Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Malik Zaire leads Notre Dame to Music City Bowl win over LSU



Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) passes during the second half against the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Notre Dame won 31-28. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports) Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly made a change on offense for the Music City Bowl against LSU and it paid off.


Kelly started redshirt freshman Malik Zaire at quarterback and his ability to control the clock with a mix of run and pass helped the Fighting Irish pull out a last-second 31-28 win over the Tigers.


Zaire, in his first career start, split snaps with normal starter Everett Golson and threw for 96 yards and a touchdown while running for 96 yards and another score.


Kelly moved the pocket often and gave Zaire quick throws off three-step drops, allowing him to make quick decisions. Kelly also dialed up designed quarterback runs in bunches.


Zaire only averaged 4.4 yards per carry, but those runs allowed the Irish to eat up clock, easily win the battle for time of possession (37:00 to 23:00) and run 25 more offensive plays than the Tigers. Then, when the Irish were in more obvious passing downs, Kelly put Golson (6-of-11, 90 yards) in the game to pick up his freshman teammate. The formula worked well as the Irish racked up 449 total yards.


LSU – especially freshman running back Leonard Fournette – didn’t make things easy for the Irish. After Zaire hit William Fuller for a 12-yard touchdown on the Irish’s first drive of the game, Fournette capped off an eight-play, 76-yard LSU drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.


Golson came in for Notre Dame next drive and drove the Irish into the red zone. Kelly then substituted Zaire back into the ballgame and the freshman scored on a seven-yard touchdown run.


On the ensuing kickoff, Fournette showed why he was considered to be one of the top freshmen coming into this season. The 230-pounder showed off his impressive speed on a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the game at 14-14 early in the second quarter.


The back and forth play continued on Notre Dame’s next drive as running back Tarean Folston scored from six yards out to cap off another lengthy drive.


Down 21-14, LSU’s next drive culminated with a bit of controversy. Methodically, the Tigers worked their way down the field, hoping to tie things up going into the half. Instead, after 14 plays and 73 yards, the Tigers appeared to be settling for a 19-yard field goal on 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line.


But as he is known to do, LSU coach Les Miles called for a fake and holder Brad Kragthorpe was ruled to have been tackled just shy of the goal line. It appeared that the ball crossed the plane before Kragthorpe's knee hit the ground, but the call stood after a review.


The Tigers didn’t allow the controversial call to impact them when the second half began. On the first play of the third quarter, Anthony Jennings hit John Diarse for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game 21-21.


The game remained tied until Fournette broke off another explosive play – an 89-yard touchdown run – to give LSU a 28-21 lead. That lead didn’t last long. Notre Dame’s C.J. Prosise reeled off a 50-yard run a few minutes later and the game was again tied.


Defenses on both sides tightened until the Irish regained possession at their own 15 with 5:41 to go. Kelly again efficiently mixed Zaire runs with Golson passes and the Irish progressed slowly down the field until they reached the LSU 14-yard line. That set up a game-winning Kyle Brindza 32-yard field goal as time expired.


The game could be looked at as a sign of things to come for each team next season. Zaire showed that he has the capabilities to be the starter moving forward, despite Golson having another year of eligibility. For LSU, it showcased Fournette’s incredible potential while showing that the team’s passing game still has a long, long way to go.


Both teams finished with an 8-5 record.


For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.


For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!


Follow @SamDCooper


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Malik Zaire leads Notre Dame to Music City Bowl win over LSU


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LSU appears to score on fake FG, refs say otherwise (Video)



LSU coach Les Miles dialed up a fake field goal at the end of the first half of the Music City Bowl. It did not turn out like he hoped.


The Tigers were lined up for a chip shot field goal that could have cut Notre Dame’s lead to 21-17. Instead Miles called a fake for holder Brad Kragthorpe, a backup quarterback, who lunged toward the goal line. The ball appeared to break the plane of the goal line, but he was ruled short on the field.



Halftime: Notre Dame leads LSU, 21-14. #MusicCityBowl Another look at the fake FG just before the half: http://pic.twitter.com/8MqhXQS7fT


— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 30, 2014

After the play was reviewed, the play was surprisingly upheld.


The one angle, shown in the photo above, shows the nose of the football across the goal line.


Here’s another look.



Apparently there wasn’t another camera angle that could corroborate whether or not Kragthorpe’s knee was down. Therefore, the call was upheld and the Fighting Irish went into halftime with a 21-14 instead of what could have been a tie game.


It remains to be seen if the call will have an impact on the outcome of the game.


For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.


For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!


