Random thought while wondering what ever happened to Gerry Pinder:

The first battle of Bull Run took place on July 21, 1861.At this Manassas County Virginia battlefield, it was widely assumed by the North that all they had to do was show up and victory would be theirs.  Many Washingtonians grabbed a lunch and a carnage for the trip to watch the festivities.

What the North didn't realize at that time was that it isn't the size of dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog. And on that day, the South shocked the world be defeating the North decisively and forcing the North to retreat, a role they would play until almost three years later when President Abraham Lincoln named Ulysses S. Grant to head up the Union Army.

There is a parallel to this in last night's gripping Boise State victory in overtime over Oklahoma On paper, this game looked like a laugher, a team in a tiny conference up against the champs of the Big 12.But games, as they say, are not played on paper but on PAT.  And last night, as Thom Brenneman framed it, the little dog bit the big dog.

I don't think anyone in their wildest dreams thought that this game would be close, let alone the thriller it turned out to be.  The twists and turns in the second half turned you from shock to "I told you so", to gaping, open mouthed admiration for this band of brothers from Boise State.

Give the Sooners some credit. Down 18 with 7 minutes left in the third quarter, the Sooners roared back to score 25 unanswered points to take a 35-28 lead with 1:06 left on the clock. But the 'ol hook and ladder play tied the game with :07 left on the clock and the statue of liberty play in overtime to make the two point conversion sealed the deal at 43-42. How could you not love these guys?

For Bob Stoops and the Sooners, it was a crushing defeat.  Adrian Peterson had a disappointing final game for the Sooners and may have hurt his draft status by suiting up and playing last night.And the stock of the Boise State squad had to rise with the victory last night.

For those who root for the underdog, this was a truly David and Goliath moment that will be talked about for years to come.

The rest of the games were not nearly as entertaining.  Wisconsin and Arkansas slept walked through the Capitol One Bowl; Auburn held off an offensively ineffective Nebraska team in the Cotton Bowl; USC exposed Michigan as the BCS fraud they are in the Rose Bowl and Penn State looked impressive against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.  The only the only other really compelling game of the day turned out to be the Gator Bowl, where West Virginia rallied and beat Georgia Tech.

Here's betting that Phil Fulmer's loss to a one legged octogenarian probably has caused his popularity in the Volunteer state to sink to an all-time low level. 

Bob Knight won his 880th game Monday to little fan fare, largely because Monday is the best day to watch sports on TV save for the opening round of the NCAA basketball tournament.  It was a moment of vindication for Coach Knight who was lauded by ESPN, an organization that flogs him every chance they get.  They even created a two hour TV movie (with the miscast Brian Dennehy in the lead) based on John Feinstein's tome of questionable truth "Season on the Brink."  Despite all of the outbursts over the years, Bob Knight has excelled as a coach, a teacher and a molder of young men. Whether or not the left-wing east coast media approves of him or his tactics, those who have played for him and have worked with him generally sing his praises (exceptions of course include Neil Reid and Miles Brand, both of which have the constitution of school girls.)

Here's another reason experienced broadcasters like me don't have jobs.

In regards to some of the announcers I had to put up with this weekend, special condemnation go to Pam Ward and Gus Johnson.  I have no issue with the fact that Ward is a woman, but it would be really nice if she could put two sentences together without stumbling just once during a broadcast.  Johnson, probably my least favorite, just yells.  And yells at inappropriate moments.  And yells like he's got the Chiefs in the office pool.  The telling thing was when Johnson announced that he and partner Steve Tasker would not be participating in the CBS playoff coverage.  Gus Johnson, the TV announcer equivalent of the Detroit Lions. 

Yesterday, a bit more quality including the able Mike Patrick, the still effective Brent Musberger, the outstanding and entertaining Verne Lundquist, and the professional Brad Nessler. It does make the game more enjoyable if the crew is decent.

With all respect, Mr. President, there is no "t" at the end of the word "prejudice" as you stated during your eulogy for the late President Gerald Ford.  I'm sure Dick Chaney and Karl Rove will brief you on that later.

If Jim Mora Jr. is planning on fixing up his house during his time off, chances are he will be shopping exclusively at Menards.  Personally, given the relationship between Joe Gibbs and Home Depot, Arthur Blank should hire Joe away from the Redskins.  They would both be better off.  

Why is it Detroit fires assistant coaches but Matt Millian is allowed to keep his job?  

I wouldn't believe Nick Sabin if he told me his name was Nick Sabin.  Good luck, Crimson Tide fans if he gets hired at the Capstone.