College Football
Auburn Spring Game
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Auburn is one of the traditional powers in college football. The Tigers had a great 2017 finishing 10-4 and 7-1 in the SEC. They beat both teams that played in the national championship game, Georgia and Alabama. They did lose the rematch with UGA in the SEC Championship. They also lost the Peach Bowl to UCF.
Star running back Kerryon Johnson declared for the NFL Draft after the season. Auburn will have to replace his 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns.
One positive going into the 2018 season is they have finally found another quality quarterback to run Gus Malzahn’s offense in Jarrett Stidham. Stidham completed 66% of his passes for 3,158 yards and 18 TD’s. He did not play in the spring game.
In the A-Day game defense dominated. Auburn’s first-team defense held the second-team offense to minus-five yards in the first half and the quarterbacks combined to go 15 of 39 for 90 yards.
“We’re going to be top 10 this year,” defensive end Marlon Davidson said. “We’re going to be top 5; maybe even top 1. That’s how we feel. That’s how we’re going to carry it.”
I’m trying to not believe the hype. I think the defense can be very good but defense typically dominates the offense in spring or early in the season. It is worth noting that the Tigers have vastly improved over the past two years under defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
In 2017 they had their best year in pass and total defense since 2008. Auburn ranked 12th in scoring defense and 14th in total defense last season and has ample depth returning, particularly in the front seven.
“Our pillars for success is that we want to be relentless in pursuit,” Steele said. “Effort is being coached at a high level on every day, on every play. Effort is an eraser. When somebody makes a mistake, effort will erase a mistake. Then we’ve worked really hard on physical fundamentals, being physical with your fundamentals. So, really, really good in fundamentals. And then, of course, tackling. We’ve done a lot within the framework of how much you can tackle. So, the proper tackling technique.”
The defense constantly pressured Auburn’s two younger quarterbacks, forcing several interceptions from Malik Willis and Joey Gatewood. They also forced fumbles from several players.
On A-Day, Nick Coe led a defensive line unit that combined for 6.5 of 11 tackles for loss, including two sacks, one from Coe, which led to a safety.
“Our defense has a chance to be really good,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “… I think we’ve got some quality depth upfront. We’ve got quality depth at the linebacker position too. I know coach Steele’s focus was on the backend, putting all the pieces to the puzzle. I think overall they’ve done a very solid job.”
The final score was Orange: 18, Blue: 10. My takeaway is that Auburn is expecting to have a great defense in 2018 and I think that is realistic. I don’t put a lot of stock in the A-Day defensive performance though because they did not face their first team quarterback.
We will see if they can live up to their potential when the season begins September 1st versus Washington in Atlanta.
Paul Johnson Still Buzzing
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It seems like nowadays, coaches in general, are relieved of their duties for various reasons- not winning enough games; thinking the university or franchise can find someone better; arguing that Creed is the greatest rock band of all time- you know, the normal.
So, it’s nice to see a program like Georgia Tech reward head coach Paul Johnson with a contract extension, when he could just as easily have been fired for two of the reasons I just mentioned. (I admit I am unfamiliar with Johnson’s stance on Creed)
On the surface, when most athletic directors don’t care about anything a coach has accomplished outside of the past 3 years, it’s a little perplexing to hear of a director actually extending the contract of a coach whose record over the past three seasons has been 17-19.
In this particular case, I applaud Tech’s athletic director, Todd Stansbury, with looking past just the last three years when making this decision.
For one, while Johnson’s teams have struggled in 2 of the past 3 seasons- his 2 worst seasons he’s had at Georgia Tech- overall, he has been very successful.
Since arriving in Atlanta in 2008, the Yellow Jackets have finished either 1st or 2nd in the Coastal Division six times. Yes, those happened during the first seven years, but combine that with Johnson’s history before arriving at Tech and it’s clear the ‘15 and ‘17 seasons were the aberrations.
With the exception of those two seasons- those teams only won 3 and 5 games, respectively- Johnson has also led Georgia Tech to a Bowl game every other year, including the Orange Bowl, twice.
