The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Tide Rolls Up the 405

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Tide Rolls Up the 405

By Robert Stacy McCain on 1.6.10 @ 3:03PM

PASADENA, Calif. -- The University of Alabama Crimson Tide is now en route to the Rose Bowl for their final walk-through practice before tomorrow night's BCS championship game.

Security was tight this morning at the Westin Hotel in Costa Mesa that is the Crimson Tide's headquarters during their stay in southern California. A motorcycle squadron of California Highway Patrol officers was escorting the 'Bama team up the San Diego Freeway -- locally known as "the 405" -- on their way to the Rose Bowl.

The last time Alabama played in Pasadena in January, in 1946, the Tide defeated USC 34-14. However, in the next year, the Rose Bowl signed an agreement to match the Big Ten and (what is now the) PAC-10. Crimson Tide fans are excited at their long-awaited return to southern California.

View all comments (24) | Leave a comment

JohnD| 1.6.10 @ 3:37PM

I wish your Crimson Tide the best of luck RSM, and I know covering this event is a labor of love for you, but NCAA football is nothing more than a beauty contest without a playoff. Sure, a win by 'Bama will prove they are better than Texas, and maybe prove the SEC better than the Big 12, but the way I see it Boise State has as much claim to the National Title as the winner of tomorrow night's game. The only reason they won't is a decision by sportswriters, coaches, and a computer, not because they were beaten on the field in a game.

There needs to be a playoff between the Champs of the 11 conferences in Division I (or whatever they call it now). Designate 5 conferences majors (ACC, SEC, Big10, Big12, PAC10) and the rest (CUSA Big East, MAC, MtWest, WAC & SunBelt) minors, and have the 6 minors play each other in Play-in games in December; then have 4 New Years Bowls (Orange, Sugar, Fiesta and Rose)Feature the remaining 8 champs, then you are down to a 4 team semi-final and final. That gives every team, regardless of conference, a fair shot.

Tracey| 1.7.10 @ 8:01AM

Boise State should be justifiably proud to be undefeated. However, the reason they are not viewed as viable Champion material is their schedule, which, when compared with that of Texas and Alabama is extremely weak.

I pray for a good clean game with no injuries and I have the utmost respect for Texas but I have to say ROLL TIDE!

John - TMF| 1.6.10 @ 3:54PM

A pox on both are in order... May the game end in a 0-0 tie with every player and coach ejected for... well... for playing college football and getting paid to do it... or something... wearing the wrong cleats... or having too much acne...

Anything.

Tuck Fexas!!!! Ebb Tide!!

;-)

Patriot| 1.6.10 @ 4:08PM

Turd in the punch bowl. Miserable wretch.

You're obviously ignorant about College football; these kids work their tails off--and they don't get paid. Go back under your rock.

John - TMF| 1.6.10 @ 9:09PM

1. I am 50. 45 of that has been spent as a devoted and constant football fan. I played until I got beaten up so badly that I now have a titanium plate that fuses two vertebrae together in my neck... the doctor skipped the other ruptured disk because it was too high. I know and LOVE football with every fiber of my beaten old body.

2. Do you pay tution for college? Instate around these parts the cost amounts to about $20,000 a year... room, board, fees... Out of state it is double that.... Last time I checked either school's roster a good chunk of the kids playing were from other states... I'll spot you the occasional walkon... but add together the free tuition, and the primo food, medical attention, and tutoring help... 1A college Football players are very well paid indeed.

3. The last time I checked... and that was the locker-room of my son's High School football team (he played 4 years, my other son 2) most of the boys couldn't find anything higher than a C in a basketweaving class. There were some bright kids... but they don't play football in college...

AND most of them I wouldn't want within 20 miles of my daughter... The others might be allowed to make eye contact across the room... by the time she is 25...

