The Morning WAY After...

I know, I know. This took way too long to write up. For that, I apologize.

What I can't apologize for is the incredible emotions I've felt since last Monday. From the feelings leading up to the National Championship to the heartbreak as the final seconds ticked off to the pride I took in my university in the immediate days after.

Unparalleled.

That's the only way to describe it. I've never felt all the feels like I have in the past six days. As for the game, I guess this is what I can offer up at this point.

1) The nation wanted a great championship and the nation got it. Clemson and Alabama went back-and-forth for the better part of all four quarters. When the Tide landed a punch, the Tigers answered with an uppercut. The knockout blow came partway through the fourth quarter when Nick Saban called the greatest onside kick in the history of football. The air was let out of the orange sideline, if only for a few minutes. Those few minutes were the difference in the game. A 24-21 Clemson lead was suddenly 38-27 Alabama.

2) For all the doubters who believed a little ole ACC team couldn't hang with big, bad Alabama and the SEC, I have one thing to say: Sorry, not sorry. Clemson is for real. Deshaun Watson is the truth. Wayne Gallman is a beast. Brent Venables has worked wonders on the defense. The Tigers were just as strong as the Crimson Tide. Saban said it himself, and I'm paraphrasing here, "We needed to do something to change the momentum of the game. We didn't feel like we would win if we didn't call the onside kick. We were tired on defense and they were beating us at the point of attack."

Clemson fans have been clamoring for respect all year. We've been ranked No. 1, but were underdogs in our final two games and 99% of you picked against us in the Playoff games. Many picked North Carolina, or at least said to watch out for the upset, in the ACC title game. Sorry, but we're not sorry. We're here and we proved on the game's biggest stage that we can go toe-to-toe with the best of the best. Deal with it.

3) Jake Coker was much better than I thought he would be. Granted, it's easy to have the kind of game he had statistically when your unannounced tight end is streaking wide open down the field multiple times. But there were two key plays Coker converted. The first was a deep pass on third and long down the right sideline where he dropped a pass in the bucket for a huge conversion. The second was with his legs, scrambling and barely getting a first down inside the five yard-line, which ultimately led to the touchdown that proved to be the game winner.

4) I didn't think the Tigers D would miss Mackensie Alexander that much based on the reports of a bum hamstring. Boy, was I wrong. When Alexander went out, Alabama exploited a weakness in the Clemson secondary. It wasn't necessarily that his replacement couldn't cover anyone. It was the leadership Alexander provided on the field and his ability to make sure other guys were in position. With him gone, there were times the secondary looked utterly confused, and that was evident with the many busted coverages.

My brother and me at the National Championship.

5) Tiger Nation showed up to the desert in huge numbers. We arrived Saturday evening and went straight to downtown Phoenix where all the festivities were ongoing. There was orange everywhere. Pockets of crimson were swallowed up by Tiger fans doing the Cadence Count. Two-dollar bills were dropped at nearly every bar and restaurant around town. At the game, it was loud. Clemson Loud. I'd say Clemson fans outnumbered Alabama inside the stadium 60-40, perhaps more. If the Tigers are able to make the Playoff next season and are fortunate enough to play in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta for the semifinal and win, expect Tampa Bay's stadium - the site of the championship game next year - to be 75% orange. Or more.

6) We ran into several Alabama fans after the game who were as complimentary as they could be. They said things such as, "You guys kicked our tails and we're lucky to be holding the trophy," and, "I can't believe we needed special teams to beat y'all. Clemson was impressive. Deshaun Watson is unreal. We have the Heisman Trophy winner and I'm not sure he was the best player on the field tonight." They had many more nice things to say about rooting for Dabo and how nicely they were treated by Clemson fans all weekend. It was pretty surreal to hear that from a fan base that is at the top of the mountain in college football.

7) I'm wrapping this up a little early than usual, but my final thought is this: I have never been a part of a season like this in my young life. At 29 years old, I witnessed a multitude of awesomeness from those student-athletes sporting the Tiger Paw. An undefeated regular season for the first time in my lifetime. A second ACC championship in five years. A first-time Playoff game in the tournament's second season leading to a second Orange Bowl victory in three years. And a national title appearance, the first since the 1981 season. What a ride this year was. Thank you all for reading my thoughts week in and week out. I'm already looking forward to the 2016 college football season.