Follow @SamDCooper


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Orange Bowl

Mississippi State (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (10-3)

Miami

Dec 31, 2014


Few people could have predicted this unlikely matchup as one of the marquee bowl games of the season, but Mississippi State and Georgia Tech have been two of the hottest teams this season.


The Bulldogs spent a good chunk of the year ranked No. 1 before falling to Alabama and then Ole Miss in two of their final three games of the season. The Yellow Jackets won five consecutive games to end the season and got a timely loss by Duke to secure the ACC Coastal Division title and nearly upset Florida State in the ACC Championship game.


If you like running offenses, this game is for you. Georgia Tech ranks second in the country in rushing behind a triple-option offense led by quarterback Justin Thomas. Thomas leads the team in both passing and rushing, but the Yellow Jackets have gotten timely rushing help by running backs Zach Laskey and Synjyn Davis, who have been bruisers up the middle and at the goal line.


Similarly, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy before the Bulldogs struggles in November, leads the team with 2,996 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, but also has been a consistent rushing threat with 939 yards and 13 scores. Prescott has been a nice ground complement to Josh Robinson, who has had a breakout year with 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns.


It’s Mississippi State’s offensive diversity, and the fact that it’s tied for 14th nationally in scoring, that's going to make stopping the Bulldogs such a task for the Georgia Tech defense.


During its winning streak, Georgia Tech’s defense was opportunistic, turning turnovers into points and then allowing the offense to whittle down the clock with the ground game. However, they weren’t able to force a turnover against a turnover-prone Florida State team and that contributed to the loss.


Prescott has been hit and miss with ball security. He struggled in the middle of the season and against Alabama, but toward the end of the year was better at limiting turnovers. If the Yellow Jackets want to have any hope in this game, they have to force mistakes by the Bulldogs’ offense.


Not to be overshadowed, the Mississippi State defense is quite good in its own right. It allows just 126.5 yards per game on the ground, and with nearly a month to prepare for the triple option, should be able to limit the Yellow Jackets’ ground effectiveness and force Thomas to have to beat the Bulldogs with his arm.


If the game comes down to Thomas’ ability to pass the Yellow Jackets to a win, Mississippi State should be triumphant.


Vegas odds: Mississippi State (-7)


FUN FACT Both Mississippi State and Georgia Tech were picked to finish near the bottom of their respective conference divisions. The Bulldogs were picked to finish fifth in the SEC West while the Yellow Jackets were picked to finish fifth in the ACC Coastal Division.


PREDICTIONS


Graham: Let’s not forget this is a Mississippi State team that was No. 1 in the country for a good chunk of the year before it lost to the new No. 1 and its rival. Georgia Tech might make this a game early, but I think Prescott and Robinson run that Yellow Jacket defense into the ground. Mississippi State 42, Georgia Tech 17.


Nick: Don't play a drinking game with every time you hear the word "option" during the broadcast. Even if you were simply using water, you're going to be overhydrated. Mississippi State 30, Georgia Tech 23.


Sam: Georgia Tech's triple option is a tricky task for any defense, but Mississippi State has the speed and discipline to handle it over the course of 60 minutes. The Bulldogs will get a few key stops in the second half, allowing Dak Prescott and the offense to pull away. Mississippi State 33, Georgia Tech 27.


For more Mississippi State news, visit BulldogBlitz.com.


For more Georgia Tech news, visit JacketsOnline.com.


- - - - - - -


Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday


And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Orange Bowl: Top rushing offense square off in a NY6 bowl no one expected


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Peach Bowl: Can Ole Miss' defense contain a high-powered TCU offense?



Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Ole Miss (9-3) vs. TCU (11-1)

Atlanta, Ga.

Dec. 31, 2014


Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) is congratulated by teammate Senquez Golson (21) after recovering a fumble by the LSU Tigers in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. (Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports) Ole Miss and TCU weren’t really on the College Football Playoff radar when the season began. And yet here they are, squaring off in the first of six CFP bowl games – the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.


Ole Miss took a big step forward in year three under Hugh Freeze, finishing the regular season ranked No. 9 following an Egg Bowl win over rival Mississippi State. The Rebels’ 7-0 start included a huge win over Alabama that propelled them as high as No. 3 in the country. The season took a turn with back-to-back losses to LSU and Auburn and a shutout at the hands of Arkansas, but Freeze’s team rebounded and essentially knocked Mississippi State out of the College Football Playoff.


The Rebels’ offense was hot to start the season, but became inconsistent down the stretch, especially after star receiver LaQuon Treadwell went down with an injury in a 35-31 loss to Auburn. With Treadwell out, senior quarterback Bo Wallace threw four interceptions and only two touchdowns in the Rebels’ final three games. Overall, Wallace passed for 3,085 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season while also running for five scores.


