Saturday, December 31, 2016
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (Final)
Alabama's defense holds one more time, and the Tide roll into the National Championship Game. They also win the Peach Bowl.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (1:53 left in 4th Quarter)
On fourth and 1, Washington's defense swarms Bo Scarbrough for a three-yard loss. The Huskies will start from their own 45.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (4:35 left in 4th Quarter)
Washington gets one first down, but then Alabama's defense rises up and throws them back. On fourth and 20, Washington punts to the Alabama 37.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (7:07 left in 4th Quarter)
With Alabama up 17, the team of Levy and Griese thought that Alabama would try to run off some clock. Instead, Lane Kiffin dials up two passes -- neither of which come close to being complete. This is not surprising -- Jalen Hurts is 7-14 for only 57 yards in this game. Griese tells us that this leads to some angry remarks from Nick Saban to Lane Kiffin, and suggests that this sort of thing may explain why Kiffin will be moving on after the season. But the bottom line is that Alabama punts and the Huskies will start from their own 21.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (8:12 left in 4th Quarter)
But Alabama's defense holds. Facing a 4th and 13, the Huskies punt all the way down to the Alabama 20.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (10:16 left in 4th Quarter)
Washington converts a third down, and they have a first down at their own 28.
Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (11:56 left in 4th Quarter)
OK, so here's what happened.
From its own two, Alabama tried two runs and gained one yard.
On 3d and 9 at the 3, Washington was expecting a pass. But Alabama gave the ball to Bo Scarbrough, and he dashed 12 yards for a first down.
Then Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) zipped a 16-yard pass, moving the ball out to the 31.
Then Hurts rushed for 1 yard.
And then, on 2d and 9 from their own 32, the Tide gave the ball to Scarbrough again. This time, he shook off a few would-be tacklers -- and then suddenly broke into the clear! The Huskies scrambled desperately trying to stop him, but Scarbrough ran with the fervor of a man who finally saw open field in front of him. When the play was over, he had gone SIXTY-EIGHT YARDS, and the Tide had its third touchdown of the game.
Here's Scarbrough's line for the day so far: 14 carries for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns. That's pretty good.
From its own two, Alabama tried two runs and gained one yard.
On 3d and 9 at the 3, Washington was expecting a pass. But Alabama gave the ball to Bo Scarbrough, and he dashed 12 yards for a first down.
Then Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) zipped a 16-yard pass, moving the ball out to the 31.
Then Hurts rushed for 1 yard.
And then, on 2d and 9 from their own 32, the Tide gave the ball to Scarbrough again. This time, he shook off a few would-be tacklers -- and then suddenly broke into the clear! The Huskies scrambled desperately trying to stop him, but Scarbrough ran with the fervor of a man who finally saw open field in front of him. When the play was over, he had gone SIXTY-EIGHT YARDS, and the Tide had its third touchdown of the game.
Here's Scarbrough's line for the day so far: 14 carries for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns. That's pretty good.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (14:50 left in 4th Quarter)
Washington throws an incomplete pass on 3d and 3. With Brian Griese screaming for Washington to go for it on fourth down, the Huskies come out as if they intend to do so. But then Downing goes back and punts. It's a PERFECT PUNT -- it rolls out of bounds at the Alabama 2. The Tide will start from there.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (15 minutes left in 4th Quarter)
The Huskies pick up a big 3d and 9 to keep their drive alive. The quarter ends with Washington facing a 3d and 3 from its own 48.
After three quarters, Alabama has 210 yards. Washington has 155. But Washington has the ball.
After three quarters, Alabama has 210 yards. Washington has 155. But Washington has the ball.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (2:32 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama runs the ball three times, and nets zero yards. Alabama's punt goes into the end zone, but Alabama is called for holding, so Washington will start from its own 30. This is by far the best field position Washington has had in awhile.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (4:31 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama holds Washington to another three and out, and the Huskies punt to the Washington 48. The Tide will start from there.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (6:05 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama makes one first down, but then its drive collapses in a dropped pass, a fumble (which Alabama barely recovers), and two penalties. However, the Tide gets off a good punt, which pins Washington back to its own 9.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (10:04 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama's defense holds, and Washington is forced to punt from its own 15. The Washington punter, Tristan Vizcaino (of Damien H.S. in Chino Hills, Calif.) hits these weird knuckleball punts. But they tend to take Washington bounces. This one bounds over the head of an Alabama receiver and rolls to the Tide 33. Alabama will start from there.
Meanwhile, ESPN is telling the story of the 1926 Rose Bowl.
Meanwhile, ESPN is telling the story of the 1926 Rose Bowl.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (12:10 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama came out like a house afire, with a first down run all the way to the Washington 42. But the Huskies defense held, with help from two disastrous penalties that turned a 3d and 7 into a 3d and 17. The Tide drive stalls at the Husky 40, and the punt goes into the end zone. A great opportunity wasted, and Washington will start from its own 20.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (14:56 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama runs the kickoff out to the 25, and they will start from there.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (Halftime)
Washington runs out the clock, but never comes close to scoring.
In the first half, Washington had 145 total yards, to 138 for Alabama. But in the second quarter, Washington had two turnovers, and those two turnovers led to 10 points for Alabama. Right now, those 10 points are the difference between the two teams.
Alabama will get the kickoff to start the second half.
In the first half, Washington had 145 total yards, to 138 for Alabama. But in the second quarter, Washington had two turnovers, and those two turnovers led to 10 points for Alabama. Right now, those 10 points are the difference between the two teams.
Alabama will get the kickoff to start the second half.
Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (1:13 left in 2d Quarter)
Oh, the Huskies would like to have this one back. On 2d and 10 from its own 32, the Huskies called what appeared to be a safe screen pass. But Browning was under immediate pressure -- and when he threw the screen pass, Ryan Anderson was there to snatch the ball away from for the Tide. Mr. Anderson, a linebacker from Daphne H.S. in Daphne, Ala., then dashed 26 yards for a PICK SIX, and the Tide has finally gotten the second touchdown that their offense could not pick up.
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (1:33 left in 2d Quarter)
Washington has moved the ball out to its own 29, where the Huskies face a 3d and 1. They call time, and then they sneak the ball out to the 32 for a first down.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (2:16 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama charged down to the Washington 28, but then were hurled back by an intentional grounding penalty and two other solid plays. They are forced to punt. And the ball is downed at the Husky 4.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (4:44 left in 2d Quarter)
For the third straight time, Washington goes three and out. This time, Washington's punt is downed at the Alabama 44.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (5:48 left in 2d Quarter)
A great stand by the Washington defense, who hold Alabama to another three-and-out. This time the punt goes into the end zone, so the Huskies will start from their own 20.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (7:20 left in 1st Quarter)
The Huskies go three and out, and their punt goes out of bounds at their own 45. So the Tide gained a few yards on that exchange.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (8:54 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama gets two first downs, but their drive stalls at the Tide 49. So they punt to the Husky 9.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (12:41 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama's defense has a great series -- driving Washington back to its own 17 in three plays. But on 4th and 18, Washington gets off a punt and hits -- and rolls all the way down to the Alabama 21. The Tide will take over from there.
By the way, we're watching this game on ESPN, and listening to Steve Levy's broadcast on ESPN Radio. Levy is a solid pro, and he is doing a fine job. I think Brian Griese is doing the commentary. Amazingly, these same two guys called the Orange Bowl on ESPN television last night, and that game didn't end until almost midnight.
By the way, we're watching this game on ESPN, and listening to Steve Levy's broadcast on ESPN Radio. Levy is a solid pro, and he is doing a fine job. I think Brian Griese is doing the commentary. Amazingly, these same two guys called the Orange Bowl on ESPN television last night, and that game didn't end until almost midnight.
Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (14:55 left in 2d Quarter)
Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) boots a 41-yard field goal to put Alabama into the lead for the first time today.
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.
Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (37 seconds left in 1st Quarter)
Attacking again with their quick running attack, the Tide charged down to the Husky 19, where they had a 3d and 1. But the Tide were called for offsides, giving them a 3d and 6 at the 24. So Alabama called time.
Alabama then tried a running play, which picked up only one yard. Fourth down.
Alabama then tried a running play, which picked up only one yard. Fourth down.
Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (2:22 left in 1st Quarter)
Washington had made two first downs, and had a promising drive under way, when they FUMBLED the ball close to midfield. It was recovered by Jonathan Allen of Stone Bridge H.S. in Leesburg, Va., who powered his way to the Washington 40. The Tide will start from there.
Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (4:56 left in 1st Quarter)
Washington runs the kickoff out to their own 18.
Uniform watch: Alabama is in crimson; Washington has their traditional gold helmet with the purple W, white jerseys with purple numerals, and purple socks. Both teams look very sharp.
Uniform watch: Alabama is in crimson; Washington has their traditional gold helmet with the purple W, white jerseys with purple numerals, and purple socks. Both teams look very sharp.
Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (5:01 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama responds with a 78-yard drive dominated by a high-speed attack that mostly kept the ball on the ground. The touchdown came on a pounding, physical, 18-yard run by Bo Scarbrough of Tuscaloosa County H.S. in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Alabama 0 - 7 Washington (8:01 left in 1st Quarter)
So here's what's happened so far:
1. Washington took the opening kickoff and went three and out.
2. Alabama took a punt and went three and out.
3. Washington took the ball and easily rolled down the field, scoring on a 16 yard pass from Jake Browning (of Folsom H.S. in Folsom, Calif.) to Dante Pettis (of Junipero Serra H.S. in San Clemente, Calif.)
Alabama has famously won four recent national titles: in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014. But the Tide has been vulnerable to high-scoring offenses in bowl games:
1. On January 2, 2009, Utah pounded Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl.
2. On January 2, 2014, Oklahoma whipped Alabama -- and kept the UCFC -- in a 45-31 Sugar Bowl victory.
3. On January 1, 2015, Ohio State beat Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl.
And while Alabama beat Clemson in last year's national title game, the final score was 45-40, as the Tide could not stop Clemson's attack.
So Saban's teams -- great though they undoubtedly have been -- have shown a vulnerability to strong passing attacks that have had time to prepare for the Tide. Could Washington be another example of that trend?
1. Washington took the opening kickoff and went three and out.
2. Alabama took a punt and went three and out.
3. Washington took the ball and easily rolled down the field, scoring on a 16 yard pass from Jake Browning (of Folsom H.S. in Folsom, Calif.) to Dante Pettis (of Junipero Serra H.S. in San Clemente, Calif.)
Alabama has famously won four recent national titles: in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014. But the Tide has been vulnerable to high-scoring offenses in bowl games:
1. On January 2, 2009, Utah pounded Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl.
2. On January 2, 2014, Oklahoma whipped Alabama -- and kept the UCFC -- in a 45-31 Sugar Bowl victory.
3. On January 1, 2015, Ohio State beat Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl.
And while Alabama beat Clemson in last year's national title game, the final score was 45-40, as the Tide could not stop Clemson's attack.
So Saban's teams -- great though they undoubtedly have been -- have shown a vulnerability to strong passing attacks that have had time to prepare for the Tide. Could Washington be another example of that trend?
Alabama v. Washington (Peach Bowl)
Alabama and Washington have played only four times in history, with the Tide winning all four. But the first time they played, on January 1, 1926, is probably the most important football game in the history of the South. Alabama was the first Southern team to be invited to the Rose Bowl, and of course this was the first bowl game Alabama had ever played in. The game took place only 61 years after the end of the Civil War, and during those six years Southerners had known countless humiliations. They were generally poorer than people in the rest of the country, they had very little political power, they were generally less educated, and they were constantly mocked and ridiculed for their "backwardness" by the likes of H.L. Mencken. So when an Alabama team had a chance to take on a Washington team that was the best team on the West Coast, Southern fans were excited about the chance to see how their boys would do up against the rest of the nation.
At the half, however, it didn't look so good for the Tide -- they trailed 12 to 0. According to legend, Alabama Coach Wallace Wade merely told his players at the half that "they told me boys from the South would fight." Inspired by such rhetoric, the Tide jumped all over Washington in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns and taking a 20-12 lead. Then they hung on for fifteen more minutes, winning the game 20 to 19. For the first time since 1864, Southerners had beaten the rest of the country at something. Alabama's star player, Johnny Mack Brown, went on to become a movie star. Alabama was awarded its first mythical national title. And the South, which had already begun to love football, became obsessed with it in a way that can still be felt to this day. In a very real sense, all the drama and glory of SEC football -- everything that seems like such a permanent aspect of Southern culture -- can be traced back to this one critical football game.
Today, of course, the shoe is on the other foot. No team from the West Coast has won the national title since USC turned the trick in 2004. During that period, SEC teams won it all in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Alabama has four of those titles itself. Vegas has Alabama as a 13-point favorite in a game where 51 points are expected. That would be a 32-19 win for the Tide. But we will see. West Coast football is usually very good, and I think one of the main reasons West Coast teams haven't won any recent titles is that their talent is spread among so many good schools. I think this will be quite a game.
At the half, however, it didn't look so good for the Tide -- they trailed 12 to 0. According to legend, Alabama Coach Wallace Wade merely told his players at the half that "they told me boys from the South would fight." Inspired by such rhetoric, the Tide jumped all over Washington in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns and taking a 20-12 lead. Then they hung on for fifteen more minutes, winning the game 20 to 19. For the first time since 1864, Southerners had beaten the rest of the country at something. Alabama's star player, Johnny Mack Brown, went on to become a movie star. Alabama was awarded its first mythical national title. And the South, which had already begun to love football, became obsessed with it in a way that can still be felt to this day. In a very real sense, all the drama and glory of SEC football -- everything that seems like such a permanent aspect of Southern culture -- can be traced back to this one critical football game.
Today, of course, the shoe is on the other foot. No team from the West Coast has won the national title since USC turned the trick in 2004. During that period, SEC teams won it all in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Alabama has four of those titles itself. Vegas has Alabama as a 13-point favorite in a game where 51 points are expected. That would be a 32-19 win for the Tide. But we will see. West Coast football is usually very good, and I think one of the main reasons West Coast teams haven't won any recent titles is that their talent is spread among so many good schools. I think this will be quite a game.
Washington
Washington has played a large number of UCFC games, in large part because whenever the UCFC gets out to the West Coast, it tends to stay out there for awhile. Also the Huskies have had some great teams. In September 1984, Washington won the trophy with a 20-11 victory over Michigan -- and then kept it for seven more games until finally losing to Southern Cal. The Huskies also held the title at various points in 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1997. Their overall record in UCFC play is 27-23. They last held the trophy September 20, 1997, when they lost it in a 27-14 defeat to Nebraska. They last played for the title on October 22, 2005, when USC crushed them 51 to 24. The Huskies have lost their last six UCFC matchups.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Florida 16 - 54 Alabama (SEC Championship) (Final)
Just another example of total domination by Alabama, which continues to roll through its opponents with breathtaking ease. Alabama crushes Florida to win the SEC Championship, keep the UCFC, and move into the College Football Playoff. This means for the first time since the 2010 season, the team that wins the National Title will also hold the UCFC.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Florida v. Alabama (Atlanta) (SEC Championship)
The very first SEC football championship game took place in 1992, and featured Alabama and Florida. In fact, the first three SEC title games featured Alabama and Florida, and this will be the ninth time that these two schools have met for the title. Here are the previous results (AP rankings at time of game in parentheses; national champions in bold):
1992: (2) Alabama 28, (12) Florida 21
1993: (9) Florida 28, (16) Alabama 13
1994: (6) Florida 24, (3) Alabama 23
1996: (4) Florida 45, (11) Alabama 30
1999: (7) Alabama 34, (5) Florida 7
2008: (2) Florida 31, (1) Alabama 20
2009: (2) Alabama 32, (1) Florida 13
2015: (2) Alabama 29, (18) Florida 15
As you can see, these have been some big-time games featuring big-time teams and big-time coaches. Five times the winner of this fixture has won the national title, and the games in 2008 and 2009 show where Nick Saban took control of the SEC from Urban Meyer and the Gators -- they are two of the most important games in SEC history. Florida has won the SEC East 12 times since the SEC title game began; they've played Alabama in 9 of those games. Alabama has won the SEC West 11 times, and faced Florida almost every time.
If you think about it, it's not surprising that Florida and Alabama meet so often in the title game. It's not only that Florida has the best program in the East and Alabama has the best program in the West. It's also how the schedules work. Alabama plays Tennessee every year -- if the Tide wins the West, then they probably beat Tennessee, which makes things easier for Florida. Florida plays LSU every year -- if the Gators win the East, then they probably beat LSU, which makes things easier for Alabama. Also, Florida and Alabama rarely play each other in the regular season, which is fortunate for them both.
