AUBURN WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP…
Auburn's Gene Chizik and Nick Fairly enjoy Championship
The Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks, 22-19, to win their first National Championship since 1957. Congratulations to Auburn, but the game itself certainly left a lot to be desired. From the play on the field, to the announcing and coverage, this was one of the worst games to watch in BCS history.
The play on the field was shoddy, at best. Both teams had layoffs of 37 days. This is far too long. These are both timing offenses, and there is no substitute for game speed. I have to give both defenses credit, especially Auburn who completely shut down Oregon’s running game. Defensive tackle Nick Fairly, of Auburn, was the best player on the field last night. He was unblockable and made big play after big play. Cam Newton was average at best. He did throw 2 TD’s but missed a wide open receiver for a third and was out of rhythm all night. We did find out after the game that Newton injured his back early in the second half and was in pain throughout the game. The offensive star was freshman running back Michael Dyer. He rushed 22 times for 143 yards, and had the key 37 yard run to set up the game winning field goal. I thought it was on full display last night how much better the athletes are on the defensive side of the ball in the SEC. Auburn was far superior athletically on both sides of the ball. You have to give Oregon head coach Chip Kelly and his kids credit for the way they prepared and hung in there against Auburn. On the other side of the ball, coach Gene Chizik did not have Auburn prepared for any of Kelly’s trick plays, which he is known for. A fake punt and 2 point conversion both worked to perfection because Auburn was completely caught off guard. With 7 weeks between games, nothing should come as a surprise after kickoff. With all that being said, I think the better team won the game. Auburn was able to get the job done!!!
The coverage of the game was awful. Brent Musberger needs to retire. He loses sight of who has the ball, as do the camera crew who follow the player who doesn’t have the ball. I understand when this happens once or twice, but not throughout the game. When Auburn lined up to kick a field goal in the 3rd quarter Musberger stated they had held Auburn to a field goal once again, the only problem with that was it was Auburn’s 1st field goal attempt. The game has passed him by and he can’t follow the ball on the field. It is time for someone to tell him it’s over. Kirk Herbstreit is generally good as a commentator, but maybe it was the pairing with Brent, but he wasn’t much better. The camera work as mentioned earlier was also poor. There were very few replays when one would have been useful. the other point that was ignored last night was the condition of the field. players on both sides were slipping all night long. they couldn’t move laterally and make cuts. This is inexcusable for a game indoors. The new field which was put down last week was terrible and adversely affected both teams.
Well another College Football season comes to an end. As I said, congratulations to Auburn and I can’t wait for next fall when we do it all over again. Just in case anyone is wondering, the Oklahoma Sooners are my preseason number 1, but what do I know?
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C’est simplement ridicule.