Game #18: #6 Arkansas at #3 Oklahoma St

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

Arkansas vs Oklahoma St is next in the virtual playoff, but first here are today’s reality bites:

Here’s an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution interviewing ACC commissioner John Swofford about the size of Division 1 and the type of playoff format being tossed around by fellow commissioners.  Read more here:  http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/a-conversation-with-acc-1373711.html

Bill Rhoden of the New York Times wrote an article highlighting the demise of the Big East Conference due to their ignoring the importance of College Football in the ‘80s.  Read more here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/05/sports/ncaabasketball/big-east-pays-the-price-for-not-embracing-football.html

LSU’s homecoming Queen is trying out for the football team as a kicker (don’t snicker, she hit a 51 yarder in practice); read more here:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2012-03-06/female-kicker-trying-out-for-lsu-football/53391726/1

Miami suspends former prep All-American Seantrel Henderson for spring practice for rules violation, read more here:  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/03/miami-seantrel-henderson-suspension-start-of-spring-practice/1

Alabama’s leading returning rusher Eddie Lacy will miss spring practice with injury, read more here:  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/03/alabamas-top-returning-rusher-eddie-lacy-to-miss-spring-practice/1

Now on with the Playoff…..

Game 17:  #6 Arkansas at #3 Oklahoma St

December 31, 2011

Kickoff:  2:30 pm

Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma

Weather: 50 degrees, clear, 12 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        Arkansas, Overall: A-, Offense: A, Defense: B+

                                       Oklahoma St, Overall: A-, Offense: A+, Defense: B

This is a regional game I wish we saw more often in the regular season.  Just 186 miles separate these two campuses and they never play each other.  In 2011, these two teams were very similar.  Arkansas had the best WR corp in the country; Oklahoma St had the best WR in the country.  Both teams will outscore you.  Both teams can score from anywhere on the field at any time.  This would be the type of game that could start a border rivalry between states.  It’s too bad we have to settle for seeing this game virtually.       

1^st Quarter:

            -Arkansas kicker Zach Hocker starts the scoring off with a 49 yard FG.                            (3-0 Ark)

            -Oklahoma St responds with a 1 yard TD run from Joseph Randle.                                    (7-3 OSU)

            -Arkansas comes right back down the field to get in FG range, they score with a

             37 yard FG from Zach Hocker.                                                                                              (7-6 OSU)

2^nd Quarter:

            -Arkansas finally gets in the endzone to start the 2^nd qtr with a 56 yard TD pass

 from Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright .                                                                                   (13-7 Ark)

            -On the ensuing drive, Oklahoma St scores with a 4 yard TD pass from

             Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon.                                                                                  (14-13 OSU)

            -After forcing Arkansas to punt, OSU scores again before half with a 12 yard TD pass

             from Brandon Weeden to Josh Cooper.                                                                               (21-13 OSU)

3^rd Quarter:

            -On the opening kickoff of the 2^nd half, Greg Childs returns the kickoff 94 yards

 for a TD.  Arkansas fakes the XP and the 2 pt conversion is good.                                 (21-21 Tied)

            -Oklahoma St moves into FG range, but the FG attempt is blocked.                                   (21-21 Tied)

            -Arkansas takes advantage of the short field from the FG block and scores with a

             2 yard TD pass from Tyler Wilson to Jarius Wright.                                                            (28-21 Ark)

            -Arkansas scores one more time in the 3^rd qtr with a 7 yard TD pass from Tyler Wilson

             to Greg Childs.                                                                                                                       (35-21 Ark)      

4^th Quarter:

            -Oklahoma St responds quickly in the 4^th qtr with a 3 yard TD run from Joseph Randle.  (35-28 Ark)

            -After forcing Arkansas to punt, Quinn Sharp is able to kick a FG halfway through the

             4^th qtr from 28 yards out.                                                                                                       (35-31 Ark)

            -On the last drive of the game, Oklahoma St moves inside the Arkansas 20 yardline,

             but can’t convert on a 4^th and 8 from the 14 yard line.                                                        (35-31 Ark)

                       

Oklahoma St Stats:

Passing:           Brandon Weeden, 32/50, 373 yards, 2 TD

Rushing:           Joseph Randle, 20 att, 67 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:        Justin Blackmon, 9 rec, 158 yards, 1 TD

                         Tracy Moore, 7 rec, 60 yards

Defense:           2 Sacks

Total Offense:   467 yards

Passing:            373 yards

Rushing:            94 yards

Arkansas Stats

Passing:           Tyler Wilson, 20/37, 291 yards, 3 TD

Rushing:           Broderick Green, 30 att, 89 yards

Receiving:        Jarius Wright, 5 rec, 91 yards, 2 TD

                         Greg Childs, 5 rec, 80 yards, 1 TD

Other:               Greg Childs, 94 yard KO return for TD

Defense:           2 Sacks, 1 FG block

Total Offense:   384 yards

Passing:            290 yards

Rushing:            94 yards

Box Score

           

                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T 

Arkansas                       6          7        22           0       35

Oklahoma St                  7        14         0          10      31

Next Game:  #13 Michigan at #4 Stanford

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.

