2017 D-Money's College Football Predictions

       

     Well, College Football is once again upon us. Fall of course is one of my favorite times of the year. I know Summer will be winding down and kids have to go back to school and after the month of September we may have some cooler days here in the State of Ohio but nothing beats watching a College Football game after a long week of work, taking a break from weekend chores, have something to do with the family after maybe the kids weekends sporting events or activities, getting together with some buddies for a viewing party for the big game or just going to your local bar or tavern with friends and people you know and watching the games. Nothing to me beats watching College Football on a Saturday afternoon/evening after a morning run or coaching at a cross country meet.

       Now, I like the NFL but I just enjoy watching College Football much more and does almost single every member of my family and relatives. It brings us all together. Especially since many of us Cheer for (THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES of Course) but we have some who cheer for Army, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, and maybe a Mid-American Conference team(MAC). We all despise that Team up North (_ichigan), Notre Dame, West Virginia, the Florida Teams and pretty much Alabama.

     Many of you know I love to make my annual College Football Predictions. I think I missed my calling of being a College Football Analyst. Every year I buy 2 magazines, Phil Steele’s College Football Preview and Athlon Sports College Football since both of those magazines are the Top 2 most accurate at predicting the season. I skim through both of them and make my own choices on whom will have great seasons and those who will stink. LOL. Any way it will be hard to breakdown every single team I don’t have time for it unless I’m really want to become an online analyst. Though, I’ll only breakdown and preview one team which is of course is The Ohio State Buckeyes and I’ll briefly tell you what to look out for in each conference and list the records of what records I think they’ll be this year along with Bowl Projections and who will be in the College Football Playoff.

           

          

First up, THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES. At the beginning of 2016 last year we knew the Buckeyes had some talent to win the Big 10 but could they go to the College Football Playoff. Well they did but a loss to Penn State prevented the Buckeyes an outright division title and winning the Big 10 but a couple of big wins against top 10 ranked teams Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and of course Michigan put them at # 3 for the year and earned them a trip to the Fiesta Bowl for the College Football Playoff. Though lack of a big passing game in a last few games of the regular season had shown weakness as they got shut out 0-31 against Clemson who Clemson would go on to win the National Championship as Ohio State finished 11-2 on the year. Even with the early entry of a few players to the NFL Draft the Buckeyes are once again Favorites to Win the Big Ten & go to the College Football Playoff for a chance at the National Championship.

            On Offense, 8 Starters will return which include QB J.T Barrett who needs at least 1,200 more passing yards to become the Buckeyes all-time passing leader as he continues to put his name in the Heisman Race and has worked in the off season to improve his passing game. RB Mike Weber returns after a 1,096 yard season. K.J Hill & Demario McCall hope to become the RB/WR role that Curtis Samuel was last year. WRs Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Binjimen Victor, and TE Marcus Baugh hope to improve as receivers in the passing game for Barrett. On the O-Line Center Billy Price is an All-American Candidate who leads the group of returners in Tackles Jamarco Jones, Isiah Prince, and Guard Michael Jordan (not the Basketball Player lol).

            On the Defensive Side, 7  Starters return. The Defensive Line looks like it will be the Best in the Country with DE Tyquan Lewis (last years Big 10 Defensive Lineman of the year), DE Sam Hubbard, DT Dre’Mont Jones, DT Michael Hill, all returning starters. This includes backups in DE Nick Bosa (brother of OSU great Joey Bosa), DE Jalyn Holmes, DT Tracy Sprinkle, and DT Robert Lauders as the Buckeyes D Line will plan on rotating guys in and out.

            The Linebacking Corp lost Raekwon McMillan to the Draft but Jerome Baker and Chris Worley return. Dante Booker is back from injury and hopes to make an impact.

            The Defensive Backfield lost Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, and Gaelon Conley to the Draft also. But, there is talent behind them as S Damon Webb is the returning starter and he will be joined by CB Denzel Ward, S Jordan Fuller, and Alabama/JC transfer Kendall Sheffield and others to reload in the Defensive Backfield.

