Bowl-Bonanza Open Thread
by AHMB on Jan 2, 2012 9:01 AM PST
in Football
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PrintPersonally, New Years Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, ranking right up there with Thanksgiving. Not coincidentally, both of the days are filled with food and football. You could imagine my surprise when I awoke yesterday and turned on the TV to map out the games I would be watching. Instead of getting blitzed with bowl options, I had the same old bland NFL options. Don't get me wrong, I love my Niners (13-3!), but nothing can compare to New Year's Day slate of bowl games, especially for those current and former Angelenos among us. The Rose Bowl on New Year's Day is a ritual, and I wasn't happy that it got bumped.
That said, we got TWO days of holiday football this weekend. The NFL finished up week 17, and the Bengals, Giants, and Broncos secured playoff spots. Sorry, Jets, Raiders, and Cowboys. Aaron Rodgers sat and his backup played better than Rodgers ever had. Quarterback controversy, anyone? And of course, my aforementioned 49ers locked up the 2 seed and a much needed bye week.
We'll take a look at today's games after the jump.
Today, the highlight is the Grand Daddy. Wisconsin and Oregon kick off at 2 PM PST on ESPN. The teams are both 11-2 and both unveiled new jerseys, but that's about where the similarities end. It will be fun to watch Oregon's speed match up against Wisconsin's brute strength. With regard to the jerseys, Wisconsin pulled off an amazing look. Rose graphics in the helmet and numbering is a really nice touch. Oregon's, you ask? Well, they're Oregon uniforms.
Of course, the festivities in Pasadena have already begun. It's a fun day to be in Pasadena.
The Rose Bowl isn't the only BCS game involving the Pac-12 today. Stanford and Oklahoma St. kick off the Fiesta Bowl immediately after the Rose Bowl ends on ESPN. This will be the last chance anyone gets to see Andrew Luck play in college. Win or lose, it has been a career that most college fans will not easily forget. On the other side of the field, Oklahoma St. boasts a pretty damn good passing game that utilizes many similar concepts to what new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will bring to Westwood.
The two other games that I will be following closely today are the Outback Bowl (10 AM PST, ABC), where Michigan St. takes on Georgia, and the Capitol One Bowl (10 AM PST, ESPN), which matches up Nebraska and South Carolina. Michigan St. and Georgia were both 10-3 and both played in their conference championship games. Michigan St. lost to Wisconsin, and Georgia got beat by LSU. In the other game, Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks are going for the school's first ever 11 win season.
The two other bowl games today are the TicketCity Bowl (9 AM PST, ESPNU), which matches up Houston and Penn St., and the Gator Bowl (10 AM PST, ESPN2), where 6-6 Ohio St. takes on 6-6 Florida. Houston's offense will also show some similar concepts to Mazzone's offense, so it's worth a look. The Gator Bowl would be much more intriguing if it were scheduled next year, but Urban Meyer won't be coaching today.
In addition to the full slate of bowls, the New York Rangers face off against the Philadelphia Flyers at 10 AM on NBC in the Winter Classic. I have never really cared for hockey, but the Winter Classic is a cool event.
There you have it folks. We clearly have a full day of sporting entertainment. This thread will be the gameday open thread, so fire away!
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Coaching staff filled out....
Reading on ESPN that he has hired his DC and ST coach, hanging on to McClure.
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/features/rumors/_/date/20120102#9837
Still have S&C coach and WR coach to fill out.
Plus no “official” announcement on these hires, though it does look like you’re right.
Formerly AllHailMightyBruins
Anybody have a thought on these guys?
Linebackers coach from SD, possibly a move to the 3-4 defense….
haven't seen this posted yet
But Washington just hired Justin Wilcox from Tennessee to replace Holt as DC. Talk about an upgrade, great hire for Sark and UW
Its been fanshotted
If you see something that hasn’t bee posted, please consider sharing it either in a fanshot or fanpost. Thanks.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 10:44 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
In his defense
He posted his comment before I posted the fanshot.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
haha probably
i just wasn’t sure if it was relevant enough to warrant a stand-alone post
by bucknellbruin on Jan 2, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
hell of a sequence for SCAR
forced a nebraska fumble in the redzone, throw a 70 yard pass on the ensuing possession, now 3rd and goal
WInter Classic pushed back to noon PST due to weather
And Georgia just ran back a punt for a TD, taking a 16-0 lead over Michigan State.
formerly bruinhoo
Does anyone really watch "Winter Classic"?