Alabama and Florida are both original members of the SEC, but for most of their history they didn't play each other very often. In the old SEC -- that is, the league as it was before expansion in the early 1990's -- each team played six conference games per year, five against traditional rivals and one against another team. Alabama's traditional rivals were Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt. Florida's traditional rivals were Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, and Kentucky. So they didn't play very much. They didn't meet at all from 1932 to 1947, or from 1952 to 1962. Even now, they don't play often outside the SEC title game. Alabama leads the all-time series 24-14, and is currently on a five-game winning streak against the Gators.
This year's Florida team is solid but not spectacular. They have a very solid defense that delivered seven mostly easy wins over UMass, Kentucky, North Texas, Vandy, Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina. They had a really bad loss on the road at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks hammered them 31-10. They had two other disappointing losses in big road games -- 28-38 at Tennessee, and 13-31 at Florida State. One of their games was cancelled due to the fact that bad weather forced them to reschedule their game with LSU. It was originally scheduled for October 8 in Gainesville but was moved to November 19 in Baton Rouge. In their best game of the year, the Gators beat LSU 16-10, winning the East and setting up today's game.
The oddsmakers do not believe that solid but spectacular will be enough against the Tide. They have Alabama favored by 24 points in a game where they expect 41 points to be scored. That would be a score of something like 33-9. I think Florida will keep it closer than that, but then again I thought the same thing about Auburn last week.
I have a lot of errands to run today, so I will not live blog this game. But I will give an update sometime tomorrow.
1992: (2) Alabama 28, (12) Florida 21
1993: (9) Florida 28, (16) Alabama 13
1994: (6) Florida 24, (3) Alabama 23
1996: (4) Florida 45, (11) Alabama 30
1999: (7) Alabama 34, (5) Florida 7
2008: (2) Florida 31, (1) Alabama 20
2009: (2) Alabama 32, (1) Florida 13
2015: (2) Alabama 29, (18) Florida 15
As you can see, these have been some big-time games featuring big-time teams and big-time coaches. Five times the winner of this fixture has won the national title, and the games in 2008 and 2009 show where Nick Saban took control of the SEC from Urban Meyer and the Gators -- they are two of the most important games in SEC history. Florida has won the SEC East 12 times since the SEC title game began; they've played Alabama in 9 of those games. Alabama has won the SEC West 11 times, and faced Florida almost every time.
If you think about it, it's not surprising that Florida and Alabama meet so often in the title game. It's not only that Florida has the best program in the East and Alabama has the best program in the West. It's also how the schedules work. Alabama plays Tennessee every year -- if the Tide wins the West, then they probably beat Tennessee, which makes things easier for Florida. Florida plays LSU every year -- if the Gators win the East, then they probably beat LSU, which makes things easier for Alabama. Also, Florida and Alabama rarely play each other in the regular season, which is fortunate for them both.
Alabama and Florida are both original members of the SEC, but for most of their history they didn't play each other very often. In the old SEC -- that is, the league as it was before expansion in the early 1990's -- each team played six conference games per year, five against traditional rivals and one against another team. Alabama's traditional rivals were Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt. Florida's traditional rivals were Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, and Kentucky. So they didn't play very much. They didn't meet at all from 1932 to 1947, or from 1952 to 1962. Even now, they don't play often outside the SEC title game. Alabama leads the all-time series 24-14, and is currently on a five-game winning streak against the Gators.
This year's Florida team is solid but not spectacular. They have a very solid defense that delivered seven mostly easy wins over UMass, Kentucky, North Texas, Vandy, Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina. They had a really bad loss on the road at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks hammered them 31-10. They had two other disappointing losses in big road games -- 28-38 at Tennessee, and 13-31 at Florida State. One of their games was cancelled due to the fact that bad weather forced them to reschedule their game with LSU. It was originally scheduled for October 8 in Gainesville but was moved to November 19 in Baton Rouge. In their best game of the year, the Gators beat LSU 16-10, winning the East and setting up today's game.
The oddsmakers do not believe that solid but spectacular will be enough against the Tide. They have Alabama favored by 24 points in a game where they expect 41 points to be scored. That would be a score of something like 33-9. I think Florida will keep it closer than that, but then again I thought the same thing about Auburn last week.
I have a lot of errands to run today, so I will not live blog this game. But I will give an update sometime tomorrow.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Alabama 30 - 12 Auburn (Final)
Alabama ends the game in old-school style. Starting on its own 5, the Tide rolls slowly up the field, using up the last nine minutes of the game. The Iron Bowl ends with Alabama in the victory formation at the Auburn 35. What a spectacular performance!
Alabama 30 - 12 Auburn (9 minutes left in 4th Quarter)
On fourth and 4 from the Alabama 27, Auburn tries a halfback option pass, but the ball is INTERCEPTED by Shaun Dion Hamilton, a defensive back from Carver H.S. in Montgomery, Ala. That was a great play by the Alabama defense, which was not fooled at all. Alabama will take over on its own five yard line.
Alabama 30 - 12 Auburn (12:46 left in 4th Quarter)
But Alabama is implacable. The Tide goes storming down the field, and responds with a 34-yard field goal of its own.
It's hard to overstate just how well Alabama has played so far in this game. Auburn is a very good team with a great coach and a lot of solid victories this year. Auburn hasn't made any turnovers, while Alabama has thrown two interceptions and allowed a big punt return. And yet the Tide lead by 18 points. This is an extraordinary performance so far.
It's hard to overstate just how well Alabama has played so far in this game. Auburn is a very good team with a great coach and a lot of solid victories this year. Auburn hasn't made any turnovers, while Alabama has thrown two interceptions and allowed a big punt return. And yet the Tide lead by 18 points. This is an extraordinary performance so far.
Alabama 27 - 12 Auburn (2:11 left in 3d Quarter)
But Auburn never gives up. They go 65 yards from their 25 to the Alabama 10, and top it off with Daniel Carlson's fourth field goal of the day.
Alabama 27 - 9 Auburn (5:16 left in 3d Quarter)
And there's the 18-point lead! Alabama fought its way down to the Auburn 38, where the Tide faced fourth and 4. Coach Saban decided to go for it. With the Auburn defense playing up to stop Alabama and get the ball back, Hurts found ArDarius Stewart (of Fultondale H.S. in Fultondale, Ala.) alone at about the Auburn 25. Stewart then made a great open-field run to score.
Alabama 20 - 9 Auburn (8:20 left in 3d Quarter)
Auburn, playing with desperation now, fights down to the Alabama 35 in one of its best drives of the day. But the Tide defense holds, and Daniel Carlson's 52-yard field goal misses to the left. The Tide gets the ball.
Alabama 20 - 9 Auburn (10:52 left in 3d Quarter)
After stopping Auburn, Alabama goes 57 yards in eight plays to pick up its second touchdown of the game. The score comes on a four-yard run by Hurts.
Alabama 13 - 9 Auburn (Halftime)
Auburn takes a knee and the half is over. Auburn has only one first down, and only 34 total yards, but a punt return on two interceptions have led to three field goals, and their defense has done a great job of keeping Alabama out of the end zone.
In his halftime interview, Nick Saban looks and sounds very annoyed, and I can see why.
Alabama is trying to beat Auburn for the third year in a row. They haven't done that since 1990 to 1992.
In his halftime interview, Nick Saban looks and sounds very annoyed, and I can see why.
Alabama is trying to beat Auburn for the third year in a row. They haven't done that since 1990 to 1992.
Alabama 13 - 9 Auburn (16 seconds left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama puts together a very nice drive against a rugged Auburn defense, but the drive stalls at the Auburn 7, and the Tide settle for another field goal.
Alabama has 263 total yards, and Auburn has 34 total yards. But the Tide lead only by four.
Alabama has 263 total yards, and Auburn has 34 total yards. But the Tide lead only by four.
Alabama 10 - 9 Auburn (3:30 left in 2d Quarter)
Auburn tries a pooch kick on the kickoff, but Alabama fields it cleanly. The Tide will start from their own 34.
Alabama 10 - 9 Auburn (3:30 left in 2d Quarter)
Auburn gets its first first down of the game, but their drive stalls at the Alabama 22. Daniel Carlson comes out and makes a 39-yard field goal. He is 3-3 in the game, and the Tigers now trail by only one point.
Alabama 10 - 6 Auburn (6:41 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama drives down to the Auburn 40, but then Hurts throws another INTERCEPTION to Daniel Thomas. Thomas scampers all the way from the Auburn 30 to the Alabama 41, and the Tigers will start from there.
Alabama 10 - 6 Auburn (10:03 left in 2d Quarter)
After an exchange of punts, Alabama will start from its own 19.
Alabama 10 - 6 Auburn (13:38 left in 2d Quarter)
Today is Verne Lundquist's final regular-season game for CBS, and the folks in Alabama just gave him a special award. And now we have a special guest in the booth -- it's JOE NAMATH! Verne is thrilled, as are all neutral fans and Alabama fans. I'm not sure how the Auburn fans feel about this.
Alabama 10 - 6 Auburn (13:38 left in 2d Quarter)
Once again, the Alabama defense holds. But this time Daniel Carlson hammers a 52-yard field goal to bring the Tigers within four. He's got a 44-yard field goal and a 52-yard field goal, and he has been Auburn's best weapon so far.
Alabama 10 - 3 Auburn (14:54 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama has been dominant so far, but Jalen Hurts just threw an INTERCEPTION to Daniel Thomas of Robert E. Lee H.S. in Montgomery, Ala. Auburn takes over at the Alabama 41.
Alabama 10 - 3 Auburn (2:49 left in 1st Quarter)
It takes Alabama only a few plays to drive for a touchdown. The score comes on a 17-yard catch and run from Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) to Damien Harris (of Madison Southern H.S. in Richmond, Ky.) That was very impressive.
Alabama 3 - 3 Auburn (4:17 left in 1st Quarter)
Auburn goes three and out, and they punt to the Alabama 37. The Tide run it back to the Alabama 45, and they will start from there.
Alabama 3 - 3 Auburn (4:40 left in 1st Quarter)
Ohio State beats Michigan 30-27 in double overtime, and the Wolverines may have been eliminated from the College Football Playoffs.
Alabama 3 - 3 Auburn (5:40 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama responds to the Auburn field goal with a long drive of its own, which finally stalls at the Auburn 12. Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) boots a 29-yard field goal, and we are all tied at 3.
Alabama 0 - 3 Auburn (12:31 left in 1st Quarter)
The Alabama defense makes a great stand, driving Auburn backward four yards in three plays. But Daniel Carlson (of the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.) boots a 42 yard field goal, and the Tigers take the early lead.
Alabama 0 - 0 Auburn (13:44 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama took the opening kickoff, drove to midfield, and punted. Auburn's Stephen Roberts (of Opelika H.S. in Opelika, Ala.) caught the punt on the dead run, and ran it all the way back to the Alabama 21. So the Auburn offense starts from there.
Alabama v. Auburn
For the last weekend of the regular season, we have what I consider to be the best rivalry in all of college football -- and probably the best rivalry in all of sports. No place on earth cares as much about any sport as the State of Alabama cares about college football. The only place that compares is Kentucky with its love of college basketball. But while Kentucky is largely united behind UK, Alabama is bitterly divided between Alabama fans and Auburn fans. And while most sports rivals meet at least twice per season, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn only takes place once a year. That's it -- you lose that game, you have to wait a whole year to get revenge. The once-a-year showdown creates a sense of drama unmatched by anything else in sports.
Alabama leads the all-time series 44-35-1, and many of those games are legends. These teams have met for the UCFC on three different occasions, with Alabama winning in 1971 and 1977, and Auburn taking the Big Gold Trophy in 1983. But it's only appropriate that they meet now, because this is truly the Golden Age of the Iron Bowl. Alabama has recently won four national titles: 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Auburn won the national title in 2010, and played for the national title in 2013. So six of the last seven Iron Bowls featured a team that played for, or won, the national championship. Here are the scores of those games (home team listed first):
2009: Auburn 21 - 26 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2010: Alabama 27 - 28 Auburn (Auburn wins the National Championship)
2011: Auburn 14 - 41 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2012: Alabama 49 - 0 Auburn (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2013: Auburn 34 - 28 Alabama (Auburn plays for the National Championship)
2014: Alabama 55 - 44 Auburn (Alabama wins the SEC Championship)
2015: Auburn 13 - 29 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
There are some real classics in there, along with some clunkers where Auburn was struggling under Gene Chizik or simply over matched.
What will we get today? Alabama is 11-0, they are ranked number one by everyone, and they may be one of the greatest teams Alabama has ever had. Auburn is 8-3, with losses only to Clemson, Texas A & M, and Georgia. I believe that Auburn's coach, Gus Malzahn, is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. As offensive coordinator, he was the true mastermind behind Auburn's run to the title in 2010; as the head coach, he led the Tigers back to the title game in 2013; and he has put together yet another solid squad this year. If anyone in the country could go to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama, it is an Auburn team coached by Gus Malzahn. But Alabama is very, very good.
The oddsmakers have Alabama favored by 18 points in a game where they expect 47 points to be scored. That would indicate an Alabama victory by something like 32-14. I will be surprised if Alabama wins this game by 18 points or more.
Alabama leads the all-time series 44-35-1, and many of those games are legends. These teams have met for the UCFC on three different occasions, with Alabama winning in 1971 and 1977, and Auburn taking the Big Gold Trophy in 1983. But it's only appropriate that they meet now, because this is truly the Golden Age of the Iron Bowl. Alabama has recently won four national titles: 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Auburn won the national title in 2010, and played for the national title in 2013. So six of the last seven Iron Bowls featured a team that played for, or won, the national championship. Here are the scores of those games (home team listed first):
2009: Auburn 21 - 26 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2010: Alabama 27 - 28 Auburn (Auburn wins the National Championship)
2011: Auburn 14 - 41 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2012: Alabama 49 - 0 Auburn (Alabama wins the National Championship)
2013: Auburn 34 - 28 Alabama (Auburn plays for the National Championship)
2014: Alabama 55 - 44 Auburn (Alabama wins the SEC Championship)
2015: Auburn 13 - 29 Alabama (Alabama wins the National Championship)
There are some real classics in there, along with some clunkers where Auburn was struggling under Gene Chizik or simply over matched.
What will we get today? Alabama is 11-0, they are ranked number one by everyone, and they may be one of the greatest teams Alabama has ever had. Auburn is 8-3, with losses only to Clemson, Texas A & M, and Georgia. I believe that Auburn's coach, Gus Malzahn, is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. As offensive coordinator, he was the true mastermind behind Auburn's run to the title in 2010; as the head coach, he led the Tigers back to the title game in 2013; and he has put together yet another solid squad this year. If anyone in the country could go to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama, it is an Auburn team coached by Gus Malzahn. But Alabama is very, very good.
The oddsmakers have Alabama favored by 18 points in a game where they expect 47 points to be scored. That would indicate an Alabama victory by something like 32-14. I will be surprised if Alabama wins this game by 18 points or more.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Alabama 31 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (Final)
Give a lot of credit to the Mocs, who gave it everything they had tonight. And recognize that Alabama was obviously flat, with the Iron Bowl coming up next week. But I agree with Alabama radio announcer Eli Gold, who said he was not worried about Alabama's performance, because the Tide were due to be flat after all the tough games they've already won. And besides, I believe that any win in the UCFC is a big deal. We count them all, and Alabama is now 33-14 in UCFC play. As for the Mocs, they are now 0-2, but we salute their effort.
Alabama 31 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (3:45 left in 4th Quarter)
Alabama is still playing its starters, and after a short drive, Hurts throws a two-yard touchdown pass to Dieter -- the second time they've hooked up for a score in this game.
Alabama 24 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (4:54 left in 4th Quarter)
We've had rather desultory action as the teams wait for the clock to run out. But UT-Chattanooga just fumbled the ball at its own 20, and it was recovered by Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans of Auburn H.S. in Auburn, Ala.
In this game, we've cited one Alabama player from South Bend, and another from Auburn. Nick Saban really is quite a recruiter.
In this game, we've cited one Alabama player from South Bend, and another from Auburn. Nick Saban really is quite a recruiter.
