FFXIV: The Misadventures

#FFXIV

ISML 2018: Victory Speech - Rem Natsuki, 2019 Saimoe Prime Minister

Well, I will go ahead and start my remarks by letting you all in on a not-so-well-kept secret, in fact, it's not even close to it and even makes mock of it: I outdid Emilia. (laughter) No, seriously, everyone, I did outperform Emilia and she is, as a consequence, the first person I will thank. She blazed a path for me and she also won her last contest so our party and that of Oregairu's and Hachiman are the big winners this election, so congratulations for Hachiman and Violet for winning their seats. Together, we will lead the Saimoe movement and represent the best of our great nation around the world because we love doing that. (applause)

I also want to point out that several days ago, it was my birthday, as well as that of my good friend Aoba Suzukaze. She has been a great advocate of my legacy and I want to thank her for her support. My sister Ram is owed my thanks. Without her, I wouldn't be here. But most of all, Subaru Natsuki, of whose last name I will borrow as Saimoe Prime Minister—but please, just call me Rem—is the one person that believed I could be a leader like no other. It was his inspiration that drove me to be a better person. I love him with everything I have, and he accepted the invitation to be the first gentleman of Saimoe for this coming year, so he gets to work with Hachiman on helping make Japan great again as a strong economic influence on the world. Mostly, to ensure that good men will always prevail, and they need not be Japanese. (laughter, applause) You laugh, but you know very well, that as your leader-elect, I am not wrong in my convictions. (laughter)

But it is because of you, I remembered who I am and I maintained my promise to pay you back for your belief in me. The best I can do to repay you...is to do my work as Saimoe Prime Minister to the best of my ability. This isn't a Royal Election I was a part of. This was bigger than me, Emilia, my sister...it encompassed so much and it was a struggle. But I told myself to be positive, be assertive, be aggressive in what I want to become, because if I do that, fate will take care of the rest. It is because of you, I am here as your Saimoe Prime Minister, and I will not let you down. You, my wonderful fans and even those who supported Kamui—and just wanted to add, I called Kamui on a great race and she happily conceded so now she can go ahead and bully Tooru anytime she wants (laughter)—no, but seriously, those who supported Kamui and others, I extend my hand of solidarity and ask for your help and cooperation in leading our movement forward.

I cannot do this alone, and I won't. We, the members of Saimoe, the finest people you will ever be one with anywhere, need you to be with us and support us. I am just one person, Hachiman is another, Violet is another...we need you to stand with us in this year of transition. We will be having a new emperor take over when I am sworn in with Hachiman and Violet. We need you to show your support for the future Emperor, Naruhito, and his vision for the Japanese nation going forward.

Also, I have believed that the promotion of time-honored Asian values can be applied anywhere. What are those, you say? It's four parts: social harmony, socio-economic prosperty and collective well-being of community, loyalty and respect for elders and authority, and a preference for collectivism and communitarianism. Basically, it's putting the team and the world above you. No man or woman is above the law, not even me, I merely enforce and promote it.

But it's not rocket science, ladies and gentlemen. Respect your parents. Your mother, your father, your grandparents, uncles and aunts...these are important parts of your life, your family. Do what you can to make them proud of you. Your siblings, your children, make them happy as well. And take the advice of those who have been in this world longer than you in stride. Violet has done a remarkable job immortalizing the stories of great people in writing for all to read and she is just getting started. She will write your story too, all you have to do is ask. Never be headstrong in a decision. Make sure the team is on board.

And this is what we do during meetings of our Diet, the Saimoe Parliament. We are an all-star team with unselfish minds when we need to go in one direction or another. We are not like that government in the West where two factions continually fail to make progress due to pride and selfishness and pettiness. We make decisions regarding new ways to promote our culture to satisfy the demands of the West and elsewhere. And those who don't get their way ultimately come around and support the consensus. That is the power of the collective aspect of Asian values, and I mean to promote it and encourage it as values that the world can adopt.

I want to close my address by saying that it will not be easy for us moving forward. Mikoto Misaka is the incumbent Saimoe Leader of the Free World and my personal adviser to all matters related to the finest people-us. She said this: "No matter what, you’re not defective. There’s nothing wrong with you, so don’t give up.” Motivate yourself to be at your best. Self-actualization leads to positive thinking and assertive confidence. And we will make it a lifelong commitment to serve you and motivate you to be successful in whatever, or whoever, you want to be as long as it makes your family, your community, your city, your country, and the world proud. So thank you, we salute you and honor you. May God bless you, and may God bless Japan and the world!

-Rem (a.k.a. Rem Natsuki)

2019 Saimoe Prime Minister/ISML Heavenly Tiara Champion

11 February 2019

ISML 2018: Rem Elected Saimoe Prime Minister!

ISML 2018: Rem Elected Saimoe Prime Minister!
Hachiman Hikigaya Elected Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister
Violet Evergarden Elected Speaker Of The Saimoe Diet 

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
February 11, 2019

Match Days 8 and 9 of the 2019 International Saimoe League Postseason were combined into Election Day 2019, and Rem has been elected Saimoe Prime Minister for 2019, routing Kamui Kanna 36484-17795. Hachiman Hikigaya will be your new Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister after putting Archer to the sword 35856-15990, while Violet Evergarden has been named Speaker of the Saimoe Diet after a 30967-19221 belting of Mai Sakurajima.

In particular, Evergarden will have a special role of being a saimoe-exclusive aide to both the Japanese Imperial Household and British Royal Family with Arthuria Pendragon, Saber, as a veteran assistant. This result is also named as the final Upset of the Round for the 2018 International Saimoe Season. Rem, who will be sworn in under the name Rem Natsuki, Hikigaya and Evergarden will sworn in during Golden Week 2019 in Japan.

Kaede Azusagawa finished in third place in the 2018 ISML Autumn Seasonal with a 23057-21671 victory over Alice Zubeg. Hitagi Senjougahara won the ISML Divine Circlet Female Division with a 27188-16810 win over Akame and in the Male Division, Alphonse Elric reigned supreme over Tsunayoshi Sawada, 21903-21077.

The top 16 characters in the male and female divisions form the Saimoe Cabinet for the forthcoming year and Election Day finalize the seating order on the Male and Female sides. Yukino Yukinoshita finished in third place with a 25603-21145 win over Asuna Yuuki Chtholly Nota Seniorious, the outgoing speaker of the Saimoe Diet, complete a strong debut campaign with a 23193-22910 thriller over Mashiro Shiina to finish fifth. Rikka Takanashi pounded Nanami Aoyama 26978-20986 for seventh, Emilia completed a ReZero sweep with a 28693-17376 hiding of Shiro for ninth, Rin Tohsaka outlasted Saber 23663-20811 for eleventh, Sakura Kinomoto won the closest race of a round, a 22808-22791 nailbiter over Sagiri Izumi for thirteenth, and Chiyo Sakura prevailed over Schwi Dola 22763-22044 to finish fifteenth.

