The Color & Pageantry 2014 All America Team

The Color & Pageantry

2014 Post Season ALL AMERICA TEAM

Offensive Player of the Year
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

OFFENSE

WR     Amari Cooper, Alabama
           6'1", 202, JR, Miami, FL (Northwestern)

WR     Rashard Higgins, Colorado State
           6'2", 188, SO, Mesquite, TX (Mesquite)

WR     Rashad Greene, Florida State
           6'0, 180, SR, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)

TE      Nick O'Leary, Florida State
           6'3", 247, SR, Palm Beach, FL (Dwyer)

OL      Brandon Schreff, Iowa
           6'5", 320, SR, Denison, IA (Denison)

OL      B.J. Finney, Kansas State
           6'4", 303, SR, Andale, KS, (Andale)

OL      Shaquille Mason, Georgia Tech
           6'1", 311, SR, Columbia, TN, (Central)

OL      Andrus Peat, Stanford
           6'7", 316, Chandler, AZ (Corona del Sol)

OL      La'el Collins, Louisiana State
           6'5", 315, SR, Baton Rouge, LA, (Redemptorist)

QB      Marcus Mariota, Oregon
           6'4", 219, JR, Honolulu, HI (St. Louis)

RB      Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
           6'1" 213, JR, Kenosha, WI (Bradford)

RB     Tevin Coleman, Indiana
          6'1", 210, JR, Tinley Park, IL (Oak Forest)

RB     Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
          5'9", 195, SR, Homewood, AL (Homewood)

Defensive Player of the Year
Scooby Wright, ILB, Arizona

DE     Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington
          6'3", 246, SR, Laie, HI (Kahuku)

DT     Joey Bosa, Ohio State
          6'5", 278, SO, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)

DT     Malcolm Brown, Texas
          6'2", 320, JR, Brenham TX, (Brenham)

DT     Leonard Williams, USC
          6'5" 300, JR, Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland)

DT     Danny Shelton, Washington
          6'2" 339, SR, Auburn, WA (Auburn)

DE     Vic Beasley, Clemson
          6'3", 235, SR, Adairsville, GA (Adairsville)

OLB   Shane Ray, Missouri
           6'3", 245, JR, Kansas City, MO (Bishop Miege)

ILB     Scooby Wright, Arizona
           6'1", 246, SO, Windsor, CA (Cardinal Newman)

ILB     Eric Kendricks, UCLA
            6'0", 230, SR, Fresno, CA (Hoover)

OLB    Nate Orchard, Utah
            6'4", 255, Salt Lake City, UT, (Highland)

DB      Senquez Golson, Ole Miss
            5'9", 176, SR, Pascagoula, MS, (Pascagoula)

DB      Gerod Holliman, Louisville
           6'2, 213, SO, Miami, FL (Southridge)

DB      Landon Collins, Alabama
            6'0", 222, JR, New Orleans, LA (Dutchtown)

DB      Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
            5'11", 192, FR, Tampa, FL (Wharton)

DB      Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
            5'10", 185, SR, Chino Hills, CA (Chino Hills)

SPECIALISTS

K         Roberto Aguayo, Florida State
            6'1", 203, SO, Mascotte, FL (South Lake)

P          Austin Rehkow, Idaho
            6'3", 202 SO, Veradale, WA (Central Valley)

KR       Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
             5'11" 175, SR, Tulsa, OK, (Booker T. Washington)

NC       Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
             6'5", 255, FR, Arlington, TX (Martin)

HONORABLE MENTION:

QUARTERBACKS:  Jameis Winston, Florida State, Tevone Boykin, Texas Christian, JT Barnett, Ohio State, Bryce Petty, Baylor, Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, Shane Carden, East Carolina, Brett Hundley, UCLA, Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky, Rakeem Cato, Marshall, Cody Kessler, USC, Conner Halladay, Washington State, Sean Mannion, Oregon State, Jake Waters, Kansas State, Nick Marshall, Auburn, Jared Goff, Californina, Anu Solomon, Arizona and Garrett Grayson, Colorado State.

WIDE RECEIVERS:  Justin Hardy, East Carolina, Kevin White, West Virgina, Nelson Agholor, USC, Jalen Strong, Arizona State, Antwan Goodley, Baylor, Tony Lippett, Michigan State, Indiana, Josh Harper, Fresno State, Will Fuller, Notre Dame, Tyler Boyd, Pitt,DeVante Parker, Louisville, Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma, Tyler Lockett, Kansas State, DeAnre Smelter, Georgia Tech, Nelson Spruce, Colorado, Ty Montgomery, Stanford, LaQuon Treadwell, Ole Miss, Sammie Coates, Auburn, D'haquille Williams, Auburn, Leonte Carroo, Rutgers, Bud Sasser, Missouri and Vince Mayle, Washington State.

TIGHT ENDS: Maxx Williams, Minnesota, Clive Wolford, Miami, Evan Engram, Ole Miss, Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State, Hunter Henry, Arkansas and Stephen Anderson, California.

RUNNING BACKS: James Conner, Pittsburgh, Todd Gurley, Georgia,  Jeremy Langford, Michigan State, Mike Davis, South Carolina,  TJ Yeldon, Alabama, Duke Johnson, Miami, David Cobb, Minnesota, Nick Chubb, Georgia, Royce Freeman, Oregon, Dalvin Cook, Florida State, Shock Norwood, Baylor, Alex Collins, Arkansas, JonathanWilliams, Arkansas, Jalen Hurd, Tennessee, Leonard Fournette, LSU, Samaje Perine, Oklahoma and Jay Ajayi, Boise State.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Cameron Irving, Florida State, Tre Jackson, Florida State, Hroniss Grasu, Oregon, Reese Dismukes, Auburn, Spencer Drango, Baylor, Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin, Laken Tomlinson, Duke, Jack Allen, Michigan State, Arie Kouandjio, Alabama, AJ Cann, South Carolina, Jake Fisher, Oregon and Laremy Tunsill, Ole Miss.

DEFENSIVE LINE:  Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida, Michael Bennett, Ohio State, Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State, Eddie Goldman, Florida State, Grady Jarrett, Clemson, Randy Gregory, Nebraska, Ryan Mueller, Kansas State, Maleik Collins, Nebraska, Carl Davis, Iowa, Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State, Emanuel Obgbah, Oklahoma State, Preston Smith, Mississippi State, Bud Dupree, Kentucky, Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss, Chris Jones, Mississippi State, Shaun Okman, Baylor, Dadi Nicolas, Virginia Tech and Derek Barnett, Tennessee.

