Friday, December 30, 2022

The Washington Huskies Retain the Unofficial College Football Championship

The Huskies went to San Antonio and defeated Texas 27-20 in the Alamo Bowl, so they will hold the Unofficial College Football Championship until next year.  At the beginning of the year, the Title belonged to Baylor, but they lost to BYU, who lost to Oregon.  On November 12, 2022, Washington went to Oregon and beat the Ducks 37-34.  Since then, the Huskies have successfully defended the title three times.  Here is a complete list of UCFC games this season (home teams listed first):

09/03/22:  Baylor 69 - 10 Albany
09/10/22:  Brigham Young 26 - 20 Baylor (OT)
09/17/22:  Oregon 41 - 20 Brigham Young
09/24/22:  Washington St. 41 - 44 Oregon
10/01/22:  Oregon 45 - 27 Stanford
10/08/22:  Arizona 22 - 49 Oregon
10/22/22:  Oregon 45 - 30 UCLA
10/29/22:  California 24 - 42 Oregon
11/05/22:  Colorado 10 - 49 Oregon
11/12/22:  Oregon 34 - 37 Washington
11/19/22:  Washington 54 - 7 Colorado
11/26/22:  Washington St. 33 - 51 Washington
12/29/22:  Washington 27 - 20 Texas (Alamo Bowl)

Here is the list by winners:

Oregon:  7
Washington:  4
BYU:  1
Baylor:  1

Washington State and Colorado each lost twice.

The next UCFC game will be played at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, September 2, 2023.  The Washington Huskies will defend their title against the Boise State Broncos.  We will be watching.

121 comments:

  1. Notre Dame wraps up a very good Gator Bowl, beating South Carolina 45-38. I've always been fond of the Gator Bowl, and I hope it gets back into the mix. This was a good start.

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  2. So far, the SEC has been terrible in the bowl games. Here's the record:

    Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon St. 30, Florida 3
    Gasparilla Bowl: Wake Forest 27, Missouri 17
    Liberty Bowl: Arkansas 55, Kansas 53 (3 OT)
    Texas Bowl: Texas Tech 42, Mississippi 25
    Gator Bowl: Notre Dame 45, S. Carolina 38

    So that's a record of 1-4, and the one win took triple overtime against Kansas.

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  3. Given the number of players who sit out from Bowl Games these days, these results don't mean as much as they would have a few years ago. And they certainly tell us nothing about Georgia's chances, since no one in the SEC could give Georgia a game anyway.

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  4. Kentucky (without its top quarterback and top running back at least) is losing to Iowa (probably without some of its top players, too), 14-0, in the Music City Bowl. Both of these teams are 7-5.

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  5. But Iowa's quarterback starts his slide a yard too early on a third-and-5 run, and that prompts the Hawkeyes to punt.

    I've always liked Iowa's uniforms, probably because of Heath.

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  6. Are we talking about the basketball team while it's playing now, or are we not talking about them?

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  7. The basketball team is playing Louisville.

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  8. The football team forces a punt but, before it can run its own punt play, throws another interception returned for a touchdown.

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  9. I'm switching over to watching more of the basketball team.

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  10. The SEC is looking better. Tennessee hammered Clemson 31-14 last night to win the Orange Bowl for the first time since the 1938 season. And now Alabama leads Kansas State 35-10 with 13 minutes left in the third quarter of the Sugar Bowl.

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  11. Ken Pom thought UK would beat Louisville 79 to 56 in today's basketball game. The actual final score was Kentucky 86, Louisville 63. So he had the margin exactly right.

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  12. On SiriusXM Radio Channel 7, Casey Kasem is counting down the top 40 hits of 1972. Number 32 was "Popcorn," by Hot Butter. Casey explains that there is no such group as "Hot Butter." That's just a name that was used for a collection of studio musicians who recorded the song. I never knew that.

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  13. Kentucky loses the Music City Bowl to Iowa, 21-0. UK's next game will be at home on September 2 against Ball State.

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  14. Number 22 from 1972: "Ben," by Michael Jackson. I really like this song, and Michael Jackson is incredible on it. Making those earnest Schoolhouse Rock lyrics work is harder than it sounds. "They don't see you as I do / I wish they would try to / I'm sure they'd think again / If they had a friend like Ben." It's simply amazing that someone as young as he was could sell those lyrics, but they choke me up every time.

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  15. "Ben" was nominated for an Academy Award, but the Award for Best Song that year went to "The Morning After," from The Poseidon Adventure.

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  16. Under Saban, Alabama usually hasn't been much of a threat in Bowl Games outside the Playoff, but this year Saban decided to prove a point -- and he did. Alabama rolls over K-State 45 to 20, behind five touchdown passes from Bryce Young.

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  17. Number 20 from 1972: "Heart of Gold," by Neil Young.

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  18. Number 19: "If Loving You Is Wrong," by Luther Ingram.

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  19. Number 18: "Nice to Be With You," Gallery

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  20. Number 15: "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast," by Wayne Newton. This is what should have happened to the guy in "Cold Day in July."

