The College Football Playoff Preview Continues–Michigan
The College Football Playoff Preview Continues–Michigan. I will be previewing all four CFP teams this week. Next up, the Michigan Wolverines.
#2 Michigan Wolverines (13-0)
After winning back-to-back Big Ten titles for the first time since 2003-04, Michigan will also be making back-to back Playoff appearances. Sitting at 13-0, this Michigan team has already achieved the most wins in a single season in program history.
With a win vs TCU, Michigan would join 2002 Ohio State and 2014 Ohio State as the only Big Ten teams to win 14 games in a season. No Big Ten team has ever won 15 games in a single season.
Michigan finished the regular season with a +347 points differential, its best in a regular season since 1905 when the Wolverines outscored their opponents 495-2.
Most of that damage this year came in the 2nd half. Michigan has the best 2nd-half scoring margin by any team entering bowl season in the College Football Playoff era. The only better 2nd-half scoring margin in the last 15 seasons entering bowl season belongs to 2013 Florida State (+243).
With Blake Corum out for the season, Donovan Edwards is leading the running game for Michigan. Edwards has 401 rushing yards in his last 2 games, the most over a 2-game span by a Michigan player since Denard Robinson in 2010. He is the first Michigan running back with 400 rushing yards over a 2-game span since Mike Hart in 2004.
Michigan Fun Facts
Overall, Michigan ranks 7th in scoring offense and 5th in scoring defense. The Wolverines are 1 of 2 teams to rank in the top 10 in both this season, along with Alabama.
Entering the College Football Playoff, the 13.4 PPG allowed by Michigan is the team’s fewest since winning the AP National Championship in 1997 (9.5 PPG allowed).
Michigan hasn’t faced a Big 12 opponent under Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines have lost their last three games against Big 12 teams dating back to before his tenure:
2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (L, Kansas State)
2005 Alamo Bowl (L, Nebraska)
2005 Rose Bowl (L, Texas)
On Thursday I will be previewing TCU. Don’t forget to check out Chris’ piece on if a college football were in place for this year. It’s very interesting. Sorry Craig!
What a 12 Team College Football Playoff Would Look Like
The College Football Playoff is set. Top ranked Georgia will play Ohio State in the Peach Bowl while TCU and Michigan will face off in the Fiesta Bowl. The matchups are solid, and most people thing the Selection Committee got it right. But this will be the penultimate version of the 4-team playoff. It was announced last week that the playoff will expand to 12 teams for the 2024 season. It has been the Rose Bowl as the only obstacle in the way of expansion. But last week they put their ego aside for the betterment of the sport. Thank you, Rose Bowl. What a 12 team playoff would look like for the 2022 season.
The 12 team playoff will consist of the 6 highest ranked conference champs, with the next 6 highest ranked teams. The four highest seeded conference champions will get the 1st round bye. So because TCU and Ohio State are not conference champs, they would have to play in the opening round. Clemson and Utah would join Georgia and Michigan as teams getting the bye. The six conference champions in a 12 team playoff would be the four previously mentioned along with Kansas State and Tulane out of the AAC. The at-large teams would be TCU, Ohio State, Alabama, Tennessee, USC, and Penn State.
For the opening round matchups, the higher seeded team would host the lower seeded team. Or they could play it at the venue of the home teams choosing. I can’t think of many instances where this would happen. Maybe LSU moving a game to the Superdome, or a Texas school going to Jerry’s World. So let’s take a look at what a 12 team playoff would look like.
(9) Tennessee @ (8) Kansas State
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Your Big 12 Champs would host a Tennessee side without Hendon Hooker. Winner would get the Georgia Bulldogs.
(12) Tulane @ (5) TCU
(Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
TCU is not a conference champ, so they would not get the first round bye. Tulane gets in as the 6th highest ranked conference champion. Winner here would get Utah, who is the 4th highest ranked conference champ.
(11) Penn St. @ (6) Ohio State
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Can you say rematch. Ohio State beat Penn State 44-31 back in October. That game was in Happy Valley. This would be in Columbus. Winner here gets Clemson- who is the 3 seed.
(10) USC @ (7) Alabama
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
This would be the biggest matchup in the 1st round of the CFP. Alabama beat up on bad teams, but had a tough time against the upper echelon of college football. USC had a tough loss against Utah for the 2nd time this season. Winner here would get Michigan.
