Today's College Football Thread -- Conference Championship Edition

[fishwax]

The final week of the college football regular season today, with conference championship games, rivalry games, and one non-conference game with BCS implications.

The ACC Championship Game kicks off first: Boston College plays Virginia Tech. BC pulled out a win earlier this season, scoring two touchdowns in the last couple of minutes the overcome a 10-0 deficit.

The SEC Championship Game has the afternoon slot: LSU, coming off an overtime loss against Arkansas, plays Tennessee, coming off an overtime win at Kentucky.

The Big 12 Championship Game is at 7 (Central Time): Missouri, ranked #1 and potentially one game away from the BCS National Championship Game, plays my Oklahoma Sooners, who beat Mizzou earlier this year, and if not for a QB's concussion on the first offensive play against Texas Tech, would probably be number one themselves. (Alas :()

Those are the BCS Conference Championship Games, but there are a couple others as well:

The MAC Championship pits Miami of Ohio against Central Michigan. The winner goes to the Motor City Bowl.

The Conference USA Championship features Tulsa against Central Florida. The winner goes to the Liberty Bowl.

It's not technically a CCG, but the winner of the Troy-Florida Atlantic Game will win the Sun Belt Conference and go to the New Orleans Bowl.

It's rivalry week for several Pac-10 schools:

Arizona hosts Arizona State (who still has a shot at the Pac-10 title)
Oregon hosts Oregon State (ah, the Civil War)
Stanford hosts Cal (the 25th anniversary of the "Stanford Band" game)
USC hosts UCLA (and wins the PAC 10 if they win today)

There are two rivalries back east that are important as well:

The Backyard Brawl is important because if West Virginia beats Pitt they go to the BCS National Championship Game.
Army-Navy is important because it's Army-Navy.

After all of that, the nightcap has Washington playing at Hawaii. Washington may not be the best team in the Pac 10, but they did beat Hawaii's fellow mid-major power Boise State earlier this year. If Hawaii wins they likely earn a Sugar Bowl berth--lose and they probably wind up in the Humanitarian Bowl.

What today lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quantity. :woohoo: Seems to me a few of these games deserve threads of their own, but I didn't want to overlook some of the other great rivalries either. So what game are you looking forward to today?

[Ekirh]

1. WOOHOOO!!! Today is a good day. . .

I was going to go to the movies.. but nothing nearby is worth watching :( . . so I decided to delay my usual go out to eat wings for one more day and stay in for some college football.

Good thing tood I Forgot about VA Tech and Boston College THE REMATCH OF DOOM!!!! Can't wait!!!

and then I'll definitely get some of Oklahoma versus Missouri THE REMATCH OF MORE DOOM!!!!!


Ahhhh and here I thought I was going to be bored out of my mind all day.

Oh and Army and Navy... Didn't Army like steal Navy's goats in preperation of this game or something (Operation Good Shepard)

[fishwax]

2. I've got to agree

Unfortunately, I've got work to do, but it's stuff that I can do while watching the games. And hopefully I'll have it all done by the time of the, as you say, "rematch of more doom" :D

Operation Good Shepard :rofl: That's funny stuff ...

[fishwax]

18. Delete (wrong place)

[fishwax]

3. Boston College scores first in the ACC Championship Game--a defensive TD

Stole the ball right out of the hands of the Tech QB and ran it back for a touchdown ...

[fishwax]

5. 10-0 Boston College

[fishwax]

8. Virginia Tech gets two points on an extra-point return

Don't see that very often--BC scored a touchdown to go up 16-7, but VA Tech blocked the extra point and returned it all the way for the score. Now it's 16-9, with the Hokies getting the ball back ...

[lizerdbits]

19. I was all excited about that

Until I noticed it was a safety. Hokies up 23-16 with 4:33 left in the 4th.

[lizerdbits]

27. Hokies win it!

Off to the Orange bowl!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[fishwax]

29. Congrats to the Hokies

:toast:

[TZ]

37. ....

I guess that means the Hokies won't be going to Boise to play Maryland..(thats where I heard they are going).
Congrats. I was wondering if it was going to be like the first game. Damn. Now I can't give you a hard time anymore about them losing to someone the Terps beat...:)

[insanity]

4. FUCK THE DUCKS

I'm pretty stoked. Corvallis should be fun tonight after we rip the ducks apart... I'm kinda sad I probably won't watch the UW game though.

Here is a good trivia question:
Did you know the trophy that historically rewarded to the winner of the civil war disappeared for years was discovered and being awarded to winning team's alumni association is known as the Platapus trophy.

Two silly mascots, one sill trophy.

[fishwax]

6. Oregon State could still win a share of the Pac 10 Title

With a win today, an Arizona victory of Arizona State, and a UCLA win over USC, there would be a four-way tie between UCLA, USC, Arizona State, and Oregon State. :wow:

I think Arizona State would wind up winning the tie-breaker (based on the fact that they and UCLA have the best record against the tied teams, and they beat UCLA head to head, though the conference might have different rules for breaking ties); but it would still make for a pretty damned good season if the Beavers beat the Ducks today.