LINEBACKERS: Bendarick McKinney, Mississippi State, Paul Dawson, TCU, Myles Jack, UCLA, Denzel Perryman, Miami, Eric Striker, Oklahoma, Trey DePriest, Alabama, Mike Hull, Penn State, Zach Vigil, Utah State, Terrance Plummer, UCF, Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville, Shaq Thomson, Washington, Myles Jack, UCLA, Bryce Hager, Baylor, Terrance Smith, Florida State, Damien Wilson, Minnesota, AJ Johnson, Tennessee, Ramik Wilson, Georgia, Mantrell Spaight, Arkansas, Ben Heeney, Kansas, Jake Ryan, Michigan, Stephone Anthony, Clemson, Joe Schmidt, Notre Dame, Dadi Nicholas, Va. Tech James Burgess, Louisville and Pete Robertson, Texas Tech.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:  Jalen Ramsey, Florida State, Trae Waynes, Michigan State, Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech, Anthony Harris, Virginia, PJ Williams, Florida State, Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State, Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss, Bryce Callahan, Rice, Jeremy Cash, Duke, Jacoby Glenn, UCF, Jordan Richards, Stanford, Su'a Cravens, USC, Craig Bills, Brigham Young, Jordan Simone, Arizona State, Erick Dargan, Oregon, Tony Conner, Ole Miss and Chris Hackett, TCU.

KICKERS: Brad Craddock, Maryland, Andy Phillips, Utah, Josh Lambert, West Virginia and Matthew McCrane, Kansas State.

PUNTERS: Tom Hornsey, Memphis, JK Scott, Alabama, Peter Mortell, Minnesota, Drew Riggleman, Arizona, Drew Kaser, Texas A&M and Kyle Christy, Florida.

KICK RETURNERS: Kaelin Clay, Utah, DeMornay Pierson-El, Nebraska, Tyreek Hill, Oklahoma State, Quan Bray, Auburn, JJ Nelson, UAB, Ranell Hall, UCF, Marcus Murphy, Missouri, Trevor Davis, Californina, Alex Ross, Oklahoma, Jamison Crowder, Duke and Nelson Agholor, USC.

NEWCOMERS: Nick Chubb, Georgia, Brad Kaya, Miami, Royce Freeman, Oregon, Leonard Fournette, LSU, Dalvin Cook, Florida State, Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State, DeShaun Watson, Clemson, Malachi Dupree, LSU, Speedy Noil, Texas A&M, Demornay Pierson-El, Nebraska, Jalen Hurd, Tennessee.

Merry Christmas

Enjoy Santa's ride into Manhattan to Radio City Music Hall for the performance for the world famous Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Have We Transformed Into Nation of Men?

Two events over the last six months have proved a somewhat of a catalyst to rioting and an assault on law enforcement professionals in this nation.

First, the case of Michael Brown unfolded in Ferguson, MO, where Mr. Brown was shot dead in the street by a police officer after an altercation. Later, an unfortunate event took place in Staten Island, NY, where suspect Eric Garner died of heart failure in transport the a hospital in an ambulance after having tussled with several police officers.  While we deem the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson totally justified, Garner could have been dealt with in a more efficient way, perhaps avoiding his death.

However, both of these men would likely still be alive if they were not committing crimes and disrespecting the police.  These men, particularly Mr. Brown, decided not to follow the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, who demonstrated clearly for our nation on how to carry yourself while exhibiting your right to protest.

In the aftermath of the events that unfolded in Ferguson, and prior to the incident in Staten Island, we fired out a thorough, direct and accurate assessment of the truth.  In our commentary, we noted the following:

In fact, it would seem Obama administration folks and their progressive supporters, many of whom seek chaos and the destruction of our traditions, are fueling this flame. 

Sadly, that sentence resonates in truth, and with that knowledge, something awful was bound to happen.

With the radical left leaders, with President Obama and NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio (who we warned you about) representing those elected, Attorney General Eric Holder representing those appointed, and Al Sharpton, the nations premiere race-hustler and self proclaimed leader of the black community fueling the flames by informing the citizenry of centuries racial oppression and of police brutality, something awful was bound to happen.

With the festering of emotions, coupled with orchestrated chaos during riots and die-in protests, a truly despicable event took place in Brooklyn.  Two New York City Police officers were executed sitting in their car last Saturday.

May God Bless these two heroes, members of our nations finest. Prayers are also extended to their families.

Sadly, the aforementioned helped set the tone which lead to the protests against law enforcement, and by extension, to the execution of these two officers. The policies driven by President Obama, and his allies in the progressive movement, are creating the environment for the economic and racial strife, along with class warfare, currently engulfing our nation.  This is not happening by happenstance, but rather by orchestrated design.

One would think our nation would be mourning the loss of these two officers of the law, and while the majority are, we need to take note of the legions of citizens void of a set of principles, individual responsibility and a conscious capable of knowing right and wrong.  See the following:

There are tens of thousand with the same views as "Marie", who no doubt views herself as a victim of the big government apparatus, in the form of progressive Democrats, she continues to vote for.  Even the lapdog media, pushing false narratives for political gain, are getting involved.  Ignorant to be sure. 

CNN Idiots utilizing false narrative

This evening, Mayor DeBlasio asked for the protests to cease until after the funerals for the officers.  They told him to stick it.  Blinded by his arrogance, Mayor DeBlasio has no idea that he registers zero on the credibility scale.  In addition, he is not a student of history, or he would know the useful idiots he has doing the dirty work of protesting and creating chaos on the street will eventually turn on him and other "leaders".

At least the New York Yankees organization  has some class, and we thank them for their kindness.

With the government embracing the useful idiots to usher in chaos, all in the effort to gain government control, innocent people are now getting killed.  Martin Luther King Jr. noted the perils and danger of what he described as a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. 

I stand with law enforcement across the fruited plain, and call for the arrests of all protesters who utilize vandalism, violence and display a total disrespect for the law.  Prosecute to the fullest extent of the law!

Are we still a nation of laws, or have we transformed into a nation of men?

What About That Oath

Presented without commentary....

Surrender

With SONY Pictures in full capitulation, and the Obama administration seemingly out to lunch, as Michael Ramirez of Investors Business Daily so accurately points out, a deeply troubling precedent is being set.

Michael Ramirez/Investors Business Daily

Not only are the cyber attacks of great concern, but the diplomatic ground being given up for no apparent reason by President Obama will cause untold damage for decades.

With his transformation fully engaged, Obama has done his best to alienate our friends and allies while extending overtures, if not prostituting the US, to long held enemies.

North Korea, thought by some to be responsible for the cyber attack on SONY but more likely a smokescreen for the truth, is moving forward quickly without hindrance in building their own nuclear weapon. Russia has been given more flexibility by BHO after his election win, and Obama has helped pave the way for the caliphate whose goal is the emergence of a greater Syria similar to the old Ottoman Empire. ISIS and the Taliban are running roughshod, killing women and children, with part of their army prisoners the BHO released.  Obama has reached out to Iran, also building a nuclear weapon, and Mexico and Cuba have had steps taken by Obama to redistribute our wealth to them.

It is really astonishing, and our elected officials are either on board or doing little if nothing to stop it, outside of about 20 in the GOP.

If you did not know any better, you would think President Obama is in process of surrendering US sovereignty to the world, perhaps ultimately governed by The United Nations, an organization Obama could well see himself running in approximately two years.

Perhaps he is.

Through The Years

So it is.  Through the years.

While the mainstream media lead you astray once again with claims of workplace violence and the like, please be advised there are legions of radicalized Islam terrorists that seek the elimination of those deemed the infidel.  This would most likely reference you.

Because of the embrace of the Muslim Brotherhood by the leaders of our government, and a growing movement to have empathy for our enemies, most recently advanced by presumed 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, we have stake our position in weakness.

