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NCAA Football
Peach Bowl 2014: TV Schedule, Updated Odds and Predictions for Ole Miss vs. TCU
Two of the surprise stories in the college football season will battle in the Peach Bowl, as No. 6 TCU and No. 9 Ole Miss are set to go at it in the Georgia Dome.
There's no doubting both sides would rather be playing in 2015 in one of the College Football Playoff semifinals, but it's also safe to say both teams vastly exceeded expectations. The Rebels emerged as a Top Five squad for much of 2014 with two of the most impressive wins—over Alabama and Mississippi State—that you'll see, while the Horned Frogs emerged following a 4-8 season to lose just once—to No. 5 Baylor—in 2014.
A championship won't be on the line come New Year's Eve in Atlanta, but a chance to make a national statement and enter 2015 on a high note will result in a must-watch affair. Let's take a look at everything you need to know.
What: 2014 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
When: Wednesday, December 31
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Start Time (ET): 12:30 p.m.
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Odds (via Odds Shark): TCU -3, over/under 56
Peach Bowl Preview and Prediction
When it comes to matching up one of the most high-octane offenses in college football with arguably the most ferocious defense, the Peach Bowl couldn't have done any better if it tried.
There's no doubt that the mouth-watering matchup of TCU's offense against the Rebels defense will be the one to watch entering Atlanta. The Horned Frogs score at will with Trevone Boykin at the helm, and Ole Miss has proved impossible to score on against the most prolific SEC offenses.
Patrick Schmidt of Fansided.com noted the two units' prowess:
Slowing down that TCU offense will have to be priority No. 1 for the Rebels, who will be going up against a team that has scored 30 points or more in every game this season. Boykin stayed hot as the regular season came to a close, scoring eight touchdowns in the last two games. Oh, and one was a receiving score.
While Boykin can undoubtedly air it out to deep threats Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee, a formidable run game with Boykin and Aaron Green keeps defenses packing the box.
The Clarion-Ledger's Hugh Kellenberger noted Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze ironically started studying up on TCU's offense months ago:
It's safe to say that TCU could have used some early preparation for Ole Miss as well. Two of the Horned Frogs' last three games have come against scoring defenses outside of the top 100, while the Rebels give up an NCAA-best 13.8 points per contest.
And when the Rebels offense has been on point, it's been impossibly tough to beat. The team is 7-0 when scoring 34 or more points but 2-3 otherwise. Bo Wallace's play has swung from unstoppable to ineffective, and Ole Miss will need the former to compete in the Peach Bowl.
The Rebels should also come in highly motivated after a season-ending Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State propelled them to a New Year's Six bowl. The Horned Frogs won't be lacking in energy either, head coach Gary Patterson promised as he shared some thoughts with Scout.com's Ben Garrett:
TCU's defense is battle-tested coming out of the high-scoring Big 12, but it also rarely faces the athletes that Ole Miss will feature. Even without star wideout Laquon Treadwell in the fold, Vince Sanders should help to take the top off the defense if Wallace is firing.
The passing game has always been there for Ole Miss, but a rediscovered run game should keep the offense rolling. Jalen Walton showed his star caliber against the Bulldogs with 148 yards and a touchdown, and Jordan Wilkins is a more-than-serviceable second option.
Boykin will find the holes in the Ole Miss secondary, but TCU will struggle to continue establishing the run against the Rebels' stingy front seven. That will allow Wallace to air it out and get Ole Miss an early lead, which it won't relinquish despite a feverish comeback from the Horned Frogs.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, TCU 30
Note: Team stats and rankings courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
College Football Playoff 2014-15: TV Schedule, Latest Odds and Projections
Many chat about how long the four teams in the College Football Playoff have to prepare, but so too do bettors who want to take on Las Vegas in their own head-to-head showdown.
The season was wild, to say the least. Upsets were the name of the game each and every week, which is why the nation came very close to the notion that a two-loss team might just be worth a CFP bid (but only if they come from a conference that has a title game, folks).
Whether or not bettors found it difficult to make financial headway on college football odds is tough to say, but one final redemption tour rests in the confines of the inaugural CFP.
The early lines are juicy. Those hungry for an advantage against the house need to get ahead of the game.
2015 College Football Playoffs Info and Odds
Odds via Odds Shark as of 8 a.m. ET on Dec. 10.
Early Odds Strategy
Underdog to Bet: Ohio State(+10)
Perhaps Las Vegas buys stock in the notion that the SEC will outclass the Big Ten in every way.
Or maybe it believes the fact that the Ohio State Buckeyes using a third-string quarterback is the ultimate factor in the team's showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Either way, the current spread is just too big.
Ohio State did not get to the CFP because of any singular part. The loss of J.T. Barrett hurts, but this is a team that lost Braxton Miller and kept moving right along. It did it again in the Big Ten Championship Game thanks to the efforts of sophomore Cardale Jones, who tossed three touchdowns in the triumph.
Urban Meyer's scheme insulates any quarterback who gets under center, right along with back Ezekiel Elliott, who has 1,402 yards and 12 scores on the year. A complementary defense helps, as defensive end Joey Bosa (13.5 sacks) might be the best defensive player in the country.
None of this is to suggest Alabama will not win.
The Crimson Tide have more experience and made it through a tougher schedule in the SEC thanks to encounters with Texas A&M, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and Missouri.
Alabama coach Nick Saban is not one to take Meyer and the Buckeyes lightly, either, as captured by ESPN.com's Alex Scarborough:
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Urban. And we've done some things, the ESPN games and stuff, together, and I consider him a good friend and certainly have a tremendous amount of personal respect for the kind of professional he is and the kind of coach he is and the kind of programs he's had, the great teams that he's had at Florida.
I know that we haven't had much of an opportunity to look at Ohio State yet, but we certainly have a tremendous amount of respect for what their team has accomplished this year and know that they'll be a very, very wellcoached team.
There is no doubt Saban will have his team ready to go. Quarterback Blake Sims is more mature than the player who was on the field way back near the tail end of last summer. His 3,250 yards and 26 scores can attest to that.
As great as the Ohio State defense is, it will have no answer for Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper, who has 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 scores on the year. The star receiver makes a habit of major production in big games, as noted by his 13 grabs for 224 yards and three scores in the Iron Bowl.
When it comes to bets against the spread, feel free to capitalize on archaic ways of thought when it comes to conference versus conference showdowns. Ohio State is in the CFP for a reason, after all. If the committee thought the Buckeyes stood no chance, there would be a Big 12 team in their place.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Ohio State 21
Over/Under to Bet: Oregon vs. FSU (71)
Look, folks know Oregon for a high-flying attack. Florida State's Jameis Winston is a big name.
But more than 70 points?
One must understand how and why Oregon will attack Florida State to know why that number is out of the question.
The Florida State defense allows just 23.0 points per game on average but struggles to get off the field. Boston College and Georgia Tech rushing for a minimum of 240 yards and controlling the pace of the game can attest to that.
Even worse, it is hard to know just how healthy the Seminoles will be by January. A recent note from coach Jimbo Fisher includes some of the most prominent names of the unit.
"You had [defensive tackle] Eddie [Goldman] out, you had [starting cornerback Ronald] Darby out, you had Terrance Smith playing on one leg," Fisher said, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel. "We were banged, bruised everywhere."
This seems like it means an epic point total for quarterback Marcus Mariota and Co., right? Wrong—it means the Ducks would rather grind it out on the ground with freshman breakout star Royce Freeman (1,299 yards and 16 scores). That keeps Winston off the field.
Folks know Winston is in the middle of a down season with 3,559 yards and 24 touchdowns to 17 picks. However, he remains as dangerous as ever—three scores and 309 yards against the Yellow Jackets came with just nine incompletions.
Winston cannot burn the Ducks if he is on the sideline. The offense cannot pull off its late-game feats if a hobbled defense remains on the field, hand on hips and gasping for air.
When it comes to this over/under, the conventional train of thought is what will get bettors burnt. An offensive shootout is what most want to happen. With money on the line, though, wants mean little in the face of logic.
Prediction: Oregon 36, Florida State 28
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
B/R CFB 250: Top 22 Pro-Style Quarterbacks
Bleacher Report's CFB 250 is an annual ranking of the best players in college football, regardless of NFL potential. Brian Leigh and Kynon Codrington have studied, ranked and graded the top athletes in the country, narrowed that list down to a mere 250 and sorted by position. Today, we present the Top 22 Pro-Style Quarterbacks.
Are pro-style quarterbacks a dying breed? If not, they are certainly a decaying one. College football values versatility, and with more and more teams adopting uptempo, spread and zone-read principles, the appeal of having a dual-threat quarterback is obvious.
The long-term sustainability of the pocket quarterback depends on those who actively play the position. As long as there are great pro-style players, there will always be a place for pro-style schemes. Only when the last of the dinosaurs dies can the next epoch begin.
Seven of the top nine pocket quarterbacks from last year's CFB 250 are no longer in school, which threw the position into even more flux this season. Would anyone step up to fill the void? Or would the world keep spinning in the direction of dual-threat QBs?
That is what we're here to find out.
Before we start, please note that these players were graded as college quarterbacks, not on how they project as NFL quarterbacks.
Targeted skills such as arm strength are important at both levels, but there is a difference between college arm strength and professional arm strength. If a quarterback slings it well enough to hit his marks in the SEC or the Big 12, it doesn't matter that he can't stretch the field against the NFC North. At least not here, it doesn't.
This is all about his college performance.
Note: If two players finished with the same grade, a subjective call was made based on whom we would rather have on our team right now.
Rose Bowl 2015: TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Oregon vs. Florida State
It's not often we get to see the reigning Heisman winner take on the potential upcoming Heisman winner on one of college football's biggest stages, but that's about to happen when Florida State's Jameis Winston meets Oregon's Marcus Mariota in the Rose Bowl.
