Problems With the Post-Season College Football Rankings

I have a problem with Boise State's final rankings of 5 in the AP Poll and 6 in the Coaches Poll. Come on guys. They belong inside the Top 3 at least. And Ohio State's final ranking is pure lip service to the fact that they were in the Nat'l Championship game. Which is fine. It's an achievement. But the way the lost, and that at the end of it all their best win was over Michigan, I think they belong lower, like 5-6 range.

Michigan, who did not get beat as badly as Ohio State in their bowl game, fell 5-6 spots to numbers 8 and 9. Is Ohio State looking better than USC, LSU or Boise State these days? After racking up just 80 yards of offense on Monday night I'd argue no. They aren't the number 2 team.

So who is? Boise State, but for the blueblood of college football's continued reluctance to respect a 'mid-major.'

According to Michael Wilbon (who said he would vote Boise State at #2) on last night's PTI the only sports journalist in the country with the stones to match Chris Petersen's, and vote Boise State #1, was Greg Archuleta of the Albuquerque Journal. Way to go guy. That's a true pioneer.

But how was Boise State to climb higher when even the Idaho Statesman's own Mike Prater, couldn't bring himself up to the (shameless?) homerism to vote Boise State #1? He put them at #2.

And I don't necessarily disagree with that vote, but he had to know Boise State had an uphill battle to get to the AP Championship and I would have appreciated the moxie of that #1 vote from the hometown writer.

All the same it's interesting to see the AP Voters Votes (all available here). You will note some big-time names on there, like Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler, and Stewart "What the Fuck Did I Do to Deserve an AP Vote?" Mandel, each one of them towing the corporate line and dicking the Broncos over with #5 votes.

We Were All Wrong, Except Urban Meyer

Wow. What happened? I had some faint misgivings when Michigan got thrashed by USC in the Rose Bowl, admittedly, and against my natural inclinations, I started to suspect the Big 10. But I never saw this happening.






Yeah, Penn State/Tennessee, yeah Wisconsin/Arkansas, but something was smelly at the top. I had the feeling that if Ohio State and Michigan beat the crap out of each other and seemed well matched back in November, was there a problem if Michigan didn't seem to belong on the same field as USC on New Year's Day?

Since beating Michigan was Ohio State's signature, and only "elite," win as Texas panned out, did this mean that the Buckeyes were suspect? I had that tingle in my reptilian sub-brain, but I quashed it because the Buckeyes looked unstoppable and I believed in the Big 10.

Now it's been exposed. I didn't follow Ohio State with the same level of detail that I invested in Michigan, so I can't speculate on what went wrong with the gameplan, coaching or execution (and I hope that when Switters peels himself up out of his alcohol-induced fugue he'll have the courage to try). But with 82 yards of offense, and Florida defenders grabbing and eating chunks of Troy Smith like cotton candy, I can restate the obvious and say that something went very, very wrong.

And for the first time in my life I felt terrible for Troy Smith getting sacked. This miserable ending did not befit the apparent season he'd had. Nor did it fit the season that the Buckeyes turned in.

I supposed the speculation will turn to the 51 days of waiting time, or the de-emphasis on preparation, the lack of what they call 'hunger' or 'fire,' that comes with being the odds-on favorite not just to win but to destroy. Then maybe there's the Ohio State/SEC jinx (0-8 in as many tries) or the fact that Ohio State was one of Sports Illustrated's #1 Cover teams back in August and Florida was not.

Anyway it falls out it was a disappointing finale for the Big Ten and they've taken a nationally televised beating that diminishes a lot of the respect for the conference and validates the SEC's claim to best in the land.

Finally, you do have to hand it to Florida and Urban Meyer. They worked it.

Choke!!

All Eyes on Troy Smith

You might think this picture of Jim Tressel is from January 8, 2007. It's not, it's from January 3, 2003. But before I part for the day, filled with some work and some recreation, these are the reasons why I think Ohio State outmatches Florida tonight:

1. Offensive weapons -- As everyone saw in the Michigan game, Ohio State possesses a legitimate running game with Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells. And at the skill positions, you add that to two GREAT receivers: Ted Ginn, whose speed everyone is afraid of, and Anthony Gonzalez, whose route-running ability should be made into a "Wide Receiver Play for Idiots" book.

2. Senator Tressel -- He's a big game coach. He takes his team to what will basically be a home game for the Buckeyes, he knows how to keep them focused, and he brings the team to play. Every game. Tonight will be no different. Watch for Tressel to continue to shed the conservative coaching image and let Troy Smith do his thang.