I realize if you’re a fan of a team like Georgia or Florida State, you would have a different view of that “success”, but at Georgia Tech that should be acceptable.
I don’t mean that as an insult to Yellow Jacket fans, but as long as your team is competing for divisional titles, with the occasional shot at a playoff appearance, you should feel good about where your program is at.
I also like the extension for financial reasons. I don’t know what his salary will be for those extra two years, but Johnson is scheduled to make a little over $3 million in 2020 and I can’t imagine it would be much higher than that.
That’s not chump change by any stretch but there are plenty of coaches making at least that if not more, many within the ACC alone who don’t have nearly the accolades Johnson has. So far, Tech has gotten a pretty good return on their investment.
Plus, and I realize this only really matters when teams are winning, it seems like Johnson runs a fairly clean program. Very rarely do you hear of his players getting into trouble. And even the one time I do remember (Demaryius Thomas receiving impermissible benefits totaling $312) it was more of a bad look on the NCAA than it was GT.
Again, I know this type of integrity isn’t important with all coaches (hey Hugh Freeze, what have you been up to?), but it does seem like it legitimately matters to Johnson and the university.
This could all change if the Yellow Jackets stumble to a 4-8 record this upcoming season. But for now, it’s nice to see a coach be rewarded for his entire tenure and not just the last few years, regardless of what his musical tastes may or may not be.
The Big Boys Play Here
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2018 National Signing Day was earlier in the month. Now we know how each of your favorite teams did. Let’s look at the SEC recruiting classes. There are 9 SEC Schools with top 20 recruiting classes.
Surprisingly, Georgia tops the list. The Bulldogs almost won their first national title since 1980 and that success on the field is translating in recruiting. Out of the 26 recruits signed there are seven 5 stars and fifteen 4 stars.
Quarterback Justin Fields headlines the class. He was the #2 overall recruit in the nation and he’s a dynamic dual threat.
Fields is 6’3, 221 pounds and I expect him to gain another 10 pounds once he arrives in Athens. He will be sitting behind Jake Fromm for at least the next two years but we will see how that plays out.
UGA is becoming Running Back U over the past decade, so of course they signed another stud in Zamir White. He was the top ranked RB in the country and #9 national recruit. I expect him to step on campus and rush for a thousand yards immediately.
Alabama’s class was ranked 6th which is the worst it’s been since Nick Saban’s first year in 2007. The Crimson Tide are coming off of another national championship but I think their nervous about Georgia’s success. Bama only signed 19 recruits, two 5 stars, twelve 4 stars and five 3 stars.
They struggled on defense the last two years and they heavily addressed the defensive line. Eyabi Anoma is the 4th ranked national recruit and #1 defensive end.
Stephon Wynn also signed and he’s the 3rd ranked defensive end. The pass rush should be lethal in Tuscaloosa for the next few years.
The other five-star recruit is the best cornerback, Patrick Surtain Jr. If you recall his father played in the NFL, most notably for the Miami Dolphins. Clearly, Surtain Jr. has the pedigree to be successful.
Auburn’s class is ranked 12th but they don’t have any 5 star recruits.
They have sixteen 4 stars and eight 3 stars. Auburn is an interesting program because they have trouble sustaining a high level of success on the field. The Tigers normally have a breakout season every 4-5 years. Maybe this class will provide stability and help them build on their 2017 season.
One notable signee is defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk from East Mississippi Community College. If you watch Last Chance U then you’re familiar with that program.
Newkirk originally was in the Tigers 2016 class but his academic status forced him to go to community college. At 6’3, 282 pounds and two years of playing experience I expect him to be a key contributor in 2018.
“[Auburn’s commitment was] very important because through my journey a lot of schools turned their back but Auburn didn’t. That’s very special to me,” Newkirk said. “As you can tell no one really knows about me. Every time I got offered by a big school I didn’t post it on Twitter. I was just a humble guy throughout my whole process.”
Florida is ranked 14th which is impressive considering they did not hire new head coach Dan Mullen until November 26, 2017.
