Morning Wrap: Oregon Wins Pac 12 and CFB Playoff Spot

((ht: foxsports.com))

So we know at least one of the four teams in the inaugural College Football playoff.

The Oregon Ducks assured themselves of a berth in the playoff Friday night after destroying Arizona 51-13 in front of a really small Pac 12 Championship crowd in Santa Clara, California.

All world Ducks QB Marcus Mariota improved his Heisman bid by throwing for 303 yards and 2 TD's. He enhanced it by running for 33 yards and 3 more TD's.

The maligned Oregon defense held Arizona to 224 yards while the offense did all the flashy stuff.

The win moved Oregon to 12-1 on the season and like we said, pretty much guaranteed them a shot at the National title.

Arizona, who had a resurgent season under head coach Rich Rodriguez, dropped to 10-3 and will likely get a solid bowl game draw.

Your highlights from FOXSports:

Arkansas Has Heisman Fun With Sebastian Tretola

((ht: footballscoop.com))

Fat Guy Heisman! Stat!

We are always appreciative when an athletic department and football players have a little fun with their images.

Applause to the University of Arkansas athletic video department for producing a Heisman promotional video for 350 lb, Offensive Lineman Sebastian Tretola.

In case you are wondering who he is:



Yeah...

The folks in Fayetteville have designed a promotional campaign around a 30-for-30 style video that is hilarious.

And besides, who has a QB rating better than Tretola's 480? Nobody....

Jameis Winston in Trouble Again For Being Stupid (Update: Suspended 1st Half of Game)

((ed.note: The story below was written shortly before suspension was announced))

UPDATE 12:15pm Wed: Florida State announced that Winston will be suspended for the 1st half of the teams game vs. Clemson Saturday.

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Defending Heisman Trophy winner and Florida State University Quarterback Jameis Winston is apparently in a bit of trouble....again.

Winston is in trouble for apparently jumping on a table in the schools Student Union and screaming "Fuck her in the pussy". The phrase has been used recently by people jumping in front of live TV cameras and in internet memes.

And the incident was reported widely enough on Twitter and by our friends on Deadspin that it couldn't be ignored by FSU.

If you're wondering how my day is going so far, Jameis Winston just jumped on a table in the union and yelled "fuck her right in the pussy"
— Katelyn Boyd (@katelyngail) September 16, 2014

Let's appreciate the fact that @Jaboowins just yelled "fuck her right in the pussy" outside HCB @fsuprobz
— Lauren Montagne (@lulumontag) September 16, 2014

Lmaoo Jameis Winston standing on a table in the middle of campus and screaming fuck her right in the pussy >>> #gonoles
— randy (@shake_yo_booDEE) September 16, 2014

Well, it appears FSU coach Jimbo Fisher was not amused. Fisher said Wednesday morning on his weekly ACC conference call that Winston will be disciplined, though he stopped short of saying it would affect his playing time Saturday versus Clemson.

And yes, this is nowhere near the 1st time Winston has done something really stupid. Thus far, he's been essentially slapped on the wrist for it. What Fisher decides to do remains to be seen, but we'd be shocked if it's serious.

ICYMI: Famous Jameis is Your Heisman Trophy Winner (Now What Happens?)

We were watching this on TV last night at a Christmas Party and found the reaction very interesting.

To the surprise of few, but gasps of many not plugged into the sports world, Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston won the 2014 Heisman Trophy.

The win by the 19-year old makes him the youngest winner in the history of the award. And while it wasn't unanimous, it was pretty close.

But it didn't come without questions either.

While it was pretty clear Winston was the best player off the field (he had amazing stats on the #1 team in the land), it's the off-field issue that raised the eyebrows.

Yes, he was exonerated on allegations he participated in the rape of a FSU coed in late 2012. But questions still remain. The victims attorney is emphatic there was a cover-up and evidence of Winston's participation was destroyed.

But it will likely never be proven.

In defense of the young Alabama native, it's very hard to shake allegations when they come forward. And the fact he admitted a relationship of some sorts with the victim makes it all the more awkward.

