Idiots Write About Sports

So much for ending that 46-year wait for the Rose Bowl.

Scattered thoughts:

1. The Pac-10 Conference ought to be ashamed of itself for not having a January 1 bowl tie-in for its #2 team. Pac-10 #2 versus Big-12 #3 in the Holiday Bowl? That’s embarrassing, guys.

2. Class act by Mack Brown to praise Cal and Tedford on the air in the Soviet-style BCS Championship Selection Show. Brown (who was in Cal’s shoes a year ago, #5 in the BCS standings and relegated to the Holiday Bowl) said it right:

As happy as we are today, I really feel sorry for Cal. Cal is a great football team. The system doesn’t work and we understand that. We’ll keep working at this system where teams like Cal will be playing in the BCS.

3. Enjoy that Pitt-Utah match-up, Tempe. Whoo!

4. BCS, either use the computers or don’t. Now the polls are worth more than the computers. Also, the poll voters sure pay attention to margin of victory — but the computers aren’t allowed to. Jeff Sagarin’s computer ratings (the ones not used by the BCS because they take into account margin of victory and points scored) have Cal at #3, but in the BCS-friendly system they’re behind Texas.

5. I find the bowl season to be fairly sleepy. Weird match-ups, very few good games. Imagine how exciting an NCAA football playoff might be. But failing that, I would really like to see the Rose Bowl either kiss off the BCS or demand a rule that states that the Rose Bowl gets to take another Pac-10 or Big Ten team to replace one that’s promoted to the national championship game if they’re in, oh, say, the BCS top 20. I’m sure that Texas-Michigan match-up will be fascinating. Those remaining members of the Rose Bowl committee who have not jumped off an overpass onto the 10 Freeway will be grateful.

6. Mack Brown: “I think Cal will get there next year.” No we won’t. In a few weeks Jeff Tedford will be stolen away by someone waving piles of money. Next year Cal will keep its momentum like it did with Gilbertson in 1992, winning seven games while going to a minor bowl game. And then Cal will resume its traditional mediocrity. Upside: There will be more room for my big butt on the benches in section FF. Downside: I am 34 years old and will never, ever, ever see Cal in the Rose Bowl.

So I guess I’m a little down.

7. And I thought I had visited Qualcomm Stadium for the last time. Texas Tech, here we come. I hope Cal beats you into pulp.

Update: 8. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t think Mack Brown has class. Guess he didn’t watch the ABC broadcast.

“I thought it was a little classless how Coach Brown was begging for votes after the (Texas A&M) game,” Rodgers said. “I think a team’s record and the way you play should speak for itself, and you shouldn’t have to complain about the BCS system. Coach Tedford isn’t going to, although he’s frustrated just like we are. I think we’re a bigger team, classier than that.”

Well, I agree with that.

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