Mouth of the Midwest

Aside from the Washington Commanders win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we’ve had some pretty drab playoff games.

Is that about to change? Methinks so!

Buffalo and Baltimore Sunday night looms large; ok, HUGE. The QB matchup pitting Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson could be a game for the ages. 

The pick here is Baltimore and Buffalo’s home game struggles live on.

The NFL coaching carousel is mind numbingly crazy. The Cowboys will hire Deion Sanders it appears which will only set the Dallas Cowboys rebuild back appreciably; yet, tickets and merchandising will soar.

Tom Brady is getting better on Fox. That said, look for him to bow out after the Super Bowl with an assertion to “focus on family and his ownership role with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Just guessing

Notre Dame found a way; plain and simple. The Irish ☘️ apparently had “Touchdown Jesus” on speed dial in the decisive stages of their 27-24 win over Penn State in the CFP Semifinal.

QB Riley Leonard was poised, sharp afoot and gritty. Also, HC Marcus Freeman didn’t blink, stayed calm and 

delivered a huge win despite his club getting dominated on both sides of the ball.

Tonight: Ohio State and it could be huge. 

Back from a long holiday break … 

Not buying the Matt Campbell to the Chicago Bears scenario… 

The job is a career killer until the McCaskey’s sell the team … 

Iowa State may end up being a career-long venture for Campbell …

What the Bears end up doing will be fascinating. They just can’t seem to get it right… ever!

Heck, hire Pete Carrroll. He wins. Plain and simple!

But almost seems to be too logical. 

Most legit candidates are scared to death at the prospects of taking over the reins of the Bears. 

Stay tuned !

By: Zayd Hussein 12/22/2024

In a decisive first-round College Football Playoff matchup, Ohio State crushed Tennessee 42-17 at Ohio Stadium. The game was essentially over by halftime, with the Buckeyes jumping out to a commanding 21-0 lead thanks to quarterback Will Howard’s precision passing and the explosive plays from standout freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who caught two touchdowns. Howard finished the night with 311 passing yards, showcasing his ability to lead the offense even under scrutiny. Tennessee tried to rally with a field goal and a Nico Iamaleava touchdown run before the break, but it was too little too late against Ohio State’s relentless defense and balanced attack.

The second half was similar for Ohio State, who continued to dominate offensively and defensively. TreVeyon Henderson added to the Buckeye lead with a 24-yard rushing touchdown, while the defense kept Tennessee’s offense in check, forcing punts and turnovers. Ohio State’s performance silenced critics and secured their spot against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, proving they are a force to be reckoned with in this year’s playoff.

The reasons Ohio State should hoist the championship trophy are becoming clearer. The Buckeyes have shown they can handle high-pressure situations with their impressive playoff opener and have the depth and talent to outlast any opponent. With Howard’s experience and the dynamic playmaking of Smith, Ohio State’s offense looks unstoppable, capable of adapting to any defensive strategy thrown at them. On defense, their ability to shut down Tennessee suggests they can tackle the challenges posed by teams like Oregon or Georgia. Moreover, the psychological momentum from this game, combined with their history of rising to the occasion, makes Ohio State the team to beat. They’ve got the perfect mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, all driven by a desire to prove last year’s disappointment was a fluke. If they keep playing with this level of intensity and execution, there’s no doubt Ohio State will be celebrating come the national championship game.

12/19/2024 by Nick Douglas

The 2024 college football season has ushered in a transformative era with the debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff beginning tomorrow. This expansion has not only intensified the competition but also sparked discussions about team selections, seeding criteria, and the overarching impact on the sport. Let’s dive into it.

The Expanded Playoff Format

The new CFP structure includes 12 teams, with the top four conference champions receiving first-round byes. This design emphasizes the significance of conference championships, reserving seven at-large spots for remaining teams and the final spot for the lowest ranked A4 conference champion or the highest ranked GO5 Conference champion. This final seed belongs to Clemson, who will travel to Austin Saturday to take on the Texas Longhorns. The four teams taking the fasttrack to a NY6 Semifinal game are Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State. Every first-round matchup is hosted on a campus site, which introduces elements like home-field advantage and varying weather conditions into the playoff equation. 

Impact of Weather on Gameplay This Weekend

With on-campus games in December, weather is brought into sharper focus. Teams like Tennessee and SMU, unaccustomed to colder climates, may face challenges when playing at Ohio State or at Penn State, both of which have recently been blanketed in snow. These conditions can influence game dynamics, potentially affecting team performance and strategy. 

Seeding Controversies and Selection Criteria

The seeding decisions have been quite controversial, particularly regarding the criteria employed by the selection committee. Many disgruntled fans and coaches argue that the current system may inadvertently devalue a team’s strength of schedule, as evidenced by the allocation of first-round byes to teams ranked 1, 2, 9, and 12. This arrangement has led to questions about the rationale behind seedings and the discouraging signal it sends toward teams scheduling challenging non-conference games. 

