REVIEW: 2012
Fiesta Bowl 41st edition
Final Score:
Oklahoma St. 41 Stanford 38 F/OT Prediction Ok St. 38 Stanford 35
Scoring by
Quarter:
Ok State 0 21 3 14 3 41
Stanford 7 14 7 10 0 38
Did this one
live up to the billing or what, here we go with my review of the game…
1)
Andrew
Luck vs. Brandon Weeden
Man,
do these two programs have some big shoes to fill next fall. What can you say
about Andrew Luck, that hasn’t already been stated? The number one pick in the
upcoming NFL draft in April threw a near perfect game (27 of 31 completions)
347 passing yards, 2 TD’s and 1 INT. Luck did everything he could (besides kick
the GW field goal) with the weapons he was surrounded by and it was great to
see him come back to school for another season. I wish him nothing but the best
in the NFL and whoever gets him (looks like the Colts at this point) will be
very fortunate to have him for years to come. Brandon Weeden, the old man (28)
on the other side of the field, had a great game as well. After throwing a
interception on the first play for the Cowboys, Weeden settled down throwing
for 399 passing yards (29/42) and three TD’s. Unlike Luck, it will be
interesting to see what sort of NFL career Weeden will have, 1) he is 28 2) he
will be coming from a spread offense, and spread offense QB usually struggle in
the NFL. I do believe I mentioned I liked Weeden more in this match-up due to
his side-kick, Justin Blackmon (8 rec 196 rec yards and 3 TD’s), after a slow
start, Blackmon played like a man among boys (Browns will find someway to screw
this one up).
2)
Stepfan
Taylor vs. Joseph Randle
Boy,
was I wrong on this one. Stepfan Taylor had an outstanding performance (35
carries for 177 yards and two TD’s) where as Randle was basically M.I.A. all
game long (10 carries 23 yards 1TD). Now, I know that Stanford is more of a
pro-style offense that uses the RB’s more (back-up Jeremy Stewart also had 3
rushes 65 yards and a TD), but Ok State rushing attack was a non-factor. I
guess it doesn’t really matter when your QB throws for nearly 400 yards, but
hats off to Stanford’s front seven for limiting the running game of the Cowboys
(lets work on getting to the QB more and covering WR’s)
3)
Let-Down
vs. Opportunity
Not
much needed here to talk about if you had a chance to watch this game, both
teams played a great ballgame. Seriously, it was an enjoyable to watch two
(Rose Bowl) games like this, lots of scoring and stats (I love me some stats).
Both teams showed why they deserved a chance to play for the National
Championship. (Side note how do you think Stanford’s placekicker is feeling
today?).
4)
David
Shaw vs. Mike Gundy
Well,
you knew one Head Coach had to lose this one. I think Shaw will look back and
feel like he could of done more at the end of the regulation to get a couple
more plays/yards in for his placekicker (who had already missed one FG). Coach
Shaw though, did a great job taking over in his first year as the Head Coach
for Stanford (11-2). On to Gundy, words can’t describe my feelings for this
guy, to share that moment with the widow of former Oklahoma State Cowboys
Women’s B-ball coach, Kurt Budke (who died tragically in a plane crash back in
November) was a neat move/moment on Coach Gundy’s part.
Aftermath:
Oklahoma
State- Coach Gundy will have to replace Senior QB Brandon Weeden and Junior WR
Justin Blackmon next fall. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys can
continue building on the success of recent years (23 W’s in the past two
seasons) or if they will take a step back. With the new-look Big 12 (addition
of TCU/WVU next fall) I believe the Cowboys will have a tough time repeating as
Big 12 Champions.
Stanford-
Just like Oklahoma State, Stanford will be faced with replacing their QB and a
few other key positions (Offensive Linemen). The true test for Coach Shaw will
be how he fairs in recruiting and will he be able to find the next Andrew Luck?
Stanford will have to compete with Oregon, a team that has beaten them the past
two seasons, to win the North Division of the Pac-12.
Congratulations
Oklahoma State, here is a clip you all will like:
