Bowl Writeups and Hopefully Feedback

Well, not sure how I missed that. He's out. I've been relying on an aggregator that said he was playing. I guess hasn't been updated. So much for that. Still like the Pack. Thanks for letting me know.
 
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Alamo Bowl: Looking forward to watching this one, but I really can't pick a side. I have Arizona with some slight edges if the teams were both at full strength, but I don't think Oklahoma missing Gabriel will be a huge factor. Not a ton of opt outs for either team other than Gabriel, but I don't want to fade Oklahoma as a dog in this spot, and Arizona has been so good over the last 6 weeks of the season that I wouldn't fade them either. Might have the smallest of bets on OU plus the points but probably not.
 
Nc state had their bowl game cancelled last year vs UCLA.....just a caveat which makes me think they really want to play in this one
 
Well, not sure how I missed that. He's out. I've been relying on an aggregator that said he was playing. I guess hasn't been updated. So much for that. Still like the Pack. Thanks for letting me know.
Haha even a stud LB is worth maybe a half point

I hate that game with a passion and don't even know if I'll learn anything watching it live that makes a lightbulb go off. Could be fascinating or boring AF
 
Haha even a stud LB is worth maybe a half point

I hate that game with a passion and don't even know if I'll learn anything watching it live that makes a lightbulb go off. Could be fascinating or boring AF
I'll tell you what. NC State's offense is excruciating to watch. I seriously have no idea what happened to Armstrong and Anae. First off, Armstrong can't throw the ball to save his life. Balls are at guys feet or 12 feet out of bounds on a sideline route. Second, there is nothing at all to this offense. Nobody is open, no holes, none of their backs can make a move or break a tackle. It's Armstrong running and that's about it. It's the complete opposite of what these two looked like at Virginia in 2021. Back then guys were wide open downfield, Armstrong threw a great ball. I don't know what happened. Needed NC State to get out to a lead. Very tough for them to come back with this offense.
 
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I'll tell you what. NC State's offense is excruciating to watch. I seriously have no idea what happened to Armstrong and Anae. First off, Armstrong can't throw the ball to save his life. Balls are at guys feet or 12 feet out of bounds on a sideline route. Second, there is nothing at all to this offense. Nobody is open, no holes, none of their backs can make a move or break a tackle. It's Armstrong running and that's about it. It's the complete opposite of what these two looked like at Virginia in 2021. Back then guys were wide open downfield, Armstrong threw a great ball. I don't know what happened. Needed NC State to get out to a lead. Very tough for them to come back with this offense.
I've got nothing but an under I took at HT and it was just something to bet on really
 
Gator Bowl: Taking a pass on this one. Kentucky's offense has been pretty weak for most of the season, especially lately as they've failed to crack 300 total yards in 6 of their last 7 games, including their finale at Louisville where they somehow managed to score 38 points with only 289 yards from their offense. Clemson's defense has been good all year, so I'd expect more of the same, but they are missing a big one in Jeremiah Trotter who led them in tackles and sacks. Kentucky has been a bit of a pretender whenever they've stepped up in competition, but it's hard to trust this Clemson offense to get margin on anyone. The pass offense has been very pedestrian all year (122nd in yards per attempt) and Kentucky has done a good job of stopping the run. I'm thinking Clemson is going to win this one, but I just can't see laying anything more than a couple points here and the money line is a little out of reach. No thanks.
 
16. Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Oregon State +6 v Notre Dame: Both of these teams have been hit heavily by what plagues teams in bowls nowadays. Both have a bunch of opt outs/transfers and the Beavers are dealing with having to replace most of their staff since Jonathan Smith left his alma mater to move to Michigan State(what an upgrade for the Spartans). When it comes to players missing, however, I really have to wonder what in the hell is going on at Notre Dame. Almost everybody bailed on this team. Sam Hartman wasn't a surprise, and as a result the Irish will be going with backup Steve Angeli, who had decent numbers this year, but all in deep garbage time. The problem for Notre Dame is who is going to convert third downs or score touchdowns? Audric Estime was a huge part of their offense and he's out, and all4 of their top 4 receivers are out. In addition, they'll be without 4 of their 5 starting linemen that were in the lineup for the majority of the year, and they'll be starting a guy at LT that hasn't taken a snap this year. It's pretty much all backups for the Irish, but man...there isn't a lot of loyalty here as many of their contributors hit the portal. Defensively they've got some of their top players playing, as it looks like their two studs in the secondary Xavier Watts and Ben Morrison will be in there and DT Howard Cross is coming back, but their two starting corners and LB Marist Liufau are out. As for the Beavs, they'll be missing QB DJU and his backup who followed Smith to MSU, but they'll appear to be mostly intact in the OL and they'll have Ben Gulbrandson at QB who won 6 games for them as a Freshman last year. They'll also have some of their playmakers on offense as DeShaun Fenwick is slated to play at RB and they'll have Silas Bolden and Jesiah Irish who were 2 of their top 3 WR targets. Also, rumors are that stud RB Damien Martinez won't play due to a dui he got a month ago, but he's eligible to play and hasn't been ruled out. The Beavers are nowhere near as imposing as they were for the majority of the year, but this I really don't see this version of Notre Dame, basically a ton of backups, being able to run away from them. It's true that OSU will be behind the 8 ball a bit, but ND will not have OC Gerard Parker and it doesn't appear as if Marcus Freeman has been all that worried about bowl prep since he's had to convince the clergy to pony up for Mike Denbrock and build almost a brand new roster since half his guys bailed to the portal. I'm sure ND has some depth, but it will be asking a lot for some brand new guys to execute against a pretty good Pac 12 squad that has a decent amount of playmakers still left.
 
17. Liberty Bowl Memphis +10.5 v Iowa State: Memphis lines up to play this one on it's home field, but I wouldn't put too much stock in that because there will be plenty of Iowa State fans...enough to probably negate any home field advantage the tigers might have. Ultimately, I think this is just too many points. Throughout most of the year, I seriously doubt that Iowa State would be laying this much to a 9 win Memphis team. I think Iowa State is a double digit favorite here because of how they hammered Kansas State in Manhattan the last time we saw them. Granted, the Cyclones had looked good under the radar prior to that, but they exploded in that game, somewhat flukily(not sure that's a word) since it occurred in a blizzard. They averaged 14 yards per play, obviously about twice as much as any other game this season. This Memphis team has lost 3 times this year and never by more than 10, including close losses to Missouri and SMU. Offensively, they move the ball well like they do every year as QB Seth Hengian threw for 3500 yards and a 28/9 ratio. They also run the ball well with RB Blake Watson and ranked 39th in yards per rushing attempt. They've scored at least 35 points in all but 3 games this year and at least 21 in all of them. Defensively they gave up a lot of yards and ranked in the 100's on a yards per play basis, but were 28th on 3rd down and weren't bad in the red zone. Both teams haven't been hurt badly by defections, but Iowa State will be without DB TJ Tampa who is by far their best cover guy and was responsible for a lot of their above average performance against the pass. I just think this is a lot of points to lay against an offense that can score. Iowa State has proven they are capable, but it's not really been their modus operandi to outscore teams. I'm skeptical of both of these coaches, but more skeptical that Matt Campbell will come through when much is expected of him. Lots of back door potential here as well. I'll take the points here.
 
