Conference championships have come into it before though, before the ply off system. I remember Ohio being knocked for it.
I also remember past year bias coming into effect for Ohio state one year because of the big 10 shitting the bed in the previous two though. They probably got it right that year though. I didn't think the big 10 was that strong that year.
Doesn't seem like it'll matter though. Ohio state game is too close for them to jump up, and with the UCF qb injured you don't have to worry about anyone thinking they should be in.
If Norte dame shits the bed though I'll sit her smiling smugly though lol.
Oh everyone will find it hilarious when ND gets crushed. But frankly that says more about Clemson and Alabama vs. everybody else.
Being a Miami dolphins fan and hating nick saban I hate saying this, but Alabama is a step ahead of everyone and Clemson is close behind. S+ and S tier.
That said this is the best Ohio state team we've had in awhile , even though there's that stupid blow out loss ,and it'd be nice to see what they could do in the playoffs
It would be amazing, if Ohio State gets shunned out, and the B10 throws an off-season, collective whine fest, that it becomes the caytalst to expand the playoffs next year?
Also, with Maryland’s and tOSU’s respective dramas, this past year, that it might be best for the B10, NOT to be represented this postseason?
Oh everyone will find it hilarious when ND gets crushed. But frankly that says more about Clemson and Alabama vs. everybody else.
Being a Miami dolphins fan and hating nick saban I hate saying this, but Alabama is a step ahead of everyone and Clemson is close behind. S+ and S tier.
Only because a) the NCAA gives Saban all the cards and b) Saban is amoral enough to exploit that to its fullest extent (see the incident earlier this year where he blocked a player from going to the grad school he wanted to because it was in the SEC, then complained about being made into the bad guy because, after all, the rules said he could.) Saban is the poster child for what is wrong with the NCAA, and it's those aspects that were a good part of why he failed in the NFL. When the system finally collapses, I fully expect he will retire once he has to treat players fairly.
It would be amazing, if Ohio State gets shunned out, and the B10 throws an off-season, collective whine fest, that it becomes the caytalst to expand the playoffs next year?
Also, with Maryland’s and tOSU’s respective dramas, this past year, that it might be best for the B10, NOT to be represented this postseason?
If it wasn't for UCF''s injury you'd have a hotly contested debate (although I do wonder if they'd actually he considered. But a play in game I could see them getting accepted to) about 3, 4, 5, and 6. As it is, the last couple of years, I could easily see an expansion to 5 teams with 4 and 5 playing a play in game, there's also the option of 5 and 6 with 1 and 2 getting a bye but I think expanding it to 5 might be the sweet spot / all you'll get out of the people who decide these things.
Edit I only bring up UCF because as it stands they never have a chance of getting in. If it's expanded to 5 or 6, and there's a play in game so to speak, then they would he considered at least once if not for a "told you so" letting then in.
It would be amazing, if Ohio State gets shunned out, and the B10 throws an off-season, collective whine fest, that it becomes the caytalst to expand the playoffs next year?
Also, with Maryland’s and tOSU’s respective dramas, this past year, that it might be best for the B10, NOT to be represented this postseason?
If it wasn't for UCF''s injury you'd have a hotly contested debate (although I do wonder if they'd actually he considered. But a play in game I could see them getting accepted to) about 3, 4, 5, and 6. As it is, the last couple of years, I could easily see an expansion to 5 teams with 4 and 5 playing a play in game, there's also the option of 5 and 6 with 1 and 2 getting a bye but I think expanding it to 5 might be the sweet spot / all you'll get out of the people who decide these things.
Edit I only bring up UCF because as it stands they never have a chance of getting in. If it's expanded to 5 or 6, and there's a play in game so to speak, then they would he considered at least once if not for a "told you so" letting then in.
Fresno State is a better team than UCF, and no one is clamoring for Fresno State to be in the playoffs.
It would be amazing, if Ohio State gets shunned out, and the B10 throws an off-season, collective whine fest, that it becomes the caytalst to expand the playoffs next year?
