Previewing the College Football Playoffs

That big to do in college football thing is happening today:

"I'm tellin' you Dabo, it looked like a corn dog on a skillet!" "Yep, I bet it did."

Capital One Orange Bowl @ 4 PM

This game should be a high-scoring affair. After all, almost all of Oklahoma’s final results resemble basketball scores, and Clemson has been quite talented offensively for a while now. What’s surprising coming into the game, or maybe it’s not surprising, is how little respect the Tigers seem to garner as a number one team. Not only are fans and experts picking the Sooners but so are all the cyborg simulations that one day we might opt to use for colonizing other planets and venturing in and out of wormholes.

Alas, until that day arrives, we will debate the flash and skill of Deshaun Watson versus the Big 12 Petrie dish success of Baker Mayfield, whose name sounds like he has a future on the professional golf circuit if this football endeavor doesn’t pan out. Both quarterbacks have thrown for at least 3,300 yards and thirty touchdowns this season. So why should all that end now? Winter on the east coast has been warm. It was above freezing in the North Pole yesterday. Expect fireworks in Miami. Heat and haze and a sign of things to come.

Oh, and this just in, some of Clemson’s players misbehaved and got themselves sent home from a business trip they mistook for an early Spring Break. Blame it on the weather. Blame it on Dabo Swinney being a sideline jerk. Clemson gonna Clemson. Start writing and reading those Bob Stoops redemption stories; he and Baker are about to go Interstellar.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl @ 8 PM

Doesn’t Goodyear Cotton Bowl sound like a racist musical? Oh well, I digress. Isn’t this exciting? Isn’t this David versus Goliath? Little ole Michigan State from the shoulda coulda woulda Big Ten versus the almighty Crimson Tide from Alabama. Enough on that, some story lines should be retired. Let me digress further.

In the SEC, over the past decade or so, it has become popular to root and cheer for the conference over all other comers. I am a Georgia fan, so this means that I have spent the last decade or so rooting for Saban and Les Miles and even Gators who shall not be named to win BCS bowl games and national titles. To all that camaraderie and bull shit, I now say no more. No more will I root for a conference for the sake of not feeling so down and out about my own team coming up short. It’s nonsense.

While Saban and others have stuffed the pockets of the entire SEC, the on the field results have been somewhat depleted. What do you have to show for Saban’s success, Volunteers? What trophies do you possess, Ole Miss and Mississippi State? Tigers of Missouri, are you as feared as the Tigers of LSU? How do you feel Gamecocks, Commodores, Razorbacks, and Wildcats? How warm is your seat, Les Miles? Oh where, oh where have you gone, Mark Richt?

Go Spartans! Go Connor Cook! Saban winning hasn’t won for anyone else, so his losing can’t be that bad. Yet, how does one out Saban Saban? Look for his ‘Bama to bruise poor Sparty, and, when it happens, do not pretend this excellence belongs to anyone other than Saban and his followers.

Bryan Harvey tweets @LawnChairBoys. 

Number One North Carolina Takes Off Tonight

Lanes like runways and the sky is blue:

It's been said that John Henson's bones are hollow as crack pipes

                               and fallopian tubes,

#11 North Carolina vs. #9 Michigan St. Preview

First, congratulations to Roy Williams on earning his 600th career victory Sunday night against Nevada.

Second, on Tuesday night, #11 North Carolina will face #9 Michigan St. The last time these two teams met the Heels humiliated the Spartans en route to Roy Williams' second national title. The win marked the second time last season that the Spartans fell to the Heels, and it drove home the point that the Coyote never catches the Road Runner. UNC is 9-4 all time against Michigan St. They're 5-0 against the Big 10 school in NCAA tourney games. Three of Carolina's national championship teams defeated Michigan St. in the Final Four, proving that Tom Izzo clearly needs more than what's currently available in the ACME catalogue to defeat the Looney Tune quick Tar Heels.

In the past this matchup was always viewed as the brute force of Michigan St.'s physicality versus the quickness of UNC. While the Spartans may now have the advantage on the perimeter, with guards Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Chris Allen, and forward Daymond Green all averaging double figures, the Heels clearly have the advantage inside, with the post presences of Deon Thompson, Ed Davis, and Tyler Zeller. I like what I've seen so far from Larry Drew at point guard: 7.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, and a growing habit of hitting big three's. I also like the odds that Marcus Ginyard shuts down at least one of Michigan St.'s perimeter scorers. The continued growth of Drew, combined with UNC's interior advantage, makes the Heels just too big to handle, even when the Coyote is quick enough to catch this bird.

