Analysis of BYU's Independence

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Brigham Young University (BYU) has now been independent in football for four years. Although at a glance you can see there was no eye-catching record or top 10 win in any of those years, I think Independence is still working out fairly well. Allow me to explain.

It seems to me that Independence is more about the experience, and less about the results. Sure, losing games dims that experience, but playing at Notre Dame and Wisconsin in the same season is special for most programs. While there are downsides, such as long travels and no conference championships, BYU gets to play in every region of the U.S. almost each year of independence. In the 2014 regular season BYU played in Connecticut, Texas, Idaho, Florida, Tennessee and California. This not only enriches the experience for coaches and players, but also the BYU fan-base nationwide.

Don't get me wrong, a Big XII Invite would have its perks, but mixing up opponents for the schedule each year is an exceptional spot to be in. In 2015 BYU will get to play at Nebraska, at UCLA, at Michigan, and at an NFL stadium in Kansas City. The team will also play games against LSU and USC in the future. BYU's Athletic Director Tom Holmoe has done a superb job.

The First True College Football Champion

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I started to be fascinated with the idea of having a tournament in College football about six years ago, and it's finally here.

The first year of the College Football Playoffs couldn't have turned out much better. Although there was controversy about TCU's exclusion and Ohio State's inclusion in the Playoff, the new system already seems to be pretty satisfactory. Ohio State went beyond stating itself as a contender, thrashing Wisconsin and beating number one Alabama. Ohio State had to overcome more than one major challenge this season. They lost two of their top quarterbacks and still managed to be ranked number four.

However, what's good about the College Football Playoffs is that there are more opportunities for more teams. With the BCS System, Alabama and Florida State would have probably played for the championship. Although it would sure be nice to add more teams, four teams is two times better than two.

Oregon had some problems this year, but quite a bit less. QB Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy. Arizona was triumphant the first time against Oregon, but Oregon easily beat Arizona the second time. Oregon dominated and controlled the second half of the first Playoff game against Florida State, and won 59-20.

In the Championship Game Oregon scored first, but Ohio State put up a 14 point lead. Oregon came back, but Ohio State won 42-20.

Mariota still hasn't made his decision regarding the NFL Draft.

El primer verdadero campeón del fútbol americano universitario

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Hace unos seis años, me comenzó a fascinar la idea de tener un torneo en el fútbol americano universitario, y ahora por fin está.

El primer año de los College Football Playoffs casi no pudo haber salido mejor. Aunque había polémica alrededor de la exclusión de TCU, y la inclusión de Ohio State, el nuevo sistema ya parece bastante satisfactorio. Ohio State fue más allá de situarse como contendiente, apaleando a Wisconsin y ganandole a Alabama, el equipo que fue clasificado número uno. Ohio State tuvo que superar más de un solo desafío inmenso esta temporada. Perdió dos de sus principales mariscales de campo y todavía pudo clasificarse número cuatro.

Empero, lo bueno de los College Football Playoffs es que haya más oportunidades para más equipos. Con el sistema BCS, Alabama y Florida State probablemente se hubiesen jugado para ganar el campeonato. Aunque sí sería mejor incluir más equipos, cuatro equipos son dos veces mejor que dos. 

Oregon tuvo algunos problemas este año, pero muchos menos. Mariscal de Campo Marcus Mariota ganó el premio Heisman. Arizona triunfó la primera vez contra Oregon, pero éste le ganó fácilmente a Arizona la segunda vez. Oregon dominó la segunda mitad del primer partido de los Playoffs contra Florida State y ganó 59-20.

En el partido campeonato Oregon anotó primero, pero Ohio State añadió un liderato de 14 puntos. Oregon remontó, pero Ohio State ganó 42-20.

Mariota aún no ha tomado su decisión en cuanto al sorteo de la NFL.