They signed several four-star recruits on offense, which has been weak for several years. Some of the signees are receivers Jacob Copeland, Justin Watkins, running back Dameon Pierce and tight end Kyle Pitts.
LSU is ranked 15th, Texas A&M 17th, South Carolina 19th and Tennessee 20th. That means we can expect to see some very good games over the next 3-4 years.
Top Dawgs
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Yes, it has almost been a month now since the most heartbreaking loss in UGA football history in the National Title game to Alabama. The pain for die hard UGA fans may never go away, but honestly the Dawgnation did not honestly expect to be in this position in year two of the Kirby Smart era.
Most insiders around Athens are saying the 2017 Dawgs are just the tip of the iceberg as the talented roster continues to grow with 6 Five Star prospects alone coming into the program.
Looking back on a fantastic 2017 season the SEC and Rose Bowl Champion Bulldogs had some talented players that will earn many pay days in the NFL.
Let’s take a look at some draft prospects for a few of those players.
Roquan Smith: Simply put Smith is the best linebacker to ever roam the sidelines in Athens. He is fast and his football instincts are off the chart.
Plug in the Georgia Tech tape from last season and you will see how one man can stop the triple option and how you run sideline to sideline, which will have NFL scouts camping out in Athens until draft day.
Smith is a special talent and should go as a top ten pick in the first round of the upcoming draft. I have Smith going at #10 to the Oakland Raiders who will be moving to Vegas soon.
A lot of Roquan Smith jerseys will be purchased by Raider Nation. In my opinion the only player from last year’s team that is irreplaceable in Athens. Smith was a generational talent.
Nick Chubb: Chubb will always be a favorite in Athens because of the way he overcame that horrific knee injury in 2015 and battled back and became the SEC’s second leading rusher of all time behind the GOAT whose name I won’t mention in this article but he wore #34 in Athens.
Chubb will impress at the combine with his strength and will be a solid NFL running back. I expect Nick to go in the second or third round to a team like the Lions that need a solid back who can run between the tackles.
Sony Michel: The versatility is what makes Sony special. Dawgnation would be wearing Natty shirts right now if Sony would have been used more in the second half of the title game.
Michel can catch the football and at 215 pounds can run inside or outside. Sony will be a fantastic pro. I think Michel goes in the second round to a team like Packers, Bears, or Bucs that need infusions of talent at the RB position.
Lorenzo Carter: Who doesn’t need an edge rusher in the NFL? Carter is long and fast and will carve out a fine NFL career. His speed will shock people at the combine and he has first round talent and could move up high on many teams draft boards.
Carter will probably go in the second round. Carter came back for his senior season and the blocked Rose Bowl FG in OT puts Carter in the all-time UGA highlight reel.
SEC Stocks
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Have you looked at your 401K plan lately? The stock market is at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at the SEC Football Stock report currently.
Alabama: Hold. Good blue chip producing stock that is the best investment out there. It’s at the top of its value so there’s not much upside but the dividend pays well. Best CEO in the business. Been a top producer for over a decade now. How long will the current CEO stay hungry/motivated?
Arkansas: Buy for now. This Company has seen better days and former CEO ate up all of the profits. New CEO is on board with expansion into the Texas marketplace as his first priority.
Auburn: Dump it. Rollercoaster stock that could go up or down based on some key indicators. Downturn is likely because this company has the most overpriced CEO in the business. This company has a Sears/Kmart mentality.
Florida: Buy. Been a tough down cycle of late, but this is a bargain currently. New executive team comes from a lower-tier company that performed very well in a tough market. This stock will rebound quickly and be a top producer once again. New CEO must find a new chief operations officer quickly during this recruiting cycle.
Georgia: Buy it in droves. They are Amazon and Facebook a few years ago. High upside with an Alabama type CEO, but a solid business model that has been underperforming for almost 40 years and it’s bound to stay on top after earnings went through the roof in 2017. Gobble it up.
Kentucky: Sell. Other divisions are performing well, but this brand has never gained a foothold in the market. The March division manager needs to share his SOP’s with the entire brand.