Capitol One Bowl: Georgia beats Michigan St. (and the rest of the BCS mess)

Georgia trailed 6 -3 at halftime.  Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno weren't exactly lighting it up either, which probably made some Georgia fans start to smile about next year.  Anyway, in the second half, Georgia outscored Michigan St. 21-6 to win the game.  A 21 yard pass from Stafford to Moreno with 3:43 left in the fourth gave the game its final margin, and if this is the last game for #7 and #24, it seems fitting that they were both involved on the play.  Right now, Stafford says he's "50-50" on whether to come back to school or not.  Scout Inc. lists him as the number two quarterback prospect for this year's draft, and they list Moreno as the number one running back prospect.  The number two running back prospect, Javon Ringer, was also featured in this game, wearing green and white.  Ringer was held to 47 yards on 20 carries and 1 touchdown.  He also had 30 yards receiving.  

Now, for a bit of a rant...It's a good thing Georgia and Michigan St. hooked up because America really needed the debate about who was better, the #15 team or the #17 team, settled.  This game was extremely meaningful.  I didn't watch it.  Well, I watched the first half of it, but then I had to drive back to Virginia from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Guess what, there's no manger or baby Jesus in Pennsylvania, just like there's no meaning to this Capitol One Scrimmage.  Guess what we listened to on the way from Pennsylvania to the DC area.  It wasn't radio coverage of any of the New Year's Day Scrimmages.  Four avid sports fans, crammed into a Nissan Sentra, listened to Grupo 5.  I didn't know who they were until yesterday, but it just so happens they are the biggest thing in Peru; and I couldn't tell track one from tracks two through twenty.  I also don't think this was because of a language barrier.  I think it was because every song sounded the same, and you know what, that's just like the Scrimmage season.  I can't tell one game from another.  One game doesn't mean more than another, unless it helps a team get a higher preseason ranking, and I can't tell one year of scrimmages from any other.  If we want to consider the regular season a year long playoff, then maybe we should make it one, meaning as soon as a team loses then they're done playing for the year.   Ohio St. would have been done the week they lost to USC, and in turn, USC would have been done when they lost to Oregon St, except Oregon St.'s season would already have been finished because they'd already lost before they played the Trojans.  Georgia would have been done the week they lost to Alabama.  Michigan St. would have been done the week they lost to California, which was week 1 by the way.  Every Sunday we could then have Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson on Fox debating what the next week's bracket should be because that's how often we would redo the brackets...every week.  Teams wouldn't know who they were playing until Sunday night before Saturday's games.  It would be a fantastic system, but instead, we have the Bowl Championship Scrimmages, which for whatever reason insists that the Big Ten doesn't belong playing in the Cul de Sac Division of college football with Northern Iowa, Montana, James Madison, and Richmond.  

Congratulations, Georgia on winning the Capitol One Scrimmage.  Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, I hope you come back next year, so maybe we can play in the one real game that's played this time of year, and if not, thanks for the memories and good luck.  Still, let's keep yesterday's game against Michigan St. off the record.  We finished 9-3, not 10-3, and that's all that matters.  Here's My Morning Jacket to spell it out for the idiots who continue to perpetuate this system.  Yes, we have to call them idiots.  They wouldn't understand any clever insults that actually make a specific conclusion as to why they are idiots...kind of how they seemingly don't understand why a system is needed that determines a specific champion.  I can't believe we have seven more of these scrimmages to sit through.

"Sorry Bout The Things That I Had To Say -
And I'll Make It Up To You Right Now At The Penny Arcade.
In An Open Car Or Wherever You Are -
Push Yourself Too Hard And It Might Get Hot.
Well I Really Don't Need The Confusion -
And You Know I Just Ain't The Type
To Get All Wrapped Up In The Illusion
Of Doin Something That I Know Ain't Right - Right Right???
You've Got To Want To Re-Arrange
And Keep It Off The Record. Off The Record.
You've Got To Know That We Will Change
And Keep It Off The Record. Off The Record.
In A Crowded Room Near The Box Of Boom,
To An Artificial Tune, I See You Swoon.
Well You Knew All This Would Turn To Mist
If Your Idea Wasn't Kissed - Why're You So Pissed?
Well I Know You Don't Need The Confusion
And I Know You Just Ain't The Type.
To Get All Wrapped Up In The Illusion
Of Doin Something That You Know Ain't Right - Right Right???
Right Right??? Right Right??? Right Right???
You've Got To Want To Rearrange
And Keep It Off The Record. Off The Record.
You've Got To Know That We Are Strange
And Keep It Off The Record. Off The Record.
You've Got To Know That We Will Change
And Keep It Off The Record. Off The Record Come On."

