Patterico's Pontifications

If someone told me this 3 years ago (and also told me how the Longhorns would be doing) I would have been pretty shocked.

Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/1/2011 @ 6:56 pm

Congrats to TCU. That was a very good football game.

The post game interviews blew. Here is a hint. God does not give a flying f@ck who wins a football game.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:03 pm

I think Cristoph blew a comment generation gasket!

vote for pedro (e7577d) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:26 pm

And, JD, you had this conversation with Him when?

AD-RtR/OS! (b6ebc8) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:27 pm

BTW, a glance at the Recent Comments column seems to indicate that the Trollbots are out in force.

AD-RtR/OS! (b6ebc8) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:31 pm

I think Lou Holtz spoke with the Almighty when coaching at Notre Dame, facing Touchdown Jesus.

vote for pedro (e7577d) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:34 pm

AD – they are spamming links to a site called ruggerbugger.

I have not spoken with God, so he may very well care. I suspect he has other things on his mind.

Touchdown Jesus is something every football fan should see in person.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:40 pm

That’s a nice “f*** you” to the BCS and their claims that one national championship game is the best of all possible worlds.

M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:46 pm

I must say congrats to TCU fans, they were well prepared, well coached, and came to play.

Wisconsin was ready to play too, but it seemed to me it took 3 1/2 quarters for Coach Bielema to realize TCU was being effective against the pass by rushing the quarterback, so go to your strength and run it up the middle until they show they can stop it.

I am sure there are many (as in many) people who know more about football than I do, but as soon as the game was over I found myself thinking “What in the world was Wisconsin doing?” I do not mean to sound like a spoiled sport or minimize TCU’s effort, but I do think Wisconsin was outcoached more than their players weren’t up to it.

TCU has shown they belong near the top in spite of their otherwise weak schedule and maybe lay claim to #2 ranking after somebody loses the championship, but I don’t think there is much argument that they should have been higher than Auburn or Oregon.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/1/2011 @ 7:48 pm

Those who knock the BCS need to remember/realize what was before the BCS. The BCS is by no means perfect, but it is a little better than what existed previously. Previously most of the established bowl games were locked into contracts with specific conferences like the Rose Bowl with the Pac-10 and Big-Ten, so it was easily possible for there to be two undefeated teams at the end of the regular season who did not end up playing against each other in a bowl. There was a situation somewhat like that before the Rose Bowl joined the BCS when the year ended with an undefeated Penn State who beat a previously beaten Oregon (I believe) in the Rose Bowl while Nebraska was undefeated after winning their bowl game (not sure if the team they played was undefeated or not). Nebraska was picked #1, Penn State said, “We’ll play you next Saturday anywhere between here and Lincoln.” (Which didn’t happen).

In any sport where one loss kicks you out of the tournament one team will get to be called champion, but given the opportunity to play 5 weeks in a row a different team may win 4 of them. So if there was a playoff one could argue that a true “champion” was decided. though most years someone could say, “But so and so was the better team throughout the season…” FWIW

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:02 pm

I was conflicted about the game. I live in DFW but have a bunch of friends in WI. It was a good game.

And, yes, you need to see the “Touchdown Jesus” mural on the ND library.

Jim (8de501) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:16 pm

And Tech won the game played in the Cotton Bowl, so now we all can look forward to the JerryWorld Bowl and we know which team will win that.

Seriously, congrats to TCU.

Ag80 (e03e7a) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:17 pm

It goes without saying that the BCS is better than the old system–but that’s no excuse for sticking with it when a clearly better system (4 or 8 team playoff) is available. In any sport where all teams don’t play each other (MLB comes the closest to “everyone plays everyone”, but even they fall short) a playoff guarantees that any champion had to face real opposition to get there where the regular season may not have. The progress started with the adoption of the BCS needs to continue.

M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:18 pm

“… I suspect he has other things on his mind…”

That presents another of those endless theological/philosophical questions, as to whether of not He is omnipotent and all-seeing (and therefore aware), or is He just toying with a “pet”?

AD-RtR/OS! (b6ebc8) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:19 pm

MD – I thin, TCU is right where they should be. Wisconsin was very effective running, but seemed to get away from it, for whatever reason. Their rushing numbers were good. Excellent game.

