#Ol’ Wisky | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

auburnfamilynews · 4 years

Link

Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Whoa, are we eschewing most of the Big Ten for once? Yep.

Despite the fact that we’ve got up to three HUGE Big Ten games to choose from this week, there’s no way that we’re picking all of them because Crow and Chief might actually rebel and go to another blog.

Here are the games we are picking, though... enjoy!

STAFF PICKS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 9

Wisconsin @ Ohio State (-14) (O/U 50.5)

BWAAAAHAHAHAAHA! Poor Fox, they wanted to make this a super week of Sports. First the World Series, then the NFL tonight, then more WS and THEN!! Urban returns to the Shoe...too back the Fighting Illini ruined that deal! Ohio State will roll through this and it might not be pretty...I don’t think it will. Tree Seeds take this one hard! tOSU 42-20 and the over - Drew Mac

Speaking of rain, when it rains, it pours, Wisconsin. Ohio State by a lot. Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 21 - Josh Dub

Wisconsin tried to pull out just enough to win at Illinois and it back-fired. Maybe it was a letdown/look-ahead spot, but I think Ohio State does a number on this defense. They’ll hold the Buckeyes below their scoring average, and Taylor will keep things low scoring, but I think Ohio State covers late. Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 14 (OSU covers, UNDER) - James Jones

Well this thing sure looked fun this time last week. Now? Not so much. That being said, I don’t expect Ohio State to just walk all over Wisconsin because Wisconsin isn’t designed to get blown out. But 14 points is enough for me to think Ohio State covers, with the under. Ohio State 27 Wisconsin 14 - Josh Black

So this is why you crapped the bed last week Wisconsin. Looking ahead doesn’t tend to end well (and I hope another team does that this week, ahem LSU) Anyway, the Buckeyes continue to roll over teams and while Wisconsin’s defense has been great, they haven’t seen anything like Justin Fields and this Ohio State team. Bucks roll. Ohio State 41 Wisconsin 17 - Will McLaughlin

Oh Wiscy... You done got caught looking ahead haven’t ya? Well you better make it worth it. I could see this Badger D giving Justin Fields some trouble early but this Buckeye team is the best in the country for my money. It’s a low scoring battle early but a late turnover flips this & OSU covers late. OHST 28 UW 13 - AU Nerd

I think Ohio state is the most complete football team in the country. This will he closer than the experts think though. Bucks 31, Wisky 28 - Son of Crow

Two touchdowns? Man, I know that loss to Illinois was ugly, but that’s a lot of faith in Ohio State. If Wisconsin decides not to pussyfoot around and actually try to convert one of several 4th and shorts (instead of kicking short field goals), the Badgers win going away, and this is more like a 6-7 point line. That being said, Ohio State may be the best team in the country. We’ll learn a lot about them here, but I expect the Buckeyes to pull this one out. 31-24 Ohio State. - Ryan Sterritt

I know Ohio State has been good for one really terrible loss per year recently, but this won’t be it. There’s no way that Wisconsin keeps this game closer than 14 points in the second half. The Buckeyes will get up early, defense shuts down Jonathan Taylor enough to where the Badgers can’t drive, and people are even higher on OSU after this win. Buckeyes 34-16 - Jack Condon

SMU (-13) @ Houston (O/U 66.5)

Houston has been playing better but there is something about this Ponies team. I don’t think they will cover cause that’s a good number of points to lay on the road but SMU will get the W, again. SMU 42-35 and the over - Drew Mac

Lashlee forever! SMU 42, Houston 17 - Josh Dub

SMU has been excellent this year, and Houston is pseudo-tanking, but I don’t know about covering 13 on the road on a weeknight. SMU 38, Houston 31 (SMU wins, Houston covers, OVER) - James Jones

How ‘bout them Ponies? I couldn’t be happier for Rhett Lashlee, who is a great football coach and a better person. Houston is tanking 2019 and building to 2020. This SMU roster is loaded for this year to be their year. SMU 41 Houston 28 - Josh Black

The Ponies continue their undefeated season as College Football in Dallas is alive and well! Good for Rhett Lashlee to land at a program that is having as much success as it has. I watched the end of their massive comeback and Triple OT win against Tulsa a few weeks ago. As for Houston, they fired Major Applewhite because he couldn’t do better than 8-4. Well.... this year so far they are 3-4 and a mess off the field as well. Players have been asked to redshirt, including their starting QB, and Dana Holgorsen hasn’t exactly made the best first impression. Pony Up! SMU 48 Houston 23 - Will McLaughlin