3. James Laurinaitis -- The front four will have to get significant pressure on Leak to wear him down, which brings more pressure on the Ohio State LBs. Laurinaitis will be forced to drop back in some cover packages and will be asked to put pressure on Leak at times. His versatility, endurance, and determination will prove to be a huge factor in this game.

4. A.J. Trapasso -- The Ohio State punter is averaging 41 yards per kick, and if you remember the Texas game, he was consistently sticking the Longhorns inside their own 20. When OSU is forced to punt, Trapasso will continue his stellar season by leaving the Gators at a field-position disadvantage.

5. Troy Smith -- He is one day away from accomplishing everything that could possibly be asked of an all-time great Buckeye. Three wins and zero losses against Michigan, leading his team to a 19-game winning streak, a Heisman Trophy, and this last step......a National Championship. He was on the sidelines the last time the Buckeyes brought it home, not playing, just imagining what it would be like to be on the field.

This is Troy's time to shine. I'm going to shed a tear when he leaves the field for the last time, but appreciate the fact that I was able to watch the best Ohio State quarterback of all time.

Thanks Troy.

Go Bucks.

USA Today + Bathroom Break = Bliss

After I ranted for a while about Florida and Ohio State a few minutes back, I had to retire with the trusty USA Today Sports section. I think that sports writer Jack Carey and I are on the same page. The title of the article, "Speedy Florida aware that Ohio State can motor, too," pretty much sums it up.

It's not just the multi-colored, bar graph and graphic heavy layout, and 3rd grade reading level that impresses me about USA Today. What's great is that they can be the leading daily newspaper, and not really go into any depth beyond the headline. But given that I have this space to elaborate, I will do so.

My buddy Jack Carey says what I don't have the clout to say in a national newspaper:

"Anyone who doesn't think a Big Ten team can successfully match up, speed-wise, with an SEC power might have missed Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer's comments before his team played Penn State in Monday's Outback Bowl.

"On defense, they're really fast," Fulmer said of the Lions. "And their receivers run away from people."

Tennessee lost that game to Penn State on the same day another Big Ten team, Wisconsin beat SEC West champ Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. On Monday, the Buckeyes hope to continue forging a new reputation for themselves and their league: speed kills."

Maybe Phil Fulmer isn't the best person to quote, given that he should have been fired years ago. But Florida WR Dallas Baker (whose awesome name alone should be enough to get him into the NFL) says it even better:

"As far as the speed issue, that's what makes Ohio State Ohio State. Everybody is saying, 'Big Ten this, Big Ten that,' but if you really look at it, they do have speed like a team from the (Southeastern Conference). That's why they're undefeated."


Thanks, Dallas. Enjoy your meeting with Malcolm Jenkins.


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Florida: Too Fast for Love

So I was at a bar last weekend, minding my own business, watching Penn State and Wisconsin defeat their respective SEC opponents, and I overhear this Auburn fan talking to his Auburn friends about the Ohio State vs. Florida game.

Regardless of how much I make fun of SEC fans about their delusional, whining nature, they never cease to amaze me. So this Auburn fan tells his friend:

"Ohio State plays two tough games per year. If they played Florida's schedule, they'd have 3 or 4 losses."

Interesting. I guess it's just all the speed in the SEC that is overwhelming to lowly Big Ten teams, such as Penn State and Wisconsin. We'll see this Monday how slow Ohio State really is when they finally are matched up against a real football team.

The Buckeyes have done everything they've been asked to do this season. They have won all 13 of their games, put up great numbers on almost every team they've played, and allowed less than 10 points per game. But let's see why some experts are saying Ohio State will lose.

Scouts, Inc. predicts that Florida will win for a few reasons. But what is Scouts, Inc. all about, anyway?

"The analysts and talent evaluators at ESPN's Scouts Inc. watch games, break down film and use their extensive experience and contacts in their respective sports to provide the deepest and most detailed scouting reports available anywhere."

The detailed and deep scouting report for this game included this insightful comment:

"The issue of time between games plays to Florida's advantage. The 51-day layoff could prove to be a disadvantage for a Buckeyes' offense that was clicking on all cylinders when it last took the field. Conversely, while 37-day layoff is long enough for the Gators to get some key players rested, it's not too long to get out of rhythm."