The Ducks have been one of the nation's most dangerous teams of late, decimating opponents by scoring at least 42 points in each of their last eight games. They capped off that stretch with a 51-13 victory over Arizona, the only team to beat them this season. Florida State enters as the only undefeated team in the Top Four, going 13-0 this year and ending the season on a high note, defeating Georgia Tech 37-35.
Both of these teams are on hot streaks right now, and they are sure to deliver an entertaining display on the amateur gridiron. We're still weeks away before they face off, so let's take this time to overview the game's full schedule, peek at the updated odds and speculate on which team will advance to the national championship game.
Viewing Information
When: Thursday, January 1, 2015
Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Info (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 71
- Spread: Oregon -9.5
Preview and Prediction
There's most definitely a contrast in styles between the Ducks and Seminoles, and each has been wildly successful this season.
Oregon relies on its potent offense to jump out to early leads, forcing opponents away from their game plans quickly. With opposing teams becoming more one-dimensional on offense, Oregon's defense becomes more successful in limiting scoring opportunities. This has led to the Ducks winning by margins of at least three scores in 10 of their 13 games this year.
Florida State hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard this season, but it remains one of the nation's most resilient teams. The Seminoles continued to cling to their undefeated record by winning late in games over the back half of the season. While the wins weren't overly impressive, a team that can flourish in the face of adversity week after week can be extremely dangerous in an elimination-game scenario.
So, which of these two conflicting styles is most likely to prevail in the Rose Bowl?
If the Ducks are to emerge victorious, they must take advantage of Florida State's 58th-ranked run defense that is allowing an average of 160.1 yards per game on the ground and has given up 16 rushing touchdowns this season. Mariota is a very capable runner, and ball-carrier Royce Freeman is averaging 5.6 yards per rush this year.
The Seminoles don't have much of a pass rush, generating just 17 sacks over the course of the season, and if Oregon gets the ground game going, it will nullify any pressure on Mariota, limiting chances for costly fumbles and allowing him time in the pocket to pick apart Florida State's 49th-ranked pass defense.
Florida State's key to victory is a simple one: get out of the gate quickly. Winston has struggled mightily in the first half of games this season, tossing 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during the first two quarters of games compared to 10 touchdowns to just four interceptions in the final two quarters. That must change against an Oregon team that is capable of scoring early and often.
In an effort to avoid costly interceptions, Winston must rely on short-to-intermediate passing routes featuring the sure hands of wide receiver Rashad Greene and work speedy running back Dalvin Cook into the mix as well. This will sustain longer drives for the Seminoles, keeping Mariota and the dangerous Oregon offense on the sidelines for a greater amount of time.
We may know the outcome of this game early. After all, if Oregon gets out to a quick lead, the Seminoles don't have the firepower to keep up. However, if Florida State continues to hang around, it will have the advantage late in the game due to a massive amount of experience in that scenario. Although, based on how these teams match up, the former is more likely.
Prediction: Oregon 45, Florida State 31
All team rankings and statistics courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 9.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Sugar Bowl 2015: TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Alabama vs. Ohio State
The inaugural College Football Playoff is sure living up to the hype. The Sugar Bowl features a clash of legendary college coaches in Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, producing one of the most compelling storylines in the bowl season.
If that isn't enough, we have extremely contrasting players at the quarterback position. Blake Sims is a senior who has sat and watched, waiting patiently for his turn to start for the Crimson Tide. Cardale Jones is a freshman who was thrust into the mix following injures to Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. He'll be making his second career start in one of the year's most important games.
Yes, the Sugar Bowl has storylines galore. Unfortunately, we have to wait until New Year's Day to watch these teams in action, so that leaves us plenty of time to speculate. Here's a look at the game's complete viewing information, updated odds and a prediction for which team gets a shot at the national championship.
Viewing Information
When: Thursday, January 1, 2015
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Info (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 58
- Spread: Alabama -10
Preview and Prediction
This should be an extremely entertaining contest featuring two very well-rounded, yet diverse, teams.
Alabama has ridden a stout defense and very efficient offense throughout the year. Defensively, the Crimson Tide have been fantastic, allowing an average of just 16.6 points per game to rank fourth in the nation. The team has seen its ups and downs on offense this season, but it finished strong, putting up at least 42 points in three consecutive performances.
Ohio State has owned one of the nation's most potent offenses throughout the season, ranking fourth in the nation, averaging 45.2 points per game. That offense certainly didn't slow down with Jones under center, as the Buckeyes put up 59 points on Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship. Defensively, Ohio State is underrated, ranking 23rd in the nation, allowing 21.2 points per game.
So, what must each team accomplish to get a big win and a shot at the national title?
The Crimson Tide need very efficient play from their quarterback. Sims has done nicely in that department this season, aside from a three-pick showing in the Iron Bowl. Ohio State's secondary is very talented, ranking 17th in the nation while allowing an average of 188.2 passing yards per game. No strangers to forcing turnovers, the Buckeyes have 21 interceptions on the season.
The key here is to get the ground game going against Ohio State's 33rd-ranked run defense. The combination of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry has been phenomenal this season, and forcing the Buckeyes to concentrate on those ball-carriers will help open things up in the secondary for the dangerous Amari Cooper.
Ohio State must protect its inexperienced quarterback against an Alabama defense that has accumulated 28 sacks this season. The Buckeyes defeated the Badgers with big plays, but the Crimson Tide defense won't allow that to happen in the Sugar Bowl. This will force Jones to sustain longer drives, putting him in harm's way more often.
The key for this team is to get the ball out of Jones' hands quickly by taking advantage of short, high-percentage passes and allowing wide receiver Devin Smith to create yards after the catch against Alabama's 58th-ranked secondary. Involving running back Ezekiel Elliott in the passing game with some screens will go a long way as well.
This game will be much closer than the 10-point spread indicates. Expect Ohio State to keep up with Alabama throughout the contest, but if Jones is forced into a late comeback situation, his inexperience against one of the nation's best defenses could prove to be the Buckeyes' undoing.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Ohio State 31
All team rankings and statistics courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 9.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Heisman Watch 2014: Predictions for College Football's Most Prestigious Award
Marcus Mariota, Amari Cooper and Melvin Gordon would make one heck of an offense.
Those names are the finalists for the 2014 Heisman Trophy, although it seems like an obvious outcome given the positions of all involved.
The selections do not reek of a search for adversity, though. All deserve the distinction as one of the final three thanks to epic seasons the globe will not soon forget.
While a tad strange not to see someone such as Jameis Winston or J.T. Barrett around, the voters have spoken. All that remains is to crown a winner.
Heisman Predictions
3. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Given the dire state of his position, Gordon should be proud he even has an invite to New York.
Were this a decade ago, Gordon would stand more of a chance. He just does not play quarterback, nor did his play elevate Wisconsin when it was most in need of a boost.
Gordon's numbers are gaudy. Not often does a back go for 2,336 yards and 26 scores on a 7.6 per-carry average. As for a Heisman moment, look no further than 408 yards on the ground against Nebraska, although that record only stood for one week.
Outside of his position, Gordon came up short in the Big Ten Championship, gaining just 76 yards on 26 attempts in a 59-0 loss. Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon hit the nail on the head after the outcome:
In a time when voters need strong performances across the board and title contention is necessary, Gordon's numbers are not enough to sway the argument in his favor.
Wisconsin and Gordon are losers of three games this season. He has numbers, but little else—especially in comparison to the other two names on the list.
2. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Cooper will come much closer to Mariota's Heisman than most think.
The man's name is all over several records thanks to 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. Impressive, right? He was also quite clutch for Alabama this year.
In a major showdown with then-No. 1 Mississippi State, Cooper caught eight balls for 88 yards and a score. An Iron Bowl win was a fireworks show thanks to 13 grabs for 224 yards and three scores. Even the SEC Championship was a strong outing in some ways thanks to 12 receptions for 83 yards.
The point is simple—the Crimson Tide do not get to the College Football Playoff without Cooper.
His numbers are impressive, but put it in this context: Alabama as a whole finished with 268 catches for 3,653 yards and 30 touchdowns. The next receiver down the list after Cooper's 115 receptions, DeAndrew White, caught 37 passes for 439 yards and four scores.
Still, Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus provides a dose of reality:
Cooper does not play quarterback. His numbers are also not enough in comparison to what Mariota has on the year to date.
Unless voters decide to throw weight behind the best NFL prospect of the three or arguably the best player on the best team, Cooper will come in second place. That is not a bad place to end up, though, especially since he is the reason the run-first stereotype that enshrouds the Crimson Tide is no more.
1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It takes a whole lot to outshine the two names above.
Mariota seems to do that with ease.
The Oregon signal-caller completed an eyebrow-raising 68.3 percent of his passes on the season for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns to two interceptions. Forget not the 669 yards and 14 scores on the ground, either.
Also, keep in mind that Mariota did a large portion of damage without some of his best offensive linemen considering Tyler Johnstone and Hroniss Grasu are out for the year.
As far as Heisman moments go, feel free to throw a dart at the schedule while blindfolded. Mariota expelled Stanford demons, upended Utah and blew away Oregon State in the Civil War with 367 passing yards and six total touchdowns. He also has a measure of revenge over Arizona thanks to a 51-13 win in the Pac-12 Championship.
The character for the award is present, too, as Seth Davis of CBS Sports illustrates:
"It is humbling to be considered for an award that I have admired for a very long time," Mariota said, per The Associated Press, via ESPN.com. "I would like to thank my teammates and coaches as I could not have been recognized as a finalist without their help."
Point blank, Mariota is the most important player in the nation. Oregon is nowhere close to the Pac-12 title or CFP without him under center.
Borderline unbelievable efficiency, stats, adversity hurdles surpassed and a potential national title before moving on to the pro game are just nice bonuses that add up to one perfect Heisman package.
