In tomorrow’s college football semis, a pair of results that would match ’15 and ’17 champion, top ranked, undefeated Alabama and ’16 and ’18 champion, second ranked, once beaten (they were sans, very likely top NFL draft pick, Trevor Lawrence in the loss) Clemson is a two to one favorite to manifest. The teams are a combined 4 touchdown favorite.
Alabama, denied titles in close losses twice (’73 and ’74) and truly questionable polling twice (’66 and ’77) by Notre Dame, is a 20 point favorite vs them, in the semis opener tomorrow. The Tide (Alabama, “they call Alabama The Crimson Tide,” so beautifully part of Steely Dan’s “Deacon Blues”) ripped Notre Dame in the 2012 title tilt, two years before the first 4 team ‘offs began in 2014.
Meanwhile, Clemson with tremendous coach, but seemingly reactionary and definitely over zealous “my way or the highway” regarding religion, Dab Swinney at the controls, and the aforementioned Lawrence, are seven plus point(s) faves vs Ohio State.
The Clemson/Ohio State clash is their second straight “later semi” clash and third in five seasons. Clemson prevailed easily in the ’16 semi and won a close game vs Ohio St. last season. Clemson has made the college football ‘offs the last 6 seasons, thus has only missed them once.
Alabama also is in the ‘offs for a 6th time in 7 possibilities, Ohio State is in their fourth while Notre Dame is in its second.
Friday January 1, 2021, the day/date of the two semis tilts, marks the exact 50 year anniversary of another Notre Dame first then Ohio State bowl game (these semis are also bowls, the first the Rose Bowl, but to be in Texas and the second the Sugar in its traditional home, New Orleans) with decided, albeit far more mythical, national title consequences.
Then in the Cotton Bowl, “spoiler,” Notre Dame upset top ranked Texas, spoiling Texas’ chances to repeat as national champions (R.M. Nixon, the former Vice President and then President of the United States having declared Texas the ’69 champions, much to the consternation of one Joe Paterno, whose Penn State team went undefeated, untied (there were ties then), for a second straight season and frankly were barely considered for national title honors. I feel Nixon, surely I am no fan of he, was right regarding Texas and while Paterno has fallen exponentially in history’s eyes, Mr. Nixon proving once again that most things in life are relative, has gained).
That result gave Ohio State, the ’68 champions, who were denied by 17 point underdog, Michigan (yes there was a time Michigan beat Ohio State or tied them, costing them mythical national titles/chances), enabling Texas to win the ’69 crown if they “Cotton Bowl’d” Notre Dame, which they did, highlighted by Cotton Speyrer’s all-time clutch catch (do you think Chris Fowler, who shamelessly talked of Notre Dame being close in previous big games under its good but you know he is a harda–, coach Brian Kelly, when evidence entirely refutes it, knows this?!), if it beat Stanford.
However, Jim Plunkett and Stanford said no, beating Ohio State (27-17). That gave Nebraska a chance to “vault” 2 places to mythical #1, which they did, with quarterback Jerry Tagge also “vaulting” (literally, not figuratively) in for a big, if not, decisive touchdown.
If Notre Dame shocks almost everyone and “outrights” Alabama (despite their poor performances in these type games and actually because of them, I think Notre Dame will at least cover, probably be competitive and maybe even pull a shocking upset), theoretically, that would help an Ohio State team playing immediately after.
If Ohio State upsets Clemson and faces Alabama, the Tide would be at least 10, likely more, point(s) favorites.
85 years ago, another “Bill” Shakespeare made history, when in a famed regular season game, he led Notre Dame to victory vs Ohio State, passing to Wayne Millner for the last minute winning touchdown. If the two meet again (no Bard/Shakespeare words comes to mind, the “fault lies with me,” knowing this sports c–p, and not Shakespeare) for the 2020 title, each having pulled an upset (Notre Dame’s if it happens, three times bigger), I believe Ohio State would be established as roughly a 6 to 7 point favorite.
If as expected, it is Alabama vs Clemson for a 5th time in 6 seasons and in a 4th title tilt, the highest of those numbers, SIX, would be the spread, with Alabama, as the favorite.
