Ness Notes Jan 4th

The first line of the AP story recapping last night'sunsatisfied. Both teams went 12-0 this year and both
Orange Bowl called it a "game for the ages." Whataverage 50 PPG, making it the first time any bowl
game was that reporter watching?Did he notice thegame has ever featured two teams averaging that
7-0 score with just over four minutes left in the firstmany points.Leinart and Bush both own Heismans and
half, before an 87-yard punt returned sparked ait's also the first time in college football history that
three-TD barrage before the break. How about theHeisman-winning teammates have lined up together in
EIGHT consecutive possessions to open the secondthe same game. Texas' Vince Young finished second
half before a team made a first down? Then, afterto Reggie Bush, marking the FOURTH time in six
Penn St took a 16-13 lead on a safety early in theyears that a bowl game has featured both the
4th quarter, the Nittany Lions botched a snap on aHeisman winner and its runner-up. The list includes the
1st-and-goal at the four-yard line, losing an2001 Orange Bowl (Weinke-Heupel), the 2003 Orange
opportunity to go up by nine points with around eightBowl (Palmer-Banks), the 2005 Orange Bowl
minutes left!Maybe he was referring to the fact that(Leinart-Peterson) and now the 2006 Rose Bowl.USC
FSU had a grand total of SIX first downs before thewas just 6-6 ATS this year while Texas was 10-2,
team's game-tying drive in the fourth quarter? By thebut the Trojans are a seven-point favorite and the
way, FSU finished with a total of 26 yards rushingtotal, which opened as high as 75, was down to 69 1
and had 129 yards in penalties. The FSU kicker missed2, as of this morning.The rest of Wednesday's sports
an extra-point in the first half and two FGs inschedule includes a nine-game NBA card and a
overtime (there's something new for that school!).Asfive-game NHL slate. In college hoops, 30 games are
for Penn St, before kicking the game-winner in theon the menu, including 11-0 Pittsburgh (one of just
third OT, its kicker missed a 29-yarder in regulationSIX remaining unbeaten Division I-A schools), hosting
which would have won it and a 38-yarder in the 1st9-2 Notre Dame.U Conn fell from the ranks of the
OT which also would have won the game! If that's aunbeaten last night, losing 94-79 at Marquette, as a
"game for the ages", let's pray tonight's Rose Bowl10-point road favorite. Illinois (14-0), Duke and Florida
ISN'T!Speaking of the Rose Bowl, it's just the latest(both 13-0), Ohio St (10-0) and Villanova (9-0), join
in a long line of "Games of the Century" and arguably,Pittsburgh as college basketball's unbeatens. Pitt is
the biggest game since Nebraska/Oklahoma onfavored tonight by 7 1/2 points. NFL coverage begins
Thanksgiving Day, 1971. If it can live up to that one,tomorrow.Larry Ness is a documented member of
a 35-31 Nebraska win, no one will go homethe Professional Handicappers League.