Official 2015 College Football bowl and awards thread

[cartman]

Here's the bowl lineups (all times Eastern)

DECEMBER 19

Celebration Bowl: Alcorn State (9-3) vs. North Carolina AT&T (9-2)
Atlanta | Georgia Dome
Noon, ABC

Cure Bowl: San Jose State (5-7) vs. Georgia State (6-6)
Orlando | Orlando Citrus Bowl
Noon, CBS Sports Network

New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico (7-5) vs. Arizona (6-6)
Albuquerque | University Stadium
2 p.m., ESPN

Las Vegas Bowl: BYU (9-3) vs. Utah (9-3)
Las Vegas | Sam Boyd Stadium
3:30 p.m., ABC

Camellia Bowl: Ohio (8-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-2)
Montgomery, Ala. | Cramton Bowl
5:30 p.m., ESPN

New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State (9-3) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4)
New Orleans | Superdome
9 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 21

Miami Beach Bowl: South Florida (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (11-2)
Miami | Marlins Park
2:30 p.m. on ESPN

DECEMBER 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron (7-5) vs. Utah State (6-6)
Boise, Idaho | Albertsons Stadium
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Boca Raton Bowl: Temple (10-3) vs. Toledo (9-2)
Boca Raton, Fla. | FAU Stadium
7 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 23

Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State (8-4) vs. Northern Illinois (8-5)
San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium
4:30 p.m., ESPN

GoDaddy Bowl: Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Georgia Southern (8-4)
Mobile, Ala. | Ladd-Peebles Stadium
8 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 24

Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee (7-5) vs. Western Michigan (7-5)
Nassau, Bahamas | Robinson National Stadium
Noon, ESPN

Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State (10-3) vs. Cincinnati (7-6)
Honolulu | Aloha Stadium
8 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 26

St. Petersburg Bowl: Connecticut (6-6) vs. Marshall (9-3)
St. Petersburg, Fla. | Tropicana Field
11 a.m., ESPN

Sun Bowl: Miami (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4)
El Paso, Texas | Sun Bowl
2 p.m., CBS

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Washington (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (9-4)
Dallas | Cotton Bowl
2:20 p.m., ESPN

Pinstripe Bowl: Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6)
New York City | Yankee Stadium
3:30 p.m., ABC

Independence Bowl: Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Tulsa (6-6)
Shreveport, La. | Independence Stadium
5:45 p.m. on ESPN

Foster Farms Bowl: Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4)
Santa Clara, Calif. | Levi's Stadium
9:15 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 28

Military Bowl: Pitt (8-4) vs. Navy (9-2)
Annapolis, Md. | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota (5-7) vs. Central Michigan (7-5)
Detroit | Ford Field
5 p.m., ESPN2

DECEMBER 29

Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force (8-5) vs. California (7-5)
Fort Worth, Texas | Amon G. Carter Stadium
2 p.m., ESPN

Russell Athletic Bowl: North Carolina (11-2) vs. Baylor (9-3)
Orlando, Fla. | Citrus Bowl
5:30 p.m., ESPN

Arizona Bowl: Colorado State (7-5) vs. Nevada (6-6)
Tucson, Arizona | Arizona Stadium
7:30 p.m., campusinsiders.com

Texas Bowl: LSU (8-3) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
Houston | NRG Stadium
9 p.m., ESPN

DEC. 30

Birmingham Bowl: Auburn (6-6) vs. Memphis (9-3)
Birmingham, Alabama | Legion Field
Noon, ESPN

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)
Charlotte, N.C. | Bank of America Stadium
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Music City Bowl: Louisville (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (8-4)
Nashville | LP Field
7 p.m., ESPN

Holiday Bowl: Southern Cal (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium
10:30 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 31

Peach Bowl: Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)
Atlanta | Georgia Dome
Noon, ESPN

College Football Playoff, semifinals
Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1)
Miami Gardens, Fla. | Sun Life Stadium
4 p.m., ESPN

College Football Playoff, semifinals
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 3 Michigan State (12-1)
Arlington, Texas | AT&T Stadium
8 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 1

