I have said it before and I will say it again … college basketball is light years ahead of college football. Deciding a national championship through March Madness is special, the best three weeks in sports. It generates so much interest and passion from fans all across America.
Another great example of why college football needs a playoff came in the Fiesta Bowl. It was a David vs. Goliath special, baby! Come on, are you kidding me, how many people gave Boise State a chance against the mighty Sooners of Oklahoma. Bob Stoops has won the national title, Adrian Peterson was back in the lineup.
Yes, the Broncos did it in a way that Hollywood script writers would have laughed. Fourth down and 18 yards to go at the end of regulation and a hook and ladder play is run to perfection for a touchdown.
Then in overtime Boise State coach Chris Peterson uses an unsung player to throw a touchdown pass on fourth down. If that wasn't enough, faking everyone out with the statue of Liberty play, with Ian Johnson scoring on the winning two-point conversion. It was awesome, baby with a capital A! Then Johnson proposes to his girlfriend, a Boise State cheerleader!
Who is to say that Boise State doesn't deserve to play for the national championship? The Broncos beat a number of teams that participated in bowls -- Oregon State, Hawaii, Utah, San Jose State, Nevada and Oklahoma. Are you telling me that beating six teams that played in the postseason gives Boise State no credibility?
The bottom line is Boise State went 13-0 and never got a shot to compete for a championship. There is something very wrong with that. America is the land of opportunity and those kids fought hard to beat a very good Oklahoma team, so who is to tell them they can't challenge the likes of Ohio State and Florida.
We will never find out because college football is behind in the times. Go ask George Mason about Cinderella stories coming true.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
