Big-12 bowling
Texas Tech was dead, trailing 38-7 in the third quarter to Minnesota, before finding that moment to turn things around.
And turn things around it did as the Red Raiders roared back and beat the Golden Gophers, 44-41, in double overtime in the Insight Bowl.
Graham Harrell threw for 445 yards and two touchdowns and Shannon Woods rushed for 108 yards and three scores as Texas Tech created a story for the ages in school history.
The Black and Gold Truth: The win is one that will be talked about for years but also shows the problem of focusing so much on offense and not enough on defense. I won't use the word "never" but it will be highly unlikely this type of team will be top 10 often or win a BCS bowl game. And for all the big numbers the players put up, once they graduate who remembers a Red Raider quarterback's name? A receiver's name? They're system players, not necessarily great talents. That said, the offense works most games. The best defenses, however, usually shut it down.
Missouri had it going strong.
On offense.
But winning games also requires some defense too.
The numbers are still startling.
583 yards of offense.
38 points.
And the Tigers still lost.
How would you like to be the defensive coordinator come film time?
Oregon State's late two-point conversion gave the Beavers, ranked no. 24, a 39-38 win over the Missouri in the Sun Bowl, wasting Tony Temple's 195 yards rushing and two touchdowns and Chase Daniel's 342 yards passing and two scores.
The Tigers' defense was competitive all season long but failed miserably in the loss to Oregon State.
BGT:The good news for that program is the talent level is significantly higher than its' been in years and coach Gary Pinkel is getting players to come to Columbia. The flip side of the coin is his team collapsed down the stretch, losing five of its' last seven games. Pinkel won't lose his job but he lost all the fuzzy feelings his team generated with fans and boosters with a 6-0 start.
With some more help at receiver, however, and on the offensive line and defense, it wouldn't take much for the Tigers to take a step foward next season.
Next Up...On Saturday, Texas plays Iowa in the Alamo Bowl in a slight home-field advantage for the Longhorns. Still, it's a far cry from playing USC for the national title as they did a season ago. That said, as well coached as the Hawkeyes are, as big a game as this is for Iowa quarterback Drew Tate, a Texan and an accomplished talent, this should be all Texas, all day. A big win helps soothe the wounds of a rare three-loss season in Austin under Mack Brown.
On Monday Nebraska plays Auburn in the Cotton Bowl, which will be a telling sign as to where the Cornhuskers' program really is these days. Beat a solid Tigers team and the Nebraska can crow that it is on the precipe of great things. Lose and the questions will grow louder for Bill Callahan, despite his outstanding recruiting.
Auburn has shown the propensity to turn in flat performances from time to time, getting bounced big by Arkansas and Georgia but it also beat LSU and Florida. Which Tigers' team will show up is the question.
Nebraska's defense is no longer intimidating but the offense is good enough to cover for it in most games. The higher scoring this contest becomes the more it favors the Huskers. In quarterback Zac Taylor, the depth at running back in Brandon Jackson, Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn and the production from receivers Maurice Purify and Terrence Nunn, Nebraska, on paper, has a strong opportunity to win and make a statement. Avoid turnovers and it likely will emerge victorious.
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