Therefore, attacks like we just witnessed in Australia will continue to occur, and the continental United States will not avoid such attacks.

Unlike the contention placed Hillary Clinton, we should approach our enemies as dangerous, armed and deadly.  These terrorists are unable to reasoned with as men who value life; therefore, they must be met with the same deadly force they seek to bring us.

Firebombing On Facebook

Business Insider reported that in the aftermath of comments posted on Facebook, published by Folio Weekly, a alternative news and opinion Jacksonville publication, a Florida State University professor said she has resigned.

FSU School of Business faculty member Deborah O'Connor, an 18 year faculty member, posted on her personal Facebook page remarks deemed inappropriate by all those who disagree with her opinion.



The Business Insider article claimed the comments were racial and homosexual slurs in a heated Facebook exchange about recent police killings of unarmed blacks. As reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, "O'Connor told the Tallahassee Democrat that she was embarrassed by the entire incident. She was not forced to resign, she said, but she was encouraged to. "I've learned my lesson about Facebook; let's just leave it at that," O'Connor said. "I decided to resign because I didn't think it was feasible to drag myself and Florida State through this kind of mud."

While representatives from The Tallahassee Democrat were so appalled they were unable to speak of the remarks, labeling them racist, homophobic, alarming and offensive, Business Insider published the remarks, with one noting O'Connor referred to "Northern fagoot (sic) elitism" and made disparaging remarks about Muslims. Business Insider also quoted one of the Facebook posts as having said "Obama has single-handedly turned our once great society into a Ghetto Culture, rivaling that of Europe. France is almost at war because of his filthy rodent Muslims who are attacking Native Frenchmen and women."

First of all, I thought we had freedom of speech in this country. Although it could be considered Ms. O'Connor represents Florida State University at all times, it would seem she certainly has the right to post anything legal permissible she wishes on her page.

Secondly, does the power reside only with those who do not agree with her conclusions?  It sure seems so.

While I found her presentation lacking in decorum, it is my opinion her comments are not off the mark.

Evidence suggests majorities in northeast America are comfortable with an elite ruling class presiding over government activism.  I would cite the healthcare plan implemented by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts as an example. I am offended by those who encourage the elite ruling class, seeking to limit the opportunity to achieve the American dream of those not deemed worthy.

Radical Muslims are in fact causing a great deal of difficulty in Europe.  There has been acts of terror in the streets, most notably the recent beheading of a British soldier in the middle of a neighborhood street. Sharia Law is on the slow creep over there, and is actually gaining ground in the US as well.

The ghetto culture Ms. O'Connor referenced may be the destruction of personal property and the failure to adhere to the rule of law we have witnessed recently with protesters.  There is a distinct difference in how those that marched with Dr. Martin Luther King addressed grievances and how President Obama and his operatives approach perceived variances in equality and opportunity. The actions of King were productive, while those Obama help create dependency, diminishing opportunities for individual accomplishment and community value.

Recent polling numbers indicated race relations under President Obama have significantly deteriorated, and I would contend this is by design.  Obama wishes to usher in a level of divisiveness, not only with race, but with class.  There more chaos created, the more opportunities for the advancement of government control. As evidence, I would cite Attorney General Eric Holder refusing to move forward with the voter intimidation case in Philadelphia, where members of The Black Panthers were accosting voters with clubs and heated rhetoric.

That rhetoric is fine for the left, but it is unconscionable for Ms. O'Connor to forward her opinion.

It is noted I have advanced the theory FSU is under attack from the left, potentially due to a relationship with the Koch Brothers.  And while this incident with Professor O'Conner is likely not related to my theory, there is no doubt that if you disagree publicly with President Obama and his positions, you are subject to public ridicule and the wrath of the administration and their operatives.

You are highly discouraged from voicing your opinion, or standing in opposition of the administration, for you are not deemed worthy of  contribution.  Leave the decisions to the ruling class, and do not upset the narrative, however false, being advanced.

Saul Alinsky style.

We don't adhere to the wishes of the progressive left, and will continue to use our freedom of speech to firebomb here on the blog or on our BAHL Revere Facebook page.  Comments from Professor O'Connor are welcome.

Commander in Communism

The transformation of America is sadly well underway, and the road we are traveling from a free market capitalist system to not only socialism, but ultimately communism, is being hidden for all to see in plain sight.

See the following tweet earlier this week from our Commander in Communism himself, spoken like a true communist in effort to mask the true ambitions while presenting it in plain English. 

The citizens of this nation are not children of the government. What the government will give back to everybody is the hard earned production it confiscates from the working citizen. Does that sound familiar? It should.  It is communism; state ownership of the means of production. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs! 

It would be far time for the electorate of this nation to sober up from the intoxication of irrelevance and take notice of their freedom and liberty being taken from them by government leadership claiming to support them in all ways possible. 

For those who have forgotten their history, Thomas Jefferson once said "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have." 

At such point they take away your entitlement, the freedom needed for you to rectify the situation will be lost.

Head 'Husker

Last Thursday, The University of Nebraska named Mike Riley as head football coach.  The move to hire Riley, head coach at Oregon State, as head 'Husker came completely out of left field, almost literally. While some may claim to have had insight to this hire, they would be lying, as nobody saw this coming.

Nebraska football coach Mike Riley/Photo LJS

Riley grew up in Corvallis, home of the Beavers where he had spent the last decade, so it seemed like he would remain there to conclude his career.  However, when the opportunity presented itself, the 61 year old Riley could not resist.  While Riley and his family no doubt have deep affinity for the Oregon State community, for a football coach looking for expansive resources to teach his craft backed by an unrivaled fan base, there is no place like Nebraska.

In the aftermath of firing Bo Pelini, Nebraska AD Shawn Eichorst had to get this hire right.  Many doubted Eichorst could pull it off, including me, but he operated in secret and got a very good football coach.  Most in the national media, inclusive of ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, gave the Huskers high marks for the hire.

For the average fan in Husker Nation, this hire was met with bewilderment.  However, for those who follow the game intently, or have moderate knowledge of the game through having played or coached, the hire of Riley invokes a high level of optimism.

While there is no question Bo Pelini is a very good football coach and left the Nebraska program in better shape than he found it in, Riley has a proven track record of excelling in avenues many feel were below average under Pelini.  Examples of these areas would include growth and progression at the quarterback position, the development of players and mental toughness, of which attention to detail would be part.

I have followed Riley for many years and have been most impressed with what he has accomplished at Oregon State, who in 2013 lost a 36-35 squeaker to high powered cross state rival Oregon.  Riley can flat coach, and I am very excited at what he may be able to accomplish given the resources available at Nebraska.

The more those who question the hire get a chance to become engaged with Riley and his abilities, I think they will become more and more pleased with the hire.  Nobody has a crystal ball, but I do subscribe that Riley has all the qualities and attributes the Husker fan base is seeking in leading the Big Red back to national prominence.

That national prominence, with apologies to national pundits such as Dan Patrick who think Nebraska needs to know their place in the college football landscape, includes challenging for the national title.  That has been the history of Nebraska, and it will be such in the future.  After all, there is no place like Nebraska.  GBR!

Shine On

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” George Orwell.