            As for Special Teams Junior Kicker Sean Nuernberger is back from injuries with some experience as Tyler Durbin (the kicker not the Fight Club movie character) is gone as Durbin wasn’t quite accurate last year. Freshman Blake Haubell will get a chance. For the punting duties Big 10 Punter of the Year Cameron Johnston leaves but FR Drue Chrisman will get his chance as he was redshirted last year.

            The Buckeyes open the Schedule with a Thursday Aug 31 Night game against Indiana and come home to face Oklahoma( Big 12 defending Champ) they have Penn State ( Big 10 Defending Champ) at home this year. The Finale of the season of course will be at the TEAM Up North.

           

Here’s a rundown of predictions for the college football season with every conference.

Bowl Eligible - *

Southeastern Conference

East Division   Conf  Overall

*Georgia         7-1      11-2

*Florida          6-2      8-4

*Tennessee     4-4      8-4

*South Carolina 4-4   6-6

*Kentucky      3-5      7-5

*Vanderbilt     3-5      6-6

Missouri         1-7      5-7

West Division   Conf  Overall

*Alabama          7-1    12-1

*Auburn             6-2      9-3

*LSU                  5-3      9-3

*Texas A&M     3-5      7-5

*Arkansas          3-5      7-5

*Mississippi St   3-5     7-5

Ole Miss            0-8      4-8

SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia

Big Ten Conference

East Division   Conf  Overall

*Ohio State     8-1      12-1

*Penn State     7-2      10-2

*Michigan      6-3      9-3

*Michigan St. 4-5      6-6

*Indiana          4-5      7-5

*Maryland      4-5      6-6

Rutgers           1-8      3-9

West Division   Conf  Overall

*Wisconsin       8-1     11-2

*Northwestern   6-3       9-3

*Nebraska         6-3       8-4

*Iowa                4-5       7-5

*Minnesota       4-5       6-6

Purdue               2-7       3-9

Illinois              0-9     1-11

Big 10 Championship: Ohio State over Wisconsin

Atlantic Coast Conference

Atlantic Division        Conf  Overall

*Florida State              8-0      12-1

*Clemson                    6-2      10-2

*Louisville                 5-3      9-3

*NC State                   4-4      7-5

*Boston College         3-5      6-6

Syracuse                     2-6      5-7

Wake Forest               2-6      5-7

Coastal Division         Conf  Overall

*Virginia Tech            6-2       10-3

*Miami (Fla)              5-3       9-3

*Pittsburgh                 5-3       7-5

*Georgia Tech            4-4       7-5

*North Carolina          4-4       7-5

Duke                          1-7       3-9

Virginia                      1-7       3-9

ACC Championship: Florida State over Virginia Tech

Pacific 12 Conference

North Division            Conf  Overall

*Washington              8-1       11-2

*Stanford                    6-3       9-3

*Oregon                      5-4       8-4

*Washington State     5-4       8-4

Oregon State               3-6       5-7

California                   1-8       2-10

South Division            Conf  Overall

*USC                          8-1       12-1

*UCLA                       6-3       8-4

*Colorado                   5-4       8-4

*Utah                          4-5       7-5

Arizona State              2-7       5-7

Arizona                       1-8       3-9

PAC 12 Championship: USC over Washington

BIG 12 Conference         Conf  Overall

*Oklahoma                             8-1      11-2

*Oklahoma State                    7-2      10-3

*TCU                                      6-3      8-4

*Texas                                    6-3      8-4

*Kansas State                         5-4      8-4

*West Virginia                       5-4      7-5

*Baylor                                   3-6      6-6

Texas Tech                             3-6      5-7

Iowa State                               2-7      4-8

Kansas                                    0-9      2-10

BIG 12 Champion: Oklahoma over Oklahoma State

American Athletic Conference                                                                                               

East Division      Conf  Overall

*South Florida    7-1   12-1

*Central Florida   5-3 7-5

*Temple               4-4  6-6

*Cincinnati          3-5  6-6

East Carolina       2-6    3-9

Connecticut         1-7  2-10

West Division   Conf  Overall

*Houston           6-2    9-4

