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Tag: Gamecocks

  • College Football Conference Championship Games Preview and Predictions.

    Collage of various college sports team logos arranged in a grid pattern on a black background.

    Finally, after duking it out all regular season, teams have arrived here at Championship Saturday.

    Conference Championships mean a lot to the fans, the players, and the teams.

    It’s not all about NIL for the players, and bonuses for the coaches, it’s also about pride.

    Saying We are the champions of the Big Ten, or SEC, or Big 12, or ACC, means a lot.

    It shows that you went through the gauntlet of meaningful games, and rivalry games, to be called champions. Every player and team aspires to reach that goal, but you are the only ones to do it.

    So, here we go.

    Duke Blue Devils and Virginia Cavaliers football coaches in front of the ACC Championship logo, with players visible in action.

    ACC Championship Game – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
    Duke Blue Devils (7-5) vs #17 Virginia Cavaliers (10-2)
    Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on ABC.

    These 2 teams just met on November 15th, and the Cavaliers laid a 34-17 butt whopping on the Blue Devils.

    NO, the game was not as close as the score indicated.

    Unfortunately, the Cavaliers have suffered a few injuries since that game, and the Blue Devils have gotten a few players back from injury in the secondary since.

    Like most games, this one will come down to the trenches and quarterback. Chandler Morris for UVA and Darian Mensah for Duke.

    Personally, I love that these 2 teams, (which historically struggle in football), playing for the conference title is great. It shows one of the very few good things that NIL has done, which is parity.

    Prediction – I think it’s going to be a repeat, but closer. I’m taking the Cavaliers to win 28-24.

    Graphic featuring two college football players, one from Indiana Hoosiers wearing a white jersey with red lettering and one from Ohio State Buckeyes in a gray jersey with red details, set against their respective team logos.

    Big Ten Championship Game – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
    #2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0) vs #1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0).
    Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.

    This game could very well end up being for the Heisman Trophy, as both quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin are the front runners.

    Indiana MUST control the clock and keep the Buckeyes offense off the field, if they want to win this game. They rank 9th in the country in rushing, averaging 229.8 YPG and must use it to their advantage. The revamped offensive line has only allowed 15 sacks all season too. That will allow the play action passing game to open up and let Mendoza show off his arm and accuracy.

    Ohio State MUST get pressure on Mendoza, as he’s first in the conference getting rid of the football (2.5 seconds). Make him hold onto the football and be uncomfortable. That will allow the Buckeye playmakers on defense like Downs, Reese, Styles, to do what they do best. They have the advantage at all the skill positions, so just play within themselves.

    Prediction – Indiana hasn’t played a defense like this all season long. I think they’ll hang around for a little while, before Ohio State takes over. Give me the Buckeyes to win 35-17.

    Logo collage for the Big 12 Football Championship featuring Texas Tech Red Raiders and BYU Cougars, with an Edward Jones sponsorship banner.

    Big 12 Championship Game – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
    #11 BYU Cougars (11-1) vs #4 Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1).
    Game starts at Noon (EST) on FOX.

    Like in the ACC Championship Game, these 2 teams have already met. Texas Tech won 29-7 on November 8th.

    BYU likes to play “ugly football”. They run the ball and play sound defense. The offensive line must get movement this time, and allow HB LJ Martin to eat. He leads the conference with 1,229 yards and has 11 TDs. That’ll allow their freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier to be comfortable. IF they can find a way to keep it close, they’ll have a chance. Otherwise, it’ll be a rinse and repeat.

    Texas Tech simply has to continue to play top notch defense and allow quarterback Behren Morton to get into a rhythm early. In the first meeting, they had a 13-0 lead at the half. It should’ve been 28-0, but they couldn’t convert in the redzone. Linebackers David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez are the leaders of this team. They just need to keep the other 9 players calm and focused. This is the team’s first ever Big 12 conference championship game.

    Prediction – This game was U-G-L-Y the first time around, and I don’t think it’ll be better. Texas Tech is clearly the better team. Give me the Red Raiders to win 28-13.

    Collage of players and coaches from the SEC Championship Game featuring Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.

    SEC Championship Game – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
    #3 Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) vs #9 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2)
    Game starts at 4:00 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Like 2 of the previous games here, these teams have met already this season, with the Crimson Tide winning 24-21.

    The Bulldogs haven’t forgotten that loss either.

