The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PLAYOFF SPOTS ON THE LINE!!

Once again Championship Week will play a major role not just on the Seeding for the 2027 12-team playoff but who is getting in and who is being left out, as 3 games will feature 6 teams ranked in the Top-10 going head to head, well several others will look to secure At-Large bids, well even more will sit at home and await the fallout hoping to jump a spot or 2 in the final rankings to secure that #12 seed.



CUSA

#10 (10-2) Florida International vs #7 (10-2) East Carolina has jumped to the front as the most anticipated matchup. A rematch of the 2026 CUSA title bout, the winner is automatically in well some projections even have both teams making it, depending on the outcome of games like the ACC/Pac-12/ and Big 12, there is a outside chance that ECU could win the game and like FIU last year secure a Top-4 seed, well FIU despite losing a 3rd game could still make the playoffs as a #10-12 seed depending on Boise State's matchup in the Pac-12 title game.

ACC

#1 (12-0) Clemson will put it's perfect record on the line against #4 (10-2) Maryland. Despite the outcome of this game projections show both will make the playoffs but this game is being played to determine who the #1 seed will be.

BIG 12

(7-5) Arizona State will face off against (7-5) Iowa for the Big 12 title. Neither team has a chance at the playoffs this season, but if the Sun Devils can pull it off it will be their 4th title in as many seasons.

BIG TEN

#8 (9-3) Michigan State vs #11 (10-2) Oregon. Like the ACC title game, most projections have both teams still making the playoffs this season, but a Michigan State win could give them a Top-4 seed depending on the outcome of the SEC title game.

SEC

For a 2nd straight year it will be a rematch of #5 (9-3) Georgia taking on #9 (10-2) Texas A&M. If TAMU wins, the SEC could lose it's Top-4 seed spot but on the bright side of things, both teams would make it to the playoffs according to the projections.

AMERICAN

#3 (12-0) Cincinnati will put it's perfect record on the line vs #16 (10-2) Southern Miss. A win by the Bearcats and not only will they be making their 2nd straight trip to the playoffs but they would secure a Top-4 seed with the potential to even be #1.

PAC-12

#12 (9-3) Boise State won their last 5 games to earn a chance at the Pac-12 title and a outside shot at the playoffs as projections show the Broncos securing the #12 seed. BSU will square off against (6-6) USF.. The Knights went 0-3 in non-conference play but managed (6-3) record in Pac-12 play which was good enough to win the East Division.

MWC

#25 (10-2) UTEP had started the year 10-0 and had climbed into the Top-10 as they looked to secure a playoff berth, but then the Miners lost their final 2 games of the season dropping to #25 and now will have to settle for a chance to beat (7-5) San Jose State just to salvage a MWC title and the LA Bowl.

MAC

#18 (9-3) Central Michigan vs (8-4) Miami OH. Any other year and the Chips could've had a outside chance at a playoff berth with a win, but with FIU and ECU both ranked in the Top-10 it's not going to happen.

SUNBELT

(9-3) UAB vs (9-3) Kennesaw State.

The Owls vs the Blazers both looking for their 10th win so they can represent the MAC in the Birmingham Bowl.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT

Well fan's await the winners and losers of Championship Week, here is a look at 1 of the current 12 team projections.


#12 Boise State vs #5 Notre Dame with the Winner taking on #4 Michigan State.
"The Irish finished the season (11-1) and are currently ranked #2 but because they are a Independent the best they can earn is the #5 seed.

Another projection actually had Oregon as the #4 seed with a potential 2nd round matchup with Boise State again after last year.

#9 Texas A&M vs #8 LSU with the winner taking on #1 Clemson.
#11 Oregon vs #6 Maryland with the winner taking on #3 East Carolina.

In this projection they have ECU beating FIU to win CUSA.. Yeah that's not going to happen. (I hope).

#10 FIU vs #7 Georgia with the winner taking on #2 Cincinnati.

Well I don't love the task of trying to beat Georgia in the 1st Round taking on Cincinnati in Round 2 could be our best shot at making a run to the Semi's.

