Yawn. I don’t have a whole lot to say after watching Florida’s boring-as-hell 24-14 BCS title win over Oklahoma. The game was poorly played, the play calls were often baffling and Fox looked like it had the Z Team covering it (the Fox announcers couldn’t even get the down right in a crucial goal-line sequence). It was a game only a Gator fan could love. (Take our No. 1 poll after the jump).
I think we know that the Big XII was a fraud, with Texas and Oklahoma putting up gaudy offensive numbers simply because they played against garbage defenses. The Sooners clearly did not look like one of the two best teams in the country and had a season’s worth of screwups in one game. Oklahoma has now lost five straight BCS bowl games and three for the BCS title, so the Sooners should join Ohio State as teams we don’t want to see anytime on New Year’s Day or beyond.
Of all the bowl teams I saw, USC was the best, followed by Utah, then Florida. That’s how I would vote. Take our poll and tell us who you would vote as No. 1.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 8:05 AM
Whatever Jim. FL without Tebow is certainly no #1. Tebow carried that game to the end. Big 12 a fraud? Yes, the games weren’t the blowouts you might have been expecting and Tech looked pretty bad in the Cotton Bowl but a fraud? I won’t use the “credibility” argument that was unfairly leveled against Cyd. While I can’t stand OU they had pretty darn good games throughout the year and Bradford is a good QB.
Utah had one great game wiith Alabama and they beat Michigan at the beginning of the season which they barely won and the people in here are anointing them #1 because of record? So the rest of their creampuff schedule all of a sudden became incredible? Give me a freakin’ break. No logic there. But then again, there is no logic to people’s opinions. The only thing I can guess is the votes are ABSOB votes (Anyone but SEC or Big 12).
Any opinions of college football at the end of this year are all about emotions. You’re comments reflect that just as much. Not up to par maybe but fraud? Emotional term in my mind dude. Makes for great readership but doesn’t reflect the true situation. I can probably count myself into this mix as well. I’m not giving in to the playoff mania and personally believe the Utah AG looks like an ass filing a lawsuit about this. Do the people of Utah just not have enough to do other than file lawsuits about college sports and contribute to anti-gay propositions?
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Were we watching the same thing? I thought Oklahoma held up well under tight, unimaginative coaching. The game was competitive and exciting. There were great performances on both sides of the ball with some great defense. Seeing two Heisman Trophy quarterbacks on the same field was something to savor and enjoy. You are letting your unbounded hate for the BCS taint the game itself, which is sort of sad.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
R Bear, how can you call Utah’s schedule a “cream-puff”? They beat 4 teams that ending up ranked in the final poll…but then, you call the MWC a “weak” conference. It might be weaker than the SEC or the Big 12, but it is stronger than at least one (Big East) or possibly 2 (ACC) BCS conferences.
Do I think Utah should be no. 1? I am not sure. The only way to detemine the real no. 1 is with some kind of play-off. I will say of all the teams that deserve consideration for that honor (USC, Florida, Texas and Utah), I think Utah looked the sharpest in its bowl game.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
As with many people, I just want to see a few more games to settle the whole thing. I feel like Utah got shafted and that USC deserved a title shot. I get so tired of incessantly arguing about it. Texas looked pretty good as well. I didn’t think OU deserved to be there anyway and would much rather have seen Utah, USC, or Texas get a shot.
Let’s just get figure skating judges to watch each game across the country and score the teams. Then we’ll know with absolute certainty who the best team is.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I agree with golfer… Though I don’t have a vested interest in either Florida or Oklahoma, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It had goal line stands, timely interceptions, a blocked field goal, huge chunks of rushing yardage, and passionate play by both teams…
And how cute was Tim Tebow during his post-game interview? Though I could’ve done without his shout-out to Jesus Christ (or, as Tebow pronounced it, “my Lord and Thavior, Jetthuth Chritht”).