Even After Hurricane Ian, People Are Still Leaving Cities Like San Francisco, New York, And Chicago And Moving To Cape Coral And North Port
If you thought the hurricane would slow down the migration to Southwest Florida, think again. Redfin just released new migration trends that include the month of October and Cape Coral and North Port are both high on the list. But why? The entire month of October was nothing but headlines about how much damage this area took. Could it be that the threat of a hurricane is still better than the idea of living in one of those cities? Of the top 10 migration cities, 5 are here in Florida, “That’s despite the fact that the state was hit by Hurricane Ian, one of the deadliest, most destructive storms in U.S. history, in September,” Redfin reported. “Coastal Florida is especially popular, even after getting pummeled by Hurricane Ian.”
The price of a strip of sand in Fort Myers beach shows this:
https://www.facebook.com/westcoasthoghunting/posts/pfbid02SQ5whiAwoW4MaFmhx4dkcZfosYxKnpq47QEpRZT4wEdxMr43jvavX9FQWiP9nPnXl
That’s more than a million dollars to buy some sand where a house used to be. My friend Chris is still kicking himself.
Redfin shows 24.1% of its users want to leave their current metro area.
The report states “an unprecedented portion are relocating to new metros. Many are seeking relative affordability as near-7% mortgage rates and persistently high home prices make expensive parts of the country even more expensive.” And Florida is high up on the list of where they want to move. Including North Port and Cape Coral.
There’s another interesting part of the study. It shows not just where people are moving to, but also where they’re moving from. Specifically, the largest block of people currently moving to Southwest Florida are coming from Chicago. I get it. I’ve been to Chicago. Amazing food, amazing night life, a great sports town, but…. High crime rate, rats the size of dogs, and the cold. Even in the June, the way the wind rips through downtown, I was freezing.
There was a similar study conducted before the hurricane, “A Record Number Of California And New York Residents Moved To Florida Last Month.” If it seems familiar, it was the study that Governor DeSantis kept referring to during the election.
So where does North Port and Cape Coral stack up?
The Redfin migration analysis is based on about two million Redfin.com users. The data set is from August 2022 to October 2022. Here’s Redfin’s Top 10 Metros Homebuyers Are Moving Into, by Net Inflow. Net inflow = Number of Redfin.com home searchers looking to move into a metro area, minus the number of searchers looking to leave
10. Orlando
A net inflow of 3,700 over the 3 month period. The top origin from relocation is New York. makes sense, Orlando still has a lot of that international feel that a New Yorker is used to. Plus they have the world’s largest McDonald’s.
9. Dallas Texas
A net inflow of 3,800 with the top origin of Los Angeles.
8. North Port / Sarasota.
A net inflow of 4,300 and the top origin is Chicago. That’s and area that took a direct hit from Ian. 4,300 families decided that a hurricane is still less scary than Chicago.
7. Cape Coral
A net inflow of 4,600 and the top origin is also Chicago. We may need an additional study as to why SWFL is so popular with Chicago people. Chicago Pizza on 47th Terrace about to get even busier.
6. Phoenix Arizona
The ‘Florida of the West’ saw a net inflow 4,700 with the largest group coming from Los Angeles.
5. Tampa
A net inflow of 5,600 with the top origin being New York.
4. San Diego California
The net inflow was 6,500 and people didn’t come from far. The top origin was Los Angeles.
3. Miami
A net inflow of 6,700 with the top origin being New York. I’m not surprised by this, I think every New Yorker wishes they lived in Miami.
2. Las Vegas Nevada
A net inflow of 7,100 and the top origin is Los Angeles.
1. Sacramento California
A net inflow of 7,800 and the top origin being San Francisco.
Is the hurricane scaring people away?
In a simple answer, nope. Sure, I know there’s people that want out, but there’s even more people looking to replace them. I had friends that stayed with me for awhile after Ian demolished their home. They’re buying a place further north. As in ‘near Orlando’. Staying in Florida. Many people would rather live where there are hurricanes, then live in some of those northern cities and all of their problems.
Some things to do this Christmas.....
Christmas Events Happening in Southwest Florida
Christmas Events Happening in Southwest Florida
Thanksgiving is this week and that can only mean one thing…it’s almost time for Christmas! Yay!!!
I don’t know about you, but I am ready to enjoy the Christmas tree, wear matching pajamas with my loved ones, watch Christmas movies on repeat and drink hot chocolate (yes, even in Florida). And of course, listen to all my favorite Christmas music on Sunny 106.3!