As someone on Sports talk radio said shortly after he was cleared, either he did something wrong or he didn't, but the truth probably lies somewhere in between.

We may never know.

Nor should it take away from the amazing season the young man had on the field. The leadership skills alone Winston showed should be enough to get him on everyone's best player list. And throwing for 38 touchdowns for a team who was rarely if at all challenged in a major conference, makes what he did that much more impressive.

Winston, coach Jimbo Fisher and his Seminoles have one more hurdle to clear this season, and that's a date in the BCS Championship game with the Cinderella Auburn Tigers. It's a game FSU is favored in, and a game that if he wins, will seal the greatness of Famous Jameis in college football lore forever.

Your Awards Ceremony from ESPN:

Jordan Lynch With Another Heisman Trophy Statement

Will Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch win the Heisman Trophy?

Probably not, it's been earmarked for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston since week one.  

Tuesday night on a frigid night in Dekalb, Illinois Lynch had another record setting performance against Western Michigan making one last impression on the Heisman Trophy voters.

Lynch broke his own NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 327 yards on 27 carries.  He set the record October 19th against Central Michigan with 316 yards.


WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Oh by the way Northern Illinois finished the regular season 12-0 and kept alive the nations best conference winning streak of 25 games defeating Western Michigan 33-14.

"I think Jordan Lynch is the best college player in football, I really believe that."  Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck said.  "He's an elite player. From watching him live and just being around him, I really believe that, and I think that's what the Heisman Trophy is all about - finding the best player in the country and finding the best player that makes everyone around him better. I don't know what else to say about him but I will end it with that he deserves to be in New York City. "

"It was fun," Lynch said. "It was hard to throw the ball in those conditions, and good thing we have a good running game."

One might say Lynch was the running game for the Huskies.  The game was played in 17 degree temperatures and a light snow fall.

While Jameis Winston appears to be the odds on favorite for the Heisman Trophy Jordan Lynch and Boston College running back Andre Williams have had some superhuman performances in November.

Lynch has more game to campaign for the Heisman next week in the MAC Championship Game.

Williams has one last shot to make a lasting impression Saturday as Boston College takes on Syracuse.

Jordan Lynch Plays On National TV With Four Touchdowns In NIU's Win Over Ball State

And that leads to the question will it give Jordan Lynch a bump in the Heisman Trophy race.

In front of a national TV audience (well, ESPN2 so we use that term loosely) Lynch was his typical self throwing for two touchdowns and running for a pair as well.





"If Jordan isn’t in the conversation for the Heisman I don’t know what people are watching, they were obviously asleep." Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey said.

Other quarterbacks, Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M, Jameis Winston from Florida State, Marcus Mariota from Oregon and now Bryce Petty from Baylor have been declared the front runners by those in the media who declare such things.

Lynch has been somewhat of an afterthought.

"In my estimation that trophy goes to the best player in the nation." Carey said.  "With the performance he had tonight ( 131 yards rushing 2 TD's, 354 yards passing, 2 TD's) , we had a lot of good plays out there from everybody, but from the performance he had tonight he dang sure should be in that conversation.”

Rod Carey has a valid argument went you see that Lynch is right up there with the Heisman front runners.  

Total Offense Leaders:

1. Garrett Gilbert - SMU  409.4 YPG
2. Johnny Maziel - Texas A&M  392.4 YPG
3. Derek Carr - Fresno State  388.8 YPG
4. Sean Mannion - Oregon State  374 YPG
5. Jordan Lynch - Northern Illinois  348.9 YPG
6. Bryce Petty - Baylor  346.9 YPG

(Source: cfbstats.com)

Lynch's issue is obvious.  He plays in Dekalb, Illinois and NIU's conference, the MAC, gets very little attention on a national scale.

Even when Jordan Lynch performs in front of a national TV audience its a Wednesday night.  

"He’s fast." Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said.  "He’s built like a linebacker, but he’s got tailback speed. He’s got a lot of savvy. I’m looking forward to him getting his degree and moving on."

Northern Illinois has games at Toledo (on a Wednesday night) then hosting Western Michigan to close the regular season before playing in the MAC Championship Game.