Auburn, and especially Oregon, are in a different class.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:19 pm

Oklahoma should be up by 50 right now.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:21 pm

It’s good to see the old Cotton Bowl used again. It’s in a great location in the middle of Fair Park in Dallas. Hell, with all of the other stadiums built or being built in the metroplex, Dallas is a great place to hold the World Cup. (Hint, Hint).

Jim (8de501) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:21 pm

I’m also shocked OU is not up by at least thirty against an unranked team.

Jim (8de501) — 1/1/2011 @ 8:23 pm

In theory, a mixed offense is best because each play the defense has to take into account too many possibilities to handle all of them well, and I imagine that is what Wisconsin was trying to do. Their last game they had 4 rushing TD’s and 4 passing TD’s to 3 different receivers.

But in the game the issue is no longer theoretically what is best, it’s seeing what your opponent is actually doing and taking advantage of the strength/weakness match-ups. I imagine TCU’s hope was that they could score more points than the Badgers, focusing on what they could do on offense more than their defense (even though it was #1). The one thing they were most likely to be able to do with their defense was to have success slowing down Wis.’s passing- if you have quickness and speed you can try to blitz and depend on your defensive backs to handle the coverage- at least that sounds more reasonable than trying to jam the line with 8 and stop the run. When they did try to do that what happened? Clay pounds through the line and after 4 yards he’s in the open field.

Wisconsin did a good job of keeping the ball out of TCU’s hands for a good part of the game, but they came away with no or only 3 points too often after a long possession. Hats off to TCU, but I wish we had another chance at them next week.

Being omniscient and omnipotent, it is not that God doesn’t care about football games, but I’m sure His priorities in his concern are for things other than who wins (even when Notre Dame is playing!).

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/1/2011 @ 9:11 pm

Before the TCU folks get too excited by all of this, the lesson of the bowl games today is that the Big 10 isn’t very good. The Wisconsin team that TCU beat was beaten by Michigan State, which was blown out by Alabama, which lost games to three SEC teams.

Roscoe (d3d979) — 1/1/2011 @ 9:26 pm

Obviously the Big 10 had a crap day, but to play that they lost to a team that lost to a team that lost to a team thing is ridiculous. Patently. It is an invalid way to compare teams, and a horrible way to bet or predict.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 9:30 pm

JD – Look, none of the three top Big Ten teams has a single quality win other than against other teams in the Big Ten. Turns out that none of those teams is any good, when compared with other conferences.

Roscoe (d3d979) — 1/1/2011 @ 9:55 pm

Virginia Tech lost to James Madison, who lost to William and Mary, who lost to Georgia Southern, who lost to Wofford, Chatanooga, and Samford.

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 9:58 pm

None of those teams is any good

Your overwrought hyperbole kind of stomps all over whatever point you are trying to make. Let me guess … SEC fan?

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 10:03 pm

I think if we noodle around this a bit, we can argue Tulsa should be the national champs.

Go Golden Hurricane!

Ag80 (e03e7a) — 1/1/2011 @ 10:04 pm

Tulsa beat Hawaii by more than USC did, who lost to Oregon by less than Stanford did …

JD (07faa1) — 1/1/2011 @ 10:14 pm

Roscoe, by your logic Wisconsin should have been National Champ a few years ago, for they beat Arkansas which had been the only team to beat National Champ LSU.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/1/2011 @ 10:51 pm

Who could have guessed that the apologist for Wisconsin would be named Roscoe?

Horned Frogs rule!!!

Icy Texan (cde6bb) — 1/2/2011 @ 3:00 am

TCU shut down a powerful Wisconson offense and raised the Rose Bowl trophy high for all to see. This squad can play and beat any team in college football. Congratulations TCU!!!

TCURocks (1f3c1c) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:57 am

JD – Look, none of the three top Big Ten teams has a single quality win other than against other teams in the Big Ten. Turns out that none of those teams is any good, when compared with other conferences

Michigan State hardly played yesterday (no idea what was up with that) and Alabama played like the national champion it was last year.
Each game is a snapshot in time. You can’t say a team is “no good” because it lost on one day. Put the teams together on another day and the game would be entirely different.

MayBee (081489) — 1/2/2011 @ 8:00 am

I’m very happy for TCU’s players, coaches, and (especially) their long-suffering, patient, and loyal fans. They’ll remember this season for a long time.

