Merry Christmas College Football Playoff Committee

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be hated as much as a computer, ask the College Football Playoff Committee. These 13 lucky soles have spent the last five months watching every football game played by every team from every conference. Or at least that is what we are lead to believe (I mean they were given magical iPads to help them watch all these games). With this blessing comes the curse of facing each fan base whose team lies outside the fabled final four which are selected weekly by these 13 individuals. The committee will be announcing its final poll and hand selecting its four-team playoff on Sunday, December 8, and much like the computers of the BCS system, they will make some people unhappy.

It's not these 13 people's fault though, allowing only four teams into a playoff when there are at least eight deserving isn't entirely fair. The playoff was a sensational idea for college football, but why not go all the way and allow eight teams right away? I mean at least the NFL (and now the MLB) allow six teams into its playoffs. The NCAA has 120 teams competing for four spots and like the previous post on this site says, they don't all have the same chances. But those are debates for a different day and state of mind. This writer is here to solely focus on the fact that the committee is in a tough position, but an easy out has been awarded these individuals.

Alabama is THE best team in college football because the Crimson Tide won THE best conference in college football (12 of 14 teams are bowl eligible and two were No. 1 at one point this season). Blake Sims has led Alabama through the gauntlet that is the SEC and culminated that feat with a win over Missouri in the championship game. Sims completed 23-of-27 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. The Crimson Tide should be the top seed in the playoff (slight bias).

Oregon followed up a 31-24 loss to Arizona on Oct. 2 with eight consecutive victories, averaging 48 points per game and allowing just 22 points per game, including a 51-13 thumping of the previously mentioned Wildcats in the Pac-12 Championship. Heisman front-runner Marcus Mariota has the Ducks firing on all cylinders and in the playoff as the No. 2 seed.

Here is where things get a little trickier.

Florida State can be either the No. 3 or the No. 4 seed in this inaugural college football playoff. Because the fact remains that the Seminoles are undefeated for a second-straight season and the defending champions of college football (despite what Dr. Pepper Larry says, I think the past seasons matter). You may or may not want FSU in the playoff, but the final undefeated team deserves to be in. This football enthusiast believes that Florida State is the No. 4 team, but could understand it as the No. 3 team.

This final entry is the committee's gift, as it is the ultimate aspirin to the massive headache they would have until January. Ohio State unleashed its third-string quarterback in the Big Ten Championship and handed Wisconsin a whooping on national television. Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to a 59-0 throbbing of the untested Badgers on Saturday night. Ohio State has won its last 11 games since falling to Virginia Tech by two touchdowns at home (a devastating loss). Ohio State winning 59-0 over a 10-2 Wisconsin team catapults the Buckeyes into the remaining playoff spot (I'll let them decide which seed they deserve) and giving the committee an out from the Baylor and TCU hole that they dug.

Ohio State has given the committee a fourth team to compete in its playoff and it's even a sole conference winner. I believe the Big 12 has ultimately ruined its chances by allowing co-conference champions and not playing a conference championship game. The committee can take this moment and prove the point to the Big 12 Conference, while also getting the fiasco of allowing a TCU team that lost to Baylor in the playoff (that would've been bad).

But don't blame the committee disgruntled Big 12 fans from Waco and Fort Worth, they are just working with what was given to them. The real problems lie with the restriction to four teams when it could easily be expanded to eight. Think of Alabama playing Michigan State, Oregon playing Mississippi State, Ohio State playing TCU and Florida State playing Baylor with the winners advancing. It would create a seven-game playoff and give the world one extra week of football. Isn't that what we all want?


Wing Man out.