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
College Football Playoff Championship 2015: Dates, Schedule, Odds, Predictions
Throw out the obvious national title implications, and both College Football Playoff matchups are must-watch affairs based on star power and program prestige alone.
The Sugar Bowl features two of the blue bloods in college football, pitting the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide against the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes—who posted a 59-0 humiliation of Wisconsin to jump TCU and Baylor for the final spot. When two teams combining for 18 championships get together in a first-of-its-kind semifinal, fireworks are guaranteed.
Look across the bracket, and it's apparent you should be glued to your couch all New Year's Day long. Florida State and Jameis Winston will go up against Oregon and Marcus Mariota in a game that should almost certainly pit two Heisman Trophy winners against each other.
Here's a look at the complete schedule for the CFP, including previews and predictions for both semifinals.
Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated December 10.
Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State
To congratulate Cardale Jones on his high-flying starting debut for Ohio State in the Buckeyes' 59-0 win over Wisconsin, the CFP committee matched him up against Nick Saban and the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide.
Unlike most of their championship runs, the Tide fought an uphill battle to get here after an early loss to Ole Miss set them back. That dynastic feel has been absent from this team at times, but the Tide have left no doubt about their makeup as an elite force down the stretch.
Cecil Hurt of The Tuscaloosa News reported a quote from Saban that reflected that:
Offensive potency has also been a shake-up, with Blake Sims setting a single-season passing record in a season that saw his starting job in flux time and time again. Ohio State hasn't faced a team in the Big Ten that can toss the ball around the yard with weapons such as Amari Cooper and DeAndrew White.
The Buckeyes have shown their grit in an 11-game win streak ever since a 14-point home loss to Virginia Tech, riding a stingy defensive front with Joey Bosa and Joshua Perry. But they will have their hands full slowing down an Alabama offense that—for the first time in the Saban era—can beat you over the top or on the ground just as well.
The lack of tape on Jones should allow him to make some plays against an Alabama secondary that struggles on the deep ball. But with so long to prepare for the inexperienced youngster, you like Saban's chances, as Clay Travis of Fox Sports noted:
The Buckeyes will keep it close, but stalemating Ezekiel Elliott on the ground will force Jones to make plays. He won't be able to keep up with Sims and Co.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Ohio State 24
Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State
The most awkward moment in preparation for Florida State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl will likely come Saturday night in New York City.
That moment will be when Winston—last year's Heisman winner—greets Mariota on the stage after Mariota collects what is almost certainly his 2014 Heisman Trophy. Although Winston will concede his active hold of the trophy to a worthy player, he'll be wishing him defeat the next time he steps on the field.
In everything but individual accolades, Winston has liked his chances of victory as the Seminoles look to go unbeaten for the second straight season. Jimbo Fisher made it clear to them after winning the ACC that they weren't done, per ESPN's Joe Schad:
This time a year ago, the 'Noles were ready for an attack like Oregon's—as told by their win over a similar Auburn team in the national championship. But not now.
Florida State has been just getting by against inferior foes, and Georgia Tech showed that sticking to what works on offense can yield strong results. Oregon undoubtedly has a system that works, having passed the 40-point plateau in every appearance since that home loss to Arizona on Oct. 2.
Mariota's dominance has been at the center of that, as USA Today's Paul Myerberg illustrated:
What will help Oregon more than anything against the Seminoles is how magnificently Mariota takes care of the ball. He's thrown only two picks all season, and avoiding turnovers will keep an opportunistic Florida State defense from getting the ball in Winston's hands in favorable spots.
Florida State will have a Heisman winner of its own to get it back into the game late, but it won't matter much with Mariota keeping the teams distanced on the scoreboard. The Seminoles defense won't have an answer for Oregon's high-octane attack, and Winston's late magic won't be enough.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Florida State 30
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Heisman Trophy Ceremony 2014: Date, Start Time, Live Stream, TV and Award Info
The 2014 Heisman Trophy has come down to three players, each the best at their respective positions.
While the number of finalists fluctuates every year, the voters felt there was enough separation between the top names and the likes of Tevin Coleman, Trevone Boykin, Scooby Wright and others.
While that issue is open to debate, it is hard to question the three players who did receive an invite.
Indeed, the best quarterback, running back and receiver in college football will this weekend hope to see their name etched in history.
Fans might expect a runaway in the voting, but it will still be interesting to see who gets to raise the prestigious trophy. Here is a look at everything you need to know heading into the ceremony.
When: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Live Stream:Watch ESPN
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Oregon is competing for a national championship because of the play of Marcus Mariota. The Ducks dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball this year, especially along the offensive line, but the quarterback ensured they remained among the best teams in the nation.
Mariota heads into the bowl season with 52 total touchdowns and just two interceptions, which equals a quarterback rating of 186.3. Not only is this the best in the nation, the difference between him and the second-highest mark is bigger than the gap between second and ninth.
Bob Glauber of Newsday notes how well the quarterback has performed in his entire career:
According to Joel Klatt of Fox Sports, this race is not even going to be close:
The Ducks star is seemingly putting up huge numbers every time he steps onto the field, and he is as deserving of a Heisman as anyone in recent memory. If he doesn't win, it would be a pretty big surprise.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Although Mariota is the clear favorite for this award, Melvin Gordon is not ready to concede just yet.
"You've got to keep faith," the Wisconsin running back explained via Jeff Potrykus of the Journal Sentinel. "You never know how the votes are going to turn out."
Defenses have certainly learned this season never to overlook Gordon. The junior had a breakout season a year ago with 1,609 rushing yards but blew that away in 2014 with 2,336 rushing yards heading into bowl season.
The running back leads the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns (26), while his 7.6 yards per carry is the best among anyone with at least 200 attempts.
Gordon also briefly had the record for most rushing yards in a single game with 408 until Oklahoma's Samaje Perine topped it just a week later. Of course, it only took Gordon three quarters to accomplish the feat.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller believes this should be enough to win the Heisman:
Despite a poor performance against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, this was still one of the best seasons a running back has ever had at this level.
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
It's relatively rare to see a receiver earn a trip to New York, but it's almost impossible to deny Amari Cooper as one of the most outstanding players in the country.
The Alabama star led all of FBS with 115 catches and 1,656 yards while ranking second with 14 touchdowns.
As the SEC Network noted, this was a season to remember for the Crimson Tide:
While most receivers at the college level are able to put up big numbers in a spread offense that throws the ball every play, Alabama remains a pro-style system. Cooper simply beat his man virtually every play and posted huge numbers throughout the year.
Fantasy football owners are probably going to want him on their team as soon as he reaches the NFL.
Until then, college football fans should be able to appreciate one of the best receivers of his generation.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Bowl Games 2014-15: TV Schedule and Predictions for Most Anticipated Matchups
While there was going to be controversy no matter how the college football season ended, there will at least be plenty of exciting games to keep all fans entertained.
Between national semifinals to determine a champion, big-time matchups in the New Year's Six bowls and other quality battles, the next few weeks should be a thrill for anyone who watches the sport.
Of course, some games will have a bigger following than others. No offense to the organizers of the New Mexico Bowl, but the viewership for the College Football Playoff might be a bit higher.
Still, here is a complete schedule with predictions for every game as well as a breakdown of the top matchups to watch.
All games can be viewed online courtesy of Watch ESPN.
Top Games
Cotton Bowl: Baylor vs. Michigan State
Michigan State has a unique perspective this bowl season as a team that has faced two of the four teams in the College Football Playoff. While the losses to Ohio State and Oregon were each decided by double digits, it's clear the squad has been tested.
Quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford have faced much better defenses in their careers than Baylor, and this duo should be able to put up big numbers against the Bears.
Conversely, the lack of competition was a big issue with Baylor throughout the year, especially in the nonconference schedule. ESPN's Trevor Matich notes that as a reason the Bears are not in contention for a championship:
Then again, there hasn't been a lot of respect for the Big Ten this postseason, even with this spread being relatively low, according to Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage:
Even though the Spartans have played well defensively against inferior competition, they have been torched by the better opponents on the schedule. Baylor's No. 1 offense in the nation should continue to move the ball and help win a high-scoring battle in Texas.
Prediction: Baylor 48, Michigan State 35
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Ohio State
It's not surprising to see Alabama competing for a national championship, but its style is certainly different than it has been in past years.
While the Crimson Tide are used to having a methodical offense with a run-heavy approach, they have been much more dynamic this season under offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was certainly impressed with the difference:
Blake Sims gives the squad a new dimension at quarterback, and that should help Alabama score points against whoever it plays.
The Buckeyes are certainly capable of putting up points as well, but it's important to remember Cardale Jones will be making just his second start at quarterback when the Sugar Bowl rolls around. While he did have three touchdowns in a 59-0 blowout against Wisconsin, he only threw 17 passes in the win.
With the way Alabama can shut down the run, Jones will be forced to do a lot more in this game and is likely to struggle his way to a loss.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Ohio State 14
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Florida State
The big story in this game is the competition at quarterback. Jameis Winston is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner after leading Florida State to a national championship last season, but Marcus Mariota appears set to win the prestigious award this time around.
Joel Klatt of Fox Sports doesn't even think it'll be close:
While Winston has the talent and is coming off one of the best games of the season in the ACC Championship win over Georgia Tech, he has not had a good year. The biggest problem has been his turnovers as he has thrown 17 interceptions this season to rank fourth worst in the nation.
Meanwhile, Mariota has only thrown two interceptions all year while accounting for 38 touchdowns through the air and another 14 on the ground.
Obviously, this game will have to do with a lot more than the men under center. However, a few small plays will be the difference in what will likely become a shootout.
Considering the Ducks star knows how to hold onto the ball and Winston doesn't, Oregon should be able to escape with a close win.
