After two boring semi-final tilts yesterday, the first clear rematch for the college title, I believe mythical or otherwise in its history, has manifested, as Alabama will take on Clemson in the Monday night January 9th championship game.
Trailing (7-0) after two touchdown underdog Washington scored on its second possession, the great Tide (Alabama) team scored the last 24 points, raising their records to (14-0) and (11-2) vs the spread. (vs Tennessee Chattanooga, when clearly they did not “cover”–there was no access to a line for this “loser” (see my (0-6) vs Bama and unfortunately much else as 2017 begins).
“Bama,” which has won 4 titles in the (Barack) O(Bama) administration, has won all 10 of their titles with Democrats occupying the White House, (1 with John F. Kennedy 1961 season, 2 with Lyndon Johnson 1964 and 1965, 2 with James Earl (not Ray), but Carter in 1978 and 1979 and one with W.J. Clinton 1992 in addition to the four with B.H. Obama as president), as would be the case if they succeed as I will say close to 10 point faves vs Clemson, but never with the Democrat President as the “lame duck” variety.
The incredible Alabama defense stymied Washington time and again including a “cover” preserving last sequence with a Minkah (at that point no prayers, Jewish or otherwise could save Wash bettors many of whose late bets drove the line below 14) Fitzpatrick interception assuring a “Bama cover,” after their coach Nick Saban”o” unbeknownst to me, having shut the game off in disgust, gave Wash bettors a chance going for a 4th and 1 at their own 45, in the last minute.
Additionally, Alabama got its usual defensive touchdown, a 26 yard “int dance back” by Ryan Anderson, a real present for Tide first half (minus 7 plus) bettors and by definition an “arrow to the heart for those with Wash plus the same amount.
Bo Scarbrough was more than “fair” in delivering the “news,” simultaneously “chucking” aside Wash, as he ran for touchdowns of 18 and 68 yards, toting the pig for 168 yards overall.
Why are Michael Conrad, Burt Reynolds and John Steadman (not the great football writer, who forecast the score and called overtime for Colts/Giants 1958) from “The Longest Yard” pictured above.
Having already alluded to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair,” and newscaster Chuck Scarborough, why not Michael Conrad as football player, “Nate Scarboro” in “The Longest Yard?”
Alas another reason especially in light of Saban”o'” decision is to recount a scene from “Yard” (a play on prison, I am in one even considering this garbage) in which Burt Reynolds’ character’s actions (no pun) of fixing pigskin tilts is called “Unamerican.”
My response to that is a question, “Is it?!!!”
The “Hack” update is as follows, the (10-5) Giants know their position, they will be the NFC “5” seed. However, their “travel” person” has four different destination cities, to keep in mind.
Those cities in order of likelihood are Green Bay, Detroit, I guess next is Seattle, followed by Atlanta.
Joe Buck always gets what he wants, thus the “Hack” at “Wash” tilt has been moved to after 4 p.m. meaning the New York television market will be without a meaningful early tilt, on the last day of the “reg.”
As in a Jim Croce song, “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
Hack/Wash could have been played, starting at 1 p.m. two rivals, “lame duck-locked into their ‘offs spot” Hack a touchdown underdog, vs a “Wash” team pretty much in control of its playoffs destiny. A “Wash” win and they get in the ‘offs unless “GB” at “Det” ends in a tie. (Though I truly despise much of what the NFL with its violence, gambling, television greed and terrible announcing represents, I do NOT wish the “black eye” –alas at least one t.v. “eye” is black, evoking Muhammad Ali’s (the consensus and certainly my “greatest” loss, among the so many we lost in 2016), brilliance in asking why is there so much “black as bad,” in the language/lexicon, different cakes, white angel, and black devil, an example,— that tie, perhaps fostered by a 1947 film, dared made, regarding anti-Semitism, namely “Gentleman’s Agreement”—-that would likely hit the National Fixed? League. (Should the GB/Det tilt proceed to overtime why would not the two coaches “wink/wink”/”Gentleman’s Agreement” a tie? Again despite my almost overwhelmingly negative feelings regarding the NFL and certainly its boss Roger Goodell, I do not wish such an occurrence.)
