It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

[darksilver2820]

So it's technically not a dynasty, but hey, it's something most of us surely want to see in FBS football. I've created a 24-team playoff bracket, that may not be completely realistic in the realm of reality (but hey, at this point neither is any playoff, so let's have fun with it), where CPU vs CPU matchups will determine the 2010 champion. Also, a quick thanks to Shakeandbake30 for the rosters and starfleeter for the CPU v CPU sliders. I hope you guys follow it, make suggestions, create brackets, ask questions, whatever. So without further ado, let the 2010-11 FBS playoffs begin.

ESPN SELECTION SUNDAY

Hosted by Rece Davis, along with Kirk Herbstreit, Craig James

Davis: Welcome college football fans to the moment many of you have been waiting for over the last few years, the beginning of the 2010-2011 FBS playoffs. Rece Davis here along with Kirk Herbstreit and Craig James, where over the next hour, we will be unveiling the 24-team bracket for the tournament, analyzing the matchups, and taking a look at the teams that just missed the cut. You’ve all waited long enough, so let’s get right to the bracket, but first, the tournament outline.

Now, this doesn’t work exactly the same as the basketball tournament. There is no selection committee, but instead, a set of guidelines in which determine the 24 teams in the field, mainly based on BCS ranking, which we will go over right now.

First, similar to the basketball tournament, the champion of each conference gets an automatic bid. In the case of co-champions, BCS rankings then head to head matchups determine what team gets the bid.

Herbstreit: 9 of the remaining 13 bids are divided between the top 6 conferences in college football. Gone are the days of AQ-teams, and the “big six”. Similar to the BCS rankings for each team, the conferences also get rated from 1 to 11 based on AP strength and computer ratings. Using these rankings, the top 6 conferences get an extra at large bid, with the top 3 getting an additional bid on top of that. These at large bids are given out based solely on BCS ranking.

James: Four bids then remain. One of these bids automatically goes to any independent team in the top 24 of the BCS rankings. If there is no independent in the top 24, all four remaining spots in the tournament go to at large teams based on BCS rankings, with a couple exceptions. These last at large bids must go to teams from four different conferences. This is to make sure no conference has too many teams in the field. Similarly, any team finishing fourth or worse in a division within their conference is ineligible.

Davis: And now, enough talk, let’s unveil the bracket.



Davis: The bracket is divided into 4 pods of 6 teams each, with the top 4 seeds heading each pod, and the top 8 seeds overall getting a first round bye. All opening round games will be played at the home of the higher seeded team, with the following rounds in each pod played in either Miami, New Orleans, Glendale, or Pasadena. Without further ado, let’s get to the teams, starting with the Orange bracket.

The orange bracket is headed by the number 1 seed, the SEC champion (1) Auburn Tigers who will face the winner of the game between (16) Texas A&M out of the Big 12 and (17) Utah from the Mountain West. The (9) Michigan State Spartans will host the champions of the Sun Belt conference (24) Florida International, who receive the bid over co-champion Troy due to their win over the Trojans on November 13. The winner of that game will face another team from the SEC, the (8) Arkansas Razorbacks. Herbie, Craig, what sticks out to you about this pod?



Herbstreit: I look at the teams in this pod, and I really don’t see a way Auburn doesn’t come out of this bracket. Nothing against the other teams, but Michigan State, A&M, nor Utah have convinced me they are elite teams.

James: I look ahead to a potential SEC rematch with Auburn and Arkansas, in which they combined to score 108 points! If that game materializes, I see another shootout deciding the spot in the final four.

Davis: The winner of the Orange pod will face the winner of the Fiesta pod, with games being played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The top seed going to Glendale are the Cardinal from (4) Stanford and the Pac-10. They’ll face the winner of a rematch from the Atlantic Coast Conference championship just yesterday, the (13) Virginia Tech Hokies and (20) Florida State Seminoles will go at each other again in Blacksburg. The champions of Conference-USA, (21) Central Florida will face an at large team out of the Big 12, (12) Missouri. The winner of that game will face a co-champion of the Big Ten, and highest ranked team out of that conference, the Badgers of (5) Wisconsin. Craig, I know you have an upset pick here.



James: Yes, I do. I know the Hokies have finished the season with 11 straight wins, and just beat the Seminoles just last night, but I’m telling you, the Seminoles now know what to do against Virginia Tech, and will be out for revenge. That being said, Stanford is just playing too well to not come out of this pod.