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Having faith to the extent Tebow does actually makes him more attractive, not less. Would you prefer he screamed Allahu Alakbar?
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
I didn’t watch the game, so I can’t comment on the game specifically and I won’t even try. But I have to believe that USC would have scored more than 14 last night.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I thought the game was poorly played, maybe not a surprise since their last meaningful game was 5-6 weeks ago.
I also enjoy when my “credibility” is challenged because someone disagrees with what I wrote. This is college football’s problem — the “champion” is crowned as much by media and public perception as it is on the field. Who really is the best team? We don’t know, because only 2 teams were anointed to play for the title and neither looked impressive Thursday night. Give me the NFL and its playoffs any day.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I couldn’t believe all the cheer, er, commentary sex that was going on. You’d think the announcers were Tebow-roadies or something. It’s one thing to highlight a guy’s strengths, but dropping a ATWT-worthy superlative every other word got my mute button some action. Thank god ESPN got the future BCS contract.
Also, anything less than a playoff system is not a “championship” in the regular sense of the word. Were I Utah–and I hate the Runnin Utes–I’d plaster “National Champions 2009″ all over my stadium.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 5:29 PM
LOL, thanks for the fun and perspective Jim. Yes, college football will never get it like we want it. I was talking to someone today about the college football playoff system. Three things factor into the problem: fans, number of games and site neutrality. If you forego the first two and accept the lack of the later then maybe you could pull it off. Until then we have to deal with this madness at the end.
Rob, okay “creampuff” may be too strong. Remember at the beginning I said this would have emotional comments and I wasn’t immune. I claim my weakness on that. Looking back I can only find 3 ranked teams. Texas beat 3 ranked also, one of them #1 when we played them.
Oh, and one more thing, let’s lay off Tebow’s commitment to his faith. It’s actually pretty refreshing seeing a young man with a commitment to something other than partying, drinking, drugs and money. McCoy and Shipley of Texas are just as committed. Does it bother me in the Rick Warren sort of way? Heck no. It’s their life and commitment and I’ll humor them just as much as I’d humor someone with a commitment to Islam or Buddhism.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 8:52 PM
The Lord Jesus won the game.
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Anyone who subscribes to a belief system as warped and homophobic as Christianity (or Islam, for that matter) to the extent Tim Tebow does, deserves ridicule. I don’t care if it’s Tebow or McCoy or Shipley or Tony Dungy or Pat Robertson. They all follow the same playbook – Tim Tebow just looks better doing it…
However, I do feel bad for poking fun at Tebow’s adorable lisp… It almost makes the b.s. that comes out of his mouth bearable…
on Jan 9th, 2009 at 9:53 PM
“The Lord Jesus won the game.”
Heard he laid the 5 points.
on Jan 10th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Todd thank you for slamming my faith also. Pretty narrow minded if you ask me. BTW, do you really have proof that Tebow is homophobic or do you just like to characterize everyone the same way?
on Jan 10th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
R. Bear, I’ve seen too many otherwise intelligent people succumb to Christianity and suddenly lose the ability to think rationally. The posted video of Kurt Warner is a perfect example. I find it frightening and sad…
Do I have proof that Tebow is homophobic? No… Do I think he’s probably homophobic? Heck, yes… But even if Tebow is gay friendly, that doesn’t change anything. Gay friendly Christians disturb me almost as much as homophobic ones. They cherry pick Bible verses to support their beliefs, just like the homophobes. The only difference between the two groups is, one believes gays are going to heaven, while the other believes gays are going to hell. And how much credibility can we endow the Bible with if even professed believers feel free to pick and choose which verses they’ll follow and which they’ll ignore? But I suppose the pickers and choosers are preferable to the Fundamentalists, who interpret every word of it literally (see Kurt Warner).
If you’ve found peace and comfort in your faith, that’s great. You are able to accept things that mystify me… And if we should both happen to end up in heaven someday, I’ll be the one wearing the Tom Brady jersey and chatting with Judy Garland…