In later games on the “reg’s” final day, (I think Kevin Burkhardt, who far too soon and without anywhere near the corresponding talent, for such reward and glory, will be the Fox Network “in Atlanta man,” for what likely would be a Saturday January 14th “slots” game in the south, if the touchdown favored, Falcons win vs New Orleans Sunday and gain the seemingly very important NFC two seed) correctly moved to be played simultaneously with related game, (Sea gets the “2” if they win and Atl loses) “Sea” at “S.F,” it is Kenny Albert, bumped two years ago from what is now an alternating “slots” call for and by Burkhardt, “on” Atlanta hosting New Orleans.
Neither Burkhardt or Albert is in my opinion, good, (even the great Marv, Kenny’s dad, was no “great shakes” on football (the “anyone can do” long extended, “non play by play acumen,” induced “to the ennnnndzone” call of son Kenny, was preceded by a similar one, though not as bad, by the great, not in football or baseball, Marv) but I will not shed any tears for Burkhardt, if it is Albert, whose incessant calls for the Sports Phone Quiz, I recall, but in sharp contrast to his not fulfilling a promise to call in on my cable show, gets the “slots” call on Jan 14th. Alas my father, with no “connections” was born 102 years earlier. For the record, I am pretty sure it will be Burkhardt. Also since though while some I know agree even more intensely with my negative opinions, many do not, I will for “your” benefit predict the slots set up in a post before Sunday’s games. Do with it as you please.
The point from all this convaluted, run on, but I believe on most levels, justified rage, is that the Wash/Giants game has meaning apart from the two other meaningful Fox/NFC tilts each as stated, correctly a later start, the one in S.F. due to the time zone, the tilt in Atlanta moved to a later start, so that Sea will have playoffs seeding incentive.
Of course that is not the case involving the Giants/Wash, it stands alone, but “Bucky Boo” (I and perhaps God) “sees through you,” gets what he wants, and we in N.Y. suffer with mandated Buff at the Jets (no NE at Mia) on CBS and “jammed down our collective throats,” Dallas, at Philly, in a meaningless tilt, by the way, with Burkhardt, (not Carolina at T.B.) instead of a meaningful Giants/Wash tilt played earlier, followed by Atlanta hosting New Orleans, with related Sea/SF,played simultaneously.
It was always about the “bucks” (likely the NY/Wash tilt produces more) but for some reason, it is about this all powerful Buck, far more powerful than his over rated father Jack, and nowhere near as good.
In my opinion, while Jack Buck was pretty good, son Joe “chosen” for “John Unitas” World Series (19) and soon a 5th Supe–we can only hope he gets another “stinker,” as he got when Sea crushed Pey Manning and Denver in his fourth–is in my opinion, beyond annoying, not good and certainly not deserving of unprecedented exposure, that makes the great Curt Gowdy, (he too was given too much), appear as though he worked in a desert.
Click below to hear Jim Croce sing “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
I guess some people think it important that ESPN’s Paul Finebaum ranted vs The University of Michigan, actually before their Orange Bowl loss to Florida State.
It does not mean much to me but pretty much a factual error, certainly not telling the complete story, by Finebaum and the lack of knowledge by Mike Golic Jr. did matter to me, in a big time negative way.
Finebaum is technically correct in saying Alabama got some form of a national title in 1973, but in strongly asserting they got the title over Notre Dame (he did add the obvious that Notre Dame was awarded titles, I think he said subsequent so he cited one when there were two) and not citing Notre Dame and certainly not Alabama was the consensus and Associated Press college football champion for the 1973 season, Finebaum made a glaring omission if not error.
Golic Jr. claiming “all things Notre Dame,” (I am not a defender of Michigan, but the Notre Dame success if not, lore is long gone) did not have the knowledge to state Notre Dame was the 1973 consensus title winner.