Herbstreit: I think this is definitely the toughest pod of the four, Stanford and Wisconsin are playing out of their minds right now, and don’t sleep on those Hokies, they’ve won 11 straight and there really aren’t any signs of slowing down.

Davis: I don’t know guys, I kind of like UCF over Missouri in an upset in the Show-Me state. Next, to the Sugar bracket with games played in the Superdome. The third seed (3) TCU will face the winner of a matchup between the Big 12 and the Big East, (14) Oklahoma State hosts (19) West Virginia.

Herbstreit: Oklahoma State is the big sleeper in this tournament, mark my words.

Davis: Also from the Big East, the champion (22) Connecticut Huskies will travel to the Bayou to face (11) LSU. The victor earns a date at the Superdome against (6) Ohio State.



James: I love TCU’s offense, but looking forward to a game against Ohio State, that will be tough. TCU really hasn’t faced an offense with the likes of the Buckeyes with Terrelle Pryor yet. What a tough draw for the Big East too, guys.

Davis: Last, we head to the Rose pod, headed by the Pac-10 champion, and undefeated (2) Oregon Ducks. They await the victor of (18) South Carolina and WAC co-champions (15) Nevada. The Big 12 champion Sooners of (7) Oklahoma await the winner of MAC champions (23) Miami of Ohio and the (10) Boise State Broncos on the blue turf up in Idaho. Herbie, your thoughts?



Herbstreit: Well, the first thing my eyes get drawn to is a potential rematch of that Fiesta Bowl from a couple years back, with Oklahoma versus Boise State. Don’t forget, Boise State is a 26 yard field goal away from being undefeated and real challengers for the title. I like Boise charging on to the finals of this pod, potentially with another rematch from recent memory, Oregon or Nevada.

Davis: And thankfully for Byron Hout, LeGarrette Blount will not be on the field after that game. Craig?

James: Don’t fall asleep on Oklahoma, guys. Bob Stoops knows how to get his guys ready for a big game. But, does anybody have the defense to slow down Oregon’s offense enough? I’m not sure about that.

Davis: Now, let’s take a look at the complete, 24 team tournament bracket, along with the final BCS standings to notice a couple high profiles teams that did not make the field.



Herbstreit: I would have really liked to see what Alabama could have done in the tournament, they are the first ever team affected by the 3 teams per division rule, in that very strong SEC West.

Davis: Nebraska also barely missed the field, the fifth highest team in the Big 12, gets eked out of a spot by two hundredths of a point by the Aggies. The last thing we’ll do is go through the breakdown of teams by conference.



The big winners were the SEC and Big 12, each getting 4 teams into the dance, the Big Ten was the other team ranked in the top 3, getting the 2 automatic at large bids. That’s it for the show today, we’ll see you next Saturday, when 8 games will be on the schedule, in the first round of the 2010-2011 FBS playoffs.

[TexasFan1]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Looks awesome man love the layout u have here will deff. follow since Texas isn't in it and I love what Auburn has done this Season I'm gonna root for Auburn GO TIGERS!

[matt314hew]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Great Idea.

Here are my Picks in Round 1:

Utah over A&M
Michigan St over FIU
FSU over Virginia Tech
Missouri over UCF
WVU over OSU
LSU over UConn
Miami over Boist St
S. Carolina over Nevada

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11




ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY from Blacksburg, Virginia:

Hosted by Chris Fowler, along with Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, and Desmond Howard

Fowler: Welcome college football fans to the first Saturday of the inaugural FBS playoffs. Today on GameDay, the Crew and I analyze and make our predictions for the eight games on the slate today. We’ll start in the morning session with two games.



On ESPN2, at 12:30, Rece Davis and Craig James have the call at Kyle Field for (17) Utah versus (16) Texas A&M.

Howard: This is a story between two teams going in the exact opposite directions. Utah has lost two of their last four, including a loss against Notre Dame, while the Aggies have won six straight, including wins against tournament team Oklahoma, and one that could have been, Nebraska. Texas A&M wins this game.

Corso: I agree with you 150%. Aggies roll.

Herbstreit: There’s a lot of talent on that Utah team, we’ll see whether they can get over their late season woes, I don’t think so, Aggies also.



Fowler: CBS kicks off the afternoon session with one of their two games, (22) Connecticut heads to (11) LSU.

Howard: This may be a 22 versus 11 game, but I think it’s even more of a mismatch than that, the Big East really was the laughingstock of major college football this year, and LSU has been tested all year in close games. This one won’t be close, LSU wins.

