Cotton Bowl Open Thread

Friday, January 02, 2009


Game: The Cotton Bowl
Teams: Ole Miss Rebels (8-4) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1)
Location: Dallas, Texas, Cotton Bowl
Start Time: 2PM EST (FOX)
Network and Announcers: Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger, Jeanne Zelasko, Krista Voda
Favorite: Texas Tech (-5.5)
AA's Pick: Texas Tech 31 - Ole Miss 13

141 Comments:

CBS College Football?


Summerall left them a loooooong time ago, AA.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 1:47:00 PM  

Gee. I can't imagine why the Fox baseball pregame show was canceled.

Jan 2, 2009, 2:08:00 PM  

This is already a better job by FOX than what they did last night.

Even Summerall looks and sounds a little better than he did last night.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:08:00 PM  

I made those comments too soon although it still might not be as bad as last night.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:09:00 PM  

Summerall is a class act and knows how to call games.

However, Voda's interview with Harrell and Crabtree... eh, what was the point?

Jan 2, 2009, 2:11:00 PM  

I like it when they let situations just happen and don't feel the need to speak over every moment and ignore the game like, lets say... Brent Musburger, but with Fox it only happens because there is an audio problem.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:12:00 PM  

FOX did that like throughout the entire Orange Bowl last night. There was a penalty on the field, and Brennaman and Davis kept talking about... can't remember, I was pretty drunk then just so I could stand the game.

Jan 2, 2009, 2:14:00 PM  

Voda's interview with the 2 guys was worthless. Her interview with TT coach was not much better. Seems like the game is having audio problems.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:22:00 PM  

"When Jevan Snead misses early in the game it's usually because he's high." -Baldinger races into the lead for post season Pammy

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:24:00 PM  

I heard the Baldy comment as well, I hear the Ole Miss campus is a great place to get your weed.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:26:00 PM  

I really like Summerall and hate any sign that he's over the hill. However, with each new Cotton Bowl, I get those little signs that he's a bit overmatched these days.

Tim Perkins said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:27:00 PM  

Way to squander fake punt Ole Miss

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:34:00 PM  

That TD call by Summerall brings back memories....and how open was Britton?

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:36:00 PM  

Band Shot

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:36:00 PM  

I'm only watching to see if the touchdown celebrations can top this:

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/searchpopup?picId=7704076

Unknown said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:37:00 PM  

Did that Big 12 commercial just say "Four Heisman winners in First 13 Years"?

What does that mean?
In the first 13 years of the trophy?

I'm gonna make a Maryland commercial and advertise that we won a title in the 50's.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:39:00 PM  

I thought that was gonna be a Song Girls pic for some reason.

Jan 2, 2009, 2:40:00 PM  

I'm sorry but Pat Summerall jumped the shark since him and Madden split from the NFL on FOX. It's clear he hasn't done much research, and while he doesn't really need to, just trying to read off last names from the starting lineups and not being able to do it well because the ticker is going too fast for him shows that he needs to retire. I'll take last night's crew way over this.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:41:00 PM  

"Ole Mills." - Jeanne Zalasko

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:41:00 PM  

I wonder what Danielson would think of Harrell's mom.

I think Baldinger just called him Grant

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:42:00 PM  

I hope Summerall didn't say Jeanne "Velasco."

Jan 2, 2009, 2:42:00 PM  

Pick....6!

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:43:00 PM  

not first 13 years of the trophy.....the big 12....remember that 13 years ago it was the big 8....in name only its a young conferance

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:43:00 PM  

They have 4 in the last 11 years... But that isn't at all what they said... I'm confused. I hope they show that again.

Wow, that was quick.

And Baldy has a really dumb quote: "Nice piece of celebration on the sideline by the Red Raiders."

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:44:00 PM  

What is the point of these interviews?

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:44:00 PM  

Oh, thanks, Anon. Gotcha.

That's just dumb.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:45:00 PM  

You give him a little god
-zelasko

What in the he'll is wrong with that woman

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:45:00 PM  

Bazooka

I think they mean first 13 yrs of conference.

Cut away from pointless filler to show game action ? Very un-ESPN like of you FOX.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:45:00 PM  

"Nice piece of celebration on the sideline by the Red Raiders."

Baldy worse than Summerall today.