*Memphis          5-3    8-4

*Tulsa                5-3   7-5

*Navy                5-3   7-5

*SMU                3-5    6-6

Tulane                2-6   4-8

American Champion: South Florida over Houston

Independents     Overall

*BYU                          9-4

*Notre Dame              8-4

*Army                         8-4

Massachusetts            2-10

Mountain West Conference

Mountain Division     Conf  Overall

*Colorado State          7-1    10-3

*Boise State                6-2     8-4

*Wyoming                  5-3     7-5

*New Mexico             4-4     6-6

*Air Force                  4-4     6-6

Utah State                   3-5     4-8

West Division             Conf  Overall

*San Diego State        6-2       8-5

*Hawaii                      5-3       7-5

Nevada                        3-5       4-8

UNLV                         2-6       3-9

Fresno State                2-6       3-9

San Jose State             1-7       2-11

Mountain West Championship: Colorado State over San Diego State

Mid-American Conference

East Division              Conf  Overall

*Ohio                          6-2       8-5

*Miami (OH)              6-2       8-4

Akron                          4-4       5-7

Bowling Green           3-5       4-8

Buffalo                        2-6       3-9

Kent State                   1-7       2-10

West Division             Conf    Overall

*Toledo                       7-1       11-2

*Western Michigan    6-2       8-4

*Eastern Michigan     5-3       6-6

Central Michigan        4-4       5-7

Northern Illinois         3-5       4-8

Ball State                    1-7       3-9

MAC Championship: Toledo over Ohio

Conference USA

East Division              Conf  Overall

*Western Kentucky    6-2       9-4

*Mid Tennessee State 6-2       7-5

*Old Dominion           5-3       7-5

*Marshall                   5-3       6-6

Florida Atlantic          4-4       6-6

Florida Internatioal     4-4       5-7

Charlotte                     1-7       3-9

West Division             Conf    Overall

*Louisiana Tech         6-2       9-4

*Southern Miss           5-3       7-5

*UT San Antonio       5-3       7-5

North Texas                3-5       4-8

Rice                             3-5       3-9

UTEP                          3-5       3-9

UAB                            0-8       1-11

Conference USA Championship: Louisiana Tech over Western Kentucky

Sun Belt Conference      Conf  Overall

*Appalachian State                 7-1       9-3

*Arkansas State                      7-1       8-4

*Troy                                      6-2       8-4

*Louisiana-Lafayette              5-3       6-6

*South Alabama                     5-3       6-6

*Idaho                                     4-4       6-6

Georgia Southern                   4-4       5-7

New Mexico State                  3-5       4-8

UL-Monroe                             3-5       3-9

Georgia State                          2-6       3-9

Coastal Carolina                     1-7       4-8

Texas State                             1-7       2-10

Bowl Games

Citrus Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. LSU

Outback Bowl: Michigan vs. Tennessee

TaxSlayer Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Louisville

Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

Holiday Bowl: Northwestern vs. UCLA

Belk Bowl: Miami (Fla) vs. Florida

Camping World Bowl: TCU vs. Pittsburgh

Sun Bowl: NC State vs. Colorado

Cactus Bowl: Texas vs. Utah

Foster Farms Bowl: Oregon vs. Iowa

Pinstripe Bowl: Nebraska vs. Georgia Tech

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Baylor

Liberty Bowl: Kansas State vs. Arkansas

Las Vegas Bowl: Washington State vs. Colorado State

Independence Bowl: South Carolina vs. North Carolina

Military Bowl: Boston College vs. Navy

Frisco Bowl: Houston vs. Toledo

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Memphis

Quick Lane Bowl: Michigan State vs Vanderbilt

Armed Forces Bowl: Indiana vs. Army

Music City Bowl: Minnesota vs. Mississippi State

Birmingham Bowl: Kentucky vs. Central Florida

Boca Raton Bowl: Tulsa vs. Mid Tennessse State

New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Arkansas State

Dollar General Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Ohio

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Western Michigan vs. San Diego State

