Brain Droppings...It's a Sad Day

You wait and wait and wait for the beginning of football season with so much anticipation. Then Labor Day weekend arrives and before you know it, January 1st is knocking on the door and the season is on it's last leg. A week later you are squarely siting in the aftermath of National Championship game and you begin the roughly 240 day wait until the next season kicks off. Sure there's signing day. There's media days. There's pre-season camp. But nothing takes the place of college football season. It has the power to start and end relationships. It consumes people for months at a time. It makes people spout the most inane chatter on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. It gets two slackers to start a sports blog. It is the end all be all of many folks sport existence. So, yeah, I'm sad that it's over today. Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't any other outlets we enjoy. So don't count out GRH. We'll keep doing our thing here until next season kicks off bringing you our thoughts on the Pro Football Playoffs, the NBA, MLB, the NHL, the PGA, and any other thing that strikes our fancy. So don't be too sad. After all there's only another 235 days until college football kicks off!

1) If You're Going to Go, Just Go - The BCS took a final bow last night to be replaced by a college football playoff next year along with the bowls. Not many folks cared for the BCS but it gave us a great game in the finale. After falling down 18 early, FSU roared back in the second half and the final 5 minutes of the game were magic if you managed to make it to midnight. Nick Marshall made plays early and for a second everyone thought there might be a blowout performance from the underdogs. The Auburn defense was masterful for the first half but a late score after a fake punt gave FSU new life heading into the half. The 3rd quarter lull hit both teams and then the fireworks came late. I don't think I disliked the BCS as much as some folks but there were definitely flaws. But after last nights game, it's hard to say they didn't get it right sometimes. The playoffs will be intriguing next year.

2) To Be the Best, You Gotta Beat the Best - Last night marked the end of a 7 year run of SEC National Championships. So, the question has to be asked. Is the SEC still the best conference? Right now, the answer is yes. FSU modeled their program after the SEC and dominated the ACC. The PAC-12 is an easy 2nd best but isn't quite there. The SEC went 7-3 in bowl games with the National Runner Up. UGA looked pedestrian in a rematch against Nebraska. Bama got smoked by Oklahoma. Every other SEC team looked pretty good in their wins. 4 of the final top 10 are SEC schools and 7 of the top 25.

3) Not Ready for Noon Time - As there are a number of UGA fans that read this, I would be remiss not to mention our bowl game. Other than a boneheaded 99 yard TD, the defense played well. Keep in mind that Nebraska is not a offensive powerhouse though and that one TD was inexcusable. However, the bigger story was Hutson Mason. Anyone that ever thought he should have played over Aaron Murray is crazy. Granted, Mason will get better with experience and the team is his this offseason. I expect he will be ready to go against Clemson in the opener next year. He'll have to be ready to manage the a lot of offensive weapons. Also, you have to feel for Artie Lynch. Jacksonville was not kind to him this year.

4) Getting Paid - Not to be dismissed was the weekend of pro football playoffs. Saturday was a great day playoff football. Foreshadowing the BCS National Championship, Kansas City blew a big lead to Andrew Luck. However, unlike Auburn, KC had an excuse. Half their team ended up getting hurt. They could no longer run the ball and could no longer defend the pass which opened the door for Andrew Luck to have more possessions than he should have and he took advantage. In the night cap, New Orleans took care of business with a last second field goal. As did San Fran on Sunday. The only blowout was UGA North (aka the Bungles) taking it on the chin against San Diego. This is the time of year that the NFL really becomes passionate and fills the void of college football. Don't believe me...check out this New Orleans fan encounter with an Eagles fan on Saturday...

Granted, this could've occurred just because there was an Eagles fan involved. But to the guy's credit, he did warn him that he was going to spit in his face. The rumor I heard was that the kid filming was a Tight End at Nicholl's State who was 6'4'' and 240. Apparently, he found the guy in the parking lot and paid him back a few times before the cops got there. Who Dat?!?! E-A-G-L-E-S!