Except for Canadians and few hundred peoples in Northeast and Midwest? lol
Hockey is pretty fun to watch...
but counter-programmed against the bowl games, not so good.
formerly bruinhoo
I got into hockey big time when i went back east for school
i’ve been flipping between the classic and the georgia game
by bucknellbruin on Jan 2, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
I would if not for college football being on at the same time.
And as I’m typing this, I see Patroclus said the same exact thing.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
Michigan State
loves getting whooped by the SEC. I think last year Alabama gave it to them 42-0
That pass was from Aaron Murray
Another product of Plant High in Tampa. Bruin football fans have little to watch on Saturday, but there is generally plenty to watch on Friday Night. And Dads Field (not sure if it was named after root beer) at Plant has great hot dogs. A great night of football for under ten bucks and that includes parking. I recommend it.
for the 3rd time in 2 days
prime ticket is replaying the whoopin laid on the mens bball team by cal.
the game goes to show you
punting is winning!
Just had to switch to Nebraska game
Because the announcers started the fellating Southern Cal in Florida-OSU game.
The announcers actually suggested that Urban Meyer should call up the Trojans to find out how they ran their program amidst sanctions completely oblivious to the history bw Kiffin and Meyer. MORONS.
Saw one during the MSU-Georgia game as well
I guess that I could see it as far as introducing TAMU to the SEC fanbases – Georgia/South Carolina.
formerly bruinhoo
Tough Bowl Season for the BigTen+2 so far...
Losses by PSU, OSU, soon to be losses by MSU and Nebraska added to Iowa’s and Northwestern’s losses makes for a gloomy post-season. Purdon’t and the Illini are holding up the bottom of the BigTen…
Any guesses what Bucky will do against the Ducks?
Those Mich St players were ballin so hard just now
Love seeing players on a team get hyped together.
Conservative play calling claims another victim
GA FG wide right
Does anyone know the answer to this...Home vs. Visitor Jerseys at the Rose Bowl
I know it probably has to do with the BCS or who is considered the home team. In the Pac-8/10 vs. Big10 days, the Conferences alternated home jerseys. Last year Wisconsin wore white jerseys and TCU wore black. Again this year, UW is wearing white jerseys. If UW-Madison had their way, they would wear their red jerseys….???
time for the Rose Bowl
badgers will revieve to begin the game
michigan state takes it
on a blocked field goal
Sparty pulls one out of its left buttcheek
Wins the Outback Bowl in 3OT
I would think they have a competative advantage
blinding other players and such. Just like the disney center in DTLA when it was causing traffic accidents before it was sanded down.
I really hope not
For the sake of quality (not quantity) in football.
It does look extra green today.
Of course the Duck unis has even more green in them.
Haven't seen a QB at the Rose Bowl with moves like that
since Case McCoy… too soon?
looks like
we taught the ducks how to arm tackle
Feel the same about Nike U.
At least UW is an excellent university. I wonder if they brought their cow balloon?
Go Bruins!
Could have been worse.
At least he’s not at that other place.
amazing
I’m glad he made it out of LA. I really hope he’s successful in life.
fun fact: Crenshaw high school lost it’s accreditation as a school a few years back. They got it back, but believe me that the school is bad. Bad teachers, administrators, etc. I’m happy he made it out of there. It’s easy to get caught up in the local drama as a student there.
I believe Reggie Carter went to Crendshaw
As did Raymond Carter, a highly recruited RB who ended up transferring out (to CSU).