Cotton Bowl: I just can't make a call on this one. I've got a bet on Mizzou at +6.5 that I grabbed weeks ago, but that's obviously not available now. It looks like Ohio State will have most if not all of their defensive guys in this one, and they were about as good on defense as anyone this year, but Missouri has a ton of momentum and was hot as a pistol on offense for the last few weeks of the seasor. They hung to the final gun with Georgia in Athens, so I doubt Ohio State is going to intimidate them. Missouri has some holes on defense, but I don't know that this OSU offense can exploit it. Devin Brown isn't much of a downgrade from Kyle McCord, but I don't expect anything spectacular from him either. Harrison is out but it looks like they'll have Egbuka, Henderson and maybe Stover, so they'll have some playmakers. I lean Mizzou at 3.5/4 but not enough to recommend it highly since so many guys who could opt out for Ohio State look like they're playing. That bodes well for the motivation of Ohio State and as good as Missouri has been, they'd have to play a fantastic game to overcome a motivated, close to full strength Buckeye team.
 
Gonna go ahead and add this now that 6 is available.

18. Cotton Bowl: Missouri +6 v Ohio State: I already added it early in the bowl season. The line went all the way to Mizzou -3 when people thought OSU would have an opt out avalanche, but that hasn't happened. Ohio State's offense has been pedestrian all year when playing higher caliber teams. We've seen it all year with Mc Cord, and now we move to Devin Brown who didn't play any meaningful snaps all year. Missouri can be had on defense, but I don't know that Ohio State can exploit them, especially with a running game that ranked only 61st in yards per attempt. Missouri has a ton of momentum and played as well as anyone offensively down the stretch. I don't think Ohio State is going to be going through the motions but I definitely give the motivational edge to Missouri who has a rare shot to play up with one of the big boys. Ohio State might say they're motivated, but to them I'm sure Missouri is an SEC also ran. 6 is too many here, so I'm going to take the motivated dog in this one, even though it looks like most of OSU's defense will be available.
 
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19. Peach Bowl: Penn State -4.5 v Ole Miss: I've faded Penn State a lot more than I played them this year, but I think this is a good spot for the Lions. They'll be without Chop Robinson and CB Johnny Dixon, but the rest of the multitude of draft eligible guys are with the team and their captains have been very vocal in trying to convince everyone to play in the game. At this point it looks like most are on board. Ole Miss is also looking ok with only a couple guys appearing to be unavailable for the game. Penn State's defense has been great all year, especially against the run(#1), so if Ole Miss is going to have success on offense it will have to be as a result of a high level of play from QB Jaxson Dart. Dart's a pretty good QB, but in their games against the highest level of defenses(Bama/Georgia) they got run off the field. Also, the Ole Miss offensive line struggled to protect Dart quite a bit this year(89th in sacks allowed) and Penn State is #1 in the country in sack rate. If you watched the Egg Bowl this year, Mississippi State didn't sack Dart much, but they were in his face all day and it resulted in a 14/26 effort for only 96(!!) yards. Even with Robinson out, I think we can expect the Nits to get after Dart, which will likely result in tough sledding for him. Ole Miss's defense is decent, but not great, and will probably represent a bit of class relief for Drew Allar and company since they're used to Michigan and Ohio State in the latter part of the year. Allar actually looked a lot better in the past couple of games, trying some shots downfield and having some success. He also does not beat himself with mistakes as he only had 4 turnover worthy plays all year. Their skill guys are all young, so they'll all be in there, and I think you'll see some competent play from the Penn State offense in this one. We should also remember that Lane Kiffin has been one of the most active coaches in the transfer portal and recruited his ass off to get a great class on signing day. That's nothing new and probably serves as the most obvious reason that he's only 2-4 ATS in bowl games. I'm no fan of James Franklin, but he's been able to get his teams prepared for bowls (7-4 ATS), which makes this a bit of a mismatch in that department. I like Penn State here.
 