Game 17: #7 Boise St at #2 Alabama

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

The first game of the 3^rd Round is coming up, but here are today’s reality bites:

Brett McMurphy of CBS talks about the possible long term consequences of implementing a ‘champions only’ playoff, he tweeted yesterday:  “If Plus-1 only has conference champs, look for Bama to join the Sun Belt, Georgia to join the Big East, Arkansas to join the WAC, and South Carolina to join the MAC.”  He has a point.

The Big Ten is back in realignment news; there is a lot of smoke to the talk in Atlanta that the Big Ten is exploring adding Georgia Tech, Maryland, Rutgers, and Notre Dame.  ESPN supposedly is willing to make them a massive TV deal if this expansion is carried out by 2016.  Read more here:  http://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2012/3/5/2846545/monday-afternoon-rumor-mill-where-i-guarantee-that-you-didnt-see-this

Missouri will be the crossover rival for Arkansas in the SEC; Texas A&M will be the crossover rival for South Carolina.  This makes sense, read more here:  http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/3/5/2846069/texas-am-south-carolina-sec-football-rivals

Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer are leading the charge against 7 on 7 tournaments that are starting to take over College Football much like the AAU has taken over College Basketball.  Read more about the summit here:  http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/59734/3-point-stance-seven-on-seven-summit

Now on to the 3^rd Round!

Game 17:  #7 Boise St at #2 Alabama

December 31, 2011

Kickoff:  2:30 pm

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Weather: 43 degrees, clear, 0 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        Alabama, Overall: A+, Offense: A, Defense: A+

                                       Boise St, Overall: A, Offense: A+, Defense: B+

Here is another example of a game people have been clamoring to see.  Can Boise St really hang with the big boys?  No better way to find out then to see them head to Tuscaloosa for a playoff game.  Alabama’s defense is superb, will Kellen Moore have enough time to dissect the complex scheme that Nick Saban produces?  Our virtual answer is coming up.  The best of the Non-AQ takes on Alabama.     

1^st Quarter:

            -Alabama opens the game with a drive resulting in a Jeremy Smelley 26 yard FG.           (3-0 Bama)

            -Midway through the qtr, Doug Martin breaks loose for a 47 yard TD run.                         (7-3 BSU)

2^nd Quarter:

            -Alabama opens the 2^nd qtr with a 33 yard FG from Jeremy Smelley.                               (7-6 BSU)

            -On the ensuing drive, Boise St finds the endzone with a 5 yard TD pass from

 Kellen Moore to Doug Martin.                                                                                            (14-6 BSU)

            -Alabama comes right back with a 7 yard TD pass from AJ McCarron to

 Brandon Gibson.  Trent Richardson runs in the 2 pt conversion.                                     (14-14 Tied)

            -Boise St’s defense intercepts AJ McCarron after their offense is forced to a 3 and out,

            Kellen Moore and the Bronco offense capitalize with a 41 yard FG from Jimmy Pavel.    (17-14 BSU)

            -Alabama makes a late drive that results in points with a 24 yard FG from Jeremy Smelley.  (17-17 Tied)

3^rd Quarter:

            -The defenses control the 3^rd qtr, but late in the qtr Kellen Moore finds Doug Martin on a

 screen pass that goes 79 yards for a TD.                                                                      (24-17 BSU)     

4^th Quarter:

            -Alabama intercepts Kellen Moore which sets up the first points of the qtr when

             AJ McCarron finds Marquis Maze for a 8 yard TD pass.                                                 (24-24 Tied)

            -Alabama forces Boise’s offense to a 3 and out, then drives the field and scores

             with a 13 yard TD pass from AJ McCarron to Brandon Gibson.  The XP is missed.      (30-24 Bama)

            -Alabama again forces Boise St to punt, Marquis Maze takes the punt return 91 yards

             for a TD.  Trent Richardson scores the 2 pt conversion.                                                 (38-24 Bama)

                       

Boise St Stats:

Passing:           Kellen Moore, 29/53, 416 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Rushing:           Doug Martin, 19 att, 119 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:        Tyler Shoemaker, 9 rec, 139 yards

                         Chris Potter, 9 rec, 120 yards

Defense:           2 Sacks, 1 INT

Total Offense:   548 yards

Passing:            416 yards

Rushing:            132 yards

Alabama Stats

Passing:           AJ McCarron, 21/32, 311 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Rushing:           Trent Richardson, 29 att, 127 yards

Receiving:        Marquis Maze, 9 rec, 161 yards, 1 TD

                         Brandon Gibson, 4 rec, 51 yards, 2 TD

Defense:           3 Sacks, 2 INT

Total Offense:   481 yards

Passing:            311 yards

Rushing:            170 yards

Box Score

           

                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T 

Boise St                         7        10         7           0        24

Alabama                        3        14         0          21       38

Next Game:  #6 Arkansas at #3 Oklahoma St

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.

