WAR EAGLE!!!
Was at work late, so got home at halftime. I dared not turn on the game, but I turned it on twice and the first time Oregon did the fake punt for the 1st down and the second time Newton fumbled it late in the 4th, so I turned it off and just waited.
Where’s your daddy Phil Knight now, WHOREGON???
Tyjenks
1922
I am going with 18.
RE: The rule. I am not sure how they would judge a tackle with none of the player’s body touching the ground. Would it be his torso on the fully downed body of the defender? It is not all that obscure as you see it happen relatively often, but it does cheapen the gain a bit. I am not a big fan of the Ref being viewed as a fixture on the field either.
ckessel
1923
Yea, having watched Oregon all year, Thomas seemed to make a lot of the wrong reads today. In other games, the right reads made Oregon look incredible. That said, I’m sure a lot of it was the size and quickness of Auburn made Thomas decide faster and between more marginal decisions.
Aw, c’mon - that’s not the Auburn way. :)
ckessel
1925
Well, #90 might beg to differ. Actually, he’d just try and twist your neck off.
Can’t say I disagree with you there. I wish they’d bench that guy.
Nick Saban looks like he’s trying not to cry.
I hope Wes Byrum gets hit by a bus on his way out of the stadium!
ckessel
1928
Yea, I was just being a little pissy, though he struck me as just a thug with physical talent. The kind of player I hate.
Auburn overall was awfully good, particularly on defense. Disciplined and fast. Losing by 3 points isn’t what I wanted, but at least it was close.
Tyjenks
1929
I sincerely like Saban as an analyst. I do, however, wish he would go ahead and move onto that sooner rather than later.
The NFL agrees, so he’s on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Tyjenks
1931
Saban and Meyer indicted the spread for the drop back in the endzone play that lead to the safety.
corsair
1932
It’s actually pretty easy, just about anything except hands and feet touching the ground from the result of contact with an opposing player, and you’re down. The usual thing on tight calls is the knee. His knee never hit - he’s not down even if the only thing keeping him off the ground is a fully prone player. It was a good tackle, but well, bad luck on technically being down.
It is not all that obscure as you see it happen relatively often, but it does cheapen the gain a bit. I am not a big fan of the Ref being viewed as a fixture on the field either.
It’s heartbreaking (and I was rooting for the Pac-10 team), but it doesn’t cheapen the gain - no whistle, keep playing. Excellent non-call.
Tyjenks
1933
I am trying to be humble. ;) I don’t think the rule should be changed at all.
olaf
1934
Not sure what the line was but I would have gone with Auburn and the under all the way.
I really expected Auburn to control the game from start to finish, I was surprised with what I saw. Oregon’s D played badass. I didnt think there was a team that could contain Newton at this point, but they sure did.
Tyjenks
1935
Auburn’s defense had a terrible secondary all season and I would have guessed Auburn would only win by outscoring Oregon. The secondary did seem to tighten in the second half in many games throughout the year. I just figured that Oregon would wear them out. Auburn had played well against the run and I think the D’s work against the Duck running game helped limit the options Oregon was used to having and that was the difference.
Oregon’s scheme is tough to defend in the season because you have so little time. You have to focus on your opponent that week, and when you’re done, you get seven days to totally try to figure out the Ducks.
Ohio State and Auburn each had a month or more to study, dissect, and gameplan against Oregon’s schemes. It also helps that they have the athletes and speed to counter it.
I think the tide is turning. Oregon had a couple of years of bashing everyone in the Pac-10 with it, but I think the defensive coaches and players are figuring it out. Cal certainly did by holding Oregon to 15. If Cal had had an actual QB they win their game against the Ducks this year. (Riley was lost with an injury earlier in the season, and his backups were all shockingly terrible and unprepared.) Auburn studied the hell out of that game tape though, you can guarantee that.
Tyjenks, you’re a dork. :)
Lorini
1938
I quit watching when the Ducks went for it on fourth down at the goal line, knowing damn well they weren’t winning the line of scrimmage. If they kick the field goal, who knows what would have happened. Oregon’s offense looked ordinary to me, as predicted Auburn was more physical and the offense couldn’t get going.
None
1939
What I got out of last night’s BCS game: Nick Saban is incapable of speaking a word without using his hands.
Aaaannnd…Strike 2 (or is it 3)!
Les Miles is staying at LSU. Not stated whether UM offered him the job, but the school has already announced that he’s not leaving.
So, who does UM turn to next?
