"Automatic" Aquayo Saves Florida State's Season.

FSU's Roberto Aquayo's Game Winner

Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo is known in Tallahassee as "Automatic Aquayo".


He had to be on a rainy afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium kicking his first game - winning field goal of his career.  A 26 yard field goal that sailed through the uprights and saved the Seminoles defeating Boston College 20-17.



“To win a game, I’d never felt that feeling,” Aguayo said.

So the undefeated season remains intact.  The winning streak has reached 27 games but with the three point win over a pretty good Boston College team the game control wasn't there.

You got to have that to impress the College Football Playoff committee.

We're undefeated." Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said.  "We finish every game. Everybody else in the country has not finished at least one game. We've finished every one of them. Isn't that the object?"

Yes it is however game control seems to carry more weight that just winning it.

College Football Playoff selection committee chairman Jeff Long said on Tuesday night: "It's more of, the committee watches the games and then we discuss the game and we talk about whether the game was a back-and-forth contest, whether someone assumes control in the game early and keeps it throughout, (or) whether they assumed (control) in the second quarter or the third quarter or the fourth quarter and controlled it to the end."

If game control is your metric of where teams should be ranked than Florida State slipped again.

Saturday's opposing head coach, Steve Addazio sides with his conference rival.

"The object is to win football games and find a way to win and they have obviously
done an unbelievably great job of doing that, that’s what I really look at." Addazio said. "They play in a Power 5 conference, I think one of the better Power 5 conferences, and week in and week out they find a way to win."

"We were downgraded every time we blew someone out last year, so think of the irony of that." Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston said.  "If we win the game close, we're bad, when we blow someone out, we're bad."

“Florida State is the number one team in the country." Addazio said.

The bottom line is all Florida State has to do is finish in the Top four of the CFB Playoff poll and they are in.

You would think though that the only undefeated team in major college football would be the number one seed, conference affiliation be damned.

Florida and Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game remain on Florida State's schedule and both games will be difficult to control from the kickoff on.

Judging from the Seminoles past performance close games are the norm.

Not Much Love For The Seminoles

The volume of the noise surrounding Florida State continues to get ramped up.

Forget about Jameis Winston and his off the field issues.  That has been well documented.

Now Florida State is slowing dropping in the College Football Playoff Selection Rankings after being leapfrogged by one loss Oregon this week.

There are those who believe the Seminoles shouldn’teven be in the four team playoff for lack of impressing anyone.

“I thought the name of the game was to keeping winning.” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said.  “I don’t know what they’re (the CFP Selection Committee) to send or what’s trying to go on.”

It appears that this Florida State team is a victim of their success from last season which was off the charts.  An FBS record 723 points and averaging 51.6 points per game and FSU scored less the 40 points only twice last season.

“You don’t win games like we did last year.” Fisher said. “No one had done it in 68 years.”

This season the Seminoles have scored over 40 points just three times but Florida State remains 9-0 this season.

“We win.” Fisher said. “I think we are great in our own way.  Maybe each team has a different style, but I love this team.”

It appears Florida State is a team that everyone else loves to hate.

“What somebody thinks of us – I hate to say but it’s none of my business.” Fisher said. “We just control how we play. We’ve won every conference game except one by double digits.  I’m very happy with the way we’ve played.”

Saturday Florida State takes on Miami in a rivalry game at Sun Life Stadium.

The Seminoles have won four in a row over the Hurricanes.  Since Miami made Sun Life Stadium their permanent home Florida State is a perfect 3-0 on that turf.

Should Miami prevail against Florida State Saturday, and that could happen, watch FSU free fall in the rankings.

That’s about the only way you will keep the Seminoles out of the playoffs.

“We’ve just got to keep playing well and winning.” Fisher said. “We’re going to have our hands full going to Miami.”

Yes you will.

Videobomb Alert: Creepy Eyebrow Guy at FSU Game

((ht: sbnationcom))

We just wanted to share this because it's perfect for Halloween.

Check out the post game Sam Ponder/Jimbo Fisher interview after Thursday nights Florida State win over Louisville.

You can't miss him. (Said with raised eyebrows)

Slide into your DMs like sup http://t.co/sHvP1EpkVO https://t.co/r4BArE46Sy
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 31, 2014

The Dirty Dozen and Bottom of the Barrel: Truth!

And the truth is, we've hit the College Football Playoff rankings time.

Let's just say, the way overhyped first edition left more than a few observers scratching their collective heads.

Okay, maybe not all of us.

Our point is; that's not going to be how they finish. No way. Too many rivalry games. All the SEC West teams still play one another. And TCU still has to play Kansas State.