Auburn should really consider bringing in this young hotshot OC to add some flair to Auburn’s offense next season.... SMU 45 HOU 21 - AU Nerd

Ponies. The Dallas jerseys are the best new Uniform in football. Smu 42, UH 20 - Son of Crow

I enjoy that there was almost assuredly a conversation about moving this game to a week night where someone proposed this be slotted in on Friday, and that person immediately being shouted down as a total idiot, because you don’t schedule anything besides high school football in Texas on a Friday night. Anyways, I like the Ponies to continue their undefeated run against the team who’s redshirting their star quarterback and playing the coaches son. 42-28 SMU. - Ryan Sterritt

SMU. 35-27. - AU Chief

I thought about watching the Pony Excess 30 for 30 the other day, and then probably watched The Fugitive (I DIDN’T KILL MY WIFE) or something like that instead. It’s a sign. There won’t be a downfall this weekend. Ponies, large. 45-24. - Jack Condon

Mississippi State @ Texas A&M (-10) (O/U 50.5)

Lord, has there been a team to fall flatter than Moo? And Rutgers wants Moorehead? If I’m a State fan, I offer to pay for the moving company. At least they figured out who the better starting QB finally was. On the other side in the Futility Bowl this year, A&M brings....well... Jimbo Fisher to the game...that’s about the only positive (and I don’t know if its positive really) I see to their team this year. I will say A&M covers but its 51/49 that it will actually happen. I just trust them a touch more than I do State...and that’s saying a lot. A&M wins and covers, 28-17 and the under - Drew Mac

Mississippi State might be a dumpster fire. Texas A&M 35, Miss St 10 - Josh Dub

MSU has finally pushed its chips on Shrader. I think he could cause A&M some trouble here. Neither team moves particularly fast, so this one should be low scoring. When opportunities are minimized, take the dog and the under. Texas A&M 23, MSU 17 (A&M wins, MSU covers, UNDER) - James Jones

Kellen Mond is not a good enough quarterback for A&M to be relevant in the SEC. Joe Moorhead is not a good enough coach for Mississippi State to be a 4-loss football team. Texas A&M 27 Mississippi State 14 - Josh Black

Great job Bulldogs, you finally started the better Quarterback. Things are bad in Starkville and I feel like it would be best for Joe Moorhead and the school to part ways after the year (Rutgers wants him badly). They face another team who has disappointed many this year in College Station. Can you imagine how bad of a loss this would be for ole Jimbo? I don’t think it will happen but you never know which Aggies team will show up. Texas A&M 21 Mississippi State 14 - Will McLaughlin

A&M tried their darndest to go on the road & lose to Ole Miss but no one out Rebels the Rebels. Mississippi State showed some early fight against LSU but just aren’t a good enough squad to string together consistent solid quarters of football. For A&M, their season really begins now. They still have UGA & LSU on the schedule but they have some time to build momentum for that wild finish. I think it’s tight early but Shrader throws a 4th qtr pick to swing this into the home team’s favor. Aggie 31 State 20 - AU Nerd

My gut tells me Aggy is going to get right in this game. And that MSU might have some quit sneaking up in them. Aggy 35, MSU 20 - Son of Crow

Ah yes, the battle of the two most disappointed fan bases in the SEC. I’m assuming this is a game that State is not playing it’s suspended players, but don’t quote me on that. I think I like Kellen Mond to have one of his good games here against a Bulldog defense that’s lost four out of five. Here’s food for thought - if State loses this game, they’ll almost assuredly be playing the Egg Bowl with bowl eligibility on the line. Not good for Moorhead in year 2. 31-17 A&M - Ryan Sterritt

I’m not sure if either of these teams are really any good. I’m sure that Mississippi State really isn’t any good. Jimbo’s gonna be reelin’ ‘em in on Saturday, and Joe Moorhead will start to see that maybe New Jersey is a better locale than Starkville (pay attention, Ryan). A&M in an easy one, 38-21. - Jack Condon

Arkansas @ Alabama (-32.5) (O/U 56.5)

The only thing that makes this one watchable is that Tua won’t see the field. uat 45 (because uat can’t kick field goals) -10 and the under - Drew Mac

What if Mac Jones has been better than Tua this whole time? Alabama 63, Arkansas 27 - Josh Dub

This line is dropping like a rock with Tua out. Arkansas is just awful, but I have a feeling Alabama just gets to a 3 score lead and works on their running game. I don’t see Arkansas scoring more in Tuscaloosa than they did against us in Fayettenam. Alabama 41, Arkansas 10 (Alabama wins, Arkansas covers, UNDER) - James Jones