In the Male Division, Levi Ackerman leveled Riku Dola 23991-21009 for third place, Rintarou Okabe was fifth after tearing down Shouto Todoroki 25501-19323, Nagisa Shiota defeated Willem Kmetsch 23125-21179 for seventh, Taki Tachibana cruised past Shirou Emiya 23719-21003 for ninth, Yuuta Togashi punched Saitama 27635-19368 for eleventh, Touma Kamijou broke Astolfo 23057-23182 for thirteenth and Takashi Natsume finished in fifteenth place after easing past Li Syaoran 22791-21280.

In other seasonal action, Index L. Prohibitorum won a 22186-22123 snoozer over Kuon Ohara, Rio Futaba defeated Narumi Momose 23323-20579, Ichigo cruised past Suzuha Amane 23244-20449 and Rikka Takarada finished the campaign on a winning note, getting the last laugh with a 23447-21167 smashing of Rinne Ohara. Index, Futaba, Ichigo, and Takarada join Sakurajima as members of Evergarden's special advisory council.

Thus concludes the 2018 International Saimoe League, with Rem, Hachiman Hikigaya and Violet Evergarden steering the ship forward into 2019. Be sure to keep voting for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And be sure to tune in to The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue, your home for coverage of the 2019 International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition since 2008.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Days 8 and 9 (Election Day)

SAIMOE PRIME MINISTER/ISML Heavenly Tiara
ARENA 1 [[Rem]] Kanna Kamui
by >=1000
Over/Under: 80000
Over

DEPUTY SAIMOE PRIME MINISTER/ISML Scepter
ARENA 2 Hikigaya Hachiman [[Archer]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 80000
Over

SPEAKER OF THE SAIMOE DIET
ARENA 3 [[Sakurajima Mai]] Violet Evergarden
by <=1000
Over/Under: 50000
Over

ISML AUTUMN SEASONAL THIRD PLACE
ARENA 4 Alice Zuberg [[Azusagawa Kaede]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 90000
Under

ISML Divine Circlet - Female Division
ARENA 5 Akame [[Senjōgahara Hitagi]]
by >=4000
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ISML Divine Circlet - Male Division
ARENA 6 Sawada Tsunayoshi [[Alphonse Elric]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 50000
Over

ISML Female Division - Third Place
ARENA 7 Yūki Asuna [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ISML Female Division - Fifth Place
ARENA 8 Shiina Mashiro [[Chtholly Nota Seniorious]]
by <=300
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ISML Female Division - Seventh Place
ARENA 9 Aoyama Nanami [[Takanashi Rikka]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 75000
Over

ISML Female Division - Ninth Place
ARENA 10 [[Emilia]] Shiro
by >=400
Over/Under: 76000
Over

ISML Female Division - Eleventh Place
ARENA 11 [[Tōsaka Rin]] Saber
by <=500
Over/Under: 90000
Under

ISML Female Division - Thirteenth Place
ARENA 12 Kinomoto Sakura [[Izumi Sagiri]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 70000
Over

ISML Female Division - Fifteenth Place
ARENA 13 Sakura Chiyo [[Schwi Dola]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 67000
Over

ISML Male Division - Third Place
ARENA 14 Riku Dola [[Levi]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 90000
Under

ISML Male Division - Fifth Place
ARENA 15 Todoroki Shōto [[Okabe Rintarō]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 78000
Over

ISML Male Division - Seventh Place
ARENA 16 [[Shiota Nagisa]] Willem Kmetsch
by >=500
Over/Under: 68000
Over

ISML Male Division - Ninth Place
ARENA 17 Emiya Shirō [[Tachibana Taki]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 74000
Over

ISML Male Division - Eleventh Place
ARENA 18 [[Saitama]] Togashi Yūta
by <=800
Over/Under: 83000
Under

ISML Male Division - Thirteenth Place
ARENA 19 [[Kamijō Tōma]] Astolfo
by >=1200
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ISML Male Division - Fifteenth Place
ARENA 20 Li Syaoran [[Natsume Takashi]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 75000
Under

ARENA 21 [[Index L. Prohibitorum]] Ohara Kuon
by >=300
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 22 [[Futaba Rio]] Momose Narumi
by >=1000
Over/Under: 70000
Under

ARENA 23 [[Ichigo]] Amane Suzuha
by >=1300
Over/Under: 70000
Over

ARENA 24 [[Takarada Rikka]] Ohara Rinne
by <=2000
Over/Under: 75000
Over

Voter Id: 7a3e0459-9a5b-5802-8ee9-c0bfb7fc6e29

ISML 2018: "This Is Not The Trophy I Want" - Mai Sakurajima

ISML 2018: "This Is Not The Trophy I Want" - Mai Sakurajima

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
February 8, 2019

"This is not the trophy I want, as I am looking for something better," said a victorious Mai Sakurajima after winning the 2018 International Saimoe League Autumn Diadem after defeating Rikka Takarada 23906-19077 despite a low turnout. "But I proved that I, along with Violet Evergarden, will be a contender to win the International Saimoe League Tiara and become a Saimoe Prime Minister. We are in a year of transition, and my leadership and professionalism will allow me to hold my ground against all odds and I want to thank my supporters for their commitment, and also to Sakuta, my partner through thick and thin."

Evergarden defeated Platelet 23871-19759 in a seasonal matchup. Rem is projected by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to succeed Megumi Katou and be elected Saimoe Prime Minister after a 27005-18441 hammering of Mashiro Shiina. Kamui Kanna is no slouch and will be a worthy challenger after a 23695-19924 decision over Yukino Yukinoshita. Archer is slated by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to be named Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister after thrashing Riku Dola 29274-17753. However, Hachiman Hikigaya is set to make the race a close one after putting Rintarou Okabe to the sword, 25479-17374.

In Female Division placement matches, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Shiro 22888-20317, Chtholly Nota Seniorious trounced Rikka Takanashi 22804-20650, Nanami Aoyama rolled past Sakura Kinomoto 21686-20493, Emilia prevailed over Saber 22341-21397, Rin Tohsaka rumbled past Schwi Dola 23005-19556 and Sagiri Izumi defeated Chiyo Sakura 21459-20758.

In Male Division placement matches, Shouto Todoroki scored the Upset of the Round,a 21069-20298 scalp over Nagisa Shiota, Levi leveled Shirou Emiya 21508-20311, Willem Kmetsch won a 20977-20750 nailbiter over Yuuta Togashi, Taki Tachibana broke Touma Kamijou 21050-20257, Saitama punched Li Syaoran 20880-20463 and Astolfo prevailed over Takashi Natsume 20476-20181.

In special exhibition action, Tsunayoshi Sawada won the closest race of the round, a 18230-18219 thriller over All Might, Alphonse Elric took down Mikaela Hyakuya in a 18097-17913 barnburner, Kaede Azusagawa outlasted Takagi 21153-21007, Alice Zuberg whipped past Erythrocyte 21091-20820, Priestess did just enough against Kaoruko Moeta 20693-20428 and Sakura Minamoto defeated Hikari Kagura 21196-20698.