Alabama 24 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (14:48 left in 4th Quarter)
After another punt, the Tide drives from its own 39 to the Moc 16. There the drive stalls, so Andy Pappanastos, their back-up kicker (from Trinity Presbyterian H.S. in Montgomery, Ala.), boots a 33-yard field goal. I don't know what happened to the regular kicker, but the folks on the Alabama Radio Network don't seem too concerned.
UT-Chattanooga's starting QB, Alejandro Bennifield from Lovejoy H.S. in Lovejoy, Ga., got banged up in a third quarter, so he's on the sidelines. This is the Mocs' last game of the regular season, but they are ranked number-11 in Division I-AA and they have hopes of getting into the playoffs. So they're letting Bennifield rest.
UT-Chattanooga's starting QB, Alejandro Bennifield from Lovejoy H.S. in Lovejoy, Ga., got banged up in a third quarter, so he's on the sidelines. This is the Mocs' last game of the regular season, but they are ranked number-11 in Division I-AA and they have hopes of getting into the playoffs. So they're letting Bennifield rest.
Alabama 21 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (4:07 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama forced another punt, and started from the UT-Chattanooga 43. A few plays later, the Alabama running game finally broke free. Damien Harris, from Madison Southern H.S. in Richmond, Ky., dashed 25 yards through the Moc defense for Alabama's third touchdown of the game.
Alabama 14 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (6:45 left in 3d Quarter)
Not much has happened so far in the second half. Alabama just punted, and UT-Chattanooga will start from its own 26.
Alabama 14 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (Halftime)
Very solid performance by the Mocs, who have played very well except for two plays -- a long bomb and a fumbled punt. For now, those two plays are the difference in the game.
Alabama 14 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (8:44 left in 2d Quarter)
It wasn't easy. The UT-Chattanooga defense held for three plays. But on 4th and Goal from the 2, Nick Saban decided to go for the touchdown. He did not do that fade play to the corner of the end zone. Instead, Hurts rolled out on a run-pass option, and flipped the ball to Gehrig Dieter (of Washington H.S. in South Bend, Indiana). Dieter was in the end zone, and he had the ball. By rule, that's a touchdown.
Alabama 7 - 3 UT-Chattnooga (10:37 left in 2d Quarter)
The Mocs punted. And then Alabama punted. And then the Mocs FUMBLED the punt. And Alabama recovered. So the Tide now have first and goal at the Mocs' 9.
Alabama 7 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (14:13 left in 2d Quarter)
The Tide kick off, and the Mocs run it back to their own 20. They'll start from there.
Alabama 7 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (14:21 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama took about seven plays to get to the Mocs' 48-yard line, and then Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) hurled a strike to Calvin Ridley (of Monarch H.S. in Coconut Creek, Fla.) who easily beat the Mocs' defense and was wide open for the touchdown.
Alabama 0 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (2:07 left in 1st Quarter)
The Mocs have to punt, and Alabama will start from its own 25.
Alabama 0 - 3 UT-Chattanooga (5:38 left in 1st Quarter)
So far, the only points in this game are from a 47-yard field goal by Henrique Ribeiro of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Uniform watch: The Mocs wear white helmets with a big gold "C". They have white jerseys with blue numerals trimmed in gold, and the word "CHATTANOOGA" across the top of the front. They have blue pants with gold stripes down the side.
Uniform watch: The Mocs wear white helmets with a big gold "C". They have white jerseys with blue numerals trimmed in gold, and the word "CHATTANOOGA" across the top of the front. They have blue pants with gold stripes down the side.
Alabama v. UT-Chattanooga
This is the twelfth meeting in football between the University of Alabama and the various iterations of UT-Chattnooga. They first met on October 31, 1908, and Alabama won 23-6. That set the tone for this series, as Alabama has won all 11 prior meetings.
These days, it's common for SEC teams to play I-AA teams in November, as they try to get ready for the big games that end the season. In fact, this will be the third time Alabama has played UT-Chattanooga under Nick Saban, and all three meetings took place at this exact moment in the schedule. On November 21, 2009, Alabama beat UT-Chattanooga 45-0. On November 23, 2013, Alabama beat UT-Chattanooga 49-0. We will see if they can do something similar today.
Alabama has clinched the SEC West, and this afternoon Florida clinched the SEC East. So those two teams will be meeting in the SEC title game for the ninth time since the game began back in 1992. Only one other match-up -- Georgia v. LSU -- has occurred even three times.
These days, it's common for SEC teams to play I-AA teams in November, as they try to get ready for the big games that end the season. In fact, this will be the third time Alabama has played UT-Chattanooga under Nick Saban, and all three meetings took place at this exact moment in the schedule. On November 21, 2009, Alabama beat UT-Chattanooga 45-0. On November 23, 2013, Alabama beat UT-Chattanooga 49-0. We will see if they can do something similar today.
Alabama has clinched the SEC West, and this afternoon Florida clinched the SEC East. So those two teams will be meeting in the SEC title game for the ninth time since the game began back in 1992. Only one other match-up -- Georgia v. LSU -- has occurred even three times.
UT-Chattanooga
In 1886, Chattanooga University was founded as a private school. It went through various mergers and re-organizations for the next 83 years. Finally, in 1969, it became part of the University of Tennessee system, thus become the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. These days, the school prefers to be referred to as "Chattanooga," but they are still part of the UT system. Besides, I've always thought of them as "UT-Chattanooga," and so that's what they will be here.
I did not realize, until I started writing this post, that UT-Chattanooga no longer refers to its sports teams as the "Moccasins." In fact, since 1996 they have been the "Mocs." Here's the explanation from their web page:
Why Mocs?
Faced with politically sensitive issues and in need of a stronger core identity to help establish a strong brand as Chattanooga's Team, the athletics department embarked on a comprehensive identity program in 1996. A new direction for the athletics identity was determined, moving away from the politically incorrect Native American Indian imagery.
Several identities have been used in the past. With the old nickname "Moccasins," a snake was used in the 1920s and an Indian was used until the year of major change in 1996. A moccasin shoe was even used in the 1980s.
In 1996, it was decided to adopt the State Bird of Tennessee, the Mockingbird, as the core of the new identity, while incorporating the strong regional imagery of Chattanooga's vast railroad history. The mascot "Scrappy" was born and a new emphasis was placed on the athletics department's role in the region.
The committee also recognized the need for the word "Chattanooga" to have a great emphasis in the logo. The nickname "Moccasins" was shortened to simply "Mocs." Thus established, Chattanooga could rebuild its athletics programs and initiatives around this new identity.
There's not much I can add to that.
When I was growing up, the UT-Chattanooga Moccasins played Division I-AA football. These days, they would have us believe that the Chattanooga Mocs play FCS football. But to me, it's all the same.
This is the Golden Age of UT-Chattanooga football. Until 2014, they had only made the I-AA playoffs once. But in 2014, the Mocs reached the quarter-finals of the I-AA playoffs, before losing 35-30 to New Hampshire. Last year, the Mocs made the second round of the playoffs, before losing to Jacksonville State 41-35 (in overtime). This year, the Mocs went 8-2 overall, and 6-2 in the Southern Conference.
This will only be the second time UT-Chattanooga, in any of its iterations, has played for the UCFC. On November 14, 1942, the Moccasins lost to Georgia 40-0. They will hope to do better tonight.
I did not realize, until I started writing this post, that UT-Chattanooga no longer refers to its sports teams as the "Moccasins." In fact, since 1996 they have been the "Mocs." Here's the explanation from their web page:
Why Mocs?
Faced with politically sensitive issues and in need of a stronger core identity to help establish a strong brand as Chattanooga's Team, the athletics department embarked on a comprehensive identity program in 1996. A new direction for the athletics identity was determined, moving away from the politically incorrect Native American Indian imagery.
Several identities have been used in the past. With the old nickname "Moccasins," a snake was used in the 1920s and an Indian was used until the year of major change in 1996. A moccasin shoe was even used in the 1980s.
In 1996, it was decided to adopt the State Bird of Tennessee, the Mockingbird, as the core of the new identity, while incorporating the strong regional imagery of Chattanooga's vast railroad history. The mascot "Scrappy" was born and a new emphasis was placed on the athletics department's role in the region.
The committee also recognized the need for the word "Chattanooga" to have a great emphasis in the logo. The nickname "Moccasins" was shortened to simply "Mocs." Thus established, Chattanooga could rebuild its athletics programs and initiatives around this new identity.
There's not much I can add to that.
When I was growing up, the UT-Chattanooga Moccasins played Division I-AA football. These days, they would have us believe that the Chattanooga Mocs play FCS football. But to me, it's all the same.
This is the Golden Age of UT-Chattanooga football. Until 2014, they had only made the I-AA playoffs once. But in 2014, the Mocs reached the quarter-finals of the I-AA playoffs, before losing 35-30 to New Hampshire. Last year, the Mocs made the second round of the playoffs, before losing to Jacksonville State 41-35 (in overtime). This year, the Mocs went 8-2 overall, and 6-2 in the Southern Conference.
This will only be the second time UT-Chattanooga, in any of its iterations, has played for the UCFC. On November 14, 1942, the Moccasins lost to Georgia 40-0. They will hope to do better tonight.
Alabama 51 - 3 Mississippi St. (Final)
The Bulldogs were simply no match for Alabama, who defend their crown for the second week in a row. The Tide are now 32-14 in UCFC competition. MSU falls to 1-9 in UCFC play, but that one is really interesting. In September 1989, Florida State lost the UCFC, in a stunning upset, to Southern Mississippi. It turned out that Southern Mississippi had a quarterback named Brett Favre. But MSU beat Favre and Southern Mississippi to take the title -- only to lose it to Georgia. They've never gotten it back, and now they'll have to wait and hope that the crown stays in the SEC.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Alabama 24 - 0 Mississippi St. (9:55 left in 2d Quarter)
Here at the UCFC blog, we traditionally stop blogging when one team gets up by 24 points are more. Because we've had so many close games this year, we haven't invoked this rule very often. But we are invoking it now, because Alabama has taken a 24-point lead. MSU took the kickoff, and was stopped on downs at the Alabama 35. The Tide then drove straight down the field, scoring on a four-yard run by QB Hurts. What a devastating performance so far.
Alabama 17 - 0 Mississippi St. (12:36 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama is an awesome football team. After MSU punted, it only took a few plays before QB Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) through a pass to Ardarius Stewart (of Fultondale H.S. in Fultondale, Ala.), who raced 67 yards for an easy touchdown.
Alabama 10 - 0 Mississippi St. (1:07 minutes left in 1st Quarter)
While I was out getting lunch, they started the game. Alabama took the opening kickoff and drove down to the Mississippi State 12, settling for a field goal. Then Alabama got a turnover, and took only 4 plays to go 32 yards for a touchdown. That put the Tide up by 10, and not much has happened since. The Tide just punted into the end zone.
Alabama v. Mississippi St.
It takes only one hour and 28 minutes to drive from Starkville, Miss. to Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- you just stay on U.S. Highway 82 the whole way. But historically, the gap between the football programs in those two cities is much, much greater. Alabama has the fifth highest winning percentage among all Division I-A football programs; Mississippi State is 96th. Alabama has 29 SEC championships; Mississippi State has one. Alabama has won 36 bowl games; Mississippi State has won 11.
You get the point.
Given this background, it is not surprising that this series is lopsided in favor of the Tide. Alabama and Mississippi State have played each other almost every year since 1925, and every year since 1939, and the Tide leads the all-time series 78-18-3. But there is one great moment for the Bulldogs that should be remembered. On November 1, 1980, Alabama traveled to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi with a 28-game winning streak -- the longest in school history. The Tide had won the National Title in 1978 and 1979, and they were ranked number-1 in the country in 1980. But Mississippi State was 6-2 with wins over Miami (Fla.) and Auburn, and the Bulldogs led 6-3 with only a few minutes left. Alabama, being Alabama, mounted a final drive, and was on the MSU 4-yard line with 25 seconds to play. But Alabama FUMBLED the ball, and MSU pounced on it for the game-clinching score. That game ended Bear Bryant's last chance at the National Title, and was in fact the only time MSU ever beat the Bear.
MSU wouldn't beat Alabama again until 1996.
It took a long time, but Alabama did eventually get its revenge. In 2014, Mississippi had one of its greatest teams. Led by current Cowboy star Dak Prescott, the Bulldogs won their first nine games, including wins over number-8 LSU, number-6 Texas A & M, and number-2 Auburn, to become the number one team in the country. They still had the number-1 ranking on November 15, 2014, when they rolled into Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. But the Tide killed off MSU's chance at the national title, jumping out to a 19-3 halftime lead, and hanging on for a 25-20 victory.
Dak Prescott isn't at MSU any more, and the Bulldogs miss him. Here are the current SEC Standings (conference games only):
EAST
Florida: 4-2
Kentucky: 4-3
Georgia: 3-4
S. Carolina: 3-4
Tennessee: 2-3
Vanderbilt: 1-4
Missouri: 0-5
WEST
(1) Alabama: 6-0
(8) Auburn: 5-1
(10) Texas A & M: 4-2
(19) Louisiana St: 3-2
Arkansas: 2-3
Mississippi St: 2-3
Mississippi: 1-4
As you can see, MSU is in a very difficult division. They beat South Carolina, lost to LSU, Auburn, and Kentucky, but last week they upset our old friends from Texas A & M by the score of 35 to 28. So there is still life in Starkville. On the other hand, Alabama has been extraordinary so far this season. The oddsmakers have installed the Tide as 29 1/2 point favorites in a game where 52 points are expected. That would work out to something like a 41-12 victory for Alabama. I don't know that it will be that easy, but I do believe that an upset by MSU today would be even bigger than the one they pulled off in 1980.
You get the point.
Given this background, it is not surprising that this series is lopsided in favor of the Tide. Alabama and Mississippi State have played each other almost every year since 1925, and every year since 1939, and the Tide leads the all-time series 78-18-3. But there is one great moment for the Bulldogs that should be remembered. On November 1, 1980, Alabama traveled to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi with a 28-game winning streak -- the longest in school history. The Tide had won the National Title in 1978 and 1979, and they were ranked number-1 in the country in 1980. But Mississippi State was 6-2 with wins over Miami (Fla.) and Auburn, and the Bulldogs led 6-3 with only a few minutes left. Alabama, being Alabama, mounted a final drive, and was on the MSU 4-yard line with 25 seconds to play. But Alabama FUMBLED the ball, and MSU pounced on it for the game-clinching score. That game ended Bear Bryant's last chance at the National Title, and was in fact the only time MSU ever beat the Bear.
MSU wouldn't beat Alabama again until 1996.
It took a long time, but Alabama did eventually get its revenge. In 2014, Mississippi had one of its greatest teams. Led by current Cowboy star Dak Prescott, the Bulldogs won their first nine games, including wins over number-8 LSU, number-6 Texas A & M, and number-2 Auburn, to become the number one team in the country. They still had the number-1 ranking on November 15, 2014, when they rolled into Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. But the Tide killed off MSU's chance at the national title, jumping out to a 19-3 halftime lead, and hanging on for a 25-20 victory.
Dak Prescott isn't at MSU any more, and the Bulldogs miss him. Here are the current SEC Standings (conference games only):
EAST
Florida: 4-2
Kentucky: 4-3
Georgia: 3-4
S. Carolina: 3-4
Tennessee: 2-3
Vanderbilt: 1-4
Missouri: 0-5
WEST
(1) Alabama: 6-0
(8) Auburn: 5-1
(10) Texas A & M: 4-2
(19) Louisiana St: 3-2
Arkansas: 2-3
Mississippi St: 2-3
Mississippi: 1-4
As you can see, MSU is in a very difficult division. They beat South Carolina, lost to LSU, Auburn, and Kentucky, but last week they upset our old friends from Texas A & M by the score of 35 to 28. So there is still life in Starkville. On the other hand, Alabama has been extraordinary so far this season. The oddsmakers have installed the Tide as 29 1/2 point favorites in a game where 52 points are expected. That would work out to something like a 41-12 victory for Alabama. I don't know that it will be that easy, but I do believe that an upset by MSU today would be even bigger than the one they pulled off in 1980.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Louisiana St. 0 - 10 Alabama (Final)
Once again, LSU gives it the old college try -- and once again, they fade down the stretch. A tremendous victory for Alabama under very difficult conditions. An excellent performance by Jalen Hurts, who seemed to get stronger as the game went on. And one of the best performances I've ever seen from the Alabama defense, which was utterly dominant.
All in all, a wonderful old-fashioned SEC game.
Alabama's record in UCFC play is now 31-14, and they have now played their final road game of the year. Next week they will defend the Big Gold Trophy at home against Mississippi State.