Sure is tempting to take the under here with Tua being out. But with a week of getting timing down, Mac Jones shows enough to push the cover and over here. Alabama 48 Arkansas 10 - Josh Black

The preseason ends for Alabama this weekend (finally). The combined record of Alabama’s first 7 opponents: 20-30, and if you add Arkansas to the equation, the Tide’s 1st 8 opponents have a combined 22-35 record. As for Auburn’s first 7 opponents: 30-20 and including LSU Saturday, 37-20. That’s a 15 GAME DIFFERENCE! It was evident last week the drop-off from Tua to their backup QB, Mac Jones. Alabama looked vulnerable and Tennessee had many chances to make that game really really interesting. But nonetheless, a 14 point swing on a 4th and Goal play at the 1 put the end to those chances and Alabama beat Tennessee yet again. Arkansas, as we saw last week, is bad. This should be a game Alabama wins handily but if they don’t, I may actually pick LSU to win in a couple weeks in Tuscaloosa, especially if Tua’s health is still in question. Alabama 41 Arkansas 10 - Will McLaughlin

This would be downright hilarious if Bama botched this game without Tua. But that would also mean the end of the world so we wouldn’t get very long to enjoy it. Mac Jones “throws” three 60+ yard TDs by hitting that insane WR corps on three quick slants. Arkansas offense continues its ineptness though Rakeem Boyd gets 100 on the ground running right at that bammer D which irritates the little man. Bama 49 ARK 14 - AU Nerd

Alabama will have to utilize its stud runningbacks and o-line in this game. I don’t pity them one bit. Tide 51, Hogs 10 - Son of Crow

Yeah, no Tua, so I’m sure the gameplan here will be ultra vanilla. Like Bama hearkening back to the pre-Kiffin/current-UGA-playbook kind of vanilla. But... Arkansas is real bad. I’m gonna have to take the under because I can see Saban just choking the life out of the clock in the first quarter, but I think they can still cover by accident. 41-6 Tide.

P.S. I really hope Arkansas tries some other fake punt in this game and it works. - Ryan Sterritt

I mean, it took Nick Saban all of 2017 to figure out that using Tua was the right move. Maybe he’s just not a good coach. Maybe Mac Jones is going to win a Heisman only playing half the season. Playing Arkansas is a good way to start. Bama easy, Najee goes nuts. 49-14. - Jack Condon

South Carolina (-4.5) @ Tennessee (O/U 47)

This one will be fun and the SEC game I will watch outside of Auburn-LSU. Tennessee has been playing better and, if you didn’t know, South Carolina beat Georgia two weeks ago. Yeah, that really did happen, Will Muschamp beat Kirby Smart....IN ATHENS! I will be watching to see if Florida broke the Gamecocks though cause last week was close until the Gators put 2 scores up and then boom, done. Tennessee had opportunities to fight uat and did for a bit but didn’t realize you have to play the refs in Tuscaloosa as well and then tried to leap over on a QB sneak and then it was baseball time for me that Saturday night. I think Carolina wins this one but this is a complete toss up to me. Carolina wins and covers 24-17 and the under - Drew Mac

Vols take a big step towards bowl eligibility. Tennessee 21, South Carolina 17 - Josh Dub

‘Member that time Will Muschamp lost to Tennessee a head coach? No you don’t. It’s never happened. I will not watch this game. It will be bad football. South Carolina 24, Tennessee 13. (Gamecocks cover, UNDER) - James Jones

Will Muschamp has never lost to Tennessee. This game will be near unwatchable, but Carolina is the better team and is absolutely more than capable of covering. South Carolina 21 Tennessee 13 - Josh Black

This is a game I didn’t expect to be picking but it’s a pretty big one for bowl eligibility purposes. Weird saying that for a 2-5 Tennessee team but they’ve made some progress, especially in the last 2 weeks. They’ve got UAB and Missouri still on the schedule along with Kentucky and Vandy so the Vols HAVE to get this one. Meanwhile, the same can be said for South Carolina in their efforts the last 2 weeks and they could have easily knocked off Florida last week to double down on major upsets, but there were some very questionable no-calls in that one that directly costed the Roosters 14 points in an 11-point game. This one for me is honestly a toss-up, if I knew which Tennessee QB was playing, it would make my decision easier but picking the Roosters has not gone well for me so I’m going with the Vols at home. Tennessee 23 South Carolina 20 - Will McLaughlin

I recommend not watching this game. Seriously... It’s gonna be very ugly but not in like the fun, humorous way. If Brian Maurer was 100%, I think I would pick the Vols to pull the upset. But he won’t be a go. Cocks play just slightly less ugly than the Vols. SCAR 27 TEN 20 - AU Nerd

