BCS Bowl Games Glorified College Football

After watching the four BCS bowl games this past week, I was left speechless. I was left speechless at how unbelievably nerve-wracking, exciting, entertaining, and deeply emotional these games were. Each game was close up until the very end with the exception of the ND- Ohio State game that could have easily gone the other way with one call (Ohio State fumble). I was very proud to be a college football fan.The BCS bowl week kicked off with Ohio State-Notre Dame. A game between a born again program in Notre Dame and an overly talented team in Ohio State. The also featured a unique rivalry between a star quarterback and his sister’s boyfriend, a star linebacker on the opposing side. The seemed to be mostly one-sided in the first half without the outstanding play of Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, and Santonio Holmes. Notre Dame got back into it in the 2nd half and a fumble by Ohio State made it appear as if Notre Dame was going to start to runaway with it. Then it happened, the refs ruled no fumble and Ohio State retained possession. Everything from there went for Ohio State including a 60 yard run by Antonio Pittman that clinched the win. Ohio State proved to be the victor in a hard fought and exciting game.

Next was the match-up between West Virginia and Georgia. Things turned ugly early as West Virginia shot out to a very early 28-0 lead. Everyone figured this was going to be a waste of a game. That all changed when Georgia outscored WV 21-3 to finish the 1st half. The 2nd half was more of a defensive struggle between two teams wanting it badly. Georgia made it 31-28 to finish the 3rd quarter and viewers began to sense a sensational comeback win. However, WV scored on their next possession and was able to hold on for the rest of the 4th to cap a 38-35 win in a very bizarre but overly entertaining game.

The next game was what I consider one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen. This was Florida State-Penn State. Joe Pa versus Bowden. What could be better? The game was a defensive fight the whole game. Neither offense could manage to put together a drive as both defenses played their hearts out. The game became all tied up with 4 minutes left after a 48 yard field goal by FSU kicker Gary Cismesia.

Penn State then drove all the way down the FSU 12 yard line with 35 seconds left to set up what appeared to be an easy game winning field goal for Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly. Then the craziness started, Kelly slices the short field goal left for the miss. We go to OT. First possession for FSU ends with a missed field goal by Gary Cismesia. Penn State then has a chance to win and attempts another game winning field goal, this time from 38 yards. Another miss by Kelly, to the right again. Penn State and FSU then both score TDs in the next OT. On to the 3rd overtime. FSU goes three and out and attempts a 38 yarder to take the lead. Cismesia leads it to much to the right and it hits the post and drops down. No good again. Penn State lines up a field goal for 29 yards to win it. Everyone waiting nervously and expecting another missed field goal. Kelly comes through and hits it through the uprights. Game over. After five hours, Penn State is the victor.

Last game was the most hyped up of all of them. #1 USC versus #2 Texas. The game went back and forth the whole night. USC held onto a 38-33 lead late in the 4th. Texas drives down to the USC 12. On fourth and 5th with 26 seconds left, Vince Young delivers and scrambles for a touchdown. Then he comes back and sneaks his way into the end zone again for the two point conversion for a 41-38 lead. USC gets it back with 16 seconds left. On the first play, a screen pass to Bush gets them all the way up to the Texas 45 with 8 ticks left. Leinart drops back, finds nobody, runs for a while and then heaves a pass that goes out of bounds. Game over. Texas is national champions.

Now I know what people are thinking, there’s always close bowl games so why are these so special? Well, I’ll tell you. The emotion in these games were indescribable. Things like seeing injured star linebacker Paul Posluszny cheering on his team in OT while sitting on the injury cart. Seeing his face and knowing how much he wants to be back out there. How about seeing Marcus Robinson get hit play after play but just keep getting back up ready to take another hit for his team. What about the Georgia Bulldog team not giving up and giving it there all even after getting down 28-0 in the first 16 minutes. What about the hard fight by Notre Dame the whole second half after being handled in the first. How can someone forget the proud look on Vince Young’s face after scoring the game-winning touchdown and playing the best game of his whole life. These games were special and unforgettable. People can bash the BCS all they want, but all I know is one thing: This year, there’s nothing that can be said against the BCS bowl games. They were nothing short of perfect.