LSU's record in the UCFC falls to 11-10-1, and they will have to hope that the title stays in the SEC.
All in all, a wonderful old-fashioned SEC game.
Alabama's record in UCFC play is now 31-14, and they have now played their final road game of the year. Next week they will defend the Big Gold Trophy at home against Mississippi State.
LSU's record in the UCFC falls to 11-10-1, and they will have to hope that the title stays in the SEC.
Louisiana St. 0 - 10 Alabama (1:52 left in 4th Quarter)
LSU runs four plays, and makes only two yards. Alabama's defense has been phenomenal in this game.
Alabama has 316 yards.
LSU has 125 yards.
Verne points out that LSU has six first downs and eight punts.
Alabama has 316 yards.
LSU has 125 yards.
Verne points out that LSU has six first downs and eight punts.
Louisiana St. 0 - 10 Alabama (2:41 left in 4th Quarter)
Facing 4th and goal at the 7, Alabama tries another field goal. This time Griffiths' kick is good, and the Tide lead by 10.
Louisiana St. 0 - 7 Alabama (3:11 left in 4th Quarter)
Alabama has had the ball for 14 plays since the interception. Twice, Hurts has saved the drive with long scrambles on third down. Now they face 3d and goal at the 7, after a penalty at the 2.
Here we go: Hurts scrambles . . . and throws . . . incomplete.
Here we go: Hurts scrambles . . . and throws . . . incomplete.
Louisiana St. 0 - 7 Alabama (12:32 left in 4th Quarter)
On first down, LSU hits a 13-yard pass, and they're at their own 38.
On first down, the Alabama defense hammers LSU quarterback Danny Etling (a transfer from Purdue who went to South Vigo H.S. in Terre Haute, Ind.) Etling throws a wounded duck that is apparently INTERCEPTED by Minkah Fitzpatrick (of St. Peter's Prep in Old Bridge, N.J.) Fitzpatrick appears to make a wonderful, diving catch.
Now the play is under review. The ruling on the field STANDS. Alabama takes over at its own 43.
On first down, the Alabama defense hammers LSU quarterback Danny Etling (a transfer from Purdue who went to South Vigo H.S. in Terre Haute, Ind.) Etling throws a wounded duck that is apparently INTERCEPTED by Minkah Fitzpatrick (of St. Peter's Prep in Old Bridge, N.J.) Fitzpatrick appears to make a wonderful, diving catch.
Now the play is under review. The ruling on the field STANDS. Alabama takes over at its own 43.
Louisiana St. 0 - 7 Alabama (13:08 left in 4th Quarter)
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and LSU will start from its own 25.
Louisiana St. 0 - 7 Alabama (13:08 left in 4th Quarter)
On 3d and 9 from the LSU 21, Jalen Hurts rolls out for a pass -- and realizes that the middle of the field is open. He shoots into the gap, beats a few defenders in the backfield, and GOES IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. Great play by Hurts, who makes up for his two turnovers.
Alabama completes a 91-yard drive, and they now lead by a touchdown.
I love me some Big XII football, but this is so much better.
Alabama completes a 91-yard drive, and they now lead by a touchdown.
I love me some Big XII football, but this is so much better.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (14:40 left in 4th Quarter)
On 4th and 1, Bo Scarborough (of Tuscaloosa Co. H.S. in Tuscaloosa, Ala.) runs 9 yards for a first down.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (end of 3d Quarter)
Slowly, painfully, Alabama has moved down the field. They got one first down on a pass from their own 5. They got another first down on a late hit penalty. They got another on a QB scramble. They now face 4th and 1 at the LSU 32.
Alabama has 219 yards and 2 turnovers.
LSU has 110 yards and 0 turnovers.
This is the first I-A game all season that's been scoreless after three quarters.
Alabama has 219 yards and 2 turnovers.
LSU has 110 yards and 0 turnovers.
This is the first I-A game all season that's been scoreless after three quarters.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (4:05 left in 3d Quarter)
On 3d and 3 from the Alabama 35, LSU is hit with a huge delay of game penalty. And then the Alabama defense overwhelms them on 3d and 8, forcing an intentional grounding penalty. The Tigers punt to the Alabama 9.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (5:43 left in 3d Quarter)
Disaster for Alabama! QB Hurts is scrambling around when the ball is slapped from his hand for a FUMBLE! LSU takes over at the Alabama 42.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (6:17 left in 3d Quarter)
LSU goes three and out again, and they punt to the Alabama 42.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (7:48 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama goes three and out, and they punt. Instead of letting the ball go into the end zone, the LSU returner fields it at his own 3 -- and his promptly hammered to the ground. So the Tigers will start from the shadow of their own end zone. The way this game is going, a safety could make the difference.
Alabama has 171 total yards. LSU has 107.
Alabama has 171 total yards. LSU has 107.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (9:59 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama's defense forces another three-and-out, and LSU punts to the Alabama 46.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (11:29 left in 3d Quarter)
But the LSU defense HOLDS! Alabama goes for it on fourth and goal at the 1, and LSU hits them for a five-yard loss. The Tigers will start from their own 6.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (13:29 left in 3d Quarter)
On first and 10, Alabama goes for it. Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) hits a 53-yard pass to Ardarius Stewart (of Fultondale H.S. in Fultondale, Ala.) The Tide will have first and goal at the LSU 7.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (13:21 left in 3d Quarter)
LSU goes three and out, as they miss another easy pass. Gary Danielson crushes the LSU QB for missing at least three easy passes so far, then makes a self-deprecating remark to balance things out a bit. Good for him. The Tigers punt to the Alabama 40 -- the punt is fumbled at first, but Alabama hangs on and they will have the ball.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (15 minutes left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama's kickoff to start the second half goes into the end zone, and LSU will start from its own 25.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (Halftime)
LSU can't do anything, and the half expires. Verne says, "If you like scoreless ties, we have what you're looking for." Verne's the best.
Alabama has 120 total yards.
LSU has 99.
Alabama had one turnover and one missed field goal.
LSU had no turnovers and one missed field goal.
For the record, the last time a team won the UCFC without scoring at least 20 points was October 10, 2009, when Florida held the crown with a 13-3 win over LSU. Ironically, that was also the last time LSU played for the UCFC.
Alabama has 120 total yards.
LSU has 99.
Alabama had one turnover and one missed field goal.
LSU had no turnovers and one missed field goal.
For the record, the last time a team won the UCFC without scoring at least 20 points was October 10, 2009, when Florida held the crown with a 13-3 win over LSU. Ironically, that was also the last time LSU played for the UCFC.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (1:17 left in 2d Quarter)
The Tide go three and out, and punt to their own 47.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (2:16 left in 2d Quarter)
LSU moves the ball out to its own 39, misses an easy pass on third down, and has to punt. Alabama is penalized on the return, and will start from its own 5.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (5:52 left in 2d Quarter)
For reasons I don't understand, Alabama rarely has a good field goal kicker. This time, the Tide put together their first sustained drive of the game -- moving the ball from their 9 to the LSU 24. But Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) misses a 42-yard field goal, and the Tigers will start from the 24.
Verne and Gary Danielson say this game reminds them of LSU's 9-6 win (in overtime) back in 2011. And they are right.
Verne and Gary Danielson say this game reminds them of LSU's 9-6 win (in overtime) back in 2011. And they are right.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (8:22 left in 2d Quarter)
LSU puts together a pretty good drive, but it peters out just on the Alabama side of the 50. The Tigers punt, and the Tide will start from its own 9.
So far, LSU has 80 yards, and Alabama has 44. There have been a lot of really good tackles by both teams.
So far, LSU has 80 yards, and Alabama has 44. There have been a lot of really good tackles by both teams.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (14:58 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama gets the ball out to its own 34, but can go no further. They punt into the LSU end zone.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (3:30 left in 1st Quarter)
Now LSU goes three-and-out, and they punt down to the Alabama 2. Gary Danielson thought the Alabama receiver should have caught the punt at the 15.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (5:16 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama again goes three and out, and is forced to punt. LSU has about a 10-yard return, and the Tigers will start from their own 47.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (7:38 left in 1st Quarter)
LSU hits a long pass to get to midfield, but can't get any further. The Tigers punt, and Alabama will start from its own 12.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (12:01 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama goes three and out, and they punt down to the LSU 9.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (12:39 left in 1st Quarter)
A great stand by the Alabama defense. They hold LSU three and out, and then Colby Delahoussaye (of New Iberia H.S. in New Iberia, La.) misses a 49-yard field goal. I think it was tipped at the line.
So Alabama will take over from its own 32.
So Alabama will take over from its own 32.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (13:48 left in 1st Quarter)
On 3d and 11 from his own 13, Alabama QB Jalen Hurts throws a long pass that is INTERCEPTED by Jamal Adams, a defensive back from Hebron H.S. in Lewisville, Tex. He makes a diving catch at the Alabama 33, and the Tigers will start from there.
The folks in Tiger Stadium go appropriately nuts.
The folks in Tiger Stadium go appropriately nuts.
Louisiana St. 0 - 0 Alabama (14:56 minutes left in 1st Quarter)
A rare night game for Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson on CBS. The Tigers like to play their big games at night, and it doesn't get much bigger than this. Alabama is going for its 21st win in a row, and its sixth straight win over LSU. The Tiger faithful have done their part, and they are here in big numbers. Verne tells us that "this has been the most intense rivalry in the SEC in the last 10 years," and I think he's right.
Over 102,000 folks in Tiger Stadium, which was recently expanded.
Uniform watch: no need -- both teams wearing their traditional uniforms, with the Tigers wearing white at home (as usual).
71 degrees and 52 percent humidity -- doesn't get much better than that.
11th consecutive meetings with both teams left.
LSU won the toss and deferred to the second half, so they kick off to the Tide. Alabama's receiver is hammered on the return, and the Tide will start from its own 14.
Over 102,000 folks in Tiger Stadium, which was recently expanded.
Uniform watch: no need -- both teams wearing their traditional uniforms, with the Tigers wearing white at home (as usual).
71 degrees and 52 percent humidity -- doesn't get much better than that.
11th consecutive meetings with both teams left.
LSU won the toss and deferred to the second half, so they kick off to the Tide. Alabama's receiver is hammered on the return, and the Tide will start from its own 14.
Louisiana St. v. Alabama
According to "And the Valley Shook," if LSU is Animal, then Alabama is Kermit:
Alabama is Kermit. Look, the truth hurts. Bama, like Kermit, is the premier program of the conference what with their twenty billion titles or whatever. They get all of the plaudits and are the leaders of this ragtag mob. The perception of the conference is tied to Bama, just as the fortunes of the Muppets are tied to Kermit. Damn them. Though, unlike Bama, Kermit uses his powers for good.
It's hard to argue with most of that, although of course folks will disagree over whether Alabama uses its powers for good. It also explains why the LSU/Alabama game is usually one of the best fixtures of the year. LSU's biggest weakness is a tendency to lose concentration against lesser opponents -- but they don't have that problem when they play Alabama. On the other hand, Alabama is often able to use superior coaching -- Alabama fans would call it "character" -- to defeat LSU's talent and enthusiasm. From 1971 to 1981, Bear Bryant ran off 11 wins in a row against LSU -- and some of those LSU teams were very good. Alabama leads the all-time series 50-25-5.
But LSU has been in a Golden Age lately, and the Tigers ran off five straight against Alabama from 2003 to 2006 before the Tide hired Nick Saban. Of course, Saban had been LSU's coach from 2000 to 2003, so Tiger fans were enraged at his decision to join Alabama. But Saban is not moved by those sorts of considerations, and soon the annual grudge match between LSU and Alabama had become one of the must-see games on the national schedule. Check out these results (home team listed first):
11/03/07: Alabama 34 - 41 Louisiana St. (LSU keeps the UCFC and goes on to win the national title)
11/08/08: Louisiana St. 21 - 27 Alabama (Overtime) (Alabama stays number 1 in the country)
11/07/09: Alabama 24 - 15 Louisiana St. (Alabama goes on to win the national title)
11/06/10: Louisiana St. 24 - 21 Alabama
11/05/11: Alabama 6 - 9 Louisiana St. (Overtime) This was a huge game, because it allowed LSU to win the SEC West, and then the SEC Championship, and gain a spot in the national title game. If LSU had played any other team for the national title, the Tigers would have given Les Miles his second national championship -- and the history of college football would be very different. But everything went wrong for LSU. There were a bunch of late-season upsets, and in the end Alabama was given a rematch in the Sugar Bowl. That game ended like this:
01/09/12: Louisiana St. 0 - 21 Alabama I thought at the time that this was the greatest game Alabama had ever played. That may still be true. But in any event, Nick Saban got his second national title at Alabama. And LSU has never fully recovered. In fact, they haven't beaten the Tide since.
11/03/12: Louisiana St. 17 - 21 Alabama (The Tide went on to win another national title, its third in four years)
11/09/13: Alabama 38 - 17 Louisiana St.
11/08/14: Louisiana St. 13 - 20 Alabama (Overtime) (The Tide trailed most of the game, but sent it to overtime with a last-second touchdown).
11/07/15: Alabama 30 - 16 Louisiana St. (The Tide went on to claim Nick Saban's fourth national title in seven seasons).
That left Saban with a record of 7-3 over Les Miles, and a record of 4-1 over Miles in national titles. It was those games, more than anything else, that undermined support for Miles and cause LSU to fire him after two early losses this season.
The stakes for this game are enormous. Mississippi State upset Texas A & M today, so the standings in the SEC West now look like this (conference games only):
(1) Alabama: 5-0
(11) Auburn: 5-1
(15) LSU: 3-1
(7) Texas A & M: 4-2
Mississippi St: 2-3
Arkansas: 1-3
Ole Miss: 1-4
Today is Alabama's last true road game of the season -- they've already won at Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. If the Crimson Tide win today, they will be one step closer to defending their national title. But if LSU can pull the upset, the Tigers will not only get the UCFC -- they will have a good chance to win the SEC themselves.
Normally, the game of the day in the SEC is shown at 2:30 P.M. Central Time on CBS. But CBS is doing a prime-time game tonight, due to LSU's unique love of night football. Kickoff is at 7 Central. ESPN Gameday, recognizing the importance of this game, showed up in Baton Rouge today, where it was met with signs like "Nick Saban uses a private e-mail server."
Vegas favors Alabama by 7 in a game where 45 1/2 points are expected. That would work out to a 26-19 win for the Tide, and my guess is that Nick Saban would take that right now. Ed Orgeron is 3-0 in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers will do everything they can to win this one.
Alabama is Kermit. Look, the truth hurts. Bama, like Kermit, is the premier program of the conference what with their twenty billion titles or whatever. They get all of the plaudits and are the leaders of this ragtag mob. The perception of the conference is tied to Bama, just as the fortunes of the Muppets are tied to Kermit. Damn them. Though, unlike Bama, Kermit uses his powers for good.
It's hard to argue with most of that, although of course folks will disagree over whether Alabama uses its powers for good. It also explains why the LSU/Alabama game is usually one of the best fixtures of the year. LSU's biggest weakness is a tendency to lose concentration against lesser opponents -- but they don't have that problem when they play Alabama. On the other hand, Alabama is often able to use superior coaching -- Alabama fans would call it "character" -- to defeat LSU's talent and enthusiasm. From 1971 to 1981, Bear Bryant ran off 11 wins in a row against LSU -- and some of those LSU teams were very good. Alabama leads the all-time series 50-25-5.
But LSU has been in a Golden Age lately, and the Tigers ran off five straight against Alabama from 2003 to 2006 before the Tide hired Nick Saban. Of course, Saban had been LSU's coach from 2000 to 2003, so Tiger fans were enraged at his decision to join Alabama. But Saban is not moved by those sorts of considerations, and soon the annual grudge match between LSU and Alabama had become one of the must-see games on the national schedule. Check out these results (home team listed first):
11/03/07: Alabama 34 - 41 Louisiana St. (LSU keeps the UCFC and goes on to win the national title)
11/08/08: Louisiana St. 21 - 27 Alabama (Overtime) (Alabama stays number 1 in the country)
11/07/09: Alabama 24 - 15 Louisiana St. (Alabama goes on to win the national title)
11/06/10: Louisiana St. 24 - 21 Alabama
11/05/11: Alabama 6 - 9 Louisiana St. (Overtime) This was a huge game, because it allowed LSU to win the SEC West, and then the SEC Championship, and gain a spot in the national title game. If LSU had played any other team for the national title, the Tigers would have given Les Miles his second national championship -- and the history of college football would be very different. But everything went wrong for LSU. There were a bunch of late-season upsets, and in the end Alabama was given a rematch in the Sugar Bowl. That game ended like this:
01/09/12: Louisiana St. 0 - 21 Alabama I thought at the time that this was the greatest game Alabama had ever played. That may still be true. But in any event, Nick Saban got his second national title at Alabama. And LSU has never fully recovered. In fact, they haven't beaten the Tide since.
