WEEK 15

Heading into Saturday, I felt confident we’d see the continuation of a dynasty; a defending champion that had proven themselves this entire season despite having a target on their back each and every week. 

 

And I was right.

 

Ladies and gentleman, the 2024 crown remains with our 2025 OTC Champion: Dallas2697. First ever back-to-back champ. All hail! With a final tally of 547 points, he edged out our silver medalist, PSU1996, who was four behind at 543 (ironically, the same as Penn State’s recruitment ranking this year). Rounding out the moneymakers was RecordSetter 98 at 537. It was one of the tighter years I can remember, but funny thing about memory: with time, inevitably we’ll only remember the man who out dueled us all. Dallas2697 gets his name etched in (proverbial) stone.

 

And if you aren’t feeling bad enough about yourself, Dallas2697 also claimed the title for total number of correct picks on the season with 92, a single game ahead of Sprint82 and Tbailet7. So close, yet so very, very far.

 

Anyone fall for my head fake earlier? Truly, I was flabbergasted watching Gus Johnson lose his ever-loving mind in Indianapolis last night. Buckeyes felt like free money. But then, Curt Cignetti. It’s almost impossible to put last night’s win for IU into words. I’m sure you’ve already heard it all: first win against Ohio State since 1988. First time being ranked #1 in program history. First outright B10 championship since 1940-something. Urban Meyer could barely contain himself in the post-game, almost falling off the set trying to shake Curt’s hand after calling it the greatest turnaround job and coaching performance he’s seen in the history of the sport. Hard to argue. Even though the scarlet and gray squandered three drives in the IU red zone, conversion on any of which could have led to a different outcome, the Hoosiers proved themselves to be the real deal. Will the magic carry into the playoffs? I’ll sure as shit be watching, if for no other reason than to feel better about my own social skills watching the perpetually cringe-worthy post-game interviews of Fernando Mendoza. That’s going to be a don’t miss Heisman acceptance speech.

 

Ok, we can cover the weekend’s games, but let’s take a moment to feign our condolences for Notre Dame fans. Seriously though, as much as the Fighting Irish might court exasperated “boo hoo” sighs from college football fans around the country, talk about a raw deal. They lose the first two games of the season (by three points and one point to two teams that remained in the top ten pretty much all year), win ten straight, head into the weekend ranked ahead of Miami (FL), who also didn’t play, and then get booted. Major ouch. I was feeling it for ND faithful…and then they announced they won’t play in a bowl game. Don’t really blame them, but also…so Notre Dame.

 

Rapid fire round of congrats:

 

Kennesaw State Owls are the Conference USA winners after outlasting Jacksonville State. Congrats!

 

JMU claims the Sun Belt (and the final spot in the CFP playoff!) with their thumping of Troy. Can’t wait to see that line against Oregon. Congrats!

 

Tulane rolled over North Texas to hoist the American Championship (while also securing a spot in the CFP playoff). They play Ole Miss, who beat them 45-10 in September. Congrats!

 

Boise State owns the Mountain West after crushing UNLV. Congrats!

 

Western Michigan got their home state a win against an Ohio team this season, beating the Miami RedHawks in the MAC Championship. Congrats!

 

Texas Tech bounced your author-favorite Cougars from playoff contention with a 34-7 mouth punch in the BIG 12. Congrats!

 

Georgia looked absolutely ferocious en route to the SEC title, dismantling a Bama team that has significant incentive to now prove they earned the spot they got. Congrats!

 

And the Blue Devils confirmed what I’ve been saying all season - UVA are frauds!!! – as they win the ACC as a five-loss team. Wild. Congrats!

 

And with that my fellow competitors, while the playoff and bowls may still await, we formally close the books on the 2025 OTC season. It’s an absolute pleasure being the scribe to this sacred annual battle. We’ll see everyone in ’26!

 

 

 

 

Kennesaw State v. Jacksonville State

Troy v. #25 JMU

#24 North Texas v. #20 Tulane

UNLV v. Boise State (-6)

Miami (OH) v. Western Michigan (-2.5)

#11 BYU v. #4 Texas Tech (-12.5)

#3 Georgia (-1.5) v. #9 Alabama

#2 Indiana v. #1 Ohio State (-3.5)

Duke v. #17 Virginia (-3.5)