Well, I'm sure many of you already saw the game (so I'm preaching to the choir), but the Fiesta Bowl last night in Glendale, Arizona, was a really great game. And I have to admit that I wasn't sure UT had it in them. Ohio State took the lead with 2 minutes and 5 seconds left in the game, taking a 21 to 17 lead against the Longhorns, and I turned to Ryan and Jamie and said, "Now's the kind of time when I really wish Vince Young was still on the team. Colt's good, but I don't think he can get us out of this." But, of course, McCoy managed to maintain his composure and stay calm (even in the "hurry up" offense") and march his team down the field. When he hit Quan Cosby for a 26 yard touchdown pass with only 16 seconds left to play, there was much noisy rejoicing at Steans Manor.
Many Texas fans insist that Texas deserves a co-championship with the winner of the OU-Florida game, a ranking that's a possibility in the Associated Press poll, if not the Coaches poll (where voters are obligated to pick the winner of Florida-OU). To be honest, it's kind of a tough call. Texas didn't really dominate Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, and they looked like they were struggling a bit (especially on offense) during the first half. On the other hand, Texas once again proved that they are masters of rising to the meet almost any challenge, and they once agin proved themselves consistently capable of finding the heart and the stamina to get the job done. (even when the clock is running out, they're playing against a really good team, and they need a touchdown to win) Texas has some issues in regard to rising to meet the level of their challenger (as opposed to just consistently maintaining an exceptionally high level of play), but I think that on any given day you can't count Texas out as being able to beat any other team in the country.
So should it matter how a team wins when considering it for the national title? I guess I think that the most important thing is just how many wins a team has and who beat who. I'm not saying this just because Texas failed to dominate last night, but because I also get tired of seeing teams run up the score against weaker opponents just so that they can make a more formidable impression in the minds of the pollsters when it comes time to decide upon their rankings.
Anyhoo, great game. If nothing else, Texas has preserved the right to continue the debate about whether or not they should share the national title.
Other from that, I don't have too much to report. I'm getting some foundation repair work done on my house, but that's about it. I'm tired today because that darn football game got me all wound up last night, and then I couldn't sleep.
4 comments:
Regarding the slow start-- You have to remember that the 'Horns hadn't played a game since Nov. 27th prior to last night. Way out of synch. Yet another problem with this BCS system....the long idle period prior to the big bowls.
A win is a win in my book. A comeback win, the pressure of a marquee game, an underdog team with something to prove.....these show more about a team than running up the score against some Division II powder puff.
The BCS is a farce. Utah DESTROYED Alabama, and is undefeated. USC, as much as I hate to say it, looked impressive in beating Penn St. Texas is one dropped interception from being in the title game. I'm all for a playoff system....get rid of the early joke games, and have a 16 team playoff in December. That's only 4 more games for 2 teams.
Hook 'Em
I assume you're in favor of a 4 team - or better still - an 8 team playoff?
Jamie--
Yes, I am in favor of a playoff system. How many teams to choose? That's a tough one. If you pick 4 teams, there will always be an outsider or 2. This year, for instance-- UT, OU, Florida, USC, Utah, Penn St., Alabama? How do you pick 4 from that group? 8 teams would be easier, and allow for 1 or 2 non-BCS schools to qualify. (besides UT beating USC, the best BCS game? Boise St beating OU in OT.) And if you want to keep the number of games down, get rid of the early season scrimmages against the creampuffs.
The nat'l championship should be decided on the field, not in the polls....
The NCAA hoops tourney is easily the best playoff system around, and even then there is always some argument about the last 4 teams in.
Yes, there's always argument about the last 4 teams in the Hoops Tourney, but...
There's never an argument that someone left out deserved to have a shot to win it all.
I vote for an 8 team playoff. Yes #s 9, 10, 11 and 12 will complain, but none of them - well OK, maybe a Utah - will be undefeated.
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