Corso: Les Miles has this team ready to go, and I like their chances in the long run, LSU takes care of UConn, 24-3.

Herbstreit: Yeah, LSU has too much talent for UConn to keep up with, especially in the bayou. LSU, and it won’t be close.



Fowler: The second afternoon session game, on ESPN, Sun Belt champs (24) Florida International travels to East Lansing for a date with one of the three Big Ten teams, (9) Michigan State.

Howard: One vote for the Spartans.

Corso: Two.

Herbstreit: Make it three, too much talent in the Big Ten for FIU to keep up.



Fowler: ESPN2 will have the 3:30 eastern battle between Conference-USA champions (21) UCF and (12) Missouri.

Herbstreit: Mizzou is sixth in the nation in points against at 15.2 points a game, UCF is twelfth at 18 points a game, a defensive battle awaits, I think Missouri pulls out the victory at home.

Corso: Not so fast my friend! Central Florida scores almost 34 points a game, and will be able to eke by Missouri in a two point victory, for an early round upset.

Howard: I’ve gotta agree with Kirk, UCF just doesn’t get the tests in Conference-USA that Mizzou does in the Big 12. Tigers win handily.



Fowler: A Big East Big 12 showdown starts the evening session in Stillwater, Gus Johnson has the call on CBS. (19) West Virginia on the road against (14) Oklahoma State.

Corso: I like Justin Blackmon to introduce himself to anybody who doesn’t know the name yet, he’ll get over 150 yards through the air and the Cowboys get the W.

Herbstreit: West Virginia is underrated here, they may not have won the Big East but you can easily make the argument that they are the best team in the conference, and have one of the best defenses in college football, the Mountaineers will play TCU in the second round.

Howard: Too much offense for that defense to contain though wearing orange, Okie State will pull off the win.



Fowler: The night will end with a couple teams from the WAC hosting games, (15) Nevada hosts SEC East champions (18) South Carolina.

Herbstreit: I like the Gamecocks in this one, behind the Ol’ Ball Coach, Garcia will have a good game through the air, and it should be enough to offset the play of Colin Kaepernick.

Corso: Again, not so fast my friend! Nevada hosted a better Boise State team in Reno and pulled out a win, they’ll be able to do the same thing against South Carolina, who may be reeling after a horrible loss in the SEC championship game.

Howard: This is the closest game of the day. South Carolina wins. Flip a coin.



Fowler: The other game on the west coast takes place on the smurf turf in Boise, (10) Boise State hosts the Redhawks from (23) Miami Ohio.

Corso: Kellen Moore will be too much for the MAC champions, and the Bronco defense is one of the best in the country, Broncos roll.

Herbstreit: Yep, Boise State.

Howard: I think this will be closer than you all think, but Boise State never loses at home, and they won’t start now.



Fowler: Now for the game starting off the day here in Blacksburg, at noon eastern the (13) Virginia Tech Hokies host the twenty seed, the (20) Florida State Seminoles. That game will be on ESPN.

Howard: Watch out for Tyrod Taylor, a dual threat quarterback, who will be able to beat Florida State’s suspect defense in the air and on the ground, Hokies for the second week in a row over their ACC foes.

Herbstreit: This game depends on the play of Christian Ponder. He has a good game, the Hokies may not be able to keep up, but he’s just too inconsistent, especially after missing a lot of time recently, same thing as last week, Virginia Tech wins.

Corso: Come on crowd! Get loud! Hokies! Hokies! GIVE ME THOSE FEATHERS! Seminoles win big!

[NoDakHusker]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Just awesome, can't wait to see how this unfolds.

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11



COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

In the Studio with John Saunders, Mark May, and Lou Holtz (and his translator)

Saunders: Welcome to the ESPN College Football Saturday studio as the FBS playoffs are underway, and with one game down and two underway, we have highlights from the first game, arguably the biggest game of the day, (20) Florida State at (13) Virginia Tech. Let's go to the highlights.



Saunders: It was a cold, windy afternoon in Blacksburg, with a temperature at 36 degrees at kickoff, and a wind at 23 miles per hour surely made it feel even colder than that. So you figure the team coming in from Florida may have trouble adapting? Wrong. Right off the bat on the first drive of the game, Christian Ponder darted a 24 yard pass to tight end Beau Reliford.

May: It looked like broken coverage, John. Hokie linebacker Lyndell Gibson thought he had help behind him from the safeties, none was there and Reliford basically just strolled into the end zone.