A lot of things will change. Trust us. Things in college football always change.



Haha! Enjoy your cheesy 1980's video---

Us, we're moving on. Mostly because there's some bragging to be done here....

11-2 last week. Not bad. We've been pretty consistent this season. Consistently good that is!....Haha!

No, seriously, the 11-2 mark makes us 89-18 on the season and while not perfect, it is pretty damn impressive...

But enough about me. It's time to get "On with the Countdown"...

THE DIRTY DOZEN:

1) Florida State 7-0. Still don't like them. Still hope they lose. But not seeing it. Jimbo Fisher is a moron who thinks the SEC and ESPN is ganging up on him. Ha! You really are stupid Jimbo. You don't get it. It's not, nor has it ever been about you. But...they still are the defending champs and as the Nature Boy always says;



And that ain't happening. This Week: at Lousiville, Our Pick: FSU 38, Louisville 31

2) Mississippi State 7-0. Sure, they struggled with a better Kentucky team. But they get credit for surviving the 1st part of their SEC gauntlet. Still have games with Bama and Ole Miss left. Survive that and yeah, you may be the man...This Week: vs. Arkansas, Our Pick: Miss St. 37, Ark. 23

3) Alabama 7-1. Are they back? Did they ever leave? Sure...they coasted after getting a quick lead on Tennessee but nobody can stop Amari Cooper on offense. He and Blake Sims have transformed a once slow motion Tide offense. And that may get them back to the title game. Sigh...This Week: BYE

4) Auburn 7-1. Time to play big boy football there Tigers. You've had a few good breaks this season. The offense has struggled at times. The defense more so. But time to step up. After this week, you still have Georgia and Alabama to deal with. This Week: at Ole Miss, Our Pick: Ole Miss 27, Auburn 23

5) Ole Miss 7-1. Best defense in all the land. And had Bo Wallace not totally brain-farted, the Rebs might still be undefeated. But that's all it takes to change the season. These guys still have a chance to get in the playoff. Win this week and all that's left is the Egg Bowl. This Week: See #4

6) Kansas St. 7-1. The Wildcats are a couple missed field goals from being undefeated. And they are much better than you think. They just quietly go about their business and in the Big 9(12), as long as you play defense you have a shot. They play defense. This Week: vs. Oklahoma St., Our Pick: K-State 38, Okie St. 31

7) Oregon 7-1. The Ducks are still the Ducks and they'll always be loved by the pollsters. And as long as they have Marcus Mariota, they have a chance to beat anyone. But as always--they still suck on defense and tend to lose if under pressure. We'll see if that holds true. This Week: vs. Stanford, Our Pick: Oregon 43, Stanford 31

8) Michigan State 7-1. Your Little 10 champs? Maybe. We should know better after this week. They've scored a ton of points this year, given up a lot too. Beat Ohio State, they are likely to walk away with the title. B1G title that is. This Week: BYE

9) TCU 7-1. The temptation is to rank them higher after Trevonne Boykin and his pals dropped 82 on Texas Tech. And hey, that makes them the #1 in scoring avg this season. But...there are still roadblocks ahead. And if the Froggies don't play better D, they won't get past them. This Week: at West Virginia, Our Pick: West By-Gawd 51, TCU 47---UPSET ALERT!!

10) Notre Dame 7-1. Confession. We are not fans of the Irish. And it sometimes affects our ranking of the boys from South Bend. But...keep in mind, it's mostly because they are usually way overrated. This, to us, is the right place for them. But they could jump if the teams ahead cannibalize themselves. This Week: at Navy, Our Pick: Notre Dame 41, Navy 23

11) Georgia 7-1. Bad news--no Todd Gurley for 2 more weeks. Good news--The Dawgs haven't needed him. The improving defense has helped UGA get the table set to make this a memorable season. But they too always seem to gag under pressure. Can they avoid it this year? This Week: vs. Florida, Our Pick: UGA 23, UF 13

12) Arizona 7-1. Go Rich Rods...A bad, close loss to to Southern Cal is the only blemish for the Wildcats. But props to these guys. They've become relevant again after a long time out of the spotlight. And hey, they beat Oregon. So that counts too. This Week: at UCLA, Our Pick: Fighting Rodriguez's 37, UCLA 30

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL:



5) UConn 1-6. Oh, poor, poor UConn. How many years ago was it you were playing in the Fiesta Bowl game? Amazing how fast fortunes can turn. This is a bad team that is likely to run the table. Except they finish with a Toilet Bowl game vs. SMU. This Week: vs. UCF, Our Pick: UCF 37, UConn 12

4) Georgia State 1-7. Guess the Panthers picked a bad week to play the nations best running team last week. 600 plus yards and 60-plus points later, Ga. Southern walked away with a win. There may be A winnable game on the schedule, but which one? This Week: at Appalachian St., Our Pick: Appy State 37, Ga. State 21

3) Tulsa 1-6. Another team that had a good run in the not so distant past. But hard times have come to their town. And we don't know if things are going to get better either. (Cheesy 80's music references--look them up). This Week: at Memphis, Our Pick: Memphis 31, Tulsa 23

2) Troy 1-7. The Trojans need to just write off this season. It's been ug, ug, ugly and it's not going to get better either...