Also, with Maryland’s and tOSU’s respective dramas, this past year, that it might be best for the B10, NOT to be represented this postseason?
If it wasn't for UCF''s injury you'd have a hotly contested debate (although I do wonder if they'd actually he considered. But a play in game I could see them getting accepted to) about 3, 4, 5, and 6. As it is, the last couple of years, I could easily see an expansion to 5 teams with 4 and 5 playing a play in game, there's also the option of 5 and 6 with 1 and 2 getting a bye but I think expanding it to 5 might be the sweet spot / all you'll get out of the people who decide these things.
Edit I only bring up UCF because as it stands they never have a chance of getting in. If it's expanded to 5 or 6, and there's a play in game so to speak, then they would he considered at least once if not for a "told you so" letting then in.
Fresno State is a better team than UCF, and no one is clamoring for Fresno State to be in the playoffs.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Urban Meyer is stepping down from his head coaching gig, in part because of his health and in part because he wants to spend more time with family. He even might consider doing some TV! So obviously the only thing to do now is speculate on where he’s going to coach next. USC? Notre Dame? Auburn? North Dakota State???
This morning’s Yahoo Sports report (Meyer-sympathetic enough to safely assume it’s coming from Meyer himself) says Meyer will coach one last game for Ohio State, the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl against Washington, before handing the reins to Ryan Day, the 39-year-old offensive coordinator who ran the team during Meyer’s suspension for mishandling and potentially covering up.the domestic violence allegations against assistant Zach Smith.
I mean he literally has an inoperable incurable brain cyst that causes him severe pain so yeah, probably really is his health?
He's said this before, and turned up in a new HC slot. That, along with everything that happened at the start of the season, is why people are...skeptical about that being the story.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
I mean he literally has an inoperable incurable brain cyst that causes him severe pain so yeah, probably really is his health?
He's said this before, and turned up in a new HC slot. That, along with everything that happened at the start of the season, is why people are...skeptical about that being the story.
Dude, he’s dropped to the ground in pain during a game. I find it a little disgusting when people have the attitude that a serious health problem is an “excuse.”
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
I mean he literally has an inoperable incurable brain cyst that causes him severe pain so yeah, probably really is his health?
He's said this before, and turned up in a new HC slot. That, along with everything that happened at the start of the season, is why people are...skeptical about that being the story.
Dude, he’s dropped to the ground in pain during a game. I find it a little disgusting when people have the attitude that a serious health problem is an “excuse.”
Alright, his health shouldn't be called an excuse. But it's hard to look at this and not be reminded of how he left Florida.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
I'm glad someone around here is cultured. And it's the dude from Alabama!
Munkus
Self-righteousness is incompatible with coalition building.
+3
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Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Dude I have like a thousand hours logged into MoO and MoO2.
One of my favorite things to do as a child was save total victory gamestates.
And I had over a hundred.
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
And no, I would not cheer Meyer going to USC. I'm already sickened over the current fuckup with regards to allowing a predatory doctor to abuse for fucking decades, adding an apologist for domestic violence would be utterly nauseating.
I did history's dumbest gimmick run of converting every world in a Huge galaxy into a Gaia in MoO2. Including gifting systems to the AI to stellar convert them and rebuild them as artificial planets.
Self-righteousness is incompatible with coalition building.
So what I'm getting here is Saban will be coaching the Alkari next year?
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Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Actually, Saban would 100% be the one who does the custom race with, like, low-g world, subterranian, creative, and then a smattering of weaknesses to make the points work out so that it would just be game-breakingly overpowered at the cost of the in-fiction well-being of his citizens.
Sure everyone ends up a horribly broken shell of a person, but holy fuck do you win
Actually, Saban would 100% be the one who does the custom race with, like, low-g world, subterranian, creative, and then a smattering of weaknesses to make the points work out so that it would just be game-breakingly overpowered at the cost of the in-fiction well-being of his citizens.
Sure everyone ends up a horribly broken shell of a person, but holy fuck do you win
Random tweet, video is from Freeze's press conference today.