But my biggest thanks goes to the team. Thank you for providing me one of the most thrilling rides of my life. Not many people get to experience their alma mater have the kind of season you did, nor do they get to go see their team play for the championship. I fully expect this won't be the last time I get to be on board for something like this and maybe next time we'll get the ultimate trophy. Hey, why not next year? Let's do it again. I'm still #ALLIN! CU in Tampa!


-BtW

PTS - Prediction Time Sunday

On the eve of the College Football National Championship Game, I sit in Phoenix trying to wrap my head around the fact that Clemson and Alabama are the final two teams standing. What a fun season it has been. These two teams have proven their worth over the course of 14 games. One final game until we crown our national champion.

Bowl record: 11-7

Overall: 87-37 (.702 win %)

National Championship Game - Glendale, Ariz.

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 Clemson (Line: Alabama -7)

Clemson has had a good team recently, but the Tigers became great with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Watson became just the third player in FBS history to pass for over 3,500 yards and rush for over 1,000. When the Tigers have the ball, the offense runs through Watson. Alabama will key on him and attempt to stuff him and Wayne Gallman to force Clemson into passing downs. Watson is a better than average passer, but too many third-and-longs would be tough to overcome against the Tide.

Dabo Swinney has Clemson in the National Championship Game
for the first time since the 1981 season.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

For Alabama, it’s all about giving Derrick Henry the ball as many times as possible. Henry, the Heisman Trophy winner, and the Alabama offensive line wear down defenses over the course of the game. They rely on their defense to get stops quickly and get back on the field to pound the ball some more. And just when you think that’s all they do, quarterback Jake Coker puts the ball in the air to many receiving threats, including freshman sensation Calvin Ridley.

Nick Saban seeks his fourth national title with the Crimson Tide.
(Photo courtesy The Associated Press)

I’ve looked at this every way I possibly can and despite the fact that Henry has the Heisman, I truly believe two things: 1) Watson is the best player on the field and 2) Watson is much more important to his team.

That said, this game should be a fun one from all angles. Alabama’s vaunted defense against Clemson’s uptempo, spread offense. The Tide’s power running game against the No. 6 defense in the country. Both teams with proverbial chips on their shoulders. 

A duel in the desert. And Clemson completes the perfect 15-0 season. Clemson 27, Alabama 23

-BtW

I still remember

Dreadful. Agonizing. Embarrassing.

The paralyzing feeling I had walking out of the Georgia Dome the night of August 30, 2008, is something I'd never felt before as a sports fan.

Alabama 34, Clemson 10.

"HEY TIGERS! HEY TIGERS! HEY TIGERS! WE JUST BEAT THE HELL OUTTA YOU! RAMMER JAMMER YELLOW HAMMER GIVE 'EM HELL ALABAMA!"

It echoes to this day. It haunts my dreams. They sure did beat the hell out of us.

My senior year of school started as the most promising in recent memory in terms of Clemson football. Our Tigers were ranked No. 9 in the preseason polls, what with 16 starters back including every offensive skill player - CJ Spiller, James Davis, Aaron Kelly to name a few - and an incoming class that would produce incredible talent a few years later.

Clemson was on its way to prominence. Opening the season with Alabama in the Dome was a mere blip on the radar.

Nick Saban was entering just his second season in Tuscaloosa. His first produced a 7-6 campaign and the interwebs were abound with rumors of his recruiting tactics. Players were driving in Escalades and receiving $100 handshakes every where they turned.

But the Tide were a year away and the recruits Saban brought to Alabama would need time to develop and turn the 12-time National Champions back into a contender.

--

I ran into more than one obnoxious Alabama fan that Saturday in Atlanta. They were proclaiming they were back, that Saban was a God-send. Well-known recruit Julio Jones was the best player who hadn't played a down in college football. Terrance Cody was the monster inside Bama needed to shore up its defense.

It was all speculative, but Alabama fans aren't ones to hide their optimism. They'd waited more than a decade to get back to relevance and this was it.

I ignored their ramblings and trash talk. Let it all play out on the field. We've got Thunder and Lightning. We've got weapons at receiver and a veteran quarterback. We've got a defense that is ready to jump to the next level.

