Archive for '2007 Bowls'
BCS: Thorny Rose Bowl…
10 January 2008College football fans are screaming for a plus-one system to better determine the national champion.
The most entrenched impediment seems to be the Rose Bowl, which wants to keep its traditional matchup between the Big Ten and the Pac Ten. Ohio State’s president admitted as much in USA Today this week, saying that he resists a [...]
BCS Championship: Old-school and hi-tech…
8 January 2008Last year, Ohio State lost the BCS Championship Game to Florida in part due to a disparity in speed. This year, a compelling subplot was whether the Buckeyes could run with LSU, or whether they would again look slow.
Eight Buckeyes who lost to the Gators were selected in last year’s NFL draft; they could run. But they didn’t [...]
BCS Championship: Do these two teams belong?
7 January 2008There has been much consternation over whether Ohio State and LSU belong in the BCS Championship game.
Georgia and USC are arguably the hottest teams in the country at the moment. Their supporters say that they should be playing for the championship, not a two-loss LSU or an Ohio State whose greatest victory was against then-unranked, [...]
BCS Championship: Which QB has the advantage…
6 January 2008The BCS National Championship Game between LSU and Ohio State will be decided by quarterback play.
With around six weeks to prepare, expect the defenses to load up against the run, and implement new wrinkles to confuse the opposing passer. So the QB advantage goes to LSU’s Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux over Ohio State’s Todd Boeckman.
Boeckman is a classic [...]
Fiesta Bowl: Lessons not learned…
2 January 2008Oklahoma got torched by West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl, 48-28. They had the formula to stop the Mountaineers, but for some unfathomable reason, ignored it.
The formula was revealed by two of WVU’s Big East rivals. South Florida used penetration off the edges to stop WVU and hold them to 188 yards rushing and 13 points. Pitt used [...]
Sugar Bowl: How UGA stomped Hawaii…
2 January 2008Chalk this one up to freaked out wide receivers…
Hawaii’s Run ‘n Shoot offense is accustomed to having its way with defensive extremes. When they blitz to pressure QB Colt Brennan, it leaves the secondary exposed to quick strikes. When they keep extra defensive backs in coverage, it weakens the pass rush and gives Brennan time to sit in the pocket [...]
Fiesta Bowl: How to stop West Virginia…
1 January 2008West Virginia has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Even so, two teams stopped them cold this year — South Florida and Pitt.
South Florida did it by getting their contain men upfield fast and deep. That forced two things, both bad for the Mountaineers: First, the quarterback had to make a quick decision, rather [...]
Gator Bowl: Why great players play great…
1 January 2008If you’re interested in why great players play great, you’ll enjoy watching two amazing talents in today’s Gator Bowl.
For Virginia, keep an eye on defensive end Chris Long. He has an stunningly fast first step that breaks down the technique of the offensive tackle before he even gets out of his stance. Watch how blockers turn and chase [...]
Sugar Bowl: How Hawaii’s Run ‘n Shoot works…
1 January 2008The following is for wonks, gearheads, and the most fanatic of fans…
Most teams will audible before the snap to adjust to the defensive front. Hawaii’s Run ‘n Shoot offense is like audibling after the play starts.
As they run off the line, the receivers read the defense and adjust their routes on the fly. With up to three options [...]
