Orange Bowl
Anyone watch last night? I tuned in with about 10min. left in regulation. PSU was within the 10 yard line, going for a touchdown that would have put them up by 9 (10 with a successful point after) and they fumbled! FSU marched back and settled for a field goal. All tied at 16. Then the PSU kicker misses from 35 yards or so with 30sec. left, sending the game into overtime.
I like college overtime: Each team gets the ball at the opponent's 25 yard line. After each team has had a possession, whoever has the most points wins. Ties force another overtime sesssion. Starting with the 3rd OT period, you _must_ go for the 2-point conversion if you score a touchdown.
It went to the third overtime, with both teams missing field goals in the first, making touchdowns and extra points in the second. The FSU kicker missed his field goal attempt in the 3rd (he had had a long boot of 48 yards earlier in the game), with the PSU kicker (who was 0/3 at that point) making a thirty yarder on 2nd and 9 from the right side hash mark.
There were video replays, too.
A thrilling game. Here's why I like college ball:
1. Players are less "clutch".
So, field goals get missed, passes get dropped, QB's get sacked. Football is a difficult game and sometimes the Pros make it seem _too_ easy. There were 4 or 5 missed field goals that pushed the game into successive overtimes. True, the game was prolonged because of poor play, however, that did not seem to diminish the excitement.
(This is related to my opinion that place kickers and punters are the most skilled players on a football team.)
2. Time management.
First down stops the clock. Which makes game winning drives with less than a minute left easier to manage. Again, it sure is _harder_ to put together a drive in the NFL, but the excitement of last-minute-game-changing-plays occurs more frequently in college.
3. I'll be buying my home insurance from some of these dudes in the future.
For lots of players, this is the culmination of their playing careers. I like the "average joe" aspect.