Baltimore @ New England (Sunday, 1:00, CBS)
The Ravens and Patriots are only two wild-card opponents that did not face each other last week but they did play back in Week 4 in Foxboro with the Pats winning 27-21. That game is completely different from the last because of the weapon that the Pats know lack in Wes Welker.
The Patriots are coming off a loss in Houston last week and they suffered an even bigger loss with Wes Welker tearing his ACL and MCL. In the absence of Welker, Randy Moss will still have a target on his back and should play well. But after Moss, the receiving corps is facing tons of questions. The ever-dependable Kevin Faulk out of the backfield will play a bigger role and rookie Julian Edelman will have to step into Welker's slot position. Along with Faulk and Edelman, tight end Benjamin Watson will have to not only help block the Ravens' linebackers but go across the middle for short yardage gains. As for the Pats' defense, they are not as dominant as they were in years past. Vince Wilfork still mans the nose tackle position and the veteran presence of Ty Warren and Tully Banta-Cain are there but the defense is made up of mostly young guys that have begun to step up to make plays like leading tackler, Jerod Mayo and safety Brandon Meriweather. The pressure up the middle by Wilfork could be the difference in the game forcing the Ravens to run to the outside and let the other eight defenders make open-field tackles.
The Ravens' offense has been headlined by Ray Rice. Not only did Rice rush for 1339 yards he caught 78 passes for 702 yards. Rice has proved to be a reliable target out of the backfield for quarterback Joe Flacco. The Ravens' depth at running back also helps Rice flank to the outside. Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain combined for over 700 yards rushing and are most dependable for short-yardage situations. McClain has moved back to his blocking role after his breakout season last year and has made a huge impact in the running game with his blocking. Flacco's receiving corps has had contributions from three main receivers, Derrick Mason, Kelley Washington, and Mark Clayton. But, the most reliable receiving outside of Rice is tight end Todd Heap who needs to get into the New England secondary on pass plays for his best chance at success today.
On defense, Baltimore faces the same problem as New England in the fact that they are not as dominant as they used to be but possess the talent to get back to that status. Ray Lewis is once again the leading tackler this season. Like the Patriots, young guys in the secondary have stepped up. For the Ravens, Domonique Foxworth and Dawan Landry have stepped up in Ed Reed's absence and with Reed likely to play today it give the Ravens' defense even more experience going into the postseason and going up against a depleted Patriot receiving corps, they stand a chance of helping the Ravens pull the upset.
5 Players to Watch for the Ravens
QB Joe Flacco
S Ed Reed
RB Ray Rice
TE Todd Heap
CB Domonique Foxworth
5 Players to Watch for the Patriots
WR Julian Edelman
WR Randy Moss
S Brandon Meriweather
QB Tom Brady
RB Kevin Faulk
Matchup to watch: Moss v. Foxworth
Prediction: Patriots
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Playoff Preview (Eagles @ Cowboys)
Philadelphia @ Dallas (Sat. 8:00, NBC)
In the most anticipated matchup of the Wild Card round, these two bitter NFC East rivals meet for the third time this season and the second time in two weeks. Dallas embarrased the Eagles in both regular season games and looking to win their first playoff game since 1996. The Eagles have one at least one playoff game every time they made the playoffs under Andy Reid.
The keys for the Eagles to win this matchup are to make sure their offense does not stall like last week in Dallas. Donovan McNabb and his arsenal of young weapons need to have a big game to ensure a date with the Saints next weekend. The running game must get going against the aggressive Dallas defense to give the Eagles' offense balance. With Brian Westbrook just getting back to full strength from his two concussions, look for him to get the ball more often than he has in the past two weeks. The Eagles' defense look better in the second half of last week's game and gave Philly fans some hope that their defense could put a stop to the Cowboy offense. The revolving door of starting linebackers has hurt the Eagles since training camp opened and is the biggest concern on a defense whose secondary and line are strong.
For the Cowboys, since their win in New Orleans to break the Saints undefeated run, they have been on fire in December. Tony Romo has been able to find Jason Witten, who seems like he can not be stopped right now, and Miles Austin for big gains. The running game got going last week against the Eagles with Felix Jones running along the outside of the field, which created a good change of direction with Marion Barber being stonewalled up the middle. On defense, the Cowboys just need to play half as good of a game that they played on Sunday and they should be good. Jai Ratliff's rush up the middle cause trouble for Eagles center Nick Cole and opened up the middle for DeMarcus Ware and company to plow right through the line. The Cowboys must not be over aggresive since the Eagles are one of the best screen teams in the league and will take advantage of the front seven looking for sacks.
