As the college football season works its way towards the end of the regular season, the games are becoming more meaningful.
Conference standings, college football playoff spots, and of course, RIVALRIES.
Week 12 is a great slate of games, and it was hard to choose only 3.
So, without ado, HERE are the 3 games you should watch.
1) #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2) at #22 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2). Game starts at 12:00 PM (Noon) (EST) on ABC.
Who thought at the beginning of the season, that Pitt would be in 1st place in the ACC? The Panthers have a chance to make a real statement. A win here, will put them in the CFB Playoff, and completely eliminate Notre Dame.
We all know about HBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price bring to the table, but it’s Fighting Irish QB CJ Carr, that has this team rolling. He’s thrown for 2,275 yards with 19 TDs to only 4 INTs. The Notre Dame defense has 25 team sacks, and the pressure they get has forced a whooping 16 INTs for this defense.
When Pitt starting QB Eli Holstein went down for the season, fans thought they were done. Instead, freshman QB Mason Heintschel has come in and has won 6 straight games. He’s thrown for 1,547 yards, with 12 TDs and 5 INTs. This is your typical Pitt defense. Fundamentally sound, and hard-nosed. They don’t “wow” you with stats, just wear you down over the course of the game.
Prediction – As much as I love seeing upsets, I can’t see it happening here. Give me the Fighting Irish, to pull away in the 2nd half for a 35-17 win.
2) #10 Texas Longhorns (7-2) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (8-1). Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.
I’d like to say that if Texas loses, they’re eliminated from the CFB playoffs, but we all know the SEC bias is ridiculous. It’d be their 3rd loss, as they already have losses to #1 Ohio State and unranked dumpster fire Florida.
Longhorns QB Arch Manning has thrown for 2,123 yards, with 18 TDs and 6 INTs. They have no running game to speak of. It’s been their defense that have been winning these games. 34 team sacks, 9 INTs, 11 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries.
Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton has thrown for 2,040 yards, with 15 TDs to only 2 INTs. He’s also added 321 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. While the defense hasn’t been up to “Georgia standard” this season, they’re fast, fly to the football, and don’t miss tackles.
Prediction – I trust Kirby Smart more than Steve Sarkisian. Give me the Bulldogs to win at home 24-21.
3) North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-4) at #15 Miami Hurricanes (7-2). Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.
The Wolfpack are coming off a massive upset over (then #8) Georgia Tech last week. They also have a win over #20 Virginia earlier this season. The Hurricanes started the season strong but have 2 loses (Louisville and SMU) in the last 4 games. If they lose again, they’re done.
NC State sophomore QB CJ Bailey has thrown for 2,411 yards, with 19 TDs and 7 INTs. HB Hollywood Smothers is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He has 825 yards, with 6 TDs. Their defense is hit and miss. With this team, it’s simply a matter of which one shows up. The good (GT and VA) or the bad (ND, Pitt, Duke).
For Miami, it’s simple. QB Carson Beck has to play better than he has. He’s thrown for 2,194 yards, with 15 TDs, but he’s thrown 9 INTs. The defense has played well. 24 sacks, 9 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries.
Prediction – The Wolfpack are coming off a high. There’s typically a letdown after an upset win. I see that happening here. Give me the Hurricanes to get the much need victory 28-17.
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, ESPN, and onlineathens.
We are just over halfway done with the 2025-26 NFL Season.
Anybody saying they knew that the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts would be 8-2 is a liar.
Nobody thought the Carolina Panthers would be 2nd in the NFC South (5-5).
Who really thought that the Denver Broncos (8-2) AND Los Angelos Chargers (7-3), would be ahead of the 3rd place Kansas City Chiefs 5-4) in the AFC West?
Of course, we all knew that my Cleveland Browns were going to just stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiink, but even I didn’t think we’d be this terrible on offense.
For the best coffee and lattes in all of Van Wert County, Ohio; stop into The Rebel Bean today. Check out their Facebook page for hours and drink menu. You can also find them on the Joe.coffee app as well.
All of this just adds more questions than answers.
Is Colts QB Daniel Jones’ starting to look like he was in New York?
Can Colts running back Jonathan Taylor win the NFL MVP Award (almost always a QB Award anymore)?
How many more head coaches will be fired during the season (New York Giants fired Brain Daboll on Monday)? I predicted this would happen in my NFL Season Preview Article.