There is an escalating amount of deceitful action taking place in the political arena in recent years.

Propaganda from elected officials, buoyed by their political strategists and a complicit news media, remains hidden from a public drowning in a sea of irrelevance, enabling the government to clandestinely seize additional power over the citizenry.

As Winston Churchill once said, socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.  That eerily encapsulates the mindset of the majority of protesters we see wreaking havoc on our streets.

Those who seek to divide our nation through race and class war, fueling suffering and violence, with no respect for the rule of law, will get their comeuppance.

Instant Karma going to get you, hit you right in the head.

 

Remembering the brilliance of the great John Lennon, lost 34 years ago this evening to a gunman in front of his home in NYC.  Shine on!

CFB Playoff Set

The CFB Playoff is set. At The Color & Pageantry, we had the four playoff teams correctly identified, just in a different order. Alabama and Oregon are heavy favorites in the semi-final games. Can't wait!

Florida State is IN. 29 and counting. Go Seminoles!

The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.      Florida State, 13-0, 1
2.      Alabama, 12-1, 2
3.      Oregon, 12-1, 3
4.      Ohio State, 12-1, 6
5.      Texas Christian, 11-1, 4
6.      Baylor, 11-1, 6
7.      Michigan State, 10-2. 8
8.      Mississippi State, 10-2, 11
9.      Arizona, 10-3, 7
10.    Georgia Tech, 10-3, 9
11.    Ole Miss, 9-3, 14
12.    Georgia, 9-3, 15
13.    UCLA, 9-3, 17
14.    Missouri, 10-3, 13
15.    Arizona State, 9-3 18
16.    Kansas State, 9-3, 10
17.    Louisville, 9-3, 19
18.    Auburn, 8-4, 20
19.    Clemson, 9-3, 21
20.    Wisconsin, 10-3, 12
21.    Minnesota, 8-4, 22
22.    Nebraska, 9-3, 23
23.    Louisiana State, 8-4, 24
24.    Southern Cal, 8-4, 25
25.    Duke, 9-3, NR

OUT: Oklahoma (16)

VOTES: Arkansas, Utah, Stanford, Oklahoma, Boston College, Boise State, Colorado State, Texas A&M, Washington, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Memphis, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Miami, Pittsburgh, NC State, Brigham Young, UCF and Iowa.

NATIONAL ANALYSIS

Florida hired Jim McElwain from Colorado State to be head coach, and this is considered a good hire by most media pundits.....Brady Hoke is out at Michigan, and the search for a replacement could be lengthy....UCF was getting handled nicely at East Carolina, but started to falter as the Pirates mounted a comeback, and ultimately took the lead with about a minute to go. ECU tried to run the clock out, but failed miserably. UCF took over on downs, then hit a short pass and then hit attempted a Hail Mary.  Good Knight!  UCF, with Pirate defenders watching in horror, hit the pass to win the game.  I have never seen such a stunned fan base in my life, and the reaction of Knight coach George O'Leary was priceless.

At Levi Stadium in San Francisco, Oregon and Heisman hopeful Marcus Mariota demolished Arizona, 51-13, to win the PAC 12 Championship.  The Ducks performance was eye opening, as earlier in the year, the Wildcats won at Eugene.  The Ducks are ready to for the CFB Playoff......Northern Illinois continued their winning ways in the MAC, bombing Bowling Green to win the MAC Championship.....Marshall came from behind to nip Louisiana Tech....SMU got their first win of the season over lowly UCONN, whose two wins came over Stoney Brook and UCF.....Texas Christian turned a 17-3 halftime lead into a 55-3 mauling of Iowa State, but was it enough for the CFB Playoff committee......Oklahoma has not had a good season, starting preseason number 4 but limping home.  Having the lead, OU let Okie State rally and fired a punt to world class speedster Tyreek Hill, who bolted 92 yards on the punt return to take the game to OT.  From there, the Sooners faltered and the Pokes ran right up the gut to win the game.....Alabama dismantled Missouri in the SEC Championship game at Atlanta.....Temple dumped Tulane...Baylor beat Kansas State in a game not quite as close as the 38-27 would indicate, but not likely enough to impress CFB Playoff Committee....Ohio State took Wisconsin to the woodshed, demolishing the Badgers 59-0, and it could have been much worse.  The Buckeyes smothered All America back Melvin Gordon, and exposed the Badgers as an impostor on the national stage.  No doubt, the Buckeyes made a statement to the CFB Committee and nation, but that 35-21 loss, not as close as the score indicates, to Va. Tech looms large....Boise State jumped out early and beat Fresno State, who has not had a good season.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS

The Cornhuskers have completed their regular season and await their bowl game destination.  Meanwhile, Oregon State coach Mike Riley has been named head coach at Nebraska, and a post on this hire will be forthcoming.

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS

Jameis Winston/Photo Mike McCarn

Georgia Tech came into the ACC Championship game playing stout ball, having recently won versus Clemson and at Georgia.  Their flexbone offense is quite difficult to prepare for, particularly for a banged up team on a short week.  For much of the game, the Yellow Jackets moved the ball very well against the Seminoles, who came in with injuries and lost All ACC DT Eddie Goldman on the first series.  GT scored 35 points.  However, Jameis Winston played his best game of the season, and Dalvin Cook, who broke the record for most rushing yards by a freshman at FSU, previously held by the great Greg Allen, ran wild as the Seminoles kept the scoreboard operator busy.  FSU got some big stops, one before the half, and a few late in the second half; however, the Jackets remained ready to sting.  With the game seemingly in hand with the 'Noles up by two scores, the Jackets drove 90 yards to get within two points very late, but LaMarcus Brutus recovered the onside kick to preserve the victory for the Seminoles, 37-35, at Charlotte, NC.  FSU has now won three consecutive ACC Championships, and has won 29 games in row. See the following chart to place this win streak in proper perspective, as this current streak by Florida State is the fourth longest since WWII.

1.   Oklahoma, 47, 1953-57 (Notre Dame)
2.   Miami, 34, 2000-03, (Ohio State)
3.   Texas, 30, 1968-70, (Notre Dame)
4.   Florida State, 29, 2012-
5.   Miami, 29, 1990-93, (Alabama)

In addition, it is worth noting FSU has won 46 of their last 49 games.  The Seminoles, the defending National Champions, undefeated and unconquered, will defend their title in the CFB Playoff.

History Repeats

History repeats itself.  

The masses always believe, of course, that it is different this time. It never is, in large measure due to the large contingent of our low information society Huxley warned would be drowning in a sea of irrelevance.

"The only thing new in this world is the history you don't know"--Harry S. Truman

HT/Armstrong Economics

Bo Will Go

This morning, Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst terminated the tenure of Bo Pelini as head coach at the University of Nebraska. Bo Pelini helped restore the order after the disastrous Bill Callahan regime, running the football program adhering to Nebraska principles and no doubt a very good football coach.  A measurement of that can be seen by the reactions of the players who play for him, who are without question hurt deeply by this decision.

Bo Pelini
Photo/Aaron Babcock

While player admiration is an outstanding attribute, the overriding factor at the end of the day is winning football games; not only football games, but key football games of significance versus conference rivals and non-conference top tier teams where glimpses of ascending status can be seen.  Legitimately competing for championships is also important, and for those who coaches who are decent at the former but failing in the latter, tenure is short.