5 Players to Watch for the Eagles
C Nick Cole
QB Donovan McNabb
CB Asante Samuel
WR DeSean Jackson
TE Brent Celek
5 Players to Watch for the Cowboys
DT Jai Ratliff
QB Tony Romo
CB Mike Jenkins
WR Miles Austin
TE Jason Witten
Key Matchup: Cole vs. Ratliff
Prediction: Eagles
In the most anticipated matchup of the Wild Card round, these two bitter NFC East rivals meet for the third time this season and the second time in two weeks. Dallas embarrased the Eagles in both regular season games and looking to win their first playoff game since 1996. The Eagles have one at least one playoff game every time they made the playoffs under Andy Reid.
The keys for the Eagles to win this matchup are to make sure their offense does not stall like last week in Dallas. Donovan McNabb and his arsenal of young weapons need to have a big game to ensure a date with the Saints next weekend. The running game must get going against the aggressive Dallas defense to give the Eagles' offense balance. With Brian Westbrook just getting back to full strength from his two concussions, look for him to get the ball more often than he has in the past two weeks. The Eagles' defense look better in the second half of last week's game and gave Philly fans some hope that their defense could put a stop to the Cowboy offense. The revolving door of starting linebackers has hurt the Eagles since training camp opened and is the biggest concern on a defense whose secondary and line are strong.
For the Cowboys, since their win in New Orleans to break the Saints undefeated run, they have been on fire in December. Tony Romo has been able to find Jason Witten, who seems like he can not be stopped right now, and Miles Austin for big gains. The running game got going last week against the Eagles with Felix Jones running along the outside of the field, which created a good change of direction with Marion Barber being stonewalled up the middle. On defense, the Cowboys just need to play half as good of a game that they played on Sunday and they should be good. Jai Ratliff's rush up the middle cause trouble for Eagles center Nick Cole and opened up the middle for DeMarcus Ware and company to plow right through the line. The Cowboys must not be over aggresive since the Eagles are one of the best screen teams in the league and will take advantage of the front seven looking for sacks.
5 Players to Watch for the Eagles
C Nick Cole
QB Donovan McNabb
CB Asante Samuel
WR DeSean Jackson
TE Brent Celek
5 Players to Watch for the Cowboys
DT Jai Ratliff
QB Tony Romo
CB Mike Jenkins
WR Miles Austin
TE Jason Witten
Key Matchup: Cole vs. Ratliff
Prediction: Eagles
Playoff Preview (Jets @ Bengals)
NY Jets @ Cincinnati (Sat. 4:30, NBC)
In the first of three rematches from Week 17, the venue changes to Paul Brown Stadium. In the biggest fight of words under 140 characters between Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis on Twitter before last week's game, Ochocinco said he would change his last name back to Johnson if Revis shut him down. Revis did but Ochocinco claimed it was not enough because he did not play as much as he thought. But Ochocinco might have to be forced to live up to his bet with Revis because Revis is the best shutdown corner in the NFL. Carson Palmer will need to hit Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell to open up the passing game to succeed.
For the Jets, the run game must work for them to win and follow through on coach Rex Ryan's guarantee of making the Super Bowl, which is completely ridiculous. Mark Sanchez has shown all season that he has the inability to win games when the run has been shut down, even with the addition of Braylon Edwards. On the defensive side of the ball, David Harris and Bart Scott need to wreak havoc on the Bengals' O-Line in the pass rush and will also have to be able to cover Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard out of the backfield. Although they will not have the game handed to them this time, the Jets can pose a serious threat in the playoffs if everything goes well.
5 Players To Watch for the Jets
RB Thomas Jones
LB David Harris
LB Bart Scott
CB Darrelle Revis
WR Braylon Edwards
5 Players To Watch for the Bengals
RB Brian Leonard
LB Rey Maualuga
RB Cedric Benson
WR Laveranues Coles
K Shayne Graham
Key Matchup: Ochocinco vs. Revis
Prediction: J-E-T-S JETS JETS
In the first of three rematches from Week 17, the venue changes to Paul Brown Stadium. In the biggest fight of words under 140 characters between Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis on Twitter before last week's game, Ochocinco said he would change his last name back to Johnson if Revis shut him down. Revis did but Ochocinco claimed it was not enough because he did not play as much as he thought. But Ochocinco might have to be forced to live up to his bet with Revis because Revis is the best shutdown corner in the NFL. Carson Palmer will need to hit Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell to open up the passing game to succeed.
