Champ Week observations and overreactions

That's a wrap for the regular season

UTSA put up an 11 win season winning C-USA and should be a solid Bowl play

Utah put USC to sleep with a dominant win.  Caleb was hurt early and was a shell of himself but he did not get any help from his WR's, RB's or defense.  We knew the defense was suspect, all of Alex Grinch's squads are classified as "Bend and break but get some turnovers".  That's how they started but they couldn't keep up with the Utes.  Caleb's Heisman campaign took a hit also

Toledo won the MAC in a game with 24 total points and 25 fans

Troy hit the 10 win mark on their way to the Sun Belt title

KState and TCU gave us a thriller.  It was exactly how TCU's toughest games all season played out, calm and cool coming from behind against a solid foe.  Max Duggan had a Heisman drive at the end of regulation, he may have wrapped up the trophy if they let him sneak in for the go-ahead TD in OT but from the 6" line they handed off twice.   Officials had their hands on this one unfortunately, missing a false start on the first KState TD and not looking better at the 3rd & Goal carry in OT which had an overhead camera showing the ball crossing the plane for a TD.  Either way, TCU is in the Playoff and Max is going to NY next weekend

Tulane let UCF back in the game in the 2nd half but pulled away to lock up the AAC and NY6 game

Georgia put it on LSU scoring 35 in the first half when it mattered and finishing with 50

Fresno used Special Teams and defense to win on the smurf turf to take the Mountain West title

DJ was Dabo's guy for 2 series before getting pulled for Cade Klubnik who made Dabo look like a fool for not playing him more this season and possibly salvaging the Playoff.  

Michigan got a good test from Purdue but pulled away in 2H as they have been all year.  THE most consistent trend of the year, fade Michigan 1H, take them 2H.   Purdue with a crazy game plan of actually getting the ball to their best players was pretty successful (you see that Ryan Day?)

There it is.  We are about 90 minutes from hearing the Playoff matchups.  Only 'drama' should be seeding between TCU and Ohio State.  I would personally love to see the 2 vs 3 Michigan vs OSU rematch but I don't feel TCU should drop from the 3 spot.  

great job BW

tcu also bad first half & great 2nd half (like Mich) so should be interesting to see if the break will give one of them a chance of finding an early wrinkle 

seeding will be (my opinion)

1. Dawgs

2. Wolves

3. Frogs

4. Bucks

fan duel has opening lines 

Georgia -6.5 vs Ohio St with total of 58.5

Michigan -9.5 vs TCU with total of 58.5

 
those lines won’t hold 

 Caleb popped his hammy so he’s super iffy for meaningless bowl game & they play Tulane , fanduel has usc -4.5 so that probably won’t be real line either, can’t imagine usc favored if Caleb is out but we may not know that news for a while 

if Buckeyes get physically whipped on the lines vs Georgia then Day will have to make changes in his approach going forward, they seem softer than previous years from eye test but gotta respect that passing attack 

happy holidays 

@BWS77

 I've enjoyed your write ups all year good job and good luck the rest of the year

We've had our issues, but thanks.  Enjoy your Playoff ride

Bucks are soft this year.  I said last week that Day is a kid with too many toys and wants to play with all of them equally.  In another forum I said that Purdue would make use of their best player and not tinker with 10 different things.   That was OSU's biggest issue for me.  Injuries didn't help with the RBs but still, the OLine never really gave them gaping holes.  Miyan Williams had the most success because he was the toughest and had a lot of yards after contact, bulldozing his way for the extra yardage.  Linebackers are a weakness and would be greatly exposed against those Georgia TEs.   Watching the post game shows last night, they were commenting on the evolution of both Georgia and Michigan playing 'in a phone booth' but then being able to spread out when needed.   Teams that are exclusive to the spread may now become obsolete for this new hybrid, or at least the ones at the top year in and year out.  It makes sense, if most defenses are gearing to stopping that type of offense so being a more traditional power team with the ability to mix it up is a big advantage

I thought TCU got a bit hosed by the refs. An obvious PI non-call on a deep throw and of course the reach over the goal line in OT. (did not bet the game)

Also, TCU offensive line was lining up off the ball a bit at the goal line. Overhead shot showed they could be closer to line of scrimmage. No excuse for not punching it in though.

USC punted at end of first half with about 18 secs on play clock. Utah scored with 7 secs left in half. That was stupid. 

Charley Jones made the right transfer. This guy has good speed, great hands, great body control, and knows how to get to the ball first. Imagine Iowa trying to recruit WR's after seeing Jones now. 