Match Day 8 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason is your Election Day. Sakurajima and Evergarden will also be battling for speaker of the Saimoe Diet, succeeding Seniorious, and the Bedlam is tipping the head of the AoButa ticket to win the job by less than 1,000 votes. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 7

ISML 2018 Tiara Semifinals
ARENA 1 Kanna Kamui [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 45000
Over

ARENA 2 [[Rem]] Shiina Mashiro
by <=1200
Over/Under: 45000
Over

ISML 2018 Scepter Semifinals
ARENA 3 [[Hikigaya Hachiman]] Okabe Rintarō
by >=1200
Over/Under: 47000
Over

ARENA 4 [[Archer]] Riku Dola
by >=300
Over/Under: 48000
Under

ISML 2018 Autumn Seasonal Final
ARENA 5 Takarada Rikka [[Sakurajima Mai]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 50000
Over

ARENA 6 [[Violet Evergarden]] Platelet
by >=1000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 7 [[Yūki Asuna]] Shiro
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 8 [[Chtholly Nota Seniorious]] Takanashi Rikka
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 9 Kinomoto Sakura [[Aoyama Nanami]]
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 10 Saber [[Emilia]]
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 11 [[Schwi Dola]] Tōsaka Rin
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 12 Sakura Chiyo [[Izumi Sagiri]]
by <=3000
Over/Under: 50000
Under

ARENA 13 [[Shiota Nagisa]] Todoroki Shōto
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 14 [[Levi]] Emiya Shirō
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 15 Togashi Yūta [[Willem Kmetsch]]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 16 Tachibana Taki [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 17 Li Syaoran [[Saitama]]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 18 [[Astolfo]] Natsume Takashi
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 19 All Might [[Sawada Tsunayoshi]]
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 20 [[Hyakuya Mikaela]] Alphonse Elric
by >=1200
Over/Under: 43000
Over

ARENA 21 Azusagawa Kaede [[Takagi]]
by <=1100
Over/Under: 49000
Under

ARENA 22 [[Alice Zuberg]] Erythrocyte
by <=1100
Over/Under: 49000
Under

ARENA 23 Moeta Kaoruko [[Priestess]]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 49000
Under

ARENA 24 Kagura Hikari [[Minamoto Sakura]]
by >=1300
Over/Under: 49000
Under

Voter Id: 1317fe79-1d83-57ee-b795-740a2df757e0

ISML 2018: Rintarou Okabe With A Statement Win

ISML 2018: Rintarou Okabe With A Statement Win

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
January 30, 2019

Rintarou Okabe made a massive statement on Match Day 5 of the 2018 International Saimoe League postseason with a 18054-13941 Upset of the Round over Nagisa Shiota. While Hachiman Hikigaya remains the odds-on favorite to secure the scepter, as seen in his 27047-6767 rout of Shirou Emiya, the challenge remains in the balance. Kamui Kanna took a massive step in towards the Tiara with a 18043-16917 win over Rikka Takanashi while Yukino Yukinoshita defeated Chtholly Nota Seniorious 19973-17811.

Mai Sakurajima remains the odds-on favorite to win the ISML 2018 Autumn Diadem after a 21612-12069 hammering of Priestess. Kaede Azusagawa prevailed over Sakura Minamoto 16272-15400, Rikka Takarada (the second choice) rolled past Index L. Prohibitorum 16145-13581 and Alice Zuberg torched Rio Futaba 16357-10985.

In other ISML action, Chiyo Sakura eased past Shouko Nishimiya 16796-15019, Rin Tohsaka exploded past Megumin 16145-16003 in the closest race of the round, Nanami Aoyama flew past Tooru 16658-14136, Schwi Dola prevailed over Illyasviel von Einzbern 13735-13444, Sakura Kinomoto roared past Nagisa Furukawa 18049-13597, Sagiru Izumi pumped Kurisu Makise 20909-13967 and Emilia leveled Azusa Nakano 22458-12894.

Wrapping up ISML action, Li Syaoran defeated Gilgamesh 16415-15426, Takashi Natsume whipped past Ainz Ooal Gown 16986-13819, Astolfo eased past Kiyotaka Ayanokouji 13550-12942, Yuuta Togashi trounced Conan Edogawa 16547-15188, Touma Kamijou broke Tomoya Okazaki 16087-15574, Taki Tachibana took down Kusuo Saiki 16658-15617, Willem Kmetsch cruised past Shouya Ishida 16204-15849 and Saitama punched Kiritsugu Emiya 16029-15722.

Match Day 6 of the 2019 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for February 1, 2019. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 5

ARENA 1 [[Kanna Kamui]] Takanashi Rikka
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 2 Yukinoshita Yukino [[Chtholly Nota Seniorious]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 3 Emiya Shirō [[Hikigaya Hachiman]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 4 Okabe Rintarō [[Shiota Nagisa]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 5 [[Sakurajima Mai]] Priestess
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 6 Minamoto Sakura [[Azusagawa Kaede]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 7 [[Takarada Rikka]] Index L. Prohibitorum
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 8 Alice Zuberg [[Futaba Rio]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 9 [[Nishimiya Shōko]] Sakura Chiyo
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 10 Tōsaka Rin Megumin
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 11 [[Tōru]] Aoyama Nanami
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 12 [[Illyasviel von Einzbern]] Schwi Dola
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 13 [[Aisaka Taiga]] Kinomoto Sakura
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 14 Furukawa Nagisa [[Saber]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 15 [[Izumi Sagiri]] Makise Kurisu
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 16 [[Emilia]] Nakano Azusa
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 17 [[Gilgamesh]] Li Syaoran
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 18 Ainz Ooal Gown [[Natsume Takashi]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 19 Astolfo [[Ayanokōji Kiyotaka]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 20 Edogawa Conan [[Togashi Yūta]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 21 [[Kamijō Tōma]] Okazaki Tomoya
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 22 Saiki Kusuo [[Tachibana Taki]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 23 [[Willem Kmetsch]] Ishida Shōya
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

ARENA 24 [[Emiya Kiritsugu]] Saitama
by <=900
Over/Under: 42000
Under

Voter Id: a26c8108-01be-5d71-80e9-55f485f6d5bd

ISML 2018: Mai Sakurajima A Legit Challenger For Autumn Seasonal

ISML 2018: Mai Sakurajima A Legit Challenger For Autumn Seasonal

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
January 27, 2019

Match Day 4 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason is finished. Mai Sakurajima has seen her odds shorten significantly for the ISML 2018 Autumn Diadem and has now been placed as the favorite after a 19988-12477 rout of Erza Scarlet. Listed as a second choice is Kaede Azusagawa with a 17243-15518 win over Touko Nanami, and listed as third is Alice Zuberg after a 17366-15154 win over Shizue Izawa.

