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Show Thursday, December 9, 2004 E)aily Utah Chronicle 14 2004-2005 Bowl Schedule 3 and out Fumble fiesta BYU and BCS show us how to blow a sure thing 1st and 10: Utah vs. BYU— for keeps As much as I wanted to make this a money vs. God issue, and believe me, I reallywanted to make this about money and God, it just isn't fair to say that Kyle Whittingham's decision to snub BYU for the U's head coaching position was solely about either. What it really boiled down to was BYU's complete ineptitude at signing a head coach, as seen twice now over the past four years. The Cougars' first epic failure was a blatant example of ignorance, betrayal and nepotism. They passed on Norm Chow, the coach they had been grooming under the legendary Lavell Edwards, and to whom they allegedly promised the job, for Gary Crowton, the childhood friend of then-Athletics Director Val Hale. An episode of "Where Are They Now?" would reveal Norm Chow leading USC's offense to its second consecutive NCAA title chance, and Gary Crowton wearing a different blue vest, handing out smiley face stickers to the patrons of Wal-Mart (perhaps). The Cougars' most recent fumbling attempt at hiring a head coach is even more astounding. Their most coveted candidate is none other than Norm Chow, to whom they allegedly offered more than Si million per year to lead the play a game LDS Church's next weekend team. When it for the right became apparto play in the ent that Chow Rose Bowl? wasn't interIt's time for ested, they university sought Kyle presidents Whittingham, to stop prea Provo local, tending that former player Matt Ouellette NCAA athletand former Columnist ics have acagrad assistant, demics as a just itching to coach for his alma mater. All top priority and make it an BYU had to do was not insult all-out financial extravaganhim. But instead they offered za. Think about how much him less than half of what money could be made on they offered Chow, then this game. Sponsors would rushed him into a meeting of be leaping at itlike it was the top LDS Church officials for Super Bowl, and the television rights could be sold for immediate approval. an insane amount of cash. How" about some contract negotiations before throwing Not to mention Cal boostthe man's faith back in his ers would probably drop a face? Much like this year's hefty sum to see their team Holy War, all the U had to play in this game. do was outlast the bumbling On a side note, has any Cougs and throw up some team been screwed worse decent numbers, and Whit- than Cal in recent years? tingham was sold. Going from facing Big Ten Of course the fact that he's champ Michigan in the Rose going to make more money Bowl to facing Big 12 loser than Urban did in his tenure Texas Tech in the not-evenclose-to-consolation bowl. at the U probably helped. 2nd and 5: Cal vs. Texas— Ridiculous. "Sorry sir, we ran out of the filet mignon, so we for justice Seriously, who wouldn't made you a grilled cheese skip his or her own wedding instead." Utah vs. Pitt looks to watch this game? Almost like the National Title Game everyone who isn't lying to in comparison, even though himself or herself realizes Pitt is your average cheesethat Cal is the better team, burger. but got snubbed by a bias 3rd and 1: Division I vs. in the polls, specifically the Division I-AA coaches poll, which is kept How is it possible that the secret. NCAAs second-string footWhy not just let the teams ball league has an infinitely North Texas (7-4) vs. Southern Miss (6-5) Super Dome, New Orleans Dec. 21 5:30 pm Champs Sports Bowl Georgia Tech (6-5) vs. Syracuse (6-5) Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Memphis (8-3) vs. Bowling Green (8-3) Dec. 22 6 pm GMAC Bowl Ladd Peebles Stadium, Mobile. Ala. Dec. 23 4:30 pm Fort Worth Bowl Cincinnati (6-5) vs. Marshall (6-5) Amon Carter Stadium, Ft Worth Dec. 23 7:45 pm Las Vegas Bowl Wyoming (6-5) vs. UCLA (6-5) Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas Dec. 24 7:45 pm Hawaii Bowl Hawaii (7-5) vs. UAB (7-4) Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Dec. 27 12:00 pm MPC Computers Fresno State (8-3) vs. Virginia (8-3) Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho Dec. 27 3:30 pm Motor City Bowl Toledo (9-3} vs. UConn (7-4) Ford Field, Detroit Michigan Dec. 28 7:45 pm Insight Bowl Oregon St. (6-5) vs. Notre Dame (6-5) Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix Dec. 28 4:30 pm Independence Bowl Miami-Ohio (8-4) vs. Iowa St. (6-5) Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA Dec. 29 2:30 pm Houston Bowl UTEP (8-3) vs. Colorado (7-5) Reliant Stadium, Houston Dec. 29 6 pm Alamo Bowf Oklahoma St. (7-4) vs. Ohio St. (7-4) Alamodome, San Antonio Dec. 30 11 am Continental Tire N. Carolina (6-5) vs, Boston College (8-3) Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte Dec. 30 2:30 pm Emerald Bowl Navy (9-2) vs. New Mexico (7-4) Pac Bell Park, San Francisco Dec. 30 6 pm Holiday Bowl California (10-1) vs. Texas Tech (7-4) Oualcomm Stadium, San Diego Dec. 30 9 am Silicon Valley N. Illinois (8-3) vs. Troy (7-4) Spartan Stadium, San Jose Dec. 31 10 am Music City Bowl Alabama (6-5) vs. Minnesota (6-5) The Coliseum, Nashville, Tenn. Dec. 31 12 pm Sun Bowl Purdue (7-4} vs. Arizona St. (8-3) SunBowl, El Paso, TX Dec. 31 1:30 pm Liberty Bowl Louisville (10-1) vs. Boise St (11-0) Memorial Stadium, Memphis Dec. 31 5:30 pm Peach Bowl Florida (7-4) vs. Miami (8-3) Georgia Dome, Atlanta Jan.1 9 am Outback Bowl Wisconsin (9-2) vs. Georgia (9-2) Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL Jan. 1 10:30 am Gator Bowl Florida St (8-3) vs. West Virginia (8-3) Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL Jan. 1 9 am Cotton Bowl Texas ASM (7-4) vs. Tennessee (9-3) Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas Jan. 1 11 am Capital One Bowl Iowa (9-2) vs. LSU (9-2) Citrus Bowl, Orlando Jan.1 3 pm Rose Bowl Michigan (9-2) vs. Texas (10-1) Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. Jan. 1 6:30 pm Fiesta Bowl Utah (11-0) vs. Pittsburgh (7-4) Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe. AZ Jan. 3 6 pm Sugar Bowl Auburn (12-0) vs. Virginia Tech (10-2) Superdome, New Orleans l Jan. 4 6 pm Orange Bowl Oklahoma (12-0) vs. USC (12-0) Pro Player Stadium, Miami Dec. 14 6 pm better system to decide its champion than the NCAAs first-string league? DI-AA actually has a playoff system that pits the top 16 teams against each other to crown an outright champion every year. Meanwhile, Division I-A bumbles with the BCS like the Cougaf front office trying to Jure a head coach. It makes'np sense. All it would take to repair the system is a uniform 10-game schedule for all teams, an eight-game playoff pitting the eight best teams regardless of conference affiliations, decided by an open polling of a press senate, and then a series of consolation bowl games for the deserving teams that miss the playoff. Sure there would still be controversy over who should make the playoffs, but that sort of controversy is unavoidable in NCAA football. At least eight teams would have a chance to win the title, instead of just two, opening the ever-popular Cinderella element. Not only would this system legitimize the champion, but it would allow teams like the Utes to legitimize their efforts, and that would shut the mouths of Trev Alberts, Chris James, John Saunders and a million other college football snobs once and for all. That might be exactly what they're afraid of. mouellette@ chronicle, utah.edu New Orleans Bowl HEISMAN FINALISTS Alex Smith JR Quarterback Utah Matt Leinart JR Quarterback USC - 2,990 passing yards - 28 touchdown passes - 6 interceptions - 3 rushing touchdowns - 24-1 as starter - 2,624 passing yards -28 touchdown passes -4 interceptions -563 rushing yards -10 rushing touchdowns Adrian Peterson FR Running Back Oklahoma -1,843 rushing yards -15 touchdowns • 5.9 yards per carry -10 100+ yard rushing games - 3 200+ yard rushing games Reggie Bush Soph. Running Back USC - 833 rushing yards - 6 rushing touchdowns - 478 receiving yards - 7 receiving touchdowns Jason White SR Quarterback Oklahoma - 2,961 passing yards - 33 touchdown passes - 6 interceptions -28-2 as starter Smith makes history as Utah's first-'ever Heisman finalist Joe Beatty Sports Writer For a kid who was on the bench to start last season, Alex Smith has come a long way. The junior quarterback added to his legacy when he was named a Heisman TYophy finalist Wednesday afternoon. Smith is joined by Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, USC quarterback Matt Leinart, and USC running back Reggie Bush. Smith is the only finalist not playing in the Orange Bowl. Smith is the first finalist in Ute history. He passed for 2,624 yards, with 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Smith has also been a big threat on the ground, rushing for ,563 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 70-yard touchdown run versus UNLV was the second-longest run from scrimmage by a Ute this season. White, the defending Heisman winner, was considered a long shot to repeat earlier in the season, but has caught fire recently. As QB for the 12-0 Sooners, he has thrown for 2,961 yards and 33 touchdowns. He would be only the second two-time Heisman winner, joining Archie Griffin, who accomplished the feat in 1974 and 1975. Peterson, who was playing at Palestine (Texas) High School this time last year, is aiming to be the first freshman to win the award. The speedy Peterson has rushed for 1,843 yards, on 5.9 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns. Peterson set the NCAA freshman record for 100-yard games with 10. For the second consecutive season, Leinart has dominated the Pac-10. He finished sixth in the Heisman voting last season as a sophomore, and is considered by many sources to be the favorite this year. He passed for 2,990 yards, 28 touchdowns, with only six interceptions for the top ranked TYojans. The disconcerting news for the rest of college football is that Leinart has pledged to return for his senior season. For not having a true starting position, Reggie Bush has been as dynamic a player as any in college football. The sophomore has done everything for the Trojans, amassing 2,181 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. He has scored TDs rushing, receiving and on return duty, and also passed for a touchdown. The Heisman award ceremony will be shown live on ESPN Saturday at 6 p.m. jbeatty@chronicle.utah.edu Utah quarterback Alex Smith dives toward the endzone during the second quarter and scores a touchdown, which put the Utes up by a score of 21-14 against BYU. Your Home Away from Home for Utah away games is Orbit Cafe. Don't miss this Tailgate party packed with Food, Fun, and Fans All you can eat stadium food for $10 801.322.3808 Located one block west of the Gateway 540W.200S |