What I am saying
UCLA needs to have strong, strong connection to that program. If I were running UCLA, I’d look into ways to make sure kids there are getting good education and building strong emotional bonds to UCLA. The best of Crenshaw whether in sports or in classroom should be coming to UCLA.
agree 100%
and it’s possible too. The athletic department hasn’t gotten that yet. I know that some of academic departments stick their hands into the inner city schools of los angeles and surrounding areas. For example, there’s a volunteer program where students can tutor at local schools (Inglewood High for instance). Even the math department has the joint math and teaching program (JMAT) where you can get a masters in education and B.S. in mathematics and start teaching math at under-performing LA schools. The athletic department doesn’t get it. The opportunity is there. Plenty of UCLA alumni in LAUSD to make it happen.
They aren't the first team to have trouble with the Ducks
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
It's like the College FB Rick Roll
Woe to the unprepared
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
They get it
I love the traditional uniforms that PSU, Alabama, UCLA (once upon a time), etc. wear, but honestly, this appeals to the 17-18 year old kids who really matter for recruiting. It’s the best 60+ minute ad a corporation can buy. I’m in my mid 30s and think its cool. What does an impressionable recruit half my age think? Me thinks they like quite a bit
If the Black Mamba came to UCLA ...
… I am guessing he would never get a whiff at PR/KR … and be stuck in the CB depth chart somewhere?
I would be shocked if he weighed that much
175 is more like it. Maybe he should just run track and forget football.
It looks like it'll be 28's at halftime
Fun half to watch. I have no idea how this will end up.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Trogans
Looks like Georgia Tech fans have their own version of Trogans from today’s game
http://30fps.mocksession.com/2012/01/02/go-dwags-to-hell-with-goergia/
DeAnthony strikes again
what is that, his 3rd td? a 175 lb freshman? wow
Safe Bet that another TD will be score in this game
as oppose to our bowl game.
Wisconsin coach wastes 2 of their TOs already
Not smart in a close game like this…
Just came on...
when did a basketball game break out in pasadena?
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Go Badgers!!!
What a great day of football. Players anc coaches playing all out. Intensity and discipline. Wow, do I miss that.
I look at these teams and then I remember CRN’s "Am I the only one who cares … " and the proof of his point by a team going over the wall before a bowl game.
Coach Mora, you may lose some players by demanding commitment and excellence — but so be it. I want to watch us play this way.
sjh
That was on the QB...
don’t blame anyone else but yourself.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
oregon
nick aliotti putting together at dec 5 1998 esque performance today. completely absurd, ducks should not be down in this game. on a positive note, their unis are easily the best I’ve seen all year
by Strathmore&Gayley on Jan 2, 2012 4:46 PM PST reply actions
IMO, the motorcycle helmet look makes my eyes hurt...
I like the Wisc helmets better. Tradition with a little style.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
oh..also love Mich St. helmets...
Battle Scars!
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
I didn't realize wisconsin had special unis too
Look at the rose on the “W” on the helmet! all adidas baby! wait… it isn’t noticable from your tv? that’s strange.
did they just say Addidas designed a rose petal uniform for Wisconsin? really?
which one do you like better? the nike helmet or the one with the flowers in the W
And the favor is returned...
Head’s up defense there.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
These non-UCLA game threads
are the only ones I can handle. I am too keyed up watching UCLA play to read what others are saying, let alone type one meaningful letter after another in a discernible pattern that deserves reading. Something about not be able to walk and think at the same time, or something.
4th and 6, on the 30
Oregon passes the field goal and goes for it. And gets it.
Must be nice
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Just beating themselves now
Feels oddly familiar…
Think Wisc wishes they hadn't burned those 2 TO's?
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
I forgot
what the Rose Bowl looks like when it is a sell out. I wonder, if in my life time UCLA will ever sell out the Rose Bowl?
lol how old r u?
last time I saw it sold out was the 2006 UCLA vs USC game…can’t remember if the 2008 game was sold out…but it was sold out several times in 2005…you can youtube Maurice Jones Drew winning touchdown vs Cal to see a Rosebowl full of UCLA fans in a non-USC game…so that was five seasons ago which is a long time but eventually it will sell out again and unless you’re on death’s door, pray also no tragic accident, you should see it sell out again
wasn't trying to be sarcastic
things will swing back around sometime
I'm talking about Raybru's comment.
