Surviving “Paradise” on Wednesday, and Kobe has a better outing!

Surviving ParadiseIt is Wednesday, that day of the week when I promote my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  Hey, it sure would make a nice Christmas gift, stocking stuffer (not for the very young!).  Follow a Southern woman who relocates to Southwest Florida, full of hope and great expectations, only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  Full of comedy and drama, all in once wacky little neighborhood!  It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition, and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Try it, I think you will like it!

In NBA news..Mr. Bryant (Kobe Bryant of course) made his second start last evening in LA against the Suns.  The Lakers lost, again, but Kobe had a much better outing than on Sunday night.  He led the Lakers with 20 points, and also had two rebounds, 3 assists, and only 3 turnovers (much improved over the eight he had on Sunday in the loss to the Raptors).  The Lakers trailed by ten in the second half but managed to pull to within four, largely due to the leadership of Kobe.  Don’t blink because if you do you will miss it.  Kobe is more of a play maker in the early stages of his return from major surgery on his torn achilles, but in very short order he will once again be Kobe the shot maker as well!!

Moving to tennis…just happened to catch a replay of Federer losing to Tsonga last night in this past year’s French Open quarterfinals.  Not a happy viewing, but do not despair Fed fans…Roger is primed to have a much better 2014.  Also in case any of you did not know, Roger once again took home three year end awards.  He won the fan favorite (when does he not?), the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, and the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award.  Just goes to show what I always say, he is one of the classiest if not the classiest guy in all of sports!  Peyton Manning is up there as well.

ABC hit drama Nashville returns with another new episode tonight at 10:00 pm EST.  Be there or be square!

P.S. Someone may die, or maybe not?  Um…

Just picked up the GQ Men of the Year Magazine edition with non other than Matthew McConaughey on the cover! All Right, All Right, All Right!!!


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Kobe returns and Lakers fall to the Raptors, 106 – 94

Kobe Bryant returned to action last night in LA as the Lakers fell to the Toronto Raptors, 106 – 94.  The Lakers were 10 – 9 coming in but had won 6 of their last 8 games.  Kobe was his own harshest critic (imagine that!).  He finished with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 8 turnovers.  The problem, turnovers and he looked rusty for sure.  But hey guys, he needs real playing time in game competition.  The speed of the game was definitely something he looked uncomfortable with.  He will also need time to acclimate himself back into the Lakers’ style of play under D’Antoni.  He will be OK!!!  I mean really, he is returning after eight months away from the game, recovering from an achilles injury that has ended the career of many a sports player.  So give it up for Kobe Bryant.  He has worked hard and fought his way back into shape, needs time to adjust to real time play and gain confidence that his foot, ankles, and legs are going to hold up and not let him down.  I have no doubt that Kobe will be playing much better after a couple more outings.  As for the Lakers…are they going to be a playoff team?  Time will tell.  Injuries continue to plague them…Nash not due back for a couple more weeks so when Steve Blake is not at the point, that responsibility will fall to Kobe until then.  I thought he did not look nearly as bad as he thought he looked but that is typical of Kobe..always the perfectionist.  Settle down folks, Mr. Bryant as we all know and love him will be back with us very soon!

Meanwhile…all the Bowl matchups were announced on ESPN last night.  In case you were hiding under a rock, 1 FSU and 2 Auburn will meet in the final BCS National Championship.  FSU is early on a clear favorite but Auburn seems like a team of destiny.  A lot of time to debate this game, slice it and dice it every which way but loose between now and January 6, 2014.

My team, Georgia Tech (or at least one of them since I do like Pac 12 football and root for both Oregon and Stanford), will in fact play in Nashville at the Music City Bowl on December 30th at 3:30 pm EST vs. Ole Miss.  I like it…another ACC vs. SEC game.  The dawgs, that other team from Georgia, UGA will play in Jacksonville (a place they know and love due to the annual meeting with Florida) against Nebraska on January 1st at noon.  That would be the Gator Bowl in case you do not know.  The Capital One Bowl will feature South Carolina vs. Wisconsin.  I think both those games will be great match ups as well.  And how about Duke, playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Texas A & M in perhaps Johnny Manziel’s last collegiate game!