I am trying to sneak another vs Alabama pick in here. They have beaten me every time and incredibly, despite big lines, the spread all but two times in 12 “on the board” games.
Today Alabama, a two touchdown “fave,” 39, Washington 28, the same score as a Steve Sloan led Alabama bowl win that with help got “Bama” the 1965 crown.
The great coach, Nick Saban, pictured above is say a two and a half to one favorite to win another of those tacky items, also pictured above.
Today’s later, perceived far closer, college football playoff “semi,” matches now less than 3 point favorite, Ohio State, under 3 time title winning coach Urban Meyer, against Clemson, which lost last year’s title tilt (they covered the spread in a loss to Alabama, which gave the Tide under Nick Saban, 4 titles in 7 seasons and was the 5th title for that great college football coach, one of the five, at L.S.U. which was shared with U.S.C. Alas, initials are involved not only in the two teams that “shared” the ’03 season crown, but in the respective “sponsors” of said crown the B.C.S. for LSU, and A.P. for U.S.C. (Associated Press, the one whose decisions I regard as most important, despite suffering with some over the years) and is a team sans a title, since Danny Ford coached a team that included Homer Jordan, Perry Tuttle and William “The Refrigerator” Perry to the 1981 title.
I certainly have notes and coincidences, one involves Mr. Perry cited above. However, I am short on knowledge of the two current teams but will cite Dabo Swinney, as the Clemson coach.
In one of the two other bowl clashes between Clemson and Ohio State, in the 1978 Friday night Gator Bowl, Clemson won a game, best remembered for Ohio State coach Woody Hayes punching Clemson player, Charlie Bauman, after the latter’s game clinching interception.
The incident, one in a long line of Hayes “losing it” (he also lost so many big games, did win some, but from (’69-’75) save ’71, had legitimate title shots but failed in all six instances), led to Hayes being fired as Ohio State football coach.
Charlie Bauman, pictured above.
Yesterday I watched a great, albeit “edited” episode of “The Big Valley” that originally aired in 1967, in which emerging actresses Ellen Burstyn, who became a great, and Karen Black, eventually very good, showed signs of their eventual success.
Lee Major’s “Heath” is brought up on “trumped” (Optimum, the cable system used that word in the program description) up charges, as Black’s character “Carla” lies, while Ms. Burstyn playing a nun, (“Sister Jacob”) once in love with Major’s “Heath,” does much to defend him.
As usual, Richard Long, whose life was the opposite of his surname, cutting far too short a fine career, stood out with intensity as “Jarrod.”
Mr. Long was in the film, “The Stranger” helping Edward G. Robinson’s character bring to justice, a former and turns out current Nazi murderer, played by Orson Welles. Mr.Long more than “held his own” in support of those two acting greats.
The “Big Valley’ episode ended with the great Barbara Stanwyck’s “Victoria” talking with Burstyn’s character, surely a scene with “passing of the torch” implications.
Ms. Black was also “no slouch” also playing a key scene with Ms. Stanwyck, in the beautiful episode, titled “A Fall From Grace.”
The primary cast members of “The Big Valley” pictured above, from left to right, Linda Evans, Richard Long, Miss Barbara Stanwyck, Peter Breck and Lee Majors.
The bottom of the third inning of the 1937 All-Star game continues through the words of Bob Elston.
The great DiMaggio is on first base. Dizzy Dean delivers and Lou Gehrig, his failure to homer at Washington’s Griffith Stadium having been cited in the pregame talk, wallops a two run home run.
The President of the United States, even staunch republicans know he helped save this land, Franklin Roosevelt salutes Mr. Gehrig. I love Sandy Koufax and John F. Kennedy, but even that combination and certainly none today, nor since, can match that President saluting that player.
Alas both Gehrig and Mr. Roosevelt suffered from serious ill health, the former for far less time, but executed brilliantly in their efforts.
Now injury in this All-Star Game, I do believe. Earl Averill is the next batter vs the great Dean, more in a future post.
