The Character of the Characters

They often say that sports build character and they often say that sports reveals character.

The funny thing is that sports is full of characters.  Chalk full of imbeciles, ignoramuses, and assholes; people who ultimately just don't get it.  Bad things are never their fault, gotta get theirs, pass the buck, point the finger.  It's vile from little league to Lambeau. 

That's why my new favorite coach is Chris Petersen, the fearless leader of the blue machine from Boise.

When his senior--Groza Award semi-finalist, all-time-scoring-leader-in-school-history, hometown hero--Kyle Brotzman missed not one, but two multi-million dollar, BCS clinching, sub-30-yard, game-winning field goals, Petersen said there was plenty of blame to go around, himself included.

But that's not why he's my favorite.

What catapulted Petersen atop my favorite leaders list was the reaction of his team.

Kellen Moore, the team leader, pro-prospect, Heisman candidate, All-American quarterback said, "We love him to death, he's one of our boys, he's part of this family."  Didn't he realize they just lost whatever hope they had to play for a National Championship?  Didn't matter.  He stood in front of the cameras and had his boy's back. 

While there was big money on the line and championships at stake, Petersen kept perspective around his team.  He reminded them that no one Bronco was bigger - or smaller - than any other Bronco.  Perhaps that is all character is?  A little perspective and a lot of respect. 

Ultimately, mistakes and successes have very little to do with character.  Character isn't built in the mano-a-mano moments.  It's built in the hours upon hours when there are no cameras or reporters.  It's built at 5am weights, two-a-days, and extra batting practice.  Hell, it's built at study hall.  It's built when you fail and pick yourself back up again and when you win and keep the axe to the grindstone.

The mano-a-mano moment is just that, a moment.  What did you do before and - far more importantly - what did you do after?  That's character revealed.

So when Brotzman missed, and then again, Petersen didn't scream "what went wrong?" and Brotzman didn't throw his helmet and sprint off the field.  Petersen didn't later tell the media he should have stuck with his gut and gone for two.

And in those moments we learned exactly why the Boise State Broncos are successful.  That's character revealed.

That night, Chris Petersen and the Boise State Broncos lost to the University of Nevada Wolfpack in a Western Athletic Conference football game.  They gained a whole lot more.

A.B. Homer Bowl Picks

Homer picks take two. Boom, posted.

Capital One Bowl: Penn State Nitanny Lions v. Louisiana State Tigers
Yawn. Here’s how this one plays out: it’s 3-2 mid way through the fourth quarter, a DB misses an outside tackle on a 5 yd pass play (pick the team, doesn’t matter), takes it house, something desperate happens at the end of the game when the teams are forced into two-minute offenses, someone scores or doesn’t, whole game’s decided on a broken play and the final minute. We’ll

say Lions ‘cause I like JoePa.

Nittany Lions: 10-9

Valero Alamo Bowl: Texas Tech Red Raiders v. Michigan State Spartans
In a match up I would hesitate to call a match up, Texas Tech takes its gimmick offense against traditional Big 10 brawn. Mike Leach and his trickeration have the 9th ranked offense in the country, blow out victories over Oklahoma and Nebraska (vaunted defenses anyone?), and will win this game handily. Not to mention the game is being played on turf. AHH! Too fast for the Spartans.

Red Raiders: 36-10

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Texas Christian Horned Frogs v. Boise State Broncos
Perhaps the most intriguing BCS game that has ever been played; but this is like playing for who gets to be DD: no one’s going to win a national title, no one’s going to respect either program any more (or less), and in the end everyone’s still going to say: they haven’t played or beaten anyone. In a day and age when the talent pool is spread so thin, college football is won by the best coaches; Patterson and Petersen are clearly two of the best. Frogs-Broncos is sexy because it’ll be a helluva game and that’s what I care about. Anyone who survives LeGarrette is tough enough.

Broncos: 37-30

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State Beavers v. Brigham Young Cougars
Let me get this off my chest: MIKE RILEY IS ONE OF THE TOP 5 COACHES IN AMERICA. Phew, that felt good. Another thing: how has BYU been invited to the Vegas Bowl five straight years? Vegas CANNOT be making money on that fan base. Anyhow, this should be a good game. I love the shifty Rodgers brothers and a senior Max Hall is certainly tough. But, the PAC-10 was talented this year and it has a battle-tested crop of bowl contenders.

Beavers: 31-24

Citi National Championship: Texas Longhorns v Alabama Crimson Tide
In a season that had five undefeateds and Florida this is our title game? Dammit. There’s really no Homer allegiance in this game other than to say: (get the tiny violin out) there should be a playoff (that’ll be a different talk). There’s no drama to this game, no intrigue other than its name, and – let’s be honest – everyone was expecting Tim Tebow. While the appeal of a senior Colt McCoy to win this game is tempting, he just doesn’t do it for me. Alabama’s tough and Saban teams just win.

Crimson Tide: 21-13