I didn't know that about the name of the trophy :rofl:

Enjoy the game! :toast:

[Ekirh]

7. I had no idea

You could return a blocked extra point attempt all the way for two points

Va Tech versus B.C just taught me that. . .

you learn something every day.

[fishwax]

9. I can't remember the last time I saw that happen

it's been quite a while though. Fun stuff :)

[Ekirh]

10. 16-16 at the ACC Championship!

Enjoying this game so far. . .

[fishwax]

16. Scoreless third quarter--still tied with 10 minutes to go

I missed most of the third quarter unfortunately, but it looks like it's still a battle :)

[Ekirh]

17. I just got back in time

To see the Hokies go up . .

Fun Fun Game...

Pity it has a horrile attendance. They did an aerial shot.... nowhere near filled.

[fishwax]

20. BC now driving again

under four minutes left, into Tech territory ...

[Ekirh]

22. INTERCEPTION!!!!

No Touchdown drive.. not yours.

[fishwax]

24. And another interception

for a touchdown. Virginia Tech has had a good last couple of minutes :)

[EstimatedProphet]

11. MIZZOU IS #1!!!!!!!!

[Ekirh]

13. Well until they lose to Oklahoma at least

:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

I kid I kid . . I love to see Mizzou exact revenge and get into the NC. . . . good luck!!!

[chieftain]

25. Not Gonna Happen. Go Tigers!!!!

[BOSSHOG]

12. ANCHORS AWEIGH MY BOYS

I'll go out on a limb here and say Navy will win today's game.

LSU BY TEN
USC BY TWENTY
MIZZOU BY A POPCORN FART

[EstimatedProphet]

14. I'll take it.

[fishwax]

15. Quite a day for Navy

Final score: 38-3 Navy.

Congrats to Navy :toast:

[fishwax]

21. Tennessee scores first on LSU: 7-0

[fishwax]

30. Now 7-6 Tennessee after a pair of LSU field goals

[Ekirh]

23. 28 seconds for

BC to make something happen.

[fishwax]

26. Oregon and Oregon State are now underway

And as I type the headline, Oregon State just broke a 35-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0 ...

[CabalPowered]

39. Another week, another QB down

Kempt out with a concussion. Roper is it. Then it's a converted rover.

Tied about 10 mins into 3rd. OSU about to try a Fg.

Go Ducks!

[Ekirh]

28. One REMATCH OF DOOM!!!!!

Out of the way

I'm going to go watch a movie and then be back for Oklahoma versus Missouri....

[Lyric]

31. West Virginia Mountaineer here!

I'm a current student at WVU, and I've been a Morgantown native and a fan for all of my life. We're gonna get our National Championship this time. Goodbye Pitt, hello New Orleans!

[fishwax]

33. Enjoy the ride, oktoberain

It must be a great time to be a WVU student, and a championship run is an amazing amount of fun. Get ready to celebrate tonight! (And celebrate safely, etc. :))

:toast:

[Lyric]

34. Yep, we're going out tonight for sure.

I think 75% of the population of Morgantown is going to be out drinking tonight, lol. But damn it feels good. I can't wait to hear the roar from the stadium. We couldn't get tickets, but that's okay--it's so loud there that you can hear it 5 miles away (seriously).

[fishwax]

35. ah, that brings back memories, and I must confess I'm a little jealous

Two weeks ago at this time, I figured it would be Oklahoma and WVU in the championship game. (LSU hadn't lost yet, but I figured they would.) Oh well, though :) But I remember the celebration in Norman when we earned our trip to the championship game back in 2000; I was an OU student then, and we had a great time that night. :)

Good luck with Pitt today and against whoever you play in the Championship Game :hi:

[fishwax]

32. USC and UCLA has been interesting so far

USC went three and out on their first possession, but then UCLA fumbled on the punt return and USC got the ball back. They drove down to around the UCLA 30, but they just failed to convert a 3rd and 2 and a 4th and 1, so UCLA gets the ball back.

[fishwax]

36. LSU misses a field goal right before halftime

Tennessee goes into the break with a 7-6 lead, and they get the ball to start the second half.

[ellisonz]

38. Tennessee 14 - LSU 13

3rd with 1:20 remaining.

[ironflange]

40. Missouri comes back down to earth tonight

Sorry to have to say it.

[Ekirh]

41. Damn

I kind of wish I stayed and watched Tenn versus LSU... looking at the score this must of been one helluva game so far.

[Ptah]

42. Kickoff. The Duel in the Desert.

The Territorial Cup is a trophy that is awarded annually to the winner of the
college football game between the Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devils
and the University of Arizona (UA) Wildcats and has also served as the symbol
of the long standing rivalry between the two schools.
The NCAA has certified it as the oldest award given for a rivalry game.

[Ptah]

45. ASU Sun Devils fumble. UA Wildcats recover.

[fishwax]

47. woohoo!

:woohoo:

Go Cats!

[Ptah]

52. Touchdown Arizona!

Bear Down Cats!

[fishwax]

53. when was the last time Arizona was in a bowl game

They're eligible with a win tonight. Keep it up, 'Cats!