College Bball Preseason Elite 8

Without further ado, here's my top 8 of the preseason. I try not to let biases, both negative and postive seep through when talking about UNC and Duke.

8. Memphis (38-2)
Last Year: Lost in the Championship Game
Coach: John Calipari
Stud: Tyreke Evans
Glue:Robert Dozier
Schedule: Georgetown,Syracuse,Tennessee, Xavier or Virginia Tech

Hey John Callipari, do you still think free throw shooting isn't important? Last year Callipari said in an interview that he can think of 25 things more important in a player than free throw shooting ability. Well guess what bit his team in the ass more than anything. This year, they're reloading with a good chunk of the national runner-up returning. They lost Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Joey Dorsey to the NBA. They brought in highly touted swing man Tyreke Evans as the next Rose style one and done. Evans is a wing who can get his own shot and score, yet he averaged 8 assists a game as a high school senior. Not bad for someone who is 6'8. The top returnees include wing Antonio Anderson, 4 man Robert Dozier, guards Doneal Mack and Willie Kemp, and big Shawn Taggart. I expect Taggart to make a bigger impact this year. He is a 2nd year transfer who is long and athletic. Wesley Witherspoon is another of many tremendous athletes who will come in right away and get heavy minutes. The CUSA schedule should be relatively easy, but the Tigers will get tested with games against Georgetown, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Xavier. We'll see if Callipari changes his philosophy on free throws, and also how Memphis can attempt to replace what they lost. Chances are they won't slip much, and if Evans is really special, look for them to maybe make a final 4 run.


7. Duke (28-6)
Last Year: lost in the 2nd round
Stud: Gerald Henderson
Glue: Jon Scheyer
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Schedule: Purdue, Xavier, Davidson, ACC

I will try and not let my Duke hatred infiltrate this paragraph. (Deep breath, ok I'm good). The Blue Devils haven't had much March success with this group. They do, as always have a lot of talent and will always battle and play hard. It starts with Gerald Henderson. Henderson is a disgusting athlete who can jump out of the gym. He does a lot of thinks well. If he can hit anything consistent from outside, then watch out. Jon Scheyer is probably the MVP of this team. He was thought of as just a scorer coming out of Illinois in high school, but he is a pretty good ballhandler and passer who also plays good D. The rest of the key players include Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Greg Paulus, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek. Thomas and Zoubek need to give Duke a post presence, while Paulus and Smith need to not turn the ball over and make open j's. Singler could be great, even though he's one of the goofiest looking people in college basketball. Duke could give Carolina a run, though I doubt it. They get tested with Purdue, Xavier, and Davidson, but should clean up in a pretty weak ACC. This should be an elite 8 team at a minimum.

6. UCONN (24-9)
Last Year: lost in the 1st round
Coach: Jim Calhoun
Stud: Hasheem Thabeet
Glue: Jeff Adrien
Schedule: Gonzaga, (Davidson, or Miami in the Paradise Jam)Big East

Eveyone is sweating UCONN hardcore this preseason. I'm still not completely sold after an early exit last March. Hasheem Thabeet has apparently found his offensive game over the summer, as he has started the season off being unstoppable. He is complemented by veterans like Jeff Adrien inside, and A.J.Price, Craig Austrie, and Jerome Dyson on the perimeter. Adrien does all the dirty work, while the others spread the floor with their shooting. Price needs to be fully healed from an ACL tear, but frosh Kemba Walker looks as though he can step in and spell him if needed. I don't see too many holes with this team. They look like they could be a legitimate Final 4 contender if they stay healthy. I feel like with the Big East being as difficult as it is, they could take their lumps and lose their confidence a little bit. Their non-conference matchups include Davidson, Gonzaga, and maybe Miami (Fla). Calhoun has been there before even if his players haven't, so look for anything in the Sweet 16 to Final 4 range.

5. Michigan St. (27-9)
Last Year: lost in the sweet 16
Coach: Tom Izzo
Stud: Raymar Morgan
Glue: Goran Suton
Schedule: UNC, Texas,(Gonzaga, or Georgetown) Big 10

Apparently losing Drew Neitzel will help this team. I'm not necessarily sold on this notion, but it's what I've been hearing. Apparently it's going to open things up for Kalin Lucas, but I don't know. I do know they have a good nucleus back, and that the Big 10 outside of Purdue and Wisconsin isn't that strong. The leading returnee is Junior Raymar Morgan. He is the 2nd returing leading scorer in the Big 10, and has pro potential. Lucas will run and run and run, as he may be the quickest point guard Izzo has had (Mateen Cleaves takes umbrage). Others in the mix include Suton, who does everything except consistently score, Chris Allen, Durell Summers, and Frosh Delvon Roe, who can spell Morgan. Senior Travis Walton can't shoot, but he can take over the point for Lucas if needed. Chances are, this team will rebound and defend at a high level with Izzo on the bench. They'll get tested with matchups against the Tar Heels in the Big 10-ACC challenge, and Texas. A Big 10 championship and at least an elite 8 appearance seems to be on the Horizon for Sparty.

