"Pick, Pop, Penetrate, Draw and Kick"

OK, like most American sports fans I was watching the Giants and the Packers head into overtime. But on the Picture-in-Picture there was a great college basketball game between the University of Oregon Ducks and the 8th-ranked Washington State University Cougars, which I just couldn't keep my eyes off of. The Ducks had won the last dozen meetings, and it was a back-and-forth battle right from the opening tip -- the Ducks got out to about a 10 point lead, the Cougs went on a strong run to catch them just before the half; Oregon went into the locker room with a 4 point lead, Cougs caught them in the opening minutes of the second half, and then it was back-and-forth again all the way down to the last minute or so, where the Cougars finally broke the curse, got out to a bit of a lead, and won it shooting free throws. Ducks had two good looks at the basket in the closing seconds -- a wide-open three at the top of the circle and a contested lay-up off a drive down the right side of the lane, but missed them both. And I'll tell you, it was a lot more fun to watch than two missed field goals, a bunch of dropped passes, and an interception in overtime which led (at last) to a game-ending made kick. What can I say? Third Time's a Charm. Or maybe it's Three Strikes and You're Out.

The Pats game was much more fun to watch, especially since I went out to see it in a local sports bar where I am now considered a "regular." The Chargers defense really won my respect; three picks of Brady, and the Pats had to work hard for everything they got. But at the end, after New England jumped out to the 9 point lead, I knew San Diego was finished. (Actually, I knew they were finished when they had to settle for their fourth field goal there in the third quarter -- since I knew the Patriots still had another touchdown in them, and didn't think the Chargers could match them). Once New England was ahead by two scores, it was jailbreak time for the Patriot Defense -- Dog at will, hang back in coverage, jump routes...the Chargers didn't have a chance. And when the Pats had the ball, it was old-fashioned smash-mouth football with a twist. The just ground the Chargers into the turf in that last possession, and ended up winning it with a kneel-down.

So, Super-Bowl Sunday in a couple of weeks. Wouldn't it be fun to have the College Football Championship to look forward to next weekend?