On the other side of the ball, Ole Miss boasts the top scoring defense in the country that gave up only 13.8 points per game. The Rebels’ D faces a huge challenge against a TCU offense that put up 46.8 points and 332.8 yards per game en route to a 11-1 campaign and narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.


Junior Trevone Boykin transitioned to being a full-time quarterback and thrived. The speedy Boykin threw for 3,714 yards and 30 touchdowns while also running for 642 yards and eight additional scores. After B.J. Catalon was injured, Aaron Green stepped in admirably at running back and finished the regular season with 854 yards and eight touchdowns on just 111 carries (7.7 ypc). Josh Doctson was Boykin’s favorite target and can surpass the 1,000-yard plateau with 42 receiving yards against the Rebels. Kolby Listenbee (38 catches, 709 yards, 3 TDs), Deante’ Gray (34/564/8) and David Porter (36/377/3) also saw plenty of looks from Boykin this season.


The key matchup will be TCU’s deep receiving group against a stout Ole Miss secondary. Senior cornerback Senquez Golson was a consensus first-team All-America selection with nine interceptions while fellow corner Mike Hilton had three picks and led the team with 66 tackles. At safety, Cody Prewitt also earned his share of All-American honors.


They’ll need to turn in another big performance in order to contain TCU’s offense.


ODDS


Ole Miss (-3.5)


FUN FACT


In the first year with Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meacham’s air raid offense, TCU set single-season records for points, passing yards and total offense. The Horned Frogs scored 301 points in 12 games in 2013 (25.1 ppg). Coming into the Peach Bowl, the Horned Frogs have scored 562 points (46.8 ppg).


PREDICTIONS


Graham: TCU was left out of the College Football Playoff — through no fault of its own — but it still has a chance to show it's one of the nation's best programs and that it deserves to be among the elite. If TCU's offense gets clicking early, Ole Miss won't have the firepower to keep up. TCU 34, Ole Miss 21.


Nick: Ole Miss' defense is well-equipped to contain TCU's offense. But TCU's defense should win the matchup with Ole Miss' offense. Will Bo Wallace re-live the nightmare that was his first half in the season-opener at the Georgia Dome? TCU 24, Ole Miss 20.


Sam: TCU definitely feels disrespected after being left out of the College Football Playoff and the Horned Frogs will have a great chance to showcase that they are one of the four best teams in the country against a tough Ole Miss defense. TCU pulls away in the fourth quarter and wins. TCU 38, Ole Miss 24.


For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.


For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!


Follow @SamDCooper


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Peach Bowl: Can Ole Miss' defense contain a high-powered TCU offense?


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Michigan announces Jim Harbaugh as its next coach



Jim Harbaugh is officially Michigan’s new head coach.


After what has felt like months of speculation, the university formally announced Harbaugh’s hiring as the school's 20th head coach during a press conference on Tuesday.


Harbaugh replaces Brady Hoke, who was fired on Dec. 3 after four seasons with the program. During that time, Hoke amassed a 31-20 season, but was just 5-7 this season.


"Throughout my life I have dreamed of coaching at the University of Michigan," Harbaugh said in a statement. "Now I have the honor to live it.


"Across every discipline on campus, the University of Michigan stands for excellence. I feel privileged to take a leadership position at one of the finest universities in the world. I truly believe it is time to ask what we can do for our great university, and how I can be a great teammate. I commit to do my part to see to it the Michigan football program upholds its tradition of excellence."


Harbaugh spent the past four seasons as the head coach with the San Francisco 49ers. The two entities mutually agreed to part ways on Sunday. Harbaugh led the 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championship game appearances before struggling to an 8-8 season this year. There were rumblings about disagreements between Harbaugh and the 49ers’ management, which ultimately led to the split.


Harbaugh becomes the latest coach with Michigan ties to be hired by the program. Harbaugh played quarterback for the Wolverines for four years at Michigan from 1983-1986.


Harbaugh will make $5 million per year for seven years plus incentives. That figure is the same as what Harbaugh was making in San Francisco. Athletic director Jim Hackett said in a year he would revaluate the football program and adjust Harbaugh and his staff's pay accordingly. The base pay is far lower than the initial reports that claimed Harbaugh was in line to become college football’s highest paid coach with a six-year contract worth at least $48 million.


John U. Bacon, a Michigan blogger, tweeted Harbaugh wanted more money for his assistants instead of himself.