So 37 days is not long enough to get out of rhythm, but 51 days is. I guess 38 days is the magic number. This is something I would not know unless I were an expert.

But let's get to the heart of the matter:

"Florida's defensive speed is underrated. Ohio State is blessed with tremendous offensive weapons, as witnessed in its dismantling of the Wolverines' well-respected defense. However, the Gator's defensive front seven is even faster and their secondary matches up far better athletically versus the Buckeyes' deep corps of receivers."

Let's take the Michigan game as an example. Scouts points out that "The Gators lack ideal depth at cornerback," and in the Michigan game Troy Smith passed to EIGHT different receivers for 320 yards and 4 touchdowns. Without depth, it's going to be tough to cover a combination of 4 receivers at a time while they have a corps of eight to rotate in there. Good luck.

Scouts: "Florida must get consistent pressure on Smith without being forced to incorporate too many linebackers on the blitz." But thankfully Scouts also points out that "The Buckeye offensive line is a physical and aggressive unit that averages more than 312 pounds per member."

312 pounds average. When you have an offensive line like that who can open holes for two great running backs in Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells (who have combined for ,738 yards and 20 touchdowns), and protect the quarterback, you're in trouble.

This game will be like every other Buckeye game this year: there are too many weapons for any defense to handle. We'll start off with a potent mix of big passes and runs up the middle, knock them off guard, and take advantage of the big plays. The SEC does not scare me, especially against this juggernaut.

What Michigan Can Learn From Boise State

Brian over at MGoBlog is still too shaken up to write about the gut-wrenching football performance Michigan laid egg-style in the Rose Bowl on Monday. Instead, in his first post since the Rose Bowl, on his Michigan football blog, he's given us a blow-by-blow
of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Good grief. Or shall I say good display of grief. (Though I did enjoy the part about the "Petite Elite Miniature Horse Precision Drill Team.")

What we're all getting at here is the deep shock and hurt at Michigan's inability to close a season in proper style since, uh, 2000?

We all have our theories (one still cooking in my noodle has to do with the appearance of a string of uncannily horrendous haircuts on the Michigan QBs since Drew Henson left for the Yankees after the last big-time Bowl win for Michigan in the 2001 Capital One Citrus Bowl (ack) over Auburn).

But the truth is probably less meta-physical than some dim connection between cool haircuts and winning big games, though I still say it wouldn't hurt to see a little more bad-ass swagger out of UM QBs so long as it stays below the realm of coolly-coiffed chach-factory losers like Chris Rix and the Clausen clan. (What hope have we for Mallett?)

But back to arguable facts, the truth is so simple my girlfriend said it during the Fiesta Bowl later on Sunday. She said, Michigan doesn't play aggressive enough. Boise State went after the win against Oklahoma with the fevered tenacity of a rabid dog.

Michigan doesn't really play that way. There are no surprises up Lloyd's sleeve anymore. It's off-tackle, off-tackle and five-step drops. The offense isn't strategic and sets up only to win when Michigan has a clear advantage in sheer athletic ability. This will work fine for most of the Big 10 and the non-conference schedule, but against the upper echelon of teams this has been a losing strategy.

From the DetNews:

The Wolverines might pay heed to this observation from [USC defensive end Lawrence] Jackson, the USC end who intercepted a pass: "Michigan is a traditional offense and they don't hide what they do. They don't try to out-think you. They rely on their players being better than yours, and ours were better."

Indeed.

So when your players are not reliably better, which can never reliably be the case between teams like Michigan, Ohio State, USC and Texas etc. what can a team do besides get QBs with cooler haircuts?

Try spicing up the playbook a la Boise State.

Fuck it, try anything but what you keep doing. After all one definition of insanity it repeating the same things over and over and expecting different results. I don't care how old and traditional Lloyd Carr is he's got to see that his methods aren't producing results when it matters. That or he's insane.

So come on Michigan, how about a New Year's resolution of shaking shit up?

Fiesta Bowl: 4th Quarter and OT

In case you missed the most exciting sequence in college football history, here are all the relevant plays edited together neatly and commercially-free by YouTube user smith55js (Thanks Guy!)

Seriously.

I'm not the only one saying it anymore. It was on SportsCenter and I heard it on ESPN Radio this morning. Sports Illustrated is using it as a cause célèbre to argue for a real playoff. But the resounding sentiment is that last night's Fiesta Bowl (or at least the 4th quarter and OT) was probably the greatest football game ever played anywhere, anytime. The world is buzzing Boise State and everyone I know who bothered to miss this game is kicking themselves in the head for it.