If you’re planning to participate in a few holiday festivities this season, we’ve put together a list of all of the events happening over the next month or so here in Southwest Florida! We’ve got ideas for a fun date night. A family fun night out. Even ideas for some fun with your pets this holiday season.
We’ve included several options from Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers and even Marco Island!
By the looks of this list, all of Southwest Florida is ready for some holiday cheer after another tough year.
Make sure to check back again for the latest updates as this is an ongoing list. If you know of one, please let us know in the comments and we will add it.
Check out these Christmas Events Happening in Southwest Florida:
Fort Myers - Holiday Nights at Edison Ford Winter Estates
Join us for the 47th celebration of Holiday Nights and see the homes and gardens decorated with thousands of lights!Holiday Nights runs through January 1 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Night). Be sure to check the website to see the nightly schedule.There will be Santa visits, carolers, science shows and Inside-the-Homes tours on select nights. Lee County residents will receive $5 off admission on Sunday nights.$20 for adults, $10 for teens (13-19), $2 for children (6-12), and children 5 and under get in free.For more details, click hereFort Myers - Santa at Bass Pro Shops
Santa’s Wonderland is open now thru December 24, 2022 at Bass Pro Shops In Gulf Coast Town CenterFor more details, click hereNaples - Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony
5th Avenue South will be hosting the 49th annual Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony! This will be a 2 day event on Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd! This signature holiday event will feature live music, live art performances, festive food offerings, a market, and activities for all ages!There will be a Living Nativity, Skating Rink, table dining on 5th, live music and a special appearance by Santa Claus!!2 Day Event!
-Friday, December 2nd: 5pm-10pm
-Saturday, December 3rd, 10am-10pmFree to attend!
*Lighting of the tree will be approximately 6pm on Friday, December 2ndFor more details, click here
Fort Myers - Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Mark your calendars for the Annual Bell Tower Tree Lighting, Friday December 2nd 6pm-8pm!
Santa Claus will arrive to Bell Tower at 6:30 p.m. in a South Trail Fire Department fire truck at the main entrance near Grimaldi’s and Blue Pointe.
Following his arrival, the festivities will commence in Center Court with a special tree lighting ceremony and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, ideal for holiday photo opportunities. Filled with holiday cheer and decor, center court will also feature a bounce house, face painting and holiday games & activities plus so much more!
For more details, click here
Fort Myers - Holiday Lights at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
Celebrate the Holidays at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium with our Annual Holiday Lights Celebration!Join us December 9th to 23rd and 26th to 30th, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.CNCP Members: FREE
Non-Members: Adult $10 • Child 3-12 $5Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in nature’s wonderland brimming with holiday cheer! Our 1/3-mile trail will be illuminated with twinkling lights. After walking the trail, cozy up to the fire or catch our special Holiday Laser Show in the Planetarium.For more details, click hereCape Coral - Free Underwater Pictures With Santa
Join us for FREE pictures underwater with Santa!This year we have upgrade our camera setup, the pool, the backdrop and installed a heater!Ages 8 and up can be on SCUBA (No certification needed)
Ages 7 and younger can snorkel with Santa!For more details, click hereCape Coral - Pet Photos with Santa at Rotary Park
Join us Saturday, December 3 from 10 am -12 pm to get a picture of your pet with Santa.*Bring your own camera to capture the perfect picture.For more details, click hereCape Coral - Reindeer Run 5K & Family Fun Run
Join us for the 1st Annual Reindeer Run 5K & Family Fun Run! This event includes a 5K run and 1.5 mile family fun run/walk on Saturday, December 10 at Coral Oaks Golf Course. The event is a family friendly fun run so come dressed in your holiday spirit! The run will be on the cart path through the golf course, so it is a stroller/family friendly course. Walking entrants are welcome. The first 300 participants to register will receive a medal.Address: 1800 NW 28th Ave Cape Coral, FL 33993Check-in: 4:00 PM
5K Race Time: 5:00 PM
Fun Run/Walk Start Time: 6:00 PMFor more details, click hereFort Myers - Deck The Halls at Barbara B. Mann PAH
Celebrate the spirit of the season with this annual holiday tradition! The Gulf Coast Symphony is joined by the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers, plus the Kellyn Celtic Arts Dance Academy, and, of course, Santa! The festive sounds of the season ring through the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, as the Gulf Coast Symphony presents your most favorite symphonic pops holiday medleys. From Leroy Anderson’s endearing Sleigh Ride, a medley of music from Christmas movie classics, to the Mannheim Steamroller Silent Night, and much, much more! Deck the Halls is your favorite Southwest Florida holiday tradition, perfect for the whole family!
