USC vs. Texas
Hype vs. Reality
There’s nothing worse than hearing the hype about a game for 4-5 weeks and then when the big game happens, it doesn’t live up to the hype. On the other hand, when a matchup does live up to the hype and keeps you at the edge of your seat, you find yourself giddy, anxious and enthralled all at the same time. Last night was one of those times.
A Tape-worthy Game
I had scheduled a birthday dinner with a friend, forgetting that it was on the same night as the Rose Bowl game. I was, at first, disappointed to miss it live, but decided that I would record the game since I had already rescheduled this dinner once.
We got back from our time with our friend at almost 11 PM. We rewinded our tape and started watching it and by the time it ended it was 1:30 and it was worth every minute of it. Every now and then there's a "tape-worthy game" that you want to keep forever. A "Lakers Win a Three-Peat Championship" game or Sampras vs. Agassi in a Grueling 5-hour Tennis match or "Angels Winning the World Series for the First Time" game. You may never watch it again, but you just want to have it in case you want to watch it. Well yesterday's Rose Bowl game between the USC Trojans vs. the Texas Longhorns was that kind of a game and I was glad to have it on tape.
Critical Moments for the Trojans
There were a few controversial mishaps for the Trojans, like
1) Vince Young's knee that went down but the lateral that ended with a touch down, or
2) the time on the clock that wasn't stopped when a play was out of bounds which could have added 20-30 seconds to the game, or
3) Bush's lateral throw in the first half that ended in a fumble, or
more than the 4th down/2 yards incompleted rush that gave the ball to Texas in the fourth quarter,
4) the crucial face mask penalty that gave Texas a first down after two fantastic defensive plays by the Trojans that could have stopped the Longhorns mid field.
Would You Rather have Leinart or Young?
Another interesting thought I had was how everyone was in love with Vince Young after the game. It's interesting how media people so quickly change their minds about players. Just a week ago, everyone was raving about how Reggie Bush is the best collegiate player ever and now this week it's Vince Young. No doubt that Young played the game of his life and was absolutely brilliant, but Joe Theisman on Collin Cowherd's show had made an interesting comment about Vince Young-type of players. He said that most NFL teams, would be a bit weary to sign Vince Young on one factor: durability. If a team is going to pay $20-25 million for a player, they want to make sure that he's around for as long as possible and if a quarterback is running wild, you just don't know how long he'll be able to be durable. There's no doubt that Young will be drafted in the top 5 but Theismand does have a point.
Sometimes It's Better Left Unsaid
Throughout the whole game, Vince Young was as poised and focused as a top NFL quarterback playing in his 5th Superbowl game. He threw for 267 yards and rushed for another 200 yards. He was efficient, rugged, smart and cool. Then when they handed him the Offensive MVP award, he opened his mouth and his net worth dropped. He wasn't very classy or humble or the kind of player that commanded your respect. He was just a very talented college kid.
As a UCLA Grad, Props to USC.
As a graduate of UCLA, I will always root for the Bruins over the obnoxious Trojans. But there's something about Pete Carroll's classy, un-stuffy nature that makes you just want to like the guy. Then there's Matt Leinart: dedicated, sincere, another likable guy. And finally there's Reggie Bush, humble, hard-working and knows how to say things with grace--These factors made it impossible to HATE Hate the Trojans, so I'm mature and big enough to give them the props for being a great team with a great coach and having a great run.
There’s nothing worse than hearing the hype about a game for 4-5 weeks and then when the big game happens, it doesn’t live up to the hype. On the other hand, when a matchup does live up to the hype and keeps you at the edge of your seat, you find yourself giddy, anxious and enthralled all at the same time. Last night was one of those times.
A Tape-worthy Game
I had scheduled a birthday dinner with a friend, forgetting that it was on the same night as the Rose Bowl game. I was, at first, disappointed to miss it live, but decided that I would record the game since I had already rescheduled this dinner once.
We got back from our time with our friend at almost 11 PM. We rewinded our tape and started watching it and by the time it ended it was 1:30 and it was worth every minute of it. Every now and then there's a "tape-worthy game" that you want to keep forever. A "Lakers Win a Three-Peat Championship" game or Sampras vs. Agassi in a Grueling 5-hour Tennis match or "Angels Winning the World Series for the First Time" game. You may never watch it again, but you just want to have it in case you want to watch it. Well yesterday's Rose Bowl game between the USC Trojans vs. the Texas Longhorns was that kind of a game and I was glad to have it on tape.
Critical Moments for the Trojans
There were a few controversial mishaps for the Trojans, like
1) Vince Young's knee that went down but the lateral that ended with a touch down, or
2) the time on the clock that wasn't stopped when a play was out of bounds which could have added 20-30 seconds to the game, or
3) Bush's lateral throw in the first half that ended in a fumble, or
more than the 4th down/2 yards incompleted rush that gave the ball to Texas in the fourth quarter,
4) the crucial face mask penalty that gave Texas a first down after two fantastic defensive plays by the Trojans that could have stopped the Longhorns mid field.
Would You Rather have Leinart or Young?
Another interesting thought I had was how everyone was in love with Vince Young after the game. It's interesting how media people so quickly change their minds about players. Just a week ago, everyone was raving about how Reggie Bush is the best collegiate player ever and now this week it's Vince Young. No doubt that Young played the game of his life and was absolutely brilliant, but Joe Theisman on Collin Cowherd's show had made an interesting comment about Vince Young-type of players. He said that most NFL teams, would be a bit weary to sign Vince Young on one factor: durability. If a team is going to pay $20-25 million for a player, they want to make sure that he's around for as long as possible and if a quarterback is running wild, you just don't know how long he'll be able to be durable. There's no doubt that Young will be drafted in the top 5 but Theismand does have a point.
Sometimes It's Better Left Unsaid
Throughout the whole game, Vince Young was as poised and focused as a top NFL quarterback playing in his 5th Superbowl game. He threw for 267 yards and rushed for another 200 yards. He was efficient, rugged, smart and cool. Then when they handed him the Offensive MVP award, he opened his mouth and his net worth dropped. He wasn't very classy or humble or the kind of player that commanded your respect. He was just a very talented college kid.
As a UCLA Grad, Props to USC.
As a graduate of UCLA, I will always root for the Bruins over the obnoxious Trojans. But there's something about Pete Carroll's classy, un-stuffy nature that makes you just want to like the guy. Then there's Matt Leinart: dedicated, sincere, another likable guy. And finally there's Reggie Bush, humble, hard-working and knows how to say things with grace--These factors made it impossible to HATE Hate the Trojans, so I'm mature and big enough to give them the props for being a great team with a great coach and having a great run.
posted by e at 1:08 PM
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