2014 Bowl Season 39 Games of Joy

[PaloAltoCougar]

You're probably the best dad ever. You realize your kids will be talking about this their whole lives- that's awesome.

As the fourth quarter dragged on last night, I told the missus I felt genuinely bad for HFN. But she correctly noted, "Bad? Yeah, it's too bad Oregon's going to lose but he got to be at a great place with his boys, had good eats at The Salt Lick, and his boys will remember this fun trip forever. He's a good and lucky man; you don't need to feel sorry for him." So I won't.

[dabrockster]

It was a turning point, but the two drops on third down were just as big, if not bigger, especially in the case of the long third down drop by #85.

Interesting enough. He is from Cincinnati, Ohio and I believe it was between Ohio St. and Oregon as to where he was going. Good luck to him. He looks like he will be really good next year.

[SeattleUte]

It was a turning point, but the two drops on third down were just as big, if not bigger, especially in the case of the long third down drop by #85.

Oregon needed to have this game won by halftime. The two drops were huge.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I'm sorry, HFN. I really am.

I accept friend. Thank you.

[smokymountainrain]

The decision to not kick the field goal was a turning point. OSU gained a ton of confidence stopping their run, and Oregon really couldn't run much for the rest of the game. It's admirable that Oregon doesn't change their game under pressure. But in hindsight that field goal would have made the eventual score deficit more manageable.

It was a turning point, but the two drops on third down were just as big, if not bigger, especially in the case of the long third down drop by #85.

[Northwestcoug]

The decision to not kick the field goal was a turning point. OSU gained a ton of confidence stopping their run, and Oregon really couldn't run much for the rest of the game. It's admirable that Oregon doesn't change their game under pressure. But in hindsight that field goal would have made the eventual score deficit more manageable.

[TripletDaddy]

So do you think Urban takes over the 49ers at this point or no?

Doubt he ever does that. Saban tried and failed miserably to be successful at both levels. In fact, can't really think of too many coaches that have reached the pinnacle of success at both levels. Takes a supremely elite type of coach to do something like that. Urb doesn't have it in him.

[TripletDaddy]

The moments that will bother me about this game are the 2 big drops on 3rd down in the first quarter, not kicking the FG on fourth down in the second quarter, and never adjusting to more than a 3 man front and forcing, or trying to force, the ball out of Ezekiel's hands. Cardale was good, he also made some bad plays and it might have made the game interesting if he would have had to make more decisions.

Losing the championship game is rough, but it was such a fun night, and trip, with my boys that'll I'll remember this year and Marcus with nothing but a smile. Congrats daBrock and Brutus and I think there is another Buckeye but I can't remember right now.

whats the word on Oregon's defensive plan going into the next season? Clearly on offense they set the standard for spread option teams that run an up-tempo game. But do they spend as much time going after defensive players as they do offensive burners like they traditionally feature? I cant help but think that spending a little more time focusing on the defense will put them in a better position to win it all. Interestingly against Auburn Oregon's D was pretty good, giving up a relatively respectable 22 points and losing on a FG. Last night was a different story altogether, compounded by the decisions you already listed above.

The PAC deserves its reputation for having prolific scoring offenses and strong QB play, but it would do well to take a tip from some of the other conferences and start establishing more of a defensive identity, as well. It is exciting to score 30-50 points, not so much to give up a similar amount. And that is an observation across the entire conference, not just for oregon. Goodness knows SC needs more players on defense to ward off late-game collapses.

[dabrockster]

So do you think Urban takes over the 49ers at this point or no?

:shush: SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!! We have at least another title maybe two before he takes retirement and moves on to ND.

[dabrockster]

The moments that will bother me about this game are the 2 big drops on 3rd down in the first quarter, not kicking the FG on fourth down in the second quarter, and never adjusting to more than a 3 man front and forcing, or trying to force, the ball out of Ezekiel's hands. Cardale was good, he also made some bad plays and it might have made the game interesting if he would have had to make more decisions.

Losing the championship game is rough, but it was such a fun night, and trip, with my boys that'll I'll remember this year and Marcus with nothing but a smile. Congrats daBrock and Brutus and I think there is another Buckeye but I can't remember right now.

Tough loss HFN. If we had lost to Bama, I would have rooted for Oregon.

CJF is the other buckeye fan but he doesn't like people to know that..

[Commando]

So do you think Urban takes over the 49ers at this point or no?

[Commando]

The moments that will bother me about this game are the 2 big drops on 3rd down in the first quarter, not kicking the FG on fourth down in the second quarter, and never adjusting to more than a 3 man front and forcing, or trying to force, the ball out of Ezekiel's hands. Cardale was good, he also made some bad plays and it might have made the game interesting if he would have had to make more decisions.

Losing the championship game is rough, but it was such a fun night, and trip, with my boys that'll I'll remember this year and Marcus with nothing but a smile. Congrats daBrock and Brutus and I think there is another Buckeye but I can't remember right now.

You're probably the best dad ever. You realize your kids will be talking about this their whole lives- that's awesome.

[dabrockster]

Good hell, all you Urban worshipers only hear what you want to hear. No one is saying Urban is a bad coach you drama queens. I was just subjectively giving my opinion between Saban and Meyer. It was a boring topic to begin with and I stretched it out far too long.

You got one thing correct.. You stretched that horrid argument in the first place..

You based it off of recruiting and what Saban had vs. Urban. I disagree entirely, and Bama did not have an empty team. As far as the best coach. Opinions can differ to sway one way or the other. Saban has more NC titles etc. Urban is a master motivator and will surpass Saban in titles. One thing is clear, they are both equally good. Their record against each other I believe is now 2-2.

[Paperback Writer]

But again, the 10 years prior to Saban were not noteworthy for recruiting. I'm sure it didn't take long to recover based on their storied past, but my point was that Saban had to turn Sparty around. Saban had to turn LSU around. Saban had to turn Bama around. Urban took over a decently talented Utah team from McBride. He took over an extremely talented Florida team from Zook. And he took over an equally talented team in tOSU. Urban is probably the best coach to motivate top talent. But I just think Saban has done more. Just my opinion.

I understand your point about Nick Saban but it's not difficult to "turn around" LSU or Alabama. Those programs are surrounded by HS talent and have a tradition of winning. And I think you're being overly generous about Saban turning around Michigan St. The five seasons before Saban arrived at Michigan St., the Spartans went: 8-3-1, 3-8, 5-6, 6-6. and 5-6. Sabans's five seasons at Michigan St: 6-5-1, 6-6, 7-5, 6-6, and 10-2. That looks to me like Saban had one good season at Michigan St. in 1999 and leveraged it to get hired at LSU. For a coach that has turned around Michigan St., look no farther than current coach Mark Dantonio.

Agree that its a silly argument about who may be the better coach between Meyer and Saban. Both are great coaches. Reminds me of similar arguments about who was the better coach between Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

The moments that will bother me about this game are the 2 big drops on 3rd down in the first quarter, not kicking the FG on fourth down in the second quarter, and never adjusting to more than a 3 man front and forcing, or trying to force, the ball out of Ezekiel's hands. Cardale was good, he also made some bad plays and it might have made the game interesting if he would have had to make more decisions.

Losing the championship game is rough, but it was such a fun night, and trip, with my boys that'll I'll remember this year and Marcus with nothing but a smile. Congrats daBrock and Brutus and I think there is another Buckeye but I can't remember right now.