Yeesh this one is gross. I wouldn’t watch this game if I was paid to do it. Scar 17, Tenn 14 - Son of Crow

I’ll admit, I had left South Carolina for dead before the season, and especially so after losing to UNC in the opening week. They’re still only sitting at 3-4, but after beating UGA two weeks ago, they kinda hung with Florida last week? They may not be a good team, but they may be more aggressively average than I thought. In fact, Muschamp could still get this team to 7-5 this year, which would be a miracle with that roster and schedule. He’s also never lost to Tennessee. But when you put your trust in Muschamp, bad things happen (hey Survivor Pool!). I’ll hesitantly say the Cocks win this one, but I don’t like it. 21-17 USC. - Ryan Sterritt

Tennessee emptied the tank last week against Alabama. South Carolina probably feels like they left something on the field against Florida. Gamecocks. 28-20. - Jack Condon

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/10/24/20931266/staff-picks-college-football-week-9

#IFTTT #Blogger #auburn #auburn fast #wareagle #AuburnFamilyNews #war eagle #sec #football news #aubu

0 notes

n-a-w · 6 years

Text

2017

Holy shit - this year has been so crazy. I’m trying to think that it started with the kijas being with me on nye at bpv and then anna and I were rock climbing on the daily then we had mardi gras where mir and I kinda started the whole shebang and I’m sure there were a few other boys at the time but then we had my birthday. Omg my bday this year was raunchy - I should throw away that blush dress because John and I can’t handle that. Dre moved away and I got a new role finally at work! After suffering through a hellish BSR and few months without chummy - I think reflecting on that that is how I became closer to mir. Also, when I freaked the fuck out because they fired the nun because rapha reported the sexual misconduct. so crazy I remember thinking it was the kraken. I was so pissed. Then we had Hannah’s bday when I realized at least I’m not that crazy and she was out of control. Then Wisky happened which was a refreshing breaking that I really needed. I still can’t believe that Mary is getting married in 18 and that the girls were calm af but we had such a good time.Then my birthday - when we ended things because I didn’t want to claim a man. A few trips to KC that weren’t great, but were for sure ruined by key. Great to see the girls though. Then Bruno! That was a good trip and of course the kijas had a good time. During the summer I feel like something happened again when we were at mcgurks. I guess that was in June - fuck idk I wasn’t very faithful. Madeline got married this year. Andrea, Anna, Laura, Chris, and nobody else that I care about but they all got engaged! wtffff we knew that they’d be the first ones. Laura just locked down and locked it in, but what about gima goddd he was a goodie. Anna was about to go for another boy, but she ended up with good ole’ reliable jake which is a safe choice and supported because they’ll have a financially responsible and great life. Meanwhile, dre will be over here killing the game with Keith - still FUCKING crazy that they ended up together. Remember like 2 years ago when I thought she was going to set me up with him? I’m happy for her and there is no way I could have done that move. I can’t wait for their weddings though. That’ll be a trip. Halloween was decent. Em and I tore it up. I feel like Em and I had a year this year. Hannah was my person last year or maybe in the beginning of the year, but Em and I have def closed the year out being besties. I’m so glad I have her in my life even if she is bat shit cray sometimes. This winter break we went to iowa to visit the whole fam and that was fun, but Mike came which he thinks I”m a raging achy anyways so I can’t do anything about that. We had our christmas white elephant party the night before and he said I smelled like vodka and I was like ...w ell try drinking 3 bottles of champs then rolling up to a family event. LOL you just gotta figure it out.

Meanwhile highlights of meerkat - we met his mom and step and said I was supposed to go to germany but I just couldn’t do it because there was no lust nothing... I would just refuse for him to come over because after seeing what we were working with on oktoberfest I knew we were in trouble. Do people really marry those people? I don’t get it. Maybe they don’t know any better. He was 105% a sweetie and loved me, but didn’t push me and I just wanted him to drop but he wouldn’t listen and I don’t think he wanted it. When I feel bodies like john and mart I can’t help but compare. I work my ass off for a decent cellulite body so I think that anyone should do the same. Anyways, So he’s been in Germany for 2 weeks but when he gets back on tuesday I’m going to end it. I gave him a warning a day after the hurricane hit. The past week has been an absolute blast hanging with Katie em justin and Mart. like good ole’ times. Late night playing games, eating cookies and cheese at Katies house, going out to dinner, drinking, celebrating chris’s engagement, texting justin late at night as he’s getting frustrated, sleeping over at his house and trying to teach fitness classes, black mirror night. It was satisfying and enlightening