My brother and me in the Georgia Dome hours before kickoff in 2008.

Sure, it was Alabama. But the Tide were at a breaking point. Another year or two of mediocrity and they'd slip into oblivion just as Notre Dame has done. We were here to prove we could beat more SEC teams than just South Carolina.

This was our time. This was our season. We would have the crowd advantage, the skill player advantage and the scoreboard advantage.

--

After a Tide field goal on the opening drive, it was the Tigers' turn. What an exciting moment this would be. Finally, a long offseason of build-up and chatter about having the best offense in Clemson history would be unleashed.

First down. Incomplete pass.

Second down. Fumble.

Freshman running back Jamie Harper had been reportedly promised the first carry of the season by Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden. He got it. And his Clemson career got off to the rockiest of starts.

The next four Tiger offensive drives resulted in one field goal, one interception and two punts. Total yards: 71.

Halftime score: Alabama 23, Clemson 3.

By that point, it was over. We had nothing. We were doing nothing. This was Alabama's night to party on. We were back to the drawing boards.

I screamed. I cursed. I left my seat about five rows up in the end zone and found a spot in the bowels of the Dome to sulk.

I was embarrassed for my team. We talked the talk and walked with our tiger tails tucked between our legs.

--

Still sitting there fuming over the inevitable, I heard a roar from what sounded like our side of the stadium. Were our fans that silly to be cheering on our team coming back out of the tunnel after halftime?

As I slowly got to my feet, Clemson fans went racing past me having seen the action unfold on one of the concourse TVs. Spiller returned the opening kickoff of the second half 96 yards for a touchdown.

Life was breathed back into the orange faithful. How could I have given up on my team just one half into the season? What kind of fan am I?

The little voice inside my head then screamed at me, "GET BACK IN YOUR SEAT AND WATCH THE SECOND HALF!"

We forced a punt! Oh my goodness, we get the ball back with a chance to get within a touchdown of the lead!

Two drives later, it became crystal clear we weren't going to do this comeback thing. Alabama scored again to extend the lead to 31-10 late in the third quarter.

--

We were bullied on and off the field that night. Final rushing totals - Alabama 239, Clemson 0. Goose egg. Nil. Nada. Zip.

That Rammer Jammer chant grew louder with each verse. I sat on the empty Clemson side and soaked it all in. I made sure to remember the feeling. The clock was well past 0:00. There was little to no orange left inside the Georgia Dome. The party on the Crimson Tide sideline reached fever pitch.

"HEY TIGERS! HEY TIGERS! HEY TIGERS! WE JUST BEAT THE HELL OUTTA YOU!"

My roommate and I finally got the strength to get up out our seats and walk a lonely walk back to our car. We drove back to Clemson that night in complete silence. I don't know if we couldn't find the words to say or if we simply didn't want to talk about it at all.

Darkness and silence the entire drive up I-85 from Atlanta to Clemson.

--

Eight full seasons later, here we are. The rematch is set.

No. 1 and undefeated Clemson out to shock the world.

No. 2 Alabama seeking its fourth crown under Saban.

It is perfect harmony that these two programs clash for college football's greatest achievement. Two programs headed in completely opposite directions that fateful night in 2008 will renew acquaintances on the biggest stage with the brightest lights.

All the world will be watching as the Tigers and the Tide tango in the desert. You bet your bottom dollar I'll be at University of Phoenix Stadium dressed to the nines in Solid Orange.

It's time to make another memory. It's time to put that nightmare to bed. It's time to make January 11, 2016, be the night that makes us forget August 30, 2008. It's time for Clemson to rise to the top.

Remember 2008. Make them never forget 2016.

It's our time.

National Championship Preview: Alabama O vs. Clemson D

We know when Clemson's offense takes the field against Alabama's defense, it will be one of the most intriguing aspects of the 2016 National Championship Game. The matchup has received the bulk of the analyzing by the talking heads thus far, and rightfully so.

Now, we reverse the script and take a look at when the Crimson Tide possess the ball. On paper, this looks like a mismatch. Clemson boasts the sixth best defense in the country compared to Alabama's 51st ranked offense. Is this where the Tigers have the upperhand?

