Trump asks Maine's Secretary of State to recuse herself from ruling on Trump's eligibility on 14th amendment citing her past statements about the Jan 6th insurrection. Trump asking for recusal? That's rich.
Lauren Boebert announces she is switching districts to CO-4 after barely winning in CO-3 (a +10 GOP district). CO-4 is vacant after Ken Buck is not seeking reelection. Buck won by 24 points over his DEM opponent in 2022.
She might lose, anyway. (1) Boebert is a carpetbagger, (2) Boebert lacks principles that Buck has displayed, and (3) she can be hit on (1) and (2) relentlessly by he Dem opponent whoever that may be.
UW-Lacrosse is now looking for a new Chancellor after the previous one appeared on porn sites with his wife. The previous Chancellor was 63 years old. At least our Chancellor wouldn't do that, I think.
Mack Brown's NC Tar Heels lose 10-30 to West Virginia in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. UNC gave up a 75 yard pass on the first play of the game, 3 turnovers, and a 78 punt return TD.
Wet conditions force Virginia Tech to rely on their ground game and they pounded Tulane with 362 yards rushing. Hokies win 41-20 over Tulane in the Military Bowl.
Jack Plummer goes 21 for 25, his running back runs for 161 yards and 3 TDs with a 7 YPC average, and the Louisville Cards rack up 361 yards and 28 points against a terrible USC defense. Unfortunately, USC's offense went ham with 372 yards passing and 6 TDs from backup Miller Moss. Trojans win the Holiday Bowl 42-28.
I'm not going to say that the SC defense was _good_ as such but they were much better than the second half of the regular season. Like, actually made open field tackles, got a couple of a turnovers (plus a blocked punt), and held on some 4th downs. Once they got a 2TD lead Louisville really didn't have much a chance b/c they couldn't really stop SC's offense. FWIW I was surprised as anyone at the way this shook out, I assumed Louisville would have a comfy win behind their huge RB (transferred from Wisconsin) and I think maybe Louisville were a little caught off guard also.
USC [still] had some containment issues, as they were running generally the same system (you can't really install major changes until the off-season), but between breakdowns, actually played some pretty solid defense. Those numbers that the Cardinal got are good to be giving up, but not massive, considering that is a 10 win team.
The commentators also made a good point that a significantly new crew of players and some scheme changes resulted in people not knowing who was supposed to be where, or who should do what, on some of the breakdowns, as opposed to just getting beat. That will improve with a camp.
But generally, USC has struggled because it has appeared that the defense never either bought into what Grinch was trying to do, or never really understood it, and too often resorted to players trying to resort to 11 1-1 matchups, which for their talent has always worked, until they ran into top 40 caliber offenses, instead of any team schemes. Some measure of assignment-soundness looked a lot different.
I think it was Joel Klatt who pointed out that there were a couple of instances in which SC got after the QB because they were playing zone on defense so there wasn't the room / busts from (bad) attempts at man coverage in the secondary.
CAL
Go Bears!!!
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
Trump asks Maine's Secretary of State to recuse herself from ruling on Trump's eligibility on 14th amendment citing her past statements about the Jan 6th insurrection. Trump asking for recusal? That's rich.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4379246-trump-demands-recusal-maine-secretary-of-state-14th-amendment-determination/
Michigan Supreme Court refuses to remove Trump from ballot on 14th ammendment case
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-michigan-primary-ballot-insurrection-b2469976.html
Lauren Boebert announces she is switching districts to CO-4 after barely winning in CO-3 (a +10 GOP district). CO-4 is vacant after Ken Buck is not seeking reelection. Buck won by 24 points over his DEM opponent in 2022.
She might lose, anyway. (1) Boebert is a carpetbagger, (2) Boebert lacks principles that Buck has displayed, and (3) she can be hit on (1) and (2) relentlessly by he Dem opponent whoever that may be.
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
UW-Lacrosse is now looking for a new Chancellor after the previous one appeared on porn sites with his wife. The previous Chancellor was 63 years old. At least our Chancellor wouldn't do that, I think.
https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2023/12/uw-la-crosse-chancellor-fired-by-board-of-regents-after-appearing-in-adult-films
Mack Brown's NC Tar Heels lose 10-30 to West Virginia in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. UNC gave up a 75 yard pass on the first play of the game, 3 turnovers, and a 78 punt return TD.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/matchup/_/gameId/401551761
I looked in a couple times and it seemed more of a mayo commercial than a football game.
That's one clue that you are watching Mack Ball.
Wet conditions force Virginia Tech to rely on their ground game and they pounded Tulane with 362 yards rushing. Hokies win 41-20 over Tulane in the Military Bowl.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401551758
Jack Plummer goes 21 for 25, his running back runs for 161 yards and 3 TDs with a 7 YPC average, and the Louisville Cards rack up 361 yards and 28 points against a terrible USC defense. Unfortunately, USC's offense went ham with 372 yards passing and 6 TDs from backup Miller Moss. Trojans win the Holiday Bowl 42-28.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401581109
I'm not going to say that the SC defense was _good_ as such but they were much better than the second half of the regular season. Like, actually made open field tackles, got a couple of a turnovers (plus a blocked punt), and held on some 4th downs. Once they got a 2TD lead Louisville really didn't have much a chance b/c they couldn't really stop SC's offense. FWIW I was surprised as anyone at the way this shook out, I assumed Louisville would have a comfy win behind their huge RB (transferred from Wisconsin) and I think maybe Louisville were a little caught off guard also.
USC [still] had some containment issues, as they were running generally the same system (you can't really install major changes until the off-season), but between breakdowns, actually played some pretty solid defense. Those numbers that the Cardinal got are good to be giving up, but not massive, considering that is a 10 win team.
The commentators also made a good point that a significantly new crew of players and some scheme changes resulted in people not knowing who was supposed to be where, or who should do what, on some of the breakdowns, as opposed to just getting beat. That will improve with a camp.
But generally, USC has struggled because it has appeared that the defense never either bought into what Grinch was trying to do, or never really understood it, and too often resorted to players trying to resort to 11 1-1 matchups, which for their talent has always worked, until they ran into top 40 caliber offenses, instead of any team schemes. Some measure of assignment-soundness looked a lot different.
I think it was Joel Klatt who pointed out that there were a couple of instances in which SC got after the QB because they were playing zone on defense so there wasn't the room / busts from (bad) attempts at man coverage in the secondary.
Sam Jackson V commits to Auburn as WR. See you in 8.5 months, Sam. It was rumored that grades were a problem for SJV at UCB.
https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2023/12/28/auburn-football-transfer-portal-news-sam-jackson-commits-cal-hugh-freeze-payton-thorne/
If he wanted to play WR he should have stayed at Cal!!
Meh, a colossal whiff by the coaching staff that cost us a win. Definitely think WR is his natural position, just wish it was in Berkeley. Adios.
PRO
DBD AV CLUB
RIP Tommy Smothers (86)
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/4379398-tommy-smothers-famed-for-political-satire-dies-at-86/
I grew up with the Smothers Brothers. Loved their TV show.
Finished S3 of Slow Horses.
Can't wait for S4.
the big bad reveal in the s4 trailer makes me very excited for s4