4. Texas (31-7)
Last Year: Lost in the Elite 8
Coach: Rick Barnes
Stud: Daimon James
Glue: A.J.Abrams
Schedule: UCLA, Michigan St., Wisconsin,Villanova, (UNC or Notre Dame in Maui), Big 12

Imagine what could have been. If the Longhorns still had Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin, they would have to have been the prohibitive favorite to win it all. They don't, but they're still going to be pretty good regardless. Daimon James is going to blow up this year. He's stong as a bull and has the athleticism to match. A.J. Abrams is in the Boobie Gibson mold, expect I think he's a better and more consistent shooter. And with Justin Mason, Connor Atchley, Gary Johnson, and Dexter Pittman, they have a bunch of players who have been around the program and bring everything a championship ballclub needs. Hopefully Barnes will get out of the way and let them play. He's not necessarily the best X's and O's guy in the game. The schedule is murderous, but they should be able to hang with anybody. I hope Durrant is having fun losing 150 games in Oklahoma City.

3. UCLA ( 35-4)
Last Year: Lost in the Final 4
Coach:Ben Howland
Stud: Darren Collison
Glue: Josh Shipp
Schedule: Texas, Notre Dame,Southern Illinois, Pac-10

I'm going to keep the Bruins here even though they've already lost a game. They are mixing in an older nucleus with some youngsters, so it may take some time to jell. They've been extremely successful in making the Final 4 the last three seasons. Howland is a tremendous defensive coach, who has brought a heavy defensive mindset out to the coast. Darren Collison may be the best point in the country not named Ty Lawson. His mother was a Jamaican sprinter, and Collison is lightning with the ball in his hands. With Josh Shipp on the wing, and Alfred Aboya inside, they have the senior leadership that have been through the wars before. In Freshman Jrue Holliday and Drew Gordon, they can more than compensate for the premature losses of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Luc Mbah'a'Moute. Texas and Notre Dame will be the challenges of the non-conference slate, with the Pac-10 being there's for the taking unless something crazy happens. They have a really good chance to make it four years in a row on the final weekend.

2.Louisville ( 27-9)
Last Year: lost in the Elite 8
Coach: Rick Pitino
Stud: Earl Clark
Glue: Terrence Williams
Schedule: UNLV,Kentucky, Big East

Can Sanardo Samuels matchup with Luke Harangody, and Hasheen Thabeet in his rookie season? If the answer to that question can be answered with an affirmitve, then Louisville will be great. Samuels adds a low post presence that could jell with everything else and make the Cardinals almost impossible to beat. They're simply loaded everywhere else. Earl Clark and Terrence Williams are game changers who, if they show more consistency, can combine with Samuels to be the best frontcourt in the nation. Add to that the experience of guards like Edgar Sosa, Jerry Smith, Preston Knowles, and Andre McGee, and the Cardinals will clearly be able to play with anybody. If Samuels takes his lumps inside, then Louisville might struggle like they did last year in stretches. The non-conference portion of the slate is easy, especially with Kentucky looking like doo-doo against Carolina. The Big East will be the test, and if Samuels plays and dominates, Louisville can win the National Championship.

1. UNC ( 36-3)
Last Year: Lost in the Final 4
Coach: Roy Williams
Stud: Tyler Hansborough
Glue: Wayne Ellington
Schedule: Michigan St, Kentucky, (Notre Dame or Texas in Maui) ACC

When Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green all decided to come back to school, all of Chapel Hill circled their calendars for the first Monday in April. They can and should cut the nets down. Every contributor from last year is back, along with the return of Bobby Frasor and the addition of Richmond's own Ed Davis and point guard Larry Drew, who should be more than capable as a backup for Lawson. They did lose Tyler Zeller for the year, but Deon Thompson looks like he's going to have a break out season. Hansborough needs to make sure he's healthy and continue to do what he does inside, opening everything up for Lawson's driving ability and Ellington and Green's outside shooting. Simply put, if Carolina doesn't win it all it will be a disappointment. Same as the Cubs this year (gulp).