28 November 2010

Week 13: Rivalry Week

Rivalry (n): a person [or team] who is competing for the same object or goal as another, or who tries to outdo another; competitor. Synonyms: antagonism; jealousy. Yea...and you might add in "hatred", "bitterness", and "really great football". Next to bowl season I'd have to say I enjoy rivalry week the most, and this week was no exception. Even a fan of just the game itself, with no favorite team, had to love this Thanksgiving weekend of some great games.

This week we saw...
  • ...Auburn fall behind 21 - 0 only to show (again) they just need more pre-game warm-up time.
  • ...LSU's luck finally ran out. Hey, it couldn't last forever.
  • ...the last true Holy War live up to its reputation and hype: a 1-point win, a last-second blocked field goal and a very poor "further review" decision.
  • ...Boise State's dream season and national title hopes dashed by a very determined, well executed 4-year plan by Nevada to stop the Broncos.
  • ...two conferences end up in 3-way ties (Big Ten, Big 12 - South) leaving the decision to the precious BCS rankings.
  • ...a good Miami coach get fired (apparently winning is everything if you are a college football coach).
  • ... the Big East finally get a ranked team (West Va) but that team will likely NOT be the one winning the conference title and going to the BCS game.
  • ...six teams from non-AQ conferences are ranked in the Top 25.

EndZone: "Play for 60-minutes"
I've grown weary of this catch phrase and decided that its use should cease (yes...I'm guilty). Teams always play for 60-minutes. That's the rule; they have to. Utah only scored in the 4th quarter and some would even say they didn't play for 60-minutes...yet they won. Auburn didn't play for the first one-and-a-half quarters...yet they won. In fact, one could argue that #1 Oregon and #2 Auburn never play 60-minutes; both are "second half teams" that pour it on in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Boise played all four quarters and OT...yet they lost, but to a team that others would say did play for 60-minutes and OT. And, BYU played for 60 minutes...yet lost (but it was way poor 3rd-quarter play calling, not the players, that lost that game).

What is really meant, and thus what should be said, is "Play at your highest level for 60-minutes". Say what you mean and mean what you say.