    The Georgia defense HAS to play better than it did in the first game. They allowed Alabama to dominate them on the ground. Stopping the run and getting pressure will make it much easier for their offense (who struggled last week). Quarterback Gunnar Stockton only threw for 70 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT last week against Georgia Tech. He CAN NOT repeat that performance. HC Kirby Smart must get him into rhythm very early.

    For Alabama, with starting running back Jam Miller questionable for the game, and backup Kevin Riley is out with a broken jaw; they’ll need quarterback Ty Simpson to be absolutely on point. They have the advantage at WR with Williams and Bernard, so use that with quick passes and crossing routes. The defense allowed 227 yards rushing in the first meeting (mostly in the 2nd half), they must not allow that to happen again.

    Prediction – History has shown us, that it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a season. Alabama jumped out early, but Georgia fought back when they first met this season. I think it’ll be a very close game. This is so hard to predict. Simpson is the better QB, but Smart is the better coach. I’ll go out on a limb and take the Crimson Tide to win 28-24.

    A hand holding an iced coffee drink from The Rebel Bean in front of a frosty tree.

    For the best coffee and lattes in all of Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. With a friendly staff and great music, it’s the best way to start your day. Check out their Facebook page for hours and drink menu.

    In other Conference Championship Games, on Friday Night, give me….

    #25 James Madison over Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game.
    Jacksonville State over Kennesaw State in the C-USA Championship Game.
    #24 North Texas over #20 Tulane in the AAC Championship Game.
    Boise State over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Game.

    In the other Saturday game, I’m taking Western Michigan to spank Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship game.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, clutchpoints, MSN, and FOX4News.

  • College Football Week 9 Recap and Helmet Stickers.

    A collage of various college sports team logos displayed on a black background.

    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.

    A clear cup of iced coffee topped with frothy cream, drizzled with syrup, in front of bright orange pumpkins and smaller decorative gourds against a rustic background.

    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.

    North Dakota State University football helmet logo with a green and gold design, set against a stadium backdrop.

    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.

    A football player wearing a North Texas Mean Green jersey adjusts his helmet on the field during a game.

    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.

    A California Golden Bears linebacker celebrates a play on the field, wearing a dark blue jersey with the number 0, with teammates visible in the background.

    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.

  • Week 3 College Football Recap and Helmet Stickers.

    Collage of college football team logos including Georgia, Michigan, Texas A&M, and more on a dark background.

    What a Week 3 of college football!!!

    We had some incredible games, that came down to the wire and overtime.

    Georgia needed OT to beat Tennessee in Knoxville 44-41.

    Texas A&M scored a TD with only 13 seconds left, to beat Notre Dame 41-40 in South Bend.

    Vanderbilt upset (then ranked #11) South Carolina 31-7.

    The USF Bulls train finally ran off the tracks, getting beatdown by the Miami Hurricanes 49-12.

    Unranked (at the time) Georgia Tech upset (then ranked #12) Clemson, 24-21 on a field goal with no time left.

    There was a lot to choose from, so here are the Week 3 college football helmet stickers.

    1) Vanderbilt University Commodores

    Vanderbilt University Commodores logo featuring a black star with a white 'V' at the center.

    The Commodores are picking up right where they left off, from their magical run last season.

    Super senior QB Diego Pavia made plays when they mattered most. Throwing for 177 yards with 2 TDs and sophomore S CJ Heard was flying all over the field making plays and was a tackling machine on defense.

    This is a massive win for the program and head coach Clark Lea, as the Commodores continue to show the world, that they aren’t the loveable losers of college football anymore.

    2) Ahmad Hardy, Running Back, Missouri.

    A Missouri football player wearing a black jersey with yellow and white accents runs with the ball on the field during a game.

    The sophomore running back had 22 carries, for 250 yards, and 3 TDs, in the Tigers 52-10 win over UL Ragin Cajuns.

    He’s now 2nd in country in rushing yards with 462 yards, as he’s a key component in the Tigers (3-0) high powered offense, after the loss of WR Burden and QB Cook to the NFL.

    3) Bryun Parham, Linebacker, University of Connecticut.

    Two University of Connecticut football players celebrating on the field, wearing white uniforms with blue accents, amidst an excited crowd in the background.

    The Huskies 5th year senior had 10 total tackles and 3 sacks in a 44-41 loss to Delaware.

    The linebacker has had a long cross-country journey in his college football career. Starting at San Jose State, then a one year stop in Washington, before landing at UConn this season. He’s already doubled his season totals in tackles from last season and is currently tied for 1st in the nation in sacks.

    Who would you give a helmet sticker to?

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Subscribe, follow, and like.

    Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, thehour, and si.