Outback Bowl: Northwestern (10-2) vs. Tennessee (8-4)
Tampa | Raymond James Stadium
Noon, ESPN2

Citrus Bowl: Michigan (9-3) vs. Florida (10-3)
Orlando | Orlando Citrus Bowl
1 p.m., ABC

Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1)
Glendale, Ariz. | University of Phoenix Stadium
1 p.m., ESPN

Rose Bowl: Stanford (11-2) vs. Iowa (12-1)
Pasadena, Calif. | Rose Bowl
5 p.m., ESPN

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Ole Miss (9-3)
New Orleans | Superdome
8:30 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 2

TaxSlayer Bowl: Penn State (7-5) vs. Georgia (9-3)
Jacksonville, Fla. | EverBank Field
Noon, ESPN

Liberty Bowl: Kansas State (6-6) vs Arkansas (7-5)
Memphis | Liberty Bowl
3:20 p.m., ESPN

Alamo Bowl: Oregon (9-3) vs. TCU (10-2)
San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome
6:45 p.m., ESPN

Cactus Bowl: West Virginia (7-5) vs. Arizona State (6-6)
Phoenix | Chase Field
10:15 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 11

College Football Playoff: Championship game
Clemson/Oklahoma winner vs. Alabama/Michigan State winner
Glendale, Ariz. | University of Phoenix Stadium
8:30 p.m., ESPN

[tarcone]

Iowa in their first Rose bowl since 1991. I expect 80,000 Iowa fans at this game.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Iowa in their first Rose bowl since 1991. I expect 80,000 Iowa fans at this game.

Well, sure. What else would they be doing?

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Well, sure. What else would they be doing?

Freezing their ass off.

I priced a package to go. For myself and my wife to get the package, which includes airfare, hotel/3 nights, ground transportation, parade ticket, game ticket, was around $12,000.

Guess Im staying home this year.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Freezing their ass off.

I priced a package to go. For myself and my wife to get the package, which includes airfare, hotel/3 nights, ground transportation, parade ticket, game ticket, was around $12,000.

Guess Im staying home this year.

All snark aside, I'm also going to be on the outside looking in, despite living a 90 minute drive away. Iowa's fans love for their team has surprised me, although I guess it shouldn't have.

It's gonna be a great game, I think.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

All snark aside, I'm also going to be on the outside looking in, despite living a 90 minute drive away. Iowa's fans love for their team has surprised me, although I guess it shouldn't have.

It's gonna be a great game, I think.

There are 2 things you do in Iowa for entertainment, follow Iowa football and drink beer.

[tarcone]

Iowa CB Desmond King has won the Jim Thorpe DB of the year and was named 1st team Walter Camp All American DB.
Congrats to King.

Now we will definitely have to replace the junior.

[PilotMan]

The big FCS news last night was Richmond pulling off a huge upset over preseason title favorites Illinois State. That makes today's NDSU-UNI matchup today even bigger for the Bison. UNI has historically made things very hard on the Bison. It's one of the best rivalries in the FCS, but it'll be in Fargo today, where we'll have a big advantage. They are going to need every bit of it.

Because ISU lost last night that means that a win would have us back at home again next week in the Semi's. If UNI were to knock the Bison off today you'd have Richmond hosting next week.

On the other side of the bracket top seeded Jacksonville State put up 58 on Charleston So. They will host the winner of today's Colgate v. Sam Houston State. Sam Houston is back at home after their upset last week. Look for them to be favored in this match up setting a potential trip to top seeded Jacksonville St next week.

Sam Houston St, Richmond, UNI, and NDSU have all had trips to the finals in the last 10 years. If you add a couple more, you'll add Colgate as well. Jacksonville St is the only team left of the teams remaining who hasn't. There are lots of storylines you can build with these teams.

I'm under no illusions about the game today. It's going to be tough on the Bison. I have big hopes, but after 4 straight titles, getting this far after losing the starting QB Carson Wentz, who is going to the NFL, almost 2 months ago. Having to replace him with a redshirt freshman and still getting this far makes the year a successful one.

The game is at noon on ESPN.

