Happy 2010 everyone...so much to discuss in this edition of my ramblings...here we go!
-What a complete joke Arizona's performance was in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska last week! They were a team who was happy to get there...and who didn't bother showing up when it came to the game on the field. I'm not even sure where to begin...
-The fact is...Nebraska badly out-schemed Arizona in all phases of the game. Their defense was able to generate pressure with four pass rushers, therefore allowing 7 linebackers/defensive backs to drop into coverage to shut down the high-powered Arizona passing game. Check.
-On offense, Nebraska employed the "Wildcat" using running back Rex Burkhead to take the direct snap from center...Arizona had no answer. Likewise when QB Zac Lee was mobile and running out of the pocket...Arizona had no answer there either. Check.
-It was arguably the most embarrassing loss in UofA history...33-0 and I hate to admit it but the score was closer than the game itself. I couldn't get out of the stadium fast enough in the 3rd quarter when it was clear that Arizona wasn't going to generate any points.
-Of course not only does UofA not show up, but the weather was cold and rainy. Clearly the best part of the game was the amazing fireworks show at halftime...that was clearly top notch.
-Besides the game, how can anyone not love San Diego, with the exception of a rainy day here or there? There is plenty to do and the weather usually cooperates.
-Speaking of letdowns, the entire Pac-10 conference look poor in bowl games. Even the two winners, USC and UCLA, had troubles against far inferior teams in Boston College and Temple respectively. Oregon was clearly outplayed by Ohio St., Oregon St. was manhandled by BYU, Cal was outclassed by Utah, and of course Arizona...the only team that showed some heart in my opinion was Stanford...who lost by 4 to Oklahoma despite missing starting QB Andrew Luck.
-The Pac-10 was criticized heavily during the 2008 regular season for its inferiority compared to its non-conference opponents...then went 5-0 in the bowls last December/January. This season was just the opposite...and the conference will be under plenty of scrutinty next Fall.
-Best Bowl Game: Outback Bowl...Auburn-Northwestern...if you didn't see it, then click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKVv_m95UdA - it was a classic which will be replayed for years to come. Idaho-Bowling Green was a very close 2nd.
-Most surprising outcome(s): Too many to list in their entirety...Wyoming over Fresno St. in double OT, SMU over Nevada 48-10, and BYU over Oregon St. 44-20 are among the most surprising...especially the last two being in blowout fashion. Boise St.'s upset over TCU last night was also a bit hair-raising.
-Bowl games this year seem to be all about who wants to be there more...and who feels more disrespected. Underdogs are covering the spread at more than a 2:1 rate - which is shocking.
-Iowa will upset Georgia Tech tonight...I'll say 26-20...and I'm sticking with my original pick of Alabama over Texas 27-17 on Thursday.
-On to the NFL - now in full disclosure, I'm a Packers fan and was thrilled at the result of Sunday's 33-7 over the Cardinals, but can they really do it again. Yes...and they will. For all of these Cardinals fans who believe the team was not actually trying...they need to remember that Kurt Warner was in the game until after Green Bay had already led 14-0.
-24 is the magic number for Sunday's matchup...first team to reach that point total will win.
-Come back Thursday for the rest of the NFL playoff picks...I don't want to spoil them too early.
-Back to college football for a second, does anyone really believe that former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was fired solely for his mishandling of a player's concussion symptoms. No chance. Leach is an offensive mastermind, but not so much a people person. I'm convinced that he had run-ins with TTU brass...who figured this was the time to dump his high salary with cause. Look for a settlement to be reached sooner than later.
-I'm also sorry to see Bobby Bowden exit at Florida St. having been forced out by the powers that be. He's been a classy gentleman who took the FSU program from next to nothing and kept them in the spotlight for the last nearly four decades. It was nice to see how focused his players were on whooping a superior West Virginia team in the Gator Bowl to send their coach out with a W.
FINAL THOUGHT - I know that 33 of the 34 bowl games are essentially meaningless in terms of the national championship, but damn are some of them fun to watch. Even if there is a playoff one day in college football, I really hope that those in charge keep a good chunk of the lower-tier bowl games around.
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