Superlatives from Kramer's Korner: Playoff Is a Huge Win, What Took so Long?
In December of 2010, former BCS stage coordinator and current College Football Playoff puppet master, Bill Hancock, wrote a column for USA Today adamantly defending college football’s former playoff-less era. More specifically, Hancock tackled chatter for a playoff head on, explaining in detail why this concept would be a detriment to the sport.
“College football has the best regular season of any sport,” Hancock wrote. “And the lack of a playoff is one big reason why.”
On January 1 2015, the playoff debuted with no one less than Hancock himself, the executive director, overseeing it all. The entire thing—to the surprise of absolutely no one—was an overwhelming success. Feet still haven’t hit the floor. Eyeballs consumed en masse.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The playoff, as it turns out, didn’t have a negative impact on the regular season. In fact, its presence added an element of importance to each and every week, a season-long journey that culminated in a pair of wildly entertaining semifinals on New Year’s Day.
With these two games came two enormous television ratings, numbers that compete individually with national championships from previous seasons.
". @CFBPlayoff Semis: Cable’s Largest Two Audiences in History @rosebowlgame @SugarBowlNola Each Avg More Than 28 Million Viewers
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) January 2, 2015"
Nothing blew up. Nothing was lost. The bowl season was still successful and necessary. The regular season wasn’t just kept important; it became even more imperative for more teams and fanbases.
While the debate over deserved playoff participants nullified some of the playoff’s true value—with controversy taking over—this was gladly tossed aside the moment Oregon and Florida State kicked off.
Even with one blowout, you couldn’t turn away. Alabama and Ohio State capped off a spectacular day in spectacular fashion, delivering an unlikely result we’ll be buzzing about for some time regardless of what happens next.
While the playoff may not be perfect—and much of this depends on how you like your football served—the new era has been welcomed with open arms. It was a perfect complement to a brilliant bowl season, not a big, sorry distraction.
Change, of course, is always worrisome. It’s why Hancock—and many others, for that matter—fought to keep the old system intact for as long as he could. He viewed the playoff as a threat before having no choice but to embrace the unknown. In losing this battle, however, the rest of us won.
The only relevant question that can be asked now isn’t regarding the prospects of eventually expanding to eight teams. We’ll get there when we get there. It’s far simpler than that.
Why’d we wait so long?
With only one game remaining, here are the awards, Vines and important mascot groin kicks from an action-packed bowl season.
Offensive Player of the Bowl Season: Nick Chubb, Georgia
Given some of the box score destruction that took place in obscure bowl locations, you could have gone a handful of directions for this award. But in terms of numbers and overall impact, no one did more for his team this bowl season than Nick Chubb, Georgia’s “backup” running back. (Note: This isn’t very fair.)
Todd Gurley’s replacement ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries in the Belk Bowl, obliterating the nation’s No. 11 rush defense. A combination of size and speed, the true freshman capped off a brilliant first year in style, falling only 17 yards short of Herschel Walker’s single-game mark.
He will now spend the next eight months getting bigger and faster, which is also unfair.
Dominant Defender: Arkansas, The Entire Defense (Again)
Only once this season did we honor an entire defense rather than an individual in this category. That team was Arkansas following its 30-0 victory over Ole Miss in late November, its second consecutive SEC shutout.
As dominant as the defense was in back-to-back weeks, it was even better against Texas in the Texas Bowl. The Longhorns weren’t just defensively challenged; they were running headfirst into a brick wall for 60 minutes.
"Texas: 59 yards on 43 offensive plays; fewest yards by any FBS team in a game this season
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 30, 2014"
As statistically incredible as that might seem, it should be noted that Texas had fewer than 30 total yards late in the fourth quarter. The numbers don't do it justice.
And over the last five weeks of the season—going up against four ranked opponents at the time of the game—Bret Bielema’s team allowed 31 combined points. Not bad.
Video Game Box Scores
— In a game that took roughly 19 hours to complete, USC and Nebraska delivered plenty of offense in the Holiday Bowl. These two totaled a combined 1,040 yards, 702 passing yards, 50 first downs and 87 points. Despite the Trojans' best efforts to blow a robust lead, they held on 45-42.
— Prior to Clemson’s bowl game, quarterback Cole Stoudt had a negative quarterback rating in two of three games, headlined by a -62.6 performance against South Carolina (albeit with only two throws). After struggling mightily all season, however, Stoudt was brilliant in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Behold one of the strangest individual finishes to the season you will ever see.