Beldar (ff4f38) — 1/2/2011 @ 9:15 am

TCU played well, and had a great season, and it is completely understandable why their fans are beaming with pride and over-exuberance. Auburn and Oregon are in a different class.

JD (306f5d) — 1/2/2011 @ 9:18 am

I don’t like that bumpy headed frog mascot.

MayBee (081489) — 1/2/2011 @ 9:57 am

The BCS needs to recognize that it is possible for “lesser” conferences (the WAC and the MWC, to name 2) have teams as good or better than the “major” conferences in any given year and not lock those teams out of the “national championship” game.

Dave N. (899655) — 1/2/2011 @ 10:11 am

BTW, why do we “need” a National Champion in Collegiate Football?
And, just what good does it accomplish to have one?
It just seems to this observer that there is much more controversy today than there ever was back in the Ice-Ages,
when it was just a dual between the writer’s poll, and the coach’s poll.

Now, if they wanted to completely turn the Fall Football Schedule on its head by having Conference play start before Labor Day, and limited to one-game per conference opponent (and they would probably have to limit conference membership so that everybody is playing the same number of conference games), then the rest of the season could be a seat-of-the-pants double (or single) elimination type schedule leading up to a single, final game.
They could probably even rotate that Championship Bowl between the major bowls on a subscription basis: You want it, you pay for it – Big Time!
Perhaps they could even use some of the proceeds from the lead-in games, and the “Big Bowl” to benefit the actual players?
Things like improved disability insurance for players who get crippled while engaged in “amateur, inter-collegiate sports activities”?
Plus, a full-bore scholarship program that actually supports the atheletes, and not penalizes them; since they are the ones who are putting butts in the stadium seats after all – not the Academic Senate, nor the University Chancellor.

Just a disinterested opinion of a casual observer (the last Bowl game I was serious about was USC v Wisconsin back on N-Y’s Day-1963 IIRC – lost my shirt on that damn Safety).

AD-RtR/OS! (a9d180) — 1/2/2011 @ 11:22 am

I know how it hurts to see your team lose or to see a team you view as a “good” team lose. It’s especially hard when the team loses to a team you view as inferior. Just a thought, but maybe you need to rethink what makes you so sure TCU is inferior.

This was one of the most competitive bowl games I’ve seen this year. Wisconsin played well: The Badgers have a great running game but TCU’s defense was stopping them at times, so I’m not surprised Wisconsin felt it had to pass … nor am I surprised TCU won. The Frogs have been good for a couple of years and this year it all came together for them. After years of getting the short end of the stick from NCAA and the Big 12, I can’t think of a more deserving team.

And if I didn’t like TCU so much, I’d love to see Texas hire Gary Patterson. He’s a great coach.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 11:27 am

Congrats again to TCU, though I give TCU’s defense more credit for stopping the pass than the run. I think had Wisconsin stuck to run primarily, the whole second half would have been Wisc running plays straight up the middle that could not be stopped, just like their final drive. I’d be interested to see how many times (if any) Wisconsin ran the ball 3 times consecutively (up the middle) and did not get a first down. When the strength of the defense is quickness you either go right at it or use misdirection. I think Wisconsin hurt themselves by trying to diversify their offense in this case and should have relied on their strength. (I wonder what Barry Switzer would have done with Wis.’s 3 running backs in the backfield at the same time. That would have been a strong safety’s nightmare.)

Having watched Wisconsin a few times, I would agree they played “well”, but not up to what they did on their best Saturdays. I don’t think they would have beaten OSU for one if the defense missed as many tackles and had zero pash rush as yesterday. How much of that was TCU players or TCU coaching putting Wisconsin off of their game, I don’t know. Wisconsin has sent several cornerbacks over the years into the NFL. I don’t know why they often gave up to a 10 yard cushion to the WR’s. I could have passed or caught for 5-7 yards if they gave me that much room.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/2/2011 @ 12:32 pm

Patterson is a helluva coach.

JD (b98cae) — 1/2/2011 @ 12:32 pm

We could hire quite a few Pattersons for what 1 Mack Brown costs, though Texas has had a lot of success up to the most recent year, so perhaps that’s unfair?