In other Autumn Seasonal action, Priestess eased past High Elf Archer 16255-15577, Sakura Minamoto prevailed over Ai Mizuno 15978-15550, Index L. Prohibitorum cruised past Juliet Persia 16397-14689, Rikka Takarada whipped past Itsuwa 16301-15900, and Rio Futaba defeated Mizore Yoroizuka 16447-16023.

In the main draw, Asuna Yuuki took the next step towards a historic Tiara victory with a 18094-14612 thumping of Saber, while Mashiro Shiina rolled past Tooru 17180-15395. Levi leveled Tomoya Okazaki 24390-11230 while Archer dominated Touma Kamijou 24991-10470. Nanami Aoyama defeated Ai Haibara 17953-13533, Nagisa Furukawa trounced Haruhi Suzumiya 17444-13756, Nao Tomori hounded Tomoyo Daidouji 16201-15309, Mirai Kuriyama eased past Yuki Nagato 15859-15131, Yuuta Togashi roared past Ryuuji Takasu 15827-14867, Takashi Natsume drubbed Subaru Natsuki 16378-14967, Kazuma Satou won a 15268-15113 barnburner over Edward Elric and Ken Kaneki throttled Itachi Uchiha 15477-15017.

Violet Evergarden and Zero Two are expected to be strong performers in the upcoming 2019 International Saimoe League. Evergarden routed Ochako Uraraka 17180-9445 while Zero Two flattened Karen Kohiruimaki 14794-11412. In other exhibition action, Mikoto Misaka, the current Saimoe Leader of the Free World, continued her form with a 16915-13296 win over Miku Hatsune, while Reimu Hakurei remained influential as ever in a 14776-12878 snoozer over Kongou.

Match Day 5 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for January 28, 2019. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 4

ARENA 1 [[Yūki Asuna]] Saber
by >=400
Over/Under: 25000
Over

ARENA 2 Tōru [[Shiina Mashiro]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 25000
Over

ARENA 3 Okazaki Tomoya [[Levi]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 25000
Over

ARENA 4 [[Archer]] Kamijō Tōma
by >=400
Over/Under: 25000
Over

ARENA 5 Erza Scarlet [[Sakurajima Mai]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 6 High Elf Archer [[Priestess]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 7 [[Mizuno Ai]] Minamoto Sakura
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 8 Nanami Tōko [[Azusagawa Kaede]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 9 [[Index L. Prohibitorum]] Juliet Persia
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 10 Itsuwa [[Takarada Rikka]]
by >=500
Over/Under: 25000
Over

ARENA 11 [[Futaba Rio]] Yoroizuka Mizore
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 12 Izawa Shizue [[Alice Zuberg]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 13 Aoyama Nanami [[Haibara Ai]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 14 Furukawa Nagisa [[Suzumiya Haruhi]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 15 Daidōji Tomoyo [[Tomori Nao]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 30000
Under

ARENA 16 Kuriyama Mirai [[Nagato Yuki]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 17 Takasu Ryūji [[Togashi Yūta]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 18 [[Natsume Takashi]] Natsuki Subaru
by >=200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 19 [[Satō Kazuma]] Edward Elric
by >=200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 20 Kaneki Ken [[Uchiha Itachi]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 21 Uraraka Ochako [[Violet Evergarden]]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 24000
Over

ARENA 22 [[Zero Two]] Kohiruimaki Karen(Llenn)
by >=1000
Over/Under: 24000
Over

ARENA 23 [[Misaka Mikoto]] Hatsune Miku
by >=1200
Over/Under: 26000
Over

ARENA 24 Kongō [[Hakurei Reimu]]
by >=1300
Over/Under: 26000
Over

Voter Id: 83d36166-afc8-522d-919e-59782db427b2

ISML 2018: Postseason Rumbles On...

ISML 2018: Postseason Rumbles On...

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
January 23, 2019

Match Day 3 of the 2018 International Saimoe League postseason is history. In the eliminations proper, Rem routed Kurisu Makise 11704-3971, Shiro defeated Shouko Nishimiya 8622-6519, Shouto Todoroki scored a 8079-5788 scalp of GIlgamesh and Riku Dola rocked Willem Kmetsch.

In Autumn Seasonal action, Mai Sakurajima emerged as a massive favorite to win the title with a 9911-4360 rout of Mimo MInamoto. Alice Zuberg defeated Hasuki Komai 7769-6094, High Elf Archer prevailed over Yuu Koito 6467-5562, Kaede Azusagawa defeated Erza Scarlet 7226-6541, Juliet Persia prevailed over Itsuwa 7008-6260, Rikka Takarada won a 6986-6654 barnburner over Asagi Kazano, Sakura Minamoto romped past Jeanne d'Arc 7269-6297, Index L. Prohibitorum trounced Shizue Izawa 7261-6465, Priestess drubbed Sophie Twilight 7056-6534, Hitomi Tsukishiro rolled past Arthur Danchou 6022-5583, Rio Futaba defeated Nozomi Kasaki 6990-6663 and Mizore Yoroizuka dominated Ai Mizuno 7409-6458.

In other ISML action, Emilia thrashed Shinka Nibutani 8517-5492, Taiga Aisaka roared past Tamako Kitashirakawa 7586-6722, Tomoyo Daidouji prevailed over Mirai Kuriyama 7163-6971, Yuki Nagato scored the Upset of the Round, a 7208-6962 scalp of Nao Tomori, Taki Tachibana defeated Izuku Midoriya 6927-6687, Shouya Ishida won the closest race of the round, a 6569-6552 thriller over Kyon, Kazuma Satou whipped past Itachi Uchiha 7021-6421 and Edward Elric eased past Ken Kaneki 6892-6709.

Match Day 4 of the 2019 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for January 24, 2019. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

ISML 2018: Rikka Takarada On The Right Foot

ISML 2018: Rikka Takarada On The Right Foot

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
January 18, 2019

Match Day 2 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason has concluded. In eliminations action, Yukino Yukinoshita eased past Sakura Kinomoto 18113-13076, Chtholly Nota Seniorious scored the Upset of the Round, a 17285-15816 scalp of Illyasviel von Einzbern, Nagisa Shiota won a 14449-14362 nailbiter over Saitana and Rintarou Okabe defeated Kusuo Saiki 15089-13405.

In Autumn Seasonal action, Rikka Takarada got on the right track with a 16287-12433 victory over Asuka Tsuchimiya. Her counterpart, Akane Shinjou, was not so lucky, going out with a whimper in a 15692-13154 defeat to Sakura Minamoto.

In other seasonal results, Mai Sakurajima, another contender for the title, throttled Beelzebub 17792-11599, Alice Zuberg rolled past Suzuka Bagami 15961-12603, Yuu Koito defeated Kotetsu Tatejima 14357-13722, Kaede Azusagawa mowed down Misha Takanashi 15389-13434, Juliet Persia whipped past Yuuna Hanazawa 13728-12828, Index Librorum Prohibitorum pummeled Trish Una 15513-13321, Priestess pummeled Mayoi Ayasato 15104-13321, Touko Nanami won a 14325-13872 barnburner over Hitomi Tsukishiro, Rio Futaba got past Tae Hongou 15196-13012 and Mizore Yoroizuka cruised past Merc 14233-12459.