For the Jets, the run game must work for them to win and follow through on coach Rex Ryan's guarantee of making the Super Bowl, which is completely ridiculous. Mark Sanchez has shown all season that he has the inability to win games when the run has been shut down, even with the addition of Braylon Edwards. On the defensive side of the ball, David Harris and Bart Scott need to wreak havoc on the Bengals' O-Line in the pass rush and will also have to be able to cover Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard out of the backfield. Although they will not have the game handed to them this time, the Jets can pose a serious threat in the playoffs if everything goes well.
5 Players To Watch for the Jets
RB Thomas Jones
LB David Harris
LB Bart Scott
CB Darrelle Revis
WR Braylon Edwards
5 Players To Watch for the Bengals
RB Brian Leonard
LB Rey Maualuga
RB Cedric Benson
WR Laveranues Coles
K Shayne Graham
Key Matchup: Ochocinco vs. Revis
Prediction: J-E-T-S JETS JETS
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Best and Worst- BCS Bowl Edition
Bowl season is finally over with the Alabama Crimson Tide the #1 team in the nation at 14-0 and National Champions. So, here is edition 2.0 of the best and worst of bowl season. This edition focuses just on the five BCS games.
Best End to Career: Tim Tebow
Best Breakout Performance: Terrelle Pryor
Best Defense of Option: Iowa
Best Fake Punt: Boise State
Best Surprise Play: Texas onside kick
Best Player Whose Name We Should Remember for the next 3 years: Garrett Gilbert
Best Breaking of Heisman Curse: Mark Ingram
Best Defending Champ That Will #1 in Preseason: Alabama
Best Ending of Conference Rose Bowl Drought: Ohio State
Best Coach that Silenced Critics: Jim Tressel
Best Coach We Wish the Best in Recovery: Urban Meyer
Best BCS Conference in BCS Games: Big Ten
Worst Usage of Over 1,000 Uniform Combos: Oregon
Worst Thing To Happen to a Star Player: Colt McCoy's injury
Worst Team Effort: Cincinnati
Worst Effect of Coaching Changes: Cincinnati
Worst End to a Career: Colt McCoy
Worst Game That Failed to Live up to Hype: Fiesta Bowl
Worst Play that almost became a safety: Johnathan Dwyer's run ten yards behind the line of scrimmage into endzone.
Worst Trick Play: Alabama's Fake Punt
Worst Adaptation to Opponent's Strategy: Alabama on Texas' kickoffs.
Worst Miss of a Meaningless Extra Point: Leigh Tiffin
The BCS games defintely showed college football fans a glimpse of what we will see next year and also sent out some seniors with big wins and a certain senior quarterback injury that will always have Longhorn fans asking "What If?"
Best End to Career: Tim Tebow
Best Breakout Performance: Terrelle Pryor
Best Defense of Option: Iowa
Best Fake Punt: Boise State
Best Surprise Play: Texas onside kick
Best Player Whose Name We Should Remember for the next 3 years: Garrett Gilbert
Best Breaking of Heisman Curse: Mark Ingram
Best Defending Champ That Will #1 in Preseason: Alabama
Best Ending of Conference Rose Bowl Drought: Ohio State
Best Coach that Silenced Critics: Jim Tressel
Best Coach We Wish the Best in Recovery: Urban Meyer
Best BCS Conference in BCS Games: Big Ten
Worst Usage of Over 1,000 Uniform Combos: Oregon
Worst Thing To Happen to a Star Player: Colt McCoy's injury
Worst Team Effort: Cincinnati
Worst Effect of Coaching Changes: Cincinnati
Worst End to a Career: Colt McCoy
Worst Game That Failed to Live up to Hype: Fiesta Bowl
Worst Play that almost became a safety: Johnathan Dwyer's run ten yards behind the line of scrimmage into endzone.