It has been an absolutely topsy-turvy, crazy season so far, and I am 100% for all of it.
So, without further ado, I give you the REAL NFL 25-26 mid-season awards.
Most Valuable Player – Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots.
The 2nd year quarterback has thrown for 2,555 yards, with 19 TDs to 5 INTs. He has a QBR of 72.9 and is completing 71.7% of his throws.
He’s led the Patriots to 1st place in the AFC East, over the much favored and talked about Buffalo Bills.
He’s even added 283 yards on the ground with 2 TDs.
He’s not making the mistakes he did as a rookie, and he’s been dominating so far this season.
Runner up – Jonathan Taylor, HB, Indianapolis Colts.
Offensive Player of the Year – Jonathan Taylor, HB, Indianapolis Colts.
No running back has had a start to the season like this, since Adrian Peterson did in 2012.
Jonathan Taylor has been an absolute animal this season.
Unstoppable, even with 9 guys in the box.
He has 189 carries, for 1,139 yards, with 15 TDs, and most importantly, 0 fumbles.
He’s averaging 113.9 yards per game and 6 yards per carry.
He is the engine that is carrying this surprising Colts team.
Runner up – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks.
Defensive Player of the Year – Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns.
NFL head coaches openly admit that they have an entire play sheet for when Myles Garrett is either on or off the field.
He completely changes the way a head coach coaches the game.
Garrett is tied for the league lead in sacks with 11.
He also leads the NFL in TFLs (tackles for loss) with 15.
This is his 8th consecutive season with double-digit sacks.
He has 34 total tackles, and 1 forced fumble.
Runner up – Brian Burns, LB, New York Giants.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The rookie wide receiver out of Ohio State leads the team in receptions (40), yards (677) and TDs (6).
He’s had to step into that #1 receiver role with injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr.
He’s become QB Baker Mayfield’s “go to guy” in the biggest situations.
Runner up – Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns.
The rookie out of UCLA, leads all rookies with 74 tackles.
He wears the “green dot” for Browns hard-nosed defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
He’s all over the field.
He can cover TEs and slot WRs, as well as fill the gaps on blitzs.
He also has 1.5 sacks and 1 INT.
Runner up – Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons.
Head Coach of the Year – Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots.
Vrabel has taken a struggling quarterback, and turned him into an MVP candidate.
He has this team playing hard, tough, and fundamentally sound on both offense and defense.
As I said earlier in this article, NOBODY foresaw the Patriots being 8-2, and that all starts with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Runner up – Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts.
Who are you’re midseason award winners?
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..NFL and ESPN.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, SI, clutchpoints, brownsnation, sportingnews, and totalprosports.
When we all looked at the Week 11 schedule, we thought it’d be a “chalk” week.
We were W-R-O-N-G.
The ACC had 2 of their top 3 teams upset, as #14 Virginia lost to Wake Forest 16-9. Congratulations Demon Deacons on their first win against at Top 15 team since 2003. #15 Louisville lost to Cal 29-26 in overtime.
Keeping on the Top 25 upset train; unranked Wisconsin Badges trip up the #23 Washington Huskies 13-10. In my College Football Preview Article, I predicted that WISC HC Luke Fickell would be fired by now. Instead, they announced they’re going to give him 1 more season.
There was a BANGER of a game in the SEC, as the Auburn Tigers gave #16 Vanderbilt all they could handle and more. The Commodores behind an incredible game by QB Diego Pavia get the win in OT, 45-38.
In the Big Ten, we had the front runner for Catch/Play of the Year, by WR Omar Cooper Jr, as the #2 Indiana Hoosiers scored a touchdown with 36 seconds left, to win 27-24.
#9 Oregon Ducks hit a game winning field goal with 3 seconds left, to escape Kinnick Stadium, and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 18-16.
In the Big-12, the #8 Texas Tech Red Raiders handled the #7 BYU Cougars 29-7.
Ranked teams #1 Ohio State, #3 Texas A&M, #4 Alabama, #5 Georgia, and #10 Notre Dame, all got wins on Saturday, and kept their College Football Playoff Chances intact.
Ladies and gentlemen, the James Madison Dukes now have the BEST ODDS to get the G5 spot in the CFP (35%) with a 35-23 win over Marshall Thundering Herd. They are now 8-1 on the season.
