So much for Florida State's reign as national champions and 29 game winning streak. The Oregon Ducks absolutely embarrassed them in the Rose Bowl semi-final. Though the final score was 59-20, it likely could have been even more lop-sided. Shortly after the fourth quarter began, the game was totally out of hand and both teams sent in their scrubs. Basically, it had become a "mercy" game at that point. Had the starters stayed out there, no telling how many more points the Ducks might have racked up. 70? 80?
To be fair, many of Oregon's points came after FSU turnovers. Though the Seminoles have flirted with danger a few times this year, only to rally in the second half to prevail, who would have thought they'd self-destruct the way they did in the 3rd quarter? There would be no comeback against the Ducks. In short, this game was a beat-down. The speedy guys had their way with the brutes.
[Idle thought: In likely his last college game, given his "character issues", how far might have Jameis Winston's NFL draft stock fallen with the not-so-good performance he turned in? Here's wishing him good luck at the pre-draft "combine" meat-market in Indy in a few months. He'll need it.]
In the other semi-final at the Sugar Bowl, weeny-man Urban (Oscar) Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes came roaring back from a 21-6 deficit to defeat the mighty #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 42-35. After all the success -- and egomania -- Nick the dick Sabin has shown in the last few years -- it was good to see him taken down a peg. He got out-coached and his team was vastly out-played. The score should have been far more lop-sided than how it turned out. Let him slink back to Tuscaloosa and stew. But again, brains and speed had their way against brutes and brawn.
Now it will be Ohio State vs Oregon for all the marbles. Oregon rightly belonged in the playoffs to begin with. They were in the Top 4 all year long.
On the other hand, after an early season 2 touchdown loss to Virginia Tech (in Columbus), the Buckeyes snuck into the playoffs after demolishing Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten conference championship game. An impressive showing indeed, but Texas Christian wound up getting screwed. The Horned Frogs' only loss was on 10/11 to then #5 Baylor -- at Baylor -- by a mere 3 points. Plus they had played 4 other ranked teams and defeated them all. And let it be noted TCU obliterated Ole Miss (once in the Top 2) in their bowl match-up to the tune of 42-3.
The "committee" could say this and say that, but in the end it was about money. Ohio State would attract far more fans, sponsors, and fetch higher TV ratings than TCU would have in such a highly touted game. But it doesn't necessarily make it right.
Nevertheless, on this New Year's day, the brutes have been dispatched, and besides the faithful in Tallahassee and Tuscaloosa, who doesn't like to see giants slain once in a while? Jack climbed his beanstalk and eventually pulled it off. Even in the good book, some dude named Sam told the tale of a skinny little wimp named Dave that felled a behemoth called Goliath by only slinging a rock at him. Hmm. Sam and Dave. If memory serves me correctly, they sang a few pretty cool tunes together back in the day as well. But I digress.
No matter. Ohio State vs Oregon should be one helluva game.
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