No, even Trojan Man can save them. This Week: at Ga. Southern, Our Pick: Ga.Southern 51, Trojan Man 27

1) SMU 0-7. Come on man! Mack Brown? Really? Mack can't be that stupid, this is a horrid team. Must have been some sort of dream by the Dallas Morning News. Right? And hey, the Mustangs hit double figures last week (10pts)...so things are looking up. This Week: BYE, Our Pick: BYE 41, SMU 3 Ha!

So...are ya ready for November? Things are getting ready to change...a lot. Too many teams playing too many teams in the polls. They will cannibalize themselves. Really, they will...just wait and see...

We leave you with New Music Thursday---a very cool song:

Police: FSU RB Being Investigated for Domestic Battery

The strange world surrounding Florida State University continues to swirl on the heels of a statement by Tallahassee police that star RB Karlos Williams is being investigated for possible domestic battery.

"The Tallahassee Police Department is currently working an alleged domestic battery involving Karlos Williams. TPD received the case on Saturday night, October 25th, 2014 and it was immediately assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. The alleged crime is an active on-going investigation and Florida Law does not allow TPD to discuss the details of any case while it is on-going.
Once the case is complete, it will be released under the guidelines of Florida Public Records Law."

You can also go to the PD's Facebook page RIGHT HERE

((Note--You should go to the Facebook page and read the comments, funny but scary sad))

We aren't exactly sure why the statement was released the way it was, but it hasn't been taken down either. To the best of ours...and everyone else's knowledge, Williams has not been arrested or charged with anything at this time (Monday afternoon)

In the meantime--A separate report from a Jacksonville, Florida Sports Talk host Fridauy afternoon stating Williams was already suspended has been denied by FSU coach Jimbo Fisher who probably has lots of experience playing whack-a-mole now.

You can read about that from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

And raises a question...if the police report was filed Saturday, why would it be talked about on Friday?

Well, the reason is alleged photos and messages posted by Williams pregnant girlfriend on her Facebook and Twitter pages.

Police do say they are not allowed to comment on an ongoing investigation. Despite the fact the Facebook post earlier today did just that. Considering their past track record, we'll all be waiting to see how that plays out.

Jimbo Fisher is expected to have his weekly presser Monday evening as FSU prepares for their Thursday night game vs. Louisville. We can't wait to hear that one...

Williams is the leading rusher for the 7-0 Seminoles, who've been dogged all season long by the erratic behavior of star QB Jameis Winston.

Jimbo Fisher Does Not Like Jameis Winston Questions, Then He Answers Them Anyway...

((HT: al.com, Crenshaw/Lost Letterman))

This is what the HQ calls an interview that is cut short...


The All-In head coach was supposed to speak to Birmingham's Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

The HQ has no idea why Fisher would think that questions would be about other things besides what is in and around his program that have happened recently.

But Fisher got hot under the collar and prematurely ejected...

Later that same morning, he went under another round of questions and admitted that "if the facts change" he will consider discplining his quarterback...

Props to Solomon Crenshaw for the response. Obviously, someone in garnet and gold got to Fisher and explained how the pee-ahr of the walk-out wouldn't go over well if that was the last image stuck in Birmingham media.

The Hypocrisy Of Postgame Comments From Tallahassee

((HT: gifdsports Vine/Larry Brown Sports))

FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher is running heavy on either hubris or silliness or both these days...

After the win over Notre Dame, these were his words to Tom Rinaldi...
((HT: ESPN))


Pardon the HQ a bit if we laugh out ooud at the assessment...

But the more interesting part of the dynamic was on display before the interview itself, but the HQ is always a fan of the hot mic...

Here's the short version to Jameis beforehand...


And the translated version from FOSG Jimmy Traina
"Calm down, be very passive here. Understand what I'm saying? Humble. Humble pie."

Always coaching these days...

Always coaching...

Hubris Is An Amazing Emotion: Just Ask FSU's Football Team- Now It's Autographs...??? But, You Knew That Already...