The son of God, Jesus Christ, he is the only one I’ve ever met who can handle my junk. If you know somebody else that can do that, I’d love to meet him.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Random tweet, video is from Freeze's press conference today.
The son of God, Jesus Christ, he is the only one I’ve ever met who can handle my junk. If you know somebody else that can do that, I’d love to meet him.
Yes. He actually said that.
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
+7
Options
FairchildRabbit used short words that were easy to understand, like "Hello Pooh, how about Lunch ?"Registered Userregular
BOWL PICK'EMS PART 1: IF YOU RUMMAGE AROUND IN THE SEAT CUSHIONS YOU CAN FIND SOME GOOD GAMES HERE!
A note before we begin: In order to make things more difficult for everyone involved (and mostly out of spite, honestly), every game during bowl season will be AGAINST THE SPREAD. There is also not a traditional GAME OF THE CENTURY OF THE WEEK during bowl season, so the points will be handed out a little differently. Normal bowl games will be worth 1 point, New Years Six bowl games are worth 2 points, College Football Playoff semifinal games are worth 4, and the BCS CFP Championship Game is worth a whopping 8 points. All right, let's get into this!
Tulane (-3.5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette - LIVE FROM ORLANDO, IT'S THE AUTONATION CURE BOWL! And we managed to start out with what could actually be a pretty good little football game. Tulane ended the year in a 3-way tie for the AAC West Division with Memphis and Houston. The Green Wave have a pretty solid defense but their offense is a problem, which explains why Tulane fired their OC after the season. Meanwhile, ULL won the Fun Belt's West Division, and their record is a bit deceiving - the Ragin' Cajuns have four losses to App State (twice), Mississippi State, and Alabama (where they managed to score points, LSU). The only problem to this game? It's on CBS Sports Network, so unless you're a crazy person like me who somehow has every sports channel available, you might have some difficulty watching this.
Utah State (-9.5) vs. North Texas - LIVE FROM ALBUQUERQUE, IT'S THE NEW MEXICO BOWL! Full disclosure: I have no idea where ESPN gets its betting lines, because they're the only place listing Utah State as the underdog, as everyone else has them at this specific line. To be fair, I could see how that line could shift so drastically considering Utah State's head coach is now in charge at Texas Tech, while reports are the school is getting ready to bring back Gary Anderson, who had a few solid years at Wisconsin before leaving for Oregon State and [DATA NOT FOUND]. North Texas, meanwhile, is a rather solid team that has wins over SMU and Arkansas (ok to be fair here, everyone has a win over Arkansas this year. You probably have one and didn't even realize it). Most notably, their head coach Seth Littrell recently announced he was staying at the school despite getting overtures for a number of jobs, which honestly is probably the right call, but it's still cool when a school like North Texas is able to keep their in-demand coach.
Arizona State vs. #21 Fresno State (-4.5) - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, IT'S THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS LAS VEGAS BOWL! I just want to say how proud I am of Herm Edwards, who has made Arizona State fans exceedingly happy about putting up the exact same record and placement in the Pac-12 that they had last year with Todd Graham, and will end the season by getting blown out of the water by Fresno State. I'm sure he'll spend plenty of time staring at the new Raiders stadium construction, silently plotting his triumphant return to the Jets.
Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern (EVEN) - LIVE FROM MONTGOMERY, IT'S THE RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL! There's some fascinating storylines here: for Georgia Southern, they decided to keep around their interim coach from last year in Chad Lunsford, who rewarded the decision makers by leading the Eagles to a 9-win season, tied for the most ever by GSU at the FBS level. Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, has made their second bowl game in 3 years after ending a drought that had been going on since 1987. Did I basically restate everything listed from a handy ESPN article discussing every bowl game? You bet I did. I honestly do not give a SHIT about this game, and I am going to cut as many corners as possible to get to the end.
