Bowl Game Thoughts....

For all the college football fans on here...Interested to hear any thoughts on the bowl season so far. 

My take from the games so far:

Of course the Nebraska game was the most interesting to me.  Two teams that were decimated by injuries battled.  Good, hard-fought game.  With a little luck, Nebraska pulled it out in the end.  Neither team (or fanbase) was overly interested in being there, or playing each other.  Several NFL-caliber players in the game.

Also watched the MSU-Stanford game intently, cheering for the Spartans.  I'll have to admit, after they played in Lincoln, I was thinking they were over-rated (mainly there defense, offense looked good that day)...but they really showed up in their last 2 games.  Big win!

Iowa and Wisconsin were both close and both could've won with a little luck. 

My question of the day (perhaps we have a football official on here that could clarify)...  The targeting rule seems to be really messing with the integrity of the game.  It seems to be purely a judgement call.  Here's my question.. On Stanford's final play that was stuffed...the MSU replacement lineback dives over the line, meets the running back helmet to helmet, and all is well.  Great defensive play.  But tell me, how is this not considered targeting and leading with the helmet?  After the game, he said his job was to "launch" himself into the backfield.  Seems to be a double-standard.  I totally agree and understand that this can't be called in this situation, or it would ruin the game...but how is it not called?  Is it because the running back wasn't considered "defenseless"; though I've also seen it called for simply leading with the helmet.  Nonetheless, a great stand by the Spartan defense!

One other question, anyone know what the MSU linebacker did to get suspended?  How about the Ohio State player?

Wishing all a great new year in 2014!

Good for the Big Ten that Nebraska and Michigan State salvaged something for a bowl season that started out 0-2 with Michigan and Minnesota losses.  The league needs a few good bowl seasons in a row to salvage their reputation a little bit.  I would think Ohio State can get them to a respectable 3-4.  I doubt if Rutgers and Maryland will add anything to the conference other than TV sets, at least in football.  They also lost their bowl games. 

Nebraska's young quarterback showed flashes, hope he keeps developing for you.  Their defense seemed to be very inconsistent this year, nothing like the glory years. 

As for Michigan State-Stanford, I saw the same thing on the last play.  It seems as though they only call the helmet shots when they're out in the open and on receivers when the defender gets up a full head of steam before ramming them.  As for Stanford, what an unimaginative offense.  I was expecting a lot more from them.  Michigan State stuffed Gaffney every time when it mattered and they kept trying it, even late in the game when the clock was against them.  I thought the Iowa-LSU game was boring.  Good turnaround season for Iowa, though.  Not flashy, but that grind it out, physical play keeps them in most every game and you can count on 6 to 9 wins pretty much every year.  Most shocking games to me were Duke-Texas A & M and Central Florida-Baylor.  Strange things can happen with a month of preparation.  Some coaches seem to be better than others utilizing the prep time.

Targeting is only on defenseless players like receivers in open field with the defensive player leading with his helmet launching himself into such player. On that play the running back is not defenseless he knew he was getting hit when he tried to jump the line. As far as the bowl season as a whole has been very boring to me, a bunch of no name schools or schools who have mailed it in this season playing for a no name bowl game. I think we need to get rid of these games and go to a nfl style playoff take major conference winners as in sec, big 12, acc, big ten, PAC 12 and have two or three wild cards for teams such as ucf(who proved they belong this year last night). And have playoffs like they have in the NFL.

I believe the key word in head ramming is "defenseless."  Running backs are protected by the rule in the open field, not just receivers.  Quarterbacks are protected from blows to the head by rushing defensemen.  Linemen, both offensive and defensive, are protected against blows to the head, particularly head slaps.  On short yardage plays, the running back often leads with his head.  We were taught to lower our head in football practice years ago.  In the Michigan State-Stanford game, the defensive player clearly was using himself as a battering ram.  If given the opportunity, the running back would have launched himself, too.  Everything was too jammed up for him, though.  Considering the attention rightly given to head injuries lately, there most likely will be rules put into place to further protect against blows to the head.  With each rule, judgement comes more and more into effect.  I have seen defensive backs flagged for 15 yards when the receiver he hit lowered his head after the defensive player.  I applaud the effort to take the Darryl Stingley type hits out of the game, but they'll never be completely elininated.  A friend of mine who played 6 years in the NFL as a wide receiver recently testified in a hearing, I believe in San Diego, regarding the occurence of concussions and other head injuries in the league.  I think we've just seen the tip of the iceberg on this issue.  I'm afraid the next 10 years will see many, many lawsuits.