For more details, click here
Fort Myers - Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet at Barbara B. Mann PAH
This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet! The acclaimed holiday tradition is LIVE in theaters for the 30th Anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-than-life puppets, breath-taking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique. Share in the message of Peace and Harmony and get tickets now at nutcracker.com!
North Fort Myers - Breakfast with Santa
Join us for some holiday fun!
The morning will include a continental breakfast, a holiday craft, letters to Santa
and a picture with Saint Nick himself!PRE-REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED. $3 per person, please call (239) 533-7200 to register.For more details, click hereCape Coral - Breakfast with Santa
Coral Oaks Golf Course
Come and Bring the family for a delicious breakfast and the kids get to meet SANTA!
$15. per Adult
$10. per child and 2 and under FREEFor more details, click here
Fort Myers - HOWLiday Yappy Hour at Bell Tower Shops
You’re invited to bring your friends and canine companions EVERY month to Yappy Hour from 6pm – 8pm in Center Court.Join us Friday, December 9th for our HOWLiday Yappy Hour! featuring selfies with Santa!Mingle with fellow dog lovers at this exclusive FUNdraising event benefiting Gulf Coast Humane Society. Sip, snack, and stroll our beautiful shops. Many of our retailers will also have special Yappy Hour surprises for both you and your furry friends.For more details, click hereMarco Island - Christmas Street Parade
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
6:30pm-8:30pmFree to attend!*Parade begins at Balfour and San Marco Road and will end at San Marco and Barfield.San Marco Road is lit up every year for the annual Marco Island Street Parade! The parade will feature floats, marching bands, music, costumes, candy and Santa Claus!For more details, click hereCape Coral - Holiday Craft Fair
Join us for an Indoor Holiday Craft Fair at Lake Kennedy Center on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9:00am-1:00pm.Vendors are $25 per spot and shopping is free.For more details, click hereLehigh Acres - Winter Wonderland
Celebrate the season with Santa at Veterans Park Recreation Center.
Come join us for a magical Winter Wonderland event! Children can write letters to Santa, make holiday crafts, play games and use the photo booths for family holiday photos. Mr. and Mrs. Clause will arrive and children can put in their wish list in person and receive a gift. Hot cocoa & Cookies, dancers and a tree lighting will spread the holiday cheer!
For more details, click here
Marco Island - Canine Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
5:30pm-7:30pmFree! No entry fee! All friendly dogs are welcome!Marco Island’s Christmas Island Style will be hosting their Canine Christmas Parade! Owners and their canine companions compete for the most festive attire! Live music, and prizes will be awarded!For more details, click hereBonita Springs - Holiday In The Park
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
4:30pm-8:30pmEverything is free!!!*Tree lighting will be at dusk.
***NO PETS ALLOWED!*The City of Bonita Springs will be hosting their annual Holiday in the Park event at Riverside Park! Come enjoy the sounds of the season featuring a visit from Santa, a snow slide, snow flurries in the park, kid-friendly activities, musical and dance performances! Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.For more details, click hereMarco Island - Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
6pm-9pmFree to attend! Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on.Join Marco Island as they light the Island’s Christmas Tree in this annual event at Veterans Park! There will be plenty of live music, performances, songs, food and beverages for purchases, and the lighting of the tree! This event always draws a very large crowd so be sure to come early to obtain a good seat for the shows!For more details, click hereNaples - Santa Paws
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
12pm-2pmFree!Third Street South will have Santa Claus available for photos with your well behaved pets!
Bring your pet on its leash and pose with jolly Old St. Nick for a treasured memory. Professional photographer not on site, please bring your own camera.For more details, click hereFort Myers - 16th Annual Festival of Trees
Come see the beautifully decorated trees at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for the 16th Annual Festival of Trees. $2 admission or bring an unwrapped toy for the toy tree which will be donated to Golisano Children’s hospital. You may win your favorite tree and all the gifts with it. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Proceeds support the SBDAC and Goodwill SWFL.
For more details, click here
Fort Myers - Santa's Block Party
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022 AT 10 AM – 2 PM
Come out to Santa’s Block Party 2022 in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center downtown Ft. Myers. Santa will arrive by Fire Truck. Children’s workshop bags include crafts, crayons and a coloring book, a Publix decorate a cookie kit, a toy, candy and a ticket to ride the Holiday Express train. Bags are only $6 each. Tables will be set out on First Street for families to work together on crafts. Kits can also be brought home. There will be music and tons of outdoor entertainment. Additional train rides are available for $2 each. After the fun, come in for a photo with Santa, view the trees and get your raffle tickets. You may be a lucky winner of a beautifully decorated tree with tons of prizes!