Why not?!, as I have such fond memories of the first AFC/NFC configuration season (1970), one of now, 13 with the current calendar. (calendar and 13 evoke Friday the 13th, this rough year, 2020 had two such) and a game for the NFL crown. (Title games in 1936, ’42, ’53, ’59 and ’64), Super Bowls in ’70, ’81, ’87, ’92,’98, 2009, 2015 and the upcoming one to climax the 2020 season).
In the 12 previous NFL seasons with this calendar and a game for its title (The first NFL Title game was in 1933), one of the game’s participants city name or nickname “b”egan with a “B.”
The list follows:
1936 Green Bay Packers defeated the “B’oston “Inappropriate nicknames”
1942 (Now) Washington and with the great Sammy “Baugh” at the helm, the above referenced franchise “b”eat the Chicago “B”ears, the latter “b”idding(this is not eating potato chips, I can and will stop the quotes around the B’s unless said B’s are in the name) to cap an undefeated season with a third straight crown. To this day, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins went undefeated and won a game for the NFL crown while the (1965-1967) Green Bay Packers are the only team to cop 3 straight NFL titles. In a well remembered relatively recent tilt, the New York Giants, who denied another Chicago Bears team an undefeated season and title in 1934, repeated the feat, denying the undefeated New England Patriots in a game for the 2007 NFL crown.
1953 Detroit Lions defeated Cleveland “B”rowns
1959 “B”altimore Colts defeated New York Giants
1964 Cleveland “B”rowns defeated “B”altimore Colts
1970 “B”altimore Colts defeated Dallas Cowboys
1981 San Francisco 49ers defeated Cincinnati “B”engals
1987 Washington “You know what’s” defeated Denver “B”roncos
1992 Dallas Cowboys defeated “B”uffalo “B”ills
1998 Denver “B’roncos defeated Atlanta Falcons
The lone exception follows:
2009 New Orleans Saints defeated Indianapolis Colts A “McCovey,” (alas Willie was known as “Stretch”), the Saints quarterback then and in fact now, was/is Drew “B”rees and the Colts’ more famous and title filled, the latter (3-1) in less seasons, home WAS “B”altimore.
2015 Denver “B”roncos defeated Carolina Panthers
This is a manifestation of many things, not the least of which being a heterosexual man sans a woman, with whom to “build.”
Three quarters of the 16 final regular season week NFL games have meaning with half of the 14 playoff spots and the lone NFC first/wild card round bye to be determined.
Last week, the defending champion K.C. Chiefs again won but did not cover (0-6-1) vs the spread in 7 straight victories) edging Atlanta, to clinch the AFC one seed and the aforementioned first round bye.
Elsewhere in the AFC, (12-3) Buffalo, after its rout Monday night win vs (6-9) New England, needs either a win vs “win and they are in the ‘offs,” (10-5) Miami or a (12-3) Pittsburgh loss vs “win and they are in, also (10-5) Cleveland, to gain the once important, perhaps still, “2” seed.
In addition to Miami and Cleveland, three other AFC teams are (10-5) and one of the 5 (10-5) teams will not make the ‘offs, perhaps with an (11-5) record, (in that case it would be the Colts, who dissipated a (24-7) second half lead at Pittsburgh last week), while in the NFC, the NFC East winner will qualify and host a few if any fans first round tilt, with at best a (7-9) record and maybe even (Giants fans hope so or do they as they could get the third draft pick in one scenario, certainly involving a loss vs Dallas) a (6-10) mark.
Both Baltimore and Tennessee, last year’s slot 2 opponents are in with a win, while the Colts need to win and for one of the other current (10-5) teams to lose, otherwise be out of the ‘offs.
Later this week, more on the ‘offs possibilities with notes you will, very likely, only find/read here.
The guy’s name is on his sloppy work so I will not say it here.
After their loss to S.F. Arizona stood/stands at (8-7) while the Bears entered today’s tilt, which they won at (7-7).
Thus ‘Zona did not need 2 Bears’ losses but one, if they won their finale vs the Rams.