20. Music City Bowl: Maryland +6.5 v Auburn: This one has fallen under 7. You can probably buy it up to 7, but it'll probably cost you more than (-120) and I don't typically recommend that level of juice. Auburn is favored by this amount because Taulia Tagovailoa isn't playing, but i don't think backup Billy Edwards is all that bad of a replacement. He's played quite a bit, and he's contributed mostly as a red zone battering ram this year rather than attempt many passes, but he had some playing time in '22 and had a 3/0 ratio on 46 pass attempts that season. Both teams have some opt outs, but I think Auburn has two that will hurt them in CBs DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett. One of the things I liked about Auburn all year was their coverage ability, and those two corners were big reasons for it. S jaylin Simpson was also very good, but despite a hamstring injury, he looks like he will try to play. The rest of Auburn's defense was not good, however, ranking 78th in overall yards per play and 88th against the run. Offensively, we know the struggles they had throwing the ball, so you'd assume that in order to be favored by close to a TD, they'd be playing a weak defense that can't stop the run. That's actually not the case as Maryland was good on defense all year, 21st in overall yards per play and 22nd against the run. They weren't bad against the pass, but that's how you would attack them, and Auburn hasn't been able to exploit anyone's pass defense. I just don't think this Auburn team deserves to be favored by this amount over a pretty decent Maryland team, especially with how inconsistent Auburn can be. They played great against Alabama, and everyone remembers that, but don't forget that they were run off their home field only a week earlier by New Mexico State. I probably wouldn't be hurrying to fade Auburn as a dog, but as a 6.5 point favorite? Sure, I'll take that.
 
21, Orange Bowl: Georgia -20 v Florida State: I'm not gonna spend a whole lot of time on this one because Florida State is proving to be a disgrace with the way they've given up on this game. They'll be going with 3rd stringer Brock Glenn because backup Rodemaker is off to the portal. Everybody saw in the ACC title game how helpless the FSU offense was with him under center, but they still handled Louisville because their defense was so good and they had some solid contributors in the skill positions on offense. That won't be the case here, and I dare say that if they have success, it will be because of Glenn, and without the help of any of the other offensive starters who have all opted out. Much of the defense that looked elite in the ACC title game will be out also, leaving Georgia a collection of depth backups to play against. Georgia will have a lot of opt outs as well, but they'll have Carson beck and enough elite players to put a hurting on the Noles. Kirby Smart has him team motivated by the thought of being the most successful class of player in Georgia history, and apparently they've bought in. It won't take much because I can't see how FSU completes in this game with such a small contingent of starters. 20 is a lot, but 48-0 is not out of the question here.
 
22. Arizona Bowl: Wyoming -3.5 v Toledo: Lots of reasons to like the Cowboys here. This will be the last hurrah for Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl, who is retiring after the season, so Wyoming will have lots of motivation to send him out with a win. Also, the two best players on Toledo, QB Dequan Finn and RB Peny Boone are in the transfer portal and aren't playing. Toledo was totally reliant on both of those guys so there's no telling how the backups will fare. Toledo was good on defense this year, but Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley had to be one of the most improved QBs in the country this year, improving to a 7.6 yards per attempt number and a 20/5 ratio. He also contributes in the running game as does Harrison Waylee who averaged 6 yards per carry this year. This is also the ultimate coaching mismatch as Bohl is 12-3 ATS in bowls while Toledo head coach Jason Candle is 1-5. Pretty much everything is pointing in Wyoming's direction in this one. If Candle covers, I'll tip my cap.
 
22. Arizona Bowl: Wyoming -3.5 v Toledo: Lots of reasons to like the Cowboys here. This will be the last hurrah for Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl, who is retiring after the season, so Wyoming will have lots of motivation to send him out with a win. Also, the two best players on Toledo, QB Dequan Finn and RB Peny Boone are in the transfer portal and aren't playing. Toledo was totally reliant on both of those guys so there's no telling how the backups will fare. Toledo was good on defense this year, but Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley had to be one of the most improved QBs in the country this year, improving to a 7.6 yards per attempt number and a 20/5 ratio. He also contributes in the running game as does Harrison Waylee who averaged 6 yards per carry this year. This is also the ultimate coaching mismatch as Bohl is 12-3 ATS in bowls while Toledo head coach Jason Candle is 1-5. Pretty much everything is pointing in Wyoming's direction in this one. If Candle covers, I'll tip my cap.
Cap tipped.
 