One thing to say to Boise State now, hang on to Chris Petersen. He looked a like a fricking genius with church-bell sized balls last night (and probably still would had the 2 pt. conversion failed) taking it to certified genius coach Stoops. Mark May (whom I don't like) said it last night amid the Nick Saban-Alabama coaching drama, the fourth consecutive Boise State coach is starting to look like a hot prospect.

Maybe not the Tide, but someone else might be thinking about Petersen on their sideline and Boise State better start hustling to make things right for Chris in Boise.

Ultimately it may be about a shot at a Nat'l Championship, and in that event perhaps Boise State should officially launch it's petition to the Pac 10 that they expand to 12 with Boise State as the first of the expansion school candidates.

What's so great about Petersen was that he decided to win that game last night and did so agressively. That was some new wave coaching last night and it was awesomely successful and a lot of fun to watch.

Boise State Broncos: National Champions!

The beauty of having two teams is that most Saturdays you either get a double-bonanza or a shot at redemption. In the case of today's Rose Bowl disappointment, personal vindication came fairly immediately as Boise State did what Michigan could not and proved that they belong in the elite echelon of teams this year.

The Broncos won an absolute roller-coaster classic over Oklahoma, featuring every conceivable trick play from the hook and ladder to tie it up with 7 seconds left to the "Statue of Liberty" play that won it on a two-point conversion in OT.

Two words: crazy.

Bar none the biggest win for Boise State and now at 13-0 after beating a legitimate college football juggernaut the Broncos have to be mentioned in the National Title picture. Perhaps a la the split title between LSU and USC a few years back.

So how about it media? What about an AP Title for the Broncos?

I'd take that or a shot at Ohio State however that could be arranged.

All pipe dreams aside, this is big time respect for Boise State and it's so so gratifying.

Tough Time to Be a Michigan Fan

Jeeeze. It seems like just a year ago that I was writing something coming from a similar place.

USC has just wrapped up Michigan like a Happy Meal, put in their backup QB, and evoked a 'men among boys' comment from Kirk Herbstreit. Just like in the '03 Rose Bowl, they solved Michigan's running game and

I don't want to join the ranks of the turncoat gadflies calling for Carr's head (again) but it's awfully tempting after another year that once held such promise (11-0) has ended with back to back losses in the games that really matter.

It's a problem when this becomes the annual pattern.

These are the games that establish a team's legacy and if you can't win them you don't belong in the elite. Michigan played poorly and deserved to lose tonight. Now we've got 8 long months of soul-searching contemplation and what-ifs to go through - a grim prospect when compared with the enthusiasm for 2007 that could have been had we won the Rose Bowl.

But, after swallowing this bitter pill and accompanying financial loss I will not be a 'Doubting Thomas'. I'm taking Boise State +7 against the Sooners. Go Broncos!!!!!!

Hurricanes Love Snow

Since it's a ruse already to have an ACC-affiliated bowl game hosted in Idaho each winter, one of the running jokes (or "storylines") for the press is to watch some big ole' Southern boys getting their first taste of snow.

The Idaho Statesman, and no doubt some of the local news broadcasts have had their fun, and ESPN will surely run some cute, good-natured tape of its own to document this noteworthy encounter during its telecast of the Micron PC Bowl on Sunday.

Sure, "the snow is cool" for now, but what effect, if any, will it have on the Hurricanes come Sunday? Only time will tell, but Vegas doesn't seem too concerned spotting Miami 3.5 points as the favorite. At a wobbly (even in Florida) 6 and 6 coming into what amounts to a cold, hostile environment in Boise (only 5 hours by car from Reno) I've got my doubts.

I may be tacking the Pack in this one.

Big Ten, Little Results?

After three terrible years for the nation's premier football conference, will this finally be the year that the Big Ten rises to the occasion for Bowl Season? (I just christened "Bowl Season" as a proper noun)

The past three Bowl Seasons have been lackluster for the Big Ten, and the conference hasn't survived with a winning record since 2002 (which was the last time the mighty Buckeyes won the national championship, I might add):

2002/2003 Bowl Season: 5-2
2003/2004 Bowl Season: 3-5
2004/2005 Bowl Season: 3-3
2005/2006 Bowl Season: 3-3

This year could prove to be different. Before we dive into some of the Big Ten's seven bowl games, let's look at a reason WHY the Big Ten might fare better.