LSU: Sell. CEO is in way over his head. Traditional producing stock, but time will tell if this CEO has it in him to get shareholders on board and happy. Sell now, and gobble up down the road when the board decides it is time for a CEO change.
Mississippi State: Sell. Old CEO got hired by a Fortune 500 company. New CEO has no CEO experience in a tough environment that is hard to produce in.
Ole Miss: Dump it. The Security and Exchange Commission is investigating this company and has handed out early fines, but once you violate the public trust turnaround will be difficult. Gordon Gekko has been hired as a consultant during this rough transition. Money never sleeps you know.
Mizzou: Dump it. Why this company is publically traded is beyond me. This company needs to geographically relocate where overhead and labor costs are cheaper so they can compete.
South Carolina: Buy. This stock is on the rise once again. Up and down historically, but buy it now. New CEO has laid down the law to employees. Be ready to sell at any time though.
Texas A&M: Buy. New CEO brought in at $75 million from another Fortune 500 company, and the cash reserves in this company are outstanding. New CEO will move this company into the top tier of revenue producing companies within 2-3 years. Load up now.
Tennessee: Hold. This stock has bottomed out and has nowhere else to go but up. Once the best in the business in the 1990’s, but Bill Clinton has been gone for almost 20 years now. This stock can’t stay down forever. First time CEO may or may not be the answer. Hold it now because it is only worth a penny.
Vanderbilt: Hold. This stock holds its value quite nicely. Hold what you have but don’t invest in more of it.
Don’t forget to compensate me for the advice if you decide to invest in one of these stocks with huge upside.
Georgia Is Next
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Imagine the following, what if I told you in August that Georgia would win the SEC East in 2017? Most die-hard Dawg fans coming off of an 8-5 season would have taken that in a heartbeat.
What if I told you Georgia would win their first SEC title since 2005 against rival Auburn? You would have said oh my goodness, yes.
What if I told you UGA would make the College Football Playoff and beat Oklahoma in a classic Rose Bowl and play for a National Title? You would have said I am crazy.
UGA did all of this in 2017 and came up three points short against Alabama in OT; the same Alabama team that many picked to win the Natty in the preseason.
So, what is next for Georgia? Fact is UGA is ahead of schedule. Coming off a 13-2 season in year two of the Kirby Smart era, the Dawgs are way ahead of schedule.
This UGA team reminds me of Alabama in 2008 in year two of the Saban era; then the Tide took off in year 3 and have won 5 National Titles in 9 years. I’m not saying UGA will go on that kind of run but a national Title will come to UGA within the next 2-4 years.
Here is what is next for UGA:
Recruiting: Georgia currently has the number one class in America and Kirby is the best recruiter in the business.
UGA needs to use all of this national exposure to its’ advantage and Kirby needs to continue to work his magic on the recruiting trail.
Smart has built a fence around the State of Georgia and Alabama, Auburn, and Florida are not coming into the State and cherry picking top talent anymore.
Strength and Conditioning: Alabama wore the Georgia offensive and defensive fronts down in the 4th quarter of the title game because they were bigger and stronger. Georgia has made huge strides in this area since Smart has arrived but Dawgs are not quite there yet.
Develop Justin Fields quickly. With Jacob Eason leaving for the University of Washington the Dawgs must get Fields ready quickly to back up Jake Fromm.
Fields is the number one rated QB in America and he enrolled early so he should be ready to play in 2018.
UGA must get better at CB. Mel Tucker needs shut down corners to run his system. UGA gave up too many deep balls in 2017.
The Dawgs must start using their Tight Ends again. Did a TE have a catch in the National Title game? This area must develop to improve the passing game.
Georgia just finished an outstanding season and will be the SEC East favorites along with South Carolina in 2018. The SEC slate will be tough playing all of the east rivals and LSU and Auburn from the west. The Dawgs travel to Death Valley in Baton Rouge in 2018, which will be no picnic.
The 2018 Dawgs will be Jake Fromm’s team and Fromm will be the leader and face of the program. The kid is a gamer and will continue to get better with Fields coming in to push him. Georgia will miss Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and Roquan Smith if #3 decides to turn pro.
