D-Money’s 2014-15 College Football Biggest Surprises & Disappointments (Year End)

            

         Well, now the College Football Season is finally over it’s now time to see which teams surprised me a little bit in a good way and which teams disappointed me when it came to my preseason predictions below. These were my preseason predictions for a review. 

           

Big Ten & Independents 

Big 12 & Pac 12

ACC & SEC

Non Power 5 Conference & Playoff Predictions

           

Because unlike some college football analysts (Mark May) I will admit when I’m wrong and give praise to those who deserve it.

 So here we go. Let’s start with the lower conferences and work our way up to the Power 5 Conferences. 

Sun Belt

Suprise Teams- Georgia Southern & Appalachian State- It's too bad since this is both of their first years in Div I-A FBS from Div I FCS that they couldn't be eligible for Bowl Games until next year because both of them defintely would have gone if there weren't enough Bowl Teams. Appalachian St finished 7-5 but Georgia Southern was (8-0) in Sun Belt play and finished 9-3 to win the Sun Belt Outright. 

Disappointing Team- Nobody really.  This is the only conference I didn't make full predictions so I'll give em the benefit of the doubt.

Mid American

Surprise Team- Western Michigan - Head Coach  P.J Fleck had a rough year in 2013 (1-11) but the Broncos turned the corner the 2nd year to earn a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. They Finished 8-5.

Disappointing Team- Ball State- Lost their leading QB last year and went from 10-3 to 5-7 this year. 

Conference USA 

Surprise Team- Louisiana Tech - Won the West Division and earned a berth to the Heart of Dallas Bowl where they beat Illinois(who in my opinion was one of the few teams I was embrassed by in the Big Ten during Bowl Season). HC Skip Holtz turned it around for them in his 2nd year finishing 9-5.

(Honorable Mention UTEP went from 2-10 to 7-6)

Disappointing Team- UT-San Antonio- I was high on the Roadrunners thinking they finished 7-5 last year & returning almost everyone on each side of the ball they'll win the west but struggled after upsetting Houston in the first game to finish 4-8 for the year. 

Another Disappointing Moment for Conference USA is the UAB Blazers cutting their football program.

Mountain West

Suprise Team- Air Force- The Falcons bounced back from a 2-10 record last year to finish 10-3 and beat Western Michigan in the Idaho Potato Bowl. 

Disappointing Team- UNLV- They were a surprise last year but due to NCAA Violations and Probation fell to 2-11. The Head Coach resigned at the end of the season. 

The American

Surprise Team- Memphis- The win against a good Cincinnati team jump started their year. They lost to Houston the following week but didn't lose again winning their last 6 regular season games and Tied for First in The American with Central Florida and Cincinnati. They won a thrilling Double OT game against BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl and finished #25 in both the AP & Coaches Poll.

Disappointing Team- SMU - The Offense and tough non conference schedule didn't help for the Mustangs. They only scored a total of 12 points in the first 4 games of the year forcing June Jones to resign. The only win of the season was against Connecticut to finish 1-11. This felt like of the years after the infamous SMU Death Penalty. 

ACC

Surprise Team-  Georgia Tech- Started off 5-0 and went from there to finish regular season at 10-2 which included a win in overtime against Georgia in one the best game of the year. Lost a close one in the ACC Championship to Florida State but went on to beat Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl to a #8 Ranking at 11-3.

Disappointing Team- Virginia Tech- Played their best game of the year against Ohio State in the Horseshoe but it all went downhill after that with injuries and a loss the following week to East Carolina. One of their losses was to Wake Forest one of the worst teams in the ACC where they lost in OT 6-3 after the score at the end of Regulation was 0-0. OMG. Finished 7-6 by beating Cincy in Miltary Bowl. 

Big 12

Surprise Team TCU-  I knew they would be back in a Bowl Game this year but I didn't think it would turn out like this for them. Beat Oklahoma to jumpstart their year. Only loss was a 58-61 loss at Baylor but think about it Ohio State Fans if TCU won they would have been in the playoff and not Ohio State. Led by QB Trevor Boykin they finished 12-1 with a Peach Bowl win over Ole Miss and tied with Baylor for the Big 12 Title. Though I think TCU has finally arrived in the BIG 12. TCU IS MY SURPRISE TEAM OF THE YEAR.

Honorable Mention goes to West Virginia. Heh they made a Bowl game.

Disappointing Teams- Oklahoma and Texas- The Traditional Powers in the Big 12 have fallen on some rough times. Though in Texas' defense it may take awhile for HC Charlie Strong to get Texas Football back. But Oklahoma was favored by many to win the Big 12. They lost to TCU, Baylor, Kansas State & Rival Oklahoma State and lost the bowl game to finish 8-5.

