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Just enjoy the show folks…the Johnny “Football” Manziel Show. We saw it on display in Atlanta last night in what was likely his final collegiate appearance as the Texas A & M Aggies came from behind to defeat Duke (outstanding performance, had to feel for them!), 52 – 48. Manziel is without a doubt, the greatest show in college football. Love him, hate it, or just don’t care (anyone?), he is the most entertaining player in the game. Ironically, speaking of enjoy the show, the Duke coaching staff had instructed their defense to not watch the show. How could you not? And kudos to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. They always seem to deliver as well with a fantastic game on New Years Eve. (By the way..Happy 2014!!) It would also be remiss to not congratulate Duke head coach David Sutcliffe, this year’s winner of the Bobby Dodd excellence in coaching award.
Duke came out poised and played lights out in the first half. They stunned the Aggies, who seemed to be pressing a bit, a lot of tension of the sidelines as everyone sensed Manziel really wanted to put on a show for his fans in this game. Anthony Boone (Duke QB) was tremendous! The first quarter and most of the first half was all about the Dukies! They had leads of 21- 3, 28 – 10 and later in the second half, 38 – 17. But here comes Johnny….making one play that prompted tweets from pro athletes to the tune of “OMG…did he really just do that”? Johnny “Football” does not have the talent level and or the defense as a supporting cast at the level of say a Jamies Winston (FSU), A J McCarron (Alabama) or even Marcus Mariota of Oregon. It is to a large extent, on Johnny “Football”‘s shoulders to get it done. And he does. He has a great coach in Kevin Sumlin, total class act. As a side note, he has announced that he will not be accepting any interview requests for NFL jobs. David Shaw of Stanford has made a similar statement. Manziel has helped bring A & M football back to relevance, just at a time when things were most difficult for them as they joined the vaunted SEC. Defeating eventual National Champions Alabama last year was one of his defining moments as he went on to become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. His numbers are ridiculous and he is an emotional and fiery leader. He is a bit small in stature (6’1” maybe) as far as an NFL career but hey, Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks has shown us that means nothing. So Johnny came down to Georgia and puts on a show. But the show ended with heroics provided by an unlikely source, the A & M defense. A huge pick six by Tony Hurd, Jr. in the fourth quarter was the score that put the Aggies ahead for the first time in the game. Later, with time winding down under two minutes…Anthony Boone continued to lead Duke down the field in pursuit of the winning score and what would give Duke their first bowl victory since the 1968 Cotton Bowl. Alas, under pressure and attempting to throw the ball away, he did, right into the hands of Aggie defensive back Askew. Johnny takes a knee and the Aggies hoist the Chick-fil-A trophy. If you missed it, well, you really did miss it! It was special!
The ACC suffered three losses yesterday in bowl games, Duke’s loss should have an asterisk,,,they played a great game. Virginia Tech and Boston College were embarrassed. BC lost to Arizona, 42 – 19. Virginia Tech lost to UCLA, 42 – 12. Logan Thomas, starting VT QB was injured in the first half (shoulder, stinger) and did not return. Brett Hundley of UCLA was a superstar and the touching story at intermission about his relationship with his sister makes you respect him all the more.
Today…bowl games all day! UGA vs. Nebraska (Gator); Iowa vs. LSU (Outback Bowl); Wisconsin vs. South Carolina (Capital One Bowl). The former will for sure be the last collegiate game for Jadeveon Clowney of the Gamecocks. Love the comments by head coach Steve Spurrier this week regarding Clowney’s poor driving skills!
Late this afternoon, 4:30pm EST, is the “Grandaddy of them all”, the Rose Bowl. I am looking forward to this match up as much if not more than the National Title game. 5 Stanford vs. 4 Michigan State! Strength vs. Strength! This game should be a great watch! Don’t miss it and I will be back with you later….
A bit of CFB coaching news…Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien is returning to the NFL to take the vacant head coaching job with the Houston Texans. 1FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has signed a five year extension but..the eyes of Texas are still upon him!
And finally, congratulations to Rory Mcilroy and Caroline Wozniacki who announced their New Year’s eve engagement! She said yes! (And why wouldn’t she?) Cute couple who really support each other.