What is on the horizon for UGA football is a magic carpet ride of SEC Titles and maybe a Natty or two with these studs Kirby keeps landing in the Classic City.
The future is so bright for UGA football that you need a brand-new pair of shades to see it all. Kirby Smart is just flat out getting it done in Athens, Georgia.
Tide Rolls In Another Title
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The college football season is officially over which is a bittersweet moment. The national championship game started slowly but got better in the second half. #3 Georgia (13-2) was on a quest for their first national championship since 1980.
They dominated in the first half but they had to settle for field goals early on to take a 6-0 lead. Mecole Hardman scored a 1-yard touchdown right before halftime to give the Dawgs a 13-0 lead.
On the opposite side #4 Alabama (13-1) struggled on offense in the first half. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is 25-2 as a starter and led the Crimson Tide to their second consecutive national championship game.
He struggled again, only completing 3 of 8 passing attempts for 21 yards. He did a good job running, gaining 47 yards on 6 carries.
Nick Saban made a bold move by benching Hurts at halftime in favor of true freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa. He led Bama to the end zone with a 6-yard TD pass to Henry Ruggs III to cut the deficit to six points.
The Bulldogs answered that score with a big play from their true freshman quarterback. Jake Fromm threw an 80-yard touchdown to Hardman to extend the lead to 20-7. Fromm played pretty well, throwing for 232 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions with a 50% completion rate.
The Crimson Tide would go on to tie the game 20-20 with 3:49 remaining in the 4th quarter after Tagovailoa tossed another touchdown to Calvin Ridley. They had a chance to win the game in regulation.
Kicker Andy Pappanastos missed a field goal in the first half, which foreshadowed what he would do later in the game. He missed another field goal as time expired in regulation.
UGA received the ball first in overtime and scored a field goal to take a 23-20 lead. At that point I thought Alabama was in trouble because they could not trust their kicker.
Tagovailoa took a horrible sack on Alabama’s first play in overtime, losing 16 yards. On the next play he threw a 41-yard TD pass to freshman DeVonta Smith to win the game.
“I could not believe it,” Saban said. “There’s lots of highs and lows. Last year we lost on the last play of the game and this year we won on the last play of the game. These kids really responded the right way. We said last year, `Don’t waste the feeling.’ They sure didn’t, the way they played tonight.”
Tagovailoa finished with 166 yards, 3 touchdowns and one pick with a 58% completion rate.
The win is Alabama’s fifth national title in nine years. Saban now has six major poll national championships, which includes one at LSU. That matches the record set by another legendary Crimson Tide coach, Bear Bryant.
This was an interesting year for Alabama. They lost the championship last season on the last play of the game. They reeled off 11 wins to begin this season before losing to archrival Auburn to finish the season.
There was some controversy when they were selected to the College Football Playoff because they did not win their conference. Some people felt that Ohio State was more deserving since they won the Big Ten, even though they had 2 losses. It looks like the decision to pick the Tide was justified.
New Chief In Tallahassee
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Florida State has found their new coach. Willie Taggart will take over the head coaching job at FSU.
Taggart has had an interesting coaching journey. Taggart got his first head coaching job at Western Kentucky. After leaving Western Kentucky, Taggart moved on to University of South Florida.
He was able to turn the Bulls around and make them a powerhouse in Florida. His work at USF led to him taking the head coaching job at Oregon. Though only spending a year at Oregon, Taggart was able to turn the struggling Ducks program around.
Now, the next program he has to turn around is Florida State. Florida State is coming off one of their worst seasons in decades. The team is loaded with talent and now it is Taggart’s job to lead it.
In Taggart’s introduction interview he said that FSU was his dream job. He grew up a Noles fan and told stories of wearing garnet and gold and pulling for the Noles when he was coaching at USF.
FSU has a guy who loves FSU now. Current players are saying there is a different attitude in Tallahassee now. Deion Sanders, Peter Warrick, and other past FSU stars are back around the program. Taggart has the support from current players, past players, and the fans. All there is left to do now is win.
Taggart has also done a great job assembling his staff. He has raided Michigan State of their defensive coordinator, Harlon Barnett.
