louisville kicked West Virginia's butts, but they now have to hope they take down Rutgers to get a BCS Bowl Berth. (48-17; #6 LOUISVILLE)
* Rutgers at West Virginia (winner gets BCS Bowl Berth)
In a thrilling Triple-Overtime thriller, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights lost down the wire against the West Virginia Mountaineers. (41-39, 3OT; #1? WEST VIRGINIA)
- OTHER SCORES -
* Troy at Florida International (winner meets Rice in the New Orleans Bowl) (26-13; Troy)
* Louisiana-Monroe at Louisiana-Lafayette (39-20; Louisiana-Monroe)
* Air Force at TCU (38-14; TEXAS CHRISTIAN)
* Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State (50-23; NEW MEXICO STATE)
-Oregon State and #24 Hawaii went at it late. I won't have the score from this game.
JOHN'S WINNERS AND LOSERS
BIGGEST WIN(S) OF THE WEEK
Wake Forest is for Real... Just Ask Georgia Tech - Wake Forest has been terrible for many years. This season is simply the best season WF has ever had. EVER. Granted it's a 9-6 victory, you'll take a win no matter what the spread. Other notables:
* San Diego State Finally Wins!
MOST DISAPPOINTING LOSS(ES) OF THE WEEK
Louisiana-Lafayette Loses to Louisiana-Monroe - Did you know that Louisiana-Monroe is no longer known as the Indians? They are known nowadays as the Warhawks. Too bad the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette couldn't beat them. I couldn't find a significant big loss to report, so I got this one.
UPSET(S) OF THE WEEK (if any)
UCLA Proves to be the New Kings of Los Angeles - Throw away the record books in a rivalry game. But this was more than a rivalry game. This was UCLA beating #2 Southern California. Hello! BIG win.
OWNAGE OF THE WEEK
Louisville Smashes Connecticut - This would be an upset in basketball, but an ownage in football. It's the only real one I can think of for this week. So...
Connecticut = OWNED (by Louisville 48-17)!
JOHN'S EXTRAS
--- THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR READING MY REPORTS AND OFFERING ME SUPPORT ---
I started doing these college football reports back in 2004 on GTPlanet. I now have more resources to work with as well as being able to get all of this across to you all. I try to make things fun. Hopefully I've succeeded for you. There have been a number of troubles including me having to go to the dentist, oversleeping, Internet trouble... but at least I have your scores one way or another. Thanks to everyone who dropped by to see my reports. This includes folks like FoolKiller, JFM92_GTRacer, JNasty4G63, Kylehnat, dougiemeats, *McLaren*, JTSnooks, YSSMAN, and countless others who came by to offer support. The regular season is done. What I'll do next week is have a Regular Season in review for next week. Feel free to talk about ANY aspect of the regular season. Share your best and worst of this season. Most importantly, I give my game ball to our illustrious leader of GTPlanet, Jordan. He made all of this happen. He made GTPlanet happen so that people like us can share whatever the heck we want as long as it's legal. I'll continue to offer more perspective from all divisions of college football.
--- IS THE PS2 PAST ITS PRIME? MY PS3 EXPERIENCE ---
When I was at a Wal-Mart in Pearland, TX, I noted that the PS3 stand had Madden NFL 2006 for the PS2 on it. It was a PS3 deal for sure since I held down the PS button to get things working. I instantly noted how you could go from disc to PS3 demos in short order. The usual demo material was still there as I played another game of Motorstorm. I had a great chance to win my first race in that game, but the rally car I chose didn't work out too well for me. But back to Madden. The game didn't look anywhere near the detail in PS3 games as I noted it on the HDTV unit. The PS3's graphics were a blow-you-away deal almost guaranteed. It all depended upon how the game developers design the graphics.
--- A VERY SPECIAL "BIGGEST WIN OF THE WEEK" SHOUT OUT ---
My Thursday Extra on my blood donating experience is worth some mad love. I think a special BIGGEST WIN OF THE WEEK would be the lives I hope I've saved by donating blood to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Two pokes meant a chance for me to give blood. Word has it that if I were do be a multiple donor, I'd get something special in return. Maybe it will be a PS3 and an video iPod. ^_^ But, this special BIGGEST WIN goes out to UTMD for sponsoring this blood drive at my community college. I'd even give myself a pat on the back for donating and hopefully saving someone's life. A friend of mine needed a blood transfusion some time ago. She had it already, but she was kind enough to offer me support for doing such a deal. Don't forget to read my blog entry about my blood donating experience. Find the link in my Thursday report.
--- I MAY HAVE FOUND SOMETHING TO RIVAL THE AERO FIGHTERS SERIES ---
While it's just one game, I finally beaten "Varth: Operation Thunderstorm" as part of the Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2. This game has some HUGE boss battles including one last battle that had me like "oh hell no... HE'S NOT DEAD YET!?" It's a tough game, but it may be just as great as the Aero Fighters series. Aero Fighters is known as "Sonic Wings" in Japan.
Next week will be the long-awaited Heisman race to come to an end. Who will win it? Plus, let's take a look back at the regular season. I would like to try to cover all four divisions of NCAA football, if possible. Even if you don't follow the other divisions, I'll try to introduce them. Take care!