Prediction: Oregon 45, Florida State 38
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
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Bowl Game Schedule 2014-15: Predictions for Underrated Matchups
The brand-new College Football Playoff offers some amazing matchups, but there are still loads of bowls to play before those games even get underway.
Although casual fans may tune out the also-ran bowls unless they attended the schools involved, several showdowns in late December are worth watching during the holiday season.
Some involve ranked teams eager to end their years with a bang, while other programs will attempt to make the most of their time in the national spotlight. Three contests stand out as particularly noteworthy prior to the playoff commencement on New Year's Day's.
After surveying the complete 2014-15 bowl game schedule, read on for analysis and predictions on some of the more underrated bowls on the slate.
Note: Statistics courtesy of NCAA.com.
Predictions For Underrated Matchups
Sun Bowl: Duke vs. No. 15 Arizona State
The Blue Devils are one of the better teams in the country not able to crack the selection committee's Top 25. They should pose a considerable challenged to the favored Sun Devils.
Arizona State's 75th-ranked scoring defense will help Duke keep the game close, thanks mostly to the presence of Blue Devils go-to receiver Jamison Crowder. Taylor Kelly is a seasoned veteran under center for the Sun Devils, but he was benched in the regular-season finale loss to Arizona.
As shaky as Anthony Boone is as a pocket passer for the Blue Devils, Kelly doesn't give ASU as big of an edge at the most important position on the field as might be expected. Duke coach David Cutcliffe summarized the game well:
Sun Devils star Jaelen Strong is a superior No. 1 pass-catching target to Crowder, with a bigger frame and more explosive ability to put points on the board in a hurry. Whether it's Kelly or Mike Bercovici throwing the ball, Strong figures to have a big game.
Both teams thrive on making fewer mistakes than their opponents, though. ASU is plus-12 and Duke is plus-8 in turnover margin. Whoever wins that battle has a great shot at claiming victory in this one.
Also worth keeping in mind is that the Blue Devils haven't beaten a team with a winning record all year other than Georgia Tech, per ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson.
Based on the fact that the Sun Devils have superior offensive firepower, have played better competition in the Pac-12 this year than Duke has faced and have two capable QBs in Kelly and Bercovici, the Sun Devils get the edge.
Prediction: Arizona State 35, Duke 27
Holiday Bowl: Nebraska vs. No. 24 USC
The Trojans have perhaps the most unheralded star QB in the country in Cody Kessler. He's had such a strong junior campaign that he could even bolster potential NFL draft stock in this one.
David Lombardi of ESPN.com notes just how proficient Kessler has been this year:
No more than a decade or so ago, USC was taking over as the most prominent college football program in the country, but Nebraska preceded the Trojans with that gaudy label. A brief gap transpired when the Miami Hurricanes put together some loaded teams near the turn of the millennium.
Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com notes how history is on USC's side:
The Cornhuskers are in a bit of disarray. Their former coach, Bo Pelini, was fired on November 30 with a bowl game still to play. Running back Ameer Abdullah has the skills to will Nebraska to an upset over the Trojans, but USC ball-carrier Javorius Allen has run for over 1,300 yards of his own and is no slouch.
The passing game combination of Nelson Agholor and Kessler, combined with Allen's ability to pound the rock, will help the Trojans emerge with a hard-fought win.
Prediction: USC 41, Nebraska 38
Liberty Bowl: West Virginia vs. Texas A&M
This should be an epic shootout between two uptempo spread offenses, headlined by a potential future NFL star in Mountaineers receiver Kevin White.
One pro scout even compared White to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald.
"He's more of a (Larry) Fitzgerald type receiver in that he doesn't have great speed," said the scout, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn (h/t NFL.com's Chase Goodbread). "I never see him beat people deep. But (if) he is even with them he's going to get the ball. Very good player."
The Aggies' air-raid offense has experienced turbulence this year. Past Heisman winner Johnny Manziel appeared to be a system quarterback for a minute until his successor Kenny Hill struggled and was eventually benched for hotshot freshman Kyle Allen.
Allen has dealt with some growing pains that have raised questions as to whether Hill, a two-game suspension demerit aside, was unseated too soon. Texas A&M has plenty of weapons, however, in the receiving corps and the backfield to help the young signal-caller.
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen tweeted an interesting response to Aggies offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, who served on Holgorson's staff as quarterbacks coach from 2011 to 2012:
Dynamic slot wideout Mario Alford is overshadowed by White, but he is a playmaker in his own right, with 10 touchdown catches in 2014 to White's nine. This game should come down to who has the ball last.
Given Allen's lack of explosiveness with 6.55 yards per pass attempt and how well Skyler Howard has entered the starting QB role for West Virginia with five touchdown tosses in six quarters, expect the Mountaineers to pull this one out.
Prediction: West Virginia 51, Texas A&M 49
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Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen Betting Odds, Analysis, College Football
The Navy Midshipmen have ruled the recent service academy rivalry with the Black Knights of Army, winning the last 12 meetings in a row and going 8-4 against the spread in the process. The Middies shoot to extend their series-record winning streak to a baker's dozen when the teams meet Saturday afternoon in Baltimore.
Point spread: Midshipmen opened as 15-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)
College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 32.4-18.6 Midshipmen
Why the Army Black Knights can cover the spread
The Cadets had lost three games in a row both straight up and against the spread, but they're 2-1 SU and ATS over their last three contests, so perhaps they're getting better as their first season under Jeff Monken (a former Navy assistant) progresses.
One month ago Army upset Connecticut 35-21 as a four-point underdog, and two weeks ago the Cadets beat Fordham 42-31, again as four-point dogs. The Knights outrushed the Huskies by 156 yards, and the Rams by 292 yards, and have now outrushed all but three opponents this season.
Why the Navy Midshipmen can cover the spread
Since losing three in a row both SU and ATS back in midseason, the Middies are 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS, clinching a third-straight bowl bid. The only loss during that span was a 49-39 decision against Notre Dame, a game Navy led through three quarters 31-28.
Last time out the Midshipmen spotted South Alabama an early 17-7 lead then scored 28 of the game's next 31 points to take over. Navy, as a seven-point favorite, had the spread covered until it gave up a touchdown with 30 seconds to go. The Middies have outgained all but four opponents this season and outrushed all but one.
Smart Pick
Navy has beaten Army 12 times in a row, several times in blowout fashion, but the Cadets are tired of hearing about that streak and would love to do something about it. And Monken, who picked up the option from former Middies and current Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, might have a trick or two up his sleeve.
So the smart money in this spot appears to reside with the Black Knights plus the points.
Betting Trends
- The total has gone over in five of Army's last six games
- Navy is 5-0 SU in its last five games when playing Army
All point spread and lines data courtesy of OddsShark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.
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Deshaun Watson Injury: Updates on Clemson Star's Recovery from Knee Surgery
The season for Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson is over.
There was speculation that the dynamic playmaker, who threw for 269 yards and four touchdowns against South Carolina with a partially torn ACL, would again play through the injury later this month against Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. But according to sources cited by The Post and Courier's Aaron Brenner, he will undergo surgery on Friday, effectively ending his season.
While Watson's time on the field was limited—he needed a couple of weeks to earn the starting job, missed three games with a broken hand and missed most of two others due to his injuries—his production was not.
One of the most impressive true freshmen in the country, he completed 67.9 percent of his throws for 1,466 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 200 yards and five scores.
Head coach Dabo Swinney, via the team's official Twitter feed, put it simply:
It's a major loss for the Tigers, but it's more important for Watson to get healthy in preparation for 2015 than to risk further injury in a glorified exhibition.
Senior Cole Stoudt, who has been markedly less effective under center, will start in his place.
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Michigan Football: How Wolverines Will Replace Devin Funchess
Back in September, Devin Gardner said that Devin Funchess "could probably be the best receiver to ever play here."
It was a bold statement from the former quarterback but not too far of a stretch. However, in order to attain such stardom at Michigan, Funchess would have needed an exemplary 2014 and an even better senior session.
But the breakout junior year for Funchess never happened, and the chances of him having an even better final go with the Wolverines were squashed Tuesday when the 6'5", 236-pound wideout declared for the 2015 NFL Draft.
In a release sent by the university, Funchess thanked former coach Brady Hoke's staff, the fans and everyone associated with Michigan football. The new staff, fans and everyone associated with the team will certainly miss his services next fall.
The absence of Funchess, who's been a projected first-rounder since the end of 2013, will present a mountainous climb for an offense that finished in the cellar of the Big Ten this past fall in yard output, ranking No. 13 in total production at 333 yards per game, and in scoring, scraping together a puny output of 20.9 points each Saturday.
The end result of that equation was a 5-7 record.
But so much more was possible, and so much more could be in 2015. Parting is such sweet sorrow, so it's time to add "replacing prototypical No. 1 receiver" to the to-do list for the incoming regime at Michigan.
Whether Doug Nussmeier is the offensive coordinator is irrelevant, as a meeting of the minds between the OC, quarterbacks and receivers is beyond necessary.
Shane Morris, a 6'3", 204-pound junior-to-be, and Wilton Speight, a 6'6", 235-pound soon-to-be-sophomore, must quickly recognize and designate candidates for Funchess' replacement going into winter workouts and, ultimately, into spring practices.
Time is of the essence. But haste makes waste. This move has to be calculated. Joe Depth can't take on the load of one of the most athletic wideouts to ever run the field at The Big House.
But there are options, such as Jake Butt and Amara Darboh, who seem like the logical successors to Funchess' former perch.
Although listed as a tight end, Butt brings Funchess-like attributes to the table. Funchess made the move; why not Butt? At 6'6" and 250 pounds, he's capable of shedding defenders and catching the hard-to-reach balls—he just doesn't have the speed or balance of his former teammate.
However, that could come in time for Butt, who played well down the stretch, finishing his sophomore run with 21 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
Once workouts begin, he'll be several more months removed from an ACL tear suffered during drills in the winter of 2013. Distance from an injury is always a good thing for a player looking to find his niche.