((HT: Warchant.com/ESPN.com, Rovell))

Just ask Jimbo Fisher- especially when he slaps the media in his weekly press conference


Half-truths and "the facts are the facts..."
"Taint them toward their side..."

"There is no victim because there was no crime."

It's all our fault...
And it will continue to be...

Of course...

But, also, Florida State is now investigating the possibility that JSA (James Spence Authentication) may have Winston's John Hancock on memorabilia just they do with UGA's Todd Gurley. Gurley's JSA case is currently under investigation and Winston may not be far behind.

But you already knew that...

Saturday morning, here at OSG Sports, we told you about:

1) The RacingToARedLight.com search chasing Winston down the JSA rabbit hole and,
2) Brother Phil's subsequent search seeing that Winston's autograph was attached to documents in the same queue as Gurley (pictured at right)

From the Rovell story... here's the numbers...

JSA authenticates items as it receives them and attaches the serial numbers in sequential order. JSA authenticated 76 of the exact same Florida State logo footballs in order with serial numbers J65886 through J65962 and 70 of the exact same signed mini helmets in order with serial numbers J66829 through J66896. The company also authenticated 53 jerseys in a row (J66947 through J67001), 38 11-by-14 photos (J66026 through J66064), 18 of the exact same footballs (J66919 through J66936) and 11 signed Rawlings baseballs (J66898 through J66911).

According to ESPN, Fisher asked Winston if he signed autographs for money at the Syracuse game this past weekend. Winston told Fisher that he did not, but the HQ can see right through the semantics of that answer.

Darren Rovell discusses...


Good to see everyone catching up in all of this...

Lost Letterman did make an excellent point this afternoon...

Jameis Winston could be the Al Capone of the NCAA if this pace keeps up...

Jameis Winston "Cooperating" With Title IX Investigation... Was There An Attempted Extortion...?

((HT: WCTV-TV/TMZ))

While the attorney for FSU QB Jameis Winston, David Cornwell, admits that his client is cooperating with the Title IX investigation on campus, he also says that the accuser in the previous rape case tried to extort money from his client.

$7-million worth of being left alone...

TMZ has a copy of the letter and it claims that the accuser's attorney, Patricia Carroll, was ready to deal:

According to the letter -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- the alleged victim's lawyer, Patricia Carroll, demanded $7 MIL to settle her client's claims against FSU and Winston, telling Cornwell, "If we settle, you will never hear from my client or me again -- in the press or anywhere."

Cornwell says he rejected her offer and 4 days later she went to the media.

Fisher is now ready to move on and make sure that his quarterback is going to not get into any more trouble.

Here's the Jimbo Fisher press conference from this week where he addresses the "miscommunication" between staff and coaches involving the wearing of the uniform for the Clemson game.


The HQ still has tremendous issues with Winston even being on the field Saturday. We always thought "suspended" meant something the equivalent of staying at home, not being in attendance, and learning some kind if lesson in all of this.

The HQ doesn't buy the whole "miscommunication" gambit and the idea that the network broadcasting the game actually had 48 cut-aways (as counted by Deadspin) of him watching his team on the sidelines is appalling.

The glorification of a suspended athlete has nothing to do with subplot and it wouldn't have if he was off the field- where he belonged- in the first place.

The HQ is also not fond of Winston jumping into the middle of Sean McGuire's moment after the win and we're fairly sure there's a huge disconnect in Winston's brain when it comes to "getting it."

Which he, surely and consistenty, has not and will not. Entitlement and coddling are two words that seem to be fairly consistent in the administration of Winston's life path and we're pretty tired of it.

There's nothing wrong with being a "heel." Each sporting element has them and needs them for the sake of daily argument. But Winston, through all of his instances, has gone past that role into one of an individual who we're all waiting to fall and won't have any sympsthy when he does.

ICYMI: FSU Survives Clemson in OT

It wasn't a pretty win, but it will still go down as a "W" in the scorebook.

It went to overtime and took a tremendous effort by the #1 ranked, defending champ Florida State defense to save them.

But it was overshadowed in some respect by what happened before the game ever started.

Despite suspended star QB Jameis Winston inexplicably dressing out and starting to warm up before the game, the Seminoles stay undefeated with a 23-17 win over Clemson. Winston would be chewed out by his head coach Jimbo Fisher, sent back to the locker room and reappear in sweats.

Winston's suspension meant backup QB Sean Maguire got the start in a big ACC game. And while Maguire didn't exactly shine and almost lost the game, throwing an interception with just over 2-minutes left and Clemson driving for a possible game winning score.

But 'Noles DT Eddie Goldman knocked the ball out of Tiger RB C.J Davidson's hands and FSU recovered.

