Sorry folks, I know I have been away for a while. I grossly underestimated how busy this time of year is. I spent a week with my family and things have been just crazy ever since. Im sure you have gotten by just fine but regardless here are my opinions on various College Football related topics.
*The Rose Bowl is annually my favorite bowl game. It has a classic feel to it. Over the years I have seen some of the very best games played in this historic stadium. It feels like College Football. Yesterday we saw the defending National Champ take on the Oregon Ducks. The first half was extremely competitive. The Noles were down 18-13 at the half, were having success on the ground, were getting the ball to start the half, and I thought had the edge as the ball was kicked. FSU wasted very little time unraveling. Oregon outscored the defending champ 41-7, including 35 unanswered to finish the game, in the 2nd half in route to an absolute curb stomping. The Noles turned the ball over on 3 straight possessions that resulted in 21 Oregon points. That sealed FSU’s fate. Teams of this caliber are supposed to be above comitting 5 turnovers, but apparently not the Noles. FSU has performed something of a high wire act all season long. Time after time they dig a hole and then get out of it. That wasnt going to happen Thursday afternoon. This day belonged to the Ducks who played with their hair on fire. The Ducks amassed an astounding 639 yards of total offense and kept the FSU Defense guessing all day long. Marcus Mattiota was his usual fantastic self throwing for 338 yards and averaging 9.4 yards per attempt. It was a thing of beauty. Oregon moves on to the title game for the 2nd time in program history. I think they have a damn good shot at winning it all.
*Jimbo Fischer’s squad was clearly rattled in the 2nd half that contained some wheels off moments. One of which was Fischer chewing out QB Jameis Winston. Im not a certified lip reader, but I am fairly certain I saw Fischer say “If you dont calm the fuck down you are going to the bench.” This made me laugh heartily. Everybody knows Winston is not getting benched no matter how he acts. A desperate Winston was repeatedly showing up his teamates after failed plays. This is interpreted as leadership for some reason. That is not leadership. TE T.J O’Leary’s face said it all. After Winston publicly undressed him in the 4th quarter it was clear thate O’Leary was not listening. Winston is a wonderful QB talent, but his maturity and leadership must improve. For this reason I believe he should come back to Tallahassee next fall. We will see if he does.
*The Sugar Bowl semifinal was an absolute classic. Few gave the Buckeyes a chance to beat the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide. After all the lowly Big 10 representative couldn’t possibly tangle with the all powerful SEC champ (more on that later). Ohio State, like Oregon before them, came out with their hair on fire. The Bucks dialed up trick plays, creative runs and some old fashioned silver bullet Defense. Unfortunately they also had 2 costly turnovers that put them in a hole 21-6 early in the game. It appeared that the Tide would stomp OSU. Give Urban Meyer’s team credit, they hung around, got their bearings, and then took it to Alabama. It was very, very impressive. Ezekial Elliot ran for an astounding 230 yards including a back breaking 85 yarder late in the game. I personally love his running style. He is a tough North and South runner with jets to burn. He is the most underrated back in the country. 3rd string QB Cardale Jones was far from perfect, but he played more than well enough for the Bucks to win. It is remarkable beyond words that Ohio State has gone to their 3rd string QB and is playing for a National Title. Thursday night was a reminder, in case you forgot, that Urban Meyer is one of the very best coaches in College Football. His leadership had the Bucks on the brink of a title with a 3rd string QB and in just his 3rd year. My hat is off to their entire operation.
*Here is a funny story. I was nursing an absolutely killer hangover yesterday. One of the worst I have had in quite some time. The headache was persistent. I needed a nap before the semifinal games began. Michigan State was down 41-21 and I saw my opportunity. I snoozed for over an hour, sleep that was much needed. I awoke to Michigan State kicking the extra point to take the lead. I was stunned. Such an excellent game and I missed it. Damn it!! Im never drinking again. Fill in your own punch line on that one.
*The Ohio State win over Alabama coupled with Big 10 wins over Big 12 co-champ Baylor and last years runner up Auburn has given the Big 10 some much needed national credibility. While I am happy to see this, I warn you against over reacting to one days events. Its my opinion that the bowl system is a lousy way to determine the worth of a conference. For years the Big 10 has headed to the Southeast to play bowl games against the best conference in College Football and then is lambasted for losing games to superior teams in a “neutral” location. Meanwhile other conferences don’t have it nearly as difficult. My point is there is little equity in the bowl system. Broad reaching conclusions based off these results are not necessarily consistent with the truth. Has the Big 10 been down lately? Sure, but they have never been as bad as half the country would have you believe. So after a day in which the Big 10 had tremendous success lets keep a level head. The SEC is still a very good league, but so too is the Big 10 and the Pac 12 and even the Big 12. There are good and bad teams in each league and we must remember that next fall when the inevitable comparisons are being made about the various conferences.
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