As expected last nights Sugar Bowl was a rout. However, what wasn’t expected was Louisville being the ones to put the beat down on Florida. Louisville dominated the game from the start and made the Gators look really bad. Tonight’s Fiesta Bowl between Oregon and Kansas State is the most anticipated of the BCS bowls outside of the national championship game. Both these teams were in contention all year for a national title game appearance. After Florida’s embarrassing performance last night, this game pits the two best teams in the country besides Alabama and Notre Dame.
Fiesta Bowl
#4 Oregon (11-1) vs. #5 Kansas State (11-1), in Tempe, Arizona
Both of these teams are mostly known for their amazing offenses. The Ducks quick fire offense led by freshman QB Marcus Mariota (30 TDs, 6 INTs), and RB Kenjon Barner (1,624 yards rushing, 21 TDs), and dual threat RB De’Anthony Thomas (686 yards rushing, 11 TDs) averaged an astounding 50.8 points per game. The Wildcats weren’t too far behind them, averaging 40.7 points per game led by Heisman finalist QB Colin Klein. Klein isn’t known for his passing prowess with just 15 TDs versus 7 INTs, but he is an elite runner. He finished second on the Wildcats with 890 yards rushing and led the team with 22 rushing TDs. Klein gets all the pub but RB John Hubert led the Wildcats with 892 yards rushing this season. So as you can see, plenty of offensive firepower. But what often is overlooked with these teams is that they are both pretty good defensively. The Ducks gave up just 22 points per game and were led by their two best defensive players, LB Dion Jordan and CB Ifo Ekpre-Olumu, who has a penchant for forcing fumbles. Kansas State was just a little better, giving up 21.1 points per game this season. Their defense features the Big 12 defensive player of the year and second team All-American, Arthur Brown. The Wildcats were strong against the run most of the season, save for their one loss this year to Baylor. The Bears gashed them on the ground and the Wildcats didn’t know what hit them. Kansas State has to limit Barner and Thomas’ big play abilities to keep Kansas State in this game. Even if they are successful with that, Mariota could gash them through the air. One area I worry about for the Ducks is the distractions that might be caused by their coach Chip Kelly’s name being attached to so many potential NFL openings. The Stanford Cardinal faced the same thing a few years ago with Jim Harbaugh and were fine, so it should be nothing. The Wildcats are coached by one of the best coaches in college football history, Bill Snyder. With him on the sideline, Kansas State has a chance in any game. With two defenses that are pretty evenly matched, I don’t think Kansas State has the offensive firepower to keep up with Oregon. Oregon’s offense was slowed just once this season, in their loss to Stanford. The Wildcats are good on defense, and I don’t think Oregon will hang 50 on them, but I don’t believe they are good enough to keep Oregon under 30. This should be an entertaining game from start to finish, with the Ducks eventually prevailing.
Prediction: Oregon 37, Kansas State 28
Overall Record: 105-25
College Basketball – Top 25
#2 Michigan (13-0, 0-0) at Northwestern (9-4, 0-0), ESPN2, 7:00 PM ET.
Colorado (10-2, 0-0) at #3 Arizona (12-0, 0-0), ESPNU, 8:00 PM ET.
#10 Gonzaga (13-1, 0-0) at Pepperdine (8-5, 0-0), 9:00 PM ET.
NBA
San Antonio (26-8) at New York (21-10), 7:30 PM ET.
Minnesota (14-14) at Denver (18-15), 9:00 PM ET. The Nuggets have played twice as many road games as home games thus far. Anyone know the story behind that? They are dominant at home, a team to watch out for.
Great googily goo. Dem some fine derrieres. What was we talkin’ about?
You know I root for the old guys, but I’m thinking Ducks easy.
Note to Bill Snyder: Trim that nose hair.
I am taking KState. Both can put up the points, and think the Cats have a slightly better defense.
Ridiculous to see an over at 75 for a BCS game.
Ironic. Sparty loses two offensive players to early entry in the draft, and only one on defense.
I saw Sparty play and when they had the ball way more than 2 were offensive to the eye. :)
Poor girl thought they were cheering her. When she watches the tape, she’ll realize they were cheering the eagle.
She did sing pretty well, though
That was quick.
Yes she did.
Boom goes the dynamite. Over looking good.
Defense optional
so, De’Anthony Thomas likes playing in these bowl games.
He ain’t big, but he’s pretty good.
his speed is retarded fast.
Don’t want to sound like a racist, but it’s been a long time since I’ve watched a game with this many white guys playing.
facts ain’t racism.
and we got ourselves a game. and the over is still attainable.
Need to total 21 points a quarter for the last 3 quarters.
Is that Mrs. Kline they keep showing? Cute girl.
Brad confirms it.
Brad Nessler is my favorite college football play-by-play guy. i do like Musberger, but Nessler is just perfect. does a great job with Mayock on NFL Network.
Agree about Nessler. Sometimes Mayock gives me too much information. Kind of like the smart kid in class who wanted to give all of the answers,
But he doesn’t talk to you like you haven’t watched a game.
ball was thrown perfectly. lost it in the lights. had no idea it was coming to him.
K State got really lucky there. He probably would have scored.
i’ve played indoors. i found it harder to pick up the ball.
Never played indoors. Did play at Hofstra on one of the very first artificial turf fields. Zero crown, rain, and poor drainage = 1/2 to 3/4 inch water covering entire field.
I didn’t think the Roman Colosseum had a roof………..
True, but when the said you were playing the Lions. You knew it was going to be a tough game.
Last time they won a playoff game, too
They were hungry.
Well played
AstroTurf sucked. Concrete and rug burns all in one.
The pace of this game is a crawl for the two teams playing
Nice design on the fake, but very well defended. I’m guessing they must have seen that on film.
Colin Kline to tackle, “You big dummy.”
5 yards closer and that probably was good.
Always good to hard count your own lineman
Sometimes they can make it look way too easy
For real. That was stupid.
Oregon is just a better team when they are in the extra quick hurry up.
Wow. Deadspin says BOB is staying.
At least you can now get a good nights sleep.
Colin Kline does not have a pro arm.
Speaking of Penn State does anyone still hear from ……. damn it, I hate when my rememory fails me, but you know who I mean.
Well, I am sure Johnny is happy that O’Brien is sticking around
That’s it, Johnny. And if things get tough over the next few years at Penn State, I hope “fans” remember what he gave up for them. I can see him coaching there forever, if he wants to.
I doubt he got an offer.
I can see teams waiting to see if one or both Kelly’s are interested in going pro, before making a final decision. Maybe neither team wanted to contribute to his buyout.
It is becoming clear why Colin Kline was not invited to the Senior Bowl game. The rosters are selected by polling pro GM’s.
Coached by the Lions and Raiders. He’s prolly better off staying home.
K State is going to be worn out by the 4th quarter.
WTF? Never heard of that. Nice explanation by the ref.