[CU Tiger]

Tomorrow, Sunday 12/13 will be 1 year to the day from when Clemson QB Deshaun Watson had a 3lig knee surgery repairing his ACL and 2 MCLs.

Tonight he will sit in New York with the 2 highest QBR in the country. The highest QBR in the 4th quarter in the country. The highest 4th quarter completion % in the country (3rd overall) and the key cog to the nation's only undefeated team.

He will likely finish 3rd in the Heisman voting. Wouldn't trade him for anyone though.

Just need to win 2 more game and who cares about the awards. Or in the words of the 19 year old "I have no control about how other men vote. I have total control over how we play the last 2 games of the season. Im worried and focused about the latter and only interested to see how the former plays out."

[PilotMan]

NDSU up by 8 with 4 to play. The offense is about to get the ball back with a need to kill the clock. If they can't do that UNI will have a chance to go the distance for the tie.

On the other side, Sam Houston St is putting a 41-14 whipping on Colgate.

[PilotMan]

A safety to seal it! And we are still in business! Richmond is coming to Fargo next week! One more win and we'll be back in Frisco for the 5 straight time.

[Thomkal]

And Big South dreams end with a 58-38 drubbing of Charleston Southern by Jacksonville State. Next season will be a very odd one for Coastal Carolina as they will not play a Sun Belt schedule, nor be able to play in any bowl game or playoff-very boring actually.

[Thomkal]

congrats to to NDSU!

[JPhillips]

This Army/Navy game is a lot of fun.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

And Big South dreams end with a 58-38 drubbing of Charleston Southern by Jacksonville State. Next season will be a very odd one for Coastal Carolina as they will not play a Sun Belt schedule, nor be able to play in any bowl game or playoff-very boring actually.

How does that work Thomkal?

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

How does that work Thomkal?

They have to sit out one or two years (both via the Sun Belt and Div 1 football) when making the jump to the big leagues. Get to increase their scholarships every year I think. The NCAA wants them to be competetive when they finally start playing as a member of the Sun Belt and this gives time to build a full team. I think they can win the Sun Belt in 2017, but not be in a Bowl. Probably other reasons I've forgotten too. (give them time to get their various stadiums and playing fields time to meet their new level's requirements?) I think they still have a lot of FCS schools scheduled for next season-3 or 4 Big South teams still. Other sports may differ.

[PilotMan]

So they are officially I-A next year? There's been a lot of talk about NDSU going that route, but it would be a mistake. We compete well because of being able to grab guys who aren't getting I-A scholarships. We wouldn't do so well trying to grab guys from Minnesota. It's not the same.

I do remember that SU going through the transition from DII to DIAA. We went 10-1 as an independent, ranked #9 in 2007 at the end of the year. In 2006 we went 10-1 and finished #5, still unable to go to the playoffs. This team could have easily been major factors in the title picture for longer than the last 5 years. I'm very proud of the program that they've built. I see no need for them to move up when the school is reaping the rewards at this level.

[PilotMan]

Although, there have been rumors. Rumors from other D1 schools about approaching the school to be in newly rebuilt conferences that used to be really important and aren't as much any longer.

[Edward64]

Haters are going to hate. It is what it is.

Derrick Henry wins Heisman Trophy: Alabama RB takes award - College Football - SI.com

Alabama running back Derrick Henry is the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner.

Henry was announced as the winner and presented with his award on Saturday night at New York City’s Playstation Theater, beating out Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson for the honors.

Henry rushed for an SEC-record 1,986 yards on 339 carries and 23 scores, leading the nation in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The junior was responsible for 2,083 yards of offense, and had four 200-yard rushing games, joining Heisman winners Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson as the third SEC running back ever to do so.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

So they are officially I-A next year? There's been a lot of talk about NDSU going that route, but it would be a mistake. We compete well because of being able to grab guys who aren't getting I-A scholarships. We wouldn't do so well trying to grab guys from Minnesota. It's not the same.

I do remember that SU going through the transition from DII to DIAA. We went 10-1 as an independent, ranked #9 in 2007 at the end of the year. In 2006 we went 10-1 and finished #5, still unable to go to the playoffs. This team could have easily been major factors in the title picture for longer than the last 5 years. I'm very proud of the program that they've built. I see no need for them to move up when the school is reaping the rewards at this level.