Alabama Crimson Tide Offense
Total Offense Rank: 51st
Total Yards Per Game: 423.8
Yards Per Play: 5.83
Rushing Offense Rank: 29th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 204.4
Passing Offense Rank: 68th
Passing Yards Per Game: 219.4
Scoring Offense Rank: 33rd
Points Per Game: 34.4

Clemson Tigers Defense
Total Defense Rank: 6th
Total Yards Per Game: 301.6
Yards Per Play: 4.71
Rushing Defense Rank: 18th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 124.4
Passing Defense Rank: 9th
Passing Yards Per Game: 177.2
Scoring Defense Rank: 16th
Points Per Game: 20.0

*Stats/Rankings include bowl games

The surprising stat here is Alabama's rushing offense ranks 29th overall despite having the Heisman Trophy winner in the backfield in Derrick Henry. Through 14 games, Henry has rushed for over 2,000 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Impressively, Henry has 25 touchdown runs, averaged 25 carries a game and was held under 100 yards just four times, three of which came against either non-Power 5 or non-FBS foes.

To say Henry might be all Alabama has wouldn't be far from the truth. Jake Coker had his coming out party in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns while connecting on 25 of his 30 throws. But while Coker has been very consistent all year and been labeled a game-manager, as many past Tide QBs have, the Alabama offense revolves around Henry.

Following the Tide's loss to Ole Miss, six of the next seven games saw Coker's Adjusted QBR range from 20.1 to 76.8 Compare that to Clemson signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who's QBR never dipped below 74.1 and was under 80 just four games.

What Coker found over the latter part of the season was a weapon at the receiver position. Freshman wideout Calvin Ridley developed into Coker's go-to guy. Ridley leads the team in receptions (83), yards (1,031) and touchdowns (7).

Calvin Ridley could be the key to Alabama taking down Clemson.
(Photo courtesy Reuters)

How does Clemson combat the Heisman winner, a consistent quarterback and elite talent at the skill position?

With a defense that mirrors that of Alabama. We've heard about the depth up front for the Tide. Did you know Clemson has depth too? You didn't?

Neither did anyone who saw Shaq Lawson leave the game after the third drive with a knee injury and watched some freshman trot on the field at the Orange Bowl. That's OK. Austin Bryant filled in nicely for the All-American Lawson and Bryant's not the only guy who has stepped up when his number was called. While Clemson's depth lacks experience, it doesn't lack talent.

What the Tigers have on defense is a group playing every down with a chip on its collective shoulder. After losing eight starters from the nation's best defense a season ago, Brent Venables' crew went to work. All they did was lead the country in tackles for loss and rank second third down defense percentage.

The Tide get all the buzz, but the Tigers have some big boys up front on defense, too.
(Photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

When Clemson lines up with Alabama across the field, the Tide may for a split second think they're facing their own defense. Run the ball with Henry? Meet Lawson, Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins and Kevin Dodd. Drop back to pass? Hope Ben Boulware or BJ Goodson don't take your head off. Send receivers down field in one-on-one coverage? The secondary is littered with NFL talent from Mackensie Alexander to Jayron Kearse.

Yes, the Tigers have a decided edge when their defense is on the field. The key will be getting off the field on third downs and limiting Alabama's chances in the red zone. I expect Coker to hit some passes and be somewhere around 175-185 yards. I expect Henry will get his yards as well, roughly 125.

If Bama forces its way inside the 20 often, Henry will be fed the rock and will pound away at the Tiger D. Too many red zone trips will result in too many trips to the end zone.

But the Tigers are up to the task. After slowing down a red hot Oklahoma offense, why wouldn't Clemson be able to slow down Alabama?

Advantage: Clemson


-BtW

National Championship Preview - Clemson O vs. Alabama D

Five days from now, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in all the land square off in the 2016 National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The undefeated Clemson Tigers (14-0) are a touchdown underdog against college football's poster program, the Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1).

Both teams have been ranked in the College Football Playoff Committee Top 4 since the initial ranking. Clemson was No. 1 in every ranking, while Alabama debuted at No. 4 then jumped to No. 2 in the second ranking and held onto that spot the rest of the season.