Worst Trick Play: Alabama's Fake Punt
Worst Adaptation to Opponent's Strategy: Alabama on Texas' kickoffs.
Worst Miss of a Meaningless Extra Point: Leigh Tiffin
The BCS games defintely showed college football fans a glimpse of what we will see next year and also sent out some seniors with big wins and a certain senior quarterback injury that will always have Longhorn fans asking "What If?"
Players to Watch in the BCS National Championship Game
The day college football fans, especially fans of the Longhorns and Crimson Tide,have waited for all year is upon us tonight at the Rose Bowl. Tonight a national champion will be crowned, Mark Ingram will try to break the Heisman curse and Colt McCoy's amazing college career will come to an end.
TEXAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB, Colt McCoy
McCoy's final game will have to include a stellar performance through the air. The Alabama defense is designed to stop the run and with the lack of a real running game for the Longhorns, McCoy will have to find his arsenal of receivers across the field tonight to win.
WR, Jordan Shipley
McCoy's roomate and favorite target will have to end his college career with a great performance as well. Shipley's speed will be put to the test with Javier Arenas covering him. Shipley's impact in the return game will help decide field possession and if he gets a big return to switch momentum, watch out for the Longhorns to take advantage of that.
DE, Sergio Kindle
When the Crimson Tide do go to the air, the Texas pass rush must get pressure on Greg McElroy. Kindle is just the player to do that. Kindle will also be counted on to cause pressure in the backfield and stop Mark Ingram for losses.
WR, James Kirkendoll
If Shipley is shut down by Arenas, Kirkendoll is one of the emerging talents in the Longhorn offense and will need to step up to make a few catches, even if Shipley has a career night, to help spread the field for McCoy's air attack.
S, Earl Thomas
Thomas is the heart and soul of the secondary and will need to come up with at least one big play against the Tide's receiving corps. Thomas has eight interceptions on the season and will be on the prowl for number nine but do not look for him to be over aggressive.
ALABAMA PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB, Mark Ingram
Ingram will try to break the Heisman curse and win a national championship tonight. When Ingram gets going, the Tide are able to open up the playbook and use playaction to catch the Texas secondary off guard, which will be hard to do. Ingram needs a performance like the one he had against Florida to secure the title for the Tide
WR, Julio Jones
The big 6'4" target will be McElroy's go-to man tonight. But, if Jones is covered he could end up being the game's biggest decoy. McElroy has shown that Jones is not his only target but if Jones catches a lot of passes tonight he could outshine the other number eight, Jordan Shipley, on the other sideline.
K, Leigh Tiffin
Alabama's all-time leading scorer could make the game-winning kick tonight and for coach Nick Saban there is no better choice in the nation to make a pressure kick than Tiffin. Tiffin has only missed four field goals this season and is one of the most reliable kickers in the nation.
DT, Terrence Cody
Cody could single-handedly be the reason why the Texas run game fails tonight. Cody has overshadowed by other top defensive tackles in the nation this season (Suh, Gerald McCoy) but SEC fans know the havoc Cody has wreaked on opponents, especially with his ability to get a good rush on kicks and has provided two blocks this season.
LB, Rolando McClain
In the second line of defense, McClain has been spectacular this season against some of the best running backs in the nation. If the Longhorn run games gets through Cody and the defensive line, McClain will be right there to stop any gains.
CB, Javier Arenas
Arenas is more than a dynamic, game-changing return man. He can also be a shutdown corner and he will have to be tonight against Jordan Shipley. Like Shipley, Arenas can provide a momentum turning return any time in the game.
PREDICTION
Both teams have dynamic return men, great secondaries and high-profile offensive stars. Alabama's ability to run the ball and Texas' strong passing game will be the main focuses of each defense. Look for a big play from McElroy to one of his receivers and for Texas RB Tre Newton to have a big play to provide a balance for each offense.
In the end, if it is a close game, Alabama has a better chance to win on a game-winning kick but it will not come down to that. McCoy wants to prove that his performance against a tough defense in Nebraska was a fluke. Look for McCoy to be the most motivated player on the field and that will have an influence on the rest of his team.
Texas 26, Alabama 17
TEXAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB, Colt McCoy
McCoy's final game will have to include a stellar performance through the air. The Alabama defense is designed to stop the run and with the lack of a real running game for the Longhorns, McCoy will have to find his arsenal of receivers across the field tonight to win.