During 2014 media day, Butt said that he'd like to become one of Michigan's great tight ends. Instead, he could end up evolving into Michigan's next great replacement for the guy who was billed as the program's next great receiver.
During his first (somewhat) fully healthy year on campus, Darboh caught 36 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns for Team 135.
Overall, those aren't embarrassing numbers. Yeah, fans wanted more from him, but getting nearly 500 yards from a seldom-used option isn't bad at all.
Darboh appears to have the required tools to secure acrobatic tosses; he's long and balanced and has sticky hands. For further reference, look back to his six-catch, 88-yard, one-touchdown showing during Michigan's 34-10 victory over Miami of Ohio.
Want more proof?
Review the tape of the Wolverines' 34-10 homecoming romp of Indiana, in which he hauled in nine catches for 107 yards and a score. With stable quarterback play, Darboh could step into the No. 1 receiver role and immediately produce.
Jehu Chesson checked out with 11 catches for 154 yards and zero touchdowns—but Michigan's barely seen the best of him. The 6'3", 197-pound junior-to-be didn't make quite the impact that was expected of him in 2014, but he has a set of hands that'll move the chains.
Michigan's existing stable is ready to show what it has, but Chesson's at the fore of the rotation and 2015 could serve as a springboard for his career.
Really, it has to if he wants to see the field on a regular basis, because the Wolverines have more reinforcements on the way.
That goes for the likes of Drake Harris, Freddy Canteen, Da'Mario Jones and JaRon Dukes. Together, that group returns six catches for 33 yards. Canteen has five of those for 22 yards.
Development, as always, is key in this case. They'll have to chip in with quality shifts so the offense can eventually feature a No. 1. It's like dominoes.
That doesn't apply to just Butt, Darboh and Chesson, but also to Harris, Canteen, Jones and, among others, Dukes. The Wolverines relied heavily upon Funchess in 2014, and teams rarely, if ever, replace the caliber of a Devin Funchess overnight.
But assuming Michigan's offense takes at least one or two steps forward in 2015, and a couple of players rise from the depths, replacing his 62 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns shouldn't be too much to overcome.
Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand by the writer.
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Tennessee Football: 5 Bold Predictions for the Vols' Bowl Game
In a surprise selection, the Tennessee Volunteers' postseason fortunes went from an all-but-guaranteed blustery and cold bowl game somewhere in the mid-South to a berth in the TaxSlayer Bowl in balmy Jacksonville, Florida, against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
With potential opponents ranging from the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Louisville Cardinals and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it looks like the Vols lucked out not only on location but also on their opponent.
The Hawkeyes are a solid team that underachieved in 2014, while the Vols met expectations in an unexpected way by clawing their way to bowl eligiblity after winning three of their last four games.
Although the Vols are already reaping the benefits of making the postseason by scheduling 15 extra practices, the season won't be a true success unless the team brings home a win from Jacksonville.
And with a full month to heal and game-plan for the team's Big 10 opponent, expect Tennessee's coaches to give fans and players alike a glimpse of what the team will look like heading into 2015.
With that said, here are five bold predictions for Tennessee's matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
2014 Alabama Team Is Nick Saban's Crowning Achievement
It's Alabama, so I shouldn't be surprised the Crimson Tide are a final four team. Well, I am surprised. I'm actually a little bit stunned, even with the SEC being down this season.
I mean, these guys need two wins to snatch a national championship with a squad that should have gone 9-3.
This is Nick Saban and his staff's best work at Alabama in the eight seasons he has been there. It really is.
The quarterback is 6' tall. He was a scout team quarterback. They tried to put him at wide receiver, then running back. There were all kinds of reasons not to hand the job to Blake Sims. Saban was ready to give it to transfer Jake Coker the morning of the August 16 scrimmage, a team source said, but decided on Sims. Now look at Sims. MVP of the SEC Championship game.
Here's the true measure of the coaching done by Saban and his staff this season. He has always hated the no-huddle, hurry up offense—calling it "continuous offense" (and much worse things), according to a source who has worked with him in the past. He really detested it. Then, in the first game of the 2014 season against West Virginia in the Georgia Dome, Saban watched Sims settle into a groove when the pace was fast.
I asked Saban about "continuous offense" after the SEC Championship Game. It was so un-Alabama.
"It's been very, very beneficial to us. He's the reason we do it because it's what he does best," he said. "If we didn't do it, I don't think we would be here where we are right now."
The no-huddle played to Sims' strengths, which are quick feet, quick throws.
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin then worked with the veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper to move him around so he was difficult to double-team. Cooper learned the routes of different wide receiver positions, Saban said. That's coaching from Kiffin and second-year assistant Billy Napier. Sims and Cooper drew the defense close and then Sims threw some of the prettiest deep balls you will ever see.
Here is something else about the offense. They have a true freshman left tackle, Cam Robinson. They have another offensive lineman, Leon Brown, who they plucked from some place called ASA College in New York. They have a right tackle, Arie Kouandjio, who has had multiple knee surgeries. Alabama really needed his brother, Cyrus Kouandjio, to stay and not go to the NFL last spring.
Did you know these guys are winning without their most dynamic offensive player? I know, it's sacrilegious to say such a thing because you have been watching Cooper all season. Well, injured running back Kenyan Drake was faster than Cooper. Drake could run and catch passes. Sources around the team said Alabama had a home run play—a wheel route to Drake—that would have wrecked defenses, or made them pay so much attention to it, another play would have opened up.
The coaching on defense has been no less spectacular. Kirby Smart, the Alabama defensive coordinator, had to go fast on defense because of so many no-huddle offenses. He adapted. Instead of eight-word signals via hands from the sidelines, a source close to the team says Smart has compressed the signal to one word. Are you kidding? You are telling teenagers on the field, OK, this one word means eight things from blitz path to shade. Don't forget it.
That brings us to Trey DePriest, the Mike linebacker. Reggie Ragland is a more talented linebacker, but DePriest is more indispensable because Smart has coached him to understand those one-word signals and get the defense lined up. Saban and Smart's defense is a stuffed toolbox. They have an answer for every scheme the offense can come up with, 45 years worth of tools for Saban, and DePriest gets his guys straight on the field.
Now look at the rest of these guys on defense. Corner Eddie Jackson has a brace on his knee. He's just a sophomore and wounded. Cyrus Jones, the other corner, first played offense at Alabama, but the Tide were so weak at corner they had to move him to defense. He's green, still learning. Safety Nick Perry is good, not great.
There are first-round picks, don't get me wrong. Safety Landon Collins is one. Tackle A'Shawn Robinson is another. But look at the youth of the defensive line. Look at DePriest. He was discounted as the season started, fifth-round, NFL scouts tell me. He was named All-SEC on Tuesday.
Turning point
On October 11, Alabama squeaked by Arkansas, 14-13, and it was treated as a debacle. Saban fumed, but he wasn't fuming at his team. Privately, I'm told by a source close to Saban, he was fuming at fans, the media, anybody who labeled the win shameful Alabama football. He saw a team come together. Others saw a season ready to fall apart.
This is going to get sappy. Saban loves his football team. We all saw how good a team Arkansas became. Saban knew how good the Razorbacks were that week. His team showed guts with that win. He was daddy-proud.
"I really think that our team came together in the Arkansas game," Saban said. "I saw an energy and enthusiasm in our players that I hadn't really seen before. After that game you saw them play really well against Texas Texas A&M. I think it was a result of what happened at Arkansas."
That's coaching. Stand behind your guys.
Here is what's really special about Alabama besides coaching. Chemistry.
This group, more than others, an insider told me, has pushed aside that chatter about getting to the NFL as fast as you can and getting to the "second contract," where all the money is. Saban talked about chemistry in the postgame press conference at the SEC Championship Game. I mean, one of the most taciturn men in the business of football used the word "love" when describing his squad.
"I think that part of the reason that I love this team so much is we have great team chemistry," Saban said. "We don't have a lot of issues ever. Everybody really sort of supports and helps each other. I think everybody has been all in to the vision of what we want to accomplish this year."
You are talking about ambitious five-star, highly recruited athletes who usually want nothing more than to play on Sundays. Sure, it's a tribute to the players, but Saban has had something to do with that, too.
"We have lots of opportunities on our team where guys could be selfish, because we had one receiver that had a fantastic year and maybe they could have caught more balls," Saban said. "Christion Jones is out there blocking like crazy for that guy, and so is De White. Nobody really cares. Everybody really cares about having success and being successful. Everybody kind of has each other's back.
"In this day and age, the way people are, that's kind of unique, and it's really appreciated by me as a coach to have that kind of group of guys to work with."
Digest that if you are Ohio State. You have to play an Alabama team in a national semifinal that has talent, but also has the "it" factor.
Alabama is on the cusp of another national title. Coaching got them there, not sheer talent.
Ray Glier covers college football for Bleacher Report. He has covered college football and various other sports for 20 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post and Al Jazeera America. He is the author of How the SEC Became Goliath (Howard/Simon & Schuster, 2013).
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Florida Recruiting 2014-15: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates
With the hire of new head coach Jim McElwain, the Florida Gators are set to be one of the busiest teams in the country on the recruiting trail heading toward national signing day.
The Gators currently have seven commitments in their 2015 class, per 247Sports.
Here's a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Gators.
Latest News
Tuesday, Dec. 9
McElwain has hit the ground running in his first week as the new leader of the Gators program. On Tuesday, he focused on the Tampa area—which has been a hotbed for the Florida program over the years.
Per ESPN's Derek Tyson, 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart, 4-star running back Ray-Ray McCloud and Auden Tate were among the prospects McElwain was slated to visit with.
While McElwain is still in the infant stages of rebuilding the Gators program, he's off to a good start in creating a buzz and capturing the attention of recruits in the 2015 cycle.
