Scarlet Pimpernel

If models existed at that time, the Reconstruction Era snow weenies (if there were such a thing then!) would be running for the cliffs!

"A (Palm) Tree Grows in Brooklyn"???

I'm a little biased since I went to FSU for graduate school (witnessed the first infamous "wide right" game against Miami...ugh!!). But I'm not a homer about it and like you, I haven't paid as much attention to college football much over the years, unless a team I "like" is in a game. I also like Michigan, so hoping they will win it all now this year! (I say that as one who grew up in Ohio!). Anyhow, yeah, FSU had a rough game vs. Louisville, and they're "not the same" in many ways, perhaps, after losing their star QB Travis. And yet they still as a team managed win and close out undefeated. Plus, their defense has been amazing. They had to use their 3rd string QB in that game, since their backup behind Travis was also out on concussion protocol. He'd definitely be back by the time any bowl games occur, and he did a pretty good job overall in his start vs. UF. While FSU hypothetically may well have lost right away if they made the playoffs, I'm fairly sure it wouldn't be a total blowout given their defense and the fact that they'd at least have improved offense with their backup QB back in there. So I don't think it would be a "UGA-TCU" slaughter-fest.

Yeah, that selection was a surprise. Obviously, Michigan and Washington were going to be #1 and #2. I think the reasoning of the committee, essentially weighing "FSU isn't the same team without their star QB", was a bit lame. An undefeated P5 team that wins their conference not getting in? FSU actually dropped one spot in the rankings? Just a bit odd... Alabama was not a surprise to me, that they got in, after upsetting UGA, after 2 seasons of UGA dominance. Personally, my own opinion (2 cents, all it's worth!)...if the committee was going to allow two 1-loss teams in the 4 team playoff as they did, they should have put Alabama or Texas as #3 and UGA as #4 in there. Yeah, UGA lost their conference championship, but it was by 3 points and the Bulldogs had a clearly dominant season. You could argue that despite the loss, they deserve to be in the final 4. That's no more nebulous reasoning than the committee's. I'm in NO way a UGA or SEC fan, far from it, but I think they're a better choice than both Alabama and Texas. And don't forget, Alabama had to rely on a last-minute lucky play to pull out their win vs. Auburn.

Winter never happened. We Ji'd it right away so extended fall through March!

I'm sure the Reaper @WxWatcher007 will take a fat percentage of those quadruple play packages...and income from the Jelly of the Month Club...as part of his retirement package!!! That was one of the greatest movie rants of all time, from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!!

Somehow, I read that in the voice of the kid in "The Shining" when he said "Red Rum, Red Rum!"

That very well could happen. I think the only reason FSU would be kept out is due to the fact that their quarterback situation is so uncertain after Jordan Travis got injured and out for the season. The thinking (such as it is) being that maybe FSU isn't "strong enough" to be in the top 4 due to that. While I can sort of possibly see that argument to an extent, I don't find it valid. Would you seriously take an undefeated team that was ranked #4 going into this weekend and actually DROP them one or two spots after they won their conference title game (albeit a rough, ugly win; their defense won it for them!) and after #1 Georgia lost theirs? Sure, FSU could get into the playoffs and get steamrolled in the first game (if they get in, I wouldn't be surprised if this scenario occurred!). But they earned a spot all the same...you should go by the record and who won their conference. Do we deny an NFL or MLB team or whomever a playoff spot that they clearly earned with their record, just because their star player had a season-ending injury and they "might not be as good"? I know, not the same as college football, but you get the idea.

Amen! Have people forgotten what December 2015 was like during the "super-Nino"? Record or near record warmth, a +10 temperature departure on the month, absolutely nothing wintry in sight. Christmas Eve was practically unbearably muggy outside! I probably have blocked it from my mind but I'm sure this place was tearing its hair out before the solstice even arrived that year! We all know what happened in January of that winter. Not predicting a KU storm here of course, but besides the blizzard that winter, I think a lot of people forget that Jan-Feb was actually slightly colder than normal (especially Jan) and we did have other opportunities besides the big storm but they didn't much pan out. Now we fret over some unfavorable look toward mid-December and some want to say that's it for winter.

LOL, sorry @Ralph Wiggum, my comment was a weak attempt at obscure dark humor. You mentioned the Scandinavian ridge, and I was noting the amplified ridge over the eastern US as if asking whether we're now part of Scandinavia!

The eastern US is part of Scandinavia?? Who knew!?!?

One would hope so, if you're inspecting the quality of your former establishments. Or hire Ramsay himself! Your reputation is at stake! (ETA: "Oh my GOD! Ji has rented this room for a decade and just LOOK at this place!")

You can be like Gordon Ramsay in his "Hotel Hell" series. Stop by the Panic Room now and then to make sure it's still up to its 5-star quality that you left it in upon retiring and handing over management. If it's in bad shape, you can go all Ramsay F-bomb and "Oh my God, this is disgusting!!"

You unfortunately need to flush it out with (Pac) Puke for awhile. Then let the cold beer re-generate once the MJO beer index gets out of the no beer circle of death, and the -SBFI (negative Scraff Beer Fridge Index) is able to go positive again!

The way the FSU/Louisville game is going, the Seminoles will be lucky to escape with a win. Absolutely pathetic offense for FSU, and the Cardinals have kept them close. I thought they would start taking control after that long run and TD, but now they let Louisville get right back in it. (ETA: Well, an ugly win, but I'm sure they'll take it! Defense clearly won the game for FSU.)

Dayum! I see the back edge of the Holiday season already!

Sounds like a song that could become like the 12 Days of Christmas for the Mid-Atlantic forum! Actually, that should be more like a 12 Step Grief Plan...but anyhow: 27 not-time-to panics, 29 more yets, 59 i'm-just-keeping-it-realz, An inch of snow for PSU, 15 Reapers a-reaping, And a Panic Room in a Pear Tree!!

It's the start of the beginning of the cancellation that will be un-canceled and un-un-cancelled several times.

I don't know if I could imitate @George BM's amazing start-of-the-month Banter thread tales...but just for you Jeb: <@Jebman imitation>Yarn! Yeah, you bet! All you folks in the Mid-Atlantic are going to need TONS of yarn to knit thick sweaters to stay warm in the EPIC ICE-AGE COLD you're going to experience this winter! While you're out shoveling TONS of FEET of SNOW in your warm sweaters and jackets, you'll forget all about PSU's inch! </@Jebman imitation>

Yup! Happy Meteorological Winter to all!!

Insane sunset this evening! Just stunning...

You mean British English? I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, "America and England are two countries separated by a common language."

Back to calling them the WTFs???

Looks like you had the extra lean Thanksgiving meal! Cute dog, too! Did you toss him any bones to fetch...oh, wait, perhaps bad idea! ("OK, Spot...hand me back my ribs now!") Hope you had a good holiday as well! The Panic Room was indeed brilliant and funny. I don't know where you got all those images over the years, but they were great! Don't let the crap posts around here drive you away.