January 4th, 2009
It happens to me every year about this time. Maybe I’m the only one? I don’t think so though…I like to call it the college football fizzle.
Every other sport - college or pro - builds up to an amazing finale. In NCAA basketball, you have March Madness. In the NFL you have playoffs and the Super Bowl. College football isn’t like that, though.
First, there’s the regular season. That’s all fine and good, even if it is a bit daunting to have so many teams. Most people just follow the conference they like best or even just their favorite team. Then there’s a bit of downtime - a few weeks that most teams have off.
Then bowl season starts and everyone gets excited. There are some awesome match ups, every year. But you know what?
I don’t care how evenly match Team A and Team B are. If they’re the teams ranked fourth in the Pac-10 and second in the Sun Belt, who the hell cares? In other words, they aren’t playing for any reason. It doesn’t matter how good the game is if there isn’t really a point.
So, after about two weeks of bowl games, we enter the college football fizzle. Sure, we still care about “our” team. Oh, and of course, there are games that are exciting to watch, like the BCS bowls. In general, though…who cares who wins the International Bowl or the Papajohns.com Bowl or any of the other dozens of ridiculous bowl games? Do you even know who is PLAYING in those bowls?
I don’t want to get into a whole argument about a playoff system. Why? Because at this point, I don’t think there really is an argument to be had. There are multiple different ways to do this, it just needs to be done. We don’t HAVE to have a 16-team play off. We don’t HAVE to have conference championship games. We just have to have SOMETHING that doesn’t lead to a big fizzle right before the national title game is held!
And you know what? I’d bet a million dollars on it that they’re working on something. I know that the people at the top keep saying “no playoffs!” but let’s not be silly - they know the BCS system we have right now doesn’t work. Even the colleges are complaining, and if people start to jump ship, refusing to play in bowls at an alarming rate, we’ll have a real problem on our hands. So you bet your ass that they’re working on something.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
January 2nd, 2009
We don’t actually have to talk about the game. It’s fine. Let’s talk about the Rose Parade instead. It was much happier.
82-year-old Cloris Leachman was the Grand Marshal of the event. In case you don’t know her, she was recently on Dancing with the Stars.
The theme of the 2009 parade was “Hats off to Entertainment” and 46 floats took part. There were lots of awesome floats, as usual.
The Hondo robot was really cool. It was animated and HUGE. This was one of the best floats in the parade, in my opinion.
The floats really were spectacular. Keep in mind that EVERYTHING on these floats is organic. Most of it is made out of flowers, seeds, and leaves…and all of it is gorgeous. These floats have to be made in just a few days because they’re really perishable.
And of course, the Penn State Blue Band was awesome.
Pictures via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 30th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Independence Bowl Result:
LA Tech 17, Northern Illinois 10
Independence Bowl Bowl Summary: Ok, I know that I’ll piss people off for saying this…but does anyone really care? I mean, unless you are an alum or parent, do you really even want to read a summary?
Ok, I’m not being completely fair. It was a decent game, from what I’ve read. I’m sure that I would have enjoyed myself, had I been at the game. I guess that this bowl just feels underwhelming because there were no big (or even medium) name teams. Insert bowl playoff system argument here. Seriously.
Kudeos for the Bulldogs for their first bowl win since 1977, though!
Oh, and Weldon Brown really is a great player. Hopefully, this game gets him some NFL attention.
Overall Records: LA Tech 8-5, Northern Illinois 6-7
Read more about the Emerald Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 29th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Emerald Bowl Result:
California 24, Miami 17
Cal tailback Jahvid Best (4) breaks for a first quarter touchdown.
Champs Sports Bowl Summary: California started strong, but by the second quarter, Miami’s offense decided to play too. After halftime, it was 14 all (and then 17 all), and Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was making it clear why no 
one’s talking about him for the draft. Yes, he pulled things out in the end with a short pass to Anthony Miller with just a few minutes left in the game, but he didn’t have a very good final game. Of course, Jacory Harris (Miami’s freshman quarterback, pictured right) didn’t have the best game either…
So how did the Golden Bears win? First, they had the “home field” advantage - the stadium is just 12 miles from Cal’s campus. Second? Their defense, led by Zack Follett (pictured right), redeemed the team. Lastly, they had a dominant rushing game that Miami just couldn’t stop. Tailback Jahvid Best had a great game with 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Overall Records: California 9-4, Miami 7-6
Read more about the Emerald Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Pictures via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 28th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Champs Sports Bowl Result:
Florida State 42, Wisconsin 13
Florida State running back Carlton Jones (33) attempts to evade the out stretched hands of Wisconsin defensive lineman Dan Moore (45).
Champs Sports Bowl Summary: I’m a Big Ten girl, and unless Ohio State is playing, I always cheer as such. Wisconsin didn’t even have a chance, though. I could have guessed that, but I didn’t think it would be a total blow out! Yeesh.