Assuming it hasn't changed since UMass did it, they're officially 1-A but ineligible to win a conference, go to a bowl game, or win a national championship (as unlikely as that would be.) For 2 years iirc - first one we played about half FBS, half FCS teams and it was weird as hell. 2nd one we still weren't eligible to win anything, but basically played a full MAC schedule so it was like being on probation with a bowl ban for a year and we could make measurable progress towards the goal (not that we did, but other schools who made the transition have in that 2nd year.) As far as scholarships, they are restrained by the "25" per year limit, but iirc they are allowed to literally jump from the 63? of FCS to 85 of FBS by handing out 22 more free rides to walk-ons if they want, although obviously they try to balance it and not have 40 players graduating 5 years from now.

I still support UMass's decision to move up based on the possibility we could have (/still can) eventually end up in a 'current AAC'/'old school C-USA' + UConn hybrid and pull all sports up to a higher competition level because I don't want all sports (a.k.a mainly basketball, which is the real potential money-maker here) competing in the same league as St. Bonaventure or Fordham, but no question it's sucked for the football fans. I'd probably feel differently if we pulled off a miracle like Boise State, but I'd take going toe to toe with UNH and James Madison all day over getting blown out by Notre Dame and Colorado. Don't think I'm hating on NDSU here, because you guys clearly have a well run program and I've said the same thing to casual UMass fans who ask when we're getting a B1G or ACC invite, but based on state population, alumni base, TV market size and geography not a chance in hell NDSU is getting an invite to a PAC-16 or either old BIG-10/12 if/when those schools break off and officially consign the other half of current 1-A schools to a middle tier. Again, Boise State is the absolute best case scenario, they made the jump 15? 20? years ago, and if they get invited to one of those I will be stunned. (The Big 12 or whatever its called now could be an outside possibility for them if all the timing and dominoes work right for them - a.k.a. if some schools leave but U Texas refuses to join either the PAC or ACC and uses its gravity to be the fulcrum of a major league, maybe talking Oklahoma and ND along for the ride and just trying to fill out the last slot with the best football school regardless of long-term sustainability or the quality of the rest of their athletics.)

If/when that split happens, maybe NDSU can make the jump up to the new Tier 2 from the Tier 3 that current FCS will become, but as of now it makes zero sense for them. Ignore whether you'd be a "better" football team (you would be, although these UMass teams really aren't that much better than the ones back in like '06 when I went to school and we made the FCS title game) and ask yourself if beating New Mexico State to go 6-6 and make a bowl game would be anywhere close to as enjoyable as being 13-2 and playing Sam Houston State, or UNH, or Northern Iowa on ESPNU. I know my answer.

Originally Posted by Edward64

Haters are going to hate. It is what it is.

Derrick Henry wins Heisman Trophy: Alabama RB takes award - College Football - SI.com

Can I still hate the two voters who gave Connor Cook a 1st-place vote? I know there's like 1000 voters, and the weekly college coaches poll has some weird votes too, but I just don't get it. Forget shaming them, make it public just so I can try to hear the rationale for that vote. Does his dad write for a paper? Did the NCAA confuse the Heisman and the Naismith and give Magic Johnson a vote?

[MrBug708]

Congrats to the SEC, er, Henry

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Ignore whether you'd be a "better" football team (you would be, although these UMass teams really aren't that much better than the ones back in like '06 when I went to school and we made the FCS title game) and ask yourself if beating New Mexico State to go 6-6 and make a bowl game would be anywhere close to as enjoyable as being 13-2 and playing Sam Houston State, or UNH, or Northern Iowa on ESPNU. I know my answer.

I completely agree. There is no way the program would succeed at the next level like it has at this one. I think there are a lot of delusional people out there who think that it would benefit the school and the fan base, but when you step back and look at the reality of it. I mean, Marshall had a couple of good years, Boise St has, but then there's schools like Western Kentucky, whose spot we took in the MVFC. They were a top tier football powerhouse and where are they now? They don't even get a second look. Trust me, the fan base is much happier, and continues to grow going 13-2 and playing for National Championships than if we were going 5-6, or 4-7 at the next level.