PAC-12

Surprise Teams-  Arizona & Utah - The PAC 12 South in my opinion was the best Division in College Football not the SEC West Division. Although Arizona got blown out in the rematch with Oregon in the PAC 12 Championship and lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl they still got to 10 wins. Rich Rod has got em on the right track to contending for the PAC 12. Utah was able to pull off some impressive wins against USC & UCLA and finished 9-4 with a Las Vegas Bowl win.

Disappointing Teams- Oregon State & Washington State - HC Rick Riley has done well at Oregon State but lately they have been barely getting into bowl games. This year they missed out going 5-7. Now Riley is the Head Coach at Nebraska. But Gary Anderson from Wisconsin will come over to get them back on track. 

I thought Washington State could have a chance going back bowling under 3rd year coach Mike Leach but lost the first home game against Rutgers and finished 3-9 for the year.

SEC

Surprise Teams-  Arkansas & Mississippi State- The Razorbacks started the season 3-1 then lost the last 3 games to be at 3-4 which included close game against Texas A&M, Mississippi State, & eventual SEC Champ Alabama but when they were at 4-5 and needing to win 2 out the last 3 to be bowl eligible. In a surprisng turn they shut out both LSU and Ole Miss but lost a close one to SEC East Champ Missouri to finish 6-6 but they won the Advocare Bowl against Texas to go 7-6. Bret Bielma turned it around in year 2 and looks to continue. 

Mississppi State was a big surprise to me. At 3-0 they won 3 straight games against 3 ranked teams. At #8 LSU, Home against #6 Texas A&M and #2 Auburn and were the #1 Ranked team for 5 straight weeks until a close loss to Alabama. The loss to Alabama was sadly one of 3 out of 4 last games of the season they lost to finish 10-3 but better than last years 7-6. Dak Prescott was their leader at Quarterback. GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL!!! (That's one of their traditions)

Disappointing Team- South Carolina- Though they won their Bowl Game, 7-6 is a far cry from what they have been used to for the last 3 years finishing 11-2 those years. Loss from last years QB Conner Shaw and DE Javeon Clowney. RB Mike Davis was limited due to injury this year. 

BIG TEN

Surprise Team- Rutgers -  I honestly thought Rutgers was going to struggle their first year in the Big 10. But they started out 5-1 including a win against Michigan (looking back it isn't surprising but I'll get to that here HAHA) But strugled mid season losing 4 out of the last 5 which included Ohio State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin but won against Maryland to go to the Quick Lane Bowl and beat North Carolina to finish 8-5. Way to help the Big 10. Can they keep the momentum going and still complete in the Big 10 only time will tell. 

Disappointing Team- Michigan- Yeah I'll taking some satisfaction in saying Michigan is the Most Disappointing Team of the Year. Shut out by Notre Dame, Loss the Brown Jug to Minnesota, Lost to Michigan State again, and of course lost to Ohio State for the 12th time in 14 years. Finished 5-7 and cost Brady Hoke's job. Jim Harbargh arrives to try to bring back the program. I just want Michigan to be good again so we can beat a good team again and bring back the rivarly. 

Well there you have it. Proof I should be a College Football Analyst. Though, I'm afraid if I were ESPN would put Rece Davis at College Gameday Crew and I would take his spot in the studio and be next to Mark May and Lou Holtz all day long. O boy LOL. 

Though I was very pumped to see Ohio State end up being the National Champions of College Football in the first year of the College Football Playoff!!! This has got to be one of Urban Meyer's best Coaching Jobs EVER!!! This is true especially after replacing 4 starting Offensive Lineman, 2 first round draft picks, replacing your leading rusher, and replacing not one but 2 Quarterbacks during the season.

 Braxton Miller reinjurying his shoulder and JT Barrett coming in. After losing to Virginia Tech, I like the rest of the Country counted them out. SHAME ON ME AS A BUCKEYE FAN. But Barrett and the team regrouped and won all the rest of their games. Though Barrett couldn't take them all the way when he broke his ankle in the Michigan Game but Cardale Jones came off the bench and help lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship, A Sugar Bowl Win over Alabama, and a National Championship over Oregon. They beat teams with 2 Heisman Trophy Candidates and a Heisman Winner in a row. A Memorable Season. Hard for me to compare it to 2002 both seasons were special in a different way.

Could they repeat. Maybe. But, its a great feeling when your team is the Champion. That's my Two Cents & leave you with this!!! GO BUCKEYES    O-H

Sticking to a lifestyle not a resolution (New Year Goals & year in review)!!!!



 
   Well, Happy New Year to everyone. Unfortunately, it seems for the 3rd year in a row I ended up doing nothing for it this year. :( And I'm watching the Ohio State-Alabama game at my new home by myself :(  It saddens me a little but I'm trying to look at the bright side. My 2014 ended up much better than it had begun I must say.