3. Lighten up will ya? Don't call people names... football is a GAME... you know... it produces nothing of great worth (except good times or bad - if you are a Redskin fan...) . It isn't a religion despite it being placed on the Texas ballot to make it so... and I know my buddies from Bama seem to pray at an icon of Bear Bryant somewhere in the back of the broom closet...

And yes... College football players (1A and below) work very hard... at FOOTBALL.. they are allotted little time for anything else, and most would never even be accepted to the colleges that they supposedly attend if they weren't football players. They flat out wouldn't have the grades or SAT scores to go.

If you believe otherwise... suit yourself... The Eastern Institute for Enlightenment and Intellectual Outgrowth has a rather fine football team... for which I have season tickets (until the wife tells me there isn't $$$ in the til)

I just don't like Alabama or Texas... The Nictator is foul, and my father-in-law played for Big Red so rooting for Fexas is a family no-no...

It is a game though... perspective in all things...

Go Hokies!!!!

TMF

Patriot| 1.7.10 @ 12:06AM

I take exception to your post: Not all college football players are stupid and not all college football players are pigs.

They bring in a lot of revenue for their schools--they should be given scholarships.

My husband played football for Stanford (two of those years included Rose Bowl victories). He graduated and attended Law School and now runs his own business.

Nearly all of his team-mates graduated from Stanford and many attended graduate school. Lawyers, Doctors, MBAs--you name it, they've achieved it.

They were also some of the greatest guys I've ever known and have become life-long friends. I know football players aren't angels, but none of you guys are!

So, it's not just a matter of belief; I know for a fact because I've lived it.

Your father in law played college ball, he's a good guy, right?

I realize now you're sort of kidding and I'm sure it's been tough with Texas and the SEC being dominant lately (Nebraska's on the way back, though), but football players (the ones I've known and loved) are near and dear to me, so I had to speak up.

Hook 'em Horns!

Stu| 1.7.10 @ 1:27AM

Man, this is a killer. John is a VPI Hokie and sugar pants is a UT fan. As a VMI grad (from way, way back when we used to beat the Gobblers more than occasionally in Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day), my heart goes out to pretty much everyone who has to deal with John. I think I remember him. Some time ago, he was pictured on the front page of the Roanoke Times on a stretcher. The headline said, "John Hit In Head, Xrays Show Nothing." And, I grew up an Okie, weaned on Sooner football, Bud Wilkinson style. Thoughts of Texas bring back fond memories of the Full Metal Jacket scene where the DI said that only queers and steers come from Texas. And it doesn't surprise me one bit that sugar pants thinks about turds in the punch bowl. It's an Austin tradition. As for Alabama, every home game crowd looks like a casting call for Deliverance II. I will admit this, though, a 0-0 final score tomorrow would be sweet.

Sugar Pants| 1.7.10 @ 4:13AM

Damn, you're funny; you had this girl laughing.

Sorry to disappoint but I'm a SoCal girl, born and bred. My heart will forever belong to Stanford and USC but there's just something special about Big Twelve men: You're Southern with a little of the Wild Wild West thrown in.

Last year we rooted for you Okies in the BCS Championship game; sadly, we both know how that turned out.

This year I hope Colt and his team prevail.

slammer| 1.7.10 @ 5:01AM

JOHN, So if the Hokies were in the run, college ball would be okay? Sounds like Santa didnt bring your wish so you want the world to stop. Need a few more years on you then comment. PS Tx QB within the year baptized 7 of the players on his team, Bama QB is an academic perfectionist finishing early with Honors. Your note is juvenile at best.

John - TMF| 1.7.10 @ 7:12AM

1. Back in the days when Tech was barely a 1A school, and most of its match-ups would be FCS (great football BTW - not seen on TV enough) teams I wore a "sail" until we beat VMI... which we did...

2. Y'all can have personal antecedents about bright and promising, everyone graduates with honors. Back when Dad played for Nebraska there were few scholarships and you still had to be a good student to play it would be true. There are some very smart kids who go to school, and actually get their degrees. SOME...