Just look at recruiting. Right now we are able to grab guys like Marcus Williams, who is playing for the Jets right now and has 5 Int's this year. Minnesota couldn't give him a scholarship, we could. Easton Stick, our FR QB who was recruited by Nebraska, but we could give him a full ride. I just don't think we can compete in the midwest for top tier athletic talent that can go to any of those other schools. Perhaps if we had a campus like Pepperdine, but not in Fargo.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

So they are officially I-A next year? There's been a lot of talk about NDSU going that route, but it would be a mistake. We compete well because of being able to grab guys who aren't getting I-A scholarships. We wouldn't do so well trying to grab guys from Minnesota. It's not the same.

I do remember that SU going through the transition from DII to DIAA. We went 10-1 as an independent, ranked #9 in 2007 at the end of the year. In 2006 we went 10-1 and finished #5, still unable to go to the playoffs. This team could have easily been major factors in the title picture for longer than the last 5 years. I'm very proud of the program that they've built. I see no need for them to move up when the school is reaping the rewards at this level.

I believe they are yes, but its more like a "in limbo 1-A". Coastal is in a much different position that NDSU. They are 20 minutes from the ocean , Myrtle Beach attractions/shopping, and much warmer (no snow!) weather. That gets them players they normally wouldn't. They routinely beat South Carolina's top schools in other sports besides football. Moving to 1-A should get them better recruits who wouldn't look at a FCS school normally.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Haters are going to hate. It is what it is.

Derrick Henry wins Heisman Trophy: Alabama RB takes award - College Football - SI.com

Count me amongst the haters. Henry is a fantastic football player, but this vote should not have been close. There are about a billion reasons all college football awards are irrelevant, but that vote adds another one.

[digamma]

I'm not even sure where to put this, but pretty good player and message board legend Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss) fell out of a 4th story window and suffered several injuries in Atlanta over the weekend. No details on seriousness of the injuries, why or how it happened or why he was in Atlanta.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by digamma

I'm not even sure where to put this, but pretty good player and message board legend Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss) fell out of a 4th story window and suffered several injuries in Atlanta over the weekend. No details on seriousness of the injuries, why or how it happened or why he was in Atlanta.

Update (3:15 p.m.): Daniel Pauling of The Clarion-Ledger has more:

Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche fell from a hotel window last night but was conscious and breathing when officers responded to the incident and was in stable condition when taken to a local hospital, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

[JPhillips]

“It appears that the victim broke the window and then walked approximately 15 feet and climbed over a wall and fell approximately 15 feet,”

WTF?

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

WTF?

Prayers for him and his family.
He has struggled with depression for much of his (young) life. I dont want to speculate, but knowing the back story makes this scary for me. Older brother Denzel frequently acted out aggressively towards others from a young age and Bob was more self destructive...hope this is an accident and not a re-occurence of the pattern.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Congrats to the SEC, er, Henry

Funny, you should say that...

The Heisman Trophy is back in the SEC! https://t.co/KVw3Desnk5

— TheBigSpur.com (@TheBigSpur247) December 13, 2015

Though to be fair, it is clearly a league award since his lows of the season (both total yards AND yards pr carry) came against Louisiana Monroe, Middle Tennessee...with Charleston Southern finishing 4th behind only SEC foe Arkansas..

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I completely agree. There is no way the program would succeed at the next level like it has at this one. I think there are a lot of delusional people out there who think that it would benefit the school and the fan base, but when you step back and look at the reality of it. I mean, Marshall had a couple of good years, Boise St has, but then there's schools like Western Kentucky, whose spot we took in the MVFC. They were a top tier football powerhouse and where are they now? They don't even get a second look. Trust me, the fan base is much happier, and continues to grow going 13-2 and playing for National Championships than if we were going 5-6, or 4-7 at the next level.

