OK...there are still three bowls left (really only two) but let me get a few things off my chest...
LAS VEGAS BOWLEhhh...not much new to talk about...BYU failed to play all four quarters, showed no passion, no real progress from 2007. They (and we all) started the season with high expectations, they never beat a ranked team and they let the TCU loss get to them and they simply could not go on after that knowing that the "Quest for Perfection" was now impossible. There is a lot of potential returning in the fall but we'll stop on that note.
SUGAR BOWLI've learned never to use the word "impossible" when it comes to predicting college football - but I'm pretty sure I used the "improbable" in some form or another when discussing the Utes chances of beating Alabama. This game just stole the show from the rest of the BCS bowls.
Absolutely astonishing and completely unexpected. An all and out rout. A highly ranked, formerly #1 team from a "real BCS" conference was just trounced by the MWC champion. I would have bet my remaining 401-k (OK...that's not saying much) along with my first born against Utah squeaking out a win, much less completely dominating 'Bama on both sides of the ball. Unbelievable. Utah was all over 'Bama start to finish and just "...stepped on their face with a hobnailed boot and broke their nose." Utah obviously put together a near-perfect game plan, executed the plan to a T, did not let the media talk get to them and 'Bama...well, 'Bama believed the media hype, walked in over-confident and un-prepared for a team that was not only hungry, but also ready to eat.
Hand it to Utah...I'm proud of the boys up north (as hard as that is for me to say since I am a fan of the SEC and 'Bama winning this game was my top confidence pick in the bowl pick 'em contest). No other team outside of Florida and Oklahoma can even come close to making an argument for a national title after this (Florida and Oklahoma can only because the powers that be have already decided it must be one of them).
Will Whittingham really vote Utah #1 as he so adamantly stated after the game? By rule, he can not do that. All 1A coaches have agreed to the BCS rules, one of which specifically states that the winner of the title game must be voted in the #1 spot. (This same issue came up in 2003 with Pete Carroll when USC wanted the title because of their dominant BCS bowl win that was not the title bowl).
ROSE BOWLThis turned out as expected...the Big 10 just has not been that strong (even though I really admire Joe Pa and would have loved to see his team take USC down). But I was glad that Sarkisian leaves USC on a good note...really just glad he is leaving USC (it makes it easier for me to rail on them).
Carroll did not waste any time after his team's win to state that USC should have a shot at the title or split title. Sports commentators had to agree. But after the Sugar Bowl I think all that talk went by the way side...and rightfully so. Hey, Utah beat Oregon State and USC didn't. Utah even beat four ranked teams and held 'Bama to fewer points than Florida. Can USC even come close to matching all that?
BEST BOWLS (so far)
The TCU-Boise State game was a great game along with the Vandy-Boston College game. You gotta love those down-to-the-wire games that have you tensing your muscles and holding your breath (and you don't even know it) and you don't even really care who wins. Great match-ups.
The Georgia-Michigan State game displayed a great defensive first half (or poor offensive half) and then Georgia pulled away in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Just a word or two about UGA's season (since I am a fan):
Much like BYU, Georgia started the season with very high expectations, but failed to beat a ranked team (until the bowl game), lacked signs of dominance and showed little consistency. And again like BYU, after their loss to 'Bama, they notably lost some steam. Head Coach Richt won't make any excuses (because he's a better coach than that) so I'll make a major one for him: Georgia had 19 season-ending injuries. By the end of the season they had a 4th string man playing left tackle. (As a comparison, last year Georgia sustained only two season-ending injuries). As a fan, I'll give 'em a break and look forward to next year and just be proud that they still ended up in the top 20.