Sorry to add this under Lou Gehrig’s picture, but that disgrace to Yankees play-by-play history, Michael Kay, once said that “never winner,” Don Mattingly was the greatest first baseman in Yankees’ history.
This was while we each worked as researchers on the ABC College Football Scorecard Show, in Mattingly’s peak year of 1985.
I said what about Lou Gehrig?!! Kay backed off far too little on his ridiculous, truly uninformed claim regarding Mattingly, saying maybe they were tied.
Each day, “suffering” the “slings and arrows” of Kay having virtually “all” and me despite clearly more knowledge, and even people against me, say more talent, having virtually “none,” I remind myself of this and other examples of Kay’s ineptitude.
However, my own mother chided such comments by me, saying Michael Kay worked toward his success, what did you (meaning me) do?!!!
The similarities continue regarding Monday night football games played just over 40 years apart with one “tie in” taking place exactly (to the date) forty years later.
As stated yesterday, both the 1976 Raiders and 2016 Cowboys took the field, on a Monday night, in the penultimate week of the season, with no playoffs incentive and respectively defeated Bengals and Lion’s (all we need is Chicago and it is a song from “The Wizard of Oz”—Lions and Bengals and Bears oh my, forgive me) teams, that had much such incentive. Oh, in that their ninth season and first without the great Paul Brown, (need I insert that in an utter disgrace, ESPN left Mr. Brown off its list of the greatest coaches in sports) the Bengals’ coach was Bill “Tiger” Johnson.
Talk in 1976 was that the Raiders would not “try” vs the Bengals, as a win by “Oak,” would have helped the surging Pittsburgh Steelers.
Oak won vs Cincy and survived in a second slots/divisional game filled with controversy vs New England, (the reverse would happen 25 years later), and advanced to a home AFC Title game vs the favored Steelers.
Then on December 26, 1976 in a game in which “The Snake,” the great Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler “went to” Bankston, i.e. a huge touchdown pass to little used Warren Bankston, the Raiders made the Supe and eventually won it all. Of course the great Steelers, who won 4 Supe titles in 6 seasons (1974-1979), played the title tilt sans Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.
Now after a similar Monday night win exactly 40 years after Oakland was perhaps rewarded for its effort in a Monday night tilt they entered with no playoffs incentive, similar Dallas wins a game in which they had no playoffs incentive.
In the history repeats or at least manifests with past similarities mode, consider NFC one seed Dallas and the current top three AFC seeds are the Raiders (the current 2, though sans Derek Carr, now a long shot to gain Supe entry) and their two 1976 AFC playoffs opponents, the top seed New England Patriots and third seed, you guessed it, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Warren Bankston is number 46. I needed the picture identification note to gain the knowledge that #52 is Gary Weaver.
Oh man, the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt took his hat off and is enjoying the 1937 All-Star game.
The words of WGN’s Bob Elston, as Dizzy Dean is pitching to Lou Gehrig.
Joe DiMaggio drew a 2 out walk and Gehrig, who hit 46 home runs the year before, but none at Griffith Stadium, with its high wall, is batting as the walk to Joe D, 4 years before his famed hitting streak, extended the bottom of the first inning.
This “recall” with “help” truly inspires. If you listen closely, Elston intones, you can hear the pop of the (pitched) ball hitting the catcher’s mitt. He said it with Dean still pitching in the bottom of the third, by All-Star game rule to be his last inning of work.
“Diz” had to take 2 different plane trips to get to Washington, D.C. on N.L. All-Star Billy Herman’s birthday, July 7,1937.
Bottom third, two out DiMaggio again reaches first, that’s right fielder, DiMaggio in this tilt, as Earl Averill is in center field for the American League, (3-1) in the first 4 tilts, that were the creation of sportswriter Arch, (called Archie in the pre game “notes”) Ward of Chicago.
Big action (in my) next post, from that All-Star Game over 79 years ago.
