Perturbed Petulance

Colt, Cosby Coolly Cover Cap & Claim Championship

Dominant defense defines and dictates drives in championship football teams. The 2009 Fiesta foes, Texas and Ohio State, had their signature snubs starting the game. Texas was supposed to play in the BCS title game. Ohio State was supposed to be offered a non-BCS bid and ousted from the higher ranks. However the two commenced to clash last night, it was a respectable game all around.
The first half figures featured the OSU defense blitzing half the time. Facing the best defense all season, the Longhorns were forced to mix up their offensive plays. One final Buckeye blitz with 16 ticks creeping off the clock corralled the Columbus invitees. On the final drive, Texas quarterback, Colt McCoy, delivered the deciding blow. An open Quan Cosby snared a 26-yard bullet to seal a surprising 24-21 Texas toppling. Cosby finished his final college game with 171 yards, 14 receptions and two scores. McCoy passed for just under 200 yards in the first quarter but his number three Longhorns were still trailing 6-3 at the half. I give the Buckeye tremendous kudos for their containment of Colt. It’s too bad they were on the losing end and beaten on the final drive. Texas head coach, Mack Brown, adjusted his game plan just in time.
It was a bit of Buckeye bliss in the first half, with Chris “Beanie” Wells breaking loose accordingly. Wells ran for 106 yards to lead all rushers. He left the game early and was not factored much into the second half. I doubt it would have made a big difference. OSU was still able to fend off the high-octane offense from Texas. They were held to their lowest point total all year.
The quarterbacking for 10-3 Ohio State was flawless. Todd Boeckman was handed the ball to start the game and he and Terrell Pryor alternated snaps in the second half. Neither were picked off and combined for 176 total yards. The senior Boeckman completed 5 of 11 passes, including a 5 yard touchdown to the rookie, Pryor, with 7:26 remaining in the game. The 80-yard drive failed to produce a 2-point conversion, but the Buckeye running game bounced back and answered the call on their next possession. Dan “Boom” Herron, replacing Wells, rushed for 15 yards and another six points. Another failed 2 point attempt ensued however. It was encouraging to see Ohio State make a comeback and punter A.J. Trapasso was terrific. His four punts were all pinned inside the 20 yard line. OSU wideout, Brian Robiskie was efficient with 116 receiving yards. Safety, Anderson Russell, caught a lob from McCoy in the game’s only interception.
The Buckeyes could not stop McCoy’s Longhorns with one minute left. They held the offense to 24 points but it wasn’t enough. McCoy really stepped up to earn his second place Heismann Trophy finish. He stamped his name in Texas lore as the Buckeyes vanished on fourth down. Texas vehemently and vigorously vaulted to victory after converting.
Cosby and Texas receiver, Jordan Shipley, were the difference for the Longhorns offensively. Shipley’s 82 yards on kick returns gave him an average of 20.5 for the Bowl. He amassed 78 receiving yards and 10 catches. Cosby’s last 11 yards were the ones offering an obtrusive overturning.
McCoy had an instant impact in the second half when he scored on a rushing touchdown. I think it shifted momentum the Texas way. The way McCoy caught Malcom Jenkins snoozing was a game changer. Jenkins missed and misread McCoy, ultimately miffed in the end.
Texas was 3 of 4 on 4th downs and 35% on 3rd. Each team endured three sacks for close to the same amount of yards lost. Penalties were more of a problem for the Longhorns (8 for 83 yards) than the Bucks (7 for 67 yards). But the Buckeyes were affected emphatically by penalties. Thaddeus Gibson’s two roughing-the-passer penalties were unacceptable punishments. The time of possession for each team was practically even. OSU held the ball for 30:13 to Texas’ 29:47. Perhaps these stats are indicative of the game’s closeness.
So Ohio State loses its 3rd straight BCS bowl. I wonder if they have overstayed their welcome now. I am sure the hopes of scarlet and gray backers were lifted when it appeared James Kirkendoll’s 4th and 3 spot was short of the first down. It looked as though team Tressel had Texas’ number and the Big 10 could put to rest some of this season’s naysayers. There were some missed opportunities for both teams. When McCoy was picked off near the end of the second quarter, Texas missed the chance to at least score a field goal. The teams would have headed into the locker rooms tied 6-6.
Football is a game of hit or miss sometimes. Even though the Bucks hit their spots most of the time last night, the few misses were too much to overcome.

Parting points: Welcome to the Yankees #25.