23. Reliaquest Bowl: LSU -9.5(-115) v Wisconsin: I obviously don't think we'll see LSU repeat what they did to a bumbling Big Ten school last year when they embarrassed a Purdue team that pretty much every high level player opted out from, but there are some parallels here. In the first place, Wisconsin was not good even when they had everyone. The personnel was mismatched for Phil Longo's offense, and the offense never showed much competence even when Tanner Mordecai was there. If not for a completely lucky win against Illinois in October, they would have had a 5 game losing streak including losses to Indiana and at home to Northwestern in a game they were never really in. Now both of their running backs are out, their #2 and #3 wide receivers are out, and they'll be without 3 defensive starters and their starting center. LSU could see some opt outs during the game, but their depth chart shows that both of their stud wide receivers Brian Thomas and Malik Nabors as well as everyone on defense is suiting up. They won't have Jayden Daniels, but Garrett Nussmeier is more than capable of having at big game in Daniels absence. LSU's defense has been terrible, but as I mentioned, at times the Wisconsin offense would have struggled to move the ball on a collection of traffic cones, so I think their ineptitude on that side of the ball will be hidden a bit. Wisconsin will have to run the ball to be effective, and maybe they will, but they'll have to do it with Jackson Acker who is not explosive at all. LSU had the best offense in the country in terms of yards per play, yards per rush attempt, yards per pass attempt and was second in 3rd down conversions. All of their running backs and receivers are slated to go, and although Wisconsin had some decent number on the defensive side, I don't think they'll be able to keep these guys in front of them. Also, I just don't see the Wisconsin offense being able to keep pace. Yu can get it under 10 now, so I'm a buyer.
 
24. Citrus Bowl: Iowa +6 v Tennessee: Iowa had a ton of injuries this year, which contributed to their ineptitude on offense, but they won't be missing any contributors that weren't already out during the last 3 weeks of the season. As much as we like to make fun of their offense, their defense was again an elite squad, and this team won 10 games on the strength of it. I think they'll be able to have success against this Tennessee offense that will be starting a true Freshman at QB in his first start, Nico Iamaleava. He's a highly touted 5 star kid, so I don't think he's a downgrade from Joe Milton in the long run, but this is certainly not the defense you want to be facing in your first ever start. Also, he'll be without his two stud running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small who were the real reasons for the offense's success this year. They've already lost Bru McCoy at WR, and Iowa CB Sebastian Castro was one of the best cover corners in the country all year, so he'll likely be taxed with coverage on their big play guy Ramel Keyton. Ultimately, I just don't see this Tennessee offense being able to move the ball enough to keep Iowa from being able to play field position like they love to do. You'd think any trick plays Bran Ferentz might have up his sleeve he'd be willing to try here, and Tennessee has 4 starters out. Motivation is never a problem for Iowa, but I'm not sure about Tennessee here. Throw in that Kirk Ferentz is 12-6-1 ATS in bowls, and I'm locked in to the excruciating existence of rooting for this Iowa offense.
 
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25. Rose Bowl: Alabama +2.5(-115) v Michigan: This is a situation where Michigan and Harbaugh are going to have to prove themselves in a big game. In their two previous semi final games, they were a massive failure, giving up gobs of points and committing terrible pick 6 mistakes against TCU and getting physically manhandled the previous year by Georgia. Now they get another SEC squad here, albeit one that has plenty of warts. Anyone who has watched Michigan play offense over the past several weeks has to be concerned. They haven't been able to generate a consistent push all year (ranked 60th in yards per attempt against a questionable schedule). Now they don't have all world guard Zack Zinter, and the early returns on the offense without him were not good in the Big ten title game. Michigan couldn't move the ball to save their lives against Iowa, scoring only after a turnover and a big return left them with less than 10 yards to go for the only TDs they scored. Defensively they are very good, and I suspect Alabama will not be able to run on them, but Jalen Milroe throws an elite deep ball, and despite everyone under the sun attempting to make him live in the intermediate areas, he still burns people, even when they know it's coming. We also all know Nick Saban's history as a dog. Frankly, there isn't one over the past decade against anyone other than Georgia. We also know that Saban has been unbeatable when he has a month to prepare, losing only in the semis to Ohio State in 2014 when he's been in that situation. If Michigan is going to break out of their doldrums in this scenario, when the stakes are highest, now would be the ideal time, but I am not going to count on it, especially when the opponent is Alabama under Nick Saban.
 