RJBO - I think he did say "Velasco", but corrected himself the next time.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:46:00 PM  

@anon 2:41: Summerall could be blind, deaf, drunk and on acid...and he'd still blow away last nights crew. They were the most atrocious broadcasters I have ever heard calling a major sporting event. At least when Summerall loses track you can credit him with a senior moment. Thom Brennaman shouldn't even be calling high school games.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:46:00 PM  

Zelasko should be banned from television.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:46:00 PM  

This ref guy is doing it? Mr. Weird Voice?


Grrr....why is the Pac-10 getting to ref bowl games?

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:47:00 PM  

That crew last night should also be banned from television.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:47:00 PM  

Sweet replay.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:47:00 PM  

I seriously hope FOX loses all of its sports contracts to another network, that includes the NFL.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:48:00 PM  

It was clear that Brennaman was slurping Cincinnati last night. He should stick to baseball, if that.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:49:00 PM  

They won't lose the NFL, but they will probably lose everything else, including NASCAR.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:49:00 PM  

At any moment the ref will break out with "...and I live in a van, DOWN BY THE RIVER."

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:50:00 PM  

ESPN/ABC will probably get the entire NASCAR contract when it comes up next.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:50:00 PM  

Sorry J, going to disagree with you. Can't excuse a senior moment for 4 hours, Summerall is just too slow. Baldy is just horrid. Both of these guys just got up and read the AP preview real quick before doing the game, and both of these guys sound like they don't know what's happening. They have no chemistry whatsoever.

Summerall and Madden used to be my favorite crew in the NFL, so I know how good he was. It's hard to do one game a year, so he needs to either do more or not do this at all.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:51:00 PM  

Is his name Matt Foley?

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:51:00 PM  

"The pass is caught....inside the 15 at around the 8 yard line. (Later) They'll mark it at the 11 yard line." - Summerall

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:52:00 PM  

God bless David Nutt

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:53:00 PM  

That budweiser salesman guy is a dickhead

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:54:00 PM  

They just ran a reverse pass and it sounded like Sumerall was falling asleep mid sentence.

He's so monotone he just brings down the excitement, which isn't what I want my announcers to do.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:54:00 PM  

Thank God Brennaman is not doing the Fiesta Bowl. That will be Vasgerian's hurrah from FOX.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:54:00 PM  

@anon 2:51 I'm still firing Thom before Pat.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:54:00 PM  

Anon @ 2:51

OK, I agree with what your saying about the announcers, but the presentation was terrible last night. This is watchable. Last nite wasn't. FOX had more shots of the band and cheerleaders than the game itself, you could never get into it. Add the fact that the game sucked, and you've got a game that I probably really paid attention to for about 5 snaps.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:54:00 PM  

Summerall's voice has always been like that, guys.


A guy like Joe Buck has no right to sound like he couldn't give a damn about the Tyree catch.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:56:00 PM  

J, the Farley "down by the river" line just made me crack up.

Well done.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:56:00 PM  

Speakin of last night's announcers, is Charles Davis a priest? He tries to look and sound like one.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:56:00 PM  

I think it's good. Uh oh. Pat is out to lunch early.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:56:00 PM  

Holy crap guise, today's Nissan "Z" Factor is...TT's Michael Crabtree!

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:58:00 PM  

Band shot!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:58:00 PM  

The pregame baseball show was a disaster.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:58:00 PM  

He changed shirts.....

ARGHWOWERTGWIOTW#G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I cannot take it anymore, it's obvious they think we're a bunch of idiots who don't want to watch a football game. This is unbelievable. If this is what journalism has become then we're in trouble.....

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:59:00 PM  

Kevin Kennedy should be banned from television.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 2:59:00 PM  

"Michael Crabtree doesn't have a catch today." - Baldinger


It's the 1st quarter. Kill me now.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:00:00 PM  

Krista Voda should be banned from television except being the new person in the Hollywood Hotel on the NASCAR coverage.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:01:00 PM  

Did baldy just say "double fisted"

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:01:00 PM  

I much prefer this telecast over last night's Orange Bowl. Pat and Baldy are holding their own. And the camera work is much, much better. Shows how much better Fox's NFL crew can do than their college football counterparts.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:01:00 PM  

"Michael Crabtree doesn't have a catch today." - Baldy

Because every great wide receiver gets a catch in every quarter of their collegiate career.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:02:00 PM  

Kevin Kennedy suggested that the Yankees should sign Barry Bonds. He should be arrested for that.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:02:00 PM  

Joe Simpson would not like him.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:03:00 PM  

@Anon 3:01 - I agree about the overall presentation, but Pat and Baldy are holding their own...the worst level of announcing I've heard in a long time.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:04:00 PM  

2008 The year journalism died, not just in sports

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:05:00 PM  

Hello everybody.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:05:00 PM  

Why is there one guy talking baseball in a college football open thread?