"Cole Stoudt’s quarterback rating over his last four games: From -62.6 to 174.2. pic.twitter.com/Oj3DU243Ni
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 4, 2015"
Anti-Video Game Box Score
— How do you total 583 yards, score 41 points and still manage to finish with negative rushing yards? If you’ve been seeking out an answer to this riddle, pull up a chair. Baylor’s heartbreaking loss to Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl gave us that answer.
"Coming to an anti-video game box score bowl recap near you: pic.twitter.com/p3P6QvpzDA
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 3, 2015 "
— Oh, Ole Miss. After a brilliant season, the Rebels ended with an emphatic thud against TCU in the Peach Bowl. The Rebels totaled just 129 yards in their 42-3 loss, running for just nine yards on 37 carries. This game also featured eight turnovers—four on each side—although Bo Wallace’s early interceptions did not help matters. In fairness to Ole Miss, TCU is a mighty fine team.
Best Moment
It was a rare break in his programming, a sign of actual raw human emotion from an individual who rarely allows us access. Although Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is typically robotic in his media encounters, this was not the case following his team’s Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
As Meyer met with the media following his team’s 42-35 win, he was alerted of Oregon’s blowout victory over Florida State and—more relevant to his interests—his opponent for the national championship.
His reaction was authentic and perfect. It was subtle and, yet, it was a welcome change of pace from a coach who doesn’t stray from the script often.
For the Highlight Reel
It was Christmas Eve, and I was wrapping presents with the helping hand of a large glass of Baileys. With the Bahamas Bowl on as backdrop, I watched Western Kentucky blow out Central Michigan for three quarters. And then, with the score 49-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Chippewas responded. Oh, did they respond.
After scoring 28 consecutive points, Central Michigan was down to its final play in regulation with just a few seconds remaining. In need of a miracle at the wrong 25-yard line—the side you don’t want to be on when you need a miracle—the unthinkable happened.
I have watched this video roughly 40 times, and it still doesn’t make sense. It still doesn't look real.
Although the two-point conversion to win the game failed on a poorly executed fade—please ban this play from your playbook—you may never see anything like this in your football life. Treasure it.
For the Highlight Reel: Part Two
World, Maxx Williams. Maxx Williams, world.
If you live within Big Ten walls, this is a name you know quite well. If this is your introduction to Maxx Williams—the nation’s best tight end and perhaps a future first-round draft pick—you’re in for a treat.
Against Missouri in the Citrus Bowl, Williams pulled the rare double-hurdle on a 54-yard touchdown reception. Because one just wasn't enough.
Although “anonymous draft scouts” will soon be dissecting our favorite players, they will not be able to knock his ability to hurdle mortals with relative ease.
Best Quote
Gary Patterson didn’t say much at all. And yet, no one said more.
When your team is left out of the College Football Playoff by the slimmest of margins and your response is a 42-3 clobbering over the nation’s No. 9 team, not saying much at all is almost more powerful. The resume says plenty.
"Gary Patterson on if this was statement to @CFBPlayoff: "I don’t think I have to say anything"
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 31, 2014"
Large-Man Play of the Bowl Season
If you share the same passion for large-man feats as I do, you’re going to want to sit down, or at least move far away from all glass tables and other breakables. After all, it’s not every day that a 390-pound human runs freely in the open field with a football in his hand.
That’s precisely what happened with Baylor’s Laquan McGowan. The 6’7” guard heard his number called against Michigan State on an 18-yard touchdown reception in a play call that I would like to hug.
It was unexpected. It was brilliant. And it was beautiful.
The best part of this moment—outside of everything, of course—has to be the awkward booth silence following the score as ESPN searched for the name of the unexpected giant.
No, wait. The best part is how McGowan’s jersey only covers about half of his upper body and looks more like a bib.
Scratch that. The best part is all of it. Yep, let’s go with that.
Biggest Hit
We stay in the Cotton Bowl for a while longer, although all kickers—both past and current—are encouraged to skip to the next section.
Following a blocked field goal late in the game, Baylor kicker Chris Callahan tried to track down the ball that was moving in the other direction. That’s when Michigan State wideout/cornerback/special teams missile Tony Lippett appeared out of nowhere.
Please put on your hard hat before viewing.
It should be noted that Callahan was fine despite what the video told us. In fact, following the game, he and Lippett had a nice exchange on Twitter.
