Friday's Hot Clicks: Oregon, Ohio State Advance to National Championship
Down to Two
Marcus Mariota and Brutus Buckeye :: Getty Images
Marcus Mariota outplayed Jameis Winston in the Rose Bowl as Oregon advanced to the national championship with a 59-20 victory over Florida State. Ducks players celebrated with a "No means no" chant in reference to Winston's off-the-field problems, which angered Oregon coach Mark Helfrich. The Seminoles' postgame behavior wasn't much better as players left the field without shaking hands and drew the wrath of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. It was a particularly rough game for Winston, who who was nearly benched by coach Jimbo Fisher and became the subject of internet memes everywhere after a butt-fumble-like play.
The Sugar Bowl was a much better game as Ohio State knocked out Alabama 42-35, a happy ending for these sad OSU fans. The game was tight throughout but the two biggest plays were this Evan Spencer touchdown pass on a fake end-around to close out the first half and Ezekiel Elliott's 85-yard fourth quarter touchdown run to give OSU a two-score lead. The game was a victory for all the Mark May haters of the world. Urban Meyer, who looked ready to attack the refs after a missed 'roughing the kicker' call, was in a great mood in the postgame press conference. He even cracked a joke when he learned of FSU's 39-point victory.
In Other College Football News
Baylor offensive lineman LaQuan McGowan, all 390 pounds of him, scored an epic fat guy touchdown. Michigan State, however, got the last laugh with a 21-point fourth quarter and a 42-41 victory ... Maxx "Mini-Gronk" Williams of Minnesota scored one of the day's prettiest touchdowns in a Citrus Bowl loss to Missouri ... Plaxico Burress took a Twitter shot at former coach Nick Saban ... SEC critics are loving this bowl season ... Mississippi State had a great Hail Mary to end the first half of the Orange Bowl.
I Gotta Wear Shades
Capitals defensemanKarl Alzner pulled off the rare "hockey player in sunglasses" look during yesterday's Winter Classic, but Troy Brouwer was the hero. The Washington forward, whose dad was in attendance, scored the game-winning goal with 13 seconds left to lift the Caps past the Blackhawks, 3-2.
Lovely Lady of the Day
According to her Instagram profile, Emma Lucey is a dreamer, style blogger and adventurer. That's the type of qualifications we look for in a LLOD (click here for full-size gallery).
Off the Market
Power soccer couple Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco tied the knot on New Year's Eve in Santa Barbara. For those who care, Morgan wore a gown by Berta Bridal before switching into a custom Amsale dress for the reception. For everyone else, here are Morgan's 2014 SI Swimsuit photos.
Sign of the Day
This is Funny
This is Painful
This is Really Painful
From the SI Vault
Calvin and Grant Hill :: SI
Former Cowboys RB Calvin Hill turned 68 today. No word yet on whether he and son Grant plan to wear matching sweaters to the birthday dinner later tonight. For more classic sports photos, visit the SI Vault on Twitter.
Odds & Ends
Oregon ballboy Kwame Mitchell (and his hair) were a big hit at the Rose Bowl ... ICYMI: The year in fan behavior (lots of good stuff here) ... Good piece by Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman on how Johnny Manziel turned on the charm during his predraft interviews with NFL teams ... Islanders centerAnders Lee wore a nametag to his interview with Shana Hoganafter she forgot his name during their last interview ... Diamond Strawberry, daughter of Darryl,is on the new season of VH1's Love and Hip Hop ... The Steelers are laughing at criticism of Troy Polamalu ... Interesting breakdown of the Indianapolis Colts concession sales (spoiler: They like beer) ... Bono may never play guitar again after a cycling accident in Central Park ... A family took a 15-block ride in a NYC pedicab on New Year's and were charged $165 ... Drinkable clay is now a thing.
Barry Alvarez Dance Party
Nobody celebrates a victory like the Wisconsin coach.
Price is Not Even Close to Right
This woman thinks an iPhone 6 costs $7,500.
Friends With No Laugh Track
This is weird.
Best Dogs of December
Best funny dog videos of the month.
[youtube:http://youtu.be/WnKtQccF21A]