FSU's Karlos Williams would score the game winner in overtime and FSU escaped on their home turf, without their immature, star QB.

ESPN.com gives us the highlights:

Jameis Winston Dresses Out For Game Without Telling Coach

Oh boy...

If there were any doubt that Jameis Winston doesn't get it (life), warmups for the Clemson game should seal the deal.

Winston, apparently without the knowledge of head coach Jimbo Fisher, dressed out for the game and began participating in warm ups despite being suspended for the game.

And then Jimbo found out...

Winston apparently REALLY appears to believe the rules don't apply to him. How does he get dressed out and nobody noticed? Come on FSU...do you think nobody is paying attention to you?

---Sigh---

Either way, here's a brief Vine video of Fisher chewing Winston out and sending him to the locker room. As much as we hate to admit this, we will never cheer for Florida State to lose more than the Clemson game Saturday night.

We honest-to-goodness hope this costs the team a shot at the National title, because after this disrespect...they don't deserve it.

Here's the Vine video (thanks gifdsports)

While We Were Sleeping: FSU Benches Jameis Winston for Entire Game

The Lack of Self Awareness tour of Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston continues.

While we were sleeping, late Friday night, Florida State University released a tersely worded statement announcing their star quarterback with judgement issues would sit out the entire game Saturday night against Clemson.

The reason, though not initially stated is that Winston wasn't totally truthful when describing what happened to Coach Jimbo Fisher or administrators earlier this week.

According to multiple witnesses and a ton of Twitter traffic, Winston inexplicable jumped on a table in the FSU Student Union and yelled out a vulgar internet meme.

That unto itself, if were a random student would not be a punishable event or even noteworthy. But when you are the defending Heisman Trophy winning quarterback on the defending National Champion football team, you are held to a bit of a different standard.

Combine that with Winston's two well documented run-ins with the law since he's been in Tallahassee and you've got a recipe for someone who needs to learn, badly, that there are repercussions for being an idiot.

We, and many others, question whether he realizes this.

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

That Was A Close One For #1 Florida State, Survive Over Against Oklahoma State 37-31

The opening game in college football is always a crap shoot.  No pre-season, no scrimmages against another team.  You start in the heat of battle.

Florida State was invincible last year on their way to a BCS national championship but 2014 is another story.

An inspired Oklahoma State team gave the Seminoles all they could handle but FSU prevailed 37-31.




Florida State is still a work in progress and that's not necessarily a bad thing when you can overcome adversity.

"We understand how to win games, and we're doing a good job" Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said. ." I'm proud of them for doing that."

"Oklahoma State was outstanding out there." Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston said. "You know, they played hard. They never gave up. They never gave up."

“This team won’t back down from anybody,”  Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said.

And the Pokes didn't back down on the Seminoles.

Oklahoma State's J.W. Walsh was outstanding throwing for 203 yards and a touchdown and leading the Cowboys is rushing with 51 yards.

Most importantly Oklahoma State didn't fold in the spotlight on national TV after spotting Florida State with 17 unanswered points early in the game.

“We feel good about where we’re at,” Walsh said. “We’re upset about the loss, but going into film tomorrow, there’s going to be a lot of good things to build on.”

"I thought they (Oklahoma State)  did a heck of a job." Fisher said. " I told you Mike has a got a good football team, and he's a heck of a football coach."

Jameis Winston finished the game completing 25 of 40 passes for 370 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.  They weren't the gaudy numbers Winston put up in his season opener last year at Pittsburgh but his 28 yard touchdown run late in the third quarter will be stored in the memory banks.


It was also the longest run in Winston's career.

With the college football playoff a reality this is the first example of survive and advance in college football.  

Jimbo Thinks Jameis Has Suffered Enough

((HT: ESPN/ACCDN))

The explanation defies description...

Because he was suspended once already and he's really a good kid...

That's the reason that FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher gave at ACC Media Daze for not suspending (or giving any other kind of discipline for that matter) to QB Jameis Winston for his escapade at the Tallahassee Publix...

Jim Basquil and Jared Shanker discuss


Really...??? Really...???!!!

That's a fine example, sir...

The HQ's over-under for Winston getting into trouble in 2014 is Game 5- since Winston's own father has been asking for the equivalent of 24/7 supervision of HIS KID since he can't do it himself...

And, when Winston leaves FSU, it won't be soon enough...

High Bisque, Low Reward: Winston Suspended From FSU Baseball Team For Food Lift

((HT: WCTV-TV))

The jokes, memes, and stills created out of FSU QB Jameis Winston's crab leg-lifting at a Tallahassee grocery store have led to the usual, tremendous amount of jokes...