Saunders: That it did, and it became a theme for the day. In the second quarter, after the Seminoles had kicked a field goal to make it 10 to 0, Ponder leads a drive 74 yards and caps it off with a one yard pass to fullback Lonnie Pryor to make it 17 to 0.

Holtz: This was incredible, he just kind of walked in on this one, you could see Frank Beamer on the sideline just beside himself, upset with his defense.

Saunders: The offense seemed to get the message, as Tyrod Taylor engineered a drive in just over two minutes to put the Hokies on the board with a touchdown of their own with a pass to receiver DJ Coles, or was it?

May: Remember, the call on the field was that he got his feet in and had possession and the booth didn't really see much that could overturn it. One of those plays that would have stood no matter what the on field call was.

Saunders: On the ensuing kick off, Greg Reid was able to get through the coverage and return it to the Hokie 48, setting up another touchdown pass from Christian Ponder, this time to Taiwan Easterling, and FSU took a 24-7 lead into halftime, and from there the rout was on. Seminoles now up 31-7, from his own 14 yard line, Tyrod Taylor finds Florida State safety Terrance Parks, and on the next play, Ponder throws his fourth touchdown pass, a 7 yarder to Willie Haulstead.

Holtz: The big theme of the game was quarterback play, Ponder had two interceptions of his own but was able to offset those with his play throughout the game, whereas Taylor couldn't get anything done on the ground or through the air, with three picks.

Saunders: Eddie Whitley of Tech would have a pick six of his own, for 101 yards, but it was too late as the first game of the day, ends up being the first upset of the tournament, as Florida State, the twenty seed, moves on to face Stanford in the next round. With the final thoughts, let's go out to Blacksburg, where Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit had the call.



Musberger: Hey there folks, just like all of you, I think I can speak for both Herbie and I when I say that this result is a surprising one.

Herbstreit: Oh no doubt about it. Not the fact that Florida State pulled off, what I guess technically is an upset, but in the way that they did. The defense just shut down the Hokie offense all day. Only 185 yards on offense, and 67 yards on the ground, including a negative 25 yards by Taylor, one of the premier dual threat quarterbacks in the nation. I mean, they just basically said, you're going to have to beat us through the air, and the secondary was ready for them. You're not going to win any games, no matter who you play, when you're turning the ball over four times, and are playing one-dimensional football.

Musberger: Now let's turn our attention ahead, on to Glendale, where the Seminoles will take on four seed Stanford, at University of Phoenix Stadium. That is a very different team with a very different style than Virginia Tech that Jimbo will have to prepare for.



Herbstreit: You know, Stanford has been one of the most underrated programs all year this season. It's hard to say that about a team that's ranked fourth in the tournament, but with only a loss at second seed Oregon, in a game that really, they should have been able to close out, with a 21-3 lead early in that game. Andrew Luck is more than likely the first pick in the NFL draft next year, and one of my favorite players in the country, two-way starter Owen Marecic will be the players to watch.

Musberger: Well I guess we'll see whether the bye week is helpful or hurtful, next week, in Glendale. John, back to you.

Saunders: Two other games in progress right now, over on CBS, (22) Connecticut and (11) LSU just kicked off in the bayou. And on ESPN2, going into the fourth quarter, (17) Utah is trailing the home team (16) Texas A&M by 11, 21-10, but Utah does have the ball.



Saunders: That's all for now, keep coming back for updates of the inaugural FBS playoffs.

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

In the Studio with John Saunders, Mark May, and Lou Holtz

Saunders: Welcome back to the headquarters of the college football playoffs here on ESPN. Two games are in the books, and one is in progress right now, but let's start out with highlights from the game that just finished down in College Station and Kyle Field in the Orange Pod between (17) Utah and the Aggies of (16) Texas A&M.



Saunders: A beautiful day in College Station saw the Utes win the toss, and start off just like the team we all thought they could be earlier in the year, capping off a 12 play, 79 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown run by Eddie Wide.

Holtz: In all honesty, it's not that Texas A&M's defense looked bad on this drive, Wynn just happened to be finding his receivers, and Wide was able to finish off the job.

Saunders: The Aggies would come back in the second quarter though and tie it up with a 21 yard pass from Ryan Tannehill to Uzoma Nwachukwu. Gesundheit.

May: The quarterbacks looked really good early, and again, going with what Lou said, the defenses weren't playing abnormally bad, these young quarterbacks were just making their throws, putting the ball in the right place over and over.