Most convincingly (to this guy) is the overall strength of the teams. The Big Ten has 2 of the 3 top teams in the nation, even though the Big Ten is admittedly top-heavy. But there are also 3 Big Ten and 3 SEC teams in the Top 10. All 3 of those teams have a great chance to win their games.

The second issue is the players. It's a little disappointing that we won't get to see two of the best players of the Big Ten future (Juice Williams of Illinois and Kellen Lewis of Indiana) in these bowl games, but we're going to see a hell of a lot of them. Why?

In sticking with the tradition of picking on the SEC, nine of this year's ESPN All-Americans are from the Big Ten, compared with six from the SEC. In addition, nine of this year's AP All-Americans are from the Big Ten, compared with four from the SEC. The Big Ten has almost every part of the football field covered in the All-American selections, from quarterback to offensive line to linebackers and secondary. You're going to get to see some stellar players take the field in the next couple weeks.

On to the games themselves. What would be better than a sweep for the Big Ten in bowl games against the SEC? This year, we're getting three great SEC/Big Ten matchups in the bowls. Maybe these will help sort out what is the best conference this year:

Penn State vs. Tennessee
Penn State was mediocre this year, and it's too bad that JoePa didn't leave after last year's amazing run, ending with a victory over co-dinosaur Bobby Bowden. Not sure how good this game will be, but I just hope JoePa makes it through the game with his pants intact.

Arkansas vs. Wisconsin
People don't yet believe in Wisconsin, because they didn't have to play Ohio State this year and their toughest game, against conference heavy Michigan, they lost. But I think first-year coach Bret Bielema has done a hell of a job stepping into the very-hard-to-fill shoes of Barry Alvarez. And McFadden is a beast. I guess we'll see what happens, but I think the Badgers can gain some street cred for the Big Ten with a win in this game.

Ohio State vs. Florida
This is just too much for me to think about right now. But I will definitely be addressing this game, along with the other Big Ten bowl games, within the next few days.

Stay tuned.

Oklahoma Bored With Boise State

As a generic Knight-Ridder (now 'McClatchy Company') publication The Idaho Statesman is really stretching its creative power on the wings of Boise State's recent success. Judging by the above-the-fold hype, this must make business sense from the standpoint that the Broncos are the hottest gig in town and are no doubt pulling in lots of eyeballs for advertising sales. Yeah!

From the fan's perspective it's also yielding some interesting journalism. For example, Statesman reporter Chadd "Double D" Cripe's foray into enemy (Sooner) territory. For the sake of generating more than the standard, speculative rehashing of available internet-data and hot-air pre-bowl game coverage, the Statesman has embedded Mr. Cripe in Norman, Okla. to get a pulse on the enemy team, its fans, and their general ennui at this match up.

You can view the dedicated coverage here.

The articles are colorful and highlight the significant back story, which is starting to read something like unrequited love.

The Broncos are thrilled to be here. They've embedded a reporter. They sold their allotment in record time. The riff raff in Idaho are mortgaging their homes and shelling out $1,400 each for booze-soaked charter airplane/tailgate/ticket packages. Coach Chris Petersen may be offered the governorship.

The Sooners not so much. For their part they're not reflecting back any of that love. This seems odd for a community so steeped in college football lore. They've sold their allotment of 17,500 tickets, but needed help to get there with less than 25% of season ticket holders partaking. OU Fiesta Bowl merchandise is gathering dust on the shelves as the rout (34-10 trend early, Norman-based predictions) is expected.

The Norman Transcript website is giving this game none of the above-the-fold love of the Idaho Stateman, apparently more concerned with the seasonal Christmas Story Contest. Meanwhile its OU Sports Page (for Chrissakes!) is busy covering basketball, in December!

Maybe they're right to be so blase. Maybe the Fiesta Bowl is a no-win situation for Oklahoma. And if this attitude remains the same they sure are looking like the early losers.

Ian Johnson Scored 24 Touchdowns This Season

And they're all here in an easily-enjoyed compilation.

There's a lot of bad image quality going on here, but that doesn't diminish the fact that Ian Johnson led Division I-A in scoring this season with 24 touchdowns. Amazing. Three of those he got wearing a flak jacket after breaking his ribs and collapsing a lung.

Sooners Intimidate with Acoustic Guitar, Mellow Musical Stylings

How's this for mid-tempo intimidation?