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Forgot about the Fiesta Bowl. Not playing it. Just don't have any handle on that one. I can't see Liberty stopping Bo Nix, but I also can't believe Nix and Bucky Irving are actually resisting the undoubtedly insatiable urge to opt out of this one. Chadwell and Liberty have been resourceful though, and Kaiden salter has been one of the most productive QBs in college football this year and there will probably be ripe opportunities to cash in n the back door. Not playing this one.
 
Gonna be on Washington +4 in the Sugar Bowl. Writeup coming tomorrow on that one because it's past my bedtime.

Full disclosure: I have a 30-1 ticket on the Huskies that I got in September, but it's not for enough money(pocket change really) to hedge.
 
Brass as many have said THANKS for the write ups and a great season. I am with you on LSU Nuss going to make a name for himself for next year. I thought Nix committed to being in with the RB? Really like Ore to pull a GA like game. Nix needs to impress would be my guess. Liberty has played no one. Also Lean Bama partly bc Wife from Ohio and even as a BC guy not allowed to use the name of the school up North. Been tough three years here at the house. HNY to you and yours
Bubbalicious
 
24. Citrus Bowl: Iowa +6 v LSU: Iowa had a ton of injuries this year, which contributed to their ineptitude on offense, but they won't be missing any contributors that weren't already out during the last 3 weeks of the season. As much as we like to make fun of their offense, their defense was again an elite squad, and this team won 10 games on the strength of it. I think they'll be able to have success against this Tennessee offense that will be starting a true Freshman at QB in his first start, Nico Iamaleava. He's a highly touted 5 star kid, so I don't think he's a downgrade from Joe Milton in the long run, but this is certainly not the defense you want to be facing in your first ever start. Also, he'll be without his two stud running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small who were the real reasons for the offense's success this year. They've already lost Bru McCoy at WR, and Iowa CB Sebastian Castro was one of the best cover corners in the country all year, so he'll likely be taxed with coverage on their big play guy Ramel Keyton. Ultimately, I just don't see this Tennessee offense being able to move the ball enough to keep Iowa from being able to play field position like they love to do. You'd think any trick plays Bran Ferentz might have up his sleeve he'd be willing to try here, and Tennessee has 4 starters out. Motivation is never a problem for Iowa, but I'm not sure about Tennessee here. Throw in that Kirk Ferentz is 12-6-1 ATS in bowls, and I'm locked in to the excruciating existence of rooting for this Iowa offense.
Think u mean Tenn in the 1st line
 
