And it's on to the next one.

Cam Newton has decided to call time on what has been arguably the greatest "one & done" season in college football history.  He has had an interesting journey over the last three years; starting in Gainesville, FL through Brenham, TX and finally stopping in Glendale, AZ.

His decison to turn pro isn't exactly a surprise; hardly anyone expected him to return for his senior season.  With Andrew Luck opting to return to school for another year, the chance that Newton might be drafted 1st overall have probably increased.  The only quarterback rated higher than him in the draft is Missouri's Blaine Gabbert. 

No offense to Gabbert, but if he and Newton were to switch teams (coincidentally, both Mizzou and Auburn are nicknamed "Tigers"), I don't see Auburn lifting the crystal football.  The #1 spot could be snapped up by Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who has yet to decide whether or not he'll go pro.


Bo knows Heisman (1985); Pat Sullivan circa 1971

Neither the defenders on the field, nor the scandals off it could prevent Newon from becoming the third Heisman trophy winner from Auburn; joining Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson.  There is no denying that he will be considered as one of the best quarterbacks to have played the collegiate game.  He has been to Auburn what Vince Young was to Texas in 2005, and Tim Tebow was to Florida in 2008.

Bo, Cam & Pat: the Auburn trinity

How high he goes in the draft might depend on how he performs at the NFL workouts.  A lot of experts feel that he may have been better served by another year in school.  He may not have the mechanics or timing down (the so called "intangibles"), but these are things that good coaching will usually fix.  Intangibles or not, Newton is a proven winner and he is the kind of player any coach would want to have on their squad.

The rule of thumb regarding the NFL draft is to always go when you're "hot".  If you feel that you're both physically and mentally ready, you make the move.  If you feel that there's things you can improve on or goals to accomplish, you stay. (You can also to check out my article A little bit of defense; a whole lotta Luck to read my thoughts on Stanford QB Andrew Luck; who had yet to make his decision at the time)  

A great college career doesn't always translate into a great a pro career.  I'm sure a lot will be expected from Newton at the next level, and only time will tell whether or not he comes through.  I'm not predicting any future success or anything like that, but I won't be surprised if his star continues to shine in the NFL.  

A little bit of defense, a whole lotta Luck!!

 

Stanford made every minute of the 3,000 mile trip to the Orange Bowl count in their beatdown of a resurgent Virginia Tech team.  As the game wore on, the talk became less about the game and more about whether Andrew Luck would declare for the NFL draft.  This in addition to speculation that Jim Harbaugh was coaching his last game for the Cardinal.

First things first, I've got to give Virginia Tech their due credit.  Following losses to Boise State and James Madison (a 1-AA team), they put together an 11 game win streak to earn their 3rd ACC crown in 4 years, largely behind the performances of running back Ryan Williams, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and a dominant defense.  With Williams nursing an injury going into the Orange Bowl, the Hokies offense lacked the edge they needed to compete against a physical Stanford defense.


 Plunkett & Elway were both drafted #1 overall

Behind a power run game and multiple tight-end sets, Andrew Luck was able to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, who have him locked in as the #1 overall pick, should he decide to make the jump to the next level.  That will see him join the elite company of former Stanford greats Jim Plunkett and John Elway, who were both drafted #1 overall in their respective drafts and won Super Bowls during their outstanding NFL careers.  Plunkett and Elway were also in attendance.  It wasn't only the scouts who were drooling over Andrew Luck, but also analysts John Gruden and Ron Jaworski as well, who couldn't seem to run out of words to describe this kid's greatness; as if we didn't know already.


The last hurrah?  

I'll tip my hat off to the Cardinal defense.  They harassed Tyrod Taylor and shut down Hokies running game.  What was more impressive was that they pitched a second half shutout against a team that had always found a way to get back up after getting knocked down.  It goes to show that their meltdown in against Oregon - a game in which they led 21-3 at one point only to lose 52-31 - was a one time thing.  Linebacker Shayne Skov put on quite a defensive show and Owen Marecic a.k.a "The modern day 60 minute man", helped himself to a score on offense and a quarterback sack.  Marecic also delivered a key block that paved the way for the game's opening score; a 60 yard touchdown run by Jeremy Stewart.