Now, the serious part for someone who really should have been keeping his slate clean with everything else swirling around the Tallahassee campus at present...

But, the Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office held a press conference this afternoon to discuss...
((HT: Tallahassee.com))
Here's the end results for the civil citation for the $32.73 non-purchase: “As a result of his citation last night, we are suspending Jameis Winston from the baseball team,” said FSU Baseball Coach Mike Martin. “I am confident he will complete his community service obligation and the situation will be resolved soon.” “I fully support Coach Martin’s decision and will also make sure that Jameis meets all obligations, which I know he will,” said FSU Football Coach Jimbo Fisher.
He can still practice and compete since it's a violation of the FSU Code of Conduct. But that decision, ultimately, rests with each individual coach.

Winston was not arrested and will not face criminal charges if he completes the terms of the civil diversion program...

Okay, faithful reader...
What's your favorite response/pun/funny today to the Winston fiasco...???

Jeremy Pruitt to UGA: Trouble Ahead or Just Rumors?

((ht: 1010xl.com))

Much ballyhoo was made over the speed that the University of Georgia hired Florida State defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.

The obvious one being: Why would the D-Coordinator of a National Championship team leave so quickly, aside from the pay raise, which he may have gotten in Tallahassee?

Well, there may be an answer….

Rick Ballou, from 1010XL Sports Radio in Jacksonville, Florida says Pruitt was running from something. He says Pruitt lived an "Active" nightlife and was out…carousing…a lot.

Ballou quotes sources in Tallahassee who said today that Pruitt, who was set to be engaged to a 23-year old, was in an illicit relationship with someone "Very Young" in the Florida State Athletic offices--who was not the 23-year old. He characterizes Pruitt as a "Player"….

He goes on to say Pruitt had a good relationship with FSU coach Jimbo Fisher, but that Fisher was very concerned with Pruitt's "Philandering" ways. And "Everybody knew it" about Pruitt.

Ballou also says FSU was prepared to come close to or match the $850,000 salary that Georgia is going to pay Pruitt, but Pruitt chose to run to Athens.

You can listen to the Radio Podcast RIGHT HERE

Here's a Tweet from Ballou earlier today:

Many rumors on why Pruitt really left. I think its safe to say his leaving for Ga.wasn't a football only move. #FSU
— Rick Ballou (@Ballou1010xl) January 15, 2014

Don't hate Georgia Fans, we are just passing this along. We know Georgia coach Mark Richt well and are very sure that he would not put up with someone who is a "Player" with that kind of night life for long. But it is interesting.

Considering the time frame this was accomplished in, we wonder about the background checks that may or may not have happened here. Yes, Pruitt by all reports, including from Ballou is an amazingly talented football coach who will undoubtedly be successful in Athens, and this may be nothing but sour grapes by the FSU contingent.

But be aware that quite often where there is smoke, fire is not far behind. Let's hope the change of scenery will do him well.

The End Of An Era, The Beginning Of An Era...

I'll admit it...

I was walking around in 70-plus degree weather yesterday...

All day...

I have seen all the different photos on social media from all of my friends and fellow media describing something going on in most of the country, but I'm going to have to say that I have no immediate recollection of what you're talking about. I remember walking through some jet ways in Minneapolis where I felt like I was walking through that beer commercial where the spelunker is trying to save the very meal his bartenders are trying to serve by bringing the glass bottle they just carved out of the nearest, ultra-convenient mountain side with an ice pick...

And, I dropped to my knees in profound thanks when I got into the concourse where the heat was working...

I'll admit it again...

I'm a very poor responder to cold... and the epic cold the east is taking care of for me can be sent on its way, thank you, by the time I return...

I had a football game to watch...

As someone who was a victim of the "Wide Right" and "Wide Left" eras at my alma mater where your time is marked by missed field goals at the most key moment against your hated rival- and you can recite the kickers who missed them and the direction the missed kicks missed- all of this talk about shoo-in national titles came across my ears with all the smoothness of a 7-year-old kid playing the cello for the first time- because his grandmother thought it would be a good idea...

The chalk across the chalkboard feeling when the kaolin fails to do its job because it isn't pointed enough to create the quadratic equation for Geometry class...???

That feeling...

And as the point spread against an "underdog" Auburn team climbed from 8 to 10 or 10-and-a-half points (depending on the independent businessman you follow for such advice), your hands go straight into "earmuffs" mode the closer you got to kickoff. Sure, the younger generation attached to the current Heisman Trophy winner came into the Arroyo Seco with entirely too much confidence. But they will understand, some day, not necessarily this one- that when you're given all the information and get to study from all angles that nothing is as easy as it's made to look...