11/03/12: Louisiana St. 17 - 21 Alabama (The Tide went on to win another national title, its third in four years)
11/09/13: Alabama 38 - 17 Louisiana St.
11/08/14: Louisiana St. 13 - 20 Alabama (Overtime) (The Tide trailed most of the game, but sent it to overtime with a last-second touchdown).
11/07/15: Alabama 30 - 16 Louisiana St. (The Tide went on to claim Nick Saban's fourth national title in seven seasons).
That left Saban with a record of 7-3 over Les Miles, and a record of 4-1 over Miles in national titles. It was those games, more than anything else, that undermined support for Miles and cause LSU to fire him after two early losses this season.
The stakes for this game are enormous. Mississippi State upset Texas A & M today, so the standings in the SEC West now look like this (conference games only):
(1) Alabama: 5-0
(11) Auburn: 5-1
(15) LSU: 3-1
(7) Texas A & M: 4-2
Mississippi St: 2-3
Arkansas: 1-3
Ole Miss: 1-4
Today is Alabama's last true road game of the season -- they've already won at Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. If the Crimson Tide win today, they will be one step closer to defending their national title. But if LSU can pull the upset, the Tigers will not only get the UCFC -- they will have a good chance to win the SEC themselves.
Normally, the game of the day in the SEC is shown at 2:30 P.M. Central Time on CBS. But CBS is doing a prime-time game tonight, due to LSU's unique love of night football. Kickoff is at 7 Central. ESPN Gameday, recognizing the importance of this game, showed up in Baton Rouge today, where it was met with signs like "Nick Saban uses a private e-mail server."
Vegas favors Alabama by 7 in a game where 45 1/2 points are expected. That would work out to a 26-19 win for the Tide, and my guess is that Nick Saban would take that right now. Ed Orgeron is 3-0 in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers will do everything they can to win this one.
Louisiana State
One of my favorite things on the Internet is a post on a webpage called "And the Valley Shook" called The SEC as Muppets. This post was done by an LSU fan, and he decided that LSU was best represented by . . . Animal:
LSU is Animal. This is actually an easy one. We're completely unhinged, barely clinging to reality. Always ready to party, we are a destructive force on the SEC, though really, we're quite harmless (the fans, not the team). I also think it would probably be best for everyone concerned if we were kept on a chain lest we attack Rita Moreno.
That's about as good a description of the LSU football program as you can find anywhere. Of the states in the deep South, Louisiana is the only one that features a single big-time football program. (Tulane is no Georgia Tech.) And this means that whoever coaches LSU has almost uncontested access to one of the richest talent bases in America. Any team that features the best high school players in Louisiana should be very formidable indeed.
And LSU is usually formidable. But fortunately for the rest of the country, LSU has a tendency to hire eccentric coaches. Les Miles -- who was actually one of the greatest LSU coaches -- would often lose one or two games a year because he wouldn't manage the clock correctly, or because his team would suffer odd mental lapses. Over time, this sort of thing drove the LSU fans crazy -- or even crazier than usual -- and earlier this season they finally dispatched with Les Miles's services, despite his 2007 National Championship and his lifetime record of 114-34.
But LSU's coaches aren't the only ones prone to eccentricity. Since hiring Nick Saban at the beginning of the 2000 season, LSU has gone 162-50, with four conference titles and two national titles. Contrary to expectations in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are not usually this good. For example, from 1984 to 1999, LSU used four different coaches to go 101-78-4, with two conference titles and no national title. From 1962 to 1979, Charley McClendon went 137-59-7, with one conference title and no national titles. So the last 16 years have been a Golden Age for Tiger football, and one wonders whether LSU fans appreciate that fact.
For now, the Tigers are happy to be coached by Ed Orgeron, who has been the interim coach since Miles was let go after losing to Auburn. Orgeron was head man at Ole Miss from 2005 to 2007, and went 10-25 (and 3-21 against SEC opponents) -- one of the worst records seen at that proud old institution. But Orgeron is a Cajun (he's from Larose, Louisiana, one of the last towns you reach on your Southern travels before you run into the Gulf of Mexico), and he's not Les Miles, and he's 3-0 so far -- so LSU fans are excited.
LSU won undisputed national titles in 1958 and 2007, and split the national title with Southern Cal in 2003. The Tigers' all-time record in UCFC play is 11-9-1. The Tigers last held the crown in 2007, taking it with a 30-24 win over Auburn on October 20, and keeping it until November 23, 2007, when Arkansas upset them 50-48. Since then, they've had one more shot at the title, but they lost 13-3 to Florida on October 10, 2009.
LSU is Animal. This is actually an easy one. We're completely unhinged, barely clinging to reality. Always ready to party, we are a destructive force on the SEC, though really, we're quite harmless (the fans, not the team). I also think it would probably be best for everyone concerned if we were kept on a chain lest we attack Rita Moreno.
That's about as good a description of the LSU football program as you can find anywhere. Of the states in the deep South, Louisiana is the only one that features a single big-time football program. (Tulane is no Georgia Tech.) And this means that whoever coaches LSU has almost uncontested access to one of the richest talent bases in America. Any team that features the best high school players in Louisiana should be very formidable indeed.
And LSU is usually formidable. But fortunately for the rest of the country, LSU has a tendency to hire eccentric coaches. Les Miles -- who was actually one of the greatest LSU coaches -- would often lose one or two games a year because he wouldn't manage the clock correctly, or because his team would suffer odd mental lapses. Over time, this sort of thing drove the LSU fans crazy -- or even crazier than usual -- and earlier this season they finally dispatched with Les Miles's services, despite his 2007 National Championship and his lifetime record of 114-34.
But LSU's coaches aren't the only ones prone to eccentricity. Since hiring Nick Saban at the beginning of the 2000 season, LSU has gone 162-50, with four conference titles and two national titles. Contrary to expectations in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are not usually this good. For example, from 1984 to 1999, LSU used four different coaches to go 101-78-4, with two conference titles and no national title. From 1962 to 1979, Charley McClendon went 137-59-7, with one conference title and no national titles. So the last 16 years have been a Golden Age for Tiger football, and one wonders whether LSU fans appreciate that fact.
For now, the Tigers are happy to be coached by Ed Orgeron, who has been the interim coach since Miles was let go after losing to Auburn. Orgeron was head man at Ole Miss from 2005 to 2007, and went 10-25 (and 3-21 against SEC opponents) -- one of the worst records seen at that proud old institution. But Orgeron is a Cajun (he's from Larose, Louisiana, one of the last towns you reach on your Southern travels before you run into the Gulf of Mexico), and he's not Les Miles, and he's 3-0 so far -- so LSU fans are excited.
LSU won undisputed national titles in 1958 and 2007, and split the national title with Southern Cal in 2003. The Tigers' all-time record in UCFC play is 11-9-1. The Tigers last held the crown in 2007, taking it with a 30-24 win over Auburn on October 20, and keeping it until November 23, 2007, when Arkansas upset them 50-48. Since then, they've had one more shot at the title, but they lost 13-3 to Florida on October 10, 2009.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Alabama 33 - 14 Texas A & M (Final)
Alabama runs out the clock, and Verne runs a clip of Eli Gold calling Alabama's big defensive touchdown to put them up 26-14. Good for Verne! And good for Eli Gold, who I can remember calling Alabama games for at least 26 years. And hooray for football!
Alabama takes the Big Gold Trophy, and we will now wait two weeks until they defend the title.
Alabama takes the Big Gold Trophy, and we will now wait two weeks until they defend the title.
Alabama 33 - 14 Texas A & M (1:53 left in 4th Quarter)
The party continues in Tuscaloosa as the Tide defense comes through with some more huge plays to stop another Aggie attack. The Tide starts from its own 42, and no one has left Bryant-Denny Stadium.
I don't blame them. No one, not even Alabama fans, get that many 20-game winning streaks.
I don't blame them. No one, not even Alabama fans, get that many 20-game winning streaks.
Alabama 33 - 14 Texas A & M (5:03 left in 4th Quarter)
Alabama uses up several minutes, but their drive stalls and the Aggies take over on downs at their own 41. The folks at Tuscaloosa don't care -- it's a big party down there as the Tide is closing in on its 20th win in a row. CBS is showing clips of Verne Lundquist's guest appearance at ESPN Game Day -- and it makes me happy to think of all of us who love college football as being part of the same community, regardless of network.
Alabama 33 - 14 Texas A & M (10:18 left in 4th Quarter)
TAMU, desperately trying to get back into the game, charges to the Alabama 40, but gets no further. A desperate pass on 4th and 15 doesn't work, and the ball goes over on downs.
Since falling behind 13-14, Alabama has been awesome.
Since falling behind 13-14, Alabama has been awesome.
Alabama 33 - 14 Texas A & M (12:27 left in 4th Quarter)
And after only a few plays, Jalen Hurts -- Alabama's freshman quarterback -- dashes 37 yards on a broken play for a touchdown that really gives Alabama a hammerlock on this game. On that play, for the first time all day, the Aggies looked like a former Big XII team.
Alabama 26 - 14 Texas A & M (13:44 left in 4th Quarter)
Alabama's defense slams the door on TAMU, and the Aggies punt. Alabama gets a pretty good return, and they will start from the TAMU 47.
Alabama 26 - 14 Texas A & M (end of 3d Quarter)
The third quarter ends with TAMU facing a 2d and 7 from its own 21.
Alabama 26 - 14 Texas A & M (21 seconds left in the 3d Quarter)
Alabama's defense, which is so good at scoring, has struck again. On 3d and 26 from his own 38, Trevor Knight tries a simple handoff. But before he can hand off the ball, the Alabama defense is on top of him. The ball is FUMBLED, and scooped up by Jonathan Allen, a defensive lineman from Stone Bridge H.S. in Leesburg, Va. Allen then rolls 34 yards for a DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN. That is Alabama's 12th touchdown this season not scored by the offense.
Alabama went for two, but Hurts's pass was incomplete.
Alabama went for two, but Hurts's pass was incomplete.
Alabama 20 - 14 Texas A & M (2:39 left in 3d Quarter)
Great defensive stand by TAMU. The hold Bama to three and out, and the Tide punts to the Aggie 39.
Alabama 20 - 14 Texas A & M (5:06 left in 3d Quarter)
The Alabama defense holds, and Texas A & M punts to the Tide 17.
Alabama 20 - 14 Texas A & M (6:26 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama was called for taunting on the touchdown, and the Aggies run the kickoff back to their own 37.
Alabama 20 - 14 Texas A & M (6:33 left in 3d Quarter)
OK! We're playing some FOOTBALL now! Alabama takes the kickoff and starts from its own 25. The A & M defense appeared to have stopped them back in their own territory, but A & M was called for roughing the passer on a big 3d and 10. After that, Alabama rolled the rest of the way down the field, scoring on a four-yard pass from Hurts to Calvin Ridley of Monarch H.S. in Coconut Creek, Fla. Huge drive for the Tide.
Alabama 13 - 14 Texas A & M (12:54 left in 3d Quarter)
Alabama completely dominated the first half, but only led 13-7 at the half. Now the Aggies take the kickoff to start the second half and they go 75 yards in only six plays. The last play was a 25-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Knight to Christian Kirk of Saguaro H.S. in Scottsdale, Ariz. And now the Tide is losing by one point. This game is about to get very exciting.
Alabama 13 - 7 Texas A & M (Halftime)
Alabama took the kickoff and got to the TAMU 35 with 5 seconds left. The Tide was going to try a 52-yard field goal, but was called for illegal procedure. Rather than try a 57-yard field goal, the Tide went for a Hail Mary that was intercepted.
The Aggies will have the ball to start the second half.
The Aggies will have the ball to start the second half.
Alabama 13 - 7 Texas A & M (38 seconds left in 2d Quarter)
Inspired by the missed field goal, the TAMU offense finally comes to life. On 4th and 2 from the Alabama 36, Trevor Knight (of Ronald Reagan H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.) had a huge 27 yard run. And then, on first and goal, he hit Josh Reynolds (of John Jay H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.) in the corner of the end zone for a great touchdown pass. The Aggies tacked on the extra point, and they are suddenly right back in this game.
Alabama leads in total yards, 276 to 150. But their lead on the scoreboard is only six points.
Alabama leads in total yards, 276 to 150. But their lead on the scoreboard is only six points.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (2:20 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama puts together yet another drive that stalls deep in TAMU territory, and sends out Adam Griffith to try his third field goal of the game. But this time, Griffith misses a 29-yarder. So we still have a two-possession game.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (5:10 left in 2d Quarter)
Well, that didn't last long. First, A & M was called for a targeting penalty on the return. So they were moved back to the Alabama 49. And then, on first down, Trevor Knight's pass was INTERCEPTED by Marlon Humphrey, a defensive back from Hoover H.S. in Hoover, Ala. So now the Tide will start from its own 25.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (5:26 left in 2d Quarter)
And suddenly, the Aggies get a huge break. On 3d and 10 from his own 43, Alabama QB Jalen Hurts throws an INTERCEPTION to linebacker Claude George (of Acadiana H.S. in Lafayette, La.) George runs the ball back to the Alabama 34, and the Aggies have their best scoring chance so far.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (6:15 left in 2d Quarter)
That didn't take long. The Aggies go three and out and punt to the Alabama 43.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (7:19 left in 2d Quarter)
The Aggie defense doesn't let Alabama get past its own 13, and the Tide is forced to punt for the first time today. There's a clipping penalty on the return, and the Aggies will start from their own 22.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (10:18 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama's defense holds once again, but Shane Tripucka (of Allen H.S. in Allen, Tex.) hits a perfect punt that is caught by the Aggie coverage team at the Alabama 1. So the Tide will start 99 yards from the A & M goal.
Alabama 13 - 0 Texas A & M (12:59 left in 2d Quarter)
A & M couldn't do much with the ball after Alabama's second field goal, and punted down to the Alabama 12. This time, it took Alabama nine plays to go 88 yards, and the Tide got its first touchdown of the game. They scored on a 5-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) to O.J. Howard (of Autauga Academy in Prattville, Ala.)
So far, Alabama has 194 total yards, to 25 for the Aggies.
So far, Alabama has 194 total yards, to 25 for the Aggies.
Alabama 6 - 0 Texas A & M (4:43 left in 1st Quarter)
This drive was a parallel to Alabama's last one. The Tide rolls down the field until it gets to about the TAMU 10, and then it stalls. This time, Griffith boots a 28-yard field goal, and the Tide lead by six.
Alabama 3 - 0 Texas A & M (9:55 left in 1st Quarter)
Texas A & M takes the kickoff, starts from its own 25, makes one first down -- but no more -- and punts. Alabama will be starting from its own 28.
Alabama 3 - 0 Texas A & M (11:57 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama takes the opening kickoff and quickly drives deep into A & M territory. But their drive stalls at the A & M 15, and so Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) boots a 32-yard field goal to give Alabama the early lead.
Alabama 0 - 0 Texas A & M (15 minutes left in first quarter)
Alabama wins the toss and elects to receive. Texas A & M kicks off into the end zone.
Uniform watch: Just kidding. Both teams are wearing the uniforms they're supposed to wear.
Weather: It is a glorious day in Alabama -- about 70 degrees, bright and sunny. They don't get too many days like this in Alabama, and it's nice that they can use one for this very big football game.
Uniform watch: Just kidding. Both teams are wearing the uniforms they're supposed to wear.
Weather: It is a glorious day in Alabama -- about 70 degrees, bright and sunny. They don't get too many days like this in Alabama, and it's nice that they can use one for this very big football game.
Alabama v. Texas A & M
Soon after the 1957 season, Texas A & M Coach Bear Bryant had a big decision to make. In his four years at College Station, he had turned the Aggies into a powerhouse. His 1956 team had gone 9-0-1 and finished number 5 in the country. His 1957 team had been 8-0 and number 1 in the country before losing its last three games by a total of six points. Bryant was enormously popular in College Station, and could have stayed there for the rest of his career. But he was an alumnus of the University of Alabama, and Alabama's football program was in big trouble. The 1957 team, coached by J.B. "Ears" Whitworth, had stumbled to a record of 2-7-1, and had been humiliated by Auburn 40-0 in the last game of the season. Auburn had won the 1957 National Championship, and in Shug Jordan, the Tigers had a great coach who would likely keep them as a powerhouse for years to come. Now Alabama had asked Bryant to leave Texas A & M and coach the Tide.