Top Targets and Commitments
Recruit ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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Florida State Recruiting 2014-15: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates
Head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles remain in the hunt to capture a second consecutive national title—which has given a boost to their efforts on the recruiting trail as well.
The 'Noles currently have 20 commitments in their 2015 class, per 247Sports.
Here's a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Seminoles.
Latest News
Tue, Dec. 9
On Wednesday, 5-star defensive end Josh Sweat, the nation's No. 6 player overall in the 2015 class, will make his commitment out of a final group that includes Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Virginia Tech, according to Josh Newberg of 247Sports:
According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, the Seminoles hold a slight advantage over the other programs battling for the 6'5", 240-pounder.
Defensive end is one of the most pressing needs for Fisher and his staff to meet from now until national signing day, and landing Sweat would give the 'Noles a potential impact player who will enroll at his school of choice next month.
Top Targets and Commitments
Recruit ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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Ted's Takes: Pac-12 Awards, Coaching Changes and Bowl Season Impact
It may be imperfect, but the new College Football Playoff was a win for the Pac-12. Oregon's No. 2 seed and Rose Bowl trip confirmed the conference's standing as second to the SEC. The nonconference records we examined here last week had to play well with the selection committee.
Also winning was Arizona, which was not penalized for a one-sided loss to the same team it had beaten earlier this year. The Wildcats landed a New Year's Day game with a reasonable expectation that they can travel fans to the nearby Fiesta Bowl (unlike the Pac-12 Championship Game).
Then, the domino effect kicked in and UCLA earned an Alamo Bowl matchup with the Big 12's Kansas State.
Stanford secured a perfect marriage with the Foster Farms (formerly Kraft Hunger) Bowl. The Cardinal have never played in the Bay Area game, now housed in Levi's Stadium—a mere 13 miles from the Palo Alto campus.
Utah fans should descend upon Las Vegas, thrilled to see the Utes back in the bowl business. Same for USC fans, who will see the Trojans meet Nebraska in San Diego for the Holiday Bowl, their best bowl matchup since the 2009 Rose Bowl game with Penn State.
Breathing easily Sunday night was Washington, the team whose bowl fate was directly tied to Arizona. No New Year's Day game for Arizona would have meant no guaranteed bowl game for the Huskies. So when the last conference domino fell, Washington drew a trip to the Cactus Bowl against Oklahoma State.
Honesty demands that Pac-12 schools have never received better treatment in the bowl process. Credit to Commissioner Larry Scott, who delivered expansion to 12 teams, which meant more TV money, better bowl contracts and, yes, a championship game. Run that concept by Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby this week and brace for the explosion from a man whose league translates "12" to "10," thus no championship game and no CFP berth this year.
Coaching Silly Season
For those left out of bowls, coaching free agency has begun.
The first impact was in Corvallis, Oregon, but Nebraska may have done both Mike Riley and Oregon State a favor. Riley, universally liked and respected, gets one last chance to win big (and don't sell that concept short to a man who once led an NFL team).
Oregon State's also now has a chance to win big, as candidly stated by athletic director Bob De Carolis in a December 8 letter addressed to Beaver Nation (h/t Gina Mizell of The Oregonian).
"Last week's announcement that Mike Riley would become the head coach at the University of Nebraska created new opportunities for Oregon State University and our football program."
De Carolis now has the potential to replace Riley. He can survey the field and give Beavers football a fresh start. It could be an experienced candidate—former Cal head coach Jeff Tedford's agent has already started the media sales pitch—or a rising coach, similar to OSU's hire of Wayne Tinkle in men's basketball.
Meanwhile, there is damage control underway in Pullman, Washington, where Washington State is trying to conceal disappointment over the lack of progress in head coach Mike Leach's three seasons.
Leach dismissed two coaches last week, including defensive coordinator Mike Breske. The poor season was blamed on injuries and the team's youth (Leach has had three recruiting classes), while the head coach accepts no accountability.
Houston? It fired head coach Tony Levine Sunday, and KTRK-TV in Houston linked Leach to the opening, a report WSU would go on to deny, according to Jacob Thorpe of The Spokesman-Review. Would the Cougars of Houston follow Nebraska and relieve the Cougars of Pullman of a $2.75 million annual salary owed to Leach?
Pac-12 Awards
Best Player: Oregon's Marcus Mariota performed at an elite level with full scrutiny on him. He had the utmost responsibility to lead his team to the first CFP while hoping to place himself in the Heisman Trophy race. Success on both counts. He should lift the Heisman Saturday and then prepare for January.
Best Coach: We get to revote on this one. In mid-November, Arizona State's Todd Graham was anointed in this space. But Arizona's Rich Rodriguez charged on the outside to steal this award in the final weeks. Simple standard: If you rated the talent level of the five teams that contended for the South title, Arizona would land no higher than third, perhaps fourth.
Reaching the Fiesta Bowl makes Rodriguez the most important offseason Pac-12 target. Arizona AD Greg Byrne has to be feverishly working on a retention package. Memo to Greg: Don't be afraid to ask your basketball alums for help, all of whom are proud to see their school relevant in football.
Best Defensive Player: Arizona's Scooby Wright III was voted this honor by the conference coaches for a season that could also include most improved honors.
Watching Wright play reminded me of 49ers rookie linebacker Chris Borland. They look small but play much bigger. When the play ends, more often than not, they are at the ball. The best news for the Wildcats is that they'll have at least one more year of Wright as the anchor of the defense.
Underrated Player, Upper-class Division: Here is a sure trivia stumper for your next bar bet: Which school had the most defensive players chosen as first-team All-Pac-12?
Answer: Washington, with three. There was the all-around brilliance of Shaq Thompson, a junior who must be looking at the NFL draft (I have seen projections of Thompson as a first-round pick), and the pass-rushing sack master in Hau'oli Kikaha. But the anchor, both in body and spirit, was defensive tackle Danny Shelton. His physique is mind-blowing, redefining short and squat with calves the thickness of redwood trunks.
Then you see Shelton defy his appearance and play with athleticism. In the Apple Cup, an instant before the ball was snapped, he dropped to the ground, did a 360-degree roll to the right, popped back into his stance and blew past the center at the snap to attack the quarterback. All this was accomplished in a second. I had to rewind the play many times to soak in Shelton's agility.
Underrated Player, Upper-class Division (Round 2): Who was the best quarterback in Los Angeles this season? I submit Cody Kessler.
Expectations were lower, but a USC quarterback is never anonymous. There were moments (the Hail Mary thrown by Arizona State, a backwards pass that was left untouched and returned for a touchdown by Utah) where the Trojans appeared to be a mix of unaware and unprepared.
But Kessler stood as a rock amidst the ups and downs, commanding an early-season win at Stanford and a decisive smackdown of Notre Dame. Kessler can let the numbers talk: 70.7 completion percentage and 36 TD passes against only four interceptions (Mariota was 36/2.)
Underrated Player, Freshman Division: Trivia question 2: Which back had the most runs of 20 or more yards in the Pac-12?
Answer: Nick Wilson, Arizona freshman, with 12.
That was more than USC's Buck Allen, UCLA's Paul Perkins and Utah's Devontae Booker, all of whom were voted all-conference. It was more than the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Oregon's Royce Freeman. Wilson scored three touchdowns in the division-clinching win over Arizona State and teamed with Terris Jones-Grigsby for over 200 rushing yards in the regular-season win over Oregon.
If Wilson played for one of the Los Angeles schools, his reputation would be on par with Freeman.
Underperformer of the Year: UCLA's Brett Hundley. Unfair, perhaps, but so is the world of magazine covers, Heisman hype and potential draft glory. Hundley had tremendous moments—most notably the win over USC—but a desolate performance against Stanford cost Hundley the chance to play underneath the brightest lights.
How attractive would Hundley vs. Mariota have been last Friday night in the Pac-12 title game? Instead, UCLA plays a second-tier bowl game, and Hundley heads into a draft world more uncertain than he ever could have imagined back in September.
All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Ted's Takes: Pac-12 Awards, Coaching Changes and Bowl Season Impact
Rapid-Fire Predictions for Texas vs. Arkansas in Texas Bowl
The 2015 edition of the Texas Bowl features two hard-hitting teams that play a smashmouth style of football. In one corner, you have the Arkansas Razorbacks that feature two bruising running backs in Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. In the other is the Texas Longhorns, who pride themselves on their lockdown defense.
Bleacher Report College Football Analysts Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee and Adam Kramer dish out their predictions for the Texas Bowl.
Who will win: Texas or Arkansas?
Check out the video and let us know!
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com


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LOL thanks. I'm thinking it'll be a bit before I do the grain thing.
for now I'll just utilize my $5 16qt pot. I'm sure I'll need to upgrade sooner than later.
Relax and go with the flow. Be flexible in the process - not everything will go as planned but staying calm and relaxed will help you figure it all out. HAVE FUN!
Will run for beer...
Use a blow-off hose. I'm really championing that. It was my very first inkling when I brewed my first original beer, and I was glad I did.
Residual Co2 in the fermenter or not, I don't want to throw anything off by having to remedy a blow-off I could have avoided from the start.
Although I'm new to the forum, I've been brewing since 2005. I can think of several things that would help someone just starting.
Start with proven Ale recipes.
Always use a checklist for your process. It's easy to forget critical steps when things get busy or when you get interrupted.
Keep a log - spreadsheet. It's invaluable when you are trying to improve things. What went right is just as important as what went poorly. Be honest about about activities that you don't understand and read up about them.
Don't brew at night. Most of my problems have occurred because I was tired and just wanted to finish up - and screwed something up.
Chill the wort below 75F. It's hard if you don't have a wort chiller and you just want to pitch the yeast and finish up. The temptation to just pitch before you get the wort below 75...or 70F (better), is great - and it does odd things to the taste of the finished brew.