Coming off dominating wins over Oklahoma and Michigan State, the Tigers and Tide should provide us with one of the best championship matchups in recent memory. I'll start my breakdown by looking at Clemson's high-powered offense against Alabama's vaunted defense.

Clemson Tigers Offense
Total Offense Rank: 11th
Total Yards Per Game: 512.0
Yards Per Play: 6.39
Rushing Offense Rank: 16th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 228.6
Passing Offense Rank: 26th
Passing Yards Per Game: 283.4
Scoring Offense Rank: 16th
Points Per Game: 38.4

Alabama Crimson Tide Defense
Total Defense Rank: 2nd
Total Yards Per Game: 256.8
Yards Per Play: 4.09
Rushing Defense Rank: 1st
Rushing Yards Per Game: 70.8
Passing Defense Rank: 18th
Passing Yards Per Game: 186.0
Scoring Defense Rank: 1st
Points Per Game: 13.4

*Stats/Rankings include bowl games

As you can see, it's strength on strength. Clemson fans know the offense revolves around Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman. The Tigers racked up 312 yards on the ground in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. Watson and Gallman attained 295 of that, along with three rushing touchdowns. The starting quarterback was slow out of the gate throwing the ball, starting just 2-for-8 and finishing with 187 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.

Backfield duo Deshaun Watson (4) and Wayne Gallman face their stiffest test
in the form of the Alabama defense.
(Photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

But the damage was done on the ground. Behind one of the most underrated offensive lines in college football, the Tigers pounded and pounded against the Sooner front, eventually wearing down OU.

Enter Alabama and arguably the most ferocious front seven in the game. In 2014, Clemson ranked first in total defense, holding opponents to about 260 yards per game. That defense was fierce and clamped down on any and every opponent.

The Tide are that much better. Leonard Fournette was the overwhelming favorite to win the Heisman. Then, he met Alabama's defense and rushed for 31 yards ... total. In the Cotton Bowl, Michigan State was held to 29 rushing yards for the game.

Just when opponents think, "Hey, we might not be able to run it, but we can try to pass," the Tide swarm the quarterback and cause havoc in the backfield. What makes this unit unique is its depth. Alabama rolls out three-deep on the defensive line and most of those No. 2s and 3s could be starters elsewhere.

Speed kills and while Clemson has speed at the skill position, Alabama can match it. Lineman Jonathan Allen (12 sacks), linebacker/defensive end Tim Williams (10.5 sacks) and defensive back Cyrus Jones are just a few names the Tigers need to know. Trust me, though, the list continues on and on.

Alabama's defense hopes to stymie Clemson's high-powered offense.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

All week long, Alabama players and coaches are hearing about how the spread, uptempo offense was built to beat defenses like the Tide's. They've struggled in the past against true dual-threat quarterbacks. Ole Miss exposed them this year. The Tide are hearing it all. Just more motivation for a team hungry to prove to the world they are the best.

The way co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott can gain an advantage is to give Alabama a wrinkle it hasn't seen. Yes, Clemson will be Clemson and the running game will be a big part of the plan. But the Tigers would be keen to stretch the field and force the Crimson Tide to remove a player or two from the box. That means three- and four-wide receiver sets, along with tight end Jordan Leggett and Gallman running pass routes. Artavis Scott and Charone Peake will be keyed on by the Bama secondary, so the likes of Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and Germone Hopper need to find openings downfield.

Easier said than done.

Clemson, though, already has an advantage. It has Watson, who remains as cool as the other side of the pillow when under pressure. Watson doesn't flinch. The sophomore has been on big stages before and thrived.

Advantage: Slight to Alabama - but not by much. Make no mistake, Watson is the best quarterback in the country and will have an effect on this game.

-BtW

The Morning After...The Orange Bowl!

Dabo Swinney celebrates his second Orange Bowl victory.
(Photo courtesy The Miami Herald)

1) It's been written and said all season long: What a time to be a Tiger! The Paw is headed to the National Championship game for the first time in 34 years. Clemson's first and only national title came during the 1981 season - 1982 Orange Bowl - and the Tigers haven't really sniffed it since. Until now. I'm 29 years old, so this is a first in my lifetime. What a time to be alive and what a time to be a Tiger, indeed!