Heart of Dallas Bowl: West Virginia vs. Southern Miss

St. Petersburg Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Temple

Bahamas Bowl: UT San Antonio vs. SMU

Camellia Bowl:  Miami (OH) vs. Troy

Cure Bowl: Marshall vs. South Alabama

Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Old Dominion

New Mexico Bowl: Boise State vs BYU

I Had a lot of time on my hands. AND NOW FOR THE BIG BOWL GAMES

NEW YEARS SIX BOWL PREDICTIONS

Cotton Bowl: Washington vs. Georgia

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Penn State

Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Wisconsin

Peach Bowl: Auburn vs South Florida

Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff): Ohio State over Florida State

Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff): Alabama over USC

College Football Playoff National Championship Game: OHIO STATE OVER ALABAMA   

Well let’s see how this season plays out. Happy Football Watching this coming Thursday & GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!       

2017 Capital City Half Marathon Race Recap

It’s been awhile since I have blogged so here it goes. First off I have gotten off blogging for awhile since I’ve been busy with either training, coaching or work. I honestly think blogging is a perfect & cheaper type of therapy for me. Especially since I had some personal struggles & demons I am trying to overcome. Please continue to pray for me in that area. But I’ll conclude on that at the end of this race recap.

Anyway, though it was around 2 weeks ago I wanted to tell you my race day experience running the Capital City Half Marathon on April 30^th. This was my Spring Goal Race this coming year. I had great training leading up to it and Races that I ran to get me ready. I was much healthier this winter/spring and ready to build towards Cap City

2 Indoor Track Races

January 28^th Findlay Classic (Ran 3000 Meters 9:16, fast and I forgot how dry indoor track was 😝

February 18^th Kent State Tune-Up (Ran 5000 Meters 15:41, much better. Fastest 5k in 3 years)

Road Races

March 4^th Arnold 5k Pump & Run (First year doing the Pump & Run portion, The pump went terrible. Only 9 reps of my body weight but I ran a 15:55 5k and terminated 😊 the competition in that race.

April 2^nd Shamrock Shuffle 8k (5 miles) (Went with CRC Elite as a team competition in one of the fastest races in the country. Ran 25:40. Short of my PR by 10 seconds on the same course I ran 5 years ago. Felt great)

Those were the races I ran this year I lead up to Capital City Half. I woke up Saturday Morning around 5:15 to get my bagels and bananas to eat and drink a cup of green tea. Gathered my stuff up and brought plenty of water and Spark by Advocare and headed down to downtown. I knew that there was a great chance of rain and thunderstorms but I thought they would come later but still brought clothes and towels to put in my car when I got back from the race.

From house in Gahanna I took I-670 into downtown and got off the 3^rd Street Exit. When I got off it was already full of traffic and it was only 6:30 in which I came down early to give myself plenty of time. I decided to park at 3^rd and Gay Street and head on foot to Columbus Running Company hangout at PurePressedJuicery (http://purepressedjuicery.com/) Thankfully CRC had rented an area where group runners from all 4 stores can put their stuff before the race and have an overhead tent.

Now, Capital City Half also hosted the USATF Half Marathon Championships and I wasn’t allowed in because I didn’t reach a time. I had to hit 1:08:00 or under or know somebody for those elites who were on the chopping block or close. Another reason I was motivated to run to show MS3 Sports I at least belong. I have some problems with the organizers for some reasons I don’t want to get into especially since their races are pricey. Anyway I was glad CRC that was a jog to the starting line and it was also right at the finish along High Street.