1 Brew often. Brewing is like golf - if you only do it once a quarter, youre never going to improve your game. But if you string 4 rounds together in rapid succession, youll find you become adept rather quickly. Being sanitary almost goes without saying, but to do that its a matter of having good form. (e.g. when you take off that plug/air-lock to check for a reading, where do you put it? Do you sit it on the counter?) Good sanitization is about a smooth clean process. You cant learn that by reading online only by doing it. Even in all the YouTube videos they skip all the small stuff.
2 Understand the proper usage of your sanitizing agent. (i.e. dont rinse off your Iodophor/StarSan.) People go for decades using it improperly: rinsing it off with tap water, waiting for a full [arbitrary] soak time, using 3x as much as needed, using .3 times as much as needed, etc. If youve used the proper amount, its specifically designed not to be rinsed off. Its also designed to have contact time for only 2min. If you rinse your equipment with clean tap water, you negate the purpose of the sanitization rinse product. Will you get away with it if youve cleaned your equipment well before? sure. I did for years. Then I listened to a couple of radio podcasts with the creators of Iodophor & StarSan and they took all the myth out of it and explained that if you rinse with tap water, you negate the sanitization products purpose. Save yourself some grief and learn that up front.
thank you - thank you - thank you
all very helpful.

subset: commoncrawl


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Therapy Groups: 1 to 20
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Therapy Groups in Mississippi (MS)
Study Skills/ Social Skills
Host: Cathy C Foster, MEd, NCC, LPC
DBT/Borderline Personality Disorder
Host: Integrative Therapy and Coaching, LLC
"This group is for those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and will teach the basic concepts of DBT. "
(769) 486-2177
Tuesday Evening Open Group
Host: John Rasberry, LMFT, TEP
"Psychodramatic Group process with any issue. No more than 8 in the group. $145.00 per month. "
(662) 468-5602
The Shepherd's Staff
Host: Branden Henry, LPC, LMFTA, MAMFTC
"The Shepherd's Staff Counseling Center is a non-profit, non-denominational, professional counseling organization committed to realizing hope through empowerment, restoration, & growth. Founded in 1981, The Shepherd's Staff is dedicated to spiritual ideals, although we are not affiliated with any particular ..."
(601) 822-1000
Stress Relief
Host: Katheryn O Teague, LCSW
"Beginning Feb. 2013, this group will focus on reducing stress, anxiety, panic and worry using Cognitive Behavioral Mindfulness Therapy. Group members will learn applicable skills to cope and reduce their anxiety. Contact the office today for a prescreening interview. "
(662) 788-1951
Rebuilding your life after a Separation or Divorce
Host: Anne E Sinclair, MSCP, NCC, LPC-S
"The ending of a love relationship is one of the most stressful, life changing experiences we go through. Not knowing which way to turn, or how to handle the painful emotions is frightening. Come join our divorce recovery group at ..."
(601) 912-0208
Adult Intensive Outpatient Program
Host: Imagine Behavioral Health
"Program is designed to meet the needs of Adults with substance abuse and mental health issues. Holistic approach to treatment. Individualized. Average length 8 weeks. "
(601) 675-8939
Adolescent IOP
Host: Imagine Behavioral Health
Adult Day Group
Host: Larry Butts, MS, LPC
"This highly helpful group will focus on Adjusting to Significant Life Changes, Values Clarification, Anger and Resentments, Health and Wellness, Assertiveness, Cognitive Distortions, Dysfunctional Family Dynamics, Boundaries, Grief and Loss, Gratitude, and other topics as necessary to help you improve ..."
(601) 392-0370
Trim-Life: Weight Release Program
Host: Melissa Ratliff, LCSW, ACHT, CRT
"This is an Integrative Program using hypnosis and cognitive practices to free clients from the weight that they have trouble releasing! Offered also by CLEVELAND CLINIC and HERE FOR YOU! See the Website for more information and SIGN UP! Group ..."
(662) 540-1886
Group meets in:Starkville, Mississippi 39759
Women's Issues
Host: Phyllis Houston, Ed, S, LPC-S
"This group will support the unique needs and issues women face today. If you need support, encouragement, and new strategies to cope with daily stressors or depression, sign up for this group today! "
(601) 843-0376
Anger Management
Host: Dr. Conrad A. Anderson, PhD, LCSW, JD, MSW, MEd
"Conducted in accordance with court-mandated guidelines to ensure that all prerequisite components for full judicial compliance are fulfilled. Offered on an ongoing/as-needed basis during hours convenient to group members. Upon completion, graduates will be provided with certificates of completion and ..."
(228) 222-5431
Imagine Intensive Outpatient Program
Host: Larry Butts, MS, LPC
"Intensive Outpatient Program that focuses on living skills and relationships. This group does not emphasize the 12 Step approach to addiction, but sees substance abuse as the failed attempt at finding meaning and fulfillment in one's life.Three experienced therapists will ..."
(601) 392-0370
Addiction Recovery/Relapse Prevention
Host: Dr. Conrad A. Anderson, PhD, LCSW, JD, MSW, MEd
"A group that is a complementary, integrative supplement to traditional 12-step recovery groups. Best used in conjunction with those systems to enhance their effectiveness by introducing and refining an alternative approach. This group emphasizes learning "Third-Wave" Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical ..."
(228) 222-5431
Substance Abuse / Adolescent Offenders
Host: Marilyn M Kerr, LPC, NCC
"Social skills and therapeutic interventions for adolescents... with high-interest resources from Sunburst / Mendez Research-based curriculum "
(901) 209-4080
Anger Management
Host: Cathy C Foster, MEd, NCC, LPC
Parenting Skills Group
Host: Cathy C Foster, MEd, NCC, LPC
Women's Issues
Host: Katheryn O Teague, LCSW
"This group consists of women dealing with relational issues, giving particular focus on overcoming codependency, communication, and assertiveness skills. New members must complete an intake screening process prior to joining the group-contact therapist for details. "
(662) 788-1951
Adult Mental Health IOP
Host: Imagine Behavioral Health
Adult Substance Abuse IOP
Host: Imagine Behavioral Health
Mississippi (MS) Support Groups and Group Therapy
Group therapy takes many forms. The groups are variously referred to (often interchangeably) as Mississippi (MS) counseling groups, Mississippi (MS) support groups, Mississippi (MS) mutual support groups or peer support groups, self help groups, stress coping groups, workshops and mental health groups. They are moderated by a professional group counselor, group therapist or group psychologist and generally focus on a specific issue or client profile (e.g. men or women etc).
Before joining a Mississippi (MS) support group, first see if the issue focus is consistent with your needs. If there are no groups offering support around your issue, feel free to contact these professionals in Mississippi (MS) to ask for a referral to alternative groups nearby.
What to expect in a Mississippi (MS) group?
In a professionally operated support group in Mississippi (MS), members provide each other with various types of help for a particular shared issue. The help takes the form of relating personal experiences and listening to and accepting others' experiences. Mississippi (MS) group members may also provide a sympathetic understanding and a social network.
Group Therapists or group counselors lead or facilitate the group and provide group counseling in Mississippi (MS). They are sometimes specifically trained in group dynamics and the understanding of small group processes. So 'interpersonal learning', which can involve unfiltered feedback and confrontation between group members (and can be threatening) is safely moderated by the group therapist or group counselor in Mississippi (MS).
What's the difference between individual and group therapy?


text:
Do you like Windows 8's desktop UI?
Remember, this is about how you like and your opinion of Windows 8's desktop UI. Please don't deviate from the topic.
Jump to content
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Posted 18 November 2013 - 17:37
I like it a lot now, and find it nearly impossible to go back to windows 7. I do have to admit, for nearly a year I avoided using Windows 8 merely out of bias colored by internet opinion and "RAWR! IT"S NEW DON'T LIKE!", and there were some legitimate issues I had with it as well, but 8.1 solved pretty much all of that.
Posted 18 November 2013 - 17:43
I have zero problems with it.. I'm not a fan of the style either, but I've yet to see a desktop OS with a visual theme that I've liked out of the box enough where I didn't fiddle with it. 7 was the same way, good but needed tweaking, had to get rid of that pastel blue stuff all over the place plus a few other minor tweaks here and there. Poll needs an "It's ok but I'm not going to gush about it" option. Visuals aside, just as productive as before, maybe throw on a start menu replacer if that floats your boat, but still prefer it to the alternatives by a wide margin.
Posted 18 November 2013 - 17:59
Didn't like it at first, but after a few days of using Windows 8 full time, I started to like it. The only problems I have with it is, the fact that the taskbar is semi-transparent, which is kinda inconstant from the rest of the Ul and the fact they randomly decided to remove a ton of networking features from the Ul.


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Russia possesses about 700 tons of weapons-grade uranium, enough to make some 25,000 nuclear bombs and has about 130 tons of weapons-grade plutonium
A video CNN produced and then kept in reserve in case the world was ending has finally been leaked. And it is surprisingly comforting.
Compared with the Cold War era, the last 20 years have seen less armed conflict worldwide, less terrorism and more political stability.
If Russian and NATO forces bump and someone, on either side, starts shooting, it is entirely possible that a minor incident could flare up into an honest-to-goodness battle before higher command authorities on either side can calm things down. This is how wars start ... and both sides are packing nuclear heat.
You'd probably expect to encounter all sorts of crazy technology in a U.S. Air Force nuclear silo. One you might not expect: floppy disks.
U.S. officials said that the test had been designed to give a "scare you to death" shock to make leaders seriously think about the security of nuclear materials
A frustrated Israeli leadership appears to be ratcheting up the pressure on the international community to take a tough position in nuclear negotiations with Iran
Iran is currently experiencing a revolution in marital relations. Breaking up is getting easier to do; and much, much more common.