Middle Tennessee State vs. Appalachian State (-6.5) - LIVE FROM THE SUPERDOME, IT'S THE R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL! And damn this game should be fire. Middle Tennessee State won their division of Conference USA before losing a heartbreaker to UAB in the CUSA Championship game thanks to a 12 men on the field penalty. App State won the Fun Belt in convincing fashion, but they did just lose their head coach to Louisville as a result. This game also managed to get prime positioning on a Saturday, which is appropriate.
Northern Illinois vs. Alabama-Birmingham (-2.5) - LIVE FROM BOCA RATON, IT'S THE CHERIBUNDI BOCA RATON BOWL! We have not been very subtle of our love of UAB, Alabama's premier football program, so I'm going to focus on Northern Illinois, who has a very good boy responsible for Maction.gif. How good was Northern Illinois's former mascot Diesel? Northern Illinois actually made a statue of him high-fiving that sits outside the stadium. He is an incredibly good boy and we were all lucky to have known him.
San Diego State vs. Ohio (-2.5) - LIVE FROM FRISCO, IT'S THE DXL FRISCO BOWL! I actually have no idea where Frisco Texas is, as I live in the good state of California so why bother learning about other states honestly, so I did some research. Frisco is actually part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, and from what I can tell it is basically just one giant suburb for people who work in Dallas. The most exciting thing on the Wikipedia page for this city is that the first season of Dallas was filmed on location here, so you can see why DXL was clamoring to host a bowl game in this area. I can see the tourism slogan right now: "Visit Frisco, and see how Dallas-adjacent your life can be!"
Marshall (-2.5) vs. South Florida - LIVE FROM TAMPA, IT'S THE BAD BOY MOWERS GASPARILLA BOWL! In a hilarious instance of the universe being cruel, South Florida is in this game, which is funny because Raymond James Stadium also happens to be South Florida's home stadium. It'd be like if UCLA made the Rose Bowl game, except not really because the Rose Bowl is an actual good game and not a bowl game you only know because Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl is the best bowl name since Beef O'Bradys had a sponsorship. Also Marshall is here! You have to respect Marshall for willingly taking a game against Virginia Tech on the fly during the season, and then graciously rolling over so that VT's bowl streak could continue. Takes real courage.
Toledo (-5.5) vs. Florida International - LIVE FROM BEAUTIFUL NASSAU, IT'S THE MAKERS WANTED BAHAMAS BOWL! Folks, the Bahamas Bowl is one of the best bowl games of the year, and not because of the game itself, but rather for the amazing atmosphere that surrounds the game. I'm sure you all have read this before but I'm going to just post this straight from the source. Enjoy y'all!
Brigham Young (-11.5) vs. Western Michigan - LIVE FROM BOISE, IT'S THE FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL! This game used to be a big deal, thanks to things like the Smurf Turf and Boise State always getting stuck here despite being a very good team, but they've outgrown their roots (get it? Cause potatoes are a root vegetable? Damn I am a wordsmith) so we're stuck with two underwhelming teams. The only one I really want to mention is BYU, who we last saw blowing a huge lead to their rival Utah, who would go on to win the game and then play in the Pac-12 Championship Game, a thing they were able to do because they are in a Power 5 conference and BYU is not, and a Utah friend of mine wanted you to know that.
Wake Forest vs. Memphis (-4.5) - LIVE FROM BIRMINGHAM, IT'S THE JARED BIRMINGHAM BOWL! I'm morbidly curious as to what leads a brand to sponsor a bowl game. For bigger games like the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, I get it. It's a big game. Then you have games like the Belk Bowl or Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, where people know your brand thanks to the game and it's become integral to your identity in the marketplace. And then you have this game, where Jared is sponsoring a bowl game in Birmingham, and I'm just dumbfounded. Anyway, Memphis is a solid team who twice had opportunities to knock off defending National Champion UCF this year, while Wake Forest is a fine team last seen bombing Duke into a fine dust, which was at least incredibly funny.