I'll say this without qualification...

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is crazy...

And I don't mean that in a bad way at all...

He's the guy who works in his basement at all hours trying to figure out how to make time travel economical for the middle-class family of four. He'll be more than happy to figure out a way to make your sedan run on something that smells like cooking grease, but gets 427,000-miles per gallon. And, if there's a bomb set to go off attached to your ankle, and all he has is a plastic six-pack holder and a to-go bag from In-n-Out Burger...

He'll figure something out...

Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson isn't too far behind Malzahn, either... he just needs to figure out the cooking grease equations his boss has on the whiteboard...

In the first half of this title game, Malzahn ran his game that got Auburn to the last game of the year. It included a pass down the seam to a tall receiver that you had to go deep into the stat book to ask yourself who he was and did he, in fact, exist before Monday night. To even find who Melvin Ray exactly was, you had to know exactly where North Florida Christian School was and that Casey Weldon was his high school coach (Yes, the FSU Casey Weldon, but hang on to your conspiracy theories- for now).

Ray had caught only four other passes the entire season and his 6-3 height advantage was used mainly on special teams...

Until he was so blatantly ignored travelling down the seam, that it was 14-3...
((HT: ESPN))


Johnson dialed up 30 days worth of coverages that freaked out Jameis Winston and kept him in the pocket- and also kept the Seminoles from running their offense quickly enough to tire a defense that had given up yards all year...

They, simply, weren't doing it...

But football is all about adjustments... and you can talk about the fake punt Jimbo Fisher called being absolutely huge to keep his team from getting blown out of the gym...

It was...

And you can talk about how FSU pushed everything offensive from the tackle box (where Auburn likes to make it's three and four-yard gains all night if you let them) to the edges where their superior pursuit speed gave it more of a shooting gallery look going from side-to-side and gaining little yardage in the second half...

It did...

But it took a kickoff return by Levonte Whitfield...


And a 50-yard pass that set up the winning score as part of a 21-point fourth quarter to turn Auburn's last chance with the football into something that looked like a failed attempt at a Cal-Stanford play to chase one more miracle...

It took an entire half for Winston to find Kelvin Benjamin as a receiver and, doing the math, Devonta Freeman only got to run the ball 11 times in the entire game.

"Fortunate" is a word I would use as an alum to determine what happened at the Rose Bowl for Florida State fans. And with Tre Mason, Nic Marshall, and a lot of people returning, I look at Auburn to do some strong things next season...

Even if, with this new playoff system, the arguing will only escalate since more teams will be left out of the loop when you even get to choose more to be involved in a four-team playoff...

A few non-game points to close:

The Rose Bowl has no concept how to deal with incoming crowds...

The sign to your right was a microcosm of the day... they actually use it to keep some kind of control from the moment the gates allow you into the stadium proper and attempt to get to your seat. And, this "crown control" actually kept a lot of people from missing a lot of the pre-game activity on the field.

Do not misunderstand... the Rose Bowl is a gorgeous venue for football...

They just need a lot of Ess-E-Cee ushers and state troopers to get you in and out in the fashion with which the rest of the world is accustomed...

Translation: "A timely fashion..."

And, the other note...

The beauty of coming to Southern California is getting to sample some of the best food ever...

The unifier of all faiths from the Rose Bowl...
In-n-Out Burger...

This was our besieged and overrun In-n-Out across the freeway from our hotel in Universal City. They didn't think that there would be a big crowd, so they were understaffed...

Woefully so... but you notice that there are fans from both teams there- and the crew that keeps the Florida State appaloosa, Renegade, happy for his cross-country ride back to Tallahassee.

One FSU fan, obviously, dialed up on liquid courage wanted to know if there were any "National Championship winners" in the building. And yelling this question made him the envy of none...

A Seminoles fan waiting to place his own order in front of him turned and requested that he stay classy about the win...

"You don't want us compared to those 'Canes, do you?"

Eastern rivalries are never far from anyone, anywhere...
And that's football for you...

Enjoy the off-season people, National Signing Day is only a month or so away...
And it starts all over again...

The Seminoles Will Be Unconquered

Gus Malzahn and Jimbo Fisher

I see Brother Phil and Brother Jon have added their take to Monday’s BCS National Championship Game so I feel compelled to add my take.

My day job requires me to stay in tune with college football particularly with the ACC and the SEC each week so I’ve seen Auburn and Florida State on a regular basis.

To say Auburn got to the BCS National Championship Game strictly on luck is disrespect to what the Tigers accomplished this season.