After the dust had settled, questions came in left and right as to whether this was indeed the last game for both Luck and Harbaugh.  Both did everything they could to deflect the questions which will only keep coming in the days ahead.  Jim Harbaugh seems destined to coach in the pro ranks, just like his brother, John, who has had some success with the Baltimore Ravens.  It may be that both Luck and Harbaugh are waiting to see what the other will do; more like a "I'll stay if you stay" kind of a deal.

With NFL jobs opening up like a Starbucks drive-thru lane after a morning rush, Harbaugh is definitely spoilt for choice.  One place that he won't end up however is Michigan, where he once starred as a quarterback.  The story goes that he was at one time interested in the quarterbacks coach job, but the Wolverines took a pass on him (no pun intended).  He's never forgotten that slight by his alma mater, and will likely turn the down the head coaching job if and when it's offered to him.

Andrew Luck on the other hand is most likely to be the next great quarterback out of Stanford since John Elway.  Having led Stanford to its best season in school history and first bowl win since the 1996 Sun Bowl, there really isn't anything else left for him to prove.  Should his draft stock go any higher, it will probably hit the stratosphere.

I have every reason to believe that in the days to come, both Luck and Harbaugh will be preparing to take their talents elsewhere.  As it is, the Carolina Panthers, who just recently fired John Fox, hold the #1 pick in next year's draft.  Could it be that maybe both teacher and disciple will re-unite in Charlotte, NC?

Fiesta indeed



When Oklahoma was matched up with Connecticut, we already knew two things would happen; the Sooners would end their 5 game losing streak in BCS games, and it would also be a blowout against an over-matched opponent.  They delivered on both accounts.



Fleming's return that effectively iced the game.



Oklahoma executed on both offense and defense, delivering a win that was long overdue.  When Landry Jones found Cameron Kenney in stride for 59 yard touchdown, followed by Jamell Fleming's interception that he returned 55 yards for a score on the next series, it pretty much put the game out of reach for Connecticut; who returned the subsequent kickoff for a touchdown.  I'll give the Huskies credit though, for hanging in and trying to make the scoreline respectable.

Connecticut hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in 7 quarters of football, and even though the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt, Oklahoma still had enough gas in the tank to stuff Jordan Todman on a 4th & goal from the 2 yard line.  The way the Sooners played, you'd have thought that game was in Norman.  They moved the ball really well on offense, seeming at will sometimes, and their defense played as good as they could have at anytime this season in their run to another Big 12 Championship.

Immediately after the game, UConn running back Jordan Todman declared for the NFL draft.  The next question becomes whether OU stars Ryan Broyles and Travis Lewis will follow suit.  Broyles has set just about every receiving record at Oklahoma.  I've said this time and time again; he is the second coming of Mark Clayton.  Lewis has been a standout at the linebacker position that has featured names such as Rufus Alexander, Curtis Lofton, Lance Mitchell, Teddy Lehman, Rocky Calmus & Torrance Marshall et al.  Whether they return or not, it is likely that Oklahoma will be a preseason top 5 team.  They have a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball, who were key players this past season.



Offensive MVP, Landry Jones

Landry Jones, along with the MVP honors, became the 3rd quarterback in the Stoops era to win a BCS game, joining Josh Heupel (2001 Orange Bowl) and Nate Hybl (2003 Rose Bowl).  He also joins Nate Hybl (who started in 2002 Cotton Bowl) as the only QB's in the Stoops Era to win 2 bowl games.  While his play has been sometimes superb and sometimes shaky, he can only get better as Oklahoma prepares for a run at the national championship next season.

While Jones played exceptionally well, my personal MVP of the game was receiver Cameron Kenney.  A juco transfer, Kenney was the culprit behind a number of dropped passes last season and this season; that saw him move down the depth chart.  He redeemed himself, making crucial catches in the Bedlam and Big 12 championship games and he closed out his OU career with 154 yards and a touchdown on 7 catches; a career night indeed.  Way to go, Kenney!!

The good thing is that now, we don't have to hear about that losing streak in BCS games anymore.  The bad this is that we'll always hear about how Connecticut should have never been in this game to begin with.  I guess that just comes with the territory.