[Ptah]

55. I think it's been eight or nine years.

[Ekirh]

43. Oklahoma versus Mizz coming up!!!

Grab some popcorn and enjoy.

[fishwax]

49. Finally!

Bring it on!!!

[SeattleGirl]

44. Oregon vs. Oregon State going into OT.

Tied at 28.

[fishwax]

48. Crazy Game

:crazy:

[SeattleGirl]

51. Absolutely!

:crazy:

[greatauntoftriplets]

46. Go Sooners!!!

:hi:

[fishwax]

50. A good start so far

:D :hi:

[fishwax]

54. Pitt and West Virginia: scoreless tie at the end of the first quarter

will the #2 curse strike again?

[fishwax]

56. 7-3 at halftime

[fishwax]

57. Pittsburgh is ahead of West Virgina 10-7 halfway through the third quarter

:wow:

[Hosnon]

58. GO PITT! GO SOONERS!

GO DAWGS! :evilgrin:

[fishwax]

59. All week along I heard "even in this crazy year, there's no way Pitt beats West Virginia"

but Pitt is not only up by three, they've got a 1st and 10 inside the WVU 20. :wow:

Things are starting to look good for the Bulldogs!

[Hosnon]

67. PITT WINS! PITT WINS!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

Breathe...breathe...breathe...one more loss...(hopefully)

[insanity]

60. B-E-A-V-E-R-S!

Corvallis just blew up! I'm taking a quick break to sober up, then its hitting the bars all night.

Good civil war.

[fishwax]

61. Congrats!

That was quite a game :wow:

Have fun out there! :toast:

[fishwax]

62. West Virginia is filled with broken heroes on a last chance power drive ...

13-7 Pitt, but the Mountaineers have the ball inside the thirty ...

[fishwax]

63. Pittsburgh ball now. And another #2 is going down.

:wow:

My condolences to West Virginia fans ...

[Ekirh]

64. Series!!?!?

Holy hell . . . what the heck just happened. "Mind Asplodes!"

[fishwax]

65. It's the non-rematch of a EVEN MORE DOOM!!!

:wtf:

[Ekirh]

66. There was DOOM invovled though . .

Damn . . . and Mizz is down by two touchdowns. .

does this mean Ohio State might actually get into the damn NC game after all :wtf: :argh:

Edit: On a quick count (Could be wrong) that's the seven #2 team to go bye bye.

[JVS]

68. So, what does the Bowl situation look like?

Is Illinois going to the rose bowl?

[fishwax]

69. It looks very likely!

What a great night for me: The Sooners look to be conference champions and Fiesta Bowl bound, and their win helps put the Illini in the Rose Bowl.

Very nice :)

[Hosnon]

70. For me as well. Georgia may be going to the championship game! (nt)

[pokerfan]

71. It's been a long day and it ain't over

Today's menu for me (all times Pacific). Out of 28 televised sporting events, I pared it down to:

9 a.m. Eastern Washington at Appalachian State FSN
12:30 p.m. Connecticut vs. Gonzaga ESPN
1:30 p.m. UCLA at USC ABC
1:30 p.m. Oregon State at Oregon ESPN2
2:30 p.m. Washington at Oklahoma St. ESPN
4 p.m. California at Stanford Versus
5 p.m. Arizona at Arizona State ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Bothell vs. Lewis and Clark FSN (highs school state championship)
8:30 p.m. Washington at Hawaii ESPN2

No wonder I'm not married. I doubt any woman would put up with this. If there are, please send me a PM.

[fishwax]

72. That's quite a schedule

:toast:

Hawaii is not faring well against Washington so far ...

[CatholicEdHead]

73. Nope, down 21-0 now, 5min left 1st qtr

[pokerfan]

74. Last place team in the Pac-10

dominating the first place team from the WAC.

Which is as it should be.

[fishwax]

75. At least we won't have to here about Hawaii being overlooked anymore

Assuming that Washington doesn't blow this big lead. (And they've not been a very strong second half team, so I suppose anything is possible.)

[pokerfan]

81. 28-28 1:55 left in the game

Hawaii has the ball inside the UW 20.

[pokerfan]

82. Hawaii wins!

.

[fishwax]

83. That was an exciting finish

Congrats to Hawaii on a great season. Looks like they're sugar bowl bound. I wonder who they'll play? If LSU doesn't make the championship game, it will probably be them. If LSU does make the championship game, I suppose it could be Georgia or West Virginia ...

[sasquatch]

76. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENS NOW!???

:wow::argh::crazy:

[Hosnon]

77. Georgia goes to the big game...

Please, please, please...NOT LSU!

[sasquatch]

78. Well Oklahoma went that once when they weren't the champion of their confrence

[Hosnon]

79. Like someone said tonight on the picture box...Georgia was ranked above both LSU

and Tennessee when it was clear that we would not win the conference.

[fishwax]

80. Nebraska did as well

Their situation was a little more akin to Georgia's, in that, like Georgia, they didn't even make their conference championship game that year.

The year that Oklahoma got in it was because they were, going into the CCG, the only undefeated team in the country, and had such a large lead in the BCS that everyone said it didn't matter whether they won the game or not, they'd be in the game (which is, of course, what happened).