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  21. Number 14: "My Ding-a-Ling," by Chuck Berry

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  22. Number 13: "I'll Take You There," by the Staples Singers. Casey explains that this group consists of a father and his three daughters. I never knew that.

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  23. Number 12: "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl," by Looking Glass. This group was formed in 1969 at Rutgers in New Jersey. I wonder if Springsteen knew these guys.

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    1. I see this song come up on "Worst Charting Hits of All Time" sorts of lists, and I just totally disagree. I genuinely love this song, and I think whoever sang that thing was terrific.

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  24. Number 11: "Let's Stay Together," by Al Green.

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    1. Brilliant song. You cannot go wrong with a run of about four Al Green albums in this era.

      "Funny How Time Slips Away" is probably my favorite Willie Nelson song, and there are several very good versions of it, and Al Green's is my very favorite.

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  25. Number 10: "A Horse with No Name," by America. I always enjoy this song.

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  26. Number 8: "Baby, Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me," by Mac Davis.

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  27. Number 7: "Lean on Me," by Bill Withers.

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  28. On the first play from scrimmage in the Fiesta Bowl, Michigan runs the ball up the middle for 54 yards.

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  29. Number 6: "Brand New Key," by Melanie. I like this song a lot.

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  30. Number 5: "Candy Man," by Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy Davis was 47 years old in 1972.

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    1. The second song I remember ever being my favorite. This song sounds like our apartment in Highland Park, Illinois, to me.

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    2. First song I remember ever being my favorite was "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

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  31. On 4th and Goal from the three, Michigan tries that play where you run a reverse and then the receiver passes to the quarterback. TCU completely blows up the play and hits Michigan for a seven-yard loss. No score with 10:30 left in the first.

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  32. Number 3: "American Pie," by Don McLean. Casey tells us that this is the longest song ever to hit Number One, and that the press spent several weeks in 1972 trying to figure out what it meant.

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  33. Michigan forces a three and out, gets the ball back at its own 32, and immediately throws a Pick Six to Texas Christian. With 9:22 left in the first, Texas Christian leads 7-0.

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  34. Number 2: "Alone Again, Naturally," Gilbert O'Sullivan

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  35. Number 1: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," Roberta Flack. Casey explains that this song had been knocking around for years, and the Clint Eastwood used Roberta Flack's version (recorded in 1969) for score a love scene in "Play Misty for Me." According to Wikipedia, Eastwood heard the song and called Roberta Flack to ask her permission to use it in the movie. She said that she wanted to re-record it because it was too slow. Eastwood said, "No, it's not."

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    1. Oh, my! What a countdown. You also cannot go wrong with Roberta Flack's first three records.

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  36. Texas Christian puts together a long touchdown drive, and the Frogs lead 14-0 with 2:27 left in the first.

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  37. Michigan kicks a field goal, and TCU leads 14-3 with 13:46 left in the first half.

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  38. Michigan kicks off to Texas Christian. On first down, Michigan intercepts the ball. Wolverines will start from their own 49.

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  39. On first down, Michigan throws a bomb and has an apparent touchdown. But on review, the ball is downed at the TCU 1. On the very next play, Michigan FUMBLES the ball, and Texas Christian recovers in the end zone for a touchback. Still 14-3 for Texas Christian.

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  40. Meanwhile, in Lawrence, Kansas, the Jayhawks beat Oklahoma State 69-67 in a game where the announcers thought Ok State was fouled with two seconds left -- but of course no foul was called. KU's record is now 12-1, and it's "luck" rating is up to 50. (UK, of course, is down at 283 for "luck.")

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  41. A TCU fan just tweeted: "We didn't come to take part. We came to take over."

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  42. Last year, Georgia led Michigan 27-3 at halftime of the Orange Bowl. This year, Texas Christian leads Michigan 21-3 with 4:56 left in the first half.

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  43. In the regular season, Maryland and Ohio State were the only two teams that scored 21 points on Michigan. TCU has scored 21 points in the first half.

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  44. On the last play of the first half, Michigan kicks a 59-yard field goal. Texas Christian leads 21-6 at the half.

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  45. Again, last year Michigan trailed Georgia 27-3 at the half. So they're doing better this year.

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  46. For the third time in the game, Michigan has a first and goal. And for the first time, they get some points. The Wolverines kick a field goal to make the score TCU 21, Michigan 9 with 9:29 left in the third quarter.

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  47. Harbaugh has been calling one trick play after another, and this one finally works: Michigan hits a 35-yard touchdown pass off of a flea-flicker, and the score is now Texas Christian 21, Michigan 16, with 6:32 left in the third.

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  48. But Texas Christian goes straight down the field for another touchdown to make the score 28-16 with 4:25 left in the third. This is the first time all year that Michigan has allowed 28 points in a game.

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  49. And then, for the second time in the game, Michigan THROWS A PICK SIX. TCU botches the extra point, but the Frogs lead 34-16 with 2:52 left in the third.

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  50. Well, now a Big XII game has broken out. Michigan quickly scores to make it 34-22 with 1:47 left in the third, but Harbaugh's decision to go for two does not work out. Michigan is stopped, and the Frogs still lead by 12.