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:06:00 PM  

Ole Miss cheerleaders. Nice touch.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:06:00 PM  

I like to talk about everything all the time.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:07:00 PM  

"88,176, a new A&T...&T Cotton Bowl record." - Summerall

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:07:00 PM  

Snead has 102 yards passing, Harrell has 65. I doubt that will last.

-Summerall.

How could it with 3 full quarters to play. honestly.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:07:00 PM  

I love to talk about NASCAR all-year long.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:07:00 PM  

You aren't fooling us Nathan.....

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:08:00 PM  

Pat Summerall is not opining. Thank the lord.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:08:00 PM  

In case you didn't know, it's a freaking great day out there for a football game.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:09:00 PM  

Who is not fooling who?

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:09:00 PM  

Good throw by Snead.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:10:00 PM  

What a catch, what a touchdown.....

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:11:00 PM  

Mike Wallace is ready to play for 60 Minutes today. Sorry, I could no resist.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:12:00 PM  

"I don't think anybody can run that Texas Tech offense."
- Summerall

Uhhh...yeah you can. Every quarterback before Harrell did it as well. It's called a monster offensive line.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:12:00 PM  

I could not resist, my bad.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:12:00 PM  

Last night wasn't too bad a game on the field when they showed it, but it was one of the worst called and produced national games I've seen (I normally mute Brent Musburger games). Summerall is trying to put me to sleep though and it's sadly obvious he doesn't know much and isn't prepared. He has slowed down a lot and it's showing. Fox is starting to show more and more crowd shots and is getting away from the game. The overall production has been bad by Fox this year. I didn't want ESPN to get the BCS games, but even they are an improvement over this.

Good catch by Ole Miss. Texas Tech should have done better on coverage.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:12:00 PM  

Rebel Rebel up your dress.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:13:00 PM  

Everything in college sports should go to cable. The networks should stick to other sports.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:14:00 PM  

I like to annoy everybody with my incoherent ramblings.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:14:00 PM  

Sorry sitruc, as much as I think ESPN sucks, they are great in college football. FOX has been pathetic.


Summerall is struggling, but his touchdown call is pretty nice.


Baldinger sucks....

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:15:00 PM  

The networks are a bunch of pro sports war mongers.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:15:00 PM  

Some people live in reality. Others do not.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:16:00 PM  

"At least he counted to one Mississippi before he let him go, Pat." - Baldy

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:17:00 PM  

Don't feed the troll. Like an annoying ex-girlfriend, they will go away if you don't pay attention to them.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:17:00 PM  

Graham does not throw it to a cracker. That one is pretty good.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:18:00 PM  

If someone has an annoying ex-girlfriend, it is the guy's fault for letting it get that far.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:19:00 PM  

There's a troll in Central Park!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:20:00 PM  

This has become my blog!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:21:00 PM  

Did Baldinger seriously just say "smallish in STATUE"?

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:22:00 PM  

Texas Tech is driving. There was no flag there.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:22:00 PM  

He went to Duke. He should know better.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:22:00 PM  

Fire Brian Baldinger now!

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:23:00 PM  

I'm on fire!!! I'm on fire!!! You're not on fire, Ricky Bobby. Help me Jesus. Help me Tom Cruise. Help me Jewish guy!!!

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:24:00 PM  

Big XII game = Excitement

ACC Game = Boring

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:25:00 PM  

Yea, Texas Tech is good.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:25:00 PM  

Troll is gone.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:33:00 PM  

Summerall said "Velasco" again.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:39:00 PM  

21-21.....what a game.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:41:00 PM  

Is it safe to say that Al Franken lost that Minnesota recount and that is why he had to ref this game today?

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:46:00 PM  

+1 to Anon 3:46...too funny.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:47:00 PM  

"Inside the 10 to the 12." - Summerall


Yikes....retire dude.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:49:00 PM  

"So it remains 3rd and 10 at the 10. 3rd and 9." - Pat

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:53:00 PM  

Nice seguay into National Championship game plug there, Baldy

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:55:00 PM  

"And the touchdown runs out the half." - Summerall on the Harrell run....but he was down at the 3.


Summerall needs a nap.


That was a great scramble by Harrell, 24-21 Ole Miss.

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 3:59:00 PM  

Summerall: "At the half, it's Texas Tech 21, Ole Miss 24."

