Sunday, November 27, 2016

Week 13 Reactions & Championship Look-Ahead

Are we here already?!? I thought we were just about to get the season started! No matter, let's take a look and reflect on the rivalries - and look ahead to the championships ahead.



Rivalry/Week 13 Reactions:

  • "The Game" had a boatload of hype, and it sure lived up to it. Double Overtime, close calls, conference title hopes hanging in the balance for THREE teams. Michigan-Ohio State could go down as THE game of 2016.
    • As a Hokie, I missed most of the game in real-time (though I have gone back and seen some replays). That 4th down stop in 2OT was really close, in my opinion, and it could have gone either way. But in either event, I agree with the call on the field being upheld; the video evidence was just not enough to put the game in the hands of the replay.
    • That being said, I'm glad to see a coach call out the officiating as Jim Harbaugh did. Duke did it last year after the Miami fiasco, FSU did it this year after Clemson. And I'm sure those conference-levied fines are being paid with a smile. If we're going to keep players and coaches accountable, it's only fair to do the same with the officials.
  • The Iron Bowl was a snooze. 2nd half Alabama domination. Nothing new.
  • While not a competitive "thriller", I was personally thrilled to see Virginia Tech return to its dominating ways over UVA. 13 in a row, with solid players and fantastic coaching. I am truly grateful for the way Frank Beamer handled this coaching transition last year compared to, say, LSU and Texas and their silly games this year. And congrats to Justin Fuente for the Coastal Division Championship in Year 1 with the Hokies!
    • I liked the in-game interview with Frank in the booth. But why, of all times, did it have to happen during UVA's first scoring drive?
  • Way to go, ACC! 3-1 this weekend over SEC foes (the 1 was Louisville, which will throw the Heisman race wide open). And 6-3 overall this regular season.
  • The Notre Dame-USC game provided some hard hits in an otherwise sad day for the Irish.
    • It was weird seeing Ron Cherry out in LA for a game. And then he got taken out by a USC player (by accident, of course) . I hope Ron's OK - he's one of my favorite ACC refs!
    • On the other end, what cheap shots by Notre Dame's Jerry Tillery on an injured USC player - and then foot stomp! Totally uncalled for! I don't believe in taking extreme actions for stupid mistakes, but that player better have an excellent reason why he shouldn't be kicked off the team!
  • Way to go, Western Michigan! 12-0 for the first time ever, and now the clear front-runner for a New Year's Six spot (in all likelihood) out of the Group of Five. Just one more to go!
    • But before we call this a win, recall that this has been a problem spot in years past
      • 2008: 12-0 Ball State loses to Buffalo
      • 2011: 12-0 Houston loses to Southern Miss
      • 2013: 12-0 Northern Illinois loses to Bowling Green

Championship Look-Ahead: The games are set, the teams are set.
  • Friday Night
    • MAC Championship in Detroit. Ohio vs Western Michigan. 
      • Cotton Bowl spot on the line for WMU.
    • PAC-12 Championship in Santa Clara, CA. 
      • Near-certain Playoff spot on the line for Washington. 
      • Outside chance for Colorado (just being here is a HUGE accomplishment; Mike MacIntyre for National Coach of the Year!).
  • Saturday Noon/12:30
    • American Championship: Temple at Navy. 
      • Navy seems to be the most viable NY6 option besides Western Michigan.
    • C-USA Championship: Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky. 
      • Can WKU edge Temple and Ohio for the NY6 spot if Navy and Western Michigan both fall?
    • Big 12 "Championship": Oklahoma State at Oklahoma. 
      • This is a regular-season game, known as Bedlam, but it's very conveniently timed. 
      • Winner clinches the Big 12 title.
  • Saturday Mid Day:
    • SEC Championship in Atlanta. Alabama vs Florida. 
      • In theory, an exhibition game for Alabama (the Tide could lose and perhaps stay #1). But in practice, Florida will be simply outclassed.
  • Saturday Prime Time:
    • Mountain West Championship: San Diego State at Wyoming. 
      • Talk about backing into a championship game!
    • ACC Championship Game in Orlando (uggh, politics!). Virginia Tech vs Clemson. 
      • Heavy favorite Clemson, though not without its scares throughout the season. 
      • The Tigers are one win away from returning to the CFP.
    • Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. Wisconsin vs Penn State. 
      • The only 1-loss team in the Big Ten, and likely the highest-ranked (Ohio State) is watching from home. 
      • This game will tell us what chance there is of a conference producing 2 CFP teams.

No comments:

Post a Comment