Until later…

Just in..the 2013 Heisman Trophy Award finalists! Jordan Lynch (Northern Illinois), Johnny Manziel (Texas A & M), Tre Mason (Auburn), A J McCarron (Alabama), Andre Williams (Boston College) and Jameis Winston (FSU).


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Final BCS Poll is out…no real surprises!

And here it is…the final BCS Poll in this the last year of the BCS.  1 FSU, 2 Auburn, 3 Alabama, 4 Michigan State, 5 Stanford, 6 Baylor, 7 Ohio State, 8 Missouri, 9 South Carolina and 10 Oregon.  Thank you BCS for recognizing two Pac 12 teams!  In case you did not know it, Stanford has the longest consecutive BCS bowl game appearances of any team in the country!

OK, now the for BCS Bowl games: The National Championship in Pasadena on January 6, 2014, 1 FSU vs. 2 Auburn.  I don’t think anyone can complain about this matchup.  Currently, FSU is a 8 1/2 point favorite.  Um…really?  Auburn seems like a team of destiny to me right now but I guess we will wait and see…still have to get through Christmas and New Years!

Rose Bowl: 4 Michigan State vs. 5 Stanford.  Going to be a great game…maybe the number one game I want to see (close to the National Title game!)

Orange Bowl: 7 Ohio State vs. 12 Clemson.  Oh..what could have been for both these teams.

Sugar Bowl: 3 Alabama vs. 11 Oklahoma.  Bama coming off huge disappointment of losing the Iron Bowl (and the manner in which they lost it!)  Oklahoma coming off a huge upset victory over instate rival, Oklahoma State, knocking them out of a BCS Bowl!

Fiesta Bowl: 6 Baylor vs. 15 UCF.  Sounds kind of like a subplot compared to the above, uh?  Still, Baylor can rock the socks off anyone as far as putting up points and UCF and head coach George O’Leary have had a tremendous season.

So folks, there you have it…the final BCS Poll and the BCS Bowl matchups.  Many other teams will find out tonight where they will go bowling.  Tune into ESPN to find out where your team is heading!

9:30 pm EST Kobe Bryant returns.  He’s back and I will be watching him and at 10:00 pm EST, Betrayal on ABC.

Also, next Saturday, the 114th meeting between Army and Navy at 3:00 pm EST.  This is a rivalry game on a whole other level.  Always a privilege to watch!

Until tomorrow…good night!


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CFB Polls out! Broncos vs. Titans and more…

AP and Coaches Polls are out and here they are!

AP Poll: 1 FSU (56), 2 Auburn (4), 3 Alabama, 4 Michigan State, 5 Stanford, 6 Baylor, 7 Ohio State, 8 South Carolina, 9 Missouri, and 10 Oregon.

Coaches Poll: 1 FSU (62, all first place votes), 2 Auburn, 3 Alabama, 4 Michigan State, 5 Baylor, 6 Ohio State, 7 Stanford (really? no respect for Stanford in the Coaches Poll!), 8 South Carolina, 9 Missouri, and 10 Oklahoma.

Will be interesting given the few discrepancies between these two polls to see how the BCS shakes out later tonight.  I have a feeling 1, 2, and 3 will be the same…FSU, Auburn and Bama.

Also tonight we will have the Bowl Selection special on ESPN…all three hours of it.  Expect to see FSU and Auburn for the National Championship game in Pasadena.  Also expect to see Stanford (Pac 12) and Michigan State (Bis 10) in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.  Rest will be interesting to say the least!  Wonder where my GT Yellow Jackets will wind up?  Perhaps the Music City Bowl in Nashville (rumored opponent to be Ole Miss?)

NFL action underway today and the Falcons blew in on the frozen tundra in Green Bay, losing 22 – 21.  Really bad year for the Falcons (Aaron Rodgers is still not playing for the Packers).  Peyton and the Denver Broncos are hosting the Tennessee Titans and it is COLD in Denver.  Supposedly, Peyton cannot play in cold weather??? (has a 1 – 5 record in “cold weather games”)  Anyhow…I believe Peyton can play in cold weather.  Interesting match up for me…#91 Derrick Morgan is playing for the Titans and of course, #88 is Be Be Thomas, WR for the Broncos.  Both these guys were teammates on the Georgia Tech 2009 ACC Championship team.   The Titans lead the Broncos 14 – 10 in the first half.  Important to note that  John Fox (head coach of the Broncos) is on the sidelines coaching his first game since heart surgery! See below.