Round 2 Recap

Before we get to the Round 2 Recap of the first (virtual) College Football playoffs, here are today's reality bites:

Interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas endorses a 'champions only' college football playoff format, read more here:  http://newsok.com/a-four-team-playoff-in-college-football-what-a-fantastic-thing-that-would-be/article/3654549?custom_click=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Here is an interesting article, it's a reprint of the 1995 Athlon article detailing the break up of the SWC, and the formation of the Big 12.  Many elements sound familiar.....read more here:  http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/look-back-birth-big-12

The University of Michigan will be paid $4.7 Million to play Alabama at Jerry's World next year.  One can only assume Alabama's payout will mirror that.  Read more here:  http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/8/8/1612134/michigan-alabama-2012-dallas-cowboys-stadium

Round 2 Recap

#2 Alabama over #10 Wisconsin (34-28)
#7 Boise St over #18 TCU (20-18)
#3 Oklahoma St over #11 Virginia Tech (48-41)
#6 Arkansas over #14 Oklahoma (38-37 ot)
#4 Stanford over #21 Southern Miss (38-28)
#13 Michigan over #4 Oregon (41-31)
#17 Michigan St over #8 Kansas St (45-24)
#1 LSU over #9 South Carolina (38-21)


Here are the Round 3 Matchups
#7 Boise St at #2 Alabama
#6 Arkansas at #3 Oklahoma St
#13 Michigan at #4 Stanford
#17 Michigan St at #1 LSU

Tomorrow #7 Boise St will take on #2 Alabama.

 

Game 16: #9 South Carolina at #1 LSU

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

Here's the last game of the 2nd Round and a bonus game for today!  I'll have a 2nd Round recap posted Monday by noon.

Game 16:  #9 South Carolina at #1 LSU

December 24, 2011

Kickoff:  6:00 pm

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Weather: 58 degrees, clear, 12 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        South Carolina, Overall: A, Offense: A, Defense: B+

                                        LSU, Overall: A, Offense: B+, Defense: A

What could be more intense than an SEC 2^nd round playoff game?  These two defenses were among the elite in College Football, so it would have been fun to see these two conference foes play.  They didn’t meet in the regular season this year so this game can’t be used to verify the accuracy of the simulation. 

1^st Quarter:

            -As expected, the defenses control this game early.  LSU’s offense is the first to draw

             blood with a 2 yard TD run from Michael Ford.                                                               (7-0 LSU)

2^nd Quarter:

            -South Carolina responds midway through the 2^nd qtr with a 13 yard TD pass from

 Conner Shaw to Alshon Jeffery.                                                                                  (7-7 Tied)

            -On the ensuing drive, LSU strikes with a 15 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to

 Michael Ford.                                                                                                               (14-7 LSU)

            -Just before halftime, South Carolina ties it up with a 12 yard TD pass from Conner Shaw

 to Ace Sanders.                                                                                                           (14-14 Tied)

3^rd Quarter:

            -South Carolina takes the opening drive and is able to score with a 3 yard TD run from

 Kenny Miles.                                                                                                                (21-14 SC)

-LSU responds at the end of the 3^rd qtr with a 12 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson

 to Kadron Boone.                                                                                                         (21-21 Tied)     

4^th Quarter:

            -After trading punts, LSU scores with an 11 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to

 Michael Ford.                                                                                                               (28-21 LSU)

            -LSU’s defense forces a Conner Shaw interception and the offense capitalizes with a

 2 yard TD pass from Jordan Jefferson to Kadron Boone.                                                (35-21 LSU)

-LSU seals the game late with a 31 yard FG from Drew Alleman.                                     (38-21 LSU)

                       

LSU Stats:

Passing:           Jordan Jefferson, 23/34, 257 yards, 4 TD

Rushing:           Michael Ford, 33 att, 157 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:        Kadron Boone, 9 rec, 101 yards, 2 TD

                         Rueben Randle, 3 rec, 48 yards

Defense:           1 Sack, 1 INT

Total Offense:   448 yards

Passing:             257 yards

Rushing:            191 yards

South Carolina Stats

Passing:           Conner Shaw, 21/42, 302 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing:           Kenny Miles, 26 att, 97 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:        Ace Sanders, 6 rec, 68 yards, 1 TD

                         D.L. Moore, 3 rec, 66 yards

Defense:           1 Sack

Total Offense:   422 yards

Passing:            302 yards

Rushing:            120 yards

Box Score

           

                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T 

LSU                               7         7          7          17      38

South Carolina              0        14         7           0       21

Next Game:  #7 Boise St at #2 Alabama

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.

