Last night in Ames Iowa, a fired-up Iowa State team shocked the #2 and previously unbeated Oklahoma State Cowboys in double overtime 37-31.
The Cyclones were 24.5-point underdogs. They trailed 24-7 in the second half. They started the game with their third string quarterback, freshman Jared Barnett, and came into the contest just 5-4 on the season, and 2-4 in league, having lost four straight games by more than two touchdowns earlier in the season.
The win reminded us again how powerful emotion can be in college football, and that any team is dangerous when playing with heart and determination.
photo left: si.com’s Stephen Malley captures the most inspirational coach in the country in full roar, an image that might vault Paul Rhoads to a Coach of the Year Award.
But on senior night they stunned the college football world. The win shakes up the BCS, which is predicated on matching up a clear number one against a clear number two for the national championship. With nine one-loss teams and Conference USA’s 10-0 Houston clamoring for their shot, and shots left to be fired in rivalry games and conference championships, chaos has officially ensued. Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Clemson, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Oregon and Boise State all sit at one loss, and two-loss teams like Georgia and Michigan State still have an opportunity to make their case with wins in big games over the next three weeks.
A great moment in college football, a triumph of heart and teamwork, and a win that puts the Oregon Ducks within sight of a return trip to the National Championship Game.
The need for a playoff, or at least the argument for one, has never been brought into sharper focus. Reputation means nothing in college football. This is why they play the games, and everything ought to be settled on the field, not with a basement computer or based on the assumed supremacy of one conference or another.
And the Ducks had better be watching for USC tonight, another team in Cardinal and Gold eager to shock a highly-touted rival.
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