Now without further ado, it’s time for the popular Helmet Stickers.
(Team) Sam Houston Bearkats
The Bearkats FINALLY get their 1st win of the season with 21-17 win over the Oregon State Beavers.
(Offense) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt.
There were a lot of choices to choose from, but it has to go to the Vanderbilt QB. Pavia had 489 total yards and 4 total TDs.
He went 25 of 33, for 377 yards, and 3 TDs passing, and added 18 carries, for 112 yards, and 1 TD on the ground.
(Defense) Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech.
I had Rodriguez in my Top 10 College Football Players article before the season started, and he continues to show the country why I had him there.
He had 14 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and an interception, to help the Red Raiders take sole possession of 1st place in the Big-12 Conference.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, sportslogo.net, yahoosports, and collegefootballnetwork.
In the small town of Obetz, Ohio; the best cross country teams and runners in the state, were locked in and ready to go, on a cold 46 degree Saturday morning.
The young student athletes, family and friends, who all made the trip, were buzzing with excitement.
In Division 4, there was a team looking to finish some unsettled business from a season ago.
The Crestview Knights finished state runner-up last season. It was something that they carried with them through offseason training, and throughout the regular season, as they ran.
These boys were running with determination and purpose.
These boys were running for a title.
These boys were running for history.
Senior Lincoln Smith led the Knights, finishing in 17th place and earning 1st Team All-Ohio Honors.
As runners crossed the finish line, and the results were posted, the boys were beginning to realize that they were indeed Division 4 State Champions.
The Crestview Knights beat their biggest cross country rival, the Columbus Grove Bulldogs, and that made it all the sweeter.
The Knights ended up tallying 86 points, while the Bulldogs finished as the runner-up with 99 points.
In cross country, the lower the score, the better.
Crestview Knights lone senior Lincoln Smith lifting the state championship trophy high.
In the typical small-town fashion, that I’ve come to know and love, the tiny town of just over 1,000 people, welcomed the team home as champions, with lights, sirens, silly string and confetti.
As well as toilet papering the fall foliage, in the front of the school on the main road.
At the pep assembly inside the gymnasium, head coach Randy Grandstaff was emotional at the microphone.
He pointed out Knights runners 1 through 5, all finished within 46 seconds of each other.
Talking about how much hard work the boys put in over the summer.
The determination they ran with over the entire season.
After the assembly, I spoke to championship winning head coach Randy Grandstaff.
My first question was how does it feel to hear those words state champions?
“It’s a pretty good thing to hear. It still hasn’t really set it yet. I’m so proud of these boys, and everything they accomplished.”
In their individual speeches, a lot of the boys thanked Senior Lincoln Smith for his leadership and friendship. They spoke about how much they appreciate him and how much they’ll miss him. I asked Coach Grandstaff, what it means to have that type of runner and leader on the team?
“Yeah, when you have that type of runner and leader, all the others follow. It makes my job just a touch easier when you have that type of person. I’m thankful for everything Lincoln has done his entire career here with us.”
It came down to Knights runners 4 and 5, as they finished ahead of the Bulldogs runners. They really brought it home. I asked Coach what it was like seeing those guys run their best race, when it mattered most.
“Yeah, that’s the great thing about cross country. When one or two guys aren’t having a good day, others step up to the plate and help the team out, and honestly, that’s exactly what happened today. We had people step up, and now we are state champions.”
Lincoln is the only senior on the team. The Knights have a lot of talent coming back next season. I asked if he had any expectations for next season?
“Yeah, it would be nice if we could repeat. It’s going to be a challenge. An even bigger challenge than going from second place in Division 3 to being state champions of Division 4.”
I congratulated Coach Grandstaff, and the team on their historical achievement.
All the hardware from an incredible 2025 season, with the State Championship Trophy, right up front.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Some photos courtesy of…..Wyatt Richardson of Richardson Photography.
After a solid Week 9 of college football, that had 3 Top 25 upsets, we come to Week 10.
There is no “marquee game” this week.
Cry me a river #5 Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gator fans, your rivalry game is NOT a marquee matchup. It’s not even in the Top 5 rivalries in all of college football. Heck, maybe not even Top 10.
Overall, it’s a nice B.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 3 Games to watch and my predictions, on Saturday.
I went 1-2 last week.