Jim Harbaugh told Hackett he did NOT want to be the highest paid coach in CFB, or even the Big Ten. More concerned with pay for assistants.


— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) December 30, 2014

Upon Harbaugh’s departure from the 49ers, several other NFL teams, including the Bears, Jets and Raiders, courted the coach, but he chose to come back to Michigan. Harbaugh actually came close to taking the Michigan job in 2011, but decided to go to the 49ers instead and the Wolverines went with Hoke.


For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.


- - - - - - -


Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday


And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Michigan announces Jim Harbaugh as its next coach


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Fiesta Bowl: Arizona and Boise State each make a third Fiesta appearance



Vizio Fiesta Bowl

Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (10-3)

Glendale, Ariz.

Dec. 31, 2014


Boise State is back in a familiar spot while Arizona should have a distinct advantage in Wednesday's Fiesta Bowl.


Plus, both teams have something to prove.


In the BCS era, Boise State went to two BCS Bowls and both were the Fiesta Bowl. The first, a win over Oklahoma after the 2006 season, is a game that you very likely remember.


The second was a 17-10 win over TCU after the 2009 season.


The Broncos made the Fiesta Bowl as the highest-ranked team in the College Football Playoff rankings outside of a Power Five conference. While Boise State isn't seen as nearly the underdog that it was in 2007, Wednesday's game is a chance for the Broncos to show that they were the appropriate choice by the selection committee after Marshall's win in the Boca Raton Bowl to cap a 12-1 season.


It's also Arizona's third trip to the Fiesta Bowl, though it's been a long time between trips No. 2 and No. 3. The Wildcats last made the Fiesta Bowl after the 1993 season, beating Miami in 29-0.


For the Wildcats, the game is a chance to erase the memories of what happened in December. In the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, a team Arizona beat on the road earlier in the season, the Ducks rolled 51-13.


Looking for a gambling angle on the game? The over (67.5) might be a good bet. Boise State averages nearly 40 points per game while Arizona is at almost 35. Plus, both teams are outside the top 60 in scoring defense.


Vegas odds: Arizona (-3)


FUN FACT


Boise State's win in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl came in now-Washington coach Chris Petersen's first season with the school. Bryan Harsin, a former Boise State quarterback who was on the team for the Broncos' first-ever FBS bowl win in 1999, is in his first year as BSU coach.


PREDICTIONS


Graham: Arizona had a dismal showing in the Pac-12 title game, but I have a hard time seeing that happen again. If quarterback Anu Solomon is healthy and the defense can limit the production of Boise State RB Jay Ajayi, the Wildcats will prevail in a close one. Arizona 35, Boise State 31.


Nick: As Grant Hedrick goes, Boise State goes. Hedrick threw four interceptions in each of Boise State's two losses in 2014. He has five interceptions in the Broncos' 11 wins. While this isn't a claim for four-pick game No. 3, Arizona is the pick here. Arizona 34, Boise State 27


Sam: Boise will put up a good fight for its Group of Five brethren, but Arizona is just the better, more explosive team. The Wildcats want to get the bad taste out of their mouths from the Pac-12 title game debacle. Arizona 34, Boise State 24.


For more Arizona news, visit GoAZCats.com.


For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.


- - - - - - -


Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


Follow @NickBromberg


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Fiesta Bowl: Arizona and Boise State each make a third Fiesta appearance


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Nebraska DE Randy Gregory will enter NFL draft



Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Randy Gregory (4) looks on before the game against the USC Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. (Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports) In a move that wasn’t unexpected, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory is headed to the NFL.


The junior told ESPN in an email that he is “ready for the next challenge” in his life.


“I look forward to the coaching I will receive and the chance to push myself alongside the best players in the world,” Gregory said. “Thank you to my coaches from all levels, the Nebraska fans, my teammates, and my family who have supported me from the start.”


The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Gregory registered 54 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 11 games for the Huskers this season. As a sophomore in 2013, Gregory started 10 of 13 games, compiling 66 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.


Gregory is expected by many draft experts to be a high first round selection. Yahoo’s Eric Edholm had Gregory going No. 3 overall in his first mock draft from earlier this month.


For more Nebraska news, visit HuskerOnline.com.


- - - - - - -


Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!


Follow @SamDCooper


From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Nebraska DE Randy Gregory will enter NFL draft


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Source: Huskers hire Giants' Langsdorf as OC


Danny Langsdorf, who was the Giants' quarterbacks coach for only one season, is leaving to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Nebraska. From ESPN.com - College Football - Source: Huskers hire Giants' Langsdorf as OC


Daily Word: Maryland meets the Big Ten

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