2) The Fake - This play should go down in Clemson lore alongside "The Catch" and "The Catch II." Simply put, it was a brilliant call and it sparked the team when it needed a spark most. Dabo Swinney was lambasted by media outlets for his lashing of punter Andy Teasdall's admittedly stupid decision to call his own number on fake punt int he ACC Championship Game. It failed miserably and Swinney let him have it with all the cameras focused on the tirade. So what else would Swinney call but a fake punt when trailing 7-3 and the offense sputtering early on. 

3) It wasn't until the second half, though, that Clemson pulled away from the Sooners. The Tigers dominated in the trenches, opening up a running attack that saw them set a school bowl record with 312 rushing yards. On the defensive side, Clemson harrassed Baker Mayfield all night and knocked out Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, OU's talented running back tandem. The Sooners gained 67 yards on the ground. The Tigers averaged 5.4 yards per rush with Wayne Gallman totaling 150 yards and Deshaun Watson posting 145.

4) Quick notes, courtesy of Clemson's SID: Clemson went 14-0 in 2015, just the eighth team in FBS history to win 14 games and the first time ever Clemson has won 14 games in a season ... Gained 530 yards, its 10th straight game of 500-plus yards, half the games coming against Top 40 defenses ... Watson is 18-1 as a starter, 17-0 when he starts and finishes a game healthy ... Swinney is 9-4 against Top 10 teams and is also 9-4 in NFL stadiums ... Gallman's 1,482 rushing yards set a single-season record ... Watson became the first Tiger and only third player in FBS history with 3,500 yards passing and 1,000 rushing. He can become the first player ever with 4,000 and 1,000 if he passes for 301 yards against Alabama.

5) Alabama did Alabama things to Michigan State in a 38-0 rout of the Spartans. While Heisman winner Derrick Henry was limited to 75 yards on 20 carries, it was Jake Coker who showed the Crimson Tide can sling the ball a little bit, too. Coker was 25-30 (83.3%) for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the win. When Michigan State bottled up Alabama's vaunted running game, the Tide went to the air. On the flip side, Alabama asserted it's defensive dominance, holding the Spartans to 29 total yards rushing. 

6) I was very outspoken about the Clemson-OU and Bama-MSU matchups being wrong, and I feel that was justified on New Year's Eve. Michigan State was clearly the worst of the four teams. They hadn't looked dominant in any of their wins over their best opponents and they failed to get anything going last night. Oklahoma was leading No. 1 Clemson at halftime and had more impressive wins over three better opponents that the Spartans. It's a shame the committee can jump a team from fifth to third (MSU) and drop a team from third to fourth (OU) just because it feels like it. I would've loved to have seen two contrasting styles in the semifinal games and see which would prevail.

7) Regardless, we get the matchup most everybody wants to see - Clemson vs. Alabama. No. 1 vs. No. 2. SEC's best vs. ACC's best. College football's blue blood against college football's new blood. The storylines will write themselves: Dabo Swinney, a former walk-on wide receiver at Bama against his alma mater; Clemson's tempo offense against Alabama's physical and fast defense; Two Heisman finalists pitted against each other ... the list goes on. I have my own story, which I will blog about later on. I hope you will enjoy it.

8) It was a great season for the Oklahoma Sooners and they should be proud of what they accomplished after an 8-5 season a year ago. Aside from what appears to be a fluke loss to Texas, OU ran roughshod over the Big 12, winning the conference crown and becoming the first Big 12 team to make the College Football Playoff. Bob Stoops resurrected a team that was left for dead following last season and after the loss to the Horns in October. Several key players will move on, either graduating or electing to go to the NFL, but it's Oklahoma. The Sooners will reload and have a solid core coming back next year. I hate to say it, because for my family's sake I hate when Clemson and Oklahoma play each other, but the Sooners and Tigers could be in this Playoff thing again next year.

9) Not to be left out, congrats to Houston for the huge Peach Bowl win yesterday against Florida State. The Cougs gave the Group of 5 its second win in as many years in a New Year's Six Bowl (Boise State beat Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl last year). Tom Herman has the Houston train rolling and it could be headed to a Power 5 conference in the near future.

10) Nothing else to be said here. Beat Alabama.

-BtW