Houston vs. Army (-2.5) - LIVE FROM FORT WORTH, IT'S THE LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL! And while everyone in the stadium will remain standing out of respect for the troops, this should be a very good game. Army's offense has the ability to limit how many chances Houston has with the ball thanks to their ability to grind out drives, while the Cougars will be without the services of future top-5 NFL Draft pick Ed Oliver, which definitely won't hurt them against Army's ridiculous triple-option attack.
Buffalo (-2.5) vs. Troy - LIVE FROM MOBILE, IT'S THE DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL! Buffalo was the best team in the MAC this year before losing a heartbreaker to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game, while Troy was the second-best team in the Fun Belt, with their only conference loss coming to eventual-champion App State. Both of these teams also went 1-0 in the B1G, which I only mention because it's funny to think about, even though Nebraska didn't have a great season in general and B1G fans are still pretending Rutgers doesn't exist. Point is, both of these teams have something to prove, which should lead to a fantastic game befitting of it's primetime slot.
Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech (EVEN) - LIVE FROM HONOLULU, IT'S THE SOFI HAWAII BOWL! Because I don't want to talk about this game itself, I do want to begin lamenting the eventual end of Aloha Stadium, which is one of the coolest stadium designs I can think of. The stadium consisted of multiple giant moveable sections of seating that could be rotated to create optimal seating setups for both football and baseball, before they were finally locked in to the football configuration in 2007 thanks to the system having too many issues. The stadium itself is in desperate need of renovation, and there are currently plans to potentially replace the stadium with a new structure rather than continue to try and spend a ton of money just to prevent Aloha Stadium from crumbling. It's probably a needed step, but it is sad to see one of football's more unique stadiums, in one of its more remote outposts, on its last legs.
In further evidence that Nick Saban is an amoral goose who does not care about his players beyond their performance, guess who's working at Alabama now?
According to Matt Zenitz of AL.com, Durkin has been working for the top-ranked, undefeated Crimson Tide “in a consultant-like capacity” over the past week. While Zenitz reports it’s unclear whether the role will lead to something more permanent, it represents Durkin’s first step back into college football less than two months after being driven out as Maryland’s head coach, and less than half a year after sophomore offensive lineman Jordan McNair died of heatstroke that was not treated properly. Here’s what the parent of a Maryland player said about Durkin way back in 2016:
“Are any of you aware or do you even care about the number of student athletes suffering from severe emotional distress because of the abusive actions of Coach Durkin?” it asked. “His actions are extreme and outrageous; intentional and reckless, and the sole cause of the emotional distress.”
Fuck Durkin for being a sociopathic murdering goose, fuck Saban for being the sort of amoral goose who would hire the above, and fuck the motherfucking NCAA for letting this happen.
Saban’s whole thing is hiring disgraced fired head coaches as assistants
yeah but this is beyond the pale, like, i'm a big alabama homer and I think the rehabilitation thing is funny because it just keeps happening, but this is not a good look.
Aside from being dubiously ethical, we have a ton of recruits currently committed from the DMV area, how do you think that looks to them? Not great, I'll bet. We literally just sent our OC to be their new head coach.
The actual reporting on this is that he's watching film with the defensive staff and offering input. He's not hired, he's not working with students, he's not anything, really. It's still a dumb move.
I agree that the durkin thing is gross, and I hope after some pressure he is let go, but your hard on for hating saban is so funny
Why is it funny to hate a man who treats his players as disposable resources, has no compunctions about fucking them over if he benefits, but will put on airs of false piety if a player tries to make a move that benefits them but not Saban?
Nick Saban is the incarnation of everything wrong with the NCAA.
Posts
I also remember past year bias coming into effect for Ohio state one year because of the big 10 shitting the bed in the previous two though. They probably got it right that year though. I didn't think the big 10 was that strong that year.
If Norte dame shits the bed though I'll sit her smiling smugly though lol.
Being a Miami dolphins fan and hating nick saban I hate saying this, but Alabama is a step ahead of everyone and Clemson is close behind. S+ and S tier.