"@chrispcallahan2 man that play happened so fast man... Hope u alright though man
— Ralph LaurenLIP (@Tony_Lippett14) January 2, 2015"
They may not be best friends after all this, but that's nicely done by both.
Biggest Hit (Runner-Up)
It was a difficult bowl season for kickers. On top of the occasional missed field goals and game-losing botched extra points—sorry, Boston College—the position was hit hard.
Although West Virginia kicker Josh Lambert wasn’t hit nearly as hard as Chris Callahan above, he was hit somewhere no kicker wants to be hit in the Liberty Bowl.
Kickin’ ain’t easy, folks. Remember that as you watch a Texas A&M player fly into the screen and make "contact" with Lambert's "belt area."
It should be pointed out that after a flag was thrown, Lambert came back later on in the drive and made a field goal. That is award-worthy.
Biggest Hit (Mascot Edition)
There must be history here. How else can you explain why the Cincinnati Bearcat did a flying kick into Thomas Jefferson's belt area? I never expected to type that sentence, but I’m sure glad I did.
The matchup between Virginia Tech and Cincinnati was certifiably “meh.” But when a mascot disrupts a race featuring former presidents with a move from Mortal Kombat, your utmost attention is required.
I haven’t stopped laughing at this. I don’t plan to anytime soon.
Most Embarrassing Bowl Season Job
Let’s stay in the mascot genre a while longer and celebrate what has to be a low point for some young man’s professional career.
I’m sure there are worse things to do than hold an umbrella for a giant potato mascot—more specifically, the terrifying mascot for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl—although none come to mind. This has to be a personal low.
I’m sure it will read much better on a resume than it appeared on television.
Also, again, why is that thing wearing gloves?
Most Terrifying New Bowl Mascot(s)
Congratulations, mutant potato. You are no longer the most terrifying mascot of the bowl season. You have been overtaken by not one, but two food-related items that appeared in the Outback Bowl.
Here we have a mutant shrimp, I think.
"So that's a fried shrimp. pic.twitter.com/MN2Fy8iZbd
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) January 1, 2015"
And a human-sized Bloomin’ Onion. Children reading this for whatever reason, I’m so sorry. They'll see you in your Outback nightmares.
"So...who do you have winning the #OutbackBowl? Coconut Shrimp or Bloomin' Onion? pic.twitter.com/mmirFmMc0t
— Kimmie (@kimmiexj) January 1, 2015"
Toughest Coach of the Bowl Season
Although there were better overall coaching jobs this bowl season (see: Urban Meyer), no coach took a kick to the face—yes, an actual kick to the face—better than South Alabama’s Joey Jones.
That’s not an exaggeration. In fact, this moment wasn’t for the faint of heart. Playing Bowling Green in the first-ever Camellia Bowl, Jones was simply trying to help one of his players as he was pushed out of bounds and took a cleat to the face in the process.
Again, you've been warned.
The result was not pretty, although Jones didn’t budge from the sideline. South Alabama fell short in its comeback efforts, but kudos to the head coach for hanging in there with a broken nose.
"1st Camellia Bowl has a little bit of everything, including bloody nose for coach Joey Jones. pic.twitter.com/kYCI2uR3Qi
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomonCBS) December 21, 2014"
Best Illegal Forward Pass of the Bowl Season
It ended up not being a fumble—let’s start with the positives. With that out of the way, Iowa’s Jonathan Parker provided one of the strangest kick returns you will ever see against Tennessee in the Taxslayer Bowl.
You’ve been there before. Perhaps your, “Oh [expletive removed by copy editors]!” moment didn’t come on a kick return with your team down roughly 987 points. But sometimes instincts kick in, and sometimes these instincts are wrong.
Chin up, kid. At least it was ruled an illegal forward pass and not a fumble. Plus, this wasn’t the play that cost Iowa the game. No, there were plenty more of those.
Best Unexpected Coaching Tantrum
With things starting to turn in the Pinstripe Bowl, Boston College head coach Steve Addazio had seen enough. When one of the members of the chain gang got in his way, almost causing him to fall, Addazio let the man hear it as he picked himself up.
It wasn't this gentleman's fault that things went bad against Penn State, although I'm sure it felt like it at the time.
Best Headset Toss
This one is easy. There is no contest. If this whole coaching thing doesn’t pan out, Urban Meyer might have a future in shot-putting.
There is one more game to go. Enjoy every last minute of it. I have zero doubts that you will.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