When I got there, I got my stuff organized and did a 10 minute warmup to loosen up. I ran into some of my CRC Elite Peeps that got into the USATF Half Champs part of the race and jogged with them for a bit. We were excited to go. Got back to the CRC hangout at the juicery. I got my jersey on put Tiger Balm around my hips and lower back (http://www.tigerbalm.com/us) and put on my Adidas Adios Boost 3 (CRC Limited Edition) Flats and myself and the rest of the group runners head to the startline at State and Front Streets. I saw my folks there and they wished me luck.

After a few strides, drills and stretches at an alley with other runners just doing the Regular Capital City Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon race I got to my place in the front with Cory and other runners as we were behind the Elites/Professionals who were running the USATF Half Marathon Championship portion of the race and they started right after the National Anthem at 7:55.

When they took off the other runners doing Cap City Half or Quarter walked up to the startline. I did a quick stride, I felt great ready to take this on and try to catch up and pass as many of the Elite Women as I could. Quick prayer to myself and we were off.

From this Pic I went out like being shot from a Cannon. I did went out fast. I wanted to run the first mile in the 5:20’s or 5:25 per say but my Garmin was a little bit messed up even though I had a good signal before the start. It says I was going out in 6:30s even though I was way out in front at the beginning. I just wanted to focus on going thru Front Street and Nationwide Arena and heading towards  for the first mile.

Mile 1 was in exactly 5:00. I thought to myself (OH SHIT!!) I had to purposely slow down a little going downhill on Vine. I bet the other runners ahead of me were thinking what the heck is this guy doing he’ll crash and burn. But, I wanted to focus ahead. It’s one the lessons I tell my Cross Country and Track Kids. Look ahead, run your race and the rest will take care of itself. Still feeling strong I turned on Olentangy River Road at Mile 2 in 10:23 (5:23 Mile). Olentangy River Road was flat and twisty but I was looking ahead still.

 I hit Mile 3 in 15:53 (5:30 Mile) Still felt pretty good as I swerved along Olentangy River Road and turned right along to continue to go under Woody Hayes Road as the race went through Ohio State’s Campus. Ohio Stadium was just across the river from the course. Mile 4 I went through at 21:28 for a 5:35 mile. I definitely wished I didn’t go out to fast that first mile, but I turned to Lane Ave and went up a slight incline towards High Street as climbed through campus. I was able to finally catch up to elite women who had slowed down or decided that it may not have been there day.

I turned on High Street to head back towards Downtown. Mile 5 was in 27:04 right where I wanted. I thought to myself I can still make this a good race and run a 5:30 pace the rest of the way. I passed my CRC Elite teammate Jess Hoover, who was in the USATF Half Championship race. She looked like she was struggling. I quickly encouraged her and she did the same back as I tried to reel in (fishing term) the elite women from the USATF Half Race that started ahead of us.

There was a slight uphill going on High Street right inbetween 12^th Ave and where South Campus Gateway is where the restaurants are. After that it was a slight downhill right before King Ave heading towards the Short North. Mile 6 I was in 32:33 much better than I thought as I kept passing elite women as headed toward the CRC Short North Store before Buttles Ave. Some CRC Peeps cheered me on as I was able to pass two other CRC Elite Women teammates from the Elite Race in Emily Odle and Sammie Zisha right around where the downtown Hilton Hotel was.

The Course then made a left turn on Long Street heading east as I tried to keep a 5:30 pace and focus on what was ahead of me. That was my goal going in since I wasn’t in the USATF Half Marathon Championship race, LOOK AHEAD, NOT BEHIND, & IT WILL ALL COME TOGETHER. The Course headed South on 4^th Street as right along then is where on one side the Quarter and Half Marathoners ran and the other part of the road along the right side were the 5k runners which to me is why this race always seem like a Crowded Mess at times.