 
    The New Year in 2014 did not start off very well for me. I ended up with a very tight back that derailed the beginning of my training and kept me out for 2 weeks in which I had to go to see Sports Chrioprator for during the winter. I thank Christina Murphy for her help then with that. Though it wasn't the end of my injuries. I really don't know if it was the back tightness along with my history of Glut/Hamstring problems, and the fact that my calves were secretly sore and didn't treat them until September. But, when I tried on a pair of Brooks Glycerin, which I was not used to, it ended up causing me right foot problems or Plantar fasciitis throughout most of the year. This caused me to stop after 9 miles at the Indy Mini Marathon. I finished in 1:23 but felt very disappointed. It took me 2 months to get motivated to race again.


  Also, this last March, my Grandmother passed away. She was in pain for awhile but I still felt really bad that I didn't go see her in the hospital. I think I was only one of the few who didn't.  I went to see her 6 months before but I felt in the bad of my mind that I didn't want to see her in that state and half of me felt she could get better. That's one of the things I'm trying to do this new year is try to be a little more appreciative towards my family because you never know how long you'll have them.


  But, most of my misery of course during thethe year came from Work. I was starting to hate the section I was in. We were given lead duties with no pay raise and everyone was at each other's throats it seemed. I remained quiet and respectful but in the back of my mind I wanted out of there. Actually I was at the point where I thinking about options outside of the Public Sector to be honest. It even got so bad that a few of the certifiers and myself had very disappointing  yearly performance reviews and we were able to go and have them applied. It kind of felt like we were writing our own performance appraisal. Anyway we got our revised and we able to get a $250 performance award because of it so some good came out of it, however at the time I was interviewing for a position within another section of DFAS.

 
 Just to let everyone know that the last half of the year things were getting better. Back in June at one of my best friends' weddings, another buddy of mine whom I ran with in College wanted to know if I would be interested in helping out as an assistant cross country coach with the Bexley Middle School. I said sure, and he got me in contact with the Head Middle School Coach. I got to know and learn from her methods and workouts. Along that we have a great group of kids which we helped coach to the Mid State League Champs and Individual Champs as well.

I defintely hope to continue as a Track coach as well. I'm very thankful for the opportunity given to me by my buddy Tom, Coach Hayes, Bexley, The Parents, and most especially the kids. I'll explain more when I get to this goal towards the end of the blog for my new years goals.

This year brought some other changes as well. I got talked into my parents into moving and purchasing a home. I got some help from a buddy of my mine and along with a realtor I was able to find a new home by October. The process took a lot longer than wanted to because of coaching, work and trying to train for a half in October but I was able to get into my new home.

Keys to new home

  Also, I've been doing a little bit of soul searching lately. I stopped going to the Vineyard Church in Columbus because it got too big and some services were hard to get to even though I used to almost lived next door to it. I hardly didn't see any people I knew there anymore. So at the beginning of 2014 I decided personally to branch out elsewhere. I visited a few churches but so far I really like this one in New Albany. I got to know other Young Adults, went to a bonfire and canoeing with them. I'm also now an occasional volunteer on some sundays with parking.



At work a got a paid grade raise and a promotion. Mostly been in training mode last couple of weeks but willing to learn more.


Running had gotten a little better. I think I would have to give thanks to my Junior High Kids. Running with them got my motivation back a little bit for me to train in August and September when I was busy with work and house hunting and I was able to pull off a good race in the Half Marathon at the Columbus Marathon in October. My time was 1:11:34 almost 1 minute slower than last year's 1:10:38 but I'll take it dealing with injuries and being busy in the late summer/fall.

Finishing the half last October. 

2014, ended a whole lot better than what it started out to be for me. I look around and see there are a whole lot of things I can improve in the new year. But, mostly to become a better person, worker, coach, runner, christian, friend, son, and someone to love in 2015. I want the things I do to become a bit more like a lifestyle.

I don't think of it as a resolution. Because lets just say someone wants to lose weight for the new year. They get a gym membership along with others who do the same and all of the gyms/fitness centers are packed in the beginning of January. However, after time goes on and into February they thin out because they don't see too much progress or maybe don't have much encouragement to continue on. I want these to help me continue into a much more mature adult.


These are my Goals for 2015.








1.) Running-  I want to try again for that Under 1:10 barrier this year starting this winter and spring with the Kentucky Derby Half Marathon this late April. I've ran the course 2wice before, Louisville is a great city, it's flat, and best of all I know some people from the CRC Westerville Group that are going to do the Half or Full so I'll have some company along with me.


If possible, depending on how training is going I'm thinking about trying to give the FULL Marathon on last hard racing effort in the Fall. I'm thinking either Columbus or Indianapolis Monumental in early November. It depends on how work goes because everyone gets all Wound Up for Year End in September. I know if I put myself to it I can run a 2:31 Marathon. 2:34 is my best. Staying healthy this year would be good. I would love to run Boston again in 2017 & maybe wind down competitively and just stay in shape. But, I'm just going to go until I can't do it anymore.