WR, Jordan Shipley
McCoy's roomate and favorite target will have to end his college career with a great performance as well. Shipley's speed will be put to the test with Javier Arenas covering him. Shipley's impact in the return game will help decide field possession and if he gets a big return to switch momentum, watch out for the Longhorns to take advantage of that.
DE, Sergio Kindle
When the Crimson Tide do go to the air, the Texas pass rush must get pressure on Greg McElroy. Kindle is just the player to do that. Kindle will also be counted on to cause pressure in the backfield and stop Mark Ingram for losses.
WR, James Kirkendoll
If Shipley is shut down by Arenas, Kirkendoll is one of the emerging talents in the Longhorn offense and will need to step up to make a few catches, even if Shipley has a career night, to help spread the field for McCoy's air attack.
S, Earl Thomas
Thomas is the heart and soul of the secondary and will need to come up with at least one big play against the Tide's receiving corps. Thomas has eight interceptions on the season and will be on the prowl for number nine but do not look for him to be over aggressive.
ALABAMA PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB, Mark Ingram
Ingram will try to break the Heisman curse and win a national championship tonight. When Ingram gets going, the Tide are able to open up the playbook and use playaction to catch the Texas secondary off guard, which will be hard to do. Ingram needs a performance like the one he had against Florida to secure the title for the Tide
WR, Julio Jones
The big 6'4" target will be McElroy's go-to man tonight. But, if Jones is covered he could end up being the game's biggest decoy. McElroy has shown that Jones is not his only target but if Jones catches a lot of passes tonight he could outshine the other number eight, Jordan Shipley, on the other sideline.
K, Leigh Tiffin
Alabama's all-time leading scorer could make the game-winning kick tonight and for coach Nick Saban there is no better choice in the nation to make a pressure kick than Tiffin. Tiffin has only missed four field goals this season and is one of the most reliable kickers in the nation.
DT, Terrence Cody
Cody could single-handedly be the reason why the Texas run game fails tonight. Cody has overshadowed by other top defensive tackles in the nation this season (Suh, Gerald McCoy) but SEC fans know the havoc Cody has wreaked on opponents, especially with his ability to get a good rush on kicks and has provided two blocks this season.
LB, Rolando McClain
In the second line of defense, McClain has been spectacular this season against some of the best running backs in the nation. If the Longhorn run games gets through Cody and the defensive line, McClain will be right there to stop any gains.
CB, Javier Arenas
Arenas is more than a dynamic, game-changing return man. He can also be a shutdown corner and he will have to be tonight against Jordan Shipley. Like Shipley, Arenas can provide a momentum turning return any time in the game.
PREDICTION
Both teams have dynamic return men, great secondaries and high-profile offensive stars. Alabama's ability to run the ball and Texas' strong passing game will be the main focuses of each defense. Look for a big play from McElroy to one of his receivers and for Texas RB Tre Newton to have a big play to provide a balance for each offense.
In the end, if it is a close game, Alabama has a better chance to win on a game-winning kick but it will not come down to that. McCoy wants to prove that his performance against a tough defense in Nebraska was a fluke. Look for McCoy to be the most motivated player on the field and that will have an influence on the rest of his team.
Texas 26, Alabama 17
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Z88.9 Sports Top 10 (January 5th)
TOP 10 IMPACT PLAYERS FOR THE NFL PLAYOFFS
10. Julian Edelman, WR, New England
9. Jai Ratliff, DT, Dallas
8. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis
7. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego
6. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia
4. Tom Brady, QB, New England
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis
1. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
10. Julian Edelman, WR, New England
9. Jai Ratliff, DT, Dallas
8. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis
7. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego
6. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia
4. Tom Brady, QB, New England
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis
1. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
Monday, January 4, 2010
Best of Bowl Season Non-BCS Edition
After the exciting two week thrill ride college football fans have experienced through all of the bowls not associated with the BCS here are the moments that made it great.
Best Game: Humanitarian Bowl, Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42
Best Coaching Decision: Idaho's game winning 2-point conversion.
Best Offensive Performance: Kyle Padron, QB, SMU 32/41 460 yds. 2 TD in Hawai'i Bowl
Best Defensive Performance: Nebraska, allowed 109 total yards in 33-0 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona
Best Upset: Air Force over Houston 47-20 in Armed Forces Bowl
Best Home-Field Advantage: USC in San Francisco for Emerald Bowl
Best Backup: Steven Sheffield, Texas Tech 9/11 88 yds. TD in 4th quarter.