Western Kentucky's actually a perfect example. Because you know where they are now? They're 11-2, they won the C-USA and are making a bowl game... and you didn't even know that, because who cares? (I barely knew it too, just recalled it from scanning the standings page when arguing about team's schedules.) I don't think NDSU is likely to succeed at the next level either due to its disadvantages, but I don't think that's the right argument to use with those people. Because if someone told me that UMass couldn't succeed in the MAC, or NDSU couldn't succeed in the MWC/Sun Belt just because of their disadvantages I'd disagree because hard work pays off (and teams can get lucky), but what's the payoff? In our case, it's the hope that it'll pull our basketball team and Olympic sports into a better conference where they can compete nationally, and the necessity of having a D1-A football team before they'd agree to even consider us. But even competing for a MAC title and getting the occasional ESPN game or minor bowl is much less fun than it was playing in those FCS playoffs or a conference with BU, UConn, Northeastern, Rhode Island, etc.

[CU Tiger]

National #2 Overall 5* DT Dexter Lawrence commits to Clemson after spending a long weekend on an OV to NCSU, his childhood favorite and hometown school

[MrBug708]

Is this now the recruiting thread?

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

National #2 Overall 5* DT Dexter Lawrence commits to Clemson after spending a long weekend on an OV to NCSU, his childhood favorite and hometown school

I couldn't find a 2016 recruiting thread either when Daelin Hayes committed. Epic twist on the announcement. Much better than the old hat choice with the fakeout or trying to have a press conference at a high school that messes up everybody's day. (And I'm not just saying that because of his decision )

[MrBug708]

Did he get USC to do his too, like Adoree did?

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Did he get USC to do his too, like Adoree did?

I'm fairly confident USC did not produce that video.

(If serious, I think Bleacher Report did.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://onlineathens.com/breaking-new...ture-uga-staff

While the absence of No-Schott won't hurt UGA in the bowl, it did make me wonder about something ...

is it really as unusual as I think it is for a team to go to a bowl minus its head coach and BOTH coordinators? Or does it happen that way more often than I think?

[CU Tiger]

Since this s now the recruiting thread, Clemson added their second 5* commit of the day in 2017 QB Hunter Johnson.

Rated 12th overall by rivals and the consensus #1 QB in his class he visited this weekend and committed earlier tonight.

Agreeing to take no future official visits, per Clemson standard commit policy.


Side note. Earlier this year a friend and local high school coach said to me, "Clemson's staff has been building this with nothing to sell. If they are actually winning like this there is no telling how good those boys will recruit."

Now this guy is a died in the wool gamecock fan (all also a board member here...though exclusively a lurker)and at the time I brushed it off as a back handed compliment...but you know...he might be right.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

For those interested...I'll drop some easy hints as to games I got to work this year:

- The longest game in overtime history (overtime wise)
- The #1 team in the country in a dome.
- Foot solider service academy 3 times...twice at home (once against a Deacon) and once on the road at the plane Service Academy.
- The team in my hometown against an ACC team with a bird mascot.
- I worked at all 3 ACC schools in the Raleigh area.
- A wolf and a cardinal

It was honestly the toughest and most stressful year of doing this avocation, but I look forward to doing it again next year. I did not get a bowl assignment but I did work 2 FCS playoff games so far and am still holding out hope for the FCS Championship.

If he hadnt pulled Watson you might have witnessed a murder.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Since this s now the recruiting thread, Clemson added their second 5* commit of the day in 2017 QB Hunter Johnson.

That you flipped him from UT makes this harder for me to, umm, celebrate.

I will say though that there could be a silver lining in this news for Knoxville. It would certainly have to make landing 2018 prospect Trevor Lawrence more likely for the Vols.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

For those interested...I'll drop some easy hints as to games I got to work this year:

- The longest game in overtime history (overtime wise)
- The #1 team in the country in a dome.
- Foot solider service academy 3 times...twice at home (once against a Deacon) and once on the road at the plane Service Academy.
- The team in my hometown against an ACC team with a bird mascot.
- I worked at all 3 ACC schools in the Raleigh area.
- A wolf and a cardinal

It was honestly the toughest and most stressful year of doing this avocation, but I look forward to doing it again next year. I did not get a bowl assignment but I did work 2 FCS playoff games so far and am still holding out hope for the FCS Championship.