I enter 2018 optimistic, open, strong, confident, and ready to conquer. I know this’ll be another 2015 but with more self love. I’ll be doing things, going place, loving life, and trying new things - this time though I refuse to get so low. I wonder what all will happen, but I’m curious to see. If you would have asked me 2 months if this is how I’d end 2018 I would have said fat chance, but I need to start fresh and start with what I want. I know what I want in a relationship and I need to get rid of what doesn’t satisfy that. Hopefully we can be friends, but I will respect his wishes this time and let him live. I don’t want to hurt him more than what I already will. I know I will miss hanging with my best friend no doubt in my mind, but I know that I will also try to find ways to make other friends or spend time with others. We will work it out. We can figure it out. I want to maybe move - maybe do remote year - maybe just switch it up a little. Def want to switch credit cards. Def eat healthy - What if I got a little shredded after this biggest loser? I’d like that. Most importantly I need to find time to do things that make me happy. Maybe jump back into dating. Maybe just be a boss ass single lady. 2017 was a year of recovery - a year of finding confidence - a year of more control. I wasn’t so fucking crazy and unstable. I found some sturdy footing and I was able to keep it together for most of the year. Job was a huge success - nominated for LLE, started the new role, got a ton of recognition and lots of love, and just got this awesome opportunity open with Katie leaving.... we will see if I get the role and if it becomes an opportunity. Another year most likely with Glo - she’s been the easiest roomie in my life. No joke. I want her to sign again for another year but I wonder how long I’ll have her. I be she will be engaged next year. Which will be amazing! I’ll be so happy for her.

I can’t really think of anything - I love abs hel I wonder if she has a bae.

It wouldn’t matter- It’s cold as dick in my apartment.

0 notes

wiersema1 · 7 years

Text

Those that know me best know that college football is truly my favorite sport. You know what gets me pumped for college football season? I absolutely L-O-V-E ESPN’s countdown of their Top 25 Games of last season. They do this every year in July and August as they prep for the upcoming season on the gridiron. When they started their countdown, I happened to catch the 23rd best game of 2016, #23 Florida St. at #10 Miami from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL.

By the way, have you seen the revamped Hard Rock Stadium? Hard Rock Stadium might confuse you, but this is the place that used to be known under the following seven names: Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, and Sun Life Stadium. For the first time, it is finally a great looking park. They added a partial roof which must help against that scorching Florida sun. Anyway, it looks like a place I’d enjoy checking out a game.

Someday. But for now, I’m driving my son to closer stadiums. This Autumn…..Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana where we’ll see the beloved Huskers of Nebraska at Purdue on October 28.

I know……..not too exciting but it’s all part of seeing each and every B1G stadium. So far I’ve been to games at Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and of course Nebraska and Illinois. I’ve also been to Minnesota and Indiana on non-game days. So that leaves us with Ohio St., Penn St., Maryland, Michigan St., Rutgers, and of course, Purdue.

So here is the list of ESPN’s Top 25 games of 2016:

#25 – Florida St. 45 vs Ole Miss 34 – An offensive explosion. The QB’s in this one, Deondre Francois for FSU and Chad Kelly for Ole Miss inspired both teams to dream of the National Championship. Unfortunately for Ole Miss, Kelly was injured in his 9th game. They went 4-5 in his 9 starts but the offense wasn’t the problem for the Rebels. Their defense allowed 34.0 ppg! As for Francois, he played like a freshman at times, but a wonderfully talented freshman. Going into ’17, Francois is a Heisman contender and FSU is a National Championship contender, starting the season ranked #3.

#24 – Toledo 53 at BYU 55 – Brigham Young’s RB Jamaal Williams ran for 286 yards and 5 TD in this crazy 55-53 victory. This brought back shades of the ‘Wild Wild WAC’ days of yesteryear.

#23 – Pittsburgh 36 at North Carolina 37 – Both Pitt and UNC played in plenty of tight games in ’16. This one was no different.

#22 – Alabama 10 at LSU 0 – I don’t remember watching this one last year (or this year). Maybe I’m just all “Bama’d” out. Does this ten to nothing shutout surprise you? This was a typical SEC slobberknocker, I’m guessing.

#21 – N.C. State 17 at Clemson 24 (OT) – How many tight games did Clemson win in 2016? They won seven games by 7 points or less. They lost one. Spoiler alert! They finished as National Champions with a 14-1 record. That makes tight victories like this all the more important. When the Wolfpack took them to Overtime last October, it improved a shaky Clemson team to 7-0 with 4 tight wins. Most people were wondering what in the world was going on with them. I’ll tell you what was going on. They were forging bonds during tough, hard-fought wins that ultimately propelled them to legends.