In retrospect, Bryant held the whole future of Southern college football in his big hands at that moment. Had he remained at Texas A & M, the future of every major college football team in what were then the Southeastern and Southwest Conferences would be different than it turned out to be. (Given that Bryant played a significant role in Georgia Tech's decision to leave the SEC, his decision had a big impact on the ACC as well.) But as he explained to the folks at College Station, his mama had called him, and he was going home to straighten things out. As a result, Alabama entered the 1960's with the best coach in the whole country. The popularity of football boomed during the 1960's and 1970's, thanks in large part to television, and Bear turned Alabama into a national symbol of football excellence. He also survived the political turmoil of those years, and became the only coach to win a football championship with both segregated teams and integrated teams. (No one did this in basketball.) The Tide have gone up and down since Bryant left, but the magic aura he left behind has never wholly faded, and has recently been burnished to a very high level by Nick Saban.
Meanwhile, Texas A & M was left behind to face the University of Texas (and the genius of Darryl Royal) without a Bear Bryant to save them, and they have never really caught their footing ever since. A few years ago, they decided to join the SEC to get away from Texas, and now they again stand on the verge of National Powerhouse Status. Here are the current SEC standings (conference games only):
EAST
(15) Florida: 3-1
(18) Tennessee: 2-2
Kentucky: 2-2
Georgia: 2-3
Vanderbilt: 1-3
S. Carolina: 1-4
Missouri: 0-3
WEST:
(1) Alabama: 4-0
(6) Texas A & M: 4-0
Auburn: 2-1
Louisiana St: 2-1
(17) Arkansas: 1-2
Mississippi: 1-2
Mississippi St: 1-2
Whichever team wins today will probably win the SEC West, and probably represent the SEC in the College Football playoff.
Alabama has an all-time record of 6-2 against the Aggies. In 2012, the first season Texas A & M was in the SEC, a quarterback named Johnny Manziel led them to a stunning upset of the two-time defending national champions in Tuscaloosa, as the Aggies won 29-24. The next year, in College Station, the Tide beat Manziel in a 49-42 shootout. The last two years, Alabama has drilled A & M -- beating the Aggies 59-0 and 41-23. But those Aggie teams weren't as good as this one.
Nevertheless, the oddsmakers were very impressed by Alabama's blowout win in Knoxville last week. They have installed Alabama as an 18-point favorite in a game where 60 points are expected. That would be a 39-21 win for the Tide, which would be very disappointing for an Aggie team looking to show that it belongs on a national stage. But given how good the Tide has been this year, the oddsmakers may be right.
In retrospect, Bryant held the whole future of Southern college football in his big hands at that moment. Had he remained at Texas A & M, the future of every major college football team in what were then the Southeastern and Southwest Conferences would be different than it turned out to be. (Given that Bryant played a significant role in Georgia Tech's decision to leave the SEC, his decision had a big impact on the ACC as well.) But as he explained to the folks at College Station, his mama had called him, and he was going home to straighten things out. As a result, Alabama entered the 1960's with the best coach in the whole country. The popularity of football boomed during the 1960's and 1970's, thanks in large part to television, and Bear turned Alabama into a national symbol of football excellence. He also survived the political turmoil of those years, and became the only coach to win a football championship with both segregated teams and integrated teams. (No one did this in basketball.) The Tide have gone up and down since Bryant left, but the magic aura he left behind has never wholly faded, and has recently been burnished to a very high level by Nick Saban.
Meanwhile, Texas A & M was left behind to face the University of Texas (and the genius of Darryl Royal) without a Bear Bryant to save them, and they have never really caught their footing ever since. A few years ago, they decided to join the SEC to get away from Texas, and now they again stand on the verge of National Powerhouse Status. Here are the current SEC standings (conference games only):
EAST
(15) Florida: 3-1
(18) Tennessee: 2-2
Kentucky: 2-2
Georgia: 2-3
Vanderbilt: 1-3
S. Carolina: 1-4
Missouri: 0-3
WEST:
(1) Alabama: 4-0
(6) Texas A & M: 4-0
Auburn: 2-1
Louisiana St: 2-1
(17) Arkansas: 1-2
Mississippi: 1-2
Mississippi St: 1-2
Whichever team wins today will probably win the SEC West, and probably represent the SEC in the College Football playoff.
Alabama has an all-time record of 6-2 against the Aggies. In 2012, the first season Texas A & M was in the SEC, a quarterback named Johnny Manziel led them to a stunning upset of the two-time defending national champions in Tuscaloosa, as the Aggies won 29-24. The next year, in College Station, the Tide beat Manziel in a 49-42 shootout. The last two years, Alabama has drilled A & M -- beating the Aggies 59-0 and 41-23. But those Aggie teams weren't as good as this one.
Nevertheless, the oddsmakers were very impressed by Alabama's blowout win in Knoxville last week. They have installed Alabama as an 18-point favorite in a game where 60 points are expected. That would be a 39-21 win for the Tide, which would be very disappointing for an Aggie team looking to show that it belongs on a national stage. But given how good the Tide has been this year, the oddsmakers may be right.
Alabama
We took a bye week with Texas A & M last week, but the UCFC is back with a vengeance today. We have an undefeated Texas A & M team bringing the Big Gold Trophy to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for a showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Now the last time we saw the Tide, it was January 2, 2014, and they were losing the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma, 45 to 31. Oklahoma's victory kept the UCFC in the Big XII for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but Alabama didn't exactly sit still during those years:
1. In 2014, Alabama won the SEC and was ranked number 1 in the country going into the college football playoff -- only to lose to eventual national champions Ohio State by the score of 42 to 35. Alabama finished the season at number 4 in the AP Poll.
2. In 2015, Alabama won the SEC and was number 2 going into the college football playoff. This time, they won it all -- beating Michigan State 38-0 and Clemson 45-40 for Nick Saban's fourth AP national title since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. The others were in 2009, 2011, and 2012.
3. So far this year, Alabama is 7-0 and ranked number 1 in the country. They opened the season with a 52-6 win over Southern Cal in Dallas, and their only close game was a 48-43 win at Ole Miss in the third week of the season. They have played two teams that we've seen this year, and beat both of them on the road. Two weeks ago, they went to Fayetteville, Ark. and smashed Arkansas 49-30. Last week, they went to Knoxville, Tenn. and crushed Tennessee 49-10. They have scored at least 34 points in every game this year, and the defense and special teams have combined to score more touchdowns (11) than they have allowed (10).
Nick Saban could retire tomorrow and be regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. But if he can win one more AP title at Tuscaloosa, he will have five such trophies -- the same as the legendary Bear Bryant. I can assure you that no Alabama fan of my generation ever thought they would see an Alabama coach who could match the Bear on that score. But that's where Saban could end up. He has won four of the last seven national titles, and is favored to win a fifth. That's extraordinary.
One final note: This is the first time that the AP's number-one team has played for the UCFC since Auburn met Oregon for the 2010 National Championship.
Now the last time we saw the Tide, it was January 2, 2014, and they were losing the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma, 45 to 31. Oklahoma's victory kept the UCFC in the Big XII for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but Alabama didn't exactly sit still during those years:
1. In 2014, Alabama won the SEC and was ranked number 1 in the country going into the college football playoff -- only to lose to eventual national champions Ohio State by the score of 42 to 35. Alabama finished the season at number 4 in the AP Poll.
2. In 2015, Alabama won the SEC and was number 2 going into the college football playoff. This time, they won it all -- beating Michigan State 38-0 and Clemson 45-40 for Nick Saban's fourth AP national title since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. The others were in 2009, 2011, and 2012.
3. So far this year, Alabama is 7-0 and ranked number 1 in the country. They opened the season with a 52-6 win over Southern Cal in Dallas, and their only close game was a 48-43 win at Ole Miss in the third week of the season. They have played two teams that we've seen this year, and beat both of them on the road. Two weeks ago, they went to Fayetteville, Ark. and smashed Arkansas 49-30. Last week, they went to Knoxville, Tenn. and crushed Tennessee 49-10. They have scored at least 34 points in every game this year, and the defense and special teams have combined to score more touchdowns (11) than they have allowed (10).
Nick Saban could retire tomorrow and be regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. But if he can win one more AP title at Tuscaloosa, he will have five such trophies -- the same as the legendary Bear Bryant. I can assure you that no Alabama fan of my generation ever thought they would see an Alabama coach who could match the Bear on that score. But that's where Saban could end up. He has won four of the last seven national titles, and is favored to win a fifth. That's extraordinary.
One final note: This is the first time that the AP's number-one team has played for the UCFC since Auburn met Oregon for the 2010 National Championship.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Texas A & M 45 - 38 Tennessee (bottom of the 2d OT)
OK, here go the Vols:
1/10, TAMU 25: Dobbs's pass is INTERCEPTED BY ARMANI WATTS! The game is over! TEXAS A & M RETAINS THE UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP! What a game! What a trophy!
1/10, TAMU 25: Dobbs's pass is INTERCEPTED BY ARMANI WATTS! The game is over! TEXAS A & M RETAINS THE UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP! What a game! What a trophy!
Texas A & M 38 - 38 Tennessee (top of the 2d OT)
Here go the Aggies. On first down, they jump offside:
1/15, Tenn 30: Williams runs for 5 yards
2/10, Tenn 25: Williams to Hurt, who makes a GREAT DIVING CATCH at the 1.
After review, the play stands
1/G, Tenn 1: Knight scrambles to the left. He's hit at the one-yard line, but forces his way into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN.
LaCamera adds the extra point, and the Aggies lead by 7. Over to UT.
1/15, Tenn 30: Williams runs for 5 yards
2/10, Tenn 25: Williams to Hurt, who makes a GREAT DIVING CATCH at the 1.
After review, the play stands
1/G, Tenn 1: Knight scrambles to the left. He's hit at the one-yard line, but forces his way into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN.
LaCamera adds the extra point, and the Aggies lead by 7. Over to UT.
Texas A & M 38 - 38 Tennessee (end of the 1st OT)
The Aggies are stuffed on 3d and 1 at the 16, and Daniel LaCamera -- who just missed a field goal that would have won the game -- nails a field goal to tie the game. We are going to double overtime.
Texas A & M 35 - 38 Tennessee (middle of the 1st OT)
Tennessee can only get nine yards in three plays, and the Vols settle for a field goal from Aaron Medley. Now we'll see what the Aggies can do.
Texas A & M 35 - 35 Tennessee (41 seconds left in 4th Quarter)
Tennessee boots the ball into the end zone, and the Aggies will start on their own 25. They have two timeouts left.
1/10, TAMU 25 (0:41): Knight's attempted screen pass is incomplete
2/10, TAMU 25 (0:36): Williams runs for 14 yards
1/10, TAMU 39 (0:31): Knight to Hurt for 21 yards
1/10, Tenn 40 (0:23): Knight goes deep to Hurt, incomplete
2/10, Tenn 40 (0:18): Williams runs for 22 yards (A & M calls time)
1/10, Tenn 18 (0:10): Knight runs for negative 3 yards to put it in the middle of the field (A & M calls time) (Tennessee calls time) (Tennessee calls time again)
2/13, Tenn 21 (0:08): Now it is up to Daniel LaCamera, a sophomore from Tarpon Springs, Fla. (an exurb of Tampa). He hooks the field goal to the left, AND IT IS NO GOOD. For the second time this year, THE BIG GOLD TROPHY WILL BE DECIDED IN OVERTIME!
1/10, TAMU 25 (0:41): Knight's attempted screen pass is incomplete
2/10, TAMU 25 (0:36): Williams runs for 14 yards
1/10, TAMU 39 (0:31): Knight to Hurt for 21 yards
1/10, Tenn 40 (0:23): Knight goes deep to Hurt, incomplete
2/10, Tenn 40 (0:18): Williams runs for 22 yards (A & M calls time)
1/10, Tenn 18 (0:10): Knight runs for negative 3 yards to put it in the middle of the field (A & M calls time) (Tennessee calls time) (Tennessee calls time again)
2/13, Tenn 21 (0:08): Now it is up to Daniel LaCamera, a sophomore from Tarpon Springs, Fla. (an exurb of Tampa). He hooks the field goal to the left, AND IT IS NO GOOD. For the second time this year, THE BIG GOLD TROPHY WILL BE DECIDED IN OVERTIME!
Texas A & M 35 - 28 Tennessee (1:12 left in 4th Quarter)
One last time. The Vols go charging down the field again, and they now have a first and 10 at the TAMU 29. The Aggies call time. The sound of "Rocky Top" is heard once again.
1/10, TAMU 29: Screen pass to Kamara, who runs down to the 18
1/10, TAMU 18: Dobbs throws it away (49 seconds left)
2/10, TAMU 18: Screen pass Kamara, who RUNS ALL THE WAY INTO THE END ZONE! That's a TOUCHDOWN!
Tennessee decides to go for one point with 41 seconds left. The Aggies jump offside. The penalty is declined. Aaron Medley of Lewisburg boots the extra point, and THIS GAME IS TIED.
1/10, TAMU 29: Screen pass to Kamara, who runs down to the 18
1/10, TAMU 18: Dobbs throws it away (49 seconds left)
2/10, TAMU 18: Screen pass Kamara, who RUNS ALL THE WAY INTO THE END ZONE! That's a TOUCHDOWN!
Tennessee decides to go for one point with 41 seconds left. The Aggies jump offside. The penalty is declined. Aaron Medley of Lewisburg boots the extra point, and THIS GAME IS TIED.
Texas A & M 35 - 28 Tennessee (2:07 left in 4th Quarter)
On first down, Trayveon Williams runs for two yards, and UT calls time. They have two timeouts left.
On second, Trayveon Williams breaks through the line -- and he is gone. This is going to be spectacular -- a back-breaking score to clinch the game. But Malik Foreman, a defensive back from Dobyns-Bennett H.S. in Kingsport, Tenn., chases Williams all the way. At the three yard line, he catches up with him, and PUNCHES THE BALL THROUGH THE END ZONE. That's a TOUCHBACK, and the Vols will take over on their own 20. Will miracles never cease?
On second, Trayveon Williams breaks through the line -- and he is gone. This is going to be spectacular -- a back-breaking score to clinch the game. But Malik Foreman, a defensive back from Dobyns-Bennett H.S. in Kingsport, Tenn., chases Williams all the way. At the three yard line, he catches up with him, and PUNCHES THE BALL THROUGH THE END ZONE. That's a TOUCHBACK, and the Vols will take over on their own 20. Will miracles never cease?
Texas A & M 35 - 28 Tennessee (2:07 left in 4th Quarter)
But hold the phone! Tennessee takes the kickoff, and charges down the field for another touchdown. 66 yards in 6 plays, mostly through the running of Alvin Kamara, who has been tremendous in this game. He has 127 rushing yards in this game, and he blasts in from four yards out to bring UT back to within seven points.
What a game!
Tennessee kicks off into the end zone, so TAMU will start from its own 25.
What a game!
Tennessee kicks off into the end zone, so TAMU will start from its own 25.
Texas A & M 35 - 21 Tennessee (3:22 left in 4th Quarter)
For roughly four hours, Tennessee and Texas A & M have played one of the most violent and difficult football games you would ever want to see. And finally, at the key moment, Trevor Knight has taken control of the game. Facing a 3d and 3 from his own 37, Knight takes the ball on a keeper, breaks into the open field -- and is gone. He races sixty-three yards for what is almost certainly the game-clinching touchdown.
I was happy to see that bit of quality from TAMU. The Aggies have been hanging on for most of this quarter, but on that play they really showed what they could do.
If A & M wins this game, there will be no UCFC battle next week, because A & M's next game is on October 22 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
I was happy to see that bit of quality from TAMU. The Aggies have been hanging on for most of this quarter, but on that play they really showed what they could do.
If A & M wins this game, there will be no UCFC battle next week, because A & M's next game is on October 22 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Texas A & M 28 - 21 Tennessee (4:31 left in 4th Quarter)
TAMU gets a first down, and now faces second and 7 from its own 33.