I continued my focus as I headed down towards Mound Street then made a sharp turn on Grant Ave to crossover I-70 toward Livingston Ave. Mile 9 was around 49:30. Still on pace. With a right turn on Livingston Ave I headed towards 3^rd Street to turn South towards the German Village where Mile 10 was and around Schiller Park till we head back towards High Street. This was very familiar since it was part the Columbus Marathon Course. Since its familiarity I continued to feel strong as I turned right towards High Street. Mile 11 there was in 1:01:00. I was just focus on my race thinking at that point, “I MIGHT DO IT. I COULD WIN THE CAP CITY HALF MARATHON” But I had to remain focus as the course went a slight uphill as a head towards Main Street to turn left and headdown hill as I had one mile or 1.1 Mile to go when I hit Mile 12 in 1:06:20.

Honestly, this was the toughest mile on the course. The Last mile to the body always seems the toughest but that’s where adrenaline kicks in as your brain tells your body to suck it up for one more. Now, if this were the course for the Columbus Half Marathon part my finish would be different but it’s Cap City. The Last Mile goes downhill on Main Street past the Scioto Mile as you cross Main Street Bridge which is uphill and then you are around COSI and head towards Rich Street where you cross another bridge then after you cross go uphill towards High Street and turn right where you finish near Town Street.

That last mile I felt terrible and I thought I was going to throw up. (I shouldn’t took that Glu before the race 😝 ) But I was almost there as I got uphill on Rich Street and turned on High Street to finish in 1:12:41. It was a great time but I lead the entire Capital City Half Marathon portion from Start to Finish and no other Male passed me. 2^nd place was 13 seconds behind me and I didn’t know it till I finished. I HAD WON A HALF MARATHON!!!!

http://www.mtecresults.com/race/show/5288

http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/show?rid=7190&race=5288

I saw a few CRC Elite guys who ran the USATF Half Race and congratulated them. When it started to rain.  We went around towards the Columbus Commons where my folks congratulated me. As it was raining I wanted them to meet some of my teammates that haven’t met yet but they wanted to get dry and I told me I would meet them later to take them out for lunch. At around 9:50 the first thunder came and the Post Race Party had shutdown around 10. I saw Jason Montgomery and we head back to the CRC Hangout at PurePressed Juicery.

The rest of the race was cancelled. I felt bad for those who had finished at the weather turned bad and the finish line area was becoming abandoned as myself and others dried up inside the juicery for a bit till one of my friends drove a few of us back to our cars. I celebrated the rest of the day with my folks and CRC Elite Friends as the weather turned nice.

Looking back, time wise it wasn’t what I wanted it to be but I realize Cap City’s Half is tougher than the Columbus Half and they seem to add hills to it especially at the end. I know my effort was there and it definitely showed. I probably would have only beaten 6 or 7 guys in the USATF Half Marathon Race if I were put into that. The Guy that won the USA HALF MARATHON RAN a 1:03:04 by the way.

Here were those results:

http://www.mtecresults.com/race/show/5031

2 times before I have come so close to actually winning a Half Marathon. The River Run up in Cleveland in 2012 and 2016 when I was training for Columbus only to get passed in the last few miles.  To have this victory in the City in which I now Resided and for how long that race is put on is pretty cool.

More importantly , this victory has taught me that no matter what I’ve been feeling the last couple months with Stress at Work, Depression, and Loneliness and not being where I think I should be in my life at this point with Work and Relationships that I can persevere through any and KEEP ON RUNNING NO MATTER WHAT. That’s the lesson I hope to continue with Coaching and what I try to give to my athletes. There may trials and struggles but if you push through you’ll see the results. Maybe not Today, Maybe not Tomorrow but it will eventually come and people will take notice.

I thank everyone for the Congrats and Support. Don’t know if I’ll do the Half or the Full Marathon at Columbus this Fall but I’m going to give it my best effort. Also, it is great to be blogging again. Thanks for Reading as always!!!!