Shorter version: Nick Saban doesn’t have time for that shit.
As far as Junior goes, he’s compiling one helluva resume.
I really hope to Gawd they cross paths on the recruiting trail. Soon.
Daily Archives: January 2, 2017
Hitting the sweet spot
The numbers are in and it’s about the worst news ESPN could have gotten.
After a huge freshman year and a sophomore slump, the third edition of the College Football Playoff split the difference in the metered markets.
Coverage of the College Football Playoff semifinals delivered an 11.0 overnight on ESPN and ESPN2 Saturday, up 11% from last year (9.9), but still well below the 15+ the games averaged two years ago. ESPN alone averaged a 10.4, up 6%.
In particular, the Alabama/Washington Peach Bowl had a combined 11.5 overnight rating on ESPN and ESPN2 — up 17% from last year’s Clemson/Oklahoma Orange Bowl (9.8) but down 26% from the Oregon/Florida State Rose Bowl two years ago, which aired on ESPN alone (15.5). ESPN’s solo telecast had a 10.9 overnight (+12%).
Last year’s Houston/Florida State Peach Bowl, which was not a playoff game, had a 4.0 overnight.
In the nightcap, the Clemson/Ohio State Fiesta Bowl had a 10.5 overnight on ESPN and ESPN2 — up 5% from last year’s Alabama/Michigan State Cotton Bowl (10.0) but down 31% from Ohio State/Alabama in the Sugar Bowl two years ago, which aired on ESPN alone (15.3). ESPN’s solo coverage had a 10.0, up a tick from last year.
Last year’s Ohio State/Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl, also not part of the playoff, had a 6.2 overnight.
Up some, but not up to where things started, in other words. Had the New Year’s Eve numbers tanked completely for a second straight year, Mickey could have gone with the full court press on abandoning the day for the semis. Instead, Bill Hancock gets to provide the narrative that the fans are coming around to college football’s newest tradition. It’ll give the CFP folks at least a couple more seasons before they have to respond to any push from their broadcast partner.
I bet there are a lot of smiling faces at Bristol this week. Not.
Filed under BCS/Playoffs, ESPN Is The Devil
Doing the math: the art of roster management
I don’t want to claim any great insight into the heart of an eighteen-year old football recruit, but I had a very strong feeling for a while that DeAngelo Gibbs would be putting on a Georgia hat yesterday when he made his commitment announcement.
Again, it’s not because I followed his every twitch on social media, or read the services to get their take on things. It’s because I did the math. And the math in this case was pretty obvious:
- Four juniors announcing their surprising returnfor the 2017 season
- Toneil Carter’s de-commitment in response to UGA yanking the offer to sign early
With Georgia having to adhere to the 85-man scholarship limit at all times, there suddenly wasn’t room at the inn for Carter. What triggered the decision by Carter, who Smart, as we recall, ran out to Texas to make a personal plea to stay the course just a few days before?
Simply this.
“Georgia is the place for me,” Gibbs said. “I think it is the best fit for me. A perfect opportunity.”
The Bulldogs held off a strong late push from Alabama and coach Nick Saban for his commitment.
“I’m more than ready right now,” Gibbs said. “I’m so happy about the decision I just made. I had it in the back of my head for at least a week now.”
At least. He’s already signed all of his financial aid papers to enroll early at UGA next week. It’s not so much that Gibbs made Carter expendable as it is that he sucked all the oxygen out of the tent, numbers wise. You may not like seeing the sausage being made, but Gibbs was one of Smart’s highest priorities in this class and he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass.
Filed under Georgia Football, Recruiting
Musical palate cleanser, call him Sir edition
In the spirit of hoping that 2017 is a better year than 2016 in at least one regard, today’s MPC isn’t of a posthumous nature, but instead celebrates one of rock’s greats receiving an honor that he’s deserved for sometime.
THE frontman Ray Davies felt a mixture of “joy” and “humility” on discovering he had been made a knight in the New Year Honours.
He was the lead singer and songwriter for the band, penning classics such as You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, and Sunny Afternoon.
The 72-year-old, who has won a string of industry awards, is being recognised for services to the arts.
Davies, born in Muswell Hill, north London, said: “Initially I felt a mixture of surprise, humility, joy and a bit embarrassed but after thinking about it, I accept this for my family and fans as well as everyone who has inspired me to write.”
If I’m a little surprised at the time it took for the honor, it’s because of all the major acts to emerge in the British Invasion, the Kinks struck me as the most quintessentially British, both thematically (check out Village Green Preservation Society) and musically, as Davies made heavy reference to English music hall sounds in many of his songs.
From Arthur, here’s an example of that, “Shangri-La”.
And one of my favorites, from the album Face To Face, “Sunny Afternoon”.
Finally, there’s no way I can pay tribute to Ray Davies without mentioning the greatest song he’s ever written, the stunning, gorgeous “Waterloo Sunset”.
Well played, sir. Or, should I say, Sir.
Filed under Georgia Football
Get The Picture 