Bennett is a proven defensive coordinator and has had Michigan State ranked high in a lot of defensive categories nationally. With the speed and talent at FSU, the defense should reminiscent of the Mickey Andrews defenses of the Bowden era.
Donte’ Pimpleton will coach the running backs. He is following Taggart from Oregon. Telly Lockette will coach tight ends. He coached with Taggart as well. Greg Frey will coach the offensive line. He coached at Michigan last year. Odell Haggins will be the only member to from the previous staff. Haggins has been at FSU 20 plus years coaching defensive line. The linebackers will be coached by Raymond Woodie. Woodie is also coming from Oregon. Alonzo Hampton will be the special teams coach. Hampton has some Georgia ties, where coached at Tift County. There are a few more sports left open on Taggart’s staff. He is in the process of filling out that staff now.
Taggart was also able to come in during December and get some big recruits to sign letters of intents to play at FSU. He is known for being able to recruit and he will definitely be able to do this at FSU as well.
FSU is ranked outside of the top 25 in recruiting at this moment. I expect the Noles to be in the top 25 and maybe top 10 when the February signing day gets here.
There is definitely a different feel in the Tallahassee air. There will always be high expectations in Tallahassee and their new coach is a big name that has assembled a bunch of big names to accompany him in Tallahassee. Now it is time to see if this hire will be a homerun or a strikeout.
National Championship Game Breakdown
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The SEC takes center stage in the biggest game of the college football season, with the conference’s two best teams finally getting an opportunity to settle it on the field.
This matchup should have taken place the first weekend of December, but Auburn ruined that as the Tigers upset the Tide at Auburn on November 25th.
This championship game between Georgia and Alabama has a lot of twists and plots. Georgia with second year coach Kirby Smart going against his mentor Nick Saban, who holds a perfect 11-0 mark against former assistants. Smart served as Saban’s defensive coordinator for years in Tuscaloosa before coming home to UGA.
Alabama beat up Clemson 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl and UGA outscored Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl 54-48 to get to this game which will be played in brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ticket prices are through the roof and this ticket may be the priciest in the history of sports events in the state of Georgia.
Keys to the game:
Which Quarterback plays the best? Alabama QB Jalen Hurts has taken some heat from the Tide nation recently with his play but all he does is win as a starting Tide signal caller and has his team playing in the title game for the second year in a row as a starter.
Georgia freshman Jake Fromm looks like a seasoned veteran with the Bulldog offense and the game tying TD drive with Oklahoma in regulation is the stuff legends are made of.
Fromm is a better passer and Hurts is a better runner. In the end this game may be decided by the mobility of a QB. Advantage: Hurts and Alabama.
Which Offensive line holds up best? Both of the units were dominated by the Auburn defensive front in the Iron Bowl, and first UGA/AU matchup at Auburn. Both groups learned something from it.
Georgia dominated Auburn up front in the SEC title game, and Alabama handled the great Clemson DL in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama is dealing with an injury to a starting OG Cotton Jr. and UGA is coming in healthy. Advantage: Georgia
Coaching? Nick Saban is the best head coach in football. Kirby knows the Alabama way and has changed the culture at UGA, but in the end Nick has five national titles. Advantage: Alabama
Atmosphere surrounding game? Yes, Alabama has been here before. This game is in Atlanta and is the biggest game for UGA since the 1983 Sugar Bowl. Georgia looks like a team of destiny. Advantage: UGA
Positional Group Analysis:
QB: Hurts or Fromm? Slight advantage to Alabama.
RB: Both teams are loaded here. Chubb, Michel, Swift, Holyfield, Herrien. Advantage: Georgia
OL: Both groups are solid. The Tide is dealing with an injury to a starter. Advantage: Georgia
WR: Calvin Ridley is the best WR on the field during this game for Alabama, but who else steps up for the Tide? Wims, Godwin, and the TE’s make it tilt UGA’s way. Advantage: Georgia
DL: Alabama is better than UGA here. Advantage; Alabama
LB: Two words for you. Roquan Smith. Alabama is beat up here. Advantage: Georgia
DB: Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best DB in America. Advantage: Alabama
Special Teams: Alabama is slightly better at punter and UGA is light years better at FG kicker with Rod Blankenship. Mecole Hardman is ready to explode on the national stage for UGA. Don’t be surprised if he has a big kick return in this game. Advantage: Georgia.
