A Fitting End.....

While I have long maintained that the NBA is a step above professional wrestling, in terms of predictable outcomes, there is a new conspiracy theory of mine that needs to be examined. The 2010 BCS Championship Game presented by Citi (yes that $3 stock that the US Government owns...what next the AIG Bowl?), exhibited as much manufactured drama as a Brent Musburger monologue. Maybe I am a little bitter about losing a college tuition on a game that was finished after the second series. Despite an early 6-0 lead over Alabama, the Texas Longhorns were toast once quarterback Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game. Although the hit that retired McCoy looked somewhat innocuous, McCoy lost all feeling in his arm. As a result Texas was shell shocked and Alabama rattled off 24 straight points to take a commanding lead into halftime.

What transpired in the second half truly was a thing of beauty and gaming betrayal. Sensing that television sets were turned off across the country, the Longhorns "fought" valiantly and with six minutes left, miraculously cut the Alabama lead to 24-21. If not for the fact that my online blackjack streak came to an abrupt end, I would have missed this incredible comeback. Somewhere television network executives and the BCS committee members were high fiving each other as this putrid game suddenly became exciting. In my feeble mind there was absolutely no way Alabama was going to blow this lead, after all the objective is to "put some lipstick" on the pig without having the pig win. Unfortunately for me, I was betting "the pig" and the only thing worse than being drawn back into the downward spiral, was seeing colt McCoy jumping up and down on the sidelines and encouraging his teammates. My first thought was- Colt, get your ass back out on the field. Then after a brief pause I had an epiphany. This was the equivalent of an NBA team down 20 points, who in turn goes on a big run to cut the lead down to 4, only to get blown out at the very end of the game. I knew "the die had already been cast" but in a moment of delusion/weakness, I suspended reality.

However, after an Alabama drive stalled and Texas got the ball back with just over three minutes left, I reverted to my old habits and started to think this game might end up 24-21 and provide me with the greatest cover of all time. This is when the wheels really fell off the wagon. Text messages lighting up my phone line an emergency room "Hey bro your getting 4.5 right?" or my favorite "Dude this is awesome I think Texas wins outright...wish I had the moneyline on the game". Note to anyone without a cursory knowledge of gaming etiquette- the aforementioned messages are a violation of gaming 101. This type of behavior is as well received as yelling "this marriage is a sham" at a wedding.

Within seconds of my congratulatory text messages, a Texas fumble on a sack led to an immediate Alabama touchdown. Before I could yell %^&*, the Texas quarterback threw his fourth interception of the game and worst of all, ruined any chance I had for a backdoor cover. Alabama then punched another touchdown in for good measure and in the process kicked me in the balls.

Back with NFL Wildcard Winners shortly......