Spotlight on Kurtis Rourke and Emerging Talent

On the flip side, the expanded playoff has provided a platform for standout players from programs that might have typically been overlooked. Indiana’s quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, exemplifies this opportunity. Rourke has delivered stellar performances throughout the season, culminating in a ninth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. Indiana’s postseason opportunity underscore the benefits of an expanded playoff, highlighting talent across a broader spectrum of teams. 

Resurgence of Traditional Powerhouses

Notre Dame’s inclusion in the playoff reflects a remarkable turnaround. Overcoming an early-season loss to Northern Illinois, the Fighting Irish secured significant victories against Texas A&M and two undefeated service academies. Again, in previous years this team might have just barely missed the cut. But alas, the fighting Irish will host Kurtis Rourke and the Indiana hoosiers with the winner facing the Georgia bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on New Years Day in New Orleans. 

At-Large Bids and Late-Season Dynamics

The at-large bids awarded to teams like Tennessee and Ohio State highlight the unpredictable nature of college football. Tennessee was saved by late-season losses from Ole Miss and Alabama, who stumbled against unranked opponents in the second to last week. Ohio State dropped one at Oregon earlier this season and put up 10 points at home against Michigan, but still made the cut with defining wins over Penn State and Indiana. It will be fascinating to see how these two teams fare down the stretch.

With Zayd Hussein 

Ohio State vs Tennessee: Game Preview

Get ready for an epic clash in the College Football Playoff first round as No. 8 Ohio State hosts No. 9 Tennessee in a battle set for Ohio Stadium on December 21, 2024. The Buckeyes, with a 10-2 record, are known for their ironclad defense, leading the nation in points and yards allowed. Offensively, quarterback Will Howard has been a steady hand, but the team’s offensive line, decimated by injuries, faces a stern test against Tennessee’s aggressive front. The Volunteers, also 10-2, are led by running back Dylan Sampson, who’s been a force on the ground, complemented by Nico Iamaleava’s arm at quarterback. Tennessee’s defense, particularly their defensive line with James Pearce Jr., could disrupt Ohio State’s game plan, setting up a fascinating tactical battle.

The matchup in Columbus is more than just a playoff game; it’s a narrative of redemption, resilience, and raw talent. Ohio State’s home advantage and their elite receiving corps might tilt the scales, but Tennessee’s physicality and determination to upset in such a high-stakes environment could make this contest razor-close. With the weather potentially cold, adding another layer of challenge, expect a game where defense might shine, and each play could be the difference between moving forward or watching from home. Betting odds currently favor Ohio State by 7.5 points with an over/under of 47.5, promising a tight, low-scoring affair where strategy and execution will decide the victor.

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Aptly enough ….

Caitlin Clark Time Magazine Female Athlete of the Year. Olympic buffs are miffed, but get over it !

Man I love this Drake Men’s Basketball team. After the hangover from Iowa Women’s Hoops, what a great pick-us-up!

Caitlin Clark’s #22 Jersey retired. I’d put a gold statue up in the walkway to Carver- Hawkeye …

Ah, Drake may not lose until February.
Just sayin’….

If you haven’t checked out Niko & Tyler on their soccer show Friday nights at 6p Eastern you are missing a lot.

Bill Raftery – at 83- still sharp calling college hoops. Love the man!

Gary Danielson never gets boring talking college football.

Open -portal December is just God-awfully WRONG!

Bill Belichick to North Carolina still strikes me as odd; how about you?

First off, this IS NOT his last coaching stop. And his last one will be in the NFL!

This is a lark. What’s he got to

lose? He has the standard “ NFL out clauses in his 5 year Tar Heel deal.

Tom Brady has a better chance of fulfilling his 10-year FOX TV deal.

Just want to bookmark one thought – and very much at the risk of sounding crazy. Belichick is a New England guy, resides there and loves it there. He and Patriots owner Robert Kraft grew tired of each other. Time heals most everything. The Pats will rise again and a BB return would not surprise me in the least.

Our own Nick Douglas throwing objectivity out the window with Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney.

All kidding aside, Nick draws the long straw and will cover Clemson at Texas in the 1st of the College Football Playoff.

Here’s the picks:

Texas 27 Clemson 24

SMU 31 Penn State 28

Notre Dame 34 Indiana 30

Tennessee 24 Ohio State 20

I’m join inside AT & T Stadium in Dallas with 4 

Arizona Sun Devil backers … 

I predicted a “Texas Shootout” and it was over quickly with a few blasts from the amazing Cam Skattebo…