Vegas has Alabama as a slight favorite, but Lorenzo Carter, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb all came back to UGA for their senior seasons and turned down big NFL money. This is a magical season for UGA and the championship game is in Georgia’s capital Atlanta.
Prediction: Georgia 24- 20. The University of Georgia your 2017 College Football National Champions in a season that will never be forgotten in state of Georgia.
NY6 Predictions
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Break out the pork chops, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and cornbread which is the traditional New Year’s Day meal in the Branch Family.
The meal will be ready to eat at 12PM on Monday, which is also the best football day of every year.
You also have the College Football Playoff that starts at 5PM that day in Pasadena, California with Georgia and Oklahoma and ending with Alabama and Clemson immediately after in New Orleans.
Under the playoff format you have the two playoff games that rotate between the Sugar, Rose, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, and Peach Bowls annually; these are now called the New Years 6 Bowls.
Here are my predictions for the NY6 Bowls.
Cotton Bowl: #5 Ohio State vs. #8 USC
In this matchup you have two conference champions in OSU and USC that got snubbed by the playoff committee in favor of a one loss non-conference champion in Alabama.
Both teams will come to Dallas with a chip on it’s shoulder. I personally thought OSU would get in the playoff over Alabama if the committee was going to put a two loss Auburn team in the playoff. Which would have happened if the Tigers would have beat UGA in the SEC title game.
I think OSU has something to prove in this game and the Buckeyes handle USC pretty easy, 34-20 and Urban Meyer proposes a new playoff system in his postgame presser.
Fiesta Bowl: #9 Penn State vs. #11 Washington
Penn State might be the best team in the Big 10 after blowing the 15 point 4th quarter lead in Columbus against OSU and then sleepwalking into a loss to Michigan State the following week.
I think Penn State will be too physical for the Huskies and they will handle Washington 38-27. James Franklin is about to kick it into high gear in State College, PA.
Orange Bowl: #6 Wisconsin vs. #10 Miami
Former Glynn Academy standout Dee Jay Dallas is named Orange Bowl MVP after he scores 2 TD’s and has 140 yards rushing against the Badgers who will not beat Miami in Miami at the Orange Bowl. Too many athletes and Mark Richt owns Big 10 teams during his coaching career.
Peach Bowl: #7 Auburn vs. #12 UCF
Which Auburn team shows up? The one who beat UGA and Alabama in November or the one who blew a 20 point lead at LSU in October? Is Kerryon healthy? Does Auburn even want to be in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl?
I can guarantee you that UCF is thrilled to be there. If Auburn is motivated to play this game they win.
I think Auburn’s defense will be ready to play and the Tigers find a way to win 27-21. If Auburn comes out flat then look out for the upset, which I would be thrilled to see.
Rose Bowl: #2 Oklahoma vs. #3 Georgia
Oklahoma has the Heisman winner in Baker Mayfield at QB. UGA has the best defensive player in the country in Roquan Smith. What gives here?
For UGA to win they must control the clock and line of scrimmage with the running game and that will keep Mayfield on the sidelines.
The Sooners will score points but I think UGA gets enough stops and wins 38-34 and Nick Chubb is named Rose Bowl MVP with 175 yards and 3 TD’s, and will eventually have his #27 retired in Athens.
Sugar Bowl: #1 Clemson vs. #4 Alabama
Nick Saban lobbied to get the Tide in this year’s playoff and it is going to pay off.
Clemson’s DL is better than a couple of NFL teams and points in this game will be at a premium; so this one will come down to another heart stopping drive in the final minute with Jalen Hurts leading his team to victory 20-17 and being named Sugar Bowl MVP.
Georgia vs. Alabama in Atlanta for the NC on January 8th. Oh, my goodness what will the ticket prices be?