BCS Bowl Bonanza

Get your spoons ready because there are bountiful bowls to go around. The college football bowl projections are set and sure to be scoops of fun. Most of the non-BCS bowls are meaningless mismatches. I am going to discuss four of the five BCS games this holiday season. I enjoy ending the year with college football bowl bonanzas.
The dream match-up in Miami one month from today guarantees to be the series’ best. The BCS Championship game will be played by Florida and Oklahoma. I like to think this game has the making of a real classic. Quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford are not only two of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates, but two inspiring and remarkable athletes. Off the field, the collegiate quarterbacks exhibit nothing but class. Each player represents historical and highly-esteemed football programs. Tebow and Bradford are both coached by two of the game’s most innovative instructors. OU’s Bob Stoops and Florida’s Urban Meyer will each play for a second national title during Janurary’s date.
Florida is favored to win because of the conference they represent. The SEC is considered stronger than the Big 12. You could argue the Big 12 is the more competitive conference, especially this year. The Gators can take a bite out of any team in the nation and the Sooners will struggle with Florida’s attacking defense. OU can play with just about anybody but don’t expect a 50 point scoring effort January 8th. Meyer’s Gators are athletic and capable of containing Bradford and the prolific Sooner offense. It should be dazzling to see the Gators tested defensively.
Last year, I was definitely disappointed with Ohio State’s lackluster presentation against Florida in the title game. This year, I am too impressed with the Gators to hold any grudges. I have a hard time disliking Tebow and his black eyeliner. Bradford is equally likable but I find myself desiring a Gator repeat.
The second scoop of football sweetness is a New Year’s showdown in Pasadena, California. The Rose Bowl is a famous and sentimental affair each year. This season’s game features striking storylines and a tempting ticket. Penn State stands for the Big 10 and will play a hometown USC team representing the Pac 10. Defensively, this is a charming match-up. The Nittany Lions led the Big 10 in defense, finishing 5th nationally in points allowed. Pete Carroll is the best college football coach I can name this decade but his USC Trojan offense has been shaky. They seem to be lacking something, despite their depth and big time position players. I still like their chances against a close to perfectly-balanced Joe Paterno team. The Trojans dominate at the right time, and the Rose Bowl is their territory. Each team has a lot to prove, so it should be a decent game. The Big 10 needs a bowl victory like Paterno needs retirement, but unfortunately I don’t think either is happening this year. The Lions have the more gifted playcalling quarterback in my opinion. Their defense is solid and they will stop USC from scoring as much as they would like. In the end, I just don’t think Penn State can handle the talented Trojans. Everything should come up roses as USC rings in 2009 with a victory again at the Rose Bowl.
I will skip over the Sugar Bowl (Alabama-Utah) opting instead to taste the fruit of the Orange Bowl. The Virginia Tech-Cincinnati game is not a sexy one, but I would like to see the Big East beastly Bearcats squeeze out the juicy win. The ACC Conference was a mess this season, with no team seeming to want the conference title. The Hokies didn’t impress early on this Fall. They did finish solid and came out firing on all cylinders in the title game over Boston College last week.
Nobody associated the Cincy Bearcats with prestigious college football. Initially, the Big East school made their mark on the hardwood. Not so any more. Cincinnati came out of nowhere to overtake perennial powerhouses West Virginia and Pitt and newcomers South Florida, to win the Big East. The Bearcats are led by the up-and-coming coach, Brian Kelly. Their defense has made the difference, especially against the run. VT is just as good on the defensive side, but they will need to run the ball against the Bearcats to ensure points. The Hokies special teams need a coming out party of sorts in order to beat their Big East opponent. Tech is capable of slowly peeling back the layers of the Orange Bowl bound Bearcats so I am undecided on which team will prevail. What looks like a boring game could be one big citrisy celebrated one.
From oranges to tacos we go. My must-see game this bowl season has all the messy fixings and hot saucy celebrities to thrill. The Fiesta Bowl in Arizona features two top overrated teams. Texas vs. Ohio State pitts a rookie quarterback and all-American tailback against a rugged, homegrown Texan and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) winner. Down in the desert, these two will sweat it out for sure. Both teams can come up dry and I would not be surprised if either one did.Mexican food usually goes right through you. I think the game will be similar. I see a fast-paced affair with short drives, several turnovers and long yardage plays on both sides. An overtime Fiesta Bowl would delight me as long as it comes with extra beans (as in “Beanie” Wells). I predict Wells rushes for over 100 yards and earns himself the game’s most valuable player. Colt McCoy is a dangerous passer with his gun slinging ability. But Wells is Ohio State’s prized possession with his deceptive moves as a rampant runner. Extra beans for all. Just hold the jalapeno peppers on the side, please (inside family joke).

Parting points: “I’ve seen your face in another light; Why’d you have to go and let it die?”