D-Money’s 2017-18 College Football Biggest Surprises & Disappointments plus Bowl Game Picks

Well, the 2017-18 College Football Season is about to come to an end with the Bowl Games and the College Football Playoff. I didn’t do this last year but now it’s back. Here are my Annual 2017-18 Biggest Surprising and Disappointing Teams of College Football along with my Predictions for each Bowl Game. Here’s how I usually do it. I go by every conference listing teams that Surprised me in a good way by overachieving expectations that many College Football Analysts thought they would be early to begin the season. I will also list the most disappointing team of each conference and how they missed their mark completely, not even coming close to what I or any other expert thought they would do this season.

http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2017/08/2017-d-moneys-college-football.html

I will start from the Non Power 5 Conference and work my way down towards the Power 5 Conferences.

First off

Sun Belt Conference

If you look at my last blog most of these teams have met or finished around what I thought they would so lets move on.

Conference USA

Surprise Teams of the Year: I Have a few UAB (8-4), Florida Atlantic (10-3) & North Texas (9-4)

UAB didn't even have a football program the last 2 season but with some transfers and nice young core HC Bill Clark far exceeded the whole country's expectations and got them to 8 wins. MOST Surprising Team of the year in College Football. 

Florida Atlantic and North Texas didn't make it to Bowl Games last year and both of them won their divisions and played in the Conference USA Championship Game with Florida Atlantic winning.


Disappointing Teams of the Year: Rice (1-11) & UTEP (0-12)

Both of them are Bad. Enough said!!! Moving On

Mid American Conference

Surprise Teams of the Year:   Central Michigan (8-4) & Northern Illinois (8-4)

I thought both teams would struggle but they both made it back to Bowl Games.

Disappointing Team of the Year: Miami OH (5-7) 

Thought they would contend for the East Division especially with 9 starters on Offense and 8 on Defense back from 6-7 bowl season but were very inconsistent this year.

Mountain West

Surprise Team of the Year: Fresno State (9-4)

This was Jeff Treford's first year as Head Coach as he previously coached California (2002-12) & played at Fresno State back in the day. Fresno State finished 1-11 last year and with many starters back he lead them to the West Division but losing to Boise State in the Conference Championship. Still a big turnaround.

Disappointing Team of the Year: Hawaii (3-9)

After a 2-0 start Hawaii stuggled in Coach Nick Rolovich's 2nd year finishing 3-9.

American Athletic Conference

Surprise Team of the Year:  Central Florida (12-0)

Scott Frost has done a wonderful job as Head Coach. 2 years ago the Knights were winless but Frost tookover last year and went to a bowl game but lost to finish 6-7. This year led by QB McKenzie Milton the Knights torn through the Conference including classic shootouts between rival South Florida (49-42) & Memphis (62-55) in the Conference Championship earning them a Peach Bowl invite their 2nd Major New Years Six Game in 5 year. Scott Frost will leave to coach his alma mater Nebraska, but no doubt he made an impact from where this team was 2 years ago.

Disappointing Team of the Year: Tulsa (2-10)

Rough year for the Golden Hurricane after losing QB Dane Evans to graduation they went from 10-3 to 2-10. Hopefully with experience they will bounce back next year.

Big 12 Conference

Surprise Team of the Year: Iowa State (7-5)

The Cyclones had a huge turnaround under 2^nd Year Coach Matt Campbell from finishing 3-9 to 7-5. The Middle point of the season for them was fun to watch upsetting Oklahoma on the road, and beating TCU at Home, both of those teams went to the Big 12 Championship game. Though they lost 3 of their last 4 they hope to finish the season with a win in the Liberty Bowl and continue to be competitive in the Big 12.