There are many more who do not, and couldn't get into the school with their grades if they applied as "Joe Average" student.

Such is life. Big time college Football is an expensive program that brings in tons of money for the school. It is a smart business decision for both cash flow in TV revenue, marketing products, and image projection (recruiting of regular students).

No one who shows up in Blacksburg on Game Day and possesses an ounce of reality about them goes to the games to see the school Rhodes Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa President play flag football.

They go to see Frank Beamer's teams lay it all on the field every game. He runs a sterling program the right way, with class and sportsmanship. You will never see him run up a 51 to anything score unless the opposition has scored 48 and 51 was the winning field goal. Bud Foster might hear about it though.

As to academics... If some of the kids do well more power to them. I wish they all would attend classes and get their degrees... A few years ago our QB (who followed the notorious Michael Vick) graduated in his 3rd year of eligibility and was a Master's Student his last year. I hope he is successful in is business and professional world.

No one is denying that there are kids who do graduate. But there are far too many who don't, especially the stars... That is and will remain a shame.

School and big time sports are difficult to balance. Football players spend huge amounts of "voluntary" time working out, watching game films, and dealing with injury rehab.

The behavior problems are well known and a serious issue as well. Much of it is covered up. Unfortunately, it does occur.

As to the "hormonal" nature of the testosterone laced locker room... I sill won't let any of them within 20 miles of my daughter....

8 1/2 months until kick-off. Happily eating a chicken sandwich...

Perspective in all things...
The Mighty Fahvaag

Patriot| 1.7.10 @ 3:24PM

John, generalities are risky and usually wrong; your first post seemed to be more about you than today's college football players.

Sour grapes perhaps?

Go Texas!

Tracey| 1.7.10 @ 8:46AM

Additionally, Alabama's quarterback is applying for Rhodes Scholarship for study abroad at Oxford University.

We also have two academic all americans. One of which (Peek) transferred from Georgia Tech (very high standards for anyone to get into) and maintains high academic standards.

Yes there are players who are not academically gifted and probably are held to lower academic standards than some other students, but here's the deal. Shouldn't everyone have the chance at an education? Whether they play football or look pretty in an evening gown or swimsuit.

I am reminded of something that I believe Pat Dye said once when questioned about football players getting preferential academic treatment and low student athelete graduation rates, he said (paraphrased) "Even if they do not graduate with a degree, football players have been subjected to a post high school education and that has to be better than them having no higher education at all."

I sort of agree on that!

ROLL TIDE BABY!!!!!

Derek Leaberry| 1.6.10 @ 4:10PM

I don't care one whit about either team but I have two questions- 1) How many players on either team deserve to be in college due to academic ability? and 2) Would you be comfortable allowing your daughter to date many of the players on either team?

Smitty| 1.6.10 @ 4:57PM

My son plays college football; he's bright, works hard in school and gets great grades.

He's also a Christian with good morals: My question to you is, would I feel comfortable allowing your daughter to date my son?

Sam Houston| 1.6.10 @ 4:47PM

Hook 'em Horns

Likely to turn out the other way, but should be a great game. Best of luck, and safety, to the players.

mt| 1.6.10 @ 5:34PM

Mighty fine team y'all got there. We Longhorns are
just lucky to be on the same field with you, SEC champs and all. Hope none of our boys get hurt tomorrow night.

Smitty| 1.6.10 @ 7:20PM

LOL. Don't forget; Alabama's got the Heisman Trophy winner on their team, too.

Hank Archer| 1.6.10 @ 6:08PM

The 405? Are they lost? It doesn't go anywhere near Pasadena. I hope they can read a playbook better than they can a map.

Finrod| 1.6.10 @ 7:13PM

I've only visited LA a couple times, but to me it looks like if you're starting in Costa Mesa, then the 405 to the 110 to the Pasadena Freeway would get you there. He never said they were taking the 405 all the way there, after all.