Making me 13-9 for the season.
1) #17 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1) at #24 Utah Utes (6-2). Game starts at 10:15 PM (EST) on ESPN.
The Big-12 might be my favorite conference to watch, year in and year out.
Because you have absolutely no clue, who is going to be in this conference title race.
NOBODY expected the Cincinnati Bearcats to be leading the conference in Week 10, but we all expected Utah to be right up near the top.
QB Brendan Sorsby is quietly having an All-American type of season. He’s thrown for 1,843 yards, with 20 TDs to only 1 INT. He’s also added 69 carries, for 425 yards, and 7 TDs in the running game. LB Jake Golday leads the team in total tackles (67) and sacks (3.5). There kicker is a perfect 11 of 11 so far, and 4-4 from 40+.
Utah QB Devon Dampier needs to be smarter with the football. He’s thrown his 4 INTs in the last 4 games that he’s played. He should get the start, after missing last weeks game. I haven’t heard otherwise. He’s thrown for 13 TDs, and has added 442 yards, with 5 TDs on the ground. Utah has one of, if not the best, DE in the country, with John Henry Booty. He has 36 total tackles, and he’s 4th in the country with 9.5 sacks.
Prediction – This is a must win game for Utah to stay in the Big-12 title picture. Cincinnati is looking to get a statement win, against a perennial power team. My heart wants to go Cincinnati, but my head is saying Utah. I’m going with my head. I’m taking the Utes in a close game at home 35-31.
2) Navy Midshipmen (7-0) at North Texas Mean Green (7-1). Game starts at 12:00 PM (EST) or Noon, on ESPN.
Who would’ve ever thought we’d see this coming. Undefeated Navy and in 1st place, vs a once beaten Mean Green in 3rd place.
The Midshipmen play an option offense, and it all runs through QB Blake Horvath. He leads the team with 1,063 yards passing, 7 TDs and 3 INTs. He leads the team in rushing with 814 yards, and 12 TDs. Senior DT Landon Robinson has 5.5 sacks and gets pressure up the middle right into the face of opposing quarterbacks.
The Mean Green are led by freshman QB Drew Mestemaker, who’s coming off a 608-yard performance. He’s thrown for 2,468 yards, with 21 TDs to only 4 INTs. I’ve watched him 3 times this season, he’s a gunslinger. He’s going to be HIGHLY sought after by P4 schools. They have fast linebackers that force mistakes. 7 INTs, 9 forced fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries.
Prediction – I love my Middies. Makes me so happy to see them doing good. Unfortunately, I don’t think this game goes well for Navy. I’m taking the Mean Green to win big 42-28.
3) #9 Vanderbilt Commodores (7-1) at #20 Texas Longhorns (6-2). Game starts at 12:00 PM (EST) or Noon on ABC.
The big news here is that we don’t know yet, if Longhorns starting QB Arch Manning is going to play or not.
We all know that the Commodores want to control the clock on offense. That starts with MY Heisman frontrunner, QB Diego Pavia. He’s thrown for 1,698 yards, with 15 TDs and 5 INTs. He also has 458 yards rushing with TDs. On defense, they’re gap sound and run to the ball. The DL has 17 of the teams 21 sacks. They make plays when they need them.
The Longhorns offense, for good or for ill, revolves around QB Arch Manning. If he can’t play, then senior QB Matthew Caldwell will step in. No matter who’s at QB, they have to get WR Ryan Wingo involved. The defense is led by LB Anthony Hill Jr. He leads the team in total tackles (60) and forced fumbles (3). LB Colin Simmons leads the team in sacks (7).
Prediction – I have thought about this all week long. I just have this gut feeling that Texas is going to get a favorable call late, and pull this one out at home. I’m going Longhorns to win a very close 28-27 game.
For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook (Meta) page for hours and drinks menu.
I’m a simple black coffee man myself, but their Sugar Shake latte is excellent.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of……wallpapercave, capperspicks, espn, and clutchpoints.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t start this article, without mentioning that LSU fired head football coach Brian Kelly, late Sunday night, after their 49-25 loss at home, to #3 Texas A&M. Kelly had a 34-14 record over his four seasons at LSU.
Personal opinion – It was a bad hire from the start. I said so at the time, and caught a lot of crap for it. I think that LSU thinks it’s a better job than it really is. IF I were Interim President Matt Lee, I would immediately go get Memphis Tigers head coach Ryan Silverfield.
