Hash Marks 1.09.09: Florida is National Champion Again and the Season in Review

Posted by Cody Dalton on 01.09.2009

With the college football season over, 411mania’s Cody Dalton looks at our 2008 National Champions and a great 2008-09 season in review in this edition of Hash Marks!



Now that the college football season is over, it's time to look back at the year that was. It was a year of upsets (as usual), a year of underdogs, and a year of Sooners/Gators. Let's start with the BCS National Championship game…

GATOR CHOMP-IONS



A season of college football was capped off Thursday, as the Florida Gators defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championships Game, 24-14. The victory gives Florida a second BCS National Championship, making them the only school in the modern BCS era to do so.

The Gators were led by quarterback Tim Tebow, who threw for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for 109 yards and willing his team to the victory. The most impressive stat has to be the Florida Gator defense holding the record-setting offense to just 14 points, after the Sooners scored over 50 points on the season average.

On the other side of things, Bob Stoops loses yet another BCS bowl game and his second National Championship loss. Heisman winner Sam Bradford threw for 257 yards and 2 TDs in the loss. Both Tebow and Bradford were picked off twice in the game, after both players had only threw 11 interceptions on the whole year. The SEC Conference now boasts the last three National Champions (Florida '06, LSU '07).

2008 SEASON IN-REVIEW

THE FALL OF MICHIGAN



A once proud tradition at Michigan, football hit the lowest point in the program's history. Led by Rich Rodriguez, the Wolverines ended their season with a 3-9 season (the worst in the history of the program) and snapped their bowl appearances streak. Michigan also suffered losses to Utah, Toledo, and Purdue. They were also destroyed by powerhouses in Penn State and Ohio State. This is the second year that a storied program has struggled to their worst season ever (Notre Dame last year). There is hope though in Ann Arbor. If Rich-Rod can get the right players into his system, then maybe there is some hope that he will lead the Wolverines back to the promise land or at least .500 football.

PIRATE HIGH



East Carolina was probably the biggest underdog story of the year. They opened their season with an upset victory over eventual ACC and Orange Bowl Champion Virginia Tech. They followed that effort with another upset of #8 West Virginia, 24-3. That victory enabled the Pirates to enter the Top 25. However, three losses in a row in the middle of the season caused East Carolina to slide out of the Top 25 and into mediocrity. However, their season and early triumphs were certainly a great underdog highlight on the season.

TEBOW GOES PSYCHO





It was a loss that nearly cost the Gators everything. A 31-30 loss to Ole Miss early in the season looked to be costly to Florida and Tebow. However, Tebow rallied the troops to finish the season unbeaten, then too care of business against undefeated Alabama in the SEC Championship game to advance to the National Championship. In a highlight video for his career, this will certainly stand out for Tebow.

BEAVERS UPSET USC



It was one of the biggest upsets of the year and it cost Southern California a chance at reaching the BCS National Championship game. We also discovered Jacquizz Rodgers, an Oregon State running back who is extremely talented despite his small stature. The Beavers nearly entered the BCS in a rematch against Penn State, but they failed to get past rival Oregon in the "Civil War". Until Southern Cal can get through the PAC-10 schedule unscathed, then the Trojans will be delegated to playing in the Rose Bowl every year.

RED RIVER SHOOTOUT RIVALRY



The name change did bother me, but the game lived up to the hype. Ultimately, this was the Big 10's launch for Heisman candidacy and conference supremacy. It would also be the start of debate, as Oklahoma snuck in to the National Championship game over Texas. It marked the only loss on the year for Oklahoma, a 45-35 shoot out.

TEXAS SIZED UPSET

Possibly the most memorable moment for me this college football season was the last second gutsy win of Texas Tech over Texas. It was the highlight of the Red Raiders season. Here is a reminder of the moment…



SOONER HEISMAN



In the second biggest debate of the season (aside from who is National Champion), Sam Bradford received more votes than Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow to win the 2008 Heisman Trophy. He became the second sophomore to win the award and ultimately set up a BCS National Championship match up against Heisman winner Tim Tebow. It certainly built big drama for that game.

BCS IS A MESS



Ultimately, the season came down to one thing yet again – the hatred of the BCS. Critics continually call for a playoff system, especially with unbeaten Utah's season, Texas being skipped despite beating Oklahoma, and Southern Cal being one of the better one loss teams. Did we get closer? No because ultimately the system comes down to one thing – the money. That is why we have the system we do now and we'll continue to have it through 2014. After that time, we need to rethink things and look towards an actual playoff system. Period.

Well, that does it for another great season of college football action. Now that the season is over, I'll continue to update you with news in college football, as well as start to take a look at the potential draft picks as they come out. Thanks for joining me this season and I hope you continue to join me!


Until then…..



Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212