I personally liked the KSU vs. Michigan game.  For a KSU team that was looking like they were going to be the doormat for the big 12 this year.  After starting out 2-4 and loosing to a D2 school at home to start the season to turn it around and even make a bowl game let alone a decent one and then to win against a team like Michigan for a KSU fan was great to see.  After that the Duke a&m game was crazy along with the MSU Stanford game.  I think im gona tune out the ou bama game tonight.  I have seen enough SEC domination over the big 12 to not want to watch that WHUUPING!!!  The OkState vs Mizzu game should be a good one thought.  and go FSU!!!!

Hope you watched Oklahoma/Alabama.  Interesting comment from Bobby Stoops after the game.  When asked how he handled all the hoopla about having to face mighty Alabama, how his team could cope with being such an underdog with little respect, he said he never mentioned it to his team.  He said he didnt' have to.  He said he just told them we're Oklahoma and have as long a football history as anybody.  I guess he's right.

The other comment I appreciated was during the game when one of the announcers said, regarding Michigan State/Stanford, that is was hard to believe the Stanford of Jim Plunket fame, needing a last minute touchdown to win the game, ran the ball up the middle the last 4 plays of the game 

Stanford had to call timeout to run it up the gut again.

oakview said:

Hope you watched Oklahoma/Alabama.  Interesting comment from Bobby Stoops after the game.  When asked how he handled all the hoopla about having to face mighty Alabama, how his team could cope with being such an underdog with little respect, he said he never mentioned it to his team.  He said he didnt' have to.  He said he just told them we're Oklahoma and have as long a football history as anybody.  I guess he's right.

The other comment I appreciated was during the game when one of the announcers said, regarding Michigan State/Stanford, that is was hard to believe the Stanford of Jim Plunket fame, needing a last minute touchdown to win the game, ran the ball up the middle the last 4 plays of the game

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I did get to watch the end of the game WOW I stand very much corrected, and I am glad that them dang okies proved me wrong!  I wish I could have seen the MSU/Stanford game.  It is looking like a very even bowl season this year with no conference overwhelmingly better than any other.  THANK GOODNESS!!!

Davis Shorthorns said:

oakview said:

Hope you watched Oklahoma/Alabama.  Interesting comment from Bobby Stoops after the game.  When asked how he handled all the hoopla about having to face mighty Alabama, how his team could cope with being such an underdog with little respect, he said he never mentioned it to his team.  He said he didnt' have to.  He said he just told them we're Oklahoma and have as long a football history as anybody.  I guess he's right.

The other comment I appreciated was during the game when one of the announcers said, regarding Michigan State/Stanford, that is was hard to believe the Stanford of Jim Plunket fame, needing a last minute touchdown to win the game, ran the ball up the middle the last 4 plays of the game

Click to expand...

I did get to watch the end of the game WOW I stand very much corrected, and I am glad that them dang okies proved me wrong!  I wish I could have seen the MSU/Stanford game.  It is looking like a very even bowl season this year with no conference overwhelmingly better than any other.  THANK GOODNESS!!!

Click to expand...

You don't have to stand corrected.  You were not wrong in your prediction.  OU just came out and played!

I am starting to think that the SEC in general was down this year.  Hear me out on this......Alabama "looked" dominant again.  Missouri has "looked" dominant.  And of course Auburn has "looked" dominant.  All three of these teams looked at some point dominant.  But I believe they looked dominant while playing a bunch of opponents that are just plain down a little this year.  Georgia gets whooped by the Huskers...a Husker team led by a mediocre AT BEST quarterback.  LSU just squeaks by Iowa.  Texas A&M has to come back from WAY down against DUKE??  Is that right...DUKE damn near beat A&M?  Does DUKE even have a football coach or does Coach K handle football and basketball both? 

I picked Auburn to win the title this year, because I felt that FSU just has not played anybody.  I know they have unbelievable speed, and have just plain run over everyone they have played.  I know that their QB found time to win the Heisman Trophy between the occasional date rape outings, and I know that they play with a lot of swagger......but they haven't played anyone.  Auburn on the other hand played in the SEC!!!  They beat Alabama!!!...well, I now think that Auburn is screwed because they haven't played anybody either. 

And the answer is Nebraska.  Nebraska is MY team.