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Friday night we were treated to two great bowl games…both on at the same time unfortunately..the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl. (Most exciting bowl game so fa,r still has been the Johnny Manziel show in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Years Eve!) First, in the Orange Bowl from comfortable Miami, Clemson did both themselves and the ACC proud, prevailing in a shootout, 40 – 35. It was a huge night for Tajh Boyd (his final game as a fifth year senior QB) as he amassed over 500 yards of offense in passing and rushing. He scored six TD’s, 5 passing and one rushing. Tremendous night for Sammy Watkins, over 200 yards receiving. What a show they put on! But, on the other side of the ball, Ohio State QB Braxton Miller and RB Carlos Hyde put on a show themselves. Miller was knocked down and harassed for most of the night but kept getting back up, later saying he had a shoulder injury and a cracked rib. Turnovers and penalties, failed two point conversions, reviews of TD’s all played a role, but when all was said and done, Clemson was the first team from the state of South Carolina to win a BCS bowl. Moreover, they redeemed themselves after the awful showing they had in the Orange Bowl a couple of years ago, losing to West Virginia something like 70 – 0. Nice win for Dabo and the Clemson program, as well as for the ACC which could certainly use a good showing after New Year’s Day! Now, we await the BCS Championship game on Monday, ACC vs. SEC to see just how well the ACC looks after bowl season is over! Psst…I made my pick earlier…Auburn (team of destiny?) but I will let you know on Monday if I am still leaning towards the Tigers!
Meanwhile, in Dallas, it was SEC vs. Big 12. This game was exciting and swung back and forth as well. James Franklin(QB Mizz) had great moments and then bad ones and was pulled for Mattie Mauk on occasion. They both contributed to Missouri defeating Oklahoma State, 41 – 31. Oklahoma State QB Clint Chelf had a brilliant performance but it was not enough to hold off the SEC runner up team from Missouri. So, SEC over Big 12 in the Cotton Bowl, ACC over Big 10 in the Orange.
On Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, two thirty two year old “Dads” will play for the title (lead up to the Australian Open). That would be Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt. Two old friends (have been spotted practicing together this week) and rivals will square off on tennis channel Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm EST (delayed broadcast due to time difference). Both advanced in three set matches today. Federer’s serving kept him in the match after losing the second set in a tie break! Roger prevailed over Frenchman J. Chardy, 6 – 3, 6 – 7, 6 – 3. He served up 21 aces (the final ace being the match point) so it appears the new larger magic wand is working out well for the Swiss maestro. It will be the first meeting between these two in a final, ironically after both being on tour for seventeen years. Roger is also playing in the doubles at this event and doing very well. (He and partner N. Mahut have made it into the semifinals). The singles final airs on tennis channel tomorrow at 4:00 pm EST (again, time delay) so…GO FED!
Apologies to NFL fans…when Roger plays it is all about Federer for me. NFC wildcard playoff game #1 result: Colts 45 – Kansas City Chiefs 44 in a shoot out! Quite a game and kudos to Andrew Luck. Still, as a Peyton Manning fan, all I can say is if the Colts and the Broncos should meet, GO BRONCOS and GO PEYTON!
Just starting now…New Orleans at Philly.
Tomorrow…AFC Wildcard playoff games. First, San Diego at Cincinnati. (I am picking the Chargers, they are hot!) Next…San Francisco at Green Bay. Gee, this one is tough with Aaron Rodgers back and it being at Green Bay. What do you guys think?
Back to tennis: Serena Williams wins Brisbane Tournament in the final over Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 7-5. This is THE rivalry in women’s tennis!
