Oh my…I am still recovering. Yes, I was there…at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field in hopes of seeing Georgia Tech finally beat UGA for the first time since 2008. Starting QB Aaron Murray was out and back up freshman Mason was in. Georgia Tech was up 20 -0 and the place was rocking in the first half (and so was I!). Then Mason began to get his”sea legs” and the dawgs drove down the field as the second half wound down to score a TD. 20 – 7 GT at the half with UGA getting the ball to start the 3rd quarter. Once again, down the field they went, Gurley (RB) getting stronger but the Jackets defense stopped them and they had to settle for a field goal…20 – 10. Jackets offense drives and sputters…UGA drives and scores again…20 – 17. Then GT comes back to life on offense and scores a TD and a field goal to take a 10 point lead. The music is playing, the crowd and the players (myself included) are dancing…then UGA scores 10 points to tie the game. GT has one last gasp and drives down the filed only to face a 4th and long inside the 50 yard line. Everyone is expecting CPJ to go for it, after all that is what he does???? But no, play it safe, short punt and nails UGA on their own 2 yard line with only seconds remaining. So, OT here we come. First OT, UGA wins toss and elects to go on defense. GT scores. Then UGA scores with relative ease. Second OT and GT has the choice and elects to go on Defense???? Really, are you kidding me? The defense has just come off the field and UGA scored with relative ease. WHY NOT GO ON OFFENSE?????? Alas, they did not, Gurley pounded them and UGA scored. Then the Jackets get their turn…and it is fourth and goal…and the pass goes up into the air with multiple touches, (no Auburn miracle here) and ultimately falls to the ground as do I…UGA 41 – GT 34. It had all looked so promising in the first half. GT out gained UGA, they controlled the time of possession but they really did not get enough pressure on the young UGA QB…never mind GT defensive end Attaochu extraordinaire was being held the entire game. Apparently they were not calling “holding” on this night. What a sad and horrible defeat for the Jackets who appeared on their way to a victory over their rivals. It was not to be….we are not lucky…but I will tell you who is…AUBURN!
The Iron Bowl…which I of course had to DVR as I was at the GT-UGA game was something special. How can you really be that lucky, not just once (against UGA) but against #1 Bama as well? Well, you have to be good to be lucky and Auburn was. Yeldon ran what appeared to be the game winning TD but no..he stepped out of bounds. Few seconds left on the clock and Alabama is going for the game winning field goal..only they miss and an Auburn player gathers it in in the endzone and runs it back 109 yards with no time left on the clock for the miraculous win…34 – 28. WOW! (You have all seen this replay on ESPN Sportscenter!) Auburn will now represent the SEC West in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. They will face the SEC East Winner, Missouri who defeated Johnny Manziel and Texas A & M, 28 – 21. Way to go Mizz! Only two years into the SEC and you are playing for the championship. So Auburn vs. Missouri for the SEC next weekend.
Meanwhile, in Gainesville, Florida, FSU had little trouble with the depleted and wounded Gators, winning 37 – 7 inspite of a slow start. They will face Duke (yes, Duke!) in the ACC Championship game as the Dukies kicked a game winning field goal as time was running out to defeat North Carolina, 27 – 25. Ohio State prevailed over rival Michigan, thanks in part to a brave decision by Brady Hoke and the Wolverines to go for two points after scoring with time expiring. It failed and Ohio State remains undefeated and will now face Michigan State for the Big 10 Championship and perhaps a trip to Pasadena for the National Title game. By the way, things got a bit ugly as three players were ejected in a “brawl”. South Carolina took care of Clemson with ease, 31 – 17 as the “ole ball coach” and the Gamecocks let the visiting Tigers know…not so fast, not happening here! Pac 12 action saw UCLA defeat USC, 35 – 14. Second year in a row the Jim Mora coached Bruins have defeated the Trojans. Arizona State took care of in state rival Arizona, 51 – 21 and will face Stanford (winner over Notre Dame, 27 – 20) for the Pac 12 Championship and most likely a trip to the Rose Bowl. Very disappointed that neither Stanford or Oregon could avoid those two losses and be one of the teams poised to play in the National Title game. I wanted to see a west coast team in the title game in this last year of the “BCS”.
So the AP and Coaches Polls are out (BCS out later tonight but do not expect any difference as far as the top three/four).
AP Poll: 1 FSU (58) and first time since 2000, 2 Ohio State, 3 Auburn (2), 4 Alabama, 5 Missouri, 6 Oklahoma State, 7 Stanford, 8 South Carolina, 9 Baylor, and 10 Michigan State.
Coaches Poll: 1 FSU (58), 2 Ohio State (4) some love for the the Buckeyes in the Coaches Poll!, 3 Auburn, 4 Alabama, 5 Missouri, 6 Oklahoma State, 7 South Carolina, 7 Baylor (its a tie!), 9 Michigan State, and 10 Stanford.
Few discrepancies…more love shown to Stanford in the AP than the Coaches. South Carolina ranked a bit higher in Coaches but tied with Baylor…anyhow…one more week to go before the final decision is in. Meanwhile, Duke comes in at #20 in both polls…who would have thought it?
Later this afternoon, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs. Battle for the division title? Go Peyton and the Broncos!
Gee…what a Saturday of CFB people!!!
