After just one quarter, with Alabama on the cusp of a 21-0 lead, watching the BCS National Championship Game had the feel of viewing the New York City Marathon. There were the elite runners at the head of the field, and then we’d switch back to the human-interest stories who were just hoping to break the four- or five-hour barrier. Technically, sure, they were all running the same race but realistically…
The Fighting Irish covered the opening kickoff very well — certainly better than Kansas State did versus Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl — and that first play from scrimmage, well, that belongs on the Irish highlight reel. After that? It was all Tide.
We could bore you with stats, or stories about feckless arm tackling from the Heisman runner-up and safety Zeke Motta (who simply whiffed in the backfield on Eddie Lacy’s first touchdown scamper), but the Irish were simply outclassed. Versus an Alabama squad that was essentially playing through a transition year. The best metaphor we could find for what the Irish were up against facing the Tide was watching this film clip (warning: symbolism-pounding-you-over-the-head alert) (and, yes, this means Brian Kelly is Ewan McGregor). That the film’s title is “The Impossible” is simply perfect.
David Pollack of ESPN said it best, calling Alabama’s style of play “big boy football” and positing that each January –three of the past four of them, at least — the Tide has asked the top challenger to step into the middle of the ring and trade knuckles. Nobody has yet bested the nasty Elephants in that tussle.
Eddie Lacy rolls past Manti Te’o and other Irish pursuers. Again.
Starting Five
1. Until Everett Golson dove into the end zone on an option keeper late in the third quarter to make the score 35-7, Alabama had scored 69 unanswered points in three BCS NCGs dating back to the 2010 contest versus Texas in Pasadena.
2. The state of Alabama has produced the past four national champions. The last seven national champions have been both SEC schools and schools that are either inside Alabama or in a state that borders Alabama. So, Paul Finebaum has a good gig.
3. The fastest player on the Notre Dame football team, George Atkinson III, never touched the ball on a play from scrimmage.
4. No truth to the reports that Barrett Jones shoved A.J. McCarron because his quarterback had just informed him that Kramer had moved to California.’
5. So, apparently Brent Musburger, 73, still has some coal in the furnace. At least when it comes to evaluating McCarron’s girlfriend. Good for him. The last time Brent so publicly acknowledged a female in the stands at a college football game, she became Jenn Sterger. Just sayin’…
If the number fits (remember, that’s a mirror), wear it…
Reserves
On the bright side for Domers, the men’s hoops team did defeat No. 21 Cincinnati on the road, 66-60, to move to 14-1.
The Washington Wizards, who own the NBA’s worst record (5-28), defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, who own the league’s best record (26-8). The Wizards were without their two top scorers. Of Washington’s five wins in 33 games, two have come versus the two franchises who played in last June’s NBA Finals, Oklahoma City and Miami. All that said, we are big fans of OKC’s new alternate road unis…
Thunderwear
In the current issue of Rolling Stone, writer Erik Hedegaard spends a hilarious day with Eighties icon Don Johnson, whose career has been resurrected thanks to memorable turns in “Eastbound and Down” (as Eduardo Sanchez) and “Django Unchained”. Asked if his, er, endowment is the inspiration behind the slang term “Johnson”, the former Sonny Crockett reveals that he was once astounded at the sight of a bare-naked Dennis Johnson emerging from the shower in the Boston Celtics locker room. “Dude,” says Don, ” that’s who put the Johnson in Johnson.”
The late Dennis Johnson, according to Don Johnson, was a very Johnson
By the way, the article properly credits “Miami Vice” with being the first cop show to deftly mix music with detective work. The show’s concept was simpy “MTV Cops.” Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” and Glenn Frey’s “Smuggler’s Blues” got solid play on this show — Frey actually had a role in one episode — but this scene, featuring Godley & Creme’s “Cry”, was my favorite.
It’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 again tonight for Notre Dame. The #2 ranked men’s hockey team is in Minneapolis to take on top-ranked Minnesota. The game also features father vs. son. Freshman Mario Lucia of Notre Dame, the reigning CCHA freshman of the month and part of the US Junior team that just won the world title last week, will be squaring off against daddy Don, Minnesota’s head coach. The whole family will be on hand, including mom Joyce, brother Tony and sisters Ali and Jessie. Ali is a sports reporter for WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Reporters don’t cheer… nor do sisters/daughters.