“I forgot what the Rose Bowl looks like when it is a sell out.”
I don’t think he was being literal.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:45 PM PST up reply actions
Me three
Almost sold my ticket outside the RB. At the last minute, decided against it and went in by myself.
Looked like 80% of the bowl was a sea of red. Just after the half (and after a couple of adult beverages), something inside me snapped. I looked around, saw red, and thought “this is bullshit. We’re getting our asses kicked in our own house.”
Our yell leaders were not leading any cheers, so I went down to the railing and yelled at Ralph (repeatedly) to lead some f-ing cheers. He stood there with his thumb up his ass. There were a couple of dudes painted all blue doing absolutely nothing. Pathetic. So, me and a couple of young lasses fired up a whole section of fellow students with a variety of cheers (8 clap included)…and guess what. The team responded. Starting putting together scoring drives. They were coming back, but just ran out of time. Never underestimate the power of the 12th man.
Ah, the ’94 Rose Bowl. What could have been almost was.
by Geronimo21 on Jan 2, 2012 7:39 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Don't take a sack!!!
Throw it away!!
I’m still screaming at that play.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
wow. ref started moving his arm before he blew the whistle.
should have been one more play. ACC official doing his best SPTR imitation because he was in Pac 12 land.
We have a new AD?
according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times..
Speaking for myself
No way is that acceptable. Chianti must go.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Anyone else see Tuinea from Oregon
and see what they thought Nelson Rosario would be?
And, what a pleasure watching TWO top 10 QB's on the same field
We can only hope Hundley is the real deal and we have to recruit his replacement for depth and the future.
Tostitos giving us props
Atleast they used our OG UCLA jersey with the real stripes on their commercial.
Pulling for a huge win by the Trees
Love watching Luck.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 6:17 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Colts v. Broncos...
Would love to see Luck beat Tebow
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
+1 He's a great student/athlete
Not an ounce of entitlement or bad attitude.
Smart, good kid as well as a great qb.
sjh
Matt Millen and a bald guy
Who puts me to sleep calling baseball games on ESPN (Red Sox announcer I think).
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 6:27 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Sean McDonough is doing PBP
though I would not call him terrible at all.
Matt Millen is doing color.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
Thats right Sean M
Not terrible but more like stale and bland.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 6:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Gus is doing the Cotton Bowl later this week for FOX.
Nessler has the Sugar Bowl tomorrow; he’s pretty good too.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:42 PM PST up reply actions
He's no Gus Johnson, but I still like him.
ESPN/ABC has a good number of pretty good play-by-play guys for college football.
I do miss Keith Jackson though.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:34 PM PST up reply actions
As I sad ...Meh
I find him lame but that’s just me. I guess he is not as atrocious as someone like Mike Fitzpatrick, Steve Physioc or Bill McDonlad. So there is that. The industry is filled with know nothing assclowns.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 6:36 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Definitely better than those three.
Physioc is AWFUL.
Still can’t believe Macdonald got the Lakers job. Meyers and Dedes were both much better. Dedes could’ve had that chair for decades, but unfortunately he wanted to get back home.
Patrick has a great voice, but he is a bit ridiculous in how much he fawns over players. (I remember him nonstop fawning over Holaday from TCU during the ’10 CWS—nauseating.)
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Wow
McDonald is Lakers’ play by play guy?
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 6:50 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yep. Lakers didn't retain Meyers, and Dedes left to take the Knicks job.
Macdonald is now the Lakers PBP guy. However, the Lakers move to that Time Warner network next year, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes again.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
this is why you should listen to your upperclassmen
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Same place as the Ducks D...
riding the backs of the offense.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
I was going to make my usual comment about the bad announcers
but you all know how to cure the problem. I have come to a conclusion that you would rather listen to the idiotic blather so that you can have something to complain about.
