Bowled Over

After years of general disappointment, frustration and controversy, it seems strangely appropriate that the BCS go out in spectacular fashion.  Underdogs prevailed in all four games (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange), with two massive upsets (Oklahoma over Auburn in the Sugar, UCF over Baylor in the Fiesta) thrown in for good measure.  And most importantly, all four games were entertaining, putting the entire spectrum of college styles on display.

The Rose Bowl was great (even though I was hoping for a Stanford win), but for me the clear winner among the big four was the Sugar - watching Oklahoma take it to Alabama was about as good as it gets, and it was especially fun to see Jalen Saunders have such a great game.  Saunders is from Elk Grove, and in age is between my two kids, so I was fortunate to see him play for three years at Pleasant Grove High School, even filling in at quarterback one season when the starter went down.  He's not big, but I'm hoping he can find a home in the pros.

Adding to the fun of this year's big games (and yes, I know there's one big game left) is the speculation over how the College Football Playoff will impact the game next Fall.  The committee tasked with selecting the four participants is probably more nervous about that job today than it was a week ago, because if this past week has proven anything, it's that there isn't a lot to distinguish the #5 team from the #12 team in the nation.  If anything, expanding to four teams will just add to the controversy.  It should be fun, and that's even before the Playoff seeks to reinvent New Year's Eve in December 2015.