Disappointing Team of the Year: Baylor (1-11)

The fallout from the Baylor Football Sexual Violence Scandals I believe starting to finally catch up with recruiting and players transferring. First Year Coach Matt Rhule has his work cut out for him. Last year they were 6-0 to start the season before losing every game to finish 6-7. They were 1-11 this season meaning they lost 18 out their last 19 games :P

PAC 12 Conference

Surprise Teams of the Year: Both Arizona teams: Arizona (7-5) & Arizona State (7-5)

Both of them finished above my expectations for the year and are going to bowl games. But the shocking thing is 7-5 was not enough for Arizona State Head Coach Todd Graham as he was fired even though he beat rival Arizona the last game of the year.

Disappointing Teams of the Year:  Oregon State (1-11) & UCLA (6-6)

I didn't think Oregon State would make it to a bowl but I thought they would be a little more competitive but it was bad. Their only win this year was to FCS Portland State but barely 35-32. Gary Anderson was let go midway thru the season

UCLA should have done more especially with QB Josh Rosen under Center. Jim Mora Jr. was let go and now Chip Kelly returns to coaching CFB and hopes to bring the same excitement as he did while at Oregon.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Surprising Teams of the Year:  Duke (6-6) & Virginia (6-6)

Both teams exceeded my expectations and made it to Bowl Games. HC Bronco Mendenhall has Virginia going forward after finishing 2-10 the previous year and HC David Cutcliffe keeps has had Duke in Bowl games 5 out of the last 6 seasons.

Disappointing Teams of the Year: Florida State (6-6) & North Carolina (3-9)

North Carolina had a downyear due to the fact of replacing guys from last year that included QB Mitch Trubusky who now plays in the NFL.

Florida State was my pick to go to the playoff but injuries piled up including losing QB Deondre Francois the first game of the year against Alabama and it went downhill from there. They had to reschedule a game against Louisiana-Monroe in December in order to finish 6-6 to maintain 36 straight years going to a Bowl Game & HC Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M. They were close of being named the Most Disappointing Team in College Season but one other team on this list beat them to it.

Big Ten Conference

Surprise Teams of the Year:  Tie = Michigan State (9-3) & Purdue (6-6)

First off, Michigan State was one of the most disappointing teams last season finishing 3-9 after going to 3 consecutive New Years Six games (One of them being in the CFB Playoff). With an early season win over their rival Michigan, and upsetting Penn State’s CFB Playoff Hopes, Sparty finished 9-3.

Meanwhile, Purdue had first year coach Jeff Brohm take over. I thought they would miss out on a bowl, but be competitive in the future but they got 6 wins including against their rival Indiana to be going to a bowl game in Brohm’s first season as coach.

Disappointing Team of the Year: Nebraska (4-8)

Last season Nebraska was 7-0 & # 7 in the country at point. But lost 4 of the last 6 including their Bowl Game. This year things were not much better. Getting upset at home to Northern Illinois and having both Ohio State & Iowa score over 50 points on them in both games at home. Mike Riley was fired and now Former Nebraska QB and Central Florida’s Coach Scott Frost hopes to come home and turn around Nebraska next year.

Southeastern Conference

Surprise Team of the Year: Missouri (7-5) 

In his 2nd year Coach Barry Odom lead the Tigers back to a bowl games from 4-8 to 7-5 beating Florida & Tennessee along the way.

Disappointing Team of the Year:  Tennessee (4-8)

I would put Florida and Arkansas here as well for finishing below .500 and firing their coaches as well but Tennessee disappointed most of all. Finishing 9-4 last year to 4-8 while losing 7 out of the last 8 games of the year with losses to every one of your rivals (Florida ,Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky & Vanderbilt). Don't get me started on how they handled their coaching search saying yes to OSU Defensive Coordinator Greg Schiano then backing off because of something he wasn't involved with and that was the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky Friasco. Other coaches it turned down & Tennessee fired their AD then hired Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt. They are the MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM OF THE 2017 College Football Season. 