Also on tonight, in case you may want a diversion from BCS and NFL…new episode of Betrayal on ABC at 10:00 pm EST.  I love this show!!

Also, Kobe Bryant makes his long awaited return tonight in LA as the Lakers host the Toronto Raptors.  Welcome back Kobe!!

Update: Apparently Peyton Manning can both play in and win a cold weather football game!  Broncos over the Titans, 51- 28.  Peyton throws for 397 yards, 39/59 (with at least five dropped balls, must be that cold weather) and 4 TD’s.  The Broncos had 90 offensive plays and welcomed back head coach John Fox in style.  This game also saw Denver kick the longest field goal in NFL history.  (Prater – 64 yards)  So…I think Manning is A – OK in cold weather.


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2 Ohio State falls to 10 Michigan State..opens door for Auburn in National title game?

In the house that Peyton built (Lucas Oil Stadium) on a cold night in Indy…2 Ohio State came up short against the Spartans of Michigan State (#11), losing for the first time since 2011 , 34 – 24.  The Buckeye trailed early, 20 – 0 and with the tough, aggressive defense of MSU, things looked bad for Ohio State’s bid to make it to the National Title game in Pasadena.  They did come back and tie the game 17 – 17 and also took the lead which after that swung back and forth, 24 – 20.  Then Michigan State went up 27 – 24 and eventually 34 – 24 to find itself “coming up roses” ie., a trip to Pasadena in store for them to play in the Rose Bowl against 7 Stanford, who won the Pac 12 with a decisive victory over 11 Arizona State (at Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona).  For Ohio State, both Miller and Hyde rushed each for 100+ yards.  But the defense of Michigan State, led bv All America CB Dennard, was all it has been hyped to be.  The broken up pass play in the endzone by Dennard was a thing of beauty and kept Ohio State at bay once they had fallen behind again.  So…with their bid to go undefeated for the second time under Urban Meyer failing to happen, thus likely no trip to Pasadena for the Buckeyes to face FSU in the National Title game.  The door just swung open after this loss and one would have to expect SEC Champion Auburn is ready to run right on through it and head to Pasadena as well.

7 Stanford traveled to play 11 Arizona State on the road and scored three TD’s on their first three possessions.  They were up 21 – 7, 28 – 7, 38 – 14 and eventually 38 – 14 for the win.  Disappointing performance by Arizona State.  Tremendous performance by the Cardinals, especially Hogan at QB and Tyler Gaffney at RB.  Stanford wins it’s second consecutive Pac 12 Championship and will play in the Rose Bowl for the second straight year.

That other team expected to play in the National Title game, 1 FSU, had very little trouble with 20 Duke in the ACC Championship game, winning 45 – 7.  All credit to Duke for coming in at 10 – 2, winning the Coastal Division outright, and kudos to Coach David Cutcliffe, the National Coach of the Year Award winner.  But the explosiveness of FSU was too much for Duke after an early fumble by the Noles led to a missed field goal attempt by the Dukies.  After that it was all FSU.  Winston finished with over 300 yards passing, 4 TD’s and 2 interceptions.  (One knock on Winston, he does throw a lot of interceptions?)  Oh well, that is the only knock, he and the Noles were outstanding!

So, perhaps a SEC – ACC matchup in the National Title game in the 16th and FINAL year of the BCS?  Looks that way, the polls tomorrow should be interesting.  I can’t wait to see how far Stanford moves up (gee, that loss at USC was costly!)  Bowl Selection will be on ESPN Sunday night!  I am going to say I think Auburn jumps Ohio State in the BCS and plays FSU for the BCS Championship! What do you thing?


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3 Auburn wins SEC Title! Disappointment for 6 OK State..