Also, with Maryland’s and tOSU’s respective dramas, this past year, that it might be best for the B10, NOT to be represented this postseason?
Only because a) the NCAA gives Saban all the cards and b) Saban is amoral enough to exploit that to its fullest extent (see the incident earlier this year where he blocked a player from going to the grad school he wanted to because it was in the SEC, then complained about being made into the bad guy because, after all, the rules said he could.) Saban is the poster child for what is wrong with the NCAA, and it's those aspects that were a good part of why he failed in the NFL. When the system finally collapses, I fully expect he will retire once he has to treat players fairly.
If it wasn't for UCF''s injury you'd have a hotly contested debate (although I do wonder if they'd actually he considered. But a play in game I could see them getting accepted to) about 3, 4, 5, and 6. As it is, the last couple of years, I could easily see an expansion to 5 teams with 4 and 5 playing a play in game, there's also the option of 5 and 6 with 1 and 2 getting a bye but I think expanding it to 5 might be the sweet spot / all you'll get out of the people who decide these things.
Edit I only bring up UCF because as it stands they never have a chance of getting in. If it's expanded to 5 or 6, and there's a play in game so to speak, then they would he considered at least once if not for a "told you so" letting then in.
Fresno State is a better team than UCF, and no one is clamoring for Fresno State to be in the playoffs.
Haha what the fuck
PSN/Steam/NNID: SyphonBlue | BNet: SyphonBlue#1126
He's said this before, and turned up in a new HC slot. That, along with everything that happened at the start of the season, is why people are...skeptical about that being the story.
Dude, he’s dropped to the ground in pain during a game. I find it a little disgusting when people have the attitude that a serious health problem is an “excuse.”
Alright, his health shouldn't be called an excuse. But it's hard to look at this and not be reminded of how he left Florida.
You shut your lying beak.
Klackons have manidibles, not beaks!
One of my favorite things to do as a child was save total victory gamestates.
And I had over a hundred.
Please.
He’d coach the Bulrathi.
He’s all about that ground game.
Sure everyone ends up a horribly broken shell of a person, but holy fuck do you win
Until you don't.
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades
I mean really it's just too perfect a match.
Random tweet, video is from Freeze's press conference today.
Yes. He actually said that.
A note before we begin: In order to make things more difficult for everyone involved (and mostly out of spite, honestly), every game during bowl season will be AGAINST THE SPREAD. There is also not a traditional GAME OF THE CENTURY OF THE WEEK during bowl season, so the points will be handed out a little differently. Normal bowl games will be worth 1 point, New Years Six bowl games are worth 2 points, College Football Playoff semifinal games are worth 4, and the BCS CFP Championship Game is worth a whopping 8 points. All right, let's get into this!
Tulane (-3.5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette - LIVE FROM ORLANDO, IT'S THE AUTONATION CURE BOWL! And we managed to start out with what could actually be a pretty good little football game. Tulane ended the year in a 3-way tie for the AAC West Division with Memphis and Houston. The Green Wave have a pretty solid defense but their offense is a problem, which explains why Tulane fired their OC after the season. Meanwhile, ULL won the Fun Belt's West Division, and their record is a bit deceiving - the Ragin' Cajuns have four losses to App State (twice), Mississippi State, and Alabama (where they managed to score points, LSU). The only problem to this game? It's on CBS Sports Network, so unless you're a crazy person like me who somehow has every sports channel available, you might have some difficulty watching this.
Utah State (-9.5) vs. North Texas - LIVE FROM ALBUQUERQUE, IT'S THE NEW MEXICO BOWL! Full disclosure: I have no idea where ESPN gets its betting lines, because they're the only place listing Utah State as the underdog, as everyone else has them at this specific line. To be fair, I could see how that line could shift so drastically considering Utah State's head coach is now in charge at Texas Tech, while reports are the school is getting ready to bring back Gary Anderson, who had a few solid years at Wisconsin before leaving for Oregon State and [DATA NOT FOUND]. North Texas, meanwhile, is a rather solid team that has wins over SMU and Arkansas (ok to be fair here, everyone has a win over Arkansas this year. You probably have one and didn't even realize it). Most notably, their head coach Seth Littrell recently announced he was staying at the school despite getting overtures for a number of jobs, which honestly is probably the right call, but it's still cool when a school like North Texas is able to keep their in-demand coach.
