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Flat-Out Awesome It's the only way to describe what took place in college football during Rivalry Week. In all the years of covering and watching college football, I've never been so emotionally drained after what took place this past weekend. The Michigan - Ohio State game by itself was a classic....and that epic tilt was followed up by one of the greatest sporting events that I've ever seen....the Iron Bowl. Given what was at stake at Auburn, the two SEC West powers took it to another level on Saturday. The game had big plays, incredible emotion, and it ended on the most spectacular play you'll ever see. It is hard to believe that the Auburn Tigers have experienced two of the craziest, wildest plays in college football history in the span of a few weeks. Alabama has won a lot of big games, captured tons of championships and bragging rights....but the play that beat them in the 2013 Iron Bowl will be branded on their souls for eternity. Even Nick Saban seemed startled at the miracle finish. He is one of the greatest coaches of all-time, and his attention to detail is unmatched in the game today.....but he never could have expected that his inside track to a third straight BCS title would be crushed in that manner. All around the country there were great games....pressure-filled rivalry games....the ones that make college football so special. They are loving life in Columbia, SC with their 5th straight win over Clemson.....they are doing the same in Columbia, Missouri where the Tigers head to their first SEC title game. The folks in LA that love their UCLA Bruins are reminding the Trojans that they "run LA"......the Oregon Ducks have won 6 straight Civil War battles with Oregon State. The Egg Bowl was an OT affair and Mississippi State captured the bragging rights.....there was bonus football in the ATL as Georgia rallied past Georgia Tech.....Duke kept the Victory Bell from UNC and in the process heads to the ACC title game. I could go on and on....there is nothing better than Rivalry Week in college football. After watching all the thrillers....it made it a snoozefest to watch NFL football on Sunday. Now let's get ready for Championship Week.....I can't wait! The BCS Standings are getting interesting. The debate has already started.....can a 1-loss SEC Champion possibly leapfrog an undefeated champion like Ohio State? I have an easy answer....it depends on your agenda. I love Southern Fried Football™....there's nothing like it. But when it comes to the BCS title game, I want the two best teams playing for the crystal. Ohio State has not played a stellar schedule, but they have a "0" in the loss column and that has to count for something. Now keep in mind, the Buckeyes have some work to do this week against Michigan State in the Big Ten title game and it's no guaranteed lock that they win that game. If voters don't have Auburn or Mizzou in front of Ohio State now, how can you jump them if they defeat a Top 10 team on a neutral field this weekend? Missouri and Auburn have had amazing years and like Ohio State, they are both very good. But if the SEC teams haven't delivered enough quality wins or margin of victory to satisfy your needs at this point of the season.....how can you leapfrog them over Ohio State? Maybe the Buckeyes struggle against Michigan State and survive a close scare like they did against Michigan? Maybe the SEC is a blowout and the winner impresses the mass voters? Bottom line is that we have really important games and outcomes heading our way this week.....you gotta wait and see how it plays out. If you don't believe me, ask Nick Saban....he'll tell you....that you never know how this is going to end up and it's precisely why we love the game so much. The Carolina Panthers are rolling. The team now has won 8 straight games, a franchise record. However, the next game is huge. It's so big that the NFL suits have moved it to prime-time on NBC....the Panthers and the New Orleans Saints. Pending the outcome of Monday Night Football's Saints-Seahawks game, it could be a match-up of two teams with identical records....there are only four games remaining and these two play each other twice. Carolina's defense against Drew Brees and Co.....how delicious is that match-up? It's been so long since the city of Charlotte has had a reason to get stoked for a monster game....it's good to see and feel the city pumped up. After Championship Saturday in college football.....Sunday night will be a great way to cap off the weekend with a terrific NFC South showdown. The ACC-Big Ten Challenge gets underway this week......the Big 10 has had their way in recent years and they will be up to the task of taking on the new and improved ACC. When you add Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse to the already established Dukes and UNCs, the ACC should be loaded......well, the Big 10 is loaded, too. Michigan - Duke & UNC - Michigan State games should be a blast and there are other intriguing match-ups as well. I have found myself watching more college hoops in the early season compared to years past....and one of the key reasons is the play of so many dynamic freshmen from around the country. I've never seen so many good young, players. Last week Mike Krzyzewski ripped the TV networks (primarily ESPN) for mostly promoting the freshmen. He thought guys like McDermott from Creighton and Marcus Smart from OK State deserved more face time. I love Coach K, but he's all wet on this one. If you don't showcase the great freshmen, when do you do it? This time next year, they will be millionaires in the NBA, not rocking at Rupp or in Cameron. Item number 2 is the fact that the networks paid a nice piece of change to broadcast college hoops and they're going to do what is in their best interest. Be sure to check out the hoops this week....it will be well worth it. |
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