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College Football 2007 Week 6 analysis and UCLA vs. Notre Dame 2007
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The biggest cheer at the Rose Bowl during the Notre Dame / UCLA game did not come for a touchdown or runback, it came when the final score of the Stanford / USC game was announced. The entire stadium cheered as one for a few moments, with Bruins and Irish high-fiving each other across the aisles. Michigan / Appalachian State seems oh so long ago. That Stanford win may have rocked the whole PAC-10, but USC is still good. They just have not showed in a win over Washington.
Notre Dame gets a win, but honestly, how many people are heading onto the Skymall web site and spending the extra $100 for the signature of Charlie Weis on a Notre Dame “Play like a Champion Today” poster.
UCLA fans are experiencing a carnival ride like no other. The spinning wheel may finally stop on the Cal game in a couple of weeks. But for now, Bruin fans may still console themselves with the fact that they still control their own destiny to the Rose Bowl game. A number of other teams also still control their own destiny. Cal and Oregon have to count on a loss by one or the other and win the rest. USC, UCLA, and Arizona State need to win out.
Compared to last year, when I traveled to see the Notre Dame vs UCLA game in 2006, the atmosphere was different. The Rose Bowl is a great setting for college football. The weather was nice and warm and perfect for tailgating. I have no idea how the city manages to keep the golf course in shape for actual golfing. With people driving on the fairways, trash all over the course and touch football games on the greens, who could stand to play that course? In addition, the course is closed for some lovely fall Saturdays and prime golfing weather. In South Bend, you park on a large grass lot. There are no leaves changing in Pasadena in the fall, as there are not many deciduous trees in Southern California. Also, you are not on the UCLA campus, but a 30 mile and one hour drive away. Some complain that UCLA should be playing on campus, but the fact is that Real Estate in West Los Angeles is far to expensive to place a stadium on or near campus. In addition, the Rose Bowl is better equipped to handle the influx of traffic and parking. The Rose Bowl is still somewhat centrally located to the greater Southern California community. Only the Coliseum provides more central access. I would argue that until the Metro Rail Exposition line is built by 2011, the Rose Bowl is an easier destination and better location. Even with gentrification and renewal over the last 20 years, the Coliseum is still located in a dodgy part of Los Angeles. The Rose Bowl also offers better sight lines than the Coliseum. Much of the stadium near the Peristyle end is away from the football field. Before the track was removed and the end zone stands were installed, the view was actually better there. Because on the field level, the players blocked the views of the lowest level seated patrons.
The Rose Bowl is much more comfortable than Notre Dame stadium. This is because there are seat backs on the chairs. It is a huge relief not to be fighting knees against backs against knees. It is still pretty tight in the Rose Bowl though. Tall people struggle to be comfortable. The game seemed to move much faster than it did in 2006. The elapsed time was 3:25 according to the official stats and was 3:35 according to the 2006 official stats.
It is all over but the crying for Wisconsin Badger fans. They lost to the Fighting Illini, who may now advance to the next big game at Iowa. The Illini are finally rising above doormat status in the Big Ten after a few years in the dust. Could the Big Ten resolve to an Ohio State - Michigan Matchup (shudders)?
<< Back to College Football 2007 Week 5 Analysis on Group29.com
On to College Football 2007 Week 7 Analysis on Group29.com >>
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Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 @ 14:52:41 UTC by BB
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