By Nunnie Robinson, The Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The Celebration Bowl in Atlanta this week will feature the SWAC Champion Jackson State University Tigers versus the South Carolina State Bulldogs, who have been lying in wait on the eventual SWAC champions, which was decided this past Saturday in Jackson, Ms. After a slow start, the Tigers preceded to overwhelm Southern University 41-13. JSU under Deion Sanders didn’t fare so well in previous Celebration Bowl appearances against South Carolina State and North Carolina Central. Present Bulldog coach, Chenis Berry, who led Division II Benedict to successive undefeated seasons, was charged with the task of leading a proud SCSU program and has proved up to task. Probably his most important victory was overcoming the North Carolina Central Eagles, coached by good friend Trei Oliver, who led NCCU to a Celebration Bowl victory over a JSU-led Deion Sanders team which included players Shedeur Sanders and ’24 Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter.
JSU coach T.C. Taylor has led a smooth transition from Deion, leading the Tigers to 10-2 record and a conference championship.
Willie Simmons, who led FAMU to a Celebration Bowl victory and a Black National Championship before leaving to become the running backs coach at Duke University, was hired by FIU to become its next head football coach. Apparently the move to and experienced gained on the DI level was the catalyst which led to his hiring along with his track record at Florida A&M.
CFP finalists have been decided, most on the field, but the controversy has only been exacerbated. The most notable discussion centered around the committee’s selection of SMU, loser of the ACC championship to Clemson, over 3 loss Alabama, despite the Tide having a stronger strength of schedule argument and having defeated the eventual SEC champions Georgia Bulldogs. Of course, it was inevitable that someone was going to be left out, rightfully so even as the tournament expanded to 12 games. Although we all knew that the formula for inclusion was simple: WIN! The four conference champions receive first round byes. They are Oregon, Georgia, Arizona State and Boise State. First round games will feature #5 Texas vs. #12 Clemson, #6 Penn St. vs. #11 SMU, #7 Notre Dame vs. #10 Indiana, & #8 Ohio St. vs. #9 Tennessee.
Prominent teams not included: Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss & South Carolina. Suffice it to say, conference champions have a decided advantage of a bye week. The lingering question is whether there are better teams not making the final 12 than some who did? Did the committee get it right? I can only draw one conclusion: there is no perfect or foolproof system.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day, I believe, needs to win the national championship to keep his job. What say you……
All the talk about NFL MVP is joiurnalistic hogwash! The Bill’s Josh Allen is having a fantastic year and is certainly deserving. However, if you ask Lamar Jackson, whom I believe has won it twice, I bet his preference would be a Super Bowl win. Forget the chiefs’ close calls, It doesn’t mean a hill of beans until someone knocks them off of their perch.
Finally, I am thrilled that Russell Wilson is having a phenomenal year with the Steeelers and Mike Tomlin, after suffering the indignities placed on him in Denver and its hit man coach Sean Payton, whose derogatory sidelined antics toward Russell irks me to this day, Mind you, sans a terrible call, Russell would be a 2 time Super Bowl winning quarterback with Seattle, The NFL season is becoming increasingly inticing.