Michigan without Corum sucks, hope Edwards has his cast off by playoff time. Same with Buckeyes, Smith-N and Hendersen would be nice to see them play.

Is there really anybody who can beat Georgia? Seems like if Georgia loses it will only be because they beat themselves.

Isn't it funny a few years ago Kirby and Harbaugh were ridiculed for their style of offense. Will never win. Both did change a bit, made adjustments, but the base concepts remain the same. 

Only undefeated teams in P5 this year.

@BWS77

  Can't wait for your observations and write ups next year . Don't keep us lonely during the bowl season .

Thank you and all the participants during the year .

BTW I don't believe committee bulshit about not avoiding a rematch between Ohio state and Michigan.  Only way these two will meet is the final 

@WahooS

 What do you mean line won't hold ? Which way do you see them moving . I was breaking my head all morning . 

Thanks 

@UNIMAN

 Coaching  in pac 12 this year was tremendous in its best ( leading Oregon)

USC backup QB Moss is very good.  He throws quick, hits his target and can run well.

He moves the ball down the field without all the drama of a QB that has to scramble because he takes too long to get rid of the ball.

If Calab is out for the bowl game, bet on USC to beat the spread.  

TCU had a good season and has a nice little team but if anyone thinks they are truly one of the 4 best teams, they are sadly mistaken.

They put them in just to watch them get blown out. 

They put them in because they earned it.  If you haven't figured it out yet you never will.  

georgia is going to crush Ohio st. line will be 9-10 by kick. bol

 Hard to believe the regular season is over.

 TCU may give Michigan a run......similar hard-nosed team.

 Ohio St. will have to change who they are to compete vs. UGA. If the line stays under 10 I'll hit it pretty good.

 USC got(?) an apt placement for losing......vs. Tulane. Will they even show up?

 Possible Texas vs. Washington match-up in the Alamo would be one of the better non-NYD games.

Job well done Warden. 

Has anyone ever been happy with the Final 4? Discussion for the ages. 

Georgia opened at -7 O/U 61.5

Michigan opened -9 and moved to -9.5 

@MITM

 Your opinion. These "other" teams should have won the games they needed to win and they didn't. Pretty simple

So transfer portal opens tomorrow. Did you see what Mack Brown said? He said one Tar Heel starter (take a guess because it could only be one player) has already received 15 NIL offers from other programs.  OUT OF CONTROL. 

Since I have been in the Balvenie, let me ask a question. IF and I did say IF, the Dawgs go through Buckeyes and Wolverines can they claim BIG10 Champions as well? 

Trevor Matich gotta go.  Dude is just not good at talking about teams.  

It really does fly by.   Watching some NFL today seeing how horrid some of these teams are playing, and then I look and see they still have 5 more weeks of regular season to go.  It's painful 

1st Playoff without Bama or Clemson and it's glorious!  New blood is good for the sport.   If Bama don't wanna compete, that's on them but opting out is a dumb take.  Of all the contenders that didn't make the Playoff needs the extra practice and game time, it's those young WR's and the defense that needs to learn discipline on the field.  As a fan you should want them to show up and try to get better, because their 2023 season will be based on 2022.  If they don't show improvement in the areas they were weak in this year you may be sitting out of the top 4 again.  

Ratings will suck no matter what, it's another year with New Years Eve semifinals.  Those don't do well no matter who is playing.  Probably the Committee's biggest failure as far as presentation of the games.  But if you think the entire Midwest or the state of Texas will be tuning out, you are dead wrong.  

@Longbeach102

 Yeah it must be horrible having to be a Bama fan.  I really feel sorry for you.  Maybe you should switch to a more rewarding team, like UMass or New Mexico.  Good luck. 

I think I read that Oklahoma was favored in all 12 games.  That didn't go well

Another thing I wanted to discuss, 

We got through the first major NIL/Transfer Portal season.  What did you all think of it?   I saw a lot of players that looked horribly out of place, I saw some that definitely took some time to fit in but they ended up working out (LSU, Oregon).  Some had success from Game 1 (Washington, USC).  I just don't how I feel about it being a year to year change.  I think in a way it's good for the game because some schools that are down can flip the script and become contenders, but it's also bad because at some point it's just gonna be an arms race with a few schools throwing as much money as they can to buy a title.  I wonder how coaches really feel about it.  If a guy comes in, collects and plays like shit (which will happen more going forward) does the coach get held responsible for that?  Pressure from boosters will be even greater as they are likely footing the bill.