I wouldn’t bet against TCU, even against the top team, just because they handle that situation well, and seem able to put other teams off their plans. JD’s right. TCU’s got a nice coach.

Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/2/2011 @ 12:37 pm

JD, I condemn you on your anti-SEC rants. That said, I will defend the “who beat who” points because it is what is used to decide who is where when you rank teams. The Little 11 (also known as the Big 10) doesn’t beat anyone but themselves yet has three one-loss teams, two of whom are now two-loss teams with one to go. S, they’ve now played good teams and got beat. Notice how the media/voters gave up on Ohio State when they loss to Wisconsin. They then tried to put UW as “the best team in the nation” argument, which thankfully TCU put to rest. I only wish that teams in the Boise State/TCU situation would get more chances to face good teams so the arguments would be negated.

LSU over the Aggies and the Razorbacks (with the WORST cheer in college football) over the third best conference champion in foortball, OSU

reff (7206a4) — 1/2/2011 @ 1:44 pm

Wisconsin lost this game. MD’s comments are dead on.

The one thing that mitigates some of Bielema’s perplexing play calling is that the Badgers atypically put themselves in longer down and distance with ridiculous penalties.

TCU proved that a mentally tough, focused, and driven team can overcome a decided disadvantage in talent. Good on them!

I can’t wait to read Dan Jenkin’s take on all this.

Ed from SFV (6edf50) — 1/2/2011 @ 2:00 pm

Let’s look at the stats.

Wisconsin ran the ball 46 times (averaging 4.9 yds/rush) and passed 21 times, completing approximately 58%. TCU’s offense had 26 rushing attempts (3.2 yds/rush) and 23 passes, completing approximately 65%. Neither team turned the ball over and there weren’t many penalties or penalty yardage, although the pass interference call on Wisconsin was significant. The main point of contention seems to be Wisconsin’s decision to pass the ball rather than focus on the run. But if you look at the play-by-play log, it’s clear the TCU defense was limiting Wisconsin’s running game on several possessions.

For instance, on Wisconsin’s first possession, the Badgers had 6 consecutive running plays of 40, 4, 9, 5, -2, and 4, after which they faced a 3rd and 8. An incomplete pass was followed by a field goal.

Not surprisingly, the second possession saw Wisconsin mix up its plays more: 3 runs of 1, 7 and 1 yards mixed with 3 passes of 14, 16, and 28 yards. The Badgers scored their first touchdown after the most balanced offensive attack of the game.

The third possession saw Wisconsin recommit to the run with mixed results. The first 6 plays were runs of 5, 18, 4, 3, 2, and 4 yards (the last run came on a 4th and 1), followed by 1 incomplete pass, and then runs of 9, 3, -1, and -2 yards. Facing a 3rd & 13, Tolzien completed a 10 yard pass that set up another Wisconsin field goal attempt.

The rest of the game followed this pattern. After possessions in which the run was having mixed results, Wisconsin turned to the pass on its next possession, followed by a renewed commitment to the run on the following possession — only to face long 2nd and 3rd downs. With TCU leading by 8 and time running down, the Badgers had to consider the pass or use all its timeouts.

In my opinion, both teams fielded players who were ready, healthy, and played their games. I think the difference was special teams and Patterson’s (and his players’) ability to make adjustments during the game. TCU and its coaches have done this for at least the last 2 years, and I think it’s very impressive. There aren’t many good game-day coaches anymore but Patterson is one of the best.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 2:48 pm

By the way, Wisconsin beat then #1 Ohio State with 43 rushes and 16 passes, numbers that aren’t that much different than the Badgers’ stats in the Rose Bowl.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 2:56 pm

Now that is a compelling point, DRJ.

JD (07faa1) — 1/2/2011 @ 3:06 pm

Ed,

I can’t find anything Dan Jenkins has written after the Rose Bowl game but I know he was there. His last entry in his Twitter feed was in early December and it has some funny stuff.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 3:18 pm

I’m not the best analyst but IMO Wisconsin’s biggest problem and TCU’s saving grace were special teams. The Badgers had some horrible field position in the second half.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 3:26 pm

Awesome analysis, DRJ.

Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/2/2011 @ 3:58 pm

Thank you, Dustin. I obviously have a bee in my bonnet when it comes to TCU.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 5:29 pm

Gotta be one team in Texas with a winning record this year … ;-).

