Final #1 USC (13-0) 55 #5 Oklahoma (12-1) 19 in the Orange Bowl
No way did anyone predict the total domination that the USC Trojans displayed when they manhandled Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. This was unnerving and in many ways it was a testament to the talent, coaching, and focus of the men of Troy. In other ways, it was a condemnation of the Sooners for their attributes on the opposite end of the spectrum. The Sooners looked slow, poorly coached, and unfocused. Motivation looked like a factor, as well. The Trojans were intent on winning an undisputed title, and came out strong. Turnovers were the biggest factor, however, as the Trojans committed none, and converted 5 Sooner mistakes into points. Matt Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner, set an Orange Bowl record with 5 TD passes, and probably could have had more if they had not taken him out of the game. Congratulations to Coach Pete Carroll and the Trojans on winning their second in a row. I am not ready to break out the D-word that is being tossed around so casually right now, but then, I thought that was a word that could already be applied to USC--of the 1970s and 1980s. As Webster notes, a dynasty is 'a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time.' What's considerable? To me, considerable is 10 years. When the decade is up, we will see who the dynasties are. The 90's had Nebraska and FSU. The 80's had Miami, OU, and Nebraska. The 70's had USC and OU. Who will be the dynasties of this decade? Too soon to tell.
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#2 Utah (13-0) 35 Pittsburgh (8-4) 7
Utah obliterated the Panthers in Urban Meyer's final game as their head coach. QB Alex Smith was nearly perfect, hitting on 29 of 37 passes for 328 yards and 4 TDs and rushing 15 times for 68 yards. The defense for the Utes was equally efficient, shutting down the Pitt running attack and holding Tyler Palko to just over 50% (22/40) and 1 TD. The four team playoff would have been perfect this year, with Auburn and Oklahoma squaring off and Utah taking on USC, and the winners playing for a national title. Utah deserved more than a weak Pitt team for its BCS coming out.
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#3 Auburn (13-0) 16 Va Tech (10-3) 13 in the Sugar Bowl
This was a defensive scrum. Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams were held in check for most of this game, which kept it close.. Auburn kept Va Tech out of the end zone, despite several trips inside the red zone. A missed 20 yard FG and a dropped sure TD pass by the Tight End secured a victory for the Auburn Tigers and allowed them to continue to press about their deservance of a national title split. Tubberville tried, but could not convince voters to sway their opinions, particularly after such a lopsided Orange Bowl win for the Trojans.
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#4 Texas (11-1) 38 Michigan (9-3) 37 in the Rose Bowl
Texas QB Vince Young proved against a tough Michigan team why the Longhorns may be the front-runners in the Big XII next year. Young was masterful on the ground and did just enough through the air to allow the Horn defense to keep it close. Granted, Texas will lose Cedric Benson and Derrick Johnson, but I would expect them to contend next year.
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#5 Oklahoma (12-1) 19 #1 USC (13-0) 55 in the Orange Bowl
The only word to describe the meltdown in Miami is pathetic. Oklahoma could do nothing right enroute to gift-wrapping a title for the Trojans. They only remain in the top 10 because of the rest of their season. I would expect to see OU in a tight race with Texas in the Red River Shootout for the Big XII South next year, especially without Jason White and several key defensive players. Bob Stoops and Company will need some players to step up in a big way, and I have no doubt that that will happen.
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#6 Va Tech (10-3) 13 #3 Auburn (13-0) 16 in the Sugar Bowl
Va Tech was so very close on this one. They truly should have won this game. A blown Field Goal and several missed opportunities (including a big dropped pass by the Va Tech TE that hit him in the hands) was all that kept Va Tech from being the Sugar Bowl champs.
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#7 Louisville (11-1) 44 Boise State (11-1) 40 in the Liberty Bowl
Louisville barely pulled out of this one by the skin of their teeth. This was a great offensive game, but neither team could put together any defense. The Cardinal was highly successful through the air and on the ground, as usual, but could not stop the aerial onslaught from the Boise State Broncos.
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#8 Tennessee (10-3) 38 Texas A&M (7-5) 7 in the Cotton Bowl
Tennessee fueled the growing rumblings about the superiority of the SEC with this dominating performance. Texas A&M, like Oklahoma State (against Ohio State) earlier in the week, could do nothing to stop Tennessee, and could accomplish nothing on offense. The Vols, on the other hand, were highly successful in nearly everything they attempted. What was the deal with Kentucky and Vandy (and Auburn in the first half, for that matter)?
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#9 Boise State (11-1) 40 #7 Louisville (11-1) 44 in the Liberty Bowl
Boise was in this game until the final seconds, losing only after an interception by Louisville safety Kerry Rhodes in the end zone. The Broncos had a good run and may not have had the talent to stay in this game, but they were certainly there to the bitter end with a good Cardinal team.
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#10 Cal (10-2) 31 Texas Tech (8-4) 45
All of Cal's dreams of vindicating their claim to the Rose Bowl washed away with this thorough drubbing from the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. This is not a huge surprise. Kansas State dropped a similar game to the Purdue Boiler Makers not too long ago, and Texas dropped the Holiday Bowl to an inferior Washington State Cougars team last year. Cal was likely of a similar mindset, and only remains in the top 10 because of the way they played the rest of the season.
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