With that stated, Bo Pelini is out at Nebraska. 'Husker AD Shawn Eichorst said Bo Pelini "didn't win the games that mattered the most".  Agreed.

I thought the hire of Pelini was outstanding, and had hoped things would have turned out differently. However, sadly, this was the right decision. Pelini is a good man and good football coach, but Nebraska continued to lose relevancy and should demand more out of the traditionally proud football program than the gridiron company currently being kept.

Many in Husker Nation think the fan base expects too much, viewing Pelini having won nine games in each of his seasons as above average and a new normal of what Husker fan expectations should be.  I find that defeatist.  Although times, and quite frankly, the game, have changed, there is no reason to think the University of Nebraska cannot achieve and maintain greatness; competing for and winning championships.

Under Pelini, the team is stable leaning toward regressing.  Rather than keep Pelini and remain stagnant, the time is now to seek new leadership to take the program higher from the very solid base Pelini built in the aftermath of Callahan.  I for one appreciate very much the job Pelini did in restoring the order.

While the players are venting heavily on social media, and I recognize they are young men, many away from home on a relationship built with Bo who are hurt, Husker fans across the nation have been hurt as well. Getting waxed by Wisconsin on national television repeatedly, losing to Minnesota, failing to score a big win over a top ten team and needing individual player heroics to beat pedestrian Iowa, not to mention McNeese State, is not where this once proud program should be standing.

It is not, and it needs to change.  It will change.

Firing Pelini was the easy decision.  Now comes the hard part, hiring the next coach.

There are many names being thrown about, but it I got a vibe from the Eichorst presser that he has his guy. Lists are popping up everywhere with potential candidates to succeed Pelini, and I do not have a favorite.  I would like a coach that employs a run based open offense and an attacking defensive scheme.

It does not seem you can turn over a program of national historical prominence such as Nebraska to a favorite son former quarterback who is currently in his second season as the offensive coordinator at Oregon. After all, Scott Frost has said that Duck signal caller Marcus Mariota is the best player he has ever seen, and with that the Ducks might be 7-3 without him, which takes some shine off the coaching efforts. Perhaps a better option would be Craig Bohl, a former Nebraska assistant who after directing 1-AA North Dakota State to three consecutive national titles is in his first season at Wyoming. Or, maybe, Jim McElwain at Colorado State.  A seemingly unrealistic candidate who is mentioned that I like is Georgia coach and Nebraska native Mark Richt.  Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is intriguing, with the job he has done for the Gophers eye opening.

Interesting options include Willie Fritz of Georgia Southern and Justin Fuente of Memphis.

Among the candidates I would not support are Greg Schiano, Jim Tressell, Paul Chryst, Al Golden, Pat Narduzzi, Dave Doren and Tom Herman.

Eichorst is on the clock, and this decision had better be a good one. GBR!

The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.      Florida State, 12-0, 1
2.      Alabama, 11-1, 2
3.      Oregon, 11-1, 3
4.      Texas Christian, 10-1, 5
5.      Baylor, 10-1, 5
6.      Ohio State, 11-1, 7
7.      Arizona, 10-2, 12
8.      Michigan State, 10-2, 10
9.      Georgia Tech, 10-2, 15
10.    Kansas State, 9-2, 11
11.    Mississippi State, 10-2, 4
12.    Wisconsin, 10-2, 13
13.    Missouri, 10-2, 17
14.    Mississippi, 9-3, 17
15.    Georgia, 9-3, 8
16.    Oklahoma, 8-3, 18
17.    UCLA, 9-3, 9
18.    Arizona State, 9-3, 15
19.    Louisville, 9-3, 18
20.    Auburn, 8-4, 14
21.    Clemson, 9-3, 23
22.    Minnesota, 8-4, 22
23.    Nebraska, 9-3, NR
24.    Louisiana State, 8-4, NR
25.    Southern Cal, 8-4, NR

OUT: Arkansas (20), Colorado State (24) and Marshall (25).

VOTES:  Boise State, Arkansas, Utah, Duke, Stanford, Colorado State, Texas A&M, Washington and Iowa.

NATIONAL ANALYSIS

The Texas Longhorns played tough, but were lacking at quarterback and were unable to hold Texas Christian at from blasting the Horns at Austin.....Louisiana State shut down Texas A&M at College Station, and got a Herschel Walker style smash mouth run while running over the Aggies.....UCLA once again failed on a big stage, getting controlled by at home by Stanford, culminating a most disappointing regular season for the Bruins....UCF smothered cross state rival South Florida...Houston bombed SMU who finished 0-11 and should be phoning Mack Brown immediately....Marshall fell from the unbeaten losing a track meet to Western Kentucky, whose quarterback tossed eight touchdown passes in losing 67-66....Missouri got a home win over a surging Arkansas, and will represent the SEC East for the second consecutive season in the SEC Championship game....Arizona, who had the longest drought in gaining a PAC 12 division title, won at home against Arizona State.....Air Force upset Colorado State....Virginia could not take out offensively challenged Va. Tech, who will extend their bowl streak to 22 years....Clemson finally was able to defeat South Carolina....Georgia Tech won at Georgia, a huge wins for the Jackets....Louisville held off a very much improved Kentucky team.....West Virginia came from behind to knock out Iowa State.....Michigan played strong, but fell at Ohio State, and while the Buckeyes march on, they have lost standout QB J. T. Barrett, who broke an ankle late.  Michigan QB Devin Gardner showed some real class in consoling Barrett during the game.....Illinois won at Northwestern, and is bowl eligible while Indiana held off Purdue....North Carolina State blasted North Carolina, who showed signs in beating Duke of what could have been, but this loss to the Wolfpack, at home, is troubling....Boston College handled Syracuse....Utah won late at Colorado, a team that is heading in the right direction....Southern Cal mauled an injury riddled Notre Dame....New Big Ten league members squared off, and Maryland lost a huge lead and the game to Rutgers....Baylor held off Texas Tech 48-46, which in comparison to TCU, who put up 80 on TT, looks bad.....K State blasted instate rival Kansas....Memphis is 9-3, and a better team than you might think....Tennessee survived s big effort from Vanderbilt.....BYU won at Cal, who did put up numbers on occasion.....Duke held off Wake Forest.....Pitt went down to Miami and dismantled the Hurricanes, and questions must be presented on the status of Al Golden, who is not leading the Canes to where they aspire to be....Auburn got up on Alabama 33-21, but then BAMA turned up the heat and won the Iron Bowl going away 55-44 behind Lane Kiffin's wide open offense, although it is note the Crimson Tide does not stop folks like they ised to...Oregon mauled Oregon State in the Civil War, serving some notice....Washington beat Wazzu in the Apple Cup....Boise State beat a tough but injured Utah State team.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS

Another dismal beginning for Nebraska at Iowa as the Cornhuskers fell behind 24-7 behind miscues, penalties and failed execution. Nebraska was able to stabilize the situation, and got some big plays from Ameer Abdullah to find themselves in position to compete for the win. Tommy Armstrong found Tariq Allen alone in the end zone for a score, Kenny Bell caught a 32 yard touchdown and Demornay Pierson-El returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown helping the Huskers claw back.  The Huskers took the lead on Pierson-El's punt return, but were unable to stop a pedestrian Iowa as the Hawkeyes scored a touchdown and took the lead with limited time remaining, but the Big Red came down and got a field goal as time expired.  In overtime, Iowa got a field goal.  Nebraska would win with a touchdown.  Tommy Armstrong scrambled out from the nine yard line to find senior Kenny Bell for the score right at the goal line.  The comeback matched the largest in school history.  It was a big win for Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers should have never found itself in the position to come storming back against Iowa.  The game was similar to many others; games that come down to the wire.  Many times, poor execution, penalties and  bad play calling led Nebraska to find itself tested, and defeated, by teams inferior to Nebraska. Saturday at Iowa City was no different, but standout individual plays saved the day.  Was the win at Iowa enough to save Bo Pelini's job; no it was not as Pelini was terminated earlier this morning. Sadly, this was the right decision. Pelini is a good man and good football coach, but Nebraska continued to lose relevancy and should demand more out of the traditionally proud football program than the gridiron company currently being kept.  Please key an eye out for a future singular post on this subject.  GBR!

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS

With the arch rival Florida Gators coming to town, with a bulging chest of confidence playing their last game for terminated coach Will Muschamp, you would think the Seminoles would recognize the importance of jumping on the one dimensional Gators early.  Once again, following a disappointing pattern, FSU fell behind 9-0 after a series of miscues,and turnovers.  It is worth noting that the Seminole defensive unit stood tall, forcing the Gators to kick field goals, whichmay have cost the Gators. Jamies Winston, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner, played a miserable game, tossing four interceptions helping dig the Seminoles into a huge hole.  With the Gators threatening yet again, Terrance Smith picked off a deflected pass and returned it over 90 yards for a score to cut it to 9-7 Florida.  FSU then gained some form, with Nick O'Leary getting loose, and got a 21-9 lead, and the rout was about to on.  But, off a turnover in the kicking game, the Gators got a touchdown just before the half to cut the lead.  The Gators have always played stellar defense, and they made Winston look very ordinary most of the day.  If not for Dalvin Cook, the FSU freshman running back who looks awful special, running wild, FSU may have lost.  But would they have?  No.  This team is resilient, and finds a way to win with few peers.  FSU surrendered a field goal to Florida, but got one from Roberto Aguayo to extend the lead to more than field goal. FSU looked very poor on many levels, and champion caliber on others during the day, but at the end of the day, Florida State won again against arch rival Florida, owns the state having defeated the Hurricanes five times in a row and the Gators four out of the last five times.  FSU has now won 28 times in a row, with elite company of teams to reach this goal post WWII.  FSU now faces Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game, which will be a difficult task against a well coached team.  If FSU wins, they will be in the playoff and will have time to fix the many issues they have.  Congratulations to Coach Fisher and the seniors who have helped FSU get back to the highest level in college football.  Haters will have to wait.  The Seminoles remain unconquered.

Is FSU Target of Political Left?

It was shortly before President Obama was elected in 2008, when comments made by Michelle Obama got her yanked off the campaign trail, as these comments, if appropriately analyzed by a curious media, would pull the mask away from the blank canvas many considered Barack Obama to be and alert the nation to some of the real, hidden objectives.

Please take a listen to the following commentary from Michelle Obama while in Puerto Rico in 2008:

 

"Barack knows that we are going to have to make sacrifices; we are going to have to change our conversation, we're going to have to change our history, our traditions. We're going to have move into a different place as a nation", said Mrs. Obama.

Might changing of traditions include the demise of football in America?  Without question, the game of football is under attack from the political left, all the way up to the White House.  President Obama has publicly admonished the use of the nickname Redskins by the Washington Redskins of The National Football League, and through his associates, most notably Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D:NV), have gone after Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, a republican, for both failing to bow to political pressure and for having the audacity to not support Obama and his vision of American.  The NFL remains under attack.

Fast forward to what is happening to Florida State University in college football, the currently undefeated defending national champions.  Last fall, star quarterback Jameis Winston, a redshirt freshman, was leading the Seminoles to their undefeated championship season when he was questioned about a sexual assault.

After an investigation by the state attorney, the state attorney's office found the evidence did not support charging Winston with any crime.  While many in the media were in uproar, Winston went on to win The Heisman Trophy while guiding the Seminoles to their third National Championship.

Since that time, Winston has had some lapses in maturity, walking out of a grocery store without paying for crab legs he ordered and yelling obscenities, sexual in nature which is certainly inappropriate considering the charges which considered against him, in the FSU student union.

No doubt, while Winston is stellar on field, he is at times immature off it, failing to accurately gauge the temperature outside in this era of appropriate non-tolerance of assault against women.  Although the Winston case was and is a factor, the blowup surrounding Baltimore Raven running back Ray Rice, who struck his girlfriend and now wife in an elevator and who has been suspended from the NFL ever since, has been at the forefront publicly.

But has the left found Winston as a vehicle to punish political opponents, be they individuals, agencies, or even public universities? Don't laugh.  I am wondering, as I review a series of events.  Maybe you should too.

In 2008, as reported by The Tampa Bay Times, "A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."  The article references "a separate grant from BB&T (formerly run by John Allison, who is supporter of Rand philosophies) funds a course on ethics and economics in which Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is required reading. The novel, which depicts society's collapse in the wake of government encroachment on free enterprise, was recently made into a movie marketed to tea party members".

In my opinion, Atlas Shrugged, should be required reading for students within the economics department. The writings of Ayn Rand are an excellent defense of capitalism, although in my view they lack a necessary moral component.

The political left reviles the Koch Brothers, thinking anything they touch is evil.  As such, the interaction of the Koch brothers with the FSU Economics Department has stirred up plenty of controversy, with the progressive left labeling it a clandestine takeover of Florida State University.

Fact are always stubborn things, and never mind the Economics Department is still run by the many of the same folks, inclusive of the Dean of the College of Social Sciences Dr. David Rasmussen and Dr. James Gwartney, that were running things when I graduated from there in 1987. 

The department was always centered on free markets drawn upon from the Austrian economic models, and although Keynesian model coursework was engaged upon, social justice through economic policy was not deemed a logical and efficient mechanism of theory.

Not only has the debate centered upon the Economics Department, even FSU's Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science has come under fire, for the truth about climate change may derail many a progressive dream of citizen control. 

Liberal and progressive ideology is bankrolled by groups and individuals all across the nation in public universities, hiring faculty to teach these theories nationwide.  See Ward Churchill and Austan Goolsbee.

The relationship between the Koch Brothers and Florida State University recently came to a head in the form of additional attacks as the university engaged in a search for a new president with Eric Barron accepting the same position at Penn State.  Representatives from the left, inclusive of students and media outlets, lambasted FSU as John Thrasher, an alumni and republican in the state senate, became the leading candidate.  A lack of transparency, the fact he is a conservative and that he may have gotten political donations from the Koch brothers were among the reasons cited.  Facebook pages and websites, (with support from leftist organizations such as MoveOn.org), sought to force FSU to eliminate Thrasher from consideration.  At the conclusion of the rocky search, Thrasher was hired as the fifteenth president of the university.