I know, I know – SMU, Tex Tech, A and M …

JD (07faa1) — 1/2/2011 @ 5:34 pm

Baylor doesn’t count, cuz they simply cannot be good if the Illini from the horrible Big 10 beeyotch slapped them.

JD (07faa1) — 1/2/2011 @ 5:37 pm

JD,

You’re right about Texans needing TCU’s football program this year. Purple is our new favorite color:

At a downtown pep rally, fans said they have patiently explained that Horned Frogs are not frogs and Fort Worth is not Dallas.

Mary Alice Giordano and her husband, Fort Worth Symphony director emeritus John Giordano, celebrated double birthdays. He was born 10 minutes before midnight New Year’s Eve, she five minutes after.

“People stop and ask us what ‘TCU’ is,” she said.

“Then they say, ‘Oh — Texas.'”

U.S. Senate candidate Roger Williams of Hudson Oaks said he even saw some familiar friends wearing brand-new purple outfits.

“I’m seeing some Texas Longhorns sneaking in here,” he said with a grin.

But my favorite was the LA Times’ story where some people thought TCU stands for Texas Country University.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 6:27 pm

DRJ-

You went to work looking up stats and I commend you for it. One thing not captured in your commentary is the number of times Tolzien was sacked. His percentage of completed passes shows how effective he was when he threw the ball, not when he dropped back to pass. You went to the effort of getting stats on the plays and I commend you. I don’t know if there is any way you can look at which runs were sweeps (and if any of those runs for negative yards were sacks). I don’t remember many times if any when TCU penetrated up front and dropped someone for a loss on a run up the middle. The other thing about pounding it up the middle is the cumulative effect. No matter how quick a defensive lineman is, if you get hit by someone 300-350 lbs repeatedly coming straight at you it will wear you down. Yes, the TCU punter and the athleticism of their coverage guys downing the ball inside the 10 was impressive.

Yes, I’m disappointed and trying to lick my Badger wounds, and being outcoached is one way to lose, that’s why good coaches get paid lots of money, especially those who are good at making smart game plans and adjustments during a game. I thought Alvarez was very good at that, and for as great as a person and coach as Tressler is at Ohio State, I have been impressed by how poorly he seems to be able to adjust a game plan- but that may just be my ignorance revealing itself.

27. ~~Roscoe~~, reff, by your logic Wisconsin should have been National Champ a few years ago, for they beat Arkansas which had been the only team to beat National Champ LSU.
Don’t bother squawking about Arkansas and OSU. For reasons I already said, I don’t hold out much hope for OSU unless their athletes are so superior that being outcoached doesn’t matter. That worked with the man-child Clarett several years ago over Miami, but it is rare as everybody has great athletes when you get to the big time.

Comment by MD in Philly

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:14 pm

Its still wrong that a team named after an amphibian won the Rose Bowl.

SPQR (26be8b) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:19 pm

Follow up-

DRJ- looking at your link, Ball and Clay averaged 6 and 6.9 per carry. Tolzien had 4 “carries” for -16, and White, their little speed back had 8 carries averaging 2.9. Even subtracting out Clay’s and Ball’s longest runs they still averaged about 4.5 yds/run. If you can get 4+ yds a pop up the middle you can do that all day- and I think if TCU needed to try to stop that it would have opened other things up. Still, TCU played a good and smart game.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:25 pm

SPQR-

You are so right- All I can think of is “Yosemite Sam” talking about “Horny toads” or some such-

But then, years ago, one Wisconsin gov. wanted to change the state animal from the badger to the dairy cow, rotating the breed every year- can you imagine the Univ. of Wis. Holstein’s coming on to the field? That could leave a real mess.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:29 pm

As a loyal Texas Longhorn, there’s nothing wrong with bringing steers on the field!

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:42 pm

I mean, sheesh, if they’ll let amphibians into the Rose Bowl, what’s next? Allowing the Univ Calif Santa Cruz?

SPQR (26be8b) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:46 pm

The winner of the Seattle/St Louis game should play the winner of the Ohio State/Arkansas game.

