The “Grandaddy of them all” was one for the ages… at least in Columbus. The conservative, old school style of Ohio State proved to be too much for Oregon today with the Buckeyes pulling out the victory 26-17. The Buckeye defense smothered Jeremiah Masoli and the Ducks high-octane offense. Oft criticized Buckeye quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, carried Ohio State’s offense on his back to victory. Pryor threw for a season high 266 yards and rushed for an additional 72 yards. Pryor’s stats were impressive, but his poise and improvisation in the clutch are what set the Buckeyes apart today. Pryor was named the games MVP and the sophomore quarterback will enter the 2010 season with the confidence that he can win the big game.

Earlier in the day Florida State sent off legendary head coach Bobby Bowden with his 389th career win. The Seminoles knocked off No. 18 West Virginia, 33-21, in the final game of Bowden’s storied 44-year career as a head coach. We’re going to miss Bowden, but we’re glad he left the game a winner because that’s what he is.

In the final BCS game of the night the Florida Gators embarrassed the Cincinnati Bearcats 51-24. This was one of the least-entertaining Sugar Bowls in recent memory as Tim Tebow and the Florida offense dismantled the Bearcats defense. Tebow padded his career stats with a career day completing 31 of 35 pass attempts for 488 yards and three touchdowns. Tebow also ran for 51 yards and a touchdown. Not too many were surprised that the Bearcats were outclassed by the Gators, but they didn’t expect #4 Cincinnati to lay down like they did.

There is more bowl action tomorrow and the rest of the week capped off with the BCS Championship game on Thursday January 7th pitting the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Texas Longhorns. A great Alabama defense vs. veteran quarterback, Colt McCoy, should make for a great finale to the 2009 college football season.

Well that’s it, he’s back folks. If you’re a Buckeye you hate him. If you’re a Sooner you hate him. If you roll with the Tide you’re probably O.K. with him at the moment, but trust me, you’ll hate him in the years to come. Urban Meyer announced late Saturday that he would be retiring as head coach of the Florida Gators. Just one day after the emotional decision it looks like Meyer will take a step back and instead go on an “indefinite leave of absence.” In his press conference today Urban Meyer shed some light on his new decision to go on leave rather than retiring:

“I’ve accepted this offer to
improve my health… I want to make sure I do right by my family.  My
second family is my players and my staff.”

Meyer has remained extremely vague throughout the 24-hour retirement and comeback, though he has cited health issues as the core reason for having one foot out the door. Florida offensive coordinator Steve Adazzio will temporarily man the ship as interim head coach until Meyer is able to return, though there is no set time table or guarantees.

One of, if not the hottest name in college coaching, has stepped down due to health concerns. In the latter part of this college football season speculation swirled over the possibility of Meyer coaching at Notre Dame, but Urban proved what we’ve known and Brian Kelly will find out, it’s better not to coach at all, than coach at Notre Dame.

Urban Meyer rose to the spotlight after leading Utah to a perfect 12-0 season and Fiesta Bowl win. In his second season at Florida he lead the Gators to a 13-1 record winning a BCS Championship along the way. Two seasons later he was hoisting his second crystal ball for the Gators in another 13-1 season. Fast forward one year and Urban makes the announcement of his retirement just weeks prior to the Gators showdown with unbeaten Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl, a game he will be coaching in.

An excerpt from an ESPN article quoting Meyer on his decision to step away:

“I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program,” Meyer said in a statement released by the school. “I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to reevaluate my priorities of faith and family.”

O.K., now we don’t wanna’ be those guys, but in the wake of the Tiger scandal we can’t help but begin the speculation… Did his wife cruise through his Blackberry and find a list of mistresses? Does he think the Gators aren’t going to be able to compete without Tebow in the coming seasons? Is he bailing ship to jump on board with another big time program down the road? Was he pissed the Gators didn’t make it on our Bowl Game Gift List?

As fun as it is to speculate and spread rumors, the unfortunate, and most likely story, is that Urban has serious health problems related to stress and thankfully has decided to dedicate his time to what’s most important, family. Either that or he’s fucking the maid and she’s an FSU fan.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

1) Texas

2) Georgia

3) Notre Dame

4) Florida

5) Ohio State

6) USC

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F.