Saunders: Tannehill wasn't done there, and he'd add on another touchdown with two and a half minutes left in the half to give the Aggies their first lead of the game. After halftime, the Utes would cut it to 14-10, but A&M wasn't done. Cyrus Gray breaks a couple of tackles wide left to give the Aggies a 21-10 lead, their biggest of the game.

Holtz: This young man didn't get too many carries on the day, but made this one count, and I know his coaches will call on him more as his career moves forward.

Saunders: 21-10 going into the fourth quarter. It's over, right? Not yet! After a 33 yarder was true by Joe Phillips, what does Ryan Tannehill do?

May: The one thing that he can't do! Throw a pick. Five minutes left in the game, run, run, run the ball. I don't understand why coach Mike Sherman called that play, but still. Tannehill needs to be aware that if it's not there, throw it away, or even take the sack. Just don't throw the ball into Brandon Burton's hands.

Saunders: And throw it into Burton's hands was just what he did. And you see this happens all of the time after a turnover, on the very first play of the drive, Wynn throws it deep and connects with Jereme Brooks for a 49 yard touchdown pass. The Utes go for two, and don't get it, and trail by two. After a three-and-out, Jordan Wynn has just over two minutes and the ball for the chance to move in to the next round. On the second play in the drive he sees his main target of the day DeVonte Christopher open in the flat, and it's tipped and intercepted! And Terrence Frederick will take it to the house, and with that, Texas A&M is into the second round.



Saunders: Let's go to Rece Davis and Craig James for their thoughts from Kyle Field.

Davis: Thanks John. I think we got what a lot of people expected here, a closely contested battle between two very even teams.

James: Yep, Rece. It came down to the last drive, and you really can't fault Jordan Wynn for that interception late in the game. Christopher was, open, well wide open, actually, and the first thing all coaches tell their defensive lineman is, if you can't get to the quarterback, get your hands up. Block the passing lane, and that's exactly what they did, and Terrence Frederick was in the right place at the right time to pick it off, take it to the endzone, and earn his Aggies plane tickets to Miami.

Davis: But unfortunately for them, it will only get tougher with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and his top seeded Auburn Tigers in the way.



James: Yeah, it will definitely be a step up. Nothing against Utah, but they simply aren't Auburn, and Jordan Wynn simply isn't Cam Newton. One thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot of point put up on the board, and I see an old-fashioned shootout in the future for those two teams.

Davis: Well, that's it from Kyle Field, where the Texas A&M Aggies are celebrating their win on the field with the students centered around the logo at the fifty. Back to you in the studio.

Saunders: Thanks guys. And one other game is currently underway, down in Death Valley, LSU has jumped out to an early eleven point lead over the underdog, Big East champion Huskies from Connecticut.



May: Connecticut looks really, really overmatched so far.

Saunders: Yeah, they really do. That's it from the studio for now. Back to the games.

[matt314hew]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Awesome so far..

[gomets97]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

This is simply fantastic

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11



SEC on CBS STUDIO

Hosted by Tim Brando, with Spencer Tillman and Archie Manning

Brando: Welcome into the CBS College Football headquarters, I'm Tim Brando, with Spencer Tillman and Archie Manning at my side, we'll be going over the highlights from our game on CBS today between (22) Connecticut and (11) LSU. And we'll also be setting up the evening game later on CBS between (19) West Virginia and (14) Oklahoma State. But first let's go down to Death Valley and the highlights from this one, which turned out to be a very one-sided affair.

Tillman: That's an understatement.



Brando: Stakes were high in Baton Rouge, with a spot in the second round of the Sugar Pod and a date against sixth seeded Ohio State the spoils for the victor. Right off the bat, on the second play of the game, Morris Claiborne intercepts a Cody Endres pass intended for Jordan Todman, and Archie, Endres looked shaky at the start and really never got out of his funk.

Manning: No, this pass wasn't even close. To say it was intended for Todman is really stretching it, because Claiborne wasn't challenged at all.

Brando: The Bayou Bengals would take advantage with a wonderful touchdown catch by Russell Shepard in the side of the end zone.

Tillman: A great catch, you can clearly see, as did the refs in the booth, that he got his foot down despite being pushed out by a Husky corner, right before the arm touched out of bounds to brace his fall.

Brando: LSU would get the ball back after a three-and-out, and a major theme of this game was LSU picking on UConn safety Jerome Junior Jordan Jefferson just lobs this pass right over his head, right into the hands of Russell Shepard for his second touchdown catch of the day, this one for 49 yards.