However there was also a projection that had FIU beating ECU and the 2 teams playing each other for a 3rd time as the #8 vs #9 seed. Well I don't love the idea, it would mean that a CUSA team would make it to Round 2 without securing a Top-4 seed.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PANTHERS CROWNED CHAMPS!!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at East Carolina Pirates
Dec 10, 2027	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#10 Florida International Golden Panthers ((10-2))	14	7	0	11	32
#7 East Carolina Pirates ((10-2))	7	10	6	3	26

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	ECU
Total Offense	368	437
Rushing Yards	108	136
Passing Yards	260	284
First Downs	14	18
Punt Return Yards	7	23
Kick Return Yards
Total Yards	375	460
Turnovers	1	1
3rd Down Conversion	5/11	2/16
4th Down Conversion		3/3
2-Point Conversion	1-1
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-25%	1-0-50%
Penalties	7-45	6-50
Possession Time	28:48	31:12

For a 2nd year in a row, FIU gets it's revenge from a regular season loss as they defeat ECU for their 2nd straight CUSA title

Coach Miller

"I got to be completely honest if losing to them in the regular season equals beating them in the Championship game I will take it every year"

GAME RECAP

For a 2nd straight game, the FIU offense took the field with RS JR Clayton Dees leading the charge leaving many to wonder if they will see Jamaal Church again this season.

Dees would look great in the 1st half throwing 3 TD's including a 50 yd bomb to Kyle McNeal to give FIU the (21-14) lead with under 3 minutes to play in the half. FIU would force a punt with 1:12 to play but rather then just run out the clock, Dees went to the air looking for the big play but it backfired as ECU comes up with the INT and tacks on a 48 yd FG to make it (21-17) going into the locker room.

ECU opened up the 2nd half with the ball and SR QB Raheim Jeter wastes little time putting the Pirates on top as he hits SR WR Trenton Cloud on a 69 yd bomb to make it (23-21), but instead of kicking the PAT, ECU would leave the offense on the field as they tried to make it a 4 point game, but the FIU "D" comes up with a huge stop.

Still (23-21) as we enter the 4th, FIU would take the lead early as Glennon hits a 49 yd FG to make it (24-23), leaving many to question the early decision to go for 2.

ECU trailing by 1 would add another FG to retake the lead (26-24) with 7 minutes to play.

FIU looking to try and take some time off the clock goes to the ground game but Tabb breaks free on a 27 yd score to make it (30-26) with 5:12 to play in the game. Up by 4, it was FIU's turn to try and go for 2 and Dees delivers hitting the 6'6 Naanee over the middle to make it a (32-26).

Trailing by 6 still with plenty of time on the clock, ECU would stick with their normal offense mixing in several runs as Jeter leads the Pirates down to the 7 yd line as the game is stopped for the 2 minute warning. ECU looking to take as much time off the clock as they could before they score, again goes with a run play as SR WR Malik Leverett takes the Jet Sweep handoff but JR CB Raheim Sexil is there knocking the ball loose and scooping up the turnover as FIU takes over..

Still armed with all 3 timeouts, ECU could only hope for a defensive stop, but the Panthers pick up the First down and proceed to run out the clock.

Jeter finished the game 20/39 (51%) 284 yds 1 TD.
SR RB London Montgomery had 11 carries for 93 yds and 1 TD.

KEY PANTHERS

QB C. Dees-20/31 (64%) 260 yds 3 TD 1 INT, 44 yds rushing
RB C. Tabb-10 carries 63 yds 1 TD, 4 rec 29 yds
WR K McNeal-5 rec 95 yds 1 TD
WR B. Cheek-3 rec 48 yds
WR Juju Lewis-3 rec 38 yds 1TD
WR E. Cortez- 2 rec 17 yds 1 TD
TE D. Naannee-3 rec 33 yds
MLB T. Stewart- Team high 9 Tackles
DE D. Ndukwe-2 sacks
CB R. Sexil-Forced Fumble and Recovery

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

YOUR FINAL 12!!!

#4 (11-2) Maryland's upset win over previous #1 undefeated Clemson in the ACC Championship game (28-14) saw the Terps jump 4 spots to #1 in the rankings as they secure the #1 seed, well the now (12-1) Tigers drop to #5 and are given the #6 seed.