It’s Auburn…2013 SEC Champions with a 59 – 42 victory over Missouri at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  What a ball game!!  I have to admit, I was pulling for Mizz just a little bit (apologies to my oldest daughter, an Auburn grad).   Anyhow, this was a gem of a football game…close right up until the mid way point in the 4th quarter.  Whoever had the ball…scored.  Turnovers played a roll, especially in the first half.  Auburn had two fumbles which resulted in ten points for Missouri.  Then Missouri returned the favor.  And then there was the onside kick recovered by Auburn.  Cannot say the “Tigers”, it will get confusing…both are Tigers.  The star of the game, Tre Mason with 300 yards total offense.  Appropriately named the player of the game.  Kieth Marshall, Auburn QB was a star as well.  Have to applaud the Missouri Tigers and their QB James Franklin and especially RB Henry Josey.  What a story, coming back from a horrific knee injury suffered against Texas last year.  What a year and what a player.  The out of bounds hit on him by White of Auburn was bad…should he have been ejected?  Does not matter now, Auburn rules the SEC and now awaits the outcome of 2 Ohio State vs. 10 Michigan State.  Kickoff is at 8:00 pm EST tonight!

Earlier today, 6 Oklahoma State blew their chance at a BCS bowl berth going down to instate rival Oklahoma, 33 – 24. (They don’t call this game “Bedlam” without reason..you had to see it!)   These rivalry games are something else…trend from last weekend continued.  Now, 9 Baylor who prevailed over 25 Texas, 30 – 10, will get the automatic BCS Bowl berth to represent the Big 12.  16 UCF was victorious over SMU 17 – 13 and what a job head coach George O’Leary has done in Orlando.  It has been really cold at these games…the SEC Championship was indoors thankfully as it is not the most pleasant of weather in the ATL.

Pac 12 Championship game is in the first quarter and 7 Stanford leads 11 Arizona State, 21 – 7.  These guys are playing for a trip to Pasadena, but not for the National Title game but for the Rose Bowl.  Still quite a prize!

OK…over and out for now.  2 Ohio State vs. 11 Michigan State just getting started as is the ACC Championship game in Charlotte with 2 FUS vs. 20 Duke.  How about the Dukies!  More later..or tomorrow?

Hard to keep up with all these games…need multiple TVs!


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Jameis Winston will not be charged with criminal sexual assault…

OK folks…this is a difficult and sensitive post to write.  It was announced today in Tallahassee by the Attorney General that Jameis Winston would not face criminal charges in the alleged sexual assault  case that has been hanging over his head and the cloud that has hung over the FSU program for quite awhile…since December 2012 to be exact.  Gee…I need to think about what I say here I think.  My daughter is a FSU grad…very loyal to her Noles and she has been texting me all day!  I was at Padriacs (my blog sponsor) having a late afternoon lunch/dinner and the texts were coming in droves.  What can you say?  Was anyone really surprised by the decision that came down in Tallahassee today?  I was not.  The consensus is that the alleged victim was not credible and that lapses in her memory make it impossible to compel a criminal case of rape against star QB Winston.  Well, OK…let’s wait and see what the public records show regarding her exam at the hospital after the “incident”.  Also, who would have expected the two male witnesses to the “consensual sexual encounter” to testify against Winston?  At the end of the day, this story is ugly,  just like I have said before on numerous occasions.  She was drinking but by the time she went to the hospital, her blood alcohol content was not above the legal limit.  It probably was earlier.  The DNA on her shorts was her boyfriend’s DNA.  She did not want to identify him.  The DNA on her underwear was that of Winston’s.  So…gee…this is really gross.  The fact that two males witnessed the encounter between her and Jameis Winston is perplexing and gross.  Still, was it consensual or rape?  We will likely NEVER know.  That is the TRUTH!  Meanwhile, he will likely win the Heisman, after all there are no other strong candidates.  If based on performance on the field, he wins hands down.  Manziel, Mariota, and others have dropped off in consideration.  Lynch of Northern Illinois just does not play for a big enough program.  If there were closer candidates, he might drop in consideration inspite of today’s press conference.  But, he will probably win the Heisman, FSU will probably play for the National title.  Still, he will lose some votes, and a cloud still hangs overhead.  No one wants to see a young man go to jail for rape and have his life ruined if he is innocent.  The accuser has seen her life change forever.  She wanted to let this go…move on and then a reporter leaked the story, her family and an attorney got involved and she cannot ever return to school at FSU.  This a college town and the police mangled this whole case from the beginning.  I am familiar with the inadequacies of Florida Law Enforcement (see my book Surviving “Paradise), but is this any different from any other small college football town?  Probably not.  Will she now pursue civil charges?  Time will tell.  The burden of proof is lower, Winston would be required to testify.  This is all in the future.  The present is now and Winston is free and clear of this burden.  He can continue to play and pursue the dream of winning a National Championship at FSU.

