As this wacky heaven-for-underdog season continues to amaze, some of us are cashing in on the insanity. A big pat on the back is due for JimKeats, betting that Louisville would right their ship against Cincinnati. I never would have picked the so-far pitiful Cardinals, much less doubled on it! Another surprise that almost came true (close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades) was San Jose State pulling a shocker on national TV on Friday night over Hawaii.
For the record, I had picked this game initially, but changed it at the last minute, so I was rooting for Hawaii big time. Not because I like Hawaii but because I did not want to spend the weekend feeling like a total idiot. Hawaii is an interesting team. They have a relatively minuscule recruiting budget, face 1000's of miles traveling to every road game, and their last two starting QB's are 1 - 2 in career passing yards in NCAA history.
June Jones, Hawaii alum, former NFL player, and former NFL coach, came "home" in 1999 to take over the head coaching job. He instituted his "run and shoot" offense and turned an 0-12 Warrior team into a 9-4 conference champ. Jones copes with his recruitment challenges by being willing to give a player a second chance. He doesn't shy away from troubled or broken homes, or even from players with criminal records. This year's key passing connection is between Colt Brennan and Davone Bess. Brennan was kicked out of Colorado for illegally entering a coed's home (the sexual assault charge was dropped). Jones learned of Bess by watching tape from a penal league game!
As Hawaii tries vainly to become this year's Boise State (they will lose to Nevada on November 16th and possibly to Ian Johnson and the Broncos themselves the following week), they have received ample praise and criticism in the national press. Sure, they play lousy on the road. Maybe their defense is as bad as the numbers suggest. And, yes, their passing offense stats are boosted because they run a "system". Does this mean that Colt Brennan is not Heisman worthy? Perhaps.
So, with these questions in mind, I watched the Warriors battle back against the Spartans (Homer would be proud). Hawaii got the ball back, down by two scores, with about 6 minutes left. I thought, "that's plenty of time for these guys. Hawaii has scored more than that in 6 minutes before." How many teams in the country are so capable of that kind of productivity, that they are actually renown for it! When Brennan lined up under center with 60 yards to go for the tying score, I thought "Oh, no problem- I expect him to score." Think about that: Brennan is so effective at moving the ball, that we have come to expect him to make that winning drive. That's a level of mystique possessed by the likes of John Elway or Joe Montana.
Colt Brennan scored on that drive. And in overtime. And Hawaii won. A QB like that deserves a few votes for the Heisman.
Fight On,
Hans
For the record, I had picked this game initially, but changed it at the last minute, so I was rooting for Hawaii big time. Not because I like Hawaii but because I did not want to spend the weekend feeling like a total idiot. Hawaii is an interesting team. They have a relatively minuscule recruiting budget, face 1000's of miles traveling to every road game, and their last two starting QB's are 1 - 2 in career passing yards in NCAA history.
June Jones, Hawaii alum, former NFL player, and former NFL coach, came "home" in 1999 to take over the head coaching job. He instituted his "run and shoot" offense and turned an 0-12 Warrior team into a 9-4 conference champ. Jones copes with his recruitment challenges by being willing to give a player a second chance. He doesn't shy away from troubled or broken homes, or even from players with criminal records. This year's key passing connection is between Colt Brennan and Davone Bess. Brennan was kicked out of Colorado for illegally entering a coed's home (the sexual assault charge was dropped). Jones learned of Bess by watching tape from a penal league game!
As Hawaii tries vainly to become this year's Boise State (they will lose to Nevada on November 16th and possibly to Ian Johnson and the Broncos themselves the following week), they have received ample praise and criticism in the national press. Sure, they play lousy on the road. Maybe their defense is as bad as the numbers suggest. And, yes, their passing offense stats are boosted because they run a "system". Does this mean that Colt Brennan is not Heisman worthy? Perhaps.
So, with these questions in mind, I watched the Warriors battle back against the Spartans (Homer would be proud). Hawaii got the ball back, down by two scores, with about 6 minutes left. I thought, "that's plenty of time for these guys. Hawaii has scored more than that in 6 minutes before." How many teams in the country are so capable of that kind of productivity, that they are actually renown for it! When Brennan lined up under center with 60 yards to go for the tying score, I thought "Oh, no problem- I expect him to score." Think about that: Brennan is so effective at moving the ball, that we have come to expect him to make that winning drive. That's a level of mystique possessed by the likes of John Elway or Joe Montana.
Colt Brennan scored on that drive. And in overtime. And Hawaii won. A QB like that deserves a few votes for the Heisman.
Fight On,
Hans
No comments:
Post a Comment