If the rest of the Sooners fans are this chill in their vitriol I'd say the State fans should dominate them in the stands.

Adrian Peterson Back for Fiesta Bowl, and Pete Fiutak Hates Boise State

It's true that you can't spell Pete Fiutak without a big F.U. In his CFN Q&A, Mr. Fiutak lambasts Bob Stoops for his declaration of Adrian Peterson's health to play in the Fiesta Bowl (see How much does Oklahoma care about its players?) against Boise State.

His objection to this move is that it could endanger Peterson's draft status on the off chance he gets injured:

"But Oklahoma isn't playing in the national championship, or even the Big 12 title game, which would then be more than understandable for Peterson to come back to play in. The Fiesta Bowl against Boise State is nothing more than a glorified exhibition game, and certainly isn't worth jeopardizing this great kid's future.

What if he blows out a knee like Willis McGahee in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl? What if he breaks his leg like Michael Bush in the season opener against Kentucky? We're talking about a top ten pick in next year's draft, and possibly number two behind Brady Quinn, and he's going to risk it against Boise freakin' State?!

It's Peterson's place to say he wants to play and nothing can keep him off the field. It's up to the adults to do what's best for him and his family."

(*bold emphasis added by me)

So we're calling on Stoops to stop and consider Peterson's NFL future before considering his team's need to win this game? Forgive me for asking when a college coach, whose primary responsbility is to win games for his university (and his job depends on it), has ever or should ever give precedence to the future NFL career of player during the process of gameplanning, especially when it comes to benching his best player.

What we're seeing here is a disgraceful lack of respect being shown to Boise State. If it were any other BCS program this wouldn't be a question that would cross Fiutak's nimble mind. He thinks that the win over Boise State is such a forgone conclusion that Stoops should bench Peterson. Well, by that logic let's suggest Stoops bench any player with pro-prospects and see how they do.

While I can see the knee-jerk appeal of this type of thinking, it's flawed. Playing Boise State is a no-win situation for a prestige program like Oklahoma. They are expected to win and win big, since eeking it out and God forbid, losing, are both calamities of a high order. There is no reward for beating Boise State, since it's expected, and a high degree of punishment in the offing should they lose. For this reason I would expect Stoops to pull out the stops and give Boise State the shot they deserve - Oklahoma's best shot. That's the only intelligent move he can make and if Adrian Peterson gives him a better chance than :who's the backup running back" that's a move Stoops had better make.

Now, if you still don't agree, let's entertain Fiutak's advice and say Stoops lets Peterson watch the game in street clothes. Boise State can play and they take the lead, by halftime people are asking questions about Stoops' decision and he looks like a turkey. If it's close or the Sooners lose, Stoops looks like a pretty big turkey. Solution? Eliminate the uncertainty, give Boise State the respect they're due and play Peterson if he's really healthy.

Can the Rose Bowl Recover from the Cold?

There is the fact that I partied too hard this weekend, consuming drink and smoke in abundance and impairing my immune system. Then I was out in the elements as well, climbing a remote peak in central New Hampshire in bitter temperatures and howling wind probably without the proper attire. Third is that emotionally I've been dragging since USC blew the pure, 'Trojan-paved' road to Glendale and Michigan was dissed on style-points in favor of Florida. The collective effect of all of this is that I'm sick and tired. The controversy has finally grown exhausting.

It's weird to admit this but the Rose Bowl is feeling like an all around letdown. I would guess that a lot of this has to do with the fact that both USC and Michigan are coming off losses to back pedal into a Granddaddy of Them All whose pre-game energy are so far actually fitting the geriatric nickname.

The feeling is remarkably different from a week ago when LSU was OMG excited to have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. When USC was headed to the Nat'l Championship, and Michigan seemed pumped to play a worthy foe in LSU. But now, there seems to be zero excitement for this game. (I would bet this extends to the Sugar Bowl as well where it's kind of a glorified home game for LSU against a glorified high-school squad in Notre Dame, but I would differ to the Bayou Bengals fans to expand on that sentiment.)

For Michigan it's the political letdown. The system failed again. The voters suddenly freaked out at the idea of a rematch. Urban Meyer lobbied shamelessly while Lloyd Carr remained, silent, stoic, dignified. Tressel didn't vote.

For USC it's the no-less hard hitting body blow. They were the masters of their own destiny and choked in a very big way to an inferior team. They are left not only dealing with the damage of a bad loss but also the haunting spectre of what might have been had they kept their shit together.