Texas A & M 28 - 21 Tennessee (6:04 left in 4th Quarter)
UT faces a 3d and 7 from its own 33, and yet another Vol is injured. So far three UT players have left the game due to injury, the Vols have suffered six turnovers, and they have been whistled for 11 penalties totaling 79 yards. And yet -- they still have a great chance to win the game. The truth is that UT is probably the better team, but they have been unlucky. Of course, as the old saying goes, it is better to be lucky than good.
On third down, UT's receiver cannot hold Dobbs's pass. The Vols punt to the Aggie end zone. If I were a TAMU fan, I would really want some more points.
On third down, UT's receiver cannot hold Dobbs's pass. The Vols punt to the Aggie end zone. If I were a TAMU fan, I would really want some more points.
Texas A & M 28 - 21 Tennessee (6:28 left in 4th)
For the 10th time today, UT forces TAMU to punt. The Vols will start from their own 30.
Texas A & M 28 - 21 Tennessee (7:06 left in 4th Quarter)
Tennessee's offense has been very good when it can hold onto the ball -- the Vols have over 500 yards in this game. They storm the length of the field, topping off the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run by John Kelly of Oak Park H.S. in Detroit. Kelly has lost two fumbles today, but when he doesn't fumble, he's been very effective. And suddenly the Vols are back in this game -- despite six turnovers.
The kickoff goes through the end zone, and the Aggies will start on their own 25.
The kickoff goes through the end zone, and the Aggies will start on their own 25.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (10:48 left in 4th Quarter)
We're back. The Vols hold again, and TAMU punts down to the Tennessee 8. UT is running out of time -- they really need a touchdown on this possession.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (11:44 left in 4th Quarter)
TAMU is facing 3d and 6 at their own 34, but we have an injured player for Tennessee -- I have long since lost track of how many Vols have been taken off the field.
Meanwhile, CBS informs us that Aggie quarterback Trevor Knight was the QB for Oklahoma when they beat Tennessee for the UCFC back in 2014.
Meanwhile, CBS informs us that Aggie quarterback Trevor Knight was the QB for Oklahoma when they beat Tennessee for the UCFC back in 2014.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (13:13 left in 4th Quarter)
But the A & M defense hurls the Vols all the way back to the TAMU 43. UT is forced to punt, and the Aggies will take over at their own 9.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (14:53 left in 4th Quarter)
On 3d and 19, A & M commits pass interference, so UT has a first down at the TAMU 30.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (End of 3d Quarter)
The third quarter ends with UT facing a 3d and 19 at the TAMU 45.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (2:29 left in 3d Quarter)
Once again, the UT defense holds, and the Aggies punt all the way down to the Tennessee 17. It will be interesting to see how long the Vols can keep the ball this time.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has suffered another injury. It should be noted that the Vols have lost several players to injury in this game. They have been utterly snake-bit.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has suffered another injury. It should be noted that the Vols have lost several players to injury in this game. They have been utterly snake-bit.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (3:59 left in 3d Quarter)
Unless you're a Tennessee fan, this is becoming comical. Dobbs throws a pass over the middle that is juggled by a Tennessee receiver right into the hands of an Aggie defensive back. That is an INTERCEPTION, and is Tennessee's SIXTH turnover of the game. A & M will start from its own 39.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (4:41 left in 3d Quarter)
The Tennessee defense holds, and A & M is forced to punt. The Vols will start from their own 35.
Tennessee now has 406 total yards of offense, to only 307 for TAMU. But UT has five turnovers, compared to only two for the Aggies. That's the difference in the game.
Tennessee now has 406 total yards of offense, to only 307 for TAMU. But UT has five turnovers, compared to only two for the Aggies. That's the difference in the game.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (6:33 left in 3d Quarter)
The cry of "Rocky Top" is heard in the land, as a Knight pass is deflected by DB Malik Foreman, and then INTERCEPTED by Colton Jumper of Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Tennessee will start from the A & M 26.
But only two plays later, TENNESSEE FUMBLES THE BALL BACK. John Kelly drops the ball, which is bouncing at the A & M 5. Josh Dobbs tries to pick it up, but of course he can't -- you have to fall on a bouncing football, which is apparently something they don't teach at Tennessee. It goes to A & M at its own 2. That's UT's FIFTH turnover of the game, all of which were lost fumbles.
But only two plays later, TENNESSEE FUMBLES THE BALL BACK. John Kelly drops the ball, which is bouncing at the A & M 5. Josh Dobbs tries to pick it up, but of course he can't -- you have to fall on a bouncing football, which is apparently something they don't teach at Tennessee. It goes to A & M at its own 2. That's UT's FIFTH turnover of the game, all of which were lost fumbles.
Texas A & M 28 - 14 Tennessee (7:10 left in 3d Quarter)
Well, that didn't take long. Tennessee takes the kickoff and charges straight down the field, scoring on a run by Alvin Kamara. It's much easier when you don't commit penalties or turnovers.
Texas A & M 28 - 7 Tennessee (10:40 left in 3d Quarter)
Tennessee's defense, staggered by yet another touchdown, collapses -- allowing TAMU to go 61 yards on 7 plays. The last play is an easy seven-yard run by Treveon Williams of C.E. King H.S. in Houston.
Now that A & M is up by 21 points, we will invoke the usual 21-point rule on this blog -- the first time it's been invoked in awhile -- and we won't blog again unless the outcome appears to be in doubt.
Now that A & M is up by 21 points, we will invoke the usual 21-point rule on this blog -- the first time it's been invoked in awhile -- and we won't blog again unless the outcome appears to be in doubt.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (13:07 left in 3d Quarter)
Tennessee's drive gets off to a good start, but the Vols FUMBLE at the A & M 39. That's their fourth turnover of the game, and that's why they are losing.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (15 minutes left in 3d Quarter)
The second-half kickoff goes into the end zone, and the Vols will start from their own 25.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (Halftime)
A scoreless second quarter comes to an end. As I've said, UT looks to be about as good as TAMU, but they keep making mistakes. It will be interesting to see what the Vols do with the first possession of the second half.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (3:31 left in 2d Quarter)
After another exchange of punts, Tennessee's Nigel Warrior (a defensive back from Peachtree Ridge H.S. in Norcross, Ga.) is called for a targeting penalty because he whacked an A & M player in the head on a punt return. Warrior is thrown out of the game, a 43-yard punt return is cancelled, and Tennessee will start from its own 8.
Tennessee has 228 total yards, but only one touchdown. The Vols are killing themselves with turnovers and penalties.
Tennessee has 228 total yards, but only one touchdown. The Vols are killing themselves with turnovers and penalties.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (7:11 left in 2d Quarter)
The Vols' defense holds again, and now the officials are reviewing the Aggie punt to see whether Tennessee will start from its own 2 or its own 20.
They will start from their own 2.
They will start from their own 2.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (9:28 left in 2d Quarter)
After an exchange of punts, TAMU will start from its own 35.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (13:22 left in 2d Quarter)
Tennessee goes for it on 4th and 2 at the Aggie 35, but the Vols get nothing. TAMU will take over downs, and the Aggies can now drive UT into a very deep hole.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (end of 1st Quarter)
Tennessee is on the move again -- the Vols are at their own 45 as the first quarter comes to an end. The game has been petty even, except for the fact that UT had three devastating turnovers, two of which led to Aggie touchdowns, and the other of which prevented Tennessee from scoring. If they can stop making those mistakes, they could once again charge back into the game.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (1:41 left in 1st Quarter)
Tennessee commits a penalty on the kickoff return, and the Vols will start from their own 8. As you can imagine, the folks at Kyle Field are transported with joy.
Texas A & M 21 - 7 Tennessee (1:45 left in 1st Quarter)
It's all coming up maroon-and-white now. The Aggies get a pass interference call and a 7-yard touchdown run from QB Knight, and they suddenly have a 14-point lead.
Texas A & M 14 - 7 Tennessee (2:04 left in 1st Quarter)
Well, that didn't take long. Trevor Knight supervises a rapid 75-yard drive that concludes with a short pass from Knight to Josh Reynolds of John Jay H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.
AND NOW TENNESSEE HAS FUMBLED THE KICKOFF! That's their THIRD TURNOVER if this quarter, and the Aggies start from the Tennessee 22.
AND NOW TENNESSEE HAS FUMBLED THE KICKOFF! That's their THIRD TURNOVER if this quarter, and the Aggies start from the Tennessee 22.
Texas A & M 7 - 7 Tennessee (3:37 left in 1st Quarter)
The kickoff goes into the end zone, and the Aggies will start from their own 25.
Texas A & M 7 - 7 Tennessee (3:37 left in 1st Quarter)
So far, Tennessee has met every challenge this year, and they do so again. The Vols drive down the field for a touchdown, which comes on a 4-yard double-reverse pass from wide receiver Jauan Jennings (of Blackman H.S. in Murfreesboro, Tenn.) to quarterback Joshua Dobbs (of Alpharetta H.S. in Alpharetta, Ga.) Aaron Medley (of Marshall Co. H.S. in Lewisburg, Tenn.) boots the extra point, and we are all tied.
Texas A & M 7 - 0 Tennessee (5:29 left in 1st Quarter)
Tennessee's defense forces a punt, and the Vols will start from their own 29. The Aggies wanted a roughing-the-kicker penalty, but they didn't get it.
Texas A & M 7 - 0 Tennessee (7:51 left in 1st Quarter)
A huge play. Alvin Kamara (of Norcross H.S. in Norcross, Ga.) broke a spectacular, 56-yard run for the Vols that took him deep into Aggie territory. But as he battled to get into the end zone, the ball was STRIPPED by Aggie DB Armani Watts (of North Forney H.S. in Forney, Tex.), and the Aggies RECOVERED THE FUMBLE. That's Tennessee's second turnover of the game, the Aggies will start from their own 7.
Texas A & M 7 - 0 Tennessee (8:30 left in 1st Quarter)
A & M takes advantage of the turnover, scoring on a five-play drive. The last play was a 13-yard pass from Trevor Knight (of Ronald Reagan H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.) to Christian Kirk (of Saguaro H.S. in Scottsdale, Ariz.) Daniel LaCamera (of East Lake H.S. in Tarpon Springs, Fla.) boots the extra point, and the Aggies are in the lead.
Tennessee has been coming from behind all year, and now they will have to do so again.
Tennessee has been coming from behind all year, and now they will have to do so again.
Texas A & M 0 - 0 Tennessee (9:49 left in 1st Quarter)
After holding A & M, Tennessee started from its on 15. The Vols made it to their 26, before quarterback Josh Dobbs was hammered by All-American defensive lineman Myles Garrett (of Martin H.S. Arlington, Tex.) Dobbs FUMBLED, and the fumble was recovered by Aggie lineman Zaycoven Henderson (of Longview H.S. in Longview, Tex.) The Aggies are in business at the UT 26.
Texas A & M 0 - 0 Tennessee (12:58 left in 1st Quarter)
The A & M defense forces a three and out after the interception, and Tennessee punts to the Aggie 12.
Texas A & M 0 - 0 Tennessee (14:20 left in 1st Quarter)
On the second play of the game, A & M's Trevor Knight hurls a weak pass downfield, where it is INTERCEPTED by Todd Kelly, Jr. of the Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn. The Vols will start from their own 48.
Texas A & M 0 - 0 Tennessee (15 minutes left in 1st Quarter)
Tennessee wins the coin toss and defers. They boot the kickoff through the end zone, so A & M will start on its own 25.
Uniform watch: neither team is messing around today -- both are wearing their traditional uniforms, which are two of the best in sports.
Uniform watch: neither team is messing around today -- both are wearing their traditional uniforms, which are two of the best in sports.
Texas A & M v. Tennessee
When we started this blog, I thought there would be a lot more games like this one -- a dramatic top-10 showdown with national implications. Here are the current standings in the SEC:
EAST:
(9) Tennessee: 2-0, 5-0
(18) Florida: 2-1, 4-1
Georgia: 1-2, 3-2
Kentucky: 1-2, 2-3
S. Carolina: 1-3, 2-3
Missouri: 0-2, 2-3
Vanderbilt: 0-2, 2-3
WEST:
(8) Texas A & M: 3-0, 5-0
(1) Alabama: 2-0, 5-0
Louisiana St: 2-1, 3-2
Auburn: 1-1, 3-2
(14) Mississippi: 1-1, 3-2
Mississippi St: 1-1, 2-2
(16) Arkansas: 0-1, 4-1
So this is an enormous game for both teams -- and in fact, the ESPN Gameday is in College Station for this game. It is also CBS's SEC Game of the Week, so it gets the prime position of 2:30 Central Time.
Texas A & M has a long history of playing a team known as "UT" with orange and white as its colors; but the Aggies have only played the University of Tennessee twice, both in bowl games. In 1957, Bear Bryant's Aggies appeared to be loaded -- they roared out to an 8-0 start and were ranked number-one in the country, before losing their last two games in heartbreaking fashion. They were edged 7-6 at Rice, and beaten 9-7 by Texas. Their 8-2 record sent them to the Gator Bowl, where they lost 3-0 to Tennessee. That was the last game Bear Bryant ever coached for Texas A & M -- and one of the last he lost to Tennessee. The next year he went to Alabama, and four years later Alabama had the National Championship. A & M fell to 4-6 in 1958, and their program hasn't been ranked number one since.
The two teams also met on January 1, 2005, in the Cotton Bowl, where Tennessee drilled A & M 38 to 7. That's the last meeting between these two squads.
Today, however, A & M is expected to win. They are a 7-point favorite in a game where 60 points are expected. That would work out to something like a 33-27 Aggie win.
Personally, I think this is a very difficult game to call. Both of these teams have played to the level of their opposition all year, which means that they should play very well today.
EAST:
(9) Tennessee: 2-0, 5-0
(18) Florida: 2-1, 4-1
Georgia: 1-2, 3-2
Kentucky: 1-2, 2-3
S. Carolina: 1-3, 2-3
Missouri: 0-2, 2-3
Vanderbilt: 0-2, 2-3
WEST:
(8) Texas A & M: 3-0, 5-0
(1) Alabama: 2-0, 5-0
Louisiana St: 2-1, 3-2
Auburn: 1-1, 3-2
(14) Mississippi: 1-1, 3-2
Mississippi St: 1-1, 2-2
(16) Arkansas: 0-1, 4-1
So this is an enormous game for both teams -- and in fact, the ESPN Gameday is in College Station for this game. It is also CBS's SEC Game of the Week, so it gets the prime position of 2:30 Central Time.
Texas A & M has a long history of playing a team known as "UT" with orange and white as its colors; but the Aggies have only played the University of Tennessee twice, both in bowl games. In 1957, Bear Bryant's Aggies appeared to be loaded -- they roared out to an 8-0 start and were ranked number-one in the country, before losing their last two games in heartbreaking fashion. They were edged 7-6 at Rice, and beaten 9-7 by Texas. Their 8-2 record sent them to the Gator Bowl, where they lost 3-0 to Tennessee. That was the last game Bear Bryant ever coached for Texas A & M -- and one of the last he lost to Tennessee. The next year he went to Alabama, and four years later Alabama had the National Championship. A & M fell to 4-6 in 1958, and their program hasn't been ranked number one since.
The two teams also met on January 1, 2005, in the Cotton Bowl, where Tennessee drilled A & M 38 to 7. That's the last meeting between these two squads.
Today, however, A & M is expected to win. They are a 7-point favorite in a game where 60 points are expected. That would work out to something like a 33-27 Aggie win.
Personally, I think this is a very difficult game to call. Both of these teams have played to the level of their opposition all year, which means that they should play very well today.
Tennessee
The last time we saw Tennessee play for the UCFC was on September 13, 2014, when they went to Oklahoma and were drilled 34-10 by the Sooners, who held the title back then. 2014 was only the second season for Tennessee coach Butch Jones. Here's what his record looks like since he came to Knoxville:
2013: 5-7 (2-6 in SEC)
2014: 7-6 (3-5 in SEC)
2015: 9-4 (5-3 in SEC)
So far this year, the Vols are 5-0, with a come-from-behind win over Florida (their first against the Gators in 12 tries) and a miraculous Hail Mary victory at Georgia. As you can imagine, spirits in Knoxville are riding high these days.
2013: 5-7 (2-6 in SEC)
2014: 7-6 (3-5 in SEC)
2015: 9-4 (5-3 in SEC)
So far this year, the Vols are 5-0, with a come-from-behind win over Florida (their first against the Gators in 12 tries) and a miraculous Hail Mary victory at Georgia. As you can imagine, spirits in Knoxville are riding high these days.
S. Carolina 13 - 24 Texas A & M (Final)
The Aggies did close out South Carolina, escaping with their second SEC road win of the year. Their record in UCFC play is now 17-16-1, and they are returning home to defend the crown against the Tennessee Volunteers.