Tillman: Junior, a redshirt sophomore, just looked like he wasn't ready for this type of game, and to be honest, it was the biggest game in his young career, and in the school's recent history.

Brando: The Huskies would get a field goal to make it 14 to 3 at the end of the first quarter. Then the big play of the game happened. Jordan Jefferson drops back and gets sacked, and his shoulder tears in the process. The doctors have concluded that he won't be able to play for the rest of the tournament, a huge blow to LSU.

Manning: But you'd see that in this game, I'm not sure if it would work against an Ohio State team prepared for him, but junior backup Jarrett Lee looked pretty good against this UConn defense.

Brando: That he did, right before halftime, he'd throw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Terrence Toliver, again attacking Jerome Junior to make it 24-3 at half, and the rout was on. After another Tiger touchdown to make it 31-3, Ryan Baker pick six 34 yards to put the icing on the cake. Jasper would add three in the fourth to make it 41 to 3, and that's how this game would end.

Tillman: Yeah, I think everyone kind of expected this type of game, UConn, while they had, you know, a decent season in the Big East, Les Miles' Tigers are a different beast. The secondary just got ran over, four passing touchdowns on the day between Jefferson and Lee.

Brando: It did look good, but LSU fans may have some doubts going into New Orleans next week against the sixth ranked Buckeyes. Let's go to the guys who had the call on the field, Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson.



Lundquist: Thanks Tim. Well Gary, I think both of us saw this one coming, maybe not with such magnitude of 38 points, but a win by a superior LSU team, especially here in Death Valley.

Danielson: Yes, you know, they looked good all day. After the Jefferson injury, Lee came in and really just picked up where Jordan left off, having two touchdown throws of his own, and looked like a kid with something to prove out there. On the other side, the defense more than held their own, holding Connecticut to just 177 yards of total offense. Endres wasn't able to get anything going, and Todman was only able to accumulate 60 yards on the ground. When nothing's happening through the air, there's no way you're going to beat LSU doing that.

Lundquist: Let's look ahead to New Orleans. How do you foresee LSU's play against the Buckeyes without their quarterback, in Jordan Jefferson.



Danielson: Verne, Jarrett Lee looked pretty good tonight, calm in the pocket, had a couple wild throws but that's to be expected for a kid just coming in to the playoffs for the first time. I think he can contain himself, we're going to have a great battle in the Superdome next weekend.

Brando: Thanks fellas. Two other games going on right now, on ESPN and ESPN2. First, another foreseeable result as (9) Michigan State is having their way with (24) FIU.



Manning: Similar to our game this morning, just too much talent for the Spartans for the Sun Belt champs to contain, on both sides of the ball.

Brando: At halftime on ESPN2, UCF was actually up 10 to nothing on twelfth seeded Mizzou, but the Tigers have come back and scored two unanswered touchdowns, including a 10 yard fumble return by the defense. Blaine Gabbert was knocked out of the game on the first drive, but returned on their next, and has been very efficient so far.

Tillman: UCF looks good though. This game is far, far from over.



Brando: That's it from the CBS studios for now, remember later tonight, we'll have (14) Oklahoma State hosting (19) West Virginia, turn it over to ESPN and ESPN2 for games going on right now.

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11



ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

In the Studio with John Saunders, Mark May, and Lou Holtz

Saunders: Welcome back to the ESPN studios, where half of day one's games are through, and guys, for the wait that everyone had to withstand to finally end up with a playoff, these games have been pretty drama free so far.

May: Well you're going to have these games early in tournaments, as you're trying to weed out the teams that don't quite belong with the big boys quite yet.

Holtz: Now hold on just a sec, they don't belong with the big boys? They're in the FBS tournament!

Saunders: Well guys let's try to get through some highlights before you're at each other's necks again. Let's go up to East Lansing where (9) Michigan State hosted the lowest seeded team in the tournament, Sun Belt champion (24) Florida International. And for a little bit, we thought we may have had a close game.



Saunders: The game started off as both teams were making great defensive stands, we pick it up late in the first quarter with the Spartans up 6-0, FIU with the ball at their own 16, and Darriet Perry puts the ball on the ground, where Michigan State recovers.

May: You see this all of the time in the basketball tournament. The lower seeded team has to play flawlessly to even have a chance against a major favorite, and mistakes like this always pile up, and eventually just break the back of the Cinderella.

Saunders: Wait up May Day, FIU's defense was able to hold strong and keep Michigan State to a field goal to make it 9-0.