As far as I’m concerned, the announcers are all doing a fine job, just as they have done in every game I’ve watched all year.
We're all aware by now.
I still like to hear the roar of the crowd and the sounds of the game.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
It sure would be nice to have someone (that got to play)
that could catch a pass and out run my grandfather
Been a Bruin since birth
Then I agree with your statement.
And respect to your grandfather.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
We cant make fun of Rees dude
It’d be nice to have a QB on our team who beat Southern Cal.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 7:14 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Ugh
This is shaping up to be a classic game but I have to go to sleep. My staying up quota is for Thursday night so that I can stab my eyes out watching Howland’s clownshow.
by Nestor on Jan 2, 2012 7:24 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Sleeping through good games to stay awake for nightmares?
Sounds like a Bruin.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Great drive by the Furd.
Converted 3 3rd downs. Took lots of time. Great execution. Fun to watch.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Stanford plays for the field goal with almost a minute left inside the OSU 20.
Outsmarts itself with the “safe,” conservative call. Stooooooopid.
Stanford goes run, run, dink pass, fg blown ...
…to imitate the worst of Dorrell/Neuheisel. How to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory the failed UCLA way. Good grief.
Hopefully we’ll have no Mora that.
Playing for the FG.
Dicey. Not very brave. We’ll see…
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Thought that was strange.
They had two more downs to score. Why not try to punch it in?
Been a Bruin since birth
David Shaw lost the game for Stanford
he got overly conservative on the last drive, only calling running plays. they easily could’ve gotten at least 5 yards closer if they used any of the three timeouts they had left. or, you know, they could have had Andrew Luck pass the ball once or twice. Williamson never should’ve been put in that position, now the poor kid’s confidence is completely crushed.
by Objection Penguin on Jan 2, 2012 9:27 PM PST reply actions
I have to agree as well.
they stopped doing what was working, that short underneath pass.
Been a Bruin since birth
Bummer for the Tree
Played soft in the last minute. That’s not what got them there. Prevent offense.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Stanford coach
The offensive coordinator has to the dumbest coach since…well…a UCLA coach. Luck is hot and he calls two running plays in overtime.
Heartbreak for Stanford
choke job by the kicker. Feel for the freshman. Incidentally, what’s with Weeden being 28.
by West_Offshore '95 on Jan 2, 2012 9:33 PM PST reply actions
Yeah, having been a pro baseball player, then comes back to college?
Is that legal? Must be, he did it.
Been a Bruin since birth
Big diff between mental/physical maturity between 18-22 and 28.
Somethings just not fair about it.
by West_Offshore '95 on Jan 2, 2012 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
You have the best qb in college football and you do what?
put the game in the hands of your kicker, who already hooked one earlier in the game. Hmmm? Agree with everyone here that the coach lost that one, not the kicker. Blackmon is the truth though.
My friends, Coach Shaw, is a brilliant example of the "Play Not To Lose" mentality
You have 40 seconds in regulation and 3 timeouts. And you decide to use a freshman kicker? Did I mention Stanford has Andrew Luck as their quarterback?
This is repeated in overtime. Great job Brian Shaw. Or Karl Dorrel. Or Rick Neuheisel. Whatever your name is.
We should rename it the "Play to Lose" mentality.
David Shaw, btw. Brian Shaw was the Lakers assistant.
by Kenneth Powers on Jan 2, 2012 10:27 PM PST up reply actions
I really don't see Shaw lasting for too long at Stanford
During Ok State’s last touchdown drive, stanford’s defense was clearly winded, gasping for breath, and not even getting lined up in time. why didn’t he use one of his three timeouts to get his players to settle down and regroup?
And when he has the best player in college football who was completing 27/31 passes, why was the run to pass ratio 50 to 31? When it’s overtime and hiskicker just missed a field goal, why did he call the dreaded run-run-pass-field goal that we’re all so familiar with?
Not to mention the best plays were the ones that Luck was calling in the huddle.
by Objection Penguin on Jan 2, 2012 10:09 PM PST reply actions
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