#20 Central Michigan 30 at Oklahoma St. 27 – Games like this are what makes college football a special game. Remember this one? CMU threw a Hail Mary after Okie St. was penalized for throwing the ball out-of-bounds on a 4th down as time ran out. The refs wrongly gave CMU one un-timed down because of the Cowboys intentional grounding. So what do you think was gonna happen? Central Michigan caught the Hail Mary, the WR ran it all the way into the end zone after catching it in play and making an incredible run. CMU won! As for Oklahoma State?…….Talk about getting hosed!!!! They finished 11-2……I mean 10-3 doh! The NCAA referees acknowledged their mistake after the game but to no avail. You can’t open up Pandora’s box afterwards.

PS: A similar play happened here in Illinois in the IHSA high school state playoffs between Fenwick and Plainfield North. I know! What is wrong with these referees! If you don’t know for sure, get out the rulebook and consult with IHSA officials or Athletic Directors or somebody before you end up forcing a judge to sit through a courtroom case brought about by a lawsuit. In this case, Fenwick got hosed, losing 18-17 in OT! I can’t believe this really happened twice within a couple of months! Who got screwed more? I vote for Fenwick. They lost a playoff game whereas Oklahoma St. only lost a non-conference game that luckily, ultimately, didn’t derail their championship hopes. As for Fenwick, I’ll be cheering for them this Autumn.

#19 LSU 13 at Auburn 18 – Oh my God! Reliving these fantastic games is wonderful. Remember this one? In what turned out to be Coach Les “The Hat” Miles’ last game as LSU head coach, the Tigers (which one?) thought they threw a game-ending 15 yard TD pass. But wait! The officials reviewed it and determined that the snap on the last play was too late. The game clock had indeed just barely run out before the Tigers’ (which one?) center snapped the ball prior to the miraculous game winner. So who won? The Tigers……naturally. (ICYMI, Auburn’s ‘War Eagle’ won……naturally rather than the LSU “Geaux” Tigers. People wonder why our youth are so confused. I’m confused both reading AND writing this column. Whatever man, “This is the SEC!” I could probably delve into a whole sub-article here about academics in the B1G (Big Ten) vs the SEC but I’ll spare you.) Thanks Dutch!

#18 Ohio St. 30 at Wisconsin 23 (OT) – This was a solid B1G game. This column is getting too long so I’ll refrain from commenting on this one. Oh wait. I have a question for you: Is “Jump Around” a tradition? I mean, this tradition started based on a lousy 90s rap/crap/hip-hop song from 1992? Is that a tradition? Maybe the B1G is dumber, and closer to the SEC, than I thought. I know what you’re thinking……all my Wisky friends are enraged and throwing a fit right now, and possibly “unfollowing” the Dutch Lion concurrently.

#17 Florida St. 20 at Miami 19 – This one brought back memories of earlier games in this once national series but 2016’s edition was not a truly fantastic matchup. It’s good clean hate but it lacks the buildup of what it once was…..one of the greatest meaningful rivalries that the entire nation watched with eyes wide open. Did someone say “wide”, as in “Wide Right!”?

#16 Michigan 13 at Iowa 14 – Great game! Michigan had a perfect 9-0 record, ranked #2 going into Iowa City. Iowa was #1 (you’re dreaming again, of 1985!) In 2016 Iowa was unranked but primed for an upset of Jim Harbaugh. Is Iowa Jim Harbaugh’s kryptonite? Nonetheless, outside of the Hawkeyes current struggles, it was “Shades of 1985!” Seriously, it was eerie. Here’s a column I wrote last Autumn, detailing one of my all-time favorite college games that made me love the sport forever:

“How weird is it that Iowa beat Michigan 14-13 in almost the same way with almost the same score as when they beat Michigan 12-10 in 1985????

My favorite upset of the day was definitely Iowa over Michigan because it brought back so many memories of the epic 1985 #1 vs #2 matchup in Iowa City. It was October 19, 1985. I remember that day well for being 31 years ago. It’s like “Back to the Future”. I was a 10-year-old raking leaves on a cloudy, overcast, rainy October day in the Midwest.

The weather in Iowa City, IA was pretty much the same as Lake Zurich, IL on that day. You had CBS, you had Brent Musburger, you had Chuck Long quarterbacking one team while Jim Harbaugh QB’d the other. Boy, Chuck Long had an arm, huh! You could hear the pads popping the way they did in that era, especially when you had a wet field. For some reason, the pads “popped” differently back then.