Best Senior Send-off: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. The Huskers' defense dominated Arizona and solidified Suh's claim to be the #1 pick in April.
Best Homecoming: June Jones, SMU head coach coming back to Hawai'i for first time and upsetting Nevada.
Best New Venue for Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl (Cowboys Stadium)
Best Underrated Game: Capital One Bowl: Auburn 38, Northwestern 35
Best Kicker That Decided Not to Come Ready to Play:
Stefan Demos, Northwestern 0/2 FG, 3/4 PAT and he added insult to injury when he got hurt on a field goal attempt in overtime.
Best Unknown Player who Made a Name for Himself:'
Austyn Carta-Samuels, QB, Wyoming
Best Game to Fall Asleep During: Cotton Bowl
Best Performance by a Player Named after a Former Coaching Legend: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma 30/51 418 yds. 3 TD
Best Representative of Burlington County:
Kashif Moore, WR, UCONN(Burlington Twp.) 40 yards receving, TD
Now for some awards that were the worst:
Worst Game: Cotton Bowl, Ole Miss 21, Oklahoma State 7
This game had no rhythm until the fourth quarter when the Rebels scored two touchdowns.
Worst Showing by a Ranked Team: Oregon State
Worst Field Conditions: Capital One Bowl
Worst Usage of Home-Field Advantage: Temple
Worst Special Teams Play: Texas A&M
Worst Way to Lose: Northwestern's Fake FG in overtime.
Worst Defense of the Triple Option: Houston and Missouri
Worst Offensive Performance: Arizona
Worst Defensive Performance: Tennessee
Worst Place to Have a Bowl Game: Toronto
Now that you have read my best and worst for the non-BCS bowls, come back Friday for the best and worst recap of the 5 BCS games.
Best Game: Humanitarian Bowl, Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42
Best Coaching Decision: Idaho's game winning 2-point conversion.
Best Offensive Performance: Kyle Padron, QB, SMU 32/41 460 yds. 2 TD in Hawai'i Bowl
Best Defensive Performance: Nebraska, allowed 109 total yards in 33-0 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona
Best Upset: Air Force over Houston 47-20 in Armed Forces Bowl
Best Home-Field Advantage: USC in San Francisco for Emerald Bowl
Best Backup: Steven Sheffield, Texas Tech 9/11 88 yds. TD in 4th quarter.
Best Senior Send-off: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. The Huskers' defense dominated Arizona and solidified Suh's claim to be the #1 pick in April.
Best Homecoming: June Jones, SMU head coach coming back to Hawai'i for first time and upsetting Nevada.
Best New Venue for Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl (Cowboys Stadium)
Best Underrated Game: Capital One Bowl: Auburn 38, Northwestern 35
Best Kicker That Decided Not to Come Ready to Play:
Stefan Demos, Northwestern 0/2 FG, 3/4 PAT and he added insult to injury when he got hurt on a field goal attempt in overtime.
Best Unknown Player who Made a Name for Himself:'
Austyn Carta-Samuels, QB, Wyoming
Best Game to Fall Asleep During: Cotton Bowl
Best Performance by a Player Named after a Former Coaching Legend: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma 30/51 418 yds. 3 TD
Best Representative of Burlington County:
Kashif Moore, WR, UCONN(Burlington Twp.) 40 yards receving, TD
Now for some awards that were the worst:
Worst Game: Cotton Bowl, Ole Miss 21, Oklahoma State 7
This game had no rhythm until the fourth quarter when the Rebels scored two touchdowns.
Worst Showing by a Ranked Team: Oregon State
Worst Field Conditions: Capital One Bowl
Worst Usage of Home-Field Advantage: Temple
Worst Special Teams Play: Texas A&M
Worst Way to Lose: Northwestern's Fake FG in overtime.
Worst Defense of the Triple Option: Houston and Missouri
Worst Offensive Performance: Arizona
Worst Defensive Performance: Tennessee
Worst Place to Have a Bowl Game: Toronto
Now that you have read my best and worst for the non-BCS bowls, come back Friday for the best and worst recap of the 5 BCS games.
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