Holtz: The FIU defense was betrayed early by their offense, they were playing fantastic against a team with as much of a talent difference like Michigan State has.

Saunders: Then, the running game was put display headed by Edwin Baker, tackle breaker. Boom, right through 4 tackles and into the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown run. The next drive a 34 yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Nick Bendzuck, with a one handed grab, by the way to the four yard line, sets up Baker for another touchdown run two plays later. 23-3 Spartans.

May: FIU just had no answer for the diverse run game of Michigan State today. Three different guys had touchdown runs for the Spartans today. With those options, you'll have an advantage over defenses.

Saunders: Now 30-6 after an FIU field goal and a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins, Nick Bendzuck would add a 3 yard touchdown run of his own to make it 37-6. And one more touchdown run would make it 44 to 6, final, not even close in East Lansing.



Holtz: Florida International came out to play at the start of this game, holding Michigan State to only field goals early in the game, but the Spartans just systematically wore them down, and ran all over them. That was the game plan of the day. Run. Run. Run more.

Saunders: Mark Jones and Bob Davie had the call from Michigan State, let's go to them for their impressions of the game, and of the Michigan State Spartans moving forwards.

Jones: Thanks, John. Davie, what do you think Michigan State can take out of this game? It was a great, blowout win over FIU, but it was a game in which, realistically, should and did dominate. What do they learn?

Davie: The magical season continues for Mark Dantonio doesn't it? And I think that is propelling the Spartans to do unreal things. Sure, FIU is from the Sun Belt, sure, they're lesser competition, but you have to play the game. And you have to get your players to play the game. And you know Dantonio had his guys ready for this battle, and his guys more than ready to battle for their coach. The running game was just unstoppable. There weren't many big runs, their longest run was 18 yards by Caper, but it was relentless. Opened up the pass. There was just too much to stop and it overwhelmed Florida International.

Jones: Let's take a look at the Orange pod of the bracket, to see two matchups ahead. Which will be the better game next Saturday?



Davie: Well nothing against Texas A&M, but I don't think they have what it takes to stay in it with Auburn for four quarters. It'll be a close one early, but once Cam Newton and the Tigers get their feet under them, it will be smooth sailing. Maybe it's a what have you done for me lately thing, but Michigan State impressed me today. That game against Arkansas, with Ryan Mallett behind center for the Razorbacks, I think will be a lot more high scoring than a lot of people might expect.

Jones: Well that's all from Michigan State today, where the Spartans hold serve and defeat Florida International, 44 to 6. John Saunders, back to you.

Saunders: One other game going on right now, and it's a close on in Missouri, as the Tigers have a touchdown lead over the 22 seed Central Florida Knights, but UCF has the ball and just converted a crucial 4th and 2 from their own 48 yard line.



May: I thought it was a little early to be going for it in that situation, but it worked out and the Knights are driving.

Saunders: At the game's conclusion, we'll be sure to have the highlights for you. Next on ESPN tonight, we'll have (18) South Carolina and (15) Nevada.

[Gloves 82]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Question. Why is CB Carl Gettis running the ball for Mizzou and why is HB Henry Josey playing defense?

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11





John Saunders: Welcome college football fans, we're going to send you out to Columbia, Missouri, where the (21) UCF Knights are knotted up with the (12) Missouri Tigers. Chris Fowler and Jesse Palmer have the call.



Fowler: Thanks, John. For those of you just joining us, you've missed quite a game. Missouri has just called a timeout and are at their own 49 yard line with just under a minute left. Let's go over the scoring and other notable plays of the game. UCF started off the scoring in the first quarter with a 1 yard rush by Jonathan Davis. 7-0

Palmer: 30 yards of penalties helped stimulate that drive for UCF.

Fowler: A 42 yarder by UCF made it 10-0 and later in the second quarter, a three minute drive by Missouri capped off by a one yard rush of their own made it 10-7, and an eight yard fumble recovery by Henry Josey gave the Tigers the lead right before half.

Palmer: Forced the fumble, picked it up, ran it in. A complete play by Josey. One the coaches love.

Fowler: Mizzou scored three for the only scoring in the 3rd quarter. On the next drive, UCF kicker Jamie Boyle was wide on a 43 yarder. Latavius Murray's 2 yard rush tied the game up at 17 in the fourth quarter. On the next drive, Missouri would get into scoring position.

Palmer: A great drive engineered by Blaine Gabbert, set up a 40 yarder for Grant Ressel, which he doinked off of the right upright. Tough game for the kickers today.