Game 15: #17 Michigan St at #8 Kansas St

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

 

#17 Michigan St at #8 Kansas St is up today, but first here are the reality bites:

Here’s a good podcast from Brett McMurphy covering further expansion possibilities as well as the likely Plus 1 model College Football will adopt:  http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/35032425

MGOBLOG wrote a good article here describing the reason playoffs are being considered, declining advertising numbers during bowl games.  Read more here:  http://mgoblog.com/content/real-reason-were-talking-playoffs

Dan Wetzel from Yahoo writes a good article here about how the powers that be need to keep it simple when talking playoff formats, read more here:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=At5wSjqAyLWLVh7l9UKuzlMcvrYF?slug=dw-wetzel_college_football_playoff_keep_simple_022912

ESPN writes an interesting article about how the ACC could be involved in saving some of the rivalries that died this last year from expansion, read more here:  . http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7633311/next-round-realignment-renew-rivalries

Nick Saban has agreed to offer 4 year scholarships starting next year, read more here:   http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1337082

Now on to the playoffs!

Game 15:  #17 Michigan State at #8 Kansas State

December 24, 2011

Kickoff:  11:00 am

Location: Manhattan, Kansas

Weather: 39 degrees, clear, 6 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        Kansas St, Overall: B+, Offense: B, Defense: B

                                       Michigan St, Overall: B+, Offense: A-, Defense: B+

After all the high flying score fests we’ve had in this virtual playoff so far, this would be a throw back game.  Both these coaches will run the ball and play good defense to win ball games.  Instead of trying to run by each other, these two teams would stand toe to toe and trade blows to see which one blinks first.  Mark Dantonio vs Bill Snyder is definitely an old school vs old school match up that would make a playoff that much more fun to see. 

1^st Quarter:

            -Kansas St takes the opening drive and marches into FG range scoring with a

 Anthony Cantele 44 yard FG.                                                                                        (3-0 KSU)

            -Michigan St takes its first possession and responds with a 6 yard TD pass from

 Kirk Cousins to Brian Linthicum.                                                                                    (7-3 MSU)

            -Michigan St forces Kansas St to punt, then takes its next drive down the field

 for a 1 yard Edwin Baker TD run.                                                                                  (14-3 MSU)

2^nd Quarter:

            -Colin Klein leads KSU down the field to open the 2^nd qtr and they get on the board

 with a 5 yard TD pass to Broderick Smith from Colin Klein.                                             (14-10 MSU)

            -On the ensuing drive, Edwin Baker gets in the endzone again with a 3 yard TD run.       (21-10 MSU)

            -On the last drive of the half, Michigan St scores with an 8 yard TD pass to

 Brian Linthicum from Kirk Cousins.                                                                              (28-10 MSU)

3^rd Quarter:

            -Michigan St takes the opening drive of the 2^nd half and drives it down the field to score

 with a 1 yard TD pass from Kirk Cousins to Donald Spencer.                                   (35-10 MSU)

-Kansas St responds on its first drive with a 1 yard TD run from Colin Klein.            (35-17 MSU)

-After trading punts, Michigan St scores the final points of the 3^rd qtr with a 9 yard TD

 pass from Kirk Cousins to BJ Cunningham.                                                                 (42-17 MSU)

           

4^th Quarter:

            -Kansas St tries to get back in the game with a 1 yard TD run from Colin Klein.           (42-24 MSU)

            -Michigan St ends the game with a 39 yard FG from Dan Conroy.                                 (45-24 MSU)

                       

Kansas St Stats:

Passing:           Colin Klein, 20/29, 241 yards, 1 TD

Rushing:           Colin Klein, 18 att, 57 yards, 2 TD

Receiving:        Chris Harper, 9 rec, 111 yards

                          Tramaine Thompson, 4 rec, 36 yards

Defense:           1 Sack

Total Offense:   323 yards

Passing:            241 yards

Rushing:              82 yards

Michigan St Stats

Passing:           Kirk Cousins, 30/47, 405 yards, 5 TD

Rushing:           Edwin Baker, 30 att, 185 yards, 2 TD

Receiving:        BJ Cunningham, 12 rec, 169 yards, 1 TD

                          Keshawn Martin, 8 rec, 138 yards, 1 TD

Defense:           1 Sack

Total Offense:   648 yards

Passing:            431 yards

Rushing:            217 yards

Box Score

           

                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T 

Michigan St                   14       14        14          3       45

Kansas St                      3          7          7           7       24

Next Game:  #9 South Carolina at #1 LSU

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.