You had Ronnie Harmon and Larry Station. I mean seriously, how GOOD was Ronnie Harmon! You had Jamie Morris. You had Bo Schembechler vs Hayden Fry! You had NO instant replay and Iowa’s #87 Scott Helverson got HOSED in the back of the end zone.

You had Rob Houghtlin, making 4 of 5 FG’s including the game winner for Iowa to win 12-10. He was allowed to use the tee. Do you guys remember that placekickers were allowed to use tees? I know, right?

You had that weird moment in time in which the QB could “complain” to the refs about crowd noise and the ref would actually STOP the game and tell the crowd to be quiet so that the QB could communicate with his teammates. I KNOW, RIGHT! Can you believe this actually was a rule for a brief moment in time?!? (I need to look into that further. Did the NFL impose that rule? For how many years? How subjective was it?) Harbaugh was complaining to the refs for parts of that game that made it drag. It was SUPER DUMB! What were the refs supposed to do? Do they penalize Iowa for….the fans being too loud? I want an ESPN 30 for 30 short about this strange story.

Nonetheless, don’t let that ruin your experience. It ended up being such a great day for the Big Ten, for College Football on CBS, for Ara Parseghian (God bless his soul as he just recently passed away) as the “color” man next to Brent. It was great for our Nation’s Heartland. Remember the struggles of the farming community in the mid-80s? Iowa’s farmers actually had an “ANF” logo on the Iowa helmets…..”America Needs Farmers”. I know, right!

Add it all up and it almost makes you want to become an Iowa fan……well, it wasn’t THAT cool 😉 I’m just kidding. It was really, really cool and near the top of my list of cool 80s college football memories.”

(For some reason, footage of this great game is hard to find. Stephen Barnett has most of the old great games posted as FULL games on Youtube.) Thank you Stephen. You’re a video God.)

1985 looks about the same as….

Iowa 14 Michigan 13 in 2016.

#15 North Carolina 37 at Florida St. 35 – I don’t think I watched this one live, unlike most of the games on this list. Now that the Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky, I have extra interest. Check it out and scout #10 in powder blue!

#14 Arkansas 41 at TCU 38 (2OT)

#13 Army 21 vs Navy 17 – This rivalry is so special. Lately, Navy wins almost every year. Not last year. Army broke a long, 14 game losing streak, winning 21-17. I watch it just to see the passion of the cadets and the midshipmen. Who cares who wins? Well, Army and Navy vets do. My buddy Bush is an Army guy. “Go Army, Beat Navy!” My buddy Thomas Sullivan Magnum, P.I. is a Navy guy. “Go Navy, Beat Army!”

#12 Tennessee 38 at Texas A&M 45 (2OT) – Another nutty game. Go watch it. You’ll see.

#11 Orange Bowl: Florida St. 33 vs Michigan 32 – I remember Michigan DE Taco Charlton ripping guys heads off. FSU won on Francois’s game-winning TD pass with 36 seconds left.

#10 Clemson 37 at Florida St. 34 – Fantastic game! The Tigers and Seminoles have such a long-lasting rivalry and it continues to play out better than ever the last few years. Both are National Title contenders as of late and they always seem to play tight ballgames. This is one of the newest great rivalries that isn’t getting enough hype. The winner of this game has won the ACC Atlantic Division Championship how many years in a row? The answer is 8. Every year since 2009. Each team has won 4 times. It’s probably gonna happen again in 2017, this time in Death Valley, South Carolina on November 11. Look for this year’s version to make next year’s Top 25……again.

#9 Alabama 48 at Ole Miss 43 – The Ole Miss Rebels seem to be the only team that can hang with the Crimson Tide the last few years. Last year, Ole Miss had a huge 24-3 lead, but then what happened? Oh, you know!

#8 Ohio St. 21 at Penn St. 24 – I was all geared up for this one. Good game in the 3rd quarter. Then all of a sudden the Chicago Cubs won the NL for the first time since 1945. All the local stations including ABC-7 (the only station showing OSU at PSU) decided they had to show the bozos celebrating in the streets. Ok. I’ll watch that for a minute or two. But ruin the entire, amazing 4th quarter comeback by PSU in Happy Valley? Call me furious! What a shame. Thanks for ruining an electric game atmosphere by showing people looting and pouring beers all over their idiot friends because their lovable losers finally won a league for the first time in 72 years. PSU! More like P-U. You stink!