JD (07faa1) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:47 pm

MD you were right the first time…that was Roscoe in 27…

And you’re probably rit about OSU -Ark…

reff (7206a4) — 1/2/2011 @ 7:52 pm

Comment by SPQR — 1/2/2011 @ 7:19 pm

But, that was a feature, they could play rain or shine.
And, trust me, it’s been raining plenty out here.

AD-RtR/OS! (a9d180) — 1/2/2011 @ 8:34 pm

SPQR,

I didn’t know the Santa Clara mascot is the Banana Slug. That’s pretty funny.

DRJ (d43dcd) — 1/2/2011 @ 8:44 pm

Horned frogs are reptiles, actually. And the iconic neon sign over the Rose Bowl’s south entrance was designed by a man who later moved to Fort Worth.

Beldar (ff4f38) — 1/2/2011 @ 9:34 pm

DRJ, I’m curious if your personal impressions parallel my own: I know some Longhorn fans who, on principle, won’t root for the Aggies or the Sooners or even rivals from yesteryear like the Razorbacks. But I don’t know many ‘Horns fans who categorically refuse to root for TCU and, for that matter, Baylor and Rice, at least when they’re playing teams from outside the state.

Beldar (ff4f38) — 1/2/2011 @ 9:43 pm

I want more Texas posts.

Quiero mas escritoss para Texas.

Θελω περισοτερα περι το Τεχας.

nk (db4a41) — 1/2/2011 @ 10:25 pm

*escritos*

nk (db4a41) — 1/2/2011 @ 10:26 pm

Yes, nk, we all miss DRJ!

AD-RtR/OS! (a9d180) — 1/2/2011 @ 10:50 pm

Well, Santa Clara can say their games are always a “slugfest”.

Though I guess their opponents could say it will be a “slugfeast”, if they have a mascot such as a horned frog that would eat slugs.

Thank you Beldar for the zoological clarification. I assume Yosemite Sam was talking about the same creature when he spoke of “Horny Toads” (Have your volume low: http://www.hark.com/clips/kxwgqcnwkb-horny-toads )

It is said that Wisconsin is not named the “Badger” state because it had so many badgers, but because some of the first settlers who were miners would make living quarters by digging a hole into the side of a hill, so what’s a little taxonomic error.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/3/2011 @ 5:37 am

Santa Cruz, people. Not Santa Clara.

MayBee (081489) — 1/3/2011 @ 7:01 am

Sorry Maybee,
SPQR had it right, then the rest of us messed it up.
The farthest west I’ve ever been is Salt Lake City (I think), so all those Santas are the same: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Santa Claus…

OK, time to get over crying about spilled Wisconsin milk, there’s work to do, and two hockey teams to check on…

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/3/2011 @ 7:34 am

MD – Sorry about the beating we put on the Badgers yesterday.

JD (6fed24) — 1/3/2011 @ 7:41 am

I bet you are, JD. Thanks for the condolences, I hadn’t even looked at college basketball yet. I see Ill. shot 50% from 3-point land, hard to beat that.

I wonder how long it will be before you need ESPN to watch any of the March Madness, now that all of the main bowl games are ESPN. I’m all for free enterprise and such, but there is just something wrong not only about an amphibo-lizard winning the Rose Bowl, but not being able to see it on broadcast TV, either.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/3/2011 @ 8:15 am

I’m glad I determined a few years ago never to become invested in following OSU. When I heard they were up 28-7, I felt pretty good, but I resolved not to let my hopes get up.

How many ways can you try to give up a game:
– abandon the offensive strategy that got you the lead
– instead of taking a forward progress spot somehow end up called for a safety
– diving on forth down to get the yardage- but leave the ball behind
– debating between “going for it” on 4th down or punting, and decide to get a punt blocked, just to make it more exciting…

In spite of all that, Arkansas was the team that succeeded in giving it away with a multitude of dropped passes and a very untimely turn over.

It was a football game. Both teams were there to win, both teams failed to live up to their best but kept fighting and trying. Arkansas can be disappointed because of their dropped passes and interception, OSU can be relieved (a little bit) that they have finally beaten an SEC team in a bowl game- but not much to brag over.

MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/4/2011 @ 9:50 pm

What a wild exciting bizarre game.

JD (07faa1) — 1/4/2011 @ 9:54 pm

1/1/2011

TCU Wins Rose Bowl

73 Responses to “TCU Wins Rose Bowl”

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