26. Sugar Bowl: Washington +4 v Texas: Did you know that Washington is undefeated? I know, crazy right? Really, they are. The team that was a 10 point underdog to a team they already beat, and would probably be a 4-5 point dog if they played them a third time hasn't lost because they have a great coach, an awesome passing attack and a defense that does what it needs to do to win. Even though Texas has had a great year, I think Washington has to be happy they got the Horns because in my opinion they match up really well with them. Texas was a solid defensive team, but they clearly excel in stopping the run much more than they do in coverage. They graded out in the mid 50's per PFF in coverage, and if you watched the Big 12 title game against Alan Bowman and a bunch of also rans at receiver, they looked flummoxed in several instances. Baylor, Houston, TCU, Kansas State and Iowa State all threw for more than 300 yards on Texas, and I think we can all agree that Washington packs a punch much more lethal than any of those teams. IN the past few weeks, Washington has finally gotten back to full strength with their wide receivers, and all 3 are future pros that any college DB would have a difficult time covering one on one. Michael Penix was among the best QBs in the country in many categories, but perhaps his best attribute is not being bothered by pressure, even though he seldom has to deal with it based on his proclivity to get rid of the ball and his offensive line's ability to keep him clean. Dillon Johnson has also emerged as a very heavy runner, enough to where Texas will have to keep tabs on him. Defensively, Washington has gotten much better as their secondary has gotten healthy. Offensively, Texas looked great against some of the weaker squads on their schedule, but now they are banged up, with Jonathan Brooks out for the year and Xavier Worthy apparently hobbled with an ankle injury. We should also remember that these two teams played last year in the Alamo Bowl and Washington took care of business 27-20. In that game, the Washington OL kept Penix clean, and a lot of the same guys that make this Texas defense what it is this year were out there last year too. Ultimately, I don't think Texas will be able to cover the Washington receivers, whether they stay underneath or turn up the pressure and go deep. Also, I have a lot of faith in Kalen DeBeoer, who was not lost to a non-conference foe since he came to Washington(7-0) and covered 6 of 7. I also think Washington has to be wondering when they'll get a lick of respect, as everyone assumed they'd have no shot against Oregon, and now they are dogged as an undefeated team with just about everyone assuming Texas makes it through. I'll take my chances with DeBeoer here.
 
Brass as many have said THANKS for the write ups and a great season. I am with you on LSU Nuss going to make a name for himself for next year. I thought Nix committed to being in with the RB? Really like Ore to pull a GA like game. Nix needs to impress would be my guess. Liberty has played no one. Also Lean Bama partly bc Wife from Ohio and even as a BC guy not allowed to use the name of the school up North. Been tough three years here at the house. HNY to you and yours
Bubbalicious
Thanks Bubba, same to you. Yes, it looks like Nix and Irving(at least) are committed, I was just talking about how much that surprised me, given the direction things have headed in recent years.
 
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There are a ton of outstanding threads in this CFB forum every year, but this remains my favorite, Brass. Great insight and solid facts each and every week. Thank you!
Tons is right. Thanks for saying that Splinter. It's fun every year because everyone here makes it fun.
 
Rough final day put us under .500 for the bowl season. It was fun though. Thanks to everyone who commented and chimed in. I appreciate it greatly.

Not sure what I'll have on the title game. It's a lean to Washington for now, but I'll spend some time capping it and I'll have a write up on it regardless. Happy New Year
 
National Championship Game: Nothing official here as I'll probably just root for my future on Washington. This is a tough one to cap because when you look at Michigan's defense, you're very impressed, but you know that they haven't played any offense that can even come close to resembling Washington. As I write this, the line is fluctuating around 4.5-5. I would probably take those points if forced, but Washington might be one rush defense that Michigan can exploit. I doubt they'll be able to break big runs, but oftentimes Corum wears them down and then scores late on a 20-25 yard run to ice things. I can see something like that happening in this one, but I can also see Michigan struggle to cover those 3 receivers, though I'm sure they'll have more success playing the ball than Texas's secondary did. Also, Dillon Johnson being hurt is a huge deal for them. They relied on him big time near the goal line and although they weren't a dominant run game, Johnson got them in the end zone from short yardage. For a lot of these high powered shotgun offenses, getting short yardage is a chore and he did it for them. They'll probably need Penix to do it if Johnson isn't up to it, and I'm not sure how that will go. Washington can't rush the passer, struggles against the run and isn't good on third down, so McCarthy and co might actually experience a little class relief vs what they've been used to going against. Having said all that, I can't lay even a decent-sized number against Penix, who has been just about perfect in all crucial situations this year. Gun to head it's Washington, but I kind of think Michigan ends up winning the game.
 
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