Also if the Rams lost, which they did, Arizona could/would get in with a win vs the Rams, I do believe.
The obvious was/is Arizona with a win needed one, not 2 Bears’ losses, as Arizona would be (9-7) and the Bears would be (8-8).
The erroneous below:
The Cardinals’ playoffs hopes are beginning to slip away after Saturday’s loss to the 49ers. All Arizona needed to do was win and the Cardinals would’ve stayed in control of their playoff destiny. Instead, they lost, and now have to rely on the Chicago Bears to lose their last two games for Arizona to make the postseason for the first time since 2015. — Josh Weinfuss
On this day and date 56 years ago, the Cleveland Browns won their last NFL title and the great Jim Brown’s only title, when they defeated the Baltimore Colts and their beyond superb quarterback, John Unitas, by a (27-0) score, at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.
Browns quarterback, Frank Ryan hurled 3 touchdown passes to Gary Collins, while the Bernie Parrish and Jim Kanicki led defense, shutout the Colts. Lou “The Toe” Groza added 2 field goals, the first set up by Brown’s run after a swing pass.
The game was scoreless at the half. It is still a great memory for me, the brown upholstered chair, my father, mother and grandmother watching with me and “my” team won.
A vintage photo of Gary Collins, above. He belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Of course death, specifically that of sports greats, will continue in 2021, let’s just hope not anywhere near its rate in 2020. Another great, K.C. Jones part of twelve NBA title teams, two NCAA title winners and an Olympic gold winner, when the U.S. clearly better, at least sent college players and not the B.S. that sent professionals, after a loss in ’88, died at age 88 today/Christmas Day.
This was a wise, truly great and nice man. The way he stood up after the Celts’ ’85 final round loss to the Lakers, who finally beat them and said “2-3-2?” when asked about the changed final round format, in such a cool manner, will forever resonate.
Defeat happened (two others as a final round coach with the then Bullets in ’75 and another to L.A. in ’87) but oh the victories, for this legitimate straight up defensive great.
K.C. was a member of all 8 consecutive title teams with the legendary Boston Celtics, occurring in his first eight seasons, (1959-1966). In his last season, one of the two great Wilt Chamberlain led title teams, the ’67 76ers, 5’d the Celts in the semis. K.C. then retired.
He won two college crowns alongside his future teammate and 60 plus years friend, who expressed his grief upon hearing of K.C. dying and comments regarding 2020, with a word rhyming with “truck” and I do not mean Robinson.
After his playing days, Jones (another Jones, the great clutch player Sam and of course Mr. Russell, are the only NBAers, with more titles as a player, than K.C.) won with the other Wilt led, great championship team, the ’72 Lakers, as he was an assistant coach, under another Celts’ great, Bill Sharman.
Loving that team, I recall fondly Bill Russell telling the great Jerry West “not to worry,” as he had two Celtics with him, that great ’72 season. My crazy memory recalls it after L.A. went up (3-0) vs Chi in a nationally tv’d Sunday “quarters” tilt, Bill working for ABC television at the time.
Greater glory awaited and of course it was with the Celtics. He won another title, as an assistant coach under Bill Fitch with the ’81 Celtics and then guided Boston to the 15th and 16th of their 17 crowns, winning it in ’84 and ’86.
I met Mr. Jones covering a rally for then presidential candidate Bill Bradley during a frenetic time in 1999 (why no tape with Whitney Houston, who called me Andy thrice and made me “melt” with her charm and beauty and the even greater thrill of interviewing Mr. Gregory Peck–but alas no sound-no tape-so cruel, but on we must go) and he was gracious, recalling titles but more important the friendships.
God/the force must be playing some big inter galactic games soon, as he/she/it has “recruited” so many sports greats in recent times. On we go, bye K.C.
K.C. (on the right) and Andy B.
This NFL season’s penultimate week has 4 games (one on Friday/tomorrow/Christmas Day and three on Saturday) before eleven on Sunday and one on Monday night, thankfully the last Monday night (at least this season, but do not count on it being the end, unless Santa can change both the “clause” and the “dire course” we are on, enabling Levy and his ilk) of Steve ‘pivotal 7th game” Levy, who also stuck a veritable knife into Browns’ fans and certainly bettors, with his caustic “that’s how this should end remark,” after the Ravens “burn covered the Browns with a lateral/bs/ safety on Monday night December 14th.