Onto other business, it was a solid week of college football. We had 3 Top 25 upsets.
Aforementioned Memphis Tigers defeated #18 USF 34-31, in a banger of a game. The Washington Huskies beat #23 Illinois, 42-25, and the Houston Cougars defeated #24 Arizona State 24-16, in one of the worst officiated games, that I’ve even seen. Absolutely disgraceful by that Big-12 crew.
We had some close calls, as well. #4 Alabama squeaked by South Carolina 29-22. #6 Oregon eked out a 21-7 win over Wisconsin. #16 Virginia survived a scare from North Carolina, 17-16 in OT, and #22 Texas held off Mississippi State 45-38 in overtime.
For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean in Convoy. Check out their Facebook page for hours and special drink menu. The friendly staff always makes you feel welcome.
Indiana, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Miami, Vanderbilt, BYU, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Michigan, all held serve as Top 25 teams and got the win.
Time for your favorite part, it’s Helmet Sticker time. I thank you readers for the messages, telling me that you like this segment.
(Team) North Dakota State Bison.
The defending FCS National Champions and #1 ranked Bison, absolutely MOLLYWHOPPED their rival (then ranked #2) South Dakota State Jackrabbits 38-7 on Saturday. HB Cole Payton had 4 rushing touchdowns.
(Offense) Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas Mean Green.
This was the easiest choice so far this season.
The freshman QB went 37 of 49, for a massive 608 yards, and 4 TDs, as he led the Mean Green to a 54-20 win over Charlotte. North Texas is 7-1 on the season, and still in the hunt, for that G5 college football playoff spot.
(Defense) Cade Uluave, LB, California Golden Bears.
Cal is #0.
The junior linebacker was all over the field, and causing havoc, as he did everything, he could in a double overtime loss to Virginia Tech.
Cal finished the game 19 total tackles and 2 sacks.
Who would you give a helmet sticker to?
– by Sean McKenzie
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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, meangreensports, and SI.
We all know some of the AP voters, don’t even watch the games, or even highlights (Haley Sawyer).
We all know that ESPN doesn’t even hide their SEC bias at all. You can’t be unbiased when you literally own the SEC Network (so much for real journalism and reporting).
At any time on Saturday’s, I’m watching up to 6 games at the same time. Then I spend Sunday morning watching games on my laptop.
So, without further ado, here are the REAL Top 10 teams, after Week 9.
1) Indiana Hoosiers – 8-0 – defeated UCLA 56-6. No team in America, is playing better than Indiana on both sides of the football.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes – 7-0 – Bye. What’s scary is that their offense isn’t even hitting on all cylinders yet, and they still have the #1 defense in the country.
3) Texas A & M Aggies – 8-0 – defeated #20 LSU 49-25. QB Marcel Reed has this offense playing at a high level and the defense is finally getting to the quarterback this season.
4) Alabama Crimson Tide – 7-1 – defeated South Carolina 29-22. Since their Week 1 loss to FSU, QB Ty Simpson is playing at a Heisman Trophy level clip.
5) Georgia Bulldogs – 6- 1 – Bye. All the “breaks” are falling in their favor right now…..with a lot of help from their officiating friends (see the SEC official suspension article on ESPN).
For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, go to The Rebel Bean. Delicious drinks and a friendly staff. Check out their Facebook page for hours and drink menu.
6) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 8-0 – defeated Syracuse 41-16. QB Haynes King is a beast, and doesn’t make mistakes.
7) Vanderbilt Commodores – 7-1 – defeated #15 Missouri 17-10. QB Diego Pavia is my Heisman front-runner, and is carrying this team on his back.
8) Ole Miss Rebels – 7-1 – defeated #13 Oklahoma 34-26. QB Chambliss and HB Lacy just control the clock and beat you down.
9) Oregon Ducks – 7-1 – defeated Wisconsin 21-7. QB Dante Moore slings it all over the field.
10) BYU Cougars – 8-0 – defeated Iowa State 41-27. They run it, they pass it, and play great pressure defense.
Next 4 teams – Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Virigina, Tennessee.
The Crestview Knights were hosting the #4 ranked Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds.
The Knights needed a win, and some help to make the playoffs.