In the end we're left wondering if USC is really that good a team, and whether Michigan can recover from the handicapping feelings of victimhood. Will this be a good Rose Bowl or will both teams show up feeling sorry for themselves?

In any other year this is a marquee matchup, a classic Rose Bowl. Three years ago this was the game that launched USC back to dynastic, National prominence in a win over Michigan. And the deck appears to be stacked to launch the winner of this game onto an urgent and real campaign for pre-season #1 and championship expectations next year.

That's the glamorous storyline, but so far the glitter just isn't there. There's one month left to let these wounds heal and like me, these teams and their shell-shocked fanbases have a long way to go to get the energy levels back up and recover from the cold.

Miami Hurricanes to Micron PC Bowl

Yesterday the University of Miami (and not of Ohio) accepted a bowl bid to play in the Micron PC Bowl on December 31 in Boise, Idaho. As a native son and outspoken supporter of the Boise Broncos I am proud of that program and everything it has achieved, so it is no reflection on my love for Boise, the Blue Turf, or the Broncos when I say that objectively it's not the most glamorous bowl game. And its usually fucking cold in Boise right around New Years.

Still the bowl, known as the Humanitarian Bowl before it wrangled corporate sponsorship, has played host to all kinds of fish out of water teams, mostly from the ACC including Clemson, Georgia Tech and Virginia. (It's always fun to see Southern boys running around confused in the cold.) There is a National Championship team among these ranks, but none so far has matched the prestige of the U and they are coming humbly to Boise on the heels of their worst season in a long, long time.

But they won’t play the Broncos, who more often than not play in their home-town bowl game, because there’s also a rarely seen degree of poetic symmetry at play. Boise State is on the rise, while Miami has fallen on hard times and their post-season destinies have crisscrossed. Boise will be visiting the BCS playing on a stage as grand as the Orange Bowl, which Miami calls home. Miami is making the opposite trip to play the Nevada Wolfpack.

For me it highlights a great subplot to this season: the continued delicious demise of the dominant Florida programs.

You will remember that both Miami and Florida State really began their downward trends last season. Larry Coker was a pre-season hot-seat occupant (and a dead-on prognostication to the college football media’s credit) while Bobby Bowden was beginning to catch some of the same aging-legend-can’t-coach-anymore-and-better-retire flak that Joe Paterno was so used to.

It’s interesting to point out here that Paterno shook this by winning last year, going 11-1 and beating FSU in the Orange Bowl. Now, you could say, hey, FSU won the ACC and made it to the Orange Bowl last year, and you’d be right. But at 8-5 we all know it was bunk as the new-look ACC has sort of gotten into the habit of turning out tepid champions. Take your pick this year, Georgia Tech or Wake Forest.

In any case both teams were highly-ranked pre-season for no other reason than that they are Miami and Florida State. And they played early ranked #11 and #12 in the country. The game without offense sucked and that’s when we got the first whiffs of putrification.

But it's been a refreshing kind of putrification, refreshing like seeing the neighborhood bullies finally get their comeuppance. You don’t see a lot of justice in the world, particularly in the conflict between the haves and the have nots. But now two of the most thuggish, arrogant haves of all of college footballdom are groveling at 6-6 and it's awesome.

Chat Transcript: Boise State for National Championship Game!

switters: PTI yesterday

wilbon said that Boise State should play OSU in the NC

nastyb: i love it

switters: he said the big schools are afraid to play the little guys

nastyb: well

there's not much in it for them

beating boise state is expected

losing to them is a calamity

switters: how do you feel about the fact that troy smith is going to win he heisman, the maxwell award, the davey o'brien award, and the walter camp award

nastyb: i'm smiling about that

switters: good

would USC give us a good game

do you think?

nastyb: i don't know

i didn't think illinois would give you a good game

but hey

they're a good team

they'll be in it

unlike notre dame

switters: well they definitely beat notre dame

nastyb: yerp

there's kind of a groundswell to keep notre dame out of the BCS
which i support

and at the same time, some people are calling for the ascendancy of boise state

http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/61991.html

some people want them in the rose bowl

that would be a vexing problem for me

switters: haah

that's awesome

you gotta love *hometown newspapers

nastyb: i know

they get so excited

*Austin American-Statesman: Boise State to BCS Title Game
*The Tacoma New Tribune: Boise State to Rose Bowl