From: kevink@fugitive.soac.bellcore.com (Kevin Klinge)
Subject: More Bowl comments
Organization: Bell Communications Research
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 93 17:21:27 GMT

Well, after watching almost all of the bowls, here are some
of my reflections and comments:

BIGGEST BOWL CHOKE AWARD:  Let's call this a tie between the 
Oregon Ducks and Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Oregon dominated 
Wake Forest in that first half, capitalizing on Wake mistakes 
and moving the ball well, only to pack it in too early and let 
Bill Dooley's troops rally in the 2nd half by making the big 
plays and turning a 10-29 deficit into a 39-35 victory.  

Mississippi State's choke wasn't quite as big on the scoreboard
(blew a 14-0 lead), but when you consider all the scores this 
team should have had (2 first half TDs called back on holding 
penalties, one in which I never saw an infraction), and the
way in which UNC came back in the 2nd half (their offense was
really only responsible for the first TD - 2 blocked punts, 
1 INT return, etc..), you've got to wonder what Jackie's 
team was doing out there.  The missed blocks on the punting
team were attrocious.

BUY ME A KICKER AWARD: Given to BYU, Colorado, and Mississippi 
State, whose missed field goals (and extra points in Colorado's 
case) costed their teams a victory (esp. in BYU's game).

UGLY WEATHER AWARD: The 2nd half of the NC State/Florida game
reminded me of the Philly Eagles/ Chicago Bears Fog Bowl played 
three years ago.  Honorable mention to the Orange Bowl's downpour.

UGLY FIELD AWARD: No surprises here.  I was primarily watching
the Rose Bowl during this time period, and whenever I would switch
over to the Fiesta Bowl during the commercials, I would cringe
upon seeing that sorry disgrace of a field in Tempe.  Yeah, I
know the high schools played there earlier, but I when I first
tuned in, I thought for sure Ralphie got loose and ran wild for 
at least an hour before the game.  What a way for IBM to advertise
their name...

MOST SURPRISINGLY DOMINATED GAME: Alabama over Miami.  It wasn't
even THAT close.  Congratulations to Alabama, and all the people
in the press who didn't vote Gino for the Heisman.  

MOST UNDESERVED BOWL BID AWARD: Sorry Penn State, but 0-5 vs. bowl 
teams and 2-5 vs. teams with a winning record shows just what happens
when a NYD bowl bid is extended too early.  I didn't win any of my 
pools, but I was able to clean up in that game.  Hey Spiro, we miss 
you already. 

MOST BORING BOWL GAME:  Sorry Mississippi, but watching you pound
on a hapless Air Force team did nothing for me.

MOST EXCITING BOWL GAME:  Yeah, when it comes to the Rose Bowl, I'm 
biased.  But how could any bowl game top this for excitement and
drama?  Six lead changes, tradition, high powered offenses, big 
plays on both sides, and a team that hungered for revenge and 
respect vs. a team trying to put some recent problems off the field
behind them.  This game had it all.  When all was said and done,
Michigan won 38-31 in a game both teams fought the entire 60 minutes
for.  Hats off to Washington for making the big plays on 3rd downs
after Michigan's defense looked like they had Brunnel sacked, and
also to Michigan's offensive line, who came up big in allowing Tyrone
Wheatley the room he needed to kick it into high gear.  I can't 
remember a bowl game like that which had me up and down so many times.
What a great effort by both teams.  I'm just glad Michigan won.  Mo
is now 2-1 in bowls since taking over for Bo (he lost a couple 
subbing for Bo back when he was offensive coordinator).  

BEST FAN SUPPORT AWARD:  Give it to the UNC and Mississippi State
fans.  Talk about being fired up.  I didn't see anyone sitting down
in those stands!  Gotta love those cowbells.

MATCHUP I'D MOST LIKE TO SEE RIGHT NOW:  Florida State vs. Alabama

Hope you all enjoyed 'em like I did.  Nothing like clicking between
four simultaneous games on NYD and being able to catch every play...

-- 

Kevin H. Klinge
Bell Communications Research
kevink@soac.bellcore.com

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Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college