For the record, Florida State is the first ACC team to ever beat Wisconsin.
Overall Records: Florida State 9-4, Wisconsin 7-6
Read more about the Champs Sports Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Picture via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 27th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Motor City Bowl Result:
Florida Atlantic 24, Central Michigan 21
Florida Atlantic running back Charles Pierre (20) receives a handoff from quarterback Rusty Smith (11).
Motor City Bowl Summary: I can’t say that I follow Florida Atlantic OR Central Michigan during the regular season, but they gave us yet another great bowl game. I had Central Michigan pegged to win, given their better record and the fact that this was more of a “home” game for them than for FAU.
Florida Atlantic definitely didn’t dominate, but they were able to do what matters - run down the clock at the end. FAU quarterback Rusty Smith had a great game, with 307 yards and two touchdowns, but props to Central Michigan as well - they held their own. 
By the way, someone forgot to tell the Florida Atlantic Owls dance team that Michigan is COLD in December ——>
Overall Records: Florida Atlantic 7-6, Central Michigan 8-5
Read more about the Motor City Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Pictures via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 27th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Hawaii Bowl Result:
Notre Dame 49, Hawaii 21
Notre Dame’s Pat Kuntz (96) leads the team in a song while celebrating the Irish’s 49-21 rout of the University of Hawaii Warriors.
Hawaii Bowl Summary: I’m not a fan of Notre Dame, and I cheered for Hawaii in this game…but I knew it was a lost cause before the first snap. You know why Notre Dame and Hawaii played in this bowl? Because ND wasn’t going to get to play otherwise and because Hawaii was the only other team that could “travel” there economically.
I’m not a fan of Clausen, but he played well and broke the ND passing record with 401 passing yards and 5 touchdowns… but I mean, Hawaii isn’t exactly known for an awesome defense. The bottom line? No big surprises in this game. Notre Dame did end a 9-loss bowl streak, so that’s good. I guess. If you’re a Notre Dame fan. 
I’m not.
But at least the state’s economy saw a little boost with fans traveling to see ND play!
Overall Records: Notre Dame 7-6, Hawaii 7-7
Read more about the Hawaii Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Pictures via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 26th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Poinsettia Bowl Result:
TCU 17, Boise State 16
Texas Christian Horned Frogs players pose for a team photo after winning the Poinsettia Bowl.
Poinsettia Bowl Summary: Boise State ALMOST had a perfect season, but I guess that all good things have to come to an end. They almost pulled it off, but a later touchdown put a stop to the Broncos. In the first half, it didn’t look good for TCU, but the horned frogs overcame the 13 point deficit with 17 unanswered points in the second half. Boise State didn’t play worse…TCU just played better.
TCU had now won four bowl games in a row, which is the longest bowl win streak in TCU’s history. Once again, this bowl game reminded 
me why I absolutely love college football - it was a great game by two schools who were really evenly matched.
Overall Records: TCU 11-2, Boise State 12-1
Read more about the Poinsettia Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Pictures via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 24th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
New Orleans Bowl Result:
Southern Miss 30, Troy 27 OT
Southern Miss running back Damion Fletcher (25) is wrapped up by Troy defenders Steve McLendon (92) and Dion Gales (98).
New Orleans Bowl Summary: I had pegged Troy to win this one, but SMU can out kicking and screaming. The teams battled it out, and it really did come down to the fourth quarter when the Golden Eagles battle back from a 10-point deficit. Where did this school come from? There overall record is just 7-6, with this bowl being their fifth straight win. That means…they started the season 2-6! In any case, Troy played their hearts out and lost when a field goal was blocked in overtime.
Oh, and best wishes for a speedy recovery to DeAndre Brown, the USM receiver who broken his leg during the game!
Overall Records: Southern Miss 7-6, Troy 8-5
Read more about the New Orleans Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Picture via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
December 24th, 2008
Want more bowl news? Check out this link for all 2008 Bowl games and results, as they come in.
Las Vegas Bowl Result:
Arizona 31, BYU 21
Las Vegas Bowl Summary: This is why I love college football, folks. Going into the game, no one was sure how it would end up, but everyone was certain of one thing: these teams were going to fight. And they were right. Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama, who has been flying under the radar, had an amazing game. The best part? The very last play of the game was a 3-yard flip to Arizona’s Mike Thomas. With that pass, he set the Pac-10 career receptions record. BYU could have made that pass difficult to been offended of a passing play at the last minute…but the were good sports, celebrating in Thomas’ record as much as everyone else. Arizona didn’t play perfectly, and there were definitely some questionable review calls, but overall, what a great bowl.
Overall Records: Arizona 8-5, BYU 10-3
Read more about the Las Vegas Bowl:
Got a link or opinion of the game? Leave a comment below!
Picture via Newscom.
Share This
By Allison -- 0 comments
Recent Comments