The now (13-2), NFC one seed Dallas Cowboys, with no playoffs incentive, scored 28 straight points and knocked out all Detroit Lions’ “teasers,” in a (42-21) Monday night victory.
I doubt that one of the few truly good current broadcasters, Sean McDonough noted the similarity between the Dallas win two days ago and a Monday night win by the Oakland Raiders, 40 years back in time.
In both games, the home/winning team took the field in the penultimate week of the NFL “reg” with no playoffs incentive, against a team (the Lions two days ago, and in Oakland’s case vs the Cincinnati Bengals 40 years ago) fighting for entry into the NFL ‘offs.
You know or can read regarding what the Lions had at stake (a chance to gain ‘offs entry with a win at Dallas) and now face (likely a game for playoffs entry, at home vs Green Bay.)
The ’76 Bengals, who were denied by the eventual Supe champion Raiders, had even more at stake. A loss at Oakland, meant they needed help in the last week, an unlikely loss by surging 2 time Supe champion, Pittsburgh, to make the ‘offs.
Many felt (I THINK Cincy was favored, could certainly be wrong on that, Dall was favored by 7 plus before the Eagles’ Thurs night win clinched the NFC one seed for the so called “Pokes.” After that, the line only moved one point in Det’s favor) Oak would not try hard that night in ’76, to avoid a potential playoffs tilt against a great, surging Steelers’ team that had roared to 8 straight victories, 4 in shutouts, after a (1-4) start.
That incredible Steelers’ defense which included “Mean” Joe Greene, (yesterday I cited Joe Green and you should hear what he said, regarding that season), incredibly, allowed but one touchdown in their eventual 9 straight victories.
Additionally “Pitts,” under their great coach, Chuck Noll (seems there was talk by a Steelers’ great Terry Bradshaw, regarding current “Pitts” coach, Mike Tomlin in the past week), a man given relatively little credit, had knocked the Raiders, under their vastly over publicized coach John Madden, out of the ‘offs in 3 of their 4 playoffs tilts in consecutive seasons (’72-’75), including the last two AFC Title games, en route to titles.
That December 6th Monday night, Madden’s team was ready to play and easily defeated Cincinnati. More on 1976 and some I feel interesting similarities with now, 40 years later, after I energize with “manna” in “traveling” back and forth those “you can not get back,” FORTY years. (Alas I liked, admired, and corresponded with another “40,” this one the great director and college hoops star, Chet Forte, surely the director that Monday night in ’76, and do wonder if he fell for the “they need the game “b.s.” as I did 2 days ago. Thankfully “give or take” 40, is a relatively small number.
The great player, Joe Greene, better known as “Mean Joe” Greene, pictured above.
He is called “Mean Joe” in loving terms, by Tommy Okon, in the iconic commercial, a click away, below.
Coca-Cola Classic ad: Mean Joe Green [Full Version] (1979)
The amount bet is obscene. Additionally, the bettor in question has no talent nor feel, “stepping in” on a Temple team that apparently “shot its load” in ripping Navy. (Oh no, did I say “shot its load” regarding “Chet Kincaid’s” alma mater, his talent I will always respect, Lofton’s as a broadcaster, I do not)
Anyway, though highly unlikely, even if Temple trailing (31-10) at the half, outscores “Wake” by 5 touchdowns, that will not help defeat the “sickness.” for this person.
Any troubled gambler please consult Gambler’s Anonymous or at least take big money out of the equation.
ESPN with its glut of bowl games, played in virtually empty venues, should donate to help troubled gamblers, who are “tortured” by this ridiculous, ongoing bowls garbage.
This is the story. I hope it helps at least one person.
David PurdumESPN Staff Writer
The largest bet on any early bowl game that William Hill’s Nevada sportsbook took was $44,000 on Temple -13. Wake Forest leads Temple 31-7 in the second quarter.
The only “locks” are on doors!! Alas maybe the bettor could afford the stake. Still why not eat steak? I wish I had finances to do so.
Andy B Sports 