Many ESPN commentators have criticized the “jovial” nature of today’s press conference.  I thought it was a bit “snarky”.  The TPD handled this case badly, it could have and should have been resolved earlier this year.  This complaint was filed in December of 2012.  This could have been over by March of this year.  It was not and has become a UGLY story..no matter the outcome today.  Why did two male witnesses watch a sexual encounter between these two individuals?  Why did she consider it rape and he consider it “consensual sex”?  This is the whole murky dilemma of “date rape”.  We used to consider rape as a situation where someone jumped out of the bushes and attacked you.  That is no longer the case.  In today’s world, men are accused with reckless abandon.  Still, there is something about this case, and certainly the way in which it was handled that just seems “OFF”.  Non the less, as of today, Winston is free and clear of any criminal charges.

In other and perhaps highly more significant news…Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.  What a great human being.  So, we turn our attention to the passing of a true hero, a man who fought for equality and dignity and turn away from the ugliness that was (and perhaps still is) in Tallahassee.

This weekend the conference championship games will go on!  Pac 12 – Stanford vs. Arizona State: SEC – Auburn vs. Missouri; ACC – FSU vs. Duke (yes, Duke!); Big 10 – Ohio State vs. Michigan State.

In pop culture…advertisements for the movie American Hustle look really, really good.  David O. Russell directing with Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner.  This should be out December 18th.

 


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Surviving “Paradise” and have you done your Christmas shopping?

Tis the season people!!  Just about finished up my Christmas shopping today…what about you guys?  How about my book Surviving “Paradise” as a gift, stocking stuffer (not for young children!) or both?  It is a very funny and entertaining drama/comedy about a southern woman who relocates to southwest Florida only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  I had a young man from California tell me this past weekend that he found it so funny and enlightening as far as the difference between living on the water and living “inland” amongst the regular folk in Florida.  Anyhow…it is guaranteed to make you laugh and what could be better than that?  It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Give it a try, I think you will like it!Surviving Paradise

Meanwhile, Nashville returns tonight with a new episode on ABC at 10:00 pm EST.  This show has taken some real twists and turns from it’s inaugural season last year.

Still trying to get over the GT loss to UGA this past weekend and that wild finish at the Iron Bowl.  Conference championship games coming up this Saturday…they are going to be really good!

NBA news..Kobe MAY return to action this Friday.  Stay tuned…we shall wait and see..and hope!

Over and out for now! Ho, Ho Ho!


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BCS, Peyton and the Broncos win, and more CFB news (debates?)

OK, BCS is out and here it is!

1 FSU 2 Ohio State, 3 Auburn, 4 Alabama, 5 Missouri, 6 Oklahoma State, 7 Stanford (highest ranked 2 loss team), 8 South Carolina, 9 Baylor and 10 Michigan State.

Come on folks…no real surprise here.  As long as their is a “0” in the loss column, you are going to be ranked ahead of a one loss team.  Now everyone is already wanting to debate, should Auburn be no. 2?  Should Auburn play in the National Title game if they beat Missouri in the SEC Championship game (and believe me people, that is going to be one heck of a ball game in Atlanta) and Ohio State beats Michigan State but is not “impressive”.  Should Auburn move into the title game at no. 2?  What happens if 1FSU should fall to 20 Duke in the ACC Championship game?  Sounds highly unlikely, but crazier things have happened.  At the end of the day, if there are two undefeated teams in this BCS system, they deserve to play in the National Championship game.  This problem gets resolved next year when we move to a playoff system with the top four teams.  Think how awesome that would be, just based on the current rankings!!  Alabama vs. FSU, Ohio State vs. Auburn.  Alas, we  are not there yet and we have one more week of CFB to play.  Sure wish Oregon and/or Stanford were one of those one loss teams in the debate, but they are not, they are two loss teams.  Stanford will play Arizona State (#11) in the Pac 12 Championship game this Saturday for the right to play in the Rose Bowl.