Note: I honest think with Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas A&M firing their coaches and Ole Miss on Probation, The SEC is not the conference they were 8-10 years ago. It's pretty much Alabama along with some others (Georgia, LSU, & Auburn) I would have to argue.


Post Season Awards:

Offensive Player of the Year: Baker Mayfield  QB Oklahoma
Defensive Player of the Year:  Josey Jewell  LB Iowa
Coach of the Year:  Scott Frost Central Florida
Game of the Year :  Ohio State 39 Penn State 38  on October 28th

BOWL GAME PREDICTIONS

BOWL GAME                                                                 Winner                                               

New Orleans Bowl:  North Texas vs Troy                        Troy                                               

Cure Bowl: Georgia State vs Western Kentucky              Western Kentucky

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs Oregon                            Boise State

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs Marshall                Colorado State

Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State vs Middle Tennessee        Arkansas State

Boca Raton Bowl: Akron vs Florida Atlantic                     Florida Atlantic

Frisco Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs SMU                                SMU

St. Petersburg Bowl: Florida International vs Temple        Temple

Bahamas Bowl: UAB vs Ohio                                              Ohio

Idaho Bowl: Central Michigan vs Wyoming                      Central Michigan

Birmingham Bowl: South Florida vs Texas Tech                South Florida

Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs San Diego State                  San Diego State

Dollar General Bowl: Appalachian State vs Toledo            Toledo

Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs Houston                                Houston

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Utah vs West Virginia                      Utah

Quick Lane Bowl: Duke vs Northern Illinois                      Duke

Cactus Bowl: Kansas State vs. UCLA                                  Kansas State

Independence Bowl: Florida State vs Southern Miss          Florida State

Pinstripe Bowl : Boston College vs. Iowa                            Iowa

Foster Farms Bowl: Arizona vs. Purdue                              Purdue

Texas Bowl: Missouri vs Texas                                           Texas

Military Bowl: Navy vs Virginia                                         Navy

Camping World Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Virginia Tech     Oklahoma State

Alamo Bowl: Stanford vs TCU                                            Stanford

Holiday Bowl: Michigan State vs Washington State           Washington State

Belk Bowl:  Wake Forest vs Texas A&M                           Texas A&M

Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs NC State                                 NC State

Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs Northwestern                    Northwestern

Arizona Bowl: New Mexico State vs Utah State                Utah State

Tax Slayer Bowl: Louisville vs Mississippi State              Louisville

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs Memphis                              Memphis

Outback Bowl: Michigan vs South Carolina                      Michigan

Citrus Bowl: LSU vs Notre Dame                                       LSU

NEW YEARS SIX BOWL GAMES                           Winner

Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs Southern Cal                      Ohio State

Fiesta Bowl: Penn State vs Washington                         Penn State

Orange Bowl: Miami (Fla) vs Wisconsin                        Wisconsin

Peach Bowl:  Auburn vs Central Florida                          Auburn

Rose Bowl (Playoff Game): Georgia vs Oklahoma           Georgia

Sugar Bowl (Playoff Game): Alabama vs Clemson           Clemson

College Football Playoff National Championship Game   Winner

Clemson vs Georgia                                                               Clemson


Well there it is. I should've been a College Football Analyst. May not go a whole lot of running like I want but I would make more money. Happy Bowl Watching, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus & GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!! (PS who wants to watch the game with me on December 29th?? 😀🏈

Humbled

I had to think a lot about I want to talk about before posting this blog. Many of you know I’ve been dealing with a lot of internal personal struggle. Whenever it may be not where I plan on being where I’m at during this point of my life, getting older and dealing with nagging injuries, I had a constant reminder this week that made me feel like an EXTREMELY SELFISH PERSON despite where I’m at in life.

At work there have been a few individuals on our team in our area that seem to be slacking or not consistently doing their job. Our Acting Supervisor sent out an email about making mistakes and we would get written up for it if it happens again. When I read the email, I admit I was extremely PISSED!!! Thinking it was the Last Straw. Knowing if I made an error I was quick to correct and helping out whenever needed. I emailed her back saying that I would like to talk to her personally knowing that she said in the email if anybody has any problems she could speak to her personally.

