NCAA Week 15

EST
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Friday, Dec. 6
Utah (-6.5) (50) vs. Oregon (Pac-12 Championship Game in Santa Clara, CA) | 8 p.m. | ABC

Saturday, Dec. 7
Oklahoma (-9.5) (63.5) vs. Baylor (Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington, TX) | 12 p.m. | ABC
Appalachian State (-6) (56.5) vs. Louisiana (Sun Belt Championship Game) | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Miami (Ohio) vs. Central Michigan (-6.5) (53) (MAC Championship Game in Detroit) | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Florida Atlantic (-7.5) (48.5) vs. UAB (Conference USA Championship Game) | 1:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Memphis (-10) (58.5) vs. Cincinnati (America Athletic Conference Championship Game) | 3:30 p.m. | ABC
LSU (-6.5) (56.5) vs. Georgia (SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, GA) | 4 p.m. | CBS
Boise State (-15) (63.5) vs. Hawai'i (Mountain West Championship Game) | 4 p.m. | ESPN
Clemson (-29) (54.5) vs. Virginia (ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, NC) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Ohio State (-16.5) (53.5) vs. Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN) | 8 p.m. | FOX

 

Clemson giving 29 seems like a lot.

 

It does, but I think Virginia put everything into beating Tech last week and simply doesn't have the secondary to hang with Clemson's offense. Add in Dabo's general pissiness right now, and you've got the makings of a blowout. Still wouldn't touch that line, though.

 

Hawai'i will be in Boise on the warmest day of the week. Weather will be rainy and slightly above 40 degrees at kickoff. I still think those kids will say "fuck this" and I'll take the Broncos and the points.

 

Is it standard on the mainland these days to spell Hawai'i with the okina?

 

I attach myself to the Hokie gentleman's analysis, word for word.

 

That seemed to start around the same time people started spelling it "Kyiv."

 

Thought it was another one of those "see how woke I am" thingys.

 

Until just recently, I thought Kyiv had two syllables and was pronounced key-Ev.

 

Call it the Law of Unintended Consequences.

On this date in 2014, about 2 p.m., I was outside the UAB Football offices, a converted 1960's dentist office, when the coaches broke the official news to the football team that the team had been disbanded. I saw big strong kids with tears of pain and disbelief streaming down their cheeks. I saw them after the next meeting, with UAB President Ray Watts, (who wielded the knife), streaming tears of rage and frustration. I was also there for as close to a student campus riot as I have ever come, as he scurried to his university vehicle afterward.

On this date in 2014, UAB administration killed the football, bowling and rifle programs. Since reinstatement in 2015, with play beginning in 2017, UAB Football has:

-- 2 C-USA championship appearances (2018, 2019)

-- 1 C-USA title (2018)

-- First bowl win (2018)

-- 3 bowl appearances

-- Record of 28-11

-- 18-0 at home

-- Top 25 ranking

-- Most C-USA wins (19)

-- First 8-win season, 1st 9-win season, 1st 11-win season

-- Bill Clark 2x National Coach of the Year

-- Multiple NFL players

-- New $22m football facilities

-- New stadium on the way

-- C-USA 3-year attendance average leader (Phrased that way because we missed being first this season by 300 or so)

Bowling and Rifle also have achieved championships and rankings.


Ray's actions inflamed what former University of Alabama Chancellor Robert Witt referred to as "The vocal few", some of whom were in the video above. I know people who proudly wear a "Vocal Few" tattoo today.

Thanks, guys, for awakening the sleeping giant.

I also learned that you can't get a university president fired for doing what his Board of Trustees orders him to, no matter how you try. Watts is still the UAB President, and he now shamelessly takes credit for the current renaissance of UAB Football.

From the bottom of my heart, Fuck You, Ray.