In what may be the biggest such scandal in Air Force history, 34 officers entrusted with land-based nuclear missiles have been pulled off the job for alleged involvement in a cheating ring that officials say was uncovered during a drug probe.
The six-month deal commits Iran to stop producing 20% enriched uranium — which is only a technical step away from weapons-grade material


text: Sarah Lancashire 1 to 10 of 30 articlesPrevious page123Next page Under-threat BBC3 wins three at RTS Awards News post details 6:42 AM, 18 March 2015 BBC3 shows Murdered by My Boyfriend, Our World War and Life & Death Row all win at the Royal Television Society Awards Peaky Blinders, Line of Duty and Happy Valley nominated for Royal Television Society awards News post details 1:00 PM, 25 February 2015 Bake Off, Fargo and Murdered By My Boyfriend are also contenders, while Claudia Winkleman is in the running for her Strictly Come Dancing debut Keeley Hawes, Sarah Lancashire and Sheridan Smith compete at Broadcasting Press Guild Awards News post details 12:01 AM, 12 February 2015 James Nesbitt, Toby Jones and David Threlfall are all nominated for the best actor award Who should you vote for in the National Television Awards? News post details 6:30 AM, 21 January 2015 You'll be torn between favourites at this year's public-voted ceremony, says Alison Graham Why Last Tango in Halifax isn't just for old people News post details 2:08 PM, 31 December 2014 Sally Wainwright's BBC1 series might centre around a 70-year old couple – but age doesn't matter when the drama is as good as this says Kasia Delgado 15 dramas for 2015: new Broadchurch, Wolf Hall, JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy News post details 10:13 AM, 31 December 2014 What will you be watching in the new year? Here's our pick of the best new and returning shows... Secrets, scandals and wedding bells in Last Tango in Halifax trailer News post details 11:04 AM, 15 December 2014 Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker are back this Christmas for the third series of BBC1 drama Last Tango in Halifax Meet the cast of the new Dad's Army film News post details 12:04 PM, 08 October 2014 Toby Jones, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Mark Gatiss, Sarah Lancashire and Catherine Zeta-Jones among the names signed up for big-screen adaptation of the classic BBC wartime comedy Benedict Cumberbatch beats David Tennant to best actor at TV Choice awards News post details 10:41 AM, 09 September 2014 Other winners included Game of Thrones, Happy Valley and Educating Yorkshire The Radio Times 30 most powerful women on TV and radio News post details 11:25 AM, 02 September 2014 From Olivia Colman and Miranda Hart to Sue Vertue and Sally Wainwright, here are the biggest names both on and off screen 1 to 10 of 30 articlesPrevious page123Next page


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South Thomaston Vacation Rentals with air conditioning(3)
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Wonderful South Thomaston home.
We had a wonderful time at this South Thomaston home. It was a VERYcomfortable, clean, roomy home. The children loved the bunkbed room and the adults all had first rate (not hand-me-down) mattresses. The house is a little off the beaten path but still centrally located. The yard is beautiful with lots of room to play and nice views. We did not kayak while there (too much other stuff to do) but the kayaks were available. Dick was great about calling after we arrived and he left clear instructions on how to reach him if there were any issues- which there were not. I would definitely recommend this house for families of all ages. Thank you Dick for your hospitality.


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White House Under Fire for Unspent Infrastructure Cash
The Obama administration has paid out less than a third of the nearly $230 billion allocated to big infrastructure projects in the economic-stimulus program. Now Republicans are zeroing in on the unspent stimulus money in fresh attacks on the administration's economic policy. With more here is WSJ's Louise Radnofsky. Download MP3
Obama to Test Golden Touch on Tour
President Barack Obama embarks Monday on his most extensive political trip of the mid-term election season, touching all four corners of the continental U.S. in a test of whether his political problems have dented his fund-raising prowess. WSJ's Jonathan Weisman has more. Download MP3
How to Negotiate Your Best Deal
Looking for a good automotive deal? Here are some tips from one of the sexiest women in the world, according to FHM magazine, Courtney Hansen. Download MP3
Also heard on Monday's program…
Obama's Mosque Remarks Reverberate
Blackberry Torch Keeps RIM in the Smarphone Game
Near Lake Tahoe There's a Bear So Tough, Bullets Bounce Off His Head
Germanwings Flight 9525 focus turns to suicide, who will take over for Harry Reid and the emergence of CrossFit.
Are we too complacent about world events, how to protect yourself from tax fraudsters and whats in your mixed drink.
Germanwings flight co-pilot 'deliberately' crashed plane but questions remain, self driving cars are almost here but only for 1 per-centers and Dean Smith willed $200 to each of his former players.
Jet audio shows one of the Germanwings' pilots locked out of cockpit, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is charged with desertion and when two minutes isn't really two minutes.
The search for clues continues in Germanwings crash, a new app hopes to change the face of the 2016 presidential race and the one place where Kentucky basketball is only OK.
Wake up with America's first news – The Wall Street Journal This Morning. Host Gordon Deal and news anchor Gina Cervetti go beyond the headlines with the day's first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world; bringing a lively blend of intelligent information, humor, and expert analysis to morning radio.
Gordon Deal Before taking the helm at The Wall Street Journal This Morning in November 2005, Gordon was well-known to New York City radio listeners, having worked at both WINS-AM and WCBS-AM where he honed his writing skills and developed his distinctive on-air reporting style. He also served as New York City bureau chief for Metro Networks where his reports aired on WOR-AM and WABC-AM.
Gina Cervetti has an extensive radio news anchoring and reporting background including several years at Boston NPR affiliate WBUR-FM where she anchored the local production of "All Things Considered" and "Here and Now." Gina is an Associated Press Award-winning broadcaster, whose reports have been heard all over New England, including WRKO Boston and WTAG Worcester. She graduated from Boston University.
Mike Gavin oversees the production of the show which includes coordinating segments with WSJ reporters, editors, and outside newsmakers. He also oversees the sound and content of the show including all music and sound elements. Mike had spent a decade in radio programming and production before finding a home at WSJ Radio in 2007. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and son.


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The Chinese folk art dough figurine, or Mian Ren in Chinese, are tiny figures made of wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, bee honey, and glycerin. Unfortunately, there are very few dough figurine artists today, so it was very exciting to find so many cute and exquisite dough figurines on the second floor of Baigong Handicrafts Museum.
There is a large selection of dough figurines in the shop. Each figure, setting foot on a small wooden pedestal, is kept in a glass box.
I was enthralled by the figurine featuring two kids in traditional clothing watching cricket fight (RMB 260). Another one I like was the God of Longevity, with his bright smile, long and white beard, and a yellow robe. He holds a peach in one hand, and a long crutch in the other. This figurine cost 180 yuan.
The elderly female shop assistant told me that most of these handicrafts are made by Mr. You, a dough figurine master. His works have a prominent feature in that every figure has a vivid facial expression. She also noted that a dough figurine should be kept from sunshine. In this way, the colors of the dough figurines will not fade for at least 20 years.
What I appreciated
Elaborate dough figurines, traditional Chinese folk art
What customers appreciate
Traditional Chinese folk art, distinguished workmanship
Tags: Dough figurine | folk art | handicraft | Beijing | China.
If you're looking for the perfect jewelry to go with your new Chinese clothes, you have to see what the Miao people can do.
All the silver jewels are here:
Green Tea From The Most Beautiful Village in China
Colorful Tibetan Handicrafts
The Magic Art of Lacquer Thread Sculpture
Shrine pottery style from the Qing dynasty


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Title Insurance: Commercial & Residential Title Sales-Ohio
A very well established, well run Title Insurance Company in Ohio is looking for an experienced Commercial Title Sales Rep to cover the entire Ohio market, and well as a Residential Sales Rep to cover Columbus. Successful candidates will have current & past experience ...
Mar 17 -
Columbus - Real estate
Employment & Labor Counsel job in Columbus
Award Winning CareOur OhioHealth family of associates is a collaborative group that discovers and succeeds together. Our culture is defined by our mission and OhioHealth values of excellence, compassion, integrity and stewardship. What is it like to work at OhioHealth? WE ...
Mar 5 -
Columbus - Everything else
Title Insurance: Commercial Title Sales-Ohio
A very large Title Insurance Company in Ohio is looking for an experienced Commercial Title Sales Rep to cover the entire Ohio market. Successful candidates will have current & past experience identifying and calling on prospects and building strong relationships that lead ...
Feb 24 -
Columbus - Real estate
Feb 16 -
Columbus - Real estate
Accounts Receivable Associate
Kelly Services is hiring!! Our customer, a Leading Healthcare Facility is seeking an Accounts Receivable Associate! Contract Opportunity: 3-10 months, could turn into permanent opportunity for right candidate. Location: Marion, Ohio 43302 APPLY NOW! Experience with Billing ...
Feb 3 -
Marion - Accounting & finance
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We found 2 sites with 1 bookable in Worcestershire
Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England Show on map
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Mill House Caravan and Camping Site
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EyePet: Your Virtual Pet
EyePet: Your Virtual Pet Cheats & Codes
| Cheats | Unlockables | Hints | Easter Eggs | Achievements
Be the first to submit a cheat for EyePet: Your Virtual Pet.
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Game Details
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: SCE Studios London
Genre: Virtual Pet
Release Date:
United States: November 2, 2010
Australia: November 2, 2010
UK: November 19, 2010
Japan: TBA 2010
E for Everyone : No Descriptors
Also Available On: PS3
Also known as: EyePet
Games You May Like
- Virtual Pet
- PlayStation Portable
A pet simulator similar to the Nintendo DS game Nintendogs and based on a 2003 pets franchise of toys, videos, and other pet-themed goods in Japan.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is the tale of a new trio of heroes, told across three scenarios utilizing the groundbreaking technology of the PSP.
The prequel to Final Fantasy XIII.
The operations are set to continue in the sequel to the hit PSP title, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.