#3 Georgia for a 2nd straight year defeats TAMU in the SEC Championship (25-20) to earn the #2 Seed, with the loss TAMU now (10-3) drops to #11 in the rankings and will face off against Clemson in the 1st Round.

#4 Cincinnati defeats #16 Southern Miss (27-24) to win the American and with that secures the #3 seed as the only team left in the country without a loss.

#11 Oregon defeated #8 Michigan State (31-10) to win the Big Ten Title and with it moves up 4 spots to #7 securing the final 1st Round Bye as the #4 seed.

#2 (11-1) Notre Dame is given the #5 seed as the highest rated team in the country that didn't win a conference championship. They will indeed square off against #12 (10-3) Boise State who wins the Pac-12 title over UCF (45-20).

#6 (9-3) LSU is awarded the #7 seed. The Tigers will face off against Big Ten Runner up #10 (9-4) Michigan State.


That left CUSA winner (11-2) FIU jumping 2 spots to #8 as they receive the #8 Seed in the playoffs well CUSA runner up (11-2) ECU claims the final spot at #9 after dropping just 2 spots with the loss going from 7-9.


Overall I think the playoff committee got the teams correct as Florida finishes the year (9-3) and ranked #13 as the first team out.

However I feel that the committee could've swapped ECU with either TAMU or Michigan State instead of forcing a CUSA vs CUSA matchup.

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

2 years straight where ECU wins the battle during the season, only to see them lose the war in the Championship. Nice W Deuce.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[redsox907]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

If I read that right, your getting ECU for a 3rd time now?? Crazy. GL!

My one loss to Purdue was after a beatdown in the Big Ten CCG that they got revenge for, hope you can avoid the same fate!

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

2 years straight where ECU wins the battle during the season, only to see them lose the war in the Championship. Nice W Deuce.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

Thank you. That crazy part is now we get to make it Part III. I still have mixed feelings about the playoff matchup, but I just got done playing the game and about to post.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

If I read that right, your getting ECU for a 3rd time now?? Crazy. GL!

My one loss to Purdue was after a beatdown in the Big Ten CCG that they got revenge for, hope you can avoid the same fate!

Just got done playing the game and yes #8 vs 9 was FIU vs ECU Part III.

It's the 2nd time this has happened to me. In my TTU Dynasty I played Nebraska 3 times as well, Regular season, Big 12 Championship and then again in the Semi Finals of the playoffs.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PANTHERS AND PIRATES PART III

East Carolina Pirates at Florida International Golden Panthers
Dec 10, 2027	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#9 East Carolina Pirates ((10-3))	0	0	7	7	14
#8 Florida International Golden Panthers ((11-2))	10	3	6	13	32

Team Stats Comparison
	ECU	FIU
Total Offense	263	523
Rushing Yards	6	132
Passing Yards	257	391
First Downs	17	33
Punt Return Yards	0	66
Kick Return Yards	81	45
Total Yards	344	634
Turnovers	3	2
3rd Down Conversion	3/11	8/15
4th Down Conversion	2/2	2/3
2-Point Conversion		0/2
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-50%	3-2-62%
Penalties	2-27	9-90
Possession Time	15:32	28:28

Fan's, Players and Coaches on from both schools were not happy when the selection committee made their choice forcing the 2 CUSA team's into their 3rd rematch of the season. But FIU was celebrating after as the Panthers cruise in Part III to win the schools first ever playoff game as they will now advance to take on #1 Maryland in Round 2.

GAME RECAP

FIU opened up the game with the ball and for the 3rd straight game, Clayton Dees came out under center as we scanned the sidelines Jamaal Church was no where to be found as he enters his name into the Transfer Portal and elects to leave the team.

Dees making his 4th start of the season continued to play hot as he guides the Panthers on a 11 play drive ending with a 14 yd TD pass to RS Freshman Tyler Cisco. The former 4* hasn't gotten alot of balls thrown his way this season as the #5 WR on the team but when he has he makes plays. (4 rec 59 yds 2 TD)

ECU would be dealt a major blow in the 1st Quarter as Star RB London Montgomery (89) leaves the game with a Torn Labrum as the Senior will now finish 22 yds shy of 1000 (978, 9 TD's).