Sure Ricardo Louis was in the right place at the right time when the ball deflected off Georgia’s Josh Harvey-Clemons’ shoulder pad and into his arms for the game winning touchdown.

And then Chris Davis takes an Alabama missed field goal the length of the field on the final play to win the Iron Bowl with each providing Auburn radio play-by-play voice Rod Bramblett the greatest resume reel in the business.

The point is Auburn put themselves in a position to win those games with in my mind the best running game in college football and an offensive line that has done a hell of a job run blocking.

When the season began you knew Florida State was loaded with talent and speed.  The wild card was whether redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston would live up to the hype.

Well leading the Seminoles to a 13-0 record, an ACC title and winning the Heisman Trophy means yes he did, and then some.

You thought Florida State would have been challenged by Clemson at Death Valley.  The Seminoles whooped the Tigers 51-14.

That sums up Florida State’s season, the Seminoles play at a much higher level than there opponents.

Yet I agree with Brother Jon that this will be a much closer game because of Auburn’s ability to run the ball, they’re the best in the nation at it.

Back on September 28^th Florida State defeated Boston College 48-34 in what was the Seminoles closest game. 

Andre Williams rushed for 159 yards and the Eagles as a team rushed for 210 yards, the most Florida State gave up all year.

B.C. ended up 13^th in the country rushing and Andre Williams enjoyed an over 2,000 yard season and led the nation in rushing.

Tre Mason and Nick Marshall will be the best backs Florida State has faced since the Boston College game.

That will keep the game close.

What is going to put Florida State over the top will be Jameis Winston’s ability to make plays.  He’s that good.

If you’re a Florida State fan though, you won’t be comfortable until the game is over but the Crystal Ball will return to Tallahassee.

Tallahassee: All The Pressure Is On You...

Last time out, we sat here and talked to you about how impactful Georgia kids have been in Auburn's remarkable run- and will continue to be so for quite some time as long as guys like Rodney Garner and Dell McGee are on the sidelines helping out Gus Malzahn...

Same applies for Florida State as they have made their run to the Rose Bowl...

In a conversation I had with Lowndes play-by-play voice Wes James on the GPB Sports "Football Fridays in Georgia" podcast earlier in the season, Wes talked about one of the best athletes he's ever seen in Telvin "The Terminator" Smith- who went from Lowndes to Tally and is a mean dude in their linebacking corps...

Revisit it hyah...

Smith is one of 8 kids on the current roster that are from Georgia- most from south Georgia- that are this/close to winning a national title...

Once again, following on a theme...
This may not sit well in Athens and places in the state they came from...

I saw Florida State coaches at the Georgia Dome looking at talent at the Football Championships last month- and they'll get their share of them if they can close the deal...which a national title can do very easily...

On the field, once again, I will re-emphasize that in the game coming up tomorrow the yards Florida State gets will have virtually no correlation with their effectiveness. Same goes for Auburn...

I have reminded people, in today's football, all the yards you get on offense (or, conversely, give up on defense) simply DO NOT MATTER... if you don't put the ball in the end zone, all the effort to get into a scoring situation (or allowing a scoring situation) will either be for naught (or get you a shut out)...

Auburn is playing with house money- even more so after the Alabama fold in the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma. There is no way, now, that Auburn (who is not going to finish below the Tide in any way in any poll- barring a blowout of monumental proportions at the Rose Bowl) will end up any worse than #4.

The Tigers will give up yards- it's their way...

Just look at games against Texas A&M on the road and Missouri in the Ess-E-Cee title game...
You see what that got them...
((HT: SEC on CBS))


But they'll also get yards... it'll take them a while to figure out what they can do and what they can't against one of the fastest defenses they've played all year.

Any Florida State fan who thinks this game will spiral out of control one way or the other- especially in their favor- is sadly mistaken and dealing in false bravado. Duke hung with you too, if you remember, a few weeks back...

Remember... the Rose Bowl also swapped out their natural grass after the Michigan State-Stanford game, so the teams will be playing on a new surface... and it'll take both squads a while to get adjusted.

If FSU loses, it's another step in the "Well, you're not like what you were in the 1990's"- and you still can't close the deal. If FSU wins, all the talk will be about the 1990's and how this could be the beginning of another run like the Bowden years...

If Auburn wins, it was simply meant to be and the talk will be about dolphins, unicorns, and harmonic karmic events.
If Auburn loses, it'll be one of the biggest "atta-boys" in the modern college football era...

Here's Florida State getting ready for the title game- as one... as they always have...
((HT: WTVM-TV))
WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather

So, look for something closer than you think...

It's only your college destiny that hangs in the balance...