So, a meeting was set up this past Tuesday in the office. I admit I actually nervous. 15 Minutes beforehand in my cubicle I had a God Like moment and said a Prayer. “Lord, you know what is on my Heart and how I’m feeling. Please give me the words you want me to say and I hope for any good to come out of our meeting”

Anyway, we met in a conference room. I said what I thought about half the employees and we both agreed on who on our team is doing the work and who is not. We were very honest with each other and I told her if it feels like I am lacking in work just let me know. Then, for the 2^nd half of our conversation I told her about my personal struggles relating to not getting a high Analyst Job and it relating to me comparing myself to my friends outside of work whenever it maybe with success at work, home, relationships etc.

I believe she of course just being our Acting Supervisor right now and being an Analyst understood my frustration and told me it not very healthy to compare yourself to others success and the best thing is to be happy for them and things tend to happen for a reason. She told me is had to work hard from the way up to get the position where she was at. A few years ago, when a few Analyst positions were up her friend got one of them but and not her, however she congratulated her friend knowing that she felt she deserved one of those Analyst positions. Yet, her friend’s older daughter died suddenly of Leukemia and had a 18 month old daughter. My Supervisor told me that she thinks that the Lord made sure she had that gotten that position because she now had to look after her Granddaughter.  Long story short, someone had moved up and another position was open and my Acting Supervisor was the next one up and she got it.

            And while she said this story it had got me thinking how selfish I am. I have a roof over my head, a job, my health and ability to run, coaching kids in running, and most of all Family and Friends that care about me even thought I don’t see many of them as I like to. This really brought me back down to where I needed to be and how God makes things happen for a reason and how I should listen and pray to him more often. I felt much better after our meeting and my Acting Supervisor seemed to be a very good Christian Woman and we communicated very well with each other and I think there is a lot of trust there. This is very important for me because over the last few years I have forgotten why am I here at my job and it is because I am helping the Department of Defense and our Military. I may not be where I want to be right now there but after that meeting I know there are good people there who do pay attention to what others do and where their hearts are. Right now, I’m just going to keep trying to do the best job I can and hopefully when I apply and get an interview again they will look at my hard work and maybe say “Lets give this guy a chance.”.  It’s hard since I think they choose on whom they really want.

            Though this does not chance the fact that now I’m in my 30’s and still Single. That is one area I am extremely jealous of others and it is very hard for me to give that to God. I’ve seen friends either who are dating, engaged, married and/or have kids and I think what am I doing wrong for this to be happening to right now at this point? It makes me feel that one of my Greatest Fears will come true, I’M GOING TO DIE ALONE!  I admit I have not gone on many dates like I wanted to. Though I am not that busy to not be dating anyone despite running, coaching and working. People ask me, “Why don’t you go on Dating Sites?” I have done that before with only minimal success. It’s great but meeting someone naturally face to face feels better, I don’t know it feels like with dating sites you both are meeting just because but the first time is very strange and you either have chemistry or you don’t. I don't care if she isn't much of runner but I would like for her to Watch and Go to Ohio State Buckeye Football Games with 😁 🏈

            Which makes getting older in my Running much more difficult. I’m already starting to feel the effects of running since high school. Right now, I’m trying to have a year where I’m not hurt or banged up for half of the year. I have some good moments for the last 3 years since such as running 1:11 in 2014 Columbus Half Marathon, actually winning the 2017 Capital City Half Marathon this past Spring, getting a special medal for placing top 3 in my age group at the 2017 Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8K (one of the biggest road races in the Country).  Though I haven’t completed a Full Marathon since 2012, I tried Columbus last year but DNF. The Columbus Half Marathon this past October was very disappointing for me probably one of the Worst Half Marathons ever due to the Heat, Nausea, and Extreme Tightness in my Hips, Glutes, and Hamstrings. I didn’t really handle myself very well at the CRC Post Race Party and had to have an Uber Driver bring me back to my house, got sick and called off work the next day. Not a very proud moment for me but I was thankful some of my friends were looking out for me at the time.