The 2014 College Football Playoff Debacle

It’s no surprise that the college football playoff system is a complete failure in its inaugural year. For what else do you expect when you only half way commit to a project instead of going “all in”? The playoff system was envisioned as a mechanism to vanquish the injustice that had been created by an out-dated polling system. Unfortunately, we have ended up with a system that creates more prejudice in favor of widely popular teams. Do you really think that an undefeated Boise State team would be able to make the playoff when an undefeated FSU team is poised to drop from the top four? What else do you expect from Washington style politics in a popularity contest? It’s time that the NCAA and the Committee of “experts” take a lesson from both High School and Professional football.
There is absolutely no way the system will work with only four spots available for five power conferences. And where is the room for the little guy when the five top dogs are fighting over four spots? The only way a playoff will work is to have eight teams invited. Some will argue that eight will turn into sixteen, then thirty-two, then so on. Such an argument would be designed purely to deprive this country of a real solution. If eight doesn’t work, then why should we stop? However, I believe that an eight team playoff would significantly reduce the drawback and prejudice of a four team playoff. Let’s examine.
First, we need to start putting a premium on winning your conference title. If the SEC really deserves to have a two loss team play for a national championship, then they should start by winning their conference. This way, the winner of every conference gets a spot, which leaves three spots open for at large bids. Taking the “experts” out of the equation for the first five spots will greatly reduce the notion that somebody was treated unfairly. For this to work there can be no “co-champs” of a conference (I’m looking at you Big 12). There is only one spot per conference, unless of course they are deserving of an at large bid (You’re welcome SEC).
Second, whatever happened to winning as the only way to rank a team? The number one seed should be the team out of the power five with the best record. Now I hate FSU just as much as any other red blooded American, but I cannot understand why they are not the Number 1 team in the country. The “experts” tell us that their “body of work” is not as good as other teams in the country. I’m sorry, but nobody else’s “body of work” includes a zero in the loss column. If I get into a playoff, I want my team to be battle tested, and not used to running up the score.
Third, if there is a tie within a conference, then the head to head matchup should be the deciding factor, just as it has always been. When examining who should be the district or division champ, the first question has always been, “who had the best record?” If there were two teams with the same record, the second question would be, “who won the head to head matchup?” The answer to the second question would be the champion. This only makes sense. There is no need to see who played harder or who put up more points. It’s simple and predictable because it removes the human element. If you want to win your conference over that other big team out there, then you know you have to beat them. No more back doors and loopholes that lead to illegitimate champions.
Fourth, the big four bowl games fit perfectly in this playoff schematic. Eight teams for four bowls. Sounds like it was made to be. They can even rotate the order of importance as they see fit, which leave three games that can be played at places like Jerry World or the University of Phoenix Stadium. I can’t see why the NCAA would be upset about having more games to charge people through the nose for.
I hope this sheds a little light on the playoff picture, and who knows, maybe somebody out there will start thinking with their head. 

2013 NIT Championship, Baylor vs. Iowa.

Here is our official transcript of the 2013 NIT Championship game.

NIT Championship
Apr 4 2013, 9:46 PM
thewingexpert: Uh-Oh! I hear Raftery!

Apr 4 2013, 9:47 PM
thewingexpert: Oh Baby!

Apr 4 2013, 9:47 PM
thewingexpert: P-sizzle!

Apr 4 2013, 9:47 PM
pederspeeps: Just get out of his way

Apr 4 2013, 9:47 PM
thewingexpert: I think the And 1 mixtape guy should get a full-time job as a "court" reporter.

Apr 4 2013, 9:52 PM
thewingexpert: What was that!?!?

Apr 4 2013, 9:52 PM
thewingexpert: Pull that up at the top of the key.

Apr 4 2013, 9:52 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Definitely!

Apr 4 2013, 9:53 PM
thewingexpert: Even Jefferson thought he would shoot.

Apr 4 2013, 9:53 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: running all out in the middle of the plays AWWWWW! AWWWW! Hot sizzle!

Apr 4 2013, 9:55 PM
thewingexpert: I'm saying! It would be nice to have tonight.

Apr 4 2013, 9:56 PM
pederspeeps: AJ Walton goes down, I hope he's ok because it's the last game of the season.

Apr 4 2013, 9:58 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Cramp?

Apr 4 2013, 9:58 PM
thewingexpert: He met the people's shoulder.

Apr 4 2013, 9:58 PM
pederspeeps: In his lady parts

Apr 4 2013, 9:58 PM
thewingexpert: Duece Bello making an entrance!

Apr 4 2013, 9:58 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: That's twice

Apr 4 2013, 10:00 PM
thewingexpert: I think if Jefferson stays next year, he'll go first overall in 2014.

Apr 4 2013, 10:00 PM
thewingexpert: At least top three.

Apr 4 2013, 10:00 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Def

Apr 4 2013, 10:00 PM
thewingexpert: "experts" are saying that this Wiggins kid is the next LeBron.

Apr 4 2013, 10:01 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: He'll have another year to work on his jumper which is decent right now

Apr 4 2013, 10:01 PM
thewingexpert: Jefferson needs to work out with Gathers in the offseason.

Apr 4 2013, 10:03 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Gathers needs to go see Art Briles in the fall!

Apr 4 2013, 10:03 PM
thewingexpert: Dang, I thought Gary Franklin was going to lob that to Bello.