To make matters worse SR QB Rheim Jeter (83) throws a INT to SR CB Mister Clark on the Pirates opening drive. For Clark it was INT #7 as the Senior sets a new school record surpassing his former teammate Brian Blades II. FIU would settle for a FG by Glennon to make it (10-0) as the 1st Quarter comes to a close.

Turnovers would continue to plague both teams in the 2nd Quarter as Jeter throws his 2nd of the day getting picked off by JR MLB Jamerson Bail but Dees also throws 2 INT's including 1 in the endzone to kill a scoring drive. But with 1:12 to play ECU is forced to punt giving the Panthers Offense 1 more chance to add to the scoreboard.

Dees would shake off the early INT's and complete 3/3 pass's on running the 2 minute offense to setup a another Glennon FG as the Junior Kicker makes it (13-0) at the half.

East Carolina opened up the 2nd half with the ball and Jeter would deliver the Pirates first points of the day with a 11 play drive ending in a 23 yd strike to SR WR Malik Leverett (81) to make it (13-7).

FIU though answers the score with a score as Dees again looks solid completing 4/5 including a 36 yd bomb to SR Kyle McNeal to make it (19-7). FIU would try for the 2pt conversion to make it a full 2 score lead, but the Pirates "D" was ready leaving it (19--7)..

Still (19-7) as we head to the 4th Quarter. Both teams would continue to struggle to add points as Glennon miss's a 51 yd FG attempt and ECU continues to struggle just to move the ball without any type of run game.

ECU however finally gets a break as Backup RB SO Jake Lovett breaks a 13 yd run for the score to make it (19-14) with 5:48 to play in the game.

Only leading by 5, FIU knew they needed a score and SR RB Cole Tabb delivers as he picks up 42 yds on the 5 carries including a 17 yd TD run to make it (26-14) with 3:12 to play.

Down 12 and running out of time, ECU is forced to go to the air but Jeter is picked off for a 3rd time as SR FS Preston Thompson comes up with the INT.

Looking to just run out the clock, FIU goes back to the ground game as Tabb goes over 100 yds on the day and FB Anthony Ferguson gets 2 carries including a 4th down 3 yd run to extend the drive.

FIU facing a 4th and 3 with 22 seconds to play in the game make a a decision to go for it as QB Clayton Dees keeps it himself after a fake jet sweep to Cortez diving in for the touchdown as FIU extends their lead to (32-14).

Leading by 18, FIU brought out the kick team but rather then kick the XPT, Holder Tarvaris Maijeh flicks a toss to Issac Glennon (PK) as Glennon try's to run in the 2pt play but is stopped at the goaline.

ECU out of timeouts only had time for 2 hail mary's before the clock ran out.

Jeter finished the day 23/41 (56%) for 257 yds with 1 TD and 3 INT, he was also sacked 3 times.

KEY PANTHERS

QB C. Dees-29/52 (55%) 391 yds 2 TD 2 INT, 1 Rushing TD
RB C Tabb-20 carries 129 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 50 yds
RB TJ Snowden-4 carries 13 yds
FB A. Ferguson-2 carries 7 yds
WR K. McNeal-9 rec 132 yds 1 TD
WR B. Cheeck-4 rec 66 yds
WR E. Cortez-2 rec 27 yds
WR T. Cisco-1 rec 14 yds 1 TD
TE D. Naanee-7 rec 77 yds
CB M Clark-1 INT, MLB J Bail-1 INT, FS P Thompson-1 INT

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

OTHER 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF RESULTS

#5 Notre Dame-52 #12 Boise State-17
"The Irish dominated the Broncos with over 400 yds passing on the day. BSU trailed (28-3) at the half and just never recovered as Malachi Nelson throws 2 INT finishing the day with 157 yds and just 1 TD.

#11 Texas A&M-42 #6 Clemson-36
"TAMU led (28-13) at the half and (35-20) to start the 4th as Clemson fails in their comeback bid.. Clemon's SR QB Christopher Vizzina (Heisman winner) was 27/40 67% for 306 yds and had 3 TD's in the loss."