In the background have been countless insinuations and accusations surrounding the football program, most of which was without merit. Some weeks back, four competing "sports" outlets, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, ESPN and The New York Times each released a detailed report citing transgressions on a Friday evening.  Since when do competing firms sync up for the release of a report to share eyeballs? They don't, unless there is orchestration.

It is worth noting, nothing of material significance was found to be of consequence within these reports.

With respect to Winston, few if anyone has actually read the report surrounding the sexual assault case.  Any reasonable assessment of the facts of the case will lead the reader to easily conclude that the accuser lacks credibility.

The reports of investigators continuing to investigate Winston is simply staggering.  Recent accusations, primarily from ESPN, told a tale of Winston getting paid to sign autographs, which would make him ineligible for collegiate competition.  However, after months of stories of this action blasted all over the sports media, it is now reported that the items he supposedly autographed are fake, not actually having his signature.

Winston signs thousands of autographs, as I have personally witnessed on many an occasion.  In fact, at a baseball game FSU played at Stetson University in Deland, FL, ESPN reporter Marty Smith stood two feet away from me watching Winston sign hundreds; for free.

Recently, The New York Times released a report indicating favoritism by the Tallahassee Police Department regarding a traffic citation issued to cornerback PJ Williams.  With seemingly no action to investigate as President Obama sadly runs roughshod over our Constitution, The New York Times appears well staffed in Tallahassee, fabricating targeted news unfit to print. Guilty until proven innocent is now en vogue with the media.  FSU responded quickly and with assertion, and the story seems to have gone away.

The New York Times is agenda driven to be sure.  In the aftermath of a tragic shooting at the Strozier Library on the Florida State campus, in describing the story, The Times made reference to the issues surrounding the football team (fabricated), which has zero relevance to the actions of a disturbed individual.

ESPN continues to blatantly target FSU as well. In a recent report of talented Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota receiving a traffic ticket, it was the picture of Winston that was presented, and no, he was not involved.  This was not an error, but rather an orchestrated opportunity to tarnish FSU.

Why are all these media outlets exhausting all efforts to take down Florida State. While one could envision Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and certainly ESPN performing investigative sports reporting, I find it offensive that The New York Times cannot find enough in Washington to keep them busy without the gray lady taking up hotel rooms in Tallahassee.  I wonder who is directing their investigative action, and why?

But then again, perhaps due to the relationship between Florida State and the evil Koch brothers, we can find a logical reason these competing interests are relentless in their investigative attacks on FSU.  It appears Florida State University may be getting attacked by the political left, who gleefully employ the tactics of their mentor Saul Alinsky; achieving goals by any means necessary to punish political enemies both financially and in the court of public opinion.

No worries. Florida State University remains The Unconquered!

A Crazy Diamond

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

Time-Pink Floyd

This truly excellent piece by Jim Quinn over at his top notch website The Burning Platform is not only well worth your time, but must be defined as required reading.  Mr. Quinn, who I would not know if he rang the front doorbell, has remarkable knowledge of the economic and social adversities plaguing our nation and presents well thought out and referenced material backing his eloquent opinions, the majority of which I find to be right on target.

On many occasion, you can find the stellar work of Mr. Quinn re-posted over on Zero Hedge, certainly among the top sites anyone interested in economics, finance and the intervention of government around the global economy.

Quinn has an additional gift in matching lyrics of time tested material by the finest in music, most notably Pink Floyd, to assist in his demonstration.  Each of these efforts have been tremendous, as is his latest tying the classic Floyd tune "Time" to the citizenry failing to recognize "No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun".

Intervention by government has placed the citizenry in a financial box by design. Seniors wealth is being eaten away and the difficulty of the young to obtain decent wealth levels has grown exponentially, strangled with a lack of quality available employment and extreme debt. 

In chasing the American dream, we are all "Shorter of breath and one day closer to death." 

Stealing wealth from the citizenry, eliminating employment opportunities through taxation and regulation places a stranglehold on those seeking prosperity through the freedom of the marketplace.  Some will achieve greatness in the face of this orchestrated adversity, but the greater majority will be beaten down by failure and succumb to the crowd whose monthly income is enhanced by government assistance.

It is important to note that those who are endowed enough to promise such benefits are equally able to take them away, unless you conform to their wished.  The electorate drowning in the sea of irrelevance described by Aldous Huxley become those "Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town, Waiting for someone or something to show you the way".  

Think about all those who complain about "The Man", then go out and vote for those who employ "The Man", the progressive big government officials the low information voters think is working ever so hard to help them. All part of the Cloward & Piven strategy.

You cannot go out and discuss with the low information crowd the affects of price controls have on them, or how raising the minimum wage actually raises unemployment, makes life more difficult for those who receive the higher wage and limits choice of all of consumers.

Getting their attention can only be accomplished by an intervention in culture.  Glenn Beck is attempting this over at The Blaze, and Jim Quinn, through his utilization of Pink Floyd, often presents the compelling facts entangled with musical brilliance, which would shine like a crazy diamond for anyone who wishes to see.

 

The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.     Florida State, 11-0, 1
2.     Alabama, 10-1, 2
3.     Oregon, 10-1, 3
4.     Mississippi State, 10-1, 4
5.     Baylor, 9-1, 5
6.     Texas Christian, 9-1, 6
7.     Ohio State, 10-1, 7
8.     Georgia, 9-2, 9
9.     UCLA, 9-2, 10
10.   Michigan State, 9-2, 12
11.   Kansas State, 8-2, 11
12.   Arizona, 9-2, 14
13.   Wisconsin, 9-2, 13
14.   Auburn, 8-3, 15
15.   Georgia Tech, 9-2, 16
16.   Arizona State, 9-2, 17
17.   Missouri, 9-2, 21
18.   Louisville, 8-3, 20
19.   Oklahoma, 8-3,19
20.   Arkansas, 6-5, NR
21.   Ole Miss, 8-3, 8
22.   Minnesota, 8-3, 25
23.   Clemson, 8-3, NR
24.   Colorado State, 10-1, NR
25.   Marshall, 11-0, NR

OUT:  Nebraska (18), Utah (22), USC (23) and Duke (24).

VOTES:  Utah, LSU, Iowa, Nebraska, USC, Boise State, Texas A&M, Duke, West Virginia, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Washington, Stanford, Boston College, Virginia, North Carolina and Miami.