In other ISML action, Azusa Nakano romped past Utaha Kasumigaoka 15294-14074, Megumin exploded past Reina Kousaka 15280-14328, Kiritsugu Emiya hounded Yato 14559-14270 and Li Syaoran won the Closest Race of the Round, a 14383-14310 thriller over Karma Akabane.

Finally, in other exhibition action, Mahiru Tsuyuzaki defeated Special Week 14351-13973, Mikoto Misaka routed Pikachu 19191-11117, Miku Hatsune thrashed YoRHa No.2 Type B 15640-13405 and Atago outgunned WA2000 14244-13783.

Match Day 3 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for January 20, 2019. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 2

ARENA 1 Kinomoto Sakura [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by >=500
Over/Under: 45000
Over

ARENA 2 Chtholly Nota Seniorious [[Illyasviel von Einzbern]]
by <=300
Over/Under: 45000
Over

ARENA 3 [[Shiota Nagisa]] Saitama
by >=500
Over/Under: 45000
Under

ARENA 4 [[Okabe Rintarō]] Saiki Kusuo
by <=700
Over/Under: 45000
Under

ARENA 5 Beelzebub [[Sakurajima Mai]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 6 [[Nagami Suzuka]] Alice Zuberg
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 7 Koito Yū [[Tatejima Kotetsu]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 8 Takanashi Misha [[Azusagawa Kaede]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 9 Hanazawa Yūna [[Juliet Persia]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 40000
Over

ARENA 10 [[Takarada Rikka]] Tsuchimiya Asuka
by >=1300
Over/Under: 45000
Over

ARENA 11 Shinjō Akane [[Minamoto Sakura]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 12 [[Index L. Prohibitorum]] Trish Una
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 13 Ayasato Mayoi (Maya Fey) [[Priestess]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 14 Nanami Tōko [[Tsukishiro Hitomi]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 15 [[Futaba Rio]] Hongō Tae
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 16 Merc [[Yoroizuka Mizore]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 46000
Under

ARENA 17 [[Kasumigaoka Utaha]] Nakano Azusa
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 18 Kōsaka Reina [[Megumin]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 19 [[Emiya Kiritsugu]] Yato
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 20 Li Syaoran [[Akabane Karma]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 21 Tsuyuzaki Mahiru [[Special Week]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 22 Pikachu [[Misaka Mikoto]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 23 [[Hatsune Miku]] YoRHa No.2 Type B
by >=600
Over/Under: 42000
Over

ARENA 24 [[Atago]] WA2000
by <=1000
Over/Under: 40000
Under

Voter Id: 5954b3bf-13be-5781-b71c-694c98240561

ISML 2018: Postseason Officially Begins

ISML 2018: Postseason Officially Begins

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
January 16, 2019

The expectation was for the turnout on Postseason Match Day 1 of the 2018 International Saimoe League to reach 80-90,000 unique voters. As it turns out, it was less than that. Still, some very good races too place. In the eliminations main draw, Kamui Kanna defeated Sagiri Izumi 20263, Rikka Takanashi scored a 22251-13135 scalp of Rin Tohsaka, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Astolfo 25960-9928 and Shirou Emiya prevailed over Kiyotaka Ayanokouji 16982-16613.

The Autumn Seasonal also got underway in action there, Momo Minamoto defeated Beelzebub 15176-14642, Hasuki Komai eased past Suzuka Nagami 15577-15358, High Elf Archer shot past Kotetsu Tatejima 18152-12926, Erza Scarlet defeated Misha Takahashi 15758-15395, Itsuwa rolled past Yuuna Hanezawa 17020-15033, Asagi Kazano won the closest race of the round, a 15491-15486 barnburner over Asuka Tsuchimiya, Jeanne d'Arc scored the Upset of the Round, a 16245-15416 shocker over Akane Shinjou, Shizue Izawa defeated Trish Una 16143-15293, Sophia Twilight whipped past Mayoi Ayasato 15700-15432, Arthur Danchou rumbled past Touko Nanami 15876-15138, Nozomi Kasaki cruised past Tae Hongou 15293-12814 and Ai Mizuno, a serious challenger to Rikka Takarada's ambitions of claiming this seasonal, routed Merc 19168-12429.

In other ISML action, Chiyo Sakura outgunned Kurumi Tokisaki 17586-17297, Schwi Dola defeated Yui Yuigahama 14674-13883, Ainz Ooal Gown trounced Izaya Orihara 16143-14636 and Conan Edogawa eased past Eren Yeager 16469-15789.

In exhibition action, μ prevailed over Mei Aihara 15459-15128, Ginko Sora thundered past Aoi Yukimura 18371-14155 and Ai Yashajin won a 16314-16271 barnburner over Teresa Wagner.

Match Day 2 of the 2018 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for January 16, 2019. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2018 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 1

ARENA 1 [[Kanna Kamui]] Izumi Sagiri
by >=400
Over/Under: 90000
Over

ARENA 2 Takanashi Rikka [[Tōsaka Rin]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 90000
Over

ARENA 3 [[Hikigaya Hachiman]] Astolfo
by >=1300
Over/Under: 90000
Under

ARENA 4 [[Ayanokōji Kiyotaka]] Emiya Shirō
by <=500
Over/Under: 90000
Under

ARENA 5 Beelzebub [[Minamoto Momo]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 6 Komai Hasuki [[Nagami Suzuka]]
by >=500
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 7 Tatejima Kotetsu [[High Elf Archer]]
by >=700
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 8 Takanashi Misha [[Erza Scarlet]]
by <=900
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 9 Hanazawa Yūna [[Itsuwa]]
by <=500
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 10 [[Tsuchimiya Asuka]] Kazano Asagi
by >=300
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 11 Jeanne d’Arc [[Shinjō Akane]]
by >=1500
Over/Under: 85000
Over

ARENA 12 Trish Una [[Izawa Shizue]]
by >=1000
Over/Under: 80000
Over

ARENA 13 Ayasato Mayoi (Maya Fey) [[Sophie Twilight]]
by >=900
Over/Under: 81000
Over

ARENA 14 [[Danchō Arthur]] Nanami Tōko
by <=600
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 15 Hongō Tae [[Kasaki Nozomi]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 16 Mizuno Ai [[Merc]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 80000
Under

ARENA 17 Sakura Chiyo [[Tokisaki Kurumi]]
by <=1200
Over/Under: 87000
Over

ARENA 18 [[Schwi Dola]] Yuigahama Yui
by >=500
Over/Under: 87000
Over

ARENA 19 Orihara Izaya [[Ainz Ooal Gown]]
by >=800
Over/Under: 88000
Over

ARENA 20 Edogawa Conan [[Eren Yeager]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 87000
Under

ARENA 21 [[Hinatsuru Ai]] Hanasaka Yui
by >=300
Over/Under: 85000
Over

ARENA 22 [[μ]] Aihara Mei
by >=800
Over/Under: 86000
Over

ARENA 23 [[Sora Ginko]] Yukimura Aoi
by <=500
Over/Under: 85000
Over

ARENA 24 [[Teresa Wagner]] Yashajin Ai
by <=600
Over/Under: 85000
Over

Voter Id: 9df4c36f-abe5-5d7f-a67e-a6e62a7cf8d8

Clemson: 2018 NCAA Division I FBS National Champions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- With stunning ease -- and a freshman quarterback -- Clemson toppled college football's greatest dynasty again to become the first perfect playoff champion.