2.) Regain Strength- I think the best start in my running would be to regain strength. Over the year I believed that my strength was the reason I was able to run through those miles. I guess its the way my body is. Trying to keep a lean body is a key. I'm actually thinking of going to another gym myself even though it means that I have to pay some membership. I know the gym on base is pretty much for free to DSCC Civilian, Military, and Contractor Employees but the scenery there is a little dull, the gym itself is in a big warehouse like which makes it difficult in the summer when it gets hot and big fans and garage doors open can't keep many people cool, and there is no pool. Well there is but its small and it's outdoor but the kids during the summer are in there. And I'm thinking of doing some pool running for a cross training day. That's one thing. I usually take a cross training/easy day and I'm thinking of doing more pool running and a place where there is a pool could be helpful. We'll see what do you think.






3.) Make my home into a home - Would like to host a few things in the future for friends to come over like the Super Bowl, Final Four, Buckeye Games etc. Try to keep it clean and look like a nice place to come over.




4.) Coaching- I want to continue coaching in the long run even if its Mostly Middle School but still kind of what to be a mentor to those who continue running Cross Country & Track in High School if they need it and if the parents would let me. That's something I would like to get into in another Blog Post down the road about the coaches or runners that I looked up to in my running career.


I think these kids need a positive mentor or role model in their lives other than their parents. I know now I have to continue to read up on my notes from my USATF Class I took 2 years ago, plus keep asking for advice from other coaches on when to push them and when to back off. I believe I can make a difference in their life but I can only guide them. They would have to want it for themselves. But most of all bring fun into the sport.



5.) Faith Life- One of the things I'm trying to work on. Over the years it's been a very up and down struggle for me. To be honest after college I did not go back to church I became too focused on trying to get a job and my post collegiate training. I accomplished both but something was missing. A couple years ago I went to the Vineyard and met some great people. I finally had the courage to tell my story or should I say share a little of my testimony.
http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-blood-sweat-and-tears-literally.html


(If you never read this before do so.)


Anyway, I have struggled with it on & off for years. I decided to go somewhere else in New Albany. Slowly I have made some new friends and volunteered. But I believe I want to take a few more steps and have them just know me more than "a guy that just runs".  Hopefully get involved in more activities or in a bible group. I know I need to read more of my bible and they have been getting people to read just the Book of John after one of the Sermon Series ended last fall and slowly its coming along. I may not read the entire bible but it helps to remember certain verses to remember in time of need.




6.) Work- I've started a new position but it doesn't mean I still want to move up a little and have a Analyst job. I'll learn some skills and try to ask around other fellow employees in my new area. My goal is to try not to be too judgmental towards people I work with more than I have been. Yet, when I see a few of them outside smoking cigarettes or eating Crap for lunch, or knowing some of them complaining about family life or divorce it makes me sad to see them live like that but not all of them do. To some that choose to smoke or not eat healthier, it's their choice. I learned a long time ago and it should be helpful now is that you can lecture to someone but they got to want to feel like they need help or need to change before you can really help them. All I can do is just try to be a good example. I live a much different lifestyle than they do that's all but I'm not going to let someone's negative attitude at work effect how I'm going to live my life. I guess its just the way they are. But, I still have goals at work. Keep learning a whole lot more at work. I got a new position this last Fall. But, use what I'm learning in my new position to keep applying. One of the goals I still want is a higher paid Analyst job.


7. ) Do a little more camping, fishing, & kayaking this year- These are some of my favorite hobbies, well a little bit more warmer weather type hobbies I like to do a little more this year. I don't like ice fishing (Sorry Mike) But I got to love Kayaking and always enjoyed camping in tents during the summer and I would like to have some chances to do that again this summer. I think taking a camping trip to Mohican to do a little camping, fishing, kayaking, and especially Trail Running there is something I would like to do and make it a long weekend. Hocking Hills would be great to do all that too.


8.) Reconnect with old & keep existing friendships- This is something I really want to do. Even though I don't see my friends too much due to work schedules and such I think it's important to see each other in the time we have. Also I like to reconnect to a few I lost contact with. I know I won't be able to do it with everybody but to some that I don't see very often anymore. It would be nice to reconnect with some college, church, & running friends. Like I said most of the people I work with live a different lifestyle than me, and I ones I do talk to at work however, work in different areas and I want to try to get to know them better and know a lot more people at my new church in New Albany much better.


Well, I feel that the time for talking should end and the time for doing is now. What are your goals for the new year?  Procrastination has become a little bit of a habit for me and I don't want to put anything off. I'll feel like our Congress sometimes. LOL.


I really want to make this the best new years yet!!!