Arizona State vs. #21 Fresno State (-4.5) - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, IT'S THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS LAS VEGAS BOWL! I just want to say how proud I am of Herm Edwards, who has made Arizona State fans exceedingly happy about putting up the exact same record and placement in the Pac-12 that they had last year with Todd Graham, and will end the season by getting blown out of the water by Fresno State. I'm sure he'll spend plenty of time staring at the new Raiders stadium construction, silently plotting his triumphant return to the Jets.
Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern (EVEN) - LIVE FROM MONTGOMERY, IT'S THE RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL! There's some fascinating storylines here: for Georgia Southern, they decided to keep around their interim coach from last year in Chad Lunsford, who rewarded the decision makers by leading the Eagles to a 9-win season, tied for the most ever by GSU at the FBS level. Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, has made their second bowl game in 3 years after ending a drought that had been going on since 1987. Did I basically restate everything listed from a handy ESPN article discussing every bowl game? You bet I did. I honestly do not give a SHIT about this game, and I am going to cut as many corners as possible to get to the end.
Middle Tennessee State vs. Appalachian State (-6.5) - LIVE FROM THE SUPERDOME, IT'S THE R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL! And damn this game should be fire. Middle Tennessee State won their division of Conference USA before losing a heartbreaker to UAB in the CUSA Championship game thanks to a 12 men on the field penalty. App State won the Fun Belt in convincing fashion, but they did just lose their head coach to Louisville as a result. This game also managed to get prime positioning on a Saturday, which is appropriate.
Northern Illinois vs. Alabama-Birmingham (-2.5) - LIVE FROM BOCA RATON, IT'S THE CHERIBUNDI BOCA RATON BOWL! We have not been very subtle of our love of UAB, Alabama's premier football program, so I'm going to focus on Northern Illinois, who has a very good boy responsible for Maction.gif. How good was Northern Illinois's former mascot Diesel? Northern Illinois actually made a statue of him high-fiving that sits outside the stadium. He is an incredibly good boy and we were all lucky to have known him.
San Diego State vs. Ohio (-2.5) - LIVE FROM FRISCO, IT'S THE DXL FRISCO BOWL! I actually have no idea where Frisco Texas is, as I live in the good state of California so why bother learning about other states honestly, so I did some research. Frisco is actually part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, and from what I can tell it is basically just one giant suburb for people who work in Dallas. The most exciting thing on the Wikipedia page for this city is that the first season of Dallas was filmed on location here, so you can see why DXL was clamoring to host a bowl game in this area. I can see the tourism slogan right now: "Visit Frisco, and see how Dallas-adjacent your life can be!"
Marshall (-2.5) vs. South Florida - LIVE FROM TAMPA, IT'S THE BAD BOY MOWERS GASPARILLA BOWL! In a hilarious instance of the universe being cruel, South Florida is in this game, which is funny because Raymond James Stadium also happens to be South Florida's home stadium. It'd be like if UCLA made the Rose Bowl game, except not really because the Rose Bowl is an actual good game and not a bowl game you only know because Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl is the best bowl name since Beef O'Bradys had a sponsorship. Also Marshall is here! You have to respect Marshall for willingly taking a game against Virginia Tech on the fly during the season, and then graciously rolling over so that VT's bowl streak could continue. Takes real courage.
Toledo (-5.5) vs. Florida International - LIVE FROM BEAUTIFUL NASSAU, IT'S THE MAKERS WANTED BAHAMAS BOWL! Folks, the Bahamas Bowl is one of the best bowl games of the year, and not because of the game itself, but rather for the amazing atmosphere that surrounds the game. I'm sure you all have read this before but I'm going to just post this straight from the source. Enjoy y'all!