The Thunderbirds were just hoping to avoid an upset, as they had already clinched a playoff spot.
The Knights defense dropped LCC for a 4-yard loss on the first play of the game.
LCC answered right back with runs of 10 and 9 yards, before a false start penalty would set them back 5.
They’d connect on a 7-yard pass, before Thunderbird head coach Colin Stolly called a timeout with 8:41 remaining in the first quarter.
LCC went right back to the ground and pound, with runs of 5, 3, 2, 28, 4, and 0, before a 5-yard TD run by Lausen Flores. PAT was good, and it was a 7-0 Thunderbird lead with 4:41 left is the first.
The Knights first drive of the game, would feature their strength, the run game.
HB Braxton Leeth would have runs of 4 yards, 1 yard, and 8 yards, on the first three plays.
An incomplete pass, a 1-yard loss, and a WR run for 3 yards by Hayden Perrott, would put the Knights in a 4th and 7 from the 48-yard line.
Crestview would catch LCC with an encroachment penalty, would make it a 4th and 2 now.
The Thunderbirds would answer the call and stop Leeth for no gain, causing the Knights to turn the ball over on downs.
On the very next ensuing play, LCC HB Xavier Pernell would take the ball 54 yards to the house. PAT was good, and the Thunderbirds were up 14-0, with :21 seconds remaining. That would be the final score of the quarter.
Leeth would run for 3 and a first down.
A pass for no gain, a 2-yard by Leeth would make it 3rd and 8.
Knights head coach Cole Harting would call a timeout with 9:56 left in the 2nd quarter.
Knights QB Huxley Grose would connect with HB Leeth for a 14-yard pass, but it was negated by a Crestview penalty (illegal man downfield), and it was now 3rd and 13.
A 22-yard pass from Grose to Perrott would give the Knights a first down.
Leeth had quick runs of 2 and 3 yards.
A high snap led to a big 11-yard loss on third down.
The Knights would go for it on 4th and 15, but QB Huxley Grose would fumble the football. The Thunderbirds recovered at the 46-yard line.
Once again, it would be a 1 play scoring drive for the Thunderbirds, as QB Brady Parker would connect with WR Mike Quatman on a 54-yard touchdown pass. PAT was good, and the lead was extended to 21-0 with 6:43 remaining in the half.
Crestview plays of 2 yards, 1 yard, 11 yards, -2 yards, 7 yards, and 3 yards, would bring it to another 4th and 2.
Coach Harting would call his 2nd timeout of the half, with 2:29 left in the half.
QB Huxley Grose would run a keeper, but only gain 1 yard, and once again, the Knights would turn the ball over on downs.
LCC would run for 5 yards, before suffering a 1-yard loss to make it 3rd and 6, from the 46-yard line.
They’d connect on a pass (I missed the numbers). An incomplete pass and Thunderbird head coach would call a timeout with :36 seconds left in the half.
A Knights defensive pass interference penalty (bad call, should’ve been OPI), made it 1st and 10 at the 24-yard line.
An incomplete pass and a 5-yard loss would force LCC to call its final timeout of the half with :11 seconds left.
Another incomplete pass, and the Thunderbirds took a 21-0 lead into the locker room.
The Knights would get the ball to start the 2nd half of the game.
They’d start deep in their own end, after being stopped quickly on a Knights special teams mistake.
With the ball on their own 19-yard line, Crestview would have to drive the length of the field.
HB Braxton Leeth would pop off, with a 59-yard run on the first play of the half.
A penalty on the next play would make it 1st and 15.
An incomplete pass and a Leeth 6-yard run, would make it 4th and 9, from the 29.
The Knights would get the first down on a reverse for 11 yards.
Runs of 5 yards and 6 yards, then a shovel pass inside to TE Liam Putman for 4.
Leeth would run for no gain. Back-to-back runs by Leeth on 3rd and 4th down would end in no points, as the Thunderbirds stopped the Knights at the 2-yard line. Another turnover on downs for the Knights.
With a long field of their own, the Thunderbirds would go on a long drive.
Pass of 8 yards to start the series.
Runs of 6 yards, 3 yards, 6 yards, 9, yards, a 10-yard pass, run of 7 yards, 18 yards, and then an 8-yard run.
A holding penalty on LCC would negate a run, and make it 2nd and 12 from the 32-yard line.
