BCS MESS NO MORE, BOYS

Bidding Farewell to the BCS Era

With the BCS era coming to a dramatic close on Monday night, we now encounter a time of reflection. Though it seems like college football fans, and everyone on the set of College Gameday have been adamantly in favor of a playoff system instead of the BCS since 2007 or so, I always appreciated what the Bowl Championship Series brought to the table. I mean shit, I'll be sure to sit my grandkids down and explain to them what it was like to see Boise State's statue-of-liberty against Boomer Sooner on the projector screen at Buffalo Wild Wings. I was in honey-barbeque parmesan-garlic football heaven.

With that, I give you my favorite of each of the five bowls during the BCS Era.

Rose Bowl: My favorite Grandaddy Of Them All over the last sixteen years was the 2011 edition. Texas Christian, led by Andy Dalton completed a perfect season by knocking off Wisconsin, 21-19. Tank Carder had a hell of a game defensively for the Horned Frogs at the linebacker position, stymieing Montee Ball, and earning himself the title of defensive MVP.

Fiesta Bowl: This shouldn't even be a question for any football fan with half a brain. The 2007 Fiesta Bowl was the shining moment for all of the BCS, perhaps one of the top five sporting events I have ever witnessed. Boise State solidified their place among the nation's elite football programs of the decade by beating Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners 43-42. Both teams combined for a total of 22 points scored in the remaining 1:26 of regulation. But more importantly, who could forget the best part of the night? Thank god she still said yes. Moron.

Sugar Bowl: The best Sugar Bowl of the BCS era came in Brady Joke's first year at the helm in Ann Arbor. Rich Rod's players shut down Logan Thomas and the Virginia Tech Hokies to win 23-20. Michigan fans across the country currently reminisce over the days of Denard Robinson as we speak-- and to think they used to say he couldn't pass for shit.

Orange Bowl: There's no doubt the 2004 Orange Bowl between The U and Bobby Bowden's 'Noles was fuckin awesome. The Hurricanes pulled out the 16-14 victory. To have an intrastate conference rivalry in postseason play is a special thing. The game lived up to the hype, and future NFL stars could be found all over the field. Safe to say things got a little rowdy in South Beach that night.

BCS National Championship Game:  It was great to see the Oregon Ducks finally get their chance under the bright lights in 2010, but the best Natty Champ game was the 2011 match-up between Saban's Tide and Mack Brown's 'Horns in Pasadena. As Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury (and would never be a good quarterback again), Alabama rolled over Texas 37-21. More importantly this game marked the beginning of a dynasty in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban's team would become the best dynasty since Johnny Wooden's Bruins hoops squad in the damn 1960's. And, for all you New England/Tommy Brady slapdicks, the Crimson Tide dominated their competition more, and won the same number of titles in a shorter period of time. Conversation over.