Brigham Young (-11.5) vs. Western Michigan - LIVE FROM BOISE, IT'S THE FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL! This game used to be a big deal, thanks to things like the Smurf Turf and Boise State always getting stuck here despite being a very good team, but they've outgrown their roots (get it? Cause potatoes are a root vegetable? Damn I am a wordsmith) so we're stuck with two underwhelming teams. The only one I really want to mention is BYU, who we last saw blowing a huge lead to their rival Utah, who would go on to win the game and then play in the Pac-12 Championship Game, a thing they were able to do because they are in a Power 5 conference and BYU is not, and a Utah friend of mine wanted you to know that.
Wake Forest vs. Memphis (-4.5) - LIVE FROM BIRMINGHAM, IT'S THE JARED BIRMINGHAM BOWL! I'm morbidly curious as to what leads a brand to sponsor a bowl game. For bigger games like the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, I get it. It's a big game. Then you have games like the Belk Bowl or Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, where people know your brand thanks to the game and it's become integral to your identity in the marketplace. And then you have this game, where Jared is sponsoring a bowl game in Birmingham, and I'm just dumbfounded. Anyway, Memphis is a solid team who twice had opportunities to knock off defending National Champion UCF this year, while Wake Forest is a fine team last seen bombing Duke into a fine dust, which was at least incredibly funny.
Houston vs. Army (-2.5) - LIVE FROM FORT WORTH, IT'S THE LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL! And while everyone in the stadium will remain standing out of respect for the troops, this should be a very good game. Army's offense has the ability to limit how many chances Houston has with the ball thanks to their ability to grind out drives, while the Cougars will be without the services of future top-5 NFL Draft pick Ed Oliver, which definitely won't hurt them against Army's ridiculous triple-option attack.
Buffalo (-2.5) vs. Troy - LIVE FROM MOBILE, IT'S THE DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL! Buffalo was the best team in the MAC this year before losing a heartbreaker to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game, while Troy was the second-best team in the Fun Belt, with their only conference loss coming to eventual-champion App State. Both of these teams also went 1-0 in the B1G, which I only mention because it's funny to think about, even though Nebraska didn't have a great season in general and B1G fans are still pretending Rutgers doesn't exist. Point is, both of these teams have something to prove, which should lead to a fantastic game befitting of it's primetime slot.
Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech (EVEN) - LIVE FROM HONOLULU, IT'S THE SOFI HAWAII BOWL! Because I don't want to talk about this game itself, I do want to begin lamenting the eventual end of Aloha Stadium, which is one of the coolest stadium designs I can think of. The stadium consisted of multiple giant moveable sections of seating that could be rotated to create optimal seating setups for both football and baseball, before they were finally locked in to the football configuration in 2007 thanks to the system having too many issues. The stadium itself is in desperate need of renovation, and there are currently plans to potentially replace the stadium with a new structure rather than continue to try and spend a ton of money just to prevent Aloha Stadium from crumbling. It's probably a needed step, but it is sad to see one of football's more unique stadiums, in one of its more remote outposts, on its last legs.
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Fuck Durkin for being a sociopathic murdering goose, fuck Saban for being the sort of amoral goose who would hire the above, and fuck the motherfucking NCAA for letting this happen.
yeah but this is beyond the pale, like, i'm a big alabama homer and I think the rehabilitation thing is funny because it just keeps happening, but this is not a good look.
Aside from being dubiously ethical, we have a ton of recruits currently committed from the DMV area, how do you think that looks to them? Not great, I'll bet. We literally just sent our OC to be their new head coach.
The actual reporting on this is that he's watching film with the defensive staff and offering input. He's not hired, he's not working with students, he's not anything, really. It's still a dumb move.
Why is it funny to hate a man who treats his players as disposable resources, has no compunctions about fucking them over if he benefits, but will put on airs of false piety if a player tries to make a move that benefits them but not Saban?
Nick Saban is the incarnation of everything wrong with the NCAA.