#7 Notre Dame 47 at Texas 50 (2OT) – Good opening weekend capper on Labor Day weekend. Who is better, Malik Zaire or DeShone Kizer? Hmmmmm. Kizer threw for 5 TD. Zaire……he stunk more than Cubs fans. Who stunk more than Zaire? Head Coach Brian Kelly! If he had just declared Kizer the starter prior to the game, they may have avoided not only this loss but 7 others throughout that disastrous 2016 season. Coaches have off years too. Kelly admits he did a poor job in ’16. Another bad year soon and as the Hawk says, “He Gone!”

#6 Tennessee 34 at Georgia 31 – I’ve seen the end a billion times, but I’m still dying to watch the entire game that led up to that crazy ending. I have it saved on the DVR. Both teams’ fans were dumbstruck in the last minute. Spoiler alert…..not one but two Hail Mary’s!!!

#5 Louisville 36 at Clemson 42 – This game had one of the greatest buildups I’ve ever seen on television! Did you watch this? It was an ABC Saturday Night classic. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit were there and ABC showed the traditional Clemson run down the hill and touching Howard’s Rock. What made this one unique was ABC had cameras outside in the street showing the bus that drove the players and Coach Dabo Swinney to the entrance gates above Howard’s Rock. Incredible intensity! (start watching at about 10 minutes in until at least the end of Louisville’s 1st series at about 21 minutes in) I felt like I was there. Honestly, the crowd and atmosphere brewed up one of the top experiences I’ve ever seen on TV. I had it saved preciously on my AT&T U-Verse DVR until those AT&T bozos screwed up and lost all my recordings earlier this Summer. Thanks AT&T! Rather, thank god for Youtube. I NEED to attend a Clemson night game someday to experience this in person. Nonetheless, this game at #5 on the countdown, will live in my memory, hopefully forever.

#4 Pittsburgh 43 at Clemson 42 – How many times was Clemson on this Top 25 list? The answer is five, with four in the top 10! That’s insane and hard to believe. That’s what makes them all the more important, knowing that they won the Championship. When DeShaun Watson threw a late interception on a bad pass into the end zone, I recall thinking, “DeShaun will just not be a good pro QB”. Then as the NFL Draft approached, I desperately wanted the Chicago Bears to take Watson 3rd overall. As it turned out, I’m really happy the Bears selected North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky. Meanwhile, Houston drafted Watson and the whole time since, I keep thinking about that Pitt interception.

#3 Michigan 27 at Ohio St. 30 (2OT) – Wow! This was a really great game. Double Overtime!! Incredibly tough defense throughout most of the game as regulation ended with a 17-17 tie. Ohio St. won 30-27 with some controversial measurements, penalty calls, LACK of penalty calls. Everyone was talking about Coach Jim Harbaugh’s ranting on the sidelines. Well, he’s a Bo Schembechler guy and after some of these referees calls, Jimmy is http://widgets.boxxspring.com/MjA1NSw0MDUzNzM1OA” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>bitter…..bitter!

I don’t blame Harbaugh. I would’ve been stretched to my limits if I was a Michigan man too. We’re already beginning to see shades of the “Ten Year War”! Depending on the length of the Harbaugh/Meyer Era, we have just embarked on what will likely go down as the “Ten Year War: Part 2”. So far, Urban Meyer leads 2-0. When will Harbaugh “put one on the board”? I’m betting on ’17. The game is in Ann Arbor on November 25.

#2 Rose Bowl: Penn St. 49 vs USC 52 – This could’ve been the best game of the year. Every time I watch and re-watch I’m just amazed by this nutty game. Ultimately, Trace McSorley was a little too aggressive, throwing 3 interceptions and showing his sophomore inexperience as PSU’s first time starting quarterback as they were outscored 17-0 in the 4th quarter. Meanwhile, over on the other sideline USC sophomore QB Sam Darnold was proving why he’s a top option for next year’s NFL Draft. He threw for 453 yards and 5 TD in one of the all-time greatest Rose Bowls.

#1 National Championship: Clemson 35 vs Alabama 31 – ‘Bama hardly ever loses. But when they do, it’s so much fun to enjoy! Hunter Renfrow’s game-winner with 1 second left was the stuff dreams are made of. Congratulations to Watson, Renfrow, Dabo Swinney, and all of the Clemson Tigers fans who have waited since 1981 to experience that National Championship feeling all over again.

So there you have it. Another amazing season. What does 2017 have for us? It all starts this week. Pumped much?

A Summer Tradition: ESPN’s Top 25 College Football Games from last season! Those that know me best know that college football is truly my favorite sport. You know what gets me pumped for college football season?

0 notes