Awesome, congrats! Weird question - do they give any thought to trying to keep referees closer to home, or is there so much money floating around to put a game on they have no problem flying you wherever and comping hotels etc?

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Awesome, congrats! Weird question - do they give any thought to trying to keep referees closer to home, or is there so much money floating around to put a game on they have no problem flying you wherever and comping hotels etc?

It all depends on what conference you work for...when you work for a conference you can go anywhere that one of the teams plays. The way ours works is that we aren't as highly paid per se as other...but it covers the cost of our travel. Whether it be flying or driving.

Others may pay more...but the cost of the travel is on the official.

I like having my travel paid for because I don't have to nickel and dime flights. I just pick what is best for my schedule and go with it.

[BishopMVP]

Fun little article if we're looking to debate something dumb - College football's easiest to toughest recruiting jobs, 1-65

I love the BC fan's reaction to it - "That's bullshit! We should be ahead of Washington State, Kansas, and... Purdue? Syracuse? Definitely Kansas though!"

[PilotMan]

NDSU will have the last home game of the year this Friday on ESPN 2, playing host to the Richmond Spiders. The Spiders knocked off the #2 seeded Redbirds last week, on the road, and will face and equally tough challenge in Fargo.

NDSU is favored by 7+ points against all remaining teams when playing on a neutral site, and are heavily favored to win out now. That doesn't make me feel any less anxious and the idea of even going to Frisco again for a 5th straight time doesn't even seem real.

Richmond has a big offense with some explosive guys, very similar to both Jacksonville St and Sam Houston St, but none of them has a defense, or has even faced a defense, like the Bison. On top of that they are all undersized when compared to the line of the Bison on both sides of the ball.

I'm trying very hard to keep expectations in check and always fearful of the bad game. The team was helped last week with some incredible special teams play. I hope they only need extra points this weekend.

[cartman]

A&M might go from a QB controversy to no QBs at all. Kyle Allen announced a few days ago that he was going to transfer, and now Kyler Murray is reportedly set to announce his plans to transfer as well.

[cartman]

The Kyler Murray transfer request is official. A&M will be starting Jake Hubenak at QB in their bowl game, who was 12 of 27 on his passes this season.

[GrantDawg]

The word is Murray is leaving to play baseball. Will probably go JUCO till he can enter the MLB draft.

[PilotMan]

The game is at the half and this is the breakdown so far:

Matchup
1st Downs	2	13
3rd down efficiency	1-7	3-6
4th down efficiency	0-1	0-1
Total Yards	67	247
Passing	66	102
Comp-Att	7-15	9-15
Yards per pass	4.4	6.8
Interceptions thrown	1	1
Rushing	1	145
Rushing Attempts	10	23
Yards per rush	0.1	6.3
Penalties	4-20	1-5
Turnovers	1	1
Fumbles lost	0	0
Interceptions thrown	1	1
Possession	12:25	17:35

[JPhillips]

I hope you're playing with your Legos while watching!

[MrBug708]

Clay Helton, a HC with no previous experience as a head coach until this year, hired Tee Martin as OC, a recruiting coordinator with no previous playcalling experience.

Very odd move for a top 5 job in college football

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Clay Helton, a HC with no previous experience as a head coach until this year, hired Tee Martin as OC, a recruiting coordinator with no previous playcalling experience.

Very odd move for a top 5 job in college football

I'd say that's probably a move toward keeping Tee in the fold, plus Helton pretty much raves about him.
“Tee is invaluable. I’ve been a college football coach for 21 years and have been around some good ones and Tee is the definition of a complete football coach, in my mind,” Helton said. “Leader, teacher, educator, recruiter, establishes relationships. If there is a blueprint of what to be, Tee Martin is it. I’m so happy for him because he deserves something like that.

Martin had an increased role in gameplanning in the 2nd half of the year, seems clear that Helton liked what he saw & the relationship.

If this were on the side of the ball that Helton doesn't know then I think it'd be maybe more of a concern but with all the circumstances it doesn't seem like anything to be worried about (any more than the hiring of any other coordinator).