Trevor Lawrence passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns and the second-ranked Tigers beat No. 1 Alabama 44-16 on Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

In the fourth consecutive playoff meeting between the Tigers and Tide, Clemson evened the series and beat `Bama for the national championship for the second time in three seasons. Clemson is the first team in the AP poll era, dating back to 1936, to finish 15-0.

"We're gonna enjoy this one. We've got a nice spot to put it in our facility, right next to that other one," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "We've got twins!"

Alabama coach Nick Saban and the Tide (14-1) were looking for a sixth national championship in 10 years, trying to add to an already unprecedented run in the sport. Instead, Clemson crushed Alabama, becoming the first opponent to beat the Tide by more than 14 points since Saban became coach in 2007.

Swinney's Tigers sealed their status as a superpower, no longer just 1A to Alabama's 1.

"We're 15-0, we beat the best team ever, nobody's taking that away from us," Clemson All-America defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said.

Two seasons ago it was Deshaun Watson dethroning the Tide with a last-second touchdown pass. Clemson's new star quarterback didn't need the late-game heroics. The long-haired Lawrence cut though Alabama's defense with the help of another fabulous freshman. Justyn Ross made a juggling grab, a one-handed snare and broke a 74-yard touchdown about midway through the third quarter that made it 37-16 and had Swinney high-stepping down the sidelines.

Ross, who scored two touchdowns in the semifinal rout of Notre Dame, had six catches for 153 yards against his home-state team.

Swinney takes a different approach than Saban, running a more fun-loving program than Alabama's all-business organization. But the results have been every bit as good. And on Monday night at Levi's Stadium, in a championship game played more than 2,000 miles away from Clemson's South Carolina campus, the Tigers were way too much for an Alabama team that had spent the season mauling its opposition by an average of 31 points per game.

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa threw two crucial interceptions in the first half, the first returned 44 yards for a touchdown by A.J. Terrell to put Clemson up 7-0. The Tide came in scoring 48 points per game, but were shut out over the final 44 minutes by an opportunistic Clemson defense that stiffened in key spots.

Tagovailoa, the sophomore who came off the bench to win the championship game last year for the Tide, went 22 for 34 for 295 yards and two touchdowns.

"Good is not good enough," Tagovailoa said.

The Heisman runner-up was also the second-best quarterback on the field in the championship game. Lawrence finished 20 for 32, but went 18 for 25 for 277 yards over the final three quarters.

The teenager who took over as the starter four games into the season raised the Tigers' play, giving them an explosive offense to match a suffocating defense that was led by a star-studded line with All-Americans Clelin Ferrell and Wilkins.

"It's been an awesome journey," Lawrence said. "It's really unbelievable."

Texas A&M: 2018 Gator Bowl Champions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Trayveon Williams strolled around the field, his white pants covered in dirt and grass stains, his Gator Bowl hat turned sideways and his MVP trophy secured tightly in his left hand.

He posed for pictures, hugged teammates and friends, and blew kisses to the crowd.

It sure looked like a farewell party.

Williams ran for 236 yards and three touchdowns, smashing a 30-year-old school record and carrying No. 21 Texas A&M to a 52-13 victory against North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl on Monday night.

The Aggies (No. 19 CFP) ended 2018 with a four-game winning streak and broke a three-game postseason skid. It was the first bowl victory for most of Texas A&M's roster, including Williams.

It also capped an impressive inaugural season for coach Jimbo Fisher in Aggieland.

"The most important thing is we got that bowl win, that bowl win that we've been missing out on the last four or five seasons," Williams said. "We got that. We're definitely molding and showing this program is going in a new direction."

Williams earned MVP honors, a potential final curtain call for his college career. The junior is expected to leave school early and enter the NFL draft.

He said afterward he's still contemplating his future, but no one could blame him for turning pro after the way he closed out the season.

Williams ran for 829 yards and eight scores during Texas A&M's final four games, all wins. His performance against the Wolfpack gave him 1,760 yards for the season, topping Darren Lewis' previous Texas A&M mark of 1,692 set in 1988.

Williams had 61 yards rushing in the first half and then got rolling in the third quarter. He carried five times for 82 yards on one drive, including a 17-yard touchdown run . He topped that with a 93-yard scoring run on Texas A&M's ensuing drive.

His longest scamper broke the previous Gator Bowl record of 216 yards rushing set by Syracuse's Floyd Little in 1966 against Tennessee.

"It was a special moment," Williams said.

Texas A&M's Kellen Mond completed 14 of 26 passes for 140 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Mond also ran five times for 85 yards and a score. Kendrick Rogers made a leaping, 6-yard catch in the back of the end zone to help Mond.

Little went right for the Wolfpack, which was trying to get to double-digit wins for the second time in school history. North Carolina State finished with 273 yards and went 0 for 13 on third down.

"It's on all of us," coach Dave Doeren said. "It's not the players' fault. It's not the coaches' fault. It's all of our faults, and we own it that way. Bottom line is they played better than we did, They coached better than we did, and I'll own that."

Ryan Finley, a senior playing his final game, completed 19 of 32 passes for 139 yards. He threw a touchdown passes and two interceptions. Tyrel Dodson returned one of the picks 78 yards for a score early in the third quarter, a play that turned a close game into a two-touchdown advantage.

Finley also was sacked twice before getting pulled in the fourth quarter. Doeren clearly wanted to protect Finley, who's expected to be an early round pick in the NFL draft in April.

It certainly didn't help that NC State played without two of its best players, including the team's leading tackler. Receiver Kelvin Harmon and linebacker Germaine Pratt skipped the bowl to protect their NFL draft stocks.

It's unlikely Pratt could have done enough to make a difference against Williams, who averaged 12.4 yards on 19 carries against a defense that allowed 109.1 yards a game all season.

"You give him enough touches, great things are going to happen in every phase of the game," Fisher said. "That's what great players do."

THE TAKEAWAY

North Carolina State: The Wolfpack failed to get a third straight postseason win. It was a disappointing finale after ending the regular season with three consecutive wins, but still proof that Doeren has the program headed in the right direction.

Texas A&M: The Aggies have one of the youngest rosters in the Southeastern Conference and have enough talent to challenge Alabama in the coming years.

CROWD CONTROL

The game drew 38,206, the bowl's smallest crowd since 1952.

UP NEXT

North Carolina State will have to replace Finley, Harmon, Pratt and three starters on one of the nation's best offensive lines.

