Best Best and Questionable Pursuits

How 'bout them Dogs!
Georgia overcome 18 point deficit to upset #14 Virginia Tech: 31-24




















More on Lumpkin and the guys in just a bit...

During my last post, I bemoaned the lack of competitive games in the bowl season thus far. Apparently, I have more clout than I thought, because soon after that all but one of the bowl games have be competitive. But which ones were the best victories? That's the topic I will tackle here (today).

Here's my half-dozen:
6. #24 (10-4) Oregon State 39
(8-5) Mizzou 38
You have to love the gutsy call to go for 2 and the victory. Another solid victory for the Beavers this year.

5. #19 (11-2) BYU 38
(7-6) Oregon 8
Remember way back when people thought the Ducks were good. Okay, unless you are a Pac-10 fan or a Sooner, that is probably too far to remember, so forget about that and focus on the whoopin' the Mormons put on the the Highlighters. Sure, this was a mismatch from the get-go, but the Cougars showed why they and the Mountain West are underrated and possibly better that the Pac-10.

4. (8-5) Clemson 20
(8-5) Kentucky 28
Can you remember a better season for the Wildcats (that didn't include hoops and hardwood)? With wins over Georgia and Clemson, the 'Cats saved Rich Brooks job and made a big statement. And to think that the Tigers were a contender for the ACC title and a darkhorse for the national picture... way back when. (More on Clemson in an upcoming post).

3. (8-5) Texas Tech 44
(6-7) Minnesota 41
In a game that probably shouldn't have been played (as I noted in a previous post), you have to give credit to the Red Raiders for posting the biggest bowl comeback ever and also leading to the firing of Glen Mason. The Gophers blew a 31-point lead in the 3rd quarter and lost in overtime to Tech. (Note: While I don't think the Boys from Lubbock are that good of a team, there is no doubt that they can score points- especially against a weak Big 10 team).

2. #20 (10-3) Cal 45
#21 (9-4) Texas A&M 10
To this point, this should have been one of the best games of the season... both teams were ranked- back-to-back, no less- and both were 9-3 coming into the games. But that is were the similarities ended. Cal played like everyone expected them to play all season, but didn't. And the Aggies played like a team that had feast on a bunch of lesser teams before beating their rival and deciding their wasn't much else to play for this year.

1. (9-4) Georgia 31
#14 (10-3) Virginia Tech 24
Before you cry "homerism", hear are the facts:
To this point Georgia is the only team to beat a higher-ranked opponent and not just a slightly higher-ranked team, but a much higher-ranked team.
The Dogs overcame an 18-point margin to beat the Hokies; scoring 28 points in the second half against the nation's top defensive unit.
VT was arguably the ACC's #2 team; UGA was probably the SEC's #6 team.
(Note: Only Ohio State, Florida, Southern Cal and possibly LSU can claim a better victories against ranked opponents. UGA finished the season by beating then #5 Auburn, #16 Georgia Tech and #14 Virginia Tech.)
I recently read an article by a Florida fan that noted that the Dogs should be more successful than the are, but he also noted that UGA should get more national attention. Focusing on his second point, I would agree and if ESPN and the national media fails to recognize Georgia's strong finish, they are incompetent and near-sighted. This should be a top story, not the 148th break down of the Rose Bowl or the Sugar Bowl or even the OSU-Florida game.

Finally, 3 more thoughts:

1. How sad was it to see Texas fall at the end of the season? They almost lost to a poor Iowa team. Granted, much more was expected out of the Hawkeyes this year, but you could make the same argument for the 'Horns too. To slip by a 6-7 team from a conference that is currently 0-3 in bowls is not the way you want to finish your season. (Also, emptying your roster of backup QBs isn't a good idea either.)

2. Speaking of conference records in bowls check this out:
Big East= 2-0
SEC= 3-1
Mtn West= 3-1
ACC= 4-2
Big 12= 3-3
Big 10= 0-3
Pac 10= 2-3
Hmmm....

3. Finally, I have to address some insanity among the ranks of some very good friends of mine... Tide Fans and Alabama Football. I recently read that Bama is almost positive they will lure Saban with a $40 million contract. I recently read a humorous take on Bama's "schoolgirl-crush" pursuit of Nick (on sundaymorningqb.com) All joking aside, if the Tide hooks-up with Saban and isn't left jilted at the alter (again), this is a dangerous scenario. Let's face it, Tide fans aren't the most rational bunch, as a closet Bama fan and part of a mostly Bama fan family, I speak first hand about said breaks from logic and realism.
Here are a few things that could happen between now and the next 2 weeks:
1. Saban stands firm and stays put at Miami, serving Bama strike 2 and still swinging. ESPN is reporting that Bama has as many as 5 candidates for the job. Of course, Saban is the top choice. We don't really know who the other 4 are, but you have to ask, "If Saban turns down $40 million, what do they have to offer the next guy?" And are the Red Sox and Cubs ownership now running the Crimson Tide?
2. Saban takes the money and runs... but not to well. Let's say Saban doesn't win a National Title or even an SEC title in his first 4 years and he goes 1-3 against Auburn. What then? While I noted Bama's lack of rational thinking, it should be noted that patience isn't another one of Bama fan's qualities. Do you fire Saban and look elsewhere? Can you afford to do that? Let's face it, with that kind of money, you are stuck with Saban for better or worse. Bama is basically mortgaging their future on this gamble, but are they willing to face the music should the bank come calling.
3. Saban takes the money and runs... well. Let's say everything turns out rosy- like a houndstooth dream. After 5 years, his contract is up, but he has lead Bama to 2 SEC titles, 3 SEC Championship games, a 4-1 record over Auburn and 1 National Title, then what? Remember you just paid the guy $40 million to come to Tuscaloosa. Even if the Bama job is the premier coaching job in the country (that Bryant Jr and the Crimson masses think it is), how much is it going to cost to keep him. Sure he might be stupid to leave- and may not even want to leave, but don't you think he'll want a pay raise for "services rendered."
Just a thought... or 3.