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