Naples - Christmas Boat Parade
A Naples favorite holiday tradition ~ MIACC’s Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay, December 10th!!!Entry Forms available at MIACC.org or email: [email protected]The parade may be viewed from: Naples City Dock (ticketed), Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview ParkAnnual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Gulf Coast Town Center
What: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Saturday, November 26th from 5-8 PM
Tree Lighting starts at 6 PM
Where: Gulf Coast Town Center, 10021 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913
Located in the West Village
Tree Lighting at ZOCALO Immokalee
Thursday December 1st 6p-9p
Come join us for our annual Tree lighting at Immokalee Zocalo event pictures with Santa. FREE Event
4th Annual Christmas at Farmer Mike's
Our 4th Annual Christmas at Farmer Mike’s event kicks off Black Friday evening. We are excited to share the Holiday cheer with all of you !!!! The event will run on Friday and Saturday nights 6pm-9:30pm starting Black Friday for 8 total nights. Yes we will have fresh live Christmas trees here for you everyday starting on Black Friday until they’re sold out. Santa will be here on event nights reading and singing to you in our 5 acre field of lights. New this year is our animated lightshow you will find in the field of lights. Come back out to the farm and relax with us and get into the holiday spirit!!
Winter Celebration at Golden Gate Community Center
December 3rd 11a-1pAll Aboard! The Golden Gate Express! Come and join Santa and the elves at Santa’s workshop. Enjoy arts & crafts, jolly dancing, photo opportunities and food vendors for all to enjoy. Cost is $3 per person (3 & older)Register Online at http://apm.activecommunities.com/…/Activity_Search/21030Snowfest 2022 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex
December 3rd 3p-9p
December 3rd is a Snowday! The 38th Annual Snowfest is celebrating Collier County’s 100th Anniversary! The event is set for Saturday, December 3rd, from 3-9pm at Paradise Coast Sports Complex!
SnowFest will feature three giant snow mountains made up of nearly 100 tons of snow for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Santa’s Wonderland will be at SnowFest, along with an amazing Snow Maze, the great centennial snowball hunt and selfies photo booth, “Elf” starring Will Ferrell on the 32-foot-wide big screen, a holiday fun bounce land, a holiday train for kids, live music and performances, Domestic Animal Services pet adoptions, prize basket giveaways and more!
Entry wristbands are $5 in advance at PlayParadiseCoast.com, and $8 on Dec. 3 at the gate.
CAT Shuttle service will run free of charge from Golden Gate Community Center and Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
For more information visit PlayParadiseCoast.com.Naples Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
6pm-8pmFree to attend!Bring your chairs and Christmas Spirit to this much anticipated Christmas event, the Naples Christmas Parade!There will be floats, fire engines, school groups, bands, dance troupes, boy and girl scouts and civic groups! Santa will be making a special appearance to conclude the parade.The parade will begin at 6pm and travel north up 3rd Street South from Broad Ave, travel east on 5th Ave South and then travel south on 8th Street. This is always a VERY popular event and parking/space for seating along the street, goes very quickly.Just a reminder to patrons that to keep the parade traveling smoothly and to keep it on time, please do not interfere with the floats and run out into the street. This is for your safety.Free parking is available at the 2 downtown parking garages as well as nearby side streets. Private lots may be charging a fee to park. Do NOT park on private property or block driveways.For more information or to participate please contact the city of Naples at (239) 213-7120.Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, December 17th, 2022
6pm-9pmFree to attend! Entry form must be completed a turned in for boat parade participants.
https://christmasislandstyle.com/…/2022-boat-parade…Countless lights and garland grace vessels large and small will travel up and down Marco River for the 35th Annual Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade! Decorated boats will be passing by The Esplanade Shoppes and Snook Inn Restaurant & Chickee Bar along Collier Bay.Fort Myers River District Downtown Countdown to New Year's Eve
Saturday, December 31st, 2022
6pm-12:30amFree to attend!Come join the 5 stage musical performances, ball-drop and fireworks in the Downtown Fort Myers River District for New Year’s Eve! There will be food trucks, vendors and entertainment to help ring in 2023!