Huskies Harnessed

EJ Manuel (Photo/SunTimes)

The current BCS criteria served up cold fish for supper as BCS buster Northern Illinois, MAC Champion, found themselves in the 2012 Fed-Ex Orange Bowl to face ACC Champion Florida State.  Debate all over the place about whether UNI deserved to be in the game raged on for weeks, with ESPN's Kirk Herbstriet calling their presence a "joke".

Northern Illinois did deserve to be there due to the criteria previously set forth, but there were at least a dozen teams clearly superior to the Huskies which could have been in Miami.  As such, that left the Seminoles in a lose lose situation.

Crush UNI, and of course they did not deserve to be in the game.  Win a tight one, and UNI is considered a fair team and Florida State is the one who is questioned.  God forbid the Seminoles, unfortunately known for playing down to the level of inferior opponents, snatches defeat from victory.

Husky signal caller Jordan Lynch, a dynamic player who had offensive yardage totals which garnered him Heisman Trophy and All America consideration, mouthed off prior to the game that "We plan on wearing them down. In the fourth quarter, we plan to have them on their knees, and then just keep pounding away." Lynch said. "They're just like us. They're human, too. If you cut them, they bleed."

The comments appeared to motivate the Seminoles, who smothered the Husky offense early and often.  FSU defenders dominated the line of scrimmage and were swarming to the ball.

On offense, FSU was accumulating furlongs of real estate without much to show for it, which is par for the course.  The Seminoles offensively resemble Jimmie Johnson wheeling his #48 Lowes Chevy around a parking garage, as top level talent seems to get hardly anywhere.

Then came versatile running back Lonnie Pryor, a favorite of Seminole Nation, who busted loose for 60 yards and a touchdown.  EJ Manuel controlled the game, connecting on short throws the UNI defense was giving.  Manuel hit Rashad Greene right before the half for a score, and the 'Noles were in control.

Lonnie Pryor (Photo/Boston Herald)

FSU had trouble putting the game away, keeping it close, which is sadly customary.  However, Pryor struck paydirt again, as did EJ on a quarterback draw, and it was night night for the Huskies. Florida State owned the line of scrimmage and pounded Lynch all night.  UNI was successful on some trickery, but outside of one second half drive, they were handcuffed.  Lynch said after the game "They were fast, physical and well-coached. Definitely the best defense we've played all year." Imagine that!

While FSU left a lot of opportunities on the field, the Seminoles got the win, and the importance of this win, the first BCS win since 2000, cannot be understated.  As Coach Fisher said, this is a big step in the process of building a team who expects to win championships, both conference and national.  The Seminoles won 12 games, and the contributions of this senior class should be properly recognized.

EJ Manuel, who is far from the best FSU signal caller to hit the gridiron, has won four bowl games in a row and displayed outstanding leadership during his career, on and off the field.  With talent few have, perhaps he can improve and sharpen his game, which may actually be better suited for the next level.  We wish him the best of luck!

Florida State is primed for additional accomplishments in 2013. The Seminoles must replace Manuel and Xavier Rhodes, who is off the NFL. Bjoern Werner may jump also, but even still, FSU is loaded for bear and should be preseason top ten and then some.

Tastes Great

In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase final race, with five time champion Jimmie Johnson having some mechanical issues, Brad Keselowski drove his #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger to the 2012 Sprint Cup Championship.

This was the first championship for Keselowski, who now joins 2000 Sprint Cup Champion Bobby Labonte as the only drivers to win both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Championships.

Brad is a neat guy and well deserving, as is his car owner, Roger Penske. Close many times, particularly with Rusty Wallace as a driver, this is the first NASCAR championship for the Captain.

The #48 Lowes Chevrolet team of Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus were very gracious in defeat.

Congratulations to Roger Penske and Bread Keselowski!

Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski/photo @Kenny_Wallace

See you at Daytona in February!

Wicked Wreck at Vegas Claims Dan Wheldon

Dan Whledon, a two time winner of the Indianapolis 500, including in 2011, has lost his life in a horrific 15 car crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this afternoon. ABC had the race coverage:



Ironically, Wheldon was a part time racer this year, and was essentially unemployed after winning the 2011 Indy 500. Wheldon spoke with CNBC's Darren Rovell days after the 500.



Wheldon was set to take over for Danica Patrick, who is heading over to NASCAR full time next season. This racing is very dangerous, and even though the safety measures advanced in the recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the death of the legendary Dale Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway in 2001, it remains so. Five time NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson took a very hard hit last night at Charlotte, a hit made easier to absorb by the safer barriers and HANS device innovations.

Thoughts and prayers will be with Wheldons family; may he rest in peace.

Sunday Night Song

Today, the good ole boys ran the Aarons 499 at The White Knuckle Highway at Talladega, Alabama. Jimmie Johnson edged Clint Bowyer to take the checkers in a tie for the closest finish in NASCAR history.



Appropriately, as they dropped the green flag to put the field under green this afternoon, the track speaker system was blasting "Sweet Home Alabama" by legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sweet Alabama is practically the Alabama state song and a Crimson Tide cheer. A tremendous ballad, "Sweet Home Alabama" is our Sunday Night Song. Enjoy!



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