No Surprise Here

The University of Georgia announced Friday that Tarboro's Todd Gurley will enter the NFL draft this coming spring.  Gurley a two time state champion at Tarboro High is projected as the second best running back in the upcoming draft despite finishing the season with a torn ACL knee injury. 

Gurley ran for over 3200 yards for Georgia and score 36 touchdowns in less than 30 games played for  the Bulldogs.  If you remember he missed several games as a sophomore when he sprained his ankle being tackled out of bounds and this year was suspended for taking 3,000 dollars for signed Georgia football gear and then the knee injury.  He should  be a first round pick if his knee responds to treatment which Georgia announced yesterday as going well.


The University of North Carolina played like a team 6-6 in their bowl game in Detroit on Friday.  Rutgers at 7-5 looked as if they wanted to be there and the North Carolina looked like they wished to be some where else.

They found themselves down 40-7 in the fourth quarter but recover two consecutive on side kicks that help make the score more respectable.  40-21.  Carolina finishes with a 6-7 record.  It was reported on ESPN that the ticket sales of 23,000 was the lowest since Detroit has hosted a bowl game since 1997.  There official attendance was 13,000 actually at the game.  I would assume the 23,000 was what the teams had to buy and didn't sell.

On the other side of the spectrum N C State was the underdog to UCF  and was glad to be in a bowl game after a 3-9 record last season.  The Pack tried a couple of trick plays during the game and played inspired when Carolina just played. 

From the second quarter on State dominated UCF until the final five minutes and the Pack wins their eight game of the season 34-27 over UCF

Jacoby Brissette was named games MVP passing for 255 yards but the Pack running game helped the Pack Pull away to a 34-13 lead in the fourth quarter.

Haven't heard the attendance figures yet for this game but there was surely more folks at this one with UCF campus only 110 miles away but still no where close to a sellout.

Duke gets into the bowl action today in the Sun Bowl in El Paso.  Game time is 2pm.

Final Regular Season Guesses

Had a decent week going 11-5 running my total for the year to 157-85-1.  Down to the hardest week of the year to pick since you don't know what team might pull a Kansas City last year and rest their starters since they are already in playoffs.  After the way the Broncos started out Monday nights game you sure could tell the game meant more to Cincinnati than it did to Denver.  So only two spots left and San Diego, Baltimore. Houston and Kansas city are after one spot in AFC.  Carolina and Atlanta play a winner take all in if you win game.  All others are just completing the season.

Browns @ Ravens:  Browns sure did mess up any playoff chances changing quarterbacks right in the middle of the scrum for the playoff spots.  Ravens need this and hope Chargers lose.   Raven 26 Browns 20

Cowboys @ Skins:  This would be perfect week to rest Both Romo  and Murray.  How in the world can Jerry Jones jump on the Romo for MVP bandwagon when DeMarco Murray is MVP of Cowboys.  I bet both play Sunday and they win.  33 -27 Boys

Colts@ Titans:  Colts can't beat anybody good but they wear out the losers.  Colts 38 Titans 26

Saints @ Bucs:  Saints defense is awful.  Buc play everybody close and every now and  then they win.  This is one of those weeks   Tampa 26 Saints 21

Eagles @ Giants:  Eagles have found other teams figure out schemes if they have time to look at film.  I think Eagles flat in this one.  Eli wins the last one 27-24

Bills @ Patroits:  If I had to choose between two teams and how they play in this last game I pick Pats to pour it on to get playoff ready.  Bills down in dumps after getting eliminated from Playoffs.  New England 26 Bills 22.

Jacksonville @ Texans:  Still alive Texans win 26-10.

Chargers @ Chiefs:  Only game in AFC that both teams still alive.  Chargers play better when desperate.  Can't get much more desperate win and in over lose and out.  Chiefs have to win and wait for the dominoes to fall their way.  Chargers win on last play 27-26.

Jets @ Dolphins:  Is this the swan song for Rex Ryan?  I bet Jets play their butts off in this one.  Jets 23 Miami 17.

Bears @ Vikings:  I like Vikes at Home 31-23

Raiders @ Broncos:  Look Denver needs this one to guarantee off week.  Raiders are no pushover now that they have a quarterback.  Mile high wins in a close game Denver 27- 21.

Cardinals @ 49's:  Might be Harbaugh's last game in Frisco before he moves across the bay.  9er's need to make up for flop in second half last week.  SF 23 Arizona 10

Lions @ Packers:   Win the division or play next week.  This might be best game of weekend.  Playing outside in the Tundra  Packers 33 Lions 24

Rams @ Seahawks:  Rams don't have a chance in this one.  Hawks   22-Rams 6

Panthers @ Falcons:   I have no idea how to pick this game.  A couple of losers playing for a chance to get smoked next week.  I have thought at times the Panthers were gelling  then they intercept a ball and run 50 yards and fumble it right back.  I like Atlanta at home.  26-23 Birds

The final game of the regular season of NFL football has Bengals@ Steelers:  I'm hoping Steelers win so San Diego can go back to Cincinnati in the first playoff game not Pittsburgh.  Pitt 38 Cincy 30