MidValleySports.Com

Tim Peterson

By Tim Peterson

Just when you thought there were too many Bowl games something like the Alamo Bowl pops up.

It was can’t miss TV. Nothing could be more entertaining. One team, Oregon, is up 31-0 at the half over another team, TCU, that is playing with its backup quarterback. Then Oregon’s starting QB gets hurt leaving open the chance that anything can happen and of course anything does as the Horned Frogs, yes Horned Frogs, pulled it out 47-41 in three overtimes.

On a Saturday night at 7:30 is there anything better worth watching? Last week I mentioned that with low attendance at several games, maybe the number of bowl games needs to be revisited. And it probably does. 41 does seem excessive and a couple of 5-7 teams even got into the mix to fill the spaces. But the fact it’s still football and football vs. anything else is always a winner.

College basketball in December? The NBA? It doesn’t compare. The more football the better. You can turn the channel to Lakers-76ers if you like. As for me I’ll be watching the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl or the Taxslayer Bowl or yes, the Alamo Bowl. It’s as good as it gets.

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Much has been made of Christian McCaffrey’s big game for Stanford in the Rose Bowl confirming that he was snubbed in the Heisman Award. He did have a huge game. 368 total all purpose yards on that stage is unheard of. But I still don’t have a problem with Alabama running back Derrick Henry taking home the hardware. The Heisman is a regular season award. Bowl games don’t count. They probably should but they don’t so you can throw those Rose Bowl stats out the window. Here are the numbers excluding the bowl games. Henry had 1986 yards and 23 touchdowns. McCaffrey had 1847 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. McCaffrey had more kick return yards and receiving yards making him the more complete player but Henry wasn’t asked to do those things as he was solely a rusher. Alabama played the number one ranked schedule compared to number 12 for Stanford. Don’t blame the voters, blame the system. But based on regular season play, Henry wasn’t a bad choice.

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Speaking of the Rose Bowl is there a more prefect setting? Funny thing is it could rain for two weeks straight before the game and two weeks after but on January 1 in Pasadena, it will be clear skies, 70 degrees and sunny.

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I don’t think Clemson stands a chance against Alabama. But then again, I liked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. I still say Roll Tide. I don’t want to see Dabo Swinney dance again.

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Still trying to figure out why USC quarterback Cody Kessler threw a seven yard out pattern on fourth and ten with less than ten seconds left…How long until we see the #fireclayhelton posts.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or Twitter @tspeterson40.

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