Apr 4 2013, 10:03 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Straight beastmode on the DLine

Apr 4 2013, 10:03 PM
thewingexpert: He said he doesn't want to play defense. He wants to be QB.

Apr 4 2013, 10:03 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: whoooaaaa.

Apr 4 2013, 10:04 PM
thewingexpert: That's where he played in high school

Apr 4 2013, 10:04 PM
thewingexpert: SEND IT IN!

Apr 4 2013, 10:05 PM
thewingexpert: Scott Drew getting applause! Well done sire.

Apr 4 2013, 10:05 PM
thewingexpert: *sir

Apr 4 2013, 10:06 PM
thewingexpert: Is that Nick Florence? With the beard.

Apr 4 2013, 10:07 PM
thewingexpert: Baylor Bears 2013 NIT Champions.... Well done Bears.

Apr 4 2013, 10:07 PM
thewingexpert: Pierre Jackson just dropped a "sic em" on camera!

Apr 4 2013, 10:07 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: Scott Drew is a great guy.

Apr 4 2013, 10:08 PM
Cletis Cabbil Jr.: I wish I would've had a coach like him

Apr 4 2013, 10:08 PM
thewingexpert: I hear ya.

Apr 4 2013, 10:13 PM
pederspeeps: All my coaches were like Mike Rice

Apr 4 2013, 10:17 PM
thewingexpert: Baylor pulls this one out, 74-54, defeating Iowa for the NIT Championship. Good night everyone and we hope you enjoyed our banter.

The most wonderful time of the year

Is there anything better than the fall transitioning into the winter? Basketball is getting in the swing of things, while bowl games begin to populate our TV viewings. Baseball winter meetings are going on, with the excitement of teams adding new players in preparation for next season.

I may not agree with all the bowl matchups,  but I still love to watch them. If you're more strongly opposed than I am, then college basketball seems to ALWAYS have a game on, no matter what time it is. I'm saddened that the NHL is missing from this equation and hope they settle their disputes once and for all (for the sake of the sport). But break glass in case of emergency,  you can watch an NBA game if a college matchup doesn't quite intrigue you.

So we at Zone Defenders hope you have a wonderful holiday season and take some time for yourself to sit back, relax, and enjoy some sports!


WingMan Out!

The Best Teams Should Play

This is not going to be my 2012 BCS Bowl game predictions, but how I think they should go. These are the teams that deserve to play in the top games at the end of the season, simply because they are the top teams at the end of the season. A two-loss Louisville/ Rutgers shouldn’t get a pass into a game because they play in the Big East, when a two-loss LSU, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Georgia/ Alabama missing out on a big bowl game. These are who I think should play in the games, barring any upsets this weekend in the final games.

So here we go,

BCS National Championship Game: Notre Dame vs. Alabama

This one is pretty straightforward, given the Crimson Tide take care of business in Atlanta on Saturday. Notre Dame has proven they deserve a shot at the national title and who better to take on than the team everyone thought was the most superior all season. It will be a great title game with the big named schools and I think it will be closer than most are expecting.

Rose Bowl: Georgia vs. Stanford

Stanford should beat UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship and with their big wins on the season (USC and Oregon) they deserve a shot at the Dawgs. Georgia was thrown away after getting manhandled by South Carolina earlier this year, but bounced back (as all good teams do) by winning out and beating Florida. It’s a long way for Georgia fans to travel, but I have a feeling that they can make the trip. It will be a knockout of a game and maybe an SEC tryout for Stanford Coach, David Shaw. Georgia wins by a touchdown with Aaron Murray declaring he’ll be back for his senior season.

Fiesta Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oregon

As much as I hate eating crow, I’ve got a five-course meal of it after the Aggies season. I said all along that they couldn’t come in with a spread offense and a freshman quarterback and win in the SEC. I was wrong, Johnny Manziel (Heisman) has shown the world what he can do this year (move the ball). Oregon isn’t too bad on the offensive side either though, and if you tune in to this Fiesta Bowl, then you best buckle up. There could be close to 200 plays run in this matchup. Texas A&M has a knack for finding ways to win and comes up with another big one here by a touchdown.

Orange Bowl: Florida vs. Florida State

I know, I know, they played two weeks ago. But you don’t think there is any bad blood on that Seminole team? Florida State has flown under the radar in my mind and with a win over Georgia Tech would have 11 on the year. Florida beat their in-state rival after they woke up from a shaky first half. The Gators one hiccup this year, came against Georgia and they have quality wins over South Carolina, LSU and Texas A&M. Florida State will show up as they did last game, but I think that Florida’s running attack gives them the edge again in this one. Caleb Sturgis kicks a game winner while Miami sits in their homes watching the elite teams from the state play.

Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Kansas State

This all depends if the Wildcats can win against Texas to keep Oklahoma out of this game. A rematch of the 2003 National Championship though would be pretty fun to watch. But Kansas State gets the nod in if they take care of business. LSU is running alongside Texas A&M as the two teams who DESERVE a BCS game. LSU has lost two games, Alabama and Florida. The Fighting Tigers have beaten Washington, Texas A&M and South Carolina. LSU is too good of a team to not play in a BCS game. Also who doesn’t love to see when LSU fans take over New Orleans?

You may realize that each game has an SEC team in there, but when you have six teams in the BCS top ten, what do you expect? The SEC is the best conference in the nation, and if outlying teams would like to prove they’re not, then show up to play. South Carolina should get into a BCS game, but somebody has to get left out. I sure wouldn’t want to be the team that has to play them in a regular bowl game.

However since the rule is in place, these matchups could serve as ridiculous games to show the BCS how ridiculous it really is.

LSU vs LA Tech in the Independence Bowl

Played in Shreveport, Louisiana, but I’m not quite sure if the venue could hold the Tiger fans, or allow any Bulldog fans to watch. LSU has one of the nation’s top defenses, while LA Tech boasts the top offense. This is a battle for state superiority, which LSU has always won. I'm looking at you Tulane!

Texas A&M vs. Texas in the Alamo Bowl

If Oklahoma or Kansas State gets robbed of a BCS game and they play LSU in the Cotton Bowl, this could slap the BCS in the face. This is a rivalry that should be played every year and I feel something missing since they didn’t play this year. Also would give me an excuse to root for the Aggies and Johnny Heisman.

South Carolina vs. Southern California

Let Coach Spurrier and South Carolina show Southern California who the real USC is. Or at least let Spurrier give press conferences on it. I would love to hear what he says about ballgate, Lane Kiffin or even having a father-son coaching combination.

Georgia vs. Does it really matter

Georgia is the No. 3 team in the country right now and its next loss would be to No. 2 Alabama. The Bulldogs should play in a BCS game and if they don’t then it will be an absolute shame.

I do know this though, I wouldn’t want any part of those four teams missing out on BCS games.

Wing Man Out!

Baseball in November

I decided to mix it up a little today and give some info that is going on in the baseball world these last few days especially since I am an Atlanta Braves fan. The Braves have made the first big move of the off season by first signing B.J. Upton to a 5 year contract. Then today they made another big move that I was glad they did by trading away right handed pitcher Tommy Hanson to the Angels for reliever Jordan Walden. By making this move the Braves have now cleared up $4 million so that they now can go after another outfielder to play alongside Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton. The Braves were allowed to move Hanson because of all their young and talented arms like Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado

The first person that has been coming up in the outfielder talks is the brother of B.J., Justin Upton. I have also heard of them trying to get someone who could bat lead off like a Shane Victorino. I hope that they can figure something out to get Justin Upton because I believe that B.J. Upton can handle the lead off duties or even Martin Prado. If all goes right their lineup could look like (Upton, Prado, Upton, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Simmons, the pitcher). If it happens to be something like that you can not pitch around anyone because they can all hit. With the pitching rotation and bullpen they have, the Braves should be considered a title contender next year for sure.

Stay tuned to see what happens in the next few days.
Tomahawk Chop!

Uncle Drew out!

The Beard Returns

Exactly one month ago James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets after he failed to agree to a long term deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now he is back, playing but with a different team. Since being traded Harden has risen to be one of the best playmakers in the league. Now that he is the main guy in Houston he can showcase all of his talents since he is no longer playing in the shadows of the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. In his very first game of the season he had 37 points 12 assists 6 rebounds and 4 steals. He has also had 3 games of over 30 points this season while he only totaled 3 games of over 30 points in his first 3 years combined. While Houston is at 7-7 the Thunder have one of the best records in the league at 11-4.

With the way Harden went out by him talking about sacrificing for the team and then turning around to take more money I believe the Thunder have circled this game since the start of the season. The Thunder are also coming off their best game of the year after beating the Bobcats by 45 points on Monday. If they play like that tonight they should have no trouble with beating the Rockets.

Will the Thunder Fear the Beard tonight? Tune into Fox Sports Oklahoma or NBA TV at 7 to find out

Uncle Drew out!
Thunder Up!