Texas A&M has one of the county's most challenging schedules in 2019, a slate that includes Alabama and road games against Clemson, Georgia and LSU.

Northwestern: 2018 Holiday Bowl Champions

SAN DIEGO -- A cold, hard rain in normally warm, dry San Diego made the Northwestern Wildcats feel right at home, especially as they enjoyed a downpour of Utah turnovers in the Holiday Bowl.

In a dizzying nine-minute stretch of the third quarter, the Wildcats turned three turnovers into 21 points to stun the No. 20 Utes 31-20 Monday night.

The highlight was Jared McGee's 82-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the middle turnover in the nightmarish stretch for Utah.

"Did I think we were going to be able to create that amount of turnovers?" coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "I love San Diego but man I love it when it rains on game day. That was sweet because I think it played a really big factor. It was raining a little bit harder coming out of halftime than it was before the half and I think that played a role in the game."

The Wildcats (9-5) scored 28 points total in the third quarter to win their third straight bowl game under Fitzgerald. The Green Bay Packers reportedly want to interview Fitzgerald for their head coaching job.

Fitzgerald credited the seniors for winning 36 games in four seasons and gushed about the program's future.

"They have set the bar now at a whole new level for our program and we couldn't be more excited about our future," he said.

Asked about his own future, he said: "Hashtag GoCats, man. I'm not going anywhere. This is home forever. Listen, these are my guys. ... I'm a Wildcat for life. I'm so thankful for these guys. ... We're just getting started."

Senior Clayton Thorson became the all-time leading passer for Northwestern, going 21 of 30 for 241 yards for 10,731 career yards. He broke Brett Basanez's school record of 10,580. Thorson threw for two touchdowns and was intercepted once in making his 53rd straight start for the Wildcats, the most by a quarterback in Big Ten history. He is the program's all-time winningest quarterback at 36-17. He was replaced after taking a hard shot midway through the fourth quarter, but came back in.

Utah (9-5) cruised to a 20-3 halftime lead behind redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Shelley before it all fell apart in the third quarter. Shelley had two interceptions and a fumble. Utah had four turnovers in the third quarter and five in the second half.

On the opening drive of the second half, Shelley threw the ball right to Northwestern's Blake Gallagher. Thorson's 52-yard pass to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman set up his 4-yard scoring toss to Riley Lees.

"We talked at halftime about, get a stop, get a score, seize momentum," Fitzgerald said. "The credit goes to our guys. They were resilient all year. Today was indicative of our team."

The Utes had the ball first-and-goal at the 6 when Shelley rolled right, was hit from behind by Joe Gaziano and fumbled. McGee picked it up on the third bounce and ran down the sideline untouched for an 82-yard return that pulled the Wildcats to 20-17.

"I definitely can't take credit for anything that happened on that play other than running with the ball," McGee said.

The Utes advanced to the 30 and looked like they had enough for a first down on a catch by Jaylen Dixon, but he was stripped by Trae Williams. JR Pace recovered and returned it 34 yards. Two plays later, Northwestern took a 24-20 lead when Thorson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior offensive lineman Trey Klock, a key player in goal line and short-yardage situations.

Northwestern added another touchdown in the third quarter when Lees scored from 8 yards out for a 31-20 lead.

Pace had a second interception in the third quarter, on a deflected pass.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the second half was a nightmare.

"I've been coaching a long time and I don't think I've ever been a part of third quarter like that," he said. "We had complete control of the game at halftime and we came out in second half and proceded to turn the ball over five times. ... You turn the ball over like that and you win almost never."

Shelley was making his fourth start in place of Tyler Huntley, who broke his collarbone against Arizona State on Nov. 3. Also out were leading rusher Zack Moss, leading receiver Britain Covey and leading tackler Chase Hansen, a senior.

Shelley threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Dixon and a 4-yarder to tight end Jake Jackson, both in the first quarter.

Utah lost for the just the second time in its last 16 bowls dating to 1999. Whittingham's bowl record dropped to 11-2. He was trying to become the first to win the Holiday Bowl as a player and coach. He played in the first four Holiday Bowls with BYU, going 2-2. He was inducted into the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009.

THE TAKEAWAY

Northwestern: The Wildcats had minus-6 yards rushing at halftime and didn't get into positive until late in the third quarter.

Utah: Shelley was impressive with his passing and his scrambling until running into trouble in the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Northwestern: The Wildcats will have to replace Thorson, who leaves with a legacy as the most productive quarterback in program history. The Wildcats will be back on the West Coast to open the 2019 season at Stanford on Aug. 31.

Utah: After winning their first Pac-12 South title, the Utes will look for more in 2019, if they can stay healthy. They'll get Moss and Covey back, and there could be a spirited QB competition between Huntley and Shelley. The Utes open the 2019 season with their rivalry game against BYU, at Provo on Aug. 29.

Oklahoma State: 2018 Liberty Bowl Champions

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- In a story Monday about the Liberty Bowl, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Oklahoma State set a Liberty Bowl record by gaining 637 total yards. Missouri gained 637 total yards to set the record.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Oklahoma State edges No. 24 Missouri 38-33 in Liberty Bowl

Oklahoma State hangs on to beat No. 24 Missouri 38-33 in Liberty Bowl

By STEVE MEGARGEE

AP Sports Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Oklahoma State hung on for dear life to win a Big 12-style Liberty Bowl against its former conference rival.

Taylor Cornelius tied a Liberty Bowl record with four touchdown passes and Kolby Peel made a critical fourth-down stop with 1:01 left as the Cowboys upset No. 24 Missouri 38-33 on Monday.

The teams combined for 1,139 total yards in the type of game that the Big 12's high-powered offenses produce on most autumn Saturdays. Missouri left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference in 2012.

"(It was) like a lot of games that we play in our conference," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. "As I said on the press conference a few days ago, Missouri would fit right in. It ended up being somewhat of a shootout, and the defense made a play at the end."

Missouri (8-5) faced fourth-and-1 from Oklahoma State's 9-yard line when quarterback Drew Lock attempted a keeper around the right end. Peel, a freshman, made a diving ankle tackle that stopped Lock short of the first-down marker.

"It's a game of inches, we all talk about it and know it," Missouri coach Barry Odom said. "I wouldn't want the ball in anybody else's hand besides No. 3 for the Mizzou Tigers (Lock)."

That allowed Oklahoma State (7-6) to survive a game it had led 35-19 heading into the fourth quarter. The Cowboys snapped Missouri's four-game winning streak and avoided their first losing season since 2005, the first year of Gundy's tenure.

Cornelius, a fifth-year senior and former walk-on, went 26 of 44. His four touchdown passes tied a record set four previous times in the Liberty Bowl's 60-year history.

"It's a great feeling to just go out on top," Cornelius said. "As long as we get the win, that's all that matters to me. I don't care about the record."

Cornelius also threw two interceptions to Cam Hilton that sparked Missouri's comeback try. Both interceptions led to Missouri touchdowns -- an 86-yard completion from Lock to Memphis resident Johnathon Johnson and a 55-yard run by Larry Rountree III.

Rountree ran for 204 yards and Johnson caught nine passes for 185 yards. Lock was 23 of 38 for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Chuba Hubbard rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown for Oklahoma State. Tyron Johnson had seven catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Missouri wasted two chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma State was clinging to a 35-33 lead when Mike Scott blocked Tucker McCann's 42-yard field goal attempt with 9:22 left.

Matt Ammendola kicked a 27-yard field goal that extended Oklahoma State's lead to 38-33 before Peel's tackle sealed the win.

BIG PICTURE

Missouri: This marks the second straight year that Missouri has lost a bowl game after a late-season surge. Last year, Missouri won its final six regular-season games but followed that up with a 33-16 loss Texas Bowl loss to Texas.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys entered the game ranked 99th in total defense and tied for 96th in scoring defense, but that beleaguered unit delivered when it mattered most. Oklahoma State is 6-1 in its last seven games against teams in the Top 25, and Gundy owns a 9-4 bowl record.

PUZZLING MOVES

Oklahoma State was clinging to a 35-33 lead when the Cowboys made an unsuccessful fake punt attempt on fourth-and-8 from their own 27. Oklahoma State stayed ahead only after blocking a field-goal attempt.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Missouri made a curious move of its own by calling a timeout after scoring a touchdown to cut Oklahoma State's lead to 35-25. After burning the timeout, Missouri chose to kick an extra point to make it 35-26 rather than attempting a two-point conversion.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Missouri's hopes of ending a season ranked for the first time since 2014 are likely dashed.

RECORD PERFORMANCES

The four previous Liberty Bowl players to four touchdown passes were Purdue's Mark Herrmann (also against Missouri) in 1980, Illinois' Johnny Johnson in 1994, South Carolina's Blake Mitchell in 2006 and Texas A&M's Kyle Allen in 2014.

Missouri's 637 total yards also set a Liberty Bowl record.

SHORT-HANDED

Oklahoma State's offense was missing leading rusher Justice Hill and guard Larry Williams, who sat out the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. Its defense lost cornerbacks Rodarius Williams and Kemah Siverand to targeting penalties -- Williams in the first quarter and Siverand early in the fourth period -- and safety Malcolm Rodriguez to a second-quarter injury.

Missouri played without injured running back Damarea Crockett and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. The Tigers also lost receiver Emanuel Hall to an injury after he caught two passes for 72 yards.

NEXT UP

Missouri has Clemson graduate transfer Kelly Bryant ready to take over for Lock, the Tigers' starting quarterback the last four seasons. The Tigers open the 2019 season Aug. 31 at Wyoming.

Oklahoma State also will break in a new starting quarterback. The Cowboys begin the 2019 season Aug. 30 at Oregon State.

Oregon: 2018 Redbox Bowl Champions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Justin Herbert did just enough to keep his streak intact for consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Make it an impressive 28 and counting for Oregon's quarterback, the longest active streak in the nation among FBS schools.

That it turned out to be the Ducks lone score in their 7-6 win over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl only emphasized why coach Mario Cristobal was smiling after Herbert's decision earlier this month to bypass the NFL draft.

Herbert shook off a sluggish day and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell in the fourth quarter, and Oregon held on after Michigan State botched a field goal attempt for a 7-6 victory in the Redbox Bowl on Monday.

"We felt like it was going to be that kind of game just watching them on defense," Cristobal said. "We kept battling and battling. You take a victory whether it be one point, two points or 50 points. These guys found a way to get it done."

Herbert passed for 166 yards and extended his streak on a day when the Ducks' offense mostly sputtered.

"We kind of just shot ourselves in the foot the first few drives, and guys kind of settled down and making plays," Herbert said.

Oregon (9-4) crossed midfield only three times and couldn't get into the end zone until Herbert found Mitchell in the right front of the end zone for the deciding score. The Ducks' defense held up from there but got some help from Michigan State's special teams.

The Spartans were lined up for a 50-yard field goal attempt when quarterback Brian Lewerke, who doubles as the holder, bobbled the snap, then attempted to run before hurriedly throwing an incompletion near the sideline.

"It's one that I have to come up with," Lewerke said. "The ball kind of hit my hand on top of the ball. I tried to make something happen. That's what happens."

After Michigan State's defense forced a three-and-out on the following possession, the Spartans took over at their own 42, but Lewerke's long pass on 4th-and-12 was knocked down by Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham.

Lewerke completed 22 of 40 passes for 172 yards with one interception. It's the third time in four games that Michigan State (7-6) has failed to score a touchdown.

Running back LJ Scott ran for 84 yards on 24 carries, ending his injury-riddled season with the Spartans on a high note after being limited to five games. The senior running back declined to redshirt this year and declared for the NFL draft in early December.

Matt Goghlin kicked a pair of 34-yard field goals but he also missed one from 50.

"We never got that bust-out play," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "You're not going to win many games scoring six points."

It was Oregon's first bowl victory since beating Florida State in the 2015 Rose Bowl.

THE TAKEAWAY

Michigan State: The Spartans had more than enough on defense but as has been the case all season, the offense simply couldn't hold up its end of the bargain. Lewerke tried to get the passing game going and took several deep shots, but it was his scrambling that was most effective. The memory of the mistake on the field goal try in the fourth quarter will linger, but the Spartans' inability to get a sustained attack on offense was what ultimately did in Dantonio's team.

Oregon: Getting Cristobal a bowl win in his first season was big and should be a nice lift for the Ducks program. That they won when their offense was held to 25 points below its scoring average is also big. The victory is Oregon's third straight, which should build some momentum heading into the offseason.

DON'T GO HOME WITHOUT IT

Cristobal was forced to stop celebrating his team's win over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl when he noticed that his left hand was bare.

That started a frantic search that ultimately was unsuccessful -- almost.

"This is embarrassing," Cristobal said with a smile. "I thought I lost my wedding ring. It was in the locker room the whole time."

MITCHELL'S RECORD

Mitchell got off to a slow start before breaking out in the second half and finished with six catches for 70 yards. That was enough to set Oregon single-season record with 1,184 receiving yards. Josh Huff set the previous record of 1,140 yards in 2013.

"It was a goal of mine once it was brought to my attention," Mitchell said. "But I don't really think about it like that. I enjoyed the win more than anything."

WILLEKES BREAKS LEG

Michigan State played most of the second half without defensive end Kenny Willekes, who suffered a broken left fibula in the third quarter. Willekes led the Spartans with 8 1/2 sacks this season.

UP NEXT

Michigan State: The Spartans will have to find someone to take over for Scott, who went into the day 10th in school history for rushing yards. The good news is that a majority of the starters on both sides are returning, including Lewerke. Michigan State begins 2019 with a home game against Tulsa on Aug. 31.

Oregon: In addition to Herbert, nearly the entire defense is coming back next season as well, so the foundation is set for the Ducks, who open next season at Auburn on Aug. 31.