Remember the Alamo.....bowl!!!

It was exactly six years ago to the day, when I made the trip to San Antonio to watch Oklahoma State play against The Ohio State University (that's how they call it, don't ask me why).  My good friends hooked me up with a ticket (thank you to Barry and Connie Bloyd) that actually turned out to be a great seat.  I had a great trip to San Antonio (well except the Greyhound ride back home).  I got to connect with some old friends, made some new friends, visited the San Antonio Zoo and of course, the Riverwalk.  I had a blast!!  And that was as good as it got.


Come game time, it was a whole different story.  The only things that these two squads had in common was that they played football and shared the same initials.  Other than that, there were two different sets of players on the field; NFL caliber talent vs Division I football talent.  Oklahoma State just never got going against an Ohio State team that at 7-4, was having a considerably down year.


Flash forward to yesterday and it was neat to see the Cowboys round off what has been their best season in school history so far, and snap a 2 game bowl skid while they were at it.  I'm already sick and tired of hearing these commentators and analysts state the same thing, over and over and over and over...... (I could do this all day), that Oklahoma State was supposed to have been rebuilding, they had been picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12..... and so on.  Lookie here guys, and I'm not naming anyone specific (Craig James), we've heard it since spring training, the summer workouts and the entire season!!  How about telling something that we don't already know, okay?


Catch him if you can; oh wait, YOU CANT!!!



At some point in the first quarter, Justin Blackmon got wide open for a pass that went 71 yards for a touchdown.  Arizona corner back Robert Golden was probably thinking that he would have help from a safety over the top, and when that didn't happen, Blackmon did!!  Golden didn't even bother trying to chase him down.  Somebody help me out here; Blackmon is a 1st team All-American, he has lit up just about every cornerback that single covered him, he is a Biletnikoff Award winner (given to the best receiver in the country), yet somehow, he got behind your defense!!  If I was Mike Stoops, I would have him double covered from the day he arrived in San Antonio.  I'd make sure there were 2 defenders following him EVERYWHERE he went (OK, not just about everywhere!!).


Not to be left out of the fun, the defense got in on the act collecting 5 sacks and 3 interceptions.  Markelle Martin was probably the busiest player on the defensive side.  Beside returning an interception for a touchdown, he was busy racking up personal foul penalties left and right.  I'm thinking he must have had a side-bet with someone because he was playing like a man possessed.  Whatever floats your boat, buddy.

Arizona did just about everything but score.  They held the ball for 15 more minutes, ran over 20 more plays and did everything they could to keep Oklahoma State's orange-hot offense off the field.  Only problem was that when they couldn't score, the Cowboys didn't mind showing them how it's done.  I was hoping to see a flea-flicker from OSU at some point, but I guess they didn't get around to it because Dana Holgorsen was too busy chugging a Red Bull on the sideline; talk about free publicity.

I was rather disappointed when the officials reversed Michael Harrison's obvious touchdown.  It appeared to me that he had made a clean catch, had possession as he crossed the goal line and only lost the ball after the defender tried to wrestle it from him.  Poke nation thought "touchdown", the officials ruled "incomplete pass"; oh well!!

Let's do this again sometime!!

With Arizona set to make a trip to Stillwater, OK next September, I don't think the Wildcats, Robert Golden in particular, will be looking forward to seeing Justin Blackmon around.  Prior to the game, there were rumours that Blackmon had told some fans that would be returning for his junior season.  Other rumours have it that he had submitted some paperwork to the NFL to see get an evaluation of where he would likely be drafted should he leave.

I wouldn't mind him coming back for another season, but as I've always understood with regards to the NFL draft, you leave when you're hot and your draft stock is high.  Last I checked, he was projected to be a 1st round (25th overall) pick and ranked as the 3rd best receiver in the draft.  If you're wondering why he is rated as the 3rd best receiver, don't ask me, I'm just quoting the reports.

It was really great to see Oklahoma State players having fun.  It's been a great season and San Antonio isn't a bad place to be, especially at this time of the year.  I can only imagine that the trip back home was a lot better than the last time they played in the Alamo Bowl.