This arrogant, “rich boy” has had the world handed to him on a silver platter. He has no play by play ability, (obviously his dearth of talent better hidden on television, than when he did not even attempt real play by play (this because, a la Suzyn Waldman, another of the many “thorns” to contemplate this season, by perhaps Scrooge like me, certainly bitter me, he CAN NOT do it) yet advances and is extremely arrogant.
Again “invoices” are appropriate, from those who lost that Balt/Cleve tilt, as his remark was exponentially “salt in the wound,” and surely Mr. Levy knew the point spread ramifications.
Now after my vitriol, stuff you will not get elsewhere.
This weekend Saturday December 26th and Sunday December 27th, marks the exact 50 year anniversary of the first 4 games divisional round/the slots NFL weekend.
5 of the 8 franchises playing before Saturday were among the 8 “first 4 team “div” round” participants 50 years earlier.
The (6-8) Vikings visiting the (10-4) Saints on Friday, lost at home in the slot 3/earlier Sunday tilt, exactly 50 years ago this Sunday.
San Francisco, but (5-9) this season and a long shot payout as a “worst to first in its division,” after blowing a significant Supe lead vs K.C. last season, was the team that beat the Vikings, that Sunday.
I believe Vikings’ coach Bud Grant, (a true gentleman, on one of the 17 Lakers’ titles and by the way, I do not fear LA and James this season, as I no longer care, still going at 93) did not allow his team to use heaters on the Metropolitan Stadium sidelines that day.
This Saturday, only on Amazon Prime ( seemingly everywhere I go there is an Amazon truck or package, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Remember that, but also Mr. Bezos, there is that saying about getting to heaven, a needle and being rich) Arizona (8-6) and ahead for the last ‘offs spot, is the S.F. opponent.
In the first ever NFC “div” game, the Detroit Lions (they are (5-9) this season and in what is incredible ineptitude have but one ‘offs win since copping their third title of the 1950’s, ripping the Browns in the ’57 NFL title tilt), lost (5-0), yes FIVE to NOTHING, at Dallas, vs the Cowboys.
Exactly 50 years later on another Saturday December 26th, the Lions are in action, hosting the (9-5) T.B. Buccaneers. The Bucs’ QB, “a man named Brady,” will almost certainly be in the ‘offs, for an astounding 18th time in the 19 seasons, in which he played in more than one game.
Finally, there is an actual 50 years later redux of a 1970 “slots” tilt, this one day less than 50 years later, when the Raiders, then in Oakland, in between in L.A. and back in Oakland and now representing Las Vegas, as hell actually did “freeze over” (guess it should have been the Eagles in Las Vegas) hosting Miami (Dolphins) Saturday night.
The Raiders were home winners that Sunday in slot 4 in ’70, with ex ‘Phin, Jim Warren scoring on an interception return, to I believe, wrap the game. This year, the Raiders very likely will fail to make the ‘offs, while likely “Mia” needs to win both its remaining games, to qualify for the ‘offs for just the second time in twelve seasons.
I guess apologies to some, for my rage vs most current announcers, but I “lived it, ate it, practiced it,” but did not go out and get it.
Alas, I did not have a rich, well placed father as Levy did or does.
Another alas or at least perhaps—– that is no excuse!!
Of course the minimum 10 to 1 underdog Jets and 6 to 1 such, Bengals pulling upsets on consecutive days was a big surprise, even a shocking one–however, remember seemingly, only the one seed matters and neither upset “victim,” the 1979 season Supe opponents, the Steelers and Rams, will miss the ‘offs and this type loss, I believe will benefit them.
Do not get me wrong, both teams need to fix things, but there is an intangible here. I recall that the last time the New York Knicks won the NBA crown, that way back in 1973, they lost to a Philadelphia 76ers team, in a fairly late regular season game, that finished the season with but 9 wins in 82 games.