In other CFB news, Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has been named the new head coach at USC.  He is essentially coming home..he was a student at USC and was an assistant coach there for seven years.  A very good hire!  He took a Washington program that was basically awful and made it relevant.  Ed Orgeron, current interim head coach after the firing of Lane Kiffin was so irate that he was not offered the position, he resigned.  Really a shame.  AD Pat Hayden offered him the position of Assistant Head Coach and a bunch of $$$$, but Orgeron was not interested.  Also, Al Grobe has resigned at Wake Forest.  He was the head coach for thirteen years and a complete class act.

In NFL action yesterday,  Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos solidified their hold on their division with an exciting win over the Chiefs in Kansas City, 35 – 28.  Manning threw four TD passes and the Broncos are now 10-2 with the best record in the AFC.

Pop Culture news…Go see Dallas Buyers Club!   This is a great movie, sad, but tremendous performances by both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.  This is not the McConaughey we are used to (“alright, alright, alright”).  Still, he brings a bit of levity to a very serious and important true story.  Can you say Oscar nomination?

Very sad news about the untimely death of Paul Walker…another one gone way too soon.


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Rivalry Weekend..that most favorite time of the year!

Rivalry weekend..that most favorite time of the year!  And it is already underway.  Hope everyone had a good Turkey Day!  Last night, Thanksgiving night, Miss State became bowl eligible with a victory over Ole Miss, 17 – 10 in OT.  Thus, they win the “Egg Bowl”.  You gotta love these names, Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl, Golden Bowl. etc.  Anyhow, first time this match up has been played on Thanksgiving eve, and the winner is..Miss State in OT.  They actually missed an opportunity to win the game in regulation with a field goal.  Also, Texas dismantled Texas Tech, 41 – 16.  Guess Mack Brown will be sticking around?

Today, LSU defeated Arkansas in a very close one, 31 – 27.  Tiger’s QB Zach Mettenberger took a sack in the 4th quarter and could barely limp off the field.  He already had an injured knee, and finished the game on the sidelines on crutches with an ice pack on that same injured knee.  Never mind, back up freshman QB came in and threw the game winning TD pass late in the fourth quarter.  Arkansas had the ball and fumbled with 37 seconds left on the game clock.  The Golden Boot goes to LSU.  Iowa squashed Nebraska and Bo Pelini maybe looking for a job next year (Nebraska head coach).  Washington took care of instate rival Washington State 20 – 10 and Miami defeated Pitt 34 – 21.  The Hurricanes remain alive in the ACC Coastal but need a loss by both Duke at North Carolina and Virginia Tech at Virginia tomorrow.

Currently underway, Oregon leads Oregon State, 17 – 10 and USF leads UCF, 3 – 0.  Both games are in the first half.

Tomorrow, what a day…start your DVR.  You cannot watch them all.  How well I know, as I will be at Grant Field in hopes of checking off one of those bucket list items…see GT beat UGA before I die.  Well, we shall see.  Meanwhile, a huge game will be taking place in Tuscaloosa, Auburn vs. Bama.  That will be what my DVR will be recording.  Also on tap, S. Carolina at Clemson, Texas A & M at Missouri, Duke at North Carolina, FSU at Florida, Ohio State at Michigan, Stanford vs. Notre Dame,  and UCLA at USC.  So, predictions?  Let’s see….GT (I hope), Alabama, Clemson, Missouri, Duke, FSU, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA.  So, there you have it…until tomorrow…we shall wait and see!  GO JACKETS!

P.S. Fresno State (#15) goes down to San Jose State, 62 – 52.  See, anything can happen in a rivalry game!

Update: Oregon 17 – Oregon State 17 at the start of the second half.  Mariota (Oregon QB), two interceptions (two last week against Arizona State as well) and RB Marshall still out!  USF 3 – UCF 3.

Fantastic finish in Oregon!  The Ducks win the “Civil War” for the sixth straight year, 36 – 35 over Oregon State.  Back and forth game, great finish, Mariota throws winning TD to Josh Huff (3 TD’s on the night, senior night and player of the game!)  Really exciting football game.  What happened to Marcus Mariota and the Heisman Trophy?  Why is he MIA as far as candidates?  I love west coast college football.  Also, hands down, best uniforms!

 


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