Jan 2, 2009, 4:00:00 PM  

"Velasco": "Shepard Smith gone now, so it's fair and unbalanced for Texas Tech."

Jan 2, 2009, 4:09:00 PM  

"Shepard Smith gone now, so fair and unbalanced will continue" - Zelasko

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:10:00 PM  

I think you have the quote correct, jg.

"Velasco": "Texas Tech does indeed have a band."

Oh, thank God.

Jan 2, 2009, 4:12:00 PM  

"Velasco": "Go scoop up some dirt.
...Just go behind the Southwest.com sign."

Bleh.

Jan 2, 2009, 4:21:00 PM  

Anyone hear some weird sound effect as "Valasco" sent it to Pat and Brian?

TJX said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:24:00 PM  

must be nice to be able to watch the cotton bowl

/stuck at work on january 2nd

:::middle to finger to fox:::

-dan

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:24:00 PM  

They could've had the game start at 5 ET lol. FOX is suppoised to be off at 5:30 ET. Forget that with the 2nd half just starting.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:27:00 PM  

I heard that, too, SS. It was like a skipping CD.

Jan 2, 2009, 4:28:00 PM  

I just saw that the top Fox BCS production crew this year is the "E" Team for the NFL, yet tonight's Sugar Bowl will be run by the NFL "B" Team. That's pretty stupid.

And give Summerall a pass. He's almost 80 for crying out loud, and he's from a totally different generation of broadcasting. Today's sports productions are so ADHD that he has no chance of keeping up.

There is one thing I miss most about Summerall's style, though: He tells you only the information that may be difficult to understand through the picture alone. He doesn't bloviate to fulfill an ego.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:34:00 PM  

"They're not going to stop coming."

I know, now I'm just being picky with Baldy, but that still made me chuckle.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:36:00 PM  

What a CROCK...the game isn't even in HD. That is INEXCUSABLE!

Unknown said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:36:00 PM  

I think Pat Summerall needs to say "he could be gone" a few more times.

Just an awful punt return call.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:37:00 PM  

Just saw this on the graphics:

Texas Tech has trailed twice at halftime this year, vs. Texas A&M and Baylor. Came back to win both games.

Umm, did Oklahoma score those 65 points in the 2nd half to come from behind? Didn't think so.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:38:00 PM  

Awful call by the ref.

That's clearly the 9 1/2 yard line.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:40:00 PM  

And give Paterno a pass. He's 83 for crying out loud, and he's from a totally different generation of coaching.

/yesterday'd

Jan 2, 2009, 4:40:00 PM  

I think its the 9 1/3 line

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 4:42:00 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jan 2, 2009, 4:54:00 PM  

Baldinger: "He has to run around the shower just to get wet."

Jan 2, 2009, 4:55:00 PM  

is this game seriously not in HD? if that's the case, i don't feel bad for missing it.

carry on.

-dan

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:01:00 PM  

HD working for me. It may be your affiliate that has a problem

Oaklandfan said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:03:00 PM  

Baldinger: "The Utes the only undefeated team in the BCS Series."

/I won't steal JamesCraven's redundancy bit

Jan 2, 2009, 5:08:00 PM  

Summerall: "Brought to you by Bullet...Bud Light."

Jan 2, 2009, 5:12:00 PM  

It's not in HD here either(Roanoke/Lynchburg area). You might be right about the affiliates, Oaklandfan.

UnHoly Diver said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:14:00 PM  

prediction: Summerall keels over in booth in 4th q.

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:18:00 PM  

"Theres no defense for speed" - Summerall

Anonymous said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:41:00 PM  

Referee: "Repeat try down."

Never heard of that, either Pat.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 2, 2009, 5:53:00 PM  

You not only got them to the Cotton Bowl but You got a Cotton Ball victory says Jeanne Zelasko to Houston Nutt at the trophy presentation

InterPlace55 said...
Jan 2, 2009, 6:12:00 PM  

Um...I am totally being asked to write "pantless" in the word verification box. The algorithm may need a little adjustment, AA.

Anonymous said...
Jan 3, 2009, 12:20:00 AM  

It was painful to listen to this broadcast. Summerall is like your senile grandfather who's a few steps too slow upstairs and repeats the same phrases over and over while missing the large elephants in the room. Did you guys know Harrell's a smart kid and that the Rebels run something called the Wild Rebel formation? Amazing. Sure beats hearing about the touchdown that was just scored or what the penalty was about. The epitomy of awful announcing.

Anonymous said...
Jan 3, 2009, 4:08:00 AM  

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