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  51. So Texas Christian comes out and goes 69 yards on a first down handoff. Then Texas Christian plunges over for another touchdown! Michigan's defense has utterly collapsed. Texas Christian leads 41-22 with 49 seconds left in the third.

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  52. Maybe I'd be a huge Big XII fan. I love this game.

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  53. They're going to bring this back to the 1, and Michigan is going to have a fourth first and goal (and second from the 1).

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  54. Once Big XII football breaks out, you can't stop it. Michigan storms back with a touchdown and a two point conversion. Texas Christian now leads 41-30 with 3 seconds left in the third quarter.

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  55. The teams have combined for 44 points in the third quarter.

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  56. I don't watch enough college football to know, but is there much made that Gary Danielson also went to Purdue and sounds almost exactly like Bob Griese?

    I hope Mike Phipps is the color commentator for tonight's second game.

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  57. Oh, my! On the last play of the third quarter, Texas Christian FUMBLES THE BALL! Michigan recovers deep in TCU territory.

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  58. In only two plays, Michigan zips into the end zone. Then they tack on another two point conversion. That's sixteen points for Michigan in less than two minutes. Texas Christian leads 41-38 with 14:13 left in the game.

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  59. Texas Christian may need a third Pick Six to pull this out.

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  60. Actually, it's easier than that: TCU throws a short pass, the Michigan defense completely disappears, and the TCU player runs 75 yards for a touchdown.

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    1. Only in the Big XII do you see guys taking short passes 75 yards without any serious interference from the defense. I have no idea how that happens.

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  61. Michigan goes three and out, and Texas Christian runs the punt all the way back to the Michigan 17. Now the Frogs can bury Michigan.

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  62. The Frogs do not bury Michigan. Instead, they settle for a field goal, and now lead 51-38 with 10:02 left.

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  63. With 3:18 left, Michigan scores another touchdown to pull within 51-45. Michigan has 523 total yards.

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  64. Texas Christian starts from its own 10. The Frogs get a first down and there is only 1:15 left. If TCU gets one more first down, they can run out the clock.

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  65. OK, so this is it: TCU has 3d and 4 at its own 27 with 1:03 left. If they make a first down, they become the first Big XII team to win a CFP game.

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  66. TCU tries a little pass but the runner is tackled at least one yard short. It's 4th and 1. 59 seconds left.

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  67. TCU comes out as if they are going for it on 4th and 1, but Michigan is not fooled. TCU has no timeouts, so they take a five-yard penalty for delay of game.

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  68. Michigan has the ball on its own 25 with 52 seconds left and no timeouts.

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  69. For the record, I think TCU should have gone for it.

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  70. 1st and 10, Michigan 25: The Wolverines QB runs for 5 yards and goes out of bounds.

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  71. 2d and 5, Michigan 30: Michigan overthrows the ball and it's almost intercepted. 39 seconds left.

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  72. Michigan called for offsides. That makes it 3d and 10 for Michigan on their own 25.

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  73. 3d and 10, Michigan 25: Michigan tries an out pass, but TCU knocks it down. 35 seconds left.

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  74. 4th and 10, Michigan 25: From the shotgun, Michigan gets a bad snap, and the play collapses. TCU takes over on downs, and THEY WILL BE GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

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  75. HOLD THE PHONE! The officials are reviewing the last play. They may call Texas Christian for a targeting penalty, which could keep Michigan alive.

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  76. Finally! There's no foul for targeting, and Texas Christian wins 51-45.

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  77. This will be the first time since the 2009 season that a team from the former Southwest Conference has played for the National Championship.

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  78. I root for Jim Harbaugh, and I think he personally should be thankful for that nonreversal and the earlier reversal that turned the long touchdown pass into first-and-goal at the 1. I think those two plays might diffuse some of the Michigan fans' anger away from him.

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  79. It will be the first time since the 2012 season, when Alabama beat Notre Dame, that a private school has played for the national championship.

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  80. I like the cut of this Max Duggan's jib.

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  81. And so we go to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl between Georgia and Ohio State.

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  82. Ohio State jumps out to an early 7-0 lead.

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  83. Georgia really played a one-game schedule: the only good team they played all year was Tennessee, and they had very little trouble with them. It will be interesting how they deal with Ohio State.

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  84. Georgia storms back to make the score 7-7 with 3:15 left in the first quarter.

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  85. Semifinals uniform rankings:

    1. Michigan
    2. Ohio State
    3. Georgia
    4. Texas Christian

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    1. This is a very strong collection of uniforms. The top three are literally some of the best uniforms in any sport in the world.

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  86. Honestly, there's not even that much reason for Georgia fans to complain. Ohio State is obviously much the superior team. I don't know what Georgia could have done differently.

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  87. Great stop by Georgia. Great timeout by Kirby Smart. Two great sideline camera views at first-down markers.

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  88. Another great stop by the Bulldogs but also a terrific field goal by Ohio State ... WOW ... a second great game today ...

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  89. Also: The ball dropped in New York.

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  90. Good job, Media--this college-football tournament is fantastic. I hope they expand to 64 teams next season.

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