A 1-yard run, and incomplete pass, would make it 4th and 11, from the 31-yard line.
A bad snap over the head of Thunderbirds QB Brady Parker, forced an interception by Knights WR/DB Hayden Perrott.
The Thunderbirds would take a 21-0 lead, into the 4th quarter.
HB Braxton Leeth would run for 8 yards.
A LCC penalty (personal foul) would tack on 15 more yards, and the Knights were quickly at the 42-yard line.
A 3-yard run, followed by a 23-yard pass, had them in scoring position.
An incomplete pass by Grose, then a 13-yard run by Leeth.
Leeth would be hurt on the next play, after a 1-yard run.
Crestview would finally get on the board, when Hayden Perrott took a jet sweep for 9 yards to the endzone. The PAT no was good, and it was now a 21-6 game with 8:26 left in the 4th quarter.
The Knights would recover the onside kick, and start on the 44 yard line.
They’d start with a 1-yard loss, then Huxley Grose would find Hayden Perrott for a 19-yard gain, to the 25 yard line.
Leeth would run for 1 yard on 1st down, an incomplete pass on 2nd down, and a pass for no gain on 3rd down, had the Knights facing a 4th and 9, at the 24.
Once again, QB Huxley Grose would find WR Hayden Perrott, as he went up and over, not 1, not 2, but 3, Thunderbirds to pull in a 24-yard TD pass, his 2nd of the game. PAT was good. It was now a 21-13, with 5:59 left in the game.
The Knights lined up for another onsides kick.
The Thunderbirds knew it was coming. Everyone in the stands knew it was coming.
We all watched, as the improbable, become reality, as the Knights recovered another onsides kick, as the ball took a high bounce on that needed second hop.
The crowd, which had been mostly quiet during the game, was now loud as I had heard them all season long. The coaches and players on the sidelines were jumping and cheering. All the momentum had turned in favor of the Knights.
QB Huxley Grose would find HB Braxton Leeth on a 16-yard pass to the 30-yard line.
Leeth would take the next play 13 yards on a run, to the 17-yard line.
LCC would take a timeout with 5:00 minutes remaining in the game.
A Grose incomplete pass, and runs of 5 yards, and 2 yards, put the Knights in a pivotal 4th and 2, at the 10-yard line.
Knights head coach Cole Harting would call a timeout, to talk it over, with 3:31 in the game.
With the momentum going against them, the Thunderbird defense took the field, knowing exactly what needed to be done.
The Knights decided to ride with what had led them to 6 wins in 9 games.
They handed the ball off to HB Braxton Leeth, but the LCC defense, stood its’ ground, and made the stop when they needed it the most.
Despite the Knights using their last two timeouts, the Thunderbirds were able to run out the clock and get the hard fought 21-13 win, and clinch a 1st round bye in the OSHAA playoffs. The loss officially eliminated the Knights from playoff contention.
QB Huxley Grose finished the game 11 of 16, for 118 yards, and 1 TD. HB Braxton Leeth had 28 carries, for 144 yards. WR Hayden Perrott had 5 catches, for 87 yards, and 2 total TDs and an INT. Luke Eggleston had 8 total tackles.
I spoke to Knights head coach Cole Harting after the game about the game.
“Well, you know, it really starts with the seniors and the amount of work that they put in these last four years. I was telling them afterwards, that when I got this job three years ago, those guys were the best class we had.”
I asked about those seniors and being honored, here on Senior Day.
“When it came to accountability, and just showing up to workouts and the amount of work it takes, and if you’re willing to do that. They showed all of it. That’s what I really take away from this group of seniors. I’m just really proud to have had the opportunity to coach these guys.”
(One final huddle for the 8 outgoing seniors, as family and friends gather. There were a lot of hugs and tears, as emotions were high).
I personally saw them practice onsides kicks, when I covered the team in the summer, I asked him about those kicks.
“Yeah, you know, there’s always a weird one, but we were fortunate. Hayden did a great job of really getting a nice bounce on those balls, and our team did a fantastic job of getting after it, and getting down there. They were willing to stick there nose in there and go get the ball.”
(Senior captain HB Braxton Leeth leads the Knights, into the locker room, for the final time in his career).
It’s been an exciting start to Week 9 already, as 2 games have gone into overtime and exciting finishes.
Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech 28-27, and Missouri State beat New Mexico State 24-17.
Some sad news, as the Auburn Tigers have lost starting center Conner Lew for the season with a torn ACL. Lew is going to be a Day 1 starting center in the NFL next season. Good luck to him, as we all wish him a speedy and full recovery.
That news actually bumped their game with Arkansas off my list. It’s still one of the more under-rated game and isn’t being talked about enough, IMO.
I went 2-2 in my picks last week.
I am 12-7 for the season.
So, without further ado, HERE are the Top 3 games you should watch (in no particular order).
1) #18 South Florida Bulls (6-1) at Memphis Tigers (6-1). Game starts at 12:00 PM (Noon) (EST) on ESPN2.
That’s right. One of the best games this week, is from the AAC (American Athletic Conference). The Bulls are ranked and in the driver’s seat for the G5 spot in the college football playoffs. Memphis is coming off an absolutely embarrassing loss to UAB last week. Both teams are highly motivated.
The USF Bulls are simply put, “The Byrum Brown Show”. They go as he goes. He’s thrown for 1,695 yards, with 16 TDs and 5 INTs. He’s added 99 carries, for 475 yards, with 6 TDs. He leads the team in passing and rushing. On defense, they’re led by LB Mac Harris. He’s 2nd on the team in tackles (56) and 1st in sacks (5.5). He’s also has 3 forced fumbles and an INT.
Memphis has a dual-threat QB of their own. Brendon Lewis has thrown for 1,337 yards, with 8 TDs and 4 INTs. He’s added 86 carries, for 440 yards, with 7 TDs. I know, it’s weird seeing Memphis not have gaudy passing yards, but this is a running team. HBs Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosiers Jr have a combined 869 yards rushing, and 11 TDs between them. The defense forces mistakes and turnovers, as they have 10 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.
Prediction – The loss to UAB will have the Tigers playing of their toes. USF is battle tested. I’m going to go with the better quarterback. Give me the USF Bulls to win 35-31.
2) Houston Cougars (6-1) at #24 Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2). Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on ESPN2.
The winner of this game could end up tied for 2nd place in the Big-12 or in 2nd all alone. While it was expected that ASU would be competing for the conference title again, nobody saw the Cougars being here, at this point in the season.
Cougars transfer QB Conner Weigman has managed to stay healthy this season. He’s thrown for 1,380 yards, with 11 TDs to only 2 INTs. They balance it out with HB Dean Connors. He has 115 carries, for 538 yards, and 4 TDs. It’s a feisty defense that has 17 team sacks, 6 INTs, and 11 forced fumbles.
The talk of the Sun Devils offense is about the Leavitt-Tyson connection. QB Sam Leavitt has thrown for 1,358 yards, with 9 TDs and 3 INTs. WR Jordyn Tyson has 57 catches, for 628 yards, and 8 TDs. What’s not talked about is HB Raleek Brown, and the balance he brings. 110 carries, for 642 yards, with 3 TDs. The defense has 21 team sacks, with 14 coming from the defensive line. They get to the QB quick and often.
Prediction – It’s been fun watching the Cougars go on this run. I think they simply run into a better team on Saturday. Give me the Sun Devils to win 27-21.
3) #15 Missouri Tigers (6-1) at #10 Vanderbilt Commodores (6-1). Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.
It’s been a wonderful season for both teams so far, but somebody’s run is about to end here. The loser of this game is officially out of the SEC conference title picture.
Yes, QB Beau Pribula has thrown for 1,617 yards, however, he has 7 INTs to his 11 TDs. This is a running, ball control offense. HB Ahmad Hardy has 139 carries, for 840 yards (3rd in the nation), with 11 TDs (2nd in the nation). DE’s Damon Wilson and Zion Young, have a combined 10.5 sacks, and get pressure off the edges.
Vanderbilt is led by QB Diego Pavia (my Heisman Trophy frontrunner). He’s thrown for 1,569 yards, with 15 TDs to 4 INTs. He also has 77 carries, for 438 yards, with 4 TDs. He’s the heart and soul of this team. This is a gap sound defense, that gets pressure from multiple positions, as they have 20 teams sacks.
Prediction – I think this is going to be a close football game. Somehow, someway, I believe Pavia will make just enough plays to give the Commodores the win. I’m taking Vandy 24-21.
– by Sean McKenzie.
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