            I admit it feels like it’s getting harder and harder every year completing. There are a couple of younger guys on the Elite team now and I’m just trying to keep up or I’m trying to compare myself with them even though I’m a few years older or more. With what I went through this past Fall and my place I’m afraid I’m starting to become BURNOUT.

           Though, out of all of this and what I got from my Meeting with my Supervisor is that I should be grateful so far. I’m still healthy for a guy my age, running well & competitively, family & friends. In fact I should feel lucky. I have know friends that have struggled through Alcohol and Drug Addiction, Gotten Divorced, or lost Love ones.  
          
          I’m still doing something outside of work that I loved doing & that is Coaching. Whenever, it may be mostly with Middle Schoolers, I still enjoy helping them and seeing them succeed. I will continue to support them in High School whenever it may be through their athletics, academics, and in their community involvement. To me encouraging them is the best way many of them can grow up and become functional Adults in Society. Down the Road, I like to maybe get a little more training and maybe start Coaching Post Collegiate Athletes on the side. I mostly been coaching myself but it helps to have someone set up workouts, core & strength training so they can set PR’s and continue to be ambassadors to the sport like I have.

Which is the thing, along with Injuries, Personal Struggle I think I lost a little bit of my motivation the last couple of years and for some races I haven’t I would say gotten Fired Up or Passionate about like I used to. I remember motivating myself to run Boston, or coming back the next year to run the Full in Columbus, and had that great year in 2013 going after Sub 1:10 in the Half, Columbus Half again in 2014, and winning Cap City last year. I really want to try to make 2018 one of my last great years in my 30’s before who knows what happens and keep me motivated to one day run competitively as a Master.

Which is why MY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT is in this January I’m going to enter in the Online Lottery in the hopes of Competing in THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON next November. Hopefully my half marathon time (1:12:41) from this year will be able to get me into the lottery in order for me to run a New York this next year. Don't have to necessary race it or go all out like I did in Boston but just to say that I ran it. It could be a little later than Columbus around 2-3 weeks after Columbus so I could just plan on racing the Half Marathon in Columbus as a tuneup then run New York a few weeks later. I've already ran Boston many years ago, ran Columbus many times and Cleveland once so I think I want to go out on an adventure and I know despite the busy times at work during September and Coaching XC I can still be able to put in the mileage and achieve Another Major Distance Running Accomplishment in my life. 

I do plan on maybe running another half marathon this Spring, leaning towards going back to Indianapolis, and doing the Indy Mini again. Even though Track will be a busy season it still a good way for me to stay motivated.

This is many of the running, personal goals I want to achieve this coming year. I know the last couple of years have been up and down. And I'm still fighting & dealing with Loneliness and Depression Mood Swings (It's going to take someone special to deal with me) . Some of it I can't control while I think there is some of it that has been my own doing. A couple of things have gotten rougher as I have gotten older & I became fed up and took myself away at times from family and friends. I recently been going to another Church in the hopes that they would see me as more than a Distance Runner. It has been fine and I'm trying to open myself up more kind of what I do here. It's like a therapy session for me. I want to heal up after Club Cross, Read more books on Track and Faith based, and REBUILD/REDESIGN/RECLAIM but not in running. IN MYSELF.

I think God puts reminders or shows some things in life that makes us take a look at ourselves and see what we're thankful for. My goal is to probably take more time to listen to what is around me in order to become the Best Son, Runner, Role Model, Coach, but the Best Person I know I want to be and that my future spouse (if it happens) wants me to be. We all got Mountains to climb and the best way is to conquer them with each other! 😃