At least invite Lynch to New York City in December, the kid deserves it.

Jordan Lynch Is Working The Outside Lane

((HT: XOS Digital))

Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch finished 7th in the voting last year for the posing-stiff arm trophy that the best player gets in Division I...

With all these efforts that he's trying to put on the board, it looks like NIU is trying to get him as much attention as possible when the voting actually happens...

Like today...

Lynch had four touchdown passes, one touchdown run and one touchdown catch as they beat Eastern Michigan 59-20...

Here's the highlights of the Huskies win...


NIU (8-0, 4-0 in Mid-American Conference) won its 24th consecutive home game and their 21st straight against a MAC opponent.
NIU's 8-0 start is the program's best since 1965...

The HQ thinks it's safe to say the other front runners for that trophy may do the same kinds of stunts as we go further in the year...

ICYMI: Report--Johnny Manziel Kicked Out of Manning Passing Academy

((ht: fansided.com))

So, Mr. Johnny Football is continuing his tour of winning friends and influencing people....

According to multiple reports, Johnny Manziel was asked to leave the Manning Passing Academy, run by the Manning family primarily to work with High School players., after showing up late on Saturday for his work and missing several meetings.

Folks at the academy told reporters the Texas A&M quarterback was "Sick". However a little digging apparently found Twitter pictures (since removed) of Manziel enjoying a night on the town Friday evening with friend and Alabama QB A.J McCarron. McCarron apparently found his way to the meetings and work Saturday.

Is this unto itself a major faux pas? Depends on your definition. It probably won't do much to help him with the Manning's (Archie, Peyton, Eli or Cooper). No, their blessing will nor does not make or break people.

But it does continue the growing impression by many not associated with A&M that Manziel has some growing up to do. He's had a series of off field questions pop up this spring and summer. Most having to do with him doing what a college kid with money can do if he wants.

There's only one way for Manziel to quiet his growing legion of critics, improve on his freshman season, which is not going to be so easy to do. How do you top winning a Heisman your first time out?

Report: Johnny Manziel Considered Transfer and Was Suspended

((ht: collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com))

Is anyone else growing weary of the persistent whining...and smack talk coming from reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel?

Just days after a briefly posted Tweet stating "I can't wait to leave College Station", comes a report in the Dallas Morning News that (a) Manziel was initially suspended by Texas A&M for the 2012 season and (b) would have transferred had not that suspension been overturned.

Manziel's suspension was apparently based around his June 2012 arrest for fighting and possession of fake ID's. That suspension came from the school, not from the football team. The school later reconsidered.

Read the entire story from the Dallas Morning News RIGHT HERE

As for the Twitter comment, Manziel is saying it was a response to getting a parking ticket.



Stop whining Johnny.

It's been interesting watching the change in attitude coming from College Station after last years successes. Between Manziel getting in trouble every month or so for Tweeting something he shouldn't and the school's athletic director running smack on Alabama and Nick Saban, they are not doing a lot in the "Win friends and influence people" category.

It will be interesting to see how the backlash begins...or more specifically when.

Geno Smith Finds Out Texas Tech's Defense Is For Real. Tubs Gets Red Raiders Fired Up With Locker Speech

The fact that Texas Tech had one of the best defenses in the country was a bit unbelievable but Saturday the Red Raiders shutdown one of the most potent offenses in the country plus the Heisman Trophy front runner.  We believe now, it’s proven.

The Red Raider defense frustrated West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith who finished 29 of 55 passing for 275 yards and one touchdown.  Far below the numbers Smith has been putting up this season.

West Virginia’s offense did put up 406 yards of total offense but no WVU running back had 100 yards and the Mountaineer receivers were held to double digits in yards. 

Not to mention a WVU offense used to scoring at will only totaled 14 points Saturday afternoon in Lubbock.

Texas Tech safety D.J. Johnson, who had six tackles against West Virginia, explains the Red Raider game plan against the Mountaineers. (Thanks techathletics)

 

“We just didn't execute offensively.” West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “We didn't finish blocks in the run game. We didn't throw and catch like we normally throw and catch. We obviously didn't finish drives very well. So it was a poor performance offensively.”

Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege looked more like the front runner for the Heisman Trophy.  Doege was 32 of 42 passing for a career high 499 yards and tied a career high with six touchdowns. 

“The success that he [Doege] had today, I think a lot of people across the country saw it because everybody matches quarterback when's you watch them on television, and they've [West Virginia, Geno Smith] got a great quarterback.” Texas Tech head coach Tom Tuberville said. “That kid is a player. I thought Seth obviously did a heck of a job in just running our offense. Running the ball, taking the screens when they gave it to him, throwing the ball deep and making big plays.”

Here’s the highlights including Tubs in the locker room pre and post game. (Thanks techathletics)

Geno Smith Pads Heisman Stats Against Texas, Mountaineers Defeat 'Horns 48-45

Hello Big 12, West Virginia has arrived.

When you beat Texas in Austin and you draw a Darryl K. Royal/Texas Memorial Stadium record of 101,851fans you are the toast of the 12.

"I want to congratulate West Virginia, they've got a very fine football team," Texas head coach Mack Brown said.

Yes coach Brown WVU is.

Geno Smith was his usual self, damn good.  Smith 25 of 35 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns. 

“You look at what he did, there weren’t a lot of times where we weren’t draped all over the guy that he was trying to throw the football to.” Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “When the play was there to be made, they made it. And obviously, the crucial situations we talked about were going to be the difference in the game. That’s when they want the ball in his hands. And he was an immense challenge for us to play against.”

Here’s WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen’s comments. (Thanks MountaineerTV)

 

Andrew Buie had a career day against the ‘Horns.  Buie ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns including the 5 yard touchdown run with 1:18 left to put the dagger in the heart of the Longhorns.

Here’s a game report from Austin, TX (Thanks WDTV)

 

Florida State Defeats Clemson 49-37 As FSU QB E.J. Manuel Auditions For A Heisman Trophy

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher told me last spring that the team most pundits thought was a national championship contender last year he has this year.

Last night at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida FSU’s 49-37 win over Clemson may have proved Fisher’s statement.

Here’s some highlights from the Seminoles big win. (Thanks WTXL-TV Tallahassee, Fla)



Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel may have put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation with his best performance as a Seminole.  Manuel had career highs in passing yards (380) and rushing yards (102).  Manuel became the first Seminole quarterback to threw of over 300 yards and run for over 100 yards since Charlie Ward did it in 1992.

Ironically it was Ward, a Heisman Trophy winner, who offered Manuel advice before the game.

“I talked to him last night.” Manuel said. “ He told me to go out there and take what they gave me. That's a huge accomplishment."

“I am going to have to look at the film, but I don't remember him making a bad decision all night.” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said.

It helped Manuel’s cause that he had a career night and a big win on national TV.

South Florida is next for Florida State next Saturday in Tampa.  Let’s see if the Seminoles can back up an emotional conference win with a win over the Bulls, who lost to Ball State this week.  If Florida State can do and in dominating fashion then this might be a special team.

More highlights from ESPN

 

RG-3 for the Heisman win--Has to be the socks

RG 3's socks

Sometimes they get it right. Or at least in our opinion.

Quarterback Robert Grifin, III of Baylor is your winner of the 2011 Heisman Trophy. And he did it without the hype machine and hoopla that surrounded the other 5 finalists.

Of course the Superman socks he was wearing (picture) certainly helped endear himself to everyone.

Griffin lead the Bears to one of their most successful seasons ever as they went 9-3. He completed 72% of his passes for 36 touchdowns on the season, many of them were of the dizzying variety. And yeah, he ran for 6 more TD's.

Griffin, who has completed his degree work at Baylor and is looking to complete a law degree is a sure-fire 1st round pick in the NFL draft this spring. With his background as a 400 meter sprinter, his cannon-like arm, his intelligence and likeabilty make us think that he may very well be a future star in the pros.

Your winner. Thanks for the embed code ESPN, appreciate it: