Boise State: 2017 Las Vegas Bowl Champions

LAS VEGAS -- Bryan Harsin didn't have to say anything.

Boise State had committed two turnovers that were returned for touchdowns in the final minute of the first half, turning a 24-0 rout in the making into a competitive 24-14 contest and allowing Oregon back into the game.

Without any special speech from their head coach, the Broncos regrouped and responded.

Cedrick Wilson caught 10 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, Kekaula Kaniho returned an interception 53 yards for a score and No. 25 Boise State beat Oregon 38-28 in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday.

"New slate. It's a whole different half. As far as we were concerned, it was 0-0," Broncos linebacker Leighton Vander Esch said.

Brett Rypien threw for 362 yards and two touchdown passes -- with two interceptions -- to help the Broncos (11-3) break a three-game losing streak against Power 5 opposition. Ryan Wolpin rushed for two touchdowns.

Troy Dye and Tyree Robinson each scored a defensive touchdown, and Justin Herbert was 26 of 36 passing for 233 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Ducks (7-6) in new head coach Mario Cristobal's debut.

Boise State forced four turnovers in the first half, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on Wolpin's 1-yard touchdown run and Rypien's 26-yard scoring pass to Wilson. Haden Hoggarth added a 39-yard field goal before an off-balance Herbert heaved a pass toward the sideline that was easily picked off and run back by Kaniho, who also had a strip-sack.

Oregon clawed back after Dye recovered a fumble on a botched Statue of Liberty handoff and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown with 37 seconds remaining.

A 65-yard reception by Wilson to set the Boise State single-season record for yards receiving got the Broncos right back in the red zone, but Robinson picked off Rypien's pass in the end zone and took it back 100 yards on the longest interception return in school history with 7 seconds remaining to make it 24-14.

If not for those defensive scores, the full extent of Boise State's dominance would have been evident. The Broncos outgained the Ducks 294-77 in the first half and reached Ducks' territory on 10 of 15 meaningful possessions in the game. They held Oregon to 47 yards rushing and 1.7 yards per carry, recording nine tackles for loss with four sacks while outclassing their Pac-12 foe on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

"They are a great team, and we came out and we played some awesome football," said Vander Esch, who had 12 tackles, including three tackles for loss with one sack. "We didn't take any days off from the moment we won that Mountain West championship. We knew as soon as we won that we still had part of our goal left to go finish."

After Alec Dhaenens caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Rypien in the third quarter, the Ducks pulled back within 31-21 on a 24-yard scoring throw from Herbert to Brendan Schooler with 10:07 remaining.

Oregon had a chance to cut it to a one-possession game but Herbert was sacked near midfield, and Boise State drove 86 yards in 11 plays capped by Wolpin's second 1-yard touchdown run.

"I think a lot of teams would fold their tent when they're down 24-0 or things don't go their way," Cristobal said. "You look at the way they just kept fighting, scratching and clawing to make this thing a competitive game, to me, that's the positive."

THE TAKEAWAY

Boise State: The Broncos are still the class of the Mountain West. After being written off in September after losses to Washington State and Virginia, Boise State closed the season by winning nine of their last 10 games, including the conference title game and the conference's marquee bowl tie-in.

Oregon: The Ducks didn't exactly do much to back up their push for Cristobal's promotion to head coach. Oregon got pushed around on both lines of scrimmage and make plenty of ill-advised decisions, best exemplified by running back Tony Brooks-James throwing a ball at a defender in the third quarter to scuttle a promising drive.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

It wasn't a vintage season for Boise State, but the Broncos will finish ranked for the third time in the last six seasons. Oregon has plenty of work to do before making itself a regular in the top 25 again.

UP NEXT


Boise State: With 18 players that started the Las Vegas Bowl eligible to return next season, including all 11 defenders, the Broncos should be back in the mix to reach a New Year's 6 bowl game. An early road game at Oklahoma State will give a good indication of just how high Boise State's ceiling might be in Harsin's fifth season.

Oregon: A soft non-conference slate and favorable home schedule bodes well for Oregon's record in Cristobal's first season in change, but the Ducks need significant personnel upgrades over the long haul to compete in the loaded Pac-12 North.

Georgia State: 2017 Cure Bowl Champions

ORLANDO, Fla. -- From 0-12 to Cure Bowl champions in four years.

Georgia State's fledgling football program took a bow Saturday, celebrating a 27-17 victory over Western Kentucky -- the first postseason win in school history.

Conner Manning threw for 276 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (7-5), who had a winning record for the second time in the program's eight-year history and set a school record for victories in a season.

"I told them before we stepped on the field that the team that wanted this game the most was going to win," first-year coach Shawn Elliott said.

"There was no doubt in my mind that we were the team that wanted it and we were going to win it," Elliott added. "We're a bunch of misfit coaches and misfit players that learned how to work hard and fight every day."

The Panthers (7-5) started their program from scratch in 2010, going 6-5 as an FCS independent. They began the transition to FBS with a 1-10 record in 2012, then sank to a program-worst 0-12 the following year -- Georgia State's first in the Sun Belt Conference.

Saturday's appearance in the Cure Bowl was the team's second in three years. The Panthers lost to San Jose State 27-16 here in 2015, finishing 6-7.

"Coming into the year a lot of us believed we could have a special year," Manning said. "The new coaches brought a lot of energy, and we started this during the winter. We got to work early with the goal of being in this position."

Manning threw a 42-yard TD pass to Roger Carter, Demarcus Kirk scored on a 26-yard run, and Kyler Neal finished a 16-play drive consuming nine minutes of the fourth quarter with a 1-yard TD run that put Georgia State up 27-10.

Mike White tossed TD passes of 54 and 4 yards to Deon Yelder, finishing with 351 yards -- the senior's eighth consecutive 300-yard game passing -- for Western Kentucky (6-7). Yelder had five receptions for 112 yards for the Hilltoppers.

Georgia State star Penny Hart, the Sun Belt Conference leading receiver, did not start and played sparingly because of an ankle injury. His lone reception -- for 27 yards midway through the third quarter -- came on the play before Manning threw his TD pass to Carter.

Western Kentucky finished with a losing record in their first season under coach Mike Sanford. The Hilltoppers also were denied in their bid to set a school record with four consecutive bowl wins.

"Today's game, honestly, it's been what's ailed us all year," Sanford said.

"We needed to identify opportunities to run the football, I thought we had some early opportunities but not enough," Sanford added. "That made us one dimensional and more difficult to throw the football. To win championships we have to run the ball effectively, and we didn't do that."

FAREWELL

White finished 26 of 39 passing and threw an interception on the final play of his career. He also lost a fumble late in the second quarter.

It wasn't the way the Hilltoppers envisioned him finishing up.

"Mike is up there with some of the best (quarterbacks) that I've ever been around," Sanford said. "It's disappointing for Mike to not go out the way he deserves to go out."

SETTING THE TONE

Georgia State DE Mackendy Cheridor had two sacks in the opening half, sending a message to White that the Western Kentucky quarterback could be in for a long day. Chase Middleton, Hardrick Willis, Terry Thomas and Dontae Wilson also had sacks for the Panthers.

TARGETING

Western Kentucky defensive end Julien Lewis was penalized for roughing the passer early in the second quarter. Officials reviewed the play and determined the 6-foot-3, 300 -pound redshirt junior should be ejected for targeting.

THE TAKEAWAY

Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers won the Bahamas, Miami Beach and Boca Raton bowls the past three seasons, joining Clemson, Georgia, Louisiana Tech, Stanford, Utah, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin as the only team with bowl wins each of the past three years. The chances for a fourth straight win were hindered by three turnovers -- one of them on a trick play early in the fourth quarter -- and six sacks.

Georgia State: Playing in the Cure Bowl for the second time in three seasons is a nice accomplishment for an eight-year-old program. The Panthers finished fourth in the Sun Belt under first-year coach Shawn Elliott, but placed nine players on the league's all-conference team.

UP NEXT


Western Kentucky: The game was the last for 19 seniors, including White, who began his career at nearby South Florida. The class won 37 games -- second-most by the Hilltoppers as a FBS program. In addition to a new starting quarterback, there will be opportunities to shine at wide receiver, where departing seniors Nacarius Fant, Cameron Echols-Luper and Kylen Towner combined to catch 134 passes for 1,423 yards and 10 TDs this season.

Georgia State: Like Western Kentucky, the Panthers will try to build off this year's success with a new quarterback. Manning's successor will have some productive players to work with, beginning with Hart -a 5-foot-8, 180-pound sophomore who led the Sun Belt in receiving with 74 receptions for 1,121 yards and eight TDs.

Troy: 2017 New Orleans Bowl Champions

NEW ORLEANS -- When Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers glanced around the Superdome, his eyes would stop on the name of Archie Manning, who has become one of his mentors, or on spots in the stands where he's sat during games he attended as a fan.

During his next visit, he'll be able to look at spots on the field where he threw four touchdown passes, as well as the end zone where he ran for a short score, to help the Trojans beat North Texas 50-30 in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday.

"Just being on that field today is going to be one of my great memories for a long time," Silvers said.

Silvers, a former counselor at Manning's football camp, threw for 305 yards, completing 24 of 31 passes. The Orange Beach, Alabama, native was intercepted once on a deep throw, but that hardly mattered in a game controlled by Troy's defense, which produced five North Texas turnovers.

"Our ability to get pressure on quarterback was probably the difference," said Troy coach Neal Brown, who has presided over 21 victories in the past two seasons.

Josh Anderson, filling in for injured starter Jordan Chunn, rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns for Troy (11-2).

Two of Silvers' TD passes went to Damion Willis, whom Silvers targeted more than usual because of an early injury to receiver Deondre Douglas. Willis had 136 yards on a New Orleans Bowl-record-tying 11 catches.

"I hated that Deandre went down, but like coach said, you can't flinch," Willis said. "I didn't flinch today."

Mason Fine passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns for North Texas (9-5), but was intercepted twice and fumbled twice. He finished with Mean Green single-season records of 4,052 yards and 31 TDs passing.

"Their font seven- that defensive line -- gave me fits all day," Fine said. "We never got in a rhythm. We never got comfortable."

The Trojans were threatening to take a three-touchdown lead in the second quarter when a bad snap sailed over Silvers' head and linebacker Colton McDonald scooped it for a 56-yard fumble return to make it 22-13. Fine later found Michael Lawrence for a 13-yard TD on a diving catch near the sideline, making it 22-20.

But early in the third quarter, Fine's short pass was deflected back to linebacker Hunter Reese, whose interception set up Silvers' keeper to make it 29-20.

Troy widened the lead when Silvers rifled a 59-yard TD pass down the middle to Tevaris McCormick, who had 107 yards on five catches.

Troy raced to a 15-0 lead, starting with Anderson's 1-yard run before converting Fine's first fumble -- forced by defensive tackle Jamal Stadom -- into Anderson's 2-yard touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Troy: The Trojans received one vote in the last AP Poll, but might get more after arguably the greatest season in program history. One of the Trojans' 11 victories came on the road against, No. 16 LSU, which has a chance to finish with 10 wins.

North Texas: The Mean Green's struggles on defense this season meant its offense would need a clean, efficient performance. Instead, UNT was turnover-prone and struggled to protect Fine. Missing injured top rusher Jeffery Wilson only made matters worse as UNT had minus-8 yards rushing.

BATTERED

Fine was hit often and sacked six times, sometimes getting up slowly and limping -- but never leaving the game.

"Everybody who watched the game understands how tough he is," UNT coach Seth Littrell said. "He's not going to quit on his teammates. That's why he's so respected in our locker room."

Troy's sacks were split among six players.

"There's not a dominant guy on our defense because everybody makes plays," Stadom said.

DIVERGENT FORTUNES

A lingering knee injury denied senior Troy running back Jordan Chunn a chance to set a Sun Belt Conference career record for touchdowns rushing.

Troy did not reveal until kickoff that Chunn was unable to return from his Dec. 2 injury against Arkansas State.


Chunn has 47 career rushing TDs, one short of the league-record set by Tyrell Fenroy of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2008.

Chunn's absence, meanwhile, produced the first 100-yard day for Anderson, a fellow senior.

"I don't think you could really go out any (better) way," Anderson said.

UP NEXT

Troy's offense will have to move forward without Silvers and Chunn. Their replacements will debut in Troy's 2018 opener on Sept. 1 at home against Boise State.

North Texas has a relatively young squad with only a handful of senior starters. UNT will have to replace starters at safety, defensive end, linebacker and right tackle. North Texas opens 2018 at home on Sept. 1 vs. SMU.

North Carolina A&T: 2017 Celebration Bowl Champions

The 2017 Celebration Bowl must have felt like deja vu all over again for North Carolina A&T quarterback Lamar Raynard and running back Marquell Cartwright. Four years ago, when Cartwright and Raynard were at High Point Andrews, this same situation played out.

Raynard, who threw a 38-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 remaining for his high school’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-AA title game, ran the ball in from 1 yard out to give the Aggies a 21-14 win over Grambling State on Saturday.

While Cartwright, who was awarded MVP honors in that state title game, won the Celebration Bowl’s Offensive Player of the Game award thanks to one rushing touchdown, one passing touchdown and 110 yards on the ground.

“We started together playing together in ninth grade,” Raynard said. “We decided to come to college together because we thought that we could do really great together. I just want to tip my hat to this guy, because they really tried to take the game away from my boy, and he came back and fought even harder. People who doubted him they said after Tariq left, we weren’t going to have a running game. … This guy right here, that’s my brother. We stay right down the street from each other. It’s a lot I could say. I’m going to keep it short, but I love him.”

It’s official. North Carolina A&T is no longer up-and-coming. The Aggies are a certified college football name brand. And they’re not taking a back seat to anybody. Anymore. Ever.

They came into Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking for respect as they prepared to battle the perennial historically black college football powerhouse Grambling. Now N.C. A&T will be heading back to Greensboro, North Carolina, as the Celebration Bowl champion for the second time in three years.

Raynard, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year, was responsible for two more touchdowns in the Celebration Bowl, bringing his season total to 31 with multiple touchdowns in 10 of 12 games this season.

In winning the third annual Celebration Bowl and historically black college and university (HBCU) national championship, the Aggies also became the first MEAC football team to finish its season undefeated at 12-0. N.C. A&T did it twice before, but that was before the creation of the MEAC.

While Raynard scored the points that would ultimately put the team over the hump in a game they led from start to finish, it was Cartwright who carried N.C. A&T for much of the game. His receiving touchdown opened up the scoring and his touchdown on the ground were the only two scores the team had until 38 seconds remained in the game and Raynard found the end zone.

Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs must not have known how wise and insightful his answer was when he explained that the Tigers and N.C. A&T are essentially mirrors of each other’s program.

“I really didn’t [have any doubts.] I didn’t get very nervous today,” N.C. A&T coach Rod Broadway said. “I knew we was playing an outstanding football team, but I also knew we had an outstanding football team. We could’ve separated a little bit, if we had been a little bit better in the kicking game.”

Anything the Aggies did, Grambling State did almost the same thing and vice versa. The Tigers bench erupted when N.C. A&T’s Raynard threw an interception to Grambling’s De’Andre Hogues as the Aggies began to sniff Grambling’s red zone.

That euphoria lasted maybe a minute at most, as Tigers running back Martez Carter coughed up the ball following an eight-yard reception and N.C. A&T went right back into business from the Grambling 25. Five plays later and with 4:58 left in the half, fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium finally saw their first score of the game.

Three minutes and 15 seconds later, Fobbs’ team finally got itself on the board thanks to Kincade finding Jordan Jones for a two-yard touchdown pass to tie it up just before the half.

The Aggies worked themselves down the field with 2 seconds to spare for a field goal attempt, but the Grambling front blocked the kick. Similarly, the Tigers made their way into the Aggies red zone on their first drive of the second half, but a poorly placed Kincade pass was intercepted by Franklin McCain III in spectacular, one-hand, one-toe inbounds fashion.

The one thing both teams stressed was that the team who made the fewest mistakes was going to win the game. While Grambling finished with three turnovers, N.C. A&T ended the game with two, and a pair of missed field goals.

What this game truly came down to was who was going to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them, and without question that was the Aggies. One doesn’t have to love the Aggies. They don’t even care if y’all like them.

However, after this Celebration Bowl victory, y’all will respect them.

N.C. A&T had more success running between the tackles Saturday, averaging 2.3 yards before contact per rush. The Aggies’ Cartwright had more yards between the tackles (57) than Grambling had as a team.

Designed rushes inside tackles

GRAMBLING … N.C. A&T

Rushes 13 … 25

Yards 44 … 87

YBC per rush 0.9 … 2.3

Touchdowns 0 … 2

Grambling committed three turnovers Saturday, allowing 14 points off those turnovers. The Tigers entered the game having committed 10 turnovers all season, tied for third-fewest in the FCS.
Turnover comparison

GRAMBLING N.C. A&T

Turnovers 3 … 2

Opp Pts off TOs 14 … 0

N.C. A&T averages 10.6 points a game off turnovers

Texas A&M Commerce - 2017 NCAA Division II Football National Champions

KANSAS CITY — The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lion football team won their first NCAA National Championship in school history Saturday night with a 37-27 victory over the West Florida Argonauts.

The title makes A&M-Commerce only the second team to win football national titles in both the NAIA and NCAA.

The Lions were backed by a raucous crowd at Children’s Mercy Park as they took the lead early with a 50-yard catch-and-run by Shawn Hooks in his first action in multiple weeks. The Argos did answer late in the first, but were burned on the ensuing kickoff as Reggie Kincade showcased his sprinting talents with a 99-yard touchdown return. After a pair of Kristov Martinez field goals, West Florida climbed back into close contention with a score in the game’s final minute, leaving the Lions with a 20-14 lead at halftime.

A&M-Commerce began to take control in the second half and stretched their lead to as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter. The Argonauts launched a solid comeback effort with a score in the final five minutes, but the Lions defense prevailed and the teal closed out their first NCAA National Championship in school history.

Argos’ quarterback Mike Beaudry was put under immense pressure all night, and was sacked five times by the Lion defense. He completed 22 of 48 passes for one score and one interception. Receiver Antoine Griffin hauled in eight of those passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. West Florida struggled on the ground, with Chris Schwarz gaining 45 yards on 14 carries, but he also found the end zone twice.

Harlon Hill-winner Perez completed 23 of 30 passes for 323 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Perez becomes the first quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in a national championship game since 2005. E. J. Thompson gained 110 yards on 21 carries to go with a score. Martinez converted three field goals in the game, which tied a record for most made in a championship game. Martinez also tied the Lone Star Conference record for most field goals made in a season with 24. The Lions overcame four turnovers to win the contest.

The Lions finish off the season at 14-1, the most wins in any single season in A&M-Commerce football history.

Mount Union: 2017 NCAA Division III Football National Champions

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mount Union Purple Raiders capped a memorable season by winning the NCAA Division III football national championship on Friday with a 12-0 victory over defending champion Mary Hardin-Baylor in the final Stagg Bowl game in Salem, Virginia.

The championship was the 13th for Mount Union in 20 Stagg Bowl championship appearances. So winning the final in Salem was special to the Raiders.

"It's really special," Mount Union coach Vince Kehres said after the game. "The people down here are so good to us. ... They're so friendly, so welcoming. This place does a great job of making it special for the teams here."

It was the second national title for Kehres, who took over for his father, Larry Kehres, five seasons ago.

Vince Kehres is now 70-4 since 2013 and led the Raiders to the national title game four times in his five seasons. No college coach has won more games since 2013 than the 70 by Kehres. He has been part of 12 of Mount Union's 13 national titles as either a player, assistant coach or head coach.

Making the season even more special, Larry Kehres was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame last week in New York after leading Mount to 11 national championships. Kehres had a 332-24-3 overall record with 23 OAC championships and his .929 winning percentage is the best among coaches at all levels of college football.

And earlier this week four Raiders were named to the Associated Press Little All-America Division III team: senior center Cole Parrish, senior linebacker Charlie Dear, senior defensive lineman Elijah Berry and sophomore wide receiver Justin Hill.

The Raiders finish the season at 15-0 and now own a 99-16 record in NCAA Playoff games. They have been in the tournament a record 29 times, including 26 consecutive years.

The loss snapped a 29-game winning streak for Mary Hardin-Baylor and evened the series with Mount at 2-2.

Mount Union tallied eight sacks and two interceptions while limiting the Crusaders (14-1) to 144 yards, 75 of which came in the first quarter.

Alex Louthan booted a 31-yard field goal, quarterback D'Angelo Fulford found Hill for a 42-yard touchdown pass and Nick Brish added a late safety for the Purple Raiders on Friday. Brish was named the game's Most Outstanding Player.

"Really hats off all around on defense," Brish said. "We have outstanding defensive linemen, who made it easy on me because they were putting so much pressure on the guy, keeping them in the cage, keeping our landmarks and our pass rushes."

Among those offering congratulations to the Raiders was Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, the Massillon native and Mount Union alum who is getting praised for his work with the Cyclones after four successful seasons at Toledo.

Saint Francis: 2017 NAIA Football National Champions

The University of Saint Francis football team ran the table and finished the 2017 season with a second-straight NAIA national title.

No. 1 Saint Francis beat No. 2 Reinhardt 24-13 in the NAIA championship game Saturday at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., to finish the season 14-0 and hold the trophy aloft again.

“Obviously, it’s very special to go back to back, not too many teams have done that,” Saint Francis coach Kevin Donley said in an ESPN postgame interview. “This senior class really created a championship culture, and for them to go out with back-to-back national titles is exactly what they deserve.”

Justin Green rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns and Nick Ferrer threw for 270 yards and a touchdown to lead the way.

The Cougars have won a school-record 23 straight games over the last two seasons. The NAIA title win marked the last game for senior quarterback Ferrer, who was named the NAIA Player of the Year on Friday. It was also the final game for offensive starters receiver Sean Boswell, tight end Zach Gegner and linemen Alex Woods, Connor Holcomb and Jaylen Gamble. Defensive starters who played their final game for the Cougars were nose tackle Eric Hemmelgarn and strong safeties Spencer Cowherd and Lee Stewart III.

Saint Francis became the fifth team to repeat as NAIA champ, and the first since Sioux Falls in 2008 and 2009.

Saint Francis got on the board first with a 22-yard field goal by Gavin Gardner. Green’s 80-yard touchdown run made it 10-0, and Ferrer led the team down the field through the air – including a big pass to Dan Ricksy – and hit Duke Blackwell for a 15-yard touchdown and a 17-0 first-quarter lead.

That lead increased to 24-0 early in the second quarter when Ferrer hit Blackwell with back-to-back passes – the second a deep one – and Green scored his second touchdown on a run around right end. Blackwell caught five passes for 96 yards before leaving the game with a knee injury. Boswell, who had a key catch on the opening drive, also suffered an injury.

Reinhardt got on the scoreboard with a two-yard Trevae Cain run to cut the Cougars’ lead to 24-7 with 8:29 left in the half.

Saint Francis had a chance to score late in the half after a 38-yard pass from Ferrer to Green, but a final pass to Will Chrisman inside the five came as the clock ran out.

Reinhardt cut the margin to 24-13 on a touchdown run by Qua Stocks in the third quarter, but Saint Francis’ Marcus Stepp blocked the extra point. Saint Francis’ high-powered offense, hurt by injury and facing a strong Reinhardt defense, stalled throughout the third quarter.

Saint Francis stopped Reinhardt on a 4th-down play with four minutes left, and then sealed the win.

Green rushed 21 times for 132 yards while Ferrer was 19 of 30 passing for 270 yards. Blackwell led all receivers in yardage before he left the game. Dan Ricksy had the most receptions, hauling in six passes for 82 yards.

Real Madrid: 2017 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Real Madrid have become the first side to retain the FIFA Club World Cup, earning a 1-0 win over Gremio to lift the title at UAE 2017.

A second-half strike from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to hand the Madrid giants victory, having dominated the encounter with the South American champions in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening.

The game began with a thump, with plenty of physicality on show. However, it was the title holders that found their rhythm quickest. Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric both had the band blue and black-clad fans in the Zayed Sports City Stadium inhaling sharply.

Though the large amount of local support were not spared some nervous moments either in the opening period, with Edilson striking a swerving rocket of a free-kick inches over Keylor Navas’s crossbar.

Having had two-thirds of the possession before the break, Real returned for the second half looking to make it count. It did not take them long and it was Ronaldo, who broke the resistance. Striking a free-kick from 25 yards, it is no surprise there was an instant inquest among the Gremio wall, as the ball nestled in the bottom corner, having seen the Portuguese’s shot pierce clean through it.

He thought he had taken his record goalscoring tally in the Club World Cup from seven to eight, volleying in seven minutes later, but Karim Benzema’s fine nod down was adjudged to have been from an offside position.

Gremio failed to rouse a response, with goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe forced into fine saves from Modric - tipping his effort onto the post - Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale to stay within touching distance of Los Blancos. However, they could not prevent Zinedine Zidane guiding the Spanish side to successive titles, equalling Barcelona's record tally of three.

Alibaba Cloud Match Award Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo

FFXIV Starlight Celebration 2017 featuring Kahori Harukawa

#FFXIV #Stormblood #StarlightCelebration

Megumi Katou: 16th Saimoe Prime Minister of Japan

Good evening, Japan. Good evening, morning and afternoon, world. And a pleasant greetings to our friends in the American province-I meant, actually, state of Alabama. Our coalition that will be in government next year supports the policy and good deeds that will come from Mr. Senator-elect G. Douglas Jones. We extend our congratulations. *points* Nice work, sir. *laughter*

Anyway, I need to ask a question. How is everyone doing? *crowd roars* Let me try that again but from a more convincing angle. *creeps closer to microphone* How is everyone doing? *crowd roars louder* Sounds consistent, I can't complain. You know, months ago before I began this unique journey outside of my work with Blessing, I talked with my husband and soon to be your new First Saimoe Gentleman Tomoya Aki, or Tomo, as I call him, about platforms, what people stand for, only because I thought platforms were outdated shoes worn by youth of Shibuya Ward. *laughter* Or simply things you stand on to reach for dangerous household items. *laughter*

Then he looked at me and then to an invisible camera as if to say, what am I going to do with this young *laughter*, witty *laughter* innocent *laughter* maiden *laughter*...please, stop laughing this was real serious talk! *laughter* Ahhh, mou, carry on, as you were. *applause* No, as I was saying, he had a race that read, what I am going to do with this young witty innocent maiden that will be my wife to protect and satisfy until we turn to ashes several decades from now? *laughter*

I lifted Tomo's sweaty chin and whispered in his ear, "A lot." *laughter, applause* I seriously meant it, a lot. Fast forward to today in front of over 200,000 at this plaza where Comic Market is held and now the buzzwords, or hashtag—everyone likes to spam those things these days, it's like Pocky nowadays, just being curious—is #IToldYouSo. *crowd roars, applause*

If you guys do not know who I am by now even though I have been on this trail since early of this year and maybe far back, I will introduce myself. I am Megumi Katou of the Saekano Party, a member of the Blessing Software team and your Saimoe Prime Minister, I believe that is the 16th, sweet...*laughter*...for the 2018 Calendar Year, a pleasure to meet you. *applause* I don't do prepared speeches. To speak honest words from the heart is more important, and fairness to everyone and anyone will transform lives forever.

You're seeing this in the world today. Not just here in your own backyard in Japan, but elsewhere. One part of my platform that I will be promoting in addition to my duties of promoting Japanese pop culture and supporting the Imperial household with Korosensei is encouraging all women to take a stand against those who harm you. The #MeToo movement won TIME Person of the Year and therefore, it is an essential part of our agenda.

I am assembling my Cabinet, composed of members of my party, the Ansatsu Kyoushitsu Party and the SukaSuka Party as the Saekano Coalition to embrace and advocate the message that sexual harassment and crimes against women cannot be tolerated in this country or any self-respecting country in this dangerous world. The boys club culture in many trades is dying and we as the Saekano Coalition will ensure that fairness and respect of all genders is the rule. To those of you who challenge the new wave that continues to rise from the West to here in the East, we will defeat you like our Democratic allies in Alabama did to Roy Moore.

Another part of our agenda is supporting our national teams. This is a World Cup year and a Winter Olympics year coming up. I implore the men and women of this great country to support our national teams as they strive for greatness in winter sports and football. Our role as the bulwark of East Asian Strength will be showcased under our leadership and this is an initiative uniting both houses of the Saimoe Diet. We are all in to win, let us begin. I made a rhyme, see what I did there? *laughter* I appreciate you paying attention.

We come from different schools of thought and convictions, we of the Saimoe fold. But we must reach out across party lines to get work done, maybe even share some snacks and long gaming hours when there is nothing else to do. Of course, if it becomes a coed session, we may have problems. *winks* *laughter, applause, men get nosebleeds* Please clean up after yourselves, you whose noses are in poor shape, that's horrible from you! *laughter*

Ram, Emilia (party leader), and Rem (deputy party leader) of the Re:Zero Coalition, the 2018 Saimoe Diet party in opposition.

Going on to the point, I talked to Emilia and her right-hand mate Rem. They are two wonderful peers that I have respect for and admire. Their thoughts and platform have some aspect we may find a common ground on. From this, our Diet will have direction and purpose. Chtholly, who is busy doting on her husband Willem Kmetsch and could not be with us since she is enjoying her return from obscurity—spoiler alert, maybe? shhhh—*laughter, applause, cheers* Yeah, we're happy our mate's with us again.

Anyway, as I said, Chtholly Nota Seniorious is a very mature peer for her age and believes in our platform and will do whatever is necessary to promote what is in the best interests of us and you. She is selfless and inspiring and is worthy of being your Speaker of the Saimoe Diet. She is also a good public speaker. Willem, a gentlemen in his own right has taught her well. I am excited to work with both of them as part of our coalition.

I don't need a tiara, nor does Korosensei need a scepter. We lead without any fancy jewelry, or thrones. We believes actions speak louder than words and taking the initiative is a whole lot better that being lazy with no job, no hope, and no purpose to live. As your Saimoe Prime Minister, I appeal to my voters, to those who did not vote for me, or anyone that did notice us until I actually spoke and had these words transcribed for archive....*takes a deep breath, speaks* It's Time To Go To Work!

*crowd roars, applaud*

Now I am not talking about, you know, enlisting in the military, going into really tough work like constructions, saving cats from trees or looking for people attacking others and punishing them broad daylight. What I look for are you, the voters, helping your community and making your family, your kin, the people you work for and with proud. You don't have to do too much, but you should never do to little. Make yourself useful. Our world's tough, but if we can do it and be Saimoe representives for one of the greatest nations on Earth, you'll do the same before you even know it.

And to all women out there, if you see something wrong regarding how the boss or co-worker, who may of the opposite gender *crowd goes ooooh!* or not *crowd goes aaaah!, laughter*, give them a nice slap on the face. *laughter* No, actually, be diplomatic and talk it out and remind them that times have changed, and harassing anyone at work or elsewhere is against the ideals of the new Saimoe Diet that will be coming to you in about less than three weeks time, as of this speech, which I didn't really...write, I just spoke because I had a lot off my chest, to be fair. I hope you understand.

In the end, you don't have to be assuming to be successful. You have to ride the tides of time on a platform everyone can believe in. And when I confided this conversation to Tomo before taking the podium, reminding him of this, he had tears in his eyes and said, "You're no longer a boring girlfriend. You're a Saimoe Prime Minister, the Saimoe Leader of the Free World, something no one will ever take from you, and you will make Japan proud...if you haven't already."

That's what he said to me, verbatim. I believe it because I love him. And I love you all. I want to thank our campaign team that helped me win one of the necklaces as well as the Tiara, our support staff across all the continents, the voters for your support of the Saimoe movement, and the anime industry for making fans smile worldwide. But last of all, I want to thank you for making me believe that being boring can make you amazing, so much that I have made them one and the same. This boring girlfriend turned loyal wife and partner dedicates this victory to your solidarity throughout this journey. I want you to enjoy it and come with us as we march into the new year.

*puts on savage sunglasses, crowd roars* I know I can't see anymore, and it's dark, but you know something? The future is so bright... *crowd responds, "we gotta wear shades!" applause* Hey, you took the words out of my mouth, so unfair! *laughter* Anyway, that is all from me. Thank you for your support, we won't let you down, and from all of us at the Saekano Coalition, we hope you have a wondeful week! God Bless America, God Bless The World, and May God Bless Japan! Good night! Thank you all!

-KATOU MEGUMI

LEADER, SAEKANO COALITION

16TH SAIMOE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

ISML 2017: Feel The Magic In The Air!

ISML 2017: Feel The Magic In The Air!
Liberals Megumi Katou, Korosensei Win Saimoe Prime and Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister Seats
Chtholly Nota Seniorious Returns From Dead, Elected Saimoe Speaker of the Diet

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue News Desk
December 12, 2017

TOKYO, JAPAN -- Fireworks rang out across the Eastern skies as Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based ensemble Magic System performed a number of their hit songs to celebrate the victory of Megumi Katou and Korosensei, two liberal candidates who rode on a wave of confidence and energy to win the ISML Heavenly Tiara and ISML Scepter and with it, the Saimoe Prime Minister and Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister offices for the 2018 calendar year.

Katou defeated Emilia of the conservative Re:Zero Party, putting them as the official opposition in the Female Division House of the bicameral Saimoe Diet with a 8382-6969 win that correctly saw over 15000 votes cast, as projected by BoBA Exit Polls at the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue. The Re:Zero Party will be in coalition with the Oregairu Party, as former Deputy Saimoe PM Hachiman Hikigaya lost his big for reelection, 7493-6456. The Ansatsu Kyoushitsu Party will therefore be in coalition with the Saekano Party as the coalition in government.

Chtholly Nota Seniorious, the strongest candidate from the 2017 list of candidates standing for election, was named Speaker of the Saimoe Diet with a 8217-5097 landslide victory over Nayuta Kani. The SukaSuka Party is also in coalition with that which will be in government. Seniorious is also a liberal-minded leprechaun. Tomoya Aki will be the First Gentlement of the Saimoe White House, while Marisa Kirisame was named Saimoe Gensokyou Representative with the closest results of the night, a 5391-5356 nailbiter over Cirno. Megumi's win over Emilia is also the final Saimoe Upset of the Round.

In the final ranks for the Female Division, Mashiro Shiina finished third defeated Kurumi Tokisaki 6803-6409, Asuna Yuuki is fifth with a 6881-6481 win over Rem, Rin Tousaka is seventh with a 6637-6109 victory over Shiro, Megumin is ninth with a 6514-5502 pumping of Kurisu Makise, Illyasviel won Einzbern was 11th with a 6432-6102 decision over Taiga Aisaka, Yukino Yukinoshita was 13th wiht a 6993-5623 win over Rikka Takanashi, Utaha Kasumigaoka—a member of the winning coalition—finished 15th with a 6843-5495 smashing of Nao Tomori and Saber slashed past Chino Kafuu 6958-5943 to finish 17th. All in this round will be members of the Saimoe Diet.

Over in the final ranks for the Male Division,  Saitama punched Yuzuru Otonashi 5963-5407 to finish third, Taki Tachibana smashed Nagisa Shiota 6585-5408 to finish fifth, Touma Kamijou broke Gilgamesh 5995-5285 for seventh, Souma Yukihira dominated Karma Akabane 5867-5356 for ninth, eleventh place went to Levi withh a 5856-5679 decision over Kiritsugu Emiya, Kazuma Satou stormed past Ryuuji Takasu 5554-4981 for 1th, Edward Elric was 15th with a 5530-5384 win over Shirou Emiya and Koyomi Araragi ended up in 17th with a 5253-5206 barnburner over Rintarou Okabe.

Katou and Korosensei will be sworn in on New Year's Eve 2017 and begin their terms at exactly midnight, January 1, 2018. Their term will end at midnight, January 1, 2019.

This concludes the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue's coverage of the 2017 International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition. Join us again next year for the 2018 edition of the ISML and be sure to keep it here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue and our network of sites for all things Saimoe and Japanese pop culture.

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue. 

"There's always something going on around here."

BoBA ISML 2017 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 8 - Election Day 2017

ISML Tiara - Saimoe Prime Minister
ARENA 01: Katō Megumi [[Emilia]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 15000
Over

ISML Scepter - Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister
ARENA 02: [[Korosensei]] Hikigaya Hachiman
by <=300
Over/Under: 15000
Under

ISML Female Division Third Place
ARENA 03: [[Shiina Mashiro]] Tokisaki Kurumi
by <=300
Over/Under: 14500
Under

ISML Female Division Fifth Place
ARENA 04: Yūki Asuna [[Rem]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 14000
Over

ISML Female Division Seventh Place
ARENA 05: Tōsaka Rin [[Shiro]]
by >=240
Over/Under: 13400
Over

ISML Female Division Ninth Place
ARENA 06: [[Megumin]] Makise Kurisu
by >=340
Over/Under: 14200
Under

ISML Female Division 11th Place
ARENA 07: [[Illyasviel Von Einzbern]] Aisaka Taiga
by >=300
Over/Under: 12400
Over

ISML Female Division 13th Place
ARENA 08: [[Yukinoshita Yukino]] Takanashi Rikka
by >=400
Over/Under: 13000
Over

ISML Female Division 15th Place
ARENA 09: [[Kasumigaoka Utaha]] Tomori Nao
by >=250
Over/Under: 12300
Over

ISML Female Division 17th Place
ARENA 10: Kafū Chino [[Saber]]
by >=230
Over/Under: 13400
Over

ISML Male Division Third Place
ARENA 11: [[Otonashi Yuzuru]] Saitama
by >=240
Over/Under: 15000
Under

ISML Male Division Fifth Place
ARENA 12: Tachibana Taki [[Shiota Nagisa]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 15000
Under

ISML Male Division Seventh Place
ARENA 13: Gilgamesh [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by <=300
Over/Under: 14000
Under

ISML Male Division Ninth Place
ARENA 14: [[Akabane Karma]] Yukihira Sōma
by <=300
Over/Under: 13500
Under

ISML Male Division 11th Place
ARENA 15: [[Emiya Kiritsugu]] Levi
by >=300
Over/Under: 13000
Under

ISML Male Division 13th Place
ARENA 16: Satō Kazuma [[Takasu Ryūji]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 12000
Over

ISML Male Division 15th Place
ARENA 17: [[Edward Elric]] Emiya Shirō
by >=300
Over/Under: 12300
Over

ISML Male Division 17th Place
ARENA 18: [[Okabe Rintarō]] Araragi Koyomi
by >=240
Over/Under: 14000
Under

ISML Inter-Seasonal Final - Saimoe Speaker of the Diet
ARENA 19: Kani Nayuta [[Chtholly Nota Seniorious]]
by >=240
Over/Under: 12000
Over

ISML Touhou Project Final - Saimoe Gensokyo Ambassador
ARENA 20: Cirno [[Kirisame Marisa]]
by >=100
Over/Under: 14000
Under

Vote ID: c6ece345-a21f-432b-9133-fa1dcd725f97

Baker Mayfield: 2017 Heisman Trophy Winner

Baker Mayfield of the University of Oklahoma was selected on Saturday (Dec. 9) as the 83rd winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, an award presented annually by the Heisman Trophy Trust to the most outstanding player in college football.  

The senior quarterback was announced as the 2017 winner of the prestigious honor at the end of ESPN's live broadcast of the Heisman ceremony from Manhattan's PlayStation Theater.  

"It's such an honor," said Mayfield upon winning the award. "It's unbelievable." 

Mayfield is the sixth Sooner Heisman winner, joining Billy Vessels ('52), Steve Owens ('69), Billy Sims('78), Jason White ('03) and Sam Bradford ('08), putting Oklahoma in a tie with USC for the second-most Heismans (Notre Dame and Ohio State each have seven). He's also the first Heisman Trophy winner to start his career as a "walk-on" (non-scholarship) player since athletic scholarships were inaugurated in the 1950s and the first senior to win since Troy Smith in 2006. 

Further adding to his accomplishment, Mayfield--who finished fourth in the Heisman vote in 2015 and third in 2016--is the fifth player to log three top 4 Heisman finishes in his career, joining Heisman legends Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard of Army, Doak Walker of SMU and Herschel Walker of Georgia. 

The 6-1, 222-pounder from Austin, Texas, threw for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns, with another 310 yards and five scores on the ground while leading the Sooners to a 12-1 record, the Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. His passer rating of 203.76 is the best in Heisman history, shattering the mark of 192.31 set by Robert Griffin III in 2011. 

Ballots were emailed to 870 media personnel across the nation plus 58 Heisman winners and one fan ballot, for a total of 929 electors. The ballots were received and tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mayfield polled 2,398 points to capture the award over Bryce Love of Stanford (1,300 points), and 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville (793 points). The point total is reached by a system of three points for a first place vote, two for a second and one for a third. 

Mayfield will be officially inducted into the Heisman family at the 83rd annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner Gala on Sunday evening, December 10, 2017, at the Marriott Marquis in New York. 

2017 Heisman Voting Results 
 

Place	Name	School	Pos	Class	1st	2nd	3rd	Total Pts
1.	Baker Mayfield	Oklahoma	QB	SR	732	87	28	2,350
2.	Bryce Love	Stanford	RB	JR	75	421	233	1,300
3.	Lamar Jackson	Louisville	QB	JR	47	197	258	793
4.	Saquon Barkley	Penn State	RB	JR	15	73	113	304
5.	Rashaad Penny	San Diego St.	RB	SR	7	37	80	175
6.	Jonathan Taylor	Wisconsin	RB	FR	2	7	38	58
7.	Mason Rudolph	Oklahoma St.	QB	SR	2	14	22	56
8.	McKenzie Milton	UCF	QB	SO	4	11	20	54
9.	Kerryon Johnson	Auburn	RB	JR	0	14	17	45
10.	Roquan Smith	Georgia	LB	JR	3	11	7	38

For more details on the 2017 Heisman Trophy vote, visit HeismanCentral.com

ISML 2017: Election Day Matchups

Who do you love? Who will win? 

You make the call on 11 December 2017 at InternationalSaimoe.com. Four legendary characters. One Tiara. One Scepter. Saimoe Serious Business Leadership on the line. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue will give you a comprehensive roundup of the action as the next Saimoe Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers are revealed on Match Day 8 of the 2017 International Saimoe League postseason, Saimoe Election Day 2017. 

ISML 2017: Election Day Field Set!

ISML 2017: Election Day Field Set!
Nayuta Kani wins ISML 2017 Fall Diadem

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
December 9, 2017

Match Day 7 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Postseason is in the books, and our Election Day Field is set. Megumi Katou scored the Upset of the Round, defeated Mashiro Shiina 5655-5174 and will face Emilia, who hammered Asuna Yuuki 5846-5271. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue is tipping Emilia, who has yet to win a prize in the ISML, to win the Tiara and the Saimoe Prime Minister's office by at least 300 votes with over 15,000 votes cast.

In the battle for the Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister's Office and the ISML Scepter, a heavyweight fight will take place between two well-rounded contenders. Korosensei crushed Yuzuru Otonashi 5514-4276 and will take on Hachiman Hikigaya, who will seek a second term after ousting Taki Tachibana 5350-4985. Korosensei is tipped to win this race on Monday, Dec. 11 by under 300 votes with over 15,000 votes cast.

As tipped on the Bedlam, Nayuta Kani has won the ISML 2017 Fall Diadem with a 4885-3426 belting of Kaho Hinata. Schwi Dola finished third after roughhousing Kirie Motoba 4547-3832.

In Tiara Consolation action, Rem routed Megumin 5318-4133, Yukino Yukinoshita roared past Taiga Aisaka 4888-4210, Shiro slaughtered Illyasviel von Einzbern 4613-4475, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Rin Tosaka 5002-4507, Saber slashed past Nao Tomiri 4907-4450, Utaha Kasumigaoka flattened Chino Kafuu 5140-4033 and Rikka Takanashi rocked Kurisu Makise 4749-4247.

In Scepter Consolation action, Nagisa Shiota defeated Karma Akabane 4036-3721, Souma Yukihira dominated Gilgamesh 4476-3967, Saitama punched Kiritsugu Emiya 4238-4105, Touma Kamijou broke Kazuma Satou 4297-3863, Ryuuji Takasu roared past Edward Elric 3910-3824, Levi eased past Rintarou Okabe 4591-3957 and Koyomi Araragi won the closest race of the round, a 3023-3955 win over Shirou Emiya.

Match Day 8 of the 2017 International Saimoe League postseason, the final match day, is Election Day 2017 and is scheduled for December 11, 2017. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

The 2017 College Football Bowl Season Wallpapers Collection Is Here!

The 2017 College Football Bowl Season Wallpapers Collection Is Here! Featuring all 39 bowl games (the national championship game is separate and will be posted later on this blog). For 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Click Here!

BoBA ISML 2017 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 7

ISML 2017 Tiara Semifinals
ARENA 01: Katō Megumi [[Shiina Mashiro]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 8000
Over

ARENA 02: Emilia [[Yūki Asuna]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 8000
Over

ISML 2017 Scepter Semifinals
ARENA 03: [[Korosensei]] Otonashi Yuzuru
by <=600
Over/Under: 8000
Under

ARENA 04: [[Hikigaya Hachiman]] Tachibana Taki
by >=400
Over/Under: 8000
Under

ISML 2017 Tiara Consolation
ARENA 05: [[Rem]] Megumin
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 06: Aisaka Taiga [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 07: [[Illyasviel Von Einzbern]] Shiro
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 08: Tōsaka Rin [[Tokisaki Kurumi]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 09: Tomori Nao [[Saber]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 10: [[Kasumigaoka Utaha]] Kafū Chino
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 11: Makise Kurisu [[Takanashi Rikka]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ISML 2017 Scepter Consolation
ARENA 12: [[Shiota Nagisa]] Akabane Karma
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 13: Gilgamesh [[Yukihira Sōma]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 14: Emiya Kiritsugu [[Saitama]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 15: Satō Kazuma [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 16: Edward Elric [[Takasu Ryūji]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 17: Levi [[Okabe Rintarō]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ARENA 18: Emiya Shirō [[Araragi Koyomi]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 7600
Over

ISML 2017 Fall Diadem Championship
ARENA 19: [[Kani Nayuta]] Hinata Kaho
by >=150
Over/Under: 7000
Over

ISML 2017 Fall Diadem Third Place Match
ARENA 20: [[Schwi Dola]] Motoba Kirie
by >=150
Over/Under: 7000
Over

Vote ID: f2846625-883e-48f9-94b6-20550a4d15ba

ISML 2017: Turnout Drops As Asuna, Illya Roll

ISML 2017: Turnout Drops As Asuna, Illya Roll
Nayuta Kani, Listed As Third Choice For Fall Diadem, Now Tipped To Win

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
December 7, 2017

Nayuta Kani is an unheralded face that was listed by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue as a third choice to win the 2017 International Saimoe League Fall Diadem. In the Upset of the Round for Match Day 6 of the 2017 ISML Postseason, Kani scalped Schwi Dola 2780-2574 to now be tipped as a lock to win the prize. BoBA has tipped Kani to win by at least 150 votes over Kaho Hinata, who defeated Kirie Motoba 2476-2370 in the other semifinal. Dola is slated to finish third by the same margin if there is a consolation match and both of those contests will see at least 7000 votes each.

Chtholly Nota Seniorious is going down as a dangerous threat to make waves at next year's ISML, with the Summer Diadem winner routing Suzune Horikita 3508-2249. As we have tipped prior to casting our ballot, Ruiko Saten did win the ISML Divine Circlet with a 2762-2743 nailbiter over Kotori Minami, adding to what has been a shocking campaign for arguably the most overrated series to participate in the ISML in Love Live!.

Over in the Tiara Quarterfinals, there will be no return to the final for Illyasviel von Einzbern, as Emilia hammered Illya 3196-2674. Asuna Yuuki's prospects of being the next Saimoe Prime Minister took a massive shot in the foot with a 4143-2294 rout of Rin Tosaka. Hachiman Hikigaya took one more step towards a return to the Saimoe Deputy Prime Minister's chair with a 3135-2470 belting of Kiritsugu Emiya. Taki Tachibana is a deciding longshot, but his 3094-2375 pumping of Kazuma Satou could make him an intriguing option to winning the ISML Scepter.

In Tiara Consolation action, Shiro exploded past Megumin 2862-2622, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Nao Tomori 2977-2619, Rikka Takanashi defeated Utaha Kasumigaoka 2801-2680, Chino Kafuu prevailed over Kurisu Makise 2723-2680 and Yukino Yukinoshita throttled Saber 3046-2836.

In Scepter Consolation action, Karma Akabane defeated Edward Elric 2544-2468, Saitama punched Levi 2611-2572, Souma Yukihira broke Touma Kamijou 2593-2489,  Shirou Emiya scored the closest victory of the round, a 2485-2481 thriller over Rintarou Okabe and Ryuuji Takasu roared past Koyomi Araragi 2275-2255. Finally in Touhou Project action, the Scarlet sisters were swept aside as Cirno rolled past Flandre Scarlet 2141-1991 and Marisa Kirisame prevailed over Remilia Scarlet 2125-2086.

Match Day 7 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Postseason is scheduled for December 8, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2017 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 6

ISML Tiara Quarterfinals
ARENA 01: [[Illyasviel Von Einzbern]] Emilia
by <=400
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 02: Yūki Asuna [[Tōsaka Rin]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ISML Scepter Quarterfinals
ARENA 03: [[Hikigaya Hachiman]] Emiya Kiritsugu
by >=200
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 04: [[Satō Kazuma]] Tachibana Taki
by <=300
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ISML Tiara Consolation
ARENA 05: Shiro [[Megumin]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 06: Tomori Nao [[Tokisaki Kurumi]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 8900
Under

ARENA 07: Takanashi Rikka [[Kasumigaoka Utaha]]
by <=500
Over/Under: 8800
Over

ARENA 08: Makise Kurisu [[Kafū Chino]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 9000
Over

ARENA 09: [[Saber]] Yukinoshita Yukino
by >=400
Over/Under: 8800
Under

ISML Scepter Consolation
ARENA 10: Edward Elric [[Akabane Karma]]
by <=700
Over/Under: 8400
Over

ARENA 11: Levi [[Saitama]]
by >=600
Over/Under: 8600
Under

ARENA 12: [[Kamijō Tōma]] Yukihira Sōma
by <=400
Over/Under: 9000
Under

ARENA 13: [[Okabe Rintarō]] Emiya Shirō
by <=400
Over/Under: 8800
Under

ARENA 14: [[Takasu Ryūji]] Araragi Koyomi
by >=300
Over/Under: 8500
Over

ISML Fall Seasonal Semifinals
ARENA 15: Kani Nayuta [[Schwi Dola]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 7500
Over

ARENA 16: Motoba Kirie [[Hinata Kaho]]
by >=500
Over/Under: 7500
Over

ISML Seasonal Exhibition
ARENA 17: [[Chtholly Nota Seniorious]] Horikita Suzune
by >=500
Over/Under: 7300
Over

ISML Divine Circlet
ARENA 18: Saten Ruiko [[Minami Kotori]]
by >=500
Over/Under: 7300
Over

Touhou Project Semifinals
ARENA 19: [[Cirno]] Flandre Scarlet
by <=400
Over/Under: 7500
Under

ARENA 20: [[Kirisame Marisa]] Remilia Scarlet
by >=400
Over/Under: 7300
Over

Vote ID: 4a85322c-aa84-4ab6-acb5-6a1b194c7b2d

ISML 2017: Quarterfinal Action Underway

ISML 2017: Quarterfinal Action Underway

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam On Baltic Avenue
December 5, 2017

Match Day 5 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Postseason saw a bigger turnout than previous match days. Megumui Katou scored the Upset of the Round, defeating Rem 3930-3610, while in the other Tiara Quarterfinal, Mashiro Shiina eased past Taiga Aisaka 3854-3314. In the ISML Scepter Quarterfinals, Korosensei routed Nagisa Shiota 3798-2512 while Gilgamesh was eliminated by Yuzuru Otonashi 3601-2862. As a result of the turnout for this match day, the other quarterfinal matches for Match Day 6, scheduled for Dec. 6, 2017, have been placed with an over/under of 9,000 total votes cast and the over selected.

The other remaining matches, however, will have fluctuating spreads. The Consolation Rounds are an example of this. In Tiara Consolation action, Nao Tomori whipped past Kurisu Makise 3375-3129, Shiro rolled past Saber 3845-3126, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Rikka Takanashi 3586-3247, Megumin exploded past Chino Kafuui 3560-3014 and Utaha Kasumigaoka won the closest race of the round, a 3298-3198 barnburner over Yukino Yukinoshita.

In Scepter Consolation action, Touma Kamijou broke Rintarou Okabe 3073-2940, Levi ripped past Ryuuji Takasu 3176-2948, Saitama punched Edward Elric 3084-2830, Karma Akabane stonewalled Koyomi Araragi 3144-2683 and Souma Yukihira dominated Shirou Emiya 3254-2747.

In Fall Diadem Quarterfinal action, Nayuta Kani routed Yuzu 3326-2164, Schwi Dola, now listed by the Bedlam as a first choice to win the diadem, crushed Nana Ebina 3293-2842, Kirie Motoba prevailed over Diamond 2983-2827 and Kaho Hinata defeated Miyako Shirakawa 2778-2607. Hinata is listed as a second choice by the Bedlam. Suzune Horikita defeated Karen Tendou 3127-2948 to win the Summer Diadem and Honami Ichinose crushed Mordred 3317-2677 to finish third place.

Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2017 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 5

ISML 2017 Tiara Quarterfinals
ARENA 01: [[Rem]] Katō Megumi
by <=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 02: Aisaka Taiga [[Shiina Mashiro]]
by >=400
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ISML 2017 Scepter Quarterfinals
ARENA 03: [[Korosensei]] Shiota Nagisa
by >=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 04: Gilgamesh [[Otonashi Yuzuru]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 4800
Under

ISML 2017 Tiara Consolation
ARENA 05: Makise Kurisu [[Tomori Nao]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 4600
Over

ARENA 06: [[Shiro]] Saber
by <=300
Oveer/Under: 4900
Under

ARENA 07: Takanashi Rikka [[Tokisaki Kurumi]]
by <=600
Over/Under: 4300
Over

ARENA 08: [[Megumin]] Kafū Chino
by >=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 09: Kasumigaoka Utaha [[Yukinoshita Yukino]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ISML 2017 Scepter Consolation
ARENA 10: Okabe Rintarō [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by >=200
Over/Under: 4000
Under

ARENA 11: [[Levi]] Takasu Ryūji
by <=400
Over/Under: 4100
Under

ARENA 12: [[Saitama]] Edward Elric
by <=300
Over/Under: 4200
Under

ARENA 13: Akabane Karma [[Araragi Koyomi]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 14: [[Yukihira Sōma]] Emiya Shirō
by <=300
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ISML 2017 Fall Diadem Quarterfinals
ARENA 15: Kani Nayuta [[Yuzu]]
by <=200
Over/Under: 3700
Under

ARENA 16: [[Schwi Dola]] Ebina Nana
by <=700
Over/Under: 3600
Over

ARENA 17: [[Motoba Kirie]] Diamond
by >=300
Over/Under: 3500
Over

ARENA 18: Shirakawa Miyako [[Hinata Kaho]]
by <=500
Over/Under: 3400
Over

ISML 2017 Summer Diadem Semifinals
ARENA 19: Tendō Karen [[Horikita Suzune]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 3400
Over

ARENA 20: [[Ichinose Honami]] Mordred
by >=300
Over/Under: 3500
Over

Vote ID: b43be539-7b8d-4d35-9a4c-34768041d646

ISML 2017: Taki Edges Touma, Rin Cuts It Close

ISML 2017: Taki Edges Touma, Rin Cuts It Close

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
December 2, 2017

Match Day 4 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Postseason is in the books. In the Female Division Tiara Round of 16, Asuna Yuuki routed Chino Kafuu 3463-1288 and Rin Tosaka won the closest race of the Round, a 2344-2291 nailbiter over Yukino Yukinoshita. In the Scepter Round of 16, Kazuma Satou prevailed over Edward Elric 2008-1950 and Taki Tachibana scored the Upset of the Round, a 2343-2141 scalp of Touma Kamijou. In consolation action, Shino Asada defeated Jibril 2228-2063 and Archer took down Yato 2079-2017.

In Fall Diadem action, Nayuta Kani rolled past Kino 2297-1200, Yuzu whipped past Chise Hatori 1840-1384, Schwi Dola leveled Phosphophyllite 2149-1524, Nana Ebina dismissed Maika Sakuranomiya 1978-1802, Kirie Motoba eased past Akiho Kousaka 2058-1478, Diamond defeated yuuri 1890-1599, Miyako Shirakawa smashed Chito 2055-1606 and Kaho Hinata rumbled past Mio Natsume 1761-1607.

Inuyasha, winner of the 2017 ISML Divine Crown.

In Touhou Project action, Cirno defeated Reisen Udongein Inaba 1651-1394, Flandre Scarlet thumped Fujiwara no Mokou 1577-1427, Marisa Kirisami exploded past Sakuya Izayoi 1769-1342 and Remilia Scarlet made it a sister sweep with a 1617-1540 decision over Patchouli Knowledge.

Finally, in Divine Circlet semifinal action, Ruiko Saten routed Shinoa Hiiragi 2369-1519 and Kotori Minami hammered Sharo Kirima 2341-1425. Saten is tipped to win the Divine Circlet by at least 700 votes with over 3900 votes cast by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue.

Match Day 5 of the 2017 International Saimoe League postseason is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

BoBA ISML 2017 Predictions: Postseason Match Day 4

ISML Tiara Round of 16
ARENA 01: Kafū Chino [[Yūki Asuna]]
by <=1000
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ARENA 02: Yukinoshita Yukino [[Tōsaka Rin]]
by <=500
Over/Under: 4000
Over

ISML Scepter Round of 16
ARENA 03: [[Satō Kazuma]] Edward Elric
by >=300
Over/Under: 4000
Under

ARENA 04: Tachibana Taki [[Kamijō Tōma]]
by <=300
Over/Under: 4000
Under

ISML Consolation
ARENA 05: Asada Shino [[Jibril]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 06: Archer [[Yato]]
by <=400
Over/Under: 3500
Under

ISML Fall Seasonal
ARENA 07: [[Kani Nayuta]] Kino
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 08: [[Yuzu]] Hatori Chise
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 09: Phosphophyllite [[Schwi Dola]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 10: [[Sakuranomiya Maika]] Ebina Nana
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 11: Kōsaka Akiho [[Motoba Kirie]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 12: [[Diamond]] Yūri
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 13: Chito [[Shirakawa Miyako]]
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ARENA 14: [[Hinata Kaho]] Natsume Mio
by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

Touhou Project Matches
ARENA 15: Cirno [[Reisen Udongein Inaba]]
by <=500
Over/Under: 3400
Under

ARENA 16: Fujiwara no Mokō [[Flandre Scarlet]]
by <=700
Over/Under: 3200
Over

ARENA 17: [[Kirisame Marisa]] Izayoi Sakuya
by >=300
Over/Under: 3500
Over

ARENA 18: [[Patchouli Knowledge]] Remilia Scarlet
by >=300
Over/Under: 3500
Under

ISML Divine Circlet Semifinals
ARENA 19: Saten Ruiko [[Hiiragi Shinoa]]
by <=300
Over/Under: 3100
Under

ARENA 20: [[Kirima Sharo]] Minami Kotori
by >=400
Over/Under: 3000
Over

Vote ID: 88c9a46b-227f-41a1-bde2-4dff7a27638a

FIFA World Cup 2018 Wallpapers Available!

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Wallpaper Collection is now available! For 1920 x 1080 HD monitors. Enjoy! Good luck to all of our 32 participating teams!

Click here!