NATIONAL ANALYSIS

Duke needed to beat North Carolina at home on Thursday to get the ACC Coastal, but the Tar Heel team many of us expected to see in 2015 showed up in Durham and blasted the Blue Devils, handing the Coastal to Georgia Tech and making the Heels bowl eligible....K State defeated West Virginia in a cold night in Morgantown....Florida dismantled Eastern Kentucky to give Coach Will Muschamp a final home victory before he coaches his last game as head Gator at FSU on Saturday.....Georgia and South Carolina bombed overmatched opponents....Northwestern has come together in recent weeks and whipped an improved but injured Purdue team....Sparty rolled, and after some early issues, so did Ohio State, who dumped Indiana....UCF bombed winless SMU, who should be inking Mack Brown as their new head coach....Arizona State faced some legit offense by Washington State, but overpowered the Cougars in the end....Illinois upset Penn State....Incredibly, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech played a scoreless game, which ended when the Deacons prevailed 6-3 in double overtime.  It is puzzling what has happened to Frank Beamer's Hokies, who soundly defeated Ohio State in Columbus only to become the doormat of the ACC; Wow!......The rushing record Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon set last week running roughshod over Nebraska incredibly lasted only one week, as Oklahoma freshman running back Samaje Preine, unheard of until this day, ran for 427 yards against Kansas, who had been playing better in recent weeks...Utah had been having a good year, but it is seemingly unraveling as Arizona came to town and dominated the second half en route to a convincing win, and the Cats are playing quite well under Rich Rod....In the last several weeks, Arkansas has risen the level of their game, shutting out LSU last week. This week, Ole Miss came to town and the Hogs jumped on the Rebels early and continued the assault late in blanking eighth ranked Ole Miss 30-0, shutting out a ranked opponent two weeks in row, which has not happened in decades of moons if at all post WWII.  Nobody wants any part of the Hogs right now, unless starting quarterback Brandon Allen's injury is more serious than first thought...Melvin Gordon helped Wisconsin hold on to win at Iowa...Maryland won at Michigan, and the Wolverines, having had to kick off the  team their best defender, is a dumpster fire who at some point will begin a coaching search as soon as they shore up their sports administration.....Louisville won at Notre Dame while Clemson beat up on lowly Georgia State...Stanford shut down high powered Cal in The Big Game....BAMA staked their claim as the top ranked team bombing Western Carolina.... Oregon routed an improved Colorado team in Eugene with Marcus Mariota running wild...Mizzou won at Rocky Top, and has chance to win the SEC East....Miss. State routed Vandy and Baylor outlasted Okie State....UCLA flexed muscle and won the at home against Southern Cal, with three in a row now for the battle of Los Angeles....Washington got a sound victory over Oregon State.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS

After the demoralizing debacle last week at Wisconsin, seemingly with jobs on the line, the Cornhuskers had an opportunity to show the home crowd, as they say goodbye to a senior class inclusive of record players Kenny Bell and Ameer Abdullah, that that game was not representative of their level and that the program is in a state of ascension.  A decent Minnesota team was in town, but this is a game that the Cornhuskers should win, particularly at home.  For once, the Big Red got decent play out of quarterback Tommy Armstrong, but they failed to win the game anyhow.  Offensively, the O-line was average at best, and while a injury riddled Abdullah performed admirably, he was not in position to carry the team on his back.  Sadly, Mark Pelini was lost for the game on the first play, although Ryne Reeves, the better player, filled in without hiccup.  Kenny Bell hauled in a huge gain off a broken play, but got knocked silly as his head hit the field turf, and sadly Bell was lost in his final home game due to concussion.  Demornay Pierson-El , Alonzo Moore and Jordan Westercamp tried to pick up the slack, but they could not produce enough. A healthy Cethan Carter at tight end was rarely targeted, if ever.  On defense, the line was ok, but did not seize and opportunity to dominate.  They defense adequately slowed David Cobb, the Gophers talented running back, but failed miserably to account for quarterback Mitch Leidner, who ran basic backside scrambles for over 100 yards total on the day.  That the staff could not adjust to stop that play all day is indicative of the lack of coaching acumen on the sideline.  Linebackers and the secondary again failed to make extra ordinary plays, displaying another dismal tackling effort.  Randy Gregory, who should come back as his play, although stellar in flashes, is not dominant, blocked a field goal attempt which Nate Gerry returned for a score giving the Big Red a 21-7 lead.  Nebraska was not playing a high powered offensive outfit, but still was unable to protect the lead; at home.  Sadly, this has become a pattern for Nebraska.  The Big Red are mentally weak, with penalties, a lack of execution and turnovers regular occurrences.  Horrible play calling offensively gives credence that an identity is lacking.  Defensively, the calling card of the staff, tackling is very poor, and the failure to make plays on the back end allows opponents to extend drives.  I wanted Bo Pelini to succeed, and the first post of this blog was complimenting his hire.  But, it is now reality that Nebraska is no longer in the company of championship teams, having not taken out a top ranked opponent in many a moon.  By any reasonable assessment, the program is slightly above average. If the fan base is comfortable with that, then we have lost our identity as Nebraskans.  I think Pelini is a good man, and he forgot more about football last week than I know, but from my perspective as a Cornhusker is that we should demand more out of our traditionally proud football program than the company we are currently keeping, such as toss up games with Minnesota and Iowa.  I refuse to accept the new normal. Nebraska used to be a toss up against Florida State. It is time to take the necessary steps to get back to that level.

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS

"We're undefeated. We finish every game. Everybody else in the country has not finished at least one game. We've finished every one of them." -- Jimbo Fisher

Although the Florida State Seminoles jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead over a tough Boston College team, the Seminoles found a way, along with some spirited Eagle play, to find themselves fighting for the win at the games end.  With each team having missed field goals late, Jameis Winston led the Seminoles on a game winning drive, with Roberto Aguayo connecting on a 27 yards field goal with just three seconds left to give the 'Noles the win on a cold, rainy late afternoon.

Before the kickoff, a special event occurred as Burt Reynolds, the famed actor and former Florida State halfback, planted the spear received from Chief Osceola at midfield.  It was great to see Burt, whom I affectionately refer to as The Bandit.  Burt has always been a great ambassador for Florida State.

Burt Reynolds

While there are some outstanding seniors well worth recognizing, as FSU did prior to kickoff on Senior Day, perhaps the most notable was record breaking receiver Rashad Greene.  Greene has been stellar performer on the field since he arrived on campus, and will go down as one of the greatest players at FSU.

FSU Wide Receiver Rashad Greene

Like Miami a week earlier, Boston College brought a great game plan to Tallahassee, using a bruising running game with misdirection to eat clock and physically wear down the Seminoles. Behind their solid offensive line and some stout quarterback play, the Eagles forced the Seminoles to play their game.  The conditions did not help the Seminoles, as the final three quarters were played in a driving rain, with temps in the 50's.  I think I am still wet.  But, the Seminoles defense stepped up when necessary, and Winston and the offense drove the field as time was expiring to win the dadgum ball game.  We all know these types of heroics will eventually doom the Seminoles, but for now, FSU remains the unconquered.  Off a fierce road trip against the Miami Hurricanes and before a visit from the arch rival Florida Gators, FSU was in perfect position to get tripped up by a physical well coached team off a bye week in Boston College.  But FSU found a way, again, to win.  Florida is up and down, but they will be playing hard for fired head coach Will Muschamp, whom the players adore.  The Gator team that walloped Georgia will be the team that shows up at DOAK Saturday, so FSU should have notice served that they will have to be at their best to secure victory.  The last time UF showed up in Tally after firing their coach, the Gators won one for the Zooker. The Seminoles have yet to come close to fully reaching their potential by playing their best game.  Saturday against the Gators seems like the perfect time to break loose.  East bound and down, watch ole Bandit run!