My Packers/Bills Supe “ticket” at 45 to 1 (only 5 bucks, that is why it might cash) looks better, as G.B. is a likely “1” seed while the Bills currently are the once so important, “2” seed.
Speaking of the “2” seed and the fact that the top two seeds got wild card round byes (that format of 6 ‘offs teams and two wild card round games was in effect for 30 seasons (‘1990-2019), (no longer the case as there will be 3 wild card round games in each conference and only the one seed avoids that consternation), hail Bill “Did not know the Colts, and not the Giants as he erroneously stated, were 1958 Title Game favorites” Belichick.
This past week of play his Pats were put out of the ‘offs, without a whimper (third overall miss, they missed in ’08, despite an (11-5) mark and that year were sans a “a man named Brady.”).
The Pats, from ’01-2019 were “division round/”slots” hosts, meaning they were afforded a game at their ‘hotel,” not the other guy’s, in an incredible 14 of those seasons, including the last ten (2010-2019).
A final thought: I was too tired and of course missed the great Jets/Bengals opportunity.
Send Kirk Herbstreit an invoice, this guy’s mouth has been seismically changed by the continual insertion of his foot, as he virtually guaranteed a Steelers’ victory on the air.
Learn Mr. Herbstreit, but you get paid a ridiculous amount, essentially not to and you keep on saying anything. Any wonder we got Trump and there were and sadly will be others, as they just say anything getting paid whether true, as often this lowest common denominator genre sticks and ALWAYS STINKS!!!
Both conference top seeds, Supe 1 entrants, Green Bay (Packers) and defending champion Kansas City (Chiefs) won “on the #” and are likely to be their respective conference’s top seeds.
With Kansas City’s help, (they on the #’d (10-4) New Orleans, whose Brees returned but he was not quite “Fab”) the (11-3) Packers, now have a magic # of 1 to finish ahead of New Orleans. They may need 2 of 4 decisions to finish ahead of (10-4) Seattle, but for now, I am not checking into it.
Green Bay which won by 8 Saturday night (I am so proud to say neither NFL game came on here for a second that day) likely will be the NFC “1” seed and with “Bell” on them at “10” to 1 to title, their last was “10” years ago in 20″10,” look out!
The Chiefs have won 22 of their last 23 games, but have failed to cover in 6 straight wins, the latest in their “on the #” “Hedge Fund Poo” Nantz tilt, that significantly delayed “60 Minutes,” as the game ended say 8 minutes before 8 Eastern Time.
K.C. is the likely AFC one seed and is only a slight underdog to repeat as Supe champions.
I say they will not, (’83 Washington anybody?) In other words, they are really good, better than in the previous year’s title season, but somehow, they will not repeat as title winners.
However, tread lightly on that, unless you have been “cashing” vs them in this 6 week period. Did not they once have a player named Cash, Keith, I believe.
It is offensive listening to the opinionated, prostituted views of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, the latter at best a mediocre college quarterback, who again and again sticks his foot in his mouth.
Once again in a big game, someone, this time Clemson, as was the case in the ’18 semis, ripped Notre Dame. Then the score was (31-3), this time (34-10) as Clemson won their 6th straight A.C.C. title which will lead to a 6th consecutive appearance in the 4 team playoff.
Fowler and Herbstreit think and let’s face it, hope Notre Dame will be in that 4 team playoff. Hopefully they will not, but tv wags the ways and “play for the tie in ’66,” “vaulted Alabama in ’77” and “benefitted when Johnson did not play for the tie in ’88,” Notre Dame still looms.
My four and this before Bama/Florida and no matter that result, would not include them.
Even worse, though it does not bother me as much, Maria Taylor, this is not about her outfit, no she said I SEEN you. That is embarrassing, that is glaring and the sad thing is that it does not matter to the bean counters/executives who pick types, such as arrogant Fowler and others.
Below another Fowler, Scott Fowler, I am reasonably sure, no relation does not think they deserve an ‘offs spot either.
Scott Fowler: Notre Dame shouldn’t make College Football ..
Andy B Sports 