Fowler: Back to live action. 1st and 10 from the Mizzou 49, Gabbert in the shotgun. 58 seconds remain. Both teams have two timeouts left. Takes the snap and rolls right. Throws it out of bounds. 54 seconds. 2nd and 10. Gabbert throws and it's caught by Washington at the UCF 37 for 14 yards and a first down!

Palmer: Great catch by Washington, set up by the break on the slant route.

Fowler: Timeout two called by Mizzou with 48 seconds left. 1st and 10 from the UCF 37. Gabbert complete on the screen for 4 yards to Wes Kemp to the 32. From here it's a 49 yarder.

Palmer: I like the play call, it gives Kemp the chance to make something happen, and if it doesn't, not much time comes off.

Fowler: Clock running down under 40 seconds. 2nd and 5 for Missouri. Gabbert in the shotgun. And somebody jumps. Hill with 38 seconds to go undoes the last Tiger play, 2nd and 10 now.

Palmer: Mental mistakes kill, this puts Missouri out of field goal range.

Fowler: Gabbert in the shotgun. 4 wide. Little dump to the back for 4 yards. No huddle with 25 seconds left. The snap to Gabbert. Goes for the endzone and Washington almost brings it down in the endzone! But it drops incomplete. 4th and 6. 21 seconds left. And Mizzou is going to send out Grant Ressel for a 50 yard field goal.

Palmer: One for two so far today, made from 24, of the right upright from 40.

Fowler: UCF won't call a timeout, good snap, good hold, the kick is up...and it's good! Grant Ressel has just given the Tigers a 3 point lead with 16 seconds left in the game!

Palmer: What a way to redeem yourself, huh Fowler?

Fowler: Yes, sir. UCF returns the kickoff to the 20 yard line. 12 seconds left for Calabrese and UCF. He's in the shotgun. Drops back, waits, and throws it incomplete. 8 seconds left.

Palmer: Nothing open, good play to stop the clock by Calabrese.

Fowler: 2nd down. 50 yards away from even a chance to tie. Calabrese under center, drops back has Guyton open at the UCF 40 hits him, and it's fumbled!! The ball is on the ground and Missouri says they have it!

Palmer: They do have it. Luke Lambert dropped on it right away, this game is over.

Fowler: That it is, Gabbert sent out to kneel the ball, he will, and the Tigers escape at home and will move on to face Wisconsin in the next round!

Palmer: What a game.



Fowler: Let's go down to Pam Stone with the man of the hour, Missouri kicker Grant Ressel.

Stone: Grant, tell me about that last kick, what were you thinking, especially after missing a kick that could have made it a two possession game earlier in the quarter?

Ressel: You know, you just have to have a short memory. It's cliche, but it's true. The true hero is those guys on offense. Blaine especially. What a drive he led.

Fowler: Thanks Pam, Grant. Jesse, let's look ahead to the next matchup as we take a peek at the Fiesta pod, and what it looks like right now.



Palmer: Before we do that, let's just give a shoutout to UCF. I don't know how many people expected a fight coming out of them, but they sure gave it to Missouri today. As for next week, it's going to be a great game in Glendale. Wisconsin, I think will benefit from the bye they earned for just a little more rest to get them healthy. At the same time, Mizzou suffered a huge loss at linebacker today with Andrew Gachkar out, and doctors say it's going to be at least a couple weeks before he can return. He led Mizzou with 12 tackles, 9 solo today.

Fowler: It's going to be a good one in Glendale. That's all for now from Columbia, where (12) Missouri has eked by a strong challenge from Conference-USA champions (21) Central Florida, 20-17.

[darksilver2820]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Not sure. I'm just using the most up to date rosters from Shakeandbake30, which has always seemed to be accurate to me. I honestly don't follow Mizzou, and didn't even notice that they shouldn't be playing such positions.

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I don't know what happened. Restarted the xbox and Gettis and Josey are CB and HB where you say they should be, why they weren't during that game, I do not know, but that kind of bums me out that a mistake that glaring is there.

[Gloves 82]

Re: It's Finally Here: The 2010-11 FBS Playoffs in NCAA 11

Not sure. I'm just using the most up to date rosters from Shakeandbake30, which has always seemed to be accurate to me. I honestly don't follow Mizzou, and didn't even notice that they shouldn't be playing such positions.

Oh alright, jw. Our 4 HB's should be Moore, Lawrence, Josey, and Murphy. Gettis should be our #1 CB