#7 LSU-41 #10 Michigan State-31
"The Tigers dominated the 1st half leading (24-7). Michigan State trailing (38-17) going into the 4th score twice to make it (38-31) but SO QB Iosefa Littlejohn throws a INT as LSU tacks on a FG to close out the game.

NEXT WEEKS MATCHUPS

#5 (12-1) Notre Dame vs #4 (11-2) Oregon-Rose Bowl

#8 (12-2) Florida International vs #1 (11-2) Maryland-Peach Bowl

#11 (11-3) Texas A&M vs #3 (13-0) Cincinnati- Fiesta Bowl


#7 (10-3) LSU vs #2 (10-3) Georgia-Sugar Bowl

"The Bulldogs and Tigers didn't met this season in SEC play so this will be their first matchup. The Bulldogs lost @ UNC in Week 1, then @ TAMU in Week 4 and against Tennessee in Week 9. All 3 of the Tigers loss's this season were at home vs Houston (Week 1) and Kentucky (Week 3) and TAMU (Week 9)

BOWL RESULTS

Birmingham Bowl- #14 Virginia Tech-26 Kennesaw State-14
Camellia Bowl- #18 Central Michigan-21 UAB-19
First Responder Bowl- Jacksonville State-34 #17 Southern Miss-10
Guaranteed Rate Bowl- Iowa State-33 Wyoming-29
Reliaquest Bowl- Stanford-35 Alabama-31
Citrus Bowl- #23 Oklahoma-14 #15 Michigan-10
Military Bowl- Western Kentucky-42 Miami FL-17
Pop Tarts Bowl- Syracuse-38 #22 BYU-24
Liberty Bowl- Iowa-19 Temple-13
Holiday Bowl- #20 USC-32 UCF-29
Texas Bowl- Rice-28 #19 Tennessee-21
Alamo Bowl- Illinois-42 TCU-40
Fenway Bowl- #24 Colorado State-31 UConn-17
Bahamas Bowl- Charlotte-45 Arkansas State-24
New Mexico Bowl #25 UTEP-22 Liberty-20
68 Ventures Bowl South Alabama-28 #21 UMass-24
Cure Bowl- Ball State-37 La Tech-32
La Bowl- Washignton-34 Nevada-31
Frisco Bowl- Northwestern-42 Louisiana-35
Las Vegas Bowl- Texas Tech-35 Nebraska-21
Myrtle Beach Bowl- Wasington State-38 Ohio-32
Boca Raton Bowl- Fresno State-44 Oregon State-17
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl- Tulsa-15 UNLV-14
New Orleans Bowl- Sam Houston State-13 USF-3
Detroit Bowl- Pitt-49 Buffalo-7
Independence Bowl- Auburn-40 Kansas-35
Gasparilla Bowl- New Mexico State-21 Utah-19
Armed Forces Bowl- Ole Miss-28 North Texas-19
Hawaii Bowl- Kansas State-27 Hawaii-14

WEEK 2 BOWL MATCHUPS

Gator Bowl #13 Florida vs Florida State
Duke's Mayo Bowl- UNC vs Arizona State
Sun Bowl- Baylor vs Miami OH
Arizona Bowl- Bowling Green vs San Jose State
Music City Bowl- South Carolina vs Penn State

[Bigsheen]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

"Winner, best 2 out of 3!"

A decisive victory to make no mistake who the better team is out of a three game series. Good to see Dees was able to shake off the early errors and take hold of the game when it mattered. However, will definitely need to limit the errors facing #1 Maryland!

[cookies00]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Very convincing win for Part III. Great job stifling the run.

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

The Deuce, with the Deuce.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

"Winner, best 2 out of 3!"

A decisive victory to make no mistake who the better team is out of a three game series. Good to see Dees was able to shake off the early errors and take hold of the game when it mattered. However, will definitely need to limit the errors facing #1 Maryland!

Well I feel like we are the better team them losing Montgomery early forced them into basically a passing offense and Jeter like Jenkins for me last.year against TAMU had one of the worst games of his career
.

I feel like no turnovers and a 100+ yds on the ground from Tabb are going to be key for any chance.to upset the Terps

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Very convincing win for Part III. Great job stifling the run.

Them losing Montgomery killed their run game. Also helped Jeter was having a rough day passing.

Thanks for the comment and follow