South Carolina's UCFC record falls to 7-14, and they will have to hope that the title stays in the SEC, and that they get another chance soon.
South Carolina's UCFC record falls to 7-14, and they will have to hope that the title stays in the SEC, and that they get another chance soon.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
S. Carolina 13 - 24 Texas A & M (1:15 left in 4th Quarter)
Meanwhile, over in Athens, Georgia, the University of Tennessee Volunteers hit a "Hail Mary" pass on the last play of the game, and they stun the University of Georgia Bulldogs, 34 to 31. That means that if TAMU can hang on, we will see two undefeated teams battling for the UCFC next week, as the Vols will roll into College Station.
S. Carolina 13 - 24 Texas A & M (1:41 left in 4th Quarter)
The Gamecock defense, which has been great all day, holds again, but Daniel LaCamera of East Lake H.S. in Tarpon Springs, Fla. boots a 35-yard field goal to give TAMU a two-possession lead.
S. Carolina 13 - 21 Texas A & M (3:31 left in 4th Quarter)
A & M faces a 3d and 7 from its own 34. Carolina calls time.
OK, here's the play. Knight throws to Josh Reynolds, but the pass is incomplete.
A & M punts. Carolina goes for a fair catch, but the catch is FUMBLED! Cullen Gullaspia, an Aggie linebacker from Taylor H.S. in Katy, Tex., falls on the ball, and the AGGIES KEEP POSSESSION. They will start from the Carolina 30.
OK, here's the play. Knight throws to Josh Reynolds, but the pass is incomplete.
A & M punts. Carolina goes for a fair catch, but the catch is FUMBLED! Cullen Gullaspia, an Aggie linebacker from Taylor H.S. in Katy, Tex., falls on the ball, and the AGGIES KEEP POSSESSION. They will start from the Carolina 30.
S. Carolina 13 - 21 Texas A & M (4:23 left in 4th Quarter)
Orth quickly moves the Gamecocks back down the field, and this time Elliott Fry makes a 43-yard field goal -- his second of the half. Carolina has once again turned this battle into a one-possession game.
S. Carolina 10 - 21 Texas A & M (6:48 left in 4th Quarter)
The Carolina defense, showing great heart, forces a three and out, and the Aggies are forced to punt. Carolina will start from its own 18.
S. Carolina 10 - 21 Texas A & M (8:40 left in 4th Quarter)
The Aggies defense holds on 3d and 22, and then Elliot Fry misses a 43-yard field goal -- his second miss of the second half. So the Aggies maintain their two possession lead. They will be starting from their own 25.
S. Carolina 10 - 21 Texas A & M (9:13 left in 4th Quarter)
Trying desperately to get back into the game, the Gamecocks go to their back-up quarterback -- Perry Orth, a redshirt senior from Ponte Vedra, Fla. Orth starts hurling the ball all over the place, and soon the Gamecocks are deep in Aggie territory. They face 3d and 22 from the TAMU 25, and the Gamecocks call time.
S. Carolina 10 - 21 Texas A & M (11:40 left in 4th Quarter)
That was a useful timeout. On 3d and 1 from the 2, fullback James White (of Dawson H.S. in Pearland, Tex.) blasts into the end zone for a huge touchdown. That will give the Aggies a two-possession advantage, which is enormous given Carolina's struggles on offense.
South Carolina has fought very hard in this game, but A & M is really good. Just ask Arkansas.
S. Carolina 10 - 14 Texas A & M (11:44 left in 4th Quarter)
TAMU's defense forces another three and out, and the Gamecocks punt to the Aggie 40. This time, the Aggies aren't taking any chances -- they are using a series of quick runs and short passes, hoping to use their sheer athleticism to overwhelm the Gamecock defense. This works very well, and suddenly the Aggies are deep in Carolina territory. Now they face a 3d and 1 at the Carolina 2, and the Aggies have called time.
S. Carolina 10 - 14 Texas A & M (1:10 left in 3d Quarter)
TAMU takes the kickoff, and begins moving steadily down the field toward a score that could put Carolina in a very deep hole. From the Carolina 40, Trevor Knight throws it deep -- but the ball is INTERCEPTED by Chris Lammons, a defensive back from Plantation H.S. in Lauderhill, Fla. Great play by Lammons, and that's back to back turnovers for the Aggies. The Gamecocks will start from their own 11.
S. Carolina 10 - 14 Texas A & M (3:04 left in 3d Quarter)
The A & M defense holds -- not even allowing a first down -- but this time Elliott Fry makes the 43-yard field goal, and the cry of the rooster is heard at Williams-Brice Stadium.
If A & M could get a two-possession lead, I think they would be in really good shape. But if it stays this close, anything could happen.
If A & M could get a two-possession lead, I think they would be in really good shape. But if it stays this close, anything could happen.
S. Carolina 7 - 14 Texas A & M (5:06 left in 3d Quarter)
Trying to run for a first down near midfield, Aggie QB Trevor Knight FUMBLES. The fumble is scooped up by Chris Moody, a linebacker from Henry County H.S. in McDonough, Ga. He scampers all the way to the A & M 28, and suddenly the Gamecocks are right back in business!
S. Carolina 7 - 14 Texas A & M (6:55 left in 3d Quarter)
Fighting desperately, the Gamecocks got another first down to the TAMU 25. But the Aggie defense stiffened, and Elliot Fry (of Prince of Peace Christian H.S. in Frisco, Tex.) missed a 44-yard field goal try. So the Aggies survive the fake punt, and they will start from their own 26 with a chance to grow their lead.
S. Carolina 7 - 14 Texas A & M (10:04 left in 3d Quarter)
Facing 4th and 7 from its own 28, South Carolina ran a FAKE PUNT -- a long pass by the punter. It goes all the way down to the A & M 36. That was a big play -- it felt like A & M was about to blow the game open.
S. Carolina 7 - 14 Texas A & M (11:37 left in 3d Quarter)
Like last week, A & M starts the second half with a bang -- they go 70 yards in 8 plays, the last of which was a 49-yard run by Trayveon Williams of C.E. King H.S. in Houston.
By the way, every time there's a big play coming up in this game -- like a third down for the Carolina defense -- you can hear this loud rooster crow that echoes throughout the stadium. It's really annoying, but maybe that's the point.
By the way, every time there's a big play coming up in this game -- like a third down for the Carolina defense -- you can hear this loud rooster crow that echoes throughout the stadium. It's really annoying, but maybe that's the point.
S. Carolina 7 - 7 Texas A & M (14:52 left in 3d Quarter)
A & M takes the kickoff, and the Aggies will begin from their own 30.
S. Carolina 7 - 7 Texas A & M (Halftime)
Muschamp's career has been built on defensive prowess, and his Carolina defense has done a good job today. Carolina has also kept the ball on the ground as much as possible, using up more time. So the Gamecocks -- who were 20-point underdogs -- are still tied at the half. Last week, TAMU played much better in the second half. We'll see if they can do that again.
S. Carolina 7 - 7 Texas A & M (37 seconds left in 2d Quarter)
TAMU doesn't get very far, and they punt to the Carolina 18.
S. Carolina 7 - 7 Texas A & M (1:21 left in 2d Quarter)
South Carolina punts once again, and the Aggies will start from their own 13.
S. Carolina 7 - 7 Texas A & M (5:40 left in 2d Quarter)
On the first play of the game, South Carolina's A.J. Turner (from Centreville H.S. in Clifton, Va.) dashed 75 yards for a touchdown to give the Gamecocks an early lead.
The Aggies then responded with a 75-yard drive in 7 plays, the last of which was a 4-yard run by quarterback Trevor Knight of Ronald Reagan H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.
So we were all tied at 7 before three full minutes had been played. Since then, however, almost nothing has happened, and we are still tied at 7.
Uniform watch: The Aggies are going with a 1956 throwback look, so they are wearing white jerseys, maroon numerals, white pants, and white helmets with a maroon stripe and no logo. South Carolina is in black helmets with the usual Carolina logo, black jersey with white numerals, and white pants with garnet and black piping down the side.
The Aggies then responded with a 75-yard drive in 7 plays, the last of which was a 4-yard run by quarterback Trevor Knight of Ronald Reagan H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.
So we were all tied at 7 before three full minutes had been played. Since then, however, almost nothing has happened, and we are still tied at 7.
Uniform watch: The Aggies are going with a 1956 throwback look, so they are wearing white jerseys, maroon numerals, white pants, and white helmets with a maroon stripe and no logo. South Carolina is in black helmets with the usual Carolina logo, black jersey with white numerals, and white pants with garnet and black piping down the side.
S. Carolina v. Texas A & M
For most of college football history, these teams had nothing to do with each other. South Carolina played schools in the East, Texas A & M played schools in the Southwest, and there was no reason for them to meet on the playing field. But now they are both in the SEC, and this will be the third year in row that they have played. Two years ago, the Aggies game to Columbia and pounded South Carolina 52 to 28. Last year, A & M won 35 to 28 in College Station. That's all of the history between these two schools.
The big story here, of course, is that Texas A & M is 2-0 in the SEC, 4-0 overall, and ranked 9th in the country. South Carolina is 1-2 in the SEC, 2-2 overall, and unranked. A & M is favored by 20 points in a game where 51 points are expected. That would be something like a 36-16 Aggie victory, which seems high to me. But I underestimated TAMU last week, so I wouldn't be surprised by another easy win.
The big story here, of course, is that Texas A & M is 2-0 in the SEC, 4-0 overall, and ranked 9th in the country. South Carolina is 1-2 in the SEC, 2-2 overall, and unranked. A & M is favored by 20 points in a game where 51 points are expected. That would be something like a 36-16 Aggie victory, which seems high to me. But I underestimated TAMU last week, so I wouldn't be surprised by another easy win.
S. Carolina
The last time we saw the Gamecocks, it was December 4, 2010, and they were getting crushed by Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game. Auburn won that game 56 to 17, taking the SEC title and the UCFC in the same game. Despite that defeat, the 2010 season was a great one for South Carolina -- to this day it remains the only time that the Gamecocks have won the SEC East. 2010 was Steve Spurrier's sixth year in Columbia, and he had the program in very good shape. Here's what they've been up to while we've been watching other teams:
1. In 2011, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Nebraska 30 to 13 in the Capital One Bowl. They were ranked 9th in the final AP Poll.
2. In 2012, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Michigan 33 to 28 in the Outback Bowl. They were ranked 8th in the final AP Poll.
3. In 2013, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Wisconsin 34 to 24 in the Capital One Bowl. They were ranked 4th in the final AP Poll.
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons are the only seasons in history where South Carolina ended the year ranked in the top 10.
4. The next year, 2014, South Carolina suffered a drop-off -- going 7-6 and beating Miami (Fla.) 24-21 in the Independence Bowl.
5. And then, in 2015, Spurrier retired after South Carolina got off to a 2-4 start. Shawn Elliott took over the rest of the way, and the Gamecocks staggered to a 3-9 record.
Having had so much success with Spurrier -- a former Florida coach -- the Gamecocks decided to hire another former Florida coach. Will Muschamp went 28-21 in Gainesville from 2011 to 2014. To me, that would be an argument against hiring him -- but Carolina decided to hire him anyway. So far, he's beaten Vandy and East Carolina, while he's lost to Mississippi State and Kentucky. This game against Texas A & M will be only his second home game in charge.
1. In 2011, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Nebraska 30 to 13 in the Capital One Bowl. They were ranked 9th in the final AP Poll.
2. In 2012, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Michigan 33 to 28 in the Outback Bowl. They were ranked 8th in the final AP Poll.
3. In 2013, the Gamecocks went 11-2, beating Wisconsin 34 to 24 in the Capital One Bowl. They were ranked 4th in the final AP Poll.
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons are the only seasons in history where South Carolina ended the year ranked in the top 10.
4. The next year, 2014, South Carolina suffered a drop-off -- going 7-6 and beating Miami (Fla.) 24-21 in the Independence Bowl.
5. And then, in 2015, Spurrier retired after South Carolina got off to a 2-4 start. Shawn Elliott took over the rest of the way, and the Gamecocks staggered to a 3-9 record.
Having had so much success with Spurrier -- a former Florida coach -- the Gamecocks decided to hire another former Florida coach. Will Muschamp went 28-21 in Gainesville from 2011 to 2014. To me, that would be an argument against hiring him -- but Carolina decided to hire him anyway. So far, he's beaten Vandy and East Carolina, while he's lost to Mississippi State and Kentucky. This game against Texas A & M will be only his second home game in charge.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Texas A & M 45 - 24 Arkansas (Final)
Not much happened after that last Aggie touchdown, and A & M HAS TAKEN THE UCFC!
Texas A & M 45 - 24 Arkansas (4:57 left in 4th Quarter)
But the Arkansas defense has nothing left. The Aggies roll through them for their fourth touchdown of the second half, this one coming on a 22-yard run by Trayveon Williams.
Fire up the bus! The Big Gold Trophy is coming to Columbia, South Carolina for next week's game between the Gamecocks and the Aggies.
Fire up the bus! The Big Gold Trophy is coming to Columbia, South Carolina for next week's game between the Gamecocks and the Aggies.
Texas A & M 38 - 24 Arkansas (6:21 left in 4th Quarter)
Good for Arkansas. Down 21 points, they go 92 yards in 12 quick plays for a touchdown that they really could have used about 30 minutes ago. Allen hits Jared Cornelius of Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La. with a five-yard pass for the score. It's almost certainly too little, too late, but it shows a good fighting spirit.
Texas A & M 38 - 17 Arkansas (10:25 left in 4th Quarter)
That didn't take long. Arkansas looks punch-drunk, and the Aggies swiftly scored again on a 9-yard pass from Trevor Knight to Christian Kirk of Saguaro H.S. in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the first three quarters, these teams appeared to be very evenly matched. But since the Aggies made that fabulous goal-line stand, they have really dialed up their athletic advantage -- making play after play that the hard-working, but athletically-limited Razorbacks can't match. And so it appears that the Big Gold Trophy will be on its way back to the Lone Star State.
In the first three quarters, these teams appeared to be very evenly matched. But since the Aggies made that fabulous goal-line stand, they have really dialed up their athletic advantage -- making play after play that the hard-working, but athletically-limited Razorbacks can't match. And so it appears that the Big Gold Trophy will be on its way back to the Lone Star State.
Texas A & M 31 - 17 Arkansas (11:05 left in 4th Quarter)
Arkansas doesn't like to pass all the time -- they are a run-first sort of team. But down 14 points, they had little choice. Unfortunately for them, the Aggies knew what they would be doing, and Daeshon Hall -- a very large defensive lineman from Seattle -- went crashing into QB Austin Allen, forcing another FUMBLE, which the Aggies recovered at the Arkansas 15.
Texas A & M 31 - 17 Arkansas (11:54 left in 4th Quarter)
And that's probably your ball game. The Aggies go 86 yards in 7 plays -- the touchdown coming on another long run up the middle. This time it's a 33-yard dash by running back Trayveon Williams of C.E. King H.S. in Houston. That's 21 points in a row for the Aggies, who are now showing their superior quality.
Arkansas has a good team, and a good coach. They had a good game plan tonight, and a lot of chances to build a big lead. But there were just too many times where they couldn't score from inside the Aggie 10, and now time is running out for them.
Arkansas has a good team, and a good coach. They had a good game plan tonight, and a lot of chances to build a big lead. But there were just too many times where they couldn't score from inside the Aggie 10, and now time is running out for them.
Texas A & M 24 - 17 Arkansas (14 minutes left in 4th Quarter)
The Aggie defense holds, and forces Arkansas to punt. The Aggies will start from their own 14, and they have a chance to put the Hogs in a big hole.
Texas A & M 24 - 17 Arkansas (end of 3d Quarter)
Arkansas fought back from behind against Texas Christian, and now they will have to come from behind against Texas A & M. They have started from their own 25, and are again banging away at the Aggie line with their running game. As the third quarter ends, the Razorbacks face a 2d and 3 at the A & M 48.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Texas A & M 24 - 17 Arkansas (1:33 left in 3d Quarter)
On first and 10 from their own 6, the Aggies ran for two yards. On second and 8 from their own 8, Trevor Knight hurled a BOMB that hit Josh Reynolds of John Jay H.S. in San Antonio, Tex. Reynolds caught the ball in stride and went NINETY-TWO YARDS for a touchdown. And now, for the first time all night, the Aggies have the lead.
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